| Jeff Lyon |
| No response for primary |
| Michelle Evans |
| Michelle Evans, Woodinville City Council re-election, Position 1 |
| Jeff Lyon |
| No response |
| Michelle Evans |
| Woodinville must lead with purpose, actions and results. That’s exactly what we did with Eastrail Flats, which opened in June 2025 and became the first affordable housing project built in Woodinville in more than 20 years. 12.5% of the units will be rented at 50% of the Area Median Income (or AMI) for the life of the project. These affordable units didn’t happen by accident. Eastrail Flats happened because I made affordable housing a priority when I was first elected. I made sure we didn’t just talk about affordability, but that we actually built it. Here’s how: 1. We created and adopted the Housing Action Plan (May 2023), a clear, community-driven roadmap that outlines actionable strategies to expand affordability. This sends a strong, consistent signal to builders: if you want to build in Woodinville, affordability must be part of the plan. 2. We directed and empowered our city manager to negotiate affordable housing into all new development agreements, ensuring affordability isn’t optional or a surprise. Affordability is baked into all new development agreement negotiations from the first conversation. 3. We adopted the Multi-Family Tax Exemption (MFTE) program, giving builders tax incentives to include affordable units. This public-private tool is critical for making deeply affordable housing financially viable in our high-cost region. 4. We’re taking bold action to modernize outdated zoning laws actively reviewing and updating our codes to support more diverse housing options like duplexes, ADUs, and cottage clusters that fit within the character of our neighborhoods. We’re also rezoning parts of Woodinville to allow mixed-use development in areas that previously only permitted commercial use, significantly expanding the total area available for housing construction, especially near transit corridors where people want to live, work, and thrive. 5. We are active members and strong supporters of A Regional Coalition for Housing (ARCH), working together with partner cities to plan, fund, and deliver affordable housing at a regional scale. 6. We established an affordable housing fund through a development agreement amendment, securing $300,000 in funding and land valued around $3.5 million. This lays a strong foundation for future affordable housing projects right here in Woodinville. Together, these efforts aren’t just policy, they’re proof that when enough of the City Council works together to do the hard work of setting clear priorities and following through with strategic partnerships, bold action, and community accountability, real progress on housing isn’t just possible, it’s a reality. |
| Jeff Lyon |
| No response |
| Michelle Evans |
| Woodinville is a small city with a big heart (just 5.5 square miles and under 14,000 residents) and we’re also realistic about our limitations. We don’t have the budget or infrastructure to solve homelessness and housing insecurity alone. That’s why we focus on regional solutions and strong partnerships that can truly move the needle. We’re proud members of the North Urban Human Services Alliance (NUHSA), which unites cities to coordinate services, share resources, and advocate for a more connected safety net across our region. People experiencing homelessness don’t recognize city boundaries, so our solutions shouldn’t either. We’ve also taken proactive steps to support upstream, restorative approaches. In 2024, we chose to fund and join the Kirkland Community Court, an innovative model that connects people charged with non-violent crimes to wraparound services like housing support, nutrition support, addiction treatment, and job training, helping individuals stabilize their lives while reducing recidivism. A few City Council members have also begun conversations around creating a housing crisis fund, which would enable Woodinville to respond more directly to emergency needs and invest in long-term housing solutions. While this is still in early discussion, it signals our seriousness about addressing these challenges with purpose and compassion. To truly support those experiencing housing insecurity, we must continue investing in what works: regional collaboration, upstream interventions, and systems built on human dignity and evidence, not just rhetoric. |
| Jeff Lyon |
| No response |
| Michelle Evans |
| Public safety must be both effective and just. That means investing not just in traditional enforcement, but in smart, responsive, and equitable systems that address the real needs of our community. In Woodinville, we’re shifting toward a model that puts people first and prioritizes upstream solutions. Here’s how: Investing in the right responders for the right situation: We fund CORE Connect, which deploys trained professionals, not police officers, to respond to community members experiencing crises related to mental health, substance use, or housing insecurity. This program helps ensure people get the right kind of help, from the right kind of responder, at the right time. Expanding alternatives to traditional prosecution: Restorative justice is a proven, non-traditional approach that focuses on accountability, rehabilitation, and practical solutions. I personally advocated for Woodinville to join the Kirkland Community Court program, which offers wraparound services, like housing support, job training, and addiction recovery, for individuals charged with non-violent offenses. It’s a smarter, more compassionate way to break the cycle of low-level crime. Strengthening partnerships with law enforcement: We’ve invested in the Therapeutic Response Unit (TRU), which embeds mental health professionals alongside our King County Sheriff's deputies. These co-responders deliver real-time crisis care and connect people to critical resources, while reducing the risk of unnecessary escalation. These programs aren’t just ideas, they’re real, working models that are already making our public safety system more responsive, more humane, and more effective. And we’re just getting started. We’ve committed to these initiatives because they work, and we will continue to monitor, improve, and expand our offerings as new regional opportunities emerge. Public safety is not a one-time investment, it’s an ongoing commitment to building systems that adapt to our community’s evolving needs. To build a truly safe community, we must go beyond traditional definitions of public safety. That means tackling root causes, expanding trusted resources, and building systems that serve everyone, fairly and effectively. |
| Jeff Lyon |
| No response |
| Michelle Evans |
| Accessing human services, especially behavioral health and crisis care, requires regional coordination, proactive funding, and stronger local systems. Here’s how Woodinville is taking action and where we’re heading next: Existing Partnerships & Programs 1. CORE Connect mobile intervention Since July 2022, Woodinville has partnered with Eastside Fire & Rescue and the police to provide mobile integrated health responses. Over Year 1, 66 referrals were made for crises related to housing insecurity, mental health, substance concerns, and more—showing real traction in reaching people in need. 2. NUHSA membership As members of the North Urban Human Services Alliance (NUHSA), Woodinville engages in regional advocacy, service coordination, data-sharing, and policy influence for North King County nuhsa.org. 3. Biennial Human Services Grant Program Each budget cycle, Woodinville funds local nonprofit providers offering food, shelter, behavioral health support, and basic survival services through a competitive city grant. What We Should Do Differently (and Better) The following are solutions I’m actively advocating for both in my current term. If re-elected, I will continue to advocate for them in the years ahead. While no official City decisions have been made yet, many of these ideas are gaining traction. I recognize that some will require creative budgeting and strong partnerships, but that’s exactly the kind of work I’m committed to doing. 1. Create a City-level Crisis Fund Establish a dedicated local Crisis and Behavioral Health Fund to supplement county and nonprofit services, ensure rapid response to urgent needs, and cover gaps in access, especially for residents who fall through existing safety nets. 2. Expand CORE Connect capacity With demonstrated success, we should increase funding for staffing to extend CORE Connect’s reach, reducing response delays, adding weekend, holiday and overnight coverage, and deepening follow-up case management. 3. Promote partnerships with King County Crisis Centers The new Connections Kirkland Crisis Care Center, part of King County’s five-site network, offers 24/7 mental health urgent care. Woodinville should more prominently promote and incorporate that resource into local crisis referral protocols 4. Build a local behavioral health resource hub Launch a city-sponsored online resource hub, streamlining connections to counseling, case management, substance use services (like those listed by SOUND and Valley Cities), eviction prevention, and other support, matching need to locally accessible service. 5. Increase outreach & education Invest in community awareness of 988 crisis dialing, mobile crisis options, low-barrier counseling, and grant-funded human service supports—especially targeted toward youth, seniors, and cost-burdened households . By deepening our investment in proven regional services and building smarter, more agile local systems, Woodinville can ensure every resident in crisis has the support they need, when they need it. We’re a small city with big vision, and the layered infrastructure to deliver on that promise. |
| Jeff Lyon |
| No response |
| Michelle Evans |
| Transit equity and access to essential services are vital, but for a city like Woodinville, the path isn’t straightforward. We’ve spent the past four years actively advocating to King County Metro for better transit service. While we've received commitments, the reality is that those improvements haven’t yet materialized on the ground. And because Sound Transit buses and light rail aren't coming to Woodinville, we need to get creative with the things we do control. One way we’re doing that is by testing bold ideas. This summer and next, we’ve launched a Lime bike and scooter pilot program. It’s designed to close the “first mile, last mile” gap for residents—making it easier to reach UW Bothell via the Sammamish River Trail, where Sound Transit rapid bus lines connect into the regional light rail system. Residents can also use the Eastrail trail connection to Redmond Light Rail via Redmond Town Center. And for residents on public assistance, Lime offers fare reductions of up to 70%, making this a truly accessible option for many. We’re also investing in our trails, sidewalks, and bike lanes to create safer, easier access to transit and core services without relying on a car. Our investment goals are to prioritize safe multimodal routes to schools, trails, parks and transit. There’s no one-size-fits-all solution, but I’m committed to continuing this work, including pressing our regional partners for delivery on their promises, while innovating locally to bridge the access gap with practical, affordable, people-centered options. |
| Jeff Lyon |
| No response |
| Michelle Evans |
| Woodinville takes a fiscally responsible approach to taxation—and we have the results to prove it. In 2024, the city portion of property tax was just $0.59 per $1,000 of assessed value—making us one of the lowest City property tax rates in Washington state. (see the breakdown here; City General Fund is Woodinville’s portion of property tax https://cdn.kingcounty.gov/-/media/king-county/depts/assessor/buildings-property/reports/levy-rate-info/city-tax-comparison/2023-2024/2024councildist-median-avchg-woodinville.pdf?rev=66766ff2035b4b5280625f3f6e0984f3&hash=A95B3CD1B7EBB627B744010D1A8FC728) We’ve balanced the city budget every year since 2017 without raising our local property tax levy. That means we’ve continued to invest in parks, safety, infrastructure, and services without passing the burden onto residents. This is partly due to our fiscal responsibility and partly due to our strategy of hiring Federal and State lobbyists who have helped us secure over $23 million to support our infrastructure growth. We also support tax relief programs for seniors, affordable housing projects and disabled residents. Through King County, qualifying residents can receive significant property tax reductions or deferrals, helping those on fixed incomes stay in their homes longer and with greater financial stability. At the same time, we’re using smart tools to promote affordability without raising taxes. Our Multi-Family Tax Exemption (MFTE) program offers targeted tax incentives to developers who include affordable units in their buildings, putting real housing options within reach for more working families. What I’ll Keep Fighting For 1. Protecting our low local tax rate while maintaining strong city services. 2. Defending tax relief for seniors and vulnerable residents, ensuring they’re not priced out of our community. 3. Expanding programs like MFTE to drive affordability and smart growth. 4. Exploring creative, equitable alternatives that deliver community impact without placing undue burden on any one group. In short: I believe in fair, responsible, and effective taxation that supports real community outcomes. That’s the kind of leadership I’ve delivered, and that’s the kind I’ll continue to bring. |
| Jeff Lyon |
| No response |
| Michelle Evans |
| Representation isn’t something we can assume, it’s something we have to build. That’s why, one of the first things I championed after being elected was adding a full-time city staff position focused on community outreach. This role was created with a clear mission: to build authentic relationships with residents, businesses, faith communities, and other groups that historically haven’t had a voice in Woodinville policy decisions. I also served on the subcommittee that created the Woodinville Community Engagement Framework, which now ensures that equity and outreach are baked into every major city project from day one. One of the outcomes of that work was the launch of ProjectWoodinville.org. This is a central hub where anyone can see what’s happening across the city and engage throughout the life cycle of big initiatives, not just at the final vote. We’ve also changed how we show up. The city is now actively attending community events to talk with residents where they already are, removing barriers and creating a more welcoming, accessible environment for engagement. In addition, the city is now hosting at least one community listening session each month, ensuring we’re not just informing the public, but truly listening, answering questions, and staying accessible to the people we serve. And through my partnership with the Woodinville Chamber of Commerce, I co-host business listening sessions, creating space for local business owners, leaders and employees to share insights, challenges, and ideas directly with city leadership. We’ve made real progress, but I know this work is never done. I’ll continue pushing for inclusive outreach, language access, and early community involvement to ensure everyone in Woodinville has a voice and a pathway to help shape our future. |
| Jeff Lyon |
| No response |
| Michelle Evans |
| Environmental justice means ensuring that every resident, regardless of neighborhood or income, has access to clean air, green space, and a future not threatened by pollution, climate change, or environmental neglect. In Woodinville, we’re beginning to weave equity and sustainability together in meaningful ways, and I’ve been proud to help lead that shift. One of my proudest accomplishments was helping to pass Woodinville’s first-ever Climate Action Plan. It’s a blueprint for how we reduce emissions, prepare for climate impacts, and do so in a way that includes all parts of our community, not just the most resourced. We’ve also eliminated pesticide use on city property, improving health and safety in our public spaces and reducing harmful runoff into our waterways. And we’re innovating while keeping costs low. One standout example: our salmon restoration project repurposes an old railroad trestle into a pedestrian footbridge over Little Bear Creek, while also removing three culverts and restoring the natural stream flow, a win for wildlife, water quality, and public access. I’ve also been working closely with local partners like Master Gardeners and Pollinator Pathways NW to identify cost-effective, community-driven green projects, such as planting Miyawaki-style pocket forests. These tiny but powerful native forests grow quickly and provide long-term ecological benefits—even in small urban spaces—making them ideal for public lands and neighborhoods that have traditionally lacked greenery. Going forward, I believe we must: 1. Embed equity assessments into every environmental policy, ensuring no neighborhood is overlooked. 2. Invest in climate resiliency, especially in areas more vulnerable to heat, flooding, or wildfire risks. 3. Make sustainability accessible—from energy-efficient housing to safe walking and biking options. Environmental justice isn’t just about protecting nature—it’s about protecting people, especially those historically excluded from environmental decision-making. And in Woodinville, I’m committed to continuing that work. |
| Jeff Lyon |
| No response |
| Michelle Evans |
| I want to thank you for the work you do, not just during election season, but every day, to push our communities toward justice, equity, and inclusion. I share that mission, and I’m proud to be your partner in advancing it through policy, advocacy, and action. I’m proud to be endorsed by the King County Democrats, the 1st Legislative District Democrats, and many other progressive leaders and organizations who know my record and values. I’ve spent my time on City Council doing the real work, expanding affordable housing, investing in climate action, promoting restorative justice, and making government more accessible to people who’ve historically been excluded. Unfortunately, there are Elon Musk-style groups trying to confuse voters, like “Democratic Woodinville,” which is not affiliated with the Democratic Party, and is backed by individuals spreading misinformation and attacking progressive candidates. Democratic Woodinville funded almost exclusively by Jeff Lyon, has already spent more than $168,000, which is more than ALL spending for Woodinville City Council 2009-2023. Democratic Woodinville/Jeff Lyon are part of a larger playbook we’ve seen across the country: create confusion, attack progressive candidates, divide voters, and stall progress. Read the press release from the King County Democrats: https://www.kcdems.org/2025/02/statement-regarding-misleading-branding-and-spending-by-democratic-woodinville/ See my blog post and video on how to recognize, decode and defuse these political tricks: https://www.michelle4woodinville.com/blog/how-to-recognize-decode-and-defuse-political-tricks-in-woodinville In Woodinville, we can reject these well-funded political tricks. We can choose leaders who are grounded, transparent, and rooted in service, not spin. So if you care about climate justice, housing justice, restorative justice, and democratic values, not just in name but in practice, I would be honored to earn your continued support and partnership. |