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2025-03-04 Council Minutes Edmonds City Council Minutes March 4, 2025 Page 1 EDMONDS CITY COUNCIL MEETING ACTION MINUTES March 4, 2025 ELECTED OFFICIALS PRESENT Mike Rosen, Mayor Will Chen, Councilmember Neil Tibbott, Council President Michelle Dotsch, Councilmember Vivian Olson, Councilmember Susan Paine, Councilmember Chris Eck, Councilmember ELECTED OFFICIALS ABSENT Jenna Nand, Councilmember STAFF PRESENT Jeff Taraday, City Attorney (remote) Jessica Neill Hoyson, HR Director Todd Tatum, CSED Director Shane Hope, Interim PDS Director Phil Williams, Interim PW Director Richard Gould, Finance Director Scott Passey, City Clerk 1. CALL TO ORDER/FLAG SALUTE The Edmonds City Council meeting was called to order at 6:00 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 Council President Tibbott read the City Council Land Acknowledgement Statement. 3. ROLL CALL City Clerk Passey called the roll. All elected officials were present except for Councilmember Nand. COUNCILMEMBER OLSON MOVED TO EXCUSE COUNCILMEMBER NAND. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. 4. PRESENTATION 1. MAYOR’S FINANCE UPDATE Mayor Rosen provided a brief report and welcomed new Finance Director Richard Gould, who introduced himself and provided brief remarks. 5. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Edmonds City Council Minutes March 4, 2025 Page 2 COUNCILMEMBER ECK MOVED APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. 6. AUDIENCE COMMENTS 1. Kevin Harris, Edmonds, commented favorably on the Hwy 99 Working Group. 2. Wally Webster, Lynnwood, introduced the ACCESS Project (Association for Collective Community Engagement on Safety and Security), a group organized to address youth violence. 7. RECEIVED FOR FILING: none 8. APPROVAL OF CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS COUNCILMEMBER PAINE MOVED APPROVAL OF THE CONSENT AGENDA. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. The agenda items approved are as follows: 1. APPROVAL OF COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES FEBRUARY 25, 2025 2. APPROVAL OF CLAIM CHECKS AND WIRE PAYMENTS 9. COUNCIL BUSINESS 1. 2024 PUBLIC DEFENDER'S OFFICE ANNUAL REPORT Kathleen Kyle, Director of Snohomish County Public Defender Association (SCPDA), provided a year-in-review report highlighting its workload, challenges, and initiatives. She shared statistics on caseload and workload measures, 2024 SCPDS Programming, and workload progress/attorney workload by case. Current challenges include shift from traffic infractions to higher theft/fraud/larceny rates, driving distance for court appearance, commuting distance demography, composition of traffic case hearings vs. failure-to-appear (FTA) populations, and outreach for unhoused populations. The impact of jail on misdemeanants causes inefficient spending, increased unemployment, housing instability, and does not increase safety. Initiatives include fine/fee relief, vacating criminal convictions, and driver’s relicensing, which lead collectively to enhanced equity, reduced burdens, restoration of rights, opportunities and dignity, and supports workers and caregivers. She outlined the SCPDA Limited Civil Legal Aid Services provided by a two-year grant, and the 2024 on-call attorney team that administers the program. Questions and discussion followed regarding the following issues: • Domestic violence coordinator, crime statistics, outcomes that support the investment • Relationship between Theft 3 rates and organized retail theft • Possible misdemeanors created by state legislature Edmonds City Council Minutes March 4, 2025 Page 3 • Anti-racism committee, interpreter services • Community support for unhoused populations 2. HIGHWAY 99 WORKING GROUP CONCEPT BRIEF Director Tatum presented a recommendation to establish a task force to create action plans to address placemaking, economic vitality, partnerships, and financing opportunities in the three Highway 99 areas: Hospital District, the International District, and the Gateway area. Potential areas of emphasis include Tax Increment Financing, Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED), and Community Renewal. He outlined the preferred makeup of taskforce members and concluded his presentation by stating that the task force should not preclude any complementary efforts or opportunities which may arise from the private sector. Questions and comments followed regarding scope of investment, staff resources, International District needs/concerns, minimum densities, leveraging councilmembers’ input, and learning why some properties redevelop and why some do not. 3. PROCESS TO CONSIDER 2025 COMPREHENSIVE PLAN AMENDMENTS Interim Director Hope shared her idea for a Council process to consider limited amendments to the Comprehensive Plan because there wasn’t enough time to address everything in 2024. The recommendation is a process to consider two or three potential amendments that interest Council members. COUNCILMEMBER ECK MOVED TO APPROVED THE PROPOSED PROCESS TO CONSIDER COMP PLAN AMENDMENTS IN 2025. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. 4. AUTHORIZATION FOR MAYOR TO SIGN INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT WITH THE CITY OF MARYSVILLE FOR SURPLUS VEHICLE SALE Interim Director Williams outlined a proposal to execute an interlocal agreement to sell surplus city vehicles to the City of Marysville. The sale involves five (5) 2023 Ford Explorer Police Utility Interceptors for a one-time lump sum payment of $410,000.00. A public hearing will precede authorization and is scheduled at the March 11 Council Meeting. 5. PUGET SOUND REGIONAL COUNCIL LETTERS SUPPORTING RELIABLE AND SUSTAINABLE FERRY SERVICE Councilmember Paine outlined a proposal to approve state and federal letters urging lawmakers to continue prioritizing ferry investments to address community needs due to reduced service. Councilmembers spoke for and against the proposal. There were concerns about signing a support letter when the technology, costs, and return on investment are uncertain. Edmonds City Council Minutes March 4, 2025 Page 4 COUNCILMEMBER PAINE MOVED TO APPROVE THE LETTERS SUPPORTING RELIABLE AND SUSTAINABLE FERRY SERVICE. MOTION CARRIED 3-2-0, WITH COUNCIL PRESIDENT TIBBOTT AND COUNCIMEMBER DOTSCH VOTING AGAINST AND COUNCILMEMBER CHEN ABSTAINING. 10. COUNCIL COMMENTS Councilmembers commented on various issues. 11. MAYOR’S COMMENTS Mayor Rosen provided comments. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 7:34 pm.