20170926 City CouncilEDMONDS CITY COUNCIL APPROVED MINUTES
September 26, 2017
ELECTED OFFICIALS PRESENT
Dave Earling, Mayor
Thomas Mesaros, Council President
Kristiana Johnson, Councilmember
Michael Nelson, Councilmember
Adrienne Fraley-Monillas, Councilmember
Diane Buckshnis, Councilmember
Dave Teitzel, Councilmember
Neil Tibbott, Councilmember
ALSO PRESENT
Noal Leonetti, Student Representative
CALL TO ORDER/FLAG SALUTE
STAFF PRESENT
Al Compaan, Police Chief
Phil Williams, Public Works Director
Shane Hope, Development Services Director
Scott James, Finance Director
Mary Ann Hardie, HR Director
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 7:00 p.m. by Mayor Earling in the Council
Chambers, 250 5th 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.
3. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
COUNCIL PRESIDENT MESAROS MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER TIBBOTT,
TO APPROVE THE AGENDA IN CONTENT AND ORDER. MOTION CARRIED
UNANIMOUSLY.
4. PRESENTATION
PRESENTATION ON THE EDMONDS HISTORICAL MUSEUM ANNUAL
SCARECROW FESTIVAL
Dave Buelow, Edmonds South Snohomish County Historical Society and Scarecrow Festival Coordinator,
relayed 2017 is the 5th year of Scarecrow Festival. Over the previous 4 years, over 300 scarecrows have
been built by over 200 different builders and 12,000 votes cast by the public. Scarecrows are registered
online and voted on by the public. The intent of the festival is still the same: a free, family -friendly, fun
event. When the festival began, the intent was to enhance profile of the museum in the community but also
to give back to the community, especially the business members who support the museum. The primary
goal of the festival is to attract visitors to the City and its businesses and organizations.
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In 2016, signs were printed and displayed around the City which increased the visibility of scarecrows and
the vote count. For 2017, the goal is 100 scarecrows and there are 1St, 2nd and 3`d place awards in the same
6 categories as well as a top vote -getter. For 2017, in addition to Facebook and Twitter, an Instagram
account has been added; he encouraged people to take a selfie with a scarecrow and post it on
#selfiewithscarecrow. Because some potential builders may be scared off by the phenomenal, awe-inspiring
scarecrows that are built, new this year are judged categories: best first-time entry and best depiction of
Edmonds history. Judges include mural artist Andy Eccleshall, Emily Scott; Chair of the Historic
Preservation Commission, John McGibbon, long time Edmonds resident; Jerry Freeland, Museum Board
President ;and Katy Kelly, Museum Director.
Mr. Buelow relayed:
• Online registration: October 1 —15
• Voting: October 16 — November 2
• Winners announced at Heritage Day Dinner fundraiser November 4 at Holy Rosary
• Reception at the Museum on November 6 at 7 p.m.
• Museum's website: HistoricEdmonds.org
o 2015 and 2016 winners
o YouTube links to scarecrow building
• Further information:
o Scarecrow Festival hotline: 425-774-6507
o Stop by museum
Councilmember Johnson inquired about a new rule this year. Mr. Buelow said FAQ and rules are on the
museum's website. In the past, there was no rule against reusing a scarecrow so the guidelines now state it
is totally permissible to reuse the same scarecrow; it always was allowed but has now been clarified.
Councilmember Buckshnis hoped to build a scarecrow this year and acknowledged she would not be
considered a first time entry because she had registered a scarecrow two years ago. Mr. Buelow agreed.
Councilmember Buckshnis asked if #selfiewithscarecrow could be a selfie with any number of scarecrows
and if there was a prize for that. Mr. Buelow answered the more selfies, the better; there is no prize this
year, possibly in the future. Councilmember Buckshnis said she is trying to convince her husband to do a
Packer's scarecrow; the festival is a lot of fun and a great community event.
Council President Mesaros joked whether the scarecrows resulted in a decline in the crow population. Mr.
Buelow answered he did not know but maybe. He was hopeful they would reduce the seagull population.
5. APPROVAL OF CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS
COUNCILMEMBER BUCKSHNIS MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER TEITZEL, TO
APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. The agenda items
approved are as follows:
APPROVAL OF COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OF SEPTEMBER 19, 2017
2. APPROVAL OF CLAIM, PAYROLL AND BENEFIT CHECKS, DIRECT DEPOSIT AND
WIRE PAYMENTS
6. AUDIENCE COMMENT
Alvin Rutledge, Edmonds, said he was glad the Scarecrow Festival was doing well. He reported on today's
Lake Ballinger Forum that was attended by representatives from Mountlake Terrace, Lynnwood, Lake
Forest Park, Edmonds and Shoreline. Most of the people in attendance were from Edmonds regarding Lake
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Ballinger as more needs to be done on the lake. Lake Forest Park fixed the problem with the creek
overflowing on Bothell Way. The Forum's next meeting is October 24 and he was hopeful a
Councilmember would attend the meeting as the discussion will include the budget.
Joe Scordino, Edmonds, a retired fishery biologist who works with students on environmental conditions
in Edmonds, thanked the Council for taking the time and effort to look at the site-specific study of Edmonds
Marsh. He anticipated a difficult decision selecting the final contractor and negotiations.
Kathleen Sears, Edmonds, thanked the Council and Mayor for soliciting and funding a scientific study of
the marsh. This is an exciting opportunity and although there are a variety of opinions about the health of
the marsh and buffer widths, they are not based on a comprehensive, scientific analysis and data gathering.
She attended all four presentations and agreed with Mr. Scordino that the Council had a tough decision to
make. The consultants have variations on the emphasis on field work and the type of science that will be
used to build the models that will result in recommendations on which the Council will base policy
decisions. A number of presenters said they will use data that has already been collected; she agreed there
was a good data bank but anticipated additional field work would need to be conducted to validate the
existing science as well as fill in gaps. She recognized the Council needs information to inform the SMP
and future decision but it must start with confidence in the science. She recommended an unbiased,
objective study and ensuring the perception of an unbiased study by looking at previous work the companies
have done as well as relationships they have with the City.
Susie Schaefer, Edmonds, lobbied for the demo garden scarecrow. She concurred with Ms. Sears'
comments and encouraged the Council to put emphasis on the birds. The birds have been followed for a
long time and there are a lot of sources of information such as eBird. Some birds that have been breeding
at the marsh for 50 years and there is very good written data that is not online. She recommended the
consultant obtain that data as well.
7. ACTION ITEM
1. SELECTION OF VENDOR FOR EDMONDS MARSH STUDY RFP
Council President Mesaros relayed the Task Force interviewed potential vendors during the past two days;
The Watershed Company, Kirkland, and GeoEngineers, Redmond on Monday; and Windward
Environmental, Seattle; and Shannon & Wilson, Seattle on Tuesday; he was amazed by the quality of the
vendors. The task now is to narrow the number of vendors, possibly to two, to be interviewed by the full
Council in a public setting.
Council President Mesaros explained the Task Force (Councilmembers Buckshnis and Nelson and himself),
who reviewed the five proposals and invited four to make presentations, has not yet had an opportunity to
discuss them. He suggested the Task Force reconvene with the two staff members (Shane Hope and Kernen
Lien) as well as Jeff Taraday to discuss the presentations and make a recommendation to Council. He
encouraged Councilmembers who attended some or all of the presentations to provide feedback to Task
Force members. He envisioned the Task Force would make a recommendation to Council within the next
two weeks. The Council can either accept the recommendation or offer alternatives.
Councilmember Nelson supported having the Task Force meet and discuss the vendors' presentations. He
agreed there were good quality applicants. The Task Force has already been reviewing the documentation
the vendors submitted in addition to presentations, the interview, and response to questions; further
discussion would be helpful.
Councilmember Buckshnis suggested announcing it as public meeting and inviting Councilmember Tibbott
who was at the first meeting representing Council President Mesaros. She found the presentations
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fascinating, noting there were different techniques, price ranges, experts, and methods. She has two
favorites from observing presentations both days. She noted Councilmember Johnson also observed the
presentations both days.
Councilmember Tibbott requested a one page, side-by-side comparison of the proposals and associated
costs. Council President Mesaros agreed that could be provided, observing there were some similarities. He
suggested using the six criteria as a basis for the comparison.
Councilmember Fraley-Monillas supported Council President Mesaros' idea of the Task Force reviewing
the vendors and recommending two candidates unless there was one that was absolutely outstanding.
Although she unable to attend the presentations, it was her understanding a couple of the vendors would be
providing more information. Council President Mesaros said Councilmember Nelson has asked for more
information. He suggested a two-week timeframe for the Task Force to meet so the additional information
can be provided.
Council President Mesaros said presentation of the Task Force's recommended finalists would be done at
an open meeting. Councilmember Fraley-Monillas supported the three Task Force members meeting to
discuss the vendors rather than the entire Council and she was okay with other Councilmembers attending.
Council President Mesaros commented if four Councilmembers attend, the meeting has to be noticed as an
open meeting. City Attorney Jeff Taraday relayed under the Open Public Meetings Act, if four
Councilmembers attend, the meeting must be noticed. There is also a requirement to notice a committee
meeting when the committee acts on behalf of the City Council. If the intent is for Task Force to narrow
the vendors from four to two, he recommended that meeting be noticed as well. Council President Mesaros
said that would afford the opportunity for other Councilmembers to attend. Councilmember Fraley-
Monillas agreed with that format.
Councilmember Johnson observed Council President Mesaros' initial suggestion was for only the three
Task Force members to meet and for other Councilmembers to provide input to the Task Force. She asked
if that created an issue with a rolling quorum. Mr. Taraday answered it depends on how many
Councilmembers are having those conversations. Councilmember Johnson pointed out only three
Councilmembers would make the decision but six Councilmembers have attended all or part of the
presentations. Mr. Taraday agreed it was a tricky question because there are scenarios where there would
not be a rolling quorum and others where there could; it depends on who talks to who and what information
they share. Because it is tricky, he said possibly that format is not a good idea. Council President Mesaros
said his initial suggestion was based on the fact it would not be a public meeting. Now that the meeting will
be noticed, Councilmembers can attend and offer their input.
Councilmember Johnson commented Councilmembers who are not on the Task Force were not allowed to
ask questions during the presentations/interviews today and yesterday which were also public meetings.
She asked if Councilmembers would be able to participate in the Task Force meeting. Council President
Mesaros said the rules for committees allow a Councilmember attending a committee meeting to offer
comment but they cannot vote. He suggested Councilmembers who attend would be welcome to offer
comment but the only the Task Force would vote. Mr. Taraday pointed out when the Council committee
rules were modified, he was uncertain a special purpose Task Force was expressly considered. The
committee rules could be applied but they did not necessarily apply by default. He suggested asking the
Council whether committee rules should apply to the Task Force.
Councilmember Johnson commented it was not clear to her whether she should provide input regarding her
preferences to the Task Force. Mr. Taraday relayed his understanding of Council President Mesaros'
comments, because the meeting will be noticed, Councilmembers would be able to comment at the meeting.
Council President Mesaros agreed. Mr. Taraday summarized there would be no need for Councilmembers
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to provide input to Task Force members outside the meeting because there would be an opportunity to
comment at the Task Force meeting. Councilmember Johnson asked if there would be a public comment
period at the Task Force meeting. Council President Mesaros clarified Councilmembers attending a Council
committee are allowed to comment.
Councilmember Teitzel supported the idea of the Task Force winnowing down the vendors from four to the
top two. He requested the Task Force develop a pro and con analysis of the top two. He was unable to attend
the first day of interviews but attended today's interviews, therefore a side-by-side list of the vendors' pros
and cons would be helpful.
In response to Councilmember Tibbott's request, Councilmember Buckshnis did not support using staff
time to develop a cost analysis. She said the booklet identifies the associated costs. She recalled
Councilmember Nelson asked the first and third vendors for additional information. She preferred the pro
and con analysis, commenting the Council needs to figure out which vendor they want based on their
presentation, materials and interview and then figure out how much the City can afford to spend. She
reiterated the Council did not have the manpower to do that analysis and she did not want Development
Services staff preparing that information. Council President Mesaros anticipated that information could be
developed without using Development Services staff.
Councilmember Nelson said in conversations with three of the four applicants after the interviews, all three
will be submitting additional information likely by the end of week. He recommended the analyses be
prepared after that information is submitted.
Council President Mesaros summarized his recommendation: The Task Force reconvene in approximately
two weeks which will allow the requested data to be submitted and the requested analyses to be prepared.
The Task Force will meet in the same format used for Council committees; Councilmembers are welcome
to attend and be part of the discussion, but only Task Force members will vote on any recommendation to
the full Council. The full Council will make the final selection. The meeting will be noticed and it will be
a public meeting; the goal of the meeting will be to narrow the vendors to 2-3. It was the consensus of the
Council to follow Council President Mesaros' recommended process.
8. ADJOURN TO COMMITTEE MEETINGS
With no further business, the Council meeting was adjourned to committee meetings at 7:36 p.m. (Parks,
Planning & Public Works Committee in the Jury Meeting Room, Finance Committee in Council Chambers
and Public Safety & Personnel Committee in the Police Training Room.)
DA DO. EARLING, MAYOR
S PASSEY, Cl
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