Loading...
2025-08-19 Council Special Minutes Edmonds City Council Minutes August 19, 2025 Page 1 EDMONDS CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING ACTION MINUTES August 19, 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 Richard Gould, Finance Director Angie Feser, PRHS Director Mike Clugston, Acting Planning Director Brad Shipley, Senior Planner Navyusha Pentakota, Planner Todd Tatum, CCED Director Scott Passey, City Clerk 1. CALL TO ORDER/FLAG SALUTE The Edmonds City Council meeting was called to order at 6:05 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. 4. APPROVAL OF AGENDA COUNCILMEMBER ECK MOVED APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. 5. AUDIT ENTRANCE CONFERENCE 1. 2024 City of Edmonds Audit Entrance Conference - State Auditor's Office Richard Gould, Finance Director, provided introductory comments. Kirk Gadbois and Courtney Amonsen of the State Auditor’s Office outlined their planned audit scope for the City of Edmonds for 2023-2024, including: Accountability Audit; Financial Statement Audit; and Federal Compliance Audit. The auditors described the process, reporting methods (findings, Edmonds City Council Minutes August 19, 2025 Page 2 management letters, exit items), audit costs, confidentiality, loss reporting (with special focus on cybersecurity incidents and fraud), and resources for government innovation and financial health. 6. AUDIENCE COMMENTS 1. Ann Christiansen, Edmonds, expressed skepticism about communications from advocacy groups and city leadership regarding the city budget. 2. Eric Nelson, Lynnwood Honda, expressed opposition to further sales tax increases, citing impacts and competitive disadvantage with neighboring areas. 3. Carin Chase, Edmonds, expressed support for the cultural access sales tax, citing educational, economic, and social benefits. 7. PUBLIC HEARINGS 1. Public Hearing on Interim Ordinance regarding Park Impact Fees Angie Feser, PRHS Director, provided introductory comments on the interim ordinance amending park impact fees. Mayor Rosen opened the public hearing. With no one wishing to speak, the public hearing was closed. 2. Public Hearing on the Cultural Access Sales Tax (CAST) Todd Tatum, CCED Director, provided a brief presentation on the proposal to adopt the Cultural Access Sales Tax. Mayor Rosen opened the public hearing. 1. David Brewster, Edmonds, spoke in favor, citing benefits to arts, culture and science organizations and the local economy. 2. David Ahlvers, Edmonds, spoke in favor, citing the need to maintain and expand programming for nonprofit organizations. 3. Ruth Arista, Edmonds, spoke in favor, noting the benefits to the arts community outweigh the small tax increase. 4. Eric Nelson, Lynnwood Honda, spoke against, noting private contributions are sufficient to support the arts. 5. Frances Chapin, Edmonds, spoke in favor and urged inclusion of environmental and science nonprofits among potential beneficiaries. 6. Tanya Sharp, Edmonds, spoke in favor, noting that dedicated funding is crucial for equitable, sustained programming. 7. Georgina Armstrong, Edmonds, spoke in favor, adding that the tax would empower nonprofits to serve and connect the community more effectively. 8. Karin Butler, Edmonds, supported the tax as vital for promoting diversity, community building and cultural celebration. Mayor Rosen closed the public hearing. 8. COUNCIL BUSINESS Edmonds City Council Minutes August 19, 2025 Page 3 1. Ordinance Amending ECC 4.72 Business License Scott Passey, City Clerk, outlined the proposed amendments to the business license code related to fees, procedure, and threshold exemption for out-of-city businesses. COUNCILMEMBER ECK MOVED TO DIRECT THE CITY ATTORNEY TO DRAFT AN ORDINANCE ENACTING THE AMENDMENTS AS RECOMMENDED BY STAFF FOR ADOPTION ON A SEPTEMBER CONSENT AGENDA. COUNCILMEMBER NAND MOVED TO REMOVE THE REQUIREMENT THAT APPLICANTS SUBMIT A SCALED DRAWING OF THE FLOOR PLAN. MOTION FAILED 1-6 WITH COUNCILMEMBER NAND VOTING IN FAVOR. COUNCILMEMBER DOTSCH MOVED TO AMEND THE INCREASE FROM 49.50% TO 30%. MOTION FAILED 2-5 WITH COUNCILMEMBERS DOTSCH AND OLSON VOTING IN FAVOR. MAIN MOTION TO DIRECT THE CITY ATTORNEY TO DRAFT AN ORDINANCE ENACTING THE AMENDMENTS AS RECOMMENDED BY STAFF FOR ADOPTION ON A SEPTEMBER CONSENT AGENDA CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. 9. Public Safety Enhancement Sales Tax Todd Tatum, CCED Director, and Loi Dawkins, Police Chief, presented the proposed ordinance enacting a sales tax to be used for public safety. COUNCILMEMBER OLSON MOVED TO APPROVE THE ORDINANCE ENACTING THE PUBLIC SAFETY SALES AND USE TAX. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. 3. Neighborhood Centers & Hubs Permanent Ordinance Discussion Navyusha Pentakota, Planner, outlined the proposed ordinance enacting the permanent Neighborhood Centers and Hubs (NCH) code and urged council adoption. COUNCIL PRESIDENT TIBBOTT MOVED APPROVAL OF THE DRAFT ORDINANCE PROVIDED IN THE COUNCIL PACKET. COUNCILMEMBER OLSON MOVED TO SPECIFY THAT ATTACHMENTS 1 AND 4 CONTAIN THE PERMANENT NEIGHBORHOOD CENTERS AND HUBS CODES. THE AMENDMENT WAS DEEMED UNNECESSARY AND WAS DEFEATED UNANIMOUSLY. COUNCILMEMBER DOTSCH MOVED TO AMEND BY INSERTING “…TITLE 16, 17, 20, 21, OR 22 OF…” IN ECC 16.120.010(C) APPLICABILITY TO READ: C. WHERE THIS CHAPTER CONFLICTS WITH ANY OTHER CHAPTERS OF TITLE 16, 17, 20, 21, OR 22 OF THE EDMONDS COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT CODE (ECDC), THE STANDARDS OF THIS CHAPTER SHALL PREVAIL. Edmonds City Council Minutes August 19, 2025 Page 4 MEETING EXTENSION At 8:20 pm, Councilmember Olson moved to extend the meeting until 9:00 pm. Motion carried unanimously. COUNCILMEMBER DOTSCH MOVED TO STRIKE TITLE 22 FROM THE AMENDMENT. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. A VOTE WAS TAKEN ON THE MOTION TO AMEND, WHICH FAILED 2-5 WITH COUNCILMEMBERS OLSON AND DOTSCH VOTING IN FAVOR. COUNCILMEMBER DOTSCH MOVED TO AMEND THE TABLE REFERENCE BY INSERTING “…, OR WITHIN 20 FT OF ANY PROPERTY LINE THAT IS ACROSS THE STREET FROM AN LDR-ZONED LOT,” IN ECC 16.120.050(B) SITE DEVELOPMENT TO READ AS FOLLOWS: “HEIGHT: ANY PORTION OF A BUILDING LOCATED WITHIN 20 FT OF AN LDR‑ZONED LOT, OR WITHIN 20 FT OF ANY PROPERTY LINE THAT IS ACROSS THE STREET FROM AN LDR-ZONED LOT, IS LIMITED TO 30 FT IN HEIGHT, REGARDLESS OF OTHER HEIGHT ALLOWANCES, BONUSES, OR INCENTIVES IN THIS CHAPTER.” MOTION FAILED 3-4 WITH COUNCILMEMBERS OLSON, NAND, AND DOTSCH VOTING IN FAVOR. COUNCILMEMBER OLSON MOVED TO AMEND SECTION 16.120.90.C.1(A) TO STRIKE “MULTIFAMILY RESIDENTIAL” FROM THE REDLINE VERSION AND UPDATING LANGUAGE FOR SINGLE-FAMILY RESIDENCES (FROM “NEW” TO “ALL” SINGLE-FAMILY RESIDENCES ARE INELIGIBLE). MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. COUNCILMEMBER DOTSCH MOVED TO REMOVE ALL REFERENCES TO THROUGH-BLOCK CONNECTIONS IN THE PERMANENT NEIGHBORHOOD CENTERS AND HUBS ORDINANCE. MOTION FAILED 3-4, WITH COUNCILMEMBERS DOTSCH, OILSON AND TIBBOTT VOTING IN FAVOR. MEETING EXTENSION At 8:52 pm, councilmember Eck moved to extend the meeting until 9:30 pm. Motion carried unanimously. MEETING EXTENSION At 9:22 pm, Councilmember Eck moved to extend the meeting until 9:40 pm. Motion carried 6-1 with Council President Tibbott dissenting. Edmonds City Council Minutes August 19, 2025 Page 5 MAIN MOTION TO ADOPT THE NEIGHBORHOOD CENTERS AND HUBS ORDINANCE AS AMENDED CARRIED 6-1 WITH COUNCILMEMBER DOTSCH DISSENTING. MEETING EXTENSION At 9:32 pm, Council President Tibbott moved to extend the meeting until 9:50 pm. Motion carried unanimously. 4. Ordinance to Update ECC 2.10 Confirmation and Duties of Appointive Officers Jeff Taraday, City Attorney, outlined the proposed ordinance which enacts changes pertaining to the city administrator position. COUNCILMEMBER OLSON MOVED TO ADOPT THE ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 2.10 OF THE EDMONDS CITY CODE RELATING TO THE CITY ADMINISTRATOR. MOTION CARRIED 5-1-0 WITH COUNCILMEMBER DOTSCH DISSENTING AND COUNCILMEMBER CHEN ABSTAINING. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 9:37 pm.