There has been an increase in reports of car prowls and stolen packages in the area. Please remember to always lock your car doors and don't leave anything of value in plain sight. Also remove or hide anything a prowler might mistake as worth stealing. Signup for delivery notifications to know when packages will arrive or add delivery instructions if you will be gone when your package is scheduled to be delivered. If you see something suspicious, call 9-1-1.

Recently, there has been a lot in the news about per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in municipal water systems.  The Washington Department of Health is already formulating plans for testing for PFAS, and the Town was part of their fact-finding work, submitting several samples for testing that helped DOH determine how widespread the problem may be.  The list of PFAS tested for was quite long, and the good news is that our water had no detectable amounts of any.  If DOH determines that PFAS testing will be added as a regular item to their testing schedule, the Beaux Arts Water Department will conduct those tests according to the schedule they provide.

Thanks to a grant-sharing agreement with City of Bellevue, Villagers are invited to participate in Bellevue’s various recycling events. On August 19th, Bellevue is holding a document shredding event at Sammamish High School. If interested, bring your documents containing sensitive information to Sammamish High School, 100 140th Ave. SE, on Saturday, Aug. 19, 9 a.m.-noon or until the trucks are full.  An on-site shredder operated by a secure company will shred and recycle documents.  You may bring up to four (4) full banker-sized boxes (11”x11”x17.5” max per box); documents will be dumped into the shredder and the empty boxes will be immediately returned to customers.  PLEASE NOTE: The following materials will contaminate the recycling process and are NOT accepted at this event: already shredded paper, computer disks, plastic of any kind, X-rays, three-ring binders, cardboard, and garbage.

The Council met on Tuesday July 11, 2023 and discussed the following:

• Tegeler Tree Removal Request: Steve Tegeler asked to remove a plum tree on the Town right-of-way adjacent to his building site at 2820 – 105th Ave SE. The tree is growing horizontally, and the Town Arborist concurs that it is not a good long-term retention tree. The Council approved Mr. Tegeler’s request. He will mitigate this removal with the Town Arborist’s input.
• Street Vacations: The Council was recently asked to consider vacating an unused street right-of-way. After much deliberation, the Council determined that it is in the Town’s best interest to retain these public properties.
• Water Rate Study: Councilmember McCarthy recapped his work to date and noted that he now has water-usage data and budget information to help him finish this project. He expects to have a recommendation for the Council in the Fall.
• Tree Code Concerns: The Council briefly discussed the need to review the Tree Code to clarify some its administrative aspects and to decide if the current fines are sufficient to deter the unpermitted removal of trees on private property. This discussion will continue at the September Council meeting.
• Capital Improvement Plan: The Council reviewed a draft CIP and will adopt it in September.
• Legislative Update: The Council continue its discussion of the impact of recent “middle-housing” bills passed by the State Legislature.

Reminder: The Council does not meet in August. Their next regular meeting will be on Tuesday September 12th.

All necessary permits were issued last month for:

• 10529 SE 28th St: right-of-way permit
• 10529 SE 28th St: demo permit
• 10529 SE 28th St: building permit
• 10529 SE 28th St: tree removal permit