2022-10-12 Planning Board MinutesCITY OF EDMONDS PLANNING BOARD
Minutes of Webinar Meeting
October 12, 2022
Chair Pence called the virtual meeting of the Edmonds Planning Board to order at 7:04 p.m.
LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT FOR INDIGENOUS PEOPLES
Board Member Campbell read the Land Acknowledgement.
Board Members Present Staff Present
Roger Pence, Chair Kernen Lien, Planning Division Manager
Judi Gladstone, Vice Chair Angie Feser, Parks, Recreation, & Human Services Director
Mike Rosen Shannon Burley, Parks, Recreation, & Human Services Deputy Director
Beth Tragus-Campbell (alternate) Kyle Woods, Parks Planner & Capital Projects Manager
Lily Distelhorst (student rep) Rob English, City Engineer
Oscar Antillon, Public Works Director
Board Members Absent Deb Powers, Urban Forest Planner
Matt Cheung (excused)
Todd Cloutier
Richard Kuehn (excused)
READING/APPROVAL OF MINUTES
MOTION MADE BY BOARD MEMBER ROSEN, SECONDED BY BOARD MEMBER
CAMPBELL, TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF SEPTEMBER 14, 2022 AND SEPTEMBER 28,
2022 AS PRESENTED. MOTION PASSED WITH VICE CHAIR GLADSTONE ABSTAINING.
ANNOUNCEMENT OF AGENDA
THERE WAS UNANIMOUS CONSENT TO APPROVE THE AGENDA AS PRESENTED.
AUDIENCE COMMENTS
None.
ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS
A. Parks, Recreation & Human Services Department — Q3 Update
Parks, Recreation & Human Services Department Director Angie Feser gave the quarterly update.
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Administration/Park Planning Division:
• Transfer of Cultural Arts Division to Community Services & Economic Development Department
effective September 1.
• 2023 Budget Development — Staff has been busy with both Operating and Capital budgets.
• All Civic Park Memorial Benches/Tables have been adopted out and sold. This generated $66,000 to
go towards the park.
• Salmon Safe Certification draft went to Council.
• Yost Park Bridge(s)/Shell Creek Study Proposal (2023 budget) — There is a larger study to look at all
seven bridges and the trails that cross the streams.
• Library Flood / Plaza Room support - Displaced staff and materials from the library have been moved
to the Plaza Room which is normally rented out.
• Kyle Woods has started a park asset inventory project (in-house).
• Supported Special Events: Summer market, 4th of July, Taste Edmonds, Car Show, Safety Event,
Oktoberfest
Director Feser gave an update on Civic Park. It took a long time to build the base of the site. A lot of progress
is now starting to be visible. The sod is in for the playfields and the lawn area. The skate park has been done for
a while. The concrete path now winds throughout the site. There has been a lot of development on the inclusive
playground. The prefabricated restroom will be brought in next week. The stormwater mitigation on 96th
Avenue right of way adjacent to Yost Park was approved for funding through ARPA ($450,000). The allocation
for that was in Civic Park and has now been freed up to help with Civic Park.
Parks Maintenance:
• Aquatics — Yost Pool is in operation 7 days/week; the spray pad is now closed.
• Seasonal staff extension into the fall has been especially helpful since there were fewer individuals this
year.
• Supported special events — Uptown Market (6), Summer Market, 4th of July, Taste Edmonds, Car Show,
Safety Event, Oktoberfest
• New installation at 6th & Bell
• Highway 99 project plant inspections
• Bill Anderson viewer at the marsh installation/repair
Recreation Programming:
• Q2 Reservations were reviewed. They are much higher than last year.
• Leagues: adult summer softball (63 teams), pickleball (18 teams), volleyball (14 teams), 3 on 3
basketball (6 teams)
• Day Camp re -instated (312 registrations, $21,250 scholarships from grant)
• Contracted camps (21)
• Outdoor Movies (4) — 4 locations with a focus on equity of locations
• New Fitness Classes
• Environmental Education — Discover Camps (5 camps/61 kids), Discovery Interpretive Tables at
Olympic Beach, City Park, and Mathay-Ballinger Park
• Beach Ranger Naturalists patrolled beaches (Memorial through Labor Day)
• Birdfest (September 11)
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Human Services:
• Supported Snohomish County purchase of enhanced shelter in Edmonds — a hotel on Highway 99
• Provided Frances Anderson Center workspace for South Snohomish County Community Resource
Advocate (1 day/week)
• ARPA Funding — Ordinance revision support
• Snohomish County — south county housing enhancement
• Over 50 referrals/38 active clients with 40 needs presented/26 fully met
• Relocation of long-term motel vouchers (5) for Emergency Shelter
• Program Manager increased from part time to full time.
Boards/Commissions — The department has staffed and provided public access to all remote City Board and
Commission meetings as per OPMA (Open Public Meetings Act). The Cemetery Board is at full capacity. The
Youth Commission has filled 8 positions.
2022 Q4 Upcoming:
• 2023 Budget — Staff will continue to work through the budget with Council.
• Civic Park Construction
• 96t' Avenue Infiltration Project — This must be completed before Civic Park can open.
• Parks small capital projects and greenhouse — Kyle Wood is leading this effort
• Parks Maintenance transition — Rich Lindsay will be retiring after 51 years with the City.
• Street Tree Lights in downtown
• Yost Pool winter operations will continue.
• Fall recreation programs are up and running.
Chair Pence asked if the Civic Park will be open for public activities like festivals. Director Feser replied that
the park was designed with the intent to handle festivals and events.
Vice Chair Gladstone asked for an update on park land acquisition. Director Feser said she did a park land
presentation to Council in September but wasn't given any direction to proceed with any acquisitions. Vice
Chair Gladstone also asked about staffs intentions to engage the Planning Board with budget development.
Director Feser replied that the CFP and CIP would be introduced to the Planning Board tonight. Staff will be
soliciting recommendations, suggestions, and questions. They will return in two weeks to do a public hearing
on the same program.
Board Member Campbell asked how water runoff will be addressed at Civic Park. Director Feser replied that
all runoff will be collected and treated on site before it makes its way back through the natural system. Civic
Park has a very high water table and big pockets of peat. The 96tb Ave mitigation work is being done as part of
addressing this.
NEW BUSINESS
A. Presentation of Proposed 2023-2028 Capital Facilities Plan (CFP) & Capital Improvement Program
(CIP)
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City Engineer Rob English made a PowerPoint presentation regarding the proposed Public Works & Utilities
2023-2028 CFP and CIP. This includes transportation; utilities (water, stormwater sewer); facilities; and the
wastewater treatment plant.
Transportation:
• 2023 Pavement Preservation Projects — 2023 Pavement Preservation Program for maintaining existing
street infrastructure ($1.5 M); Main Street Overlay from 6th - 9th Ave; 76th Avenue Overlay Close-out
• 2023 Safety & Capacity Projects — Highway 99 Revitalization/Gateway, Highway 99 Stage 3 244t'
Street — 238t' Street; Highway 99 Stage 4 224th Street — 220t' Street; 76th Avenue/220th Street
Intersection; SR-104 Adaptive System; Guardrail Improvements; and Traffic Signal Updates
• 2023 Active Transportation Projects & Planning — Citywide Bicycle Improvements; Elm Way
Walkway; Transportation Plan Updates; Traffic Calming Program; Pedestrian Safety Program;
Citywide Street Lighting Study; Green Streets
• 2023 Water Utility — 2023 Replacement Program; 2024 Replacement Program; Yost & Seaview
Reservoir Assessment; and Waterline Overlays
• 2023 Stormwater Utility — Storm & Surface Water Comprehensive Plan; Perrinville Creek Basin
Projects; Edmonds Marsh Water Quality Improvements; Lake Ballinger Floodplain; Stormwater
Overlays; Strom & Surface Water Comprehensive Plan; and 2024 Replacement Program
• 2023 Sewer Utility — 2023 Replacement Program; 2024 Replacement Program; Cured in -place pipe
rehabilitation; Sewerline Overlays
• 2023 Wastewater Treatment Plant — WWTP Clarifier 1 Rehabilitation; Vacuum Filter Replacement;
Nuvoda Pre -Design; Joint Sealant
Public Works & Utilities — Facilities: Boys & Girls Club, Cemetery Building, City hall, Fishing Pier, Frances
Anderson Center, Fire Station 16, Fire Station 17, Fire Station 20, Historic Log Cabin, Historic Museum,
Library, Meadowdale Club House, Old Public Works, Parks Maintenance Building, Public Safety, Public
Works O&M, Wade James Theater, and Yost Pool House
Comments and Questions:
Vice Chair Gladstone asked about the strategy for water and sewer pipeline replacement since the amounts for
2024 are significantly lower. Mr. English explained that the slideshow is only showing what is in the budget for
2023. The amounts shown for 2024 are just for the design of the 2024 project. The six -year projection would
show the full amounts. Vice Chair Gladstone then referred to the Department of Ecology's new general permit
for nutrients and asked if that is in the six -year CIP. Mr. English replied that it is not, but the Nuvoda Pre -Design
will start to address the nitrogen issue. The work that is done in 2023 will generate numbers for a project.
Board Member Campbell referred to the water and sewer line replacements and asked how they are prioritizing
pipe replacement. Mr. English replied that the Comprehensive Plan is the initial planning level document that
identifies the age of the pipes, whether there is a capacity or flow issue, and what other capital projects are
occurring in the city. These are generally the drivers for identifying pipes for replacements.
Board Member Rosen acknowledged the thoughtfulness and hard work that goes into creating a document like
this. He asked:
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• How do projects get on the list for prioritization? Mr. English replied that in general it comes from the
Comprehensive Plan. They are usually ranked within the Plan. From there they look at funding
opportunities.
• He asked about the level of allocation for the Boys & Girls club since the building is going away.
Director Feser replied that they just learned last week that the Boys & Girls Club intends to demolish
the existing building and build a new one on that site. This budget was put together before that.
• How are the budget and the Comprehensive Plan connected in their development? Mr. England replied
that they build both at the same time to keep them as closely aligned as possible. He reviewed a diagram
showing the inputs that go into project selection — Mayor & City Council, available funding,
concurrency, safety, project delivery capacity, maintenance issue, grant sources and competitiveness,
and Comprehensive Plan priority.
• Is the WWTP on schedule to meet expectations for budget, schedule, and performance? Mr. England
replied that the carbon recovery project is on schedule to be finished in December, but it will take
another several months to get things operational with new equipment and processes. The goal is to have
things fully online and functioning by spring. The work is about 90% done at this point. There have
been some challenges with the contractor, but they are working through those issues.
• He referred to the escalator for inflation and asked about confidence in the budget given the increased
inflation and CPI rates. Mr. England thought that they increased the plug rate from 3% to 6% for the
first few years because of the current economic climate.
• Is it correct that there about a dozen sidewalks that will be installed? Mr. England replied that there are
projects in the six -year plan to provide opportunities to go out and apply for grants. Most funding
agencies want to know that the project is in the six -year Transportation Improvement Program or the
six -year Capital Improvement Program. Staff continues to apply for grants, but it is a challenge to find
funding for sidewalks.
Chair Pence referred to the list of paving projects and noted that there were some projects in Esperance. He
asked why the City of Edmonds would be building capital improvements in the County. Mr. England replied
that both of those projects are in the Transportation Comprehensive Plan and they both cross both Edmonds and
the unincorporated Snohomish County area. The 228th corridor is a critical transportation connection providing
an east -west corridor for the community as well as citizens living in that area. The plan is to eventually secure
funding to improve that facility. The City has had discussions with Community Transit about a future potential
transit line once those improvements are made. Chair Pence agreed on the importance of this but wondered
about Snohomish County's responsibility to be building those improvements. Why should the citizens of that
area be interested in annexation if the City is improving their neighborhoods without being annexed. Mr.
England clarified that these are not active projects, and there is no money in the budget for them. If they were
to get funding, the County would need to be a partner in those projects.
Vice Chair Gladstone asked if pipeline replacement costs include relocation that is often necessary with
transportation projects. Mr. England replied that if there were a need for replacement, the funding would come
out of that replacement program. Vice Chair Gladstone said she hopes that when the City is doing improvements
on 228ffi they will coordinate with the local district who is putting a new well in on 228t'. She then referred to
the funding difficulty with sidewalks and asked if there is a way to just do a dedicated walkway with a curb
barrier to make it safer. Mr. England replied they typically look at doing curbs, gutters, and sidewalks together.
There may be times when they could just do a curb and asphalt, but there are challenges with this related to
ADA compliance and maintenance.
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Director Feser reported on the Parks portion of the 2023-2028 CIP/CFP. She reviewed the PROS Plan capital
recommendations related to acquisitions to fill park system gaps; open space and conservation acquisitions;
park development and enhancements; Yost Pool replacement; trail connections; as well as ADA, accessibility,
and other user convenience enhancements. She also reviewed PROS plan goals related to engagement; diversity,
equity, and inclusion; parks, trails, and open space; waterfront use and access; natural resource and habitat
conservation; climate change, adaptation, and resiliency; recreation programs and facilities; cultural services;
and park operations and administration.
She explained the project format and funding sources, noting that the 3% increase compounded annually is what
was used for the Parks CIP/CFP because it was based on the PROS plan. She acknowledged it may not be
accurate now but stressed that the PROS plan is not a budget document; it is a planning document. The largest
funding source is unsecured grant funding (74%) but other significant sources include REET (Real Estate Excise
Tax) funds, park impact fees, and the newly formed Tree Fund.
Current/Ongoing Capital Projects include Civic Park redevelopment, 966' Ave infiltration project (Civic Park
SW mitigation), Greenhouse installation, and deferred maintenance/small capital projects. Director Feser
reviewed a distribution map showing each project with its location. She stressed that there are three big
neighborhood parks that do not have a site yet.
2023 Projects:
• Johnson Property — demolition and securing 1-acre property; Master Plan/Public Input Process — 2025;
estimated cost $282,000
• Meadowdale Playfields — inclusive playground, dugout roofs, light fixtures; estimated costs TBD
• Mathay Ballinger Park — paved loop pathway, shelter with picnic tables, permanent restroom; estimated
cost $499,300
• Yost Park & Pool — playground replacement (2023), trail/bridge repair (2024), tennis court resurface
(2025), pool upgrades (2025); estimated cost $958,200
2024 Projects:
• Columbarium Expansion Phase II — design complete, Fund 130 and 137 (Cemetery Trust Fund);
estimated cost $159,000
• Olympic Beach Park — renovation of existing restroom; estimated cost $53,000
• Pine Street Park — shelter with picnic tables (2024), paved pathway (2024), canopy shade trees (2024);
estimated cost $164,400
• Sierra Park — playground replacement; estimated cost $187,500
• Neighborhood Park SE 1- park planning (2024), park construction (2025); estimated cost $899,100 plus
parkland acquisition (2023)
• Waterfront Walkway Completion — Ebb Tide Section — addressing accessibility, connect Brackett's
Landing North to Marina Beach Park, currently under legal review; estimated cost $819,500
• Maplewood Hill Park — playground replacement (2024), oldest playground in park system; estimated
cost $144,900
Other:
• Marsh Estuary Restoration (2025) — estimated cost $14,642,500 plus restoration plus Marina Beach
Park renovation
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• Elm Street Park — habitat restoration (2026), nature playground (2026), shelter with picnic tables (2026);
estimated costs $225,100
• Neighborhood Park SR 99 — planning (2025), construction (2026); estimated cost $926,100 plus
parkland acquisition (2024)
• Neighborhood Park SE 2 — planning (2025), construction (2027); estimated cost $953,900 plus parkland
acquisition (2025
• 4th Avenue Cultural Corridor — parks project? No funding identified; estimated costs $9,206,600
• Park & Facilities Maintenance Building — 40+ year old building; estimated cost $5,762,600
• Seaview Park Restroom — ADA improvements (2027), replacement or renovation of restroom;
estimated cost $417,900
• Yost Pool Replacement — Pool is 50 years old, funding source TBD; estimated cost $23,881,00
Programs:
• Citywide Park Improvements/Capital Replacement —backlog of 50+projects; small capital projects and
deferred maintenance; job order contracting; estimated cost $2,700,000
• Signage and Wayfinding — trail identification, orientation markers, safety and regulatory messaging,
park hours, park rules and etiquette, interpretive information and warning signs; estimated cost $51,500
Acquisitions:
• Parkland Acquisition — neighborhood parks SE 1, SR99 & SE 2; acquisition as feasible; estimated cost
$5,230,500
• Interurban Trail Expansion — acquisition of lands, easements and/or right of ways; estimated cost
$985,585
There is a currently a decision package that was put in around Yost Park and Shell Creek to deal with the erosion
that is happening there. Right now, this is ARPA funded ($220,000) but there is talk about switching it to a
capital project. This would include an existing conditions analysis, critical areas report, cultural resources
analysis, recommendations, and action plan. Capital projects maybe added by Council moving forward.
Prioritization of 2023 projects based on what was heard from the community, what is in the PROS plan and the
ability to get them done:
1. Civic Park completion (in process)
2. Green house completion (in process)
3. Mathay Ballinger Park improvements (2022 PROS Plan CIP)
4. Yost Park Playground (2022 PROS Plan CIP)
5. Johnson Property demolition (2022 PROS Plan CIP)
6. Yost Park/Shell Creek Study
Comments and Questions:
Board Member Campbell recommended moving the Park and Facilities maintenance building up in the
schedule, if possible, based on current conditions and the expansion of the Parks Department. Board Member
Rosen concurred.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
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A. Tree Code Amendments AMD2022-0004
Urban Forest Planner Deb Powers presented the remaining minor tree code amendments and some related
moderate/major code amendments. She explained that the new list shows potential code amendments arranged
by policy impact. Minor Code Amendments #1-11 have already been discussed at a previous meeting. Ms.
Powers stressed that the intent of the amendments is to clarify and simplify the code, not change the intent.
Minor Code Amendments #12-19 / Easy to Fix per Scope:
12. Add "subject to review"
13. Clarify when a permit is required
14. Identify priorities, incentives, and variations ...
15. Emphasize Conservation Subdivision Design
16. Clarify requirement for replacement trees
17. Use chart format, add "viable"
18. Reformat to clarify order of priority: retain, plant pay fee
19. Consistently reference "City Tree Fund"
Ms. Powers then introduced possible related moderate/major code amendments which change the existing code:
12. Define tree condition for retention with development
13. Restructure as "Allowances"
17. Consider replanting option for >24" DBH (diameter at breast height) trees (major)
6. Retain trees with more development types (major)
7. Define tree condition for retention
20. Reorganize ECDC 23.10
21. Define location of high priority trees retained with development.
Chair Pence expressed a concern that if they make "major" or "moderate" changes there is a possibility that
they will be undoing what they did in the minor category. He wondered if they should tackle the major or
moderate amendments first. Ms. Powers explained why they were progressing through the code amendments
this way.
Board Member Campbell said she would like to see the minor changes included (redlined) when reviewing the
minor and major code amendments so they can better understand what they are considering. Ms. Powers agreed
that would simplify the process. She stated she would show all the minor code changes in a marked -up code
and they could move forward with looking at the moderate and major code amendments. She reviewed the next
steps on the project timeline and suggested that November 30 could be a special joint meeting with the Tree
Board. Chair Pence thought that would be helpful and indicated he and Tree Board Chair Janelle Cass would
try to get together prior to that.
Board Member Rosen also encouraged the joint meeting and the idea of looking at all the minor code
amendments incorporated into the code. He referred to public engagement on the timeline and asked what they
have in mind. Ms. Powers replied they are behind schedule, but they are internally reviewing an RFP to send
out to find a consultant to help with developing and implementing the plan. Board Member Rosen expressed
concern about the timeline. He noted that they are moving on from minor amendments to moderate and major
ones, but the public stakeholders haven't had an opportunity to weigh in, and staff doesn't have an RFP out yet.
He thought this could send the message that they don't really care and are just going to move ahead.
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Ms. Powers pointed out that the minor amendments they have finished are things that don't change the intent
of the code. The joint meeting with the Tree Board is just the first of several that will likely be happening. The
purpose is just to check in with each other at this early stage in the process. Board Member Rosen didn't think
they should assume that the public would necessarily see the minor amendments the same way they do. He
thinks it sends a poor message if they go too far without stakeholders. Ms. Powers concurred. Mr. Lien agreed
that the sooner they could get public engagement the better, but he thought it would be fine to have the joint
meeting with the Tree Board early in the process and prior to the public engagement.
There was consensus to have a joint meeting to touch base with the Tree Board about the minor code
amendments (integrated into the code) and talk about what the public engagement might be. There was
agreement to not go any further with code changes until the City has a consultant on board and has developed
the public engagement plan. Chair Pence referred to a letter from Natalie Seitz and noted that this would be in
line with her concerns about stakeholder involvement.
B. City Council Joint Meeting
Chair Pence said he talked with Council President Vivian Olson about doing a joint meeting with Council on
Tuesday, October 25. He generally reviewed what he expected to cover in the presentation to Council based on
her suggestions. He solicited any ideas from other board members.
Board Member Rosen stated the need to be clear about the purpose of the meeting. He also wanted to make sure
there was ample time to hear from all the council members. If there were things the Council brought up last
time for the Board to do, they might want to address those. Chair Pence agreed and indicated he would refer to
the minutes and/or recording of the last joint meeting to review any requests the Council had made.
Vice Chair Gladstone suggested having some discussion with the Council about how they want the interchange
with the Planning Board to be to be the most useful. She also wondered about having some discussion around
the role of the Planning Board in thinking about Esperance. Chair Pence said he had never detected much interest
from the Council in pursuing the Esperance issue and wasn't prepared to lay out this out as a topic of the Board's
interest. Board Member Rosen suggested reaching out to Council President Olson to see what her interest is on
this topic. Vice Chair Gladstone recommended explaining how it comes up in the Planning Board discussions.
Board Member Campbell noted that Esperance does tailor some of the conversations the Planning Board has.
Chair Pence noted he wanted to discuss what the Board's role is after November 5 when the Council rolls out
the draft Vision Statement. How does this become part of a community conversation about the vision of the
City of Edmonds? Board Member Rosen thought the Board would have opinions and recommendations on that
topic. He agreed it would be helpful to have information about this process from the Council prior to the release
of that draft.
There was some discussion about having a subcommittee to discuss what the Board thinks its role should be in
the roll out of the Vision Statement. Board members spoke in support of meeting in some form prior to the joint
meeting to build a consensus. Board Members Pence, Campbell, and Rosen indicated an interest in meeting as
a subcommittee prior to the joint meeting. Mr. Lien indicated he would confirm that this would be okay with
the city attorney.
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PLANNING BOARD EXTENDED AGENDA
Chair Pence reviewed the extended agenda. He expressed frustration at the enormous amount of information
they received in their packet related to the CIP/CFP last week. He requested that the information be reduced or
dripped out incrementally so that the Board can make thoughtful decisions. Vice Chair Gladstone recommended
discussing this topic at the retreat if they are having one.
Chair Pence asked about the public notice for the public hearing. Mr. Lien reviewed how it is noticed. Chair
Pence recommended increasing the scope of the notices.
MOTION MADE BY BOARD MEMBER CAMPBELL, SECONDED BY BOARD MEMBER
ROSEN, TO SCHEDULE A SPECIAL MEETING ON NOVEMBER 30. MOTION PASSED
UNANIMOUSLY.
PLANNING BOARD CHAIR COMMENTS
None.
PLANNING BOARD MEMBER COMMENTS
None.
ADJOURNMENT:
The meeting was adjourned at 10:15 p.m.
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