05/24/2011 City CouncilEDMONDS CITY COUNCIL APPROVED MINUTES
May 24, 2011
At 6:00 p.m., Council President Peterson announced that the City Council would meet in
executive session regarding labor negotiations. He stated that the executive session was
scheduled to last approximately one hour and would be held in the Jury Meeting Room located in
the Public Safety Complex. No action was anticipated to occur as a result of meeting in
executive session. Elected officials present at the executive session were: Mayor Cooper, and
Councilmembers Peterson, Petso, Buckshnis, Wilson and Fraley- Monillas. Others present were
Attorneys Sharon Cates and Rosa Fruehling- Watson, Human Services Director Debi Humann,
Public Works Director Phil Williams, Assistant Chief of Police Gerry Gannon, and City Clerk
Sandy Chase. The executive session concluded at 6:53 p.m.
The regular City Council meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by Mayor Cooper in the
Council Chambers, 250 5th Avenue North, Edmonds. The meeting was opened with the flag
salute.
ELECTED OFFICIALS PRESENT
Mike Cooper, Mayor
Strom Peterson, Council President
D. J. Wilson, Councilmember
Lora Petso, Councilmember
Adrienne Fraley- Monillas, Councilmember
Diane Buckshnis, Councilmember
ELECTED OFFICIALS ABSENT
Steve Bernheim, Councilmember
Michael Plunkett, Councilmember
ALSO PRESENT
Peter Gibson, Student Representative
1. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
STAFF PRESENT
Gerry Gannon, Assistant Police Chief
Phil Williams, Public Works Director
Jeff Taraday, City Attorney
Sandy Chase, City Clerk
Jana Spellman, Senior Executive Council Asst.
COUNCILMEMBER BUCKSHNIS MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCIL PRESIDENT
PETERSON, TO APPROVE THE AGENDA IN CONTENT AND ORDER. MOTION CARRIED
UNANIMOUSLY.
2. CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS
COUNCILMEMBER BUCKSHNIS MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCIL PRESIDENT
PETERSON, TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
The agenda items approved are as follows:
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May 24, 2011
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A. ROLL CALL
B. APPROVAL OF CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OF MAY 17, 2011.
C. APPROVAL OF CLAIM CHECKS #125527 THROUGH #125648 DATED MAY 1.9, 2011.
FOR $235,785.09. APPROVAL OF PAYROLL DIRECT DEPOSIT AND CHECKS #50415
THROUGH #50450 FOR THE PERIOD MAY 1, 2011 . THROUGH MAY 1.5, 2011 FOR
$638,251.29.
D. ACCEPTANCE OF MARCH/APRIL WASHINGTON STATE LIQUOR CONTROL
BOARD LISTS OF BUSINESSES RENEWING LICENSES.
E. TRANSFER AND HOLD HARMLESS AGREEMENT OF POLICE DOG ROCKY TO
OFFICER SHANE HAWLEY.
F. GENERAL FUND UPDATE - APRIL 2011.
3. COMMUNITY SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT: EDMONDS JAZZ CONNECTION ( EDMONDS
DAYBREAKER ROTARY CLUB).
Mike Montgomery, representing Edmonds Daybreaker Rotary Club, invited the Council and the public to
the Edmonds Jazz Connection on Saturday, May 28. He explained Seattle area high schools have taken
top honors at the Essentially Ellington Jazz Competition in New York's Lincoln Center, a prestigious,
national competition, hosted by Jazz Trumpeter Winton Marsalis. Ellington sends out over 1000
invitations each year to high schools throughout the United States. This past year 100 schools returned
audition tapes; only 15 schools are invited to participate. In past years more than 200 high schools have
returned audition tapes. High schools in this area are not only invited to the Essentially Ellington Jazz
Competition, they have consistently placed in the top 3 -4 every year for more than 10 years. This year
Seattle's Roosevelt High School placed #2 and Mountlake Terrace High School ranked #3 in the nation.
The Edmonds Daybreaker Rotary Club spent two years creating the event, engaging local jazz
personalities like Frank DeMiero and Seattle's Jazz Hall of Famer Jim Wilke, and working closely with
the Edmonds School District, other school districts, business and community leaders. On Memorial Day
weekend 1999 the first annual Edmonds Jazz Connection was launched, bringing over 2,000 visitors to
Edmonds to hear big bands, jazz combos, and choral groups from more than a dozen local area high
schools and middle schools. It was called the Edmonds Jazz Connection because from the beginning the
intent was forging connections; connections between schools, community and the professional jazz world
and between students and the business community. This year open jam session has been introduced on
Saturday night 5:00 -8:00 p.m. at the Edmonds Masonic Center where students will have an opportunity to
jam with the pros.
Those attending the festival this weekend will hear remarkable young musicians and vocalists from
Edmonds, Mountlake Terrace, Everett, Langley, Lynnwood, and Arlington and will delight in their skill,
poise and music. He encouraged the public to attend the Edmonds Jazz Connection, Saturday, May 28,
10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. in downtown Edmonds. It is free and sponsored by the Edmonds Daybreaker
Rotary Club.
4. EDMONDS POLICE FOUNDATION SCHOLARSHIP AWARD.
Chris Fleck, Edmonds Police Foundation, explained the Foundation awards scholarships every year to
three local high school students. The purpose of the scholarships is to honor and provide financial support
to students who have consciously chosen a substance free and violence free lifestyle. This year's winners
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May 24, 2011
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were selected based on academic performance, community service, personal references and an interview
with the Foundation. He announced the three recipients of the $1500 scholarships:
• Carol Liptrap, Edmonds - Woodway High School, 3.88 GPA, who will be attending the
University of Washington to study electrical engineering
• Jack Chelgen, Edmonds- Woodway High School, 3.994 GPA, who will be attending Wesleyan
University to study law.
• Kari Beaulieu, Meadowdale High School, 3.751. GPA, who will be studying law and
international relations in the Washington State University Honors Program.
5. AUDIENCE COMMENTS
Alvin Rutledge, Edmonds, welcomed two new residents who spoke during Audience Comments
recently and encouraged them to continue attending City Council meetings. He encouraged the public to
visit the Edmonds Farmers Market on Saturdays, 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Next, he reported the Council
positions held by Diane Buckshnis, DJ Wilson, Lora Petso and Steve Bernheim and the Mayor's position
were up for election. He encouraged interested citizens to run for election. He then reported another city
has pledged not to increase expenses in 2012 and 2013 and suggested the City consider the same.
Dave Page, Edmonds, referred to the traffic circle proposed for Five Corners. A 42 -year resident of
Edmonds, he had never seen an accident in that location and did not believe it was a high accident
intersection. He suggested the traffic circle may have been proposed when the City was in better financial
condition. He recognized traffic circles work well and are aesthetically pleasing but recommended the
City delay construction of the traffic circle.
Public Works Director Phil Williams explained the proposed roundabout is in the approved 2009
Transportation Plan, the 2010 -2011 budget and the CIP. The City received a grant for $463,000 to be
matched with $73,000 in local funds for the design, and identification and acquisition of any necessary
right -of -way. When that process is complete, the project will be brought to the Council and the public will
have several opportunities to be involved in the project. Construction funds will likely be sought in 2014.
Although there have been eight accidents at the intersection in the past three years, the primary driver for
the project is traffic delays, not accident history. Delays in the PM peak hours are considerable and the
intersection's current level of service is F on a rating scale of A -F. Modeling of the intersection with a
roundabout in place improves the level of service from F to B.
6. COUNCIL REPORTS ON OUTSIDE COMMITTEEBOARD MEETINGS.
Councilmember Wilson reported the Lake Ballinger Forum met today. The Forum is pushing Mountlake
Terrace to replace culverts next summer which will have a dramatic improvement on flooding.
Councilmember Petso reported she met with the Regional Fire Authority Finance Committee who is
building a financial model that can be used to run "what if' scenarios. She encouraged the Council to
provide Mayor Cooper, Councilmember Wilson or her any questions that could be answered by the model
such as what if Lynnwood or Mountlake does not participate, the cost per participant if there is no benefit
charge, etc., so that those questions can be built into the model. The model is similar to the City's
projection model and uses working capital as the target.
Councilmember Petso reported at the Public Facilities District meeting held this morning, the Board
adopted purchasing policies. A Task Force meeting will be held in June.
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May 24, 2011
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Councilmember Fraley- Monillas reported Troy McClelland, President and CEO, Economic Alliance of
Snohomish County, spoke at Snohomish County Cities regarding the importance of economic
development and maintaining connections with large and small employers. One of the Council's
responsibilities is to continue conversations with businesses to determine what they need, whether they
are happy, etc.
Councilmember Buckshnis reported a representative from Washington State Department of
Transportation gave a presentation on the Good to Go Pass at Snohomish County Tomorrow. Mr. Chave
and she will be presenting the Affordable Housing Interjurisdictional Agreement between Snohomish
County and cities in Snohomish County to the Council soon.
Councilmember Buckshnis reported the Edmonds Marsh cleanup and daylighting of Willow Creek was
moved to WRIA 8's three year plan. Edmonds continues to be an example for other cities dealing with
BNSF. WRIA 8 also passed their annual budget and work plan and was provided a draft proposal
regarding WRIA 8 becoming a Watershed District similar to a Regional Fire Authority. WRIA 8 was also
provided an update on the Seattle Shoreline Nearshore Master Plan. She offered to prepare a letter for
Council signature regarding the disposal of pharmaceuticals.
Councilmember Buckshnis reported the Economic Development Commission finalized the University of
Washington's studies, noting that the UW has done a fabulous job with the Five Corners and Westgate
project. Fourteen consultants responded to the Strategic Plan RFP. Councilmember Fraley- Monillas and
she are participating in interviews of the five finalists today and tomorrow.
7. MAYOR'S COMMENTS
Mayor Cooper reported the interview process for the Finance Director is progressing and the last
interview will be conducted on Thursday. The finalists will then be invited for an interview with the
Mayor. He anticipated Council interviews could be held the second week of June.
Mayor Cooper reported 27 elected officials from 9 jurisdictions are participating in the Regional Fire
Authority discussions. The representatives were divided into three subcommittees; each subcommittee has
an elected official from each jurisdiction. Councilmember Wilson sits on the Operations/Level of Service
Committee, Councilmember Petso sits on the Finance Committee and he sits on the Communications
Committee as well as chairs the Planning Committee. Agendas, minutes and meeting notices will be
posted on the website, RFA- planning.org. The Planning Committee meets the first Wednesday of the
month at 6:00 p.m.; the location is rotated between the jurisdictions. As the process moves forward, the
Council will be asked to pass resolutions to support different phases of the plan. He encouraged citizens
to stay involved.
8. COUNCIL COMMENTS
Councilmember Fraley- Monillas asked whether the retreat to discuss the levy had been scheduled.
Council President Peterson advised it is tentatively scheduled for Tuesday, June 28. He pointed out the
deadline to submit a ballot measure for the November election is August 16.
Councilmember Buckshnis thanked the People of Puget Sound, the United Methodist Church of Edmonds
and the many volunteers who helped clean up the Edmonds Marsh last Saturday. She announced the
annual Hutt Park cleanup is June 4, 9:00 - 11:30 a.m. Jack Bevan and she adopted Hutt Park. Information
regarding adopting a park is available on the City's website.
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Councilmember Buckshnis announced the Waterfront Festival on June 4 sponsored by the Edmonds
Rotary.
Councilmember Wilson apologized for the implication at last week's meeting that he could not trust some
of his Council colleagues. He recognized Councilmembers are representing different constituencies and
Councilmembers are all on the Council for the right reasons.
To those participating in the Strategic Plan consultant interview process, Councilmember Wilson relayed
he was not interested in having a discussion regarding contracting city employees as part of the Strategic
Planning process.
Council President Peterson reported the work session regarding the levy was tentatively scheduled for the
June 28 Council meeting, possibly beginning at 6:00 p.m. He requested Councilmembers submit any
schedule conflicts with that date and time.
Council President Peterson reported on the annual Edmonds Police Awards on Thursday, May 19, an
incredible show of community support for the Police Department, highlighting what the City's officers as
well as citizens do. An 11 -year old boy received a Citizens Award for throwing a baseball bat at someone
running through his backyard and then calling police. Officer Anthony Collins was given an Award of
Excellence and honored with the Chief David Stern Memorial Officer of the Year Award. Council
President Peterson expressed his appreciation to Officer Collins and the entire Edmonds Police
Department.
9. ADJOURN
With no further business, the Council meeting was adjourned at 7:32 p.m.
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May 24, 2011
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