2023-12-19 Special MeetingEDMONDS CITY COUNCIL
SPECIAL MEETING
APPROVED MINUTES
December 19, 2023
ELECTED OFFICIALS PRESENT
Vivian Olson, Mayor Pro Tem
Susan Paine, Councilmember
Chris Eck, Councilmember
Jenna Nand, Councilmember
ELECTED OFFICIALS ABSENT
Mike Nelson, Mayor
Neil Tibbott, Council President
Will Chen, Councilmember
Diane Buckshnis, Councilmember
1. CALL TO ORDER
STAFF PRESENT
Carolyn LeFave, Executive Assistant to the Mayor
Scott Passey, City Clerk
Jerrie Bevington, Camera Operator
The Edmonds City Council meeting was called to order at 6:20 pm by Council President Pro Tem Olson in
the Council Chambers, 250 5' Avenue North, Edmonds, and virtually.
2. COUNCIL BUSINESS
1. INTERVIEW B&C CANDIDATE FOR APPOINTMENT
Councilmembers interviewed Alex Hutchinson, builder representative, for appointment to the Architectural
Design Board (ADB) (responses in italics):
I'm a 3-year resident of Edmonds, my wife works at Community Health Center, my son attends daycare in
Edmonds, and I take the train from Edmonds to downtown Seattle every day. Friends visiting from out of
town often ask if people come here on vacation, and I say they should. I love living here. My background is
an urban planner and real estate developer and I have experience working around the country as a
consultant and working for local government and real estate developers in Seattle. I have been able to work
in rural and suburban communities and big cities with multidisciplinary teams that include architects,
builders, historic preservationists, land use planners, etc. I am able to bring a wide skill set to my career
and I would like to be able to do that in the city where I live so it continues to be a great place where
everyone loves to live, work and visit. I'm excited to have this opportunity to serve on the ADB and to learn
from our neighbors and help steward an appropriate land use and development pattern in Edmonds.
Councilmember Nand referred to the national discussion especially amongst the congressional democrats
regarding home ownership opportunities for middle and working class and how decoupling that from Wall
Street profit motives is something they are considered regulating. She asked what he thought could be done
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December 19, 2023
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at the city level to increase homeownership opportunities for the middle and working classes. My experience
as an affordable housing developer was mostly on the rental side and I know a lot about multifamily and
the financing implications of building that type of building stock. I'm well versed and know a lot of the
partners that Edmonds could work with in pursuing homeownership opportunity. It would be interesting to
learn about and furthering the city's efforts. Whether that is the Washington Housing Finance Commission
or Department of Commerce, there are a number of programs that could help further efforts related to
homeownership opportunities. Housing of all types and all levels of affordability are needed. Right now is
a very challenging time due to interest rates and limited housing stock.
Councilmember Paine asked how long he has been working as a builder in Washington. I moved to
Washington in January 2020 and have worked for two affordable housing developers in Washington, one
was a non-profit and now I'm working for a for profit developer based in the Pacific NW with properties
in Washington, Alaksa, Mountana and Idaho, who owns and operates their buildings and has a very high
standard for quality in how buildings operate and how they are built. An important viewpoint I can bring
to the ADB is that affordable housing developers have very limited resources, a lot of constraints and a lot
of direction from financing sources and other resources. Being able to work with local developers who are
trying to get projects done as well as understanding the local community's considerations and how those
interplay will be an interesting vantage point my experience can bring.
Councilmember Paine said she was impressed he was an active member in the Urban Land Institute,
something she was familiar with through friends who live in Washington D.C. She was glad he applied and
looked forward to hearing about all the great things he does on the ADB. The ADB has a very interesting
charter and his talents will be well served there.
Councilmember Eck said she was very impressed with his background. She asked how he stays current on
what is working elsewhere in the country and how he would bring that to the ADB. Having worked in
Washington D. C. and Baltimore and then serving as a consultant based in Washington D. C. took me all
over the country; I've seen a lot of different places early in my career and understand different cities'
challenges. For example, Baltimore and Washington D.C. are 40 miles apart, but have very different
economies and backgrounds. I stay current by reading articles, attending conferences, and working with
the Urban Land Institute and other national nonprofits that do this type of work. There is always so much
to learn; having a background as an urban planner, whenever I visit somewhere, I see things through a
different lens.
Council President Pro Tem Olson expressed appreciation for a comment in his application, "I'm dedicated
to ensuring as Edmonds evolves it does so in a way that honors and preserves its distinctive character." She
thanked him for bringing that perspective; everyone loves Edmonds and that gives her confidence and
excitement to have someone who shares that join the ADB.
Council President Pro Tern Olson advised approval of his appointment to the ADB is on the Consent
Agenda of tonight's regular meeting.
Mayor Pro Tern Olson declared a brief recess to await the next interview. The meeting was reconvened at
6:44 p.m. as there was not another applicant to interview.
3. ADJOURN
With no further business, the Council meeting was adjourned at 6:44 pm.
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SCOTT PASSEY;tKCLERK
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December 19, 2023
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