LFP Council Preview: Extension of Medical Marijuana Moratorium and More

The Lake Forest Park City Council is expected to extend the city's medical marijuana moratorium 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 26.

The Council seemed poised at its Jan. 12 meeting to continue to prohibit medical marijuana from being grown and distributed in Lake Forest Park until local rules are worked out and the Legislature clarifies the new state law on collective gardens that passed last July.

The Council will also vote on several other items Thursday night. 

The city wants help to fund Lake Ballinger/McAleer Creek Capital Improvement Plan and address flooding problems, as part of the Lake Ballinger/McAleer Creek Watershed Forum which includes Edmonds and Mountlake Terrace.

The city is seeking several million in federal money to help remedy the issue and has hired the Seattle lobbying firm the Johnston Group, led by Jake Johnston, to help that effort in Washington, D.C.

Similar to the 2011 agreement, this interlocal agreement provides for federal government relations in 2012-13 from the Johnston Group according to the scope of work with a contract amount of $30,000/year and administrative support of $4,800/year. These costs will be shared between a minimum of three member jurisdictions. The maximum share the City will be responsible for is $11,600/year, according to city documents.

The Council will also vote on Resolution 1288, which authorizes Mayor Mary Jane Goss to sign an Interlocal Agreement for the North Sound Metro Special Weapons and Tactics/Crisis Negotiating Team. There is no extra cost except for overtime pay for officers responding to calls when service is used, according to Police Chief Dennis Peterson, who made the request.

The Council will also decide whether to approve an expenditure of $23,398 to remove the house on Town Center Park at 17038 44th Ave NE, a move that is related to flood control. 

Aside from the consent calendar votes, the Council will discuss the proposed February 3-4 2012 Council Retreat Agenda.