City of Lake Forest Park

Mayor Hutchinson Vetoes Ordinance 907

News Release

Mayor Hutchinson Vetoes Ordinance 907

Date:           June 4, 2004
Contact:     Karen Haines, City Administrator
                     City of Lake Forest Park • 206/368-5440

Lake Forest Park Mayor David R. Hutchinson issued a veto of Ordinance 907 on June 4. In describing his reasons for the veto, Mayor Hutchinson noted his belief that the ordinance does not solve the access, safety, liability and signage issues that are important in the redevelopment of the trail.

“I am certain that the City, King County and members of the community can work together to reach our common goals for the Burke-Gilman Trail. I have met with King County several times since the passage of Ordinance 907. I have received from the County Executive commitments to initiate a Lake Forest Park Citizen’s Advisory Task Force for the Burke-Gilman Trail, to have the outline of an Interlocal Agreement with King County that describes our common understanding of the process and timelines for trail redevelopment and a reorganization of the County team to include representative from the Executive’s Office.”

The City Council conducted a public hearing in May. The Council accepted both written and oral testimony. By May 27, 2004, over two hundred responses came to the City Clerk; they were overwhelmingly in opposition to the ordinance. Eighty-five percent of the over 100 self-identified Lake Forest Park residents, opposed the ordinance.

“I agree with the members of the City Council who raised issues about the importance of preserving our wetlands and stream crossings. This ordinance however, does not address these issues and has the unanticipated outcome of possibly blocking the redevelopment of the trail, and it may not enhance our environmental resources,” said Mayor Hutchinson.

In his veto message, the Mayor requested the City Council to table Ordinance 907 and its companion piece of legislation Ordinance 909, until the end of July. By the July 22 council meeting the Mayor and King County will have taken three steps toward working collaboratively on the plans for the redevelopment of the trail. First, there will be a reorganization of the County staff team to include members of the executive staff, second the County and the City will jointly develop an Interlocal Agreement that describes the roles and responsibilities of the parties and the time line for developing the process and third, the preliminary steps will be completed for the establishment of the Lake Forest Park Citizen’s Advisory Task Force for the Burke-Gilman Trail.

“The issues surrounding the redevelopment of the Burke-Gilman Trail have become overly contentious and divisive,” said the Mayor. “We need to move forward with clearly defined expectations and a transparent process. The perception of the vast majority of our citizens is that we are blocking the redevelopment of the trail. I know this is not the City Council’s intention. We can draft and adopt legislation that will get us to the goal that everyone shares—the redevelopment of the trail in a way that enhances safety, provides access and protects the city from spending public money on litigation. The Burke Gilman Trail is a community asset. It enhances the lives of all of the residents of Lake Forest Park. ”

For a copy of the Mayor’s veto letter go to the Mayor’s page.

News Release

Date:           June 4, 2004
Contact:     Karen Haines, City Administrator
                     City of Lake Forest Park • 206/368-5440

Mayor Hutchinson Vetoes Ordinance 907
Lake Forest Park Mayor David R. Hutchinson issued a veto of Ordinance 907 on June 4. In describing his reasons for the veto, Mayor Hutchinson noted his belief that the ordinance does not solve the access, safety, liability and signage issues that are important in the redevelopment of the trail.

“I am certain that the City, King County and members of the community can work together to reach our common goals for the Burke-Gilman Trail. I have met with King County several times since the passage of Ordinance 907. I have received from the County Executive commitments to initiate a Lake Forest Park Citizen’s Advisory Task Force for the Burke-Gilman Trail, to have the outline of an Interlocal Agreement with King County that describes our common understanding of the process and timelines for trail redevelopment and a reorganization of the County team to include representative from the Executive’s Office.”

The City Council conducted a public hearing in May. The Council accepted both written and oral testimony. By May 27, 2004, over two hundred responses came to the City Clerk; they were overwhelmingly in opposition to the ordinance. Eighty-five percent of the over 100 self-identified Lake Forest Park residents, opposed the ordinance.

“I agree with the members of the City Council who raised issues about the importance of preserving our wetlands and stream crossings. This ordinance however, does not address these issues and has the unanticipated outcome of possibly blocking the redevelopment of the trail, and it may not enhance our environmental resources,” said Mayor Hutchinson.

In his veto message, the Mayor requested the City Council to table Ordinance 907 and its companion piece of legislation Ordinance 909, until the end of July. By the July 22 council meeting the Mayor and King County will have taken three steps toward working collaboratively on the plans for the redevelopment of the trail. First, there will be a reorganization of the County staff team to include members of the executive staff, second the County and the City will jointly develop an Interlocal Agreement that describes the roles and responsibilities of the parties and the time line for developing the process and third, the preliminary steps will be completed for the establishment of the Lake Forest Park Citizen’s Advisory Task Force for the Burke-Gilman Trail.

“The issues surrounding the redevelopment of the Burke-Gilman Trail have become overly contentious and divisive,” said the Mayor. “We need to move forward with clearly defined expectations and a transparent process. The perception of the vast majority of our citizens is that we are blocking the redevelopment of the trail. I know this is not the City Council’s intention. We can draft and adopt legislation that will get us to the goal that everyone shares—the redevelopment of the trail in a way that enhances safety, provides access and protects the city from spending public money on litigation. The Burke Gilman Trail is a community asset. It enhances the lives of all of the residents of Lake Forest Park. ”

For a copy of the Mayor’s veto letter go to the Mayor’s page.

CITY OF LAKE FOREST PARK
City Hall
17425 Ballinger Way NE
Lake Forest Park, WA 98155
206 368-5440, FAX 206 364-6521
E-mail: cityhall@ci.lake-forest-park.wa.us

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