Bothell mayor, city manager deliver State of the City address

A full-capacity crowd gathered at the Rosewood Room in Country Village Shops last week to hear Bothell Mayor Andy Rheaume and City Manager Jennifer Phillips deliver the State of the City address.

The luncheon was organized by the Greater Bothell Chamber of Commerce, and other local officials in attendance included Northshore School District Superintendent Michelle Reid, former state Sen. Rosemary McAuliffe, Bothell Deputy Mayor Davina Duerr and Bothell City Councilmembers James McNeal and Tris Samberg.

The presentation started with a video showing the highlights of 2016 and upcoming projects including the Main Street reconstruction.

Rheaume was the first to speak, highlighting 2016 events from the Main Street fire and the hiring of a new city manager to the complete acquisition of North Creek Forest, daylighting of Horse Creek and the voter-approved Safe Streets and Sidewalks initiative. He called the initiative “critical to the future of our city.”

He also acknowledged all of the construction affecting traffic in downtown Bothell, adding that it is part of the city’s commitment to economic development and the end products will be worth the traffic headaches.

“We have never waivered from our commitment to economic development (and) economic vitality for the city,” he said.

Phillips took to the podium to address what’s to come for Bothell in 2017 and beyond. She said city staff would be putting new software systems in place, one of which will allow residents to pay their utilities online.

“Yes, we’re a government agency, but we need to be a good business,” Phillips said.

She added that also includes being more timely and transparent across the board with the services the city provides, including permitting and parking. Phillips also encouraged those in the room to become more engaged with the city, letting staff and officials know what they can do to better serve people.

“I need to hear from you,” she said. “I need to know where your challenges are. … That’s how I learn.”

Phillips started as city manager in January, and the address was also seen as a way for more people to get to know her and her enthusiasm about the city.

“I am absolutely delighted to be your new city manager,” Phillips said to close the address. “I look forward to this year and the years ahead.”