09/25/2007 City CouncilSeptember 25, 2007
Following a Special Meeting at 6:00 p.m. for a reception for the candidates for the position of Economic
Development Director and candidate for the position of Chief of Police, Al Compaan, the Edmonds City
Council meeting was called to order at 7:04 p.m. by Mayor Haakenson in the Council Chambers, 250 5th
Avenue North, Edmonds. The meeting was opened with the flag salute.
ELECTED OFFICIALS PRESENT
Gary Haakenson, Mayor
Peggy Pritchard Olson, Council President
Michael Plunkett, Councilmember
Richard Marin, Councilmember
Mauni Moore, Councilmember
Deanna Dawson, Councilmember
Dave Orvis, Councilmember
Ron Wambolt, Councilmember
ALSO PRESENT
Hilary Scheibert, Student Representative
STAFF PRESENT
Al Compaan, Acting Police Chief
Duane Bowman, Development Services Director
Stephen Clifton, Community Services Director
Brian McIntosh, Parks & Recreation Director
Noel Miller, Public Works Director
Rob Chave, Planning Manager
Debi Humana, Human Resources Manager
Frances Chapin, Cultural Services Manager
Zach Lell, City Attorney
Sandy Chase, City Clerk
Jana Spellman, Senior Executive Council Asst.
Jeannie Dines, Recorder
Mayor Haakenson requested the public and Council provide feedback regarding the Economic
Development Director candidates.
pproval of 1. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Agenda
COUNCILMEMBER MARIN MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER WAMBOLT, TO
APPROVE THE AGENDA IN CONTENT AND ORDER. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
2. CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS
Mayor Haakenson advised the Council and staff received a request for reconsideration of Consent Agenda
Item E.
Development Services Director Duane Bowman advised the City received a document entitled "Request
Request For for Reconsideration" from one of the parties of record on Friday, September 21 2007. Although the
Reconsideration ,
e: Petso Appeal; substance of the communication was difficult to decipher, staff did not forward the document to the
Woodway Plat Council as it contained legal argument that may be outside the record. As he interpreted the code
provisions, there was no allowance for parties of record to direct reconsideration of the City Council's
September 18, 2007 decision regarding the subdivision appeal. ECDC Chapter 21.05, the procedural
regulations governing City Council appeals contains no such provision and he construed ECDC Chapter
20.90.010(i)(3)(c) applying specifically to motions to reconsider by the City Council. Pursuant to
applicable procedural rules, a motion of this type could be made only by a Councilmember who originally
sided with a majority of the vote.
City Attorney Zach Lell agreed with Mr. Bowman's interpretation of the code.
Edmonds City Council Approved Minutes
September 25, 2007
Page 1
Councilmember Moore requested Item E be removed from the Consent Agenda.
COUNCILMEMBER MARIN MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER WAMBOLT, TO
APPROVE THE REMAINDER OF THE CONSENT AGENDA. MOTION CARRIED
UNANIMOUSLY. The agenda items approved are as follows:
Roll Call A. ROLL CALL
[Approve 9/18/07 B. APPROVAL OF CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OF SEPTEMBER 18, 2007.
Minutes
C. APPROVAL OF CLAIM CHECKS #99094 THROUGH #99193 FOR SEPTEMBER 20,
Approve Claim 2007 IN THE AMOUNT OF $443,026.77. APPROVAL OF PAYROLL DIRECT
Checks DEPOSITS AND CHECKS #45584 THROUGH #45647 FOR THE PERIOD OF
SEPTEMBER 1 THROUGH SEPTEMBER 15, 2007 IN THE AMOUNT OF $888,757.30.
Claim For D. ACKNOWLEDGE RECEIPT OF CLAIM FOR DAMAGES FROM LORA PETSO
Damages
Res# 1153 —
Waive Procure- F. RESOLUTION NO. 1153 - WAIVING THE CITY'S PROCUREMENT PROCEDURES IN
ment Procedures ORDER TO PURCHASE AN ASPHALT GRINDING MACHINE FOR THE PUBLIC
for Purchase of WORKS DEPARTMENT AND AUTHORIZATION TO PURCHASE SUCH EQUIPMENT
Asphalt Grinding
Machine FROM ASPHALT ZIPPER, INC. IN THE AMOUNT OF $79,950.00, PLUS APPLICABLE
SALES TAX.
Proclamation -
Change a Light G. PROCLAMATION IN HONOR OF CHANGE A LIGHT DAY, OCTOBER 3, 2007.
Day
Findings of Fact; ITEM E. APPROVAL OF FINDINGS OF FACT RELATED TO THE CLOSED RECORD REVIEW
etso Appeal HELD ON 08/28/07 AND 09/18/07 REGARDING THE APPEAL OF THE HEARING
(Woodway Plat) EXAMINER'S APPROVAL OF A 27-LOT PRELIMINARY PLAT (WOODWAY PLAT)
LOCATED AT 23700 104TH AVENUE WEST. (APPELLANT: LORA PETSO;
APPLICANT: BURNSTEAD CONSTRUCTION, FILE NO. P-07-1.7 AND PRD-07-18)
Councilmember Moore advised she pulled this item to vote against it as she did not support the Findings
of Fact.
COUNCILMEMBER MARIN MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER WAMBOLT, FOR
APPROVAL OF ITEM E. MOTION CARRIED (4-3), COUNCIL PRESIDENT OLSON AND
COUNCILMEMBERS DAWSON, MARIN, AND WAMBOLT IN FAVOR; AND
COUNCILMEMBERS MOORE, ORVIS, AND PLUNKETT OPPOSED.
Proclamation - Arts & 3. PROCLAMATION IN HONOR OF ARTS AND HUMANITIES MONTH.
Humanities
Month Mayor Haakenson read a proclamation declaring October 2007 National Arts and Humanities Month in
Edmonds and encouraged citizens to participate in one of the many cultural events in Edmonds during
October. He presented the proclamation to Edmonds Arts Commission Chair Pam Harold and Cultural
Services Manager Frances Chapin.
Ms. Harold commented this had been a very exciting year for the arts in Edmonds including the 50`h
anniversary of the Arts Festival and the opening of the Edmonds Center for the Arts. On behalf of the
Arts Commission, she thanked the Mayor and City Council for their continuing support of the arts in
Edmonds. She provided a list of the many arts and humanities activities in Edmonds.
Ms. Chapin recognized several members of local arts organizations in the audience. She explained arts
enriched lives by making communities more desirable places to live or work, strengthened the social
fabric and contributed to the economy. She referred to the national Arts & Economic Prosperity Study
regarding the economic impact of nonprofit arts and cultural organizations and their audiences. The study
Edmonds City Council Approved Minutes
September 25, 2007
Page 2
considered the economic impact of approximately 100,000 nonprofit arts and cultural organizations
nationwide and their audiences but did not include the for -profit art and cultural organizations.
Edmonds is home to over 15 nonprofit arts and cultural organizations and over 30 organizations with
programs, activities and interests in arts and culture as well as a growing number of for -profit arts
businesses in the community. Some of the nonprofit organizations had been in existence for 40-50 years
and each year the activities of those organizations are supported by hundreds of volunteers who contribute
thousands of volunteer hours. Ms. Chapin provided a list of arts and cultural organizations in Edmonds,
remarking Edmonds provided a rich variety of arts and culture experiences for its residents and visitors.
Ms. Chapin reviewed highlights from the 2005 Arts & Economic Prosperity Study, explaining the study
provided local and national data collected from a large number of nonprofit organizations and their
attendees and used models to analyze the data specific to each region. The study included representations
from all 50 states and 156 study regions whose population ranged from 4,000 to 3 million.
To illustrate the growth of the arts and culture economy, she provided statistics for 2000 and 2005 that
indicated an approximate 11% increase. She displayed a graph illustrating the impact on a community of
this $166 billion industry, describing how the expenditures moved through the system. The study
considered total expenditures, number of equivalent full-time jobs, resident household income, State
Government revenue and Federal Income Tax revenue. With regard to government revenue, the study
found a return of $29.6 billion on an investment of $4 billion.
She described organizations' direct spending and the number of jobs supported, noting arts and culture
organizations represented slightly more than 1% of the U.S. workforce which was slightly less than
elementary school teachers, a little more than accountants/auditors, police officers, lawyers, etc.
The study found attendees nationally spent an average of $27.79 per person per event not including the
ticket price. The average in Seattle was $25.20 per person per event. A chart was displayed illustrating
expenditures. A large percentage of expenditures was on meals and refreshments. The study classified
attendees as local (within the same county as the event) versus non -local; however the Edmonds art
organizations whose data is defined by zip code, find an average of 56% of the people attending arts and
culture events are from outside Edmonds and 44% are from within Edmonds. Non -locals tended to spend
more than local attendees.
The study confirmed that the nonprofit arts and culture industry in the U.S. was a formidable growth
industry, was attracting audiences, spurring business development, supporting jobs and generating
government revenue and was a $166 billion industry. Many years ago the community of Edmonds made
a choice to invest in the arts; 50 years ago the community invested a tremendous amount of time and
energy in building the Edmonds Arts Festival into what is now a regional draw for over 75,000 people
annually. Approximately 32 years ago the City established an Arts Commission and a 1% For Arts
Program, arts organizations such as the Cascade Symphony Orchestra and the Driftwood Players have
flourished in Edmonds for decades and last year the Edmonds Center for the Arts opened. Ms Chapin
summarized the study confirmed what Edmonds already knew, the arts mean business. She advised the
full study was available on the Edmonds Arts Commission website.
5. AUDIENCE COMMENTS
Library open Charlie LaNasa, President, Edmonds Library Board, announced the Edmonds Library had a new
xou�e on Librarian, Lesly Kaplan, who has exceeded expectations. He described the incredible support the
October is Edmonds Library Board receives from Sno-Isle Regional Library Board. He advised of the Library's
Open House on October 15 from 5:00 to 6:30 p.m. intended to promote the library, celebrate their
Edmonds City Council Approved Minutes
September 25, 2007
Page 3
successes, and showcase their facility. In addition, Council President Olson and Mayor Haakenson will
report on the most recent book they have read. He described plans to update the Library lobby to ensure
it remained visibly safe, acted as a welcoming presence for library users with upgraded lighting and paint
Friends of the and improved the dissemination of information. He advised donations would be collected at the open
ibrary Book house by the Friends of the Library for the upgrades. He reminded of the Friends of the Library Book
sale —oet. 27 Sale on October 27, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Frances Anderson Center.
Budget Al Rutledge, Edmonds, referred to the 2-year budget the City passed, advising it was his understanding
the funds the City received from the State would be in July 2008 instead of January 2008.
Edmonds Harbor Roger Hertrich, Edmonds, referred to the February 7, 2007 Confidentiality and Cost Allocation
Square and Agreement signed by Mayor Haakenson, the Port, Al Dykes and Ms. McNaughton. He advised the
Antique Man termination of the agreement on August 22, 2007 terminated the confidentiality portion of the agreement
RedevConfidentiality
ntiality but did not eliminate the cost allocation section which obligated Edmonds to a total of $14 383. He
Confidentiality g �
Agreement & agreed with the decision to terminate the agreement, commenting any lawsuit arising from Mayor
getn ofAemenHaakenson disclosing any information would have been the City's responsibility. He did not recall the
Council authorizing Mayor Haakenson to enter into this agreement or to expend those funds. He
recommended eliminating the entire agreement or that Mayor Haakenson request authorization from the
Council to expend those funds. He urged the Mayor not to sign "secret agreements" in the future, finding
it a misuse of public office.
Mayor Haakenson advised the Council gave him the authority to approve and spend up to $30,000. In
this instance, Councilmember Wambolt was on the committee and they discussed the expenditure and
agreed it was appropriate. They also agreed not to spend anything further. Councilmember Wambolt
agreed. Mayor Haakenson advised City Attorney Scott Snyder also reviewed the agreement and was in
agreement that he should sign it and that Councilmember Wambolt should not.
Councilmember Wambolt advised the funds had already been spent on the consultants in the first Phase 1.
He noted the City's portion was very small in comparison to the total and the other parties to the
agreement have now committed additional funding.
Councilmember Wambolt advised of an open house regarding the Harbor Square and Antique Mall
Redevelopment Program. The open house will be held at City Hall on October 4 from 2:00 - 8:00 p.m.
with presentations at 3:00 and 6:00 p.m. He encouraged anyone interested in the redevelopment to attend
the open house. He advised there was also information available on the Port's website or the public could
visit an information room at 120 Dayton in Room B4 of Harbor Square. He was pleased to be associated
with this group, anticipating the redevelopment would do great things for the City by providing public
space and sales tax and property tax revenue.
4. REPORT FROM THE HEARING EXAMINER
Hearing
Examiner Report
Sharon Rice, Toweill Rice Taylor, advised it had been a pleasure to serve the City since March 2007.
They have heard 14 applications and 2 appeals for an average of two per month. Two have been fairly
complex and contentious and because they were both subject to appeal would not be discussed tonight.
She referred to a Case Disposition Table in their report that listed the cases they considered and a brief
description of each of the cases. She commented it had been a pleasure to work with staff and although
there had been some turnover and extended absences in the Planning Division, staff continued to provide
excellent service to developers and residents with regard to processing applications in a timely manner.
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September 25, 2007
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She recalled when they were selected they were asked to review the code and make suggested code
revisions. She made the following suggestions with regard to reconsideration and appeals:
Who May Request Reconsideration - it is not clear who may request reconsideration and she
suggested this be clarified in the code.
2. Time for Examiner Response - the time allotted for Hearing Examiner response to
reconsideration is only five days. She recommended the amount of time be extended as matters
may be complex and additional time would provide opportunity for parties to cross respond.
3. Effect of Reconsideration on Appeal Timelines - she recommended the City codify the
procedures.
4. Fee Required - it is not clear whether a fee is required or whether the fee is jurisdictional.
5. Grounds for and New Evidence on Reconsideration - the code should establish explicit grounds
upon which reconsideration can be granted.
6. "Examiner Brief to City Council" Option - she suggested removing the "Examiner Brief to City
Council" option from the code as a potential response to a reconsideration request.
7. Hearing Examiner Rules of Procedure - although the code authorizes promulgation of the rules,
no Hearing Examiner rules of procedure have been adopted. She offered to draft rules for the
City's consideration.
Direct Judicial Review - many jurisdictions utilize the Hearing Examiner as the final decision
maker in most or all decisions. She encouraged the Council to consider this.
9. Consolidated Proceedings - she explained code provisions allowed a plat and PRD that are heard
together to be appealed separately. She encouraged the Council to consider consolidating the
appeal.
Ms. Rice noted Mr. Snyder provided them a copy of the draft revised land use code which addressed most
of these recommendations.
Leanna Toweill, Toweill Rice Taylor, made the following additional suggestions with regard to code
provisions that may be appropriate for revision:
PRD Ordinance - she strongly encouraged the City to review the PRD ordinance and make
changes to resolve issues.
2. Townhome Subdivisions - there are policies in place that have not been codified that allow the
issuance of building permits for townhomes before the subdivision is approved. She encouraged
the City to review the ordinance.
3. Ambiguous Code Provisions - she provided several examples of code provisions where the phrase
"and so forth" was used which did not provide sufficient guidance to applicants or decision
makers. She encouraged the City to replace the ambiguous language with more precise language.
4. Park Land Dedication - the code requires a final plat to either dedicate land or pay a fee in -lieu of
dedication or both. The City is not currently authorizing dedication or collecting impact fees.
She encouraged the City to review this requirement.
Ms. Toweill advised in the future in addition to continuing to process development permit applications
referred to them on appeal, they hoped to provide a case law/legislation update to staff. She advised both
Ms. Rice and she would continue to be available to conduct hearings; Julie Taylor would be on sabbatical.
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September 25, 2007
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Councilmember Plunkett asked for staff and the City Attorney's opinion regarding the recommendations
made by the Hearing Examiner. He asked whether the suggestions made could be incorporated into the
code rewrite or should they be considered separately. Mr. Bowman answered Mr. Snyder had drafted an
initial rewrite of the procedural section that incorporated several of the Hearing Examiner's suggestions.
Others would require further investigation. He recommended revisions to the PRD ordinance be done
ahead of the rest of the code rewrite due to the number of issues that have arisen with regard to that
section of the code. Mr. Bowman advised it was a pleasure to work with the Hearing Examiners and they
have been very professional in their work with staff.
Councilmember Marin suggested the Hearing Examiner identify language in other cities' codes that the
City could consider. Ms. Rice agreed they could provide references to codes they found easy to apply and
facilitated good decision -making. She noted the revisions drafted by Mr. Snyder were based on language
in Bainbridge Island's code. She noted offering recommendations on code revisions was a service they
provided to other jurisdictions they worked with.
Councilmember Moore referred to the recommendations regarding Hearing Examiner Rules of Procedure,
inquiring whether the Hearing Examiner could draft those. Mr. Bowman answered yes. Councilmember
Moore welcomed the Hearing Examiner's suggestion regarding direct judicial review.
Councilmember Moore asked why the City was not assessing a Park Impact Fee. Mr. Bowman answered
the City had not justified the imposition of a Parks impact fee for growth which would be done via the
Parks Comprehensive Plan identifying deficiencies. Similarly, to determine the Traffic Impact Mitigation
Fee, an analysis was done to determine deficiencies and the impact of growth and a fee determined that
new development would pay to mitigate the impact of their traffic impacts. That analysis has not been
done for parks; therefore, staff could not assess a Parks Impact Fee. Councilmember Moore asked how
long the City had not been assessing a Parks Impact Fee. Mr. Bowman answered he did not recall the
City assessing a Parks Impact Fee since 1979.
6. COUNCIL REPORTS ON OUTSIDE COMMITTEEBOARD MEETINGS
CTAC Council President Olson reported the Citizens Technology Advisory Committee was provided a report by
a company who described what services could be provided with the fiber options. She reported on a
seashore Forum I presentation at the SeaShore Forum regarding successful transit -oriented development. She suggested
either the individual who made the presentation to the SeaShore Forum or Councilmember Marin
provided a similar presentation to the Council.
SnoCom Councilmember Dawson reported the SnoCom Board would meet this Thursday. She encouraged the
Council and the public to attend SnoCom's 36th anniversary celebration on October 11 from 2:00 to 5:00
p.m. at SnoCom. She also encouraged the public and the Council to tour the SnoCom facility.
Councilmember Plunkett commented the City's reputation as the friendliest city inferred that the City was
Downtown
arlring pedestrian friendly and safe. The City's Traffic Engineer, Bertrand Hauss, investigated some of the
Committee City's downtown intersections including reviewing pedestrian sightlines and found that due to the amount
of activity and lack of adequate sightlines 5th and Maple was currently not safe for pedestrians.
Improving sightlines may require the removal of 1-2 parking spaces. Mr. Hauss will be reviewing other
downtown intersections and presenting his findings to the Downtown Parking Committee.
Councilmember Plunkett reported traffic enforcement was not at full capacity and likely would not be
until later this winter as an officer was in the process of being trained.
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September 25, 2007
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Port Commission Councilmember Wambolt reported the Port Commission reviewed the rates they charge for services; he
anticipated some of the rates may be increased as the Port's review of their budget determined their net
income would be less in 2008 than in 2007 due to difficulty renting spaces in Harbor Square. He advised
the Port's website contains a link to the Harbor Square Redevelopment. The Labor Day weekend was the
busiest period of the year for the Port. He advised again of the open house regarding redevelopment of
Harbor Square and the old Safeway property on October 4 at City Hall from 2:00 to 8:00 p.m. with
presentations by the architects at 3:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m.
snonomisn Councilmember Marin reported Snohomish County Tomorrow was asked to submit a letter regarding
county PSRC's update of Vision 2040. There was some contention over the concept of fully contained
communities (FCC) and the draft Vision 2040 did not support that concept in urban growth areas adjacent
to cities. Snohomish County feels FCCs are a viable tool and two meetings ago Snohomish County
presented a draft letter that many cities did not agree with. Following a contentious discussion, the matter
was tabled and Snohomish County returned at the next meeting with a revised letter that was passed
unanimously by Snohomish County Tomorrow. He was pleased Snohomish County worked with the
Snohomish County Tomorrow Steering Committee and developed acceptable language. Another
Snohomish County Tomorrow meeting was scheduled for September 27.
Eeono,z,io Mayor Haakenson remarked on the opportunity for the Council and public to meet with two Economic
Development Director Development Director candidates and the Chief of Police candidate at a reception prior to tonight's
meeting. He encouraged the Council to provide feedback on the Economic Development Director
ppointmentof candidates. He announced on Tuesday, October 2 the Council agenda would include confirmation of his
Al Compaan as
Chief of Police appointment of Al Compaan as Chief of Police, aswearing-in ceremony and a reception following.
8. COUNCIL COMMENTS
Library open Council President Olson encouraged Councilmembers to attend the library open house, commenting the
House
library had a lot to offer in addition to books including audio books, magazines, CDs, computer access,
etc. She remarked the computers at the library are always being used and were a huge asset to the library.
Councilmembers Council President Olson recalled about a year ago, Councilmembers were invited to report on a book they
to Give Book read at a Council meeting. Due to the positive comments received, Councilmembers will again be invited
Report
to comment on a recently read book at the October 23 Council meeting.
Graffiti Paint out Councilmember Dawson reported on the graffiti Paint -Out event on October 6 from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00
Event p.m. The event would begin with training and education regarding graffiti and graffiti removal at Fire
Station 19 in Mountlake Terrace, followed by a paint -out event behind Funtasia on the interurban trail
which is on the border of Mountlake Terrace and Edmonds. This was a great area for recreation but was
completely covered with graffiti. The paint -out was an effort to take back that neighborhood and make it
a more family friendly place to visit. She encouraged volunteers to sign up in advance at www.snoco
or email the County at county. executivet�7z co,snohomish.wa,us to ensure adequate supplies would be
available. She suggested making the paint -out event flyer available on the City's website.
She explained Edmonds, Mountlake Terrace and Mukilteo were partnering on this event and there were a
number of local sponsors including Lynnwood Honda, Snohomish County/Camano Association of
Realtors, Home Depot, Rodda Paint, and Top Foods.
Edmonds Councilmember Moore mourned the upcoming end of the Edmonds Summer Market and expressed her
summer Market i thanks to the Edmonds Historic Society and Museum for sponsoring the Summer Market. She also
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September 25, 2007
Page 7
thanked the organizers of the Artists Studio tour this weekend, a wonderful artist event for the
community.
[Appointment of Councilmember Marin looked forward to voting in support of Mayor Haakenson's appointment of Al
ehiefofPolice I Compaan to be the City's next Police Chief. He relayed a comment from a neighbor who is a detective
for the Seattle Police Department encouraging him to support promotions from within. Councilmember
Marin was pleased the City had a candidate the caliber of Al Compaan to take on that role.
Executive
9. EXECUTIVE SESSION REGARDING A REAL ESTATE MATTER
Session
At 8:11 p.m., Mayor Haakenson recessed the Council to a 15 minute Executive Session regarding a Real
Estate matter with no action following.
10. ADJOURN
The Council meeting was adjourned immediately following the conclusion of the Executive Session at
8:30 p.m.
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September 25, 2007
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