LFP to discuss assumption of LFP Water District at Thursday Council meeting

By Diane Hettrick

At the Lake Forest Park City Council meeting on April 23, the Council will discuss the options of failing to renew the franchise agreement for the LFP Water District and assuming the District into the City.

From the staff documents:

On April 9, 2015, the City Council discussed Resolution 1485, which is a set of guiding principles to balance water quality, environmental protection, and neighborhood connectivity in continuing review of human access to the well-field area, and to use a consultant to advise the City of proper measures and water system safety provisions. 

During Council discussion the request for this legislation was made.  Non-renewal for a franchise under these circumstances is commonly referenced as assumption.  Lake Forest Park is permitted to “assume” or take over, an existing water-sewer district operating under Chapter 57.04 RCW.  RCW 35A.13.020(1) states that “whenever all of the territory of a district is included within the corporate boundaries of a city, the city legislative body may adopt a resolution or ordinance to assume jurisdiction over all the district.”  The statute goes on to provide that, upon adoption of such a resolution, the City would acquire all assets, all debt and other obligations, and employees no longer needed by the District.  Subsequent to the assumption resolution, there would be a required filing and hearing with the King County Boundary Review Board.   

This type of action would need to have appropriate public process infused into it, as well 

as examining the business aspects, public policy purposes and, further along in time, significant operational planning.

The City and the District have been at odds for decades over the McKinnon Creek Trail property. The Trail runs through the watershed for the District's wells and aquifer, the source of its water. The District's position is that no water utility - public or private - allows public access to its watershed for fear of contamination. They cite the Cedar River Watershed which supplies Seattle and surrounding communities and is closed to the public.

The City's position is that the Trail is on a City right of way and the public should be able to use it. Complicating the issue is that many homes abut the trail and have had private access from their back yards for decades.

Unable to reach an agreement, the two parties went to court last November for the decision. The ruling, which was handed down this year in King County Superior Court, favored the City. 

Environmentalists and District customers, who are proud of their pure water, have been making their opinions known to the City Council.

City Council meetings are held in the Council Chambers on the second floor of City Hall in the northeast corner of Town Center at the intersection of Bothell Way and Ballinger Way.

The meeting begins at 7pm, following a reception for City volunteers.

Updated  04-23-2015 9:43am