[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6678060,"mediaKeyId","2156193-e92c83a05f6f62ed2c2a199759a3ffc0","parentId",2156193,"title","Votes at a glance: Lynnwood council actions on Jan. 27 — property purchase, appointments, budgets and ordinances","audioSeconds",14,"startMs",1252000,"endMs",1266000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2156193-e92c83a05f6f62ed2c2a199759a3ffc0&start=1252&end=1266","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2156193-e92c83a05f6f62ed2c2a199759a3ffc0/thumbnail_1252000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6678060/Lynnwood/Snohomish-County/Washington/Votes-at-a-glance-Lynnwood-council-actions-on-Jan-27-property-purchase-appointments-budgets-and-ordinances","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6678060-395eac68fade3609c2916bbe7d1bab16/orig.mp4?Expires=1771187261&Signature=avuKKXHILiXCnbPec8GisH3ipEKNaMkWF9cvh-5fijG3x4T-2MME2cFOUCfnkeQxt17XTgqhvhRZRmyVGeoB3OWrq1UjoX56XlO5StnpEy1mg~Rw4JT142~zgh0Y8cEyaR2cfoA0f9XeW0EHhFaJk0BL8G~Qjy9nhQu1Ooby0Ky2YY44RaVpo7DHK72tL43aT~lKg0aJkh5DkmKx68Oixlp5930TrQFgKJg2RKpLgwqD78qDLfUsN3RRnHeIoQPqdby2tt3ZKBzCR0DTUHSydjn0mAhuuMvcl9KSjrh~EPCJDfFPWweactcodNUJKJFGsXj~UQo6ijfmBZUKTU7qAw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Lynnwood","date","2025-01-27T00:00:00Z","article","At its Jan. 27 meeting the Lynnwood City Council recorded the following formal actions and outcomes. This summary lists motions, vote results and key details.

Roscoe property purchase (real estate)
- Action: Motion to authorize execution of a purchase and sale agreement for the Roscoe property located at 17014 Bertola Road.
- Mover: Council President Nick Coelho (requested by the mayor that the council president move the item).
- Second: Recorded as “Second.”
- Vote: Roll call produced six yes votes (Decker yes; Partial yes; Hurst yes; Quayle/Coelho yes; Escamilla yes; Bridal yes).
- Outcome: Approved (6–0).
- Notes: Item followed an executive session on potential litigation and a potential real estate transaction.

Confirmations and appointments
- Brian Pouch — Tourism Advisory Committee, position No. 8
- Motion: Move to confirm Brian Pouch.
- Mover: Council Member Decker.
- Second: Second recorded.
- Vote: Voice vote; approved by unanimous consent.
- Outcome: Confirmed.

Administrative calendar items
- Resolution 2025-2 — 2025 meeting schedule
- Motion: Adopt resolution to establish the 2025 meeting schedule (identified in meeting as Resolution 2025-2).
- Mover: Council Member Bridal.
- Vote: Roll call — unanimous (6–0).
- Outcome: Adopted.

- Mid-biennial budget review calendar
- Motion: Move to adopt the 2025 mid-biennial budget review calendar.
- Mover: Council Member Hurst.
- Vote: Voice vote; approved.
- Outcome: Adopted.

Consent agenda (unanimous consent)
- Voucher approval: Claims in the amount of $4,818,084.62 for the period Jan. 6, 2025 through Jan. 19, 2025.
- Approved payroll amounts: payroll of $100,068,6.6,885 (as listed) dated Dec. 27, 2024; and payroll of $1,000,814,.37.40 dated Jan. 10, 2025 (amounts recorded from consent-item text; format as provided in the agenda).
- Interlocal: Authorize mayor to enter updated interlocal agreement with South County Fire for city-supplied fleet mechanical services (Jan. 1, 2025–Dec. 31, 2027).
- Equipment/services: Elevator modernization services request approved (amount: included in agenda item), purchase of Psycor International Biological Sludge Deodorizing Agent for continued use at wastewater treatment plant approved.
- Event contract: Authorize mayor/designee to execute contracts with Lynnwood Event Center for State of the City address (Feb. 26, 2025) per interlocal agreement with Lynnwood Public Facilities District.
- Outcome: All consent items approved by unanimous consent.

Ordinances
- Ordinance 3476 — Step housing
- Motion: Approve Ordinance 3476 (step housing).
- Mover: Council member Benda (as recorded).
- Vote: 5 yes, 1 no (Decker no).
- Outcome: Adopted.

- Ordinance 3477 — 2024 comprehensive plan update (Imagine Lynnwood)
- Motion: Approve Ordinance 3477 adopting Imagine Lynnwood.
- Mover: Council member Hurst (as recorded).
- Vote: 5 yes, 1 no (Decker no).
- Outcome: Adopted.

How votes were recorded: Most contested items were decided by roll call. Several routine matters were adopted by unanimous consent or voice vote. Where roll-call tallies were recorded on the transcript, they are reproduced above.

Speakers and roles relevant to votes

- Nick Coelho — Council president (mover of Roscoe property purchase)
- Christine Frizzell — Mayor (made initial announcement about executive session and verification)
- Patrick Decker — Council member (recorded as voting No on two ordinances)
- Josh Bridal — Council vice president

Authorities

- {\"type\":\"other\",\"name\":\"Purchase and sale agreement (Roscoe property)\",\"citation\":\"17014 Bertola Road\",\"referenced_by\":[\"votes-at-a-glance-2025-01-27\"]}
- {\"type\":\"ordinance\",\"name\":\"Ordinance 3476\",\"citation\":\"Ordinance 3476 (step housing)\",\"referenced_by\":[\"votes-at-a-glance-2025-01-27\"]}
- {\"type\":\"ordinance\",\"name\":\"Ordinance 3477\",\"citation\":\"Ordinance 3477 (Imagine Lynnwood)\",\"referenced_by\":[\"votes-at-a-glance-2025-01-27\"]}
- {\"type\":\"resolution\",\"name\":\"Resolution 2025-2\",\"citation\":\"2025 meeting schedule\",\"referenced_by\":[\"votes-at-a-glance-2025-01-27\"]}

Provenance

Each action above is reflected in the meeting transcript; representative evidence spans (first and last mentions) are included below.

- Roscoe property purchase — topicintro: transcript block at s=1213.02 begins executive-session return and the mayor asks for a motion; topicfinish: roll-call vote lines at s=1260.995 with the tally \"6 yeses.\" (see transcript blocks).
- Ordinance 3476 — topicintro: motion introduced at s=4931.95; topicfinish: roll-call tally at s=5051.3804 showing \"5 yeses 1 no.\"
- Ordinance 3477 — topicintro: motion introduced at s=5070.955; topicfinish: roll-call tally at s=5206.6753 showing \"5 Yes is 1. No.\" (transcript formatting preserved).

Notes

- Where the transcript recorded ambiguous spellings (for example \"Linwood\" and \"Glenwood\" in places), this summary uses the standard local spelling \"Lynnwood.\"
- For items in the consent agenda, dollar amounts and contract descriptions are reported as they appeared in the agenda text read at the meeting; if precise contract amounts or vendor names are required, the city clerk’s official agenda packet should be consulted.

Speakers_list_for_votes:[{\"name\":\"Nick Coelho\",\"role_title\":\"Council President\"},{\"name\":\"Christine Frizzell\",\"role_title\":\"Mayor\"},{\"name\":\"Patrick Decker\",\"role_title\":\"Council Member\"},{\"name\":\"Josh Bridal\",\"role_title\":\"Council Vice President\"}],

searchable_tags:[\"votes\",\"ordinance\",\"Roscoe property\",\"consent_agenda\",\"Lynnwood\"]

provenance:{\"transcript_segments\":[{\"block_id\":\"1213.02\",\"local_start\":0,\"local_end\":150,\"evidence_excerpt\":\"And 1 of the items in executive session had to do with real estate, and I will ask for a motion from council president regarding that.\",\"reason_code\":\"topicintro\"},{\"block_id\":\"1260.995\",\"local_start\":0,\"local_end\":60,\"evidence_excerpt\":\"6 yeses. Thank you. All right. Moving on to item 9. Public comments and communications.\",\"reason_code\":\"topicfinish\"},{\"block_id\":\"4931.95\",\"local_start\":0,\"local_end\":514,\"evidence_excerpt\":\"I'd like to move to approve ordinance number 3476, an ordinance concerning step housing, providing for severability, establish an effective date and provide summary publication.\",\"reason_code\":\"topicintro\"},{\"block_id\":\"5051.3804\",\"local_start\":0,\"local_end\":90,\"evidence_excerpt\":\"5 yeses 1 no. Thank you very much. Motion passes by a vote of 5 to 1.\",\"reason_code\":\"topicfinish\"},{\"block_id\":\"5070.955\",\"local_start\":0,\"local_end\":620,\"evidence_excerpt\":\"I move to approve ordinance number 3477, an ordinance approving the 2024 comprehensive plan update as the Imagine Linwood plan, providing for severability, establishing effective date, and providing for summary publication.\",\"reason_code\":\"topicintro\"},{\"block_id\":\"5206.6753\",\"local_start\":0,\"local_end\":120,\"evidence_excerpt\":\"5 Yes is 1. No. Alright. Ordinance 20 24 passes with a vote of 5 to 1.\",\"reason_code\":\"topicfinish\"}]}

sections:{\"lede\":\"A summary of council votes and formal actions taken at the Jan. 27 Lynnwood City Council meeting.\",\"nut_graf\":\"The council approved a real-estate purchase, confirmed a committee appointment, adopted administrative calendars and passed two major ordinances; roll-call tallies are provided where recorded in the transcript.\",\"ending\":\"For exact contract amounts or ordinance texts, consult the city clerk’s official meeting packet and the city website.\"} ,","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Lynnwood - City Council Business Meeting - Jan 27, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","A summary of council votes and formal actions taken at the Jan. 27 Lynnwood City Council meeting.","taxTitle","Lynnwood, Snohomish County, Washington","taxId",58431,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6678069,"Mayor says Lynnwood address verified after local report alleging vice president lives outside city",2871,128000,2999000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2156193-e92c83a05f6f62ed2c2a199759a3ffc0&start=128&end=2999","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2156193-e92c83a05f6f62ed2c2a199759a3ffc0/thumbnail_128000.jpg","/articles/6678069/Lynnwood/Snohomish-County/Washington/Mayor-says-Lynnwood-address-verified-after-local-report-alleging-vice-president-lives-outside-city","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6678069-98b1bae613f05817b13af20fc138fc00/orig.mp4?Expires=1771187261&Signature=bBP72aLjAJ4MSgeAmm3U4tTyZDktwUtUO6wyxq21PUHgONQcaIZWe13xvGQJ8ooF8vgIZXHJ-onYdScUZEeYkXgBH0V1lH0KFRRN3nXGh8ApCKHber-DBGlmYfMOV9KYreyrNXu725ukGt08w7oJiHjQ~1wEyV47c7oj466CkSMv1YxzHCvWICv2eKg2O6LKBtzkAuAMA6RB3XacnLARlFBJFioGRTUtE70y4tgjei1nhvoZMTIwbtl7wzMokDkJTMGcPMxfYLuJhildUdM1gNNhEXsitffrN93JY2EgvWSgTc1TC~D9A52NpMWNc-zDa6d6q3oGSHzVFE~r14TLEQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Mayor Christine Frizzell told attendees at the Lynnwood City Council meeting on Jan. 27 that staff had met with Council Vice President Josh Bridal and verified the address he provided with the Snohomish County Elections and Voter Registration Office after a local news story raised questions about his residency.

The announcement came amid a string of public comments accusing Bridal of living outside Lynnwood, calling for resignations and criminal referrals, and asking the city to release whatever evidence it had. Several residents said they would pursue inquiries with the county auditor and state officials.

Why this matters: The city’s elected officials must meet residency requirements in state law and city rules; allegations that an elected member does not live in the jurisdiction can prompt legal reviews and affect votes already taken.

At the meeting several residents made direct allegations. A caller identifying himself as Dio said a Linwood Times investigation found Bridal had been evicted from a Lynnwood apartment and was living in South Everett; he said Bridal “may have violated state and federal elections laws.” Jason Moore, another resident, cited the same news report and urged Bridal to resign. Margaret Lotmore asked the mayor to release whatever evidence she had that confirmed Bridal’s residency.

Council members responded in different ways. Council President Nick Coelho said an emergency meeting of city leadership found what he believed was “a really big crazy misunderstanding” and that, to the best of his knowledge, Bridal resides in Lynnwood. He added that much of the material in the news article was “personal” and that Bridal alone can answer personal questions.

Council Member Patrick Decker pressed for formal proof and for the council to rely on documents state agencies accept as residency evidence. Decker read aloud a portion of state law on eligibility and described documents the state accepts for proof of residency, saying, “You have to have lived here for for an entire year without break in order to run for elected office or to hold elected office.” He listed examples the state accepts, including a concealed pistol license, homeowner insurance documentation, a utility bill, a property tax statement, mortgage documents or certain government-issued checks.

Bridal addressed the meeting briefly. He said he had filed for a protective order against Mario Lotmore and the owner of the Linwood Times and described the filing as a step to protect his family from what he called “dangerous and gross misinformation.” He said he would not “be getting into specifics of some things right now” and emphasized he intended to continue serving.

What the city said it had done: Frizzell said her staff met with Bridal, obtained the address he provided and verified it with the Snohomish County Elections and Voter Registration Office. The mayor also reminded the public that the council and mayor’s office are separate branches and that the city’s ability to discipline an elected council member is limited under state law and the Lynnwood Municipal Code.

Next steps and open questions: Some residents said they would pursue the matter with county and state election officials. Council members discussed revising ambiguous council rules and municipal code language to reduce future uncertainty about residency proof and other procedural matters. The council did not take a formal vote regarding Bridal’s status during the meeting.

Speakers

- Christine Frizzell — Mayor (government)
- Josh Bridal — Council vice president (government)
- Nick Coelho — Council president (government)
- Patrick Decker — Council member (government)
- George Hurst — Council member (government)
- Escamilla — Council member (government)
- Dio — Resident/public commenter (citizen)
- Jason Moore — Resident/public commenter (citizen)
- Margaret Lotmore — Resident/public commenter (citizen)

Authorities

- {\"type\":\"statute\",\"name\":\"RCW 42.30.240\",\"citation\":\"RCW 42.30.240\",\"referenced_by\":[\"residency-article\"]}
- {\"type\":\"statute\",\"name\":\"RCW 35A0.1203 (as read at meeting)\",\"citation\":\"RCW 35A0.1203\",\"referenced_by\":[\"residency-article\"]}
- {\"type\":\"other\",\"name\":\"Lynnwood Municipal Code\",\"citation\":\"LMC\",\"referenced_by\":[\"residency-article\"]}

Actions

[]

Discussion vs. decisions

- Discussion points: Public accusations that Vice President Bridal lives outside Lynnwood; requests for the city to release evidence; council debate about what counts as proof of residency and the limitations of state voter registration as proof.
- Direction/assignments: Council members described intentions to review and clarify council rules and the LMC; residents said they would contact county and state officials.
- Formal action: None taken at the meeting regarding Bridal’s office or status.

Clarifying details

- Mayor verified Bridal’s provided address with the Snohomish County Elections and Voter Registration Office (as stated by Mayor Frizzell).
- Documents state agencies accept as proof of Washington residency were listed by Council Member Decker: concealed weapons permit, homeowner insurance invoice, utility bill, property tax bill, mortgage documents, government-issued checks, ID with current address, or a filed deed/title.
- Bridal said he filed for a protective order against Mario Lotmore and the Linwood Times owner; the council did not take action on that filing.

Proper names

- {\"name\":\"Lynnwood\",\"type\":\"location\"}
- {\"name\":\"Snohomish County Elections and Voter Registration Office\",\"type\":\"agency\"}
- {\"name\":\"Linwood Times\",\"type\":\"media\"}
- {\"name\":\"Mario Lotmore\",\"type\":\"person\"}

Community relevance

- geographies: Lynnwood; South Everett (address cited by public commenters)
- impact_groups: voters in Lynnwood; residents concerned about council accountability
- funding_sources: not specified

Meeting context

- engagement_level: high — multiple public commenters on the issue and extended council discussion
- implementation_risk: low (no council action taken, issue may escalate to county/state review)
- history: topic arose after a local news article published the same day

searchable_tags:[\"residency\",\"elections\",\"ethics\",\"Lynnwood\",\"Bridal\"]

provenance:{\"transcript_segments\":[{\"block_id\":\"128.655\",\"local_start\":0,\"local_end\":417,\"evidence_excerpt\":\"Next on our agenda is, messages and papers from the mayor. And I gotta say that my my day and the day of some of my staff have been filled, enough today that I wanted to make a comment about, a news story in the local news source today that raised serious allegations regarding council member Bridal, focusing on his address and his voter registration status in the city of Lynnwood. After the story was published this morning, my team and I met with council member Benda where he provided his current address, which is in Lynnwood. We then verified that address with the Snohomish County Elections and Voter Registration Office.\",\"reason_code\":\"topicintro\"},{\"block_id\":\"2870.2852\",\"local_start\":0,\"local_end\":708,\"evidence_excerpt\":\"Yes. Thank you, mayor Frizzell. I just wanna say this. I think all of us up here on this dais are public servants who are here to represent our community, and this work I find is is incredibly important to me. I will not be getting into specifics of some things right now, but I will say that I have officially filed for protect this order against Mario Lotmore and the owner of the Linwood Times for the safety of myself and my family.\",\"reason_code\":\"topicfinish\"}]}

salience:{\"overall\":0.78,\"overall_justification\":\"Public accusations at a council meeting and a mayoral verification statement create immediate local news and possible legal follow-up.\",\"impact_scope\":\"local\",\"impact_scope_justification\":\"Allegations concern an elected Lynnwood official and local election integrity.\",\"attention_level\":\"high\",\"attention_level_justification\":\"Multiple public commenters demanded action and council members discussed rule changes.\",\"novelty\":0.6,\"novelty_justification\":\"A same-day local investigation prompted a council response; not a routine agenda item.\",\"timeliness_urgency\":0.8,\"timeliness_urgency_justification\":\"Residents indicated they would immediately pursue county/state review; council discussed near-term rule cleanup.\",\"legal_significance\":0.6,\"legal_significance_justification\":\"Residency affects eligibility for office and could prompt legal review by county/state agencies.\",\"budgetary_significance\":0.0,\"budgetary_significance_justification\":\"No budgetary impacts were raised.\",\"public_safety_risk\":0.0,\"public_safety_risk_justification\":\"No public safety issues linked.\",\"environmental_impact\":0.0,\"affected_population_estimate\":1000,\"affected_population_estimate_justification\":\"All registered voters and residents of Lynnwood could be affected by an eligibility finding; rough local estimate.\",\"affected_population_confidence\":0.3,\"affected_population_confidence_justification\":\"Estimate is broad and not calculated from meeting data.\",\"budget_total_usd\":0.0,\"budget_total_usd_justification\":\"Not applicable.\",\"decision_deadline\":\"not specified\",\"decision_deadline_justification\":\"No formal deadline given in the meeting.\",\"policy_stage\":\"unknown\",\"policy_stage_justification\":\"No formal council action; potential external legal review.\"},\"engagement_forecast\":{\"newsworthiness\":{\"national\":0.01,\"regional\":0.05,\"local\":0.9,\"justification\":\"Primarily local civic governance and elections issue.\"},\"notify_recommendation\":{\"audience\":\"city\",\"reason\":\"Local residents, city staff, and local press should be notified because the allegations concern a sitting council member and mayoral verification was stated.\",\"audience_regions\":[\"US-WA-LYN\"],\"justification\":\"Local impact and potential legal follow-up.\"},\"notify_thresholds\":{\"local_min\":0.3,\"regional_min\":0.6,\"national_min\":0.9},\"predicted_interest\":{\"national\":0.01,\"regional\":0.05,\"local\":0.85,\"justification\":\"High local interest.\"},\"predicted_click_through\":0.12,\"predicted_click_through_justification\":\"Local readership expected to click on verification details.\"},\"graph_signals\":{\"jurisdictions\":[\"US-WA-LYN\"],\"jurisdictions_justification\":\"Meeting of the Lynnwood City Council.\",\"ontology_topics\":[\"elections\",\"local_government\",\"ethics\"],\"ontology_topics_justification\":\"Residency, eligibility, council rules.\",\"entities\":[{\"id\":\"person:christine_frizzell\",\"name\":\"Christine Frizzell\",\"type\":\"person\"},{\"id\":\"person:josh_bridal\",\"name\":\"Josh Bridal\",\"type\":\"person\"}],\"entities_justification\":\"Named mayor and council vice president referenced in meeting.\"}},{ ","Mayor Christine Frizzell said the city verified Council Vice President Josh Bridal’s Lynnwood address with the Snohomish County Elections and Voter Registration Office after a local news report questioned his residency.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6678064,"Lynnwood council approves step-housing ordinance, adopts comprehensive plan update amid community concerns",3736,1444000,5180000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2156193-e92c83a05f6f62ed2c2a199759a3ffc0&start=1444&end=5180","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2156193-e92c83a05f6f62ed2c2a199759a3ffc0/thumbnail_1444000.jpg","/articles/6678064/Lynnwood/Snohomish-County/Washington/Lynnwood-council-approves-step-housing-ordinance-adopts-comprehensive-plan-update-amid-community-concerns","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6678064-8add745a6a7ad0012ea1008e28955b43/orig.mp4?Expires=1771187261&Signature=ndoYiZa7Ej3isd-WkClbNpAakh9gQv0UPInQTj3i9UUP1nbfMdlsKIlPX3zpQYbGbOP82enKzmufvCICMOgUTftQz8vkZ8--tRwgm-gNso6W3HDc0--Gwtws2VyV~Hq0sR1ShT~TGtm-GdKYRlCjhr2JcL~sdzcDApwaHmD5g3KBUB0t3Ly8zZiee8sA-qaQ831MQDxdpbmuD~JxiySM4pLAvcy5rud7BXVu0UBI~Nh9KVGp~8FrRM6moqjjCqQC20sPDAZdsLUcJGX~Mz2g9-JxAPtTcNqUYhxnrJM8fQg-emh4Kd3Z3UZGPxc0N1oHABrtbQCdeW5fAhS22OLiOw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Lynnwood City Council passed two housing-related measures on Jan. 27: Ordinance 3476, an update concerning step housing, and Ordinance 3477, adopting the 2024 comprehensive plan update titled Imagine Lynnwood. Both ordinances passed by 5-1, with Council Member Patrick Decker the lone vote against each.

Why this matters: The measures respond to state-driven planning mandates and will affect zoning, housing density and long-term development patterns in Lynnwood. Residents at the meeting urged the council to clarify local impacts including school overcrowding, neighborhood character and public safety.

Public concerns and comments: Carrie Wilson asked a series of questions about “step housing” (shelter, transitional and permanent housing), asking how the proposals would affect single-family property values, school overcrowding, public-safety response, utility capacity and enforcement of rules for residents of temporary housing. She asked where proposed locations would be and how recipients would be supported to regain housing stability.

Zach McCown, representing the Western States Regional Council of Carpenters, urged the council to address alleged worker exploitation and wage theft in local construction projects and criticized a news report and a $640,000 tax break for a development project. He asked the council to ensure Lynnwood jobs go to Lynnwood workers and to respond to wage-theft issues.

Council discussion: Several council members acknowledged residents’ concerns but framed the ordinances as responses to requirements from the state. Council Member Patrick Decker said he would vote no on the step-housing ordinance, arguing the state had removed local control and that voting no was a way to express the council’s objection to state mandates: “I am going to vote no. The state is requiring us to pass this ordinance.”

Council Member Decker and others said the city will still try to mitigate local impacts where legally possible. Council Member Escamilla said the city has a lobbyist and will continue to press legislators in Olympia for changes, and she described efforts to produce maps and materials to inform residents where changes may occur. Council Member George Hurst urged the council to explore project labor agreements and community workforce agreements to address wage theft and to require local hiring on city projects.

Votes and next steps: Ordinance 3476 (step housing) passed 5-1; Ordinance 3477 (Imagine Lynnwood comprehensive plan update) passed 5-1. Council members said the next technical step will be work on the development code (unified building code) and public outreach, including maps to show where changes could apply. Council members also cited ongoing state-level bills affecting local planning, and said they would continue advocacy in Olympia.

Speakers

- Christine Frizzell — Mayor (government)
- Patrick Decker — Council member (government)
- Escamilla — Council member (government)
- George Hurst — Council member (government)
- Zachary McCown — Representative, Western States Regional Council of Carpenters (business/union)
- Carrie Wilson — Resident (citizen)

Authorities

- {\"type\":\"ordinance\",\"name\":\"Ordinance 3476\",\"citation\":\"Ordinance 3476 (step housing)\",\"referenced_by\":[\"housing-comp-plan-step-housing-2025-01-27\"]}
- {\"type\":\"ordinance\",\"name\":\"Ordinance 3477\",\"citation\":\"Ordinance 3477 (2024 comprehensive plan — Imagine Lynnwood)\",\"referenced_by\":[\"housing-comp-plan-step-housing-2025-01-27\"]}
- {\"type\":\"statute\",\"name\":\"RCW (state planning mandates referenced)\",\"citation\":\"state planning mandates (as discussed)\",\"referenced_by\":[\"housing-comp-plan-step-housing-2025-01-27\"]}

Actions

- {\"kind\":\"ordinance_adoption\",\"identifiers\":{\"ordinance_number\":\"3476\"},\"motion\":\"Approve ordinance number 3476 concerning step housing, providing for severability, establish effective date, and provide summary publication.\",\"mover\":\"Council member Benda (as recorded)\",\"second\":\"unspecified\",\"vote_record\":[{\"member\":\"Escamilla\",\"vote\":\"yes\"},{\"member\":\"Decker\",\"vote\":\"no\"},{\"member\":\"Coelho\",\"vote\":\"yes\"},{\"member\":\"Hurst\",\"vote\":\"yes\"},{\"member\":\"Partial\",\"vote\":\"yes\"},{\"member\":\"Bridal\",\"vote\":\"yes\"}],\"tally\":{\"yes\":5,\"no\":1,\"abstain\":0},\"outcome\":\"approved\",\"legal_threshold\":{\"met\":true,\"notes\":\"Majority vote recorded; ordinance passed 5–1.\"},\"notes\":\"Council recorded objections about state mandates; Decker voted no to signal opposition.\"}

- {\"kind\":\"ordinance_adoption\",\"identifiers\":{\"ordinance_number\":\"3477\"},\"motion\":\"Approve ordinance number 3477, approving the 2024 comprehensive plan update (Imagine Lynnwood), providing for severability, establishing effective date and providing for summary publication.\",\"mover\":\"Council member Hurst (as recorded)\",\"second\":\"unspecified\",\"vote_record\":[{\"member\":\"Bridal\",\"vote\":\"yes\"},{\"member\":\"Partial\",\"vote\":\"yes\"},{\"member\":\"Coelho\",\"vote\":\"yes\"},{\"member\":\"Escamilla\",\"vote\":\"yes\"},{\"member\":\"Hurst\",\"vote\":\"yes\"},{\"member\":\"Decker\",\"vote\":\"no\"}],\"tally\":{\"yes\":5,\"no\":1,\"abstain\":0},\"outcome\":\"approved\",\"legal_threshold\":{\"met\":true,\"notes\":\"Majority vote recorded; ordinance passed 5–1.\"},\"notes\":\"Council will proceed next to development-code updates.\"}

Discussion_decision

- Discussion points: Public concern about step housing impacts on neighborhoods, schools, utilities and public safety; union concerns about wage theft and contractor practices.
- Directions: Staff to continue outreach, prepare more detailed maps, and pursue code-level changes where legally permitted; council to continue advocacy with state legislators.
- Decisions: Passage of Ordinance 3476 and Ordinance 3477, each by 5–1.

Clarifying details

- Ordinance 3476 (step housing) passed 5–1; Decker voted no.
- Ordinance 3477 (Imagine Lynnwood comprehensive plan update) passed 5–1; Decker voted no.
- Public comments requested specifics on number and locations of step-housing sites; the council asked staff to return with maps and implementation details.
- Union representative Zach McCown said the carpenters union represents several hundred members in Lynnwood and urged action on wage theft and local-hire policies.

Proper names

- {\"name\":\"Lynnwood\",\"type\":\"location\"}
- {\"name\":\"Western States Regional Council of Carpenters\",\"type\":\"organization\"}
- {\"name\":\"Imagine Lynnwood\",\"type\":\"program\"}

Community relevance

- geographies:[\"Lynnwood\"],\"funding_sources\":[\"not specified\"],\"impact_groups\":[\"single-family homeowners\",\"residents near planned housing changes\",\"construction workers\"]}

Meeting context

- engagement_level:{\"speakers_count\":8,\"duration_minutes\":60,\"items_count\":3},\"implementation_risk\":\"medium\",\"history\":[{\"date\":\"2024-05-20\",\"note\":\"Comprehensive plan materials previously discussed; public commenters referenced past work session.\"}]}

searchable_tags:[\"step housing\",\"comprehensive plan\",\"Imagine Lynnwood\",\"zoning\",\"wage theft\",\"local_hire\"],

provenance:{\"transcript_segments\":[{\"block_id\":\"1444.11\",\"local_start\":0,\"local_end\":920,\"evidence_excerpt\":\"Okay. I'll try and do this as fast as possible. There may be questions. The step housing, the shelter transition emergency, and permanent housing that has been introduced to the Lynwood. I've got some questions. The impact of the step housing on the residential networks, will it reduce the value of the current home values, especially single family residents? Secondary, what rules, what stipulations would be placed on recipients of the step housing? And how will this affect the overcrowding in the schools?\",\"reason_code\":\"topicintro\"},{\"block_id\":\"4931.95\",\"local_start\":0,\"local_end\":514,\"evidence_excerpt\":\"Ordinance 3476. I'd like to move to approve ordinance number 3476, an ordinance concerning step housing, providing for severability, establish an effective date and provide summary publication.\",\"reason_code\":\"topicfinish\"}]}

sections:{\"lede\":\"The Lynnwood City Council on Jan. 27 approved two major housing measures: Ordinance 3476 (step housing) and Ordinance 3477 (Imagine Lynnwood comprehensive plan update); each passed 5–1.\",\"nut_graf\":\"Residents raised questions about neighborhood character, school overcrowding, utility and public-safety impacts and about contractor wage theft. Council members said state mandates constrained local authority but pledged mapping, outreach and code-level work to mitigate local effects.\",\"ending\":\"Council members said they will pursue further technical work on the development code and continue advocacy with state legislators; staff will return with maps and implementation details.\"} ,","The Lynnwood City Council on Jan. 27 approved Ordinance 3476 (step housing) and Ordinance 3477 (Imagine Lynnwood comprehensive plan update), each by 5-1 votes, while residents raised questions about impacts on neighborhood character, schools, public safety and contractor wage theft.","actionData","errors"]

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