HomeMy WebLinkAbout2026-09-08 Council Minutes
Edmonds City Council Minutes
Regular Meeting
September 08, 2026 Page 1
Edmonds City Council
Regular Meeting
Action Minutes
September 08, 2026
ELECTED OFFICIALS PRESENT
Mike Rosen, Mayor
Michelle Dotsch, Council President
Chris Eck, Councilmember
Will Chen, Councilmember
Erika Barnett, Councilmember
Susan Paine, Councilmember
Vivian Olson, Councilmember
Jenna Nand, Councilmember
STAFF PRESENT
Brad Shipley, Planning Manager
Deb Sharp, Planner
Duane Wakan, Senior Planner
Andy Rheaume, Public Works Director
Mike DeLilla, City Engineer
Stephanie Lucash, City Administrator
Jeff Taraday, City Attorney
Luke Lonie, 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 Nand read the City Council Land Acknowledgment.
3. ROLL CALL
Clerk Lonie called the roll.
4. APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA
COUNCILMEMBER OLSON MOVED APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
5. PRESENTATION
1. Proclamation for Puget Sound Starts Here Month, September 2026 Only One
Reading Required – Mayor's Office
Mayor Rosen proclaimed September to be Puget Sound Starts Here Month.
2. Mayor’s Finance Update – Mayor’s Office
Mayor Rosen reported that Finance Director Gould has returned and updated
on the current status of the budget process.
Edmonds City Council Minutes
Regular Meeting
September 08, 2026 Page 2
Mayor Rosen reported that Finance Director Gould has returned and updated
on the current status of the budget process.
6. AUDIENCE COMMENTS
The following community members provided audience comment:
1. Margie Fields – Commented on the importance of cleat water and the Deer Creek
Aquifer.
2. Joe Scordino – Commented on the potential tree code updates.
3. Bob Danson – Commented on the current state of the Deer Creek PFAS study.
7. RECEIVED FOR FILING
1. Claim for Damages for filing First Reading
2. June 2026 Monthly Financial Report Second Reading
3. Outside Boards and Committees Report Only One Reading Required
4. Written Public Comments Only One Reading Required
5. Outside Boards and Committees Report Only One Reading Required
8. APPROVAL OF THE CONSENT AGENDA
COUNCILMEMBER ECK 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. Resolution Recognizing the 136th Anniversary of the Founding of the City of
Edmonds Only One Reading Required
3. Resolution Commending Student Representative to City Council, Vivian Liao Only
One Reading Required
4. Approval of payroll and benefit checks, direct deposit and wire payments, Only One
Reading Required
5. Fiscal Sustainability Task Force Slate Only One Reading Required
6. WWTP Senior Laboratory Technician Job Description Revisions Second Reading
7. Award of Construction Contract – Yost & Seaview Reservoirs Repairs and
Upgrades Second Reading
8. Approval of National Fish and Wildlife Foundation Grant Agreement – Edmonds
Marsh Preliminary Design Second Reading
9. Approval to Prepare and Advertise a Request for Qualifications – Edmonds Marsh
Edmonds City Council Minutes
Regular Meeting
September 08, 2026 Page 3
Preliminary Design Second Reading
10. Approval of claim checks and wire payments. Only One Reading Required
11. UW Event Contract - Renewal Only One Reading Required
12. Approval of payroll and benefit checks, direct deposit and wire payments. Only One
Reading Required
9. PUBLIC HEARING
1. Tree Code Amendments, File No. AMD2026-0001 Fifth Reading and Beyond –
Planning and Development Services
Brad Shipley, Planning Manager, and Deb Sharp, Planner, presented information
regarding the process of updating the tree code and answered Council questions.
The following community members provided public testimony:
1. Georgina Armstrong – Provided input into the draft tree code which included
data regarding tree canopy coverage.
2. John Mersky – Spoke in support of a new tree code based on information
provided by Friends of Edmonds Trees.
3. Lou LaRix – Provided background into historical trees which were removed and
provided additional input into the draft tree code.
4. Barb Steller – Spoke in favor of tree retention with respect to development and
property improvement and commented on the content of the existing draft
tree code.
5. Dennis Weaver – Spoke in support of the Friends’ of Edmonds Trees input into
the proposed draft tree code.
6. Deborah Ashland – Spoke about tree density credit requirements for new
development.
7. Laura Hine – Spoke in favor of a stricter tree code which results in higher tree
density.
8. Arlene Williams – Spoke in favor of the draft tree code and to its simplicity.
Provided input into the draft code.
9. Laura Walls – Spoke of the historic, landmark trees in the City of Edmonds and
the value they provide.
10. Cameron Eck – Spoke to the draft tree code and provided the data gathered
from independent research.
11. Gayla Shumake – Provided input into the draft tree code to include stricter
parameters for cutting down landmark trees on private property.
12. Pam Tower – Inquired whether the current draft of the code provides the tools
to achieve the city’s 35% tree canopy policy and about the tree credits based
upon lot sizes.
13. Kyle McIntyre – Spoke to fees in lieu included in the draft tree code.
14. Natalie Rieber – Expressed concern with the draft code’s ability to create
predictability and standards regarding the regulation of trees.
15. Joe Scordino – Requested that the City commit to a set amount of trees to
Edmonds City Council Minutes
Regular Meeting
September 08, 2026 Page 4
plant over a given time.
16. Janelle Cass – Spoke to the history of the comprehensive plan and its impact on
low-density and multi-family housing developments.
17. Gabriel Kearns – Suggested a tax incentive for property owners who retain
landmark trees.
18. Gary Nelson – Thanked City staff for the work on the draft tree code and
discussed the issue of views, nuisance trees, and asked that Council restore
Parks and Public Works’ ability to remove nuisance trees.
The Public Hearing was closed at 7:06 pm.
10. COUNCIL BUSINESS
1. Unlicensed Food Vendors (Third Reading) Third Reading – Planning and
Development Services
Brad Shipley, Planning Manager; Duane Wakan, Senior Planner; and Andy
Rheaume, Public Works Director, presented on mobile food vendors operating
without a license including the challenges posed by allowing their operation but
also the issue of equity. Staff took questions of Council.
COUNCILMEMBER NAND MOVED TO DIRECT PLANNING DEPARTMENT STAFF
TO CONDUCT FURTHER RESEARCH ON THE POSSIBILITY OF CREATING A PILOT
PROGRAM.
COUNCILMEMBER OLSON MOVED TO AMEND THE MAIN MOTION TO
REPLACE “PLANNING DEPARTMENT” WITH “ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
COMMISSION” AND ADD “ FOR THE PURPOSES OF ECONOMIC
DEVELOPMENT” FOLLOWING THE WORDS “PILOT PROGRAM.”
AMENDMENT FAILED UNANIMOUSLY.
COUNCILMEMBER NAND CALLED THE QUESTION
MOTION TO RETURN TO ORIGINAL QUESTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
MAIN MOTION CARRIED WITH COUNCILMEMBERS BARNETT, DOTSCH, AND
OLSON IN OPPOSITION.
COUNCILMEMBER BARNETT MOVED TO DIRECT PLANNING STAFF TO RETURN
WITH A SIMPLIFIED AND SEPARATE APPROACH; ONE POLICY TRACK
ADDRESSING LICENSING, PERMIT COMPLIANCE, AND ENFORCEMENT FOR
UNLICENSED OR UNPERMITTED VENDORS; AND THE SECOND POLICY TRACK
ADDRESSING LOCATION AND SITING STANDARDS FOR VENDORS WHO ARE
OTHERWISE PROPERLY LICENSED AND PERMITTED, AND WITHIN THAT
SECOND WOULD BE THE PILOT PROGRAM.
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Regular Meeting
September 08, 2026 Page 5
COUNCILMEMBER ECK CALLED THE QUESTION.
MOTION TO RETURN TO ORIGINAL QUESTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
MAIN MOTION FAILED WITH COUNCILMEMBER BARNETT IN SUPPORT.
COUNCILMEMBER DOTSCH MOVED TO DIRECT THE PILOT PROJECT TO BE JUST
ON PRIVATE PROPERTY AT THIS TIME.
MOTION FAILED WITH COUNCILMEMBERS CHEN, DOTSCH, AND OLSON IN
SUPPORT.
2. Introduction to the Deer Creek Critical Aquifer Recharge Area Literature and Desktop
Review PFAS Source Identification Study Fifth Reading and Beyond – Planning and
Development Services
COUNCILMEMBER PAINE MOVED TO EXTEND THE MEETING UNTIL 10:00 PM.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
Council took a break from 8:46 – 8:53.
Brad Shipley, Planning Manager; Andy Rheaume, Public Works Director; Mike
DeLilla, City Engineer; Jeff Taraday, City Attorney; Garrett Lee, Project Manager
with EA Engineering, Science, and Technology Inc. (“EA”); and Pavan Challa,
Deputy Director of EA’s Emerging Science & Innovation Group presented on the
science of the PFAS source identification study. The group took questions of
Council.
11. COUNCIL COMMENTS
Councilmembers commented on various topics.
12. MAYOR'S COMMENTS
Mayor Rosen provided comments.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 9:48 pm.
Luke Lonie, City Clerk