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2025-11-25 Council Minutes Edmonds City Council Minutes November 25, 2025 Page 1 EDMONDS CITY COUNCIL MEETING ACTION MINUTES November 25, 2025 ELECTED OFFICIALS PRESENT Mike Rosen, Mayor Neil Tibbott, Council President Will Chen, Councilmember Michelle Dotsch, Councilmember Susan Paine, Councilmember Chris Eck, Councilmember Jenna Nand, Councilmember Vivian Olson, Councilmember (virtual) STAFF PRESENT Mike Clugston, Planning Director Brad Shipley, Senior Planner Angie Feser, Parks Director Shannon Burley, Parks Deputy Director Mike DeLilla, Public Works Deputy Director Bertrand Hauss, Transportation Engineer Andy Rheaume, Public Works Director Jeff Taraday, City Attorney (virtual) Richard Gould, Finance Director Rose Haas, Associate Planner Emily Villata, Deputy 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 Paine read the City Council Land Acknowledgement Statement. 3. ROLL CALL Deputy City Clerk Villata called the roll. All elected officials were present. 4. APPROVAL OF AGENDA COUNCILMEMBER CHEN MOVED APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. 5. PRESENTATIONS 1. Proclamation for Small Business Saturday Mayor Rosen read the Proclamation for Small Business Saturday. 2. Mayor’s Finance Update Edmonds City Council Minutes November 25, 2025 Page 2 Mayor Rosen reported on budget and finance issues. 6. AUDIENCE COMMENTS 1. Mary-Jane Goss, Edmonds, commented on a listening session hosted by Councilmember Olson and expressed disappointment with a lack of action on concerns raised by citizens. 2. Vivian Liao, Edmonds, introduced herself as an applicant for the student council representative, provided an overview of her background, and discussed how her skills would serve the council. 3. Janelle Cass, Edmonds, commented on upcoming events at the Port of Edmonds. 4. Debbie Heumann, Edmonds, commented on the city’s budget situation, expressing concern about fire service, utility costs, and city labor costs. 5. Bill Krepick, Edmonds, commented on the city’s budget situation, expressing dissatisfaction with city leadership. 7. RECEIVED FOR FILING 1. WRITTEN PUBLIC COMMENTS 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 COMMITTEE A MEETING MINUTES NOVEMBER 3, 2025 2. APPROVAL OF REGULAR MEETING MINUTES NOVEMBER 12, 2025 3. APPROVAL OF SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES NOVEMBER 14, 2025 4. APPROVAL OF CLAIM CHECKS AND WIRE PAYMENTS. 5. APPROVAL OF PAYROLL AND BENEFIT CHECKS, DIRECT DEPOSIT AND WIRE PAYMENTS 6. ARLINGTON AIRPORT CONTRACT 7. INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT FOR EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT SERVICES 8. SNOHOMISH COUNTY REGIONAL DRUG TASK FORCE ILA 9. RENEWAL OF THE INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT WITH THE SNOHOMISH CONSERVATION DISTRICT 10. AMENDMENT TO PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH JACOBS ENGINEERING 11. 2026 COLA FOR NON-REPRESENTED EMPLOYEES 12. CONFIRMATION OF PLANNING BOARD APPOINTMENT 13. COUNCIL ROP AMENDMENTS USE OF ATTORNEY TIME 9. PUBLIC HEARING Edmonds City Council Minutes November 25, 2025 Page 3 1. Public Hearing on North Bowl Hub Permanent Rezone – Planning and Development Services Mike Clugston, Planning and Development Director, provided a brief presentation on the North Bowl Hub Permanent Rezone. Mayor Rosen opened the public hearing. 1. Michael Henderson, Edmonds, commented on the proposed rezone, citing traffic and safety concerns. 2. Mary-Jane Goss, Edmonds, echoed Michael Henderson’s comments, citing sight distance issues for drivers. 3. Sue Charles, Edmonds, commented on matters regarding utility fees and city police unrelated to the North Bowl Hub Rezone. 4. Kameron Eck, Edmonds, expressed appreciation for the city’s zoning efforts. 5. Jon Allen, Edmonds, requested council allow the previous commercial zone to be upzoned while not including Grandview Street and parcels south of Puget Drive. Mayor Rosen closed the public hearing. 2. Public Hearing on the Draft Critical Areas Ordinance Periodic Update (AMD2025-0001) Brad Shipley, Senior Planner, provided a brief re-introduction to the Draft Critical Areas Ordinance (CAO). Mayor Rosen opened the public hearing. 1. John Brock, Woodway, commented on his experience working with city staff and volunteers on the CAO update and code reorganization. 2. Bob Danson introduced himself as the General Manager of Olympic View Water and Sewer District, expressing gratitude for the code updates and requesting to be kept informed of any future changes. 3. Arlene Williams, Edmonds, commented that the provision to retain trees on steep slopes should remain in the CAO permanently to promote tree preservation efforts. 4. Georgina Armstrong, Edmonds, spoke in favor of two provisions on vegetation from erosion and trees on 25% or greater slopes, citing risks for personal injury and property damage if they were to be removed. 5. Kameron Eck, Edmonds, commented on slopes as an ineffective revenue source and promoted tree retention as an economic and ecological benefit. 6. Gayla Shoemake, Edmonds, expressed appreciation that the provision on 25% and greater slopes will be included in future drafts of this ordinance and asked the council to ensure that protection is reflected in the code change. Mayor Rosen closed the public hearing. 3. Public Hearing on 2026 - 2031 Capital Facilities Plans & Implementation Programs of Parks & Recreation and Public Works Departments Edmonds City Council Minutes November 25, 2025 Page 4 Shannon Burley, Deputy Parks Director and Mike DeLilla, Public Works Deputy Director, provided an overview of the 2026-2031 CFP/CIP, noting that a more robust version of this presentation was previously delivered to council on November 3rd. Mayor Rosen opened the public hearing. No comments were made. Mayor Rosen closed the public hearing. 4. Public Hearing on Property Taxes Richard Gould, Finance Director, presented on a proposed 1% increase to the regular annual property tax levy. Mayor Rosen opened the public hearing. 1. Gwen Lewis, Edmonds, commented in opposition to the levy increase. 2. Joseph Ademofe, Edmonds, requested more education for citizens regarding council discussions and directed comments towards Edmonds citizens to work with city council and staff to find solutions to the city’s financial situation. 3. Mary-Jane Goss, Edmonds, expressed belief that other cities in Snohomish County include sewer in their property taxes and spoke in opposition to a business and occupation tax unrelated to the 1% property tax levy. 4. Heidi Daugherty, Edmonds, expressed dissatisfaction with the timing of the city’s courtesy notice of potential utility tax increases unrelated to the 1% property tax levy. 5. Jean Linhardt, Edmonds, commented in opposition to the levy increase. Mayor Rosen closed the public hearing. 5. Public Hearing on Revenue Sources for 2026 Jeff Taraday, City Attorney, provided a brief presentation on the city’s current rates of utility taxes and its capability to instate a Transportation Benefit District tax. Mayor Rosen opened the public hearing. 1. Mary-Jane Goss, Edmonds, spoke in opposition to the proposed revenue sources and recommended the council consider non-revenue-generating strategies to address the city’s budget situation. 2. Ann Christiansen, Edmonds, spoke in opposition to the proposed revenue sources. 3. Dawn Malkowski, Edmonds, commented that the proposed business and occupation tax is based on gross sales as opposed to net and urged council to recognize this difference during their consideration. 4. Debbie Heumann, Edmonds, echoed previous comments in opposition to the proposed revenue sources and expressed disappointment with council’s revenue- generating strategy. 5. Kameron Eck, Edmonds, commented on structural issues with the city as a reason for the budget situation, noting a lack of short-term renters with more disposable income. 6. Erika Barnett, Edmonds, spoke in opposition of a business and occupation tax. Edmonds City Council Minutes November 25, 2025 Page 5 7. Janelle Cass, Edmonds, commented that an increase in utility tax may result in citizens using less water. 8. Joseph Ademofe, Edmonds, commented that he empathized with citizens’ frustrations and urged them to employ more understanding with the unique economic situation of their city and the funds it requires to maintain the quality of services it offers. 9. Ron Jones, Edmonds, spoke in opposition to a business and occupation tax, citing the city’s current retail and industrial vacancy rates. 10. Bill Krepick, Edmonds, spoke in opposition of the proposed revenue sources and expressed disappointment in council’s response to citizen’s proposed budget strategies. 11. Pearl Nunez, Edmonds, spoke in opposition of the proposed revenue sources. Mayor Rosen closed the public hearing. 10. COUNCIL BUSINESS 1. Selection of the Student Council Representative Council discussed applicants for the student council representative position. COUNCILMEMBER OLSON MOVED TO APPOINT APPLICANT 1 TO THE POSITION OF STUDENT COUNCIL REPRESENTATIVE FOR THE REMAINDER OF THE 2025-2026 SCHOOL YEAR. MOTION CARRIED 6-0 WITH COUNCILMEMBER CHEN RECUSING DUE TO A CONFLICT OF INTEREST. 2. Approval of Property Tax Levy Ordinance Richard Gould, Finance Director, reintroduced the proposed 1% property tax increase and recommended council approve the ordinance. COUNCILMEMBER NAND MOVED TO APPROVE THE PROPERTY TAX ORDINANCE. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. 3. Co-Living Housing Code Update (HB 1998): Discussion Mike Clugston, Planning & Development Director, and Rose Haas, Associate Planner, discussed the key issues of the housing code amendment based on recommendations from the Planning Board and the draft redline/strikethrough document. Council questions and feedback were received. COUNCIL PRESIDENT TIBBOTT MOVED TO APPROVE THE CO-LIVING HOUSING CODE ORDINANCE. MOTION APPROVED UNANIMOUSLY. COUNCILMEMBER PAINE MOVED TO EXTEND THE MEETING UNTIL 9:15PM. MOTION APPROVED UNANIMOUSLY. 11. COUNCIL COMMENTS Edmonds City Council Minutes November 25, 2025 Page 6 Councilmembers commented on various issues. 12. MAYOR COMMENTS Mayor Rosen provided comments. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 9:09 pm.