[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6348988,"mediaKeyId","2239523-d05222481ca4de0914316592de1b423c","parentId",2239523,"title","Council discusses rules for proclamations, advisory‑body interactions and youth‑council staffing; seeks form and clearer joint‑meeting process","audioSeconds",1836,"startMs",19954000,"endMs",21790000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2239523-d05222481ca4de0914316592de1b423c&start=19954&end=21790","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2239523-d05222481ca4de0914316592de1b423c/thumbnail_19954000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6348988/Covington/King-County/Washington/Council-discusses-rules-for-proclamations-advisorybody-interactions-and-youthcouncil-staffing-seeks-form-and-clearer-jointmeeting-process","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6348988-96fdac795d6ce3fd1c44a5e7c6434bfb/orig.mp4?Expires=1771024109&Signature=lF7rXZ1mV66X9M48P1Z7d6ybmbfxeQlVW0ztGE7GmJdm5toITSIJT9nRH8kByXI5Bh8MSUdDUbOkPLwZYaUK6y3UKVOZGQ1dBusb48HNVnqHuTJ0wZZi6S-i6FuIJQrUSWihHOBjwN0HO61eSEQgHvJxmkNnpYlBU3kxY~EjxxFMpJV4izX1ZsV~zVUYJNd2fL9FiitCqTYnZsscUqkZnZmUvrluxzuJrRk6-J8nDXtw9ko6PAqP8QsSiYGMRFSx~wEjpO8Khd~R3VePXmQXwictlX0vohIEyvPYANiPot9y7bz7o1pBpBl5xSg1LuAEZ5kA2j0PlQZvS4dq9RA21A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Covington City, Washington","date","2025-02-05T22:51:18Z","article","Councilors on Monday discussed three procedural topics: public proclamations, council presence at advisory‑body meetings and the role of adult leaders on the city’s youth council.

On proclamations, staff said the current practice has the mayor issue ceremonial proclamations and the city routinely places all council signatures on printed proclamations. Several councilors noted a single recent case that prompted questions about whether every proclamation should be reviewed by the full council before signatures were added. Councilors agreed not to change the role of the mayor as ceremonial issuer, but asked staff to prepare a short standardized submission form that requesters must complete; the form will include basic screening questions (for example whether the request is political or religious). Council also asked that requests be circulated to council members in advance so members can review text before a printed proclamation is distributed; staff will provide a standard circulation timetable.

On interactions with advisory bodies, the council reaffirmed existing language that discourages council members from attending advisory‑body meetings in an official capacity in order to avoid undue influence on volunteer panels. Council members may attend in a personal capacity, but must identify themselves as private citizens. Councilors asked staff to offer each commission an opportunity for an early‑year, joint “work‑plan” session that reviews the board’s charter and priorities and to set aside longer study‑session time for commissions that request more in‑depth direction. Council members said those structured, scheduled interactions would be preferable to ad‑hoc attendance at monthly meetings.

On the youth council, staff recommended — and council agreed by consensus — that the volunteer adult leader role be reduced or eliminated in favor of a staff liaison model. Staff reported two practical difficulties with multiple volunteer adult leaders: inconsistent attendance and unintended adult‑led steering of discussions that should be youth‑led. Councilors told staff to move forward with a staff‑led liaison model while preserving mentorship and resource connections for youth members; staff will adjust the commission recruitment materials to reflect the new approach.

Council directed staff to prepare a draft proclamation submission form, a process memo explaining council attendance policy and a proposed schedule for joint‑meeting work sessions with advisory bodies. The documents will be shared with council for review and will be posted with the July–August meeting packet.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Covington City Council Annual Summit Meeting - January 25, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Councilors agreed Monday to keep mayoral proclamations ceremonial while asking staff to prepare a short submission form to standardize requests.","taxTitle","Covington, King County, Washington","taxId",71066,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6348993,"Covington staff runs climate element draft and tree‑canopy inventory; council told state targets leave a narrow local emissions gap",370,6300000,6670000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2239523-d05222481ca4de0914316592de1b423c&start=6300&end=6670","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2239523-d05222481ca4de0914316592de1b423c/thumbnail_6300000.jpg","/articles/6348993/Covington/King-County/Washington/Covington-staff-runs-climate-element-draft-and-treecanopy-inventory-council-told-state-targets-leave-a-narrow-local-emissions-gap","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6348993-0b5b9df74a32a38c23a44c7150679940/orig.mp4?Expires=1771024109&Signature=JT-gV6M57d~ReaMIAVHJ8q2jT~KM~HbhSy49gvpmadF3IY7ha~bRUlYO0nhaUTG37m-pAVs3PgBVIx4mYZWx189iwV~J4WWUt86DE5twt8anCTgSrxDyb8uKOdlWIH5B3MAYFsShbJWBbB6RMc~7S6r4JrdjXTXZIHjzogKIMcTz39Qt6wEhqmXEBvUFF3gUpKK1wpklFI3WPmJfXCklN7GDqTqtkgnXVdV1qT6Zl51HrtgpxIF5AetwB8u7D1G358qBwuxXygByeu1RuNStUBxHksLSevpvIlEA2VLf67aOnJ9-H8m3UlfCcZZLpmvM9l7IbxEpnmweaj0g1FM6gw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Councilors reviewed a draft climate action element and the city’s first public tree inventory Monday, part of a state‑mandated update that requires local governments to incorporate climate planning into comprehensive plans.

Consultant Cascadia and city staff presented a ‘wedge analysis’ that layers statewide and regional emissions reductions (for example, electricity decarbonization and cleaner fuels) over local actions such as promoting multimodal transportation, electrifying buildings and growing tree canopy. The presentation divided emissions into two sets: those outside local control (aviation, some freight and utility‑scale changes) and “core” emissions the city can most directly influence.

The analysis showed that Covington’s current and planned local policies — dense downtown design, multimodal corridors, park preservation and code upgrades — move the city far toward the 2030 target in business‑as‑usual scenarios. A remaining gap in later decades was driven largely by natural gas emissions and by sources outside city control, the consultants said. Staff emphasized that the analysis is a draft and will be refined after additional technical review and after the planning commission’s March review.

Separately, a newly completed public‑tree inventory covered city street trees and park trees along main corridors. The consultant found roughly 5,900 public trees in the surveyed corridors, the majority in good condition, with maps of canopy and more than 1,000 potential public planting locations identified. Staff said the data will inform maintenance scheduling, pruning cycles and future planting sites.

Council directed staff to share the draft wedge visuals and the tree‑canopy findings with the planning commission at a joint session in March and to return with the formal climate element for consideration in June. Council members asked staff to prepare short, public‑facing materials that explain (a) what the city can and cannot directly control, and (b) how state and federal policies feed into local targets.

The city will publish the draft element and tree inventory and schedule community outreach. Staff noted that the element must show how local policies contribute to statewide greenhouse gas reduction targets and that the first reporting cycle will require the city to document its current trajectory and planned measures.","Staff and consultants walked council through a draft climate element wedge analysis and a newly completed street tree inventory; council was asked to provide policy direction and to expect a March planning‑commission joint review and a June submission cycle for the state-required climate element.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6348998,"Covington council hears parks maintenance shortfall; staff outlines costs and opts to study a parks district for 2026",2843,10455000,13298000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2239523-d05222481ca4de0914316592de1b423c&start=10455&end=13298","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2239523-d05222481ca4de0914316592de1b423c/thumbnail_10455000.jpg","/articles/6348998/Covington/King-County/Washington/Covington-council-hears-parks-maintenance-shortfall-staff-outlines-costs-and-opts-to-study-a-parks-district-for-2026","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6348998-c905c82dc4641c9108c99692b309031a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771024109&Signature=cAkBt8MWkzqhL63-OVa70LidFrm0ptqXz3pSsNUtcHvgxEP5iL-qSecmHEx0xNvycPktu7Drk6B9zc8JbiQEvJMjfeilcYZmki22WRIDWXI~XwqE1gqURa8t-SDVE8AT35hYN17jYV5y0BcxrBDHq0ZuienwxuFyQtZvu1K0xccWfoi0B10ldYj-tJ5RT9XmPzPWfCLrbPVQwdCf1bQ8NdGF7H9MuRxZaHD40q8vG3CwT0k7pk3A-ckWk6RuzGcrrbGAKJqgUWN0fq--2G~XFS06~pVpcZSLERnELT7kt8rT1JtuAUTKxuvL4igNhNn-sNPX~5~uOxdoJQRTMpEiJw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Councilors reviewed a detailed assessment Monday showing how park maintenance needs rise as new facilities open and the city’s recreation footprint expands.

City staff presented full‑time‑equivalent (FTE) analyses for Founders Park, Jenkins Creek Park phase 1 and the town center lawn that translate tasks — mowing, irrigation, restroom cleaning, litter pickup and horticultural care — into annual staff hours. The review identified gaps between current staffing levels and the level of service city leaders and staff recommended for the new facilities; staff said weekday and weekend restroom servicing at parks and construction of new facilities account for much of the additional work.

Parks maintenance supervisor Jesse (last name not provided) told council contracting some landscape beds and adding a seasonal restroom attendant or short‑term hires could reduce overtime and improve cleanliness during peak months. Staff said several short‑term tactics — a contractor for flowerbeds, rotating radar signs for temporary traffic tasks at events, and a seasonal hire for weekend restroom cleaning — could be implemented before considering longer‑term hires.

Councilors also discussed longer‑term funding. Staff outlined options for fronting maintenance costs through the general fund, using volunteers to augment a cleaned team, or forming a Metropolitan Parks District (MPD). An MPD is a voter‑approved property tax levy dedicated to parks and recreation; the city manager’s office presented two example levy scenarios and how much local property owners would pay under different initial rates. Council consensus favored delaying any MPD ballot until August 2026 to allow time for public education and to let the TBD and other recent tax changes settle.

Council directed staff to return with seasonal performance and costs for Founders and Jenkins Creek at the end of the summer and to begin planning an MPD public education campaign and consultant estimates for a possible August 2026 ballot. Council emphasized it wants clear before‑and‑after reporting to show residents where new funds are spent.

The council’s review comes as construction finishes at Jenkins Creek Park phase 1 and Founders Park phase 1 remains a newly active site. The parks maintenance study and level‑of‑service tables will be posted to the council packet and city website; staff said they will present a status update to council before the next budget cycle.","Council reviewed detailed level‑of‑service spreadsheets for Founders, Jenkins Creek and the town center lawn; staff will return with seasonal staffing updates and consultant bids to scope a possible Metropolitan Parks District (MPD) public education plan for an August 2026 vote.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6349002,"Covington council backs study of temporary traffic-calming tools, asks staff to test speed triggers and consult on Timberlane sidewalk LID",7241,4314000,11555000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2239523-d05222481ca4de0914316592de1b423c&start=4314&end=11555","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2239523-d05222481ca4de0914316592de1b423c/thumbnail_4314000.jpg","/articles/6349002/Covington/King-County/Washington/Covington-council-backs-study-of-temporary-traffic-calming-tools-asks-staff-to-test-speed-triggers-and-consult-on-Timberlane-sidewalk-LID","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6349002-c9735203b3132a1141737347ec216f27/orig.mp4?Expires=1771024109&Signature=cxkEpdfL-ofh8YRSpf5Lb4IEbVat-B~ir5YvUN7kRC1MvKR~9CZBUL-aYgYoWNCX0rII2ZqPhAzaE5euK~qagsFG5CJHdohzyPp70zmtdSDyK7xJJP0Vcl~MB7CLeX9Ga01EUXOdSuMjMNjuDcxSDkcsrxkWHAeehD0yWTnVsQWbFIIwgc2dqwiYYBfUz5cSTwN9fuIZIDh2sPeH7YdXiwZCs8INTrSorE6Z1EoGQ25G04TwUlp95Cur4JbD49j2iPvTIL5-DdilfnEkUeHpZ8s9jsDmCBloExqe0CzGK7LK-caU-8NavGlSpcbHhX3fZWTAySL5xY5L7DCy3S-ekQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Covington moved Monday to study temporary traffic‑calming tools and to pursue next steps on a proposed Timberlane local improvement district to replace failing sidewalks.

Council members directed city staff to pilot temporary measures — such as movable speed cushions and radar feedback signs — and to evaluate a short engineering test (80th/85th‑percentile speed counts) as a screen before opening the full neighborhood traffic‑calming process. The council also agreed that the city should shoulder the cost of temporary devices for short trials, but that larger or permanent installations could carry cost‑sharing or LID approaches once designs and petitions are complete.

The action follows a staff presentation of a formal neighborhood traffic‑calming flowchart that includes petition thresholds, engineering scores and a resident ballot requirement. The city’s draft approach would score candidate locations on speed, traffic volume, pedestrian exposure and school proximity; places that score above the threshold would reach a neighborhood design phase and, if a ballot in the impacted area reaches 60% approval, the work would proceed. Council asked staff to treat the 85th‑percentile test as an initial, quick screen to avoid unnecessary full studies.

Councilors also rejected efforts to pursue automated red‑light or traffic enforcement cameras as a revenue source. Staff outlined recent state changes that limit how revenue from camera programs can be used, add substantial ongoing administrative and court processing needs, and in some cases divert a portion of net revenue to the state. Instead the council asked staff to work with the Washington State Department of Transportation to optimize signal coordination at the problematic 170th/State Route 18 intersection and to explore low‑cost signage or other behavioral tools.

On sidewalks, councilors directed staff to obtain consultant cost estimates and an implementation scope for a possible Timberlane local improvement district (LID). Timberlane residents previously surveyed on the idea indicated interest, and staff reported preliminary, high‑level estimates for a single‑side replacement (design and construction) in the low millions. Council asked staff to return with proposed consulting scopes and a timeline for community outreach; staff will also investigate grant options such as Safe Routes to School that could reduce the assessed cost per parcel.

Next steps: staff will (1) pilot temporary speed‑calming devices and ground the 85th‑percentile screening practice; (2) seek consultant bids to prepare a formal LID assessment and preliminary engineering for Timberlane sidewalks; and (3) open a coordination request with WSDOT on signal timing for the SR‑18/170th corridor. Council said it wants any permanent, funded projects to be brought back for formal approval.

Details, timing and follow‑ups will be posted to the city’s project pages and summarized in email updates as designs and consultant responses arrive.","City staff will test temporary traffic-calming measures and an initial engineering threshold before advancing larger projects; council also asked staff to get cost estimates for a possible Timberlane sidewalk local improvement district and to pursue WSDOT signal coordination instead of red‑light cameras.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council discusses rules for proclamations, advisory‑body interactions and youth‑council staffing; seeks form and clearer joint‑meeting process

Covington staff runs climate element draft and tree‑canopy inventory; council told state targets leave a narrow local emissions gap

Covington council hears parks maintenance shortfall; staff outlines costs and opts to study a parks district for 2026

Covington council backs study of temporary traffic-calming tools, asks staff to test speed triggers and consult on Timberlane sidewalk LID