[{"_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",[32,75,87],{"_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",6264922,"mediaKeyId","3095684-ff9e877031cee9a8118250665e4d2aee","parentId",3095684,"title","Lake Forest Park leaders announce death of Deputy Mayor Bode; city to honor her Thursday","audioSeconds",192,"startMs",22000,"endMs",214000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3095684-ff9e877031cee9a8118250665e4d2aee&start=22&end=214","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3095684-ff9e877031cee9a8118250665e4d2aee/thumbnail_22000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6264922/Lake-Forest-Park/King-County/Washington/Lake-Forest-Park-leaders-announce-death-of-Deputy-Mayor-Bode-city-to-honor-her-Thursday","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6264922-f340ddfa0672ced9a874d8e8f16a0b9b/orig.mp4?Expires=1775255580&Signature=YUWlPGI1ZxRgYZS32Z6-kFaCK3q3VSSoL79J15iNhx58xZlqixbMspJyyWcSfyc-cR1qjVPr15W-mxHa3ybzS~ATDy3g6n72fYM9MWRbmzvjtaBAP9JduzMqXLEM~tLqJur5TCu~lpJAvSLnkkOwjxQvD8WPcV~dVdliRfhAiPE8Sr1mmsGp954wDd7DHD6GtWDrbznZPl0L2iV60BZ7EvY1XuDsvpnk4NwPm-Q7i0PloXoE5GNikPVUNyWFoHafISF0oiNRVM9cUPO~J9iuzIIM-USRnqgAxKAp7~mJMe0frnwtIFB0BODePRPGXp9KBlD0WHH4vcI9cHByIJJZUw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Lake Forest Park, WA","date","2025-04-23T16:20:03.617Z","article","Mayor French announced that Deputy Mayor Bode died early Thursday morning. The mayor described Bode as “a civic leader, environmental evangelist, and [someone who] espoused everything that Lake Forest Park is about” and said the news was a shock to the city.

The mayor said the city released a press statement and ordered flags at half‑staff; a police sergeant lowered flags after issuance of the executive order. The council asked for a moment of silence and invited members to offer reflections during a tribute planned for Thursday. Members of the public, including Celia Soto and Sarah Phillips, offered condolences and noted Bode’s service on local nonprofit boards.

Why it matters: Deputy Mayor Bode was an elected official and volunteer leader whose death has immediate ceremonial and community implications; the city has taken steps to provide a public tribute and to coordinate with Bode’s family on communications.

Quotes: “It was a shock to all of us. She was a dear dear friend, a civic leader, environmental evangelist, and espouse everything that Lake Forest Park is about,” Mayor French said. “The flags were ordered to be at half mast yesterday... our hearts and prayers go out to her family and friends.”

Next steps: The council scheduled a tribute and invited members and the public to attend; staff said they would allow the family time to contact those they wish before the city proceeds with other memorial actions.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","April 21, 2025 Committee of the Whole","oneSentenceSummary","Mayor and council announced the sudden death of Deputy Mayor Bode, ordered flags at half‑staff and planned a community tribute; council asked for a moment of silence and reserved time for reflections at an upcoming ceremony.","taxTitle","Lake Forest Park, King County, Washington","taxId",71686,"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},6264927,"Council raises concerns about biennial budget; staff and members discuss revenue options and staffing",933,6115000,7048000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3095684-ff9e877031cee9a8118250665e4d2aee&start=6115&end=7048","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3095684-ff9e877031cee9a8118250665e4d2aee/thumbnail_6115000.jpg","/articles/6264927/Lake-Forest-Park/King-County/Washington/Council-raises-concerns-about-biennial-budget-staff-and-members-discuss-revenue-options-and-staffing","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6264927-f5852b05fe7e4d9c2e510a860aa29bc6/orig.mp4?Expires=1775255580&Signature=PMDqWiTvsgayq7i0WdvneBe04Y4z9kxdLxILLP5QLHiU~s8896rJL3myrwJ7MnYV6b4QxLm4pirpVk5Y5XIPExdrzjRNXwRpC8dyV118F~6F5klaNIIl2VxYWPT2IYpoDndP0mmepJFKOFjZWiYQaWIhjMhXMwl0U0a1w8zqa7mJFTTcoCsc3FU8CAbbh2WENIVK4g7tOpplC9Arbgg4lG0hHEDq~620v3ydBzJI2FZCmJ7DoWrSK~-K2TtwbT6B8qNJ-gFipyTfKBUz0KriY6wY4Ywy-ByGzaSbriW8Gl-X2J1gayPbK76I1UCTZ0jnvYQoU0g9eT4LAHQoN7CKeg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City Councilors at the Lake Forest Park Committee of the Whole reviewed the city’s biennial budget and flagged a structural pressure: the current spending plan relies in part on unallocated contingency to cover one‑time capital needs such as vehicle replacements and equipment.

Why it matters: Councilors said continued reliance on contingency funds would reduce flexibility in future years and put pressure on services if revenues fail to keep pace with expenditures.

Council members discussed several approaches to address the strain. One track emphasized increasing revenue and pursuing external funding: several councilors recommended hiring a grant manager or contracting a grant‑writing consultant who could pursue climate‑related grants and other capital funding. Council Member Leavitt characterized this approach as a way to ensure that a climate coordinator or similar new function would be “paying for itself” through competitive grants. Council Member Riddle suggested a blended approach — an in‑house project or grants manager plus consultants — to provide grant expertise while preserving staff capacity for day‑to‑day work.

Other councilors advocated for expanding neighborhood commercial nodes and tightening business licensing so local small businesses and home‑based enterprises contribute to the city’s revenue base through licensing and sales tax. A councilor asked whether short‑term rental providers (for example, Airbnb operators) should be required to obtain a city business license; staff did not announce a policy change but noted the suggestion for further work.

Councilors also discussed the recent creation of a stormwater coordinator position and the open senior project manager recruitment; staff said adding those roles is part of balancing capital project delivery and code enforcement workload.

Council members agreed on two working principles: stabilize the near‑term budget without eroding all contingency, and pursue revenue and project strategies (grants, neighborhood commercial activity, clearer licensing) to reduce future dependence on one‑time reserves.

Quotes: “We are using some of our revenue enhancement to pay for [the climate coordinator],” one councilor said, adding that grant capacity could expand the city’s ability to deliver projects. Another note from the meeting: committee members asked staff to return later with more detailed options on revenue, licensing and project/grant management.","Committee members reviewed the city’s biennial budget status, expressed concern about drawing on unallocated contingency for vehicle and asset replacements, and discussed options such as grant seeking, encouraging neighborhood commercial activity and a project/grant manager to pursue outside funding.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":79,"_47":92,"_49":93,"_51":94,"_53":95,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":96,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":97,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6264932,"Lake Forest Park councilors agree to revise sign code; staff to set May 8 public hearing",5290,825000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3095684-ff9e877031cee9a8118250665e4d2aee&start=825&end=6115","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3095684-ff9e877031cee9a8118250665e4d2aee/thumbnail_825000.jpg","/articles/6264932/Lake-Forest-Park/King-County/Washington/Lake-Forest-Park-councilors-agree-to-revise-sign-code-staff-to-set-May-8-public-hearing","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6264932-19484941e281e6c5991fda20c91d231f/orig.mp4?Expires=1775255580&Signature=d0ajtBSJVR79hm9CTC8uKqj5fdHHU0~X7EFPtHY4lP6r3h3-rUkmpgEu3d3FPGTsBAuz~xjh~TtERXBbfio~PkAqawKj5EMFhwvr6YaK6DGPvItw-qYJxWBW-aPdLLlTjTfszEXGBFK3K8q~9fyH9tweLjlKiYKSQYd6BK0RTAj3Ce-cE4y19yo43S09xESbwxNeQJCJC67ns6tnbH4ai~AFk6su11~LnWCXeHIjMNd0jRSEivvM~wczQhtXR7D9adXK5WG1DgrCQPh5oRJnuq03UeDZlBrFbUz-oKIP6WR9Gs~mbifszzSYTnavgLPndOy5Gysp6WLtQk5hGkdVVg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Lake Forest Park City Council Committee of the Whole directed staff to prepare a public‑hearing draft of proposed changes to the city sign code and to notice a hearing for May 8, 2025.

The proposed ordinance (referred to in the meeting as Ordinance 25-13-08) would amend Chapter 18.52 of the Lake Forest Park Municipal Code to reflect recent court precedent and to make several local adjustments. Director Hoffman, who presented the staff memorandum, summarized the package and a Friday memo listing eight staff items for council review.

Why it matters: The discussion would affect business openings, real‑estate marketing, recurring community events such as the garden tour and farmers market, and the city’s enforcement approach to temporary signage in the public right of way.

Committee members and several public commenters pressed for specific changes sought by local organizers and real‑estate agents. Randy Banneker, speaking for the Seattle‑King County Realtors, asked that the code explicitly accommodate the industry standard sizes for two common signs: “the for‑sale sign... is 24 inches by 30 inches” (approximately 5 square feet) and the open‑house a‑board at about 24 by 24 inches (4 square feet). Banneker told the committee those on‑site and event signs “play an important role in a swift and smooth real estate transaction.”

Resident speakers including Sarah Phillips and Rosberg urged more flexibility for event banners and temporary wayfinding signs used for the city’s garden tour and the Farmers Market. Phillips said the town‑center lamppost banners currently in place are larger than what the draft code would allow and asked council to permit larger, more legible banners for market and town‑center uses.

After extended discussion, Council members generally reached a working consensus with staff on a set of edits Director Hoffman will incorporate before the public hearing. Key clarifications the committee directed staff to draft for the public‑hearing version include:

- Increase the allowed area for common temporary signs used by realtors and for event a‑boards to accommodate industry standard dimensions (staff explained intent to measure the sign face and proposed raising the allowance to about 5 square feet for on‑site for‑sale signs and to allow a 5‑foot sign height for the sign face measurement).

- Raise the allowable size for certain temporary banners on town‑center poles so existing lamppost banners (such as those installed for commercial grand openings) can be legalized by the code provision; staff will return a specific measurement to match what is currently in use.

- Shorten the post‑event removal window for temporary signs from the planning commission’s 10 days to 5 days to improve enforceability.

- Remove the strict numeric cap (previously proposed as “no more than six signs”) on the total number of temporary signs in the public right of way and rely instead on safety and location rules; several councilors and staff said a numeric cap would be difficult to enforce because sign copy cannot be read under the new legal standard.

- Add recommended language encouraging sign placers to obtain the consent of the abutting (adjacent) property owner before placing temporary signs in planter strips or adjacent right‑of‑way as a courtesy; the recommendation is explicit but not mandatory.

- Remove the separate 30‑day/60‑day duration language for different sign categories in favor of a uniform approach tied to events and permit paths; staff will make the temporary/permits sections consistent across the chapter.

- Clarify that certain temporary safety and construction notices (for example, required OSHA or job‑site safety signs) are not intended to be restricted by the proposal and that permitted signs and permitted temporary sign processes remain available for site‑specific arrangements.

Director Hoffman said staff will produce a clean public‑hearing draft that reflects the committee’s consensus and will flag any changes that could be legally substantive. Committee members asked that staff recheck cross‑references across Chapter 18.52 and related sections (for example, nonconforming sign amortization and home‑occupation sign limits) so the public‑hearing draft is internally consistent.

Quotes: “Five square feet would allow the industry standard,” Director Hoffman said when explaining measurement intent for on‑site real‑estate signs. “We would like to hold, notice public hearing, May 8,” Hoffman later told the committee when proposing a hearing date.

Next steps: Staff will revise the ordinance language and attachments to reflect the committee’s direction, circulate the public‑hearing packet in advance of the May 8 notice period, and return to the council for the noticed hearing. The committee did not take a formal, roll‑call vote at the meeting; instead it provided direction and a scheduling consensus for staff to notice the May 8 public hearing.","City staff will prepare a revised public‑hearing draft of a municipal sign code that increases allowances for common real‑estate and event signs, shortens post‑event removal time and removes a numeric cap on right‑of‑way signs after committee discussion and council consensus.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Lake Forest Park leaders announce death of Deputy Mayor Bode; city to honor her Thursday

Council raises concerns about biennial budget; staff and members discuss revenue options and staffing

Lake Forest Park councilors agree to revise sign code; staff to set May 8 public hearing