Lake Forest Park introduces three funding resolutions: stormwater grant, Conservation Futures amendments and parks levy agreement

City staff introduced three financial resolutions at the Jan. 8 Lake Forest Park City Council meeting and the council agreed to place each on the consent calendar at the subsequent meeting by waiving the council’s "three-touch" rule.

Stormwater grant: City staff presented Resolution 26-2054 to authorize the mayor to sign a Washington State Department of Ecology 2025–2027 water quality stormwater capacity agreement. "This year's grant amount is a $120,000," the presenter said, adding the funds must be used for NPDES stormwater permit activities such as inspections, mapping and catch-basin work. Council discussed urgency tied to consultant invoices and staff capacity. The deputy mayor moved to waive the three-touch rule and place the resolution on the consent calendar; the motion passed by voice vote.

Conservation Futures interlocal amendments: Administrator Hill described two amendments to the interlocal cooperation agreement with King County Conservation Futures related to the city’s acquisition for the 5 Acre Woods Park expansion. The city purchased property for $1,600,000; Administrator Hill said the city was awarded $1,284,551 for acquisition reimbursement and $150,000 for future site stabilization, totaling $1,434,551 to be allocated to the city. Amendment 2 expands allowable uses to include site stabilization and establishes a 25% match requirement in some cases; Amendment 3 allocates the funds to the city. The deputy mayor moved to waive the three-touch rule for Resolution 26-2056 and place it on the consent calendar; the motion passed by voice vote. Administrator Hill said a two-week delay would not jeopardize the county contract.

King County parks levy agreement: Staff presented Resolution 26-2058 to authorize the mayor to sign the King County parks property tax levy agreement for 2026–2031. Staff explained that the recently approved county levy will increase annual distributions to cities and that Lake Forest Park’s share will be higher than before (staff cited roughly $260,000 annually as the current expectation). The deputy mayor moved to waive the three-touch rule and place the resolution on the consent calendar; that motion also passed by voice vote.

Votes at a glance

- Resolution 26-2054 (Ecology stormwater capacity grant, $120,000): Motion to waive three-touch and place on consent — approved by voice vote.
- Resolution 26-2056 (Conservation Futures ILA amendments; allocation ~$1,434,551): Motion to waive three-touch and place on consent — approved by voice vote.
- Resolution 26-2058 (King County parks levy agreement): Motion to waive three-touch and place on consent — approved by voice vote.

Each of the three items will return on the consent calendar at the council’s next regular meeting for formal adoption or execution.