Bothell — Five-Minute Read

RFA Annexation Ballot Measure — voters decide November 3

What happened: Council voted 7-0 to adopt a resolution putting a proposition before Bothell voters this November: whether to annex the Bothell Fire Department into the Shoreline Fire Department Regional Fire Authority (RFA), and approving an amended RFA plan to incorporate that annexation. This follows a public hearing held July 7 and over two years of study. Why it matters: If approved, Bothell would retain its fire stations (until 2040 bond payoff) but shift fire/EMS funding and governance to the regional authority, which has its own property tax levy and fire benefit charge. Financial projections show the standalone department's net costs growing from about $9.9 million in 2026 to $18.8 million by 2035, which is the driver behind the proposal. Who is most affected: All Bothell property owners and businesses (via property tax); anyone tracking the November ballot. Decision status: Adopted, 7-0. Timing and next milestone: General election November 3, 2026. If approved, effective date March 1, 2027. Property tax rates hold steady in 2027 except standard adjustments; levy rates get reassessed for 2028. What to do now: Watch for the voters' pamphlet pro/con statements and City communications ahead of November. Unknown — watch for: Final levy adjustment amounts for 2028; whether Snohomish Fire District 10 (also considering annexation) joins on the same timeline.

Multifamily Tax Exemption (MFTE) Code Update — major incentive overhaul underway

What happened: Staff presented a study session on a significant rewrite of Bothell's MFTE program, which offers property tax exemptions to encourage multifamily housing development. No action was taken; staff sought Council feedback. The draft would extend the exemption from 8 to 20 years, raise the affordability threshold to 70% of Area Median Income, eliminate the "for the life of the project" affordability requirement, and remove parking minimums for MFTE units. Why it matters: Bothell adopted its original MFTE program in 2021, but it's had zero developer uptake since — unlike neighboring Kirkland, Bellevue, Redmond, and Woodinville, which have all seen utilization. Developer focus groups cited the lifetime affordability requirement, low AMI bands, short exemption period, and parking requirements as the reasons developers have avoided it. This rewrite is squarely aimed at making the program usable, with state deadlines (HB 1491) requiring an overhaul by 2029 regardless. Who is most affected: Multifamily housing developers, property owners considering redevelopment, and anyone tracking affordable housing supply in Bothell. Decision status: Study session — discussion only, no vote. Timing and next milestone: Final ordinance expected for adoption in fall 2026; legal review to follow this feedback session. What to do now: Developers interested in multifamily projects should review the draft code changes and consider providing input before the fall ordinance is finalized. Unknown — watch for: Final AMI band and exemption term once legal review is complete.

Sammamish River and Waynita Creek Restoration — $6.5M in contracts moving

What happened: Council adopted a resolution (7-0) authorizing a $5,957,987.96 construction contract with Northwest Construction Inc. to build the Sammamish River and Waynita Creek Restoration Project — realigning Waynita Creek for salmon habitat, adding cold-water refuge, and installing two pedestrian bridges. Northwest Construction was the lowest of five bids received; the engineer's estimate was $7.44 million. Separately, via the consent agenda, Council also approved a $579,329 amendment with Wolf Water Resources for construction engineering services on the same project. Why it matters: This is a large, multi-year construction project fully funded within the adopted Capital Facilities Plan and budget — no new taxpayer cost, but real construction activity nearby for an extended period. Who is most affected: Nearby residents and businesses; contractors and vendors on the project; trail/park users in the area. Decision status: Adopted, 7-0. Timing and next milestone: Construction begins September 2026; complete by late spring/early summer 2028. What to do now: No action needed; expect construction activity in the area through 2028. Unknown — watch for: Specific trail or access closures once construction mobilizes.

Street Vacation Petition — University of Washington campus expansion

What happened: Council approved a resolution setting a September 8, 2026 public hearing date to consider a street vacation petition from the University of Washington, which wants to vacate a portion of NE 185th Street between 108th and 110th Avenue NE (adjacent to its Bothell campus properties) to support development under its 2017 Campus Master Plan. Why it matters: Street vacations transfer public right-of-way to private ownership — in this case clearing the way for UW to consolidate and develop its Bothell campus property. A final Council decision is expected in October or November. Who is most affected: UW Bothell campus planning; nearby property owners and anyone using that stretch of NE 185th Street. Decision status: Hearing date set; no decision on the vacation itself yet. Timing and next milestone: Public hearing September 8, 2026; final decision expected October or November 2026. What to do now: Nearby property owners or businesses with interest in that right-of-way should watch for the September hearing. Unknown — watch for: The specifics of UW's development plans for the vacated area.

Consent Agenda — sidewalk, utility, and franchise items

What happened: Council approved its full consent agenda 7-0, including a $1,395,578 Kimley-Horn contract for 5th Avenue W and 124th Avenue NE sidewalk improvement design; a $1,455,000 Washington State Department of Commerce grant agreement for the Woodcrest Utility Improvement Project construction phase; a $369,750 design contract with Gray & Osborne for a Decant Facility; a $308,356 construction contract with Bayshore Construction for the Citywide Pedestrian Safety Improvements Project (rectangular rapid flashing beacons at school crosswalks); the $579,329 Wolf Water Resources construction-engineering amendment noted above; the Zayo Group fiber-optic franchise renewal ordinance; a fourth addendum to the City Manager's employment agreement; and a HOME Investment Partnerships interlocal agreement with King County. Why it matters: A routine but substantive batch — sidewalk and utility construction means upcoming activity at several intersections, and the pedestrian safety project (fully grant-funded) is set to start construction in September 2026. Who is most affected: Businesses and residents near the affected intersections (9th Ave SE/226th St SE, 104th Ave NE/NE 200th St, 19th Ave SE/242nd St SE, 112th Ave NE); vendors and contractors on these projects. Decision status: Adopted, 7-0. Timing and next milestone: Pedestrian safety project construction September–November 2026; other projects still in design phase. What to do now: No action needed; watch for construction notices near the listed intersections this fall. Unknown — watch for: Design completion timelines for the sidewalk and Woodcrest utility projects.

Bothell — Changes to Note

Procedural code updates (Titles 11, 12, 14). Council held a study session on procedural amendments to Bothell Municipal Code sections covering various permitting and process rules. No action taken; staff are seeking feedback ahead of a future ordinance. Businesses that interact frequently with city permitting processes should watch for the final code language.

University of Washington street vacation. A public right-of-way near UW's Bothell campus is on track to be vacated to support campus development — a reminder that institutional landowners' expansion plans can quietly reshape adjacent infrastructure.

City Manager employment agreement amended. Council approved a fourth addendum to the City Manager's employment agreement via consent agenda — routine governance, no public detail on terms disclosed in the agenda packet summary.

Kenmore — Five-Minute Read

Park Impact Fee Ordinance (26-0643) — rate bumped to 80%, then the whole thing postponed

What happened: Going into the meeting, the plan was a routine adoption at 75% of the maximum calculated rate — $3,109.92 per person — which staff's table showed working out to $2,495.71/month... rather, $2,495.71 total for units under 500 sq ft up to $7,183.91 for 3,000-3,999 sq ft units (see table below), effective January 1, 2027. Instead, a councilmember moved to amend the rate to 80%, arguing that professional planning research supports impact fees as a fair, low-failure-rate way to fund growth-related park costs (versus a parks levy, which the councilmember noted has roughly a 70% historical failure rate at the ballot). That amendment passed 4-3. Other councilmembers raised concerns about housing affordability for younger, first-time buyers and about revisiting a rate already debated and agreed at 75% across several prior meetings (April 13, May 18, June 22). Once the amendment passed, the City Attorney advised that because it constitutes a substantive change to the ordinance after the July 13 public hearing, state process requires an additional public hearing before final adoption. Council then voted unanimously to postpone the entire motion indefinitely and directed staff to also study a tiered or progressive fee structure raised mid-debate.

Proposed 75% fee table (pre-amendment, by unit size):

Why it matters: This directly affects the cost of building new housing in Kenmore. The 80% amendment would push every figure in that table higher, and a tiered structure could reshape it further. The postponement also means new development approved in the interim may face fee uncertainty. The City's Park Impact Fee fund is budgeted to end 2026 with a $452,626 balance under current (pre-update) rates. Who is most affected: Homebuilders, developers, and property owners pursuing new residential construction in Kenmore; future homebuyers who would absorb the fee. Decision status: Postponed indefinitely — no ordinance adopted. Timing and next milestone: A new public hearing was discussed for September 14, 2026, with potential adoption September 21, but this was not formally finalized as a motion during the meeting. What to do now: Developers and builders should watch for the rescheduled public hearing and consider weighing in on both the rate and the proposed tiered-fee concept. Unknown — watch for: Whether September 14/21 becomes the official schedule; the final adopted rate and fee table; whether the tiered-fee concept is legally permissible under state law.

STEP Housing Regulations (Ordinance 26-0642) — adopted

What happened: After two public hearings (the second held July 13 following "substantive comments" on the first), Council adopted the STEP housing ordinance as part of its consent agenda, following minor scrivener's-error corrections made after the hearing. The ordinance adds definitions for Emergency Shelter, Emergency Housing, Transitional Housing, and Permanent Supportive Housing to the zoning code, and makes Permanent Supportive/Transitional Housing a permitted use in residential zones R1, R4, R6, R12, R18, and R24, the Manufactured Housing Community zone, and Neighborhood/Community/Downtown/Urban Residential/Downtown Commercial/Urban Corridor/Waterfront Commercial/Regional Business zones and the Transit-Oriented District overlay. Emergency Housing/Shelters become a permitted use anywhere hotels are allowed. Most STEP projects get a streamlined Type 1 administrative review (no public appeal); larger or more complex projects (e.g., those needing a short plat or variance) get Type 2 review, appealable to a Hearing Examiner. Why it matters: This finalizes where and how this type of housing can be sited in Kenmore across a wide range of zones — a topic that drew mixed public comment in prior meetings, from support for the multi-year process to concerns about public safety and service funding capacity. Who is most affected: Property owners and neighbors in the listed zones; nonprofit and social-service housing providers; developers of these housing types. Decision status: Adopted via consent agenda. Timing and next milestone: None stated; ordinance takes effect per standard timelines. What to do now: Property owners in the affected zones should review the new permitted-use rules. Unknown — watch for: Real-world siting proposals under the new rules.

Temporary Homeless Shelters — Ordinance 25-0626 adopted, easing restrictions

What happened: Council adopted, unanimously, an ordinance amending KMC Chapter 18.100 to align with state law (RCW 35A.21.360). Key changes: extends the maximum duration of temporary outdoor shelters from 125 days to 6 months; removes the citywide one-shelter-per-year limit (simultaneous shelters now allowed if at least 1,000 feet apart, with 3 months' separation required between shelters at the same site); simplifies the application and public notice process; removes the flat prohibition on sex offenders at shelters while retaining background-check requirements; and allows severe-weather low-barrier shelters to operate for any qualifying severe weather event (not just cold weather), on a 12-month permit with 24-hour activation notice. Why it matters: This is a separate, related action from the STEP housing ordinance — specifically loosening rules for temporary (not permanent) shelter siting, driven by a 2020 state law limiting how cities can regulate shelters hosted by religious organizations. Who is most affected: Social service providers and religious organizations operating or proposing temporary shelters; property owners and neighbors near potential sites. Decision status: Adopted unanimously. Timing and next milestone: None stated. What to do now: No action needed; social service providers interested in temporary shelter siting should review the eased rules. Unknown — watch for: Any near-term shelter proposals under the new duration and spacing rules.

Kenmore's Proposition 1 Levy — Pro/Con Committee Appointments

What happened: Council appointed Tracy Bonosinski, Edward Lasel, and Juliana Pulley to the Pro committee, and John Hendrickson, Dave Postetter, and Lorie Sperry to the Con committee, to write the official statements for the King County voters' pamphlet on the City of Kenmore's Proposition No. 1. The City received 22 applications total (9 pro, 13 con) after a June 16–July 6 application window. The appointment motion passed 6-1. Why it matters: This is a City of Kenmore ballot measure — not a King County one. Council adopted Ordinance 26-0644 on June 15, 2026, placing the Climate & Environmental Stewardship, Affordable Housing, and Human Services Levy on the November 3, 2026 ballot. If approved by Kenmore voters, it would create a new local tax levy. The City's role tonight was procedural (appointing statement-writers who work independently of the City from here on), not a decision on the levy itself. Who is most affected: Kenmore property owners and taxpayers specifically (this is a city levy, not countywide). Decision status: Committee appointments approved, 6-1. Timing and next milestone: Committee appointment form due to King County Elections by August 4, 2026; general election November 3, 2026. What to do now: Watch for the levy's rate and funding details as the pro/con statements and County voters' pamphlet are published ahead of November. Unknown — watch for: The specific levy rate and dollar amount to be raised — not detailed in the appointment agenda bill (that detail would be in the original Ordinance 26-0644, adopted June 15, which wasn't part of the materials reviewed for this meeting).

Rhododendron Public Boathouse Rent — rowing club and crew lease item

What happened: Council considered a staff recommendation to begin charging rent on the Rhododendron Public Boathouse (built 2020), used by the Kenmore Community Rowing Club (KCRC) and Inglemoor High School (IHS) Crew Boosters — both of which have had rent deferred since construction to allow time to stabilize post-COVID. Staff recommended a blended rate based on a market analysis ($6,600/month per a square-footage approach) averaged with a staff baseline estimate ($1,500/month), landing at $4,050/month split 75/25 between the two organizations: $3,038/month for KCRC starting October 1, 2026, and $1,012/month for IHS Crew Boosters starting March 1, 2027, with rent adjusting 4% annually beginning in 2029. Together, the two leases are projected to generate $104,290 through the end of 2028. Public comment separately raised questions about facility audits, lease transparency, and public-hours access at club-leased facilities generally. Why it matters: This is the City's first time collecting rent on this facility since it opened in 2020 — new (if modest) revenue, and a public-access accountability question that came up in comment. Who is most affected: KCRC and IHS Crew Boosters (new operating cost); residents interested in public access to city recreational facilities. Decision status: Staff recommendation presented; the specific vote outcome on the authorization was not confirmed in the portion of the meeting reviewed, but the recommended terms above were what was before Council. Timing and next milestone: KCRC rent proposed to begin October 1, 2026; IHS Crew Boosters rent proposed to begin March 1, 2027. What to do now: No action needed; KCRC and IHS Crew Boosters should plan for the new rent if authorized as recommended. Unknown — watch for: Final confirmation that Council authorized the agreement amendments as recommended.

Kenmore — Changes to Note

Tiered park impact fee concept under staff review. A councilmember's mid-meeting proposal to scale park impact fees by unit size (lower for smaller/more affordable units, higher for larger ones) wasn't adopted, but staff were directed to research its legal feasibility under state law. If it advances, this could reshape how the eventual fee structure affects different types of development.

Boathouse facility accountability questions. Public comment raised pointed questions about audits, lease terms, and public-hours requirements for club-leased recreational facilities like the Rhododendron Boathouse — a thread worth watching if it prompts a broader facilities policy review.

Consent agenda routine items. Minutes approvals and voucher certifications (~$314,231 in checks, ~$362,161 in payroll, ~$886,467 in wire transfers for the period) passed without note. Council also voted to cancel its August 10, 17, and 24 meetings.