LYNNWOOD, Wash., August 10, 2022 – Lynnwood City Council authorized a bond issuance for the Community Justice Center and Town Square Park, adopted a Clean Streets ordinance, and approved Convention Center usage dates at its Business Meeting Monday, August 8.

Before these business items were discussed agenda minutes were unanimously approved for the July 20, July 25, August 1 meetings. All council members were present for the meeting except for Councilwoman Shannon Sessions.

After Councilman Patrick Decker briefly read a proclamation affirming September 5 as Labor Day in the City of Lynnwood, Michelle Meyer, Finance Director, led council through a presentation spotlighting Lynnwood’s Finance Department. Some of the Department’s 2021 to 2022 achievements were issuing the biggest bond in the city’s history last year, completing the 2020 and 2021 Financial Statements completed on time, wrapped up their 2020 Audit, updated monthly sales tax report, updated utility billing payment plan options, updated its strategic plan and filled multiple vacancies.

Myer returned to council, along with Lori Charles, HR Manager, later in the meeting to brief council on Collective Bargaining labor negations during a closed session.

Ordinance Authorizing 2022 Bond Issuance

Councilman Joshua Binda moved to adopt ordinance 3423 amending ordinance 3407 allowing for the refunding of a 2012 bond issuing additional funds for the Community Justice Center. Binda’s motion was seconded by Councilwoman Shirley Sutton.

The new ordinance, as prepared by the City’s Bond Counsel, sets the parameters for the 2022 LTGO bond issuance to refund the 2012 LTGO Bonds, issues an additional $8.9 million towards the construction of the CJC, and issues an additional $4 million for the property acquisition of the future Town Square Park.

On June 24, 2021, the City issued LTGO Bonds to fund construction of the Community Justice Center (CJC) in accordance with the parameters established in Bond Authorizing Ordinance No. 3387 adopted on March 22, 2021. Due to supply chain and material cost impacts resulting from the ongoing pandemic, construction bids for the CJC were higher than anticipated. Council approved the construction contract on September 13, 2021, with the understanding that additional bond financing would need to be issued for the project in conjunction with the anticipated 2022 refunding issuance.

Bond Authorizing Ordinance 3407 was adopted on December 13, 2021, to allow for the refunding of the 2012 bond and issue additional funds for the CJC.

Despite Councilman Binda bringing forth the motion for adoption, he chose to abstain from voting with all other council members voting in favor allowing it to pass.

Ordinance: Complete Streets

Council Vice President Jim Smith then moved to adopt an ordinance related to Lynnwood’s Complete Streets, which allows for the development of improved walking and biking conditions; supports developing a safer, more efficient transportation system; and provides safer access to schools and parks in Lynnwood. Smith’s motion was seconded by Councilwoman Julieta Altamirano-Crosby and passed unanimously.

Lynnwood Convention Center Use Day Approvals

Staff opened a call for requests for convention center use days receiving eight applications. Four of those applications meet the intention of use days and have event days which are available for use at the convention center.

A review of the applications, discussions with applicants, and coordination with the Convention Center for availability, results in a staff recommendation to seek Council authorization to approve the following Convention Center Use Day Requests:

• WAGRO Day of the Dead Celebration, 10/29/22, 8 hours, full day
• Pacifica Chamber Orchestra Classical Music for All, 1/21/23, 1 hour, half day
• International Women’s Day Break the Bias, 3/4/23, 4 hours, full day
• Verdant Community Verdant Cares, 11/5/22, 3 hours, half day

The council’s vote to authorizes the Mayor or her designee to approve, coordinate, and execute contracts with the Lynnwood Convention Center utilizing the City’s LCC Use Days provided for in the interlocal agreement with the Lynnwood Public Facilities District for the aforementioned events.

Council Vice President Smith moved to approve each usage separately. WAGRO’s Day of the Dead Celebration was seconded by Councilman Patrick Decker and passed with all council members voting in favor except Councilwoman Altamirano-Crosby who abstained, Verdant Community Verdant Cares was seconded by Councilwoman Altamirano-Crosby and passed unanimously, and Pacifica Chamber Orchestra was also passed unanimously.

The International Women’s Day Break the Bias event, however, Smith motioned to postpone until council’s Work Session September 6 to allow more time to better understand what the event will encompass. After Smith’s motion passed unanimously, he then motioned to reserve the date of March 4 for the event in order to avoid the organization missing out on the potential date. This motion was also passed unanimously.

Consent Agenda

Council also unanimously approved the following consent agenda items:

• Claims in the amount of $3,056,583.15 for the period July 18, 2022, through July 31, 2022, and approved payroll in the amount of $1,305,096.19 dated July 29, 2022
• Approved a limit increase for contract 3463 for the provisions of legal services related to EPA compliance issues at the Waste Water Treatment Plant in an amount not to exceed $340.351
• Grant final acceptance of the work performed under the contract for 48th Avenue Sewer Main and 200th Street Water Main Improvements project, subject to appropriate State and Federal agencies and ultimately release of retainage to the Contractor. The total final payment of the contract is $909.636.48 which was previously awarded to Kamis Construction, Inc. on August 10, 2020.

Executive Session

Under RCW 42.30.110, the council concluded their meeting by receiving a briefing on potential litigation. Inside sources have confirmed with the Lynnwood Times that this is in relation to the May 10, 2022, investigation of a council member but did not disclose any details of the meeting.