2017-01-10 City Council - Full Agenda-1809I
OF LU,�
.� O
do
250 5TH AVE N, (ACCESSED
Agenda
Edmonds City Council
IWiaffida019I► 1
FROM COUNCIL CHAMBERS), EDMONDS, WA 98020
JANUARY 10, 2017, 6:45 PM
CALL TO ORDER/CONVENE IN JURY MEETING ROOM
INTERVIEWS OF BOARD AND COMMISSION CANDIDATES
1. Interview Planning Board Alternate Candidate Alex Witenberg for appointment to the Planning
Board (15 min.)
ADJOURN
Edmonds City Council Agenda
January 10, 2017
Page 1
2.1
City Council Agenda Item
Meeting Date: 01/10/2017
Interview Planning Board Alternate Candidate Alex Witenberg for appointment to the Planning Board
(15 min.)
Staff Lead: Mayor Earling
Department: City Clerk's Office
Preparer: Scott Passey
Background/History
Due to the retirement of Planning Board member Val Stewart, the current Planning Board Alternate,
Alicia Crank, was moved to Val Stewart's vacated position leaving the Planning Board Alternate Position
open. A press release was issued on December 1, 2016 for interested candidates. Two applications were
received. Both candidates were interviewed by Mayor Earling.
Staff Recommendation
Recommending appointment of Alex Witenberg to the position of Planning Board Alternate on the
Planning Board.
Narrative
After interviewing two candidates for the position of Planning Board Alternate, Mayor Earling is
recommending appointment of Alex Witenberg to the position. Alex is currently a Law Clerk and while in
law school took classes on land use and municipal law. Alex also has previous experience on other City
of Edmonds work groups/committees. He is a lifelong resident of Edmonds and is interested in
continuing to volunteer and use his skills and knowledge to the benefit of the Edmonds community.
Attachments:
Alex_Witenberg_app_Redacted
Packet Pg. 2
2.1.a
December 9, 201 b
Mayor David Earling
Edmonds City Hall
121 5"' Avenue North
Edmonds, WA 98020
Dear Mayor Earling,
Enclosed please find my Edmonds Planning Board application, including attachments. Please do
not hesitate to contact me with any questions.
Sincerely,
Alex Witenberg
Packet Pg. 3
City of Edmonds
2.1.a
Citizen Board and Commission Application
(PLEASE PRINT OR TYPE)
Ai 6r'Lf-
(Board or Commission)
4� da
Name: --
Date: I --� Iq / /Z
Day Phone:
Occupational status and background: cl ri<- in a - , i<-a V kT
r
Organizational affiliations: F fa' a F c�� _ �V �L-f-
� -
Why are you seeking this appointment? P o
i
What skills and knowledge do you have to meet the selection criteria? '
Additional Comments:
Please return this completed form to:
Edmonds City Hall
121 5`h Avenue Forth
Edmonds, WA 48020
ca rolyn.lafave@edmondswa.gov
Phone:425.771.0247 1 Fax:425.771.0252
Q
Packet Pg. 4
2.1.a
Alex Witenber
EDUCATION
University of Washington School of Law June 2015
Juris Doctor
University of Maryland, College Park May 2012
13.A., Government and Politics; cunt laude, Phi ,beta Kappa
Minor: InternAional Developrrcnt any' Conflict Management
College Park Scholars Citation - Public Leadership
University of maryland President's Scholarship
ADMITTED TO PRACTICE LAW
Washington State, January 2016
RELVANT WORK AND VOLUNTEER EXPERIENCE
Snohomish County Superior Court Everett, WA
Law Clerk to the Honorable Thomas J. Wynne August 2016 — Present
• Conduct legal research and prepare bench memoranda for hearings, assist in preparation of written decisions, advise
judge on both civil and criminal legal issues.
• Provide administrative support for judge including maintaining appointments, hearing schedules, and screening
persons desiring to see judge.
City of Edmonds, Civic Field Master Planning Process Edmonds, WA
Project Advisory Committee Member April 2016 — Present
• Collect, analyze, and synthesize information from stakeholders and community members related to master planning
process for Civic Field; advise consultant regarding master plan designs.
Children and Youth Advocacy Clinic Seattle, WA
Rule 9 Licensed Legal Intern September 2014 — June 2015
• Rcpresented youth in legal matters relating to dependency and emancipation under the supervision of Professor Lisa
Kelly.
• Developed legal research, interviewing, and counseling skills through practical experience.
• Draped motions, briefs, and memos, and advocated for youth clients in court.
University of Washington School of Law Seattle, WA
Research Assistant Sumner 2014, Winter/Spring 2015
• Assisted Professors Lisa Kelly and Kimberly Ambrose with legal and interdisciplinary research regarding children
and child advocacy for their forthcoming book on holistic legal representation of youth in the child welfare system
Moderate Means Program
Intern
Seattle, WA
November 20I3 - June 2014
Developed interviewing skills and engaged in a fact finding process to determine if potential clients' needs were
covered under Moderate Means Program practice areas; screened potential clients for income and financial
eligibility.
Referred qualified clients to attorneys in the family, housing, and bankruptcy law fields.
City of Edmonds Parks and Recreation Department Edmonds, WA
Summer Parks Maintenance Worker 2008, 2010, 2011, 2013
• Daily niaintenance in city parks, including €andscaping, janitorial duties, and overall upkeep.
University Student Judiciary College Park, MD
Chair, Executive Committee; Presiding Officer, Resident Board September 2009 — May 2012
• Planned, coordinated, and executed activities for the Judiciary and its six individual boards.
• Presided over alleged violations of the Residence Hall Rules and Code of Student Conduct, and assigned sanctions if
necessary.
• Camille K. Rajpat Outstanding Member of the Student Judiciary Award.
Packet Pg. 5
2.1.a
What skills and knowledge do you have to meet the selection criteria?
My experience with volunteering on the Edmonds Skate Park Work Group and the Civic
Field Project Advisory Committee, as well as closely following city government, has provided
me with a strong background into the duties and responsibilities of the Planning Board. I have
made presentations to the Planning Board through my involvement with the skate park, and
testified in front of the Board on numerous occasions.
In addition, I spent five summers working for the city, four as a parks maintenance
worker and one at Yost Pool. This experience provided me with an understanding of how policy
development affects the ability of city employees to maintain desired and expected levels of
service. I understand that recommendations of the Planning Board must take into account the
effect on city staff, and consider the likelihood that its proposals could be implemented.
Additionally, I am familiar with the duties of the Planning Board with respect to its work
on the comprehensive plan, zoning issues, and other duties as they arise. In law school, I took
classes on land use and municipal law. These courses explored topics such as the Growth
Management Act, comprehensive plans, SEPA requirements, the OPMA, and the PRA, among
others. These courses provided me with a strong educational foundation regarding the purpose
and duties of the Planning Board.
Why are you seeking this appointment?
I was born and raised in Edmonds, and after going to college on the east coast I returned
to this area for law school. Now that I have graduated and am working, I want to continue to give
back to the community. I closely follow Edmonds government, and believe that background and
my skill set will be a valuable asset to the Planning Board. I understand the responsibilities that
come along with an appointment to the Planning Board —that members are expected to look
beyond their own interests, listen to and synthesize community input, and seek what is best for
the community.
I would appreciate the opportunity to serve on the Planning Board, and continue to
participate in our community by putting my skills and knowledge into practice for the benefit of
the Citizens of Edmonds.
Packet Pg. 6