2026-10-20 Council

The City of Newcastle City Council meeting on October 21, 2026, included updates on two major capital projects. For Park at 95th, staff described a phased design plan and said an RFQ would be issued for the next design phase. The current 30% design phase has about $400,000 secured—approximately $189,000 from a Commerce grant and $200,000 budgeted by the city. A further $200,000 RCO grant and a legislative request are pending; completing design is estimated at approximately $950,600, while construction is projected at $12–13 million, tentatively targeted for 2029–2030. No award or funding decision was made. For the hazardous-dam embankment project, staff reported approximately $6.35 million in funding against an estimated $4.8 million construction cost, including a roughly $3.1 million FEMA grant administered through the state Department of Ecology. Because that grant must be used by September 2029, staff said they would prepare to proceed with construction, with a trail detour during the work; a replacement bridge remains separately unfunded. Council members expressed support for moving forward, but no formal vote was recorded.

The preliminary 2027 budget discussion covered capital and other funds, including a $1.425 million pavement management program, transportation design work, and Lake Boren Park projects supported by state and King County grants. A council member raised a possible Transportation Benefit District sales tax, estimating $225,000–$250,000 in annual revenue; the council discussed the required process but took no action. The city manager said a fire-services contract extension would be included in a future update for council feedback. The consent agenda was approved as presented. No contract award or vendor selection was identified.