HomeMy WebLinkAbout2026-10-06 Council Minutes
Edmonds City Council Minutes
Regular Meeting
October 06, 2026 Page 1
Edmonds City Council
Regular Meeting
Action Minutes
October 06, 2026
ELECTED OFFICIALS PRESENT
Mike Rosen, Mayor
Michelle Dotsch, Council President
Chris Eck, Councilmember Position 1
Will Chen, Councilmember Position 2
Erika Barnett, Councilmember Position 3
Vivian Olson, Councilmember Position 5
Susan Paine, Councilmember Position 6
Jenna Nand, Councilmember Position 7
STAFF PRESENT
Duane Wakan, Senior Planner
Mike Clugston, Planning and
Development Director
Kisha Post, Financial Specialist
Andy Rheaume, Public Works Director
Mike DeLilla, City Engineer
Stephanie Lucash, City Administrator
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 6:00pm 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 Chen read the City Council Land Acknowledgment.
3. ROLL CALL
Deputy Clerk Villata called the roll. All elected officials were present.
4. APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA
COUNCILMEMBER OLSON MOVED TO APPROVE THE AGENDA.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
5. PRESENTATION
1. Arbor Day Proclamation Only One Reading Required – Mayor's Office
Mayor Rosen presented the proclamation for Arbor Day to Edmonds
Environmental Education Coordinator Jen Leach, Parks Maintenance Worker
Deborah Dill, and Urban Forest Planner Deb Powers.
2. Mayor’s Finance Update – Mayor’s Office
Edmonds City Council Minutes
Regular Meeting
October 06, 2026 Page 2
Mayor Rosen yielded time in light of the recent budget address delivered
October 5th.
6. AUDIENCE COMMENTS
The following community members provided audience comment:
1. Nora Carlson, Edmonds, commented on upcoming state ballot measures.
2. Jerry Vergenont, Everett, requested Council open discussion up to
upcoming state ballot measures during their upcoming meetings.
3. Lora Hein, Edmonds, commented on the mayor’s previous reference to
state law in regard to using public facilities to support or oppose ballot
measures.
4. Marleen Lund, Edmonds, requested City Council utilize their platform to
educate the community about upcoming state ballot measures.
5. Lyndsey Lynch, Edmonds, spoke in opposition to upcoming state ballot
measures.
6. Jessica Brady, Edmonds, spoke in opposition to upcoming state ballot
measures.
7. Diana Nielson, Edmonds, spoke in opposition to upcoming state ballot
measures.
8. Julie Hertel, Edmonds, spoke in opposition to upcoming state ballot
measures.
9. Laura Edelstein, Edmonds, spoke in opposition to upcoming state ballot
measures.
10. Roger Pence, Edmonds, commented on the Mayor’s budget presentation
and requested more opportunities for citizens to ask questions.
11. William Bartig, Edmonds, commented on the relationship between
compliance and silence.
12. Kevin Lynch, Residence Not Given, spoke in opposition to upcoming state
ballot measures.
13. Leila Norako, Edmonds, spoke in opposition to upcoming state ballot
measures.
14. Bill Krepick, Woodway, commented in opposition to a Regional Fire
Authority presentation that had been removed from the agenda.
7. RECEIVED FOR FILING
1. Parks Q3 Capital Projects Report Only One Reading Required
2. Planning Board Quarterly Report, Q3 Only One Reading Required
Edmonds City Council Minutes
Regular Meeting
October 06, 2026 Page 3
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 Only One Reading Required
2. Ordinance Amending Authorized Employee Positions Second Reading
3. Approval of claim checks and wire payments. Only One Reading Required
4. Legal Assessment Committee Report 2026 Only One Reading Required
5. Approval of payroll and benefit checks, direct deposit and wire payments. Only One
Reading Required
9. PUBLIC HEARING
1. Public Hearing on Zoning Changes for New Housing in Existing Buildings (HB1757)
Second Reading – Planning and Development Services
Duane Wakan, Senior Planner, and Mike Clugston, Planning and Development
Director, provided background on the proposed code updates drafted in
response to House Bill 1757.
Mayor Rosen opened the public hearing.
No public comment was given.
10. COUNCIL BUSINESS
MOTION: Amend Council Business and add as Council Business 10.1 a vote on
whether to make a motion that we place a public hearing and a vote on
a Council resolution in opposition to Initiative 001 and Initiative 638 on
Council's October 13th date.
MOVED: Councilmember Nand
SECONDED: Councilmember Eck
RESULT: Fail, 3-4
IN FAVOR: Councilmember Eck, Councilmember Paine, Councilmember Nand
OPPOSED: Councilmember Barnett, Council President Dotsch, Councilmember
Chen, Councilmember Olson
1. Mayor's Proposed 2027-2027 Biennial Budget First Reading – Mayor's Office
Edmonds City Council Minutes
Regular Meeting
October 06, 2026 Page 4
Mayor Rosen reviewed the Council’s current status in the biennial budgeting
process. Council provided comments and questions.
2. Discussion of Utility Rate Study and future adoption of a Utility Rate Ordinance First
Reading – Public Works and Utilities
Mike DeLilla, City Engineer, and Andy Rheaume, Public Works Director,
introduced Chris Gonzalez, a consultant from FCS Bowman. Mr. Gonzalez
provided a background on the utility rate study followed by a detailed overview
of the rate update including methodology, study findings, and relevant
comparisons.
11. COUNCIL COMMENTS
Councilmembers commented on various topics.
12. MAYOR'S COMMENTS
Mayor Rosen provided comments.
13. EXECUTIVE SESSION PURSUANT TO RCW 42.30.110(1)(i)
Mayor Rosen announced the Council would convene in executive session to discuss
pending or potential litigation per RCW 42.30.110(1)(i) for approximately 8:45pm.
At 8:45pm, Mayor Rosen announced the executive session would be extended until
8:55pm.
14. RECONVENE IN OPEN SESSION
The meeting reconvened in open session at 8:55pm.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 8:55pm.
Luke Lonie, City Clerk