[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-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",6164147,"mediaKeyId","5431164-3b8fce02df20c40b4be317246fa2c39e","parentId",5431164,"title","Sammamish reports first‑quarter 2025 finances roughly on track; building permits strong","audioSeconds",804,"startMs",7900000,"endMs",8704000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5431164-3b8fce02df20c40b4be317246fa2c39e&start=7900&end=8704","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5431164-3b8fce02df20c40b4be317246fa2c39e/thumbnail_7900000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6164147/Sammamish-City/King-County/Washington/Sammamish-reports-firstquarter-2025-finances-roughly-on-track-building-permits-strong","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6164147-4843985f8260270633008f50a3da51a2/orig.mp4?Expires=1770415378&Signature=J5cRwi8QUFTmXgwq3n~xyz5EXTZC1lD8rJWPF-DDlyivWphhdICdiI-mys0W-aCbeF4tz-B5LBbdFbrhxH-7iXR~kiB88gvSJKpbgopKcn3Cfv8AJ-MJ49v1~nuQ6GHHWdDJMddzPocsfxJMzver0L4JgkJZ9NeXqJKYlgh5SvjbR~EG8j-W4AXznSqJVFX~vdABuM-EH98mKyU6VMVXes--fHAokiVd~U14VXGpmv-xcOwGtvoj7uZyBuNe9Vw-XRihWlOmNBv7l4ieWKs2Bxnx6y3esTPAHr9nYeaBuIhygRyJRHP98RSKiIthTiIeeswHSULHl1Umix815~vPIA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Sammamish City, WA","date","2025-07-20T07:40:02.267Z","article","Vicki Carlson, Sammamish’s finance director, gave the council a first‑quarter financial update July 15 covering the opening months of the 2025–26 biennium. Carlson said the quarter is light on information by design but is in line with expectations: general‑fund revenues and expenditures through March track to plan.

Carlson emphasized the report’s interim nature and listed several upcoming improvements to city financial reporting, including a new enterprise resource planning (ERP) system expected next year, additional department‑level revenue coding, and reporting of encumbrances so contractual commitments are clearer.

Notable figures presented to council included: property tax revenue (63 percent of general‑fund budget) and timing differences in property‑tax payments, stronger sales tax receipts in the quarter compared with 2024, and a marked increase in building permit value and count compared with the prior year — the packet showed about 1,500 permits and roughly $30 million in permit valuation for the first quarter versus about 1,000 permits and $18.7 million the prior year.

On expenditures, Carlson noted Eastside Fire & Rescue contract payments increased in the quarter, reflecting a 15.2 percent contract increase, and police contract invoices are now being received and posted monthly, changing year‑to‑year timing comparisons. She said the budget remaining figures over the biennium include amounts that are still committed by contract but not yet shown as encumbrances in the current system.

Councilmembers asked about vacancy and hiring impacts; Carlson said vacancies were higher than a year earlier in the first months of the biennium but did not provide a detailed headcount during the report. Councilmember Pamela Stewart asked for a future quarter breakdown of what building permits represent (new units versus remodels); Carlson agreed to include more detail in the next quarterly report.

The city will bring mid‑biennium budget amendments later this year to reflect actions such as the newly authorized utility tax. Carlson said the finance team will continue quarterly reporting and will provide an annual wrap once year‑end close is complete.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","July 15, 2025 - City Council Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","The city’s finance director reported July 15 that general‑fund revenues and expenditures through the first quarter of the biennium are in line with expectations, with building‑permit activity and sales tax receipts stronger than a year earlier and the city noting timing and contractual drivers on major expenditure lines.","taxTitle","Sammamish City, King County, Washington","taxId",5127,"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},6164153,"Sammamish police say high‑power 'e‑motorcycles' — not classed e‑bikes — are driving complaints; education prioritized over tickets",4080,3895000,7975000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5431164-3b8fce02df20c40b4be317246fa2c39e&start=3895&end=7975","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5431164-3b8fce02df20c40b4be317246fa2c39e/thumbnail_3895000.jpg","/articles/6164153/Sammamish-City/King-County/Washington/Sammamish-police-say-highpower-emotorcycles-not-classed-ebikes-are-driving-complaints-education-prioritized-over-tickets","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6164153-11a7387f97611b96524c0215178e1a72/orig.mp4?Expires=1770415378&Signature=OwUS3qtGLM-TQKk2PWg~C1ER5TnJoM60aXAJW6Lb6K~0JzRBg7Z-eWK705f4LL4V7BWZ2TsBFBpVMI0LJ~cpgJ4Z1MfcYzB8ukKW4Y9u5wt3M7ACjdeoDgz~BQMtlcrUpEopaFZ4cI9s8LPiRgQAjHIq92pwJlWYNn10Xh4i2YTZqMZDZeIaGqbk6RKLePcTfBje2EX-fZkHRshLYCBZPo-U3r7kLLcQE7fSGjYEX3d0qbuR8gT1340NHENm5P8peiTgLdUKMkb4Jd~6em4XdvQTh9BD8jVuljPJyfwj7kBBEA5NoxQZKVtXajE9ihHkNI2bp1GhG8YascGIaV56uA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Sammamish police officials told the City Council and a large public audience July 15 that the department’s recent increase in contacts about electric two‑wheelers stems largely from high‑power, throttle‑driven devices better described as e‑motorcycles, not standard pedal‑assist e‑bikes.

Sergeant Derrick Jones, supervisor of the Sammamish Traffic Unit, summarized the department’s view: “E bikes…are not our issue. We are not having problems with e bikes,” Jones said. He added that most troublesome vehicles seen by officers have motors of 2,000 watts or more and can exceed 50 mph — characteristics that put them outside legal e‑bike classes and into motorcycle regulations.

Jones told the council the department’s enforcement toolkit is limited. By county policy, juveniles under 16 typically cannot be issued traffic infractions through the juvenile court system; the prosecutors’ office generally declines traffic infractions for that age group. For that reason, officers have emphasized education and documenting contacts with juveniles and their parents. “The direction we’ve chosen to take is largely relying on education,” Jones said.

The department has also revised the Police website content on electric bikes and motorcycles, restarted social media “Traffic Tip Tuesday” videos and requested the school district’s help distributing safety information in fall parent communications. Councilmember Rosheen O’Farrell suggested the department also connect with local PTAs and use National Night Out as an outreach opportunity.

Questions from councilors addressed where the vehicles belong and how residents should report problems. Jones said many e‑motorcycles are marketed for off‑road use but are being ridden on public streets, sidewalks and trails; they generally lack required lights, horns and mirrors and therefore are not road‑legal. He said class 1–3 e‑bikes remain limited to 750 watts and top speeds of 20–28 mph, while the higher‑powered devices causing complaints operate at thousands of watts.

Police asked residents to report in‑progress reckless behavior to 911 so dispatch can send a deputy; non‑emergency reports still help the department identify geographic and time‑of‑day trends. Jones said most parent and rider contacts have been constructive; the department is documenting repeat contacts so it can consider escalating enforcement options, including potential parent liability in persistent cases.

No new penalties or ordinances were adopted at the meeting. City staff said they will continue outreach via schools, social media and the MySammamish reporting app, and will coordinate with King County and neighboring jurisdictions that are also addressing the surge in high‑power electric vehicles.","The Sammamish Police Traffic Unit told the City Council and public July 15 that most complaints are about large, throttle‑powered e‑motorcycles, not class 1–3 e‑bikes; enforcement focuses on education and parent contact because juveniles under 16 generally cannot be issued traffic infractions under county policy.",{"_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},6164158,"Sammamish Council directs staff to study up-to-4,000‑unit town‑center alternative",6710,1375000,8085000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5431164-3b8fce02df20c40b4be317246fa2c39e&start=1375&end=8085","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5431164-3b8fce02df20c40b4be317246fa2c39e/thumbnail_1375000.jpg","/articles/6164158/Sammamish-City/King-County/Washington/Sammamish-Council-directs-staff-to-study-up-to-4000unit-towncenter-alternative","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6164158-02e606b17194806cefcaef9cb4995bf2/orig.mp4?Expires=1770415378&Signature=GWHLEUsRhC-J80Vw~fY0TkEMgPmtJlvPT7PxssLz3CViU734J2F~MvcBXT7q9UXrCg5aUB3qhRQIZVJfFQUe~G8MqvaOJqYNSYj3V4zDMq8XYe8WiR5qX-ya6h-1uWqpHc8KCkbGunsQbYKdpQdumtg9UqFqmSYuXynyKYG3Xo7uL74~lx0iatGiYjid84HWsLKGGWUNm76fRbTAjoA~7yaNGvLUqxhDAUN6tJUyPpty8TmjyjQ9fSmVBeMw7Vf7~4GNMHmV5VAABT4FLsrw9l9jPbOvXkTpI2VTzZwRM8W5IaWZbpkwEthw-l9j3YsNpUzd536UYVL9bBwMiVHK0g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Sammamish City Council on July 15 directed city staff to advance the “action” alternative in the draft supplemental environmental impact statement (SEIS) for the Sammamish Town Center subarea, asking planners to study code and plan changes that would allow up to 4,000 housing units and streamlined permitting for mixed‑use, mid‑rise and low‑rise development.

Councilmember Pamela Stewart moved to approve the action alternative and said the step did not itself change city law. “This is not taking legislative action…This is so that we can get more of our questions answered,” Stewart said during the council discussion before the vote.

Why it matters: The council’s decision signals a shift toward studying larger, denser housing options in the city’s core after the city’s 2024 comprehensive plan update and new state laws on housing. City staff and the SEIS authors said denser, mixed‑use development in centers is the primary way to add the kinds of housing types that meet deeper affordability bands required by recent state guidance, while opponents warned the plan could strain evacuation routes, stormwater systems and neighborhood character.

Staff, consultants and council members framed the vote as the next procedural step — a direction to prepare a final SEIS and potential code drafts for public review rather than an immediate land‑use change. David Pyle, director of Community Development, told the council the city will “review and respond to every comment” received on the draft SEIS and that a final SEIS and potential legislative action would follow, likely late 2026.

What the action alternative would study: The SEIS compares a no‑action option (the current plan, with a 2,000‑unit cap in the town center) and an action alternative that tests up to 4,000 units, a new form‑based hybrid zoning map concentrated around 220th Avenue and Fourth Street, streamlined administrative review and incentives for affordable housing. Jeff Arango, the city’s SEIS consultant, told the council the town‑center code is difficult to administer and that the action alternative was designed to test whether regulatory changes would make mid‑rise and low‑rise housing types financially feasible.

Supporters said denser, mixed‑use development could expand housing choices and reduce per‑unit infrastructure costs. Developer Matt Samwick, CEO of Innovation Realty Partners, told the council the company has invested in area infrastructure — including a $5,200,000 regional stormwater system and more than $750,000 in sewer upgrades — and urged the city to continue studying denser options. “That kind of forward thinking leadership is exactly what Sammamish needs,” Samwick said during public comment.

Opponents raised concerns about traffic, emergency evacuation and environmental impacts. Multiple speakers cited the city’s 2022 evacuation study and asked for more detailed modeling, while fisheries biologist Wally Perera and other commenters flagged runoff risks to Ebright Creek and Lake Sammamish kokanee. Jeff Arango said the SEIS incorporated a 2023 stormwater study that found installing new stormwater facilities as part of town‑center redevelopment would improve drainage compared with the current unmanaged condition.

School capacity and demographics were debated. The SEIS team noted Lake Washington School District projections that district enrollment may decline about 15 percent between 2028 and 2035; the SEIS memorandum from the district is included in the agenda packet. Council members discussed student‑generation rates presented by the district and by commenters: multifamily development historically generates far fewer students per unit than detached single‑family housing, the council heard.

Regulatory and state context: Staff cited several recent state actions and guidance that shaped the analysis: Senate Bill 5148 (2025) and earlier housing‑capacity guidance tied to HB 1220 and countywide planning policies. City staff warned that failure to show sustained progress in producing the types of housing identified by the state could lead to increased state oversight or required corrective measures under the updated statutes.

Fiscal and infrastructure notes: Finance and development staff explained that the city’s impact‑fee structure and developer investments typically fund streets, stormwater and parks tied to new development. Matt Brammeier and other staff presented summary estimates of potential street and park impact‑fee revenues under the action alternative; they also noted major ongoing contractual expenditures such as the Eastside Fire & Rescue contract, which rose about 15 percent in the current budget year and is a significant general‑fund cost.

Council decision and next steps: The motion to direct staff to pursue the action alternative passed after debate. The council’s direction requires staff to produce a final SEIS, respond to public comments, and prepare draft plan and code amendments for additional public hearings by the planning commission and council. Pyle said the next formal steps include a final SEIS, likely public hearings before the planning commission, and potential council legislative action in late 2026.

The council did not adopt code changes or rezone property during the July 15 meeting; any binding zoning or regulatory changes would require future legislative votes and additional public review.","After hours of public comment and debate on housing, traffic and environmental risks, the Sammamish City Council voted July 15 to have staff advance the 'action' alternative in the draft supplemental EIS — analyzing code and design changes that could allow up to 4,000 housing units in the town center and related regulatory changes.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Sammamish reports first‑quarter 2025 finances roughly on track; building permits strong

Sammamish police say high‑power 'e‑motorcycles' — not classed e‑bikes — are driving complaints; education prioritized over tickets

Sammamish Council directs staff to study up-to-4,000‑unit town‑center alternative