City of Lake Stevens public works staff presented follow-up information March 25 on a proposed pilot for a multiuse path and pedestrian loop along 100th Avenue NE and adjacent sections, including stormwater considerations, traffic-calming options and estimated costs.

Ben Romanaje, senior civil engineer, told council runoff patterns on 100th Avenue NE currently send untreated flows into Mitchell Creek in places without pretreatment. Romanaje said vegetated swales would improve water quality in areas that now drain directly to the lake and that curb-and-gutter sections could worsen water quality and increase maintenance frequency. He described sections where existing concrete curb and pipe are in poor condition and would add replacement costs for any sidewalk or path project.

On traffic calming, Romanaje said the city could pursue a 20 mph zone under state authority and local practice; he cautioned that posted speed changes alone often do not change driver behavior and that physical traffic-calming elements are typically needed. He estimated the pilot’s material purchase and installation at roughly $48,000; about $25,000 of that is for reusable items (for example delineators and signs), leaving a net pilot cost around $23,000 after accounting for reuse. He characterized the pilot as a research investment that could avoid larger expenditures on permanent infrastructure if changes are not effective.

Council members asked about timing and outreach. Romanaje said staff hopes to start the pilot in May to capture school‑session traffic for baseline measurements and to run the pilot at least a month, with the option to extend. Open house plans are tentatively set for April 9 in the Sawyers’ Room; staff also said they are contacting Ebenezer Lutheran Church to host an on‑site open house in the project area and were considering two dates to maximize public participation around spring break.

Ben and other staff reported coordination with fire service on design details and inlet access so emergency and service vehicles can enter pedestrian areas; Romanaje said the project team had not yet completed coordination with police and would follow up. Council members emphasized thorough public outreach in response to a circulating petition and numerous emails and asked staff to provide clear, evidence‑based responses to concerns.

Staff said an FAQ will be posted on the public works webpage, and that traffic studies typically cost $15,000–$30,000 if done as a separate study. The project team will publish details about the pilot timeline, the public open‑house date and post‑pilot feedback opportunities.