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