[{"_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",6183554,"mediaKeyId","5096402-ae4ff19f6f7dc088a1a1d65bbbd2f581","parentId",5096402,"title","Council reviews draft 2026–2031 Transportation Improvement Program; federal earmark moves roundabout forward","audioSeconds",1681,"startMs",3648000,"endMs",5329000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5096402-ae4ff19f6f7dc088a1a1d65bbbd2f581&start=3648&end=5329","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5096402-ae4ff19f6f7dc088a1a1d65bbbd2f581/thumbnail_3648000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6183554/Lake-Stevens/Snohomish-County/Washington/Council-reviews-draft-20262031-Transportation-Improvement-Program-federal-earmark-moves-roundabout-forward","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6183554-eaf453c0763ca298e673305389911f36/orig.mp4?Expires=1776244747&Signature=b9y9QJoDaEX9mpCgS~KGS19ew1MgTJuDkDsY6iXwjpybvSaIwI9BQZWtWNQZclNMA-kMF7rPcaQ9WXOezi8lo3U9ugDQi2rGeDERRirqMYqyoWCKRtiTmL2QZB~7c4MbivZkeiqMAeRQI4Q9zajY~0vJzEcNevhGtLX51s-YWlIgBMZtTWtpmE7pRce8MhNJlsSX-QpkASTgivFqKSIWr2dI2IU1mEZzo0YzucJWKBwinBt83LvfygMQYE7UJfn~coQlx-NBPXApP3FMnjSPm7LpOn32y4yW~que5Ow~q9F-dLiZMRhJ1SensIqpKmr1GbqTwI~7zox~zYS8ARiT-Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Lake Stevens City, WA","date","2025-06-25T15:25:33Z","article","Lake Stevens staff presented a draft 2026–2031 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) on June 24 and asked the council for direction so staff can finalize the document, set a public hearing and seek adoption at the July 1 meeting.

Kim Klinkers, the city engineer, said the TIP is required under state law and is a six‑year planning document that does not itself authorize funds; it aligns projects with the city’s comprehensive plan and the capital facilities plan and is a prerequisite for obligating certain state and federal grants. Klinkers said the TIP must be filed with the Washington State Department of Transportation and, where applicable, included in the statewide transportation improvement program (STIP) to obligate federal funds.

Council discussion focused on several program priorities. Staff confirmed a $2,500,000 federal earmark for the Twentieth Street and Main Street roundabout that the council had been tracking; staff said federal funds must be shown in the TIP and coordinated with WSDOT before the city can obligate those funds for construction. A community development director said the earmark was a key factor in moving the roundabout toward construction and that local funds previously projected for the project would be available to support other projects once the federal grant is secured.

Council members also asked about Transportation Benefit District (TBP) projects included in the TIP. Klinkers and staff said the TBP’s Hundred‑seventeenth Avenue sidewalk project remains listed and was budgeted previously at about $1.2 million for 2026; staff said they will refine design and cost estimates and provide a mid‑year capital update. Council members asked whether other corridors (for example, One‑Hundred‑Sixteenth Avenue) should be reprioritized; staff said the original TBP resolution prioritized a set list of projects and that staff can evaluate whether to adjust sequencing.

Council members raised questions about how projects in the 6‑year plan were used for traffic impact fee calculations and how grant assumptions and local revenues affect the schedule. Staff said the TIP and 20‑year capital facilities plan inform impact‑fee work and that a full traffic impact‑fee update is underway; staff also noted that many figures beyond the first budget year are preliminary estimates.

Next steps: staff asked council to discuss tonight’s draft, allow staff to post the TIP for public hearing and return on July 1 with a proposed resolution for adoption. Staff will also coordinate with WSDOT and the Puget Sound Regional Council as needed to include federally funded and regionally significant projects in required statewide and regional programs.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City Council Regular Meeting of June 24, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Lake Stevens staff presented a draft 2026–2031 Transportation Improvement Program on June 24 and asked the council for direction so staff can finalize the document and schedule a public hearing for adoption.","taxTitle","Lake Stevens, Snohomish County, Washington","taxId",53861,"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},6183558,"Residents ask Lake Stevens for traffic study after roundabout and altered flows create cut‑through and speeding",221,2448000,2669000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5096402-ae4ff19f6f7dc088a1a1d65bbbd2f581&start=2448&end=2669","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5096402-ae4ff19f6f7dc088a1a1d65bbbd2f581/thumbnail_2448000.jpg","/articles/6183558/Lake-Stevens/Snohomish-County/Washington/Residents-ask-Lake-Stevens-for-traffic-study-after-roundabout-and-altered-flows-create-cutthrough-and-speeding","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6183558-3c0d60fece0e25b84ac20cd461a67836/orig.mp4?Expires=1776244747&Signature=OuTsUdUNCFN4nG7Bv46-m2yryB2Vn~mBPl2pQkIGpBYMU9up~3bvtderRYlHXdBF1lR1wZKY-5~f1cy4OXEVK3wyGK01w~rFBVX9VEIjX0jjKSQMKZgYHuAxJU7aVm5vEAE42~DqkEGAlLAYO3KbJM3e8sda3gvhd-tX8DVQOfnbL9gtVmMaVGje1wqlXo0QR3VSvL-qWqnyuOcHyLlzEIfgpxoMAcFlLQTVuuW5y5a5f5c9A3jA8d7ICfpd56Bexnmu9f4MugcGHbrXb2bPydbWXEl5rU45HG7BIn~1GDe~-Ros2ZeF5w1ZX0yZWhaQnrwOJZ29Ape4hebl1VlFOA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Several Lake Stevens residents told the council June 24 that nearby roadway changes and a new roundabout have increased cut‑through traffic and unsafe speeds on small residential streets, and they asked the city to conduct traffic assessments and consider traffic‑calming measures.

Resident Richard \"Rick\" Trout said vehicles towing boats now use Millspur and 120th Avenue NE to cut into the line for the boat launch, blocking three private driveways for hours on busy summer days and at one point holding up an ambulance. He asked the council to consider signage or prohibitions on turning from Millspur onto 120th to protect driveways and reduce conflicts.

Derek Bollinger and neighbors said a one‑block stretch of Ninth Avenue near Twentieth and South Lake Stevens Road has become a rush‑hour cut‑through since a nearby roundabout opened. Bollinger said the short residential block — a two‑lane street with no sidewalks and many children — now experiences vehicles traveling “50 miles an hour plus” during peak periods. A neighbor added that buses stop on the street and there have been near misses when motorists swerve to avoid children.

Residents asked the council to commission a traffic assessment to evaluate speed, volume and possible countermeasures such as speed feedback signs, speed cushions or other traffic calming. Bollinger said a prior temporary speed‑feedback sign helped slow drivers and requested a formal study to guide permanent solutions.

Council response: Council members acknowledged the concerns and asked staff to study possible countermeasures and report back. No formal action was taken at the meeting; residents were told staff will follow up with traffic counts and next steps.

","Several residents urged the city to conduct traffic assessments after traffic patterns changed following local road projects and a new roundabout. Citizens reported boat‑launch traffic blocking driveways on 120th Avenue and high‑speed cut‑through traffic on a one‑block stretch of Ninth Avenue near Twentieth and South Lake Stevens Road.",{"_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},6183564,"Boat‑launch parking enforcement begins; residents question Discover Pass notice and year‑to‑year validity",231,3243000,3474000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5096402-ae4ff19f6f7dc088a1a1d65bbbd2f581&start=3243&end=3474","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5096402-ae4ff19f6f7dc088a1a1d65bbbd2f581/thumbnail_3243000.jpg","/articles/6183564/Lake-Stevens/Snohomish-County/Washington/Boatlaunch-parking-enforcement-begins-residents-question-Discover-Pass-notice-and-yeartoyear-validity","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6183564-992a7c7607dd516a582f839bde3a40eb/orig.mp4?Expires=1776244747&Signature=goIJXNJZ8KCwK~1UXgzmHFynS6CtMiPBEkFCv-jyzpIPNzWAofH9VJlRtp4bHBP--939fL1ZQZCAW0xIQ98YB2uroL2fFbA82MA1gLPCdLenPHuk136MHgPdjD5kNH7gG8kQEFwFOUMCmWAyCcfGpeSVlWQi2BsI1u3oSB0NBtzWMUGsSGdin~6Fnl5Wm0ZMY3Uvnwh-uX88yDwbSfjB-FYeGK6J20yzYHZs6F8qBae1OoMlfpwjUWf9s8-YfBx28ppeZ~DNIWkNZI61g8AXw2DUcV6VxwW2w4CDOT-fOOrD1I-DuwIMXSU4aFdwxds~v4EGv~waWjmNuYIVKISHfQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Lake Stevens parks staff told the council on June 24 they have started a multi‑department effort to enforce boat‑trailer parking rules at city boat launches, and residents urged clearer notice about a recent change in which parking passes the city accepts.

Parks manager David Green said the city has begun public messaging, distributed reminder cards to windshields, painted trailer‑only stalls at Northcote and ordered permanent trailer‑only signage; striping quotes and enforcement protocols are underway in partnership with police.

Resident concerns: Multiple residents told the council they bought state Discover Passes in summer 2024 to park at Cove Park and only learned later that the city would stop accepting the Discover Pass after a December 2024 deadline. One speaker said she bought a pass late in the 2024 season and expected to be able to use it the following summer; she asked the city either to honor still‑valid Discover Passes through the 2025 boating season or to provide clearer advance notice to prospective purchasers.

David Green told the council staff would revisit the Discover Pass policy when a returning staff member is available; he said staff had a note showing a two‑month notice was posted earlier (dated Oct. 15, 2024) that indicated the Discover Pass would no longer be accepted after December. Residents said that timing does not align with how and when many people buy or use watercraft and passes.

Green described early voluntary compliance since the city’s messaging began and said enforcement will be paired with new striping and signs. A council member asked whether enforcement, striping and fines will apply during high‑use events such as the farmers market; Green said yes, enforcement is expected to run during busy days.

What the council asked staff to do: staff said they will review the Discover Pass timeline and messaging with returning staff and report back. Citizens asked for clearer signage and timing so people who purchase seasonal passes late in a year are not surprised the following season.

","Parks staff reported early steps in enforcement and signage changes at Cove Park and Northcote boat‑launch parking. Several residents urged the city to reconsider how it handled Discover Pass acceptance after some pass holders said they bought passes in 2024 expecting them to be valid in 2025.",{"_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},6183569,"Lake Stevens Council, consultant begin 2025 salary study; council asks for comparator budgets",1861,413000,2274000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5096402-ae4ff19f6f7dc088a1a1d65bbbd2f581&start=413&end=2274","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5096402-ae4ff19f6f7dc088a1a1d65bbbd2f581/thumbnail_413000.jpg","/articles/6183569/Lake-Stevens/Snohomish-County/Washington/Lake-Stevens-Council-consultant-begin-2025-salary-study-council-asks-for-comparator-budgets","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6183569-53c954f712942dcd484bf4e36f017cab/orig.mp4?Expires=1776244747&Signature=YH4Wf2v3~V9W7nKJGNp3qPP0iUIZ3kl54sSyshduR4frN8SmuLw9gOe-~~GkJ9tKE9fHXz20qojMEGsQ0qcXGD-aiYrjnJRstic2SG0BDWC5cWzwp7VYgDiQC2JGhgw2Rye5xfvm15KPlXh4CzyXoNGND8XXCN6L7Uz1lkVHkdKE77ON0tmDYUPaL7r7OhcDLmMtaQNXV9mdCWfAzI1nyCcMsHf9wiacFGLp-Xr9Ehxgw4-NQDbaRMUKBcezzEbobeUvAU-RwVmEfNqEepSmMMqpSaN4A5IyuPTg8tRl16tatkDAtThw6fBip7L59sW7k86MFyDYGIejad80ihrvQQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Lake Stevens city officials on June 24 began a refresh of the city’s market salary study for nonrepresented and Teamsters job classes, with consultants from Compensation Connections presenting a draft comparator list and timeline.

The study, a follow‑up to a 2022 market analysis the council approved earlier, will update comparable city data, review pay range structures and model budget impacts if pay schedule adjustments are recommended. Shannon and Kathy from Compensation Connections told the council they expect preliminary numbers in August and final results in early September.

The nut graf: Council members said comparator choices should reflect not only population and assessed valuation but also municipal budgets and the share of budget spent on salaries so comparisons reflect what peer governments can actually afford. Several council members urged adding budget and “percent‑of‑salaries‑to‑budget” metrics before the final recommendations are presented.

Compensation Connections explained its approach: targeted research using direct pay data from comparator cities (and collective bargaining agreements for represented jobs) supplemented by published surveys such as the Association of Washington Cities survey. The consultants said they benchmark pay at the 50th percentile and also examine the 60th and 75th percentiles to show where Lake Stevens sits in the market.

Council members questioned the comparator list used in 2022 and shown at the meeting. Some said cities with much larger sales‑tax bases or staffing complements (for example, Lynnwood and Everett were discussed in council remarks) can distort comparisons because they can pay different salary levels. Consultants said the usual comparator selection considers commutable distance and “competitors for talent” and that a 50 percent over/under population band is a typical starting point; they said they can add budget and FTE metrics to the final package.

Council and staff discussed practical needs for the final deliverable. Compensation Connections said their final report will include (1) job‑to‑job pay comparisons where available, (2) summaries by job class and department, (3) recommended adjustments to salary schedules and (4) modeled implementation costs. The consultants emphasized they provide detailed data to staff and a distilled presentation for the council.

Council direction: Members agreed to proceed with the same comparator list used in 2022 as a starting point, but asked staff and the consultant to add municipal budget information and a salary‑to‑budget percentage to the materials returned with preliminary numbers in August.

What’s next: Compensation Connections will return with preliminary figures in August and a complete recommendation package in early September for council review during the budget season.

","The City of Lake Stevens engaged Compensation Connections to refresh a 2022 market salary study for nonrepresented and Teamsters positions. Council members pressed consultants to add municipal budget and salary‑to‑budget metrics to the comparator list and asked for preliminary results in August and final recommendations in early September.",{"_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},6183549,"Lake Stevens council appoints Kurt Hilt to fill vacant council seat for remainder of term",52,7258000,7310000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5096402-ae4ff19f6f7dc088a1a1d65bbbd2f581&start=7258&end=7310","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5096402-ae4ff19f6f7dc088a1a1d65bbbd2f581/thumbnail_7258000.jpg","/articles/6183549/Lake-Stevens/Snohomish-County/Washington/Lake-Stevens-council-appoints-Kurt-Hilt-to-fill-vacant-council-seat-for-remainder-of-term","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6183549-35f9161d0497fcfb30b4c2c673fc51c7/orig.mp4?Expires=1776244747&Signature=oTo8WeciEnTk6Ev96gxjFPKvlZkNyeVoCw~ps-~-IS-V8kRfnUUGSqrKW-QAAHY~~~dBupKDm7RP4GUetfN7QL3QBs4TXlb~sgzdgi12CKa3wHeKKqoVK3TZqf1XQRGFR7njRzlTBn7WUMgU3ouSAdWR6i-Tq7NoE2MMarzgKxd5IeIOFI1IP1Ynq6TraJ56fewjsUwBPm0hRLXCmhZYQxutP-t-US-KhPEGBndQiQ9u-Q59RINIupmVCgQbFakjiip0MNIxYoh0Qx9gCn2hpCsX7NV11P5ZJ3CgBE0PUbNPRwIUYeb3mWmLtwDIzY~UoMg2MEoeN7qzfP3RSh-u5g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Lake Stevens City Council returned from an executive session on June 24 and appointed Kurt Hilt to fill the vacant Position No. 7, voting to dispense with additional procedures and name Hilt as interim council member for the remainder of the term.

The motion to appoint Hilt carried after members who supported the appointment described the short time remaining in the current term and said the city would benefit from a member with prior Lake Stevens council experience who can step into budget and policy work without a long learning curve. One council member said the appointee’s prior elected service showed voters had previously endorsed him; other members said the appointment was practical because filing deadlines for the office had already passed.

The motion and second were recorded on the public record immediately after the executive session; the meeting minutes show the council voted in favor and then adjourned. The audio record did not include a detailed roll‑call vote tally in the public discussion that followed, and the motion was announced as passing.

What happens next: The newly appointed council member will serve until the end of the current term; the council did not take further official action at the June 24 meeting before adjourning.

","After a closed executive session to evaluate candidates, the council voted to appoint Kurt Hilt to Position No. 7. Council members who spoke in favor cited Hilt’s previous Lake Stevens council experience and familiarity with budget and process; the motion passed and the council adjourned.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council reviews draft 2026–2031 Transportation Improvement Program; federal earmark moves roundabout forward

Residents ask Lake Stevens for traffic study after roundabout and altered flows create cut‑through and speeding

Boat‑launch parking enforcement begins; residents question Discover Pass notice and year‑to‑year validity

Lake Stevens Council, consultant begin 2025 salary study; council asks for comparator budgets

Lake Stevens council appoints Kurt Hilt to fill vacant council seat for remainder of term