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2025-06-10 Council Minutes Edmonds City Council Minutes June 10, 2025 Page 1 EDMONDS CITY COUNCIL MEETING ACTION MINUTES June 10, 2025 ELECTED OFFICIALS PRESENT Mike Rosen, Mayor Will Chen, Councilmember Neil Tibbott, Council President Michelle Dotsch, Councilmember Susan Paine, Councilmember Chris Eck, Councilmember Jenna Nand, Councilmember Vivian Olson, Councilmember STAFF PRESENT Jeff Taraday, City Attorney Mike Clugston, Acting Planning Director Brad Shipley, Senior Planner Rob English, City Engineer 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 Councilmember Nand read the City Council Land Acknowledgement Statement. 3. ROLL CALL City Clerk Passey called the roll. All elected officials were present with the exception of Councilmember Eck. COUNCILMEMBER OLSON MOVED TO EXCUSE COUNCILMEMBER ECK. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. 4. APPROVAL OF AGENDA COUNCILMEMBER PAINE MOVED APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA. COUNCIL PRESIDENT TIBBOTT MOVED TO AMEND THE AGENDA TO ADD RFA LIAISON AS ITEM 10.3. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. MAIN MOTION TO APPROVE THE AGENDA AS AMENDED CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. 5. PRESENTATIONS 1. JUNETEENTH PROCLAMATION Edmonds City Council Minutes June 10, 2025 Page 2 Mayor Rosen read the proclamation recognizing Juneteenth in the City of Edmonds and presented it to Donnie Griffin and Patricia Valle of Lift Every Voice Legacy. 2. MAYOR’S FINANCE UPDATE Mayor Rosen commented on finance and budget issues. 6. AUDIENCE COMMENTS 1. Dave Millette, Edmonds, spoke against the Medical District Expansion zone because it’s a single-family zone. 2. Bill Krepick, Woodway, asked the city to consider his petition regarding the Regional Fire Authority. 7. RECEIVED FOR FILING 1. CLAIM FOR DAMAGES 8. APPROVAL OF CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS COUNCIL PRESIDENT TIBBOTT MOVED APPROVAL OF THE CONSENT AGENDA. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. The agenda items approved are as follows: 1. APPROVAL OF COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES MAY 27, 2025 2. APPROVAL OF COUNCIL COMMITTEE A MINUTES JUNE 3, 2025 3. APPROVAL OF PAYROLL AND BENEFIT CHECKS, DIRECT DEPOSIT AND WIRE PAYMENTS. 4. APPROVAL OF CLAIM CHECKS AND WIRE PAYMENTS. 5. CONFIRM APPOINTMENT OF BOARD/COMMISSION CANDIDATE - LTAC 6. PFD BOARD MEMBER APPOINTMENT & REAPPOINTMENT APPROVAL 7. RESOLUTION EXPRESSING OPERATIONAL BUDGET IMPACTS FOR 2026 9. PUBLIC HEARINGS 1. PUBLIC HEARING ON MIDDLE HOUSING CODE UPDATE Brad Shipley, Senior Planner, and Mike Clugston, Acting Planning Director, gave a presentation and timeline for adoption of the middle housing code update. Mayor Rosen opened the public hearing. 1. Duane, Edmonds, outlined the challenges of building multi-family developments on smaller lots. 2. Christine Ware, Edmonds, urged the city to remove all low-density residential walkable (LDRW) overlays because they are dangerous and exceed state mandates. Edmonds City Council Minutes June 10, 2025 Page 3 3. Mark , Edmonds, urged the city not to exceed state mandates such as changing lot coverage from 35% to 45%. 4. Greg Brewer, Edmonds, urged the city to support the minimum standards required for state compliance without increasing building heights and lot coverage. 5. Barbara Stellar, Edmonds, commented on the non-human needs of maintaining natural habitat, biodiversity, and construction practices that preserve resources. Mayor Rosen closed the public hearing. 2. PUBLIC HEARING ON INTERIM ORDINANCE TO PROHIBIT THE REMOVAL OF CERTAIN LANDMARK TREES ON PRIVATE PROPERTY Councilmember Paine made introductory remarks. Mayor Rosen opened the public hearing. 1. Georgina Armstrong, Edmonds, said the interim ordinance helps prioritize meaningful tree codes and a sustainable, low-carbon environment. 2. Ann Christiansen, Edmonds, said that trees are the single thing that improves the environment for all Edmonds residents. 3. Debra Ashland, Edmonds, commented on the environmental and health benefits that trees provide. 4. Gayle Shoemake, Edmonds, commented on the value of trees in protecting watersheds and maintaining a healthy ecosystem. 5. Ron Eber, Edmonds, said the city code and application process must be clear in order to cut a hazard tree. 6. Pam Power, Edmonds, urged the city to appoint tree board members to help work on a tree map. 7. Lora Hein, Edmonds, thanked the council for its commitment to both the environment and people with the interim tree ordinance. 8. Kathleen Sears, Edmonds, commented on the importance of trees and the proposed work plan for arriving at permanent regulations. 9. Christine Ware, Edmonds, commented that she prefers the 24-inch standard to the 30- inch standard for the tree code. 10. Kyl McIntire, Edmonds, commented on the environmental, habitat, and health benefits that tree provide. 11. Nora Carlson, Edmonds, complimented the council for its commitment to save landmark trees. Mayor Rosen closed the public hearing. 10. COUNCIL BUSINESS 1. PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR – REQUEST TO CONSIDER TWO CANDIDATES Edmonds City Council Minutes June 10, 2025 Page 4 Jessica Neill Hoyson, HR Director, outlined the proposal to consider two finalists to interview for this position. COUNCILMEMBER OLSON MOVED TO ACCEPT TWO FINALISTS FOR THE PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR POSITION. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. 2. EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT – EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT TO CITY COUNCIL Council President Tibbott outlined the recommendation to approve the employment agreement for the Council Executive Assistant. COUNCIL PRESIDENT TIBBOTT MOVED TO APPROVE THE EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. 3. RFA LIAISON Council President Tibbott outlined a resolution for the appointment of the city’s non-voting representative to the South County Fire Governing Board. COUNCILMEMBER NAND MOVED TO APPROVE THE RESOLUTION. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. COUNCIL PRESIDENT TIBBOTT MOVED TO CONFIRM THE MAYOR’S APPOINTMENT OF EDMONDS POLICE OFFICER WILL MORRIS AS THE CITY’S RFA REEPRESENTATIVE. MOTION CARRIED 5-1 WITH COUNCILMEMBER DOTSCH DISSENTING. 4. 2026-2031 SIX-YEAR TRANSPORTATION IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM Bertrand Hauss, Transportation Engineer, outlined the recommendation to approve the 2026- 2031 Transportation Improvement Program. COUNCILMEMBER DOTSCH MOVED TO DESIGNATE PROJECT #22 AS A LOW PRIORITY ITEM. MOTION FAILED 2-3-1 WITH COUNCIL PRESIDENT TIBBOT AND COUNCILMEMBER DOTSCH VOTING IN FAVOR AND COUNCILMEMBER OLSON ABSTAINING. COUNCILMEMBER PAINE MOVED APPROVAL OF THE RESOLUTION ADOPTING THE 2026-2031 TRANSPORTATION IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. 5. HIGHWAY 99 CORRIDOR SAFETY UPDATE Bertrand Hauss, Transportation Engineer, and Phil Williams, Interim PW Director, outlined the safety improvements achieved due to the Highway 99 Corridor Revitalization Project. Edmonds City Council Minutes June 10, 2025 Page 5 Council questions and feedback focused on Hwy 99 medians, Hawk signal, a red light camera at 220th , potential speed limit changes, traffic calming program, speed studies, and prioritization. MEETING EXTENSION AT 8:53 PM, COUNCILMEMBER OLSON MOVED TO EXTEND THE MEETING UNTIL 10 PM. MOTION CARRIED 4-2 WITH COUNCIL PRESIDENT TIBBOTT AND COUNCILMEMBER DOTSCH DISSENTING. 6. POTENTIAL ADOPTION OF DESIGN REVIEW CODE UPDATE Brad Shipley, Senior Planner, presented the draft Design Review Code Update Ordinance for council consideration and potential adoption. COUNCILMEMBER PAINE MOVED TO ADOPT THE ORDINANCE AMENDING THE EDMONDS COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT CODE PROVISIONS RELATED TO DESIGN REVIEW. MOTION CARRIED 5-1 WITH COUNCILMEMBER DOTSCH DISSENTING. 7. CITY BUDGET SCENARIO DISCUSSION Mayor Rosen opened the discussion with the intent to find consensus regarding non-levy revenue sources and a property tax levy amount. Council questions and feedback focused on the following issues: • Utility taxes • Annexation of Esperance • Parking • Code enforcement fees • Pet licensing fees • School speed zone enforcement • Staff resources needed for non-levy revenue programs • Law enforcement sales tax • Cultural access tax • B&O tax • EDC process/recommendation MEETING EXTENSION AT 9:55 PM, COUNCILMEMBER OLSON MOVED TO EXTEND THE MEETING UNTIL 10:10 PM. MOTION CARRIED 4-2 WITH COUNCIL PRESIDENT TIBBOTT AND COUNCILMEMBER CHEN DISSENTING. Mayor Rosen summarized council feedback and will bring back a structured proposal for next steps. Edmonds City Council Minutes June 10, 2025 Page 6 11. COUNCIL COMMENTS Councilmembers commented on various issues. 12. MAYOR’S COMMENTS Mayor Rosen provided comments. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 10:07 pm.