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Sammamish council approves sending Beaver Lake Management District renewal to property-owner ballot
Summary
The Sammamish City Council voted 6-0 May 5 to forward a ballot measure to property owners within the Beaver Lake Management District asking whether to renew the district for another 10-year term; ballots will be weighted ($320 per lakefront parcel, $33 per non-lakefront parcel) and counted by the city per state law.
The Sammamish City Council voted 6-0 May 5 to approve a resolution asking property owners in the Beaver Lake watershed to vote on renewing the Beaver Lake Management District for a 10-year term. Councilmember Amy Lamb moved the resolution, which the council approved without discussion.
City staff, led by Public Works Director Audrey Starcevic and management analyst Jen Rubenelli, explained the renewal process required by state law and the next steps: if property-owner ballots are cast in favor by a simple weighted majority, the council would later approve ordinances and an assessment roll to collect the district assessments. Ballots will be weighted to reflect the proposed assessment: $320 per lakefront parcel and $33 per non-lakefront parcel; non-responsive ballots will not be counted. The process is governed by state law referenced in staff remarks as RCW chapter 3661.
Proponents said the district funds on-the-ground lake management that the city would otherwise need to fund from general revenues. Mark Stendal, a former Beaver Lake Community Club president and current BLMD board member, told the council the district enables rapid responses and consistent stewardship, saying, “Clean water does not stay clean by accident. It takes stewardship.” John Berdekin, who serves on the BLMD board, emphasized that the assessment creates a dedicated budget to address invasive species and water-quality issues so the city does not need to find ad hoc funding.
Several residents, including Mary Wicktor, urged council members to address specific concerns about private easements and structures located near a fire hydrant; staff explained aspects of the district boundary and that some billing and collection procedures are set by statute and King County processes.
If the ballots favor renewal, staff told the council they will present an ordinance to establish the renewed district and then return with a public hearing and resolution on the assessment roll that funds the district’s work. The renewal process requires two subsequent ordinances and related public hearings; staff said their goal is to complete the steps before the end of the year to avoid a lapse in stewardship.
The motion to submit the renewal question was moved by Councilmember Amy Lamb and seconded; the recorded outcome on the floor was 6-0 in favor of approval.
