Cmd051821 spec mtgEDMONDS CITY COUNCIL
SPECIAL VIRTUAL ONLINE MEETING
APPROVED MINUTES
May 18, 2021
ELECTED OFFICIALS PRESENT STAFF PRESENT
Mike Nelson, Mayor Scott Passey, City Clerk
Susan Paine, Council President
Adrienne Fraley-Monillas, Councilmember
Kristiana Johnson, Councilmember
Luke Distelhorst, Councilmember
Diane Buckshnis, Councilmember
Vivian Olson, Councilmember
Laura Johnson, Councilmember
1. CALL TO ORDER/FLAG SALUTE
The Edmonds City Council special virtual online meeting was called to order at 6:30 p.m. by Mayor Nelson.
INTERVIEWS FOR APPOINTMENT TO CITY BOARD OR COMMISSION
1. INTERVIEW CANDIDATE FOR BOARD/COMMISSION
Council President Paine described the procedures for the interview and Councilmembers introduced
themselves. Councilmembers interviewed Richard Kuehn (responses in italics):
Councilmember Distelhorst: I'm curious if there is a Planning Board issue or topic that you are passionate
about. I cannot pick just one. In my line of work, much of which is demographics, there is so much growth
happening in Edmonds, the Pacific Northwest and the west coast. I am interested in the process and
ensuring I am pragmatic in my approach and bringing in as much information as I can. I like looking at
problems and ensuring we get the solution right.
Councilmember Fraley-Monillas: I am aware of the work you and your wife have done regarding ADA
accessible playgrounds. The viewpoint of ADA accessibility is lacking on the Planning Board; accessibility
is not just related to children but all adults. I have a six year old son with cerebral palsy. Prior to six years
ago, I did not notice the nuances that effect people with disabilities. I see them now, not just how they affect
ray family and my son. The ADA accessible Seaview playground does not mean it is accessible to everyone.
That is a perspective I can bring to the Planning Board. Being part of that community, I see what it means
not only to have a son with special needs but how other families are affected. Councilmember Fraley-
Monillas: Walking around Edmonds you see things like tables blocking sidewalks, etc., nuances that able-
bodied people may not see.
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May 18, 2021
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Councilmember K. Johnson: You may not be aware but the Planning Board is also the Parks & Recreation
Board. There is an important update to the Parks, Recreation and Open Space Plan this year which the
Board would be involved in and you have a role to play in that.
Councilmember Buckshnis: I appreciate all the work the Rotary did and the funding they secured. It's great
that you have a financial background because it is important to put dollar amounts to things. How did you
use those skills when working on Seaview Park and Civic Park planning? I did not do much related to
finances for Seaview Park, but I am involved in investments, finances, budgeting, risk assessment, etc. on
a daily basis in my job and I think that experience will be additive to this position.
Councilmember L. Johnson: What are the top issues in the City that you are most interested in or paying
the most attention to? Housing, inclusion, tree canopy, and helping to keep businesses afloat. My wife grew
up in Edmonds; I married into Edmonds. There are a lot of good things going on in Edmonds and I want
to do the right thing -for the most people.
Council President Paine advised the Planning Board appointments will be approved on the Consent Agenda
during tonight's regular Council meeting.
2. INTERVIEW CANDIDATE FOR 130ARD/COMMISSION
Council President Paine described the procedures for the interview and Councilmembers introduced
themselves. Councilmembers interviewed Judi Gladstone (responses in italics):
Councilmember Buckshnis: I've received a number of comments from citizens about this appointment.
Thank you for your hard work on the Housing Commission; from what I've heard, you were quite a vocal
member. How will you handle the Housing Commission recommendations coming to the Planning Board
since you were instrumental in many of the policies? I appreciated serving on the Housing Commission;
that was nay foray into civic responsibilities in Edmonds. I have dealt with public issues during my entire
career and I pride myself on balancing the need for information and listening to different stakeholder views.
When I've worked on controversial issues, I am serving the public so it is my responsibility to consider
stakeholder views and information and ask good questions. When the Housing Commission was making its
recommendations, I kept asking for more analysis; the recommendations are just the beginning because
the Housing Commission did not have the time to dig into topics. I come to the discussion with a lot of
background information but I also know where the holes are in the analysis.
Councilmember L. Johnson: Thank you for your service on the Housing Commission; I liked your use of
the term civic responsibility. What are the top issues in the City that you are most interested in or paying
the most attention to? Being new to the local area, I have a tendency to look more state and national;
working on the Housing Commission made me look more locally. Topics I'm interested in are obviously
housing, but also the Climate Plan. There is a lot of relationship between issues such as trees, housing,
traffic, etc. I'm also interested in Highway 99 redevelopment as well as the issue of equity and how it is
woven into everything we do.
Councilmember K. Johnson: What is the relationship between Seattle City Light and Seattle Public Water
and Sewer? They are sister departments; the only thing they share is billing, other than that they are totally
separate. Councilmember K. Johnson: What are your views on single family home development in
Edmonds? Edmonds is predominantly single family, Edmonds is a bedroom community and that is a big
part of what Edmonds is. Councilmember K. Johnson: Should we transition away from single family
towards more dense development? The Housing Commission talked a lot about missing middle housing. I
learned a lot about how cities in the U.S. are shaped compared to Europe. There are two kind of false
choices, single family housing or big high rises with very little between. There is a need for more missing
middle housing that accommodates various income levels that are often priced out by exclusively single
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May 18, 2021
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family. I'dmondv is about 63% single family and does not have much missing middle housing and I think
we need move of'that.
Couneilmember Olson: As someone who witnessed dte Housing C;umitlission meetings, ids. (;la(Istorle,
was tWrelnoly well prepared and pushed For the right information to inform her decision and the Housing
Commission as a whole. 1 respect the job you did there and Cully expect you will rise to the occasion of the
Planning Board position, and am excited fnr you tQ Fulfill that role for the City.
Council President Paine advised the Planning Board appointments will be approved on the Consent Agenda
during tonighi's regular Council meeting.
12. ADJOURN
With no further business, the Council meeting was adjourned at 6:56 p.m.
J
M1C�EL NELSON, MAYOR
5 PASSEY, CITY K
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May 18, 2021
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