Lake Forest Park council unanimously approves roundabout loan, parks-board changes and police contract; adopts trans-rights resolution

The Lake Forest Park City Council unanimously approved multiple measures at its recent meeting, including a $2,000,000 Public Works Board loan for the Meridian/roundabout construction phase, an amendment to the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board membership, a three-year collective bargaining agreement with the Lake Forest Park Police Guild and a resolution affirming support for transgender residents.

The actions came during a meeting that also included presentations and proclamations, a re-introduction and discussion of proposed revisions to the city sign code, and community recognitions for long-serving Crime Watch volunteers.

Council adopted the Public Works Board construction funding agreement authorizing the mayor to sign a 20-year loan for $2,000,000 at an interest rate reported in staff materials as about 1.71 percent. Katie Phillips, a city public-works staff member who presented the package, said the Public Works loan “completes the whole funding portfolio” for the roundabout; staff described the full project budget as just over $7 million and said the loan must be executed within the lender’s time frame. The council also approved waiving the usual three‑touch rule so the agreement could be signed without additional meetings.

The council approved an ordinance to amend chapter 2.37 of the Lake Forest Park municipal code to change Parks and Recreation Advisory Board membership. The ordinance moves the board to seven voting members, adds three youth-advisory positions (nonvoting), and explicitly opens appointment eligibility to business owners and property owners in addition to residents. Council and staff said the change aims to broaden representation on a board with heavy summer workloads.

The…