2025-02-04 Council MinutesEDMONDS CITY COUNCIL MEETING
ACTION MINUTES
February 4, 2025
ELECTED OFFICIALS PRESENT
Mike Rosen, Mayor
Will Chen, Councilmember
Neil Tibbott, Council President
Michelle Dotsch, Councilmember
Vivian Olson, Councilmember
Susan Paine, Councilmember
Jenna Nand, Councilmember
Chris Eck, Councilmember
1. CALL TO ORDER/FLAG SALUTE
STAFF PRESENT
Jeff Taraday, City Attorney
Nicholas Falk, Deputy City Clerk
Shane Hope, Interim Planning & Dev. Dir.
Jessica Neill Hoyson, HR Director
Angie Feser, Parks, Rec., & Human Serv. Dir.
Jenn Leach, Parks, Rec., & Human Sery
The Edmonds City Council meeting was called to order at 7 pm by Mayor Rosen in the Council
Chambers, 250 5th Avenue North, Edmonds, and virtually. The meeting was opened with the flag
salute.
2. LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
Councilmember Nand read the City Council Land Acknowledgement Statement.
3. ROLL CALL
Deputy City Clerk Falk called the roll. All elected officials were present.
4. PRESENTATIONS
1. NATIVE PLANT DEMO GARDEN RENAMING PROPOSAL
Angie Feser, Parks, Rec., & Human Serv. Director and Jenn Leach, Parks, Rec., & Human Serv.
presented the park naming proposal to rename the existing Edmonds Wildlife Habitat and Native
Plant Demonstration Garden to the Susie Schaefer Wildlife and Native Plant Community
Garden. They outlined Susie's many notable community -wide contributions, such as, the
founding of the garden in 2009, removal of invasive plants, installing native plants, transforming
the space into a demonstration garden, acquiring designation of a certified wildlife habitat,
provided classes and workshops, 2017 Sound Salmon Solutions and Edmonds Stewards new
headquarters, and created outdoor classroom for college classes, scouts, and gardening groups.
COUNCILMEMBER OLSON MOVED THAT WE ADD TO TONIGHT'S
CONSENT AGENDA NEW ITEM 8.7, THE ACTION PART OF THIS
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February 4, 2025
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PRESENTATION, TO APPROVE THE RE -NAMING OF THE EXISTING
WILDLIFE HABITAT AND NATIVE PLANT DEMONSTRATION GARDEN TO
THE SUSIE SCHAEFER WILDLIFE AND NATIVE PLANT COMMUNITY
GARDEN. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
2. MAYOR'S FINANCE UPDATE
Mayor Rosen reported on financial and budget issues impacting the city.
5. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
COUNCILMEMBER OLSON MOVED APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA.
MOTION TO APPROVE THE AGENDA CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
6. AUDIENCE COMMENTS
1. Robert Knoll, Everett, commented on a letter PSE sent to the city regarding aging AMI
meter system replacement.
2. Marlin Phelps, Marysville, commented on issues related to court, police, and US
attorneys.
7. RECEIVED FOR FILING
1. CLAIM FOR DAMAGES FOR FILING
2. WRITTEN PUBLIC COMMENTS
3. OUTSIDE BOARDS AND COMMITTEE REPORTS
8. APPROVAL OF CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS
COUNCILMEMBER OLSON MOVED APPROVAL OF THE CONSENT
AGENDA. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. The agenda items approved are
as follows:
1. APPROVAL OF COUNCIL COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES JANUARY
21, 2025
2. APPROVAL OF COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES JANUARY 22,
2025
3. APPROVAL OF COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES JANUARY 28, 2025
4. APPROVAL OF CLAIM CHECKS AND WIRE PAYMENTS.
5. ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING FULL TIME EQUIVALENTS (FTES)
6. RESOLUTION AMENDING THE COUNCIL RULES OF PROCEDURE
7. APPROVAL OF THE RE -NAMING OF THE EXISTING WILDLIFE
HABITAT AND NATIVE PLANT DEMONSTRATION GARDEN TO THE SUSIE
SCHAEFER WILDLIFE AND NATIVE PLANT COMMUNITY GARDEN
9. PUBLIC HEARING
1. INTERIM ORDINANCE FOR NEIGHBORHOOD CENTERS AND HUBS
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Mayor Rosen opened the public hearing. Shane Hope, Interim Planning and Development
Services Director, presented the background information, why we need the code update now,
how the interim ordinance works, what the interim code covers, sub districts, heights allowed,
and bonus floor incentive requirements. Other features of interim code were also discussed
which include objective design standards and the parking requirements as well as some key
aspects to be considered for longer term ordinance. The presentation ended with next steps that
we need to take and was opened to public comments. The following are the received public
comments.
1. Arlene Williams, Edmonds, commented on building heights in the interim code,
previous council comments on the design standards code, and dangerous slopes in
Westgate neighborhood.
2. John Rudlang, Edmonds, commented on their northern Grandview dead-end
neighborhood hub, danger of their narrow street, parking situation for residents and
nearby business customers, and the benefit of trees in their neighborhood.
3. Jon Allen, Edmonds, commented on the north bowl hub, maintaining current property
zoning, security issues of the neighborhood, cooperation of neighbors and businesses that
coexist there, and restriction of current single-family housing to its existing footprint.
4. Thyra Allen, Edmonds, commented on lack of communication about this topic and
impact on her home improvement plans.
5. Mike Henderson, Edmonds, commented on lack of communication to citizens in north
bowl, setback and height concerns.
6. Tammy Myers, Edmonds, commented on lack of communication in north bowl, changes
to safety in community, road maintenance issues, street lacks space to expand to address
current safety of current citizens or accommodate addition of more citizens to the area.
Mayor Rosen closed the public hearing.
10. COUNCIL BUSINESS
1. FINANCE DIRECTOR CONFIRMATION OF APPOINTMENT
Jessica Neill Hoyson, Human Resources Director, discussed the interview and selection process.
COUNCIL PRESIDENT TIBBOT MOVED TO APPROVE THE APPOINTMENT
OF RICHARD GOULD TO THE POSITION OF FINANCE DIRECTOR,
EFFECTIVE FEBRUARY 28, 2025. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
2. SPECIAL ELECTION PRO/CON COMMITTEES CRITERIA REVIEW
OF CRITERIA AND APPOINTMENT
Deputy City Clerk Falk discussed and conducted the approved process for selection of the Pro
and Con Committees. All applicants to the Pro committee were drawn in random order, the
Council voted in the order drawn. The first 3 applicants to get 4 votes were appointed to the
committee. The same procedure was conducted for the Con committee. The following lists
voting and appointees:
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Pro Committee:
Adam Cornell was appointed with a unanimous `Yes' vote.
Brook Roberts was not appointed with a lack of 4 `Yes' votes.
Patrick Hepler was appointed with 6 `Yes' votes from Councilmembers Eck,
Tibbott, Dotsch, Olson, Paine, and Nand.
Maria Montalvo was appointed with a unanimous `Yes' vote.
Con Committee:
Theresa Hutchison was appointed with 5 `Yes' votes from Councilmembers Eck,
Tibbott, Dotsch, Olson, and Paine.
James Ogonowski was appointed with 4 `Yes' votes from Councilmembers Chen,
Dotsch, Olson, and Nand.
Kevin Fagerstrom was appointed with 5 `Yes' votes from Councilmembers Eck,
Chen, Tibbott, Olson, and Paine.
Per the approved process, Diane Buckshnis and Theresa Hollis were not voted on
as the open committee positions were filled.
10. COUNCIL COMMENTS
Councilmembers commented on various issues.
11. MAYOR'S COMMENTS
Mayor Rosen provided comments.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 8:22 pm.
SCOTT PASSEY; CLERK
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