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Edmonds City Council Approved Minutes
June 7, 2022
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EDMONDS CITY COUNCIL
SPECIAL MEETING
APPROVED MINUTES
June 7, 2022
ELECTED OFFICIALS PRESENT
Mike Nelson, Mayor
Vivian Olson, Council President
Kristiana Johnson, Councilmember
Will Chen, Councilmember (joined meeting 6:42 p.m.)
Neil Tibbott, Councilmember
Diane Buckshnis, Councilmember
Susan Paine, Councilmember
Laura Johnson, Councilmember
STAFF PRESENT
Jeff Taraday, City Attorney
Scott Passey, City Clerk
Jerrie Bevington, Camera Operator
ALSO PRESENT
Brook Roberts, Student Representative
1. CALL TO ORDER
The Edmonds City Council special meeting was called to order at 6:00 p.m. by Mayor Nelson in the
Council Chambers, 250 5th Avenue North, Edmonds, and virtually.
2. EXECUTIVE SESSION TO DISCUSS PENDING OR POTENTIAL LITIGATION PER RCW
42.30.110(1)(I)
At 6:00 p.m., Mayor Nelson announced that the city council would meet in executive session to discuss
pending or potential litigation per RCW 42.30.110(1)(i). Elected officials present at the executive session
were Mayor Nelson, and Councilmembers K. Johnson, Tibbott, Buckshnis, Paine, Olson, L. Johnson, and
Chen. City Attorney Jeff Taraday was also present.
At 6:15 p.m. Mayor Nelson announced the executive session would be extended for 5 minutes.
At 6:20 p.m., Mayor Nelson announced the executive session would be extended for 5 minutes.
At 6:26 p.m., Mayor Nelson announced the executive session would be extended until 6:30 p.m.
The executive session concluded at 6:27 p.m.
3. RECONVENE IN OPEN SESSION: NO ACTION AS A RESULT OF MEETING IN EXECUTIVE
SESSION
Mayor Nelson reconvened the special City Council meeting at 6:29 p.m.
4. INTERVIEWS FOR APPOINTMENT TO CITY BOARD OR COMMITTEE
1. INTERVIEW CANDIDATE FOR APPOINTMENT TO A BOARD/COMMISSION
Councilmembers interviewed Samuel Spencer, candidate for appointment to the Historic Preservation
Commission (HPC), open position #8, citizen. Council President Olson welcomed Mr. Spencer and
invited him to describe his interest in the HPC (responses in italics).
Edmonds City Council Approved Minutes
June 7, 2022
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I retired 20 years ago, I’ve been with Gallery North for almost 15 years. I am interested in getting
involved in the history of Edmonds and writing a book to pick up where Ray Cloud’s book stopped. I was
excited to be invited to join the HPC.
Councilmember K. Johnson said she has known Sam for over a dozen years and believes he will be a
wonderful addition to the HPC. She is the council liaison to HPC and looked forward to seeing him at
meetings.
Council President Olson asked where he lived previously. I originally moved to Mill Creek from New
Orleans 37-38 years ago and moved to the Perrinville area approximately 6-7 years ago. Council
President Olson asked if he knew of another town with great architectural character besides New Orleans.
It’s hard to beat New Orleans when it comes to architecture.
Councilmember Buckshnis commented she met Sam through the thrift store where she also volunteers
and anticipated he would be a perfect fit for this position. She asked his thoughts about designating the
bowl as a historic district. When a building is designated historic, the owner gives up certain rights so
obviously the owners would have a big say in that. I would be 100% in favor of it for public buildings.
Council President Olson advised his appointment is on the Consent Agenda and once that is approved, his
appointment is approved.
2. INTERVIEW CANDIDATE FOR APPOINTMENT TO A BOARD/COMMISSION
Councilmembers interviewed Yuri Nishiyama, candidate for appointment to the Sister City Commission.
Council President Olson welcomed Yuri and invited her to describe her interest in the SCC (responses in
italics).
I was born, raised and educated in Kobe City, Japan. I was interested in coming to the U.S. to graduate
from college. I applied for and was granted a full scholarship at Seattle Pacific University. I came to the
U.S. when I was 19 and attended SPU. I wanted to work in an office so I went to community college for
two years and majored in office management, and then graduated from the University of Washington,
majoring in anthropology. I lived in Seattle for 41 years. Edmonds is a lot like Kobe and I wanted to live
in a smaller city so I sold my house and purchased a condo, my dream home, in February 2021 at 50 Pine
Street overlooking the bay and Mt. Baker. I have been enjoying the artistic small city. I was involved with
Seattle’s Sister City program with Kobe and discovered that Edmonds has a sister city relationship with
Hekinan. I knew Hekinan through my nephew’s wife and although I’ve never been there, I’ve heard a lot
about it.
Councilmember Tibbott commented on her background working with sister cities. Knowing Japan like
she does, he asked what Edmonds sights she would like to introduce the Hekinan delegation to. If they are
younger students, I found out when doing the exchange student program with Seattle, the things they
found the most outstanding were horseback riding and sailing because they do not have an opportunity to
do that in Japan. There is water in Japan, but having a boat and going sailing is very unique.
Councilmember Paine thanked Yuri for choosing Edmonds. Her partner grew up in Kobe for the first 12
years of his life as part of a diplomatic attachment with his family. She recognized Yuri’s marvelous
background, and thanked her for volunteering for the SCC.
Councilmember L. Johnson welcomed Yuri to Edmonds, commenting she was glad she chose to live
here. She enjoyed reading her application and appreciated her willingness to devote her time, energy and
experience to Edmonds.
Edmonds City Council Approved Minutes
June 7, 2022
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Council President Olson commented depending on how much she wants to work, her experience would
also be amazing on the Economic Development Commission.
Council President Olson advised her appointment is on the Consent Agenda and once that is approved,
her appointment is approved.
I feel humble to be able to contribute my time, effort and background regarding Japan. I have also taught
Japanese language and culture. I am happy to contribute my time and experience to the City’s
relationship with Hekinan.
3. INTERVIEW CANDIDATE FOR APPOINTMENT TO A BOARD/COMMISSION
Councilmembers interviewed Gillian Young, Sales & Marketing Rep, Best Western Plus Harbor Inn, for
appointment to the Edmonds Lodging Tax Advisory Committee (LTAC), position #1 tax provider.
Council President Olson welcomed Ms. Young and invited her to describe her background (responses in
italics).
I live and work in Edmonds. I love Edmonds, am a member of the Chamber and volunteer regularly. My
background is in sales for over 10+ years. We bought a house in Edmonds in July 2021 and I have a lot
of free time. I love running this hotel and meeting people from around the world. I was honored and
excited to be nominated.
Councilmember L. Johnson welcomed Ms. Young, relaying her understanding that the Harbor Inn is
regularly at capacity or very busy which is good news. A group performing at the ECA is here now.
Things have totally picked up from the pandemic and the hotel is almost entirely sold out through July.
Councilmember L. Johnson commented that is good news for the hotel and for Edmonds. She is also new
to LTAC and offered to meet with Gillian to discuss the unique ideas that LTAC is discussing to improve
and enhance tourism within Edmonds. Spending money on multiple day events is a great way to generate
lodging tax. Councilmember L. Johnson commented there is a lot of creating thinking on the LTAC and
she was excited to have Gillian join.
Councilmember Buckshnis commented she is the perfect choice for this as she works at the hotel. She
hoped to see her involved in the creative district which the hotel is part of. I am aware of the creative
district. When I first started learning about areas of the town, I learned the hotel was not included in the
downtown district but I was not entirely sure of the boundaries of the creative district. We hope to be
added to the Art Walk to bring people to the Harbor Square area.
Councilmember K. Johnson relayed she served on the LTAC for several years. The tax is locally called
“heads in beds,” and the money is spent to enhance the experience and increase the number of overnight
visitors to the City for festivals like the Bird Fest, the Art Festival, 4th of July, etc. LTAC has discussed
progressive things like a trolley to connect key points such as Harbor Square, the ferry and downtown
Edmonds, but that was put off during the pandemic. There are a lot of opportunities to support the arts in
Edmonds. She looked forward to Gillian’s input on the committee. I love the trolley idea. I recently
proposed to the hotel owners purchasing bikes to connect the hotel to other areas. I am excited to join the
LTAC.
Council President Olson advised her appointment is on the Consent Agenda and once that is approved,
her appointment is approved.
5. ADJOURN
With no further business, the special council meeting was adjourned at 6:51 p.m.