Development News for Edgewood, Washington

Edgewood Council Seeks Detailed Plan and Budget for Park Fireworks Show

Council Member Keith requested an update on the fireworks show planned for the park, seeking a detailed sketch of the plan and a full budget breakdown. This includes expenses, staff time, in-kind donations, and police overtime. Additionally, she asked for confirmation that the city's insurance carrier has approved the plans. Staff agreed to provide this update at the June 16th study session.

Edgewood City Council Reviews Six-Year Transportation Plan Update

The Edgewood City Council held a study session to discuss the annual transportation improvement plan update for 2027-2032. This plan serves as an annual budgeting tool and must be submitted to the State Department of Transportation by July 1st. The update aligns with the capital improvement plan and includes 16 projects with anticipated spending over the next six years. Key discussions included the impact of the SR 167 project on traffic, specifically noting a potential improvement in the level of service on Meridian due to trip removal, though not substantially. The council also discussed the Southwest Freight Connector project, formerly the railroad frontage road, and its proposed design funding in 2032, contingent on land acquisition. Funding for the urban trail phase three was also a point of discussion, with staff indicating potential grant funding of $4-6 million and exploring legislative asks. The council generally agreed to move the transportation plan update to the consent agenda for the following week's regular meeting.

Edgewood Council Debates Lowering Age Limit for E-Scooter Riders

Council Member Pasierbski initiated a discussion regarding Ordinance 26-0711 concerning e-bikes and scooters, specifically focusing on lowering the age limit for motorized foot scooters. Currently, the state RCW sets the minimum age at 16. Pasierbski expressed a desire to encourage outdoor activity among youth, but after discussing with Chief Youngman, concerns about safety, maturity, and liability arose. Chief Youngman highlighted issues with both motorized scooters and e-bikes, particularly with underage riders on roadways and narrow sidewalks. The discussion explored the idea of parental supervision as an alternative to lowering the age, with some council members supporting it. However, concerns about liability for the city if a child under 16 were injured, even with supervision, were raised. The difficulty of enforcing age limits and potential for age misrepresentation were also discussed. Ultimately, while the desire to get kids outdoors was strong, the majority leaned towards maintaining the age limit at 16 due to safety and liability concerns, with some openness to exploring parental supervision models if legally feasible.