2026-02-24 Council Minutes
Edmonds City Council Minutes
Regular Meeting
February 24, 2026 Page 1
Edmonds City Council
Regular Meeting
Action Minutes
February 24, 2026
ELECTED OFFICIALS PRESENT
Mike Rosen, Mayor
Michelle Dotsch, Council President
Chris Eck, Councilmember
Will Chen, Councilmember
Erika Barnett, Councilmember
Vivian Olson, Councilmember
Susan Paine, Councilmember
Jenna Nand, Councilmember
STAFF PRESENT
Jeff Taraday, City Attorney
Luke Lonie, City Clerk
Deb Powers, Urban Forest Planner
Mike Clugston, Planning and
Development Director
1. CALL TO ORDER / FLAG SALUTE
The Edmonds City Council meeting was called to order at 6:00pm 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 Barnett read the City Council Land Acknowledgment.
3. ROLL CALL
City Clerk Lonie called the roll. All elected officials were present.
4. APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA
COUNCILMEMBER CHEN MOVED APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA. MOTION CARRIED
UNANIMOUSLY.
5. PRESENTATION
1. Proclamation of Lunar New Year Only One Reading Required – Mayor’s Office (5 min.)
Mayor Rosen read the proclamation of Lunar New Year.
2. Mayor's Finance Update – (5 minutes)
Edmonds City Council Minutes
Regular Meeting
February 24, 2026 Page 2
Mayor Rosen recognized the fleet department for their budget consciousness and
cost savings.
6. AUDIENCE COMMENTS
1. Jess Grant – Expressed concerns with an event cancellation at the Edmonds
Waterfront Center.
2. Jerry Masters – Expressed concern with the intention of the resolution establishing
City Council priorities.
7. RECEIVED FOR FILING
1. Preliminary December 2025 Monthly Financial Report
2. Claim for Damages for filing
3. Outside Boards and Committees Reports
8. APPROVAL OF THE CONSENT AGENDA
COUNCILMEMBER OLSON MOVED TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA. MOTION
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. The agenda items approved are as follows:
1. Approval of City Council Meeting Minutes
2. Approval of PSA for Water Comprehensive Plan Update
3. Approval of claim checks and wire payments.
4. Approval of payroll and benefit checks, direct deposit and wire payments
5. Parks Maintenance Worker Position Conversion
9. COUNCIL BUSINESS
1. 2026 Tree Code Updates, Project #AMD2025-0006 – Planning and Development
Services
Mike Clugston, Planning and Development Director, and Deb Powers, Urban
Forest Planner, presented updates to the City of Edmonds Tree Code.
2. City Council Resolution Establishing Priorities and Governance, Financial Stability, and
Community Outcomes – City Council Office
Edmonds City Council Minutes
Regular Meeting
February 24, 2026 Page 3
Council President Dotsch provided an overview of the resolution to establish
priorities and governance, financial stability, and community outcomes, then
reviewed the four priorities developed in the resolution.
COUNCIL PRESIDENT DOTSCH MOVED TO ADOPT A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY
COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF EDMONDS ESTABLISHING CITY COUNCIL PRIORITIES,
AND DECLARING ENGAGEMENT, COMMUNICATION AND TRANSPARENCY AS THE
GUIDING FRAMEWORK FOR ALL PRIORITIES.
COUNCILMEMBER ECK MOVED TO AMEND SECTION 4 TO ADD “TO ENHANCE
LIVABILITY IN COMMERCIAL AND URBAN AREAS, AND ADVANCE LONG-TERM
FINANCIAL STABILITY” FOLLOWING THE WORDS “NEIGHBORHOOD
CHARACTER.”
THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
COUNCILMEMBER NAND MOVED TO AMEND SECTION 3 TO ADD “WITH AN
INTENT TO PURSUE OUR CITY’S DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION GOALS”
FOLLOWING THE WORDS “COMMUNITY BENEFIT.”
THE MOTION FAILED WITH COUNCILMEMBERS NAND, PAINE, AND ECK IN
SUPPORT.
COUNCILMEMBER CHEN MOVED TO STRIKE THE WORDS “OUT OF CRISIS
MODE” AND INSERT “TO LONG TERM FINANCIAL STABILITY.”
THE MOTION FAILED WITH COUNCILMEMBER CHEN IN SUPPORT.
COUNCIL PRESIDENT DOTSCH MOVED TO AMEND THE RESOLUTION TO
ADD AND “INTO LONG-TERM FINANCIAL STABILITY” FOLLOWING “OUT OF
CRISIS MODE.”
THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
THE MAIN MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY AS AMENDED.
3. Removal of Mayor's Finance Update – City Council Office
Council President Dotsch outlined the lack of need for future Mayor’s Finance
Update items on Council agendas.
COUNCIL PRESIDENT DOTSCH MOVED TO REMOVE THE STANDING MAYOR’S
FINANCE UPDATE FROM THE PRESENTATION SECTION OF EACH REGULAR
MEETING AGENDA.
Edmonds City Council Minutes
Regular Meeting
February 24, 2026 Page 4
THE MOTION FAILED WITH COUNCILMEMBERS DOTSCH AND NAND IN SUPPORT.
10.COUNCIL COMMENTS
Councilmembers commented on various topics.
11.MAYOR'S COMMENTS
Mayor Rosen provided comments.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 7:51 pm.
________________________
City Clerk, Luke Lonie