LYNNWOOD, Wash., August 14, 2023—The Lynnwood City Council approved eight community projects utilizing $668,130 of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds at its Business Meeting on August 14. The council will further discuss and allocate the remaining $144,177 of ARPA funds at its September 5 meeting — the council is in summer recess until September.
Several members of the Edmonds School District staff and Board attended the meeting advocating for the Lynnwood Human Service Commission’s School Based Clinicians program. Councilman Hurst heavily lobbied for the program for months and clarified with councilmembers that his School Based Clinicians program ARPA funds request is not a referendum on the Edmonds School District’s budget.
“Do not conflate it with your concerns over the budget with the Edmonds School District,” Hurst explained passionately. “They are not providing the staff, the funds are not going to the Edmonds School District, this is simply something for the kids that attend schools in Lynnwood.”
The projects approved are the following:
- Edmonds School District: School Based Clinicians, $199,657
- Project Description: Approve funding from ARPA to provide two full-time master level mental and behavioral health clinicians in Meadowdale High School, Meadowdale Middle School, Meadowdale Elementary School and Lynndale Elementary School under the supervision of the Center for Human Services.
- Motion by Councilman Joshua Binda, seconded by Councilman George Hurst and approved 5-2 with Councilmembers Jim Smith and Patrick Decker dissenting. As an explanation for their vote, Councilman Decker shared that he would prefer the monies be used to bring back drama and music programs; whereas Councilman Smith had reservations that the School Based Clinicians program restricts parental involvement.
- Keep Dreams Alive Foundation: Housing Academy, up to $6,000
- Project Description: Provide six 120-minute presentations on foundational information for up to 50 families to better understand procedures, responsibilities and obligations about rental housing as well as obtain knowledge about local community resources.
- Motion by Councilman Hurst, seconded by Council Vice President Julieta Altamirano-Crosby and approved unanimously.
- Lynnwood Police Community Health and Safety Flex Fund, $25,000
- Project Description: Crisis management funds for those needing emergency hotel stays, access to treatment, etc.
- Motion by Councilman Smith, seconded by Councilman Decker to raise the allocation from $20,000 to $25,000. The motion was approved 6-0-1 with Councilman Binda abstaining.
- The main motion to approve the funding was made by Councilman Decker, seconded by Council President Shannon Sessions and approved 6-0-1 with Councilman Binda abstaining.
- Evergreen Recovery Centers: Hire 2 Additional Nurses, $252,720
- Motion by Councilman Smith, seconded by Councilman Decker and approved unanimously.
- ACCESS Project, $79,469
- Project Description: Provide intervention and referral services to at-risk youth in the community to address underlying mental health needs and prevent violence and self-harm.
- Motion by Council President Sessions, seconded by Council Vice President Altamirano-Crosby and approved unanimously.
- Foundation for Edmonds School District: On the Job Training Program, $43,784
- Project Description: Foundation for Edmonds School District’s on the Job Training program, in partnership with the Edmonds School District’s Career Connected Learning Program to in support high schoolers become job ready.
- Motion by Council President Sessions, seconded by Council Vice President Altamirano-Crosby and approved unanimously.
- Homage Senior Services: Food, $3,000
- Project Description: To assist in relieving some of the food insecurity from the reduction of food benefit in March.
- Motion by Councilwoman Shirley Sutton, seconded by Council President Sessions and approved unanimously.
- Clothes for Kids: Clothing, $58,500
- Motion by Council Vice President Altamirano-Crosby, seconded by Councilman Decker and approved unanimously.
APPROVED CONSENT AGENDA
- Voucher Approval
- Interlocal Agreement: Renewal with Snohomish County for Solid Waste Management
- Contract: Value Engineering Review of Lynnwood WWTP Facility Plan
- Contract Supplement: 42nd Ave W Design
- Contract: With Snohomish County PUD for Poplar Way Bridge
OTHER BUSINESS ITEMS
- Councilman Decker read a proclamation in honor of Labor Day.
Author: Mario Lotmore
