City of Lake Forest Park
17425 Ballinger Way NE
Lake Forest Park, WA 98155
www.cityoflfp.gov
206-368-5440

NOVEMBER 2024

DEPARTMENT UPDATES

Community Survey: We Need Your Input!
The City of Lake Forest Park is Building a Roundabout in 2025
Join Us for the Final Public Hearing on the Proposed 2025-2026 Biennial Budget
Lake Forest Park is Hiring
Climate Policy Advisory Team Begins Work on Creation of a Climate Element
Volunteer Needed for the Tree Board

Community Survey: We Need Your Input!

The City of Lake Forest Park is seeking your input to help prioritize our community's needs. We invite you to participate in our Community Survey, open now until November 20, 2024. You should be receiving a letter next week in the mail with instructions on how to participate in the Community Survey.

As a full-service city, Lake Forest Park provides essential services, including road maintenance, sewer and stormwater utilities, parks and recreation, a dedicated police force, and our own court system. To effectively serve you, it’s vital that we understand what matters most to our residents.

How to Participate:

Your feedback is invaluable as we collaborate to ensure a thriving future for Lake Forest Park. The survey is confidential and takes about 10 minutes to complete. Please choose one option per household:

Online: Visit LFPcommunitysurvey.com.
By Phone: Call 206-291-0746 to complete the survey with a representative.
By Mail: Fill out the survey and return it in the provided postage-paid envelope. Keep an eye out for surveys arriving in early November.

For your anonymity and security, please use the PIN code at the top of your survey letter.

Thank you for contributing to the development of a strong and sustainable community! Your input truly makes a difference!

The City of Lake Forest Park is Building a Roundabout in 2025

Project Overview

The City of Lake Forest Park is building a roundabout on Ballinger Way NE in 2025. It will be located at the intersection of SR-104 (Ballinger Way NE), 40th Place NE, and NE 184th Street. The project will include a single-lane roundabout, new sidewalks and shared use pathways, four new pedestrian crossings with refuge islands, and improved street lighting.

Looking towards the future with safety, efficiency, and the environment in mind, this project will allow our community to grow mindfully while also improving air quality and providing the infrastructure necessary to promote non-vehicular travel along the SR-104 corridor.

What to Expect

Construction is expected to begin in Spring 2025 and be completed by Fall 2026. Over this 18-month period, work will occur alternately on the northbound and southbound sections of SR-104, resulting in reduced traffic lanes managed by flaggers. The timing for all closures and partial closures is yet to be determined. Please watch for posted notices and check our website for updates and more details throughout the construction period.

Projected Timeline

Early 2025 - Project Advertised for Competitive Bidding

Early 2025 - Contractor Selected

Spring 2025 - Construction Scheduled to Begin

Fall 2026 - Construction Scheduled for Completion

Join Us for the Final Public Hearing on the 2025-2026 Biennial Budget

The City Council invites you to the final public hearing on the proposed 2025-2026 biennial budget, which will address proposed increases to the property tax levy and utility rates, along with other important budget-related items.

Your input matters! We encourage residents to share their thoughts during this crucial hearing.

When: November 7, 2024, at 7:00 P.M.
Where: City Council Chambers, City Hall (17425 Ballinger Way NE) or via Zoom.
Instructions for attending virtually will be included in the agenda once available.

Get Involved:

Written Comments: Submit your feedback to City Clerk Matt McLean at mmclean@cityoflfp.gov by 5:00 P.M. on the hearing date. All written testimony will be shared with the City Council.
Oral Comments: If you’d like to speak in person, there is a sign-up sheet just inside the Council Chambers door or call City Clerk Matt McLean at (206) 368-5440 by 5:00 P.M. on the day of the meeting.

The full proposed budget is available on our website at https://www.cityoflfp.gov/.

Lake Forest Park is Hiring!

We would love for you to join our team! We are currently seeking candidates for the following full-time, benefit-eligible positions:

Finance Specialist – Utility Billing/Business Tax & Licensing (B&O)
Director of Public Works
Building Official
Senior Project Manager
Lateral Police Officer

This is your chance to make a meaningful impact in Lake Forest Park! Find more information about these positions here.

Climate Policy Advisory Team Begins Work on Creation of a Climate Element

The City’s Climate Policy Advisory Team (CPAT) has been temporarily established to advise the City on policies and regulations that will lead to the addition of a climate element in the Comprehensive Plan. This will be accomplished by:

Analyzing climate information to provide recommendations.
Reviewing and recommending goals and policies for the Climate Element.
Participating in meetings to help refine the direction of the Climate Element.
Reviewing and providing feedback on information gathered through engagement processes to ensure the Climate Element incorporates input from affected communities, stakeholders, partner agencies, and City staff.
Stewarding the process and building broad community support to enable the City to successfully adopt the Climate Element into the Comprehensive Plan.

Numerous opportunities for review and input will be provided over the coming year, and public participation is encouraged.

Volunteer Needed for the Tree Board

Are you passionate about community growth and sustainability? If so, apply to be a volunteer on the City’s Tree Board! If you would like to apply, please complete the online application.

Tree Board

The Tree Board provides advice to the City Council on policy and regulatory issues involving trees, provides outreach and education to the community on tree-related issues, and organizes and facilitates public events involving trees.

The Tree Board meets the first Wednesday of each month at 7:00 p.m. Meetings are hybrid—on Zoom and in-person at City Hall. Board members must live within or own property within the city limits of Lake Forest Park.

There is one vacant position.

Please email Assistant Planner Elizabeth Talavera with questions

Northshore Fire Department Public Hearing – November 5

Attention Lake Forest Park and Kenmore Residents! The Board of Fire Commissioners for Northshore Fire Department is holding a public hearing, and they want to hear from you.

Agenda:

Review sources of revenue for the District’s 2025 expense budget, including revenue from property taxes and possible increases in property tax revenues, if any, as required by RCW 84.55.120; and
Review and establish the District’s benefit charge to be imposed in 2025 for the support of its legally authorized activities which will maintain or improve the services afforded in the District as provided in RCW 52.18.060.

When: November 5, 2024 at 5:00 PM (or shortly after)

Where: Station 51, 7220 NE 181st Street, Kenmore, WA 98028
or via Zoom
Meeting ID: 850 4471 3997
Passcode: 743608
Or call in at (253) 215-8782

Notice of Public Hearing Northshore Fire Department.

Photo credit: Freepik

NEMCo Drone Team Community Open House and Birthday Party – November 7

Join the Northshore Emergency Management Coalition (NEMCo) for a community open house celebrating the Drone Team’s first birthday on Thursday, November 7, 2024! Learn how drones are being deployed as a resource in our community. Enjoy delicious birthday cake, snacks, a drone display, drone technology demonstration, and much more.

When:
Thursday, November 7, 2024
7:00 PM - 8:30 PM

Where:
Kenmore Fire Department Station 51
7220 NE 181^st Street, Kenmore, WA 98028

The NEMCo Drone Team is a volunteer program with a mission to reduce risk, liability, and exposure to hazards for volunteers, first responders, and the public. They provide incident aerial imagery to NEMCo’s Emergency Manager for wider distribution.

Interested in joining the drone team? Stop by, meet the team and see how you can become involved. We provide FREE training on ground, air, flight, and pilot operations to qualify you for emergency response drone activities. Students are encouraged to participate and can receive education credit.

For more events and information visit: WWW.NorthshoreEMC.com

Event Flyer

Recycling Collection Event with the City of Kenmore – November 9

The Cities of Lake Forest Park and Kenmore are excited to partner for a Recycling Collection Event! For a complete list of accepted items and restrictions, please check the Event Flyer. Note that fees apply for certain items.

When:
Saturday, November 9, 2024
9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Where:
Northlake Lutheran Church
6620 NE 185^th St, Kenmore, WA 98028

What Can You Bring? (Please refer to the Event Flyer for additional details):

Tires*
Propane Tanks*
Appliances & Scrap Metal*
Porcelain Toilets & Sinks*
Lead Acid & Household Batteries
Mattresses*
Paper Shredding (4 box limit)
Clean Bulky Wood
Refrigerators & Freezers*

*Fees Apply

Please note: No flat beds or dump trucks allowed. We reserve the right to refuse over-sized, commercial, contaminated, excessive, or unacceptable loads.

Holiday Farmers Markets & Craft Fairs – November 24 & December 15

Get your holiday cheer on at two special markets from Third Place Commons and the Lake Forest Park Farmers Market on Sunday, November 24th and Sunday, December 15th from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM.

Stock your fridge and pantry for the holidays with offerings from many of your favorite vendors at the LFP Farmers Market, returning for these special events! You can also get a jumpstart on your holiday shopping with an amazing array of one-of-a-kind handmade gifts, art, wearables, and decorations that are sure to get you in the spirit.

The holiday crafts fair will be in the lower lobby of Town Center at Lake Forest Park, just downstairs from Third Place Commons. Meanwhile, our regular food vendors will be outside in their usual spot, along with some more great crafts vendors.

Come celebrate the season with us at the Town Center at Lake Forest Park, located at 17171 Bothell Way NE. We look forward to seeing you at the market!

More information can be found here.

COMMUNITY INFORMATION

Diaper Donation Drive - November 12 – 27, 2024
Halloween Recycling Tips
Keep Fats, Oils, Grease, and Wipes Out of Our Pipes!
Don’t Wait to Inflate
BYOB – Bring Your Own Bag!
Leaves are Changing and Wetter Weather is Upon Us!
Reminder: it’s Salmon “SEEson”

Diaper Donation Drive - November 12 – 27, 2024

The City of Lake Forest Park is hosting a diaper donation drive supporting Babies of Homelessness from November 12th - November 27th. Stop by anytime Monday - Friday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. to drop off your donations.

Accepted donations include: diapers (open packages are okay), packages of new wipes, and unopened, unexpired formula.

Thank you in advance for helping us support this great organization, which provides low-income families within King and Snohomish Counties the baby essentials they need.

Learn more at https://babiesofhomelessness.org/.

diaper donation drive flyer for babies of homelessness

Halloween Recycling Tips

Halloween waste can be a real fright! Follow these recycling and reusing tips to keep it to a minimum.

Visit the Republic Services website for more information.

Keep Fats, Oils, Grease, and Wipes Out of Our Pipes!

Wipes, paper towels, and other “unflushables” can create a sewer backup in your home and the environment, flush only toilet paper! Fats, oils, and grease (FOG)—found in many common foods and ingredients like meat fats, lard, oils, butter, and sauces—often make their way down drains when rinsing dishes. To protect your home, the sewer system, and the environment, be sure to dispose of these items in the trash or compost instead of your pipes.

Here are some helpful reminders to keep your pipes unclogged:

Don’t Flush Trash: This includes wipes, hygiene products, and FOG. Even items labeled “flushable” don’t break down like toilet paper. Use the trash before causing trouble in your sewer pipes!
Never Pour FOG Down Sink Drains or Toilets
Use Drain Screens: These can capture food particles, which should be disposed of in the garbage or a rodent-proof compost bin.
Opt for Dry Cleanup First: Before using water to clean kitchenware and spills, use dry methods to minimize waste.
Collect and Dispose of Waste: Gather FOG, hair, and food scraps, and throw them in the garbage or compost.

For more information, visit the King County website.

Don't Wait to Inflate

As the weather changes and temperatures drop in Lake Forest Park, there are simple actions we can take to keep our waterways clean and healthy. One effective step you can take today is to check your tire pressure and top off as needed. Colder temperatures often lead to lower tire pressure. Don’t wait to inflate!

Here are three great reasons why you should keep your tires properly inflated:

Stay Safer on the Road: Properly inflated tires improve vehicle handling and safety, helping you avoid blowouts.
Save Money: Keeping your tires properly inflated can improve your gas mileage by up to 3% and extend the life of your tires.
Help Save Our Salmon: Proper tire maintenance helps protect our local coho salmon from tire particles that release lethal 6PPD-q pollutants. Together, we can keep 6PPD and 6PPD-q out of our creeks, Lake Washington, and the greater Puget Sound watershed.

BYOB - Bring Your Own Bag!

Struggling to remember your reusable bags when you shop? After using them, try placing them by your door, leaving them in your car, or stashing some with the items you take to and from work or school. These visual reminders will help you consistently bring your reusable bags into stores.

Plastic carry-out bags are a significant contaminant in our state’s material recovery facilities and pose a threat to our environment, especially in waterways and along roadways. If you choose to use plastic bags, please opt for compliant reusable ones.

For more information, please visit the Washington State Department of Ecology website.

Reminder: it's Salmon "SEEson"

This program helps everyone in the community witness amazing salmon migrate upstream at locations around King County. Check out these salmon viewing locations that give you the chance of potentially seeing salmon in Lake Forest Park:

Lyon Creek Waterfront Preserve
Blue Heron Park
Pfingst Animal Acres Park

Signs are posted in the park at all three locations. Check out the Salmon SEEson website for other viewing opportunities and education resources.

More information on viewing locations in Lake Forest Park.

Leaves are Changing and Wetter Weather is Upon Us!

What can you do to protect yourself, your neighbors, and the environment? Here are a few suggestions to get you started:

Clear Storm Drains: Keep storm drains free of leaves and debris. Dispose of them in your yard waste tote or compost to help prevent flooding and pooling. DO NOT rake or blow leaves into the street, ditches, or rights-of-way.
Maintain Gutters and Downspouts: Keep your home’s gutters and downspouts free of excess leaves.
Use Sandbags and Landscape Barriers: Using sandbags or landscape barriers helps prevent washout into the road.

If flooding is severe, or you find evidence of dumping, please call 206-368-5440. For more information on flood preparation check out our website.

In need of sandbags? Our Public Works has some prepared and ready to grab at these locations.

Stay Current on City News

Want to keep up with what’s going on at the City? There are several ways to stay informed. Subscription options include notices of city meetings and events, planning announcements, emergency alerts, city newsflashes, and more! Click here for the full list of available subscriptions.