Council Corner - Your Voice in LFP's Future

At the City Council meeting on July 22, the Council discussed the proposal to place a measure on the November ballot, asking voters if they wish to raise property taxes through a levy lid lift, to fund walkways, sidewalks, safe connections, parks and recreation. Council had a robust discussion which reviewed our earlier exploration of projects that could be funded, whether the increase would be permanent, how much should be raised, and how the Council will ensure that residents will always know exactly how the funds are spent and will participate in setting current and future goals.

The Council voted 6-0 (Cmbr. John Wright was absent) to place a permanent levy lid lift on the November 2, 2021 ballot to raise approximately $2 million per year. This increase will be restricted to funding projects from the Safe Streets report, the Parks, Recreation, Open Space and Trails (PROST) Plan, and future parks, recreation and pedestrian/cyclist connectivity plans adopted by Council. Both Safe Streets and PROST were developed in the past five years with significant community input. Some of the key projects already identified are sidewalks around our three school neighborhoods: LFP Elementary, Brookside, and Briarcrest (serving Briarcrest Elementary, Kellogg Middle School and Shorecrest High School). A high priority in the PROST Plan is the design and development of our newly acquired lakefront property across from City Hall and next to the Lyon Creek Preserve. 

If voters approve the increase, the median valued home in Lake Forest Park of $617,000, as determined by the King County Assessor’s office, will see an annual property tax increase of $366.01, or $30.50 per month in 2022. Each year the Council must decide how much tax to levy and would have the opportunity to reduce the amount if less is needed for projects or maintenance for safe streets and parks during the coming year.

To put the City’s share of property taxes in perspective, the City of Lake Forest Park currently receives a little less than 9 percent of the property taxes we all pay as residents. The schools receive approximately 64 percent; King County 17 percent; our Fire District 7 percent; and the KC Library receives 3 percent.

The Safe Streets report and PROST Plan include new sidewalks, traffic-calming, and safe connections throughout the City, as well as improvements to and recreational opportunities in our current and newly acquired parks. It is Council’s intent that some of the new $2 million in revenue will pay for the increased maintenance and operations of this new infrastructure, that cannot be covered with current funding. During the next few weeks, Council will develop an accountability plan in a separate resolution to ensure implementation of Council’s commitment to transparency and community engagement in planning, budgeting, and accounting for projects using the levy lid lift funds.

More information about this ballot measure will be forthcoming from the City Administration over the next few months. It is the Administration’s responsibility to present clear and factual information to assist voters in making a decision. 

Now that the Council has voted to place the question before the voters, Council Members may only discuss the facts of LFP Proposition 1 while participating in official meetings or using City resources.

If you wish to see the Council discussion and eventual vote on this levy lid lift, you may see the video recording of the July 22 meeting here.

Read the PROST Plan and the Safe Streets report.

-- Deputy Mayor Phillippa Kassover

Lake Forest Park Accessory Dwelling Unit Survey

The Lake Forest Park Planning Commission has been reviewing the City's Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) code over the last few months to determine if changes to this code could be beneficial. An accessory dwelling unit (ADU) is a small, self-contained residential unit or apartment located on the same lot as an existing single-family home.

At its July meeting, the Commission reviewed the initial results of a web-based survey designed to get some feedback on whether community members thought there was a need to change the regulations. The link to the Commission’s survey was posted on the City’s website through a Newsflash and through the City’s Facebook, Twitter, and Nextdoor accounts for most of the month of June. There were roughly 240 completed surveys which included a significant number of written comments. For this reason, the Commission is continuing to analyze the feedback prior to reaching conclusions about the results.

Battle of the Bands Live and In Person at Pfingst Animal Acres Park - August 10, 11, & 14!

Join us for three open-air concerts. Five bands will compete on August 10; five more on August 11; and the finalists from both rounds compete in the finals on August 14, with the chance to win some amazing industry prizes! Come out to the Pfingst Animal Acres Park and support emerging local bands playing their own music, just $5.00 each night.

Winners will be decided by the judges. Crowd enthusiasm and excitement is a factor in jury decisions, so join in and cheer and applaud for your favorite bands!

The goal of the event is to support emerging and developing musicians in Washington State and encourage appreciation for the art of music in our community.

At each event, there will be a food truck, as well as a beer tent for those attending who are 21+.

Tickets and more information can be found here.

Update on August City Council Meetings

• City Council Budget & Finance Committee – Thursday, August 19, 2021
• City Council Committee of the Whole – Monday, August 23, 2021
• City Council Regular Business Meeting – Thursday, August 26, 2021

Reasons to Not Wash Your Car at Home

It’s summertime in the Pacific Northwest! That means you can finally wash your car without the fear of rain the next day. Owning and maintaining a car has its own environmental impact, but certain car washing practices can pollute our waterways and harm wildlife. It is always best to use a commercial car wash, as they are required to send their soapy, dirty, grimy water to the same system that wastewater from our showers, sinks, and toilets go to be treated and cleaned!

Everything done on streets, parking lots, and at your home driveway goes straight down the storm drain and dumps to the nearest outlet of a stream, Lake Washington, or Puget Sound. We all enjoy a nice shiny clean car, but home car washing can use excessive amounts of water and sends lots of pollutants like oils, heavy metals, detergents, soaps, and grime into the storm drains.

Read on to make sure your summer car wash supports a healthy environment.

Closure of Log Boom Park in Kenmore - Project Construction Begins the Week of July 26