[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-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",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_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",6099638,"mediaKeyId","2816882-3c4b3463708b01a16a6db3cd26692c2b","parentId",2816882,"title","Veteran urges Lake Stevens council to reinstate Veterans Commission amid VA staffing concerns","audioSeconds",73,"startMs",458000,"endMs",531000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2816882-3c4b3463708b01a16a6db3cd26692c2b&start=458&end=531","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2816882-3c4b3463708b01a16a6db3cd26692c2b/thumbnail_458000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6099638/Lake-Stevens/Snohomish-County/Washington/Veteran-urges-Lake-Stevens-council-to-reinstate-Veterans-Commission-amid-VA-staffing-concerns","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6099638-d0275bc1ca20ca21f2ecaefe826747f5/orig.mp4?Expires=1771173547&Signature=OFFoaZv4nwrqVCLEgYX3shd7Nx~Ko~omIN-O8Xc8yxh7TgaRhuAsgZOmnAY0~goDbiaCHwdreo3vYnqu~yTHj7IfTjz5mdyKu9ufInvl0v9i0Q~bWaiZa1iF7x20DHat9T775G620-e8w8Xkqvgm-MA5GAx-doGYMNplyiyiJQMVAIXhqWb13t~9FvAkqsHvXqad8~vOU67gkfh2SLEFXo0ORK04oAI8rFtdYb8SezEOkYxdVWdJ0kVy0phO8tMnfUDHWCpdPZuzo8yCcxipPXE6wYs7uadPuW9JxHO7p70rrjuw0m6mKMf70zPIZK0FgAkuhDht3MI-oUXom7b9kA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Lake Stevens City, WA","date","2025-03-29T12:51:00.567Z","article","During the public‑comment period March 25, resident and veteran Matthew Fortin asked the Lake Stevens City Council to reinstate the city’s Veterans Commission, saying recent reductions at the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) are causing concern among local veterans.

Fortin identified himself as a 13‑year Lake Stevens resident and veteran and described national developments he said had affected VHA staff levels: the removal of an inspector general and a change in VA leadership. He told council the result has been staff reductions and that local veterans are seeking a way to collect their comments and forward them to congressional representatives.

Fortin asked the council to reinstate the Veterans Commission “with immediate effect so we can gather the comments from the veterans in this community to pull together and send to our representatives in DC.” The council acknowledged the comment; no formal action or motion to reinstate the commission was taken during the meeting.

The transcript records Fortin’s request and the council’s receipt of the comment; staff or council follow-up instructions were not recorded.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City Council Meeting of March 25, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","A resident and veteran asked the council to reinstate the city's Veterans Commission to gather local veterans' comments about reported Veterans Health Administration staff reductions and to forward those comments to federal representatives.","taxTitle","Lake Stevens, Snohomish County, Washington","taxId",53861,"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},6099643,"Lake Stevens swears in Amanda Van Hook as police officer",103,259000,362000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2816882-3c4b3463708b01a16a6db3cd26692c2b&start=259&end=362","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2816882-3c4b3463708b01a16a6db3cd26692c2b/thumbnail_259000.jpg","/articles/6099643/Lake-Stevens/Snohomish-County/Washington/Lake-Stevens-swears-in-Amanda-Van-Hook-as-police-officer","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6099643-0023e5fe861eca83f3303c7c6ba15e6e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771173547&Signature=LUH8r7xHV~dduoyOTz4syBYlGeUucq4vsAzLElFZ8jUR17ZtEDoWPf3KOLd~blUC8GT9WUyoZ8TXGB3wjT~Qov6knVCzjEd6xTpVK9JJzx3aT6latDfgvGWOFrcil~cXNfDVr1NLNTdL-ynf0LC9GTPN825yX36KCqySy1KBH2AeSFnIwnCACckcMOu01ze~PqjJU9bGb0~qMmw08UUbwFwvmFMCO9q59m8oPYQKb9JIg-ypUb9-JOxAHQ-Lg7g3JSk4JRzwT57y1P2tnHcflkUraT7knn3hwoGjda2RiRVcPXUhxodg0ijHkUVhcoxB4Lb6TDpK1AzUpt3VanJe2g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Amanda Van Hook was sworn in as a Lake Stevens police officer at the March 25 council meeting. The swearing took place during guest business and included the oath to “support and defend the Constitution and laws of the United States and the state of Washington, the ordinances of the city of Lake Stevens, and the mission and regulations of Lake Stevens Police Department.”

Staff said Van Hook was hired September 17, 2024, attended the academy beginning November 5, 2024, and graduated March 19, 2025. The mayor and council welcomed her; staff said she will complete a field‑training assignment after two weeks of orientation and will begin patrol field training with a field training officer.","Amanda Van Hook was officially sworn in March 25 as a Lake Stevens police officer and will enter field training after orientation; she graduated from the regional academy March 19.",{"_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},6099647,"Council reviews draft traffic-camera ordinance; favors school-zone focus, asks for data and police workload estimate",742,2240000,2982000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2816882-3c4b3463708b01a16a6db3cd26692c2b&start=2240&end=2982","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2816882-3c4b3463708b01a16a6db3cd26692c2b/thumbnail_2240000.jpg","/articles/6099647/Lake-Stevens/Snohomish-County/Washington/Council-reviews-draft-traffic-camera-ordinance-favors-school-zone-focus-asks-for-data-and-police-workload-estimate","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6099647-a90ef6cc6adda19748c7ef80255bab52/orig.mp4?Expires=1771173547&Signature=NEcKsZuvb2WjkbSBA5kOt86KwhXE8Ub35nkCD7rNZTWiw0gQfwDEcN4X9cwC7remCxEdbZfKg9WUwsVWNybhLXzrFKWQN4nSIdA1HPECVpnLOvipBVSOBRzbIPV1oIIDDO9UEVmVWeHA41r3~vlOBggSkJIdQXBRJJUgVGcF3ajCqNtVlQRf-gS6rxHPVDqunJQ85SFMzp9U0QC0I6k~Oj169c8HIxoCJ5Og36InkrLUKYHNTBrPDkuASQsLMRCpdBOVuvq7ylEj-qWzSCK7I93anrWne0aGCKVZHteyudPueBGQqW5JgZimLkGC5S6DRydOgEjVmR4ATzCK6hup7g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City staff and the city engineer presented a draft traffic-safety–camera ordinance March 25 and asked the Lake Stevens City Council whether the city should pursue a program and what enforcement scope to authorize.

Kim Klinkers, city engineer, summarized the program’s safety goal — reducing vehicle speeds and protecting vulnerable road users — and noted state legislation now permits cameras in school zones and other defined areas. Klinkers said the draft ordinance would be discussed in more detail at a council retreat in April and that staff are collecting data on violations in candidate school zones.

Council members and the city attorney discussed enforcement parameters: the council may set speed thresholds for violations (for example a threshold of 5 mph or 11 mph over the posted limit), designate whether cameras operate only when school-zone flashers are active, and decide whether to treat school zones and park zones differently. The city attorney said the statute allows cameras at certain city‑street intersections with state highways if an engineering analysis justifies placement.

Chief (police) clarified that camera images feed into a database; assigned officers review potential violations and refer tickets to court. Council members asked Chief to estimate the staff time and operational burden that database review will impose on the police department, and requested metrics showing crash history, violation volumes and projected revenues for the locations proposed. Several council members emphasized the ordinance’s safety purpose and asked staff to avoid “blanketing” the city with cameras or creating an excessive fine revenue stream.

Staff noted the statute requires public notice, signage and a warning period before fines are issued; members said a grace/warning period should be part of implementation and that signage and local outreach are important. Klinkers said staff will return to the April retreat with data on high‑risk locations, suggested metrics and an estimate of police review workload so the council can set thresholds and enforcement scope.","Council discussion centered on a draft ordinance to allow traffic-safety cameras in school zones, school walk zones and park zones. Council members requested data on high-risk locations, revenue projections, operational thresholds, and the policing workload to review camera-captured infractions.",{"_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},6099652,"Public works outlines $48,000 pilot for 100th/116th/117th pedestrian loop; open house planned",280,773000,1053000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2816882-3c4b3463708b01a16a6db3cd26692c2b&start=773&end=1053","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2816882-3c4b3463708b01a16a6db3cd26692c2b/thumbnail_773000.jpg","/articles/6099652/Lake-Stevens/Snohomish-County/Washington/Public-works-outlines-48000-pilot-for-100th116th117th-pedestrian-loop-open-house-planned","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6099652-615e27ae1551a24e479d4701d134a78d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771173547&Signature=dnquU~-CiAr-Duq4MHw~~j17o-MGxBPiJ4ozoCMZahPRBybLF2FxA3TSMjcx2u9jPVWvZp1kAt88FYkBLBtvE~2eucibYWI3CaTkwVK~mtP~YHWa32Rn25j-ttTs-gJVglnL8OkqEpz7vXOCw7gEorPRWBqZoWf4t0ZsLkMEjKtpM6ammtJtsJapg8-10DrYfYTR2FFqBlk6Nu02obCHUXvVNVGafFYC1XM0Zzb2vVWkxkrZmhXD8XS64jzf2ScpRRGhfr9Jbx2EGSTcLKZ8ipyLfGaaHy~B5WfFLbdTtEU0mXU5E870zyNXpXQS9beadgAo20rNdgRrcJ-9T6ivjg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City of Lake Stevens public works staff presented follow-up information March 25 on a proposed pilot for a multiuse path and pedestrian loop along 100th Avenue NE and adjacent sections, including stormwater considerations, traffic-calming options and estimated costs.

Ben Romanaje, senior civil engineer, told council runoff patterns on 100th Avenue NE currently send untreated flows into Mitchell Creek in places without pretreatment. Romanaje said vegetated swales would improve water quality in areas that now drain directly to the lake and that curb-and-gutter sections could worsen water quality and increase maintenance frequency. He described sections where existing concrete curb and pipe are in poor condition and would add replacement costs for any sidewalk or path project.

On traffic calming, Romanaje said the city could pursue a 20 mph zone under state authority and local practice; he cautioned that posted speed changes alone often do not change driver behavior and that physical traffic-calming elements are typically needed. He estimated the pilot’s material purchase and installation at roughly $48,000; about $25,000 of that is for reusable items (for example delineators and signs), leaving a net pilot cost around $23,000 after accounting for reuse. He characterized the pilot as a research investment that could avoid larger expenditures on permanent infrastructure if changes are not effective.

Council members asked about timing and outreach. Romanaje said staff hopes to start the pilot in May to capture school‑session traffic for baseline measurements and to run the pilot at least a month, with the option to extend. Open house plans are tentatively set for April 9 in the Sawyers’ Room; staff also said they are contacting Ebenezer Lutheran Church to host an on‑site open house in the project area and were considering two dates to maximize public participation around spring break.

Ben and other staff reported coordination with fire service on design details and inlet access so emergency and service vehicles can enter pedestrian areas; Romanaje said the project team had not yet completed coordination with police and would follow up. Council members emphasized thorough public outreach in response to a circulating petition and numerous emails and asked staff to provide clear, evidence‑based responses to concerns.

Staff said an FAQ will be posted on the public works webpage, and that traffic studies typically cost $15,000–$30,000 if done as a separate study. The project team will publish details about the pilot timeline, the public open‑house date and post‑pilot feedback opportunities.","City engineers proposed a pilot pedestrian/multiuse path with swales, traffic calming and a possible 20 mph zone; material cost estimated at about $48,000 with re-usable components; staff will hold an open house in early April and begin the pilot in May to capture school‑time traffic data.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6099657,"Lake Stevens council votes to honor incorrect gambling-tax forms, refund affected businesses",565,1493000,2058000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2816882-3c4b3463708b01a16a6db3cd26692c2b&start=1493&end=2058","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2816882-3c4b3463708b01a16a6db3cd26692c2b/thumbnail_1493000.jpg","/articles/6099657/Lake-Stevens/Snohomish-County/Washington/Lake-Stevens-council-votes-to-honor-incorrect-gambling-tax-forms-refund-affected-businesses","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6099657-9adaff041f5db310c566603a0a16aecc/orig.mp4?Expires=1771173547&Signature=dXl1CN574tinox~76p25autWrWhuGZwPviwkU0ox5YzlaYVIgISv3-8wLpQcd96Mh5NvRJFQLzpaX7oqKe2-qMC528n-AqB1UgiVnCTvHuXf~Nu5XvKn-yf5X3RmIYtin0zYvZjSYSrPOyKgrQ1-OwhPOomYdCKN34gXIEOzOPriUO6P-nzXMjZ1mOfsIK787HH-DF5CliKIIm5TCAGVFPuVohHsz533Z3kkrweRhcB8OnZfW8J5uKbyztCmbfOKAcQwmCCXw5Pe9bRaRgUnFSe10LXnhhaaQlMcpmxQFVXModinbHt3Y5tse3g9JgoWRXMJX9bYpwl~fqABovTW0w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Lake Stevens City Council voted March 25 to hold businesses to the gambling-tax amounts reflected on the quarterly forms they were sent, after staff acknowledged the city had been distributing a form with incorrect pull-tab and punch-board rates.

The action follows a department report from Barb (Finance staff) that letters were sent to nine businesses notifying them of an internal review and of amounts owed related to the form error. Barb said two businesses have paid the amounts requested, two have contacted the city, and one has submitted a formal request to waive back taxes in addition to penalties. She told the council Finance Manager Matthew Heist will compile requests and prepare materials for council action on April 8.

At the meeting, Council member (motion-maker) moved “that we hold true to the information that was sent out on the form as to the taxes due,” and a second motion followed. The motion passed; the council directed staff to notify affected businesses that the city will waive penalties tied to the form error, refund any payments made based on the incorrect higher amount, and return with additional payment-plan or waiver requests as needed.

Barb told the council the error produced roughly $50,000 in additional assessed tax due to the form mistake and another about $30,000 from unfiled returns. She said the city did not include the unexpected revenue in budget forecasts. Council members described the $19,000–$20,000 charges facing some individual businesses as a significant burden and discussed options including payment plans of up to six months or extending collection through the end of the year.

Council discussion also focused on ownership of the error and on clearer communications to avoid similar problems in the future. Barb said staff will send letters notifying affected businesses of the council’s direction, prepare refund processing for those who already paid, and bring any additional waiver or payment-plan requests back to council on April 8.

The meeting record shows no statutory requirement preventing the council from extending payment timelines or waiving amounts; Barb said she would confirm statutory limits with legal staff if needed. The council then moved on to other agenda items.","The City Council agreed to hold businesses to the amounts shown on an incorrect gambling-tax form, will refund any payments made under the erroneous higher calculation, and directed staff to return with related requests April 8.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Veteran urges Lake Stevens council to reinstate Veterans Commission amid VA staffing concerns

Lake Stevens swears in Amanda Van Hook as police officer

Council reviews draft traffic-camera ordinance; favors school-zone focus, asks for data and police workload estimate

Public works outlines $48,000 pilot for 100th/116th/117th pedestrian loop; open house planned

Lake Stevens council votes to honor incorrect gambling-tax forms, refund affected businesses