City Manager Report – December 19, 2025

2025 City Council Wrap-Up

The last City Council meeting of 2025 was held on Tuesday, December 9^th. 2025 was a good year for the City, and I wanted to take this opportunity to highlight some of our successes that will benefit residents as we get ready to move into 2026

The 2025 City Council Goals Approved
The City Council approved the following goals for 2025:

• Develop a long-term plan for City Hall.
• Advance safety improvements along 1st Avenue.
• Strengthen community engagement efforts that bring residents together.
• Enhance communication with the public.
• Update and reinforce the City’s Emergency Management Plan.
• Increase the City’s legislative advocacy efforts.
• Improve the City’s recreational facilities.

Trails Connectivity Program Approved
The City Council established an Ad Hoc Committee to develop a program promoting trail connectivity throughout Normandy Park. Following multiple meetings, the Committee recommended a program that was approved by Council. Over the past year, staff has been working with property owners to discuss necessary easements to improve and expand trail connections.

City Hall Evaluation Completed
To better understand the future needs of City Hall, the City evaluated the condition and expected lifespan of the 65-plus-year-old building, which has served in its current role since the late 1980s. The City’s engineering consultant assessed the building’s exterior, interior, structural and seismic conditions, as well as HVAC, plumbing, and electrical systems. The evaluation concluded that City Hall can continue to meet the City’s needs for several more years with recommended improvements, providing the City Council time to determine the most fiscally prudent long-term path forward.

Memorial Tree Program for City Parks

The City Council has established a Memorial Tree Program that allows residents to honor a loved one by planting a tree in one of the City’s wooded parks. Each memorial tree will be accompanied by a nearby plaque with an inscription chosen by the resident, creating a lasting and meaningful tribute while enhancing our park spaces.

Approval of a Local Road Safety Plan

As part of the City Council’s 2025 goals, the City completed a Local Road Safety Plan (LRSP). This plan evaluated all federally classified roads within the City using several data-driven methods, including crash data analysis, GIS mapping of the roadway network (including sidewalks and crosswalks), and a review of streetlight locations. The LRSP identifies seven recommended safety improvement projects—five along 1st Avenue, one on Sylvester Road, and several focused on lighting enhancements. The City will use this plan to pursue funding and move these safety projects toward implementation. 

Review of the 2025 Citizen Satisfaction Survey Action Plan – The City Council approved an action plan intended to address areas identified in the survey that need some additional attention. Based on the survey results, the City will:

• Be more proactive in addressing complaints that we receive about overgrown vegetation by clearing any encroachments onto sidewalks, streets, or obstructions in the site triangle.
• Recognizing the need for safer streets, especially for pedestrians, use information collected from a Local Road Safety Plan to develop and implement a prioritized list of safety improvements focused on federally classified roadways in Normandy Park.
• Take certain steps to improve Communication with its residents.
• Focus on enhancing its parks in 2025 with the refurbishment of the Basketball Court at City Hall Park, developing a plan for improving Marvista Park, and continuing discussions about the possibility of constructing a multi-purpose room at Marvista Park.

Ordinance No. 1080: Motorized Scooters and Bikes – The Council adopted new safety regulations and expanded age limits for minors operating motorized scooters and bikes. Unless a City adopts its own rules for scooters, it is illegal under State law for anyone under 16 years of age to ride this type of vehicle on City streets or sidewalks.  With the popularity of these vehicles continuing to grow with what seems like an ever-younger group, we decided to draft a Municipal Ordinance related to this, which your City Council passed at their August 12th meeting.

Marvista Park Design Contract Approved – A top goal for the City is to improve our parks, and the City is focusing on refurbishing Marvista Park. Marvista Park is a fantastic, well-beloved park, and the proposed project aims to enhance current uses. Phase 1 will address pathways, landscaping, and irrigation improvements. Phase 2 will focus on sidewalk improvements along 4th Ave SW. There is also discussion of a potential multi-use building footprint, but nothing has been decided. Stay tuned for more details in 2026.

If you have any questions about the information above or any other City topic, please get in touch with me at aarrington@normandyparkwa.gov. Have a great week!

“A top goal for the City is to improve our parks, and the City is focusing on refurbishing Marvista Park. Marvista Park is a fantastic, well-beloved park, and the proposed project aims to enhance current uses. Phase 1 will address…”