The Mountlake Terrace City Council work session included an Economic Alliance of Snohomish County presentation, a third-quarter financial report, and reviews of a proposed property tax levy and several code and utility items. No final votes on those proposals were recorded in the transcript.

Discussion Points

•Alliance representatives presented regional economic development services, performance figures and a five-year plan beginning in 2027.
•City representatives said property tax revenue would support existing general-fund services; council members disagreed or expressed concern about past commitments and future affordability.
•Council members discussed officer recruitment, event costs and whether sponsorships could support community events.
•Council members questioned the cost to households, the meaning of banked capacity, police staffing and other rising charges.
•Council members questioned the penalty’s deterrent effect, affordability, notice wording, appeal rights and enforcement process.
•Council members sought a clearer account of how Alliance services and recruitment efforts would benefit Mountlake Terrace, including efforts to attract jobs, hotels and businesses.
•He cited a California program’s reported 60% “assess rate,” without defining that measure.
•Staff clarified the meaning of negative revenue figures and variance columns.
•Staff described why notices matter to contractors, prospective buyers and renters, and clarified permit requirements and free counter hours.
•Staff presented a $5.9 million levy option that includes banked capacity, new construction and a 1% increase.
•Staff presented the supplemental agreement and explained the vault locations and their role in utility undergrounding.
•Staff proposed fixed removal penalties of $500 for a first violation and $2,500 for subsequent violations; penalties for continuing work contrary to the notice would remain daily.
•Staff proposed requiring professional stamps only for structural modifications or projects affecting more than 4,000 square feet.
•Staff said the agreement was intended to complete a condition of the earlier interlocal agreement and prepare for construction.
•Staff said the change would remove a cost barrier while maintaining structural and life-safety standards.
•Stephenson offered to develop a city-specific work plan with local input and said the Alliance was seeking longer-term investor commitments to expand capacity.
•The city reported expenditures generally below forecast, while police wages and overtime remained elevated.
•Williams proposed volunteer-led sports and fishing activities and said donated time and equipment could avoid city costs.

Decisions

•No levy was adopted at this work session; staff said a public hearing and vote were scheduled for the following week.

Directions

•Council members requested a future breakdown of cost impacts by home value and a broader accounting of increases and fees.
•The code amendment was described as scheduled for the following week’s consent agenda; no final direction or vote was recorded in the work session.

Nov

Bothell City Council Meeting - November 10, 2026

Bothell City Council met Nov. 10, 2026 to hold two public hearings (EMS levy and the 2027-28 biennial budget), receive updates from the Economic Alliance of Snohomish County, approve a package of budget-related ordinances and procurement policy changes, and authorize a staff letter supporting restoration of Metro Route 372.

Discussion Points

•Budget totals and CFP funding composition were outlined.
•Council agreed to finalize the budget next week.
•Council debated whether to raise council-level contract approval threshold and asked staff for a comparative analysis.
•Council discussed thresholds for later procurement policy item.
•District background and proposed rate change presented.
•EASC announced Build in Bothell event to address permitting barriers.
•EASC described FY26 financial stewardship and program numbers.
•EASC highlighted two local projects (Portal Space Systems, IonQ) and federal Opportunity Zone approvals.
•Longstanding ADA access and sidewalk issues on West Riverside Drive raised.
•No public comment during hearing.
•Preliminary voting showed >80% support for Proposition 1 in Bothell and neighboring districts.
•Rationale: thresholds set in 2006 need inflation adjustments and alignment with federal direct buy levels.
•Resident requested emergency allocation, engineering review, a code variance for trees, and a construction timeline within the month.
•Staff will create and use a transition team to manage operational, personnel and financial issues.

Decisions

•Multiple ordinances adopted (property tax, sales taxes, utility rate increases).
•Ordinance adopted 6-0.
•Procurement policy amendments adopted 6-0.

Directions

•Adopted ordinance to be implemented for 2027 levy collection.
•EASC to continue coordination with city staff and to incorporate Bothell priorities into its 2027 plan.
•Staff to log follow-up items and review submitted photos; council did not act on the request during the meeting.
•Staff to prepare analysis on council-level approval thresholds for a future meeting; implement adopted threshold changes.
•Staff to prepare interlocal agreement, board appointment recommendations and lease drafts for council consideration in January.
•Staff to publish ordinance language and notices and return for final budget adoption next meeting.

Nov

Video

The Snohomish County Council held a public hearing on its 2027-28 budget, property-tax levies, fees and proposed amendments. The council approved the amended budget 3-2 after extensive public testimony and debate, and denied a proposed hiring-freeze ordinance.

Discussion Points

•Council Member Nearing questioned the increase in relation to an earlier commitment and a subsequent change to the legal limit.
•Members debated rate levels, county cost recovery, the effect on city budgets and whether the county had communicated adequately with local partners.
•Members debated state requirements, tax burdens, use of reserves and possible alternatives in the general fund.
•Members debated whether REIT dollars should fund city partnership projects or be redirected to roads, and discussed the roads fund's financial condition.
•Members disagreed about affordability, banked levy capacity, the county's fiscal outlook and whether cuts could replace the increase.
•Members disagreed over tax and fee levels, the scope of spending reductions, structural deficits, future reserves and which services or positions merited funding.
•Members discussed projected fee revenue, resident impacts, grant matching, potential project losses and position changes.
•Members questioned the need for a new fund, potential administrative steps and how funds would be allocated between two independently elected offices.
•Members said long-term fiscal pressures remained but differed on whether to advance a hiring freeze and when to revisit it.
•Public commenters urged spending reductions, raised housing and tax-affordability concerns, and advocated for continued or increased funding for services and programs.
•The listed plans and work programs passed with no substantive discussion recorded in their individual votes.

Decisions

•Amendment 2 set a 60%-80%-100% phase-in; Ordinances 26-043 and 26-044 passed 5-0 as amended.
•Amendment 3A passed 4-1; competing Amendment 3B was not considered; amended Ordinance 26-056 passed 4-1.
•Ordinance 26-054 passed 3-2; Motions 26-354 and 26-355 passed 5-0.
•Ordinance 26-059 passed 4-1.
•Ordinance 26-060 passed 3-2 as amended.
•Ordinance 26-064 passed 4-1.
•Ordinance 26-071 was denied 5-0; no hiring freeze was adopted.
•Ordinances 26-052 and 26-053 passed 3-2 each.
•Public testimony did not itself constitute formal council action.
•The 1% increase amendment passed 4-1; substitute Ordinance 26-047 passed as amended 3-2.
•The listed motions and ordinances were approved; most voice-vote tallies were announced as unanimous.

Directions

•A work group was approved to review REIT uses.
•Staff were directed to incorporate amendments and make nominal adjustments for DACs and system calculations.

Nov

Snohomish County Administrative Session 2026-11-10

Snohomish County Council held an administrative session Nov. 10, 2026, with public comment from a local small-business owner about a Clearview zoning outcome, approval of a janitorial services contract amendment, scheduling of a public hearing on updated critical-area regulations to meet a Growth Management Act remand, and passage of administrative motions before recessing for budget deliberations.

Discussion Points

•Accepted ILA; governance structure and representation work to follow.
•Council set the public hearing date to allow public comment before any final code adoption.
•Facilities staff explained prior service history and scope of added services.
•Gann argued the Clearview decision undermined procedural transparency and fiscal responsibility and announced a PAC to mobilize businesses.
•Motion 26-460 brought forward because GLS was canceled; no substantive debate recorded.
•Presenter described additional services and updated contract totals.
•Staff explained the Growth Management Hearings Board remand and compliance deadline.

Decisions

•Amendment approved 5–0
•Motion 26-460 approved 5–0
•Set hearing for Dec. 2, 2026

Directions

•Work on governance structure and representation assignments.

Nov

Video

Snohomish County Council convened an administrative session on Nov. 10, 2026. The meeting included a public comment from a small-business owner announcing a new PAC, approval of a janitorial services contract amendment, scheduling of a public hearing on updated critical-area regulations, and passage of general administrative items before recessing for budget deliberations.

Discussion Points

•Announcement of new small-business PAC: Snowco Business Voice
•Approved administrative matters were procedural.
•Chair Dunn reported acceptance of an interlocal agreement to merge Community Transit and Everett Transit.
•Council voted to set hearing date and time for public input and consideration.
•Facility staff clarified that the amendment adds cleaning services for newly occupied county space and increases jail service days to seven per week.
•Financial terms: amendment amount read into record and new NTE total provided.
•Motion introduced and moved due to GLS cancellation.
•Next steps: governance structure and representation for cities and county.
•Public comment alleging unfair land-use process in Clearview and competitor influence
•Staff explained ordinance responds to Growth Management Hearings Board remand and compliance date (Dec. 17, 2026).

Decisions

•Approval of Amendment 1 (Motion 26-457) passed 5–0
•Motion 26-460 approved 5–0.
•Set public hearing for Ordinance 26-076 on Dec. 2, 2026 at 10:30 a.m.

Directions

•Facilities to adjust service schedules per amendment
•Staff to prepare hearing materials and notice.
•Staff to work on governance and representation details.

Nov

Mountlake Terrace City Council Meeting - November 5, 2026

Mountlake Terrace City Council reviewed the 2027-28 biennial budget on Nov. 5, 2026, with a multi-hour presentation from Public Works on water, sewer and storm funds, discussed rate paths and asset-management investments, heard two public commenters, approved a consent agenda and appointed two planning commissioners.

Discussion Points

•220th & water-quality project expected to be Ecology-funded if requirements met.
•A 12% salary adjustment is budgeted to support an asset-management program and software implementation.
•An ILA could enable abandonment of Wildermere lift station and shift flows by gravity to neighboring systems.
•A proposed 125% Everett supply increase is in negotiation and could affect reserves and rates.
•Candidates were described as experienced and ready to serve.
•Cedar Grove area shows leakage; pipe replacements will reduce operational costs.
•Described an ICE arrest in Lynnwood and downstream impacts for families and local businesses.
•Directed listeners to a church emergency fund for contributions.
•Funding included for potential urban-forestry program; staff will present options.
•Linwood interties are upgrades; cost-sharing will be negotiated through interlocal agreements (ILAs).
•Main Street Phase Two will allow water-main improvements piggybacked on the street project.
•Master Builders offered a printed housing toolkit and local partnership.
•Regional treatment costs are a major line-item increase; blended impact estimated near 6%.
•Staff proposes a 6% annual rate increase for water and sewer, 3% for stormwater.
•Stormwater proposed 3% rate increase; fund has stronger reserves.
•Subcommittee interviewed candidates and recommended two community members to fill vacancies.
•Toolkit is intended to present practical solutions to increase housing supply and revenue.
•Utilities funds are self-supporting and revenues must remain in each fund.

Decisions

•Appointments approved by unanimous vote (7-0).

Directions

•Provide condition-assessment outputs after software implementation.
•Staff may engage with the association and planning director for follow-up.
•Staff to complete onboarding and paperwork for new commissioners.
•Staff to provide itemized reallocation explanations for large year-to-year differences and return with procurement timeline for asset-management software.
•Staff to pursue ILA options and provide CIP scoping and cost comparisons.
•Staff to return with project scopes, funding allocations and recommended ILA terms before advancing construction.
•Staff to return with urban-forestry program options and prioritization criteria based on condition assessments.

Nov

Bothell Planning Commission Meeting - November 4, 2026

Bothell Planning Commission held study sessions on the Housing Action Plan, landmark preservation code updates, and 2026 city-initiated comprehensive plan amendments (including a downtown subarea update); the commission approved draft findings on the Housing Action Plan and the comp-plan amendments to forward to City Council.

Discussion Points

•Additions to comp plan references (climate action plan, urban forest, housing action plan), corrections to activity center map, consolidation of downtown land-use designations.
•Modernize Title 22 to clarify procedures, definitions and review steps; relocate board governance to Title II; remove references to historic districts.
•Staff flagged the TOD bill (1491) and 2.5 FAR requirement; recommended addressing code changes next year.
•Staff summarized HAP goals and changes requested by City Council, including a revision to inclusionary zoning language.
•State law limits predesignation restrictions; staff advised removing code provisions that could improperly restrict privately owned properties not formally designated.

Decisions

•Draft findings and recommendations approved to forward to council.
•Draft findings, conclusions and recommendation approved to forward to Council.
•No formal action taken; commission provided feedback.

Directions

•Staff to meet with City Council on Dec. 1; incorporate feedback and return to Planning Commission with a public hearing and findings; return to Landmark Preservation Board on Jan. 13 for its recommendation.
•Transmit findings to City Council; begin downtown code update next year to address implementation and TOD requirements.
•Transmit the commission's recommended findings, conclusions and recommendation to City Council.

Nov

Snohomish County General Legislative Session 2026-11-04

Snohomish County Council held its Nov. 4, 2026 legislative session in the Jackson Boardroom and remotely. The council heard a public comment urging reconsideration of a 10,000-foot cannabis-store spacing rule, approved a series of resolutions and motions (including veterans recognition, interagency agreements, school-spending amendments, grant awards, and restoration partnerships), and discussed council budget amendments and REIT project funding.

Discussion Points

•Agreement to return REIT per-district funding at $140,000 per year to consensus.
•Analyst overview of consensus amendment process and proposals 1–10.
•Announcement of Snohomish County Small Business Coalition to organize affected businesses.
•Claim that county changed cannabis spacing from 2,500 to 10,000 feet, disadvantaging new business owners.
•Council approved the block of motions with no discussion.
•Councilmembers thanked Preston and recognized event judges and volunteers.
•Motion was previously reviewed by Committee of the Whole and was moved and approved without further discussion.
•No public comment on the resolution.
•Preston described scholarship criteria and nonprofit status (501(c)(3)), noted funds cover 100% if students meet criteria.
•Proposal 9 (urban tree canopy) would use $153,305 from Fund 309 (biennium) and be treated as standalone for more review.
•Removal of several items from consensus, including legal advisory FTE eliminations and civil protection-order funding source disagreements.
•Request that council sponsor and place a fix on a public agenda.
•Staff clarified the scope excludes harm-reduction activities (e.g., needle exchange).
•Staff described eligible uses (FTEs, contracts, supplies) and the one-year term.
•Staff explained contract number K-9556 and the $20 hard-tab fee collection through Feb. 25, 2031.
•Staff reported WDFW received a $9 million Army Corps grant and explained the PPA defines roles among partners.
•Staff stated the county has no financial obligation as a signatory non-federal sponsor; council approved the motion 5–0.
•Staff summarized the amendments and provided totals and projections.
•Vice Chair Lowe expressed personal gratitude to veterans and referenced county veteran hiring.

Decisions

•Motion 26-420 approved 5–0
•Motion 26-430 approved 5–0
•Motion 26-440 approved 5–0
•Motions 26-423 through 26-435 approved 5–0
•REIT funding set at $140,000 per district per year
•Resolution 26-052 approved 5–0
•Resolution 26-054 approved 5–0
•Several budget items removed from consensus for standalone consideration

Nov

Video

Snohomish County Council held an administrative session on Nov. 3, 2026, adopting two ceremonial resolutions (Native American Heritage Month and Transgender Day of Remembrance), heard public comment on a 2023 zoning/code change affecting cannabis store spacing, scheduled committee assignments and an upcoming interlocal vote with Everett Transit, and then adjourned.

Discussion Points

•Council member introduced the resolution as continuation of county tradition.
•County staff representatives described the observance's purpose and local resonance.
•Gann alleged a 2023 change increased cannabis‑store spacing from 2,500 to 10,000 feet and that affected competition, jobs and tax revenue.
•Several agenda items reassigned to committee of the whole and GLS for Nov. 4; one item set for Nov. 25 and one for a future public hearing.

Decisions

•Items moved as announced if no objection.
•Resolution 26-051 approved 5–0.
•Resolution 26‑053 approved 3–2.

Oct

Narrated Presentation: Water Quality Project 10/30/26

City of Mountlake Terrace Environmental Programs Manager Patrick Hutchins presented a proposed water-quality retrofit at the 220th/70th intersection to reduce nutrients, metals and emerging tire chemical 6PPDQ; he outlined benefits to Lake Ballinger and salmon, a mid-2027 ~100-day construction window, traffic-management phases, grant funding, and a public comment period.

Discussion Points

•6PPDQ identified as an emerging pollutant toxic to coho.
•Council-approved 3% annual stormwater rate increase funds other projects.
•Four-phase approach to construction.
•Grants cover design and construction cost for this retrofit.
•Need for retrofits because many storm drains discharge untreated.
•Night and day work windows to minimize traffic impacts.
•Project aims to improve water quality for Lake Ballinger and connected creeks.
•Public comment period dates and email contact provided.
•Vaults expected to reduce or remove 6PPDQ from runoff.

Decisions

•No formal changes announced; comment period to inform project process.
•No formal decisions recorded during presentation.
•No full business closures expected; access to Nelson Business Park to remain open.
•None formal at this presentation; project is described as planned and grant-funded.
•No new rate change tied to this project; project described as grant-funded.

Directions

•City will update the project webpage with more financial specifics.
•Proceeding to design and construction pending contractor selection and grant administration.
•Submit feedback via the project webpage or email.
•Traffic to be managed by cones, barrels, flaggers and a uniformed officer.

Oct

Snohomish County General Legislative Session 2026-10-28

Snohomish County Council held its Oct. 28, 2026 general legislative session: public comment included land-use and homelessness concerns; the council unanimously passed a resolution supporting jail voting access, approved several contracts and grants, and set a public hearing on a proposed temporary county hiring freeze amid an extended budget amendment discussion.

Discussion Points

•Advocates described civic engagement benefits for justice-impacted people.
•Consensus amendment rules: any objection removes an item from consensus and makes it standalone.
•Cooperative purchasing agreement legal parameters.
•Estimated savings ranged from $1.86M to $7M depending on vacancy behavior.
•Funding: Move Ahead Washington cited for I‑5 project.
•Grant amounts and terms (EMS grant $5,000; healthy community specialist partial funding).
•Nature of ECAP process and timeline for urgent hires.
•Peterson read statement highlighting near-80% participation in jail voting.
•Project scope: east–west connection, transit/HOV, future light-rail access.
•Proposal specifics: fund shifts, FTE changes, program restorations and offsets.

Decisions

•Approve both contract supplements (5–0).
•Approve motions 26-404, 26-422 and 26-418 (5–0).
•Approve Resolution 26-039 (5–0).
•Schedule hearing (passed 3–2).
•Several substantive proposals removed from consensus and set as standalones; some friendly technical corrections retained.

Directions

•Analysts to prepare standalone language and follow-up answers; council to reconvene for GLS Nov. 4 and public hearing Nov.10.
•Continue coordination among auditor, sheriff, elections and community partners.
•Implement grants and coordinate with partners.
•Proceed with design and permitting; staff available for questions.
•Set public hearing Nov. 10 to consider ordinance alongside budget items.

Oct

Snohomish County Public Hearings 2026-10-28

Snohomish County Council held public hearings Oct. 28, 2026, on proposed changes to county cannabis retail rules (ordinance 26-063) and on an open-space tax reclassification (motion 26-408). The council passed ordinance 26-063 as amended, declined to advance a citizen docket item (motion 26-155), and approved the open-space application for 16.1 acres.

Discussion Points

•Council members debated fairness to businesses and whether to change rules after an operator pursued a noncompliant location.
•No public testimony was received on this item.
•Public commenters (primarily Clearview residents) urged retaining a 10,000-foot buffer to protect the LAMIRD.
•Residents highlighted Clearview's LAMIRD designation and urged preserving a 10,000-foot buffer.
•Some members argued against using staff resources to process an item that duplicates current council decisions.
•Speakers recounted past clustering and safety concerns near schools and intersections.
•Staff and assessor provided new information that changed acreage eligibility from 10 to 16.1 acres.
•Staff explained legal duty to set final docket; council considered staff time and recent ordinance action.
•Staff recommended updating terminology and proposed modified separation distances based on peer analysis and SEPA review.

Decisions

•Approved substitute motion 26-408 5–0.
•Motion 26-155 amended to 'do not process' and approved 5–0.
•Passed Amendment Sheet 2 (terminology) and approved ordinance 26-063 as amended in roll-call vote.

Directions

•Assessor and PDS to process reclassification paperwork.
•Clerk to update docket status and notify applicants.
•Staff to continue analysis and provide follow-up on clustering and impacts; council signaled future review likely.

Oct

Video

Snohomish County Council held public hearings Oct. 28, 2026, chiefly on an ordinance to revise county code for state-licensed cannabis retail facilities (Ordinance 26-063) and a citizen-initiated docket item; the council adopted the ordinance as amended, declined to advance the docket item, and approved an open-space tax classification for a 16.1-acre parcel.

Discussion Points

•No public testimony was offered on this item at the continued hearing.
•Opponents emphasized Clearview's LAMIRD/CRC designation and asked council to preserve 10,000-foot buffer to protect rural character.
•PDS staff explained statutory requirement to set final docket; council members raised fairness issues and staff time concerns.
•Residents argued the CRC/LAMIRD designation requires protection and that prior council votes supported the 10,000-foot buffer.
•Staff presented rationale for replacing 'marijuana' with 'cannabis' and for changing separation distances; spatial analysis shows 28 retailers on record with a cap of 32.
•Staff presented reconciliation between PDS and assessor findings to allow full acreage into program.
•Supporters argued that a countywide 2,500-foot standard would create equitable opportunity and bring jobs/tax revenue.
•Supporters cited economic benefits, fairness, and argued 10,000 feet is unusually large and inconsistently applied.
•They requested additional local outreach and a pause for further review.

Decisions

•Motion to not process passed 5–0; docket item removed.
•Passed Ordinance 26-063 as amended (final roll-call affirmative).
•Substitute motion 26-408 passed 5–0 to include the full 16.1 acres.

Directions

•Assessor to implement the classification per county procedures.
•If ordinance amended, county staff to align code references in Title 30 and cross-references.
•Planning to provide implementation details and effective dates to clerk.

Oct

Snohomish County Administrative Session 2026-10-27

Snohomish County Council held an administrative session that included public comment urging action on a proposed change to cannabis retail separation rules, committee and clerk reports, a brief executive session on labor negotiations, and a 4-0 vote directing the chief of staff to sign a conflict-waiver for an outside law firm.

Discussion Points

•Chief of staff announced the executive session purpose (labor negotiations) and length estimate.
•Chief of staff presented a prosecuting attorneys request for authorization to sign a conflict waiver for outside counsel.
•Clerk assigned items A\u0011E to committees and set public hearing dates.
•Gann said the countys proposal would reduce the cannabis retail separation in Clearview from 10,000 feet to 2,500 feet and urged the council to move the hearing forward.

Decisions

•Waiver authorization approved 4-0.

Directions

•Chief of staff authorized to sign the waiver.

Oct

Video

Snohomish County Council held an administrative session on Oct. 27, 2026, including public comment on a proposed change to cannabis retail separation rules, procedural items and committee updates, an executive session on labor negotiations, and a council vote authorizing a conflict-waiver signature for outside counsel.

Discussion Points

•Chair announced a public hearing on Everett Transit consolidation scheduled for Thursday.
•Chair reported Clean Air Agency rule changes aligning with state law around NOC exemptions.
•Chief of staff requested authorization to sign a conflict waiver for Hillis, Clark, Martin, and Peterson.
•Council announced an executive session for labor negotiations under RCW 42.30.140(4)(b).
•Gan reported economic projections for his store: ~600 customers/day, ~25+ jobs, and an estimated $200,000/month in state taxes.
•Motion was made and seconded to direct chief of staff to sign the waiver; a voice vote passed the motion 4-0.
•No public votes or substantive details from the executive session were recorded on the public transcript.
•Patrick Gan said the county proposal would reduce retail separation in Clearview from 10,000 feet to 2,500 feet and urged the council to act.

Decisions

•Authorize signing of the concurrent conflict waiver (passed 4-0).

Directions

•Chief of staff authorized to sign the waiver.

Oct

Bothell Planning Commission Meeting - October 21, 2026

The Bothell Planning Commission held a hybrid meeting and public hearing on Oct. 21, 2026 to review city-initiated 2026 comprehensive plan amendments, including a major update to the downtown subarea plan; staff presented proposals and commissioners offered feedback (no public commenters spoke).

Discussion Points

•Align housing element text with the housing action plan.
•Approval of minutes was routine; staff will return with final drafts.
•Clarify affordable‑housing standard to 80% AMI and emphasize long‑term preservation.
•Commissioners were invited to suggest edits to draft findings, conclusions, and recommendations.
•Importance of preserving park‑and‑ride capacity to enable transit access for residents outside downtown walk-sheds.
•Recology's contract noted for inclusion in utilities element.
•Staff described amendment types and proposed changes across multiple comp plan elements.
•Staff framed as factual update, not a contract approval.
•Whether BRT routing/specifications justify reducing parking capacity.

Decisions

•Oct. 7 minutes approved

Directions

•Commissioners to flag edits to draft findings for Nov. 4 recommendation.
•Commissioners to review and propose edits before Nov. 4.
•Finalize draft findings for Nov. 4 and forward to council for Nov. 17 hearing.
•Staff to brief City Council in a study session and present to council Nov. 17.
•Staff to return Nov. 4 with final draft findings and recommendation for Planning Commission.
•Utilities element to be updated in the Nov. 4 packet.

Oct

Better Public Meetings Forum / Mock City Council Meeting

A National Civic League Better Public Meetings forum in Mountlake Terrace introduced participatory civic-theater exercises, presented preliminary research (15 interviews, 167 survey responses) and solicited small-group input about making public meetings more inclusive and responsive.

Discussion Points

•Changing nonresponse policies can create back-and-forths and time/legal exposure
•Exercise designed to let residents experience other meeting roles and testimony
•Facilitators will publish a research report and present findings publicly
•Organizers offered to help design pilots
•Organizers will publish a research report with integrated themes from tonight's discussions
•Project framed as research-plus-pilots funded by Luce Foundation
•Research used 15 interviews and 167 survey responses
•Speakers reported college visits and community service experiences
•Students requested more youth programming, jobs and recreational opportunities on the East Side
•Successful examples scaffold multiple engagement options and use pilots and training
•Three opportunity areas proposed: celebrations as on-ramps, reimagining meeting formats, and connectors/partnerships
•Volunteer roles included council member, speaker, audience, and observer

Directions

•Integrate tonight's themes into final report

Oct

Snohomish County General Legislative Session 2026-10-21

Snohomish County Council convened Oct. 21, 2026, in the Jackson Boardroom (and remotely) to hear two public commenters, adopt a joint resolution honoring Elaine Summers and name a viewpoint in her honor, approve several county contracts and amendments, set a public hearing on park rangers code changes to align with state law, and receive a detailed revenue forecast for the 2027–2028 biennium.

Discussion Points

•Amendment extends contract and adds funding to maintain two full-time peer navigators serving substance-use-affected populations.
•Discovery of contaminated soils in August prompted change order for disposal costs.
•Forecast projects ~19.5% increase in general fund revenues (~$126.7M) for 2027–2028.
•Multiple council members expressed sympathy and appreciation for Elaine Summers' career contributions.
•Property tax increase ~ $24M due to 1% statutory increase and use of banked capacity; sales tax forecasted to grow 4.0% (2027) and 4.5% (2028).
•SB 5974 changed statewide requirements governing special commissions and supervision; county code needs alignment.
•Staff said most costs expected to be reimbursed by an AIP grant.
•Vendor selection via RFP and cost cap communicated by staff.

Decisions

•Adopted Joint Resolution 26-050; approved Motion 26-421 to name viewpoint
•Approved Amendment No. 4 to Ideal Option PLLC contract
•Approved Change Order 2 to KLB Construction contract (PW-240361SB)
•Approved SaaS agreement with Concourse Tech
•Hearing date set

Directions

•Forecasting work group to meet again after the election to review an additional month's sales-tax receipts and adjust forecasts as needed.
•Set Dec. 9, 2026 public hearing at 10:30 a.m.
•Staff to manage change order documentation and pursue grant reimbursement.

Oct

Video

Snohomish County Council held its regular legislative session on Oct. 21, 2026. The council heard two public commenters about permitting and code references, approved a joint resolution honoring Elaine Summers and a companion naming motion, and voted unanimously on several contract and budget-related motions; staff presented the 2027–2028 general fund revenue forecast.

Discussion Points

•Amendment extends contract and adds $207,497 for two full-time peer navigator positions serving individuals who use substances.
•Contaminated soils found at project site; handling and disposal costs added.
•Forecasting team will meet again to revise estimates prior to budget adoption.
•Forecast projects ~19.5% revenue increase (approx. $126.7M) over prior biennium.
•Hearing date set for 12/09/2026.
•Property tax up ~$24M; IPD for 2026 is 3.876; bank capacity 3.167; sales-tax growth assumptions: 4% (2027) and 4.5% (2028).
•SB 5974 requires commissioned individuals be supervised by issuing agency; county ordinance would remove a requirement that park rangers be specially commissioned.
•Staff and exec-office representatives praised Elaine Summers’ environmental career and community work.
•Staff described populations served: incarcerated, homeless, or recently overdosed individuals.
•Staff expects AIP grant to reimburse 95% of added costs.
•Vendor selected through RFP; agreement covers implementation and ongoing subscription costs.

Decisions

•Agreement approved; not-to-exceed cost stated.
•Amendment approved 5–0.
•Change order 2 approved; new total $8,097,549.51.
•Joint resolution 26-050 approved; motion 26-421 to name viewpoint approved.
•Public hearing scheduled.

Directions

•Staff to reconvene forecasting work group and return with updated figures.

Oct

Bothell City Council Meeting - October 20, 2026

Bothell City Council met Oct. 20, 2026 for regular business: recognitions, public comment (ADA crosswalk request, community Diwali invite), a UW Bothell campus update, a study session on the city's 2027-28 legislative agenda, two public hearings on the biennial budget and EMS levy, adoption of bike-parking code updates, and a housing action plan study session with debate over inclusionary zoning.

Discussion Points

•Campus and city will continue collaboration on events, sustainability and planning.
•Campus seeks state funding to replace Husky Hall with a multidisciplinary facility for workforce training and classrooms.
•Council expressed appreciation for staff responsiveness and moved the ordinance to adoption.
•Council raised objections to citywide inclusionary zoning and favored further study and incentive-based approaches.
•Council suggested adding incentives for cities adopting housing early, traffic-camera revenue-sharing and NPRSA funding statements.
•Enrollment reached an all-time high (~6,400) and residential village occupancy is ~75% of 1,000 capacity.
•Housing Action Plan final draft presents six goals and an implementation/monitoring framework.
•Optional sales taxes and utility-rate increases included; capital plan relies on grant funding (~39%).
•Proposed two-year budget $469 million; general fund $181 million.
•Public hearing held with no speakers; next hearings in November ahead of adoption.
•Ram invited residents to a free Diwali celebration Oct. 25 at North Creek High School Commons.
•Schubert requested an ADA-compliant crosswalk with lighting, signal timing and markings near 102nd Ave NE and West Riverside Drive to support over 200 senior residents' access to ballot services.
•Staff presented the planning commission\u0019s recommended edits and summarized council feedback incorporated into code.
•Staff proposed four top priorities for state advocacy: Shelton View Forest preservation, Bothell Way funding, progressive tax reform, and housing tools/funding.
•Staff reported recent permitting/production metrics (420+ permits, ~320 units completed; ~2,200 in permitting).
•Staff will redraft annexation language to note financial incentives as a condition to preserve annexation feasibility.

Decisions

•Council asked staff to revisit inclusionary zoning policy language and offsets; no immediate action adopted on the plan at this meeting.
•Ordinance adopted 6–0 (one excused).

Directions

•Community Development to publish codified changes and update application guidance.
•Staff to incorporate council feedback into next draft of legislative agenda and policy manual.
•Staff to record written materials/photos and follow up with engineering/transportation staff regarding the crosswalk feasibility and next steps.
•Staff to remove or defer the citywide inclusionary zoning language from the plan (per council consensus) and schedule a dedicated study session on inclusionary/incentive tools in 2027.

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