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Edmonds City Council Approved Minutes
October 25, 2022
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EDMONDS CITY COUNCIL MEETING
APPROVED MINUTES
October 25, 2022
ELECTED OFFICIALS PRESENT
Mike Nelson, Mayor
Vivian Olson, Council President
Will Chen, Councilmember
Neil Tibbott, Councilmember
Diane Buckshnis, Councilmember
Susan Paine, Councilmember
Dave Teitzel, Councilmember
Jenna Nand, Councilmember
STAFF PRESENT
Oscar Antillon, Public Works Director
Susan McLaughlin, Development Serv. Dir.
Todd Tatum, Comm. Serv. & Econ. Dev. Dir.
Rob English, City Engineer
Bertrand Hauss, Transportation Engineer
Mike Clugston, Senior Planner
Brad Shipley, Senior Planner
Jeff Taraday, City Attorney
Scott Passey, City Clerk
Jerrie Bevington, Camera Operator
1. CALL TO ORDER/FLAG SALUTE
The Edmonds City Council meeting was called to order at 7:02 p.m. by Mayor Nelson in the Council
Chambers, 250 5th Avenue North, Edmonds, and virtually. The meeting was opened with the flag salute.
2. LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
Councilmember Tibbott read the City Council Land Acknowledge 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.
4. PRESENTATIONS
1. ANNUAL PRESENTATION FROM PFD/ECA
Ray Liaw, Board President, Edmonds Public Facilities District (EPFD) advised the EPFD is the owner
and operator of the Edmonds Center for the Arts (ECA). She was pleased that she recognized all most of
the council from various ECA events including the recent Gala and sponsors of a show at Center Stage.
She relayed a personal anecdote, she has had the good fortune of raising her children in Edmonds and was
grateful to have had the ECA in their backyard. She has fond memories of them going on elementary
school field trips to matinee performances at an amazingly nominal price thanks to the partnership with
local Edmonds school teachers, seeing them on stage in partnership with the school district for band
performances, and training and dancing on the stage in partnership with local arts organizations. Now that
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October 25, 2022
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they are high school seniors, they are grateful when their parents leave the house to go to dinner
downtown and see a show at the ECA.
As a member of the EPFD Board, she was incredible grateful to the City of Edmonds for the foresight of
creating the public facilities district, the City’s tremendous financial support including bonding capacity
to purchase the land and own and maintain the building, helping the EPFD during incredibly financial
difficult times the likes of which they did not think would been seen again when the doors were opened in
2008, but had experienced again with the pandemic, and most recently direct operational support the last
few years.
Executive Director Joe McIalwain reviewed:
• Thank you
o Edmonds Public Facilities District / Edmonds Center for the Arts is grateful to the City of
Edmonds for your long-standing support and partnership.
o ECA was born of the City, and endeavors to be the cultural hub of the City – a gathering
place for entertainment, celebration, and community connection. Your ongoing support is
deeply appreciated and is critical to ECA’s long- term health and vitality.
• Mission of ECA: To celebrate the performing arts, strengthen and inspire our community, and
steward the development and creative use of the ECA Campus.
o Goal: The arts in every life, every day.
• What we do:
o Present music, dance, theatre, comedy and special attractions from around the world.
o Serve as a home for performances and events produced by a wide range of local and regional
organizations
o Inspire people of all ages and abilities through impactful education and community
engagement programs
o Steward the health and creative use of our historic facilities, the original Edmonds High
School campus that dates back to 1910
o Generate tourism and economic activity for the City of Edmonds and Snohomish County
• 2022-2023 Season
o Orquesta Akokán | Wednesday, September 28th
o Graham Nash: An Intimate Evening of Songs and Stories | Tuesday, October 4th
o The Robert Cray Band | Tuesday, October 18th
o Darlingside | Thursday, October 20th
o BODYTRAFFIC | Wednesday, October 26th
o Lyle Lovett and John Hiatt | Saturday, October 29th
o Black Opry Revue | Saturday, November 12th
o Zakir Hussain & Niladri Kumar | Monday, November 14th
o Seattle International Comedy Competition | Wednesday, November 16th
o Alphabet Rockers | Saturday, November 19th | 11:00am
o God is a Scottish Drag Queen | Saturday, November 19th
o Kalani Peʻa Christmas Show | Thursday, December 1st
o Karla Bonoff & Livingston Taylor: Home for the Holidays Wednesday, December 21st
o Booker T: Note by Note, 60 Years of “Green Onions” & STAX Hits | Saturday, January 21st
o Red Sky Performance: Miigis | Thursday, February 9th
o Niyaz ft. Azam Ali | Saturday, February 11th
o Take Me to the River NOLA Live: Dumpstaphunk ft. Jon Cleary | Saturday, February 25th
o WE SPEAK Festival feat. Shane Koyczan | Saturday, March 4th
o Voctave | Thursday, March 23rd
o John McCutcheon | Saturday, March 25th
o Kenny Endo Contemporary Taiko | Thursday, April 20th
o Magos Herrera & Brooklyn Rider: Dreamers | Thursday, May 4th
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o The Small Glories | Sunday, May 7th
o Duplessy & Violins of the World | Friday, May 17th
o D’DAT | Friday, May 19th
o Elvin Bishop & Charlie Musselwhite | Thursday, May 25th
o Will be adding more shows in spring as special engagements
o Industry wide is experiencing a slower return to full audience engagement, which likely will
be true for the next 2-3 years as people become more comfortable with returning and
engaging in live performing arts
o Part of our recovery and the community at large is coming back together and having shared
experiences
o Encourage visit ECA, not just to see shows they recognize, but also things they don’t which
often ends up being something you find amazing
• Rental Clients and Partners
o ECA provides rental clients more than just four walls to rent, they receive incredible technical
support and a full range of support in the front of house such as concessions, box office, and
the ECA’s 120+ volunteers
AAUW, Sno-King Branch
Aging Options
Alicia Crank, “Bridging the Gap”
Arbat Theatre
Babak Kivavchi
Ballyhoo Theatre
Barclay Shelton Dance
Cascade Symphony Orchestra
Cedar Creek Memory Care
Club Pro BA
Comm. Christian Fellowship
Cube A Sound Entertainment
DeMiero Jazz Festival
Edmonds Chamber of Comm.
Edmonds Comm. College
Edmonds H.S. Class of 1962
Edmonds In Bloom
Edmonds Jazz Connection
Edmonds PTA Council 7.2
Edmonds School District
Everett Chorale Association
EXEM Entertainment
Gothard Sisters
Goldspace
GPA Live
Halau Hula O’ Moani Mokihana
Hula O’ Lehualani
Islamic Center of Puget Sound
James & Jamesy Theatre
Kosmo Media
La Jolla Booking Agency
Lift Every Voice Legacy
Lynnwood High School
Miss Sydney &
The Downtown Saints
Mojgan Nazariyan
Morning Islands LLC
Nana I Ke Kumu Pono
Northsound Church
Northwest Event Planning
Northwest Jr. Pipe Band
Olympic Ballet School
Olympic Ballet Theatre
Operation Military Family
Pacific Ohana Foundation
PIMA Medical Institute
Private Memorial Services
Puget Sound Partnership
Rick Steves’ Europe
Resilience Entertainment
Reunion Parties
Russian-American Entertainment
Group
Samrat Rana
Seattle Radio Theatre
Seattle Repertory Jazz Orch.
Shoreline Young Life
Sno-Isle Libraries - TEDx
Sno-King Community Chorale
Sno-King Music Educators Assoc.
Sno-King Youth Club
Steel Magic NW
Stella Maris Academy
Vladimir Chernov
Voice Art Group
WA Council for the Blind
Washington School of Dance
WBAC Grand Prix
Windermere Real Estate Edmonds
Youth America Grand Prix
• Education and Community Engagement
o Window to the Arts (created during pandemic to bring artists to senior living facilities when
they were unable to leave their rooms)
o Received grant to take Windows to the Arts across Washington
▪ Music therapy
- Increases Communication
- Improves Mood
- Builds Social Connections
- Example: Washington Veterans Home in Port Orchard in September
o Award-Winning Dementia-Inclusive Series
o Teentix
o Education Matinees
o Saturday Matinees
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o Kidstock!
o Artists in classrooms
o Summer camps
o We Speak
• Next phase of program development will be holistic, immersive and innovative
o EXA is becoming a place where arts and wellness intersect
• Facility Preservation and Campus Development
o Recent Project: Reconfiguration of Auditorium, New Accessible Seating Locations
o Next Project: Facility Envelope Assessment
o Exploring Future Possibilities:
▪ ECA + Boys & Girls Club – Teen Center / Education Spaces
▪ 4th Avenue Cultural Corridor
Mr. McIalwain introduced Lori Meagher, Director of Finance and Operations, who reviewed:
• Financial Audit Results (January 1, 2021 – December 31, 2021)
o Unmodified Opinion Issued
o Internal Control ad Compliance over Financial Reporting
▪ We reported no significant deficiencies in internal controls
▪ We identified no deficiencies that we consider to be material weaknesses
▪ We noted no instances of noncompliance that were material to the financial statements of
the District
o Required Communications
▪ We didn’t identify any material misstatements during the audit
▪ Uncorrected misstatements have been provided for review
• Financial Performance - Operating
o Overall, the financial stability of ECA has improved, as noted in the 2021 Financial Audit
Report
o FY 2021
▪ Government grants (pandemic relief funds) and private contributions helped address
operating shortfalls, maintained healthy cash position
o FY 2022
▪ Ticket revenue, rental revenue, and contributions slow to return to prior levels
▪ Expenses climbing due to inflation
▪ Remaining pandemic relief funds will help offset operating losses, but earned and
contributed revenue must recover for long-term sustainability
o Road to Recovery
▪ Increased investments in marketing, promotion, and communications to improve ticket
sales
▪ Rental activity increasing rapidly as previous clients return to the ECA stage, and new
clients engage
▪ Expansion of education and community engagement programs will result in new
partnerships and new funding opportunities
▪ Restructuring Development department and improving fundraising strategies to increase
contributed revenue from individuals, foundations
Mr. McIalwain reviewed:
• Financial Performance – Non-Operating
o Sales Tax Revenues remained healthy through the pandemic, and continue to hold steady for
now
o Restructuring of original 2002 Bond Debt, with assistance from the City of Edmonds, helped
to reduce annual debt service, helping to generate net non-operating revenue
o Use of net non-operating revenue:
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▪ Retire outstanding loan from City of Edmonds, which was issued to help ECA meet the
District’s debt service obligations during the Great Recession
▪ Any remaining resources placed in Board Designated Reserve Fund and invested in
capital maintenance, replacement, and improvements.
• Projected Repayment of Loan from the City of Edmonds
Outstanding Loan Amount Projected Loan Payments Est. Interest Accrued
(At LGIP rate)
2022 $1,067,000 2022 $100,000 2022 $25,000
2023 $992,000 2023 $150,000 2023 $25,000
2024 $867,000 2024 $200,000 2024 $21,000
2025 $688,000 2025 $200,000 2025 $16,000
2026 $504,000 2026 $200,000 2026 $11,000
2027 $315,000 2027 $200,000 2027 $7,000
2028 $122,000 2028 $124,00 2028 $2,000
Total $1,174,000 Total $107,000
Ms. Meagher reviewed:
• Rebuilding and Restructuring
o Changes in the labor market have impacted ECA, there has been tremendous transition
industry-wide, and labor costs are increasing
o In response, ECA is modifying its organizational structure in some instances and hiring now
to fill critical gaps in key departments
o The outlook for staff development is extremely positive, however, as morale continues to
improve and new professional development systems such as Catalytic Coaching are
implemented
o New benchmarking tool has also been deployed to ensure ECA’s compensation model
matches appropriately to the marketplace to assist with staff retention
EPFD Board President Liaw relayed in late summer Mr. McIalwain, the EPFD’s founding executive
director, announced he will be leaving the Pacific Northwest and the ECA in about a year. The
EPFD/ECA is searching for the next leader of the ECA. This is a milestone and presents an opportunity,
so the EPFD/ECA is heartbroken and excited for the next phase. An RFP was put out yesterday for an
executive search firm. A leadership transition team was formed, with members of the EPFD Board, the
ECA Board, and staff. When the process reaches the point of interviewing candidates, they looking
forward to engaging the community in the process as there are a number of key stakeholders who have a
vested interest in the next leader of the ECA. She thanked the council for the opportunity to make a
presentation and encouraged the council, as they head into their budget season, to continue to think of the
ECA and their prior support of their operations.
Councilmember Tibbott said he is consistently and constantly amazed at the creative ways the ECA
dreams up to serve and express the arts in the community and now in other areas. He was very impressed
with what the ECA has done and continues to do.
Councilmember Paine thanked the EPFD/ECA for all they do for the community; the ECA is an anchor
and generator of fun and good things for Edmonds. She appreciated their constant, thoughtful and
intentional inclusive programming for all members of the community including people with intellectual
and developmental disabilities, memory care, veterans, etc. If that could be bottled and if others in the
community would to commit to it, the world would be much nicer. She referred to the comment about the
delay in audience return and asked what the issues were with that and how the return to historic levels
could be fostered. Mr. McIalwain explained shows by recognizable artists are selling out with no
problem; those with concerns are wearing masks which the ECA supports. Shows by less known artists,
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October 25, 2022
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ones people are less likely to take a chance on, are not selling as well due in part to residual pandemic
concerns. He summarized people are willing to put themselves at risk for artists they recognize, but not as
much for artist they do not recognize, something that is true for most performing arts centers. He assured
the ECA’s HVAC system is new, installed in 2006, the filtering system is great, there are additional filters
in the lobby and theater, and masks are encouraged/supported. If that is holding people back from
attending a show, he assured it is safe to come to their facility. Councilmember Paine encouraged the
public to go enjoy a show.
Councilmember Buckshnis was shocked Mr. McIalwain was leaving and offered him a recommendation
if he needed one. She recognized the amazing amount of work that has gone into the facility, expressing
her pleasure with the financials and finding a replacement for Matt. She recalled the ECA opened during
the great recession and it has been a long, strange and winding road. She has been a thorn in their sides
some of the time but is happy with the current financials and audits.
Councilmember Nand shared a personal anecdote, she was a college intern from Edmonds Community
College at the ECA in 2007 where she worked on the program for the integral season. She went on to
write for the Seattle Weekly Arts and Entertainment calendar based on writing for Triton Review at the
college. She asked him to describe the role the ECA has in creating jobs for young people interested in
pursuing a career in arts and entertainment and why that is unique in south Snohomish County versus
downtown Seattle and trendier locales like Capitol Hill. Mr. McIalwain said the ECA’s intern program
specific to production – sound, lights and backstage work – has developed people who have become part
of the team including one who was recently promoted to full time on the backstage crew. When there has
been an opportunity, they have also had interns work on administration and learning the business side of
operating a theater. The space that is imagined as a teen center in partnership with the Boys & Girls Club
will have a lot of technology capabilities and an opportunity to learn at the ground level, and is right next
door to a fully functioning theater where kids can apply that knowledge and join the ECA in supporting
touring artists. There is no end to the possibilities in how the ECA can serve the community.
Councilmember Chen expressed his appreciation for the wonderful work that has been done by the ECA
and the great team and their innovative ideas for serving community. In looking at the financials and the
approximately $1 million outstanding loan to the City, he was not concerned as he was certain the team
could handle it. He referred to the uncorrected misstatements in the audit, noting it is typical for audit to
uncover minor issues. He congratulated the EPFD on the unqualified opinion from the state auditor,
finding that a great success.
Councilmember Chen continued, Edmonds is a special city, the physical location in downtown Edmonds
is second to none, but there is also tremendous potential for a multicultural facility in the Highway 99
area. He asked if any thought had been given to extending programs on Highway 99 such as establishing
a multicultural center. Mr. McIalwain answered there has not yet been any clear commitment or specific
plan, but that conversation has happened a lot. In addition, consideration is given to how make the ECA
campus more accessible to everyone in community such as transportation and engagement. The
conversation includes what the ECA is bringing to the uptown community as well as how to make it
easier for the people who live uptown to come to ECA for the theater experience. The board is about
ready to engage in a strategic process, but are working on the timing, whether to have it happen while he
is still the executive director or after he departs.
EPFD Board President Liaw recalled the Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Accessibility (IDEA)
committee was discussing ways to increase the level of partnership with multicultural organizations
around the community such as Windows for the Arts which brings programming to other locations. That
is currently done via partnerships with the school district where artists visit elementary schools to do
performances and workshops which is a tremendous opportunity, especially for Title 1 schools. The more
opportunities there are for partnerships and bringing programming into the community, the better the
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ECA can serve the community. Councilmember Chen thanked the EPFD/ECA for the amazing work they
do and wished luck to Mr. McIalwain in his next chapter.
5. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
COUNCILMEMBER PAINE MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER TEITZEL, TO
APPROVE THE AGENDA IN CONTENT AND ORDER.
COUNCILMEMBER BUCKSHNIS MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER TEITZEL,
TO ADD A NEW CATEGORY AFTER ITEM 8, TO ADD FROM THE SPECIAL MEETING,
PRESENTATION OF PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT FOR DESIGN/RIGHT OF
WAY PHASES OF HIGHWAY 99 REVITALIZATION PROJECT - STAGE 4.
COUNCILMEMBER PAINE MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER TIBBOTT, TO
AMEND THE MOTION TO MOVE THAT TO ITEM 10.1 AND RENUMBER THE REMAINING
ITEMS TO KEEP THE PUBLIC WORKS ITEMS TOGETHER.
Council President Olson relayed her impression that this would not be a very lengthy item. Unless staff
preferred to keep the public works items together, she preferred not to approve the amendment and have
that item earlier in the meeting. She suggested staff weigh in whether they preferred to have that item
later in the meeting. Mayor Nelson assumed they would prefer to have it earlier on the agenda.
UPON ROLL CALL, AMENDMENT CARRIED (4-3), COUNCILMEMBERS CHEN, TIBBOTT,
PAINE AND NAND VOTING YES; COUNCILMEMBERS TEITZEL AND BUCKSHNIS AND
COUNCIL PRESIDENT OLSON VOTING NO.
MAIN MOTION AS AMENDED CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
6. AUDIENCE COMMENTS
Mayor Nelson described procedures for in-person audience comments.
Mary Kay Sneeringer, Edmonds, retired business owner, spoke about the Edmonds Downtown
Alliance. She was one of the founding members when she owned the Edmonds Bookshop and worked
very hard to create the BID in downtown Edmonds. Business owners put their reputations on the line and
followed all the required procedures, and gathered information from other areas that had formed BIDs.
She encouraged the council to ask her, Pam Stellar and others any questions they have about how the BID
was created. The BID created a tight and supportive group of businesses, a strength for downtown. She
hoped the council would continue to support the Edmonds Downtown Alliance who does great work with
a minimal budget. If the BID hadn’t been formed, she was certain there would be interest in forming one
because it was needed and aids all the businesses in downtown Edmonds. She encouraged other business
districts such as Westgate, Highway 99, Five Corners to form BIDs to strengthen the business community
in their neighborhoods.
Pam Steller, Edmonds, owner of Walnut Street Coffee which celebrated its 16th anniversary this
summer, commented prior to opening her shop, she spent a decade in the corporate sector in HR and
marketing. She spoke in support of the BID, Edmonds Downtown Alliance, that she worked with Ms.
Sneeringer to create over a decade ago. She was on the committee of volunteers who worked to establish
it and has severed several terms as a board member and recently served on the delinquency taskforce with
city staff and councilmembers to evaluate Ed!’s delinquencies. She was incredible proud of the work Ed!
has done and continues to do including doing an incredibly through job of reaching out to their
constituents through the years, meeting with a number of people the council has heard from recently,
encouraging dialogue, and listening to criticism. That has made Ed! a better organization but headway has
not been made with a handful of individuals. She encouraged the council to revisit the focus on the value
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of the BID. There has been an unspoken rule that there has to be absolute agreement among Ed! members
for the organization to be considered valid; she questioned whether that was a reasonable test for any
organization. Ed! has thrived on differing opinions and good discussion and has an incredibly effective
board that does not just rubberstamp projects. Each board member contributed assessments and has skin
in the game and wants to ensure Ed!’s budget is well thought out and well executed.
Ms. Steller continued, members are welcome and encouraged to attend Ed!’s monthly meetings and
contribute their voice, ideas, and feedback; that is the power of a BID, it is member driven. According to
the October assessment data, of the BID’s 395 members, 93% are current on their assessments; if the 10
businesses that make up the bulk of the delinquents and have refused to pay for years are removed, that
percentage increases to over 95%. It has been almost a decade since she and a few colleagues introduced
the concept of the BID to the council and explain the years of work they had put in to get to that point.
She has lost track of the hours volunteered with the aim of making Edmonds vibrant and attractive, a
great place to live, work and play and she assured she never approached this volunteer work with
anything but good intentions and complete transparency. Ultimately she hoped tonight’s focus can be on
celebrating the amazing accomplishments and success of Ed! that will be presented by Kimberly Koenig
and Carrie Hulbert, and celebrate the amazing amount of volunteer time, business acumen and
consciousness that has been shown year after year. She could not imagine a more dedicated and talented
group and felt incredibly lucky to have been able to work alongside them.
Jay Grant, Edmonds, referred to the budget and said citizens deserve to receive additional information.
Traditionally the mayor sends out their proposed budget, but unless there is a consensus by the council,
councilmembers’ voices are not heard with regard to various aspects of the budget. He suggested
something similar to the voters pamphlet so citizens understand the budget as well as commentary from
councilmembers or the council president on items they like or disagree with. Personally, he liked what
was being done with regard to public safety, but was opposed to an in-house prosecutor. The mayor
presents their budget, but the council holds the purse strings. He hoped the council would consider doing
something different to better educate the public as not everyone reads the budget or watches the mayor
give his annual statement.
Ken Reidy, Edmonds, said Ordinance 3909, effective January 25, 2013, is the ordinance that established
the Edmonds Downtown BID. The ordinance contains the following whereas clause, whereas the owners
and operators of businesses located within the area and representing approximately 60% or more of the
assessments levied by this ordinance signed a petition in support of establishing an Edmonds Downtown
BID. He questioned why the word approximately was in an Edmonds ordinance that can only be adopted
after a petition has been submitted by the operators responsible for 60% of the assessments of businesses
and multifamily residential and mixed use projects within the area. He suggested considering what the
City does to verify that a petition meets a legal standard. The November 10, 2014 city council minutes
include the following: City Attorney Jeff Taraday explained the BID process can start either with a
petition or resolution. While there was a substantial effort put into collecting signatures for a petition, it
was realized in the course of review of those signatures that it would not meet the legal standard for a
petition and it was recommended the process be initiated by resolution which the council did with
Resolution 1284. Somehow this ability to initiate the BID process morphed into city council also
establishing the BID without a petition that met the legal standard for a petition. He hoped the 2022 city
council will properly address what took place in 2013 under Ordinance 3909. The BID is a great
organization, but it needed to be established legally so it would be appropriate to go back and do it right.
Mr. Reidy asked the council to investigate how RCW 35.94.040 applied to the release of stormwater
facilities located on property at 22901 Edmonds Way. The City simply released ownership of public
stormwater facilities under Ordinance 4061. He questioned whether this action was allowed under state
law RCW 35.94.040. Next, he explained the City’s own code ECDC 20.70.060.G states an appraisal is
not required if a utility easement only is proposed to be vacated. He questioned why the code would state
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this if a utility easement is not something that can be vacated. Utility easements are vacated, not released.
He encouraged the city council to form a citizen taskforce to review the historical conduct of city
attorneys and recommend how the city should obtain and manage legal advice. He requested the council
also allow a citizen taskforce to play a role in the update of Chapter 2.05 ECDC.
Mayor Nelson described procedures for virtual audience comments.
Natalie Seitz, Edmonds, thanked the council for supporting the development of a supplemental
environmental impact statement (SEIS) for the SR-99 planned action. She also thanked staff and council
for their efforts and asked that they continue to support the SEIS, a community led scoring process and
appropriate funding in the upcoming budget process. The triggers to inform a SEIS have been met and the
SEIS is the ideal process by which the City can bring trust with the community. The 6-month interim
emergency ordinance is not a building moratorium. A SEIS is urgently needed to ensure the community
has the opportunity to provide input and object to development causing harmful impacts to traffic, parks,
access to clean and healthy environment and displacement, among many others. This notice and standing
is currently circumvented by leaving the existing final EIS in place.
Ms. Seitz continued, she found the October 20th presentation on the community renewal plan difficult and
although she does not consider herself an overly emotional person, she cannot properly express the flood
of emotion she felt seeing the presentation in black and white, the hazards to the community that she has
seen, heard and felt since moving here and the countless times she has identified them during public
comments to council and to City staff. The SR-99 corridor is the undeniable economic engine for
Edmonds which means the hazards identified in this community are not a reflection of the beauty, sprit,
and resiliency of this area and community, but rather the scarlet letter of the City’s appropriation and
redistribution of wealth. These issues will take time but they are not insurmountable. It took years to get
here and she encouraged council to prioritize the investment of local tax dollars necessary to address the
most pressing hazards, public health issues and resource disparities faced by Edmonds residents in this
year’s budget. She congratulated Councilmember Nand on her appointment.
Theresa Hollis, Edmonds, spoke regarding the recently approved SEIS for the Highway 99 subareas
plan, commenting in her perspective there was a bit of a rush for this work effort as new building permits
are evaluated against the code in place when the building permit application is submitted. The Terrace
Place project, a very large apartment building in her neighborhood, is currently in the design review
phase. It has been in design review since June and she expected that process would be completed as soon
as year end and definitely by next spring. She hoped the SEIS has been developed, debated and approved
before the Terrace Place developer submits their permit so this very large development is evaluated
against the revised building codes. Next, she thanked Councilmember Buckshnis for hosting an open
house in their neighborhood last night. There was rich discussion and she appreciated the time
Councilmember Buckshnis took to set up the meeting and invited her to host another open house in the
Gateway neighborhood in 6-8 months.
Sheila Clooney, owner of Anchor Chic in downtown Edmonds, expressed her support for the Edmonds
BID, aka Ed!. She has a lot of experience with BIDs, their programs and collecting late assessments
during her long tenure working for the City of Kirkland and she offered to speak to councilmembers
interested in her experience. When she opened her business in Edmonds, she was skeptical of the BID and
figured she would pay the fees and plug her nose. No one was more surprised than she when she saw the
work that was being accomplished by Ed!. She has continued to be impressed by the level of
professionalism and the practical offerings that attract people to the downtown. She understood there
were loud voices calling for the elimination of the BID, but she appreciated the work that Ed! volunteers
do to keep the downtown a high quality business district which contributes to building a stronger
community and certainly economic development. She echoed previous speakers suggestion that instead of
talking about elimination, instead talk about duplication in some other business areas, specifically on
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Highway 99. She would support a bridge between the two organizations to see how this well-run program
could be expanded.
Judi Gladstone, Edmonds, a resident in the south end of the Highway 99 corridor, said the last two
meetings have had topics of significant importance to their community and while there is nothing related
to their neighborhood tonight, she offered follow-up questions from the council’s discussion at the last
meeting. She expressed appreciation for the council’s responsiveness to community concerns; the
approval of an SEIS for the Highway 99 subarea action plan FEIS in addition to the earlier approval of an
emergency ordinance related to stepbacks which are instrumental in addressing their concerns. She
understood the imperfection of the EIS process as Director McLaughlin pointed out, but it is an
authoritative public process that can provide for appropriate mitigations and resource commitments,
virtually the only way to ensure the community’s concerns can apply to what is happening on the ground
right now, not in a few years when it will be too late.
Ms. Gladstone continued, relaying she knew all too well from her own professional work how hard it was
to get community members to engage in long range planning efforts so she wasn’t surprised that the
neighborhood’s concerns emerged despite staff’s award winning outreach efforts at the time the action
plan was developed. Since the council met last, they heard from Director McLaughlin about meeting with
the neighbors to discuss actions that could be taken to address neighborhood concerns. It is clear she and
her staff have an interest in serving underinvested and underrepresented neighborhoods like their area.
While the discussion may not address all the concerns, they welcome her initiative and the professional
expertise she brings to the discussions. Traffic, pedestrian safety, parks, and displacement will not be
easily solved for their area when so little has been done over the years, but in recent weeks, she has
gained optimism that the City is moving in the right direction with the promising efforts by City staff and
the council’s actions. She thanked the council for stepping up for their community.
7. RECEIVED FOR FILING
1. WRITTEN PUBLIC COMMENTS
2. OUTSIDE BOARDS AND COMMITTEE REPORTS
8. APPROVAL OF CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS
COUNCILMEMBER TEITZEL MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER TIBBOTT, TO
APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA.
Councilmember Buckshnis requested Item 8.3, Approval of Council Special Minutes of October 18,
2022, be removed from the Consent Agenda.
Council President Olson requested Item 8.4, Approval of Council Regular Meeting Minutes of October
18, 2022, be removed from the Consent Agenda for modification, and that Item 8.9, Employee Expenses,
Volunteer Recognition, And Reimbursements Policy, be removed
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. The agenda items approved are as follows:
1. APPROVAL OF COUNCIL SPECIAL PSPHSP COMMITTEE MINUTES OF
OCTOBER 14, 2022
2. APPROVAL OF COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES OF OCTOBER 17, 2022
5. APPROVAL OF PAYROLL AND BENEFIT CHECKS, DIRECT DEPOSIT AND WIRE
PAYMENTS
Edmonds City Council Approved Minutes
October 25, 2022
Page 11
6. APPROVAL OF CLAIM CHECKS
7. COMPASS HEALTH PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT
8. APPROVAL OF DRIFTWOOD PLAYERS LEASE AT WADE JAMES THEATER
CONTRACT ADDENDUM 1
ITEMS REMOVED FROM CONSENT
3. APPROVAL OF COUNCIL SPECIAL MINUTES OF OCTOBER 18, 2022
Councilmember Buckshnis said her correction was actually to Item 8.4, Regular Meeting of October 18,
2022.
COUNCILMEMBER BUCKSHNIS MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER TIBBOTT,
TO APPROVE THE COUNCIL SPECIAL MINUTES OF OCTOBER 18, 2022
4. APPROVAL OF COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING MINUTES OF OCTOBER 18, 2022
Councilmember Buckshnis requested the statement in the minutes, “The Lake Ballinger Forum, which
consists of Mountlake Terrace, Shoreline and Edmonds” be amended to add Lake Forest Park.
COUNCILMEMBER BUCKSHNIS MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER PAINE, TO
APPROVE THE AMENDMENT AS STATED. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
Council President Olson referred to her email sent to staff and council and requested the following change
on page 8: change “this code” to “a code.”
COUNCIL PRESIDENT OLSON MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER TIBBOTT, TO
APPROVE THE AMENDMENT AS STATED. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
Council President Olson requested the following change in the third line of the last paragraph on page 25:
add (on 84th) after “constructed” as the context in the minutes was unclear.
COUNCIL PRESIDENT OLSON MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER TIBBOTT, TO
APPROVE THE AMENDMENT AS STATED. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
COUNCIL PRESIDENT OLSON MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER BUCKSHNIS,
TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE OCTOBER 18, 2022 REGULAR MEETING AS
AMENDED. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
9. EMPLOYEE EXPENSES, VOLUNTEER RECOGNITION, AND REIMBURSEMENTS
POLICY
Council President Olson explained she requested this item be removed from the consent agenda and
brought back next week because there were two places the alternate approval by the council body was to
apply and it was only changed in one of the two places. Additionally number formatting was to be added
to make it easier to reference this portion of the code. This is not time critical and Director Turley was
fine with putting approval of the policy on consent next week with those changes.
COUNCIL PRESIDENT OLSON MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER TIBBOTT, TO
BRING THIS ITEM BACK ON NEXT WEEK’S CONSENT AGENDA. MOTION CARRIED
UNANIMOUSLY.
9. PUBLIC HEARING
Edmonds City Council Approved Minutes
October 25, 2022
Page 12
1. PUBLIC HEARING ON BD2 DESIGNATED STREET FRONT CODE AMENDMENT
(AMD2022-0003)
Development Services Director Susan McLaughlin explained this item is to revisit and hold a public
hearing on the BD2 zone and particularly the extension of the designated street front (DSF) in the BD
zone areas. To set the context for the discussion, she recognized many people talked about Highway 99
and the distribution of housing last week and she wanted to elevate that as part of tonight’s discussion.
This issue arose initially due to a concern with a multifamily building proposed at 6th & Main. As a result,
staff developed interim design standards to address the concern with aesthetics and then council expressed
interest in pursuing a mixed use designation which required an extension of the DSF, thereby eliminating
the opportunity for multifamily in that location. Staff’s recommendation continues to be affording the
most flexibility and to be resilient to market changes, but recognizing the need and interest to review and
consider mixed use properties in appropriate zones. Staff will present recommended changes to the DSF
map.
Senior Planner Mike Clugston explained the interim standards the council adopted in the spring expire
December 1 and it is time to adopt permanent standards so there is not a time where the interim standards
have expired and there were no permanent standards. He reviewed:
• Existing DSF map in the code adopted over ten years ago after many meetings and many hours of
study:
• Meeting objectives
o Review updated BD use table and permanent BS2 DSF line
o Take public testimony
o Discuss and decide on BD table and extent of BD2 DSF line.
• BD Use Table (16.43.020)
o Clarify ambiguities
o Fill in blanks in uses created by Ord. 3955
o Reference ground floor in ECDC 16.43.030.B for locational requirements
• Designated Street Front
o Map on left is interim map council adopted via the interim standards in June 2022.
Edmonds City Council Approved Minutes
October 25, 2022
Page 13
o Map on the right is recommendation from planning board and EDC to extend the blue line to
all BD2 parcels to be more consistent with the comprehensive plan.
▪ Commercial on all ground floors to meet existing code standards and cannot have
multifamily only buildings adjacent to the extended map areas
Mr. Clugston explained since the last council meeting, staff went for a walkabout to ground truth what the
full extension would mean relative to what is there today and determine whether a full extension of the
BD2 is the appropriate way to proceed.
• Alternative Extension
o Red lines are areas that are proposed to be eliminated
▪ Don’t extend around corners where DSF already exists (red)
▪ Focus on commercial rather than side streets (red)
o Highlights based on council feedback (yellow)
• Staff recommendation
o Approve updated BD use table
o Discuss and decide on extent of permanent BD2 SDF map
Edmonds City Council Approved Minutes
October 25, 2022
Page 14
o Direct staff to prepare an ordinance for November 15 consent agenda
• Note: If the DSF line isn’t fully extended to all BD2 parcels, multifamily-only buildings will be
possible where the DSF does not touch.
Mayor Nelson opened the public hearing.
Ken Reidy, Edmonds, reiterated his previous statements that this has been one of the most confusing
legislative processes he has ever witnessed. There have been moratoriums extended without a public
hearing, public hearings during which the council did not discuss findings of fact they wanted to adopt to
support their previous action, etc. Adding to the confusion is something found on page 331 of tonight’s
packet, a document titled "Edmonds Downtown Business Zone BD2 Zoning Memorandum” dated May
19, 2022, a document that includes the following comment about design standards adopted in 2013,
“Development in the BD2 zone must be consistent with the design standards outlined in ECDC Chapter
22.43. The design standards provide guidance on the architectural form, ground level details, window
transparency, signage and other street level pedestrian oriented designs. The design regulations do not
provide any regulations that are relevant to this size, scale or use of the structure and have not been
summarized for the memorandum.” He did not understand how codified design standards would not be
relevant. He pointed out both 605 Main and 611 Main are located within the boundaries of the BID. He
provided a copy of the map from Ordinance 3909 for each councilmember, commenting that may be
another matter for council to consider.
Jack Malek, Shoreline, realtor representing Karen Wiggins, Sound View Plaza on the corner of James &
2nd, observed the yellow on the map at James & 2nd would suggest council comments that it not be
included in the DSF which he concurred with. He said that building is compliant with BD2 as it has
ground level commercial, in fact the only ground level commercial with a loading dock. That would allow
that property to have commercial on the ground level and residential on the upper two levels.
Joan Longstaff, Edmonds, was glad for the proposed change at 2nd & James. She was very familiar with
that property as well as Karen Wiggins’ involvement in the City for many years.
Greg Brewer, Edmonds, commented he did not expect to see the 3-color and multi-hash marks on the
map; his comments may have been different if he had. He expressed concern with the erosion of business
space in BD2. Recent tweaks to the permitted use table by City planners have left that portion of BD2
outside the DSF vulnerable to 100% residential buildings. These BD2 areas were set aside long ago when
City planners sought to protect the small, fragile downtown core. The council recently extended the DSF
to protect more of the BD2. He requested the council consider protecting all of BD2, only a handful of
building lots, many with existing businesses that the City needs. Other lots recently purchased for
development have eliminated existing buildings in the downtown core, businesses that added diversity to
the downtown, the beginning of an erosion of business space. The council should be alarmed and move to
protect what remains.
Mr. Brewer continued, with the swelling population of Edmonds and the surrounding area, these spaces
will be highly sought after by future service providers. Many businesses seek to move to Edmonds to
leave the chaos of the big city; if there is space available, they will come. If part of the business zone is
turned over to 100% residential, it is gone forever. The proposed residential buildings have a double-edge
sword for new and existing business owners; by allowing 100% residential apartment buildings in the
BD2, developers are able to build with less parking than if they built in a multifamily zone. This will put
24 more cars per development onto the street for parking, Not only will would-be business owners have
less space to choose from, but would-be clients will also have much less ability to park and frequent the
businesses. The council needs to take a hard look at what they want the downtown core to look like in the
future, whether it is a vibrant downtown core with business diversity and some parking for patrons, or to
pack the core with density, drive out small businesses and have minimal parking for patrons. Once that
Edmonds City Council Approved Minutes
October 25, 2022
Page 15
decision is make, there is no turning back. He urged the council to fight to protect businesses in the BD2
zone.
Hearing no further public testimony, Mayor Nelson closed the public hearing.
Councilmember Tibbott expressed appreciation for the finetuning staff has done and bringing back a very
helpful diagram for the council to consider. He referred to 3rd and Dayton and especially the segment just
south, and asked if the buildings face Dayton or 3rd. He assumed since it was crossed off that they face
Dayton. Mr. Clugston did not know which direction they face, but if the buildings were demolished and
replaced, the intent would be for them to face Dayton.
Councilmember Tibbott expressed appreciation for the map clearly identifying where commercial
portions of buildings face the main pedestrian streets. He asked the impact of having the buildings face
the main pedestrian streets; for example at 6th & Main, the commercial front would be on Main versus on
6th. He asked what urban design or impact that had for people utilizing the businesses. Mr. Clugston said
the urban design concept is for commercial spaces to face the most commercial and pedestrian streets
such as 5th, Main Dayton, 3rd and 4th, focusing buildings on those streets, and less on the side streets.
Councilmember Tibbott said in his opinion, that provides more robust engagement for pedestrian which
was part of the reason for the proposal to extend the DSF in those areas. Those corners move people to
the next street front. He liked the proposed map and was supportive of the changes staff has
recommended.
Councilmember Chen expressed appreciation for the adjustments to the map. He asked if a planning
board member was present to describe their recommendation or could staff summarize. Mr. Clugston said
he did not want to speak for the planning board and did not have their minutes in front of him so his
summary should be taken with a grain of salt. The planning board’s intent was to “save the dirt” which he
thought meant since we are not sure what we want to do and want take a more holistic look at this area
during the comprehensive plan process, to apply the DSF to all BD2 parcels now as the most conservative
approach.
Councilmember Chen asked for clarification, if the red line was where the DSF was recommended not to
be extended in the BD2 zone. He asked what the yellow highlight and the hatched areas meant. Mr.
Clugston answered the red areas were eliminations, the yellow were also eliminations or questions for
further discussion. There are overlaps in some and others that were close but did not overlap such as east
on Dayton and Main, the planning board would have extended it up further and on Durbin as well. After
staff’s walkabout, it was fairly apparent that Durbin did not make sense since it is next to the library
parking lot. Council provided input on extending the DSF up Dayton and Main.
Councilmember Chen summarized the red and yellow would be removed from BD2 so the extension
would be very limited compared to the original map. Clugston agreed, commenting the one main place
where the DSF would still be located is along 3rd north of Bell Street, but not past Edmonds or further
along 3rd, Daly or Edmonds in that area.
Councilmember Paine expressed her surprise at the new map. She referred to her email about where the
DSF should be located. She went on a walk with a planning board member; she is very familiar with the
property at 2nd & James and has been in the building several times. There is a nice use of mixes at that
intersection including multifamily, mixed use and commercial. She referred to a public comment
expressing concern with parking, advising there is adequate parking in that area for that building. She
referred to the highlighted area on the map that crossed 6th Avenue between Main Street and Dayton,
relaying she did not propose that and it may have come from another councilmember. She felt it would be
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October 25, 2022
Page 16
appropriate to extend the DSF in that location but respected that staff thinks it could be focused
elsewhere.
Councilmember Paine asked if the DSF will be included in the comprehensive plan update. Ms.
McLaughlin answered that was the reason for staff’s hesitancy to jump into this without a robust
framework and criteria in which to review it. The interest is to do a comprehensive review of the
downtown and all neighborhood districts. With regard to parking, she said residential requires more onsite
parking. The BD2 zone allows mixed use, residential or commercial.
Councilmember Nand thanked staff for their nuanced revisions. Before she joined the council, she heard
comments from affected land owners in the BD2 zone. The revisions staff is recommending are sensitive
to the affected property owners, but also appear to be sensitive to the general community who feel a lot of
ownership in the look, feel and charm of downtown Edmonds, which is a very walkable area. Several
emails she received expressed concern that the historic downtown area will be negatively impacted by
these zoning changes. She noted the community isn’t always as invested as the affected land owners, the
planning board and staff who look at this issues day after day. She asked staff to discuss the proposed
revised boundaries and how they will affect what is generally considered to be Edmonds’ downtown
historic business district. Mr. Clugston explained when the BD zones were adopted in 2006, there were
five flavors, BD1 is the primary commercial area surrounding the fountain. Moving away from the
fountain where there are mix of uses was primarily BD2, BD5 is the arts corridor and someday may be
redeveloped to that, BD4 on the western end is more residential and adjacent to other residential areas,
and BD3 is still envisioned as more art-oriented and drive throughs are allowed. The primary commercial
space is BD1 with more uses mixed in as one moves away from the fountain.
Councilmember Teitzel said he was uneasy about disregarding the planning board’s recommendations as
the planning board consists of bright, dedicated and capable people. Having said that, he referred to the
highlighted area on James Street and 2nd Avenue that transition from 3rd to the end of the road and extend
the BD2 down 2nd to James Street, observing that wraps BD2 around the corner at 2nd and James which
would allow that property owner to decide which side of the building they would designate as the street
front and allow commercial on the ground floor if the frontage was defined as James Street and two floors
of residential above. He asked if that was correct.
In response to Councilmember Teitzel’s comment about the planning board’s recommendation, Ms.
McLaughlin explained staff came to council after the planning board’s recommendation and council
directed staff to reconsider the full extent of the DSF at this meeting. That is why staff did a walkabout
and why council provided additional comment. The planning board’s recommendation still stands; staff
was taking direction from council at the last meeting.
With regard to the site on 2nd & James, Mr. Clugston agreed with Councilmember Teitzel, the ground
floor entrance could be on either of those streets with residential above. Councilmember Teitzel asked if
there was a downside to other property owners of designating that area of James & 2nd. Mr. Clugston
answered it goes back to where you want the buildings to face, what is the commercial street and what is
the pedestrian street. There is an existing building on that corner site; if they demolished it and rebuilt
with commercial, it would face 2nd Avenue. James is more of a side street than a primary street and 2nd
Avenue already has a DSF and there are commercial uses and a mix of uses on that street.
With regard to James Street, Ms. McLaughlin said it’s important to look at the broader view. The
waterfront vision as part of the comprehensive plan will feed into James Street. When she visited that site,
she thought about the connection to the waterfront and how it could open up to pedestrian and ferry
traffic.
Edmonds City Council Approved Minutes
October 25, 2022
Page 17
Councilmember Buckshnis said she sent Councilmember Nand Ordinance 3918 which is always left out
of these discussions. She did not recall nor did she see in the minutes where council gave staff direction to
go out and look at these highlighted areas and she was never asked to go on a walkabout. She was
uncomfortable with the proposed map which differs from the planning board and EDC’s
recommendation. Both those groups consist of smart volunteers who understand the history of downtown
and the BD zones. She recommended removing all the red lines as that is not something the council needs
to consider. She pointed out the comprehensive plan does not includes zoning, it is vision. If a master plan
is included in the comprehensive plan, it can include zoning. The existing comprehensive plan has master
plans for Highway 99, the Marsh and Westgate that address zoning. Staff keeps saying this will be
addressed in the comprehensive plan, but the comprehensive plan is a vision and zoning is done via
separate master plans.
Ms. McLaughlin clarified the comprehensive plan comes with a vision as well as the very important role
of designating land use, densities and types of development. What the council is discussing tonight is land
use. The comprehensive plan needs to be consistent with the zoning code so in very short order after the
comprehensive plan is adopted, zoning is adopted to be consistent with the comprehensive plan to avoid
the being out of compliance with the GMA. With regard to the walkabout, that done with internal staff as
directed by council and it was her understanding that some councilmembers went on their own
walkabouts.
Councilmember Buckshnis reiterated the comprehensive plan is a vision, and the City has always
complied with GMA. Many different items have been docketed to change the comprehensive plan so they
do not have to be done swiftly. Zoning is a component of the comprehensive plan but it is not in the
comprehensive plan. Zoning is permanent, which is why she was not comfortable with the change
proposed to the planning board and EDC’s recommendation. She preferred to remove the red lines
because she believed the BD2 should stay as is because issues such as traffic, sewer, stormwater,
pedestrian safety, and adding residential to the downtown core have not been considered.
Ms. McLaughlin clarified the existing land use has gone through an environmental process that already
assumed the level of density that is allowed at buildout per the land use and the zoning code. All of the
issues Councilmember Buckshnis mentioned such as stormwater, traffic, pedestrian, safety, were
analyzed when the land use changes went into effect under existing zoning. Any changes would require a
subsequent EIS as part of the comprehensive plan update.
Councilmember Buckshnis commented the City just learned the nitrogen levels at the WWTP are at
capacity so new environmental standards have not been addressed with regard to stormwater and sewer.
Changing the BD2 from mixed commercial to mixed residential will add bodies to the downtown area.
She referred to a $500,000 claim for a broken stormwater or sewer pipe in a building due to aging
infrastructure in the downtown area. She wanted to ensure there was an understanding of the unintended
consequences of removing all the red and yellow lines in the BD2. The master plan was done in 2013.
Ms. McLaughlin said Councilmember Buckshnis could streamline her comments by saying she wanted to
prohibit multifamily buildings completely and eliminate them from the use table. Councilmember
Buckshnis said she did not want to streamline her comments because she is open minded. She recently
held three town hall meetings and people are very upset about what is happening to the downtown area
including that there is suddenly residential in the BD2 mixed commercial. She was not in favor of what
has been done and suggested the council vote on removing the red lines and discuss the yellow
highlighted lines.
Council President Olson asked staff to email councilmembers the slide that was displayed tonight with the
new proposed map. She has a great appreciation for the planning board, the EDC and the residents who
have all expressed a desire to protect the commercial space in the downtown core. Her leanings are the
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October 25, 2022
Page 18
same, but at the same time, when boots are put on the ground, she has the same experience. Using 2nd &
James as an example, it seemed like an appropriate place for a DSF. She referred to Mr. Clugston’s
comment that the property owner could choose whatever DSF they wanted because it is at the corner. She
asked if that property would not be affected regardless of what was decided, even if everything stayed
BD2. Mr. Clugston explained if the DSF street front was extended to James & 2nd, if the building on the
corner redeveloped, a primary entry location would need to be identified and it could on either 2nd or on
James or on the corner. The entry standards would apply to whichever entry they chose. There are also
other standards that apply for a new building on the corner where there are two DSFs such as 75% of the
windows on the ground floor facing the DSF have to be transparent. He commented that would make
sense on Main Street or 5th to create an inviting space from outside to inside. The requirement for 75%
transparency on the ground floor may not make as much sense further away from BD1. He summarized
that was an example of the standards that would apply if the DSF is extended.
Council President Olson said she also leans toward protecting commercial space, but has seen places
where it did not feel super appropriate and that was one of the examples. She wanted to walk the proposed
map and suggested planning board and/or EDC members may want to join her on a walk to vet the
proposals in the coming week. She suggested council provide direction to staff regarding the ordinance at
next week’s meeting instead of tonight and therefore she opposed taking any action tonight.
Councilmember Nand observed the council was just provided this map today. She asked if it had been
provided to the planning board for feedback. Mr. Clugston answered no, and it wouldn’t in this case. This
item is to the point in the decision process where there was an interim ordinance and permanent ordinance
and it is up to the council to decide where the DSF will be for the next couple years while the City works
on the comprehensive plan update.
10. COUNCIL BUSINESS
1. PRESENTATION OF PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT FOR
DESIGN/RIGHT OF WAY PHASES OF HIGHWAY 99 REVITALIZATION PROJECT -
STAGE 4
Transportation Engineer Bertrand Hauss commented this is very similar to Stage 3. He reviewed:
• Photograph of existing condition south of 220th, looking northbound
• Project Description
o Segment along Highway 99 from 224th St SW to 220th St SW
o Capacity improvement with additional NB/SB left turn lane and WB right turn lane Highway
99 @ 220th St SW
o Planter strip on both sides of the street
o Lighting enhancements
o New sidewalk on both sides of street
o Better stormwater management
o Targeted utility replacements (water/sewer
o Potential undergrounding of overhead utilities
o Softscape treatments
• Project benefits
o Economic vitality/pedestrian safety/capacity improvements
• Proposed roadway segment
Edmonds City Council Approved Minutes
October 25, 2022
Page 19
• Scope of work (as part of professional services agreement)
o Survey
o Geotechnical report
o Environmental documentation
o Public outreach
o Utility coordination
o 30% 60% 90%, 95%, 100% and final PS&E (including design of water/sewer/stormwater and
potential conversion of underground utility lines
o Bid support
o Start of ROW phase for ROW acquisition and temporary construction easements (28 parcels)
• Funding sources
o Total design phase ($4.5 million)
▪ Secured STP federal funds $1,580,000
▪ State appropriations
- Connecting Washington $1,632,000
▪ Local Funds
- Traffic Impact Fees $665,000 (in 2025 and 2026)
- REET $504,000 (in 2026)
- Utility Fund (Fund 421 & 423) $120,000
▪ Total SCJ Design Contract $3.72 million
o ROW phase
▪ STP federal funds $2,587,000 (to be secured in late 2022)
▪ Local Funds
- REET $765,000 (in 2025/2026)
- Traffic Impact Fee $2,248,000 (2024-2026)
o Start of ROW SCJ contract amount $165,000
• Preliminary total project cost
o Design $4.5 M
o Right-of-way $5.6 M
o Construction $32.5 M
o Total project cost $42.6 M
• Minor revisions to agreement
1. All – minor edits to the contract totals
2. All – added headers to all exhibits
3. All – added the contract # and page X of Y to all pages of the contracts
4. Exhibit A: Scope of work – onsite treatment and detention clarification
5. Exhibit A: Scope of work – project description clarification/scope reorganization
6. Exhibit B: SBE/DBE targets and first page of contract – corrected SBE/DBE targets and
contract totals
7. Exhibit B: SBE/DBE targets – removed 2nd copy of Exhibit B
8. Exhibit D-1: Overall fee – fee reorganization to match the scope reorganization
9. Exhibit D-1: Overall fee – minor adjustments to the level of estimate for SCJ
10. Exhibit D-1: renumbered all phase in Stage 4 (phases 51-78) so they do not match with Stage
3 (Phases 1-28)
11. Exhibit E-1: Fee for 1 Alliance - added summary
Edmonds City Council Approved Minutes
October 25, 2022
Page 20
• Staff recommendation
o Add revised agreement to Consent Agenda for November 1, 2022 Council meeting.
COUNCILMEMBER PAINE MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER TEITZEL, TO
MOVE THIS TO THE CONSENT AGENDA NEXT WEEK WITHOUT ANY CHANGES.
Council President Olson suggested removing the statement in the motion “without any changes” because
the revised agreement is what will be on the consent agenda. City Engineer Rob English advised the
revised agreements for both Stage 3 and Stage 4 would be on Consent Agenda for November 1 2022.
Mayor Nelson asked if that what Councilmember Paine intended. Councilmember Paine said her intent
was to move the amended agreement in the packet to the consent agenda.
COUNCILMEMBER BUCKSHNIS MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER TEITZEL,
TO AMEND TO HAVE THE UNDERGROUNDING COME BACK TO COUNCIL TO REVIEW
THE DOLLAR AMOUNTS.
Councilmember Teitzel clarified Councilmember Buckshnis’ motion, that the data regarding the cost of
undergrounding would include the cost to have undergrounding assessed by the consultant as well as the
cost of proceeding with undergrounding as a construction project. Mr. English said the contracts include
funding for the entire utility undergrounding design. The intent was to do a preliminary assessment on the
cost to underground and bring that to council. There would be some expenditure of consultant fees to get
to that point, but it would not be to the extent Mr. Hauss referenced earlier on Stage 3. There would be a
point at which the council would decide whether to go forward or remove undergrounding from the
project.
Councilmember Teitzel anticipated there could be a decision point soon in the very early stage of the
project whether council wants to assess undergrounding and it would be very helpful to have that
information next week. Mr. English explained the council would not have that touchpoint until about six
months into the contract; likely spring, when staff would come back to council after the consultant had
done a preliminary assessment of what it would cost to underground the utilities. Staff would present that
cost and council would make a decision whether to proceed. Councilmember Teitzel clarified council
could potentially have the discretion next week if this is removed from consent for further discussion to
entirely remove the investigation of undergrounding from the consultant scope of work which would
reduce the price of the consultant’s work. Mr. English agreed the council had that authority.
Councilmember Buckshnis said she was interested in finding out a ballpark amount for the
undergrounding. In response to a comment she made during the special meeting tonight, she checked her
notes and the amount the City received for Highway 99 was $24 million, not $240 million.
AMENDMENT CARRIED (6-1), COUNCILMEMBER PAINE VOTING NO.
MAIN MOTION AS AMENDED CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
1. 2023 PUBLIC WORKS & UTILITIES BUDGET PRESENTATION
Public Works Director Oscar Antillon explained the presentation is overview of the public works team’s
accomplishments over the past year and of what public works does for the city. He reviewed:
• Public Works – who are we?
o The Public Works Department provides, planning engineering, operation & maintenance of
city owned facilities and public infrastructure
o Our goal is to serve the community and to enhance the quality of life in the city. We achieve
this through a department that is community and customer focused. We embrace leadership in
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environmental and energy design concepts & principles and leverage technology &
management principles to achieve operational effectiveness.
o The "Ready & Resilient" theme for this year public works week highlights the ability of these
professionals to perform regular public works duties and be ready at a moment's notice to
react as first responders during natural disasters and overcome trials seen in the field.
• Public Works Budget Overview
City Engineer Rob English reviewed:
• Engineering Accomplishments
o Streets | Transportation
▪ Completed
- Citywide Pedestrian Crossing Enhancements
- 2022 Pavement Overlay Project
▪ Started
- Highway 99 Gateway & Revitalization Project – Stage 2
- 76th Ave Overlay Project
o Utilities
▪ Water
- 1,085 feet of watermain replaced
▪ Sewer
- 1,676 feet of sewer pipeline replaced
▪ Storm
- 2,420 feet of pipe replaced
- 28 drainage structures replaced
- Seaview Infiltration Facility construction started
o Private Development
o Grants
▪ $22.5M State Grant (Move Ahead WA)
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- Highway 99 Revitalization Stage 3
▪ $2,597,500 Federal Grant
- Highway 99 Revitalization Stage 4 – Right of Way phase
▪ $700,000 Federal Grant
- Pavement overlay of Olympic View Drive (196th St – Talbot)
▪ $237,750 Federal Grant Supplement
- Supplemental funding for 76th Ave Overlay and SR-104 Adaptive System projects
▪ $500,000 Department of Ecology Grant
- To purchase the property at 7317 Lake Ballinger Blvd
o Decision Package Engineering
▪ Capital Projects Manager (DP#31)
- $160,640 to hire a Capital Projects Manager to manage and deliver capital
improvement projects related to the Highway 99 corridor and other transportation and
utility improvement projects. The position will be programmed in the Engineering
Division budget and the cost paid by the Street Fund (Grant & Gas Tax Revenue),
Utility Funds and REET Funds depending on the projects managed by the position.
- $30,000 for an additional vehicle to support the position. The initial vehicle purchase
would be paid from a General Fund Transfer.
Mr. Antillon reviewed:
• Water
o Source:
▪ Primary - Alderwood Water and Wastewater District/City of Everett Sultan River.
Original agreement in 1978, Current agreement 2010-2055. (24”)
▪ Secondary/Emergency - Seattle Public Utilities/Tolt River. 2011- 2061 agreement for
long-term standby supply for emergencies. (12”)
▪ Emergency intertie connections
- City of Lynwood
- Olympic View Water and Sewer District
o Storage Capacity: 7.5 MG (4 Reservoirs)
▪ Five Corners Reservoirs : 3 MG and 1.5 MG
▪ Seaview Reservoir 1.5 MG
▪ Yost Reservoir 1.5 MG
o Distribution System:
▪ 138 Miles of water pipe
▪ 1 Pump station at Five Corners
▪ 18 pressure reducing stations
▪ 8 different pressure zones
▪ Valves: 3129
▪ Hydrants: 1205
▪ Blow-off: 305
▪ Track 2692 backflow assemblies
o Water systems
▪ City Owned system: 10,372 service connections (80% of the City)
▪ Olympic View Water & Sewer District (20%)
o Comprehensive Water System Plan (2017)
Alderwood Supply Station Capacity (gpm)
Year 2014 2034
Available Capacity 7000 7000
Peak Day Demand 4052 4611
Surplus 2948 2389
• Water Fund
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o Operations & Maintenance (Fund 421)
▪ Last year the Water Department performed or responded to:
- 2535 utility locate requests completed.
- 782 resident calls for service
- Repaired two water main breaks
- Flushed 325 dead end blow offs
- Inspected 517 hydrants
- Inspected and operated 516 valves
- Installed 37 new water services
- Replaced 248 Water meters
- Rebuilt 4 control valve stations
- Cleaned, inspected and provided seismic assessment of the 1.5 million-gallon
underground reservoir at Seaview
o 2023 Decision Packages
DP Purpose Budget
#32 Utility Rate Increase (water, sewer, storm) $125,152
#33 Water Operations & Capital Increase $245,500
#34 Phase 12 Waterline Replacement $10,000
#35 Phase 14 Waterline Replacement (2024) $506,128
#36 2023 Waterline Replacement Overlays $50,000
#37 Yost & Seaview Reservoirs Repairs & Upgrades $805,000
#38 Phase 13 Waterline Replacement (2023) $1,700,000
• Sewer
o The City owns and operates the collection and treatment systems. Approximately 80% of the
city sewer is treated at the City plant, the rest is treated at the Lynwood treatment plant.
o Collection system
▪ 186 Miles of sewer pipe
▪ 14 sewer lift stations
▪ 29 Residential grinder pumps
▪ Manholes and clean outs: 3425
▪ 9800 accounts, City of Edmonds
o Treatment Service area
▪ City of Edmonds approximately 50%
▪ City of Mountlake Terrace
▪ Olympic View Water Sewer District
▪ Portions of City of Shoreline
o Sewer Fund Operations and Maintenance (Fund 423)
▪ The Sewer Department performed or responded to:
- 16 Lift Station motors and pump pulled and repaired due to plugs / blockages.
- Upgraded LS #1 motor controls to soft starts.
- Emergency replacement of LS #1 pump and motor due to equipment failure.
- Jetted 95,000 ft of sewer pipe.
- Camera inspection 90,000 ft of pipe.
- 21 root intrusions blockages cleared.
- 5 Grease blockages cleared.
• Wastewater Treatment Plant
o Plant statistics
▪ Built in 1957, upgraded in 1967 & 1986 ($35M)
▪ Capacity:
- Max Design Flow 11.8 MGD
- Peak Daily Design Flow 21.5 MGD
- Avg Summer Flow 4 MGD
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- Avg Winter Flow 6.5 MGD
▪ Carbon recovery project will be substantially complete by the end of the year, with
commissioning starting in January and expected full operation by June 2023.
▪ FOG Program
- In 2022 the city re-established the position of Pretreatment Technician, he started in
April and already inspected over 300 locations in Edmonds, Olympic View and
Mountlake Terrace.
- Also completed inspection at 47 dental offices.
o One reportable incident in 2022 (January 4)
o Wastewater decision packages
DP Purpose Budget
#54 WWTP Clarifier 1 Rehab $177,754
#55 Vacuum Filter Replacement $95,202
#56 Nuvoda Design $452,361
#57 Joint Sealant $90,742
#58 WWTP $(69,000)
• Sewer Fund (422)
o 2023 Decision Packages
DP Purpose Budget
#47 Purchase of new sewer Vehicle & GPS Equip. $ 48,900
#48 Sewer Operations Increase $ 6,000
#49 Closeout costs for Phase 9 Sewer Replacement -2022 $ 30,000
#50 Design Costs for Phase 11 (2024) Sewer Replacement $ 349,517
#51 2023 Sanitary Sewer Replacement Overlays $ 200,000
#52 Phase 10 Sewer Replacement (2023) $ 1,689,212
#53 CIPP Sewer Rehab Phase 3 (2023) $ 423,710
• Street & Storm
o Street centerline miles: 145.9
o Stormwater pipe miles: 140.3
o Stormwater catch basin: 7,290
o Stormwater manhole: 1,897
o Responsible for the maintenance and operation of the city owned infrastructure in the right of
way.
▪ Storm Drain System
- Street sweeping
- Drain structures maintenance and inspection
▪ Roadways
▪ City owned sidewalks
▪ Street signs
▪ Streetlights/signals
▪ Street/roadways markings
▪ Emergency response
▪ Snow removal
o Accomplishments:
▪ Emergency Response 37
▪ Pavement Repairs 358
▪ Signal Maintenance (hrs) 562
▪ Centerline/Fog line parking and curb painting 133 Miles
▪ Crosswalks striping/New tape 43
▪ Arrows striping/New tape 22
▪ ADA Ramps 9
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▪ Sidewalk repairs 14
▪ Hazard trees 14
▪ Snow and Ice OT hours 604
▪ Snow Response Gallons of Brine 4800
▪ Community events support hrs. 571
▪ Storm System Maintenance basins 4083
▪ Storm System Maintenance Manholes 924
▪ Storm System new pipe (linear feet) 2005
▪ Storm video inspection (linear feet) 9756
▪ New baisins 60
▪ Rehab storm surface structures 5
▪ Street Sweeping (miles) 6955
o Materials Used
▪ Asphalt (Tons) 260
▪ Paint (Gal) 2500
▪ Concrete (CY) 73
▪ Sand for snow removal (CY) 300
▪ Salt (CY) 40
▪ Brine (Gal) 4800
▪ Waste from storm drain system (Tons) 480
▪ Waste from street sweeping (Tons) 240
o Street and Storm Future Improvements (unfunded)
▪ Cover for Salt and Construction Materials
▪ Currently our setup does not comply with best practices for storing of salt and
construction materials.
▪ Uncovered materials can contaminate the storm drain system.
• Stormwater Fund (422)
o 2023 Decision Packages
DP Purpose Budget
#39 Lower Perrinville Creek Restoration Project $ 750,000
#40 Seaview Infiltration Facility Phase 2 $ 10,000
#41 2023 SD Overlays $ 200,000
#42 Phase 4 Storm Maintenance Project (2024) $ 290,000
#43 Perrinville Creek Basin Analysis Update $ 150,000
#44 Perrinville Creek Flow Management Projects $ 120,000
#45 Storm & Surface Water Comprehensive Plan Update $ 600,000
#46 7317 Lake Ballinger Way Floodplain Removal $ 750,000
• Transportation Funds (112, 125, 126, 422)
o 2023 Decision Packages
DP Purpose Budget
#62 Transportation Plan Update $ 170,000
#63 76th Ave W @ 220th St SW Improvements $ 761,250
#64 2023 Pavement Overlay Program $ 1,500,000
#65 76th Ave W Overlay from 196th St SW to OVD $ 15,000
#66 Stage 2 Hwy 99 Revitalization $ 2,646,000
#67 Stage 3 Hwy 99 Revitalization $ 1,180,000
#68 Stage 4 Hwy 99 Revitalization $ 740,000
#69 Main St. Overlay from 6th Ave to 9th Ave $ 157,000
#70 SR-104 Adaptive System from 236th St SW to 226th $ 243,440
#71 Citywide Bicycle Improvement Program $ 1,771,847
#72 Green Streets $ 297,744
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#73 2023 Traffic Signal Safety & Upgrades $ 30,280
#74 2023 Guardrail Program $ 20,190
#75 2023 Pedestrian Safety Program $ 20,195
#76 2023 Traffic Calming Program $ 15,130
#77 Citywide Street Lighting Study $ 60,000
#78 Elm Way Walkway from 8th Ave S to 9th Ave S $ 901,974
• Facilities Maintenance and Operations
o Responsible for the Maintenance and operation of the City’s buildings
o 7 Day support
o 40 restrooms cleaned 2X day
o 6 Locker-rooms & 2 Laundry facilities
▪ Janitorial
▪ HVAC
▪ Plumbing
▪ Electrical
▪ Building envelope
▪ Elevators
o Maintain 21 Buildings totaling 450,000 SF
o Accomplishments
▪ Frances Anderson Center
- Permitted and converted 4000sf of classroom to office space for human services and
park and rec (unscheduled
- Elevator code compliance updates
- Fire panel code compliance updates
- Steam boiler repair and recertification
- Sno-King Youth Club flooring and office remodel 400sf
- Sculptures Workshop hall flooring 2500sf
- Interior painting 12 class/dance rooms and 10 restrooms
▪ City Hall
- Conversion of five whole building ventilation fans to freestat lock out control
- Engineering storage room conversion to commuter bicycle storage room
▪ Public Safety
- Chronic roof and siding leak repair
- Boiler replacement with two high efficiency boilers
- Women’s locker room remodel
- 8 offices painted and reconfigured
- Evidence dryer installed
- Sergeants office remodel
▪ Meadowdale Club House
- Classroom new flooring
- Stairs re-treaded
- Ballroom new flooring
▪ Neighborhood City Office
- Move in remodel
▪ Exterior Painting Projects
- FS 16
- Museum trim
- Log Cabin trim
- Meadowdale Club House
- Public Works roof coating
- Public Works trim
o Projects in progress or planning process by Facilities
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- Library remodel
- Boys & Girls Club emergency floor repair
- Police fence
- Neighborhood City Office lobby remodel
- Public EV charging network expansion
- Public Safety solar plant
- Frances Anderson Center compliance with Clean Building Act
- Frances Anderson Center boiler replacement (non-fossil fuel option)
• Facilities Condition Index (FCI)
• Facilities Maintenance Funds (422, 016 and Bonds)
o 2023 Decision Packages
DP Purpose Budget
#30 Citywide Unscheduled Repairs & Maintenance $ 200,000
#61 Bond Funded Deferred Maintenance Projects $ 1,215,000
o Facilities Maintenance non-capital repair and maintenance General Fund (DP#30)
▪ The City most recent Facilities Condition Assessment (McKinstry, 2018) shows an
approximate backlog of $10,000,000 plus an ongoing approx. $825,000/year of non-
capital maintenance funding to be financially sustainable and not to continue to grow the
significant backlog. Facilities is currently awaiting an update to the Facilities Condition
Assessment data recorded in summer and fall 2022.
o Facilities Bond Funded Projects (Fund 016) - $1,215,000 (DP#61)
▪ Frances Anderson Center Projects
- Gym Floor refurbishment and striping
- Transom Window replacements
- Fire Panel replacement
- Radiator Valve replacements (55ea.)
- Drinking fountain replacement w/bottle fill
▪ City Park Maintenance Facility
- Parking lot overlay (Asphalt)
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- Gazebo Roof Replacement
▪ Fire Station 17
- Apparatus Bay ceiling replacement
▪ Log Cabin
- Roof Replacement
▪ (More projects listed in Decision Package)
• Fleet
o Maintenance and operation of the City owned fleet.
o Current inventory: 203 vehicles/equipment
▪ Passenger vehicles
▪ Maintenance vehicles
▪ Police vehicles
▪ Civil engineering support equipment
o Fleet Fund 511
▪ 2023 Decision Packages
DP Purpose Budget
#59 2023 Pre-Scheduled Vehicle Replacement $ 633,000
#60 Increases to Fleet Maintenance Costs $ 130,000
o Mechanic Workload Trend
Year/Number of Mechanics Vehicles/Equipment per mechanic Increase
2008/3 63
2009/2 63 26
2022/2 63 39
2023/2 63 43
• Fund 511 Operations & Maintenance DP#59 (511 ‘B’Fund)
o 438-POL 2017 Ford Explorer (Patrol) Replaced with 2023 Ford Explorer Hybrid
o 437-POL 2017 Ford Explorer (Patrol) Replaced with a 2023 Ford Explorer Hybrid
o 23- SWR 2008 Ford F-450 Utility Body Replaced with a 2023 Ford F-450 Utility Body
o 35-SWR 2008 Ford F-450 Utility Body Replaced with a 2023 Ford F-250 Utility Body
o 24-WTR 2008 Ford F-450 Box Truck Replaced with a 2023 Ford F-450 Box Truck
o 37-WTR 2008 Ford F-450 Utility Body Replaced with a 2023 Ford F-450 Utility Body
o 28-PRK 2004 Chevy Silverado 2500 Replaced with a 2023 Ford F-250 with Canopy
o 88-ENG 2004 Chevy Colorado Replaced with a 2023 Ford Ranger with Canopy
o 22-STR 200 International 5yrd Dump Truck Replaced with a 2023 Peterbuilt 33k GVW
• Historic replacement
o 2018 - $636,000
o 2019 - $1,750,000
o 2020 - $628,000
o 2021 - $262,000
o 2022 - $485,000
o 2023 - $633,000
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• Fleet Cost Increases (511 Funds)
o Operations & Maintenance DP#60
▪ Add $40,000 to the annual Diesel fuel budget
▪ Add $75,000 to the annual Regular Unleaded fuel budget
▪ Add $15,000 to the Supplies (Parts) budget
Councilmember Paine thanked public works for all they do, noting they have a sterling reputation for
customer service. She asked about the scope of the capital projects manager. City Engineer Rob English
responded it would be similar to the other four and funded from capital projects; depending on what they
are working on, the funding source could be utility revenue, grant funds, gas tax revenue, etc. Just like the
existing project managers, the goals is cradle to grave project management to minimize problems if one
person does design and another does construction. The person will have office time and in-field time
doing inspections and tracking the contractor’s progress.
Councilmember Paine said the bipartisan infrastructure law, which has funds for transportation
alternatives and a whole range of things, would be a good opportunity to clear out some of the backlog.
Mr. Antillon commented these positions are critical, people who understand construction and construction
management. One of the biggest projects is the carbon recovery project and the amount of work required
to scrutinize and get that project to completion. He is working with the Department of Enterprise Services
to ensure they are doing the work and that the project is properly managed. He may ask council for
additional assistance to complete the project.
Councilmember Nand said she was speaking on behalf of a lot of citizens when she said public works was
vital especially during extreme weather events like snow. She asked about clearing snow from main
arterials as well as side streets, envisioning it would be difficult to navigate the hills with a plow attached
to an F-250 or F-350. She asked if there were plans for a dedicated snow plow vehicle since snow is
hitting the region more often and people are afraid to drive in the snow. She also asked about the use of
sand and salt, acknowledging the controversial use of salt due to environmental issues. Mr. English
answered he has been working with the City’s ops team on this. The City has two 10-yard snow plow
trucks (dump trucks with a snow plow on the front) and one 5-yard truck. Two pieces of equipment will
be requested via a fourth quarter budget amendment including a 3-yard dump truck (F-550) and a hook
and lift system installed on one of the new truck chassis to lift the concrete mixer off the back of a truck
and set it up for a snow plow to provide more flexibility.
With regard to salt versus sand, Mr. English said there is an environmental impact with both, depending
on the aquatic resource. The plan during the upcoming season is to use the right material at the right time.
Crews would still primarily use CMA in advance of a freeze, but in a snowstorm use sand with CMA and
potentially a salt/sand mix depending on conditions.
Mr. English explained because vehicle purchases have a long lead time, staff is looking at either leasing
the 3-yard truck ahead of the snow season or hiring a service to provide both the operator and a truck
during an extreme event. Councilmember Nand commented this is an ADA disabilities issue. Edmonds
has a large senior citizen population who can be scared to walk or drive when it is snowing and could
become homebound very quickly.
Councilmember Teitzel asked jokingly what public works did in their spare time. He referred to the
budget for 2022 and 2023 in the presentation, observing the 2022 sewer budget is approximately $31.3
million and 2023is about $15.3 million. He asked what portion of that was related to the WWTP work,
whether it was 50% or less. Mr. Antillon answered it was more than 50%. He offered to provide that
information.
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Councilmember Teitzel referred to a $500,000 expenditure to purchase property at 7317 Lake Ballinger
Boulevard which is uninhabitable and flooded. He asked how that property would be used, whether it
could be a pocket park. Mr. English answered there are restrictions with DOE stormwater grants. It
cannot become a park, but other stormwater attributes could be added to the site to improve the water
quality of runoff from the property before it goes into the lake such as a rain garden. It is still too early to
have a firm answer on that, that is something that will be considered further down the road on that project.
Councilmember Tibbott asked whether DP#31, the project manager, would reduce consulting or project
manager fees. Mr. English answered probably not now because the workload is increasing. Adding that
position adds capacity to handle the workload, but there will still be consultant contracts. The project
manager is the owner interface/manager to facilitate that work, but resources for design and inspection
will still be needed. If there is an economic downturn and grant or project revenues decline, that person
could be moved into a design role which would save on consultant costs.
Councilmember Tibbott requested the council be provided the updated PowerPoint presentation. With
regard to the decision package related to vehicle purchases, he asked staff to provide the mileage of the
vehicles proposed to be replaced. He asked if vehicles would be replaced with hybrid or electric vehicles
whenever possible. Mr. Antillon answered yes, although for the F-450s, there is nothing commercially
available. Each vehicle has a different standard related to the life and mileage expectations, but at the end
of the day, it is the mechanics’ discretion. For example, some vehicles can have high mileage, but are in
good condition and those would be retained. Councilmember Tibbott observed the vehicles proposed to
be replaced are ones that really need to be replaced.
Observing it was now 9:57 p.m. and the council had at least 1½ hours of discussion on the remaining two
agenda items, Mayor Nelson asked how the council would like to proceed. Council President Olson
relayed the planning board uses council chambers tomorrow night, so the council will need to decide
whether to add another hour to tonight’s meeting or some councilmembers are available tomorrow from
4-5 p.m.; she is not as she will on a flight during that time.
COUNCILMEMBER TEITZEL MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCIL PRESIDENT OLSON, TO
EXTEND THE MEETING TO 11 P.M. MOTION CARRIED (6-1), COUNCILMEMBER TIBBOTT
VOTING NO.
Mayor Nelson declared a brief recess.
2. COMPREHENSIVE PLAN VISIONING SUMMARY
Development Services Director Susan McLaughlin relayed this item is to talk about the comprehensive
plan and in particular the visioning process that was conducted during six week this summer. She will not
reveal the vision statement tonight because work is still being done on it including reviewing the
summary provided in the packet and taking into consideration all the comments received including from
some councilmembers who completed the survey this past week. She introduced Senior Planner Brad
Shipley, the lead for the community outreach and deputy project manager on the comprehensive plan. She
reviewed:
• Approach
o Intent
▪ Reach populations we don’t often hear from in the public process
▪ Strategy
▪ Inclusive branding
▪ Survey and marketing in multiple languages
▪ Meet people where they are
▪ Have a neighborhood presence
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▪ Test new outreach strategies
▪ Willingness to make mistakes and learn – not let imperfection be the enemy of good
intent
o Goal
▪ Solicit 3,500 comments from the community
▪ One comment equals:
- Each response to a survey question
- Each comment recorded at outreach event
▪ Over 8,500 comments were collected via:
o Survey
▪ Provided in Korean, simple Chinese and Spanish
▪ Two to four questions each
▪ Qualitative (open-ended) and quantitative (multiple-choice) questions
- Qualitative comments limited to 140 characters to encourage succinct responses
- Intent was to allow individual expression while reducing chance for misinterpretation
and to process in a timely manner
▪ Option to take full survey provided
o Events
▪ Comments cataloged the same as survey
▪ Comment logs created for each event
▪ Tracked the number of people engage and what we heard
• What we heard – survey results, community conversations
o Percent of Total Survey Responses, by Neighborhood
▪ Downtown 37%
▪ Westgate 10%
▪ Other* 10%
▪ Seaview 8%
▪ Five Corners 7%
▪ Pine Ridge 4%
▪ Perrinville 4%
▪ Highway 99 3%
▪ Esperance 3%
▪ Lake Ballinger 3%
▪ Firdale 3%
▪ Meadowdale 2%
▪ Sherwood Forest 2%
▪ Talbot Park 1%
▪ I do not live in Edmonds 1%
▪ Town of Woodway 0.3%
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*common “other responses: Maplewood, Emerald Hills, Uptown, Yost Park, specific
intersections
o Residency in years, number of responses
▪ Less than 1 22
▪ 1-2 45
▪ 3-5 86
▪ 6-10 106
▪ 11-15 79
▪ 16-25 95
▪ 26-35 85
▪ 36-50 57
▪ More than 50 28
▪ I do not live in Edmonds 16
• Survey Responses
o What do you love about Edmonds?
▪ Small-town feel
▪ Access to waterfront and nature
▪ Walkability
▪ Locally owned businesses
▪ Thriving arts and culture scene
▪ Sentiment was universal – not particular to a specific neighborhood
o How would you like to see your values reflected in Edmonds?
▪ Environmental stewardship
- Protect natural areas
▪ Commitment to being inclusive and celebrating our diversity
▪ Improve infrastructure for walking and biking
▪ Disparate comments regarding growth
- Oppose high density
- Recognition of need for more housing options
o What do you like about living in Edmonds:
▪ Waterfront access
▪ Cost of housing
▪ Cost of living
▪ Medical care and services for Seniors
▪ Convenient commute
▪ School district
▪ Access to multicultural resources
▪ Other – arts and culture, proximity to natural resources, parks and trails, walkability,
cleanliness, community events, infrastructure and community services
▪ Public transportation and walkability
▪ Attractions & Entertainment
▪ Restaurants and shopping
▪ Small town feel
o Is there anything you don’t like about Edmonds
▪ Being too car centric
- Lack of sidewalks
- Need for better public transportation
- Speeding driver
- Imbalance of parking
▪ Government
- Inequitable distribution of fund
- Lack of transparency and accountability
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- Concern only the loudest voices are heard
▪ Mixed response to land capacity
- Increased density is not desired by some
- Others say there is not enough housing
o What kind of businesses (good and service) do you travel outside the city for?
▪ Larger retailers in Lynnwood and U-District
- Mentions of Alderwood Mall, Central Market, Costco, Fred Meyer
▪ Sentiment that big-box and large retailers are not needed in Edmonds—it’s ok to travel to
some things
o Do you work in Edmonds
▪ 72% no
▪ 28% yes
o If you do not work in Edmonds, what kind of work do you leave the city for?
▪ Retired 35%
▪ Education, training, library 8%
▪ Healthcare 8%
▪ Tech 8%
o What are you most concerned about when it comes to environmental future of Edmonds?
▪ Water protection
- Sea-level rise
- Protection of streams
- Pollution
▪ Green Space
- Retaining or replacing tree canopy
- Notable mention of “right tree, right place” for preservation of views
▪ Land capacity
- Density is harmful, citing associated tree canopy loss and increased traffic
- Others say density is a solution, citing walkable communities and sustainable
buildings as an outcome
o What do you feel like your ethnicity and culture are represented in Edmonds? What
ethnicity(s) and culture(s) would you like to see better represented in Edmonds?
▪ Commonly skipped question
▪ Large majority who answered self-identified as “white” and said “yes”
▪ For “needs more” responses, most common answers are “all non-white cultures” and
Indigenous/Native American
▪ Many found the question divisive
o What can the City do to better celebrate diverse cultures?
▪ Partner with ethnic and cultural minority communities
- Honor holidays that aren’t white dominate culture
- Honor cultural presence through events and public art
▪ Increase representations in hiring and elected and appointed positions
▪ Install streetscape design that acknowledges culture, heritage and language
o How else could improve your neighborhood?
▪ Walkability
- Maintain/repair existing sidewalks, lighting, crosswalks for people with mobility
issues
▪ Road maintenance and safety
- Traffic calming
- Improve cyclists' safety
▪ More public space
- Green space
- Space for families with young children
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▪ Keep small-town atmosphere
• Next Steps
o Continue to analyze results
o Draft vision statement
o Reveal vision statement (Portchfest Nov. 5th)
o Validate through survey and community champions advisory committee
o Briefings at planning board and city council
• Project timeline
With regard to the responsiveness to the surveys, given Edmonds’ large senior citizen, Councilmember
Nand suggested doing what the mayor’s office did, providing physical mailers, which might result in
more responses. For example, she is almost 40 and does not usually use QR codes and it may not be
something that registers with seniors. Regarding the survey response about celebrating other holidays, she
was a board member of Edmonds Chamber of Commerce, a 3-person staff organization that does
incredible things in the community and there is a large misconception that the City puts on celebrations
like 4th of July, tree lighting ceremony and Halloween, the traditional, Americana type holidays. For
example, she is Hindu, and Diwali was yesterday which raises the question of why the City doesn’t do a
Diwali lighting ceremony or for people of the Jewish faith, why the City doesn’t light a menorah. The
Chamber of Commerce board gets annoyed when the City uses photographs of their events, furthering the
perception that the City, not the Chamber, organizes and funds those events. From a legal standpoint, if
the City were to start doing Diwali lighting ceremonies or lighting a menorah, it becomes a matter of first
amendment freedom of religion, access has to be provided to everyone and certain religions, such as the
Church of Satan which is very politically active, may demand to have an event. She suggested talking to
the diversity commission and the city attorney about to incorporate a more culturally diverse holiday
calendar.
Councilmember Chen expressed appreciation for the outreach effort and the great results. With regard to
celebrating holidays, he complimented Mayor Nelson for starting the new year with a Chinese New Year
celebration. He pointed out the survey process did not include mention of public safety, which is the
number one priority for the City and for him as a councilmember. For the City to have peaceful life, and
enjoyment, public safety needs to be included. Ms. McLaughlin explained this was a high level sentiment
survey that corresponded with the exact chapters of the comprehensive plan. Survey comments addressed
public safety, particularly the perceived recent increase in crime. Councilmember Chen suggested future
surveys include a specific question about public safety.
Council President Olson said she provided some written comments to staff, but would not recap them in
the interest of time. With regard to the ethnicity and culture question that staff assessed as something
people were uncomfortable with, it could be that people didn’t answer because there were two ways of
interpreting the question. For example, she interpreted it differently than staff, she interpreted it as what
someone wanted to see represented in celebrations. If the question was interpreted the way staff did,
people may not have felt that was a role for government.
Council President Olson said she was glad to see views expressed with regard to right tree right place as
that is a very strong interest and value in Edmonds. With regard to environmental stewardship, she
pointed out the City and electeds can do environmental stewardship, but there is also a great volunteer
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culture in Edmonds, something that should be fostered and encouraged to make the City almost like a co-
op. Clean and safe streets, and public safety is definitely a value in Edmonds. She thanked staff for the
packet, commenting the outreach was excellent; staff can’t make people participate, but they definitely
did everything in their power.
Ms. McLaughlin acknowledged that question could be misinterpreted because it included the word
celebrate which could be taken in a variety of ways. The key themes were interest in more opportunities
for an equitable, inclusive, welcoming and culturally diverse City. That comes through in the values and
there is work to do; this is the beginning of the journey.
Councilmember Teitzel thanked staff for their work, recognizing it is a huge lift getting all these survey
responses and being everywhere to get input. He referred to the comparison of respondents by
neighborhood, which indicated there were 32 respondents from Highway 99. He was a little
uncomfortable with drawing conclusions about the needs and wants of a community on such a small
number of respondents. He asked what percentage that number represented of the total households in the
Highway 99 area. Ms. McLaughlin said she did not have that exact number. While Highway 99 is
described as a neighborhood and that was one of the options, those lines are ambiguous and can include
adjacent areas such as Lake Ballinger and Esperance. She agreed the number of respondents from that
neighborhood were not great. Many different ways of outreach were utilized and will continue to be
utilized. The community champions advisory committee will be an opportunity for long term engagement
in a meaningful way
Ms. McLaughlin continued, as Councilmember Chen has mentioned in the past, people who are
underrepresented often work 2-3 jobs and may have trust challenges with public government. She
clarified she was acknowledging that, not using it an excuse, but the survey responses are a baseline to
shape the next phase of engagement. This, coupled with the equitable engagement framework will
provide the tools to do a better job. She summarized there is a long history in Edmonds that cannot be
fixed overnight. Councilmember Teitzel recognized it was challenging and assured his
comments/questions were not intended to be critical.
Councilmember Teitzel asked what percentage of the 32 respondents represent the various ethnic
breakdowns in that area. Ms. McLaughlin said this stage, the sentiment survey, intentionally did not ask
for race, cultural, social economic, etc. information to avoid burdening survey respondents with providing
a lot of personal information. That will be important in future surveys regarding specific topics.
Councilmember Paine agreed this was the beginning. She suggested finding opportunities for the best
environmental design using crime prevention through environmental design (SPTED) and partnering with
Chief Bennett. She looked forward to future conversations regarding the comprehensive plan update.
3. EDMONDS DOWNTOWN ALLIANCE 2023 WORK PLAN AND BUDGET
Community Services & Economic Development Director Todd Tatum began with what is a BID. They
first stated in Canada in the early 1970s and were immediately implemented across the border in the
United States. Since then, countries around the world have used the U.S. model to implement their own
business improvement districts/areas. These organizations focus heavily on urban renewal and
competitiveness in the rise of suburbanism which saw the demise of so many historic downtowns. Malls
and shopping areas in suburban America were able to market coherently, cost-effectively and collective
which put places like Edmonds in a challenging competitive landscape, a dynamic that continues today.
Mr. Tatum continued, BIDs at their heart are public private partnerships. They leverage the strength of the
government and couple it with the strengths of a talented business community. They allow cities to act
entrepreneurially and lend to managerial energy in solving problems like were seen during the pandemic.
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BIDs are seen across the country as important to the protection of social spaces. This is seen in Edmonds’
vibrant downtown which functions as a social space for residents. The organization has to undertake some
level of strategic thinking in order to operate which is seen in the lift in attractiveness, strategic planning,
cohesiveness in appearance and in brand. Brand and identity is a critical area where BIDs have a massive
impact. Visitors are drawn to the downtown core due to the brand, the identity that is carefully cultivated,
differentiated and that makes their value proposition clear to the visiting public.
Mr. Tatum continued, This brand is essential to business attraction and retention and to attracting
investment. This has been seen in places like Graphite and The Commons; these organizations see the
value of the brand and choose to invest here. There are many ways to judge the success of a BID
including sociability, social commons a BID helps create, effectiveness of their marketing, whether they
achieve their goals, how much work they do, attractiveness of the area, business attraction and
development, real estate development and brand. He reviewed:
• Daily Visitors Tend
• A regional and national destination
o Map of where visitors to Edmonds come from
Kimberly Koenig, Ed! President and owner of Rogue Boutique, commented prior to her career at
Rogue, she spent two decades in marketing and media with national and regional clients. She loves using
her experience from both rungs of her life for Edmonds. She reviewed Ed!: Creating a vital and vibrant
downtown:
• Why Ed!?
o A self-funding mechanism to support downtown-only marketing and programs
o To create something bigger and better than any one of our businesses could accomplish on
our own
o Encourage to view Ed! as partners
o Enhance community connections
o Bring a high level of professionalism to our downtown brand and marketing
• Approved Categories in BID Ordinance
o Marketing & Hospitality
o Safety & Cleanliness
o Appearance & Environment
o Transportation
o Business Recruitment & Retention
o Organization
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• Ed!’s Mission Statement: Ed! is a focused, funded organization that supports and improves
business conditions in Edmonds. Our goal is to ensure our downtown stays lively, attractive,
prosperous and welcoming to everyone.
• Ed’s Membership + Assessment
o Approximately 400 members
o Average payment is $265/year
o Rates purposefully low with no increases
• 2022-2023 Member Advisory Board (4 Open Door and 4 By Appointment)
o Kimberly Koenig, President (Rogue)
o Jen Lawson, Vice President (Crow)
o Beth Sanger, Secretary (Ombu Salon + Spa)
o Matt McCulloch, Treasurer (Peoples Bank)
o Cheryl Farrish (Certa Farrish Law Group)
o Robert Boehlke (House Wares)
o Olivia Brown-Latham (Sugarology Edmonds)
o Ricky Bobadilla (Santa Fe Mexican Grill & Cantina)
o Devyn Cox (Body Motion Physical Therapy)
o Carrie Hulbert, Program Manager
• Professional Expertise
o Volunteer advisory board of member business representatives have a wide range of expertise,
offering their fresh ideas for free
o Paid experts with extensive professional experience are utilized strategically
o This combination of skills results in highly professional, targeted and nimble executions with
a small budget
• Comparison of Edmonds Chamber of Commerce, Ed!, and Downtown Edmonds Merchant Meet
Up (formerly DEMA)
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• COVID and Beyond
o In it for the Long Haul
▪ Strong partnership with the City and Chamber to keep downtown thriving
▪ Communicated that Edmonds was open and a safe place to visit
▪ Focused and consistent “live local” message to locals with articles, a strong social media
presence and ads
▪ Paved the way for continued success post-pandemic
Carrie Hulbert, Ed! Program Manager, reviewed:
• Appearance & Environmental Programs
o Courtesy umbrellas
o After Hours Parking Signs
▪ 3 locations:
- Sound Credit Union
- WA Federal
- US Bank
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▪ Adds 50 spots downtown
▪ Working on adding additional lots
o “Discover Downtown” Directional Flags
• Communication & Outreach Programs
o Member Outreach
▪ Regular communication with members via Annual Meeting, Year in Review brochure,
email newsletter, web page and new member information & visits
o My Edmonds News Sponsored Content
▪ Articles run as sponsored content 6 times per year
▪ ~5,000 article views annually
▪ Other outreach articles also run
• Marketing Programs
o Marketing Strategy
▪ Promote Edmonds as a local and day trip destination
▪ Hyper-local focus (Edmonds +10 miles)
▪ Digital content, ads, and social to drive visits and keep Edmonds top of mind
▪ Design & manage campaigns to drive visits
▪ Program Manager drives our strategies, and we contract with a local writer and
photographer to create high-quality content
o EdmondsDowntown.org
▪ Member business directory
▪ Feature articles
▪ Business Spotlights
▪ Parking map
▪ Edmonds info
o Site Directory
▪ Promote your business in the site directory
▪ Category & business pages viewed over 100,000 times
COUNCILMEMBER BUCKSHNIS MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER TEITZEL,
TO EXTEND FOR 20 MINUTES.
COUNCILMEMBER TIBBOTT MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER CHEN, TO
AMEND TO EXTEND FOR 15 MINUTES.
UPON ROLL CALL, MOTION CARRIED (5-2), COUNCILMEMBERS CHEN, TIBBOTT,
PAINE, NAND AND COUNCIL PRESIDENT OLSON VOTING YES; COUNCILMEMBERS
TEITZEL AND BUCKSHNIS VOTING NO.
Ms. Hulbert continued:
o Web Feature Articles
▪ Highlight Edmonds businesses, campaigns, events and the unique qualities of downtown
▪ Viewed 14,300 times in last year
▪ Innovative way to utilize compelling content to promote downtown
o Business Spotlights
o Advertising
▪ Promoted Spotlights, Features, campaigns and services
▪ Ads were seen 984,000 times in last year
▪ Average link clickthrough rate of 1.45% (industry average is .9%)
o Social Media
▪ Instagram followers +23%
▪ Facebook followers +15%.
o Edmonds Holidays
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▪ Edmonds Holidays website
▪ Holiday Trolley with Emily the Elf
▪ Festive Drink Bingo
▪ Ornament Stroll
▪ Window Clings
▪ Guest blogger articles
▪ Posters & table tents
▪ Holiday Buddies
▪ Social Media ads & features
o Lovin’ Summer Edmonds
▪ Window clings
▪ “Discover Downtown” flags
▪ Posters & table tents
▪ Family Scavenger Hunt
▪ Ads and website features
o Love Lists
▪ Love List table tents and window clings
▪ Highlighted each shop’s “favorite things” for Valentine’s Day
▪ Ads and website feature
▪ My Edmonds News article
o Green Edmonds
▪ Highlight businesses making efforts to limit their environmental impact
▪ Partnered with Edmonds Chamber, City of Edmonds
▪ Chalkboards to make a green pledge
▪ Green Edmonds clings
Mr. Tatum reviewed:
• Policy
o Policy Questions & Staff Recommendations
▪ Should the City bill Ed! for services?
- Staff Recommendation is no. The BID is a cooperative effort between the City and
business community and designed to make the collective large than the sum of its
parts. Recouping fees is not considered the norm by other cities with BIDs. The
$6,000-$8,000/year is minimal and within the normal duties. However, this dollar
amount represents a large hit to the operating capability of the BID
▪ Should there be a change in policy for non-payment?
- Staff recommendation is no. The establishing ordinance set out a next and final step
for non-payment, sending the debt to collections. Businesses may fall on hard times
and may fall behind. The desire is for them to survive; a change in this rule would
affect all businesses, not just the chronic non-payers.
▪ Should we change the 12% late fee?
- Staff recommendation is no. It is established by ordinance and is adequate and
appropriate for non-payment.
Ms. Koenig reviewed:
• Work Plan & Budget
o 2023 Proposed Budget
Administration $21,950
Marketing $47,145
Communication and Outreach $4,880
Appearance & Environment $15,300
TOTAL BUDGETED EXPENDITURES $89,275
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TOTAL BUDGETED REVENUES (incl $22,158 fund balance) $ 101,727
• Comparison of 2013-2021 Budget Summary
• Advisory Board Meetings
o 2nd Thursday each month
o Zoom and in-person at city hall
COUNCILMEMBER BUCKSHNIS MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER TIBBOTT,
TO TAKE ALL THE RECOMMENDATIONS FROM THE ADMINISTRATION AND SAY NO
TO ALL THREE POLICY ISSUES AND ACCEPT THE BUDGET AND WORK PLAN. MOTION
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
With regard to protestors within the geographical BID location who refuse to pay their dues and are not
considered in good standing, Councilmember Nand suggested there may be people who cannot afford the
dues or are experiencing difficulty. She asked if there was an opt out or hardship exemption for those
businesses. For those who seek to opt out because they view the BID as taxation without representation,
she asked whether Ed! dues are considered a local tax that is deductible on federal taxes. Ms. Koenig said
she was uncertain about the deductibility of Ed! dues. In the way the BID was formed, there is no option
to opt out. With regard to hardship, during COVID, businesses were not sent to collections. She had not
heard hardship as a reason for non-payment.
Council President Olson said she has conferred with the city attorney about options to clarify legalities
with the way the BID was initiated. Options include a declaratory ruling which requires other parties to
the suit and costs for both parties. Another option is an attorney general advisory opinion which would be
sponsored by a state representative or state senator. For most people, the attorney general advisory
opinion would be a reputable outside opinion whether the BID was initiated legally. The city attorney
understands the point being made by those who cite parts of the RCW about initialization, but said that
read as a whole, he is confident it was initiated legally. Seeking an attorney general advisory opinion
would be a no cost option to pursue. Due to the late hour, she suggested councilmembers think about
whether they wanted to pursue that
11. MAYOR'S COMMENTS
12. COUNCIL COMMENTS
13. ADJOURN
With no further business, the council meeting was adjourned at 11:14 p.m.