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Neighborhood meeting highlights planning hearings, parade and outreach plans; staff to advise on lobbying rules
Summary
Staff briefed members on upcoming planning hearings (preferred land use alternative public hearing April 27), parade traffic on May 16, summer picnic dates, and neighborhood outreach. Members asked county legal staff for guidance on what counts as lobbying and whether county resources can be used for neighborhood advocacy.
County liaison and partners briefed attendees on events, planning and outreach items relevant to neighborhood associations.
Staff noted the comprehensive plan preferred land use alternative will be the subject of a public hearing on April 27 and that the 20‑year growth plan timeline has been extended to Oct. 6. Neighborhood meetings were listed with dates: North Salmon Creek (April 21), FIDA community (May 5), North Fork/Highway 99 construction update (May 12); summer neighborhood picnics were scheduled for July 18 (Northeast Hazel), July 25 (Pleasant Highlands ice cream social) and Aug. 8 (Maple Tree picnic). The Hazel Parade is set for May 16 with traffic advisories along 99th to 63rd streets.
Members raised questions about proposed lobbying restrictions in the draft bylaws and whether neighborhood associations may take positions or use county resources for advocacy. County staff said neighborhood associations are not county entities and cautioned that county staff time and county funds cannot be used to advocate; staff agreed to seek a written legal opinion clarifying the gray areas raised (for example, postcards used to gather petition signatures or use of county mailing lists).
Other community items included offers of partner resources (Lifeflight membership information and potential tabling at a home and garden show) and staff follow-up on homelessness resources for rural areas. Staff committed to circulate responses and resources by email and bring legal guidance and revised bylaw language back at the next meeting.
