[{"_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",6212215,"mediaKeyId","3685852-311123e3e176f243e80e63eea2fd83bd","parentId",3685852,"title","Three candidates interviewed to fill Lake Forest Park council vacancy; budget and housing dominated answers","audioSeconds",2860,"startMs",156000,"endMs",3016000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3685852-311123e3e176f243e80e63eea2fd83bd&start=156&end=3016","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3685852-311123e3e176f243e80e63eea2fd83bd/thumbnail_156000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6212215/Lake-Forest-Park/King-County/Washington/Three-candidates-interviewed-to-fill-Lake-Forest-Park-council-vacancy-budget-and-housing-dominated-answers","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6212215-ca0193da87af8f8766927d00df87b184/orig.mp4?Expires=1771165137&Signature=JFSMZ0-1XG01ZvVxUyj9vvg2ThzKfxYFvKOP6Mu6FXozIKFsAPbOoeIXQrhUu~1sHB~aN8yQxu9jvv2IxoKgLOoOJSLWlgb1gcPlx9oAM~OMzHL6T2NzkUbF~z-sNzwX03yrGf45BsfRUEa6Cp9NbCuR7WTaa7pEO5QHXS5PdlZeFfJlGQVvGFFiepg8E4YdM00yDj3mjczM2kR1p25p0dKq0SG8JZ~ligWFY~92L0JCJdcqoNeym916Ph~F6nJDA5f0nxaZ3nXibmdolI6SCQ4mGer-CgZfBYgpac4QNe-fjpIsVBGGbqOccC4IPFG5PoCNrmnLyf7D7FDpdzStfw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Lake Forest Park, WA","date","2025-06-06T08:39:44.07Z","article","The City of Lake Forest Park on Wednesday interviewed three finalists to fill a city council vacancy, with candidates focusing their remarks on a projected general-fund shortfall, ways to comply with Washington's House Bill 1110 for middle housing, and public-safety funding.

The interviews opened with Andrew Weber Samboralo, who said he has lived in Lake Forest Park for 15 years and described his professional background in science, engineering and business. \"I care deeply about the health, the growth, and sustainability of the community we live in,\" he said, and urged a mix of revenue and cost-control measures to address the city's finances, including negotiating contracts and exploring targeted fee or utility changes.

Sam (candidate) said the budget shortfall was the city's most critical issue and repeatedly emphasized seeking \"more money,\" while urging the council to avoid staff layoffs where possible. \"We need to find more money,\" he said, adding that he would consider a public-safety levy and incentives to increase housing density to expand the tax base.

Sebastian Quesada said he would prioritize stability and transparency, proposing a public-facing dashboard of city finances and continued emphasis on police and environmental protections. \"I fell in love with this community,\" he said, and described experiences building an accessory dwelling unit (ADU) that informed his view that streamlined permitting and clearer communication could accelerate housing production.

Nut graf: The three candidates were asked the same set of council-prepared questions; answers repeatedly returned to two looming deadlines for the city: addressing a projected $1.6 million shortfall for the 2027''28 biennium and meeting state-mandated middle-housing code changes under HB 1110. Each candidate emphasized preserving essential services while pursuing a mix of revenue, contractual renegotiations and incentives for additional housing.

On the budget, candidates cited earlier council steps including use of unallocated fund balance and utility-tax changes. Weber supported exploring additional targeted fee increases and contract renegotiation; Sam suggested new levies or increased density to expand revenue; Quesada favored continued auditing, priority-setting and pursuing grants before raising taxes.

On housing, candidates converged on accelerating ADUs and streamlining permitting as near-term tools. Weber specifically cited incentives in HB 1110 that allow cities to permit more units on a lot when some are income-restricted; Quesada and Sam urged preapproved plans or reduced permit friction to lower development costs. Candidates noted limits in Lake Forest Park because much land is privately held and the city does not own the town center.

Public safety and vehicle/dispatch costs came up across interviews. Weber pointed to rising detention and 911 dispatch contract costs and suggested renegotiation or cost-sharing; Sam proposed a public-safety levy if voters support it; Quesada said he would not cut essential police services and would prioritize capital spending reviews.

Following the candidate interviews, the council moved into an executive session to review candidates' qualifications under the state open-meetings law (RCW 42.30.110). The meeting then returned to public session for other agenda items.

Ending: The council did not make a public appointment at the June 4 special meeting; instead members recessed to executive session to evaluate candidates. The vacancy-selection process will continue under council procedures and applicable state law.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","June 4, 2025 City Council Special Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","The City of Lake Forest Park on Wednesday interviewed three finalists to fill a city council vacancy, with candidates focusing their remarks on a projected general-fund shortfall, ways to comply with Washington's House Bill 1110 for middle housing, and public-safety funding.","taxTitle","Lake Forest Park, King County, Washington","taxId",71686,"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},6212205,"Council elects Council Member Goldman unanimously as vice chair",114,5391000,5505000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3685852-311123e3e176f243e80e63eea2fd83bd&start=5391&end=5505","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3685852-311123e3e176f243e80e63eea2fd83bd/thumbnail_5391000.jpg","/articles/6212205/Lake-Forest-Park/King-County/Washington/Council-elects-Council-Member-Goldman-unanimously-as-vice-chair","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6212205-eb25489df4b574618542ca1ad926990a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771165137&Signature=dxf1rRrMocNwd9grj-PG7GODIlpXEg7Xd0YE1q6aSe~dujHSNVmesoh-JJYNNob4d1eIcnkFd9cJL5jyQDQ1mfOBWwF2Yo2W4qYs655MTcDW70C3zu83VxRgPWNl5Sv9bIC5wRsba2-Z4QfMaAdFtoKMX4EcI-QXFphXT6LmwtWzbrIFfH9LXzw2H2jScWxOXx2wBGKE3CdfBZ0dvwzL041DnsDOSEX0agRsGAGAfsKrjhee6j3N-FBiGBqd2~lmZ70dXHn3yWfF1iTiXFii7qyeo7s4RH~y6IaNihtbdAz8iZWZDkng18BReMLE7t4iaaHtMXagC0hTVBTnSdPdRA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Lake Forest Park City Council unanimously elected Council Member Goldman as council vice chair on Wednesday after a nomination from Council Member Riddle.

Riddle said the council should present a \"united front\" as it prepares to take up middle-housing work and nominated Goldman to help lead that effort. Goldman accepted the nomination and the council voted in favor; meeting minutes record the selection as unanimous.

Nut graf: Council members cited the busy calendar, including imminent code work on middle housing, as a reason to ensure continuity of leadership and to have an available presiding member should a colleague be absent.

Council discussed practical scheduling reasons for designating a vice chair; several members praised Goldman's prior service and his willingness to step in for the mayor when necessary. The council then adjourned the special meeting.

Ending: The vice-chair selection was the last substantive public action taken at the special meeting. The council's choice will be reflected in internal rosters and assist with continuity as the body proceeds to address budget and housing matters in coming weeks.","At its June 4 special meeting the Lake Forest Park City Council nominated and unanimously elected Council Member Goldman to serve as council vice chair; the vote followed a brief nomination period and remarks supporting cohesion ahead of upcoming middle-housing deliberations.",{"_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},6212210,"City attorney outlines mayor's tie-breaking authority under state law",288,4690000,4978000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3685852-311123e3e176f243e80e63eea2fd83bd&start=4690&end=4978","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3685852-311123e3e176f243e80e63eea2fd83bd/thumbnail_4690000.jpg","/articles/6212210/Lake-Forest-Park/King-County/Washington/City-attorney-outlines-mayors-tie-breaking-authority-under-state-law","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6212210-ba0787f8f5d739b619198e827f7519e8/orig.mp4?Expires=1771165137&Signature=QecjsDkygHGQr0xjHJXuFsPiIGIas2fjHw0qZz8mTdjMn3OctN-pl4g9jlnSCqxpb~bP~L93H8CDyWKwmM83GghuZG~zgX1fh2piF5vm-3gK~MFLoAuWoLYeOoZrpmPXHTSuJPwG2WH7TrS-WpcTmncGXG5Z3DS~~oGSAMk1Bd9hhcrHN4II0SrqWDSwPeq~S6OvqqZPXbchOfZZe5cP6UcSa4P6-J87k2uD~ZB-AaZdx0ugXgWif4Djclaf4~QPf8vsDgi9w6gt4fvXyLI1oneNHjBUsVavnUe5yf42ECCQtBSaC1jj4B35DJNbQaoyNts0xqcxdAlabRs9M0PUbA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City Attorney Miss Pratt briefed the Lake Forest Park City Council on Wednesday about the mayor's authority to cast a tie-breaking vote under state law and how that authority interacts with the council's governance manual.

\"The gov manual does say in the event of a tie, the motion is lost,\" Miss Pratt told the council, but she added that RCW 36A.12.100 grants the mayor tie-breaking authority in most instances except for certain actions such as ordinances, franchises and payments of money. Pratt reviewed the statute and said that appointments to fill council vacancies and the selection of a vice chair are among items where, under the RCW, the mayor may break a tie.

Nut graf: The legal overview was presented to clarify procedure for votes when the council has an even number of seated members; council members noted the guidance matters while the body is completing a temporary vacancy and suggested updating the internal governance manual to avoid future confusion.

Council members asked whether the governance manual should be revised to align more closely with state law. Pratt said that aligning the manual with the RCW would be appropriate and that larger changes could be addressed in the manual's next review.

Ending: Council took no immediate policy action based on the memo; members moved on to the vice-chair nomination after the briefing. The briefing was intended to inform future votes while the council has six seated members.","City attorney reviewed RCW provisions on June 4 and told the Lake Forest Park council when the mayor may vote to break ties; councilmembers suggested updating the governance manual to align with state code.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Three candidates interviewed to fill Lake Forest Park council vacancy; budget and housing dominated answers

Council elects Council Member Goldman unanimously as vice chair

City attorney outlines mayor's tie-breaking authority under state law