[{"_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",6314448,"mediaKeyId","2383763-654148e7736fa26a65a626cb61277717","parentId",2383763,"title","Resident shows bobcat and deer footage, urges preservation of wildlife corridors in Kenmore","audioSeconds",363,"startMs",3480000,"endMs",3843000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2383763-654148e7736fa26a65a626cb61277717&start=3480&end=3843","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2383763-654148e7736fa26a65a626cb61277717/thumbnail_3480000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6314448/Kenmore/King-County/Washington/Resident-shows-bobcat-and-deer-footage-urges-preservation-of-wildlife-corridors-in-Kenmore","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6314448-4f2db208de50ebf11f9c5904542da248/orig.mp4?Expires=1776236919&Signature=WDB0nmZfW8CIcjPPZUVa5~7Z0bWp0CfWoDNGQvyyRBupzvCRXubGkS4utALeHn-dDLNcqiExxiWygkVWHW6SRCYftjAbzXdiB12gnnRGW17N0njTQu~UANa~~Kh8unVyYrS6FWiLidSc5xLses1Nk8Wq-ot-f7268oAiLVYthVbHWeOceyYrT35lP8cd4r~vTjc6MLCxXsP1EgMXwQ4DHrFagN-wPya6CcHws~elp4~EsUl0-KN05B0~iPKuG7TjIGkEWrBN7RWDJSHH4aTfiTiYtVuwoRpxw90Pgs3y-RFBKbiztiUQ6wkNO1qBnbdjVy~5jMkKOnknDMsKT1-DUA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Kenmore, Washington","date","2025-02-25T05:59:04Z","article","Kenmore resident Russ Johnson brought a three-minute compilation of trail-camera videos to the council meeting showing bobcats, Columbia blacktail deer, raccoons and other animals moving through his backyard and adjacent greenbelt. He urged the council to preserve open space and ensure wildlife corridors so animals can move, feed, breed and rest.

Johnson said the footage was recorded in the past 12 months and described an episode in which he and a neighbor heard a loud, unfamiliar scream at night; he later learned the sound can be associated with bobcat mating or territorial behavior. \"These wildlife creatures among us don't ask us for anything, but they need space and the ability to move freely,\" Johnson said.

Council members thanked Johnson for presenting the footage and discussed local rewilding efforts. Councilor Marshall called it the first in-chamber video presentation he had seen in eight years and thanked Johnson. Councilor Sassen said she had similarly seen bobcat photographs on the Kenmore Facebook page and welcomed the attention to the issue.

City staff noted the environmental resource center at Saint Edward has offered rewilding programs in recent years. Johnson said he had contacted the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife about safety; he reported that state staff told him they were not aware of any bobcat attacks on people in the greater Seattle area.

Why it matters

The presentation highlighted urban wildlife living alongside neighborhoods and framed it as a local planning issue: preservation of open spaces, design of greenbelts and the value of habitat connectivity in a growing city. Councilors suggested the material could inform future open-space or habitat planning discussions.

What comes next

Council members expressed appreciation and asked staff to note the presentation as an example of local wildlife presence when discussing open-space preservation and related planning efforts.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City Council Special and Regular Meeting - Feb 24 2025","oneSentenceSummary","A longtime Kenmore resident, Russ Johnson, presented trail-camera videos showing bobcats, deer and other wildlife in a residential greenbelt and urged the council to protect open spaces and wildlife transit corridors.","taxTitle","Kenmore, King County, Washington","taxId",70669,"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},6314453,"Council reviews draft STEP Housing Advisory Committee charter, asks to add at least one public comment opportunity",618,10500000,11118000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2383763-654148e7736fa26a65a626cb61277717&start=10500&end=11118","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2383763-654148e7736fa26a65a626cb61277717/thumbnail_10500000.jpg","/articles/6314453/Kenmore/King-County/Washington/Council-reviews-draft-STEP-Housing-Advisory-Committee-charter-asks-to-add-at-least-one-public-comment-opportunity","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6314453-c0910121fe0298b28f7d13dcbe5f65fe/orig.mp4?Expires=1776236919&Signature=LcjBdRI7kriZexdi6OtnlwfbGOEviyKNUJ4Ag6gNLTG3N45rHiVXvpDYkaAa-6OVQlfKXwnHEQ5HNZ99qXnKpsqVMoe8nu5SCmWye9N-sUuZAtJqX9FUxAEDbDXdJRb1WPZ1G3E3xclCcHpKQKU90e6j5Bt0AIk9~jmvrmB1WENl6ycQbUDwn4zYuISE-aA0jwsa7KqnZxbblTg5BOZ03Ncr1yskOzQRmhpSgt-NiLTQwxqNmENlVkvn4lB1oN8RHB9ZFAqSAvrLcJdxQA3~Ivuzio3kPhlkFO~3KVZ5MoBBqV7Q3cDT2LbputvCBz4dSb0~O8MvBG8vg31VyLU0gg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Assistant City Manager and Community Development Director Debbie Bent presented a draft charter to form a STEP Housing Advisory Committee to make recommendations on local implementation of state guidance for shelters, transitional housing, emergency housing and permanent supportive housing.

Bent told the council the committee's goal is to produce recommendations consistent with recent state law and a model ordinance. She said the committee would clarify regulations and build community engagement rather than require immediate amendments to the comprehensive plan.

Council members debated how the advisory committee should relate to the Planning Commission. Several councilors proposed an ex officio liaison from the Planning Commission or a formal way for the commission to receive committee reports. Councilor Lutzes (Lucius in roll call) and Councilor Shrubnick suggested the council and planning commission should coordinate but noted the planning commission lacked bandwidth for a full assignment.

Public engagement and schedule

Councilor Marshall and others asked that the charter explicitly include public engagement: at least one public comment period at a committee meeting and at least one town-hall or open-house session during code amendment considerations. Bent pointed to the draft charter's engagement options (project webpage, social media updates, town hall) and the council directed staff to add a requirement for at least one public comment opportunity at a committee meeting.

Bent also outlined a proposed schedule in the packet: applications reviewed and applicants selected for interview on March 24, with a special council meeting to appoint committee members on March 31. The committee is slated to begin work in April, and the community engagement plan would be drafted by the committee in its April meeting.

Why it matters

The charter and subsequent committee work will shape how Kenmore applies state direction on STEP housing locally, including whether code changes are recommended to clarify where and how such housing is allowed. Council direction on public outreach and the committee's relationship with the Planning Commission will affect the level of public participation and the pathway for any code amendments.

What comes next

Staff will move forward with recruiting per the timeline in the packet, add an explicit public comment period to the charter and return with selections and next steps according to the March schedule in the packet.","Council and staff discussed a draft charter to create an advisory committee on shelters, transitional, emergency and permanent supportive housing (STEP). Council directed staff to include at least one public comment period and to move forward with recruitment on the schedule in the packet.",{"_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},6314457,"Final report: West Sammamish Bridge work finished but habitat monitoring continues through 2028",769,8331000,9100000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2383763-654148e7736fa26a65a626cb61277717&start=8331&end=9100","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2383763-654148e7736fa26a65a626cb61277717/thumbnail_8331000.jpg","/articles/6314457/Kenmore/King-County/Washington/Final-report-West-Sammamish-Bridge-work-finished-but-habitat-monitoring-continues-through-2028","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6314457-dd66c23feeb2ba7e309ef77023abf462/orig.mp4?Expires=1776236919&Signature=D79T2inxC2WqP6IZC8tZZhR6FvHV9lJulTGeXo3HRB5pdnbQA8qcENOrENTfdV1vbO7EB24SE2OHyA3VPoSDVcKY7xoNsVJjzF4UPf5WFq5ALYx0ZUHAwTnZq8~Oik-2oRrq5LrSl-qhk-YgqXVoLn6VbIhkKRkI9uk2B3TjlDfH851L-4Eb1My0RQqumhjvJs6~7gR78M1L1VjrDFw1G5mln7fOqlMOj-icfpzqj-yJfuzt-xSWaW2qyJ8X88JOhpzPpwydUxenwlOX~d9y2IlIG5Sjyc2mNUu6pyNnjloBIi8YMay-6fFkO1C1aX3lqc9Cqz6x86mz2lW-cwrfYA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Engineering Director John Vicente presented a final project report on the West Sammamish Bridge, describing contract closeout work, remaining permit obligations and long-term monitoring tied to wetland and habitat restoration.

The new bridge, which opened to traffic in 2022, replaced earlier spans built in 1917 and 1938. Vicente told the council that final contract work continued into late 2024 because of delays in electrical components, supply-chain problems and agency approvals. Certain lighting electronics required parts that took many months to replace.

Vicente said the city must monitor restored wetland and habitat areas through 2028 per permit conditions and perform corrective actions — including replacement plantings and invasive-weed removal — as needed. He also reviewed construction facts: the project used an estimated 3,600 cubic yards of concrete and about 400,000 pounds of steel; it removed roughly 640,000 pounds of old bridge piers and installed piles and shafts that support the new structure.

Funding and costs

Vicente reported an overall project cost of about $42 million. Of that total, roughly $38 million came from grants, $1.8 million from utilities and approximately $2.2 million from the city. He said the city will continue maintenance obligations, including annual bridge inspections, lighting replacement and landscaping upkeep.

Contracting and schedule

The project began with planning activity in the 2010s, design work through 2018 and construction that started in 2020. Vicente told the council the pandemic, supply-chain shortages and a later government shutdown contributed to delays. He said contract finish work took longer than anticipated because of specialty parts that were shipped from overseas and lengthy permitting with many agencies.

Vicente also described construction logistics: crews performed about 350 diver hours to remove old footings; traffic-control work consumed about 1,500 hours; police assisted for roughly 300 hours; and the project recorded some 75,000 human hours on-site. The city also archived documentation: the project generated about 29,000 photos, roughly 70 videos and 36 boxes of paperwork that will be retained per federal-funding requirements.

Council reactions and ceremony

Council members praised project staff for managing a complex, multiagency project. The council held a lighthearted ceremonial ribbon-cutting acknowledging the 36 boxes of retained project paperwork.

Why it matters

The replacement bridge restored a long-serving river crossing, added a promenade and overlook, improved bike and pedestrian amenities, and included programmed lighting and wetland restoration. The monitoring and reporting obligations mean staff and the city will be responsible for ongoing maintenance and permit compliance for several years.","City staff reported on the West Sammamish Bridge final contract work, replacement costs and long-term monitoring obligations. The bridge construction cost about $42 million, mostly grant-funded, and required habitat restoration monitoring through 2028.",{"_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},6314462,"Kenmore council appoints interim city manager, approves federal agenda and selects search firm in 6–1 votes",7096,5489000,12585000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2383763-654148e7736fa26a65a626cb61277717&start=5489&end=12585","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2383763-654148e7736fa26a65a626cb61277717/thumbnail_5489000.jpg","/articles/6314462/Kenmore/King-County/Washington/Kenmore-council-appoints-interim-city-manager-approves-federal-agenda-and-selects-search-firm-in-61-votes","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6314462-693d97a377ec4ab66890c9565f1c1ff4/orig.mp4?Expires=1776236919&Signature=fYAqChn2QEYd8L9ZYkVY3d7T9rYq8CG6QF4lO-qx78uuBk6dSRG64tRcLS8vo~OlB8XfuN8vyDoinJZey1SI9O6K9h~qqdMDLzKAhWxN~4Vi5uHHb28TOOyFf3sy1H1yHGTMYZFL7M7TtSmlhg7sEfzv8tH9UDbrDJtP5yGg~Yi-j6wvSKeTDGtnGkevwYXpxe~J2V5ba7CvOcppyQ8EhgwlKeCkXQGi-v3isaIjy5ri-s9qH3GmEYspTvIv9gqFniwcE6ZN6yGfTX26t6MoZKFbnDdl7uEdkBUEgnJ-6KXMalUKnng~6H7ffQ8rxTmWBywvH4MLOVBN9Rou9FC5xQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Kenmore City Council voted to appoint Stephanie Lukasch as interim city manager, approved the city's 2025 federal legislative agenda and selected GMP Consultants to run the search for a permanent city manager during its meeting.

The council appointed Stephanie Lukasch and authorized the mayor to negotiate and sign an interim city manager services contract, which the council will ratify later on the consent agenda. Deputy Mayor O'Kane made the motion from executive session; the council approved it by roll call.

The council then approved a federal legislative agenda that includes a $7 million request for the Lake Pointe property acquisition, $1.25 million for public works operations center environmental features, support for temporary flight restriction protections for Kenmore Air, and advocacy for eliminating lead from aircraft fuel. The agenda passed 6'to'1 on a roll call vote.

Later in the meeting the council chose GMP Consultants to run the executive search for a permanent city manager. After hearing brief presentations from three firms, the council voted 6'to'1 to retain GMP to lead recruitment and outreach.

Votes at a glance

- Interim city manager appointment: Motion by Deputy Mayor O'Kane to appoint Stephanie Lukasch as interim city manager and authorize the mayor to negotiate and sign an interim-services contract; second not specified in the transcript. Roll call: Shrubnick: yes; Marshall: yes; Balutzes/Lucius: yes; Culver: yes; Sassen: yes; O'Kane: yes; Mayor Herbig: yes. Outcome: approved.

- 2025 federal legislative agenda: Motion to approve the agenda. The packet lists four priority items: $7,000,000 for Lake Pointe property acquisition; $1,250,000 for public works operations center environmental features; temporary flight restriction protections for Kenmore Air; and removing lead from aircraft fuel. Roll call: Shrubnick: yes; Marshall: yes; Sassen: yes; Lucius: yes; Culver: no; O'Kane: yes; Herbig: yes. Outcome: approved, 6'to'1.

- Executive search firm selection: Motion to retain GMP Consultants to run the city's executive search. Roll call: Shrubnick: yes; Marshall: yes; Sassen: yes; Culver: no; O'Kane: yes; Lutzis/Lucius: yes; Herbig: yes. Outcome: approved, 6'to'1.

Consent agenda

Council approved the consent agenda unanimously earlier in the meeting; the consent items were passed by voice vote with no recorded opposition.

Why it matters

The interim appointment allows the city to maintain executive leadership while the council and its selected search firm complete a nationwide recruitment. Approving the federal legislative agenda directs the mayor and city officials to seek federal funding and advocacy on the identified priorities. Hiring a search firm begins the formal process to identify and vet candidates for Kenmore's next city manager.

What comes next

- The interim city manager contract will be negotiated by the mayor and returned to the council for ratification on the consent agenda.
- The mayor, deputy mayor and city staff plan travel to Washington, D.C., to meet legislators on the approved federal priorities.
- GMP Consultants will begin outreach and the recruitment process per its proposal.","At its meeting, the Kenmore City Council appointed Stephanie Lukasch as interim city manager, approved the city's 2025 federal legislative agenda and hired GMP Consultants to run the executive search for a permanent city manager. Roll-call votes and motions were recorded for each action.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Resident shows bobcat and deer footage, urges preservation of wildlife corridors in Kenmore

Council reviews draft STEP Housing Advisory Committee charter, asks to add at least one public comment opportunity

Final report: West Sammamish Bridge work finished but habitat monitoring continues through 2028

Kenmore council appoints interim city manager, approves federal agenda and selects search firm in 6–1 votes