The Lake Forest Park City Council unanimously approved multiple measures at its recent meeting, including a $2,000,000 Public Works Board loan for the Meridian/roundabout construction phase, an amendment to the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board membership, a three-year collective bargaining agreement with the Lake Forest Park Police Guild and a resolution affirming support for transgender residents.

The actions came during a meeting that also included presentations and proclamations, a re-introduction and discussion of proposed revisions to the city sign code, and community recognitions for long-serving Crime Watch volunteers.

Council adopted the Public Works Board construction funding agreement authorizing the mayor to sign a 20-year loan for $2,000,000 at an interest rate reported in staff materials as about 1.71 percent. Katie Phillips, a city public-works staff member who presented the package, said the Public Works loan “completes the whole funding portfolio” for the roundabout; staff described the full project budget as just over $7 million and said the loan must be executed within the lender’s time frame. The council also approved waiving the usual three‑touch rule so the agreement could be signed without additional meetings.

The council approved an ordinance to amend chapter 2.37 of the Lake Forest Park municipal code to change Parks and Recreation Advisory Board membership. The ordinance moves the board to seven voting members, adds three youth-advisory positions (nonvoting), and explicitly opens appointment eligibility to business owners and property owners in addition to residents. Council and staff said the change aims to broaden representation on a board with heavy summer workloads.

The council unanimously adopted Resolution 25-2009, presented by Councilmember Goldman, stating the city’s commitment that “all individuals, regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, or gender expression, feel safe and supported.” Several residents spoke in the public-comment period urging passage; Bill Leon, Dana Campbell and Armand Michelin described community and youth impacts and urged the council to pass the resolution.

Council also ratified the collective bargaining agreement between the city and the Lake Forest Park Police Guild covering Jan. 1, 2025, through Dec. 31, 2027. Staff said the contract, which the guild ratified earlier, includes wage increases split across 2025 (a retroactive adjustment effective Jan. 1 and an additional increase effective July 1), specialty and incentive pay changes, and an increased uniform allowance beginning Jan. 1, 2026. Administrator Hill told the council the contract was negotiated collegially and staff budget projections incorporate the 2025 increases, though later-year budget adjustments may be necessary.

The meeting also included the formal adoption of the consent calendar (unanimous) and routine procedural votes to suspend the city’s usual “three‑touch” rule on several items so they could be acted on at the meeting.

In addition to votes, the council re‑introduced an update to the city’s sign code (proposed amendments to chapter 18.52 L.F.P.M.C.) and asked staff to proceed to a public hearing. Community Development Director Mark Hoffman reviewed the process to date, including Planning Commission work, a Department of Commerce 60‑day review, and environmental review with no appeals filed. Council members flagged several issues to resolve before final adoption — most commonly the limits on how many temporary signs can be placed in the public right-of-way and how many total days signs may remain (staff draft included a 30‑day right‑of‑way limit and a six‑sign cap in some sections). Directors and councilmembers discussed planter-strip signs, how grand‑opening animated banners and fluttering displays would be treated under the new language, and whether numerical caps should be removed or adjusted. Staff offered to bring specific, redlined options to a Committee of the Whole/workshop prior to the public hearing so the public can comment on the numeric limits.

Council also heard a series of proclamations and presentations: the city proclaimed April as Sexual Assault Awareness Month and Education and Sharing Day, and read Earth Day and Arbor Day proclamations; the council presented certificates recognizing Crime Watch volunteers Guy Forbes and Casey Krizminski for decades of local service; and Roz Bird described a new public-art commission for Horizon View Park funded in part by the Secret Garden Tour committee.

Votes at a glance

- Resolution 25-2007 — Authorize mayor to sign Public Works Board funding agreement (roundabout construction). Motion carried; council waived three‑touch rule and adopted the resolution. Loan terms described in staff presentation: $2,000,000, 20‑year loan, interest reported ~1.71%. Staff: Katie Phillips. Outcome: approved unanimously.

- Ordinance 25-1307 — Amend L.F.P.M.C. chapter 2.37 (Parks and Recreation Advisory Board): increase voting membership to seven, create three youth advisory roles, allow business/property owners to serve. Motion carried after suspending three‑touch rule. Presenter: Corey/parks board representative (Roche). Outcome: adopted unanimously.

- Resolution 25-2009 — Affirm city’s commitment that individuals, regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation or gender expression, feel safe and supported. Presenter: Councilmember Goldman; public commenters urged passage. Motion carried after suspending three‑touch rule. Outcome: adopted unanimously.

- Resolution 25-2008 — Authorize mayor to sign collective bargaining agreement between City of Lake Forest Park and Lake Forest Park Police Guild, term 01/01/2025–12/31/2027. Contract includes 2025 wage increases (retroactive Jan. 1 and an additional July 1 increase), specialty and incentive pays (bilingual pay of $1,000/year; 5% specialty pay for SWAT/HNT/IFIT and officer-in-charge), and a uniform allowance increase to $850/year effective Jan. 1, 2026. Guild ratified the agreement prior to council action. Motion carried after suspending three‑touch rule. Outcome: adopted unanimously.

- Consent calendar adoption — Motion to approve the consent agenda carried unanimously.

What this means next

Staff said the roundabout project will proceed to bid once final funding documents are in place; the loan must be executed within the lender’s required period and completing the certified project-completion record within 36 months would reduce interest costs. The sign-code package will be reworked in redline form and presented for a Committee of the Whole or workshop before a public hearing; staff asked the public to comment specifically on numeric limits for temporary signs and durations. The police contract is in effect for three calendar years and staff will monitor budget impacts for the latter part of the biennium.

Council adjourned after scheduling an executive session.