[{"_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",6156008,"mediaKeyId","5471918-7f6bd598b1c4bd6bbfbd44ff469b3208","parentId",5471918,"title","City staff outline required updates to Critical Areas and Floodplain ordinances; public review set for fall","audioSeconds",2646,"startMs",4928000,"endMs",7574000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5471918-7f6bd598b1c4bd6bbfbd44ff469b3208&start=4928&end=7574","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5471918-7f6bd598b1c4bd6bbfbd44ff469b3208/thumbnail_4928000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6156008/Mountlake-Terrace/Snohomish-County/Washington/City-staff-outline-required-updates-to-Critical-Areas-and-Floodplain-ordinances-public-review-set-for-fall","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6156008-128d480ea548f201d0bebdd0caf81443/orig.mp4?Expires=1773133463&Signature=kNRQd0ZXFoExq7eof5kfSW~3lSOAvIrG6~tz-lZ-GWwdDLeqYEFVC8Iy~Pt2dQq2snZHiiAbgqa1h-w396g529ZR3X75CPSfyr5jPvC6iMYNAQtoIkpQuhW9Iulx2EY8SghlqvlGzZb4dnhnFC4XVItllyVVJ2Efr90v328dp3TDBZsfZFDSLkvyKTyTT3f3hP0ISReBk-7dEiRKPtFzqfFY5xcreFsyXr9xksiDt7jrRQtHu6JAeaRafko4wEJ~y9KHduhxxCWsS5~BEMZiXmtWERkaSszfcuOs6DgCWM42sTf61OQHnFlvBzRcbUzibYLG3znaUVOImsi84jgEAA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Mountlake Terrace, Washington","date","2025-07-25T09:34:32Z","article","City planning staff presented a combined overview of the current update effort for the city’s Critical Areas Ordinance (CAO) and the Floodplain Management Ordinance (Chapter 16.18). Senior planner Sarah Pizzo and Economic & Community Director Christy Osborne explained that state law and periodic review require the city to incorporate best available science and state guidance in updates to regulations that protect wetlands, fish and wildlife habitat, geologically hazardous areas, critical aquifer recharge areas and frequently flooded areas.

Pizzo said the city hired consulting firm Facet to prepare best‑available‑science documentation and a gap analysis; those documents were provided to council as attachments. Staff has drafted ordinance language and will complete SEPA review, forward a draft to the Washington State Department of Commerce for 60‑day review, and hold Planning Commission and council hearings this fall with the goal of adopting updated regulations by year‑end.

Key updates described for critical areas include: revising applicability and buffer rules for wetlands and streams; aligning wetland rating and mitigation requirements with the state’s most recent methods; clarifying mitigation sequencing and monitoring start times; adding critical aquifer recharge areas and wellhead protection information to the map and report requirements; reassessing geologic/landslide hazard classifications and adding cumulative impact considerations; consolidating stream standards with fish and wildlife conservation area rules; and considering stronger fines and more explicit nonconforming‑use language for critical areas.

On floodplain management, staff said the city’s mapped flood hazard areas are primarily FEMA Zone A (areas with a 1% annual chance of flood) and that the city participates in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). Proposed changes include clarifying definitions, updating permit application requirements for floodplain development, updating floodplain administrator duties, and requiring specific construction provisions for utilities and buildings in the floodplain. Staff said these updates are intended to maintain NFIP compliance and to incorporate state Department of Ecology recommendations.

Staff emphasized the updates are largely technical and driven by state and federal requirements but noted local policy choices—such as reserve authority over stream buffers and the city’s approach to underfunded capital needs—remain within council discretion. Council members asked about process: whether updates are prompted by the state or by anticipated development, how nonconforming structures are handled after loss or destruction, and whether mapping and site visits would guide specific project review. Pizzo said that critical areas are mapped as an indicator but site‑specific surveys and qualified professional reports will determine on‑the‑ground requirements; she also said reasonable‑use and nonconforming provisions can become part of the draft.

No formal action was taken. Staff said the next steps are SEPA review, department and agency consultation, Planning Commission briefings and public hearings in September–October, and council consideration with an aim to adopt the code by the end of the year.

Ending: Staff asked council for guidance on specific policy questions (for example, stream buffer flexibility in urban center areas) and to direct any requests for additional analysis prior to Planning Commission public hearings.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Mountlake Terrace City Council Work Session - July 24, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","City planning staff briefed council on a required update to the Critical Areas Ordinance and a companion update to the Floodplain Management Ordinance to reflect best available science and to maintain compliance with state and federal programs.","taxTitle","Mountlake Terrace, Snohomish County, Washington","taxId",70959,"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},6156013,"Council hears long-range financial forecast showing multi‑million dollar annual gap, task force to propose packages",4347,563000,4910000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5471918-7f6bd598b1c4bd6bbfbd44ff469b3208&start=563&end=4910","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5471918-7f6bd598b1c4bd6bbfbd44ff469b3208/thumbnail_563000.jpg","/articles/6156013/Mountlake-Terrace/Snohomish-County/Washington/Council-hears-long-range-financial-forecast-showing-multimillion-dollar-annual-gap-task-force-to-propose-packages","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6156013-4e5e35373e30ead4f2429a4dd9d7e82b/orig.mp4?Expires=1773133463&Signature=JshZgHE896~CBEXoOlsuOucir3ztI2pcAdXCbAuAypj72diFieu2wV8v0mkWntF~vA9ESPiXNyWL4p~hdNIS-ksoPf0Ixp5ObRbSo39V4bJ18OZLccu-cybL-xG37331wDG9UC4HvZa9TN0rHmvvSpFJ5hFPUzZie~KKLDmg2dHmF-mF3M9PjVTFa~O~FXKe4YnwoiQ1rrKhK1SRibNdT5-nHPIabSrKMZ4XgW-BTFKkJ1MyM8tP8Z0RLSxWnOd3z1q9~UyLEIUSfqrqOrTgVdz-wm6yM1Zs-VYtrkKh0n6q6BtjrAR5n5kOMwudTC~H-9ch1y4WYZVGtune8A9dlw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The City Council heard a presentation from consultant Baker Tilly and the city’s finance director on the city’s long‑range financial forecast and the work plan for a fiscal sustainability task force. The forecast uses the adopted 2025–26 budget as a baseline, incorporates conservative assumptions about revenue and inflation and models a mild recession in 2027. It projects an average annual general‑fund gap of roughly $3.2 million and shows the city could fall below its minimum reserves by 2028 without corrective action.

The city manager introduced Steve Toler, director at Baker Tilly, and Sergei Solomonen, the city’s finance director, who walked council through the new model and assumptions. Toler said the forecast is a diagnostic tool tied to the council’s financial policies and reserve targets and that the city now has a dynamic fiscal model staff and the task force can use to run “what‑if” scenarios. He recommended the council consider raising the minimum reserve target above the current 5% of annual operating expenditures; Baker Tilly suggested a 20% target as a prudent goal given the city’s revenue mix and volatility.

The forecast assumptions presented to the council included: continuing the 1% allowable annual property‑tax increase, 3.5% baseline revenue growth for sales and inflation, no new debt, an assumed mild recession in 2027 and limited expectations for large new development revenues. On the expenditure side the model used a 4% placeholder salary growth, 5% fringe‑benefit growth and a 5% vacancy/expenditure savings assumption in out years. Baker Tilly and staff noted that personnel costs are roughly two‑thirds of general fund spending.

Toler told council that under the baseline assumptions the gap averages about $3.2 million per year and grows over time because revenues tied to property tax are constrained while expenditures rise faster. If the council seeks to target a 20% reserve goal and avoid drawing down the city’s reserves, the consultant estimated the city would need about $4.8 million a year in ongoing strategies phased over multiple years (roughly $1.6 million per year over three years) with additional one‑time or phased steps later in the decade.

Council members asked for clarity on how the forecast would be used and how packages would be constructed. Toler said the fiscal sustainability task force will examine a menu of strategies that can include revenue enhancements, expenditure controls, service‑delivery changes, or combinations of those approaches; the packages will be flexible so the council can mix elements. Several council members and task‑force participants praised the model for its dynamic scenario capability and asked staff to make public materials and engage the community before any final policy changes.

Staff said midyear updates from finance will be incorporated into the model and that the fiscal sustainability task force will present recommendations to council in early 2026, with an expected set of options by about February. Councilmembers expressed support for public engagement on possible revenue and expenditure options and asked staff to report back with more detail about the sales‑tax composition (including how much is local point‑of‑sale versus remote/online sales delivered to the city).

No formal motions or votes were taken during the presentation. City staff and Baker Tilly will continue model refinement, provide periodic updates to the fiscal sustainability task force, and present packaged options to the council for policy decisions.

Ending: Councilmembers generally welcomed the forecast and the task‑force approach; they emphasized the need for public engagement and noted that the city’s current reserve balance gives some runway to adopt phased solutions rather than abrupt cuts.
","Consultant Baker Tilly and city finance staff presented a 10‑year forecast that projects an average annual general fund gap of about $3.2 million and recommends layered strategies to restore reserves; the fiscal sustainability task force will develop packages of options for council review.",{"_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},6155998,"Council subcommittee recommends George Stanton to fill RPAC vacancy; appointment to appear on Aug. 7 consent agenda",126,7581000,7707000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5471918-7f6bd598b1c4bd6bbfbd44ff469b3208&start=7581&end=7707","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5471918-7f6bd598b1c4bd6bbfbd44ff469b3208/thumbnail_7581000.jpg","/articles/6155998/Mountlake-Terrace/Snohomish-County/Washington/Council-subcommittee-recommends-George-Stanton-to-fill-RPAC-vacancy-appointment-to-appear-on-Aug-7-consent-agenda","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6155998-bafd14e26f7e02b207e81bffbe3a8ca4/orig.mp4?Expires=1773133463&Signature=VWO8H2OqA4-jHsDxS~yOFXVFzbpHwY2NqpDSJa8rcmi7vW5AVOrF9K2OrgkYabKBXeftFTwu0zH~Se-s9rzF~Nfu~461ZyJi0sPoBKegAnIpp29qhvLIICiE~-Z-a282Ek2BM2yzTqw2jKBES8I3hl9F~c2TBeLiP1aXYn2oVSDzzvGrwPMDdR-xBVjbU7~hUwmGqV8542Fi6Vd0MGx8T2g0VSCnq5PzisMNQWpxC9xMZkpu6V3OYP5EAuRdmEKQkw8t~PeQQyONW8i2DeVcmU7pid217fNbLfYKtBMVlillTytgCJXLj8tUhTeDGE3w9cyOzGqh4LI2x95bsxjtag__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City staff told council the board and commission appointment subcommittee reviewed 21 applicants earlier in June and that following a recent RPAC resignation the subcommittee recommends George Stanton to fill the RPAC vacancy. Staff said Stanton had listed RPAC as his first choice and the subcommittee considered him the best remaining candidate.

Mayor Pro Tem Tim Walt, who served on the interview subcommittee, told council the members felt strongly that Stanton would be a good fit. The city manager said the recommendation will be placed on the council consent agenda for formal appointment at the Aug. 7 meeting. No vote was taken at this meeting.

Ending: The recommended appointment will return to council on Aug. 7 for formal action as part of the consent agenda.
","The staff subcommittee that interviewed applicants recommended George Stanton to fill a vacancy on the Recreation, Park & Arts Commission (RPAC); the recommendation will be placed on the council consent agenda for formal appointment on Aug. 7.",{"_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},6156003,"Council members seek formal follow‑up on Flock camera oversight, call for statement and guardrails",602,4778000,5380000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5471918-7f6bd598b1c4bd6bbfbd44ff469b3208&start=4778&end=5380","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5471918-7f6bd598b1c4bd6bbfbd44ff469b3208/thumbnail_4778000.jpg","/articles/6156003/Mountlake-Terrace/Snohomish-County/Washington/Council-members-seek-formal-followup-on-Flock-camera-oversight-call-for-statement-and-guardrails","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6156003-ab77571cfd3c75e009e58df00ea3c611/orig.mp4?Expires=1773133463&Signature=NFSMFO6LQo11Ev1aKEyeiu57GloLFy7yjHuePJE9bLXR6BfyzYlnCSMpYWSnrahkYd~3hCrbd1W7tGjjKpo9hlV3Lbf8RSuxKPOkVFd119okMI-HBG1hWbozpPGOfsYuqW9Bqke0VxbYykYoCsN94MiFIRp91R~yNbH1f25lLhEpLn9Ahf3ZRsQBS9gcENhxASYpDpCgplacSDkOD0NYdgVs2-L8l9RcqcNaX4SPtHLIpJVaIcpcpqeYaJweGQsYZYPgy2HwGp-EhydwtEVpyAHyhC~PQW84dg0E6w3~USPlNjUI9vKNQeWWTPgV5H623NHnGCHojpv2tLOdlhEtew__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Several councilmembers raised concerns in council comments about oversight and transparency for the city’s Flock camera program and urged the council to place a focused item on a future agenda to define oversight and policy guardrails.

Mayor Pro Tem Tim Walt and Council Member Murray said they appreciated the city manager and the Diversity, Equity & Inclusion staff for drafting a values statement and examining oversight options, but they asked that the elected council lead a public response and consider a formal statement from the council. Walt said the council should add follow‑up work on the oversight body’s membership and metrics to the agenda so the community would see how concerns are being addressed. Murray asked staff to add a council discussion item at the next council meeting so the council and public could consider proposals for oversight and transparency.

Speakers noted the council is not seeking to revisit the earlier vote that approved the program; rather, they asked for clarity on who will have access to camera data, what metrics and safeguards will govern sharing or retention, whether memoranda of understanding with outside agencies will have limits, and how community representatives will be included in oversight. The mayor pro tem suggested the council either adopt a council‑level statement or convert the manager’s statement into a council resolution; he also suggested the oversight group membership include community representatives who raised concerns.

Council Member Ryan asked staff to research examples and cost implications of different oversight models used elsewhere in the state. Several councilors stressed that any oversight or advisory body should be narrowly scoped to the specific uses of the camera system and should include measurable transparency elements and consequences for misuse.

Direction/next steps taken at the meeting: councilmembers requested staff place a focused agenda item on the next regular council meeting to consider a council statement or resolution of values, the composition and duties of an oversight group, and proposed policy/MOU adjustments that would provide transparency and guardrails. No formal policy changes were approved on the night of the meeting.","Councilmembers asked that the council formalize a statement and add an agenda item to define oversight, metrics and guardrails for the city’s Flock camera program; they emphasized that the council is not reopening its prior decision to deploy the system but wants transparency and community reassurance.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

City staff outline required updates to Critical Areas and Floodplain ordinances; public review set for fall

Council hears long-range financial forecast showing multi‑million dollar annual gap, task force to propose packages

Council subcommittee recommends George Stanton to fill RPAC vacancy; appointment to appear on Aug. 7 consent agenda

Council members seek formal follow‑up on Flock camera oversight, call for statement and guardrails