Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Mayoral Inauguration topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Kurt Hilt sworn in as Lake Stevens mayor; council emphasizes unity and transportation priorities
Summary
Kurt Hilt took the oath of office June 16 as Lake Stevens’ new mayor. Council members praised the appointment and Hilt said his early focus will be transportation advocacy, including keeping the US2 trestle high on the state priority list; council entered executive session on collective bargaining with no action to follow.
Kurt Hilt was sworn in as mayor of Lake Stevens at the start of the council’s June 16 meeting, taking the oath of office and pausing the agenda for photos and family remarks.
"I state your name. I, Kurt Hilt, do solemnly swear that I will support the Constitution and the laws of the United States and the Constitution and laws of the state of Washington and the laws and ordinances of the city of Lake Stevens," Hilt recited during the ceremony.
Council members publicly commended the appointment and praised the tone of the selection process. Council President Dorstad and others said the unanimous support for Hilt signaled a desire for collaborative governance. "You made a great choice," one council member said during council business remarks.
In remarks to the council, Mayor Hilt said transportation will be a top priority. He said he has already met with the chair of the state senate transportation committee and plans meetings with federal and state lawmakers to press for local needs. "The US2 trestle is the second priority in the state and my goal is to make sure we remain number two so that we move to number one when that bridge gets funded," Hilt said.
Hilt also noted a planned family vacation and said staff had encouraged a break from constant work communications: "Staff has already told me that I'm not taking my phone with me," he said, adding that modeling work-life balance is important for elected officials and staff.
The council later recessed into an executive session under RCW 42.30.110 to discuss collective bargaining; the session was scheduled for approximately an hour with the council announcing there would be no action to follow.
Actions recorded during the meeting included voice votes to approve the amended agenda and to pass the consent agenda. The meeting adjourned after an executive-session extension and a final motion to close the evening.
Next steps: Mayor Hilt indicated transportation advocacy and outreach to state and federal partners will be early priorities; the council will return from its executive session with no immediate action to follow.
