Council approves funding for Civic Campus final design

The Snohomish City Council approved a $2 million budget for the Civic Campus final design, aiming for a “shovel-ready” status to facilitate future construction. This decision split the council, as some members questioned the appropriateness of spending ahead of the November elections, where candidates opposed to the project are campaigning. The city also announced a delay in the introduction of Flock cameras, which scan vehicle license plates, until 2026, waiting for legislative changes regarding their usage. A public hearing on the city's property tax levy is scheduled for the November 18 council meeting. In a separate initiative, crews cleared overgrown mugo pines along the Centennial Trail to enhance safety, with plans for new grass seeding that requires less maintenance.

Snohomish’s paved section of the Centennial Trail, completed in 2012, is part of a larger 30-mile project. City administrator Heather Thomas-Murphy indicated that a spot for future memorial trees has been designated in the cleared area. The mugo pine, known for its shrub-like appearance, posed safety concerns due to its overgrowth.