City Council Meeting Roundup

On Tuesday, November 8^th, the City Council had its regular monthly meeting. Here are the meeting highlights.

•  Des Moines Senior Center made a presentation on upcoming programs for 2023. This presentation is something that the City Council likes to happen on an annual basis since we help fund the Des Moines Senior Program, so Normandy Park seniors have access to a variety of activities. You can learn more about the available programs by visiting the Des Moines Senior Service website.
• An Ordinance that will increase the city’s Stormwater Fees was approved. These fees support the city’s Stormwater Utility and are used for the , construction, repair, and maintenance management of the city’s surface and stormwater drainage system. This utility is essential to our community since Stormwater runoff is the leading threat to Washington’s urban waters, streambeds, banks, and habitats. You can visit the stormwater page on the city’s website to learn more about the utility.
• The first reading of the 2023-2024 Budget occurred. The biennial budget document presents the overall plan for allocating city resources to the variety of programs necessary to provide for public safety, enhance the quality of life and natural resources, and maintain and develop the city’s facilities and infrastructure. The city is committed to providing the highest quality municipal services possible. The second reading of the budget is scheduled for December 13^th.
• The first Reading of the Ordinance setting the annual levy rate was approved. The City Council must establish a yearly levy rate that supports the city’s services provided by the General Fund. The 2023 Levy Rate is currently proposed to be $1.60 per $1,000 of assessed value, which aligns with the levy rate voters approved in 2021. This rate is likely to have an impact on your upcoming property tax bill. For example, the median household will likely see an estimated $27 per month increase. But residents will also see some important returns on that investment. The additional revenues will allow the city to add another police officer to the team for a total of 11 officers. This additional position will allow us to schedule two officers for every shift, increase overall public safety, and provide resources for increased traffic enforcement. The city will also be reinstating the Public Works Supervisor position to improve services with a strong focus on streets. The proposed rate gives the city the ability to have a stronger emphasis on future capital projects and places the city in a solid financial position. Final approval of the levy rate is scheduled for Monday, November 14^th at 7:00 pm. Please join the meeting if you are interested.
• The work program and budget for the South King County Housing and Homelessness Partners (SKHHP) was approved. SKHHP is a joint board formed by an interlocal agreement between the jurisdictions of Auburn, Burien, Covington, Des Moines, Federal Way, Kent, Maple Valley, Normandy Park, Renton, Tukwila, and King County. Through SKHHP, South King County jurisdictions can take a coordinated and comprehensive approach to increasing housing stability and producing and preserving quality affordable housing in South King County. 
• The city’s 2023 legislative agenda was discussed. The Legislative Agenda reflects policies that will support the city’s strategic goals and focus on what the city can ask other legislative bodies to do to help Normandy Park. Areas that will be focused on include public safety, behavioral health, environmental issues, and transportation. The final Legislative Agenda will be presented at the December 13^th
• The City Council discussed an ordinance related to remote participation at public meetings by council members. The City Council expressed its desire to support the hybrid meeting format for council members, staff, and the public. If you would like to participate in City Council meetings, please remember that you can attend in person or by Zoom.

If you want to learn more about these items, click here to watch the meeting recording.

Technical Assistance Open House

The Washington Small Business Development Center (SBDC) and Seattle Southside Chamber of Commerce have partnered to bring you a monthly dedicated Technical Assistance Open House event. Want to start a business? Want to grow your business? Need consultation? Look no further than this one-stop-shop for all of your Business Development needs. With a diverse panel of leading industry experts and resources, you can tackle any challenge to make your business thrive! This event is free to all and is being held Tuesday, November 15, 2022, from 10:30 AM – 2:30 PM. Visit this link to learn more and to register for this event.

If you have any questions, please get in touch with me at aarrington@normandyparkwa.gov. Have a great week!

“Want to start a business? Want to grow your business?… “