Starting Friday, March 13: Coffee with Mayor Josh
Every Friday, let's chat over coffee. No agenda required.
Starting Friday, March 13, I’m holding weekly office hours at the Pine Lake Starbucks (3016 Issaquah-Pine Lake Rd SE). If you have something on your mind — a concern, an idea, a question about what the city is doing — come find me.
You can schedule a time in advance through Microsoft Bookings: Schedule a time here. Drop-ins are welcome too. If I’m not already in a meeting with someone, I’m happy to talk.
These will happen every Friday. Occasionally I’ll be out of town or at an offsite commitment. If all the booking slots appear full, that’s likely why. I’ll do my best to keep those interruptions rare. If you’re dropping in, check the booking link or here before you come as I will be listing dates I am unavailable.
While I’m the Mayor, under Sammamish’s council-manager form of government, I don’t have more decision-making authority than any other councilmember. I can’t direct city staff, and I can’t unilaterally resolve most issues residents bring to me. If you tell me a pothole needs fixing, I can’t call public works and make it happen (but I can ask the city manager to prioritize fixing it).
What I can do is vote on policy and budgets, bring your concern into a council discussion, and make sure the right people hear it. I can also tell you honestly where something stands in the process, what’s been decided, what’s still open, and who actually has the authority to act on it.
That’s the point of this. City hall can feel distant. I’d rather you be able to sit across from me and say what’s on your mind.
Let’s chat on Fridays over coffee.
Coffee with the Council
This is separate from the city’s Coffee with the Council program, which brings together three rotating councilmembers the first Saturday of every month at Metropolitan Market. This is my individual office hours, every Friday.