2023-08-30 Salary Commission MinutesSALARY COMMISSION
City of Edmonds
REGULAR MEETING
Wednesday, August 30, 2023
City Hall
121 St" Avenue North
Edmonds Washington, 98020
4:00 PM to 6:00 PM
Present: Kathy Ehrlich (Position 1)
Gary Holton (Position 2)
Angela Zhang (Position 3)
Bill Taylor (Position 4)
Brook Roberts (Position 5)
Emily Wagener, Sr. HR Analyst
1. Call to Order
Bill Taylor called the meeting to order at 4:00 PM
2. HR Update regarding current Council Benefits
Ms. Wagener provided the salary commission, an overview of the current council benefits through
AWC and the cash amount of $921.30 that council receives for benefits.
Ms. Wagener will ask AWC if the current exception to having council enrolled in benefits will be
approved if the commission chooses to keep benefits the way they are.
The salary commission inquired about the $750 training budget per council member. Ms. Wagener
will check with Finance with how that budget works.
3. Working Session
Salary Commission discussed how to solicit more public feedback via a survey. Given the time
constraints, the commission decided to solicit public feedback via the two scheduled public
meetings.
Mr. Taylor discussed a second press release and indicated he would send it to HR Director Neill
Hoyson for processing.
The salary commission reviewed comparable city data for mayor salaries among other data
including Seattle CPI, assessed valuation, and population of various cities.
Commission discussed options of cost -of -living adjustments for mayor salary.
The salary commission also discussed City Council comparable cities and data.
Other discussions included minimum wage and choices on how to incorporate that into the salary
commission decision if the commission agrees.
The salary commission discussed DEI considerations and incorporation of these considerations into
the commission's decision including, but not limited to, a monthly stipend.
Mr. Taylor indicated that the commission seems to be in a good place to create a first draft
recommendation and will take on the task of completing the first draft by Monday, September 4th.
4. Confirm Next Meeting and Next Steps
Next meeting to be on September 5tn and September 6tn with plans to have the final letter done by
September 11tn. Public Hearings are scheduled for the 19tn and 26tn
The final meeting will be Wednesday, September 27tn at 7:00 p.m.
Mr. Taylor will send out an information release to the other salary commissioners.
S. Adjourn
The meeting was adjourned at 6:00 p.m.