The Lake Forest Park City Council opened its April 24 meeting with a proclamation honoring the life and public service of Deputy Mayor Lori Bodie, who died April 17. The council read the proclamation, observed a moment of silence, and several councilmembers described Bodie as a mentor, environmental advocate and steadying influence on the council.

Proclamation and remarks: The mayor read a multi-paragraph proclamation that recounted Bodie’s years of service, civic and environmental work and contributions to council, the planning commission and Parks & Recreation board. Councilmembers and staff took turns reflecting on Bodie’s mentorship and leadership; members described her work on public safety funding, environmental stewardship and volunteer engagement.

Leadership and vacancy guidance: City attorney Pratt briefed the council on governance rules and succession. Pratt said the council’s governance manual and standard parliamentary practice indicate the vice chair assumes the chair’s duties when the chair is unable to serve; Pratt interpreted that to include replacing the chair after a vacancy in office (though she acknowledged some might disagree). The council discussed two paths: (1) the vice chair becoming chair now and the council electing a new vice chair to serve through January 2026, or (2) waiting until the regular leadership election in January 2026.

Vice chair nominations and tie: The council followed protocol and opened nominations for council vice chair. Multiple councilmembers were nominated (Councilmember Riddle and Councilmember Lebo among them). After two rounds of voting the council reported a tied result. The body paused further votes and, after brief discussion, agreed to table final selection until a later meeting to give members time to reflect. Councilmembers indicated they would revisit the nomination at the next meeting.

Special meeting to discuss vacancy and schedule: The council scheduled a special meeting for Monday, May 12 at 7:30 p.m. (to follow a planned joint meeting referenced in the agenda) specifically to discuss the process for filling the vacancy created by Deputy Mayor Bodie’s death and to consider administrative steps, including asking the mayor to start the formal appointment process. Staff and counsel noted statutory and procedural timelines: the filing period for the regular election runs May 5–9; state statute gives the council 90 days to appoint a replacement (the deadline referenced in discussion falls in mid-July), and the appointed caretaker would serve until the election is certified in November (after which the election winner would serve the remainder of the term). Attorney Pratt and staff stressed the council must follow state law and its governance rules in setting process and deadlines.

Why this matters: Bodie’s passing creates an immediate leadership and staffing gap on the council and in multiple liaison roles (Parks & Recreation, Sound Cities Association Policy and Issues Committee, among others). Councilmembers asked colleagues to consider their calendars for commission liaison assignments that Bodie had held and to weigh the time commitments involved.

Next steps and community message: Council leadership asked members to consider timelines, possible interview questions for candidates, and potential liaison reassignments ahead of the May 12 special meeting. Staff was asked to post meeting details and to prepare material summarizing statutory appointment timelines and governance provisions for council reference. Several councilmembers asked that the council and staff continue outreach and support for Bodie’s family.

Ending: The council closed the item by asking staff to record the May 12 special meeting on the calendar and to prepare the administrative materials that will allow the council to discuss and (if they choose) act on a process to fill the vacancy. Councilmembers emphasized continuing Bodie’s priorities and preserving the collegial approach she modeled.