20170822 City CouncilEDMONDS CITY COUNCIL APPROVED MINUTES
August 22, 2017
ELECTED OFFICIALS PRESENT
Dave Earling, Mayor
Thomas Mesaros, Council President
Kristiana Johnson, Councilmember
Michael Nelson, Councilmember
Adrienne Fraley-Monillas, Councilmember
Dave Teitzel, Councilmember
Neil Tibbott, Councilmember
ELECTED OFFICIALS ABSENT
Diane Buckshnis, Councilmember
CALL TO ORDERIFLAG SALUTE
STAFF PRESENT
Phil Williams, Public Works Director
Patrick Doherty, Econ. Dev & Comm. Serv. Dir.
Rob English, City Engineer
Jeff Taraday, City Attorney
Scott Passey, City Clerk
Jerrie Bevington, Camera Operator
Jeannie Dines, Recorder
The Edmonds City Council meeting was called to order at 7:08 p.m. by Mayor Earling in the Council
Chambers, 250 511 Avenue North, Edmonds. The meeting was opened with the flag salute.
2. ROLL CALL
City Clerk Scott Passey called the roll. All elected officials were present with the exception of
Councilmember Buckshnis.
3. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
COUNCILMEMBER TEITZEL MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCIL PRESIDENT MESAROS,
TO APPROVE THE AGENDA IN CONTENT AND ORDER. MOTION CARRIED
UNANIMOUSLY.
4. PRESENTATION
1. UPDATE FROM FEDERAL LOBBYIST
Economic Development/Community Services Director Doherty explained in spring 2016, the City
contracted with Tim Lovain of Capitol Strategies Partners as a federal lobbyist/strategist in Washington
D.C. Mr. Lovain has experience working with public -sector agencies in the Puget Sound area, most notably
Sound Transit and Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT). Since the initial
engagement, Capitol Strategies Partners has merged with Crossroads Strategies, a large firm with a
nationwide client base. The initial scope of services for Capitol Strategies Partners included assistance at
the federal level for the proposed Waterfront Connector, Highway 99 and other important public works
projects seeking funds from sources such as FASTLANE grants, RRIF program, TIGER program, "dead
earmarks" from USDOT, etc.
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August 22, 2017
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In addition, Mr. Lovain monitors and provides real-time updates on legislative and budgetary developments
within the federal government, informing the City where and how to be engaged to further interests and/or
projects. Today Mr. Lovain and staff toured the City, viewing the waterfront connector site from above and
below, the senior center/community/waterfront center location and the associated beach rehabilitation
project, the Marina Beach project, Willow Creek daylighting project, Civic Field and Highway 99, all
projects that could be assisted by federal involvement and funding.
Tim Lovain, Crossroads Strategies, described:
• Background:
o B.A., University of Chicago
o M.A. & "A.B.D.", Princeton
o J.D., UW Law School
o Coast Guard officer
o House Legislative Staff
o Senate Legislative Staff
o Government Relations for 35 years:
■ Focus on Washington State transportation coalitions
- Fright Advocacy Coalition Chair
- Public Ferry Coalition Chair
o Alexandria, VA City Council
■ Focus on transportation
Crossroad Strategies
0 15 Lobbyists
0 75 Clients
o Experience and Contacts
o Collaboration
o Communication
o Strategic Counsel
o Effective advocacy to Congress and agencies
o Visibility
o Messaging/PR
CRS's focus for the City of Edmonds
o Pursue money/federal funds
o INFRA grants
o Possible infrastructure bill
o Other federal grant and loan programs
o Changing criteria
■ Ladders of opportunity vs. leveraging
o Policy changes, e.g. permit streamlining
o Visibility
Mr. Lovain provided his contact information. He commented it is obviously a very new situation in D.C.
Much of what lobbyists do is look around the corner and piece together information and detect trends before
they happen which is extremely difficult in this environment due to constant unpredictability. Critical
players to watch in the upcoming months are the congressional republicans and to what extent they are
willing to buck Trump administration. Infrastructure, tax reform, etc., are set aside in September due to
crucial budget matters such as the end of the fiscal year on September 30, requiring a continuing resolution
to fund the government for a while to avoid a shutdown. Around the same time there will need to be an
increase in the debt limit to avoid a government shutdown, something that members of Congress hate to
pass, especially republicans. Those issue will dominate in September as well as expiring authorizations that
must be approved by September 30.
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August 22, 2017
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Councilmember Teitzel relayed his understanding that if federal tax reform happens, it will potentially
reduce the tax burden on individuals and corporations which may result in less revenue for grant funding
at least in the short term. Mr. Lovain answered one of the discussions is whether tax reform has to have a
"pay -for" so it is balanced or can there be a deficit in the belief that tax cuts will trigger economic activity
(dynamic scoring). Repatriation of foreign earnings is a potential funding source and there may be enough
republicans in Congress that would balk a tax reform bill that runs a deficit.
Councilmember Johnson was excited to learn of his experience with freight mobility and ferries and asked
if he had visited SR -104 during his tour of Edmonds. Mr. Lovain answered yes, they walked it, noting
freight and ferries closely interrelate. There has been discussion regarding portraying the project as a way
to assist with freight mobility as well as ferry movement. Councilmember Johnson added it also assists with
trains and buses.
Councilmember Johnson recalled in a study of the corridor, one of the potential projects was widening the
ferry holding lanes to reduce the time cars spend inching forward in line. She asked if there were any federal
funds for that. Mr. Lovain answered there is are federal ferry programs but those usually provide funds for
ferry terminals and vessels. He envisioned the source would be highway funds such as INFRA or TIGER.
Councilmember Johnson acknowledged they are ferry holding lanes, but there are air quality and congestion
management issues. Mr. Lovain referred to the CEMQ program whose funds are distributed by PSRC.
Councilmember Johnson asked if there were any new funding sources on the horizon. Mr. Lovain answered
no, but ferry funding is slowly increasing.
Councilmember Fraley-Monillas referred to the waterfront connector reducing conflicts between trains and
ferries, and asked how emergency access was described in discussions in Washington D.C. Mr. Lovain
answered the new INFRA program is focused on safety improvements and innovation. He has tried to make
the case this is a great safety project that is very innovative; for a fraction of the cost of a full overpass, this
project provides emergency access to the waterfront in case of a train blockage. He recommended
emphasizing that in grant application. Councilmember Fraley-Monillas commented the initial use was
emergency access in case a train was blocking the tracks but now the name has been changed to waterfront
connector.
Mayor Earling commented he has known Mr. Lovain a long time. At an event last night for a U.S. Senator,
she greeted Mr. Lovain and everyone was all smiles. He recalled when he and staff were in Washington
D.C. last December seeking funding, Mr. Doherty remarked everybody knows him which Mayor Earling
commented was exactly what the City wanted.
Mr. Lovain summarized he is enjoying helping the City and he looked forward to accomplishing great
things together.
5. APPROVAL OF CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS
COUNCIL PRESIDENT MESAROS MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER TIBBOTT,
TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. The agenda
items approved are as follows:
1. APPROVAL OF COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OF AUGUST 15, 2017
2. ACKNOWLEDGE RECEIPT OF THE CLAIM FOR DAMAGES FROM SUZANNE
PHILLIPS
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3. APPROVAL OF CLAIM, PAYROLL AND BENEFIT CHECKS, DIRECT DEPOSIT AND
WIRE PAYMENTS
6. ADJOURN TO COMMITTEE MEETINGS
With no further business, the Council meeting was adjourned to committee meetings at 7:27 p.m. (Public
Safety & Personnel Committee in the Police Training Room.)
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DAVID O. EALING, MAYOR
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August 22, 2017
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