 is the City's bi monthly e-newsletter.
September 1 , 2010
Prop. 1 Defeated
Shoreline Master Plan
Public Hearing
Retirements & Resignations
Traffic Safety News
Recycling Superstar Contest
Salmon Watchers Wanted
Shuttle Drivers Wanted
Free Shredding Event
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A Letter from the Mayor
August 18, 2010
Dear Lake Forest Park Residents,
The results are in from the election last night, and Proposition #1 did not gain a majority of support from the community.
The City is faced with an estimated $692,000 deficit for this upcoming year, or a 10% reduction in our general fund. This is on top of an 8% reduction already made in 2010. These reductions are expected to impact services such as police, courts, parks and other basic services. Some difficult choices must be made to balance the services with the revenues available. The City Council and I will need your help as we create a balanced 2011-2012 biennial budget.
This will be a dynamic process with the Council as we learn more about actions that may impact us in the future. For example, the County has a sales tax proposition that would positively impact the city; however, a liquor tax initiative would negatively impact the City’s revenues. As we proceed with a methodical look at our budget this fall, we will take all of these variables into consideration.
To help balance the budget, I am taking the following immediate actions:
- Asking all City departments to prepare a budget with a 10% reduction in their costs.
- Continuing our current cost cutting measures.
- Starting budget discussions early with the Council.
As your Mayor, I have been a strong advocate for this wonderful city, and I have been proud to call Lake Forest Park home for 40 years. In our recent surveys, citizens gave their City high marks for the quality of service provided and its good financial management. I am hopeful that we will continue to earn that good will in the community as we find ways to cut costs and balance the 2011-2012 budget.
The structural budget issues which were raised during the discussion on this proposition are still with us and will need to be reconciled with the services that the community has come to expect.
As we move forward, we will look forward to your ongoing support as we find ways to preserve the essential character of our City.
Sincerely,
Mayor Dave Hutchinson
Can You ID Me?
A new website,
www.CanYouID.me, has been created as a central warehouse for all
Washington State police investigators to post photographs of people
captured on video that they could not identify during their investigation.
Subjects depicted in these photographs are persons of interest, witnesses or potential suspects.
Our hope is to have as many people as possible view the photographs on this website to assist us with the
identification of these unknown persons.
Anyone who recognizes a person in a photograph can contact the investigating agency via email by
clicking on that photograph. They can remain anonymous if they wish.
Click to go to www.CanYouID.me.
For additional information, email Detective Tony Matthews
tmatthews @ cityoflfp.com, Lake Forest Park Police Department
or call 206-364-8216 ext. #532.
Traffic Safety Camera on NE 165th and Bothell Way
The biggest complaints citizens have is the speed of traffic and dangerous intersections. The City is installing a safety camera at NE165th Street and Bothell Way. This camera will issue citations to cars that traveled illegally through the red light at the intersection.
Starting September 1, the system will issue warnings to violators. On October 1, 2010, the system will begin to issue a notice of infraction to the vehicles identified as going through the red light.
Click here for more information..
Hopelink Energy Assistance
Low income emergency assistance program still available.
Call 800.348.7144 The line is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Click here for more information.
Assault in Lake Forest Park
On 06-07-10 at approximately 12: 50 am, two Hispanic males approached the lone female who was walking near Lake Forest Park Elementary on foot. Items were stolen and the victim was assaulted.
Neighborhood patrols have been increased.
Click here for more information including suspect sketch.
Blue Heron Bridge
Lake Forest Park’s first official park, Blue Heron Park, was acquired in 1992. The property was privately owned and commonly called "the stump farm.” The park’s grand opening was in April 1993.
The Rotary Club cleared brush from the half acre park, cut and installed landscaping timbers, volunteers staked planting beds, and brought in mulch. Native drought–tolerant plants and a compost fence now serve as a demonstration garden.
The City is planning to install a pedestrian bridge to enhance the safety of the people walking to and from the Sheridan Heights and Hamlin neighborhoods and Towne Centre. The City requested bids to complete the bridge. The City Council must approve the contracts before it is offered.
Community Conversation
If you are interested in hosting a neighborhood community conversation, please contact
communityconversations@cityoflfp.com
or call Sarah at 957-2804.
Save the Sound Every Day
A major source of Puget Sound pollution transfers from the streets, through the drains to our streams, then to Lake Washington and into the Puget Sound.
There are lots of things you can do every day to save the Sound:
- Pick up after your dog
- Wash your car in a commercial car wash
- Reduce or eliminate the amount of chemical fertilizer you use on your lawn and garden
- Make sure your car is in good mechanical condition and not leaking fluids
Click here for more information.
Environmental/Legacy Grant Program
Lake Forest Park’s environmental mini-grant program has been expanded to include projects that further the City’s 100-Year Legacy Vision. The program will reimburse property owners and community organizations 50% of expenses for Legacy and environmental improvement projects, up to $500 for individual property owners, and $1,500 for group projects. The program is jointly sponsored by the Environmental Quality Commission and the Community Service Commission. Information and application forms are available at City Hall and by clicking below.
Click here for program description.
Click here for application.
Draft Community Forest Management Plan
The City is continuing to work on a tree ordinance. To lay the groundwork for the future ordinance updates, and to provide a guide to manage the City’s forest resources, the Urban Forest Task Force (2009) has developed the Community Forest Management Plan. Residents are urged to read the final draft and comment on it:
Final Draft: Community forest management plan
Community forest management plan goals and policies
Comments can be made via US mail to the City’s Planning and Building Director, or by email to
sbennett@ci.lake-forest-park.wa.us
Traffic Safety Camera program
The school zone traffic safety cameras are operating Monday through Friday, 7:00 am to 9:30 am and 2:00 pm to 4:30 pm. A flashing light has been added to help drivers identify the hours of operation. The speed limit of 20 miles per hour is also in effect when children are present.
Payments may be made through the mail, at the Municipal Court or by placing payments in the secure payment box which is on the side wall of the City Hall building.
The traffic safety cameras have had an enormous impact on reducing the number of vehicles speeding in school zones.
Click here for an update and frequently asked questions
Click here for more information about the program.
Passport Services
 Need a passport?
You can get your passport, passport pictures and travel cards at Lake Forest Park City Hall passport services office. The passport office is open Monday – Friday 1 pm to 6 pm and Saturday 10 am to 3 pm.
Click here to be taken to the passport services page,
or call (206) 957-2834 for information.
Adopt a drain
Adopt-a-Drain: Help Keep Streets Clear of Leaves and Protect Against Flooding
Volunteers will receive a self standing yard bag while supply lasts.
Click here for more information on the program.
Click here for a copy of the agreement.
Maintaining public streets in difficult times
Starting September 1, 2009, all vehicles registered in Lake Forest Park will be required to pay a $20 fee.
The revenue from this fee will be used to maintain public streets in Lake Forest Park.
Click here for background material.
Click here for information about how these funds will be used.
Creating safe bike routes
Focus on Safety: The City is working on improving pedestrian, bicycle and automobile safety throughout the community.
The Council designated bike routes connecting the Burke-Gilman and the Interurban trails.
Click here for more information.
Click here for a link to the letter to nearby residents.
Click here for routes.
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.
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.
Click for more information.
Going on Vacation?
Click for House Watch Information.
Crime Watch is a free service provided by volunteers for the Lake Forest Park Police Department. |
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