The City Council of Mill Creek held a regular meeting on June 3, 2025, where key discussions focused on regional growth and collaboration with neighboring cities. The meeting highlighted the importance of aligning strategies regarding sound transit developments and regional growth centers.

During the meeting, officials discussed the potential for Mill Creek and its neighboring cities, Lynnwood and Everett, to designate specific areas as regional growth centers. This designation is crucial for future planning and development, particularly in light of ongoing sound transit projects. Mayor Pro Tem emphasized the need for a unified approach among the cities to effectively advocate for their interests.

City staff noted that much of the groundwork for this initiative has already been laid by Snohomish County through its comprehensive planning process. The council was informed that the staff support required for this initiative would not be extensive, as the necessary data and statistics are readily available from previous planning efforts.

A memorandum of understanding (MOU) is expected to be drafted, recognizing the collaborative vision of Mill Creek and its neighboring cities. The MOU would formally acknowledge that Mill Creek and Lynnwood support Ashway as a regional growth center, while Mill Creek and Everett advocate for Mariner. However, the discussions also revealed a competitive dynamic among the cities, as they vie for recognition and resources.

The council plans to provide further direction to the steering committee on this matter by June 25, 2025, ensuring that Mill Creek's interests are effectively represented in regional planning efforts. This meeting underscored the importance of cooperation among local governments to navigate the complexities of urban growth and transit development.