Clyde Hill News: Expected vacancies present opportunities for residents
Also: New council member sworn in; state dismisses complaint against incoming mayor.
Residents interested in applying for expected vacancies on the city council, planning commission, or budget advisory committee can find information on the city’s website here (link). The application deadline is December 15th.
At last week’s city council meeting, new council member Steve Sinwell was sworn in and took his seat after King County certified his election victory in the race for council position 2. Clyde Hill’s next mayor, Steve Friedman, and its other new council member, Ryan Olson, will begin their terms in January.
More details on these topics, a complaint against Clyde Hill’s incoming mayor, and an increase in city taxes and fees, below.
(Apologies for the late newsletter; I was offline with unexpected east coast travel.)
Also: a warm welcome to new readers! If someone forwarded you this newsletter, subscribing is free and easy!
Disclaimer: while I am a councilmember on the Clyde Hill City Council, I write this newsletter in my capacity as an individual resident. Any opinions expressed are my own and not necessarily the position of the city. City information and references here are from public sources. I welcome email responses — and if the topic is about city business I will respond from my city email account.
Expected vacancies and opportunities for residents
Here’s an overview of current public service opportunities for Clyde Hill residents:
City Council position 1. The current office-holder was just elected mayor. The term ends December 2025.
Planning Commission position 1. The current office-holder was just elected to the city council. The term ends December 2024.
Planning Commission position 5. The current office-holder’s term ends December 2023.
Budget Advisory Committee member. Multiple positions are available. The commitment is for one year.
Details are available here (link).
Some residents asked why Cm Sinwell’s term in position 2 started last week, while the other newly elected officials start their terms in January.
For context, former Cm Scott Moore was elected to position 2 in 2019. He formally resigned his position earlier this year right before moving away from Clyde Hill. (Residency is a requirement to serve as a council member.) The remaining council members appointed a replacement to fill the vacancy in May.
Per state law, according to MRSC:1
For seats that are vacant or filled by an appointee prior to the election, the winning candidate assumes office immediately after becoming qualified, which occurs once the votes have been certified and the winner takes their oath…. For more information, see RCW 42.12.040 and 42.12.070(6). (link)
State dismisses complaint
The state agency that regulates candidates, campaigns and lobbyists dismissed a complaint against current council member and incoming mayor Steve Friedman.
The complaint to the Public Disclosure Commission, filed by Clyde Hill resident Spencer Nurse, alleged that Friedman violated RCW 42.17A.555 (link) by using public facilities in his campaign for mayor when he included the logo of the Clyde Hill Police Department on his campaign website. (Friedman’s use of the logo was in reference to his endorsement by the union that represents Clyde Hill’s police officers.)
According to a letter from the PDC, it dismissed the matter in accordance with RCW 42.17A.755(1) (link) and WAC 390-37-060(1)(a) (link).
For context, Nurse runs a political action committee (link) and campaigned against Friedman during the election. He also attempted to recruit an opponent to run against Friedman. Previously, Nurse alleged that Friedman spent city funds on “personal agendas and pet projects” like limiting residents’ ability to fly the American flag. As noted in previous newsletters, the accusations are specious.
Utility fee and tax increases
Last week, the city council unanimously approved the administration’s proposed 2024 city budget, including a 1% increase in property taxes and, for the first time since 2009, increases in utility fees and taxes:
The city expects approximately $53,000 in additional revenue from these changes.
Thank you for reading! Please forward and share with your friends and neighbors, and if you are not already getting this newsletter, subscribing is both easy and free.
Dean Hachamovitch