[{"_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",6227270,"mediaKeyId","3493884-4c7c155fad617b5efca0920d4e20b70b","parentId",3493884,"title","Covington council debates Timberlane LID pre-formation costs; staff told to urge petition route","audioSeconds",2423,"startMs",1115000,"endMs",3538000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3493884-4c7c155fad617b5efca0920d4e20b70b&start=1115&end=3538","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3493884-4c7c155fad617b5efca0920d4e20b70b/thumbnail_1115000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6227270/Covington/King-County/Washington/Covington-council-debates-Timberlane-LID-pre-formation-costs-staff-told-to-urge-petition-route","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6227270-c4a34baf82bcb09c6b63f232d41ea908/orig.mp4?Expires=1774934786&Signature=WTLDKMGwiL9RYLuO~XmPVtlFC5ahwMtTAMie9dR5744ntDO3L~U8xSFAP~ugh0XVn~qUBT9SHY9kbFJV696xP0uy5h4T3o3ubFbliqwC3JZiM6tQer~cBaxlI4UFCG~s-rJcTRKZs-wBEJqktSgvfIU~z7slh~34YWCMCSET2riwMp~1wwLBCK8J2sv8ANqUuptLdSj8GGLnTdnNvs~gWtpXuuCYT7ey1R0pzbHhlqFcYyE6e7xNuBT-6m6MJBwrzfAPC6kOoWvE-eddgHx~kkp6xf1-4sUjCy0mavgxRVOevdv9q5ljMuE313dfGxY0a11c-XdvDGK4vAXHEbYplA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Covington City, Washington","date","2025-05-24T16:19:03.23Z","article","Council members debated whether the city should pay preliminary costs to form a Local Improvement District (LID) for sidewalk work in the Timberlane neighborhood and directed staff to advise the Timberlane homeowners association (HOA) to pursue the petition method rather than have the city initiate formation.

At the May 13 meeting staff summarized the request: city staff said the HOA had asked the city to initiate the LID and that staff estimated preliminary, pre-formation costs—including surveys, title reports, appraisal, engineering verification and legal fees—“between 17 and 25,000” dollars. Staff emphasized those were high-level preliminary estimates and that costs could rise in subsequent phases.

Council members discussed options and risks: staff explained that if the city pays pre-formation costs and the LID fails, the city would likely not be able to recoup that expense. Staff described two formation routes: a petition method initiated by homeowners and a council-initiated resolution method. Council members noted the petition method gives early evidence of owner support, while the resolution method places an assessment protest threshold later in the process.

Survey results supplied by the HOA were cited during the discussion. Staff pulled up the survey summary: 205 responses were returned, 92 respondents said they read the LID information, 82% said the HOA should work with the city to form an LID to replace problem sidewalks, and 80% expressed a preference for concrete over asphalt after being given longevity information on concrete. Staff said the survey results were collected in October–November of the prior year.

Council members repeatedly urged “skin in the game” from property owners given the estimated total construction cost staff said would be roughly a million dollars for the primary sidewalks under discussion. Council members also noted Timberlane’s HOA serves over 700 homes, so 205 survey responses represent a minority of owners. Several council members proposed that the city and the HOA split pre-formation costs; others said they were not comfortable committing city funds up front.

After extended discussion staff recorded the direction from council: staff were to go back to the HOA and advise that the citizens pursue the petition route so the neighborhood demonstrates majority support before the city engages pre-formation work. Several council members said they would support splitting pre-formation costs if the HOA demonstrates clear homeowner support, but council ultimately stated it was not comfortable paying a percentage of pre-formation costs at this time.

Why it matters: LIDs allow property owners to finance public improvements through assessments; formation and the method chosen affect which property owners are assessed, the timeline, and whether the city bears up-front risk. Staff advised that pre-formation costs typically roll into an LID assessment if the LID is formed, but if the city pays them and the LID fails the city would likely absorb the expense.

Clarifying details from the meeting: staff estimated pre-formation costs of $17,000–$25,000; the construction estimate for the proposed sidewalk work was about $1,000,000 for sidewalks on two main Timberlane thoroughfares (one side of the roads only, per staff’s summary). Staff explained petition thresholds and protest mechanics: an initial petition requires a majority (discussed as 51% of the area) to move the matter forward; under a council-initiated resolution a later protest based on assessed value can block formation (staff cited a 60% protest threshold under the resolution route). Staff and several council members noted rental properties and non‑homeowner respondents complicate interpreting HOA online survey results.

No formal motion to commit city funds was passed at the meeting; the action is recorded as direction to staff to return to the HOA with guidance that the HOA pursue the petition route and to report back with clearer owner support and options for cost sharing.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Covington City Council Meeting - May 13, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Council debated whether to pay pre-formation costs for a Timberlane Local Improvement District and directed staff to advise the HOA to pursue the petition method so homeowner support can be demonstrated before the city commits funds.","taxTitle","Covington, King County, Washington","taxId",71066,"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},6227275,"Covington reviews draft 2026–2031 Transportation Improvement Program; staff seeks funding guidance",486,653000,1139000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3493884-4c7c155fad617b5efca0920d4e20b70b&start=653&end=1139","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3493884-4c7c155fad617b5efca0920d4e20b70b/thumbnail_653000.jpg","/articles/6227275/Covington/King-County/Washington/Covington-reviews-draft-20262031-Transportation-Improvement-Program-staff-seeks-funding-guidance","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6227275-5b1f221a8b6acdbef43f6a9ddebe2ee3/orig.mp4?Expires=1774934786&Signature=oykT0NWO9Z2IW~jINyRX-xPowsRrWSSzP1-N9gSWAF4bFQycWgE3076bbYz9F54E4NLFWjsHwsZ48pABKW3pnXFn-t4e~DwtrGLVo6N9pcYrbDsVWddZ3mrFaYeK-vdJZ0z9fEWKKumjHpORIluF3SXnHB1LFydJKvawLwiRyT-Ou~FDstI-H9WadatILAAM2zfclhtX6wRTBXpmScXH~5NPi-mCLfSe9JgNFsNOANBB8V2houwqV1gDekiLSMThvl0tc3UedqtbRJ-tsCP-VHBMcDOCm3Zas6bK111pG-zcEG6sNypZlB91kOeP7koiSP~cythim8dbrastMkRSpA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City staff presented a draft 2026–2031 Transportation Improvement Program to the Covington City Council on May 13 and asked council for guidance on funding priorities and next steps for several ongoing projects, including a newly added pedestrian-safety project.

The draft TIP shows project maps and a prioritization list; Bob Linscough, the city staff member leading the presentation, told council “this draft map should look quite familiar” and summarized recent completions and remaining work. He said the City accepted construction on parts of the Covington Connector and that paving for the Lake Pointe Boulevard CIP portion would begin next Monday, though the roadway opening date was “yet to be determined.”

The presentation outlined several active projects: remaining work on the Jenkins Creek construction project (installation of a fish-passable culvert and driveway paving), the SR 516 widening (from 180 Fifth to 190 Second Avenue Southeast) at about 70% design, and the SR 516/Covington Way project at about 50% design. Linscough reported the city “was awarded around 5,000,000 in transportation improvement funds for right away in construction” but that staff are “looking for construction funding source to backfills the city match of nearly $6,000,000.”

Why it matters: the TIP sets the city’s short-term capital priorities and identifies which projects will seek grants or local match. Council members asked how federal and state budget cuts could affect grant availability and whether projects would be delayed if funding fell through. Staff response was that design and right-of-way work is mostly secured, but some construction funding still must be obtained and, if needed, projects would be pushed into later years.

Council members also asked whether locally planned elements — notably a proposed Covington Way roundabout — should proceed if adjacent state-led roundabout projects are scaled back. Staff said the Covington Way roundabout design does show benefits even if some other roundabouts are not built: “there’s a slight improvement with the Covington Way roundabout…and even more improvement when you install the other 4,” staff said.

During the SEPA process staff noted the Duwamish Tribe submitted comments requesting an inadvertent discovery plan for archaeological resources on several projects; staff said they will incorporate that consultation into project delivery steps. No public commenters spoke during the TIP hearing; the public hearing was opened and closed without testimony.

Next steps and council direction: staff asked whether council wanted additional information; council members requested continued outreach and updates on funding status and potential archaeological mitigation steps. Staff said they expect to return with requests for additional funds where necessary (for example to finish Jenkins Creek work) and to keep the council apprised if grant matches cannot be secured and projects must be delayed.

All statements in this article are drawn from the council meeting staff report and the public hearing presentation on May 13, 2025.","City staff presented a draft six-year Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) for 2026–2031, reviewed project status updates and new pedestrian-safety work, and told council the city is seeking construction funding to cover an estimated $6 million local match for a recently awarded grant.",{"_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},6227261,"Council keeps pedestrian-bridge study alive but won't commit to construction; 5–1 vote to complete additional design and analysis",2275,4664000,6939000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3493884-4c7c155fad617b5efca0920d4e20b70b&start=4664&end=6939","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3493884-4c7c155fad617b5efca0920d4e20b70b/thumbnail_4664000.jpg","/articles/6227261/Covington/King-County/Washington/Council-keeps-pedestrian-bridge-study-alive-but-wont-commit-to-construction-51-vote-to-complete-additional-design-and-analysis","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6227261-b7d43eb654a1cfa7b85bd27fb04268f3/orig.mp4?Expires=1774934786&Signature=lcGzWSiqh-E0SN3GtH0n5pgZ4~7XzLbqPlqtQzKnlyxL20XFQGNqE5Lgybb3gFRNSVwaYKtcFuiHVTc4YBi~tRUdw2CJ9XhzQnCstQgPejeyqMhqzM6lMuzWwv3dE4l7ZH-ZXg4HKvWjY6P9TbpgDIcYOrZrCfcG3~ESeBC-XktMifuEAN8Hj1~qdANPUqNW3ffD8ZOUXkbie3vXIZr5fXhWe7jx45OzfMvxxq~SO18ucQ7zM8nKu-Fmx1DJ58Rf7I8hkKVw3o-FaOAtCkdzJ9~kbv1CjFWMcRsghmEWPGO308H7Gc5aJeCqzrIvq0geRhMO-CaH7yzBAO6nirWxLA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The City Council voted 5–1 on May 13 to continue feasibility and preliminary design work for a proposed pedestrian bridge along SR 516, directing staff to use remaining grant funds for further analysis and up to a roughly 15% level of design while stopping short of a construction commitment.

Delaney, the project presenter, reviewed alternatives developed with consultant Koei: ramped bridge approaches would require more parking and larger footprints; elevator approaches reduce surface impacts but raised safety and maintenance concerns. Presentations showed a range of “condensed” ramp and elevator footprints that trade parking stalls, driveway reconfigurations and visibility of storefronts.

Property owners in the downtown commercial block communicated concerns about losing parking. Delaney said the most condensed elevator option would impact as few as one stall on the north side and a couple stalls on the south side but acknowledged it could turn a driveway into a right-in-only configuration and change circulation. She also said elevator cabs would be 6-by-10 feet in the designs shown and that stair widths and building clearances constrain how small the shafts can be made.

Council debate focused on safety of elevators, likely vandalism and maintenance needs, the needs of seniors who prefer ramps, and the effect on business parking. Several council members said elevators could attract illicit activity and be expensive to maintain; others noted that ramps take more parking and may be unusable for mobility-limited seniors. Delaney warned that locking elevators to limit hours could pose ADA problems if stair access is closed at the same times.

After deliberation council majority favored continuing the study rather than returning grant funds immediately. Staff estimated the consultant contract and grants budget were roughly $759,000 overall and that the project is “about 60% of the way through” that budget; using what remains would allow the team to reach a 15% design level or to collect more targeted data on parking occupancy and driveway circulation to support future grant applications. One council member argued the bridge was not feasible in the near term and urged returning the grant funds; others urged further study on mitigations such as cameras, different circulation patterns and safety measures.

Council recorded the direction to use remaining funds for additional predesign/feasibility work while not committing to construction. Delaney confirmed the consultant is paid as work is completed; staff said returning unused funds is an option but could make future grant applications more difficult.

Why it matters: the pedestrian bridge is part of a longer-term downtown mobility and placemaking discussion. The council majority endorsed further study to preserve design options and collect data, while stopping short of authorizing construction or additional permanent impacts to parking until safety and circulation questions are resolved.

The council's recorded intent at the meeting: proceed with additional feasibility/predesign work using remaining grant funds (to an estimated 15% design), collect additional usage and circulation data, and avoid further reductions in parking without clearer mitigation and buy-in from businesses and users. The meeting transcript recorded a 5–1 council vote supporting continuing the study.","After months of design work, Covington council voted 5–1 to use remaining grant funds to advance feasibility and up to 15% design work for a proposed pedestrian bridge on SR 516, while several members said they do not support immediate construction because of parking impacts and safety concerns associated with elevator approaches.",{"_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},6227266,"Covington reports strong fourth-quarter revenues, $42.6M cash and $2.1M interest income for 2024",1940,4500000,6440000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3493884-4c7c155fad617b5efca0920d4e20b70b&start=4500&end=6440","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3493884-4c7c155fad617b5efca0920d4e20b70b/thumbnail_4500000.jpg","/articles/6227266/Covington/King-County/Washington/Covington-reports-strong-fourth-quarter-revenues-426M-cash-and-21M-interest-income-for-2024","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6227266-74f4b140533278a3931635e4ef48d44d/orig.mp4?Expires=1774934787&Signature=jpwycLTOCTuXv1TcDpQokpip7eeGoh6~1KHQt~qh0LJhZtMN6DIMnaaJ5icxp9YIfp~FEKoj~kpPSZCOpQXBfB5twmE15qa8qZ48a9uLgqqc2RmtfQD7EuxpR~B69C48HJAfQWKzOt5oNFXeVbKnpRuO2aAgHAqJFV5Tu~fuNMq8He8bhrLcQU0LyNrt6m3E7TV~6BeICAZL1YgbiMbd9RjFZ2Qe7GrwFTUTdd6EEihtkKzSJs7iGfUbGK2enYgGAIux9h44ikQKP7~xSrG3J2EDowfV0So44Nlh4OlIMhz2BVxX34ioTiQ8ECWOOTCEn-HnugLh4CTVM3W5yB-UaQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Casey, the city finance director, presented Covington's fourth-quarter financial report on May 13, reporting robust revenue collections, elevated interest income and healthy cash balances for the fiscal year.

Casey said the city received a little over $3.2 million in property-tax revenues through the fourth quarter; the levy for the year was $3,245,000. Real-estate-excise taxes (REET) came in far above budget: the city budgeted $600,000 but received nearly $1,400,000 (Casey described the REET result as 228.9% of budget). She said the city recorded 51 new home sales, 238 existing home sales, three commercial sales and seven lot sales for the year and gave average-sale prices reported in deed activity.

Casey reported retail sales tax collections came in at a little over $6.2 million against a $5.7 million budget. Utility taxes were up about $400,000 (13.8%) through fourth quarter; she said the water collections matched expectations and that the sewer amount will be audited because initial district numbers differed from receipts.

The city saw strong investment returns in 2024. Casey said total cash on hand at year-end was a little over $42,600,000. The local government investment pool balance was reported as $35,100,000 and investments held outside the pool at about $6,900,000. Interest income for the year totaled slightly more than $2,100,000.

Other highlights: business and occupation (B&O) tax receipts were about $978,000 for the year; the city closed one Public Works Trust Fund loan; interfund loans remain in place for several CIP projects; and CIP interest receipts of $555,000 were available for future projects. Casey also noted hiring a new tax analyst, Linda, to strengthen collections. She told council that final ending fund balances will be presented when year-end closing is complete.

Why it matters: the report shows larger-than-budgeted revenues in multiple categories and substantial cash and investment balances, giving the city flexibility for one-time CIP needs or reserve funding but also prompting staff and council to consider how to allocate windfalls in the upcoming budget process. Casey said staff will meet with the city manager to consider reserve allocations or other uses before the next budget cycle.

No formal council action was taken on the report; it was received for information.","Finance director presented the city's fourth-quarter financial report showing near-complete property-tax collections, strong REET receipts, higher-than-budgeted sales and utility taxes in some categories, and $42.6 million in cash and investments at year-end.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Covington council debates Timberlane LID pre-formation costs; staff told to urge petition route

Covington reviews draft 2026–2031 Transportation Improvement Program; staff seeks funding guidance

Council keeps pedestrian-bridge study alive but won't commit to construction; 5–1 vote to complete additional design and analysis

Covington reports strong fourth-quarter revenues, $42.6M cash and $2.1M interest income for 2024