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Lake Forest Park council disbands Climate Action Committee; residents urge new climate manager
Summary
After public comment urging continued climate work, the Lake Forest Park City Council invoked a clause in Resolution 18‑36 to disband the Climate Action Committee and unanimously approved a comprehensive‑plan climate element. Committee members and residents urged funding for a climate manager to carry the plan into implementation.
The Lake Forest Park City Council unanimously voted to invoke section 3 of Resolution 18‑36 and disband the Climate Action Committee, following public testimony that the committee had completed its assigned task of producing a climate action plan but that implementation still needed dedicated staff oversight.
Sarah Phillips, speaking during public comment on behalf of the committee, said the committee had completed its assigned deliverable and recommended disbanding in keeping with the resolution, while stressing the work of climate action is not finished. "The committee's work has been completed, and the committee should be disbanded in accordance with resolution 18 36," she said, and urged council to continue climate efforts and consider hiring a climate manager.
Tamara Erickson, a committee member, told the council a funded climate manager could bring in state and federal grants and help plan for mounting risks including wildfire smoke, extreme heat and flooding, reducing pressure on the general fund and improving operational efficiency. "As you weigh those choices, you move forward with funding the climate manager now, rather than postponing it," Erickson said.
Community Development Director Mark Hoffman thanked committee members for their community knowledge and assistance during planning and emphasized that while the committee was temporary, its local insight was valuable. Multiple council members also thanked the volunteers and encouraged continued civic involvement in other commissions or volunteer roles.
The council’s motion to invoke the resolution clause to disband the committee was moved from the dais, seconded and adopted by voice vote with no recorded nays. Councilmembers noted the city will continue implementation of the climate action plan through staff and other bodies, and several members and public speakers urged that the city hire a climate manager to maintain momentum and pursue implementation grants.
On the same agenda the council also adopted Ordinance 25‑13‑12 to add a new climate element—containing greenhouse‑gas reduction and resilience subelements—to the 2024 comprehensive plan update. Staff said the climate element effort was funded by a Department of Commerce grant made possible by the Climate Commitment Act.
Next steps noted by staff and council: the city will continue implementation planning, follow up on hiring timing if the council authorizes a climate coordinator/manager, and offer certificates of appreciation to committee members present. Additional opportunities for public engagement and potential volunteer roles on other city commissions were discussed.
