City Council holds first Town Hall meeting in Lake Forest Park

An estimated 60 citizens attended last
Thursday's City Council town hall.
Photo by Larry Gorlin

On Thursday, February 5, the Lake Forest Park City Council hosted its first City Council town hall meeting at Lake Forest Park City Hall. An estimated 60 citizens came and discussed key council initiatives including stream restoration, transportation, strategic planning, and community vitality with Councilmembers. The Council listened to citizens' concerns and suggestions about a wide range of issues affecting Lake Forest Park. 

One citizen who attended the City Council town hall meeting said, "A big thank you to all Councilmembers. Sharing your goals and objectives with the citizens of the city and listening to our concerns brings us all together."

LFP Councilmembers John Resha, Mark Phillips, Jeff Johnson,
Catherine Stanford, John Wright, Hilda Thompson,
and Tom Friench gathered before the start of the meeting.
Photo by Larry Gorlin

This was the first of three City Council town hall meetings scheduled this year. One of the five Council goals established in 2014 was to "develop a strong communications program" based on "two-way communication strategies with the public." The Council subsequently formed an Ad Hoc Communications Committee to develop and implement a communications strategy. In a report to the Council in September of 2014, the Communications Committee recommended quarterly City Council town hall meetings. Based on citizens' feedback, the Council may increase the number of town halls meetings if this continues to be an effective communication tool with the public.

"This was the first of many City Council town hall meetings to come. We look forward to working with the public to create a format that maximizes two-way communication between the Council and our citizens," commented LFP Councilmember Hilda Thompson, Communications Committee Chair. "The Council was thrilled to see such a large turnout at our first meeting. This is a great beginning."

The next City Council town hall meeting is scheduled for May of 2015.