PSPP011221PUBLIC SAFETY, PERSONNEL & PLANNING COMMITTEE MEETING
January 12, 2021
Elected Officials Participating Virtually
Councilmember Kristiana Johnson
Councilmember Adrienne Fraley-Monillas
Other Guests Participating Virtually
Karl Fitterer, Fire Marshal
1. CALL TO ORDER
Staff Participating Virtually
Phil Williams, Public Works Director
Jessica Neill Hoyson, HR Director
Shane Hope, Development Services Director
Patrick Doherty, Econ. Dev./Comm. Serv. Dir.
Jim Lawless, Police Chief
Leif Bjorback, Building Inspector
Jeff Taraday, City Attorney
Scott Passey, City Clerk
Dave Rohde, GIS Analyst
The Edmonds City Council virtual online PSPP Committee meeting was called to order at 5:00 p.m.
by Councilmember K. Johnson. Councilmember Fraley-Monillas was selected as Chair. Item 2.2 was
moved to the end of the agenda in the event the meeting ran long.
2. COMMITTEE BUSINESS
1. Title 19 Building and Fire Code Updates
Ms. Hope provided an introduction explaining the international codes are typically updated every three
years and adopted by cities and counties. The original approval date of July 2020 was extended to
February 1, 2021 and may be delayed further.
Mr. Bjorback explained the typical three-year update cycle was delayed due to additional time needed
to coordinate and publish several of the international codes in a special version that includes the
integration of Washington state amendments. Several of the amendments were made to better align
with the standards and practices of mybuildingpermit.com, a regional collaboration of jurisdictions that
includes King and Snohomish County Counties and 18-20 cities. The update to Title 19 will align with
jurisdictions in that group. He provided examples of revisions related to the Energy Code that will require
residential and commercial buildings to be constructed to a greater level of efficiency and achieve the
state mandated 70% reduction in annual energy consumptions by permitted building by 2031. The
update also adopts an appendix providing standards for tiny houses.
(Councilmember K. Johnson left the meeting at 5:08 p.m.)
Action: Forward to full Council
3. Social Worker Job Description Review/Approval
(Councilmember K. Johnson rejoined the meeting at 5:11 p.m.)
Mr. Doherty explained the 2021 budget includes a new Human Services program with a $500,000+
budget that contemplates a new social worker position. Once direction is provided on the job description,
staff will work with the union to negotiate the wage and job description and bring it back for Council
approval. Staff is also seeking direction regarding the possibility of contracting for social worker services
01/12/21 PSPP Committee Minutes, Page 2
with an agency serving Edmonds as this may provide more flexibility regarding hours and potentially
cost savings. He reviewed the position purpose, essential functions and responsibilities, illustrative
examples of work/essential functions, job description, required knowledge and skills, minimum
qualifications, and required licenses and certifications.
Ms. Neill Hoyson explained contracting transfers the risk to the provider as well as leverages economy
of scale. When contracting, the City may be able to designate the provider's employee. The City does
not currently have coverage through the risk pool insurance policy for this type of work; clinical work is
an exclusion and an additional professional liability policy to cover this work would need to be purchased
if the City hired the employee, a cost of approximately $5,000/year. A direct hire would be a union
position so a compensation level would need to be established as well as determining if the union wants
to bargain any impacts.
Questions and discussion followed regarding concern with the focus on at -risk populations when there
are people experiencing crisis, the difference between this social worker and the municipal court social
worker, required licenses and certifications, Koenig's recommendation that the City hire a clinical
licensed social worker, alternative work schedules, and the City hiring an employee versus contracting.
Action: Research options and return to committee next month.
4. Interlocal Agreement for Jail Services with Snohomish Countv
Chief Lawless recalled an increase in the cost of jail services as a result of decisions by Snohomish
County was discussed during the budget process. The contract has been finalized with the increase
phased in over two years. Historically, Snohomish County adopted a three-tier fee scale for housing of
inmates (general, medical specialty, and mental health), but chose in this agreement to adopt a flat fee
which resulted in a 35-45% increase for the agencies who utilize the jail. The agreement is for three
vears with the increase phased in over two vears:
2021
2022
Fee
$128.88
$134.70
-Booking
Maintenance Fee
$142.63
$187.46
-Daily
Video Court Fee
$207.96
$223.12
Snohomish County jail is the primary option for booking misdemeanant arrestees; Lynnwood's jail is
usually at capacity, which may change as they build a new facility. Questions and discussion followed
regarding chiefs, sheriffs and electeds contacting the Snohomish County Council which resulted in the
phased approach and Snohomish County trying to address their budget shortfalls.
Action: Forward to Consent Agenda
5. Renewal of Interlocal Agreement With Snohomish County Drug Task Force
Chief Lawless explained this agreement has been in effect since 1988 and is renewed annually. The
task force was more dependent on asset forfeitures for funding in the past; that has been removed and
the Everett Sheriff's Department bears the brunt of staffing and other agencies have staff assigned to
the task force. The funding provided by the City is prorated for command salary and benefits. The new
model results in a 29% reduction in the City's contribution last year, from $11,000 to $8,000.
Questions and discussion followed regarding asset forfeiture, the regional drug task force, and changes
in federal asset forfeiture regulations.
Action: Forward to Consent Agenda
01/12/21 PSPP Committee Minutes, Page 3
2. Reclassification of Admin Assistant Video Recording
Ms. Neill Hoyson advised this is a preliminary conversation regarding the recording assistant. In
reviewing the contract for the position, she was uncertain why the terms of employment were
established via a contract position rather than an hourly position. Unlike the Council's executive
assistant, control of the position is not contractual to the Council; the Mayor has authority over the
position. She recommended changing it to an hourly position, creating a job description, and
determining which department the position will report to. The person in the position would be treated
like a non -represented employee and receive a regular wage increase.
Questions and discussion followed regarding staff returning to PSPP with a job description and freezing
the wage until it catches up if a compensation analysis determines the salary is high.
Action: Staff develop a job description and return to the PSPP Committee
3. ADJOURN
The meeting was adjourned at 5:43 p.m.