Bothell meeting summaries, agendas, and minutes

Bothell council to weigh $5.96M creek restoration contract; fire annexation ballot measure on agenda

Bothell's City Council has a packed consent agenda on the table for its July 21 meeting, including a $5,957,987.96 construction contract for the Sammamish River and Waynita Creek Restoration Project. Minutes have not yet been published, so the items below reflect what was scheduled for consideration, not confirmed outcomes.

City Council — July 21

The council's consent agenda includes several contracts, agreements, and ordinances:

• **Waynita Creek Restoration:** A $5,957,987.96 construction contract with Northwest Construction Inc. for the Sammamish River and Waynita Creek Restoration Project.
• **Sidewalk design:** A $1,395,578 professional services contract with Kimley-Horn for sidewalk projects on 5th Avenue W and 124th Avenue NE.
• **Woodcrest utilities:** A $1,455,000 Department of Commerce grant agreement for the Woodcrest Utility Improvement Project construction.
• **Pedestrian safety:** A $308,356 contract with Bayshore Construction Company for Citywide Pedestrian Safety Improvements.
• **Fire annexation ballot measure:** A resolution authorizing a ballot measure to annex the Bothell Fire Department into the Shoreline Regional Fire Authority.
• **Zayo franchise:** Approval of a franchise renewal ordinance for Zayo Group LLC within Bothell limits.
• **Street vacation:** Establishing a public hearing for a street-vacation petition on NE 185th Street between 108th and 110th Avenue NE.

Because minutes are not yet available, vote tallies and final actions on these items are not confirmed in the record provided.

Lodging Tax Advisory Committee — July 21

The Lodging Tax Advisory Committee was scheduled to review a Streetsense Conversion Study from 2023/2024 and discuss a new contract for holiday lights. Other agenda items included the visitor center's role in downtown placemaking, World Cup events and hotel occupancy, and a revenue report through May. Minutes are not yet published.

Civil Service Commission — July 22

The Civil Service Commission was set to introduce new commissioner Michelle Sells and act on several personnel items:

• Notification of a lateral police officer hiring incentive.
• Removal of names from eligibility lists.
• Approval of an entry-level police officer eligibility list.
• Approval of a lateral-level police officer eligibility list.
• Approval of an EDO Engineer Driver/Operator promotional eligibility list.

The commission was also scheduled to receive a report on recent appointments and completed probations. Minutes are not yet published, so approvals are not confirmed.

Coming up

• **Council Salary Commission — Aug. 4:** The commission will conduct a review of the previous year and discuss medical coverage.

Residents who want to verify final actions from the July 21 and July 22 meetings should watch for published minutes on the City of Bothell's official website.

Bothell Council to Vote on $5.96M Waynita Creek Contract and Fire Annexation Ballot Measure

Bothell's biggest upcoming decision sits on the July 21 City Council agenda: a $5,957,987.96 construction contract with Northwest Construction Inc. for the Sammamish River and Waynita Creek Restoration Project. The same meeting includes a resolution to place a ballot measure on the November election asking voters whether to annex the Bothell Fire Department into the Shoreline Regional Fire Authority.

Minutes have not yet been published for any of the city's recent meetings, so this roundup reflects what was on the agendas, not what was ultimately decided.

City Council — July 7 and July 14

The July 7 council agenda set public hearings on two major topics: the potential fire department annexation ballot measure and the 2026 Parks, Recreation and Open Space (PROS) Plan. The consent agenda listed Amendment No. 2 with DOWL for on-call construction management services at $1,305,000, Supplement No. 6 with WSP USA for the Bothell Way NE Multimodal Improvements Project at $864,496, and a resolution authorizing right-of-way and easement acquisitions for that same project.

The July 14 agenda included a $1,349,902.64 construction contract for Riverside HVOC groundwater treatment, a Zayo Group LLC franchise agreement renewal, a $71,621 professional services amendment for the NE 185th St/101st Ave NE traffic signal, a $276,000 professional services agreement for the North Creek FEMA Repairs Project, and an Electric Vehicle Charging Policy and fee establishment item. A study session on the Downtown Subarea Plan was also scheduled.

Landmark Preservation Board — July 8

The board was briefed on the Downtown Subarea Plan Update, covering growth targets, housing, jobs, transportation, parks, arts, and historic resources. A consultant presented an update on the Bothell Survey of historic properties. No actions were required on the briefings. The board was scheduled to approve June 22 meeting minutes.

Parks and Recreation Board — July 9

The board discussed the Bothell PROS Plan, with a public hearing set for July 7 and adoption slated for July 14. Staff briefed the board on summer events, park rentals, the budget process, capital projects, and grant status. A discussion on e-bikes in parks was also on the agenda. No formal actions were listed.

Planning Commission — July 15

The commission held study sessions on several code update projects: inclusion and communication strategies for marginalized communities, bike parking standards, electric vehicle charging code updates, and tree retention and landscaping code updates.

Civil Service Commission — July 15

The regular meeting was canceled. It is rescheduled as a special meeting on July 22 at 4:30 p.m.

Arts Commission — July 16

The commission was scheduled to discuss the Cultural Plan Retreat, consider the Outstanding Artist Award, and hold elections for chair, vice-chair, and secretary. Staff were set to report on Creative Arts Grant Award events and the 2027 application cycle.

Coming Up

• **July 21 — City Council:** Consent agenda includes the $5,957,987.96 Waynita Creek Restoration contract, a $1,455,000 Department of Commerce grant for the Woodcrest Utility Improvement Project, a $1,395,578 Kimley-Horn sidewalk design contract for 5th Avenue W and 124th Avenue NE, a $308,356 Bayshore Construction Company contract for citywide pedestrian safety improvements, the Zayo franchise renewal ordinance, and the fire annexation ballot measure resolution. A street-vacation hearing date for NE 185th Street between 108th and 110th Avenue NE is also on the agenda.
• **July 21 — Lodging Tax Advisory Committee:** Review of the Streetsense Conversion Study (2023/2024), a new holiday lights contract, visitor center placemaking, World Cup events and hotel occupancy, and a revenue report through May.
• **July 22 — Civil Service Commission (special meeting, 4:30 p.m.):** Introduction of new commissioner Michelle Sells, lateral police officer hiring incentive, and approval of entry-level and lateral police officer eligibility lists plus a fire engineer driver/operator promotional eligibility list.

Bothell council agenda includes fire annexation ballot measure, $2.1M in contract amendments; minutes not yet published

Bothell's City Council had a potential November ballot measure on annexing the Bothell Fire Department into the Shoreline Regional Fire Authority on its July 7 agenda, along with more than $2.1 million in contract amendments and right-of-way acquisitions for transportation projects. Minutes from that meeting and three other recent city meetings have not yet been published, so outcomes cannot be confirmed from the available record.

City Council — July 7

The council agenda listed a public hearing on a potential ballot measure proposing annexation of the Bothell Fire Department into the Shoreline Regional Fire Authority, which would go before voters in November if advanced.

A second public hearing was scheduled on the 2026 Parks, Recreation and Open Space (PROS) Plan.

The consent agenda included:

• Amendment No. 2 with DOWL for on-call construction management services in the amount of $1,305,000.
• Supplement No. 6 with WSP USA for the Bothell Way NE Multimodal Improvements Project in the amount of $864,496.
• A resolution authorizing acquisition of right-of-way and easements for the Bothell Way NE Multimodal Improvements Project.

Because minutes are not yet published, it is not confirmed whether these items were approved or what vote tallies, if any, occurred.

Planning Commission — July 1

The Planning Commission held a study session on a potential Transfer of Development Rights (TDR) program paired with the Landscape Conservation and Local Infrastructure Program (LCLIP). No formal action was taken.

The Puget Sound Regional Council has allocated up to 365 TDR credits, and the city can accept between 20% and 100% of them over 20 years. Commissioners discussed North Creek as the primary receiving area for TDR redevelopment and reviewed potential incentives including the Multifamily Tax Exemption (MFTE), floor area bonuses, fee reductions, and additional building height.

Previous study sessions on this topic were held with the Planning Commission in March and the City Council in June 2026.

Landmark Preservation Board — July 8

The board was scheduled to receive a staff briefing on the Downtown Subarea Plan Update, covering growth targets, housing, jobs, transportation, parks, arts, and historic resources. A consultant was also set to present an update on the Bothell Survey of historic properties. No actions were required on the briefings. The agenda included approval of minutes from the June 22 meeting.

Parks and Recreation Board — July 9

The board discussed the Bothell PROS Plan, with a public hearing set for July 7 and adoption slated for July 14. Staff briefed the board on summer events, park rentals, the budget process, capital projects, and grant status. A discussion on e-bikes in parks was also on the agenda. No formal actions were listed.

Coming up

City Council — July 14: The council will review updates to the Water Shortage Contingency Plan and associated municipal code. The agenda includes a $1,349,902.64 construction contract for Riverside HVOC groundwater treatment, a Zayo Group LLC franchise agreement renewal, a $71,621 professional services amendment for the NE 185th St/101st Ave NE traffic signal, a $276,000 professional services agreement for the North Creek FEMA Repairs Project, and discussion of an Electric Vehicle Charging Policy and fee establishment. A study session on the Downtown Subarea Plan is also scheduled.

Planning Commission — July 15: Commissioners will hold study sessions on inclusion and communication strategies for marginalized communities, bike parking code updates, electric vehicle charging code updates, and the Tree Retention and Landscaping Code Update Project.

Bothell Council to weigh fire annexation ballot measure; Landmark board hears historic garage demolition case

This week in Bothell government, the City Council will hold a public hearing on a potential November ballot measure to annex the city's fire department into the Shoreline Regional Fire Authority. That session, set for July 7, follows a Landmark Preservation Board meeting on June 22 that addressed a proposed garage demolition at the historic Lilly Kirk House and a Planning Commission study session on a transfer of development rights program.

Recent meetings

Landmark Preservation Board (June 22)

The board held a public hearing on demolishing a detached garage at the Lilly Kirk House (19619 100th Ave NE). The board also received a staff briefing on proposed updates to Bothell Municipal Code Title 22 (Landmark Preservation) to streamline review processes and align with state law. Officers were elected and minutes from February 11, 2026 were approved. Minutes from this meeting have not yet been published, so the outcome of the hearing is not yet known.

Planning Commission (July 1)

The Planning Commission held a study session on a potential Transfer of Development Rights (TDR) program paired with a Landscape Conservation and Local Infrastructure Program (LCLIP). The discussion focused on North Creek as the primary receiving area for TDR redevelopment. The Puget Sound Regional Council has allocated up to 365 TDR credits, and the city could accept between 20% and 100% of those over 20 years. Potential incentives discussed include a Multifamily Tax Exemption, floor area bonuses, fee reductions, and additional height. No formal action was taken.

Coming up

City Council (July 7)

The City Council will hold a public hearing on a potential November ballot measure asking voters to annex the Bothell Fire Department into the Shoreline Regional Fire Authority. A second public hearing is scheduled for the 2026 Parks, Recreation and Open Space (PROS) Plan. The consent agenda includes contract amendments totaling over $2.1 million: Amendment No. 2 with DOWL for on-call construction management services ($1,305,000) and Supplement No. 6 with WSP USA for the Bothell Way NE Multimodal Improvements Project ($864,496). A resolution authorizing right-of-way and easement acquisitions for that project is also on the consent agenda.

Landmark Preservation Board (July 8)

The board will hear a staff briefing on the Downtown Subarea Plan Update, covering growth targets, housing, jobs, transportation, parks, arts, and historic resources. A consultant will provide an update on the Bothell Survey of historic properties. The board will also approve minutes from the June 22 meeting.