Welcome to the City of Lake Forest Park

What‘s Happening in Lake Forest Park ...

A holiday note from Mayor Dave...

Click here for ways to help your neighbors in need.

Take the water quality survey

In an effort to better understand the sources of surface water/stream pollution specific to Lake Forest Park, staff developed a web based survey. Your participation in the survey is critical for the success of the City‘s Stormwater Program. Thank you for taking the survey.

Click here to go directly to the survey.

More weather ...rain this time

The National Weather Service has issued a flood watch for the much of western Washington due to the forecast of 4-plus inches of rain expected over the next 48 hours. Local areas in north King and south Snohomish counties are expected to have lowland and urban stream flooding.

Emergency Numbers

Power outage Seattle City Light power outage hotline 206-684-7400 or 206-625-4448. Use these numbers to report down lines.

Natural Gas Puget Sound Energy 425-452-1234
Comcast Service 1-877-824-2288

Click here for a link to ESAC press release on location of sandbags.

Garbage Service

Allied Waste is back on its regular schedule. For Lake Forest Park residents, this week (starting January 5, 2009) is garbage and recycle.

In the Town Crier there was an error in the article "Look what you can recycle."

Food waste recycling should go into the GREEN YARD WASTE container, not the blue recycle container.

Thank you to all the careful Town Crier readers.

EMERGENCY NOTICE Assistance available to residents and businesses with storm-related damages

If you have storm related damage, you may be eligible for assistance.

Click here for more information.

City's Response to the snowstorms in December

To see the Frequently Asked Questions about the December 2008 snow storms, click here.

Garbage

Lake Forest Park residents can put out garbage, yard waste and recycle on your regular pick up day. Residents can put our all of your accumulated garbage and yard waste. Next week the company will pick up garbage and recycling.

Tips for Extra Material Storage and Set Out:

Allied Waste suggests that residents use the following options for storing and setting out extra materials:

Extra garbage: Place next to garbage container in:
• Securely tied plastic bags labeled "Garbage" or
• 32-gal can with handle and lid (65 lb limit) labeled "Garbage"
Extra recycling: Place next to recycling cart in:
• Plastic recycling bins or
• Cardboard boxes (2x2x2 ft. limit) labeled "Recycling"
• No recycling in plastic bags
Extra yard trimmings (No food scraps or plastic):

Place next to yard cart in:
• Heavy paper yard bags (available at hardware stores) or
• Reusable polywoven yard bags (available at hardware stores) or
• 32-gal cans with handles & lids (65 lb limit) labeled "Yard" or
• Bundles tied with sisal twine (4'x2' limit)

Commercial customers are being serviced as soon as conditions allow safe collection. Priority service is given to locations such as hospitals and restaurants, where public health is a concern. Please keep storm drains clear and container access areas free of plowed snow accumulation.
Allied Waste is committed to providing reliable collection for all customers. However, in the extremely unusually prolonged weather-related delays of the past two weeks, we appreciate customer understanding and cooperation as we manage collection on emergency scheduling as safe collections procedures allow.

Up-to-the-minute collection updates :http://www.rabanco.com/default.aspx

Shoreline site on list for potential regional misdemeanant jail

The North/East Cities (NEC) municipal jail planning group announced today its intent to move forward with environmental review and public comment of six potential sites (including the Grace Cole Education Complex at 2545 N.E. 200th St., Shoreline) for a new regional misdemeanant jail.

NEC representatives are available to attend community meetings to provide information and take questions and comments. To request a representative at a community meeting, please contact The Keller Group at (425) 788-8990.

The next meeting is scheduled for January 7, 2009 at Shoreline Community College, 16101 Greenwood Ave. N., Shoreline. Information about the scoping process is now on the NEC website.

For more information click here.

Click here to go to the North/East Cities Municipal Jail Needs website
Click here for a link to the Shoreline public meeting feedback.

Click here for information about the scoping process.

Burke-Gilman Trail public hearing scheduled

The consolidated public hearing will begin at 6:00 PM on Thursday, January 15, 2009 with the applicant’s presentation. The public comment portion of the hearing will begin at 7:00 PM. The Hearing Examiner has imposed time limits on testimony at this hearing: Each speaker will be limited to not more than three (3) minutes; time is not cumulative and may not be given to others. Lengthy testimony may be submitted in written form.

City Staff Reports Released

December 31, 2008

The City has prepared three separate staff reports containing the City's recommendations. Click on the links below to access the staff reports.

Public Agency Exception Staff Report

Conditional Use Permit Staff Report

Shoreline Substantial Development Staff Report

Click here for more information.

Emergency Sandbag Depots

The City of Lake Forest Park has sandbag depots at strategic locations throughout the City for use by residents in the event of flooding. The sandbags are for emergencies only, please do not take them unless a flood is imminent and your property is in danger.

Please notify the City of Lake Forest Park if you are interested in using the emergency sandbags. In your notification please provide your name, address, contact phone number, location the sandbags were taken from and number of sandbags taken. Notify City Hall by phone at 206-368-5440 or email.

right facing arrow Click here to open a form you can use to notify the City of Lake Forest Park.

Click here for a map that provides the locations of sandbag depots in Lake Forest Park.

Do not rely on the sandbags provided by the City as your only flood mitigation strategy. Use this opportunity to prepare your own sandbags. The emergency sandbags will be available October-May each year.

Public Works Snow and Ice Response Plan

Planning for a winter storm event can be difficult. Each storm event is unique.

The public works crews of the City of Lake Forest Park are charged with maintaining 112 lane miles of streets during inclement weather. It is our goal to provide a reasonably safe driving condition.

Click here for the City's severe weather plans.

Prepare Your Home and Family for Snow, Winds, Rain and Floods

Be prepared for heavy rainfall. Now is the time to prepare for winds, rain and snow.

right facing arrow For other preparedness tips, click here

.In power outages, stay safe and avoid carbon monoxide poisoning.

On-site wastewater system license notification

In an effort to improve the environment, City Council funded the expansion of the sanitary sewer system to all unsewered areas. All residents with sewer availability must either connect to the public sewer system or license the existing on-site wastewater system with the City.

Click here for more information.

Broadcast Digital Transition

On February 17, 2009 customers who have traditional TV sets and rely on rabbit ears or outdoors antennas to receive local TV stations need to purchase a converter box. If you are a cable customer you do not have to TV with rabbit ears do anything.

Click here for a link to information about the coupon program for converter boxes.

For general information about the digital transition click here.

Applications for Comprehensive Plan revisions

Applications for Comprehensive Plan revisions are now available online or at City Hall. Applications can be submitted between December 5, 2008 and February 2, 2009.

Northshore Fire Department safety tips for the holiday season

Select a fresh Christmas tree and keep it watered at all times

Maintain your holiday lights
Use only nonflammable decorations

Avoid overloading electrical outlets

Do not leave lit candles unattended

Test your smoke alarm

For more information click here.

New law prompts significant change to residential burn bans

A new burn ban season will be different from those in past falls and winters.

The Puget Sound Clean Air Agency will be calling both Stage 1 and Stage 2 burn bans, often in sequence.

Stage 2 burn bans are more restrictive than the more familiar Stage 1 burn bans and ban ALL wood burning, even from certified wood stoves and pellet stoves.

Our Puget Sound region will likely have longer, and perhaps, more burn bans

And more fines may be issued for people violating the bans.

Click here for more information.

The 30-minute Census employment test of basic skills is scheduled to begin at 2:00 pm Fridays in December and January, at Lake Forest Park City Hall 17425 Ballinger Way NE, Lake Forest Park, WA 98155. No appointment necessary. Bring two forms of identification.

right facing arrow For more information and to download a sample test click here.

Passport Services New Service Hours:

Passport Effective November 1, 2008

Monday – Friday
1 pm – 6 pm

Saturday
10 am – 3 pm

For information about passports please call (206) 957-2834.

Good Neighbor Award 2009

The Annual Good Neighbor Award is sponsored by this Commission. The deadline for nominations for the annual Lake Forest Park Good Neighbor Awards is March 26, 2009.

Click here for the 2009 Good Neighbor Award application.

Bicycle Lockers

Bicycle lockers are available next to the southbound bus stop on Bothell Way NE & NE 170th St., adjacent to Starbuck's. To sign up for one, see Debbie Milan at Lake Forest Park City Hall front desk. There is a $25 refundable key deposit. The lockers are courtesy of Metro Transit, the City of Lake Forest Park and the Lake Forest Park Transportation Commission.

Lake Forest Park 100-Year Legacy Vision Plan

The City Council established the Legacy 100-Year vision as the city's principal guide for parks and open space planning at the Council meeting on July 10, 2008.

Click here for a copy of the final report. (This is a very large file about 60MB. You may look through hard copies at the LFP Library and at City Hall. Disks are available at City Hall.)

right facing arrow Click here for more information.

520 Tolling

SR 520 Tolls on 520 will help pay for a new bridge. How can tolls work for people who use 520, nearby communities, and taxpayers? Will there be an impact on streets and roads in Lake Forest Park?

For more information go to: www.build520.org.

Click here for the Transportation Commission analysis of the impact of tolling.
Click here for a copy of the letter from northend elected officials to tolling committee.

Environmental Mini–Grant Programs

For storm related repairs:

The City of Lake Forest Park is offering an incentive mini-grant program for businesses, individuals and non-profits up to $1000 to restore flood related damage near streams.

These grants are available to individuals and business that experienced storm related damage along creeks and streams in Lake Forest Park. If you are planning to restore the streamside you may be eligible for up to $1000 in an incentive grant from the City. The matching grants are available to foster the improvement of the natural environment within the City and to reduce the long-term impact of flooding.

right facing arrow Click here for more information.

To improve the natural environment:

The City of Lake Forest Park is offering an incentive mini-grant program for businesses, individuals and non-profits up to $500. The matching grants are available to foster the improvement of the natural environment within the City.
right facing arrow Link to more information
Link to download the Environmental Mini-Grant Application.

Tree Walks in Lake Forest Park

Tree Walk brochure cover Take this newly updated guide on your next walk through Lake Forest Park. The booklet contains information about Lake Forest Park's forest, past and present, as well as four self-guided tree walks around our city. Copies of the Tree Walk guide are available at City Hall and on the website:

Click here for a link to the Tree Walks.

Click here to download parts of this booklet separately.

Electronic Recycling

computer monitors Allied Waste customers should call 206 682-9730 to arrange for curbside pick up of electronic items. right facing arrow Click here for more information

Click here for a link to the Allied Waste site for Lake Forest Park.

Shoreline Recycling and Transfer Station Opens

The Shoreline Recycling and Transfer Station (formerly First Northeast Transfer Station) is the first urban transfer station to be built in King County since 1976. The new station features more recycling opportunities, numerous green building innovations, and increased protection of Thornton Creek, which runs through the property.

The station is located at 2300 N 165th St in Shoreline.

right facing arrow Click here for directions and information.

Helpful Connections: Northshore/Shoreline Edition

Helpful Connections: Northshore/Shoreline Edition is a booklet listing a variety of resources for you, your family and your neighborhood. This guide was prepared by CARE, the Cultural Awareness Resources and Enrichment Team, an initiative of the Northshore/Shoreline Community Network. The guide is available in five languages, in print and on the web.
right facing arrow Click here for more information.
Click here for a link to the online guides.

Emergency Preparedness

Lake Forest Park is part of the Regional Public Information Network, RPIN, a one-stop resource for news alerts from more than 75 government, transportation, utility, health and emergency response agencies serving citizens in King, Pierce and Snohomish counties.

right facing arrow Click on the logo to subscribe to e-mail alerts and pager headlines from RPIN partners. The site also contains helpful tips to prepare for emergencies.

More resources to know about if nature disrupts life again:
right facing arrow Public Safety Commission Resources
Emergency Contacts for City Residents
King County Metro Emergency Services
American Red Cross: Be Prepared

Tree Damage
right facing arrow After the Storm: Advice on Tree Issues
Tree Care and Cleanup

Utility and Service Interruptions
To report late or missed garbage and recycling pickups, please call
Allied Waste at (206) 682-9730
right facing arrow Guide to Utilities and Services in Lake Forest Park

CityMail Service

The City of Lake Forest Park has upgraded its e-mail subscription service to make it easier for you to get updates on issues, news and topics of interest to you. Email is sent from GovDelivery.com, an email subscription management system designed for public sector clients like local, state and Federal governments.
right facing arrow Click for more information.

News for Seniors

The Shoreline/Lake Forest Park Senior Shuttle urgently needs more volunteer drivers. We are seeking dedicated people to drive our Senior shuttle, which transports local seniors to hot lunch programs, grocery stores, and local errands.

Senior Shuttle
Call 206-727-6262, or visit http://www.seniorservices.org/vts/shuttle.htm for information about transportation for seniors.

Click here to find out about being a driver.

Call the Senior Center for information about activities and services: (206) 365-1536.