Lake Forest Park City Hall with Rainbow
Photo credit: K. Zech

City of Lake Forest Park

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


April 2020

Mayor Jeff Johnson
Mayor Jeff Johnson

Mayor's Message

During this unprecedented time of social and financial challenges, I would like to say to our LFP residents how much I appreciate everyone following the Stay Home, Stay Healthy order. Your social and physical distancing practices, in addition to staying home as much as possible, are making a positive difference in the health and safety of our community.

Behind the scenes, the Police Department, Public Works Department, and other City staff members are working hard to keep City services running smoothly. My sincere thanks to all of you.

Be sure to check out the budget update message from the City Administrator in this issue of the eNews. Like other cities and towns, we are facing unanticipated financial challenges. As I prepare the 2021-2022 biennial budget for consideration by the City Council later this year, we will face some hard decisions. Please know your city leaders and the Administration are at work to minimize the effect of the COVID-19 economic impact on the citizens of Lake Forest Park.

Our local businesses also deserve a shout-out. Please support them, both during this crisis and beyond into recovery.

I am proud to be your Mayor and appreciate everything being done in our community to keep us moving forward. #WeAreAllLFP

--Mayor Johnson


Bobcat, Lynx Rufus
Bobcat, Lynx Rufus

Council Update

As we enter our fifth week of the Stay Home, Stay Healthy order issued by Governor Inslee, I am truly grateful for the good sense shown by our LFP residents, whose responsible actions have allowed us to keep our parks open and helped keep the city healthy, with fewer than 30 positive COVID-19 cases. Sadly, we now have one loss of life, and our thoughts are with the family and friends at this time.

I am also grateful for our dedicated and thoughtful police officers as well as our steadfast city staff who are working from home, or are on call, and keeping the vital functions of our city running smoothly.

City Council has been meeting online and I hope you have had a chance to check in on us live, or to watch the video on the website. Also meeting online have been our hard-working Planning Commissioners, who have now completed their work on the municipal code setting parameters and design guidelines for a planned Sound Transit commuter parking garage, and the process by which building permit applications for the Town Center will be evaluated. As a City Council, we are very grateful for the focus and extraordinary efforts of the Planning Commissioners. The City Council will now play its part in reviewing the municipal code chapters that govern these matters. Our final vote can only take place once we are again able to hold a public hearing. We will keep the community informed about our progress and hope we can all be together to discuss the future of our Town Center in the not-too-distant future.

In closing, I want to wish everyone in our city well, and to share with you a picture of a very special visitor in my backyard last week which reminded me how lucky and blessed we are to live in this beautiful place.

This is a bobcat, Lynx Rufus, who is helping keep our rabbit population under control!

--Phillippa Kassover, Deputy Mayor
Budget

City Administrator Budget Briefing

Well, these certainly are challenging times. I hope this finds each of you well and taking opportunities to get out and enjoy a sunbreak now and then. While the Administration continues working to understand the full impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on City finances, the following steps were taken early on to keep the City in the best financial position possible:
  • Any vacant positions will not be filled until further notice.
  • All travel and training are suspended until further notice, unless this would impact critical services or required certifications.
  • All discretionary spending is suspended until further notice.
  • Seasonal workers will not be hired until further notice.
  • Contracted work will be evaluated and may be suspended as appropriate.
Additionally, the Administration is continually monitoring revenue sources and evaluating the impacts to the City budget. It is anticipated that the City could realize as much as a 12% impact to General Fund revenues and we will be working with the Budget and Finance Committee to identify opportunities to offset these losses while continuing to provide exemplary services to the community.

This summer, the City will begin work on the 2021-2022 biennial budget. Many challenges lay ahead, with the loss of road maintenance funds resulting from the passage of Initiative 976 and an economic future heavily impacted by current events. The Council and Administration are dedicated to delivering a budget balanced within these constraints during these uncertain times.

--Phillip Hill, City Administrator
Scales of Justice

Municipal Court Working Under Modified Operations

In the interest of public health during the COVID-19 outbreak, Lake Forest Park Municipal Court has modified court operations. The court will reschedule all out-of-custody court hearings. The court window is closed in conjunction with the City Hall closure. Staff in the office of the court clerk are available by telephone, and both mail and email will be received.
 
Notice of rescheduled hearings from the court will be sent via US mail. If your mailing address needs to be updated with the court, please call 206-364-7711. If you have a hearing set for video court, you will receive notice of the Zoom call-in number and conference PIN.
 
Probation appointments will be conducted via telephone. The defendant is required to contact his/her probation officer at any scheduled time, unless otherwise directed by the probation officer.
 
Jury service for the May jury term is canceled.
 
A complete list of the court modifications is detailed in the Administrative Order signed by the Presiding Judge on March 6, 2020. 
 
While the courtroom is closed to the public, interested persons may observe proceedings by entering the virtual courtroom. Video stream is only available while court is live.
 
For more information about Municipal Court operations, click here.

Let's Stock the Shelves - Book Now - Bloodworks NW

Bloodmobile is Closed, but Accepting Donations by Appointment at Bloodworks Donor Centers

While Bloodworks Northwest community blood drives are paused through May 31, you can still donate at Bloodworks Donor Centers. Donating blood is exempt from the stay home order, and is encouraged by the CDC, FDA, U.S. Surgeon General, and state and local health departments.
 
To keep everyone safe while meeting vital community needs, Bloodworks has shifted to only collecting donations at Bloodworks Donor Centers. Additional adjustments for safety have been made: sanitizing and scheduling adjustments, no one under age 16 is allowed in the centers, and centers have been adjusted to ensure social distancing whenever possible.
 
These measures are critical for the safety of everyone doing their part to protect the blood supply. However, they also mean it is even more important for donors to make and keep their appointments at the centers. In a typical month, mobile community drives supply approximately 60% of the local blood supply, with donation centers collecting the other 40%. To maintain the supply our local hospitals and healthcare providers need, we need donors to give at centers at unprecedented levels.
 
Please note appointments are required to help ensure social distancing. Call 1-800-398-7888 to find a center near you and set up an appointment.
 
Please schedule your spring blood donation now.

Emergency Call 911

Police Department Update

The Police Department would like to remind everyone that we are here if you need us. We have slightly altered our response for non-emergency calls, such as, taking reports over the phone, having reporting parties step outside to meet the officer, and maintaining appropriate physical distancing. We have provided our officers with additional personal protective equipment (PPE) and sanitizing products. We are in continuous contact with our Northshore Emergency Management Coalition (NEMCo), Fire Department and medical partners, staying up-to-date with the latest information regarding the COVID-19 situation. While you may see some changes in our response, we are here and will continue to be here to serve the citizens of Lake Forest Park.


Municipal Clerks Week

In Celebration of Municipal Clerks Week

The week of Sunday, May 3 through Saturday, May 9, 2020 is the 51st Annual Professional Municipal Clerks Week. Initiated in 1969 by the International Institute of Municipal Clerks and endorsed by all of its members throughout the United States, Canada and 15 other countries, the week is a time of celebration and reflection on the importance of the office of the Clerk.
 
The main function of City Clerks and Deputy Clerks is to serve as the foundation for the City Council. Other duties include, but are not limited to, preparing agendas, taking minutes, maintaining ordinance and resolutions files, keeping historical records, processing permits and serving as the clearinghouse for information about the local government.
 
The Municipal Clerk is one of the oldest positions in local government. Clerk duties have expanded over the years and, today, modern technology assists them with their increasing responsibilities. To stay abreast of new computer applications, records management and other relevant information, many City Clerks and Deputy Clerks return to the classroom to increase their knowledge of these issues, learn new material and sharpen old skills.

Airplane

Delay of REAL ID Act Enforcement

The Department of Homeland Security announced in late March that it will delay enforcing the REAL ID Act until October 1, 2021. This decision is expected to promote social distancing in the months ahead by reducing the number of people visiting passport and driver licensing offices to obtain compliant identification.
 
Passed by Congress in 2005 in an effort to strengthen security standards after 9/11, the REAL ID Act had been scheduled to take effect on October 1, 2020.
 
When enforcement of the REAL ID Act begins, every air traveler 18 years of age or older will need a compliant form of ID in order to fly within the United States or access certain federal buildings, including military bases. There are many ID options, including a Passport book or card, or an enhanced Washington driver license or ID card. For more information, visit the WA Department of Licensing website.

Building, Planning, Zoning Sign

Planning and Building Update

The Planning and Building departments continue to process those applications that are associated with essential work and those that have statutory deadlines.

City staff is also working to provide physical access to application documents that have open comment periods so that members of the public can view and comment on application materials. If citizens wish to review file materials in order to prepare comments on an application that has an open comment period, please contact the staff person indicated on the project notice to schedule an appointment to view the record files. City staff can provide access to project permit files while observing required social distancing practices. Staff can also answer questions over the phone and confirm that comments have been received and been made part of the public record.

I drip. You fix me. Any questions?

Get Leaks Checked Quickly

Leaks can quickly turn expensive if not repaired immediately. Gaskets are cheap and can usually be replaced for under $5. Some leaks may come from a loose part or filter that only needs to be tightened. Taking the time for proper repairs and maintenance will add years to the life of your vehicle and will help protect our streams for future generations.

Get a free leak inspection, learn how to prevent, check for and identify leaks, and find local mechanics on the
Fix Car Leaks website.

Stay Informed: Subscribe for Updates on City Events, Meetings, and News

Did you know there are several ways to stay informed about City meetings, events, and news? Click here for subscription options.
  • City Council Agendas (regular meetings and work sessions)
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  • Town Center Vision
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17425 Ballinger Way NE, Lake Forest Park, WA 98155

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