The Lake Stevens City Council on Dec. 16 moved through a busy agenda after a mid‑meeting recess. Key outcomes included appointments, contract awards and a contested ordinance adoption.

Appointments: Council approved the appointment of James Sauls (planning commission position 2, term exp. 12/31/2026) and Amy Lewandowski (position 7, term exp. 12/31/2027). The appointments were moved, seconded and approved with no opposition recorded in the meeting transcript.

Museum contract: The council selected Valdez Construction as the low bidder and approved a contract and final project budget for a new Lake Stevens Historical Museum and retail building. Community development staff and council identified a project budget of roughly $5.38 million, funded from a combination of real estate excise tax, pandemic recovery funds, bonds and capital projects funds.

Infrastructure contract: Interim city engineer Eric Mangold presented the Hundred and 31st Avenue infrastructure improvements project (sewer main, multiuse path and bioswale). The project is in the six‑year CIP and the adopted 2025 budget. The low bid from Rees Construction came in under the engineer’s estimate at roughly $1.2 million; council authorized the mayor to sign the public‑works contract.

Lakeview Flats: Staff presented a resolution terminating the Lakeview Flats development agreement (original DA approved June 21, 2022). The applicant requested termination because economic conditions prompted a downscaling; council voted to repeal the existing DA and terminate the agreement.

Ordinance 12‑09 (transitional housing): Council considered two versions of an ordinance to incorporate transitional housing into the municipal code. Attachment 1 reflected the planning commission recommendation (legislative/Type 1 approach); attachment 2 made transitional housing a Type 2 land‑use application (site‑management plan and 'bridge‑housing' definition) with additional public notice and management requirements. After debate over transparency versus regulatory burden, the council adopted attachment 2 on a 5–2 roll call: Daughtry Aye; Peter Seggin Aye; Jorstad No; Packard No; Donahue Aye; Ewing Aye; Shipman Aye.

Adjournment: The council moved to adjourn after completing the evening’s business.

Items that may return: rezones tied to the approved development agreement (LUA2025‑0090) and any related SEPA review and hearing‑examiner proceedings; contract execution steps for the museum and the 131st Ave infrastructure project.