The Normandy Park City Council addressed public safety, infrastructure, and community development at its Tuesday, Aug. 13, 2024 meeting.

Residents voiced concerns about sidewalk accessibility and the drawbacks of fireworks, while the council took steps to enhance public safety through the implementation of Flock camera technology.

In addition, the council prioritized the creation of a new park and a multi-use sports court, signaling a renewed focus on community amenities.

Public Comments

One speaker thanked the council for their quick response to a request that a section of sidewalk be fixed, after she took a spill from her wheelchair while navigating the rough terrain. She then asked that the curb cuts at crosswalks be painted yellow. She said that they are all supposed to be yellow to increase visibility, and there is one in particular along 1st Avenue that is hard to find when it is covered in fall leaves. She said she would be willing to help to buy the yellow paint, and perhaps some high school students could do the work to fulfill their community service requirement.

Another speaker asked the council to reconsider the city’s policy on fireworks. He said since all the neighboring cities have banned fireworks, people from other areas now come to Normandy Park to shoot off their fireworks. He and his neighbors are worried about fire danger, with trees and shrubs being so dry every summer. He said he knows there might be some pushback to the idea of changing the fireworks ordinance, but thinks it’s worth considering.

Mayor’s Report

Mayor Eric Zimmerman reported back from a recent countywide meeting of mayors, at which they discussed the King County Regional Homelessness Authority (KCRHA). He said the messaging at the meeting was that King County and Seattle were asking outlying cities to do more to help the homeless, including providing land, housing, and funds. However, the consensus among mayors, Zimmerman felt, was that KCRHA is really struggling to fulfill its responsibilities effectively. He said there was general acknowledgement that the agency has not yet identified an effective response to homelessness, despite having a significant budget and plenty of time to address the problem.

Flock Cameras Approved

Council approved grant funding for the first year of Flock cameras to be used for crime fighting in busy shopping areas. These cameras are being employed regionally to identify vehicles wanted regarding crimes, such as getaway cars or stolen cars. Flock cameras are used extensively in Federal Way and Des Moines, and when multiple cities use them the system makes it very hard for criminals to evade the police. This pilot program funds the cameras in busy shopping areas for the first year, and then after that period elapses, business owners will decide if they are worth paying for on their own. If a crime has taken place at a business, the cameras would be helpful in catching the culprit.

Park Improvements Prioritized

Council voted unilaterally to prioritize the creation of a new park at the Heath property. Councilmember Mike Bishoff argued that this topic should not be left to linger any longer. He said it has been placed on the back burner as low-priority for the last ten years, and it would benefit everyone to do something about it sooner rather than later. He said the property has lots of potential. Council will be discussing this property, as well as the potential creation of a multi-use sports court, at the October meeting. First, both projects will be turned over to the Parks Department to work out the details.