cmd092021 spec mtgEDMONDS CITY COUNCIL
VIRTUAL ONLINE SPECIAL MEETING
APPROVED MINUTES
September 20, 2021
ELECTED OFFICIALS PRESENT
Susan Paine, Council President
Diane Buckshnis, Councilmember
Luke Distelhorst, Councilmember
Vivian Olson, Councilmember
Kristiana Johnson, Councilmember
Laura Johnson, Council President Pro Tern
ELECTED OFFICIALS ABSENT
Adrienne Fraley Monillas, Councilmember
Mike Nelson, Mayor
CALL TO ORDER
STAFF PRESENT
Jeff Taraday, City Attorney
Jessica Neill Hoyson, Human Resources Director
At 5:30 p.m., the Edmonds City Council Special Meeting was called to order by Council President Paine.
The Council utilized the Zoom meeting platform to conduct this meeting. It was noted that Councilmember
Fraley Monillas would be absent from the meeting.
2. EXECUTIVE SESSION
The Council then convened in Executive Session to evaluate the qualifications of an applicant for public
employment, per RCW 42.3 0.11 0(l)(g). The Session was estimated to last approximately two hours.
3. RECONVENE IN OPEN SESSION
At approximately 7:30 p.m., the Council reconvened in open session.
4. ACTION ITEM. REQUEST TO CONSIDER TWO CANDIDATES FOR DEVELOPMENT
SERVICES DIRECTOR
Councilmember Buckshnis requested information about the number of applications for the position of
Development Services Director and the process used to narrow it down to two finalists.
Jessica Neill Hoyson, Human Resources Director, explained the process, noting that the position was posted
for three weeks. A total of 18 applications were received prior to the deadline for first review. Of those
applications, 5 met the minimum qualifications for the position. Those who passed the minimum
qualifications were then asked to submit written response to a supplemental question, 4 candidates
completed this step of the process. After review of the written responses, 3 candidates were advanced for
interview. Candidates were interviewed by a panel consisting of the HR Director, Parks & Recreation
Edmonds City Council Approved Minutes
September 20, 2021
Page l
Director, Public Works Director and former Development Services Director Shane Hope. The three
candidates were then interviewed by the Mayor who then advanced all three for Council interview. Prior to
scheduling Council interviews, one candidate withdrew their application for the position.
Ms. Neill Hoyson explained that Edmonds City Code 2.10 (D) provides for City Council interviews of two
or three finalists for appointive positions. The City Council must approve having only two finalists to
interview in cases such as the current one - in which recruitment efforts have yielded only two finalists.
The City Council must interview the candidates and provide input to the Mayor. The Mayor will take into
account the input from the Council, the interview panelists, and his own interviews before making his final
appointment selection. The Mayor's appointment selection is then subject to City Council confirmation.
COUNCILMEMBER DISTELHORST MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER L.
JOHNSON, TO MOVE FORWARD WITH TWO CANDIDATES FOR THE POSITION OF
DEVELOPMENT SERVICES DIRECTOR, FOR THE MAYOR'S APPOINTMENT AND
POTENTIAL COUNCIL CONFIRMATION. MOTION CARRIED 5-1, WITH COUNCIL
PRESIDENT PAINE AND COUNCILMEMBERS DISTELHORST, BUCKSHNIS, L. JOHNSON,
AND OLSON VOTING YES, AN COUNCILMEMBER K. JOHNSON VOTING NO.
ADJOURN
At 7:45 p.m., the meeting was adjourned.
MICHAEL NELSON, MAYOR SCOTT PASSEY, CITY CLERK
Edmonds City Council Approved Minutes
September 20, 2021
Page 2
Director, Public Works Director and former Development Services Director Shane Hope. The three
candidates were then interviewed by the Mayor who then advanced all three for Council interview. Prior to
scheduling Council interviews, one candidate withdrew their application for the position.
Ms. Neill Hoyson explained that Edmonds City Code 2.10 (D) provides for City Council interviews of two
or three finalists for appointive positions. The City Council must approve having only two finalists to
interview in cases such as the current one - in which recruitment efforts have yielded only two finalists.
The City Council must interview the candidates and provide input to the Mayor. The Mayor will take into
account the input from the Council, the interview panelists, and his own interviews before making his final
appointment selection. The Mayor's appointment selection is then subject to City Council confirmation.
COUNCILMEMBER DISTELHORST MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER L.
JOHNSON, TO MOVE FORWARD WITH TWO CANDIDATES FOR THE POSITION OF
DEVELOPMENT SERVICES DIRECTOR, FOR THE MAYOR'S APPOINTMENT AND
POTENTIAL COUNCIL CONFIRMATION. MOTION CARRIED 5-1, WITH COUNCIL
PRESIDENT PAINE AND COUNCILMEMBERS DISTELHORST, BUCKSHNIS, L. JOHNSON,
AND OLSON VOTING YES, AN COUNCILMEMBER K. JOHNSON VOTING NO.
ADJOURN
At 7:45 p.m., the meeting was adjourned.
i
MICHAE ELSON, MAYOR
i
PASSEY, CITY CLER
Edmonds City Council Approved Minutes
September 20, 2021
Page 2
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