The Snohomish County PUD Board of Commissioners this week approved the utility’s Connect Up program, an infrastructure and technology project aimed at delivering benefits to customers and the utility through deployment of new meters and supporting infrastructure, PUD said in a Friday announcement. “The PUD strives to become the utility of the future and I…
Government
Snohomish County PUD changes discount program to increase accessibility
The Snohomish County PUD Board of Commissioners recently approved enhancements to the PUD’s income qualified assistance program that will make it accessible to more customers and provide more relief at the same time. The changes to the program include expanding eligibility and increasing the discount amounts for most of the customers in the program. The…
Verdant Health Commission names Lisa Edwards as new superintendent
The Verdant Health Commission Board of Commissioners has appointed Lisa Edwards, EdD, to serve as the Verdant superintendent effective immediately. Edwards’ extensive experience in nonprofit management, higher education, and healthcare have prepared her well, said Board of Commissioners Chair Bob Knowles. “Lisa brings a wide range of experiences and skills to Verdant that will help…
City Council discusses Lynnwood’s opportunity zone, reviews CARES Act amendments
Taking its first steps back into business unrelated to the coronavirus pandemic, the Lynnwood City Council earlier this week discussed the future of the city’s South Lynnwood/City Center opportunity zone and affordable housing initiatives. At its June 15 meeting, the council received a briefing from city staff regarding the city’s opportunity zone. The briefing had…
Lynnwood City Council June 15 to discuss change in meeting start time, review budget cuts
The Lynnwood City Council is set at its June 15 work session to begin taking steps to permanently move the start time for its regular business meetings and work session from 7 p.m. to 6 p.m. In February, the council discussed moving the start time for council meetings ahead one hour to allow for more…
Councilmembers unable to override mayor’s veto of ordinance to eliminate city utility tax
After supporters Monday night failed to get the required votes to override a mayoral veto, the City of Lynnwood won’t be eliminating the city’s 6% tax on water and sewer service. Last week, Mayor Nicola Smith announced she would be using her executive authority to override the council’s 4-3 vote to approve an ordinance permanently…
Mayor addresses civil emergency, decision to veto ordinance eliminating city’s utility tax
After declaring a civil emergency and a citywide curfew earlier in the day, Lynnwood Mayor Nicola Smith opened Monday’s Lynnwood City Council work session by addressing the action taken after alleged reports of “civil unrest” threatened Alderwood Mall. During her comments, Smith described the reported tips from community members received by the Lynnwood Police Department…
Snohomish PUD expands payment options as meter reading resumes
As the state moves toward reopening more businesses in the wake of COVID-19, Snohomish County PUD will implement “a gradual and safe return” of select field operations, including meter reading, the utility said. The PUD also said it will continue to offer its community support plan for any customer experiencing a financial hardship related to…
City Council votes to eliminate utility tax, permit fees for local business-sponsored events
Aiming to reduce the cost burden to those affected by the coronavirus pandemic, the Lynnwood City Council voted Tuesday to eliminate the city’s water and sewer tax on residents’ utility bills effective January 2021. At its May 26 business meeting, the council voted 4-3 — with Councilmembers Christine Frizzell, Shannon Sessions and Ruth Ross voting…
Lynnwood ranked third in the state for confirmed, probable COVID-19 cases, city council learns
The City of Lynnwood is now the third-highest city in Washington state in coronavirus cases, according to a report from city staff at Monday’s Lynnwood City Council business meeting. During the May 11 meeting, city spokesperson Julie Moore presented to the council the latest data from the Snohomish Health District regarding the number of confirmed…
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Lynnwood City Council to meet remotely for work session May 4
The Lynnwood City Council will hold a work session at 7 p.m. Monday, May 4. To comply with the governor’s stay-at-home orders, councilmembers will be meeting remotely via Zoom, and it will be streamed live online. Fore more information, visit the council’s webpage. To view the full meeting agenda, click here.
In a letter to Inslee, Lynnwood City Council urges re-opening of some businesses
Updated with final letter. Multiple Lynnwood City Councilmembers have signed a letter addressed to Gov. Jay Inslee imploring him to allow some businesses deemed non-essential under his stay-at-home order to reopen to the public as soon as possible. The letter — drafted by Councilmember Jim Smith — includes signatures from six councilmembers, including Council President…
Lynnwood Convention Center feels financial pain of COVID-19 shutdown
The Lynnwood Convention Center is normally abuzz with activity during the busy months of March, April and May, but this spring is not like any other. As the coronavirus pandemic and government-mandated shutdowns have ravaged the hospitality industry, the city-owned convention center has not been immune. “Right now we’ve lost just shy of $1.5 million…
Lynnwood City Council to discuss city’s response to COVID-19 at March 30 work session
The Lynnwood City Council is scheduled to hold its March 30 work session remotely to review how the city is responding to the COVID-19 outbreak. During the meeting, the council will hear an update from Cmdr. Chuck Steichen with the Lynnwood Police Department, who serves as the city’s emergency management director. You can read the…
Snohomish County PUD temporarily suspends reading meters, amends billing process
With a focus on keeping its employees and customers safe during the COVID-19 outbreak, Snohomish County PUD announced Friday it has temporarily suspended reading meters and sending meter readers into the field. In a statement, PUD spokesperson Aaron Swaney said the delivery of critical power and water services remains unaffected. Additionally, PUD residential and small…
SnoPUD announces Community Support Plan to help residents, small businesses affected by COVID-19
In response to the COVID-19 outbreak, Snohomish County PUD has developed a COVID Community Support Plan to help customers struggling to pay their electric and water bills. In a statement Monday, PUD announced the new plan will make funds available for both residential and small business customers affected by the COVID outbreak. “We know these…
City Council to discuss criminal justice center funding during March 23 meeting
The Lynnwood City Council announced it will resume holding council meetings in time for its March 23 business meeting. Additionally, the council will be streaming the meeting online for community members who are practicing social distancing. At its March 23 meeting, the council will discuss funding for the future Community Justice Center. The council was…
Lynnwood City Council March 16 to be updated on future Community Justice Center funding
The Lynnwood City Council is scheduled to discuss funding for the future Community Justice Center at its March 16 work session. After multiple space-needs studies determined that the Lynnwood Police Department, jail and municipal court have outgrown their current facility, city officials decided to renovate the existing building as well as expand east to the…
Snohomish County PUD public offices closed, non-essential business paused
To protect the health and well-being of customers and employees, Snohomish County PUD has closed its offices — including its Headquarters building in downtown Everett — to all public access effective Friday, March 13, and paused non-essential business operations until further notice. The PUD’s decision — which is in line with guidance from the World…
Alderwood Mall, Lynnwood Convention Center to remain open, with attention to health precautions
Now that Gov. Jay Inslee has issued a ban on a range of gatherings involving 250 or more people, some Lynnwood spaces known for attracting crowds are taking their own measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19 (coronavirus). The governor’s ban on large gatherings does not apply to shopping centers like Alderwood Mall. However, Brookfield…
City Council considers absorbing the Lynnwood Transportation Benefit District
The Lynnwood City Council Monday night discussed a proposal for the City of Lynnwood to assume the responsibilities for its transportation improvements by absorbing the Lynnwood Transportation Benefit District (TBD). At its March 9 business meeting, the council held a public hearing regarding a proposed ordinance that would authorize the city to assume “the rights,…
Snohomish County PUD changes operations to protect against COVID-19
To protect the safety and health of its customers and employees, Snohomish County PUD is making changes to operations and access that may impact customers as the COVID-19 outbreak evolves in the region. The PUD said in a Wednesday announcement that its incident management team continues to follow the utility’s pandemic response plan and work…
Council hears from Lynnwood HS students who visited South Korea, host annual police awards
After traveling to Lynnwood’s sister city in South Korea last fall, Lynnwood High School students were invited Monday night to share their experiences during the Lynnwood City Council’s business meeting. Last September, 11 junior and senior students traveled to Damyang, South Korea for seven days. During the trip, students split their time between Damyang and…
Lynnwood City Council discusses ways to better engage with community
Based on feedback from its recent retreat, the Lynnwood City Council is considering changes to meeting procedures that could provide more opportunities for community involvement. During last week’s council work session, councilmembers reviewed priority items from their early February summit that they agreed warranted further discussion in future meetings. The items were centered around ways…
In ‘moderate step’ to add more affordable housing, Lynnwood City Council approves new development
A development agreement promising some more affordable housing units in Lynnwood’s City Center district was approved at last week’s Lynnwood City Council business meeting. The council unanimously voted Feb. 10 to adopt an ordinance approving an agreement with the Bellevue-based firm American Property Development to develop Kinect@Lynnwood — a multifamily residential project proposed for 4100…