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Edmonds City Council Approved Minutes
August 16, 2022
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EDMONDS CITY COUNCIL
SPECIAL MEETING
APPROVED MINUTES
August 16, 2022
ELECTED OFFICIALS PRESENT
Mike Nelson, Mayor
Vivian Olson, Council President
Will Chen, Councilmember
Neil Tibbott, Councilmember
Susan Paine, Councilmember
Laura Johnson, Councilmember
ELECTED OFFICIALS ABSENT
Diane Buckshnis, Councilmember
STAFF PRESENT
Jeff Taraday, City Attorney
Scott Passey, City Clerk
Jerri Bevington, Camera Operator
1. CALL TO ORDER
The Edmonds City Council virtual online meeting was called to order at 6:45 p.m. by Mayor Nelson.
2. INTERVIEWS FOR APPOINTMENT TO A CITY BOARD OR COMMITTEE
1. INTERVIEW CANDIDATE FOR APPOINTMENT TO CITY BOARD/COMMITTEE
Councilmembers interviewed Linda Russell for appointment to the Cemetery Board Position #5. Council
President Olson welcomed Ms. Russell, described the process and invited her to describe her interest in
the Cemetery Board (responses in italics).
People are dying to get on this committee, but I have been wanting to serve on it for many years. I am a
retired elementary school teacher; I taught in Lynnwood for 17 years. I know some of the Cemetery
Board Members including Joan Longstaff, Traci Little and Kerry Radley. I love history although I wasn’t
a history teacher. I have been a member of the Edmonds Historical Museum and a volunteer at the
National Nordic Museum. I try to immerse myself in local history.
Councilmember Chen thanked Ms. Russell for contributing her experience, knowledge and love of history
to the Cemetery Board. He participated in the last Walk Back in Time and loved learning about the
history.
Councilmember Paine asked what attracted her to the Cemetery Board. I have enjoyed many Memorial
Day services and the Walk Back in Time and it is my turn to help. Councilmember Paine thanked her for
her interest in the Cemetery Board and for her service as a teacher.
Edmonds City Council Approved Minutes
August 16, 2022
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Councilmember L. Johnson expressed appreciation for the sense of humor she started with. In addition to
being a place where loved ones are buried, cemeteries tell a lot about the area’s history. What she brings
to the Cemetery Board, especially as a retired teacher, is very valuable.
Councilmember Tibbott asked if there was any program in particular at the cemetery that she wanted to
champion, be part of, or connect the community to. For me it’s the Memorial Day service; I want to see
more families attending that service including my own grandchildren to see what we should be
remembering.
Council President Olson expressed appreciation for her answer to Councilmember Tibbott’s question. As
a veteran she has attended a lot of Memorial Day events; that Ms. Russell had a heart for that means a lot
to her personally. Thank you for your service. Council President Olson thanked Ms. Russell for her
equally difficult service as a teacher.
Council President Olson advised Ms. Russell her appointment to the Cemetery Board will be approved on
the Consent Agenda.
3. ADJOURN
With no further business, the Council meeting was adjourned at 6:50 p.m.