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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. Special Edmonds City Council Approved Minutes May 18, 2021 Page 1 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 Special Edmonds City Council Approved Minutes May 18, 2021 Page 2 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 Special Edmonds City Council Approved Minutes May 18, 2021 Page 3