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Cmd120522 spec mtg Edmonds City Council Approved Minutes December 5, 2022 Page 1 EDMONDS CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES APPROVED MINUTES December 5, 2022 ELECTED OFFICIALS PRESENT Mike Nelson, Mayor Vivian Olson, Council President Will Chen, Councilmember Neil Tibbott, Councilmember Diane Buckshnis, Councilmember Susan Paine, Councilmember Dave Teitzel, Councilmember Jenna Nand, Councilmember STAFF PRESENT Michelle Bennett, Police Chief Loi Dawkins, Assistant Police Chief Rodney Sniffen, Assistant Police Chief David Machado, Police Sergeant Dave Turley, Administrative Services Director Angie Feser, Parks, Rec., & Human Serv. Dir. Todd Tatum, Comm. Serv. & Econ. Dev. Dir. Shannon Burley, Deputy Parks, Rec., & Human Serv. Dir. Tom Brubaker, City Attorney Scott Passey, City Clerk Jerrie Bevington, Camera Operator 1. CALL TO ORDER The special Edmonds City Council meeting was called to order at 5:01 p.m. by Mayor Nelson in the Council Chambers, 250 5th Avenue North, Edmonds, and virtually. 2. ROLL CALL City Clerk Scott Passey called the roll. All elected officials were present. 3. APPROVAL OF AGENDA COUNCILMEMBER BUCKSHNIS MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER PAINE, TO APPROVE THE AGENDA IN CONTENT AND ORDER. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. 4. AUDIENCE COMMENTS Mayor Nelson described the procedures for audience comments. Will Morris, President, EPOA, thanked the council for their support over the last couple months regarding the police legislation reform. He also thanked Chief Bennett and Assistant Chiefs Sniffen and Dawkins for their support during the transition in the police department. He explained the police reform legislation is half of the public safety crisis in the state and the country; the other half is police staffing. The Edmonds Police Department is currently down 7-8 officers through no one’s fault; 14 people have retired in the last couple years, and there is no way for a city to over hire to manage that. He has only been with the City for three years; when he applied, the City was getting hundreds of applicants every Edmonds City Council Approved Minutes December 5, 2022 Page 2 month, now it gets 20. The EPOA, the community and the City need to do whatever they can to get more qualified candidates in the door. Unfortunately, more retirements are coming up and the department cannot afford to lose anyone else outside of retirement without having a critical staffing issue. He asked the council to continue supporting the police, the chiefs and the community and to do everything in their power to ensure they have the support they need and can get candidates in the door to continue keeping the community safe. Krista Carlson, Edmonds, pastor, Foster Church, said she grew up in Edmonds playing in Southwest County Park which has beautiful trails and a lovely stream. She grew up going into the park alone, playing in the stream and on natural water slides, one the best formation of her childhood. She has kids in Edmonds that would like to play and be free in the park, but that is not possible due to a dangerous house on her street that has been well known for illegal activity for 20+ years. She has called the police numerous times and they have spent hours with her and her family, but although they know activity is occurring , there is nothing they can do due to lack of staffing and resources. She lives in a lovely neighborhood, but there are needles on their street, numerous car visit that house daily, etc. They are also foster parents, and their church support foster families in the area. A couple months ago a 2-year old with someone visiting that house was wandering the street around midnight. The children of people engaging in these illegal activities often end up as foster children. She asked the council to provide as much support as possible for the City’s police officers. 5. COUNCIL BUSINESS 1. DELIBERATIONS ON THE 2023 EDMONDS CITY BUDGET Administrative Services Director Dave Turley said he always looks forward to wrapping up the budget process for the year and hoped tonight would be productive. Councilmembers were provided a spreadsheet of the 60-70 proposed amendments; the amendments are organized by department and similar amendments are grouped together. A couple of additional amendments were received today. He will provide a brief description of the amendment, identify the councilmember who submitted the amendment and the councilmember can then make a motion related to the amendment. Once a motion is made and seconded, the council can discuss the amendment. Mr. Turley displayed and reviewed proposed amendments to the 2023 budget: No. DP# or New Submitter Fund Description Resp. Dept. Proposed Cost Increase (Decrease) Proposed Revenue Increase (Decrease) Increases (Decreases) Fund Bal 1 13 Olson Reduce DP#13 and make ILA Police (300,000) 300,000 Councilmember Nand asked if the intent was to display the spreadsheet or the decision package with the narrative. Mr. Turley said he did not have a way to present the decision package on the screen. He recognized Council Assistant Beckie Peterson for her help organizing the amendments and ensuring all the information was made available to council ahead of time. Council President Olson explained this is a request for something that is a super worthy pursuit, expanding the detective unit for special investigations, more complex crimes that may have more organization behind them such as gang or drug related. It was her impression that there was an opportunity to explore doing an interlocal agreement where Mountlake Terrace and Lynnwood Police Departments would work with the City of Edmonds. She acknowledged that was not the department’s preference, and if this wasn’t the first amendment considered, it would be evident that she supported many of the other decision packages. Because the asks were so astronomical, she was looking for creative way to make some cuts. The proposed amendment is for one additional detective instead of the two Edmonds City Council Approved Minutes December 5, 2022 Page 3 requested. She envisioned the goals of the unit could be accomplished via an ILA and the proposed amendment would still fund a lot of the ask, but not everything. With regard to an ILA, Police Chief Bennett explained having worked in the cities of Maple Valley and Sammamish as well as with other areas and agencies, when there is a multi-unit agency, there may be significant crime, gang or gun issues in one city, and those units respond most thoroughly to those issues within a community. What happens is the return on investment can be a lot less because there is not a focused effort within each city. The purpose of the proposed problem solving unit is to address local problems such as crime, graffiti, vandalism, theft, speeding, gangs, gun violence, etc. Other cities may have those same issues and depending on how serious those issues are, that is where the majority of the time will be spent. With a multiagency unit, the City but may not get its fair share of the time; the City may be providing its people to help solve problems in other cities. Assistant Chief Sniffen agreed, explaining Edmonds is part of an ILA with 13 other cities for the special weapons and tactics response and in his experience in the 8-9 months he has been in Edmonds, a lot of Edmonds’ resources are spent to solve other jurisdictions’ problems. Edmonds having its own focused team would be beneficial and allow them to focus on problems in Edmonds and not draw resources to other cities where the problems may be greater. Assistant Chief Dawkins commented Edmonds has its own unique set of issues that the department wants to focus on; having those two additional detectives would allow them to focus on those issues and not expend resources on other cities and their problems. She supported helping other cities, but when looking at a regional team, as Chief Bennett and Assistant Chief Sniffen said, it tends to take resources away from Edmonds and into other cities. Councilmember Paine asked if this would be a new program if an ILA were created. Chief Bennett answered yes. Councilmember Paine asked how long it would take to stand up a program like that, recognizing it often takes forever. Chief Bennett agreed it would take some time, it would need to be reviewed by Edmonds legal, the other cities’ legal, a number of meetings held, labor contracts, etc. Councilmember Paine said she was not necessarily in favor of this proposal. Councilmember Buckshnis said she kind of likes this proposal only because she was looking at the long term horizon and this would probably be one of first units cut if the City runs into financial difficulties. She felt $600,000 was a lot of money, and suggested budgeting $300,000 to get started. She was in support of funding the whole other squad, but this particular unit, while it is a great idea, she wanted to be conscientious about expenses for long term full-time employees and it may be a good idea to pursue an ILA. Perpetrators do not just commit crimes in Edmonds, they commit crimes in Lynnwood and in Mountlake Terrace along the Highway 99 corridor. Councilmember Nand asked if the perpetrators of these types of crimes were based in Edmonds. When she was a student at Edmonds Community College, they were warned that professional thieves would break into students’ cars at the start of each quarter. She assumed the thieves were not native to Edmonds or Lynnwood, but knew the students’ schedules and would work certain parking lots. She suggested cooperating with other police departments if the intent is to target professional thieves that cover a wider area. Chief Bennett said the best way to answer that is to provide examples of the current problems in Edmonds. As a person stated during public comment, there is a house in Edmonds with a lot of short stay traffic, needles, potential drug use and other types of criminal activity. Other examples include the continued thefts out of the storefront area on 236th such as TJ Maxx and Safeway, crime in hotels/motels, an individual who has been smearing feces on park restrooms walls, another individual (or potentially the same individual) who has set fire to porta-potties, restrooms, structures and plastic, people squatting in abandoned houses, people trying to gain entry into a house of someone who passed away, etc. Edmonds City Council Approved Minutes December 5, 2022 Page 4 Chief Bennett continued, a problem solving unit is not a regional team to attack drugs, fraud or human trafficking; that would be a great use of a regional team. The intent of the problem solving team is to deal with the plethora of problems that she receives emails about on a daily basis but has no resources to respond. Assistant Chief Sniffen said he categories it as quality of life issues. Regional teams and larger efforts target regional problems; the quality of life issues this unit would address are smaller and require more intensive resources. Departments work together when problems arise, there are cooperative agreements and mutual aid where departments come together, sometimes planned, other times unplanned, to work on larger issues. An ILA is not required to make that happen. With regard to criminals moving from city to city, Assistant Chief Dawkins referred to the problem house cited during public comments that tends to draw criminals from other areas to Edmonds. Often the issues in those problem houses are not limited to just the people who live there; they tend to attract a lot of attention and other criminal behavior that spreads out in the area. In general criminals look for target-rich environments and opportunities. If the Edmonds Police Department does not have the resources in place or detectives who send the message that crime is not welcome in the city, it gives the message that this is a place criminals may want to test out and try to commit crimes. Councilmember Nand referred to the funding for DP13, observing it appeared the coronavirus relief fund was being used for salaries. Mr. Turley answered DP13 has three FTEs and three vehicles; the vehicles are funded with ARPA money and salaries are funded by the General Fund. Councilmember Teitzel said it is a great idea to initiate a criminal investigation unit because there is certainly is need. The heat map of crime in the City is always bright red on Highway 99, a border the City shares with Mountlake Terrace and Lynnwood. He liked Council President Olson’s proposal to scale this back and defer some of the funding until the council gets more information. He supported investigating opportunities to share costs with sister cities and asked for facts and data about where ILAs for functions like this have been successfully implemented and where they have failed. He understood the need to have forces that support Edmonds, but if a successful program has been implemented elsewhere, that would be helpful for the council to know when making an informed decision. For that reason, he will support the amendment. Councilmember Chen referred to the current 74.5 headcount in the police department for 2022. The problems cited earlier such as burglary, graffiti, drugs, needles, etc. are problems the police department deals with on a daily basis. He asked why those problems weren’t being addressed with those 74.5 people. Chief Bennett asked for clarification if his question was isn’t 74.5 people enough to deal with these problems. Councilmember Chen said the problem solving unit was specialized on the problems that are listed, but don’t the police deal with those problems on daily basis? Chief Bennett said patrol officers are primarily 911 driven, dispatched calls for service as a result of 911 calls, often so busy they run from call to call to call and they are unstaffed as well. When she was a chief in both Sammamish and Maple Valley, problem solving emphasis teams were started that specifically focused on addressing and getting rid of the problem in a problem analysis triangle, instead of just responding over and over to the new shoplifter, vandal, theft or burglary. They actually contact the homeowners, do surveillance, catch criminals in the act, dedicate resources to writing search warrants and other things that patrol simply does not have the time or the expertise to do. Some patrol officers have that expertise, but they are busy responding to calls for service. Chief Bennett continued, when there were problem solving teams in Maple Valley and Sammamish, within about a year and a half, the crime rates were down significantly for nuisance crimes because criminals learned the police were watching them. The mission of patrol isn’t to get underneath problems, find out what the problem is, address the problem at its core, do all the research and detective work, stake out the house, catch people coming in and out, etc. Patrol does not have the resources to do that and in Edmonds City Council Approved Minutes December 5, 2022 Page 5 uniformed positions, they are not able to do that. The 74 people include individuals stationed at the office and commissioned officers split between 4 shifts. There are also people out for training, vacation, sick leave, long term sick leave, etc. She did not want to say how many patrol officers were out on a given day, but not as many as one would think and not anywhere close to 74. The police work shifts and she could probably count on one hand how many were out at a time and it is not enough to address those problems. Councilmember Chen said he lives and works along Highway 99 and often gets emails about the problems. He expressed support for this approach. COUNCILMEMBER CHEN MOVED TO APPROVE DECISION PACKAGE 13, THE REQUEST TO ADD EQUIPMENT FOR A DETECTIVE PROBLEM SOLVING EMPHASIS UNIT. Mr. Turley explained DP #13 is already in the proposed budget. The proposal by Council President Olson was to remove $300,000 from that decision package. Councilmember Chen asked if approving the decision package would include it in the budget. Mayor Nelson answered the council was not voting on decision packages in the budget, only amendments to the budget. This amendment is to reduce DP #13; if a councilmember voted against the motion, they would be voting to preserve the decision package. COUNCILMEMBER CHEN MOVED TO REMOVE THE AMENDMENT TO REDUCE DECISION PACKAGE #13. Mayor Nelson observed no motion has been made yet. City Attorney Tom Brubaker said it would be best to let the councilmember who proposed the amendment make the motion and if Councilmember Chen did not support the motion, he could vote against it. COUNCIL PRESIDENT OLSON MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER TEITZEL, TO REDUCE DECISION PACKAGE #13 BY $300,000. UPON ROLL CALL, MOTION CARRIED (4- 3), COUNCILMEMBERS TEITZEL, TIBBOTT, BUCKSHNIS AND COUNCIL PRESIDENT OLSON VOTING YES; COUNCILMEMBERS CHEN, PAINE AND NAND VOTING NO. No. DP# or New Submitter Fund Description Resp. Dept. Proposed Cost Increase (Decrease) Proposed Revenue Increase (Decrease) Increases (Decreases) Fund Bal 2 15 Teitzel ARPA Remove 5 vehicle purchases from DP#15 Police (300,000) (300,000) 3 15 Nand ARPA Remove 6 vehicle purchases from DP#15 Police (476,000) (476,000) Councilmember Teitzel prefaced his comments by saying the council supports the police department who provides a vital function for the City. However, there are a number of competing priorities, the police, the code rewrite, the comprehensive plan update and a number of other top priorities. The question for the council is how to best support these competing priorities and still respect the taxpayers. He highlighted numbers he developed regarding the net number of new patrol vehicles in the budget. DP #2, the storefront officer, has 1 new car, DP #13 has 3, DP #14 has 6, and DP #15 has 9, a total of 19 new cars not counting the ones that are being retired and replaced. Chief Bennett said the decision package for the new patrol district includes the storefront officer so that is one less car. The problem solving emphasis team detectives would be 2 cars if both were funded, the previous amendment only funded 1, so it would be 16 cars instead of 19. Councilmember Teitzel commented the City got a windfall in its budget this year from ARPA which is great for the onetime cost of purchasing vehicles, but there are costs to consider downstream in future Edmonds City Council Approved Minutes December 5, 2022 Page 6 budgets such as maintenance, replacement, etc. With those thoughts in mind, he proposed reducing the ask from 9 cars in DP #15 to 5, a reduction of 4 cars. The all-in cost per vehicle is about $75,000 which equates to $300,000 for 4 vehicles. He proposed to use that $300,000 to fund the code rewrite effort which affects everyone including the police department. This would be a way to address the police department’s request as well as another high priority. He commented another decision package has been proposed to carve out two additional vehicles by getting one more year of life out of two 2017 vehicles. COUNCILMEMBER TEITZEL MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER TIBBOTT, TO APPROVE AN AMENDMENT TO REMOVE FOUR VEHICLES FROM THE TOTAL OF FIVE REQUESTED IN DECISION PACKAGE #15. Council President Olson asked for clarification about the motion to remove four vehicles instead of five as stated in the proposed decision package. Councilmember Teitzel read his amendment, “This request should be partial approved with the number of new patrol vehicles reduced from the requested 9 vehicles to 5” so it is a total of 4 reduction which equates to $300,000 in savings. Council President Olson said she spent a lot of time thinking about this decision package. In conversations with members of the community, they wanted the council to prioritize people over things like police cars and the take home option. When doing the holistic math on this, she ended up supporting the full package of cars proposed which is nine instead of ten. Her reasoning was the council can authorize funding for the police department, but if the department cannot hire officers and/or get them to stay and if this is a known perk that is pulling personnel away from the City, this might be the most prudent purchase the council can make to support the police department. She totally understood how her colleagues came up with this idea and understood the importance of doing the people things with the ARPA money, but people need it to be safe and this might be the greatest lure to make sure the City has a complete and intact police department. She did not support the motion. As Councilmember Nand has a similar vehicle purchase removal decision package, Councilmember Buckshnis suggested she to speak to her amendment. Councilmember Nand reiterated Councilmember Teitzel comments about supporting the police function. This is the third year of the pandemic and with the amount of crime and support the community needs, the police department’s role is more vital than ever. The only reason she proposed reducing the amount of vehicle purchases in the 2023 budget was because she preferred the police department’s needs, which are so essential to the City’s policing power, be funded through general revenue and ARPA funding was allocated to cities through Congress to specifically address the economic and health impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. Councilmember Nand continued, explaining she preferred that ARPA funds be devoted as much as possible to direct granting to people in the community who have been negatively impacted by the pandemic, specifically vulnerable people who could benefit from more direct housing grant and utility support, as well as small businesses, especially brick and mortar retailers and restaurants who were ravished during quarantine. Her proposal is to space out the purchases of three new cars for take home in 2023, and then through the General Fund, purchase three more vehicles in 2024 and 2025 to eventually ramp up the department to the 9 vehicles requested in 2023. She also proposed the chief could use them as a retention incentive versus a hiring bonus. Chief Bennett answered the hiring bonus is a completely separate issue that council supported. With regard to the patrol cars, the ARPA funding is only through 2024. Sergeant Machado proposed looking at this from an operational context; he has been a patrol officer in Edmonds for 33 years and has seen a variety of things related to the use of cars and how the cars are deployed. He is a graveyard patrol supervisor and his squad is getting ready to go to work right now. There are 11 frontline cars available for Edmonds City Council Approved Minutes December 5, 2022 Page 7 use; 5 are out of service as a result of major component breakdowns. Patrol cars are more than just a car, they are a work space and office, but also tool that is aggressively used throughout any given day. A mile on a patrol car is much more than a mile on a normal car so cars break down. The department formulates a deployment schedule based on how many officers are working, shift hours, and the number of cars. Cars are currently hot seated which means when he, the graveyard supervisor gets out of a car, the dayshift supervisor literally gets into the car so the car essentially never turns off. Police cars are driven 3,000- 4,000 miles/month. Speaking to Councilmember Nand’s proposal, three cars purchased today will be gone in 3-5 years if they stay hot-seated or a pooled car. The difference between a pool car and an assigned car is driving it 18-24 hours/day/week unless it is out of service versus in an assigned car concept, cars are only driven 8-12 hours/day and only on the days that officer works. Sergeant Machado continued, five cars are out of service, nine officers have to go to training on Wednesday in patrol cars which he was not quite sure how that would happen, and three officers in patrol cars will attend the Bellevue officer’s funeral tomorrow. Hot seating cars and using the number of cars in frontline service for that purpose, there are only enough cars to field one patrol squad. The day in the life of a patrol car means it will be down for service, it will be damaged, it can be out for biohazard cleaning if there is a heavy transfer of bodily fluids from someone an officer is transferring, etc. He anticipated the council would be fascinated to learn how often cars are not in service. The department is currently down 12 officers on patrol, almost 1½ squads of officers who are not assigned to patrol. If the department was completely staffed and those officers were out of training and on the road, they would double up in cars, not be a functional system of efficient deployment. Sergeant Machado continued, every study done over the last three years regarding assigned cars has demonstrated citizens have a stronger sense of awareness and well-being and there is a seamless deployment of officers because it does not take 10-15 minutes every shift to download and upload their cars, etc. Those are the reasons other agencies have gone to the concept of assigned cars. With assigned cars, every officer has a car and they outlast the pool cars by 40-60% lifespan. The reality is pooled cars, the way they are currently deployed, cost significantly more than assigned cars. Every agency that has gone to assigned cars has faced the issue of purchasing vehicles, and how to get to the point where it is less expensive to operate the patrol fleet. If the initial purchase outlay is less of an issue by using ARPA fund, make it that much safer for citizens and more effective for officers, and have a strong recruiting tool for incoming applicants, it seemed to him it would make strong sense to do that. Chief Bennett said one of the first questions recruits ask is whether there are assigned cars because a lot of agencies do. Sergeant Machado said the Edmonds Police Department is competing with those departments. Chief Bennett agreed, particularly for lateral candidates. There is also the concern of officers going to agencies with assigned cars; Edmonds already lost one officer for that reason. Councilmember Nand supported the police getting nine assigned cars eventually and she would like to see it budgeted through the General Fund because policing is an essential service that should be funded through the City’s coffers. She preferred to redirect ARPA funds to addressing the economic and health impacts of the pandemic on small businesses and vulnerable members of the community. She supported adding the assigned vehicles in a more multi-step process and figuring out a way to incorporate that into the general funding of the police department. She echoed Councilmember Teitzel’s comments about competing priorities, adding that she supports the police department and this request. Councilmember Buckshnis said the statistics in the chief’s earlier PowerPoint about assigned vehicles convinced her. She is a huge proponent of using ARPA for human issues and using ARPA is a way to implement assigned vehicles. She compared her car to an assigned car and said she wouldn’t want her sister using her car. She has read Snohomish County’s budget and there is a lot of ARPA money available Edmonds City Council Approved Minutes December 5, 2022 Page 8 for citizens and Edmonds is part of Snohomish County. Once salaries were taken out of the ARPA funds, she supported purchasing assigned vehicles. Councilmember Paine did not support the amendment. The cars are needed for the officers and to provide visibility in the community. She expressed appreciation for everything the police department does and vehicles are needed to get officers where they need to go to do their job. Councilmember Teitzel clarified the ask is nine cars and possibly it can be reduced from nine to seven if another year of life can gotten out of the two vehicles slated to be replaced. If the council funds a net seven cars, he asked how many would be assigned and how many would be pooled. Chief Bennett answered in her 32 year career, there need to be pool cars available when cars are down due to damage, maintenance, funeral detail, etc., which happens less frequently with assigned cars. Every car that is being purchased will be assigned to an officer. She anticipated there would barely be enough to assign with some pool left over. Councilmember Teitzel emphasized he fully supports the police department and recognizes they are a critical component of the City. The issue is competing priorities and how to service all those priorities to the best effect and interest of citizens. He summarized that is driving his thinking about this motion. Councilmember Chen asked if the goal was to have one commissioned officer per assigned car. Chief Bennett answered yes. Councilmember Chen asked how many commissioned officers the City has. Chief Bennett answered there are currently 50, there should be 57. Councilmember Chen asked if there were 57 vehicles that could be assigned. Chief Bennett answered with ones in the budget, the ones that haven’t come from last year, the ones that are scheduled for this year, and the current fleet, there is just barely enough for one car per officer with no left over. There will need to be pool cars which possibly can be the two cars Councilmember Teitzel is talking about. Sergeant Machado relayed at current staffing, there would be enough for assigned cars plus 2-3 breakdown cars; the two high mileage cars would probably be breakdown cars. An assigned car will last 5-7 years versus a pool car that has a 3-4 year service life. The rate of decay and amount of repair for a pooled car as they get to the end of their lifespan and have higher mileage is significant and the cost per mile for pooled cars versus assigned cars is dramatically higher particularly at the end of their lifespan. Chief Bennett said there is now an option for hybrid patrol cars which provides for energy efficiency and in theory, longer life. Chief Machado said 5-6 of existing patrol cars are hybrids. His car is a 2018 and is propane and gas, others are gas hybrid. The department is utilizing current technology effectively. Councilmember Chen said he fully supports the police department. As Councilmember Teitzel said, it is a critical part of the City’s function. He understood Councilmember Nand’s preference to use ARPA funds for pandemic rescue. The ARPA funds are a once in a lifetime opportunity to focus on police cars, a tool to attract and retain police who in turn protect the public, a way to focus on people via police cars. He expressed support for the decision package. Councilmember Tibbott said he finds himself agreeing with Councilmember Chen. ARPA funds can be very useful for onetime purchases. These vehicles add to the safety and the recovery of communities as the City seeks to establish a welcoming police presence, an Edmonds kind of Police Department. He was very interested in the cost savings that can be expected, but was aware there would be maintenance on those vehicles and new ones would be purchased out of the General Fund, but this is a way to kickstart the program. He did not support the motion. Councilmember Tibbott recalled not all the vehicles budgeted last year could be procured. If the council funds the purchase of another 10-12 vehicles, he asked the likelihood that they would be procured. Chief Edmonds City Council Approved Minutes December 5, 2022 Page 9 Bennett answered they will try really hard. There are is a legitimate workaround that is obtaining cars in bulk and the department can purchase them all at once. Assistant Chief Sniffen said the City has an incredible motor vehicles division and he has been working closely with the director to find solutions to the supply chain issues for acquiring police cars. They are looking outside the box, not traditional police cars but patrol equipped vehicles. Mayor Nelson alerted the council that after over an hour of meeting time, this is only the second amendment. He advised the council would take a 15-minute dinner break at 7 p.m. UPON ROLL CALL, MOTION FAILED (2-5), COUNCILMEMBERS TEITZEL AND NAND VOTING YES; COUNCILMEMBERS CHEN, TIBBOTT, BUCKSHNIS, AND PAINE AND COUNCIL PRESIDENT OLSON VOTING NO. Councilmember Nand withdrew her amendment. No. DP# or New Submitter Fund Description Resp. Dept. Proposed Cost Increase (Decrease) Proposed Revenue Increase (Decrease) Increases (Decreases) Fund Bal 4 New Chen/Nand GF Fund Feasibility Study for Police Substation on Hwy 99 Police 75,000 (75,000) COUNCILMEMBER CHEN MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER NAND, TO FUND A FEASIBILITY STUDY FOR A PERMANENT POLICE SUBSTATION. Councilmember Chen explained he was very excited when the Highway 99 neighborhood office opened in the Safeway plaza, but during the last year when he and residents have visited, there were many issues with the office, the location, staffing, and the services provided. He understood it was a work in progress and improvements are being made such as adding staff. The original contract was three years, one year has passed. Funding a feasibility study would be a head start on a permanent substation on Highway 99. As discussed earlier, there is a significant amount of crime from Highway 99 and this is an opportunity to find a location for a permanent substation. Councilmember Nand concurred with Councilmember Chen. The provision of City services needs to reorient to other areas in the City with population density because services are very concentrated in the bowl. The Highway 99 corridor is a major traffic hub and a lot of population density is forecast to be added in that area, there is a large street population, and a huge commercial district that generates the most sales tax of any of the business districts in the City. There are also a lot of issues about worker and residential safety in the Highway 99 community. She cited the murder of Mr. Nagi at the 7-Eleven and the shooting at the Boo Han Market in 2020. Indian American and Asian American workers asked to be rotated out of convenience stores and gas stations in the Highway 99 area because they were scared to work there. She also lives on the Highway 99 corridor, that is her community and where she grew up. Workers are frightened and often during extreme weather events the underserved vulnerable street population seek shelter in those stores. Reorienting services to be more geographically dispersed is appropriate and an appropriate response to the pressures the community is facing on the Highway 99 corridor. The City collects more sales tax revenue from that business community than any other in the City and the provision of services should be commensurate. Council President Olson said she would be supportive of this if the feasibility study considered not only the location of a substation, but also moving the police station in its entirety. She asked if Councilmembers Chen and/or Nand were interested in that addition, noting the police station may have outgrown the existing station and consideration should be given to a more central location. Edmonds City Council Approved Minutes December 5, 2022 Page 10 Councilmember Chen said the feasibility study would be how the whole situation plays out, whether it would be a substation or relocate the entire police department. Council President Olson said if that is the intent, she will support the motion. With that intent, Mayor Nelson asked Mr. Turley to change the description of the amendment. Councilmember Nand anticipated that would be included in the scope of work if this budget amendment was funded.. Councilmember Paine asked if a feasibility study had been done in past. Chief Bennett answered not to her knowledge. It is her understanding the public safety building is the newest City building and it is from the 1990s. Councilmember Paine expressed support for the study, commenting it would be a good idea to have law enforcement in the hot spot of criminal activity on Highway 99 corridor. She was not necessarily in favor of moving the entire department to Highway 99 as the public safety building is the most modern building the City. She expressed support for the amendment. Council President Olson wanted to ensure with the additional comment by Councilmember Nand that moving the police department would be part of scope of work that would be considered; her vote depends on that. Councilmember Nand asked if the co-author of the amendment, Councilmember Chen, was okay with including that in scope of work. Councilmember Chen answered he would be okay with that. Councilmember Buckshnis said she was not in support of relocating the entire police department because the public safety building is the City’s newest building. However, she will not argue about whether to include that in the scope of work and will support the amendment. Mr. Turley observed the proposal is $75,000 funded by the General Fund. He asked who would be the project manager, who would seek and hire a consultant, who would develop the scope of work, etc. He asked if it would be the council’s executive assistant, the police department, or planning and development. Councilmember Buckshnis recalled the economic development commission was looking at that at one point in time. Council President Olson recalled the EDC did look at rearranging all city buildings, but this is pretty specialized. She asked whether it would be possible to have the police department put out the request with the support of council and council’s executive assistant. Chief Bennett advised the police department is really short staffed and does not have the expertise. This would be a big undertaking and if it was given to the police department, they would do it, but it is not in the police department’s bailiwick. Council President Olson asked who Councilmembers Chen and Nand had in mind to lead this effort. Councilmember Nand answered this is essentially a facilities request, whether it would be feasible to establish a permanent police presence on Highway 99. She asked if that would more appropriately be managed by Director Tatum or Director McLaughlin. Mayor Nelson answered public works oversees facilities. Councilmember Nand commented it is also related to emergency services. She suggested Public Works Director Antillon oversee this item. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. No. DP# Submitter Fund Description Resp. Proposed Proposed Increases Edmonds City Council Approved Minutes December 5, 2022 Page 11 or New Dept. Cost Increase (Decrease) Revenue Increase (Decrease) (Decreases) Fund Bal 6 New Staff GF 14-Patrol Support-Removing Patrol Officer to Add Community Police Officer Police (755,422) 755,422 7 New Staff GF 14-Patrol Support-Adding Community Police at Uptown City Hall Police 641,783 (641,783) 8 New Staff GF 2-N Community Engagement Net increase of $31,531 Police 145,170 (145,170) Mr. Turley described this amendment, to remove the patrol officer that is being requested and replace it with a community police officer at the uptown city hall. The net increase is $31,531, almost entirely due to the salary differential between the job classifications. Council President Olson asked if the difference Mr. Turley cited was the difference between amendments 6 and 7 which were both changes to DP #14, approximately $90,000. Mr. Turley said this would be removing the entire cost of DP #14, replacing it with a new one, but almost all the decision package remains, it is just changing the dollar amounts for the officer from one classification to another. COUNCIL PRESIDENT OLSON MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER BUCKSHNIS, TO REMOVE THE PATROL OFFICER TO ADD A COMMUNITY POLICE OFFICER AND ADD THE COMMUNITY POLICE OFFICER AT THE UPTOWN CITY HALL. Councilmember Nand asked staff to describe the community police officer’s job duties and why that position would be more beneficial to the community than having another patrol officer. Assistant Chief Dawkins answered the storefront officer would be a fully commissioned officer with all the capabilities of a patrol officer, but designated to the neighborhood city hall. They would work in collaboration with Community Engagement Coordination Tabitha Shoemake as well as the part-time administrative assistant working at the storefront, Dave Bartels. Their role would be to take on issues that rise to the level of law enforcement. When people come into the neighborhood city hall, Mr. Bartels’ role is to provide or direct them to resources. Ms. Shoemake, who is not a commissioned law enforcement officer, helps build bridges and create opportunities to engage with community members. For example, she is creating opportunities to work with community members such as attending functions, supporting cultural events, etc. The storefront officer would assist people who have law enforcement related issues. The storefront officer would be committed to the area around Highway 99, not just in that complex but the surrounding areas, as a commissioned law enforcement resource. Councilmember Nand asked if a commissioned officer was added to the neighborhood office, would an Edmonds patrol car be parked there during hours all the time. Assistant Chief Dawkins answered it would not be all the time because not all their responsibilities would happen at that location, but that person would work out of that office and they could regularly be contacted in the location. They are there as a resource to work with the community, to engage in community policing, and to identify problems that the police department can work on. Councilmember Teitzel relayed his understanding that this request also includes a new hybrid Ford Explorer police vehicle for the officer. Chief Bennett answered it would be an assigned car so that commissioned officer can respond to calls from the storefront, calls for service or other issues. Councilmember Teitzel observed that vehicle would not be as heavily used as a standard patrol vehicle that is out on duty in a “hot exchange.” He asked if one of the vehicles scheduled for retirement could be repurposed to provide a vehicle for this position. Chief Bennett answered this individual would be a patrol officer although assigned to the storefront and would need a vehicle that performs all patrol duties, driven hard, responding to calls, etc. Edmonds City Council Approved Minutes December 5, 2022 Page 12 Councilmember Teitzel said he was trying to determine a way to meet the need in the most cost effective way for the taxpayer. Sergeant Machado said one of the realities of managing an assigned vehicle program, Chief Bennett managed one of the largest one in the state, from an operational context, the manner in which cars are distributed would also have some impact on that. For example an officer who lives across the ferry will not drive their car home, it will stay in the parking lot. Cars are likely to be distributed based on mileage usage. There is a reason cars are patrol cars first and then become public works cars; public works’ needs and demands are significantly less than a frontline patrol car. Chief Bennett commented depending on the number of cars, the storefront officer might not get a brand new car because it will be parked more, but the officer could still work overtime shifts, get called out to hot calls, work special events, etc. so they need a regular patrol car and not a lesser car. Based on her experience managing 840 patrol cars for King County, there are many things to consider in managing and distributing vehicles. Councilmember Tibbott asked about the hours of operation for this community officer. Chief Bennett said when she worked in Shoreline and Maple Valley, their storefront officers worked Monday through Friday, 9-5. There may need to be some bargaining with the union related to hours because officers currently work 12 hour shifts. She envisioned the community officer would work four 10-hour days or five 8-hour days. Their hours would typically be 9-5, but there are evening, weekend, special, and community events, in general it would be banker’s hours. Councilmember Tibbott how many officers would be community officers. Chief Bennett answered there would be one assigned storefront officer. The intent is to have one person assigned to the storefront who gets to know the business owners, the community members, and is a well-known name to call when there are issues. Other officers can come into the storefront to do paperwork, etc. The goal is to make the storefront a very user friendly experience once the safety upgrades are completed to allow it to open more fully. Councilmember Buckshnis asked if this would be a commissioned officer. Chief Bennett answered yes. Councilmember Buckshnis asked how the officer would fulfill their 12 hour shift if they worked banker’s hours at the storefront. Chief Bennett answered their shift would be more like the burglary/larceny detectives who currently work four 10-hour shifts or some of the police department’s administrative assistants who work five 8-hour shifts. They would have a different work schedule than the 12-hour commissioned patrol officers. Councilmember Buckshnis observed the vehicle is funded from the B Fund rather than ARPA. Chief Bennett answered all the cars are funded with ARPA funds. Councilmember Buckshnis referred to the Capital B Fund expenditure of $70,000 in this decision package. Mr. Turley said the funds have to be moved from 142 to the General Fund and from the General Fund to 511. Councilmember Paine expressed support for the amendment as proposed, but was not in favor of the officer having a less-than vehicle. This officer will be on Highway 99 during the day; that is a hot spot and almost 100% of the more active things she saw on a ridealong happened up there. Any vehicle has to be fully operational, assigned and in good working order. Chief Bennett commented there is also an issue with recruiting and offering the person the worst car in the fleet. Council President Olson asked for clarification that her motion included amendments 6, 7 and 8. Mr. Turley agreed it did. Edmonds City Council Approved Minutes December 5, 2022 Page 13 Councilmember Teitzel commented part of the purpose of a storefront officer is to create a sense of security because the door is often locked. He asked if the door would be locked if the officer was out responding to a call. Chief Bennett answered it was not the intent to have the door locked, that is why security/safety upgrades within the office are being done so if the officer is not there, there is protection for the staff. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. No. DP# or New Submitter Fund Description Resp. Dept. Proposed Cost Increase (Decrease) Proposed Revenue Increase (Decrease) Increases (Decreases) Fund Bal 9 New Staff GF New K-9 Package Police 48,400 (48,400) Mr. Turley explained this would provide two addition K-9s to be assigned as ancillary duties to existing patrol officers. Chief Bennett explained the department currently has four squads, day-silver, night-silver, blue-day and blue-night. There are K-9s on only two of those shifts, one on day shift and one on night shift so 50% of the time there is not a K-9 on duty. This is an FTE in the form a furry creature, an ancillary duty to the existing patrol officers, adding the dog and the things that come with the dog so there is a K-9 available in the City 24/7. Somehow it was not included in the original budget. Mr. Turley added this also covers veterinary cost, food, etc. Councilmember Nand asked staff to describe interactions between the K-9 and the public. She has read very concerning reports over years about dog bites and K-9s being used to create fear and harm in the community. She asked what the K-9 would do, how they would interact with the public, and whether they were trained for and used for dog bites. Chief Bennett answered there was new legislation two years ago related to comprehensive K-9 training and programming. Dogs work as patrol partners to patrol staff who do everything they can prevent a situation where there would be a bite. Dogs are also at community events and for community engagement. They are tracking dogs; if a burglar breaks into a house in the middle of the night, takes off on foot, the dog’s olfactory system is 1000 times a persons and if they pick up a scent, they will alert. Dogs are on a lead; the idea is to pull them back and create the arrest without a bite. Assistant Chief Sniffen explained the dogs will be dual purpose, narcotic detection as well as tracking to find wanted suspects involved in criminal activity. With the new legislation, dogs are on lead which minimizes the chance of a bite, not necessarily eliminated because bites do happen. When bites happen, it is on a suspect that is wanted for a crime and the use of force is treated appropriately within policy. An accidental bite on someone who is not a criminal suspect is very rate. Sergeant Machado said the dog contact percentage is less than 2%. Dogs have been doing their applications on lead essentially 100% of the time for at least the last 10-15 years and the department has a very, very low contact rate. The dogs are primarily used for scent and detection. Councilmember Chen asked if another K-9 is added, is there a K-9 officer to deploy with them. Chief Bennett answered it is not adding any staff, there is an application process to become K-9 officer. The officer and dog go to training and return once they are trained. COUNCILMEMBER BUCKSHNIS MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER CHEN, TO APPROVE THIS PACKAGE TO THE BUDGET. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. No. DP# Submitter Fund Description Resp. Proposed Proposed Increases Edmonds City Council Approved Minutes December 5, 2022 Page 14 or New Dept. Cost Increase (Decrease) Revenue Increase (Decrease) (Decreases) Fund Bal 10 23 Teitzel ARPA Remove DP23 for Yost Park/Shell Creek Study Parks (220,000) (220,000) 11 23 Buckshnis ARPA Reduce Yost Park Study DP23 to $100,000 Parks (120,000) (120,000) Councilmember Teitzel commented this is a worthy package; his proposal is not to eliminate the funding but defer it. There is a complex ecosystem in the park; Shell Creek, a spring feed stream runs through the park, and there are pedestrian trails, resident trout, erosion, trees falling, bridges closed, etc. As was seen with the Edmonds Marsh effort, there are a lot of talented, well-educated citizens in Edmonds and he favored forming a team that includes those citizens, public works, parks, councilmembers, the tribes, Fish & Wildlife, etc. to talk about the situation to see what could be done imminently. The urgent erosion problem is caused in part by the old Edmonds spring water system concrete weirs that have caused the stream to be diverted against the south bank, undercutting the bank and bridges and causing a lot of problems and that will continue unless it is addressed very soon. That problem needs to be tackled first and then layer on what needs to happen longer term with the bridge structures, paths, trees falling, etc. The decision package is worthy, but it is a matter of sequencing the effort. He preferred to first form a taskforce to look at the urgent erosion issue and then do the study. His proposal is to defer this funding and return it to the coronavirus relief fund pot, do a taskforce study as an initial step and then revisit funding a Yost Park/Shell Creek Study. Councilmember Buckshnis agreed with Councilmember Teitzel, commenting if he did not think funding was needed for consultants, she would pull her amendment. She agreed with forming a taskforce and involving people who are familiar with the park. There are serious engineering problems that need to be addressed so it was her understanding once the taskforce was formed, there would need to be funds available for engineering consultants with the necessary expertise. She acknowledged there were citizen engineers with expertise but they cannot render an opinion because they are retired. Council President Olson commented everyone is eager to have the trails, bridges and other problems in Yost Park dealt with. There are huge environmental issues, but it is also a great outdoor recreation space that is well used by community. There may be a factor related to timing if these things happen concurrently. She agreed with the suggestion to have a taskforce/community input from the stakeholders to ensure the big picture and erosion, which is an emergency situation, get looked at right away. She did not want to study it and do nothing about the things that are considered emergencies. It may be possible to structure this via a budget amendment in the future. Parks, Recreation & Human Services Director Angie Feser explained Yost Park is quite sizeable and has some environmental challenges. Alders in parts of Yost Park are aging out and causing problems at the end of their life cycle. During the last windstorm, there were quite a lot of downed trees and limbs. There are also sandy soils so erosion is an issue. Ms. Feser continued, the trail system in Yost Park has developed organically over many years and many of the trails are very close to the edge of stream which contributes to some of the erosion problems. The weir is actually downstream of the bridges and other structures. It may not be necessary to choose one or the other, they could probably be worked on at the same time as well as address the weir in a short term approach. She recommended looking at the park holistically from property line to property line as well as Shell Creek through the park in addressing the trail system, the environmental issues and the bridges. There are seven bridges, three in one location where only one bridge is needed. She would like to look at the park holistically and determine how many bridges are actually needed, which ones can be renovated and which ones need to be replaced. Ms. Feser continued, one bridge is currently closed and another likely will need to be closed. Consideration needs to be given to whether to replace the bridge or create a new location for one bridge Edmonds City Council Approved Minutes December 5, 2022 Page 15 instead of three. This study would enable the critical areas report and the cultural resources analysis for the entire park and work on bridge at the same time that work occurs on the weir. It also creates an opportunity for mitigation; when the weir is removed, mitigation will likely be required for disturbing the stream bed and hopefully mitigation can occur in the park. She invited the council to consider leaving this study in the budget and consider doing the work on the weir at same time. Councilmember Teitzel thanked Ms. Feser for her explanation. He has been convinced that the funds Councilmember Buckshnis suggested be retained would be necessary for contracted experts, either a hydrologist or a geologist. He reiterated the need to address stream issues first before other actions are taken because he believes it will involve realignment of the stream which affect bridge placement downstream. He summarized it is a sequential issue, getting a handle on the emergency issues first before doing the study. Councilmember Teitzel withdrew his budget amendment and expressed support for Councilmember Buckshnis’ amendment. COUNCILMEMBER BUCKSHNIS MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER TEITZEL, TO REDUCE DECISION PACKAGE #23 BY $100,000 TO $120,000. Councilmember Paine said she was not necessarily in favor of making any changes to parks’ request. She understood there were local, well regarded experts who were professionals and have done a lot of work on Perrinville Creek, but she hoped to look at this holistically in ways that make sense. She asked if removing $100,000 would make it more difficult to bring in an expert to do that. Ms. Feser said she had a consulting firm look at the project in its entirely and $224,000 was their rough estimate of what a project of that scope would cost. If it is scaled back to $120,000 or $100,000, only a portion of the work would be done, priorities would need to be determined, and it would not be as holistic. Councilmember Paine asked if the scoping would look different or if it would be phased and how much more time identifying the phases would take. Ms. Feser said she could not answer that question specifically. She anticipated it would scaled back and likely the bridges would be prioritized due to the desire to get them open again. Likely the entire trail system would be taken out of the scope of work, ironic because that is contributing to the problem, but it is a lesser priority than reopening the bridges. Councilmember Nand referred to the original decision package that stated the consultant would prepare specific recommendations for habitat, a permit matrix and potential grant funds. She asked if grant writing for state or federal funds to pursue the improvements would be done once the studies were completed or would that be done in the future. Ms. Feser answered the scope of work would provide recommendations for grant programs to apply to, they would not do the grant writing. Councilmember Nand asked if the funding was reduced to $120,000, would the ability to identify potential funding sources for Yost Park in the future be lost. Ms. Feser answered that and the permit matrix would likely be removed from the scope of work if funding was reduced. UPON ROLL CALL, MOTION CARRIED (4-3), COUNCILMEMBERS TEITZEL, CHEN, TIBBOTT AND BUCKSHNIS VOTING YES; COUNCIL PRESIDENT OLSON AND COUNCILMEMBERS PAINE AND NAND. No. DP# or New Submitter Fund Description Resp. Dept. Proposed Cost Increase (Decrease) Proposed Revenue Increase (Decrease) Increases (Decreases) Fund Bal 12 24 Buckshnis GF Remove Salmon Safe Certification Parks (75,000) 75,000 Edmonds City Council Approved Minutes December 5, 2022 Page 16 Councilmember Buckshnis said she was under the impression that council had already voted to delay this until there was more control of watersheds. WRIA 8 does not recognize Salmon Safe Certification, there are gaps in the City’s policies and as she stated in the amendment, Salmon Safe did a great job identifying some pest things that can be done internally using some resident experts or former tree board members who rewrote the pest section of the Urban Forest Management Program. She recommended removing funding for Salmon Safe Certification and possibly reviewing it in the future. The certification is not a priority because it is not a grant requirement to have this certification. COUNCILMEMBER BUCKSHNIS MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER PAINE, TO REMOVE THE SALMON SAFE CERTIFICATION DECISION PACKAGE. UPON ROLL CALL, MOTION CARRIED (5-2), COUNCILMEMBERS TEITZEL, CHEN, TIBBOTT, BUCKSHNIS AND COUNCIL PRESIDENT OLSON VOTING YES; COUNCILMEMBERS PAINE AND NAND VOTING NO. Mayor Nelson declared a 15 minute recess. No. DP# or New Submitter Fund Description Resp. Dept. Proposed Cost Increase (Decrease) Proposed Revenue Increase (Decrease) Increases (Decreases) Fund Bal 13 26 Buckshnis ARPA Remove DP26 Parks Maintenance Services for Hwy 99 & Civic Field Parks (1,076,025 (1,036,025) 40,000 Councilmember Buckshnis commented there are some one-time expenditures via ARPA and others are not. She did not want to fund positions or $450,000 in ongoing expenses with ARPA funds. COUNCILMEMBER BUCKSHNIS MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER TIBBOTT, TO REMOVE $450,425 OF THIS AMENDMENT THAT REPRESENTS TOTAL ONGOING EXPENSES FOR HIGHWAY 99. Councilmember Paine asked if the intent was to remove $450,000 based on Councilmember Buckshnis’ belief the staff was not needed or she did not want to maintain Highway 99 vegetation. She was uncertain what the end goal of the motion was. Councilmember Buckshnis said of course she wanted to fund maintenance of Highway 99 vegetation, the issue she has is with the ongoing expense of Highway 99 maintenance is $450,425 which should not be funded with ARPA funds. This decision package utilizes ARPA funds for ongoing expenses which she wanted to avoid. Councilmember Paine asked why staff chose ARPA funds for Highway 99 maintenance. Ms. Feser answered when the original decision package was submitted it was not designated as ARPA funds, it was General Fund. Councilmember Paine asked if this decision package was funded with General Fund dollars. Ms. Feser answered that was the original intent, but that has since been changed to ARPA funding. Councilmember Paine recalled there was $285,000 in ARPA funds and asked if it was the $450,425 Councilmember Buckshnis mentioned. Deputy Parks, Recreation & Human Services Director Shannon Burley explained all but $90,000 in this decision package utilizes ARPA funding. There is a total of $598,225 in ongoing expenses. COUNCILMEMBER PAINE MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCIL PRESIDENT OLSON, TO AMEND THE MOTION TO HAVE $450,425 COME FROM GENERAL FUND AND NOT CUT THAT FUNDING BECAUSE HIGHWAY 99 VEGETATION AND MAINTENANCE WORK WILL BE CRITICAL FOR BEAUTIFICATION OF THAT AREA. Edmonds City Council Approved Minutes December 5, 2022 Page 17 Councilmember Nand agreed all ongoing expenditures need to be funded via the General Fund versus ARPA funds. It would be appropriate to use ARPA funds for equipment and onetime expenditures. If the intent is continued support of beautification and vegetation on Highway 99, that needs to be reconciled into the budget through the General Fund. She expressed support for the amendment. Councilmember Teitzel asked if this would be an ongoing expense for both Highway 99 and Civic each year. Ms. Feser answered yes. AMENDMENT CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. MAIN MOTION AS AMENDED CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. Mr. Turley clarified the $450,425 in ongoing expenses are funded via the General Fund and the remainder is funded with ARPA funds. No. DP# or New Submitter Fund Description Resp. Dept. Proposed Cost Increase (Decrease) Proposed Revenue Increase (Decrease) Increases (Decreases) Fund Bal 14 New Chen/Tibbott REET 125 Create an ILA with Mountlake Terrace Parks 200,000 (200,000) Councilmember Chen advised this was submitted by him and Councilmembers Tibbott and Buckshnis. He thanked Director Feser for working with Mountlake Terrace to provide the $200,000 estimate. The idea is to create ILA with Mountlake Terrace who has a gorgeous park that used to be 9-hole golf course at the northwest end of Lake Ballinger. Construction is underway, the fishing pier has been completed, work is underway on the playground and the walking trail on the Mountlake Terrace side and in the coming years Mountlake Terrace plans to construct trails and a viewing platform on the west side, Edmonds’ side. The ILA would be for Edmonds to work with Mountlake Terrace and fund some of the expenses so Edmonds residents can also enjoy the park. COUNCILMEMBER TIBBOTT MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER BUCKSHNIS, TO APPROVE THIS BUDGET AMENDMENT. Councilmember Tibbott agreed with Councilmember Chen’s comments, adding that the timing is really good while the park is under development to engage in the planning process. It will be a very nice amenity for both cities. Council President Olson said she was excited about the prospect of making a welcoming entrance to that park on the Edmonds side as it is something that will lure residents in and any amenities on the Edmonds side would be great. Councilmember Paine asked if there was a spare $200,000 in REET 125 to fund this. Ms. Feser answered yes. Mr. Turley clarified there is sufficient fund balance in REET 125 to cover the expense. Councilmember Paine expressed her support for the amendment. Councilmember Nand asked staff to describe how allocating this $200,000 would enhance Edmonds residents’ access to the park and how the funding would be used. Ms. Feser answered Mountlake Terrace is in the process of improving Lake Ballinger Park in phases. They are currently in the second phase, the fishing pier is done and now they are working on the playground and trail on the east side. One of the components on the northwest corner of the park is an expanded tail system and access to the Interurban Trail on that side of the park as well as a viewing platform and water access to Lake Ballinger. About 30% design has been completed; that design work needs to be completed before going out to bid and Edmonds City Council Approved Minutes December 5, 2022 Page 18 construction. Mountlake Terrace has quite a bit of grant funding available but still need funds to complete the project. The proposed $200,000 would help them get to the finish line for the project. As a resident along Highway 99 and someone who grew up there, Councilmember Nand said that park is extremely popular for Edmonds residents who live in the southeast corner of Edmonds. This would be an appropriate use of taxpayer funds because Edmonds receives a lot of benefit from the park. She has met people there who drive up from Seattle due to its popularity. She expressed support for the amendment. Councilmember Teitzel referred to comments from south Edmonds residents about the scarcity of park space in south Edmonds. This is not technically within Edmonds, but making this investment to partner with Mountlake Terrace will make it available to Edmonds residents. He asked if this would count toward park space available to residents in south and southeast Edmonds. Ms. Feser answered Edmonds has a similar arrangement with the City of Lynnwood for Meadowdale Beach Park that is not necessarily counted in the park inventory. This would create additional/easier access to Lake Ballinger Park, but it is challenging to count property in the park inventory that is owned by other entities that Edmonds does not control, cannot make improvements to, have programs there, etc. Traditionally those parks are not counted as part of the inventory. Councilmember Teitzel asked if it would be fair to say that this would be park space within reasonable walking distance for Edmonds residents, an amenity for southeast Edmonds residents. Ms. Feser answered yes. Councilmember Teitzel asked if that could be footnoted even though it was not technically counted to recognize that the City was making an investment on behalf of the south Edmonds residents there. Ms. Feser answered there is a lot of information and analysis in the PROS Plan regarding walk corridors or walk sheds to parks within ¼ and ½ mile. Some of the maps illustrated only City owned parcels and other maps included publicly owned parcels which is a way to demonstrate even though the City does not own the property, residents have walking distance access into other jurisdictions’ park systems. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. No. DP# or New Submitter Fund Description Resp. Dept. Proposed Cost Increase (Decrease) Proposed Revenue Increase (Decrease) Increases (Decreases) Fund Bal 15 New Chen/Tibbott GF Improvements to Lake Ballinger Park Parks 25,000 (25,000) Councilmember Tibbott explained when he and Councilmember Chen visited the park on a beautiful spring day, he was surprised how many people were utilizing it for paddleboards and other access. It was a wakeup call that the strip that provides access to the lake is valued by Edmonds residents, but the park itself is in very poor condition. He visited again in late fall on a rainy day to take pictures and found the ground saturated, the lake water high including a bench underwater, difficult access, etc. These funds would be to improve access to the park and add two park benches and remove the bench that is basically underwater which would be a great way to improve the park to make it more accessible for people in that neighborhood. COUNCILMEMBER TIBBOTT MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER CHEN, TO APPROVE THE DECISION PACKAGE. Councilmember Buckshnis asked if this was a priority in the PROS Plan. She recognized the need, but wondered if this could require reprioritizing another improvement. Ms. Feser said she would consider it one of the park projects the City does, it would be a systemwide improvement project, possibly completed Edmonds City Council Approved Minutes December 5, 2022 Page 19 by parks maintenance crews so it was unlikely to impact other parks projects. Councilmember Buckshnis asked if $25,000 would sufficient if it was done in-house. Ms. Feser answered yes. Councilmember Chen echoed Councilmember Tibbott’s comments that this area is very popular and that the tiny strip is the only access point to the lake from the Edmonds side. The $25,000 would simply be funds for maintenance. He expressed support for the amendment. Councilmember Nand found it unfortunate to compare Edmonds’ access to Lake Ballinger to Mountlake Terrace’s lake access. There obviously have been very different philosophies about providing public access to the lakefront. She asked how the $25,000 will be used, noting most people driving by that access strip do not even realize it is publicly owned or that it is Edmonds’ access to the lake. She asked if there would be sufficient funds to increase visibility to this public access. Ms. Feser answered signage would be one of the improvements. This is a significant access point for hand-carry watercraft, but it is basically a street end that goes into the park. Even with the improvements to the north in conjunction with Mountlake Terrace, it is still a very long distance to carry anything to the water. The funds would cover removing the existing bench, improving the surface leading to the water and installing benches; there is a porta-potty and trash can, but additional signage would also be helpful as well to educate the public. Councilmember Paine asked if the work will require hefty water permits. Ms. Feser answered the improvements will be minor, removing a bench that is underwater at times, dealing with the existing lawn and making a better pathway to the water instead of grass. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. No. DP# or New Submitter Fund Description Resp. Dept. Proposed Cost Increase (Decrease) Proposed Revenue Increase (Decrease) Increases (Decreases) Fund Bal 16 New Nand 127 Gift Cat. Memorial benches to honor murder victims in Hwy 99 area Parks 6,000 (6,000) Councilmember Nand explained she proposed this addition to the memorial bench program specifically targeting Mathay Ballinger Park which currently does not have any memorial benches. In 2020 a very popular clerk at the 7-Eleven on Highway 99 was murdered with no apparent motive which terrorized the community. Eight months later a young woman lost her life trying to protect her friend in a workplace incident at the Boo Han Market. It is incumbent on the city council to acknowledge the terror and turmoil these two murders in workplace environments caused the Highway 99 community where well known and beloved members of the community lost their lives. Certain councilmembers have expressed concern that this would be considered a gift of public funds and an inappropriate use of taxpayer money. However, other cities and state entities use public funds to memorialize murder victims. For example, the State of California provides memorial signs for victims of drunk drivers and similar signs asking people not to drink and drive in memory of a person are installed on Washington State highways. The City of Minneapolis is currently creating a memorial at the intersection where George Floyd lost his life. This is not just to honor Mr. Nagi and the woman killed at the Boo Han Market, but also to acknowledge the community’s terror and heartache. She summarized it would be an appropriate use of $6,000 to fund the two memorial benches. Council President Olson said this is a great idea and she is first in line to sign up for GoFundMe fundraisers, but personally did not want the City to set this precedent. Every memorial bench has a sad story behind it; this particular story is very poignant and deserves a memorial bench, but she did not want the City to be in a position in the future to say no to someone else’s sad story. She supported the idea and Edmonds City Council Approved Minutes December 5, 2022 Page 20 would support it personally if it came forward as a private fundraiser, but was not in favor of handling it as a City budget item. Councilmember Chen asked if the families had been contacted about the memorial bench idea. Councilmember Nand said if the family had been contacted and an offer made to purchase the benches, it could be considered a gift of public funds. Instead this would be an acknowledgement of the pain and suffering of the community in general. If family members expressed opposition, the benches would not be pursued. She was very sensitive to not creating a perception of a gift of public funds, but believed waiving the $3,000 fee for each memorial bench acknowledged that this was a matter of public interest and the impact that the loss of these two individuals’ lives had on the community. The intangible of the naming rights leased for 20 years on a bench does not count as a gift to the estate or the survivors of the family members which will address concerns about the misuse of public funds or creating a precedent regarding the use of public funds. Councilmember Buckshnis agreed with Council President Olson. If the community wants to be involved and recognize what happened, a taskforce should be formed to collect money similar to what was done for the late Councilmember K. Johnson, Betty Mueller, etc. She was also willing to donate, recognizing it was a tragedy and she felt the family should be involved as they would be honored the community was thinking about something like this. She suggested pausing this and move it to next year and set up a fund like was done for Councilmember K. Johnson where people can donate. Councilmember Paine asked if this would be considered a gift of public funds. Mr. Brubaker opined if the family members requested the bench and the City waived the cost, there might be an issue with a gift of public funds. Conversely if the City wished to create memorial like it might do for veterans or someone else, he did not believe it would be a gift. Councilmember Teitzel agreed this was a great idea, but it should be funded privately. He was concerned about equity with previous benches funded by private donations. He suspected if the community was asked, there would be a lot of contributions as those events were tragic and the victims need to be recognized. He committed to supporting a funding effort for this. COUNCILMEMBER NAND MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER PAINE, TO ALLOCATE $6,000 TO WAIVE THE FEE TO ENDOW TWO BENCHES FOR MATHAY BALLINGER PARK FOR THE TWO VICTIMS OF THE TWO HIGHWAY 99 KILLINGS IN 2020. Councilmember Nand thanked the city attorney for the clarification that if the impetus to endow the benches with the names of the murder victims and memorialize them is initiated by the council, it would not be considered a gift of public funds. She encouraged councilmembers to support memorializing these two murder victims with the addition of benches at Mathay Ballinger Park, one of the only parks in Edmonds that is within walking distance or proximity to Highway 99. It is a very minor dollar amount, but symbolically shows the council is acknowledging the pain and suffering of workers in the Edmonds community who felt terrorized in 2020 due to the rise in hatred toward the Asian American community who may still feel they are unwelcome. It is appropriate that that gesture come from the city council instead of through private endeavors. Councilmember Paine expressed support for the amendment, acknowledging the Highway 99 community goes through a lot. There is a lot of domestic violence everywhere but there are not murders everywhere. This area needs recognition and a sense of healing and having the benches in a park is a lovely way to do that. If the amendment is not approved, she would be happy to support a fundraiser for those park benches. This is about the exact minimum the council can do for people who are murdered in the City, a Edmonds City Council Approved Minutes December 5, 2022 Page 21 lot of whom are domestic violence victims; three of the last four murders have been related to domestic violence. UPON ROLL CALL, MOTION FAILED (3-4), COUNCILMEMBERS CHEN, PAINE AND NAND VOTING YES; COUNCILMEMBERS TEITZEL, TIBBOTT, AND BUCKSHNIS AND COUNCIL PRESIDENT OLSON VOTING NO. No. DP# or New Submitter Fund Description Resp. Dept. Proposed Cost Increase (Decrease) Proposed Revenue Increase (Decrease) Increases (Decreases) Fund Bal 17 New Olson GF Vol. Coord. Funding for Chamber 65,000 (65,000) 18 New Paine GF Parks part-time Vol. Coord. (0.5 City FTE) Parks 42,249 (42,249) Council President Olson commented there are several aspects to her proposal. First, the City does not directly support the Chamber financially and they do a lot to support the City such as community events and they already do the volunteer coordination for that. The Chamber’s three-person team moves mountains and do unbelievable events, and are in constant motion on behalf of the business community and the community at large. The Chamber has already perfected the model for volunteer coordination and could do much more if more manpower were assigned via this amendment. As the council is looking for cuts in the budget, it seems strange to spend money for a volunteer coordinator. In the big picture of the community and how capable and willing community members are, the return on investment for this may be 1-2 projects of labor, grant writing, etc. She used the example in her narrative about retired leaders in industries and nonprofits who live in Edmonds and are willing to help in order to keep their taxes low. One of the ways to keep taxes lower is by doing work inhouse. For example, less staff time is required for a volunteer with experience writing grants to write a grant and have a staff member sign off on it. COUNCIL PRESIDENT OLSON MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER TIBBOTT, TO PROVIDE FUNDS FOR CHAMBER OF COMMERCE CONTRIBUTION FOR VOLUNTEER COORDINATION IN THE AMOUNT OF $65,000. Councilmember Paine commented she was not sure these two amendments needed to be considered together. She requested her amendment be considered separately as it is totally different from Council President Olson’s amendment to provide funds to the Chamber. Councilmember Nand recalled during the pandemic the City provided free rent to the Chamber for their office in city hall. She asked if that was still being done or if the Chamber was paying market rent. Mr. Turley responded the Chamber’s rent was suspended for 9-12 months and they are paying market rate rent now. Councilmember Nand was hesitant to proceed with Council President Olson’s motion because she wanted more clarification regarding how the fund would be used. She is a huge supporter of the Chamber and served on the board in 2021. One of the things that enables the Chamber’s incredible three-person staff and its very active and robust board members, who are all small business owners, is their independence from the City which enables them to pursue religious holiday celebrations such as a Christmas tree lighting ceremony, etc. without any first amendment concerns about violating the establishment clause. If taxpayer funds were gifted to the Chamber to coordinate religious events, she asked if that would impair their independence as a private nonprofit and place additional burdens on them. Mr. Brubaker said he doubted it would impair their nonprofit status, it may present some conflict or bias arguably but he did not think there was a legal issue. Councilmember Nand said rather than an ad hoc contribution from council, it would be more appropriate to have the Chamber CEO Ryan Crowther make a request. She recalled the suspension of rent for the Edmonds City Council Approved Minutes December 5, 2022 Page 22 Chamber’s office in city hall was requested by the then-Chamber CEO. She was unsure how this funding would be coordinated, whether it would go to their support staff or if it would fund a new employee who works for the Chamber. She feared entanglement issues and would not support the amendment until more information was provided. Councilmember Teitzel commented there has been a lot of discussion about how decisions made in this budget affect the City in out years. He was concerned if this investment were made now, there may be an expectation that it will be made in future years and create additional burden on future budgets and future councils. He wondered if there was another way to get at this concept such as a volunteer working with the Chamber to coordinate volunteers. The Chamber does a lot of great work and they put on a lot of great events with volunteers. He preferred to explore that before supporting this motion. Councilmember Tibbott commented he was on fence with this amendment. He has worked with volunteer coordinators in the past who are able to leverage the talents of many people. He has not heard in either amendment how the volunteer coordinator would effectively do that. He appreciated that the Chamber has access to a very large pool of volunteers and can effectively mobilize people for projects. He did not know if additional projects beneficial to the City would result from this volunteer coordinator. Council President Olson relayed the amount in the amendment, the cost of a new FTE with benefits, came about as a result of her conversation with the Chamber director. It would be a new full-time employee at the Chamber dedicated to volunteer coordination on behalf of the entire city. With regard to who the volunteers would be, the Chamber already an internal database of volunteers, but it would also be a place through the Log Cabin or anyone who is new to town to sign up to volunteer. The Chamber would have a database that asked what people what they were interested in volunteering for such as removing invasives in parks, writing grants, serving on a board or commissions, etc. It is a way to turn Edmonds into a co-op which there is a lot of potential for. Councilmember Buckshnis said she was also on the fence on this amendment. She expressed concern that by funding an FTE, where would be an expectation that it would be funded every year and if not, the person would be out of a job. The council provided the Chamber $10,000 in 2021. The Chamber is a nonprofit and helps the City; the council provides funding to the Edmonds Center for the Arts and the Senior Center. She preferred to give the Chamber a specific amount, but did not support funding a full- time employee. Councilmember Chen said he has the same concerns with funding a Chamber employee, but would support the City having its own volunteer coordinator. Councilmember Buckshnis raised a point of order. Mayor Nelson advised although Councilmember Chen’s comment was on a different topic, it was related and he would allow him to continue. Councilmember Chen said City residents have a tremendous amount of talent and are eager to volunteer to make the City a better place to work and live. As a former board member and the current coordinator, he fully supports the Chamber. He did not support this proposal. Councilmember Nand asked if she and Councilmember Chen should they recuse themselves from voting on this amendment as they are both Chamber members. Mr. Brubaker answered he did not think their membership was substantial enough to cause an actual conflict. Councilmember Nand asked how much rent the City collected from the Chamber annually for their offices in City Hall. Mr. Turley said it seems to be below market, but he did not remember the amount. Edmonds City Council Approved Minutes December 5, 2022 Page 23 COUNCILMEMBER NAND MOVED TO AMEND INSTEAD OF FUNDING AN FTE FOR THE CHAMBER FOR $65,000, THAT THE COUNCIL CANCEL THEIR RENT FOR 2023. Council President Olson raised a point of order, advising that was not germane to the original budget amendment. Mr. Brubaker said although it was related to the Chamber, it was remote from the issue presented. He suggested it would be better to make a separate motion at the end of the budget discussion, rather than to dramatically shift the main motion. Councilmember Nand said she would support a motion to cancel rent collected from the Chamber as a gesture of support with no conditions on how they use the space it creates in their budget. She did not support the motion. Council President Olson referred to the justification in the original decision package, explaining it was not an attempt to support the Chamber per se, it was to initiate a volunteer coordinator system to get the time and talents from willing and able residents in order to lower the budget and tax bill in the future. It would be a recurring expense in future budgets, but she believed the return on investment from that expenditure would come back to the City many times over. She appreciated the point that she always wants to do everything with volunteers; a volunteer coordinator is an important position that many rely on, a full-time job that she did not expect could be done by a volunteer. She encouraged councilmember to support the amendment. Councilmember Tibbott said in considering this amendment, he sees a strong mission alignment between what the Chamber does and mobilizing volunteers. He suggested trying this for a year to see if it results in more civic engagement and involvement and a place for volunteers to engage in service. The Chamber is a great place for this kind of full-time position. Councilmember Buckshnis said she preferred the City make a contribution instead of funding an ongoing FTE. She was unsure she could support this amendment. Councilmember Teitzel expressed concern with equity and the ongoing commitment to funding. With regard to equity, this contribution would be higher than what the council provides the Waterfront Center, Senior Center and ECA. Citizens have expressed concern with the out years of the budget, eroding the fund balance and potentially going negative, so the council needs to be careful about funding ongoing commitments like this. UPON ROLL CALL, MOTION FAILED (2-5), COUNCIL PRESIDENT OLSON AND COUNCILMEMBER TIBBOTT VOTING YES; COUNCILMEMBERS TEITZEL, CHEN, BUCKSHNIS, PAINE AND NAND VOTING NO. COUNCILMEMBER PAINE MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER NAND, TO APPROVE THIS DECISION PACKAGE FOR A HALF-TIME PARKS VOLUNTEER COORDINATOR TO SUPPORT PARK PROGRAMS. Councilmember Paine commented this is a very important position to help support all the parks programs. She recalled during the youth commission interviews, they asked about volunteer opportunities for youth. The City is run by volunteers who help make things extra special. This half-time volunteer coordinator would amplify the work of the programs throughout the community and allow the City to get more from its parks programming. This is a position that needs to be funded and it will help make programs even better and it would be great to get youth involved. Councilmember Tibbott asked how parks would supervise a position like this and if there were any union- related issues with a union employee engaging volunteers. Ms. Feser said she would be delighted to have Edmonds City Council Approved Minutes December 5, 2022 Page 24 a volunteer coordinator in their department and anticipated it would be a tremendous return on investment because a part-time time employee can generate hundreds if not thousands of hours of labor to help with trail building, invasives removal, native plant and tree planting, restoration work, etc. There are an abundance of volunteers in the community, the weak point is the City’s ability to accommodate them which means the City is missing out on a tremendous resource, from youth through seniors. There are many ways volunteers can be utilized including in facilities, programs, and day camps. This position would be a City employee, and although there may be a concern with the perception of volunteers taking work from union workers, she assured the park maintenance staff would be happy to hand over removal of invasives to volunteers. Volunteers would help free up park maintenance staff to build decks, bridges, and other park infrastructure which is what parks maintenance staff would prefer to be doing instead of pulling ivy, etc. A lot of high school students are required to have volunteer hours, and volunteer opportunities can allow a parent and teen to work together. In her previous position, there was a full-time volunteer coordinator and they had work parties every weekend in the parks. She summarized this was a tremendous opportunity to leverage resources into something greater. Councilmember Tibbott relayed his understanding a volunteer coordinator would help extend the mission and service that parks provides. Ms. Feser said the goals and objectives listed for this decision package was the longest list of all the decision package; it checks a lot of boxes in the PROS Plan. Council President Olson said her only reservation with this proposal compared to the volunteer coordinator with the Chamber was that person could assist all over the City and in all departments. If this position was located in parks, she asked if there would be an opportunity to utilize them to coordinate volunteers with other skills such as language interpretation, grant writing, etc. Ms. Feser answered this part-time staff person could become a hub or resource for volunteers and volunteer opportunities throughout the City. For example if someone approached the City offering their skills in advertising, marketing or social media, this person could be the touchpoint or organizer for those resources. The person could also coordinate volunteers for human service related activities such as stuffing bags for care packages. She summarized a volunteer coordinator had great potential. Council President Olson was in favor of a volunteer coordinator, but feared housing the position in parks would limit how it would be used and that it would not be as broad. Councilmember Nand said she seconded the motion for discussion. She is undecided and has a lot of questions especially reconciling the previous motion to have a general volunteer coordinator at the Chamber. She assumed Council President Olson preferred to have the volunteer coordinator at the Chamber due to the amount of cultural events the Chamber does. She anticipated with the amount of work generated in parks, the primary focus of the position would be gathering volunteers to support the park system. As the Chamber is at capacity related to cultural events they can support in Edmonds, she asked if there would be an opportunity for a part-time person to support cultural events such assisting the diversity commission with diverse holiday celebration. In addition, people often reach out to her as a councilmember asking what they can do to support their unhoused neighbors during extreme weather events. Ms. Feser answered if it was a part-time position, the primary focus and priority of the person would be parks maintenance projects. That requires a lot of focus and includes identifying projects in the parks systems, ordering equipment and materials to be delivered onsite, flagging the location of each tree for tree planting events, promoting events, signing up volunteers, providing snacks for volunteers, etc. There could be some capacity for human services if people contacted the City such as maintaining a list of contact information. She summarized she did not think a half-time position could support cultural events. Councilmember Teitzel commented these are difficult decisions because individually they all sound worthwhile as this one does. In looking at the City’s finances globally, things are going toward a bad place. Over ten years, this position would be about a $500,000 drain on the General Fund balance. Edmonds City Council Approved Minutes December 5, 2022 Page 25 Although he hates to be the grinch, the City has been able to use volunteers with some regularity without a volunteer coordinator and he anticipated that could continue. He did not support this budget amendment. Councilmember Buckshnis asked if the funding to Earthcore and other volunteer organizations would be decreased. She agreed with Councilmember Teitzel, the City has had splendid of volunteers through various commissions and some of the projects suggested for the volunteer coordinator have been handled by the tree board or the youth commission. She preferred to see more money go to individuals managing the groups rather than a new coordinator position, noting staff members arrange many of the volunteer projects. She asked if there would be a cost savings from not paying Earthcore. Ms. Feser answered the City currently pays Sound Salmon Solutions $10,000/year to manage the Edmonds Stewards; that $10,000 pays for their staff to support the program, plant materials, planning, advertising, recruitment, etc. The funds also help their organization do activities in other places. That is the only organization the City funds other than the Students Saving Salmon program through the school. The City’s Environmental Education/Sustainability Coordinator Jen Leach helps coordinate events like Arbor Day and Earth Day assisted by one of the parks maintenance workers, but they have a lot of other job responsibilities. Parks supports a handful of volunteer opportunities throughout the year; with a volunteer coordinator, she anticipated there could be could two per month with hundreds of volunteer hours. Councilmember Buckshnis expressed concern that this request for another FTE came from a councilmember, not staff. There are a lot of new positions in the budget and she was unsure this would be sustainable. With regard to placing flags for tree planting, she anticipated that would need to be done by parks employees, not a volunteer coordinator. Ms. Feser said a volunteer coordinator would do that instead of parks employee. Councilmember Buckshnis questioned that, pointing out the coordinator was not an arborist. Ms. Feser said their qualifications would enable them to do that type of work. A job description has been written and this is a position that staff would like to hire. Councilmember Buckshnis said the job description was not part of the package and asked Ms. Feser to provide that to council. Councilmember Paine acknowledged a lot of volunteer work happens in the City from whatever source such as the beach rangers, seal pup sitters, etc. This position would free up the environmental program coordinator to do other volunteer activities. She encouraged councilmembers to support this half-time position which is less than $45,000/year and would be a nice way to honor and organize the work that residents love to do. Councilmember Chen recognized the potential return would be a tenfold on the investment. He asked about the feasibility of hiring a part-time person. Ms. Feser answered it is not unusual to find someone like a college student or retiree who wants to work part-time evenings and weekends when work parties are usually held. Council President Olson commented a better approach may be an FTE who would assist with citywide volunteers. If the council did not like the idea of contributing to a position at the Chamber, she might be open to funding a position elsewhere. She will vote against the motion and may be willing to work on a decision package during this budget process or a budget amendment early in 2023. She is wholly in favor of the idea of volunteer coordination and believes that is really smart investment for the City. Councilmember Buckshnis said she has been a volunteer for the City for 25 years. She asked whether the City would take on additional liability because Sound Salmon Solutions provides the insurance for their volunteers and the school has insurance for the students. Ms. Feser answered it would the same as existing volunteer activities where volunteers sign a waiver. Edmonds City Council Approved Minutes December 5, 2022 Page 26 Councilmember Teitzel recalled talking with the HR director at the last meeting about providing benefits for part-time employees and asked if that would apply to this position as well and whether the estimated cost of $42,249 included benefits. Ms. Feser answered it did not because this was developed before council approved paying for benefits for part-time employees. Councilmember Teitzel observed the actual cost would be approximately 30% higher. Ms. Feser advised the estimated cost already includes $10,000 for benefits and she did not think it would be that much more. This amendment could be tabled until tomorrow’s budget discussion if that information would be helpful. UPON ROLL CALL, MOTION FAILED (2-5), COUNCILMEMBERS CHEN AND PAINE VOTING YES; COUNCILMEMBERS TEITZEL, TIBBOTT, BUCKSHNIS, AND NAND AND COUNCIL PRESIDENT OLSON VOTING NO. No. DP# or New Submitter Fund Description Resp. Dept. Proposed Cost Increase (Decrease) Proposed Revenue Increase (Decrease) Increases (Decreases) Fund Bal 19 New Nand ARPA Trash cans and recycling bins to area business districts Parks 84,500 84,500 Councilmember Nand explained when Congress granted municipalities ARPA funds, they were instructed by treasury to use the money to address economic and health impacts of the pandemic. Apart from actual deaths caused by COVID-19, there is no sector of American society that has suffered as much during the pandemic as the small business community especially brick and mortar retail and restaurants. The shutdowns devastated previously strong and vibrant communities and there are empty storefronts in many business districts, other than the bowl, which was not the case before the pandemic. Increasing cleanliness and beautification in other business districts will help them recovery from the pandemic so this is an appropriate use of ARPA. Councilmember Nand continued, her request was a minimum of four trash cans and recycling bins per business district, adding a total of 16 trash and recycling receptacles to be distributed to Five Corners, Firdale, Perrinville and Highway 99 where unlike the downtown business district, City branded and maintained trash and recycling cans are not provided at regular intervals. This would increase cleanliness and attractiveness and create a more visible footprint for City services in these business districts where there have long been complaints that City services and attention are not commensurate. This would be a way to provide equity and expand the geographic footprint of City services. Trash and recycling receptacles are the bare minimum of what should be provided to these business districts that generate sales tax and community involvement. Each of the 32 receptacles cost $1500 for a total onetime cost of $48,000 and the associated labor cost is estimated at $36,500/year in hours devoted by existing staff or new hires to service these additional 32 receptacles. Council President Olson asked whether staff had locations in mind where this need has been identified. Ms. Feser answered staff has not done any research with regard to locating benches, flower poles or trash/recycling receptacles in business areas outside of downtown. Council President Olson recalled when the City received the Goffette donation, there was interest expressed in expanding flower poles outside downtown. She asked if this program would need more lead time. Ms. Feser answered this and the next two items are very similar. She envisioned a bench, trash/recycling receptacle, flower pole and possibly a corner flower bed would be sited together. All three would need to be located on public property, more than likely in right-of-way, and parks would need to work with streets to establish an appropriate location in a right-of-way, somewhere that is comfortable for someone to sit on the bench. A lot of work and planning goes into locating flower poles and installation requires removing concrete, installing the pole and repouring concrete. She requested staff be allowed to develop that program during 2023 including identifying locations and the number and provide a budget proposal mid-late 2023 with implementation in 2024. In addition, the custom-made flower poles take time to fabricate and the flower baskets for next Edmonds City Council Approved Minutes December 5, 2022 Page 27 year have already been started so there is no plant material for additional baskets. To do it right, especially in areas that do not currently have benches, flower poles and trash cans, it will take time find locations that will work well. The Goffette money could cover some of the costs, but staff needs more time to develop a program. Council President Olson asked if staff needed a motion to indicate council consensus to move forward with that. Ms. Feser answered no, that was part of the 2023 work plan due to the Goffette donation and council’s previously expressed desire to expand beautification outside the bowl. Councilmember Teitzel asked if the $84,500 was only to purchase the trash and recycling receptacles or did it include servicing them. Councilmember Nand answered the decision package specifies a onetime cost of $48,000 for new trash cans and recycling bins and an additional allocation of $36,500/year in staff time that would either be diverted from other projects or acquiring new staff to empty and maintain the trash and recycling cans. She did not intend that all the receptacles would be placed in 2023, but it would be a budget allocation to get the process started. Councilmember Teitzel found this proposal worthwhile and asked if there was a way to approve this as a 2024 expense by setting aside the ARPA funds in 2023. Mr. Turley answered no, but ARPA funds could be specified in the out years. Motions made tonight need to affect the 2023 budget. Councilmember Teitzel said he was leaning toward approving this, but if the funds were not expended until 2024, it would be difficult to account for it. Mr. Turley said it depends on what the council wants to approve, if it was a position, that could be hired in December 2023 to get the ball rolling in 2024. The best way would be for staff to study it during the year and propose a budget amendment in the third quarter of 2023. Ms. Feser proposed allowing staff to work during 2023 to package the benches, flower pole and trash receptacles and identify a funding source such as ARPA funds for onetime material costs. There will be significant ongoing costs; the trash cans alone are 730 hours of work/year to visit them once a day which is almost the equivalent of a half-time FTE. The cost of watering flower baskets for five months/year is $24,000, not $6,000. ARPA funds could be used for onetime costs, but a hard look would need to be given to funding the ongoing costs because once they are installed, there are definite maintenance costs. She offered to provide the FTE equivalent for that maintenance. Councilmember Teitzel said this is leading him to vote against this and wait for staff to present a proposal for funding, potentially during third quarter 2023. Councilmember Buckshnis recalled Jack Bevin saying the City needed more flower baskets for the adopt a basket program. Even with the Goffette donation, she wanted the City to continue the adopt a flower basket program. She agreed with the proposal to develop a plan and offered to serve on a committee if one was needed. Councilmember Chen agreed this was great idea for areas outside the bowl. He will vote against this proposal and allow parks to develop a plan as Ms. Feser described. If her proposed budget amendments to provide these services in business districts outside the bowl are voted down, Councilmember Nand asked if there was a way to earmark funds to add trash cans, benches and flower poles in 2024 or would the money be spent once budget reconciliation was completed for the 2023 budget. Mr. Turley responded it may be possible to propose a fourth quarter budget amendment to include it in the 2023 budget late next year and continuing into 2024. Councilmember Nand commented asked if that process were followed, would it need to be funded from the General Fund or another source as the ARPA funds would be exhausted. Mr. Turley said the ARPA funds would not be exhausted by next year and funds from the Goffette trust would still be available. Edmonds City Council Approved Minutes December 5, 2022 Page 28 As a small business owner in Edmonds, Councilmember Nand said she has heard complaints for years that the level of care and beauty seen in the Edmonds bowl is not replicated in other areas of Edmonds. While she did not intend to throw this on parks, she wanted to start this conversation on the dais to acknowledge that other business districts are a priority for beautification, increasing pedestrian comfort and access, and improving walkability. The businesses in the bowl benefit immensely from City expenditures on trash cans, memorial benches, flower baskets and corner parks. Although this would be a major change and investment, it would be an important signal to show other business communities that they are just as important as businesses in the Edmonds bowl. [No Motion Made] UPON ROLL CALL, MOTION FAILED (1-6), COUNCILMEMBER NAND VOTING YES; COUNCILMEMBERS TEITZEL, CHEN, TIBBOTT, BUCKSHNIS, AND PAINE AND COUNCIL PRESIDENT OLSON VOTING NO. No. DP# or New Submitter Fund Description Resp. Dept. Proposed Cost Increase (Decrease) Proposed Revenue Increase (Decrease) Increases (Decreases) Fund Bal 20 New Nand ARPA Memorial bench program expansion to area business districts Parks 64,000 64,000 Councilmember Nand explained there is a significant wait list for memorial benches. The addition of memorial benches to the other business districts would increase walkability and beautification which would stimulate economic activity. This would be an appropriate use of ARPA to address the economic and health impacts of the pandemic suffered by small businesses. Adding benches and hopefully trash cans, flower baskets and corner flower beds in the future would expand the concept of Edmonds’ charm and beauty outside the bowl. She was also hopeful public art can one day be placed in places like Five Corners, Firdale, Perrinville and the Highway 99 business district and that more cultural activities would occur outside the Edmonds bowl. These are important first steps for the council to take to signal to other business communities that they are equally as important and the sales tax collected in those areas will used to help them succeed. COUNCILMEMBER NAND MOVED TO EXPAND THE MEMORIAL BENCH PROGRAM TO THE OTHER BUSINESS DISTRICTS IN THE AREA. MOTION FAILED FOR LACK OF A SECOND. No. DP# or New Submitter Fund Description Resp. Dept. Proposed Cost Increase (Decrease) Proposed Revenue Increase (Decrease) Increases (Decreases) Fund Bal 21 New Nand Goffette/ ARPA Corner parks, flower basket expansion ($64k ARPA/$132.4k Goffette) Parks 196,400 64,000 (132,400) Councilmember Nand commented this would be an appropriate use of ARPA and the Goffette funding. There are empty flowerbeds in some business districts that could be opportunities to begin beautification. As stated earlier, parks would identify locations in other business districts for flowerbeds and flower baskets. This amendment is a request for an addition of a minimum of 16 flower poles citywide, a minimum of 4 in each business district, and a minimum of 2 corner parks in each business district. This would direct parks to begin identifying appropriate locations. COUNCILMEMBER NAND MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER CHEN, TO ADD $126,000 TO THE PARKS, RECREATION AND HUMAN SERVICES BUDGET FOR 2023 TO Edmonds City Council Approved Minutes December 5, 2022 Page 29 ADD CORNER PARK BEDS TO EACH OF THE OTHER FOUR BUSINESS DISTRICTS, AND TO DIRECT FUNDING FROM THE GOFFETTE DONATION TO ADD $70,400 TO THE PARKS, RECREATION & HUMAN SERVICES IN THE FIRST YEAR TO ADD HANGING FLOWER BASKETS AND POLES. COUNCIL PRESIDENT OLSON MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER BUCKSHNIS, TO EXTEND TO 9:30. UPON ROLL CALL, MOTION CARRIED (5-2), COUNCILMEMBERS TEITZEL, CHEN, BUCKSHNIS AND NAND AND COUNCIL PRESIDENT OLSON VOTING YES; COUNCILMEMBERS TIBBOTT AND PAINE VOTING NO. Councilmember Nand said the Goffette bequest is nearly $3M, this decision package would direct parks to spend $132,400 from the Goffette donation toward adding 16 flower poles and 32 baskets to the other business districts, Perrinville, Five Corners, Firdale and the International District on Highway 99, and create an additional 8 corner parks to enhance the pedestrian experience. A lot of people come to the downtown Edmonds core because it is very beautiful, manicured and well maintained. Councilmember Teitzel commented this is different than the two previous amendments regarding trash and memorial benches for which staff will make a proposal in 4th quarter 2023 for those as well as flower poles and baskets. However, in this amendment, Councilmember Nand mentioned there may be space lying fallow on street corners that could be planted. Ms. Feser said she was not aware of those and would need to investigate whether they are on private or public property. Councilmember Teitzel asked if Councilmember Nand was aware of the locations. Councilmember Nand said in Five Corners, the center of the roundabout is empty as are the flower beds where cars merge into the roundabout. She assumed those were public property as they are embedded into the edge of the curb. She was unsure if there were plans to plant those or if they had been planted in the past. Ms. Feser answered those were planted during the original installation with irrigation, but vehicles drive into the beds and damage the irrigation; the plants cannot survive without irrigation and even drought tolerant plantings are damaged by vehicles. That is a design and use issue that staff is trying to address. Councilmember Nand asked if funds from the Goffette bequest could be used to make those viable again. Ms. Feser said Goffette money would not necessarily be used for that funding would come from the regular parks maintenance budget. However, the problem needs to be solved before plants are planted there. Councilmember Teitzel expressed support for plantings on street corners outside downtown. COUNCILMEMBER TEITZEL MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER NAND, TO AMEND THE MOTION TO REDUCE $196,400 TO $50,000 AND FUND IT FROM GOFFETTE DONATION TO MOVE AHEAD WITH CORNER PARK EXPANSION. Councilmember Nand said hopefully that would be a bite-sized project for parks to proceed with in 2023 while staff pursues more ambitious beautification projects that the council did not approve for 2023 in hopes they would be added in 2024. Councilmember Paine asked if the funding had to be Goffette or could it come from parks maintenance. Unknowns about the ownership of the property may make it a parks issue rather than specific to the Goffette bequest. Councilmember Teitzel said he was amenable to changing the funding source to ARPA in 2023. He restated the motion: MODIFY THE MOTION TO REDUCE $196,400 TO $50,000 IN 2023 FUNDED BY ARPA FUNDING. Edmonds City Council Approved Minutes December 5, 2022 Page 30 Councilmember Buckshnis raised a point of order, there is already an amendment on the floor. Mr. Brubaker said Roberts Rules allow an amendment to an amendment. COUNCILMEMBER TEITZEL MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER NAND, TO AMEND THE AMENDMENT TO REDUCE $196,400 TO $50,000 TO BE FUNDED BY ARPA DOLLARS. Council President Olson said if ARPA funds were used, she wanted to ensure it was located in a business district in the vein of supporting businesses and not located downtown. She asked if staff could get a project executed in this budget. Ms. Feser answered each site will be different and there are a lot of variables including finding a location that is amenable to public works, construction, irrigation, etc. With all the other items on the work plan and limited staff hours, it will be challenging by the end of 2023 to install corner parks. Councilmember Chen said he supports this idea wholeheartedly, but with Ms. Feser’s comment about other items on the work plan and limited staff, he will vote no. Councilmember Buckshnis said she will vote no on both amendments and the motion because Ms. Feser was clear staff will be working on a plan and she preferred not to piecemeal the gardens. Councilmember Nand encouraged the council to use ARPA funds on beautification and increasing walkability of other business districts. The downtown historic business district is doing quite well and she has not noticed empty storefronts there like those in other Edmonds business districts. This would be a very appropriate use of ARPA funds to address the economic impacts of COVID-19. She hoped with $50,000 that parks could start to research appropriate locations for corner parks and flower baskets in 2023. It has been an apocalypse for the small business community and out of everything discussed tonight, this would be on point with Congress’ intent when the City was granted the ARPA funds. UPON ROLL CALL, AMENDMENT TO THE AMENDMENT FAILED (3-4), COUNCILMEMBERS TEITZEL, PAINE AND NAND VOTING YES; COUNCILMEMBERS CHEN, TIBBOTT AND BUCKSHNIS AND COUNCIL PRESIDENT OLSON VOTING NO. UPON ROLL CALL, AMENDMENT FAILED (1-6), COUNCILMEMBER NAND VOTING YES; COUNCILMEMBERS TEITZEL, CHEN, TIBBOTT, BUCKSHNIS, PAINE AND COUNCIL PRESIDENT OLSON VOTING NO. UPON ROLL CALL, MAIN MOTION FAILED (1-6), COUNCILMEMBER NAND VOTING YES; COUNCILMEMBERS TEITZEL, CHEN, TIBBOTT, BUCKSHNIS, PAINE AND COUNCIL PRESIDENT OLSON VOTING NO. No. DP# or New Submitter Fund Description Resp. Dept. Proposed Cost Increase (Decrease) Proposed Revenue Increase (Decrease) Increases (Decreases) Fund Bal 22 New Tibbott 143 Tree Fund Tree maintenance for Oak trees at Main & 5th Parks 25,000 (25,000) Councilmember Tibbott referred to the enormous oak trees at 5th & Main. A few years ago the former parks director admitted the trees were somewhat neglected because parks could only provide a certain level of care for those trees. In talking with Ms. Feser about the possibility of doing additional maintenance, she indicated there are funds available in the tree fund and suggested $25,000 would be sufficient for a professional arborist and a higher level of tree maintenance for the oak trees to preserve, protect and support them for future generations. Edmonds City Council Approved Minutes December 5, 2022 Page 31 COUNCILMEMBER TIBBOTT MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER CHEN, TO APPROVE THIS DECISION PACKAGE. Councilmember Chen expressed support for the motion because it is in the heart of Edmonds. He inquired about the maintenance of trees in other areas of the City. Ms. Feser responded the five oak trees by the fountain are significant and iconic and need some extreme care. A lot of street trees need attention, but the oaks are definitely a high priority. Councilmember Chen pointed out another significant tree in the veterans park. Ms. Feser said that tree is healthy; the oaks around the fountain have structural issues and a lot of dead material is visible when the trees are leafed out. Councilmember Buckshnis expressed her full support although this seems like something routine that should already be taking place. She questioned why it required a budget amendment. Councilmember Tibbott responded the trees are iconic, 60-feet tall, and it would be very difficult for City staff to provide maintenance on them. Councilmember Buckshnis asked if City staff would do the trimming. Ms. Feser answered absolutely not, this requires a professional and it costs approximately $5,000 per tree to climb and trim them. Councilmember Paine asked if the trees had been evaluated by the city arborist. Ms. Feser answered yes, the field arborist has mentioned they need this work. Councilmember Paine was surprised the cost was only $5,000/tree. Council President Olson said she supported this amendment, but there are other iconic trees in Edmonds such as the tree in Hickman Park that may need attention. Councilmember Teitzel commented there are a lot of street trees in Edmonds including the oaks around the fountain that need to be maintained. He was unclear why funds needed to be identified in the budget to maintain the oaks. Ms. Feser answered the budget for professional services for tree work is limited to about $50,000-60,000/year so maintenance on the oaks would take half that budget. The professional services for tree work in the budget are used to address trees in parks including trees adjacent to private property that are leaning. There is not enough in the existing budget to spend $25,000 for these 5 trees. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. No. DP# or New Submitter Fund Description Resp. Dept. Proposed Cost Increase (Decrease) Proposed Revenue Increase (Decrease) Increases (Decreases) Fund Bal 23 Staff GF Additions to Parks & Recreation Programs – costs covered by revenues Parks 60,879 60,879 Mr. Turley advised neither of the next two amendments require expenditures; the first is related to Yost Pool being open year round which increases costs but also increases revenues. This amendment recognizes those and gives budget authority for the additional spending which is 100% covered by revenues. COUNCIL PRESIDENT OLSON MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER TEITZEL, TO APPROVE THE ADDITIONS TO THE PARKS & RECREATION PROGRAM THAT HAVE COSTS COVERED BY REVENUES IN THE AMOUNT OF $60,879. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. No. DP# or Submitter Fund Description Resp. Dept. Proposed Cost Proposed Revenue Increases (Decreases) Edmonds City Council Approved Minutes December 5, 2022 Page 32 New Increase (Decrease) Increase (Decrease) Fund Bal 24 Staff GF Reduction to Human Services Program professional serv. Parks (335,000) 335,000 COUNCIL PRESIDENT OLSON MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER BUCKSHNIS, TO APPROVE A REDUCTION IN THE HUMAN SERVICES PROGRAM PROFESSIONAL SERVICES WHICH SHE UNDERSTOOD WAS A TYPO/ERROR IN THE ORIGINAL BUDGET OF $335,000. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. 6. ADJOURN With no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 9:21 p.m.