Council adopts housekeeping amendments to surface water management code and approves shoreline master update revisions

The Lakewood City Council adopted two regular‑agenda ordinances Monday addressing utility and shoreline rules.

Ordinance 835 amends Lakewood Municipal Code chapter 3.38 (surface water management). Assistant Director of Planning and Public Works Angie Silva told the council the changes are “administrative and housekeeping only,” aligning the code with current 2025 surface‑water rates, removing expired fee language and preserving a 2.5% annual inflation adjustment for 2026 and beyond. The ordinance retains a policy to conduct a comprehensive rate study every six years, clarifies permitted uses of funds (including flood control as allowed by state law), and removes provisions that had sunsetted. Council member Bokey moved to adopt Ordinance 835; Council member Brandcenter seconded and council adopted the ordinance.

Ordinance 836 forwards locally‑initiated changes to Lakewood’s 2019 Shoreline Master Program to the Washington State Department of Ecology for review and certification. Planning Manager Tiffany Spear told the council the packet includes two recommended edits clarifying cross references between the Shoreline Master Program and the city’s critical areas ordinance. The Department of Ecology will complete the final certification process under the shoreline rules. Council member Pearson moved adoption, seconded by Council member Bell, and the council adopted Ordinance 836.

Both items had been the subject of earlier study‑session review and public hearing; staff recommended final adoption and implementation per state procedures.