[{"_1":2,"_98":-5,"_99":-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",[32,74,86],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":44,"_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":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},"mediaId",6099634,"mediaKeyId","2816883-7dcbcb78278a1e0b42075b48b2669605","parentId",2816883,"title","Public works outlines sidewalk repair tools and costs; city manages 37 miles of sidewalks","audioSeconds",0,"startMs",2978000,"endMs","viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2816883-7dcbcb78278a1e0b42075b48b2669605&start=2978&end=2978","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2816883-7dcbcb78278a1e0b42075b48b2669605/thumbnail_2978000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6099634/Lake-Stevens/Snohomish-County/Washington/Public-works-outlines-sidewalk-repair-tools-and-costs-city-manages-37-miles-of-sidewalks","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6099634-4c8b66da76243c8908d7b94f5031f075/orig.mp4?Expires=1770453076&Signature=P9475esFkkrOAHoec5d6mDMvLAXX4jwSft-alKe42c~CHQ8e5ruL-rUgHQWcLbze29fme6r-9gv4jK8YpK8gR1n5a00M~OS04g7BddXRC2H13Hqz8NcucGU9cVSL~sG0Jv8QBNKtyZeU94ZMffigPWlkTGX53FSQNSq6Razh3rErR2CJ8LLt6TqzRAwcM6E5x4rfu38l7JQ~Y4wVW7Ka9np5wTIOM-LIt7oTYKhrt8Ty2KuIw9-dqbv5EDLu9P9Eq2zDk0Ss81TTCXXyD-IwOXfDxUyVm28V80c9XnTxSiddYiV73z38u5sAqH2WUpQT2ly-ALDlGUFfx5I~eNsuYg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Lake Stevens City, WA","date","2025-03-29T12:51:07.68Z","article","Curtis Clifton, public works operations manager, told the council how the city handles sidewalk complaints and repairs, describing repair methods, prioritization and a pilot soft-surface installation intended to avoid removing mature street trees.

Curtis said the city is responsible for about 37 miles of sidewalk and has an annual target of roughly 50 sidewalk work orders (repairs or replacements) since the asset-management program began. Repair methods include in-house grinding, contracting grinding out, demo-and-repour for panels that cannot be reused, and a vacuum lifter (commonly called the \"sidewalk sucker\") that removes individual panels, allows crews to repair the base, then reset the panel the same day.

Benefits and limits of the sidewalk sucker

Curtis said the sidewalk sucker — purchased in 2022 — has allowed crews to repair roughly 2,000 linear feet of sidewalks by lifting and resetting panels without full demo, reducing labor, traffic disruption and disposal of concrete. He said grinding can create a temporary shim and is faster in some cases, but a ground panel is generally not reusable under the sucker and eventual replacement is likely.

Prioritization and pilot materials

Curtis said the city prioritizes repairs by severity (any lip of a quarter-inch can be a trip hazard; six inches is \"severe\") and recommended residents report hazards through the city's CitizenView system to help triage workload. He described a pilot flexible, spongy paving material used on one block as an alternative where roots were lifting sidewalk panels; the flexible surface avoids removing mature trees, has held up well in the short term and is more costly.

Questions from council members asked whether the sucker works on pervious concrete (Curtis said he has not tried it but believes it could), whether the city tracks a complete inventory of sidewalk defects (Curtis said he did not have a total pending count at the meeting but offered to supply it), and whether trees and planting specifications can be adjusted in code to reduce future root damage (Curtis said staff are coordinating with the ADA and landscape teams on specifications and root barriers on new projects).

Ending note

Curtis said staff will continue to pursue efficient repairs, monitor the pilot flexible surface, and provide additional data on the backlog and prioritization on request. Council members asked staff to prepare an analysis similar to the city’s road asset work so elected officials can see the number and severity of sidewalk defects across the 37-mile network.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City Council Meeting of March 18, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Public Works Operations Manager Curtis Clifton briefed the council on sidewalk repair methods — including a vacuum 'sidewalk sucker' purchased in 2022 — prioritization criteria and a pilot flexible-surface installation intended to preserve street trees.","taxTitle","Lake Stevens, Snohomish County, Washington","taxId",53861,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":75,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":76,"_41":77,"_43":78,"_45":79,"_46":80,"_48":81,"_50":82,"_52":83,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":84,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":85,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},6099639,"City to use limited stormwater funds to bridge short grant gap for education plan",350,2515000,2865000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2816883-7dcbcb78278a1e0b42075b48b2669605&start=2515&end=2865","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2816883-7dcbcb78278a1e0b42075b48b2669605/thumbnail_2515000.jpg","/articles/6099639/Lake-Stevens/Snohomish-County/Washington/City-to-use-limited-stormwater-funds-to-bridge-short-grant-gap-for-education-plan","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6099639-89c7e45f00514fe16b696c42df045054/orig.mp4?Expires=1770453076&Signature=lJJdgpaVDusiQTJNGxSRMceM7sKPpmUG1pAhls4SYud1ngFmsJ7~6DCIB4-jSiwDsCMZh-x5PJoKqLEbkWbBw24oEzIT3F5abJaHB4I2CmIHG9Ku6q35spfT-uvhNt4OT83fEMRQoy26AM3GxQGMJTW2ZJDA2bn6WiWG5rtrBmONWtih4TDPVUhErDKRi0RauEND1OXbobtbtmOO2EHkh1cWojt50DagYOMI3LJdkr2xxSs7Z0W~cizYPETu5~cQhHS5OH5~Y6e8YJZ-yeQr1UvaqyJupMiJ-AQluzzfiGn7ZNIzAT9H1jS9PhUMcskG2WrwSkK~ezWvNASL4BdMPQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Shannon (Surface Water/Stormwater staff) told the Lake Stevens City Council the city's stormwater education-and-outreach contract with the Snohomish Conservation District is primarily funded by a noncompetitive state grant tied to the city’s Phase 2 stormwater permit, but a three-month lapse in the grant cycle will create a short funding gap.

Shannon said the gap affects work scheduled between the end of the current grant and the new funding round, which begins July 1. To avoid missing Ecology’s internal deadline for having an outreach plan in place by July 1, she proposed using existing stormwater program funds (\"probably $10,000 or less,\" she said) to finish the plan now and be reimbursed when the next grant cycle begins.

Why it matters

Shannon said the outreach plan is required by the city’s Phase 2 stormwater permit and that the survey and plan are intended to target community knowledge gaps and preferences for outreach. She said the program’s goal is practical: create materials and events the community will use and that meet Ecology’s permit expectations.

Survey results and outreach approach

Shannon said initial survey response was low, so staff boosted social-media outreach and sent a postcard mailer with a QR code; responses rose roughly 50% after the mailer. Preliminary survey results showed most respondents understand what stormwater is and identified new development, vehicles and boats as the greatest perceived sources of pollution. Respondents prioritized concerns about aquatic life and near-stream development and asked for more brochures, social-media material and in-person staff booths at events.

Shannon said staff will tailor summer outreach to the community’s preferred channels and may use existing events or informal park booths rather than a single large \"I Love the Lake\" event this year; the city will finalize the plan based on survey results. She told council members that the contract with the conservation district is fully grant-funded except for the short gap and that the next state grant round is expected to begin July 1.

Council feedback and next steps

Council members complimented the postcard design and asked for clarification about the noncompetitive state grant and the risk of not receiving the next grant round; Shannon said the grant is typically available to municipalities under the Ecology permit framework and staff do not expect a funding denial but cannot backdate grant reimbursements to cover the interim period. Shannon offered to return with plan materials and final survey tallies once the plan is complete.

Ending note

Shannon asked whether the council had concerns about using up to $10,000 of stormwater budgeted funds to bridge the gap; none were raised on the record and staff said they would proceed and return with the final plan.","City staff told the council an education and outreach plan for stormwater permit compliance is mostly grant-funded but may need up to $10,000 from stormwater funds to finish work during a three-month funding gap; staff also described results from a community survey guiding the program.",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":89,"_43":90,"_45":91,"_46":92,"_48":93,"_50":94,"_52":95,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":96,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":97,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},6099644,"Lake Stevens police report shows staffing shortfalls, rising collisions and long DUI lab delays",2216,290000,2506000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2816883-7dcbcb78278a1e0b42075b48b2669605&start=290&end=2506","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2816883-7dcbcb78278a1e0b42075b48b2669605/thumbnail_290000.jpg","/articles/6099644/Lake-Stevens/Snohomish-County/Washington/Lake-Stevens-police-report-shows-staffing-shortfalls-rising-collisions-and-long-DUI-lab-delays","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6099644-c841c7f39231cdcc4bb2eda749e5841b/orig.mp4?Expires=1770453076&Signature=jcXNIZRtYTV1Yob6-gxtRM4rV6~Os4BP3k1eHdBnl2zQN2gqC7MYteJJvUe6FjuaL9tuy6c25cW5wK-hc1BIlej0TA-dA~WsBGi3CEcvyM2A-IJ-VE9WEKdGwh07OSJW0G8rn5a8jmpC7VdhiavKYgn7sAZ-dCoU6zv8WxVhZpEY7z1uuZkblh6N0W9XDOFXmrG7cJyuwPnuRdGGtHanEVhxV4ocfz~Dqe1Yr8HJsRu0B0hEQBnaX5A24~c2Ogdu2A~-zhr2kbT3UtgAFXDfPTOMcSEHDlrvBzS7C4wOFhqUAMI9xnVj7HSLHyATypqXgiUJucTzdryJnH0zSKlngA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Lake Stevens Police Department presented its 2024 annual report to the City Council, reporting reductions in many crime types alongside persistent staffing shortages and a growing backlog in DUI forensic testing.

Police Chief (Lake Stevens Police Department) told the council the department \"serves the Lake Stevens community by enhancing public safety and the quality of life through professional police services, organizational excellence, and community interaction,\" and outlined 2024 statistics, staffing levels and priorities for 2025.

Chief: staffing and recruitment

Chief said the department began the year with six vacancies, experienced three separations during the year, and has since hired to reach nearly full staffing except for two open positions (a traffic position and a detective). He reported the department is staffed for 37 sworn positions (36 filled at year-end) and 10 noncommission positions (10 filled). The chief said only 12 patrol officers are currently deployable “out of 24” patrol positions at any one time because of training and administrative limitations. He said the city would need roughly 50–54 patrol officers to reach the state average officers-per-thousand benchmark cited in the presentation.

Crime trends, traffic and collisions

The presentation showed that crimes against people fell about 26% from 2023 to 2024, crimes against society fell about 20%, and crimes against property fell about 16%. The department recorded roughly 22,000–23,000 calls for service and opened 2,329 case reports in 2024, the chief said.

At the same time, the department flagged a sharp increase in traffic collisions concentrated along State Route 204 and Highway 9 and said the rise in collisions is a primary reason it needs a functioning traffic unit. The department logged 184 DUI incidents in 2024 and recovered seven stolen firearms, the chief said.

DUI toxicology backlog

The chief told council members the Washington State Patrol crime lab has about a two-year backlog for blood toxicology results: \"on the average, 600 days to get that back,\" he said. Because prosecutors often wait for blood results to file charges, the chief warned that some arrested drivers may not face formal charges until lab results return, and that delay undermines timely consequences for repeat offenders.

Digital evidence and records workload

The department reported a large increase in digital evidence and public-disclosure requests after body-worn cameras were introduced. The records unit is managing more than 72,000 pieces of digital evidence and reported a 464% increase in digital-media requests since 2022; staff time to process requests rose sharply (the report noted roughly a threefold increase in processing time). The department processed 2,021 pieces of evidence in 2024, a 35% year-over-year increase. The chief said one staff member handled much of that evidence processing.

Community programs and partnerships

The department highlighted partnerships and community programs: two school resource officers with the Lake Stevens School District; regional work with Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) task forces and Dawson Place for crimes against children; a marine unit and canine program; and a recently formed North Sound Police Foundation (a 501(c)(3)) to accept donations for programs such as drones and explorers. The chief said the department recovered a child-predator suspect located in Houston and is coordinating extradition.

Training, accreditation and wellness

The department said it provided more than 5,300 training hours in 2024, earned reaccreditation, and had sergeants and command staff complete a national leadership training series. An $88,000 wellness grant funded a staff wellness chair the chief said has been well used. The department also reported a $41,000 grant that funded training improvements and equipment (including red-dot sights) that improved shooting scores.

Council questions and next steps

Council members asked whether the department’s per-capita officer ratio aligns with local needs; the chief said the department is currently performing basic duties and lacks staff for proactive traffic enforcement and more in-depth investigations. Council members also asked whether the department can quantify what share of incidents involve Lake Stevens residents; the chief said that analysis would require dedicated database work and a crime analyst. Council members praised the department’s community engagement programs and urged attention to collision hot spots.

Ending note

The chief closed by asking the council for continued support for recruitment and operational resources; he said the department has a $25,000 lateral-hire bonus and is actively recruiting, including recent candidates from out of state.","The Lake Stevens Police Department presented its 2024 annual report to the City Council, highlighting improved crime reductions, continued staffing shortages, rising collision rates on key corridors, a two-year backlog for DUI blood analysis, and expanded digital-evidence workloads.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Public works outlines sidewalk repair tools and costs; city manages 37 miles of sidewalks

City to use limited stormwater funds to bridge short grant gap for education plan

Lake Stevens police report shows staffing shortfalls, rising collisions and long DUI lab delays