Cmd022222
Edmonds City Council Approved Minutes
February 22, 2022
Page 1
EDMONDS CITY COUNCIL
VIRTUAL ONLINE MEETING
APPROVED MINUTES
February 22, 2022
ELECTED OFFICIALS PRESENT
Mike Nelson, Mayor
Vivian Olson, Council President
Kristiana Johnson, Councilmember
Will Chen, Councilmember
Neil Tibbott, Councilmember
Diane Buckshnis, Councilmember
Susan Paine, Councilmember
Laura Johnson, Councilmember
ALSO PRESENT
Brook Roberts, Student Representative
STAFF PRESENT
Michelle Bennett, Police Chief
Dave Turley, Administrative Services Director
Angie Feser, Parks, Rec., Cultural Arts & Human
Services Director
Susan McLaughlin, Dev. Serv. Director
Rob English, Acting Public Works Director
Pamela Randolph, WWTP Manager
Emily Wagener, Human Resources Analyst
Frances Chapin, Arts & Culture Program Mgr.
Jeff Taraday, City Attorney
Sharon Cates, City Attorney’s Office
Scott Passey, City Clerk
Dave Rohde, GIS Analyst
1. CALL TO ORDER/FLAG SALUTE
The Edmonds City Council virtual online meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by Mayor Nelson. The
meeting was opened with the flag salute.
2. LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
Councilmember Chen read the City Council Land Acknowledgement Statement: “We acknowledge the
original inhabitants of this place, the Sdohobsh (Snohomish) people and their successors the Tulalip
Tribes, who since time immemorial have hunted, fished, gathered, and taken care of these lands. We
respect their sovereignty, their right to self-determination, and we honor their sacred spiritual connection
with the land and water.”
3. ROLL CALL
City Clerk Scott Passey called the roll. All elected officials were present, participating remotely.
4. PRESENTATIONS
1. ANNUAL REPORT - SOUTH COUNTY FIRE AND RESCUE
The following South County Fire (SCF) staff was present:
• Thad Hovis, Fire Chief
• Michael Fitzgerald, Assistant Chief
Edmonds City Council Approved Minutes
February 22, 2022
Page 2
• Jason Isotalo, Assistant Chief
• Bob Eastman, Deputy Chief
• David Wells, Deputy Chief
• Leslie Hynes, PIO
• Mike Vermeulen, IT
Fire Chief Thad Hovis introduced the above staff. He explained tonight’s presentation would be an
overview of the annual report, the 2021 City of Edmonds Annual Compliance Report, and an update on
SCF’s work during the COVID-19 pandemic, specifically focused on the work within the City of
Edmonds since last year’s meetings. SCF remains fully engaged in the work created by the pandemic
which for SCF started January 21, 2020 when they transported the first patient to Providence Medical
Center. Since then, SCF has transported another 982 COVID patients to Swedish Edmonds and
Providence combined. Staff at SCF are tired but are working just as hard now as they did 25 months ago
at the start of the pandemic. They are committed to getting through the pandemic and responding to all
the local communities. He thanked the council for their support since the beginning of the pandemic, for
working with them and allowing them to serve the residents of the City.
Chief Hovis reviewed:
• Started as five different agencies, FD1 and FD11, Edmonds Fire, Lynnwood Fire and Mountlake
Terrace Fire
• Map of SCF boundaries and service areas and contract cities
• Fire stations and staffing in 2021 and in 2022 (Effective March 1, 2022, two persons will be
added to Edmonds stations)
• South County Regional Fire Authority
o Established as a regional fire authority by voters in 2017, South County Fire is dedicated to
protecting life, property and the environment
o We serve nearly 270,000 residents in southwest Snohomish County, including unincorporated
communities and the cities of Brier, Edmonds, Lynnwood and Mountlake Terrace
o 14 neighborhood fire stations are staff 24/7 by professional firefighters to provide fire and
emergency medical services
o 319 uniformed personnel and 32 administrative support staff members are employed by SCF
o With additional 2 in Edmonds March 1st, 64 firefighters are on duty during the day and 58
overnight across our 53-square-mile service area
o All fire stations have at least 3 persons on duty 24/hours/day including the three Edmonds fire
stations in 2021.
Assistant Chief Jason Isotalo explained SCF is a full service, all hazards fire department with skills and
abilities to respond to specialized emergencies as well as lesser, non-emergency incidents such as to help
resolve a beeping smoke alarm in the middle to the night, a leaking water heater on a weekend and
helping the mobility impaired get up from a slip in their home. He reviewed:
• Serving our residents
o Fires
o Medical emergencies
o Motor vehicle collisions
o Hazardous materials
o Rescues
o Marine / Water
o Other hazards and emergency situations
o Community health, safety and risk reduction
• Emergency Medical Services
o Led by Deputy Chief Shaughn Maxwell
Edmonds City Council Approved Minutes
February 22, 2022
Page 3
o This is our most requested service across the RFA
o All firefighters are emergency medical technicians or paramedics
o 86% of incidents in the City of Edmonds were dispatched as EMS in 2021
o Cardiac arrest saves
▪ South County Fire’s cardiac arrest save rate across the RFA is consistently greater than 50%,
well above state and national averages
▪ Early CPR saves lives
- ACT First Aid provides free online training in hands-only CPR for the public
- 49 Edmonds residents were trained in 2021
- Over 1900 have been trained since 2018
- In 2021 SCF was excited to work with Sno911 to introduce the PulsePoint app which
alerts CPR-trained residents when someone nearby needs help and provides all the
locations of registered public defibrillators in the community.
Deputy Chief David Wells explained in 2018 Snohomish County formed a fire training consortium. The
main goal of the consortium was twofold, 1) run the fire training academy, and 2) build training content
delivered countywide to all participating departments. He reviewed:
o Benefits of regional training
▪ Sharing instructors and expertise
▪ Reducing duplicated efforts
▪ Breaking down borders with neighboring fire agencies allows us to work together more
effectively on mutual aid incidents
o County Fire Training Consortium
▪ South County Fire, Everett Fire, Marysville Fire, Snohomish Regional Fire & Rescue,
Snohomish Fire District 4 (new in 2021), and North County Fire & EMS (new in 2022)
o Snohomish County Fire Training Academy (FTA)
▪ Hosted at South County Fire with two academies in 2021:
- Academy 2021-1: 35 recruits from 9 departments – including 13 South County Fire
recruits
- Academy 2021-2: 35 recruits from 7 departments – including 12 South County Fire
recruits
- Academy class 2022-1 is comprised of 20 recruits
- SCF anticipates hiring up to 60 recruits this year
Deputy Chief Wells recalled a question by a councilmember during last year’s’ presentation about the
percentage of female firefighters at SCF. He reported in the last 34 hires, 10 are females, representing
29% of new hires.
Assistant Chief Michael Fitzgerald reviewed:
• Edmonds Fire Prevention
o Development Review & Construction Inspections 2021:
▪ 850+ maintenance/follow up inspections*
▪ 216 business license inspections
▪ 421 construction inspections
▪ 144 compliance inspections. These include public reports of non-compliance
▪ 3 special event inspections
▪ 66 COVID-19 related business inspections
▪ 654 plan review hours (including PRE, DRC and PLN)
▪ 89% of single-family homes constructed had sprinkler systems installed
*Station crew inspections were temporarily suspended at times due to the pandemic
Edmonds City Council Approved Minutes
February 22, 2022
Page 4
▪ Slide does not represent the hundreds of hours fire marshals spend working within City
on questions from developers and contractors, working with City staff to address
development, code enforcement issues, questions that arise and fire watches and fire
protection system impairments
▪ It is a pleasure to work with the talented team of City staff, from building, planning, and
engineering. A good example is the City’s unique streatery program
o Major projects
▪ 6 Streatery ongoing restaurant areas
▪ Graphite Arts Studio
▪ Graphite Apartments
▪ GRE Apartments (192 units)
▪ 234th Apartments (241 units)
▪ Community Health Expansion
▪ Port of Edmonds Administrative Building
▪ Pine Park 614
▪ Anthology Senior Living
▪ Sunde Townhomes
▪ WWTP Carbon Recovery Project
▪ Woodway Station
▪ 627 Apartments
▪ Apollo Apartments (255 units)
• Major incidents
o September 11, 2021, Plum Tree Plaza
▪ A three-alarm fire heavily damaged 14 businesses in the Plum Tree Plaza building in the
22300 block of Highway 99. No injuries. 20 businesses displaced. Investigators
determined the fire was intentionally set.
o December 8, 2021, Bethany Community Church North (former Family Fun Center)
▪ A fire caused more than $200,000 damage to a commercial building at 220th Street SW
and Highway 99 in Edmonds. Investigators determined the fire was accidental, most
likely started by spontaneous combustion of oil-soaked rags that had been used in
staining cabinets.
o Amazing community support provided following both fires including the Edmonds Chamber
Foundation and SCF Firefighters Foundation.
Chief Hovis displayed a photograph of Engine 17 from the downtown fire station at the 4th of July parade,
commenting it was a pleasure to participate and they appreciated the invite. He recognized the hard work
done by many to make the parade happen.
Assistant Chief Fitzgerald reviewed:
• Community Outreach
o Virtual Outreach & Education
▪ Community outreach and education continues during the pandemic with online and
virtual offerings.
▪ 721 Edmonds residents participated in online classes and presentations
- Classes
ACT First Aid & CPR
Disaster Preparedness
Child Car Seat Safety
Virtual Car Seat Checks
Home Fire Safety
Aging in Place
Edmonds City Council Approved Minutes
February 22, 2022
Page 5
Child Safety & CPR
- For kids and families
Online Kids Fire Camp
Online Kids Fire Academy
Virtual Classroom Visits
▪ March Class Schedule – Free 1-hour classes
- Car Seat Safety: Wednesday, March 2 at 6 pm and Wednesday, March 16 at 1 pm
- Disaster Preparedness: Wednesday, March 9 at 6 pm
- ACT First Aid & CPR: Wednesday, March 16 at 10 am or 6 pm
- Aging in Place: Wednesday, March 23 at 10 am
▪ Offered through Zoom
▪ Registration Required
- Register at southsnofire.org/classes
o Follow us:
▪ Twitter: @SouthSnoFire
▪ Facebook & Instagram: @SouthCountyFire
• Outreach Programs & Services
o Distribution of lifesaving devices
▪ Child car seats
▪ Smoke alarms
▪ CO alarms
▪ Sleep sacks (infant safe sleep)
▪ Bike helmets
▪ File of Life
o Connect Calls
▪ Weekly check-in phone calls for older adults and others dealing with isolation during the
pandemic
o Community partnerships
▪ Edmonds Senior Center, Homage, Verdant Health Commission and others
▪ Lead agency for Safe Kids Snohomish County, a not-for-profit organization whose
mission is to prevent accidental injury and death in children
Chief Hovis reviewed:
• Community Resource Paramedics (started in 2013 in partnership with Verdant)
o Non-emergency service to help reduce 911 calls and hospital use
o Serves older adults, mental health patients, disabled people, homeless and veterans
o Breaks down barriers and creates access to care
o Edmonds by the numbers:
▪ Enrollments: 119
▪ Visits: 36
▪ Phone contacts: 348
▪ Email or text contacts: 27
o For Edmonds clients enrolled in the program:
▪ 48% reduction in 911 calls
▪ 59% reduction in emergency department visits
• COVID-19 Vaccinations
o Our team played a major role in countywide vaccination efforts in 2021
o To date, South County Fire staff had given more than 8,000 doses to combat COVID-19
o Our efforts included working with other county fire agencies to stand-up drive-thru
vaccination operations as well as mobile vaccination teams to reach our most vulnerable
residents.
Edmonds City Council Approved Minutes
February 22, 2022
Page 6
o Mobile team activities in Edmonds:
▪ 125 adult family home residents and employees vaccinated
▪ 34 homebound residents vaccinated
▪ Clinics at two HASCO sites, Edmonds Waterfront Center, Edmonds United Methodist
Church, Ballinger Court (senior living community), Aldercrest Health and Rehabilitation
Center, Cedar Creek Memory Care and Prestige Care
▪ School partnership to vaccinate children
Deputy Chief Eastman reviewed:
• Emergency Responses: 2021 by the numbers and contract-required metrics
o How many calls?
▪ Total incidents in the City of Edmonds in 2021: 5,461
▪ Annual Comparison
Year 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021
Calls 5,204 5,215 5,555 5,486 4,977 5,461
▪ Anticipate increased number of calls in 2022
o What type of calls?
▪ 86% of calls are dispatched as emergency medical aid
▪ Basic Life Support: 54%
▪ Advance Life Support: 32%
▪ Fire: 9%
▪ Other: 5%
o Response times
▪ Looks at 8-minute response time in four categories
▪ This measures Sno911’s call receipt to arrival
▪ Comparisons of data for 2016-2021
▪ Response times have varied
o Percentage of calls within 8 minutes or less
▪ 2016: 82.14%
▪ 2017: 79.99%
▪ 2018: 75.72%
▪ 2019: 73.45%
▪ 2020: 56.19%
▪ 2021: 68.41%
Chief Eastman explained described the change to use rapid dispatch which immediately sends the closest
unit to the call prior to the dispatcher going through the rest of the questions to determine if it is a BLS or
ALS call. Due to unknowns about how fast COVID would spread and ensuring providers were protected,
Protocol 36 was instituted and rapid dispatch was ceased which allowed the dispatcher to ask more
questions to determine if it was a COVID-type patient before sending the first unit so responding crews
could wear the appropriate protective equipment. Without rapid dispatch, it took longer for the dispatcher
to get information and to inform crews to ensure they were protected when they responded. That
continued into part of 2021, but rapid dispatch has been resumed, Protocol 36 is no longer being used and
alternate ways were used to track that information from CAD. SCF anticipates response time percentages
will return to 2018 and 2019 levels as a result. The additional resources Edmonds approved that take
effect March 1st are also anticipated to positively impact total response times. He continued his review:
o Response time on 90% of calls in this category
▪ 2016: 08:53
▪ 2017: 09:13
▪ 2018: 09:29
▪ 2019: 09:42
Edmonds City Council Approved Minutes
February 22, 2022
Page 7
▪ 2020: 10:40
▪ 2021: 09:59
o Turnout Time
▪ Measures the time from when 911 call is dispatched to the time the apparatus leaves the
station
▪ The reporting standard in the contract is different from the city’s adopted standard in the
1756 compliance report: 2:15 (contract) vs. 2:45 (compliance report)
▪ South County Fire meets and exceeds the city adopted standard of 2:45 (90.97%)
▪ Turnout time percentage at 2:15
- 2018: 75.445
- 2019: 82.34%
- 2020: 81.28%
- 2021: 77.66%
▪ 90% turnout time
- 2018: 2:49
- 2019: 2:34
- 2020: 2:34
- 2021: 2:42
• Neighboring Unit Utilization Factor (NUUF)
o What it evaluates:
▪ Response of units across jurisdictional boundaries
o What the numbers mean:
▪ 100% = an equal balance of cross-jurisdictional response
▪ Contract considers 90%-110% to be within balance range
▪ Over 100% = units from neighboring jurisdictions are responding into Edmonds more
than Edmonds units are responding outside the city
o Why does this matter?
▪ We have a regional emergency delivery system
▪ This evaluates if level of service decisions in one jurisdiction negatively impact a
neighboring jurisdiction
• Neighboring Unit Utilization
2018 2019 2020 2021
Mountlake Terrace 133% 130% 157% 111%
Lynnwood 202% 210% 280% 253%
RFA 148% 162% 197% 178%
o Neighboring fire units respond into Edmonds more than Edmonds units respond into
neighboring jurisdictions
▪ Mountlake Terrace units: 11.4% more into Edmonds
▪ Lynnwood units: 152.9% more into Edmonds
▪ RFA units: 77.8% more into Edmonds
• Unit Hour Utilization Factor (UHUF)
o What it evaluates: Percentage of time a fire unit is on a call
o What the numbers mean: The higher the number, the busier the unit is
▪ Unit Hour Utilization Factor is up for Edmonds stations, but within compliance with
contract standards
▪ This number is up at all Edmonds fire station
▪ 20% is the trigger to start looking at deployment options and additional resources
o Unit Hour Utilization
2018 2019 2020 2021
Station 16 15.06% 14.72% 13.79% 14.96%
Station 17 13.11% 11.75% 10.79% 11.72%
Edmonds City Council Approved Minutes
February 22, 2022
Page 8
Station 20 17.36% 17.40% 15.94% 17.45%
• Transport Balancing Factor (TBF)
o Looks at the balance between:
▪ Edmonds → Outside City
- The number of times Edmonds-based units are doing transports outside the city
▪ Outside City →Edmonds
- The number of times South County Fire units based outside the city are doing
transports in Edmonds
- A factor of 1.0 means = in balance
o In 2020, the factor was over 1.0
▪ Outside City units transporting in Edmonds more than Edmonds units transporting
Outside City
▪ Transports
Jan-Jun Jul-Dec 2021
RFA transports in the City 270 305 575
Edmonds transports not in the City 215 245 460
TBF 1.256 1.245 1.25
• Other required metrics
o Transport fees billed and collected in Edmonds and Esperance
Edmonds Billed Edmonds Collected Esperance Billed Esperance Collected
2018 $2,374,490 $1,013,928 $135,776 $53,080
2019 $2,310,729 $973,880 $118,595 $48,838
2020 $2,164,260 $896,643 $85,807 $34,927
2021 $2,314,119 $870,562 $68,059 $27,601
o Shoreline units into Edmonds (measured in incident responses)
▪ 2018: 103
▪ 2019: 119
▪ 2020: 56
▪ 2021: 97
o Edmonds unit into Woodway (measured in seconds)
▪ 2018: 164
▪ 2019: 5,288
▪ 2020: 5,544
▪ 2021: 4,713
o SCF takes insurance as payment in full and does not balance bill residents within the RFA.
Several contractual write-offs with Medicare/Medicaid.
o About 99% collection rate on claims when take into account contractual write-offs and policy
not to balance bill residents and taking insurance as payment in full.
• Standards of Cover Compliance
Standard 2018 2019 2020 2021
Turnout Time in Standard of Cover 2:45 2:49 2:34 2:34 2:42
Turnout time in contract 2:15 2:49 2:34 2:34 2:34
First arriving engine company to a fire 6:30 7:32 7:13 6:50 6:38
Full first alarm assignment at residential fire
(15 firefighters on scene)
2 in Edmonds in 2021
7:45 8:32 11:36 8:39 8:15
Full first alarm assignment at commercial fire
(18 firefighters on scene)
7 in Edmonds in 2021
9:00 10:57 11:49 12:00 12:35
BLS response 5:15 6:00 6:17 6:31 6:33
Edmonds City Council Approved Minutes
February 22, 2022
Page 9
ALS response 6:45 5:40 6:02 6:13 6:13
o Works starts with first arriving units, do not wait for all firefighters to arrive. More work is
completed as more units arrive.
o Additional standards measured in compliance report include (information in packet):
▪ Hazmat responses (operational and technical)
▪ Rescue technical response (operational and technical)
▪ Marine response
Chief Hovis displayed a photograph of the ferry and the marine unit, recognizing the strong 11 year
partnership between SCF and Edmonds. On behalf of SCF and commissioners, he thanked the City for
contracting with the RFA for fire and EMS services. He relayed the City of Mill Creek is placing
annexation to SCF on the April 26th special election ballot for Mill Creek voters’ consideration. The RFA
looks forward to another city within southwest Snohomish County joining the RFA in 2023. He thanked
the council for hosting them virtually tonight, advising staff was available to respond to council questions.
Councilmember Tibbott thanked SCF for the detailed presentation, commenting it was great to get a
perspective on how SCF was doing year to year. Observing the Shoreline Fire Department was not a
participant in the consortium training, he asked about compatibility with their training and whether there
were any difficulties or concerns when Shoreline Fire participates on an emergency call with Edmonds.
Deputy Chief Wells answered Shoreline Fire is not part of the training consortium because they are in
King County. SCF trains with them frequently, the units that interact with them spent the most time
training together. They have all of SCF’s training documents and hose manual and are familiar with how
SCF operates so it is seamless when they participate. As much as SCF would like to have Shoreline Fire
in the training consortium, it will not happen because they are in King County.
Councilmember Tibbott relayed his understanding from that explanation that there were no concerns
about working together on a fire if necessary. Deputy Chief Wells answered absolutely not, they are very
intentional about how they train together and the relationship has been built over many years working
with the Shoreline Fire Department. SCF and Shoreline Fire get along well and are familiar with each
other’s tactics and equipment so it is very seamless.
Councilmember L. Johnson thanked SCF for the excellent and thorough presentation. She was impressed
with the numbers from the community resource paramedic program, a 48% reduction for those 119
enrolled is a notable reduction. The 721 Edmonds residents who participated in the community outreach
and education means 721 Edmonds residents are now safer, more prepared and more educated. With
regard to the two person increase in staffing starting March 1st, she assumed hiring had occurred and the
individuals were in place and ready to go. She asked what could be expected from that increase in
personnel. Chief Hovis commented he has a very strong team that make the presentations. The additional
two staff members will start at Station 20 in Esperance and an increase in transport capability could be
expected and hopeful in the next year, a decrease in the NUUF and TBS; more capacity is important in
the metrics they report. The City of Edmonds is very engaged in community outreach and in community
resource paramedics but 911 calls are steadily increasing. Since 86% of those calls are EMS, having
another unit to transport will provide real value in the availability of those units in Edmonds. He looked
forward to reporting on that data next year as well as the commission meeting with the council next
month.
On behalf of the City and the council, Councilmember Chen thanked the team for their hard work keeping
the community safe. He referred to numbers in the report (packet page 58) the goal for 90% response time
is 8 minutes and the explanation that the 2021 response time exceeding 8 minutes was due to COVID and
implementation of Protocol 36. He referred to the full first alarm assignment at commercial file (packet
page 66) which was over the 9 minute goal, and noting the Plumtree Plaza fire, he asked whether different
Edmonds City Council Approved Minutes
February 22, 2022
Page 10
locations of the fire stations would impact response times. Deputy Chief Eastman answered a
comprehensive look at the facilities has been done along with consultants looking at standards of cover
and where there are holes in response and where additional resources are needed in the future. That report
identified three gaps in the near future where consideration needs to be given to building three new fire
stations, 1) around 216th/215th/Highway 99 area, 2) Alderwood Mall Parkway, and 3) Lake Stickney area.
They tend to measure everything with a six minute time from current station locations, they have the
ability to do a drive time analysis based on time of day using street data tuned to what is happening in the
street. Obviously drive time varies from 1 a.m. to peak times 3-6 p.m. as a result of traffic challenges. The
gap in Edmonds in the 212th/215th and Highway 99 area illustrates the need for a fire station.
Deputy Chief Eastman explained when 18 firefighters are coming to an event in Edmonds, Edmonds
currently has 9 people on duty if they were all available and in service so getting to 15 requires relying on
3-4 additional stations outside Edmonds and their travel time into Edmonds. One of the challenges with
Station 17 is it has very little penetration to the west due to proximity to the water. Moving the existing
stations would require moving almost all 14 stations in SCF which is probably not practical. The need for
infill fire stations has been identified and that will provide better a weight of response to have the right
number of people at events within the time standards. He emphasize just because a unit takes longer to get
there doesn’t mean firefighting efforts do not start when the first unit arrives; work starts immediately
prior to all 15 firefighters arriving. Councilmember Chen looked forward to potentially new additions on
Highway 99, imagining there could have been a huge difference in the Plumtree Plaza fire if fire trucks
arrived 1-1½ minutes earlier.
Councilmember Paine thanked SCF for the awesome information and commended them for the never-
ending types of work they provide to the community which is absolutely critical. She asked when there
would be an improvement in fire inspections. Older buildings need to have fire inspections for fire
prevention and the presentation noted a decreased ability to do inspections. Assistant Chief Fitzgerald
answered countywide SCF participates in a Force Protection Program where they continually evaluate the
state of health and wellness in the community and make assessment of the status of the pandemic in a
manner that keeps firefighters safe. That is the primary mission; when firefighters are safe they can keep
the community safe. He anticipated the Force Protection group would soon recommend SCF can fully
engage in pre-pandemic activities but the state of healthcare in the community is still being monitored to
determine how to protect firefighters. The recommendation is still N95 and KN95 masks. They look
forward to that moment but are reluctant to say they are there. They also balance what is occurring in the
business community and statistical data from emergency responses, whether there is an increase in loss or
anything that indicates that pace needs to be accelerated; they currently do not see that which is good
news for the community.
Councilmember Paine commented it seemed like seven commercial fires in a year was a lot, noting she
understood some were in older buildings which was why she asked the question. She recognized it had
been a long two years for the SCF team always being on call and doing the most hazardous work.
Councilmember Buckshnis thanked SCF staff for the wonderful presentation. She echoed the sentiments
of other councilmembers, thanking first responders for their service. She acknowledged everyone was
tired and she imagined they were even more tired. She said citizens have asked her about the numbers and
she suggested footnoting some of numbers such as how transport fees are billed and collected. With
regard to NUUF and TBS, she noted Edmonds is at one end of the RFA so obviously anyone in the
middle, due to rapid dispatch, will be the “cream of the crop.” She suggested an analysis that accounted
for Edmonds being on one end of the RFA, noting it will never be 1:1 with Mountlake Terrace or
Lynnwood so she questioned why there was a 1:1 balancing factor.
Edmonds City Council Approved Minutes
February 22, 2022
Page 11
Chief Hovis answered the renegotiated internal local agreement done in 2017 predated him as the chief so
he did not the answer why the NUUF and TBF were inserted. The thought from the FD1 administration,
commissioners and city council at the time was since an adjustment was made to the daily staffing levels
in Edmonds, that was inserted as a metric to determine if what was chosen had an impact on surrounding
communities. At that time, Lynnwood was not part of the RFA so their chief was providing input as well
as FD1 who was providing service to Mountlake Terrace. Those metrics helped reach the conclusion to
increase personnel effective March 1st to return staffing levels to what they were when the first contract
between FD1 and Edmonds was signed in 2010.
Chief Hovis continued, having grown up in Edmonds, one of the things that makes it great is the
topography. Having the Town of Woodway to the south is nice but there’s no fire department there and
there is certainly no service from the west to assist with the drive time penetration. Locating Station 17 in
the area of 9th & Main would help the City of Edmonds long term. The location of Station 20 was chosen
by FD1 a long time ago before the Esperance annexations and the relocation of Station 16 from Five
Corners to the current location on 196th had value because of its location on a travel path and good access
to north Edmonds. Unfortunately as a contract city, SCF does not own the fire stations. Making decisions
for the next 5, 10, 20, 50 years regarding how the community can be best served needs to be done with the
understanding that communities are interconnected and help one another. Having something in Grid 157
around the hospital where the three cities meet would be beneficial. That is the future and he would love
to see it happen while he was the chief because it brings value and equity across all the response areas in
southwest Snohomish County. He invited Councilmember Buckshnis to email other questions about the
numbers.
Councilmember Buckshnis referred to Section 4, council adopted standards not met, noting those were
adopted in 2006 before the 2010 contract began. She agreed with looking at the entire community because
it is all connected. Although some of the standards were not being met, but she questioned whether the
standards were up-to-date. She hoped there could be a working group that would attempt to work out the
5-10 year pattern because she wondered whether a station was needed in downtown Edmonds. She loves
that fire station but wondered whether it provides the best service now that fire service is more regional.
Councilmember K. Johnson thanked Chief Hovis, his staff and the firefighters for all the hard work first
responders have done during COVID. It has been an extraordinary time and they have been asked to do
extraordinary things. She asked if SCF staff received any hazard pay or additional vacation leave as
hazard pay during COVID. Chief Hovis answered they have not. He was proud to report SCF settled the
collective bargaining agreement, both for the rank and file firefighters plus the deputy chiefs and fire
marshals. Neither of the bargaining units asked for any special hazard pay or increased additional time
off. Because people weren’t able to take vacations and have accumulated time, they have been allowed to
carry it over for future use.
Chief Hovis agreed they were all tired and he definitely appreciated the council’s kind words. Some staff
have retired as they reached the end of their careers and younger people are being hired. He
acknowledged it had been a long road for all of us. Councilmember K. Johnson thanked SCF for their
dedication.
5. APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA
COUNCILMEMBER PAINE MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER BUCKSHNIS, TO
APPROVE THE AGENDA IN CONTENT AND ORDER.
COUNCILMEMBER L. JOHNSON MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER PAINE, TO
ADD UNDER COUNCIL BUSINESS AS ITEM 8.2, A FULL TIME SENIOR PLANNER
POSITION.
Edmonds City Council Approved Minutes
February 22, 2022
Page 12
Councilmember L. Johnson explained the council learned last Tuesday that the City is without a senior
planner who is focused on the code rewrite.
Councilmember Buckshnis raised a point of order, asking if this should be under Item 8.2, 2022 Budget
Amendments. Mayor Nelson said he preferred that the council make that decision.
Councilmember L. Johnson explained she wanted to ensure this was approved before the budget was
finalized. Given the urgency, since there was no longer a senior planner focused on the code rewrite, she
wanted to move forward with a full-tine position as soon as possible.
Council President Olson commented there had been the opportunity to include this in the existing agenda
item so it would have been available for the public’s review prior to the meeting. She pointed out first
quarter amendments will be presented on March 8th. She would have preferred having the addition of this
position handled one of those two ways.
Councilmember L. Johnson said she was not part of the original four who put together the PowerPoint
regarding the 2022 Budget Amendments so in her opinion it was appropriate to do this separately for
transparency sake regarding who was bringing it forward. She was happy to include it in the budget
discussion, but wanted to ensure it was done in the proper order so it was part of those discussions and a
final vote is not taken on the budget prior having an opportunity to consider this.
Councilmember Buckshnis said she asked all seven councilmembers whether they wanted to provide
budget amendments. This item can easily be added to Agenda Item 8.2, 2022 Budget Amendments.
Councilmember Paine raised a point of order, stating the motion was to add this to the agenda, not to
discuss the merits of it. Mayor Nelson ruled he would allow Councilmember Buckshnis’ comments as she
was trying to explain her reasoning.
Councilmember Buckshnis asked if the intent was to add this as Item 8.3 or a topic in 8.2. Mayor Nelson
clarified the motion was to add it as Item 8.2 which would move the 2022 Budget Amendments to Item
8.3 and renumber the remaining items. Councilmember Buckshnis preferred Councilmember L. Johnson
add this from the floor as part of Item 8.2 and not as a separate item because no information was provided
for the public.
UPON ROLL CALL, AMENDMENT FAILED 2-4-1, COUNCILMEMBERS PAINE AND L.
JOHNSON VOTING YES; COUNCILMEMBERS K. JOHNSON, TIBBOTT, AND BUCKSHNIS
AND COUNCIL PRESIDENT OLSON VOTING NO; COUNCILMEMBER CHEN ABSTAINING.
MAIN MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
6. AUDIENCE COMMENTS
Mayor Nelson invited participants and described the procedures for audience comments.
Linda Ferkingstad, Edmonds, thanked the fire department for responding quickly and saving her life a
year ago yesterday. Second, for nearly a year she has pleaded with the council to restore property rights to
the owners of vacant, single family zoned properties without requiring a payoff. However, the council has
no intention of opening the laws of the land. The tree ordinance continues to hold their land use hostage
for payment for the worth of their trees capped at $2/square foot of their property. They have to pay the
City $107,000 before they are allowed to remove trees and build homes for their family unless they can
retain 50% which limits the use of their land. It is not about the trees if property owners can pay the City
Edmonds City Council Approved Minutes
February 22, 2022
Page 13
and get rid of them. It is a money grab disguised as an environmental cause and an obvious violation of
the takings clause of the U.S. Constitution. It forces property owners to pay twice for their property, once
to purchase it and again to bribe the City so they can use it. The City’s overpriced perception of the worth
of trees has devalued properties and deterred the building of much needed single family homes. It is a sad
example of governmental overreach and takings. If it wasn’t, it would be applied to all homeowners. The
City has received $225,000 in extortion bribes into the tree fund, which she thought was dirty money. She
requested the council restore property rights and allow owners to use their property as is legally their right
by rescinding the tree ordinance.
Third, Ms. Ferkingstad continued, all councilmembers are voted for and supported by citizens of
Edmonds. During the February 8th meeting, it was stated the public information officer’s statements need
to be fact based and not used as a weapon against city council which is counterproductive and offensive.
Mayor Nelson clarified that anything the PIO has said about councilmembers was at his direction,
admitting his part in the disparagement which she found sad. Fourth, there are 980 electric vehicles and
532 public charging stations within a 30 mile radius of Edmonds. She questioned why existing
homeowners must install EV charging stations in their homes during a remodel or repair whether they
need it or not. The estimated expense of $2500 will be much more when a higher amperage electrical
service upgrade is needed and an undue hardship for those who neither want nor need one. Finally, she
urged the council to remember that even when an ordinance is for the public’s good, it is illegal if it
monetarily harms a citizen unless a means of just compensation has been made. The tree ordinance not
only devalues and takes their property rights, it also charges them for their own property, their trees. She
reported there were only 11 COVID cases last week in Edmonds.
Carl Zapora, Edmonds, spoke in favor of reinstating the salary commission and encouraged the council
to support reinstating a commission of volunteers who did great work. He served with four other really
good Edmonds citizens and professionals on the last salary commission including an international
executive, a local business owner, a CPA, a senior manager, and he was the founder and CEO of the
Verdant Health Commission. Everyone is familiar with the challenges of salary administration of a
complex organization. The 2017 and 2019 salary commissions worked on a very balance approach to
compensation for the city council, council president and mayor. The work they did in 2017 and 2019
included comparing salaries and benefits (benefits are a big part of the compensation) to 21 comparable
jurisdictions. They asked for and received input from city councilmembers such as whether they thought
their current salary was appropriate based on hours worked, etc. The salary commission provided salary
increases in 2017 and 2019 that were fairly sizeable for the next two years. He encouraged the council to
continue working with an independent salary commission that determines the salaries based on research
and comparable data. The choices are, a) the city council determines what salaries should be, or b)
qualified, unpaid, volunteer citizens determine compensation based on council input, comparable cities
and community input. He summarized the salary commission should have been interviewed before it was
disbanded to understand their thoughts in their entirety.
Adrienne Fraley-Monillas, Edmonds, commented the council had been in The Herald during the last
week and a half including one day on the front page regarding the redo of the budget. She stressed when
the budget was done last year, it was done very thoroughly including receiving input from citizens, public
hearings, and continually meeting and asking questions. On a number of the topics that are being
addressed, the council had already asked questions in the fall. Unfortunately, a couple councilmembers
chose not to attend meetings so they did not have the information that other councilmembers did to make
decisions on the budget. She found it worrisome that it was being said it was unknown who was making
amendments to the budget, pointing out there was good documentation about these amendments at the
December finance committee meeting. She suggested people could look at what Councilmembers
Buckshnis and Councilmember K. Johnson did at that time. She commended the council for considering
the amendments without supporting most of them, finding that very intelligent. She suggested there
Edmonds City Council Approved Minutes
February 22, 2022
Page 14
needed to be further discussion about why the amendments were being done at this point, taking up
council time, delaying consideration of other issues and more importantly, taking up staff’s time. She
wondered how much it cost the City in staff time and council time to relook at these issues. Staff work
very hard and she found it a travesty for them to be battered by some councilmembers regarding items in
their budgets. She understood staff had quit over this. She encouraged councilmembers to use their
intelligence and move forward in a pragmatic manner.
Natalie Seitz, Edmonds, spoke regarding open space in the draft PROS Plan. The downtown area
currently has 26.26 acres of open space which exceeds both the current and proposed service level for that
area’s population. There are zero acres of open space in the SR-99/south Edmonds. When buying large
property toward Woodway was ranked with other park investments, it was identified as the lowest and
second lowest priority by online and mailed surveys respectful. Buying additional parks for conservation
and open space was ranked above expanding the marsh in both surveys, surveys that had just shy of 2,000
participants. At the second community meeting which included approximately 40 public attendees, people
were asked what three areas should be prioritized for open space investments; 81% of response prioritized
Highway 99 and southeast Edmonds beach and downtown was prioritized last by responses of 15%.
There is no line item for open space investment in SR-99 or southeast Edmonds where there are health
disparities that open space could address, identified service gaps and to be consistent with the goals of the
draft PROS Plan and public feedback. Instead, there is another City investment downtown with the marsh
line item. It is contended by some that the marsh project should be prioritized in the goals and objectives
because people do not understand the environmental value of the marsh. That is likely true; people don’t
understand the environmental value of the marsh.
Ms. Seitz continued, however, it is also likely true that people do not understand that the Unocal property
proposed for acquisition in association with the marsh is not undeveloped or natural. It is a contaminated
brown field site that will have significant constraints toward restoration. Nor is it commonly known that if
restored, the marsh would not be the first or second, but third park estuary within the City limits. It is also
possible if not likely that people do not understand the environmental value of other resources; 120 acres
of habitat in Southwest County Park, the designated marine preserve sanctuary that is the Underwater
Park or that Lake Ballinger is the only waterbody in the City that is identified by WDFW as gradient
assessable chinook habitat. She suggested projects in these areas would yield significant environmental
value. Setting environmental priorities should be done through a transparent and inclusive public process
where issues and values that represent the diversity of viewpoints and geography of the City can be
discussed. This process should be associated with the comprehensive plan and open space should be
prioritized in southwest Edmonds and Highway 99 on the service gaps alone. She requested a line item
for open space acquisition be included in these areas.
Deborah Arthur, Edmonds, relayed her understanding that there would be ADUs in the City of
Edmonds and asked if that was something that could still be decided. She had no problem with ADUs but
thought they were supposed to be places where someone’s mom and dad lived, but she did not care if they
were put in Five Corners. When she moved to Five Corners, the code allowed a story and a half on her
side of the street. She pointed out each ADU would add 2-4 more cars so it was important that the streets
were able to accommodate parking and traffic. She pointed out 212th and 220th were the biggest and
busiest streets in the City. She expressed concern with installing more EV charging stations as she did not
think there would be very many EVs for a long time. She recommended the charging stations be put in
locations where there is space for them and where they allow people to get in and out.
7. APPROVAL OF THE CONSENT AGENDA
COUNCILMEMBER BUCKSHNIS MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCIL PRESIDENT OLSON,
TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA.
Edmonds City Council Approved Minutes
February 22, 2022
Page 15
Councilmember Chen pointed out a correction on the bottom of page 80, the number should be $419,000,
not $419,000k. City Clerk Scott Passey said that would be treated as scrivener’s error.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. The agenda items approved are as follows:
1. APPROVAL OF COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES OF FEBRUARY 15, 2022
2. APPROVAL OF COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES OF FEBRUARY 15, 2022
3. APPROVAL OF COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OF FEBRUARY 15, 2022
4. APPROVAL OF CLAIM CHECKS
5. ACKNOWLEDGE RECEIPT OF A CLAIM FOR DAMAGES FROM GLENNA
WATSON, PARAGEN PROPERTIES II, LLC, FOUNDATION FOR INTERNATIONAL
SERVICES INC & MICHAEL FREDRICK
6. COUNCIL LEGISLATIVE ASSISTANT HIRE
8. COUNCIL BUSINESS
1. ASSISTANT CHIEF SALARY ADJUSTMENT
Police Chief Michelle Bennett advised conditional offers have been accepted by the two external assistant
chief applicants; both would take a pay cut if they accepted the existing offer. She referred to previous
discussions about the current salary compression of less than 1% between the sergeant and assistant chief.
This is a request to adjust salaries to be competitive in the current market.
Councilmember Paine expressed appreciation for the breakout of the pay ranges from commander to
assistant chief and from sergeant to commander for different municipalities. She asked if this was in line
with how other comparable positions in the City across the seven steps and salary grades within the same
band. Chief Bennett said the charts represent research she did speaking to other chief, assistant chiefs and
commanders at other departments and asking about their contracts and set differentials. The percentages
were the result of a matrix she prepared after speaking with comparable, nearby agencies regarding the
salary differentials between ranks. The suggested pay range for assistant chief does not come close to the
highest salaries.
Human Resources Analyst Emily Wagener explained for other positions in the City, a differential is not
set between positions; that is specific to police at least in Edmonds due to how the positions fall and the
different premium rates they receive. With regard to other positions, the placement looks at the market
median compared to the pay schedule and takes into account internal equity which does not consider a
differential or a percentage between two positions, but looks at similar positions in the City and ensuring
the salary is equitable among those positions. Councilmember Paine commented the compression is
clearly laid out with the less than 1% difference. Ms. Wagener said compression has definitely been a
long standing issue in the Edmonds Police Department.
Councilmember Buckshnis relayed residents’ questions why it is going from NR-19 to NR-44. Ms.
Wagener explained everything is restructured. The old salary schedule went from NR-1 to NR-23 and the
new one starts at NR-25. She understood how that could be confusing. The new schedule has been
completed and it should be posted tomorrow so the public can review it.
COUNCILMEMBER BUCKSHNIS MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCIL PRESIDENT OLSON,
TO APPROVE THE STAFF RECOMMENDATION.
Edmonds City Council Approved Minutes
February 22, 2022
Page 16
Councilmember Tibbott asked what step an assistant chief entered on; he understood it was the new NR-
44 but asked what step. Chief Bennett said she and Ms. Wagener had not discussed that specifically, but
she believed Step 5 or 6 based on their previous experience. Ms. Wagener explained the way the steps
work is the department director or in this case the police chief is able to hire up to a Step 3 and the mayor
can approve up to Step 7 as long as there is budget authority which she believed there likely was in this
case due to salary savings. It depends on each candidates’ qualifications but a determination has not yet
been made regarding what each candidate will be offered; the conditional offers did list any wages.
Councilmember Tibbott relayed his understanding that that determination would be made based on
experience as well as where they enter the City’s pay structure before determining the step. Chief Bennett
agreed she, Mayor Nelson and Ms. Wagener will have that discussion, both candidates have over 20 years
of experience, one with over 30 years.
Councilmember K. Johnson asked if there was a policy about the differentiation between supervisory and
non-supervisory personnel, either a percentage or number of steps. Ms. Wagener asked if she was
inquiring about a general City policy regarding supervisors and their starting wages. Councilmember K.
Johnson said she was asking if there was a differentiation between supervisors and the people they
supervise. Ms. Wagener said there was not a set percentage between supervisory and non-supervisory
positions. Typically supervisory positions would be at a higher grade than non-supervisory positions but
there is no specific percentage. That decision is made by looking at the market and other positions within
the department.
Councilmember K. Johnson asked if the market was considered for these two positions. Ms. Wagener
answered the assistant chief was not included in the market study because the larger issue at the City is
internal equity. Councilmember K. Johnson understood that 1% was not acceptable, but asked if it was
24% or 10%. Chief Bennett said there were 3-4 comparables including Bothell, Lynnwood and LFP to
illustrate the differential. For example in Bothell, the differential between sergeant and commander is
30% and in King County the differential between captain and major is 23%. Many agencies have set
differentials for pay to be competitive. The packet contains the percentage. Councilmember K. Johnson
said she read the packet, but Edmonds uses several comparable cities and they do not include King
County or Bothell. She suggested looking at the seven comparable cities and doing an actual analysis
rather than just pulling the numbers out of a hat.
UPON ROLL CALL, MOTION CARRIED (6-0-1), COUNCILMEMBERS CHEN, TIBBOTT,
BUCKSHNIS, PAINE AND L. JOHNSON AND COUNCIL PRESIDENT OLSON VOTING YES;
COUNCILMEMBER K. JOHNSON ABSTAINING.
2. 2022 BUDGET AMENDMENTS
Councilmember Buckshnis advised Councilmember L. Johnson’s request could easily be added to the
amendments if she would like. She explained the request for amendments was sent to all councilmembers,
so to avoid a rolling quorum, she was unable to inquire who submitted the amendments which is why they
are proposed without identifying a councilmember. She reviewed the remaining proposed 2022 budget
amendments:
Motion to add $34K for the match for the Fourth Avenue Corridor which is part of the Creative District’s
capital project need.
COUNCILMEMBER BUCKSHNIS MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER K.
JOHNSON, TO ADD $34,000 FOR THE MATCH FOR THE FOURTH AVENUE CORRIDOR
WHICH IS PART OF THE CREATIVE DISTRICT’S CAPITAL PROJECT NEED.
Edmonds City Council Approved Minutes
February 22, 2022
Page 17
Councilmember Paine recalled a week ago there was a motion to move $10,000 from the Council
Contingency Fund so she proposed amending the motion to $24,000. She asked if last week’s motion had
been approved. Mr. Turley recalled the council approved $10,000 from the Council Contingency Fund,
but questioned whether this was the same thing. Councilmember Paine asked if it would make more sense
to lower the motion to $24,000 to reach a total of $34,000. Mr. Turley was unclear how the $34,000
would be used. Councilmember Paine said the ECA provided $20,000 and the economic development
group came up with $4,000 which leaves a gap of $10,000.
COUNCILMEMBER PAINE MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER L. JOHNSON, TO
AMEND TO HAVE THE REQUEST GO TO MEET THE UNFINISHED BALANCE AS NEEDED
TO MEET THE MATCH REQUIRED FOR THE 4TH AVENUE CORRIDOR AS A PART OF THE
CREATIVE DISTRICT GRANT REQUEST.
Councilmember Buckshnis said she would not support the amendment. Councilmember Chen previously
suggested not using the Council Contingency and did not feel the Edmonds Center for the Arts should be
putting out $20,000. If the motion is approved by a super majority, Mr. Turley could be directed to return
the funds to the Council Contingency Fund and not accept the funds from the ECA or other entity to
fulfill this request .
Council President Olson said she remembered it the same way Councilmember Buckshnis did. Due to the
time-critical nature, the grant match information had to be submitted that day so the Council Contingency
Fund was used to provide the funds as doing it via the budget process would be too late. The intent was if
there was a super majority on this item, that the $10,000 used that day would be put back.
Councilmember Paine said that was not the motion, to reinstate fund balance back to the Council
Contingency Fund. She was at the Edmonds Public Facilities District’s special meeting where they
approved $10,000 for the Creative District grant request. It appears councilmembers are trying to unspool
things that have already been put in place and the grant has already been submitted. She requested the
amount be reduced to what is absolutely needed for the purposes of this project because otherwise the
motion is not reflective of what is being stated.
Councilmember Chen confirmed Councilmember Buckshnis and Council President Olson’s earlier
statements, that was discussed a week ago and he urged the council to replenish the Council Contingency
Fund which is established for a reason.
Councilmember K. Johnson said she would not support the amendment. The amount of the grant was
$34,000; the City needed to provide a $34,000 match. Arts & Culture Program Manager Frances Chapin
cobbled together enough money to come up with the $34,000. The original ask was $100,000; the City’s
$34,000 and the State grant totaled $68,000. The EPFD promised $20,000 because their frontage was not
included in the original analysis of the 4th Avenue Corridor. The $20,000 the EPFD is contributing is to
extend the preliminary design across their property. If the City only provided $68,000 ($34,000 grant plus
$34,000 match), it would not include the property in front of the ECA. All the funding totals $88,000
which is sufficient to do the total design for the 4th Avenue Corridor. For those reasons and due to what
has been previously stated, she did not support the motion.
Councilmember L. Johnson said it appeared that not only did a super majority approve an amount last
week, now the intent is to double that amount with this amendment. She suggested City Clerk Passey
clarify what the council was doing. Mr. Passey said the money was to reduce the $34,000 to some
indeterminate amount but he could not say for certain what that was. Mayor Nelson said Doug Merriman
and Frances Chapin had prepared the grant application.
Edmonds City Council Approved Minutes
February 22, 2022
Page 18
Councilmember L. Johnson expressed concern that the council was not totally clear what would happen if
the motion were passed tonight. She just heard a councilmember mention $88,000 and others have said
the fund would be replenished. She was unclear what would occur with this vote.
Councilmember Paine observed neither Mr. Merriman nor Ms. Chapin were here tonight. If the grant has
been submitted, she suggested waiting until the first quarter amendment if this was just a budget fix. She
sought the council’s support of her amendment.
Council President Olson suggested voting on the amendment first and then getting clarification on the big
picture.
Councilmember Buckshnis clarified there was $10,000 from the Council Contingency Fund. At that time,
Councilmember Chen indicated his preference to do a $34,000 budget amendment; that passed by a super
majority. However, that vote would not have taken effect that day, on February 15th. She said the
amendment came back this week because Councilmember Chen recommended replenishing the $10,000
to the Council Contingency Fund. The grant application has been submitted. This is additional money; if
the Council feels it is reasonable, the council could ask to have the $10,000 reinstated to the Council
Contingency Fund. She summarized it is confusing because it was brought up as part of the budget
amendment, but the budget amendments will not be adopted until an ordinance is adopted.
Councilmember Paine said it is a mischaracterization of the $10,000; it wasn’t part of the budget
amendment process, it was a request to access funds in the Council Contingency Fund. She sought the
council’s support for her motion.
Council President Olson said she could offer further clarification after the vote on the amendment.
Councilmember L. Johnson said she did not have enough information and councilmembers are saying
different and competing things. She preferred the council take the time to know what they were voting on
instead of voting based on opinions. The narrative that council can chose at a later date does not indicate
that the council will choose to do that. This doubles what is going toward a project that has many
concerned about inequities.
UPON ROLL CALL, AMENDMENT FAILED (1-5-1) COUNCILMEMBER PAINE VOTING YES;
COUNCILMEMBERS K. JOHNSON, CHEN, TIBBOTT, AND BUCKSHNIS AND COUNCIL
PRESIDENT OLSON VOTING NO; AND COUNCILMEMBER L. JOHNSON ABSTAINING.
Councilmember Chen offered the following substitute motion:
COUNCILMEMBER CHEN MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCIL PRESIDENT OLSON, TO
APPROVE $34,000 AND HAVE MR. TURLEY REPLENISH THE COUNCIL EMERGENCY
FUND CONTINGENCY WITH $10,000 AND REIMBURSE THE ECA $20,000 AND THE OTHER
$4,000 TO WHOEVER CONTRIBUTED IT.
Councilmember Chen said the other entities provided funding due to the time sensitivity of the grant
request and he requested their contributions be refunded.
Council President Olson suggested simplifying Councilmember Chen’s motion, to make a motion for the
$34,000 and if it was passed with a super majority, use the $34,000 to replenish $10,000 to the Council
Contingency Fund and make the $24,000 an additional contribution to the grant effort and leave the other
parts alone because evidently other things went on behind the scenes with regard to the design. She asked
if Councilmember Chen was open to that change.
Edmonds City Council Approved Minutes
February 22, 2022
Page 19
Councilmember Chen said his intent was to provide enough for the $34,000 grant match which leaves
only $10,000. He modified his motion as follows:
TO APPROVE $34,000 AND REPLENISH $10,000 FOR THE COUNCIL CONTINGENCY FUND
AND CONTRIBUTE THE OTHER $24,000 TO THE ECA BECAUSE THEY REALLY NEED
MONEY.
Parks, Recreation, Cultural Arts & Human Services Director Angie Feser explained the grant application
required a $34,000 match, the ECA committed to provide $20,000, and the remaining $14,000 was
committed City funds before last week’s meeting, $10,000 from economic development and $4,000 from
the arts budget. The City had enough resources to cover the $34,000 match to create a budget of $68,000
for the work. The council supported the $10,000 contribution from the Council Contingency Fund which
eliminated the need for $10,000 from the City’s budget. She summarized the other half of the grant was
covered as is.
MOTION FAILED (1-6), COUNCILMEMBER CHEN VOTING YES.
Councilmember Tibbott said it was his understanding with the $34,000 grant, all those who contributed
would be reimbursed. However, he learned tonight from Councilmember K. Johnson that the ECA
intended to add $20,000 to the grant to continue the design study in front of the ECA. He asked Ms. Feser
if that was accurate and if so, was the reimbursement needed or not. Ms. Feser said the ECA committed to
contribute $20.000; Councilmember Paine attended that meeting and is aware of that discussion and the
commitment the EPFD made. The grant application project is actually advancement of the design from
Dayton to 4th Street, the section of the street in front of the ECA. Part of the ECA’s interest in the grant is
to advance the design of the 4th Avenue Cultural Corridor in front of their building to Dayton. That was
not included in last design advancement project so it was lagging in the overall conceptual design of the
4th Avenue Cultural Corridor.
Councilmember Tibbott observed the extra amount is to conduct additional design work from 3rd Avenue
and past the ECA and the $34,000 is not to reimburse the ECA but to complete the study. Ms. Feser said
she may be confused about the reimbursement component. Without approving the $34,000 tonight, the
grant application is whole; the $34,000 was gathered on behalf of the City as the match. If the council
wants to approve an additional $34,000 and tell ECA their $20,000 isn’t needed, that is an option. She
summarized for now the grant match has been covered by various sources.
Councilmember Tibbott observed the grant, a total of $68,000, covers the full section of the 4th Avenue
Cultural Corridor, from 3rd Avenue to 4th Avenue and south to Dayton. Ms. Feser said her understanding
of the grant application was it covered that section, bringing it up to 30% design which the rest of 4th
Avenue is already at that level plus designing the pocket park.
Council President Olson clarified there are two streets in downtown Edmonds close to each other that
start with D, Daley and Dayton; Daley would be closer to the ECA. She wondered if the section was to
Daley, not Dayton. Ms. Feser said that was correct. Council President Olson said that part is by the ECA
and they wanted to ensure it was included in this design.
Councilmember K. Johnson she had a detailed discussion about this with Arts & Culture Program
Manager Frances Chapin who told her that the intent was to complete conceptual design for the 4th
Avenue Corridor. The work done two years ago stopped short of the area in front of the ECA and did not
include the small segment south of Main Street. This is not 30% design, it is conceptual design. The
estimate for that in the last CIP was $100,000; this year there was an opportunity for a $34,000 grant
which required a 100% match. The City seemed unable to come up with the money so there was a very
gracious offer from the ECA who had been hoping to partner with the City on the 4th Avenue Corridor
because they were a large tenant at one end of the project and the earlier conceptual design did not
Edmonds City Council Approved Minutes
February 22, 2022
Page 20
include the area in front of the ECA. The intent was to obtain the grant and see what can be done for
$68,000.
Councilmember K. Johnson continued, however, when the ECA stepped forward with a contribution, the
idea was if the City was able to come up with $34,000, the ECA’s $20,000 could be used to complete the
design in front of their property. She acknowledged it sounded a little confusing, but she did not believe
anything but the Council Contingency Fund needed to be replenished as everything else was a
contribution that would be used to complete the design for the 4th Avenue Corridor which could be
accomplished with these funds from one end to the other. If any funds were left over, they could be used
to help design the pocket park. Once the conceptual design is complete, 30% design process can begin in
later years, but that will not be accomplished with this grant or the contribution from the ECA.
Councilmember Paine said for the most part what Councilmember K. Johnson said was correct; the
purpose of the money was to extend the conceptual design from Main Street to 3rd Avenue including in
front of the ECA. She agreed with Councilmember K. Johnson’s assertion that if the council wished, they
could reimburse the Council Contingency Fund, which hasn’t been used in over three years. She
summarized the council probably didn’t need to do anything; the $34,000 match has been covered in
partnership with the ECA and the City. For simplification, the council could chose to reimburse the
Council Contingency Fund.
Councilmember L. Johnson observed the original project was to be done in two phases with a $6M phase
and another $2M phase. Now she is hearing it may also include another portion going closer to Main. She
asked if this was potentially adding to the original $8M proposal for another downtown project. Ms. Feser
said she has asked Frances Chapin to join the meeting. She explained the $8M Councilmember L.
Johnson is referring to is a line item in the Parks capital program; $2M is earmarked for continuing design
and another $6M for construction, based on an $8M estimate provided by public works department last
year for the 4th Avenue Cultural. She requested Ms. Chapin explain the background of the existing
funding, noting she had described the $20,000 from the ECA and $14,000 from the City’s budget to
provide the $34,000 grant match that was submitted last Tuesday. There is some confusion about what the
grant application was for; she had explained that it was increase the design from Daley to 3rd to a higher
level.
Ms. Chapin explained the grant application that was submitted was to complete the conceptual design for
the whole corridor. In the work that was done in the past, the corridor was identified as ½ block south of
Main Street up to 3rd Avenue so the portion in front of the ECA where 4th connects to 3rd. In the previous
work completed and presented to council last summer, due to the limited budget, the conceptual design
was taken up to Daley Street but did not include the final portion between Daley and 3rd Avenue. The
thinking behind that was partially that it would be very important to include the ECA in that conceptual
design work for that last portion because their property adjoins the public right-of-way and over the years
they have expressed interest in making that part of the design for space to be used by the public. The
original work done in 2009 shows an idea of the interface between ECA property and the public right-of-
way.
Ms. Chapin continued, at this point the ECA had expressed interest in being part of that design process
and were able to come up with a portion of grant match which made it possible to apply for the grant to
complete that part of the conceptual design. The main focus with the grant would be to complete that
piece but also ensure the entire stretch from Edmonds Street was looked at again because very minimal
design work had been done on the last block between Edmonds and Daley. The corner is a key
component of the corridor design from the beginning, a small pocket park area that connects 4th up
Sprague and over to Civic Park. The thought was this is the time to get the design for that in place; it has
Edmonds City Council Approved Minutes
February 22, 2022
Page 21
been identified but nothing more than that has been done in past work. She summarized that scope was
included in the grant application.
Councilmember L. Johnson clarified when this was presented to council last year, it was in two phases
and now the intent was combine the phases into one for a project that would be built in the downtown
area. Ms. Chapin answered it was one project but due to funding, it was phased to have the final portion
completed next; it is all part of the first phase of conceptual design. The intent is not to move forward
with finalizing design specifics that would lead to construction documents until the entire corridor design
concept is in place.
Councilmember L. Johnson agreed that made sense. She expressed concern with expanding yet another
project in the downtown area and was she was having a hard time with this focus. Although there is merit,
she preferred to put the brakes on this and show the commitment to moving forward with providing a
more equitable distribution of resources throughout the City. She was very uncomfortable with continuing
with this project.
Council President Olson commented the council has meandered so much around the subject that they
have lost the main question, that the Creative District designation is truly precious and of great value to
the City. She was not in favor of going full speed ahead on the construction, art or pocket parks, but she
was on board with doing the design because that’s how the City retains its designation which has a lot of
value such access to signage on the highway and grants which include affordable housing for creatives.
She suggested calling the question on the motion on the floor which is to add $34,000 for the match for
the Fourth Avenue Corridor, with $10,000 of that replenishing the Council Contingency Fund and the
other $24,000 going to the Creative District design project.
COUNCIL PRESIDENT OLSON CALLED THE QUESTION. VOTE TO CALL THE QUESTION
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
UPON ROLL CALL, MOTION CARRIED (5-2), COUNCILMEMBERS K. JOHNSON, CHEN,
TIBBOTT, AND BUCKSHNIS AND COUNCIL PRESIDENT OLSON VOTING YES;
COUNCILMEMBERS PAINE AND L. JOHNSON VOTING NO.
Mr. Turley requested before moving forward, the council indicate where the money will come from so
that can be included in the draft ordinance. In the past the funds have come from Economic Development
& Community Services.
Councilmember Buckshnis suggested it come from ending fund balance as it was $2.25M underbudget.
Mr. Turley said it had to be budgeted in an expense account so the council needed to identify a
department like Community Services or Non-Departmental, the Mayor’s budget, Council’s budget. etc.
Council President Olson suggested delegating that decision to the finance committee to discuss with Mr.
Turley offline or did that need to be made in a public meeting. Mr. Taraday said the finance committee
would need to hold a special meeting to do that. Council President Olson asked if the two
councilmembers that comprise the finance committee could decide that in a phone call with Mr. Turley.
Mr. Taraday said if it will be built into the ordinance that the council votes on next week, he
recommended it be done as part of a special finance committee meeting. Another option would be for Mr.
Turley to propose a source in the ordinance and the Council could amend it.
Councilmember Buckshnis recalled ending fund balance has been used as a source many times in the
past. She suggested ending fund balance or the Parks Department. It is not a great deal of money and it is
becoming a complicated issue from a simple concept.
Edmonds City Council Approved Minutes
February 22, 2022
Page 22
Councilmember K. Johnson agreed it should come out of Ms. Feser’s budget as it is a cultural component
and a major project that Ms. Chapin has been working on. Ms. Feser clarified the ECA contributed
$20,000, not $24,000. The motion stated reimbursing the ECA $24,000. She will discuss with Ms. Chapin
where they will find $34,000 in the budget; they had originally allocated $4,000 from the arts budget. Mr.
Turley clarified this is new money. He said if the council was okay with the Parks Department, he was
also okay with that.
Councilmember Paine asked if there needed to be a vote on the source. Mr. Turley said based on what Mr.
Taraday said previously, the council’s direction would be included in the ordinance and the vote on the
final ordinance would solidify it. The council must vote on the exact dollar amount, but there can be a
head nod on the source.
Motion to add $60K for study of a Police Station and/or City Hall relocation.
COUNCILMEMBER BUCKSHNIS MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCIL PRESIDENT OLSON,
TO ADD $60,000 FOR A STUDY OF A POLICE STATION AND/OR CITY HALL RELOCATION.
COUNCILMEMBER K. JOHNSON MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER
BUCKSHNIS, TO AMEND THE MOTION TO STUDY A POLICE SUBSTATION ON HIGHWAY
99.
Councilmember K. Johnson commented the majority of police calls, especially in the evening, are in the
Highway 99 corridor. It would be prudent to study the value of a substation, where it would be located,
and whether that should be pursued. If $60,000 could be used for that purpose, she would support it.
Councilmember L. Johnson commented the council spent the last month plus on a budget redo with
requests from four councilmembers, and many of the items included in the PowerPoint included the
explanation of not enough info, no justification given and should go through committee first even though
the decision package had been previously presented, vetted, debated and approved. This proposal is
literally one short sentence and truly not enough information is given and there is no justification. This is
an example of something that should go through committee to ensure it is clearly defined.
Councilmember K. Johnson raised a point of order, stating the councilmember was not speaking to the
amendment. Mayor Nelson ruled she was speaking to the amendment.
Councilmember L. Johnson continued, not enough information was given, there was no justification, and
this and the next amendment should go through committee to make sure it is the best use of the money
and the rationale is clearly defined. During last week’s discussion about solar at the public safety
complex, it was mentioned that building could come down in 8-10 years to use the space for parking. She
questioned whether the study was needed because the council truly thought moving public safety was in
the public’s best interest or was it because others have a goal of having a parking facility downtown. She
reiterated this needed to go through committee so the what and the why could be clearly defined.
Council President Olson said this has probably been vetted better than anything else the council has
discussed. Not by the council and not today, but by the economic development commission years ago
who looked at this very extensively and thought it was a good idea then and it may be an even better idea
today. One piece of information Councilmember Chen sent around was regarding the commute from the
downtown station to Highway 99.
Councilmember K. Johnson raised a point of order, stating the amendment was to study a police
substation on Highway 99 and so far no one is talking about that. Mayor Nelson said the amendment was
in response to the main motion which was moving the entire police station. All the discussion is relevant
Edmonds City Council Approved Minutes
February 22, 2022
Page 23
to that motion. Councilmember K. Johnson recalled the council was to discuss the amendment and then
the main motion. Mr. Passey said councilmembers can speak to both motions, they are separate and
distinct motions and the discussion has been germane to the motions. Councilmember K. Johnson asked if
there was any order implied. Mr. Passey responded he did not think so.
Council President Olson referred to the remaining agenda items, one of which was very time critical, and
asked the maker of the motion and the author of the next motion if they would be willing to consider
having them as part of the first quarter budget amendment and possibly have a 2-3 member council task
force work on them to ensure they are included in the budget amendment process.
Councilmember Buckshnis said she had no problem with that suggestion. The next amendment is related
to the CFP/CIP process and should go through committee, one in the PPW committee and the other in the
finance committee. She suggested Councilmember Chen provide input as he proposed these amendments.
Council President Olson asked Councilmember Chen if he was okay with that. Councilmember Chen
answered these two items were offered by him. To Councilmember L. Johnson, he was unsure how much
evidence she needed to see; the majority of police activity happens on Highway 99. For example, the 7-
Eleven murder case on Highway 99 is still unsolved.
Councilmember Paine raised a point of order, stating her preference that councilmembers speak to the
motion and not identify specific councilmembers. Mayor Nelson suggested councilmember refrain from
identifying specific councilmembers in their comments.
Councilmember Chen said for those councilmembers who need evidence about relocating the police
station to Highway 99 or a central part of the City, he cited the 2019 7-Eleven murder, many instances of
car theft, shoplifting, arson fires such as the Plumtree Plaza that is still under investigation, a list that goes
on and on. Every week the police blotter cites crimes on Highway 99. This afternoon he sent out a rough
estimate of the cost savings from not driving the 3.4 miles from downtown to Highway 99; the potential
annual savings is $2.6M annually. He was interested in more concrete numbers, a more detailed study
which is why he proposed $60,000 for a study. He asked the council to support this motion, fearing if it
went to committee, it could be delayed another 2-3 years.
Council President Olson asked Councilmember Chen if he felt same about the next amendment related to
street lighting or could that go to committee. Councilmember Chen preferred to do it now so he could
provide information about why it was needed. Council President Olson summarized the council would
continue with the agenda and suggested councilmembers stay focused and not repeat themselves.
Councilmember Paine preferred to have this item go to committee because there is not enough
information. She recalled there were a lot of questions about the previous amendment because there
wasn’t adequate information or staff input. With regard to this amendment, she would like the opinion of
the police chief and the assistant chiefs regarding whether this was needed. She also wanted to ensure
there was a defined project scope such as whether it was the police station, the full complex including
courts, who would run the project, where the money would come from, defining the need, etc. Getting
those questions answered was better done via the committee process, likely in 1-2 cycles.
Councilmember Tibbott agreed with Councilmembers L. Johnson and Paine that this needed to go
through a committee clarification process. The motion has been changed from police station and city hall
to a police substation. He believed having it go through committee would result in a clear motion that
could be added to the first quarter budget amendment. He summarized it would be better to follow that
format so he would not support this motion, but would support a motion for it to go to committee.
Edmonds City Council Approved Minutes
February 22, 2022
Page 24
Councilmember L. Johnson said there is clearly evidence of need, but this proposal has not been clearly
defined. She did not disagree that the council should consider if change was needed, but this proposal was
not clearly defined and therefore she would not support it.
Council President Olson commented this is a priority to her and she agreed it should go through
committee. She will prioritize it moving through committee and getting the attention it needs so it gets
back to the council within a month.
UPON ROLL CALL, AMENDMENT FAILED (1-5-1), COUNCILMEMBER CHEN VOTING YES;
COUNCILMEMBERS TIBBOTT, BUCKSHNIS, PAINE, L. JOHNSON AND COUNCIL
PRESIDENT OLSON VOTING NO; COUNCILMEMBER K. JOHNSON ABSTAINING.
UPON ROLL CALL, MOTION FAILED (1-6), COUNCILMEMBER CHEN VOTING YES;
COUNCILMEMBERS K. JOHNSON, TIBBOTT, BUCKSHNIS, PAINE, L. JOHNSON AND
COUNCIL PRESIDENT OLSON VOTING NO.
Motion to add $150K for Streetlights in the Lake Ballinger Area – move through Council Committee and
the CIP/CFP impact based on review of all areas of Edmonds (Seaview, Firdale, 5-Corners, Westgate,
etc.)
COUNCILMEMBER BUCKSHNIS MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER CHEN, TO
ADD $150,000 FOR STREETLIGHTS IN THE LAKE BALLINGER AREA – MOVE THROUGH
COUNCIL COMMITTEE AND THE CIP/CFP IMPACT BASED ON REVIEW OF ALL AREAS
OF EDMONDS (SEAVIEW, FIRDALE, 5-CORNERS, WESTGATE, ETC.)
Councilmember Chen said he understood the value of going through committee, but for this project and
the other project, the City can hire a consultant and move forward with studies, budget, etc. He walked
around, took notes and pictures to identify the streets where are lights needed, 74th Avenue W, 75th
Avenue West, 76th Avenue West, 77th, 78th, 238the, 239th, 229th and he even identified the house numbers.
During Halloween, his children did not want to trick or treat and his house hardly had any trick or treaters
because it was too dark. Councilmembers who doorbelled in this neighborhood saw how dark it is. He
questioned how much evidence was needed. According to Google, the lights cost about $2,500-$3,000
each; with $150,000 the neighborhood could be lit up, otherwise they will just continue to live in the dark.
Councilmember Paine recalled when doorbelling in that neighborhood and on the Lake Ballinger side of
Highway 99, people she spoke to asked for sidewalks. She agreed with having this go through the
committee process and wanted a comprehensive review of the neighborhood’s needs. She agreed there
was a need, but the neighborhood needed to help define that need.
Council President Olson recalled when doorbelling in that neighborhood, she noticed how crazy dark it
was, where you literally had to leave the second the sun went down because there was no light. During
discussion of the TIP and CIP, she talked about the need for lights in Lake Ballinger. During a
conversation on this year’s budget cycle with then-Public Works Director Williams about lights in Lake
Ballinger, he told her that lights can be installed for no charge on any existing electric pole by calling
PUD and the City pays for the electricity. That is a good potion and should be pursued in areas where
there are poles. When she communicated with people who live in that area who wanted lights, they said
there are a lot of places without electric poles so there is a need for additional infrastructure. She
suggested to Councilmember Chen that staff could figure out where that needed to be. This not a big sum
of money and starting a program could have a huge positive impact for that community who has already
been waiting three years (since she was doorbelling there). This was not something that needed more
information and she supported this proposal.
Edmonds City Council Approved Minutes
February 22, 2022
Page 25
Councilmember L. Johnson commended Councilmember Chen for bringing attention to this and for his
dedication to fixing this issue. However, there is a reason things go through committee. A number has
been thrown out, but she did not know what it was based on or if it was enough to do this project. It’s not
that there isn’t justification for the lighting, but if it went through committee, the appropriate amount
could be determined in order to do this and to do it right which is the purpose of committee. Committees
meet once a month so it would not delay it for years.
Mayor Nelson reminded councilmembers to refrain from identifying specific councilmembers.
Councilmember Chen said he did not mind. Mayor Nelson said he was trying to be consistent.
Councilmember Tibbott said the way the motion is written on the slide is to add $150,000 in the Lake
Ballinger area and move through council committee and CIP/CFP review. He was unclear whether the
maker of the motion intended to eliminate it going through council committee first.
COUNCILMEMBER TIBBOTT MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER BUCKSHNIS,
EXTEND TO 10:20. MOTION CARRIED (6-1), COUNCILMEMBER K. JOHNSON VOTING NO.
Councilmember Buckshnis offered to withdraw the motion as she believed it should go through
committee. Councilmember Chen did not agree to remove his second.
UPON ROLL CALL, MOTION FAILED (2-5), COUNCILMEMBER CHEN AND COUNCIL
PRESIDENT OLSON VOTING YES; COUNCILMEMBERS K. JOHNSON, TIBBOTT,
BUCKSHNIS, PAINE AND L. JOHNSON VOTING NO.
COUNCILMEMBER L. JOHNSON MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER
BUCKSHNIS, TO ADD A FULL-TIME SENIOR PLANNER TO THE BUDGET.
Councilmember L. Johnson commented the City is without a senior planner now, but there are numerous
reasons to have that person in place including an urgent need for a code rewrite. In the past having a
temporary or a consultant may have been enough to recruit and retain, but in the current job market,
without the security that comes with a full-time position, that may be difficult to find. Furthermore, the
code rewrite is not a onetime thing, it is ongoing. The way the proposal is put together, that person can do
other necessary and needed duties as well.
COUNCILMEMBER BUCKSHNIS MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER L.
JOHNSON, TO AMEND TO ADD $20,000, THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE CURRENT
SALARY OF THE TEMPORARY/CONTRACT POSITION AND A PERMANENT POSITION
PER DIRECTOR MCLAUGHLIN.
Councilmember Paine relayed her understanding that this was moving the position from a long term
temporary position to a permanent position and she was unaware that there was a cost associated with
that. HR Analyst Emily Wagener explained this position is currently a limited term position approved for
3 years and expires in 2024. The request is to make it a permanent position instead of a limited term
position. What Councilmember Buckshnis is referring to is the difference in salary from the employee
who left the position and gives budget authority if a new person needed to be hired at the top step. As she
previously stated, anything above Step 3 must be approved by the mayor.
Council President Olson commented this came up pretty suddenly. It has been a priority of council to get
the code rewritten. She found it frustrating that new and interesting regulations were coming out of that
positions when it was her understanding this person would be assisting with rewriting the basic code.
With regard to this being a full-time forever position, she questioned whether an overall look had been
done of the department and whether this was the department where a new full-time forever employee was
Edmonds City Council Approved Minutes
February 22, 2022
Page 26
needed. She did not have enough information to feel comfortable committing to a full-time forever FTE
and she was not confident that it could not be filled as a temporary or contract position. She hoped if the
council did not this pass tonight, that staff would immediately start advertising for the same job status and
could possibly hire a great person again, commenting there may be factors that led the person hired for
the position to go elsewhere.
Councilmember L. Johnson asked whether it would be most appropriate go forward with this as a new
proposal with a budget attached because it is going from temporary to a permanent FTE. It was her
understanding the senior planner position would initially focus on the code rewrite, but there was a lot
more that this position could and needed to do, justification for this being a full-time position beyond
simply a greater ability to hire and retain. Ms. McLaughlin answered development services had a record
number of permits last year so they are under resourced simply to do permitting. When there are council
priorities to rewrite the code, do amendments and evaluate policies that require code to effectuate those
new policies, a dedicated position is needed. The position that was recently vacated was overloaded, his
work plan was full. There are a multitude of things this position could do, particularly with the upcoming
comprehensive plan update and with the current permit loads. She had no concern that a new position
would have any excess capacity.
Director Turley answered any time an FTE was contemplated, three things needed to be considered for
approval, 1) the dollars in the budget to pay for it, 2) a council-approved job description, and 3) the
position has to be approved. It was his understanding that the job description was already approved. If the
intent was to go from a three-year, term limited temporary position to an FTE, the council would need to
approve the additional position which could be written into the budget ordinance. That is a simple thing
but it needs to be clear that that is what the council is approving. With regard to having adequate funds in
the budget, he agreed with adding some money due to recent changes to the non-rep salaries that
increased the salary for that position. He anticipated there were likely salary savings to cover it but agreed
it would be best to add $20,000 so staff can recruit for the position properly.
Mayor Nelson advised the Council must vote on Item 8.3 tonight.
Councilmember K. Johnson said she supported the code rewrite, noting the council has been talking about
it for the decade she has been on council. She was under the impression that when the person who just left
was hired he would be doing code rewrite, but instead he presented new code. She was not interested in
this position working on the comprehensive plan, permit review or new code. The problem as stated and
maybe needs to be stated more strongly in the job description or what council expects of this position, is
to go through the code and correct it because there are areas where staff has said the code is in conflict
and a systematic approach to reviewing it is needed. There have been three efforts to do a code rewrite,
whether it was an attorney, a land use planner, or an architect. She would only support the addition of a
senior planner 100% dedicated to the code rewrite. It would be very helpful for this to come through the
committee process where it could be vetted to ensure the council knows exactly what they want in the
position even if it means taking a second look at the job description. She summarized her expectations of
this position were not met in the last six months as she was unaware of any code that was rewritten.
Councilmember Paine pointed out it was the senior planner who left who pointed out inconsistencies in
the code which promoted the most recent moratorium. If an active code writer has been needed for 10
years, the position is still needed and she did not support further delays. There are gaps in the code that
needed to be addressed and hiring a non-permanent or part-time position has not been successful. The fact
is the community has talked about this for years and it is time to have a permanent position. When she
proposed a 3-year long term temporary position two years ago, she thought that would be a good patch
solution and could get through a lot of code. The current permit load was not expected and things have
gotten complicated and a lot of work needs to be done. She supported this being a permanent position
Edmonds City Council Approved Minutes
February 22, 2022
Page 27
with the additional $20,000. Saying there is no evidence that work has been done is not true as evidenced
by the moratorium that the council approved based on what the code writer found. She expressed support
for a permanent position because the need is there.
Councilmember Buckshnis agreed with Councilmember Paine. Two years ago she thought a permanent
position was needed and not a temporary position and then-Director Shane Hope agreed with her. The
City needs a code writer, but the council cannot tell the administration how to run the departments or
what their work plan should be. She recommended approving this as a permanent position tonight because
the code is messed up and the council has been receiving emails about the inconsistencies for years.
Councilmember Tibbott referred to the description emailed to council today and although he had not had
a chance to review it, from what he is hearing tonight, this job description mirrors the previously
approved job description according to Director Turley. Therefore, the council is not really looking at
anything new, it is just changing it from a temporary position to a full-time position. Ms. McLaughlin
agreed. Councilmember Tibbott expressed his support for the motion.
COUNCIL PRESIDENT OLSON MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER TIBBOTT, TO
EXTEND TO 10:45 AND THEN TAKE A VOTE. MOTION CARRIED (6-0-1)
COUNCILMEMBER K. JOHNSON ABSTAINING.
UPON ROLL CALL, AMENDMENT CARRIED (5-0-2), COUNCILMEMBERS CHEN, TIBBOTT,
BUCKSHNIS, PAINE AND L. JOHNSON VOTING YES; COUNCILMEMBER K. JOHNSON
AND COUNCIL PRESIDENT OLSON ABSTAINING.
Councilmember K. Johnson said her abstention was because she had not received the email.
Councilmember K. Johnson asked if main motion was for a senior planner or a senior planner code writer.
Ms. McLaughlin answered the advertisement includes the job description for a senior planner and the
brochure speaks to the specialization of code writing with the ability to be a generalist as well to fill in as
needed which includes helping to staff the Planning Board as needed and other planning tasks that a
senior planner would be skilled in.
Councilmember L. Johnson clarified this was put together and sent out last Thursday including the
complete job description and resent today shortly before tonight’s meeting so it was at the top of the
councilmembers’ inbox, it was not sprung on council.
Councilmember Chen agreed the City needed a code rewriter but the senior planner job description
expanded the scope of the need. Therefore he did not think it fulfilled the original intent.
Councilmember L. Johnson asked Director McLaughlin to speak to that comment, the position is senior
planner who specializes in code rewrite. Ms. McLaughlin read the job description from the brochure
which will be part of the advertisement, “The City of Edmonds is seeking a senior planner with
significant code drafting expertise to assist with a major code rewrite/update. Applicants must have
experience and expertise in drafting codes and understanding regulatory issues.”
Councilmember Chen thanked Director McLaughlin for the clarification. He observed the intent was for
this position to emphasize code writing, but have the ability to take on other duties as a planner. Ms.
McLaughlin clarified code writers have a specific skill; it is not as if this senior planner would do things
like permitting, their duties would be code related activities. One example is the multifamily design
standards which were on the previous employee’s work plan along with the major code rewrite. That was
an example of something that would not be consider a code rewrite but was a code amendment and there
was a whole list of those.
Edmonds City Council Approved Minutes
February 22, 2022
Page 28
Councilmember Chen recalled when he on the Citizens Housing Commission, developing multifamily
design standards was one of their recommendations so that would fit into that need. As many citizens
have said, and the council’s adoption of an emergency two-month moratorium illustrated the need for a
code rewrite. He asked about how long the position would focus on the code rewrite, whether it was 3-5
years. Ms. McLaughlin answered because she is new to her position, to understand her staff’s work plans,
she asked each one to write it out. The employee who was previously in this position indicated the code
rewrite as one of his work plan items. He has since vacated the position and a new work plan has not been
developed. She suggested there needed to be the same vocabulary around the code rewrite or a complete
reformat. There are currently a lot of inconsistencies in the code and because codes continually become
antiquated, as soon as one section is updated, the next one needs to be updated. She agreed the rewrite
deals with inconsistencies and codes that are in conflict with one another as well as a complete reformat
so the code makes sense, people can read it, it is legible and it’s modern and up to best practice standards.
She summarized a work plan can be developed with this new position.
UPON ROLL CALL, MOTION CARRIED (6-0-1); COUNCILMEMBERS K. JOHNSON, CHEN,
TIBBOTT, BUCKSHNIS, PAINE AND L. JOHNSON VOTING YES; COUNCIL PRESIDENT
OLSON ABSTAINING.
Councilmember Buckshnis observed that concluded the 2022 budget amendments. She expressed
appreciation for inordinate amount of time the council and staff had spent on this. She did not believe this
would ever happen again. She will work with City Attorney Jeff Taraday on developing an ordinance.
3. RESOLUTION WAIVING COMPETITIVE BIDDING REQUIREMENTS
Acting Public Works Director Rob English introduced the item.
Wastewater Treatment Plant Manager Pamela Randolph explained this is a resolution to certify an
emergency and to waive bid requirements for repairs at the WWTP. She reviewed:
• Background
o February 8, 2022 Acting Public Works Director notified city council of the mayor’s decision
to waive bid requirements for the replacement of the switchgear for the emergency generator
o Purchasing requirements state, “…Mayor can waive bid requirements to purchase supplies,
materials, or services to stabilize the emergency condition. Within two weeks of confirming
the emergency existed, the city council will adopt a resolution certifying the emergency
situation existed.
o It is essential for WWTP to have reliable backup power during a power outage. The
emergency generator may be used during high wind, ice, show and peak flow events or any
impact to the electrical distribution grid.
• What Happened
o In preparation for the carbon recovery project, the sewage sludge incinerator was taken out of
service on July 1, 2021
o During the week of December 26-31, 2021, the Puget Sound region experienced a significant
snow event.
o Due to inability for trucks transporting solids to the landfill to reach the WWTP, staff stored
waste activated solids in an offline aeration basin
o On the evening of January 2, 2022, the plant experienced a peak flow event. High flows were
sustained for several hours through the morning of the 3rd.
o Most of the equipment that was damaged has been either repaired, replaced or is on order
following the purchasing the purchasing policies
o The switchgear for the emergency generator was inspected. And the City was advised to
replace it.
Edmonds City Council Approved Minutes
February 22, 2022
Page 29
• Photo of equipment gallery before and description of its operation
• Photo during flooding showing equipment underwater which resulted in damage
• Other damaged equipment
o RAS pumping – motors, actuators, VFD’s
o Waste activated sludge (WAS) pumping – motors, actuators, VFD’s, flow reading
o Building sump pumps and dewatering pump – motor and VFD
o Instrumentation – flow meters, transmitters, level indicators
o Dewatering, vactoring services and final clean up
o Genie lift, non-pot motor and strainer
• Restoring functionality of the WWTP
o The treatment plant is currently operating well and meeting our permit limits
o However, it is not currently operating as designed in that we do not have the required
redundancy of equipment nor are we operating all systems in automatic modes
o The estimated cost to replace and/or repair all associated equipment (not including the
switchgear) is estimated to be in the $200,000 - $300,000 range at present
o We are researching the ability to file an insurance claim
o When all costs associated with the event are known, staff may approach city council for a
budget amendment
• Switchgear Replacement Plan
o We have researched individual component costs and located the lowest prices and
availability. Equipment will range between $227,000 and $300,000
o We have requested quotes from several independent electrical equipment installers. The
installation will range between $30,000 ad $65,000
o There are still some unknowns at this point which could impact our estimate
o We intend to use a single point of contact to purchase and install the equipment based on the
2013 design. The system will need to be fully commissioned and tested.
o Currently we are preparing a contract for the work and hope to be moving forward within the
next 1-2 weeks. We anticipate restoring power redundancy within 12 weeks.
• Staff recommendation
o Adopt a resolution certifying that an emergency situation existed and to waive bid
requirements for repairs at the WWTP
o Staff will proceed with the replacement of the switchgear for the emergency generator in the
most cost effective ad expedient manner possible
Council President Olson said she was sorry Ms. Randolph and the team went through that and was glad
the City has financial reserves. She recognized that Director English was working on the snow removal
plan and as those things are all tied together, she was glad staff was looking at that.
COUNCIL PRESIDENT OLSON MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER PAINE, TO
APPROVE THE RESOLUTION IN THE PACKET.
Councilmember Chen said he was sorry Ms. Randolph, her team and the City went through that. He was
unclear how the water got in and whether there were systems to prevent that from happening. Ms.
Randolph explained there is a hydrologic pinch point in the plant, and it could not pass some gates that
were open and the level got too high so water goes through drains on the deck. The Edmonds treatment
plant tanks are covered which is not typical, there are usually open tanks. When the water gets high, it has
to come out somewhere so it comes out of drain values, hatches, and tank access doorways. The water
came out of the tank, into the building and downstairs. Typically in that situation, the plant would be
bypassed to prevent damage from occurring.
Edmonds City Council Approved Minutes
February 22, 2022
Page 30
Councilmember Chen said he was not an engineer and did not know about all the technical piping, but
assumed a highly sophisticated plant would have a way to prevent that from happening. Ms. Randolph
answered there are measures in place but they are not automated. There are a lot of decision points in a
high flow situation which is why the WWTP has trained and experienced operators. In a difficult
situation, it is necessary to move very quickly.
COUNCILMEMBER PAINE MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCIL PRESIDENT OLSON, TO
EXTEND UNTIL 11:05. MOTION CARRIED (6-0-1), COUNCILMEMBER K. JOHNSON
ABSTAINING.
Ms. Randolph answered there are safety measures, but it depends on what other options are available at
the moment. She summarized it was a difficult challenge to explain.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
4. SALARY COMMISSION REINSTATEMENT
COUNCIL PRESIDENT OLSON MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER PAINE, TO
POSTPONE THIS TO ANOTHER DAY. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
9. COUNCIL COMMITTEE REPORTS
1. COUNCIL COMMITTEE MINUTES
2. OUTSIDE BOARDS AND COMMITTEE REPORTS
10. MAYOR'S COMMENTS
Due to the late hour, Mayor Nelson had no report.
11. COUNCIL COMMENTS
Council President Olson said the long term civic beautification effort by Floretum volunteers has inspired
her to look at a similar private/public partnership focused on another civic beautification efforts, broken
windows, trash and graffiti. She invited everyone listening, members of the community, the mayor and
staff, to contact her with ideas on how to make this successful and their commitment to help. She wanted
every street in the City to reflect the community’s pr. City-supported ongoing volunteer efforts like those
that have made the Floretum so successful will show our love to all our Edmonds neighbors.
Councilmember Paine thanked South County Fire for their annual presentation. As always it is very
informative, they do a staggering amount of work for the community, and have gone through a long
COVID season for the last 2+ years. She pointed out it was cold outside and the cold weather center
needs volunteers and supplies such as hand warmers which people use all winter long.
Councilmember Paine expressed her relief at getting through the budget process and thanked the directors
and staff for their continued dedication to the City and ensuring their work is properly funded. The
directors and staff have gone above and beyond the call of duty and have acted very professionally and
everyone has learned a lot.
Councilmember K. Johnson said due to the late hour, she would save most of her comments for another
day. She looked forward to seeing the council at the retreat on Friday.
Edmonds City Council Approved Minutes
February 22, 2022
Page 31
Councilmember Buckshnis relayed the retreat starts at 9 a.m. on Friday. Council President Olson and she
have been working diligently to prepare for the retreat which includes some exciting speakers regarding
communication and leadership and unheard voices in the community. There will be an opportunity for
audience comments at about 9:30 a.m. She thanked those who continue to contacts her and assured the
council is moving forward and getting things done which takes time. She expressed her appreciation for
the help and support of the community.
Councilmember Tibbott acknowledged the budget process has been long and has added work to City staff
and taken extra time to hear the explanation behind the decision package. However, he found it extremely
beneficial to hear the details behind staff’s requests and learned some very valuable insights regarding
how the City spends money. For him it had been an extremely valuable process and he was glad the
council had taken the time for it even though he recognized it had been quite an investment. He looked
forward to moving on to other priorities.
Councilmember Chen relayed February 2022 was by no means an ordinary month; in fact it is an
extraordinary month due to Lunar New Year on February 1st (City celebration on January 29th). The
Edmonds community embraced the beautiful, ancient Chinese traditions with open arms and hearts. The
lion dancing was spectacular and the Chinese lanterns in city hall look great. Coincidentally, February is
also the month when Chinese Americans in the greater Seattle area were forced to leave their homes and
businesses following the Chinese Exclusion Act that was signed into law by President Chester Arthur on
May 6, 1882. In 1886, 136 years ago, Chinese Americans were ordered to abandon their homes and
businesses in many cities in Washington State; the very brave men who risked their lives to build
railroads and connect the great nation to lead the U.S. economy and put U.S. on the world map. Part of
this railroad went through the Edmonds waterfront. For years Chinese Americans fought in WWII,
discovered medicine that saved lives, toiled at universities, served the government and even competed in
the Olympics and won gold medals for U.S.
Councilmember Chen continued, February 19th also marks the Days of Remembrance of Chinese
Americans incarceration during WWII. Eighty years ago on February 19, 1942, President Franklin
Roosevelt signed Executive Order 1966 stripping people of Japanese descent of their civil rights.
February is also Black History Month. He urged the community to remember the good, the bad and the
ugly so the community can continue to remain united, and supporting one another. He was thankful
Edmonds continues to be a welcoming and open city for all people despite people who send him hate
emails like the one he received during the campaign season that stated “no way in hell you are voted into
office. You are walking coronavirus and will sell every single thing about our city, state and country back
to your homeland. Get the F out of our city, country, peace of China man.” To the author of this email, he
knew a REDI manager would not change their heart, not even in another 100 years, but he was proud to
say this is his home and his country. Ending his comments with a lighter remark, he said he was ready to
celebrate St. Patrick’s Day on March 17th, save me a green beer.
Councilmember L. Johnson recognized the City’s dedicated staff who prepared for and attended not one
but two budget seasons within a few months which entailed many long nights of waiting and repeating,
sometimes getting cut off mid-presentation and on at least one occasion having the questioning turn
personal. She apologized for the times the council did not show them the level of respect they deserved.
She expressed her appreciation for staff maintaining their professionalism throughout this long, drawn out
process.
Edmonds City Council Approved Minutes
February 22, 2022
Page 32
12. ADJOURN
With no further business, the council meeting was adjourned at 10:56 p.m.