LFP Councilmember Phillips to seek re-election

Mark Phillips is running for re-election
to the Lake Forest Park City Council

Today I am announcing my candidacy for re-election to the Lake Forest Park City Council. The last few years have been generally good ones for the City and I am proud of my contributions as a first-term councilmember.

Budgets were balanced without extraordinary property tax increases, mutually beneficial contracts were negotiated with our two organized employee groups, and franchises were awarded or modified, resulting in improved solid waste services and a new cable option for residents.

There were several landmark accomplishments as well. The 20-Year Comprehensive Plan was updated. Stronger Tree Protection and Critical Areas Ordinances were enacted. And the largest capital project in years, the replacement of four undersized culverts on Lyon Creek, was completed in award winning style, eliminating flooding in the Sheridan Beach neighborhood and improving habitat for salmon migration and rearing.

A great pleasure for me has been representing the City on several regional bodies: the Lake Washington/Cedar River Watershed Salmon Recovery Council and the King Conservation District Advisory Committee, where I help set policies to conserve and enhance natural resources across King County.

Some of the future work of the City is already clear:

• Supporting bus rapid transit on Bothell Way and planning for a park-and-ride facility - both included in the voter approved ST3 plan
• Implementing the recommendations of the current Safe Streets and Safe Highways studies
• Securing funding to continue upstream culvert replacement
• Developing a true Parks Plan – critical for funding future parks improvements

To these I would add several goals for the City that are important to me: joining our neighboring cities in restricting the use of plastic carryout bags, and finding creative ways for Lake Forest Park to be a more active part of the solution to the accelerating global crisis of climate change.

I am fortunate to serve with capable colleagues and a dedicated administration, and look forward to being a constructive voice on the City Council during the next four years.

Mark Phillips
mark.s.phillips2017@gmail.com