PSPP111220PUBLIC SAFETY, PERSONNEL & PLANNING COMMITTEE MEETING
November 12, 2020
Elected Officials Present Virtually
Councilmember Laura Johnson
CALL TO ORDER
Staff Present Virtually
Phil Williams, Public Works Director
Jessica Neill Hoyson, HR Director
Shane Hope, Development Services Director
Jeff Taraday, City Attorney
Patrick Doherty, Econ. Dev./Comm. Serv. Dir.
Scott Passey, City Clerk
The Edmonds City Council virtual online PSPP Committee meeting was called to order at 5:04 p.m.
by Councilmember L. Johnson.
2. COMMITTEE BUSINESS
1. One -Month Extension of Housing Commission
Ms. Hope explained the Housing Commission began in 2019; they have done a tremendous amount
of work and are nearing a conclusion. On October 29t", the commission requested a one month
extension. The proposed resolution mirrors the resolution that established the Housing Commission
and extends the dates by one month; the commission's policy recommendations would be due by
January 31, 2021 and the commission would disband on February 1, 2021. Staff recommends
forwarding the resolution to the Consent Agenda.
Action: Schedule on Consent Agenda.
2. Code Updates to Allow Streateries and Other Outdoor Dining
Ms. Hope explained this has two parts, 1) allow streateries, subject to certain conditions; and 2) allow
on -site outdoor dining without a conditional use permit (CUP). Staff plans to refine the code language
further and tentatively plans to present it to the City Council at the November 241" meeting.
Streateries are currently permitted in parking spaces within the City's right-of-way with a special event
permit. Rather than continuing to extend the existing permit, the proposal is to establish a 1-2 year
pilot project. She reviewed key concepts:
• Expand outdoor dining/beverage opportunities that integrate vibrant street life and public
safety, providing for a coordinated, attractive appearance while also encouraging creativity and
artistry2 parking spaces
• Meet city standards and state and health district
• ADA access
• Choice of 3 colors for canopies or umbrellas
• Approved barriers at parking ends
• Screening at street side that allows partial views
• Each streatery must obtain a permit from the City
• Applications that meet standards will be processed quickly
• Fee will be low (such as $100/annually
11/12/20 PSPP Committee Minutes, Page 2
• Streateries must have "hold harmless" agreement with the City and liability insurance covering
use
• Issues to be worked out include how can heaters be safely used and whether there should be
a limit on the number of streateries permitted.
Questions and discussion followed regarding inspections by building and fire staff, establishing
guidelines for using canopies during weather events, number of tables that can be accommodated in
2 parking spaces (typically three 2-person tables per parking space), adhering to the state's social
distancing requirement, considering a barrier wall between tables, airflow under canopies, businesses
that already have outdoor dining, staff presenting options for Council's review, and how distance
between tables is enforced.
Ms. Hope explained restaurants are allowed to have outdoor dining onsite. The current code requires
a CUP for a canopy which is costly and time consuming. During COVID, the requirement for a CUP
has been waived, but the intent is to change the code to not require a CUP but still require building
and fire review. Some businesses have space on site and some are using a portion of their parking
lot; reduced parking is acceptable up to a certain limit. The proposal will be to adopt the code
amendment via an interim ordinance which would be effective for a limited period of time, take effect
immediately and requires a public hearing. An interim ordinance would immediately legalize these the
onsite dining opportunities and go back to the Planning Board for a fuller review and then come back
to City Council in 2021. Discussion followed regarding requirements that vary based on the location
such as jersey barriers, colors, etc.
Action: Tentatively scheduled on Council agenda 11/24/20
3. Proposal to approve the WWTP Chief Operator Job Description
Mr. Williams explained in the past there was a plant superintendent, and two leads, a maintenance
lead and an operations lead, who reported to the treatment plant manager. Those three positions are
vacant but are funded in the budget. He is recommending a different structure to match the skill set
and organization needed for the future of wastewater management. He proposed replacing the two
lead positions with a chief operator; the proposed job description is attached to the agenda.
Ms. Neill Hoyson advised the next step is for the committee to recommend negotiating the position
with the union. If the job description changes significantly via bargaining, it will come back to the
committee. In the past, the committee has recommended if there are no significant changes, approval
of the job description be scheduled on the Consent Agenda.
Questions and discussion followed regarding the difference in cost between the two positions and the
new position, and the ability for the City to approve the job description without approval by the
treatment plant partners. Mr. Williams described a future proposal that will include filling a vacant
senior mechanic position with a senior instrument and control position and to fill the plant
superintendent position.
Action: Direct HR Director Neill Hoyson to proceed with negotiating the job description with the union
3. ADJOURN
The meeting was adjourned at 5:41 p.m.