Loading...
2025-07-22 Council Minutes Edmonds City Council Minutes July 22, 2025 Page 1 EDMONDS CITY COUNCIL MEETING ACTION MINUTES July 22, 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 Brad Shipley, Senior Planner Navyusha Pentakota, Planner Jeanie McConnell, Engineering Program Mgr Mike DeLilla, Acting City Engineer Phil Williams, Interim Public Works 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 Councilmember Eck read the City Council Land Acknowledgement Statement. 3. ROLL CALL City Clerk Passey called the roll. All elected officials were present. 4. APPROVAL OF AGENDA COUNCILMEMBER PAINE MOVED APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. 5. PRESENTATION 1. Proclamation Recognizing July 2025 as Disability Pride Month Mayor Rosen read the proclamation recognizing Disability Pride Month and presented it to Courtney Criss of The Arc of Snohomish County. 2. Mayor’s Finance Update Edmonds City Council Minutes July 22, 2025 Page 2 Mayor Rosen commented on finance and budget issues. 6. AUDIENCE COMMENTS 1. Ken Reidy, Edmonds, raised concerns regarding the street vacation code hearing, council rules governing agenda preparation, and public comments. 7. RECEIVED FOR FILING 1. WRITTEN PUBLIC COMMENTS 2. WATERFRONT BUOYS INSTALLATION PROJECT UPDATE 8. APPROVAL OF CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS COUNCILMEMBER CHEN MOVED APPROVAL OF THE CONSENT AGENDA. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. The agenda items approved are as follows: 1. APPROVAL OF COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES JULY 1, 2025 2. APPROVAL OF COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES JULY 8, 2025 3. APPROVAL OF COUNCIL COMMITTEE B MINUTES JULY 15, 2025 4. APPROVAL OF CLAIM CHECKS AND WIRE PAYMENTS. 5. APPROVAL OF PAYROLL AND BENEFIT CHECKS, DIRECT DEPOSIT AND WIRE PAYMENTS. 6. WSDOT FIBER AGREEMENT 7. CLASSIC CAR SHOW & OKTOBERFEST EVENT AGREEMENTS 8. CONFIRMATION OF PLANNING BOARD APPOINTMENT 9. JOB ORDER CONTRACTING PROGRAM-CONTRACTOR RENEWAL 10. INTERIM ORDINANCE REGARDING IMPACT FEES 9. PUBLIC HEARINGS 1. Public Hearing for Neighborhood Centers & Hubs (NCH) Zoning Code Update Brad Shipley, Senior Planner, and Navyusha Pentakota, Planner, provided introductory comments on the NCH Zoning Code Update. Mayor Rosen opened the public hearing. 1. Arlene Williams, Edmonds, emphasized the importance of protecting steep slopes, existing tree cover, and reducing flood risks particularly at Westgate Center. 2. Marti, Edmonds, urged council to avoid the Ballard-style development, noting that Edmonds’ identity includes its tree canopy, green spaces, and landscaped areas. 3. Scott Anderson, Edmonds, urged the council to protect single-family neighborhood character, noting the North Bowl hub already experiences heavy traffic congestion and lack infrastructure for increased density. 4. Valerie, Edmonds, requested clearer guidelines on what constitutes a "common area" and requirements to ensure they are green/consistent with Edmonds’ character. Edmonds City Council Minutes July 22, 2025 Page 3 5. Alicia Crank, Edmonds, emphasized the need to slow the process, consider unintended consequences, and recognize unique neighborhood characteristics. 6. Sue Charles, Edmonds, urged the city to prioritize Highway 99 corridor development before altering established neighborhoods. Mayor Rosen closed the public hearing. 2. Public Hearing on Proposal to Amend the Official Street Map Jeanie McConnell, Engineering Program Manager, Mike DeLilla Acting City Engineer, and Phil Williams, Interim Public Works Director, outlined the proposal to amend the zoning map relative to 75th Place right-of-way. Mayor Rosen opened the public hearing. 1. Roger Pierce, Seattle, spoke in favor, noting the additional 10 feet for utilities or traffic would create greater hazards and engineering challenges due to steep slopes. 2. Ken Reidy, Edmonds, raised concerns about the consistency and administration of the city’s official street map, asking if city staff and council were accurately interpreting past ordinances and whether all developers were being treated fairly. Mayor Rosen closed the public hearing. 3. Public Hearing on Street Vacation Code Updates Jeanie McConnell outlined proposed amendments to the Title 20 ECDC Street Vacation Code, including code organization and administrative changes, appraisal and compensation, public notice and appeals, easements and utilities, decision criteria, public engagement, and legislative process. Mayor Rosen opened the public hearing. 1. Teresa Hollis, Edmonds, urged the council to include multiple criteria like other jurisdictions because “public interest” is too vague. 2. Ken Reidy, Edmonds, expressed concerns and recommendations related to process, transparency, easements, fee title, compensation, and procedural accountability. Mayor Rosen closed the public hearing. 10. COUNCIL BUSINESS 1. Ordinance to Adopt Residential Parking Code Updates (AMD2025-0005) COUNCILMEMBER NAND MOVED TO REMOVE THE FOLLOWING WHEREAS CLAUSE: “WHEREAS, EXCESSIVE OFF-STREET PARKING REQUIREMENTS CREATE UNNECESSARY EXPENSE AND CONSUME VALUABLE LAND THAT COULD OTHERWISE BE DEVOTED TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF DWELLING Edmonds City Council Minutes July 22, 2025 Page 4 UNITS;” MOTION FAILED 3-4 WITH COUNCILMEMBERS DOTSCH, OLSON, AND NAND NOTING IN FAVOR. COUNCILMEMBER PAINE MOVED APPROVAL OF THE ORDINANCE AMENDING THE PARKING REQUIREMENTS FOR RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENTS IN EDMONDS COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT CODE. MOTION CARRIED 5-2 WITH COUNCILMEMBERS NAND AND DOTSCH DISSENTING. 2. Discussion of Street Vacation Code Updates The council discussed the merits of the Street Vacation code amendments. COUNCILMEMBER OLSON MOVED THAT THE CODE REQUIRE THAT THE CITY PROVIDE A LIST OF FOUR APPRAISERS AVAILABLE FOR RESIDENTS TO CHOOSE FROM. MOTION CARRIED 6-1 WITH COUNCILMEMBER ECK DISSENTING. COUNCILMEMBER OLSON MOVED TO CHANGE THE APPEAL PERIOD FROM 30 TO 60 DAYS. MOTION CARRIED 6-1 WITH COUNCILMEMBER PAINE DISSENTING. COUNCILMEMBER CHEN MOVED TO DIRECT STAFF TO BRING BACK CRITERIA FOR STREET VACATIONS. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. COUNCILMEMBER CHEN MOVED TO INCLUDE A NOTICING RADIUS FROM 300 TO 400 FEET. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. COUNCILMEMBER ECK MOVED TO DIRECT PUBLIC WORKS STAFF TO BRING BACK A PROPOSAL RELATED TO NOTICING REQUIREMENTS FOR MULTI- FAMILY DEVELOPMENT. MOTION CARRIED 6-1 WITH COUNCIL PRESIDENT TIBBOTT DISSENTING. 3. Pro/Con Committee Selection for Levy Lid Lift Ballot Measure City Clerk Passey conducted the appointment process for the Pro/Con committees for the Levy Lid Lift Ballot Measure. Pro Committee applicants include: Elise Hill, Tom Mesaros, Roger Pence, and Jeanne Thorsen. Con Committee applicants include: Diane Buckshnis, Melinda Goforth, Nick Lopez, Jon Milkey, and Lee Reeves. JEANNE THORSEN WAS APPOINTED TO THE PRO COMMITTEE ON THE VOTE OF COUNCILMEMBERS NAND, DOTSCH, PAINE, OLSON, ECK, AND COUNCIL PRESIDENT TIBBOTT. ROGER PENCE WAS APPOINTED TO THE PRO COMMITTEE ON THE VOTE OF COUNCILMEMBERS CHEN, NAND, DOTSCH, OLSON, AND ECK. TOM MESAROS WAS APPOINTED TO THE PRO COMMITTEE ON THE UNANIMOUS VOTE OF THE COUNCIL. Edmonds City Council Minutes July 22, 2025 Page 5 MELINDA GOFORTH WAS APPOINTED TO THE CON COMMITTEE ON THE VOTE OF COUNCILMEMBERS NAND, DOTSCH, PAINE, ECK, AND COUNCIL PRESIDENT TIBBOTT. DIANE BUCKSHNIS WAS APPOINTED TO THE CON COMMITTEE ON THE VOTE OF COUNCILMEMBERS CHEN, NAND, DOTSCH, OLSON, AND COUNCIL PRESIDENT TIBBOTT. NICK LOPEZ WAS APPOINTED TO THE CON COMMITTEE ON THE VOTE OF COUNCILMEMBERS CHEN, NAND, DOTSCH, PAINE, OLSON, AND ECK. 11. COUNCIL COMMENTS Council members commented on various issues. 12. MAYOR’S COMMENTS Mayor Rosen provided comments. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 8:48 pm.