City Council passes motion to create ad hoc housing task force

By LUKE PUTVIN | Last Updated October 31, 2019

After previous discussion at the council business meeting on October 14 and the work session on October 21, the Lynnwood City Council passed the motion to create an ad hoc housing task force on October 28. The motion passed 4-2 with Council President Benjamin Goodwin and Council Vice President Frizzell as the dissenting votes. Councilmember Ruth Ross was not present for the vote.

The purpose of the ad hoc housing task group will be to create a draft for a Displaced Low-Income Tenant Ordinance, allowed by RCW 59.18.440. This ordinance, if passed, could potentially provide assistance with moving costs, security deposits, utility connection fees and other advance payments.

The motion passed after the council amended an amendment to the original motion that stated the meetings of the housing task force be subject to the Public Meetings Act and allow public comment. The amendment to this removed the allowance of public comment for the reason of then needing to record the meeting and other rules. This amendment passed 5-1 with Frizzell as the dissenting vote.

“Bellevue also has a similar ordinance, I’ve spoken to their people, and in 22 years they’ve never used that ordinance,” Frizzell said. “…We need to have something that was not created in 1992, which the RCW was; we need to do something that is relevant for today.”

“I’m in full support of [this motion]; I think we can do it, and I think we should,” Councilmember Ian Cotton said.

Also at the business meeting, Councilmember Shannon Sessions read the Veterans Day proclamation. Sessions also reminded individuals of the Lynnwood Convention Center’s Veterans Appreciation Dinner on Sunday, November 10. A complimentary dinner is provided to local veterans and one guest, but individuals must RSVP by Tuesday, November 5. For more information, visit www.lynnwoodcc.com/p/about/veterans-appreciation-dinner.