On April 18, 2023, Council held its regular meeting at 7:00 p.m. 

If you missed watching the regular meeting live, you can always see videos of past Council and Commission meetings on our YouTube channel. 

Here are the highlights from last week’s meeting. See the Agenda Packet for additional information and documentation.  

Councilmember Comment Highlights 

Councilmember Charbonneau reminded Newcastle residents that there is an election on April 25, and that there’s a ballot box directly in front of City Hall. He also noted that he and City Manager Pingel had a good recent meeting with the Superintendent of the Renton School District, Damien Pattenaude. Councilmember Clark made suggestions for next steps on the slurry seal project. Councilmembers Villaseñor and Griffin, and Deputy Mayor Sherlock, all wished everyone a happy Tax Day. Deputy Mayor Sherlock also expressed her gratitude for good neighbors here in Newcastle. Mayor Newing noted the boxes lining the halls and Chamber, mentioned that staff was in the midst of archiving old records, and thanked them for their work. She also noted that she would be in attendance at the Newcastle Diamond Awards, hosted by the Newcastle Chamber of Commerce, on April 20. (You can read up on the award recipients. Thank you to all the winners and finalists for helping make Newcastle such a great place to live and do business!) 

City Manager Report 

The written report summarizes the results of the Spring Recycling Event, gives staffing updates for both the City and the Newcastle Police Department, informs about the Regional Animal Services of King County “License for Love” promotion, gives election information for April 25, announces Earth Month programming, and lists upcoming events. In addition to the written report, City Manager Pingel noted that the Newcastle Police Department will be implementing body cameras. Dates for that rollout will be determined by the King County Sheriff’s Office.  

Lake Boren Park Improvements Phase I: Crosstown Trail 

Public Works Director Jeff Brauns gave an update on the upcoming first phase of Lake Boren Park improvements for the Crosstown Trail (P-022). You can read the full agenda bill and supporting documents in the meeting agenda. Related to this business, Council took the following actions: 

• Adopted Resolution 2023-944 (construction of Crosstown Trail at Lake Boren) 5-1 

• Adopted Resolution 2023-945 (contract for construction support services – Berger Partnership) 5-1 

• Adopted a motion directing staff to prepare a budget amendment for Project P-022 to accommodate increased project cost 6-0 

Approved on Consent 

• Audit of bills for March 14 – April 5 
• Adoption of Resolution 2023-943 (construction of Newcastle Way bus shelter improvements, T-038) 

The Newcastle City Council wants to hear from you! Members of the public are invited to share thoughts during public hearings or during the two open public comment periods at meetings. Regular meetings of the City Council currently occur on the first and third Tuesdays of each month starting at 7 p.m., unless otherwise noted. You can email your thoughts to Councilmembers at [email protected].