Deputy Mayor Lorri Bodi

Thankful

As the holiday season approaches, our community has much to be thankful for. Unlike some cities, Lake Forest Park has a dedicated and collegial Council and Administration. We also have a small, hardworking, multi-tasking staff, including our Police, Public Works, and Planning departments. Dozens of residents volunteer their time to serve on the Planning Commission, Climate Action Committee, Parks and Recreation Board, Tree Board, and Civil Service Commission. Our public schools and PTAs are commendable and diverse.

It doesn’t end there. Lake Forest Park’s community is enhanced by many non-profits that support our quality of life. Friends of Third Place Commons hosts and funds hundreds of events at Town Center, as well as the Farmer’s Market and Holiday Craft Fairs. The LFP Stewardship Foundation educates and advocates for our streams and green spaces. The LFP Rotary funds a range of community programs and enhancements. Other valued community partners include the Shoreline-Lake Forest Park Senior Center, the Center for Human Services, ShoreLake Arts, the LFP Garden Club, the Shoreline Historical Museum, and Citizens Organized to Rethink Expansion. Please remember these organizations as you consider your year-end giving and Giving Tuesday, December 3, so they can continue to give back to us!

- Deputy Mayor Bodi

People at Lake Forest Park Farmer's market

Join Us for the Public Hearing on the 2024 Comprehensive Plan Periodic Update

The City Council invites you to the public hearing on the proposed 2024 Comprehensive Plan Periodic Update. The Periodic Update extends the City's policy period out to 2044 and is required pursuant to the Washington State Growth Management Act. The existing Plan was reviewed and updated to address recent legislation and changes to regional and local conditions and plans.

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

When: Monday, December 2, 2024, at 7:00 P.M.
Where: City Council Chambers, City Hall (17425 Ballinger Way NE).
Instructions for attending virtually are on the agenda.

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 2024 Comprehensive Plan Periodic Update, as recommended by the Planning Commission is available on our website at Lake Forest Park Comprehensive Plan Update 2024 | Lake Forest Park, WA - Official Website.

Winter is Coming - Are You Prepared?

Last week’s “bomb cyclone” weather event brought with it strong winds, downed trees, and extended power outages that impacted the region for days. As we continue to clean up the debris left by those winds and head into Thanksgiving, let’s make sure the important lessons that this storm also left us are not overlooked. One of the more notable lessons left is that taking time to prepare before a storm, or other disaster event, pays dividends when disaster strikes!

Storms like this are also great reminders of what we may expect as winter approaches. With these lessons so fresh in our minds, now is the time for each of us to look at how we weathered the storm and do something to better prepare ourselves. One action that is very valuable and worth doing is to attend our upcoming Community Emergency Preparedness Workshop on December 7th from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.

This FREE workshop is being hosted by the Northshore Emergency Management Coalition (NEMCo) in conjunction with the Shoreline Fire Department at Station 61 in Shoreline. It will cover key topics such as threats that may impact our area, steps to make your home safer, fire safety, and how to communicate with family and community members during a disaster. This workshop will share this information through a presentation by Captain Andrew Leith of Shoreline Fire Department followed by practical demonstrations facilitated by instructors from NEMCo’s Volunteer Corps.

You can sign-up for the workshop at https://bit.ly/4bNJYSi or check out the event flyer for more information.

More Winter Preparedness Tips can be found here.

Welcome to Our New Public Works Superintendent –
Justin Ell

Justin Ell

The City of Lake Forest Park is excited to welcome Justin Ell to its Public Works department. Justin was hired as the city’s new superintendent in November 2024. He brings with him over 20 years of public works experience, including nine years as a former Maintenance Worker with Lake Forest Park.

Our Public Works crew is an essential part of the city. In addition to maintaining our parks and roadways, they partner with our Police Department and other entities to quickly respond to emergencies such as downed trees, snow and ice, and flooding. Over the past year, our Public Works department has experienced several retirements, resulting in losing over 64 years of combined experience! While we certainly miss this valuable job knowledge, we are excited about the continued growth of our Public Works crew and motivated team, who maintains the essential services for our residents with a high level of customer service and skill.

Sewer Rate Increase for 2025

The City’s sewer rate has two components: King County’s and the City’s portions. King County assesses a fee for the cost of sewage disposal, including the operation of sewage treatment plants and the maintenance of the facilities. This is the larger portion of the bill and is a true pass-through to King County, which is increasing by 5.75% ($3.17/month) in 2025.

The City’s portion, which is used for the maintenance and repair of the LFP sewer system, is increasing by 5% ($1.07/month) to keep up with inflation and rising costs. As a result, the residential sewer bill will increase on January 1, 2025, from $162.18 every two months to $171.16. You will see the new rate reflected on the February 1 billing.

Tree Planting at Horizon View Reservoir – November 30, 2024

The Lake Forest Park Tree Board will be planting two trees on Saturday, November 30, at 11:00 a.m. The public is invited to help and learn how to plant a tree correctly.

The trees will be planted at the southeast corner of the Horizon View Reservoir (NE 195th Street and 47th Ave NE). Work gloves are advised.

Miyawaki Forest First Birthday Party – December 8, 2024

Date: Sunday, December 8th
Time: 3:30 - 5:15 PM
Location: Shoreline Historical Museum,
18501 Linden Ave N, Shoreline, WA 98133

A year ago, 300 community members of all ages helped plant the Miyawaki Urban Forest at the Shoreline Historical Museum. Now, we’re excited to celebrate its growth with a special event—a Birthday Party!

At this event, guest artist and storyteller Roger Fernandes, member of the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe, will dedicate his art piece titled "The Welcome Rock: The Rocks Hold the Memories of Our People."

The Welcome Rock is a 6′ x 3′ glacial rock designed by Fernandes, featuring carvings inspired by the teachings of local Coast Salish Tribes. Join us as Fernandes shares the stories and inspiration behind his work.

Holiday Farmer’s Market & Craft Fair – December 15, 2024

Get your holiday cheer on at two special markets from Third Place Commons on Sunday, December 15th from 10 AM to 2 PM.

Stock your fridge and pantry for the holidays with the offerings of many of your favorite market vendors from the LFP Farmer’s Market back for this special market event!

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 Lake Forest Park Farmer’s Market and Craft Fair will take place at the Town Center at Lake Forest Park, 17171 Bothell Way NE. See you at the market!

For more information, visit the Third Place Commons website.

COMMUNITY INFORMATION

Reporting Streetlight Repairs with Seattle City Light
LFP Early Registration for Winter Recreation Programs with the City of Shoreline Begins December 17, 2024
Holiday Recycling Tips
Keep Fats, Oils, Grease, and Wipes Out of Our Pipes!

Reporting Streetlight Repairs with Seattle City Light

As the weather changes, the need for streetlight repairs in Lake Forest Park tends to increase. Please contact Seattle City Light (SCL) to report a streetlight issue. SCL aims to complete repairs within 14 days unless complications with the electrical supply arise.

HOW TO REPORT A STREETLIGHT OUTAGE:

To report an outage, click the link below and select "Streetlight Repair" to be directed to SCL's reporting page. This online system is SCL's preferred method for reporting outages and allows residents to track repair progress via the Streetlight Repair Tracker. You can also learn if it is a more involved repair requiring additional time.

Report Streetlight Outages

Alternatively, you can call SCL directly at 206-684-7056.

LFP Early Registration for Winter Recreation Programs with the City of Shoreline Begins December 17, 2024

Are you a Lake Forest Park resident who is interested in recreation? Take advantage of recreation programs offered through the City of Shoreline. Lake Forest Park residents are eligible for a 24-hour early registration period prior to the start of each season’s programs, plus an 8% discount on all program fees (not rentals) throughout the entire year! Early registration for LFP residents for January – June 2025 begins December 17, 2024.

Visit https://www.shorelinewa.gov/ for more information or give them a call at 206-801-2600 with any questions.

Reminder, LFP offers scholarship reimbursements for eligible youth and specialized recreation participants who reside in the City and are registered for and attend cultural, recreation, or aquatic programs and camps. More information on how to register, scholarships or our partnership with the City of Shoreline is available on our website: https://cityoflfp.gov/396. You can also call City Hall at 206-368-5440.

Holiday Recycling Tips

During the holiday season, household waste increases by 25%, which can add 1 million tons of trash to our landfills. View the image from Republic Services to discover what to throw away and what to recycle.

Look for ways to use reusable, compostable, or recyclable items this holiday season!

For more information on your curbside collection, head to the Republic Services website.

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.

DECEMBER 2024

DEPUTY MAYOR'S CORNER

Thankful

DEPARTMENT UPDATES