City Council honors volunteers, votes to fund next phase of Interurban Trail missing link project

The Lynnwood City Council unanimously voted to continue the city’s work to complete the Interurban Trail South Missing Link Project during its meeting on April 11. The project will include continued funding for the next couple of years to improve traffic and transportation near the south segment missing link to the Interurban Trail around 212th Street Southwest. This portion of the Interurban Trail will utilize the historic route of the Interurban corridor, currently occupied by Snohomish PUD.

All councilmembers voiced their approval for continuing design and right-of-way work for this project. Councilmember Ian Cotton explained that the new ordinance is “meant to facilitate this process” by updating the financial plan and project funding.

The council unanimously approved the following actions regarding the Interurban trail project:

  • Adopted an ordinance that supersedes a different ordinance , officially updating the financial plan and project funding;
  • Authorized Mayor Nicola Smith to contract with SvR Design Group of Seattle for additional design services costing no more than $83,600; and
  • Authorized Mayor Smith to contract with Roland Resources of Bellevue for right-of-way services costing no more than $38,500.

The new ordinance  transferred funds from Fund 331 to Fund 350 totaling $126,300. The transfer includes funding for design and right-of way expenditures, with construction costs to be determined at a later date. The total appropriation for this project as of April 2016 is $591,269, with over 90 percent applied to the design phase.

In addition to approving funding for the Interurban Trail project, city council recognized several community groups and individuals that have volunteered at city parks, trails and open spaces. Councilmember Shannon Sessions read a proclamation that acknowledged “the city’s volunteer force of over 300 individuals, who contributed over 21,948 hours of service in 2015,” remarking that these volunteers are “the light in their community.”

The City Council officially proclaimed April 10-16 as National Volunteer Week in Lynnwood. Certificates of Appreciation were given to the following people and groups for their community service:

  • Trevor Kinman, Boy Scout Troop 312, for restoring the Mesika trail for his Eagle Scout Service Project
  • Jaden Yackley, Boy Scout Troop 312, for installing two benches at the Lynndale Park Amphitheater and spreading 40 yards of bark mulch to the park
  • Snohomish County Camp Fire Club, for participating in spring floral bed planting
  • Brighton School 3rd Rock Destination Imagination Team, for removing invasive plants and cleaning up South Lynnwood Neighborhood Park
  • LifePoint Church, for a two-day landscape clean-up event at Stadler Ridge Park
  • Experience Momentum, for becoming the first group to Adopt A Trail and cleaning up the Interurban Trail
  • Lynnwood Senior Center Hiking Club, for making improvements to Scriber Lake

While these were the groups officially recognized Monday night, city council members also recognized the work of other volunteers within the city.

“All boards and commissions in the city are valuable and important,” Councilmember Cotton added during the council announcements and comments section.

Council President M. Christopher Boyer reiterated the Council’s appreciation of city volunteers and began his comments with a “salute of Lynnwood’s volunteers.”

The ongoing controversy with the city’s Diversity Commission Diversity Commission was also addressed.

“Membership can be rebuilt,” Boyer said in reference to the commission’s low membership.

Councilmembers urged the public to consider applying for open commission positions and to continually battle institutional and societal racism. Councilmember George Hurst delivered the “Stand Against Racism” proclamation designating April 29 as a day to “raise awareness” with community partner YWCA of Seattle-King-Snohomish.

“All people of Lynnwood regardless of race, creed or ethnicity deserve to be treated with dignity, respect, compassion and justice,” read Councilmember Hurst. Each councilmember was presented with a pin to help promote the “goal to eliminate racism.”

Other actions during the April 11 Lynnwood City Council meeting:

  • Council unanimously approved an ordinance for funding to contract with Infrastructure Management Services for the 2016 Pavement management – Systems Ratings project.
  • Councilmembers also unanimously approved an ordinance to update business license regulations discussed during the April 4 Work Session. Updates will include addressing language from the original regulations from 1959, and creating consistent and up-to-date modernized amendments to improve operations and customer service.
  • A proclamation was read and signed declaring April 22 as City of Lynnwood’s Earth Day and a renewed commitment to citywide Sustainability Framework as presented in the Comprehensive Plan.

–By Emily Scott

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