Mayor's Memo April 2024
Published on May 07, 2024
Hello from Lynnwood City Hall!
On Saturday, April 27th, I had the honor of cutting the ribbon for the Sound Transit 2 Line East Link Extension! The 2 Line includes eight new stations that connect more people to more places on the Eastside. And now...we’re next! I can’t wait to celebrate the Lynnwood Light Rail Link Extension opening that will connect our community with the rest of the region on Friday, August 30th!
(Photo courtesy of Sound Transit)
As always, thank you for choosing Lynnwood.
Take care,
Mayor Christine Frizzell
Development and Business Services
Small Business Assistance Workshop: More than 25 local business owners attended the City’s first Small Business Assistance Workshop last month. The workshop highlighted many topics including business coaching and technical assistance, access to capital, small business certification and government contracting. Lynnwood Development and Business Services partnered with U.S. Small Business Administration, Washington’s Small Business Development Center, Washington APEX Accelerator and the Washington Women’s Business Center to host the free workshop. This was the first business support workshop of many to come later this year.
If you are a business owner in Lynnwood or interested in starting a business, we would like to hear from you! Please get in touch with Selam Habte, Business Development Program Manager, at Shabte@lynnwoodwa.gov for more information and resources.
Goddard School: The Goddard School building was recently issued a Temporary Certificate of Occupancy (TCO). The Goddard school is a 12,000 square foot preschool located at 18802 55th Avenue West.
New Hire: DBS is excited to announce that Kim Mason-Hatt has recently joined our team as the Senior Permit Technician. With over 20 years of permitting experience from the City of Mill Creek and Snohomish County, Kim brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to our team. Her knowledge of facilitating a smooth permit process will greatly benefit the City of Lynnwood. Please join us and welcoming Kim to Lynnwood Development and Business Services.
Executive
Joint Summit: On April 17th we hosted a Joint Summit of the City Council, Mayor, Department Directors, and the Municipal Court Judge. It was a very productive conversation on priorities for the coming year and beyond. The City of Lynnwood has a two-year budget, known as a biennial budget. The current budget is for 2023-2024. Later this year the budget process for 2025-2026 will officially begin, and we’ll be looking to the community to gather input on your priorities for the next two years and beyond!
Lynnwood Neighborhood Center Ground Breaking: On April 18th Mayor Frizzell, members of the City Council, and City staff were thrilled to be in attendance to celebrate alongside Volunteers of America Western Washington on the much anticipated groundbreaking ceremony of the Lynnwood Neighborhood Center! This milestone achievement brings the vision of a one-stop human services hub one step closer to reality. The City of Lynnwood was able to contribute $1,000,000 of American Rescue Plan Act funds towards this worthy project. Our many thanks to VOAWW, State and Federal Representatives, Snohomish County, our neighbor cities, and the many community members who have already contributed to this project.
For more information visit www.voaww.org/lnc.
Volunteer Week: It is our honor to recognize and celebrate the many volunteers who dedicate their time, energy, and passion to the betterment of our community! Last month we celebrated National Volunteer Week and held our City’s Annual Volunteer Recognition Event. The efforts of our volunteers include serving on a board or commission, helping to beautify our parks, assisting at our Senior Center, or working beside our officers to assist community members - and they are all instrumental in powering our community. Last year, we had 762 City volunteers who served 9,697 hours! WOW! To our City volunteers and the many other volunteers who spend time at local non-profits, our schools, faith organizations, service clubs, and more – we appreciate all you do to help make Lynnwood thrive!
Finance
Finance Receives Award: The City of Lynnwood was recently awarded the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting from the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA). This award is for the City’s 2022 Annual Comprehensive Financial Report. This is the seventh year in a row that the City of Lynnwood has received this recognition.
Read more about this award on our news site: www.lynnwoodwa.gov/news.
Human Resources
The Human Resources Analysts attended the UW Bothell Summer & Part-Time Student Employment Fair 2024 with high success. It was a well-attended event with lots of interest in our open recruitments.
HOT JOBS SHOWCASE: We have two hot jobs listed on our jobs page! Check them out!
Seasonal General Laborer
Combo Plan Reviewer/Building Inspector or Building Inspector/Plans Examiner
The City of Lynnwood has approximately 24 open employment opportunities, including part-time and full-time. Serve your community in Lynnwood as a public servant! Check us out at:
https://www.lynnwoodwa.gov/Jobs.
Parks, Recreation and Cultural Arts
Lynnwood’s Tree City USA Designation:The City’s Tree City USA application was submitted in November 2023 and approved by the Arbor Day Foundation/Department of Natural Resources. The City has received this designation for the past 24 years. Standards for the Tree City USA designation include a tree board, a tree ordinance, spending at least $2 per capita on tree plantings and having an Arbor Day observance and proclamation. Arbor Day was a big success this year with a full restoration planting along the Mesika Trail. 40 Volunteers from Lynnwood Elementary planted at least 40 native trees and plants along the creek and behind Council Chambers.
Healthy Communities Events: The Healthy Communities Team kicked off the event season with our annual Heritage Park Spring Clean on April 3rd. Volunteers and staff assisted in beautifying the park by pulling weeds and laying bark throughout the park. On Thursday, April 18th, we hosted the City’s annual Volunteer Recognition event to recognize our dedicated volunteers who work tirelessly to support our work. Our first-ever Paws in the Park event was a great success. We welcomed our furry friends to Lynndale Dog Park on Saturday, April 20th. The event included a pet agility demonstration, contests, a variety of vendors, and lots of sunshine. It was a great day!
Winter Quarter at the Recreation Center: We offer a diverse offering of group fitness classes ranging from Yoga to Weightlifting (Group Power) to Zumba to TRX. Our Group Fitness classes saw participation increase by 795 visits over the same quarter last year, for a total of 3,003. People are choosing to be healthier and support one another through group fitness.
Despite the cold and rainy weather, we were able to brighten the day for 223 people as they hosted their birthday parties at the Recreation Center. This is an average of 19 parties each weekend.
Each week approximately 800 people participate in a water fitness class. A community has formed within this group of health and fitness enthusiasts. Participants often meet friends within each class, encourage each other, and end up making connections outside of class. The Aquatics Program helps facilitate these friendships and community connections by hosting quarterly water fitness potlucks. At our spring potluck, 100 participants gathered to socialize and share delicious food.
Arts in Lynnwood: The City’s art galleries at City Hall and the Recreation Center are showcasing new exhibits. You are invited to stop by Lynnwood City Hall to cast your vote for your favorites to be announced at the Lynnwood Artists Show reception on Wednesday, May 8.
We received over 50 applications from artists for the North Lynnwood Park mural. We hope to make an artist selection by early May. The progress on the Community Justice Center public art project continues with 6 out of 7 artworks installed. In May, the Veterans Art wrap for the signal box at 196th and 40th will be installed.
Human Services: Human Services continues its partnership with Volunteers of America through its Rapid Rehousing and Emergency Motel Voucher programs, supporting pathways to housing stability for Lynnwood residents experiencing homelessness. Human Services has also been out in the community, tabling at local events as well as the Hygiene Center, providing hygiene supplies and informing the community of local and regional resources. To best understand the needs of Lynnwood residents, Human Services has contracted with Kone Consulting to update the City’s most recent Human Needs Assessment, which will continue into the summer. Additionally, in partnership with the Lynnwood Food Bank and American Heart Association, we will be kicking off a series of events at the food bank promoting heart health, providing onsite blood pressure screenings, connections to resources and a free blood pressure monitor to take home depending on eligibility.
Park Maintenance Projects: In April, staff fertilized turf at each of our parks to help the turf grow vigorously and hold up to heavy use. Staff also pressure washed courts, hard surfaces and trails in the parks to keep the playing surfaces safe and in good condition. In May, staff will plant our annual beds with the seasonal flowers at several key locations at City gateways and municipal buildings.
UPCOMING EVENTS/CALENDAR ITEMS
Scriber Lake Park Boardwalk Project Groundbreaking
- Date: Thursday, May 16, 2024
- Time: 1:00pm-2:00pm
- Location: Scriber Lake Park
Memorial Day Ceremony
- Date: Monday, May 27, 2024
- Time: 11:00am-12:00pm
- Location: Veterans Park
Police
Attempted Jewelry Heist: Lynnwood Police Department officers stop jewelry heist and recovers 200K worth of jewelry.
On Monday, April 22, 2024, around 3:20 AM, Lynnwood PD officers were dispatched to an alarm in the fine jewelry section at JCPenney at the Alderwood Mall. On scene, officers found a glass door broken and two subjects running from the location. The two suspects were quickly apprehended after a short foot pursuit. Officers also located a stolen Hyundai parked nearby. An hour prior to the Alderwood Mall JCPenney burglary, Marysville PD reported a burglary at their JCPenney with similar circumstances. Officers could see jewelry in the stolen Hyundai which they suspect was taken from the Marysville JCPenney burglary.
Both subjects had outstanding warrants, one with an active DOC felony warrant for Escaping Community Custody, having originally committed Burglary. One of the suspects was positively identified through video footage as the Marysville JC Penny burglary suspect, and both had a combined $200,000 worth of jewelry on them at the time of their arrest. The adult was booked into Snohomish County Jail and the juvenile was booked into Denny Youth Center.
In the Community: Cops for Inclusion was a success! We had lots of great feedback and had a wonderful time connecting with our community. Each activity was designed with the help of trained licensed psychologists and Lynnwood PD staff also received training on the best way to interact with people in the neurodivergent community on calls.
We started a brand new graffiti cleanup program to address this prevalent issue in our community. People have the option to go to the Lynnwood Lowes and pick up a graffiti cleanup kit or buy their own supplies and get reimbursed via gift card through the PD. Please read all the instructions carefully, on how you can participate!
Sergeant Jake Shorthill and Officer Sam Zacharia did a K9 demo at Trinity Lutheran church for their students! These K9 demos are a great way to show our community how K9s are used in police work and how they work alongside their handlers. Thank you Trinity Lutheran for having us!
Public Works
Connect for Emergencies: Last month, the Lynnwood Public Works Traffic Division staff completed final installation of antennas and radios at the Patrol Room and Emergency Operations Center located at the new Community Justice Center. We participated in the design of the fiber optic and wireless communications systems for CJC, so it is satisfying to finalize installation and turn on the equipment.
Earth Day: On April 27th, we held our annual Earth Day event, where we saw 130 cars stop by to properly recycle shredded paper, pick up rain barrels, and collect compost for personal gardens. Thanks to Northwest Landscape for donating the compost!
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For questions regarding Mayor's Memo, please email communications@lynnwoodwa.gov.