You'll find updates from Bothell and Kenmore council meetins. We're pulling council meetings that can potentially impact local businesses.

Bothell City Council — Business Impact Recap

Meeting date: Tuesday, July 14, 2026, 6:00 PM | Sources: Full agenda packet (550 pp.) and City Council meeting video/transcript (2:38:49), CityofBothell YouTube channel. Minutes: Not yet posted as of this writing — decision statuses below reflect the recorded roll-call votes from the meeting video, not certified minutes. All seven councilmembers were present and voting (Mayor Mason Thompson; Deputy Mayor Jenne Alderks; Councilmembers Prasad Anguluri, Carston Curd, Brittany Miles, Amanda Dodd, and Rami Al-Kabra).

Electric Vehicle Charging Policy — new fees at City-owned chargers

What happened: Council approved a resolution (7-0) adopting Bothell's first formal EV Charging Policy, setting cost-recovery fees for the four dual-port chargers at City Hall (upgraded in January 2026 with a $76,740 federal grant). Free charging had become financially unsustainable — City Hall's monthly electric bill rose from about $9,088 to $11,493 since the new chargers went in. Why it matters: This is the City's first move to actually price EV charging rather than offer it free. The $0.34/kWh rate applies equally to the public, employees, and City fleet vehicles; a $5/hour idle fee applies to public and employee users (not fleet) after a 30-minute grace period once a charge completes, intended to free up stalls for other drivers. Who is most affected: Any business or employee currently relying on free charging at City Hall; EV fleet operators comparing public vs. private charging costs in Bothell. Decision status: Adopted, 7-0 (confirmed via meeting video roll call; formal minutes not yet posted). Timing and next milestone: Effective September 1, 2026, with at least 30 days' public notice before rates take effect. Rates will be folded into the annual Fee Schedule starting January 2027. What to do now: If you or your employees use the City Hall chargers, plan for the new cost starting in September. Unknown — watch for: Whether rates will apply to any future City-owned charging locations beyond City Hall and the Operations Center.

2026 Parks, Recreation and Open Space (PROS) Plan — adopted, levy conversation ahead

What happened: Council adopted the update to the City's six-year PROS Plan (7-0), required to keep Bothell eligible for state (RCO) grant funding. The plan sets parks and recreation capital investment priorities for the next six years and will later fold into the Imagine Bothell Comprehensive Plan. Why it matters: The plan itself carries no fees or new taxes, but adoption triggers a Council conversation — consistent with the City's 2040 Vision — about a potential Parks Levy and other funding mechanisms to pay for the plan's priorities. Any levy would need separate Council action and likely voter approval. Who is most affected: Property owners and residents (if a future levy reaches the ballot); parks/recreation vendors and contractors watching for future capital project opportunities. Decision status: Adopted, 7-0. Timing and next milestone: No fiscal action today. A future Parks Levy discussion is anticipated but not yet scheduled. What to do now: No action needed yet — watch for the levy discussion to surface later this year or in 2027. Unknown — watch for: Timing, size, and mechanism of any future Parks Levy proposal.

Downtown Subarea Plan Update — draft released, comment window open

What happened: Staff presented an initial draft of the updated Downtown Subarea Plan (last comprehensively updated in 2009) in a study session; no Council action was taken. The draft organizes downtown's next 20 years around seven themes: land use, housing/affordability, jobs & business, transportation, parks, arts/culture, and sustainability. Councilmembers raised ground-floor retail vacancy and noted new downtown housing has largely been delivered at market rate rather than affordable rates. Why it matters: This plan will eventually guide zoning, density, parking/curb management, and incentives for downtown redevelopment — shaping what businesses, housing, and storefronts are viable downtown for the next two decades. Separately, King County's Growth Management Planning Council is weighing a "Countywide Growth Center" designation for downtown, which would improve the City's odds for regional transportation funding. Who is most affected: Downtown property owners, retailers, restaurants, developers, and anyone weighing a downtown lease or redevelopment project; residents concerned about housing affordability. Decision status: Study session — discussion only, no vote. Draft plan is out for public review. Timing and next milestone: Public open house July 22, 2026, 5:30-7:30 PM at City Hall. Public comment period open through August 2026. Next Council study session October 6, 2026. County GMPC growth-center decision expected September 16, 2026. What to do now: Review the draft plan and attend the July 22 open house or submit comments before the August deadline if downtown zoning, housing policy, or retail conditions affect your business. Unknown — watch for: The more detailed implementation plan, which staff say will follow the public comment period; specifics of any zoning or incentive changes.

Water Shortage Contingency Plan and Code Update — proposed fines for violations

What happened: Staff briefed Council on proposed updates to the Water Shortage Contingency Plan and Bothell Municipal Code 18.06.140, prompted by Washington's statewide drought declaration (April 8, 2026). No action was taken; staff sought feedback only. The proposal would enforce mandatory water curtailment (lawn watering bans, irrigation restrictions, pool-filling bans, commercial car washes limited to recycled/reclaimed water) with a warning system — notice, then final warning, then a proposed $532 fine — only during a declared Mandatory, Emergency, or Immediate Crisis stage. Why it matters: Bothell has never activated its Mandatory or Emergency stage, and its supplier isn't expecting shortfalls this summer. But the code changes would give the City real enforcement teeth next time a shortage is declared, with direct implications for water-intensive businesses like car washes and landscaping-heavy properties. Who is most affected: Commercial car washes, landscaping and irrigation-dependent businesses, multi-family properties, and any business with high outdoor water use. Decision status: Discussion only / staff briefing — no vote. Timing and next milestone: Staff plan to bring final code and plan updates back to Council for adoption in fall 2026 (staff referenced September in the meeting). What to do now: No action needed yet — watch for the fall code adoption vote, especially if your business has high water use. Unknown — watch for: Final fine amount and exact code language when it returns to Council; whether the $532 figure changes before adoption.

Regional Fire Authority (RFA) annexation — ballot measure vote coming July 21

What happened: The City Manager gave a status update (no vote this meeting) on ongoing negotiations to potentially annex the Bothell Fire Department into the Shoreline Regional Fire Authority. The Shoreline RFA Board adopted its regional fire plan the week prior, clearing the way for Council to decide whether to refer the annexation question to voters on the November 3, 2026 ballot. Why it matters: If voters approve, the transition would take effect March 1, 2027. The City says its 2027 budget wouldn't materially change, with possible property tax rate adjustments starting in 2028. The City has also agreed to asset-replacement payments to the RFA ($105,000 within 30 days of the effective date, $55,000 by April 1, 2028) contingent on voter approval. Who is most affected: All property taxpayers and businesses in Bothell (via property tax and service-level implications); anyone tracking the November ballot. Decision status: Discussion only this meeting. A Council vote on whether to refer the measure to voters is expected July 21, 2026. Timing and next milestone: Council decision July 21, 2026; if referred, general election November 3, 2026; effective date March 1, 2027 if approved. What to do now: Watch for the July 21 Council decision and, if referred, the November ballot measure. Unknown — watch for: Final resolution language and any pro/con committee appointments (two applications received for the "pro" committee; none for "con" as of this meeting).

Consent agenda — routine but notable procurement and franchise items

What happened: Council approved the full consent agenda 7-0, including: a $1,349,902.64 contract to Holocene Drilling for groundwater cleanup at the Riverside HVOC site (Park at Bothell Landing, work expected September-October 2026); a first-reading renewal of Zayo Group's fiber-optic franchise; a $71,621 traffic signal design amendment; a $276,000 engineering contract for North Creek FEMA flood repairs; a technical King County solid waste jurisdiction fix; the City's 2026-2029 Microsoft licensing agreement; and continued consultant support for the Cedar Grove Inclusive Playground project. Why it matters: Mostly routine, but the Riverside HVOC cleanup means construction activity at Park at Bothell Landing this fall, and the Zayo renewal keeps fiber infrastructure continuity in place for area businesses. Who is most affected: Contractors and vendors already engaged on these projects; anyone near Park at Bothell Landing during fall construction. Decision status: Consent agenda — adopted 7-0. Timing and next milestone: HVOC site work expected to mobilize mid-September 2026, completing by late October 2026. What to do now: No action needed; local businesses near Bothell Landing should expect construction activity in the fall. Unknown — watch for: Specific construction access/detour details for the Bothell Landing park area, if any are announced closer to the September start.

3) Changes To Track

Bike parking standards are being refined. The City's interim bicycle parking requirements (adopted Summer 2025 in place of vehicle parking minimums) are being revised based on feedback from developers already using them. Planning Commission reviewed proposed changes July 15, 2026; final Council action is expected this fall. Developers with pending applications should watch for changes to required quantities and design standards.

Lodging Tax Advisory Committee gets a new hotelier seat. Council appointed Mark Lee, General Manager of the Hilton Garden Inn, to the Lodging Tax Advisory Committee's hotelier-designated seat (required under state law). This committee recommends how lodging tax revenue — often used for tourism promotion — gets spent, which is directly relevant to hospitality and tourism-adjacent businesses.

Solid waste jurisdiction technical fix. Council approved an amendment to a King County interlocal agreement correcting a date discrepancy so the small Bloomberg Hill Island annexation area (48 homes) is served by King County's solid waste system rather than Snohomish County's. No broader rate or service impact expected.

City budget process is compressing. The City Manager noted the 2027-2028 budget will be reviewed in August and presented to Council in September (earlier than the traditional October timeline) to allow adoption in November, amid what staff described as "an uphill battle" on sales tax revenue. Businesses tracking City spending priorities or fee changes should watch for the September budget release.

Kenmore City Council — Business Impact Recap

Park Impact Fee (Ordinance 26-0643) — new development cost, hearing held

What happened: Council held a public hearing on an ordinance amending Kenmore Municipal Code Chapter 20.47 to establish a new park impact fee, calculated by dwelling square footage and set at 75% of the maximum calculated rate per Council's prior direction (from a June 27 meeting, per public testimony). No vote was taken — the hearing was for public comment on the fee approach and amount. Why it matters: This creates a new, direct cost on residential development in Kenmore, layered on top of whatever other fees apply. Two very different perspectives came in: a Planning Commission member (speaking personally, not for that body) argued for a higher rate — up to 90% — noting that over the past decade developers have funded only about 10% of the City's park capital projects while existing homeowners have covered more than half, and that the City's six-year Parks CIP totals $35 million. A representative of the Master Builders Association of King and Snohomish County (representing roughly 2,500 builders, developers, and suppliers) testified in support of the 75% rate and the square-footage method, arguing that for every $1,000 added to a home's cost, nearly 1,000 families are priced out of homeownership regionally. Who is most affected: Homebuilders, developers, and property owners pursuing new residential construction in Kenmore; indirectly, homebuyers who would absorb the fee in purchase prices. Decision status: Public hearing held — discussion/comment only, no vote. Timing and next milestone: Fee intended to take effect January 1 (exact year not stated in the hearing; given the 2026 adoption timeline, this most likely means January 1, 2027). No adoption date has been confirmed. What to do now: Developers and builders active in Kenmore should review the draft fee methodology and consider submitting comment before the ordinance returns for a vote. Unknown — watch for: The specific dollar fee schedule (the hearing discussed the fee as a percentage of a "maximum calculated rate," but the underlying dollar figures were not stated on the record); the exact adoption date and effective year.

STEP Housing Regulations (Ordinance 26-0642) — second hearing, no vote yet

What happened: Council held its second public hearing on draft regulations governing Shelter, Transitional Housing, Emergency Housing, and Permanent Supportive Housing (STEP housing), which staff say are drafted to align with state law requirements. A second hearing was held because the first hearing generated "substantive comments." No presentation was given and no vote occurred. Why it matters: These regulations will determine where and under what conditions this type of housing can be sited within Kenmore — a topic with real implications for property owners and neighborhoods near potential sites, and for social service providers looking to establish facilities in the city. Public comment was split: one resident who said she'd followed the roughly two-and-a-half-year drafting process urged Council to pass the amendments as presented; another commenter raised broader concerns about public safety funding and the city's capacity to support this type of housing (a personal opinion offered in public comment, not a Council position). Who is most affected: Property owners and neighbors near potential STEP housing sites; nonprofit and social-service housing providers; developers of these housing types. Decision status: Public hearing held — discussion/comment only, no vote. Timing and next milestone: No adoption date confirmed; watch upcoming Council meetings (July 20 or 27) for further action. What to do now: If STEP housing siting affects your property or neighborhood, review the draft ordinance and submit comment before it returns for adoption. Unknown — watch for: The specific zoning districts or siting criteria in the draft (not detailed in the portion of the hearing on record); the adoption date.

Consent Agenda — construction contract, Metro letter, and a recusal

What happened: Council approved its consent agenda unanimously, with one item — Item D, a $197,789 contract to construct the Tributary 0057 Fish Barrier Removal Project — pulled and voted separately after a councilmember disclosed a conflict of interest and recused. That item passed 6-0 with one abstention. The consent agenda also included a letter (approved for the Mayor's signature) to King County Metro regarding changes to Bus Route 372, along with routine minutes approvals and voucher/payroll certifications (including roughly $1.18 million in checks and $1.95 million in wire transfers for the period). Why it matters: The fish barrier project means construction activity ahead at the project site. The Metro letter signals the City is engaging with King County on transit route changes — worth a look for any business or commuter relying on Route 372. Who is most affected: Contractors/vendors on the fish barrier project; transit riders and businesses along the Route 372 corridor. Decision status: Consent agenda approved unanimously; Item D approved separately, 6-0 with 1 abstention (recusal). Timing and next milestone: No specific construction start date was stated on the record. What to do now: No action needed; businesses along the Route 372 corridor may want to review the City's letter to Metro if available. Unknown — watch for: Construction timeline for the fish barrier project; King County Metro's response on Route 372.

Executive Session Housekeeping — a rescinded federal comment letter and a real estate matter

What happened: In a special meeting preceding the regular session, Council held a 40-minute executive session on potential litigation, then voted 5-1 to rescind a motion from its June 22 meeting that had authorized staff to submit comments on unspecified "proposed federal rule amendments." Later in the regular meeting, Council also entered a separate executive session to discuss a potential real estate acquisition — standard confidential process, with no public details disclosed. Why it matters: The rescinded federal comment authorization is a quiet but notable reversal — city staff will not be submitting the comments Council had approved sending three weeks earlier. What those federal rules concern wasn't stated in the portion of the meeting on the public record. Who is most affected: Unknown until more detail surfaces — flagged here as a quiet item worth tracking. Decision status: Rescission approved, 5-1 (one councilmember, Culver, voting no). Real estate discussion: executive session only, no public action reported. Timing and next milestone: None stated. What to do now: No action needed; watch for any follow-up explaining what federal rule amendments were at issue. Unknown — watch for: The subject matter of the "proposed federal rule amendments" and why Council chose to rescind its earlier authorization to comment; any outcome from the real estate executive session.

3) Changes To Track

Federal comment letter rescinded. In a rare reversal, Council voted 5-1 to undo its June 22 authorization for staff to submit comments on unnamed "proposed federal rule amendments." The subject of those federal rules wasn't stated on the record at this meeting — worth watching for clarification.

Salary Commission process opened to public application. Council voted 4-3 to open the mayor's salary-commission appointments (which set council and mayoral pay) to a public application process lasting at least three weeks, overriding the mayor's original direct appointments. Not a business-facing item, but signals a more open appointment process going forward.

Tributary 0057 contract recusal. A councilmember recused from voting on the $197,789 fish barrier removal construction contract, disclosing a conflict of interest. The item still passed on a separate vote.