2023-10-10 PSPHSP CommitteePUBLIC SAFETY, PLANNING, HUMAN SERVICES & PERSONNEL
COMMITTEE MEETING
October 10, 2023
Elected Officials Present Staff Present
Councilmember Vivian Olson (Chair) Shane Hawley, Police Commander
Councilmember Jenna Nand Scott Passey, City Clerk
Council President Neil Tibbott (ex-officio)
1. CALL TO ORDER
The Edmonds City Council PSPHSP Committee meeting was called to order virtually and in the City
Council Conference Room, 121 — 5th Avenue North, Edmonds, at 3:31 p.m. by Councilmember Olson.
2. COMMITTEE BUSINESS
1. Amending ECC 5.05.122 F.1-Ammending the Dangerous Dog Statute
Commander Hawley relayed the police department handles the dangerous dog process which is
codified in ECC. However, the ECC currently directs people seeking to register their dog to City Hall to
make a payment. The police department has agreed to take over the process of accepting payments
and the language in the code has been revised to reflect that change.
Committee recommendation: Consent Agenda.
2. Amending ECC 5.01.010-Adoption of RCW 9.94A.835 (Special Allegation -Sexual
Motivation)
Commander Hawley explained the RCW with enhanced penalties for those who commit crimes based
on sexually motivated criteria has existed for some time; the prosecutor pointed out it had not been
adopted in the ECC. The RCW allows a felony level crime to have the sexual motivation tag added; this
applies to misdemeanor level crimes. Discussion followed regarding kudos to the new prosecuting
attorney for noting this was not in the Edmonds code.
Committee recommendation: Consent Agenda.
3. Amending ECC 5.36.045-Creation of the Crime of Vehicle Trespass
Commander Hawley relayed this is a new ordinance/law for the City. It exists in other jurisdictions; the
draft language is identical to Federal Way and Burien. The new prosecutor brought this to his attention
as something beneficial for curbing vehicle prowls; on average there are about 200 vehicle prowling
reports per year in Edmonds. The crime of vehicle prowling currently exists, but the charging standards
require either a theft or the intent to commit a theft which is a difficult charging standard to meet. He
noted where there is one vehicle prowl, there are typically 20.
Committee recommendation: Consent Agenda.
Councilmember Nand relayed a young community member and her mother asked about a meet and
greet with the Edmonds Police Department geared toward young people, similar to one they attended
in Lynnwood. Commander Hawley offered to confer with the community engagement coordinator,
noting the police department does a lot of things with/for kids. Councilmember Nand suggested an event
with the police K9. Discussion followed regarding National Night Out, department tours, etc.
10/10/23 PSPHSP Committee Minutes,
4. Proposed Change to City Council Student Representative
Councilmember Olson read from the agenda memo, "Since 2021, the interest and demand for the
Council Student Representative has decreased significantly. The pandemic, which became impactful in
Washington State in 2020, was likely an initial factor. Since then, the popularity of the Youth
Commission, launched in 2018, may be contributing to lessened demand, as it is another way to have
a voice in the City, and one that is more social and less time intensive." The recommendation is a
proposed code change to ECC 2.03A to establish if there is no competition or interest in the position,
there will not be an appointment process. The position would continue to advertised annually.
Discussion followed regarding whether there needs to be a competitive process, preference to change
the proposed language from three to one qualifying applications, ability for a council vote to override
the code, option to eliminate the position, opportunity to elevate the importance of the role with a
requirement for three applicants, three candidates allowing the council to select the best candidate,
preference to change language to read, "If at least one qualifying application is submitted...", possibility
the Youth Commission is more appealing to students, preference to provide flexibility, and who is
responsible for recruiting applicants.
Committee recommendation: Full council
3. ADJOURN
The meeting was adjourned at 3:58 p.m.
SCOTT PASSEY; CLERK