2025-01-21 Council PSPHSP MinutesPUBLIC SAFETY, PERSONNEL, HUMAN SERVICES, PLANNING COMMITTEE MEETING
January 21, 2025
Elected Officials Present Staff Present
Councilmember Eck (Chair)
Council President Tibbott (ex-officio)
Councilmember Vivian Olson
CALL TO ORDER
Rod Sniffen, Assistant Police Chief
Jessica Neill Hoyson, HR Director
RaeAnn Duarte, HR Manager
Neil Weiss, Municipal Court Judge
Scott Passey, City Clerk
The Edmonds City Council PPW Committee meeting was called to order virtually and in the City Council
Conference Room, 121 — 5th Avenue North, Edmonds, at 3:30 pm by Council President Tibbott. The
agenda was amended to remove Item 1, Security Access Agreement between ESD and COE for
Camera Access for Emergency Safety Reasons.
2. COMMITTEE BUSINESS
1. 2025 Animal Kenneling Services Agreement with PAWS (Progressive Animal Welfare
Societ
Assistant Chief Sniffen presented the 2025 PAWS Animal Kenneling Services Agreement, which
provides shelter and re -home services for dogs and cats, rehabs injured or orphaned wildlife, and care
for homeless pets. PAWS charges the city a per animal fee that includes all services associated with
that animal and up to 72 hours of kenneling. Pet owners must pay a nominal fee to PAWS when claiming
their animal. Staff is developing a proposal to increase the fee, thus reducing the fiscal impact on the
city. A proposal will be brought forward in a separate council action to modify ECC 5.05.030. This
agreement does not impact the current budget because it was included in the 2025 adopted budget for
professional services. In 2024, estimate charges total approximately $17,000, with the 2025 budget set
at $19,000. Questions and discussion followed regarding the pet recovery process, lost/abandoned
animals, and animal tracking technology.
Committee recommendation: Consent
3. Employment Agreement - Executive Assistant to City Council
Ms. Duarte explained that this agreement is a renewal of the existing employment agreement, which
expires January 31, 2025. The primary change is that this position would be eligible for the same
benefits given to non -rep employees, including sick leave and vacation. This agreement also reflects
the 12-day furloughs.
Committee recommendation: Consent
4. Ordinance to update ECC 2.15.060 Judges pro tem
Judge Weiss requested a change to the code which currently requires pro tem judges to have the same
qualifications as appointed judges. ECC 2.15.030 specifies that an elected or appointed judge must
reside in Snohomish County. He requested a code amendment indicating that pro tem judges need not
1/21/2025 PSPHSP Committee Minutes,
be residents of Snohomish County. This change would make available a larger pool of pro tern judges
to serve as needed, as well as making other appropriate changes the code. Questions and discussion
followed regarding the pros and cons of the proposal, with Judge Weiss concluding there are minimal
disadvantages.
Committee recommendation: Consent
5. Prosecutinq Attorney Contract Amendment
Ms. Neill Hoyson noted that the Council approved the selection of the Walls Law Firm to continue to
provide prosecutorial services for the City in 2025. Council requested specific provisions in the contract
to address the current backlog, any future backlog, contract performance oversight and potential
penalties for failure to meet the terms of the contract. Sharon Cates and Angela Tinker have worked
with Mr. Walls to finalize the contract amendment.
Ms. Cates emphasized the importance of ensuring that the backlog is cleared in a timely manner. The
language about liquidated damages is not intended to be a penalty because the court will not enforce
such a condition. However, if duties are not performed, it's difficult or impossible to calculate damages,
so the parties must agree to a reasonable amount that would compensate rather than penalize.
Questions and discussion followed regarding liquidated damages, restitution damages, reporting, and
the need for updates to the legal assessment committee.
Committee recommendation: Full council
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 4:07 pm.
SCOTT PASSEY; CLERK