LYNNWOOD— City of Lynnwood Council authorized the Mayor to sign an agreement with Sound Transit to bring a farmer’s market to City Center station Monday, November 10 – the first steps of many towards opening a farm-to-table food option for Lynnwood residents.
The City of Lynnwood has been in discussions to establish a permanent, sustainable Farmers Market in Lynnwood for several years. After the success of the August 30, 2024, Sound Transit Link light rail station grand opening, the City Center site emerged as an ideal location due to its accessibility to public transit, ample parking, and connections to other transportation networks – such as Community Transit lines.
The City of Lynnwood began discussions with Sound Transit representatives in September 2024, on the feasibility of opening a farmers’ market on this site. These conversations, according to the city, were met with high levels of enthusiasm and community support.
Following months of site planning, Sound Transit proposed allowing the use of the property at no charge in exchange for sponsorship recognition. This agreement would include access to station space for up to ten months per year, discounted advertising on trains and stations, and flexibility to host special events such as food truck areas and live performances.
To move forward, however, Sound Transit is requiring a refundable $5,000 security deposit to initiate the formal site agreement and advance planning. Establishing this market is expected to generate economic activity, support local vendors, and enhance community engagement as Lynnwood’s new downtown continues to develop around the light rail station.
Lynnwood City Council members Derica Escamilla, Robert Leutwyler, Patrick Decker, and George Hurst all voluntarily opted to reduce their travel spending so the city could use these saved funds for the Sound Transit-required deposit.
“All of your optimism over this project is helping us further discussions with Sound Transit and demonstrating to them that, despite challenges, we are committed to finding a way to yes,” said Lynnwood City Council President Nick Coelho.
Coelho continued that approving the authorization of the agreement with Sound Transit is the first step of a long process and there is still “a lot of ground to cover.”
The agreement has not yet been drafted – as pointed out by both Mayor Frizzell and Council member Decker who expressed concerns about approving something that has not yet been drafted and, by extension, not having something in writing that can be reviewed.
Despite these concerns, the City Council approved the authorization.
New Business – continuing the discussion of Flock Cameras and pausing the contract
During New Business, at the end of the meeting, Councilwoman Derica Escamilla moved to immediately terminate the use of ALPR flock cameras – amid public privacy concerns – effective immediately. Specifically, the motion was an amendment to an existing motion (to pause the ALPR camera contract) though several City Council members, as well as City Attorney Lisa Marshall, noted the motion was “out of order” seeing as it changed the fundamental nature of the motion on the table.
Councilwoman Escamilla, at first saying she “doesn’t trust Robert’s Rules” eventually withdrew her motion. The original motion passed unanimously – effectively pausing the use of flock cameras until the first quarter of 2026 – and at that point Escamilla returned her motion to “terminate” the contract altogether, seconded by Council President Nick Coelho.
Councilman Patrick Decker asked Councilwoman Escamilla if she had looked into the financial liability, and legal liability, of breaking its contract with Flock. Escamilla replied there is “always a risk” with contracts, admitting she did not know the precise terms of the contract. She still defended her motion saying the “risk is greater” to the community.
Councilman Decker proposed the city use the pause of the usage of Flock cameras to conduct further research on potential financial and legal repercussions of breaching its contract.
Escamilla’s motion failed with Escamilla being the only in favor vote.
Public hearing; biennium budget review, property tax levy, Comp plan amendments, and CFP
During the public hearing portion of the meeting, prior to its Business Items, Lynnwood’s Finance Director Michelle Myer met with council regarding a state-mandated biennium budget review which included potential budget amendments.
Myer had no formal presentation but was present to answer any questions the council, or public, may have. The entire list of budget amendments can be found here. Aside from a few public comments from Lynnwood City Council frequenters Elizabeth Lundsford, Ted Hickel, and Jason Moore, council had no comments.
At previous meetings, council members explored a variety of options to close the roughly $10 million budget deficit gap, including raising utility taxes, increasing vehicle-tab fees, adjusting business licenses or other service fees. While no final decisions were made at this meeting, the conversation underscored the urgency of the fiscal situation.
The council also held a Public Hearing on its property tax levy ahead of council needing to take action at its upcoming November 24 meeting. Also a state requirement, cities who impose a property tax levy are required to certify their levy for the following year by the end of November.
Lynnwood’s property tax levy is set at $0.67/per $1,000 of assessed property value on average which amounts to about $7.2 million for the city, $424 annually or $35 a month for the average homeowner.
The City of Lynnwood also has approximately $3.85 million in banked capacity.
Again, council is set to deliberate further on this issue in a couple of weeks so had little to say other than open the floor to public comments.
During these comments from the public comments, Lynnwood resident Ted Hickel urged the Council to refrain from immediately drawing on the full banked capacity, warning of disproportionate impact on homeowners and renters alike.
Karl Almgram, Community Planning Manager for the City of Lynnwood, then held a brief presentation on proposed amendments to the city’s comprehensive plan.
The proposed amendment list only had two proposed amendments, both proposed by city staff. The first amendment was a miscellaneous amendment from the Planning Division which include small language changes relating to the City Center and Alderwood subarea plan, and the second was revisions to the project list of both the Capital Facilities Plan (CFP) and Transportation Improvement Plan (TIP).
Lastly, council held a Public Hearing on both the CFP and TIP and the adopting of an ordinance that can be read here. Council had no comments.
Other Notable Actions
The Council also approved an interview and appointment to the History and Heritage Board, welcoming applicant Linda Finkle, introduced an ordinance updating miscellaneous City codes for 2025, and reviewed its 2026 legislative priorities and policy statements.
Author: Kienan Briscoe
