The Mountlake Terrace City Council meeting on September 18, 2025, featured significant public commentary and discussions on city operations, including a contentious issue regarding business licensing and a new branding initiative.

During the public comment segment, resident Kim Guadalupe expressed her frustrations over ongoing harassment from city officials related to her home business license. Guadalupe, a long-time business owner in Mountlake Terrace, detailed her struggles with the city’s licensing requirements, which she described as excessive and costly. She highlighted that despite being a licensed business for over a decade, she faced challenges after moving her operations to her home. Guadalupe reported spending nearly $10,000 in attorney fees to navigate the licensing process and criticized the city for not responding to her attorney's inquiries. She urged the council for guidance on how to proceed, emphasizing her desire for a resolution.

Following the public comments, the council moved to address the consent agenda, which included a professional services agreement with Altogether LLC for citywide branding and marketing strategy. Council member Sonmore raised concerns about the necessity of the $68,000 contract, suggesting that the city’s existing staff could handle the tasks outlined in the proposal. He argued that the city should focus on community engagement and land consolidation rather than investing in external branding efforts. Despite his objections, the council ultimately approved the agreement.

Additionally, the council proclaimed September 17-23 as Constitution Week, recognizing the anniversary of the U.S. Constitution's drafting. This proclamation was presented in collaboration with the local chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, emphasizing the importance of civic engagement and the protection of constitutional rights.

The meeting underscored ongoing tensions between residents and city officials regarding business regulations and highlighted the council's commitment to community identity through branding initiatives. The city manager is expected to follow up with Guadalupe regarding her licensing issues, indicating a potential path forward for addressing resident concerns.