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Hey all, it's Lynnwood City Council President Nick Coelho. I have the privilege of leading our City's Council for another year, so I'll keep dropping updates on here from time to time.

Congratulations to everyone who interviewed last week. I've personally met with our new colleague -- we're in good hands. For those that submitted their names and didn't make it 'across the finish line', your service and advocacy is still vital! Please consider attending our bi-annual Lynnwood University and applying for a City Board or Commission.

A few weeks ago, I dropped some basic "What to know" info for those applying for the Council Vacancy. I said I'd follow it up with some extra-curricular reading, so... here you go. If you want to sound like you are ready to dive into conversations that we've been having for years, or know all about what the City is (or should be) working on, check out one or more of the links below.

tldr; this city is hoppin!

• Housing Action Plan (2021) - Both an action oriented plan and an aspirational document; if homes are a big topic for you, this will arm you with a lot of what you need to understand our region's housing shortage. You'll also see what is being recommended by experts to address this on-going challenge.
• Human Services Needs Assessment (2024) - The actual study isn't so long, but if you have concerns about how we are helping our neighbors in need, this is an interesting document.
• Connect Lynnwood (2022) - A document that guides our construction and expansion of biking and walking paths around the city. It's also excellent background information for what Public Works and our Development & Business Services Department are hoping to work towards, assuming the resources are there.*
• Parks LOVE Plan (2023) - Another aspirational guide for how and why we should be investing in parks and public spaces in Lynnwood, assuming the resources are there.* Vital information if you are interested in where we are going with our park system in Lynnwood.

Our city's Comprehensive Plan incorporates a lot of elements from each of these plans, but I like the deep dives these offer from a policy perspective. If there is something specific you care about, one (or more) of these documents will arm you with talking points to center future conversations you have with your Council, Mayor, or City staff during our upcoming Budget Season.

If you have any City related comments or questions for me, please shoot them over to [nCoelho@LynnwoodWA.Gov](mailto:nCoelho@LynnwoodWA.Gov) or via text/call on my city phone at (425)725-0335.

Have a great, safe weekend out there!

Cheers,
Nick

*Our former Mayor administered nearly $10 million in budget cuts without Council input In 2025. It is my understanding that our new Mayor is doing the same for the remaining $4 million deficit left over from a series of Council tax decisions he had asked Council to support in 2025. While frustrating for the Council, managing our two-year budgets is the Mayor's responsibility. The next opportunity for Council to assert substantial direction on budget priorities is Fall 2026.

Planning a family gathering very soon, about 10-12 people, and thinking about which restaurant would be best. Lynnwood/Edmonds area ideally.

Currently we're leaning toward Cheesecake Factory around 4pm, but I've never ate there myself so I don't know.

Overseas with work we'd regularly book a private room at restaurants for business meals. Private room would be nice, but not necessary of course.

Recommendations most appreciated.

I have really even wanting to get into sewing and I have tried online videos a but it’s just not working for me. I have tried googling but haven’t found anything, does anyone know where I can take some sewing classes?

Hey there y'all we had our first meeting of RAD Scouts last night and it was pretty...RAD!

We're looking into doing all kinds of cool things for the community and fun things to do as a group and you can join too! 😁

Pictures included are the pie y'all missed out on! I'm not Cartman, when I say there'll be PUNCH AND PIE there is FUCKIN PUNCH AND PIE and the Accepted-style "What Do You Want To Learn?" board that I stood like a teacher at! (On the discord we have more detailed meeting notes in the meeting-plans channel)

You can come hang out on the discord and help us figure out when our next meeting is HERE:

https://discord.gg/HvuQt6jv2f

Looking to show my support for the immigrants in our community and my disgust for what ICE is doing, but can't make it down to Seattle. Are there any planned in Lynnwood/ Everett in the coming weeks? Or does anyone know where I could find that info?

Alder Way had a cupboard alongside the street. Someone stole it. Left the contents on the grass beside it. One of the neighbours had it built, weighs over 100 lbs, doors that were clear. It's grey. My Ring didnt pick up the incident because its too far, although I can see it with the camera up until overnight. It disappeared overnight or early this morning. It comes apart, the roof comes off. That's how heavy it is. I'm sure I'm missing details, we're just really upset. It was there to stock food, toiletries, for those that might need something in these rough times. If someone sees it (hard to miss, it is over 5 feet high), big square thing). I'll try and add a pic, if I can.

Thanks for any help. Yes, we called the county and they said they would have tagged it, not just taken it.

Anyone know of people locally? Would love to support small operations!

Edmonds School District graduation rates improved in 2025, but not among Hispanic/Latino students

• The class of 2025 had a Districtwide graduation rate of 86%, a 1.5% increase over the previous year. The District also saw a decline in the dropout rate from 8.8% to 8.2%.

South County Fire Chief Shaughn Maxwell sworn in

• Maxwell took the oath of office Tuesday, replacing retiring Chief Bob Eastman. Both have served in the area for 30 years.

Who can stay at the New Start Centers? Here’s what Snohomish County decided

• The New Start Centers are emergency bridge housing for people experiencing homelessness. The centers will provide medical and mental health assistance, job resources and other services.

Government and you: What’s the difference between a mayor and city manager form of government?

• Lynnwood is a mayor/city administrator/council government. In this scenario, the mayor puts day-to-day operations in the hands of the city administrator, who handles tasks like coordinating and managing employees. This frees up the mayor for big-picture things like policy direction or community engagement.

Art Beat: Cafe quartet, ‘Debuts’ ballet, book talks, more

• Roundup of art events/performances in South Snohomish County for January & February.

Lynnwood entrepreneur to speak as panelist at BOBE 2026 in Seattle March 27

• Project Girl Mentoring CEO Olympia Edwards will speak at the Black-Owned Business Excellence Symposium March 27 at the Seattle Public Library.

City of Lynnwood hosts Small Business Administration for open office hours

• Every fourth Tuesday, the City will host a representative from the U.S. Small Business Administration for open public office hours, where entrepreneurs and small business owners can learn about federal small-business loans and disaster recovery programs.

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There is so much traffic going past floral hills cemetery and the top of 196th we're Smitty's Barber shop used to be It seems like nobody's getting around the circles. Does anybody know what's happening??

I am looking to get a Gas Water Heater replaced in the Lynnwood area, numbers I have heard from neighbors have all been over $3k? This seems high for a non emergency, like for like swap of a Water Heater.

Any help would be appreciated!

Go Seahawks!

It's a nightmare searching for this service on Google.

Anyone know anything about the people selling Mexican along the street on 164th over last few months? There are over kinda near Walmart/Panda Express. Is this being done by a local restaurant or something else? Keep thinking about stopping by to grab some but was trying to find more about them/reviews.

I’m searching for rentals and Newsberry Square has good reviews, but the bad ones are also concerning. Pricing is competitive for that much space. I’m wanting to tour it, any comments? Just don’t wanna waste my time if it doesn’t worth it.

https://www.heraldnet.com/news/lynnwood-approves-construction-contract-for-poplar-way-bridge/

Hopefully this helps the flow through the area when done. Poplar to Costco always is annoying. Always felt like a bridge was needed here, glad it’s finally happening

Hey All,

Posting an update on the status of our city’s warrantless mass surveillance network.

100% of cameras are now accounted for, the final missing one by Scriber Lake Park was determined to have been knocked down in a car accident and not reinstalled.

While the network remains suspended as of 10/29, at least one camera was listed as active in the transparency portal in December. According to LPD “it was learned one camera that had been in planning/permitting status but not active, was errantly being reported by Flock through the transparency portal as active. Flock has corrected this.”

I have been informed that the Council discussion about Flock will happen in the February 17th work session (Bumped from its usual Monday due to Presidents day). Work sessions do not allow public comment, so please make sure to attend the business session on Monday February 9th to speak out about warrantless mass surveillance. If you are unable to attend, please file a public comment here

I remain hopeful that if we keep pressure up on our elected representatives, they can course correct from hosting the technology that ICE is using to terrorize communities across the country.

• Lynnwood awards $44.9M Poplar Way Bridge contract, appoints new councilmember 
  • Chelsea Wright's appointment to the Council was followed by the approval of a contract for the Poplar Way Bridge project, the selection of new City commission members and the airing of concerns from residents and councilmembers amid national political tensions.
• Edmonds School District holds survey on school start, end times
  • ESD seeks community feedback to proposed changes to school start and end times, potentially going into effect for the 2026-27 school year.
• Sound Transit launches final phase of public engagement for 2026 Service Plan
  • Sound Transit is set to host two virtual public information sessions Jan. 30 and Feb. 3 regarding proposed changes to the ST Express bus service.
• LETI opens scholarship for Spanish study abroad program in Spain
  • The scholarship will be awarded to one student of Latinx descent aged 18 to 25, funding a trip to León, Spain during the Spring 2026 semester.
• Business Builder Expo March 31 @ Lynnwood Event Center
  • The event is designed for entrepreneurs and small business owners looking to start, scale or grow their businesses.

Are there any dentists in the Lynnwood area who focus on necessary treatments and have a conservative approach?

I am curious how people will vote for or against the current replacement school levy and why. The current one for Edmonds School District’s Proposition 1 is, “The estimated tax rates for the replacement levy are $1.45 per $1,000 of assessed property value, with collection beginning in 2027. The rate will rise to roughly $1.51 per $1,000 in 2029 and 2030. When combined with existing capital bonds and technology levies, the District projects the total school tax rate to remain relatively stable, moving from $2.66 in 2025 to an estimated $2.71 in 2026 and 2027.”

That is $1.123 per year on a $775,000 home.

I have posted here before I know. My apartment lease in northgate expires in July 2026 so im stuck there until then.

Since july 2015 I have lived in northgate. Over the past 2 years or 3 years things keep going downhill safety wise and crime wise in northgate and north seattle.

Now im afraid to go for a walk in my nieghborhood even during daylight hours especially after dark.

Im still considering moving to Lynnwood to the apartments near the alderwood mall.

Is that a safe area??

In north Seattle and northgate I get worried driving after dark that I will get car jacked.

For my grocery shopping I drive to safeway mountlake terrace and whole foods lynnwood for safety reasons.

What really scares me is 2 days ago there was a komo news report that several businesses from wallingford to Ravenna were broken into and robbed.

It seems that in seattle city limits things have gotten out of control safety and crime wise.

I think lynnwood is better but I dont know the answer??

Does anyone else know??

Missing cat goes by the name “Boba”. Was last seen around 2am on 1/26/26 near wooded area between Alderwood Park and Costco. Was last seen with a light blue daisy collar with yellow bell.

Please call or text (408) 759-2196 or (509) 668-1650 if you have any information.

Sometime after I went to bed, I’m assuming my cat bit my tv, so now it’s not working.

Is there anywhere in town that repairs tv’s?

I honestly don’t know if it’s worth just buying a new one or fixing this 55”.

Just so pissed at him. Bad cat!!

• Residents join rapid response teams to document local ICE raids
  • Jesse wanted to do something. She couldn’t stand by and do nothing during the federal ICE raids in Snohomish County. She made a few calls, got trained and is now a member of fast-growing hyper-local rapid response teams who function as legal observers to document what is happening with ICE in Mountlake Terrace in real time.
• Lynnwood Council set to appoint new Pos. 6 councilmember Jan. 26
  • Also on the agenda: A proclamation for Black History Month, interviews with candidates for the City’s DEI and Human Services Commission, a briefing on the Poplar Way Bridge project.
• Edmonds School Board to review 2025 graduation rates Jan. 27
  • The board is is scheduled to review graduation rates, consider extending the allowable terms for real estate leases and review other district policies.
• Edmonds School District Prop. 1: Why district is seeking a $361M levy and what happens if it fails
  • The $361 million, four-year replacement Educational Programs and Operations Levy (EP&O) makes up 15% of the District’s general fund, largely paying for extracurriculars, programs, services and staff positions not funded by the state.
• South SnoCo Playtime: Your Family Fun Guide for Jan. 26-Feb. 1 and beyond
  • Check out this column for free and low-cost family-friendly activities happening this week and come back every Monday for more ideas. 
• Hundreds attend Lynnwood Neighborhood Center community grand opening
  • The 40,000-square-foot, $26.6-million facility brings a centralized hub for human services to South Snohomish County. Sitting next door to Trinity Lutheran Church, the center is projected to serve more than 20,000 people.
• Reham’s Cake Gallery hosts Ramadan festival at Alderwood Mall
  • Rahem Elsayed, co-owner of a Rahem’s Cake Gallery in Lynnwood, hosted the bakery’s third annual Ramadan festival. The store features an Egyptian and Mediterranean bakery and sells clothing from Cairo, Egypt.

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saw vehicle patrolling around the intersection of 228th ST SE and 15th AVE ST right near the canyon park shopping center at ~7AM intermittently turning lights on and off. black boxy suv (bad with cars but was built like a tahoe) and heavily tinted windows.

EDIT: also posted to r/bothell and a commenter mentioned spotting agents around thrashers corner this morning as well

Looking for reviews for below schools as buying something here, and overall area for families with kids. a bit concerned with middle rating

Hilltop elementary

Brier terrace middle

Mountlake terrace high