[{"_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",6227726,"mediaKeyId","3485383-4a5857b8a18a050ef563188b19b36b3d","parentId",3485383,"title","Bothell staff propose 9‑year renewal of Safe Streets & Sidewalks levy at 50¢ per $1,000; council signals support to place measure on November ballot","audioSeconds",329,"startMs",8401000,"endMs",8730000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3485383-4a5857b8a18a050ef563188b19b36b3d&start=8401&end=8730","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3485383-4a5857b8a18a050ef563188b19b36b3d/thumbnail_8401000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6227726/Bothell/King-County/Washington/Bothell-staff-propose-9year-renewal-of-Safe-Streets-Sidewalks-levy-at-50-per-1000-council-signals-support-to-place-measure-on-November-ballot","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6227726-27508b6bc585c0ad435ef05878f044ec/orig.mp4?Expires=1771026033&Signature=RslT6EQQjKY8JD2WMjq~7dPi3Wc7KlgsOSg9IsPCkGnzqHN6ticwS20O~3jKS5VbHFKMqvthmryFUYufYgMIRl7WgPgJqLMGVaFEQg66DmUUJoiO0k~tTIuXJgxvGqfyRaxnO4GhRW87JItMiRiWAuV28QdO4WbqbxuswGNrqyrUkn7T7JCX5QF1mcdF7bKRCqp--yKboqVR6WqLxOm5RJCf~FaWsuczmx4BGohuljVfuvp4o4~k72Q5tB2u2SYviEsvf~Xs4kYH7otuDHwKZ2sTKyrkAMtxb8jA6ZOYQrQZ5yFo3Ol~ZyWLb5WCpItc-mpUzs4cp5Mia05uSZjrVg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Bothell City, WA","date","2025-05-24T04:34:59.867Z","article","City staff presented a study session May 20 asking the council whether to place a nine‑year Safe Streets & Sidewalks levy renewal on the November ballot at the current rate of 50¢ per $1,000 of assessed value.

Finance Director Quan Wong summarized the financial case and described the levy’s results to date, saying the nine‑year renewal at the existing rate would produce approximately $10,300,000 annually and about $93,000,000 over the nine‑year term. “We are proposing to renew it at the original 50¢ per 1,000 assessed value,” Wong said.

Wong and Public Works Director Erin Lenhart outlined how the expiring levy funds have been used for pavement preservation, sidewalk repairs (including nearly 2.84 miles of sidewalk on school walk routes), patching/operations improvements and projects that help the city compete for state and federal grants. Wong said the city typically leveraged levy dollars to secure additional grants and that, historically, every levy dollar had helped bring roughly an additional $1.50 in state and federal grant funding.

Staff proposed a distribution for the renewal: 38 percent for existing maintenance/operations, 19 percent for pavement preservation, 17 percent for safe walking and biking routes (and preparation to compete for grants to construct them), and 26 percent to a flexible pool for future transportation projects the council prioritizes. Staff noted this mix preserves the current level of service while maintaining a local funding source to match grants and pursue larger multimodal projects such as the Bothell Way multimodal improvements.

Wong presented an example homeowner impact: a $1,000,000 assessed property would see about $41.03 per month (approximately $500 a year) at the levy rate quoted in the presentation. The finance director also detailed a schedule of next steps if council wants to proceed: present required ordinances in June and July, file for the November ballot (deadline Aug. 5), and appoint pro/con committees to prepare voter pamphlet statements. Staff noted that once the measure is filed the city is limited in active campaigning by staff and emphasized council and community outreach roles.

Councilmembers spoke in favor during the study session and repeatedly described the levy outcomes as well spent. Several members asked questions about which projects levy funds could support and about coordination with other funding sources. Council did not adopt an ordinance at the meeting but directed staff to return with required legislation in June and July to place the renewal on the November ballot.

No formal ballot language was adopted at the meeting; staff will return with legislative items that, if adopted, will allow the city to file the measure by the August 5 deadline.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Bothell City Council Meeting - May 20, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","City staff recommended that Bothell place a nine‑year renewal of the Safe Streets & Sidewalks levy on the November ballot at the existing rate of 50¢ per $1,000 assessed value; staff estimated the renewal would produce roughly $10.3 million per year.","taxTitle","Bothell, King County, Washington","taxId",53919,"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},6227731,"Bothell staff seek council input on expanding incentives to produce permanently affordable housing",1173,4203000,5376000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3485383-4a5857b8a18a050ef563188b19b36b3d&start=4203&end=5376","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3485383-4a5857b8a18a050ef563188b19b36b3d/thumbnail_4203000.jpg","/articles/6227731/Bothell/King-County/Washington/Bothell-staff-seek-council-input-on-expanding-incentives-to-produce-permanently-affordable-housing","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6227731-63e73d7af7f67c46831e0b7201fce587/orig.mp4?Expires=1771026033&Signature=mHaPaIXqfYbHJAtiIIDWG4eyuJOF2sSC8hY9vioTNJKbq7yrgWknfyyXHxaoLdy93MGcJe-HYvq6n8pIxzW20foRGFqjTfuBXCjwdHmmdJI1jcB4U6i~okKKTRWHJQXxK9UEJ4Brq-WkvRtOk~z5a9unj26HVutsVOQuK00XdNa5HibnE9hH4Xc7RXNrkMLBPt5URB5jEdnwTnBKTZ9bEWoBfwYOybXsFE5Vx5agerFvcZvkHb8PYlJKpomOhbFGvYxp5qAoYXGGxvAf6dy6rdwjpZ9mNL4-y~TvxLAc6aQSYevVGEI7bzfOdzRg~1I6fiAZUb9ocF0M3hPYuvxMpg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City staff opened a study session on May 20 to seek City Council direction on potential additions and refinements to Bothell’s housing affordability incentives designed to increase production of permanently affordable housing.

Community Development Director Jason Greenspan told the council the city permitted roughly 1,860 new housing units between April 2020 and April 2025 and that only 76 of those units (about 4 percent) have permanent dedicated affordability controls. “We have permitted over 1,860 brand new housing units citywide between April 2020 and April 2025,” he said, and added that the vast majority were multifamily or middle housing types.

Staff reviewed the city’s regulatory context, including recent state laws requiring planning for housing across income bands and middle housing allowances. Greenspan said the city adopted a housing strategy and comp plan provisions that increase capacity, but that zoning alone “is not by itself an effective strategy” to deliver units at the affordability levels set by state policy.

City staff presented a menu of potential incentives the council could consider for code amendments or program changes: density flexibility (including minimum‑density tradeoffs), height and story increases, parking‑minimum reductions or elimination, impact‑fee waivers for affordable units, permit and process expediting for projects that include affordability, and revisions to the Multifamily Tax Exemption (MFTE) program. Staff also suggested exploring internal process improvements and additional building code flexibility that could lower construction costs.

Councilmembers engaged at length. Several asked staff to gather case studies from other jurisdictions (including Shoreline, Kirkland and Kenmore) and to consider both regional and international examples. Some councilmembers expressed support for raising inclusionary requirements above the city’s current 5–10 percent range and discussed whether MFTE terms should be extended beyond 12 years to improve project financeability. Councilmembers also emphasized the importance of permit expediting and indicated an interest in understanding how proposed changes would affect project pro formas.

Staff said next steps would include additional outreach to the development community, benchmarking with other cities, and drafting code changes informed by council feedback. The presentation and discussion were informational; no code changes or votes were taken at the meeting.","City staff presented a range of proposed incentives May 20 intended to boost production of permanently affordable housing and asked council for direction on which tools to pursue.",{"_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},6227736,"City lobbyist briefs Bothell council on 2025 session: mixed outcomes for local priorities",1024,1258000,2282000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3485383-4a5857b8a18a050ef563188b19b36b3d&start=1258&end=2282","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3485383-4a5857b8a18a050ef563188b19b36b3d/thumbnail_1258000.jpg","/articles/6227736/Bothell/King-County/Washington/City-lobbyist-briefs-Bothell-council-on-2025-session-mixed-outcomes-for-local-priorities","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6227736-b3d74ca136b35b23740255024b47f6ff/orig.mp4?Expires=1771026033&Signature=iaLyrqmwQeMo2G2W5sZ1b1HW-r6KmgKizKKLmKupMDHDfZjXuOL2IadHf2kcstKuPqCqER8jzKiGJo9AxZUwtG5UIkAtOg6gYyeQxAVpB0LVOQCiH6kyknG4dnje~WsAbCbszjdI-ml1H9mYgN5JpYzUShiwExIiDqyKDi1sf4QwTTA-dv3Ve7E9vBczRsg4UEZ5JaE7pTDE8Lc1nvcJqBV-B1SirMAe2HqjxpxgQDf2mbZczzgy~QrQEAU6VaeCPkBJx8cN5UGk4k8VOlCCYlVVgDlTe76gZvt740kspo8QLTTTCv~sQIOj7T0xPhM7QV~a1KmCQZMl-Oq-DLiDmw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Shelley Helder, Bothell’s state lobbyist, briefed the City Council on May 20 about outcomes from the 2025 Washington legislative session and how those results intersect with the city’s priorities.

Helder told council the 2025 session was the first year of the two‑year budget cycle and that lawmakers considered thousands of bills: “This year there were 2,387 bills that were introduced. And 433 passed the legislature,” she said. She described difficult budget tradeoffs driven by a projected multi‑year shortfall and said the capital budget was notably smaller than the prior biennium.

On the city’s priorities, Helder said the city requested $1.9 million in capital funds for the Woodcrest utility improvement project and secured $1.5 million in the final budget after delegation support led by Representative Dower. She described that $1.5 million as a substantial win given the constrained capital budget and that the award was carried into the final budget.

Helder said Bothell’s effort to secure state help to preserve the Shellnew forest was premature this session because the parcels have not yet been nominated for the trust land transfer (TLT) program and because DNR leadership and nomination status complicate immediate progress. She recommended continued outreach to tribal partners and DNR leadership as a next step.

On transit‑oriented development (TOD) incentives, Helder said House Bill 1491 (as described in her presentation) establishes minimum densities around light rail and bus rapid transit stations, includes affordability and anti‑displacement provisions, and creates a grant program for infrastructure; however, she noted there was no funding for the grant program in the current budget. She also said Senate Bill 5184 (transcribed as SB 51 84) established statewide limitations on parking minimums for qualifying cities and set residential parking caps per dwelling type for jurisdictions with population thresholds.

Helder also reported that the legislature adopted a smaller capital budget overall and reduced the average award size for local community projects; as a result some previously awarded projects had to be defended to retain funding. The Bothell Way multimodal project kept $5 million allocated to a later biennium (the 27/29 biennium), which she described as a two‑year delay rather than a permanent deferral.

On other laws with municipal impact, Helder flagged a set of housing bills that passed, including a bill authorizing implied warranties in condominium construction (House Bill 1403 as discussed) and rent‑stabilization legislation that caps allowable annual rent increases and tightened notice requirements (Helder referenced “rent stabilization” and said the governor signed the bill into law with immediate effect). She also noted passage of a health‑plan parity bill described as the mental health parity act.

Helder recommended that the city follow up with its delegation to thank them for their support, ensure the city uses awarded funds promptly (noting the legislature will likely not re‑appropriate unused allocations), and begin an interim action plan to prepare for the 2026 session.

Councilmembers thanked Helder and asked about next steps; Helder said staff would circulate a comprehensive list of bills and that the city should prepare for implementation tasks created by the new laws.

No formal council action occurred at the meeting related to state legislation; Helder’s briefing was informational and followed by council questions.","Bothell’s state lobbyist reviewed the 2025 Washington legislative session, summarizing the city’s capital successes and setbacks, including Woodcrest funding of $1.5 million secured in the final budget, delay of some Bothell Way multimodal funding, and policy bills affecting housing and transportation.",{"_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},6227741,"Neighbors urge Bothell to restore no-parking signs on narrow Ross Road after near-misses",146,165000,311000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3485383-4a5857b8a18a050ef563188b19b36b3d&start=165&end=311","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3485383-4a5857b8a18a050ef563188b19b36b3d/thumbnail_165000.jpg","/articles/6227741/Bothell/King-County/Washington/Neighbors-urge-Bothell-to-restore-no-parking-signs-on-narrow-Ross-Road-after-near-misses","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6227741-e062e814068b84436775e113fd2e53b0/orig.mp4?Expires=1771026033&Signature=aa8Ape9zeik93VaGYVJXhR~FUpnajFUlQrSQlzxHJYkcFEeA7nsTDFPF3lX8B06v60VGtgdToXq0eBpYyz9FnqBUmYRjMprdcTmhMi5yX6P4bHpkuMvS~PS7cFoRFUC6WCse2LxXvcNFWSQRH~DWnDLqiIighA6HEiuftBVkOKd6LuQbCxjzAGZEXXMBQpwXXw5Hgn8z23jAitjojA-HqK8I00T8vGnMd~IuhneVCA8AmWq3Snu2YmmoLTW4IignKUWbK6MMl~WwoI374jQY5S2aaTHDZabaAaVU76qruOEcPZ7HwOgVjXS7RtbfYSQnJECpHA68kPZkCsoGRmdo8A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Erin Mangon addressed the City Council during public comment on May 20 and urged immediate action on a narrow stretch of Ross Road near the Madora Apartments where, she said, parking returned after construction and created dangerous conditions for children.

Mangon described recent incidents in which “3 kids almost get hit” and two bicycles were run over by cars, and she said parents are now blocking traffic so their children can cross safely. “It's not if a kid is gonna get hit, it is when a kid is gonna get hit,” she said.

Mangon said the road is narrow, sightlines are blocked by overgrown vegetation and untrimmed grass, and that she has emailed traffic engineering, operations and the police multiple times without resolution. She told council the neighbors are willing to pay for signs if the city will install them.

During council follow-up the city manager said staff would close the loop with the resident and noted an operations staff change (a recent retirement) but that operations staff had exchanged contact information with the neighborhood. The manager said staff will follow up and keep council informed.

No ordinance change or formal vote occurred at the meeting. City staff committed to follow up with the resident and to report back to council by email.","A resident told council that cars are parking on both sides of a narrow section of Ross Road near a new apartment complex and that children walking to bus stops and to Maywood Elementary are at risk; the resident asked the city to reinstall no-parking signs and enforce speed limits. City staff said they will follow up.",{"_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},6227746,"Residents say neighbor cleared and drained greenbelt; ask Bothell staff to investigate",172,354000,526000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3485383-4a5857b8a18a050ef563188b19b36b3d&start=354&end=526","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3485383-4a5857b8a18a050ef563188b19b36b3d/thumbnail_354000.jpg","/articles/6227746/Bothell/King-County/Washington/Residents-say-neighbor-cleared-and-drained-greenbelt-ask-Bothell-staff-to-investigate","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6227746-bebf09b2ca6efd10d14576ae185b7683/orig.mp4?Expires=1771026033&Signature=mCPwmFOtPVIX3IiiGly9Dc~eH0ocXidzM9sRQNYMVLTJ-1PNSRCkvVdabOXbRbk7Kb5pAfsmDCxxahIGpmunriaPms9LYFQvLg8~Y9VJtRqr~Ou5VPHi0Fb1hupWsjHo5lKk9hLJW5plmN83Wi-LMkJVgYsdtMgtmoi5e7zrrajuLvb59A~nlCJr7d4zwMyfNLfBS~owtpWWA~riq5Oh4rdJwdGbdhQpeIlU5RgcU1R2zMvaiHYXmBnueAahF0qW57u9ABYxRXTJSEaCNh-S0W~5FK9Nw2L9zCoMr0uAmk1dgUouBITnyP9sHcusY-KaNl-YoQMBqzGNh7pg5QOAtA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Jake Bailey, a Bothell resident, told the City Council on May 20 that his property borders North Creek Forest and an adjacent greenbelt and that a new neighbor had cleared vegetation, installed drains and filled portions of an area Bailey and conservationists consider a wetland.

Bailey said the clearing began in February and by April the neighbor “began building a retaining wall, filling in the part of the wetland which lay on his property.” Bailey said an ecological consultant and local wetland advocates reviewed photos and concluded the area was a wetland; he said city planning staff told him no permit was required and that the area would not be considered a wetland unless the property owner paid for a delineation study.

“Any staff person who does wetlands for the city will know just from your photo,” Bailey said, paraphrasing a consultant he cited. He added: “We think the city made a mistake by issuing a permit to fill a wetland and by allowing it to be drained, and we think the city should mitigate the loss of wetland.”

Bailey told council he and neighbors want staff to investigate, mitigate damage if possible, and consider changes to city procedures so similar work would be stopped earlier in the future. In public comment he referenced photos and maps submitted to the clerk and said Friends of North Creek Forest and ecological consultant Sarah Cook had reviewed the work.

During the Council’s follow-up period, City Manager Kyle stated that the council had received an email about the matter and that, per protocol, when council receives such an email staff will respond and “close out on that.” He said staff will follow up with the council and that operations staff had exchanged contact information with neighbors. Councilmembers asked that staff provide a follow-up email later in the week.

There was no formal motion or vote on the matter during the meeting; staff said they would investigate and provide the council with follow-up information by email.

Details the council received at the meeting are limited to the resident’s account and the city manager’s commitment to follow up. Bailey said he had photographic evidence and a lay map included with his submitted written comments; he also said the consultant called the trenching “illegal” in comments relayed to the council. The transcript shows the planning division had earlier informed Bailey that a delineation study paid for by property owners was required before the area could be designated protected.

Staff next steps: the city manager said staff will investigate the complaint, respond to the resident and close out the matter with the council; no timetable was set in public remarks.","A Bothell homeowner told the City Council that a neighbor cleared and filled part of a greenbelt adjacent to North Creek Forest and trenched through wetland areas. The homeowner asked the council to direct staff to investigate and mitigate the loss; staff said they would follow up by email and review the complaint.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Bothell staff propose 9‑year renewal of Safe Streets & Sidewalks levy at 50¢ per $1,000; council signals support to place measure on November ballot

Bothell staff seek council input on expanding incentives to produce permanently affordable housing

City lobbyist briefs Bothell council on 2025 session: mixed outcomes for local priorities

Neighbors urge Bothell to restore no-parking signs on narrow Ross Road after near-misses

Residents say neighbor cleared and drained greenbelt; ask Bothell staff to investigate