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2025-12-16 Special Meeting Minutes Edmonds City Council Special Meeting Minutes December 16, 2025 Page 1 EDMONDS CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING ACTION MINUTES DECEMBER 16, 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 STAFF PRESENT Jeanie McConnell, Engineering Program Manager (virtual) Brad Shipley, Senior Planner Mike Clugston, Planning & Development Director Mike De Lilla, City Engineer Andy Rheaume, Public Works Director Brian Tuley, IS Director Ludwig Marz, HR Director Todd Tatum, Acting City Administrator Richard Gould, Finance Director Kisha Post, Financial Specialist Loi Dawkins, Chief of Police Jeff Taraday, City Attorney 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 ACKNOWLEDGMENT Councilmember Eck 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 THE AGENDA COUNCILMEMBER PAINE MOVED APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. 5. AUDIENCE COMMENTS Edmonds City Council Special Meeting Minutes December 16, 2025 Page 2 1. Georgina Armstrong, Edmonds, spoke in favor of maintaining Parks & Recreation funding. 2. Arlene Williams, Edmonds, commented on the allowed use of Tree Funds as described in Edmonds City Code. 3. Pete Adams, Edmonds, commented on the allowed use of Tree Funds as described in Edmonds City Code. 4. Pam Cowler, Edmonds, commented on trees as part of the city’s public safety infrastructure. 5. Theresa Hutchison, Edmonds, spoke in opposition to a potential levy lid lift. 6. Glenda Krull, Edmonds, commented on the overall atmosphere of Edmonds and citizens’ current lack of optimism. 7. John Brock, Woodway, commented on behalf of the Edmonds Environmental Council, noting concern about a recent language reversion in the Critical Areas Ordinance (CAO) regarding critical aquifer recharge areas (CARAs). 8. Laura Walls, Edmonds, requested council not reallocate monies from the city’s Marsh and Tree Funds to maintain Yost Pool. 9. Marjie Fields, Edmonds, expressed concern with a section of the CAO regarding protections of the Deer Creek Aquifer. 10. Kim Bayer-Augustavo, Edmonds, spoke in opposition of new tax initiatives. 11. Mary Jane Goss, Edmonds, expressed concern about the conduct of councilmembers during council meetings. 12. Ann Christiansen, Edmonds, expressed concern about council’s actions at recent meetings. 13. Mark Mercado, Lynnwood, spoke in favor of maintaining Yost Pool. 14. Kathleen Sears, Edmonds, echoed previously stated concerns regarding use of the Tree and Marsh funds, park maintenance, and Deer Creek. 15. Jane O’Dell, Edmonds, echoed the previous comment and commented on the public’s interest in providing private donations to the Marsh Fund. 16. Ron Eber, Edmonds, noted his support of the current CAO with the exception of a section regarding developers’ improvements. 17. Karen Barnes, Edmonds, urged council to support a community fundraiser for Yost Pool and emphasized the importance of appropriate Tree Fund utilization. 18. Gayla Shoemake, Edmonds, addressed the Edmonds community, noting the city’s consistent transparency of the effects of a levy lid lift failure since its introduction and spoke in opposition of the current CAO, citing concern over the removal of the Deer Park protections. 19. Bill Krepick, Woodway, expressed concern regarding council’s governance. 20. Joseph Scordino, Edmonds, voiced his support for the current CAO ordinance with the exception of the recent CARA language reversion. 6. RECEIVED FOR FILING 1. 2025 BOARD AND COMMISSION RETIREMENTS 2. WRITTEN PUBLIC COMMENTS 7. APPROVAL OF THE CONSENT AGENDA Edmonds City Council Special Meeting Minutes December 16, 2025 Page 3 COUNCILMEMBER OLSON MOVED APPROVAL OF THE CONSENT AGENDA. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. The agenda item approved are as follows: 1. APPROVAL OF MEETING MINUTES - DECEMBER 2, 2025 2. 2026 BOARD AND COMMISSION REAPPOINTMENTS 8. COUNCIL BUSINESS 1. 84th Ave Street Vacation - Resolution Setting Public Hearing Date Jeanie McConnell, Engineering Program Manager, provided background on the 84th Street Vacation application and recommended council approve the presented resolution to set a public hearing date for January 27th, 2026, pursuant to RCW 35.79.010 and ECDC 18.55.070. COUNCILMEMBER ECK MOVED TO APPROVE THE RESOLUTION SETTING A PUBLIC HEARING DATE FOR JANUARY 27TH. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. 2. Critical Areas Ordinance Periodic Update (AMD2025-0001) Brad Shipley, Senior Planner, discussed methodology behind recent changes to the Critical Areas Ordinance (CAO) in light of best available science. Jeff Taraday, City Attorney, commented on the potential risks associated with both current and previous versions of the CAO. Mike De Lilla, City Engineer, and Andy Rheaume, Public Works Director, provided additional context on technical aspects of the current CAO. Councilmembers asked questions and provided feedback. COUNCILMEMBER OLSON MOVED TO HOLD A PUBLIC HEARING ON JANUARY 6TH WITH A PACKET PROVIDED LAYING FORTH THE OPTIONS AND FOR COUNCIL TO TAKE ACTION AFTERWARDS. MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY. 3. 4th Quarter 2025 ERP Update Brian Tuley, IS Director, presented an informational update on the status of the city’s Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) implementation. 4. Transportation Benefit District Sales Tax Todd Tatum, Acting City Administrator, presented an ordinance enacting a 0.1% Transportation Benefit District (TBD) sales tax for a period of 10 years beginning April 1st, 2026, at the earliest, pending adoption. Andy Rheaume, Public Works Director, highlighted that TBD revenue goes into the Street Fund, specifically to be used for expanding, fixing, and maintaining roads. COUNCIL PRESIDENT TIBBOTT MOVED TO PUT THE ORDINANCE ON THE CALENDAR FOR A PUBLIC HEARING AND POTENTIAL ACTION ON JANUARY 6TH. MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY. COUNCILMEMBER PAINE MOVED TO EXTEND UNTIL 9:35PM. MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY. Edmonds City Council Special Meeting Minutes December 16, 2025 Page 4 5. Ordinance Adopting 2025-2026 Mid-Biennial Budget Modification Following Council President Tibbott’s opening comments, Richard Gould, Finance Director, and Kisha Post, Financial Specialist, presented an updated ordinance and summary modifying the city’s 2025-2026 budget per council’s previous feedback. COUNCIL PRESIDENT TIBBOTT MOVED TO ADOPT THE MODIFICATION FOR THE POLICE DEPARTMENT ON PAGE 11 OF THE BUDGET SUMMARY DOCUMENT FOR A CUMULATIVE REDUCTION OF 1.5 MILLION FROM THE ORIGINAL 2026 BUDGET. MOTION PASSED 6-1 WITH COUNCILMEMBER OLSON DISSENTING. COUNCIL PRESIDENT TIBBOTT MOVED TO ADOPT THE MODIFICATION FOR THE PARKS & RECREATION DEPARTMENT ON PAGE 13 OF THE BUDGET SUMMARY DOCUMENT SHOWING A REDUCTION OF $320,000 FROM THE ORIGINAL 2026 BUDGET. COUNCILMEMBER DOTSCH MOVED TO AMEND THE MOTION TO CHANGE THE CASCADE SWIM CLUB’S REQUIRED ADDITIONAL CONTRIBUTION TO YOST POOL OPERATIONS FROM $83,500 TO $53,500 WITH THE REMAINDER COMING OUT OF THE ADMINISTRATIVE BUDGET. MOTION FAILED 3-4 WITH COUNCILMEMBERS CHEN, DOTSCH, AND NAND VOTING IN FAVOR. THE MAIN MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. COUNCILMEMBER OLSON MOVED TO EXTEND UNTIL 10:00PM. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. COUNCIL PRESIDENT TIBBOTT MOVED TO ADOPT THE MODIFICATION FOR THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT REDUCING THE ORIGINAL 2026 BUDGET BY $155,656. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. COUNCIL PRESIDENT TIBBOTT MOVED TO ADOPT THE MODIFICATION FOR THE COMMUNITY SERVICES AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT ON PAGE 15 OF THE BUDGET SUMMARY DOCUMENT SHOWING REDUCTIONS OF $171,287 AND $232,273. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. COUNCIL PRESIDENT TIBBOTT MOVED TO ADOPT THE MODIFICATION PRESENTED BY THE MUNICIPAL COURTS ADDING $353,019 TO THE ORIGINAL 2026 BUDGET. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. COUNCIL PRESIDENT TIBBOTT MOVED TO APPROVE THE NON-DEPARTMENTAL MODIFICATION ADDING $1,049,230 TO THE ORIGINAL 2026 BUDGET. Edmonds City Council Special Meeting Minutes December 16, 2025 Page 5 COUNCILMEMBER DOTSCH MOVED TO AMEND THE MOTION TO REMOVE THE $400,000 REDUCTION IN TRANSFERS FROM THE ASSUMPTION OF THE TRANSPORTATION BENEFIT DISTRICT IMPLEMENTATION. COUNCILMEMBER CHEN MOVED A SECONDARY AMENDMENT TO DELAY THE TRANSFER FROM THE GENERAL FUND TO THE INTERNAL SERVICES FUND IN THE AMOUNT OF $400,000. MOTION FAILED 2-5 WITH COUNCILMEMBERS CHEN AND DOTSCH VOTING IN FAVOR. MOTION FOR THE PRIMARY AMENDMENT CARRIED 4-3 WITH COUNCILMEMBERS ECK, PAINE, AND NAND DISSENTING. THE AMENDED MOTION TO APPROVE THE NON-DEPARTMENTAL BUDGET MODIFICATION OF $1,449,230 CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. COUNCILMEMBER OLSON MOVED TO EXTEND UNTIL 10:20PM. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. COUNCILMEMBER PAINE MOVED TO EXTEND UNTIL 10:35PM. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. COUNCIL PRESIDENT TIBBOTT MOVED TO ADOPT MODIFICATIONS IN THE BUDGET SUMMARY DOCUMENT UNDER MATERIAL CHANGES TO NON-GENERAL FUNDS FOR AN ESTIMATED CHANGE FROM BEGINNING TO ENDING BALANCES IN ALL FUNDS OF $4,543,347. MOTION CARRIED 5-2 WITH COUNCILMEMBERS DOTSCH AND CHEN DISSENTING. COUNCILMEMBER PAINE MOVED TO EXTEND UNTIL 11:00PM. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. COUNCIL PRESIDENT TIBBOT MOVED TO APPROVE THE PROPOSED MID-BIENNIAL BUDGET MODIFICATION AS AMENDED. MOTION CARRIED 5-2 WITH COUNCILMEMBERS DOTSCH AND CHEN DISSENTING. City Attorney, Jeff Taraday, read into the record the following changes to Exhibit C of the Mid-Biennial Budget Modification Ordinance as amended by council’s action. • The following rows of the 2026 Modified Budget Expenditures column will increase by $400,000: o 001 General Fund - $50,828,361 o Total General Fund - $53,053,886 o All Funds Total - $124,290,791 • The following rows of the Budgeted Ending Fund Balance column will decrease by $400,000: o 001 General Fund - $2,771,006 o Total General Fund - $5,680,181 o All Funds Total - $61,285,301 Edmonds City Council Special Meeting Minutes December 16, 2025 Page 6 COUNCIL PRESIDENT TIBBOT MOVED TO ADOPT THE ORDINANCE IN THE PACKET WITH THE STATED AMENDMENTS TO EXHIBIT C. MOTION CARRIED 5-2 WITH COUNCILMEMBERS CHEN AND DOTSCH DISSENTING. 9. COUNCIL COMMENTS Councilmembers commented on various issues. 10. MAYOR'S COMMENTS Mayor Rosen provided comments. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 11:00 pm.