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2023-05-16 Special MeetingEDMONDS CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES APPROVED MINUTES May 16, 2023 ELECTED OFFICIALS PRESENT Mike Nelson, Mayor Neil Tibbott, Council President Vivian Olson, Councilmember Will Chen, Councilmember Diane Buckshnis, Councilmember Susan Paine, Councilmember Dave Teitzel, Councilmember Jenna Nand, Councilmember 1. CALL TO ORDER STAFF PRESENT Jeff Taraday, City Attorney Scott Passey, City Clerk Jerrie Bevington, Camera Operator The special Edmonds City Council meeting was called to order at 6 p.m. by Mayor Nelson in the Council Chambers, 250 5t' Avenue North, Edmonds, and virtually. 2. INTERVIEW CANDIDATE FOR APPOINTMENT TO A CITY BOARD/COMMISSION 1. PFD BOARD CANDIDATE INTERVIEW Councilmembers interviewed Wayne Grotheer for appointment to the Public Facilities District Board. (responses in italics): Councilmembers introduced themselves. Council President Tibbott acknowledged representatives of the EPFD in the audience. (Executive Director Joe McIalwain, Associate Executive Director Lori Meagher, EPFD Board President Ray Liaw, and EPFD Board VP Bill Willock). Council President Tibbott invited Mr. Grotheer to describe his background and what attracted him to apply for this position. I'm an engineer by training with a business degrees as well. I spent most of my career in the public sector, at EPA, Port of Seattle, 10 years in the chemical industry and a couple years in internet startups, mostly on project management with increasing levels of responsibility, number of people and budgets, first environmental cleanup projects and for the last 12 years until I retired about a year ago, I was responsible for all the capital projects at the SeaTac Airport. I've been an Edmonds resident since 1996 and raised our daughters here. My wife and I started volunteering at the ECA when it opened in 2006 and are still volunteering. It's been a great opportunity to contribute to a fantastic facility, a fantastic part of the Edmonds community that I've seen grow, expand its offerings and diversity to the community, and go from something small to something pretty large. It has been exciting to be part of that and to be part of the front line, providing good customer service as an usher and ticket taker. After I retired, I saw the board opening, an opportunity to contribute to the ECA and the City in a bigger way. Edmonds City Council Approved Minutes May 16, 2023 Page 1 Councilmember Nand asked if he had any ideas about expanding the public facility's footprint to increase the geographical diversity of arts and culture throughout Edmonds. I think your question is related to offering things in other parts of the community. There have been some programs in schools recently which is often part of artists' commitment, as well as offering performances at senior living facilities. There are opportunities to get out into the community while recognizing the ECA is a very fine facility in a small town. Councilmember Olson commented it speaks volumes about the ECA and how much everyone loves it that they are consistently able to attract such qualified candidates. She anticipated he would enjoy his colleagues on the EPFD Board as it is a wonderful group. She asked if he might have time to serve on the Economic Development Board as well, anticipating he would be great addition to that board. I appreciate that and I will give it serious consideration. Councilmember Buckshnis commented his resume is stunning and speaks volumes for volunteering. She acknowledged it was hard to work and volunteer at the same time. She anticipated he would be a great asset to the EPFD as a board member. The ECA has grown in leaps and bounds in right direction. Councilmember Paine commented his resume is outstanding and he has a perfect background for the EPFD. Snohomish County has the lion's share of PFDs in the state and they are doing a lot of great stuff. She asked him what was his favorite show so far. Every year there's are several that I am stunned by the level of performance. I will choose one from this season, traditional Indian music, Tabla and Sitar. People came for miles to see these musicians. I spoke to a mother and her teenage son after the performance who said she had been introduced to the Tabla player by her grandfather in India when he was on TV. The pieces were SO minutes long, the music builds and builds and there is beautiful interplay between the musicians. Councilmember Paine said the first portion of George Harrison's Year to the Day has an hour long Indian orchestra. Councilmember Teitzel commented he admired his resume and said his qualifications are very impressive. As his application mentions a background in facilities development and since he's volunteered since 2006, he asked his perspective about facility improvements that may be needed. The key is the old part of the building, the classrooms and the gym, the part of the building that not been completely renovated. The renovated part of the building just needs ongoing maintenance. There is an RFQ out for engineering firms to assess the building. In a building that old, there are a lot of basic systems such as wiring and plumbing as well as the structure which is not up to current seismic codes. I've had a lot of experience renovating older buildings at the SeaTac Airport. It is not cheap, but it needs to be done at some point. It is a question of in what order, at what cost, with ultimate uses in mind, and whether to make modifications or bring it up to current standards. Councilmember Teitzel asked about the music annex which has basically been used for storage. I've never been in that part of the building. It would likely need a lot of the same work. The condition would need to be considered and a determination made with regard to how much can be done with the available finances, the priorities and whether the music annex would fit into that given it hasn't been used at all. Councilmember Chen said he has met Mr. Grotheer a few times and knows his qualifications. In view of his extensive project management skills and experience, he asked what expertise he would bring to seismic reinforcement, renovation etc. The most important thing when embarking on facilities' projects is to decide what you want to do, ensure all stakeholders are on board, get professional cost estimates, and determine the operational constraints before you begin the work. It is very expensive to change your mind in the middle of a project. I've been impressed with the city's engineering department, the level of expertise and professionalism that a small city has. Using that knowledge and on -the -ground expertise will be very important in doing work cost effectively and in a way that meets everyone's expectations. Edmonds City Council Approved Minutes May 16, 2023 Page 2 Council President Tibbott advised his appointment to the EPFD board will be approved on the consent agenda during the council's regular meeting. 3. CONVENE IN EXECUTIVE SESSION TO DISCUSS PENDING OR POTENTIAL LITIGATION PER RCW 42.20.110(1)(I) At 6:18 p.m., the city council convened in executive session for approximately 30 minutes to discuss pending or potential litigation per RCW 42.3 0.11 0(l)(i). The executive session concluded at 6:48 p.m. 4. RECONVENE IN OPEN SESSION The meeting was reconvened at 6:49 p.m. 5. ADJOURN With no further business, the Council meeting was adjourned at 6:49 p.m. sx--:6 SCOTT PASSE CLERK Edmonds City Council Approved Minutes May 16, 2023 Page 3