20180717 City CouncilEDMONDS CITY COUNCIL APPROVED MINUTES
July 17, 2018
ELECTED OFFICIALS PRESENT
Dave Earling, Mayor
Michael Nelson, Council President
Kristiana Johnson, Councilmember (by phone)
Thomas Mesaros, Councilmember
Adrienne Fraley-Monillas, Councilmember
Diane Buckshnis, Councilmember
Dave Teitzel, Councilmember
Neil Tibbott, Councilmember
1. CALL TO ORDER/FLAG SALUTE
STAFF PRESENT
Carrie Hite, Parks, Rec. & Cult. Serv. Dir.
Patrick Doherty, Econ. Dev & Comm. Serv. Dir.
Frances Chapin, Arts & Culture Program Mgr.
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 5t' 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. Councilmember Johnson
participated by phone.
3. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
COUNCILMEMBER FRALEY-MONILLAS MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER
TEITZEL, TO APPROVE THE AGENDA IN CONTENT AND ORDER. MOTION CARRIED
UNANIMOUSLY.
4. APPROVAL OF CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS
COUNCILMEMBER TIBBOTT MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER FRALEY-
MONILLAS, TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
The agenda items approved are as follows:
1. APPROVAL OF COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OF JULY 10, 2018
2. APPROVAL OF CLAIM CHECKS, WIRE PAYMENT AND PAYROLL CHECKS
3. CONFIRM APPOINTMENT OF TRACY LITTLE TO THE CEMETERY BOARD
4. MAY 2018 MONTHLY FINANCIAL REPORT
5. FAC PLAYGROUND PROJECT CLOSEOUT
6. FINAL ACCEPTANCE OF THE 228TH ST. SW CORRIDOR IMPROVEMENTS
PROJECT
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7. AUTHORIZATION FOR THE MAYOR TO SIGN AN INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT FOR
SNOHOMISH COUNTY NATURAL YARD CARE OUTREACH
8. BELL ST. NO PARKING ORDINANCE
9. 76TH AVE/212TH INTERSECTION IMPROVEMENTS - CHANGE ORDER APPROVAL
5. PRESENTATION
STUDENTS SAVING SALMON YEARLY COUNCIL REPORT 2018
Erin Francisco introduced members of Students Saving Salmon Club, Edmonds-Woodway High School:
Emily McLaughlin Sta. Maria, Elena Sta. Maria, Aimee Fuji, Miriam Gold, Ava Wilson, and Grace
Yockey. The club had over 30 members this past school year and is expecting 50 students in the coming
year. Students Saving Salmon is a club formed to get Edmonds-Woodway High School students involved
in local watersheds in order to learn about the protection of salmon and their habitat and to get hands-on
experience collecting, interpreting and presenting data and other club findings. Many members of the club
get involved because they wish to pursue similar subjects for careers or because they simply want
experience with field work and community outreach. More importantly, they all care about the salmon and
preserving the environment in Edmonds.
Erin said since their last presentation to the Council, the club has continued volunteering with the Edmonds
Stream Team on monthly water quality monitoring as well as participating in several salmon stewardship
programs which include the salmon surveys, habitat restoration and work at the Willow Creek Hatchery.
They have also done outreach in the community to spread news of their club and how the community can
work toward the goal of saving salmon.
Grace Yockey said students have appreciated the opportunity to participate in a project to collect accurate,
scientific data on stream quality that can be used by government officials and for research. The water quality
data they collect is directly comparable to that used by state agencies and other scientific research projects.
The Edmonds Stream Team uses two electronic instruments, the YSA Pro Plus and the YSI Pros DSS, to
measure factors in water such as pH, conductivity, dissolved oxygen, salinity, temperature, etc. to monitor
water conditions for salmon. They now have almost three years of continuous monthly water quality data
that can be analyzed and compared to the Washington State water quality standards. They also continue to
collect water quality samples for analysis by an accredited laboratory for stormwater pollutions such as
petroleum compounds and heavy metals. These lab analyses are very expensive and the funding provided
by the City Council allows them to continue the study every year. They have also continued sampling for
fecal coliform bacteria in creeks and the Marsh in cooperation with the Edmonds Wastewater Treatment
Plant lab. High levels of these bacteria in creeks indicate the potential presence of pathogens that cause
health problems for people and animals.
Grace displayed a map of the monitoring sites, explaining the Stream Team monitors creeks throughout
Edmonds including Shell, Willow, Shellabarger, and along the Edmonds Marsh, a total of 17 monitoring
sites in downtown Edmonds. An additional site in upper Shellabarger Creek was added to improve
monitoring of the entire watershed. Electronic instruments are used to measure water health to determine if
streams are healthy for salmon and other aquatic organisms. Their work is supervised by project leader Joe
Scordino, but all the data is entered by students into a data base that contains over 1000 monitoring events
and further analyzes to determine if A, conditions match the state standards, and 13, to look for changes in
water conditions that could later become a risk.
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Aimee Fuju provided highlights of several critical parameters. Once of the most important parameters is
water temperature. Salmon native to Washington must live in cold water so water temperature is monitored
to ensure temperatures are low enough. She displayed a graph, Water Temperature — All Sites, explaining
the average water temperature of Hindley, Shell, Shellabarger and Willow Creek ranges from 57.8°F in the
summer to 47°F in the winter. The maximum water temperature for salmon spawning, rearing and
migration, set by the Washington Administrative Code (WAC), is 63.5°F. All the average temperature
recordings from monthly monitoring fell under the maximum requirement; however, there was one reading
in the summer in Hindley Creek of 63.8°F.
Aimee displayed a graph, Water Temperature — Marsh, explaining the average temperature throughout the
year ranged from 62.4°F in the summer to 45.8°F in the winter. All the measurements are under the
maximum requirement of 63.5°F; however, the graph illustrates water exiting the Marsh along the north
edge matched and exceeded the standard water temperature in spring and summer. The Marsh outlet had a
high temperature of 73.3°F in the summer and 68.5°F in the spring. The north edge of the Marsh held a
summer high temperature of 72.0°F. The graph illustrates both the streams entering the Marsh are below
the state standard, however, the water exiting the Marsh at the outlets exceeds the state standard, illustrating
water is warming up while inside the Marsh. Better circulation and vegetation may help address this
problem.
Aimee displayed a graph, Dissolved Oxygen (mg/L), explaining it is important to monitor dissolved oxygen
levels because they must be above a certain level for fish to respire. The average dissolved oxygen levels
in the creeks ranged from a low of 10.0 mg/L in the summer to a high of 11.3 mg/L in the winter. The
lowest average of the year was 9.3 mg/L at the south fork of the upper Shellabarger in the summer. As the
graph shows, all levels are well above the state standard for spawning, rearing and migration of 8.0 mg/L.
Additionally, the dissolved oxygen levels in lower Shell Creek where salmon spawn in the fall and winter
were 11.0 mg/L, the optimum level for salmon eggs in gravel.
Aimee displayed a graph, Dissolved Oxygen (mg/L) at Edmonds Marsh, explaining the dissolved oxygen
levels through the main flow of water in Edmonds Marsh average 9.3 mg/L at the outlet which is over the
minimum standard. However, the dissolved oxygen levels measured at the northern edge of the Marsh along
Harbor Square average 3.0 mg/L and was below 2.0 mg/L except during periods of rainfall. Levels this low
are lethal to most aquatic organisms. The southern parts of the eastern edge of the Marsh along Highway
104 had dissolved oxygen levels averages of 5.0 mg/L and 1.6 mg/L, well below the state standard. The
levels at the edge of the Marsh tend to rise during periods of rainfall which suggests a lack of circulation
throughout the Marsh.
Aimee displayed a graph of pH levels, explaining pH was within the Washington State standards of 8.5 to
6.5. The Marsh can be slightly acidic during certain times of the year, but overall pH is not an area of
concern. However, monitoring is only done once a month which does not allow capture of all things that
may flow into creeks outside the monitoring timeframes. There have been reports of foam and suds in the
water as well as a solvent smell coming from one creek which may suggest people are draining detergent
and other substances into storm drains. Although data shows
Emily McLaughlin Sta Maria explained the Stream Team continues to collect water samples to be tested
for fecal coliform bacteria at the Edmonds WWTP lab. Fecal coliform are bacteria found in feces of warm
blooded animals. The graph illustrates varying amounts of fecal coliform have been found at each of the
sampling sites. There are no Washington quality standards for'contact with fresh water aquatic life for fecal
coliform; based on the Washing standards for recreational contact for humans for fecal coliform is 100-200
colonies/ 100mL, some counts were quite high. Although there have been many high counts, there have also
been many low counts, providing no reason or pattern. Higher counts occur after periods of long rainfall,
but samples have been collected several days in a row that yield varying results with no good reason for the
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higher counts. Due to the fluctuation, they hope to do further tests and determine the type of animal the
fecal coliform may be coming from.
Emily displayed a graph, Fecal Coliform Bacteria (colonies/100mL), that illustrates counts from creeks in
the area. The highest counts, 900 colonies/ 100mL, are from lower Willow Creek and are significantly above
the 100-200 colonies/100mL maximum. Sampling in Upper Willow has found lower fecal coliform levels.
The graph accentuates the fluctuations in Shellbarger and Shell Creek, relatively low counts in 2016 that
increased in 2017 and decreased in 2018. Levels in Willow Creek increased in 2017 and remained high in
2018. They will continue monitoring for fecal coliform bacteria and return next year with a better hypothesis
for the extreme fluctuations and high counts.
Beyond bacteria, they also continue collecting water samples for petroleum hydrocarbon and various heavy
metals at the ALS Laboratory in Everett. The Students Saving Salmon thank the City Council for the funds
to continue that testing. The samples are monitored for 18 specific types of PAHs (polycyclic aromatic
hydrocarbon) that have been identified by the EPA as high priority pollutants; only ten have Washington
quality criteria for human health. Some of the PAHs are carcinogenic and high levels have been found in
some samples. Of the ten PAHs with Washington State criteria, five exceed the criteria. To date 59 different
samples have been collected; of that 59, 39 have shown at least one of the 5 PHAs over the Washington
State criteria. Sites that generally have the highest PAHs are along the Marsh edges including the eastern
edge along Highway 104 near the storm drain and the north edge by Harbor Square which has had industrial
activity in the past which may have contaminated the soil. Fortunately, at the Marsh outlet that leads to
Puget Sound, levels of PAHs have generally been lower, indicating the Marsh is doing a good job filtering
out PAHs.
Emily referred to the graph and one bar that reflected high levels. She noted it is important to note PAHs
have different levels of toxicity. Although a high level, it does not exceed Washington State criteria due to
the high standard. She displayed a graph, cPAHs — Percentage exceeding WA State Criteria, pointing out
benzo(a)pyrene exceeds state criteria in both creeks and the Marsh. She referred to a sample at the Marsh
east storm drain by Highway 104 that exceeded the criteria by 649%. They will continue to collect data on
PAHs with the funding provided by the Council and report on them next year.
Emily displayed a graph, Heavy Metals Detected in Water Samples (except iron), commenting zinc has
been found in the highest amounts. Iron is not shown on the graph because iron -is generally found in large
amounts, making it difficult to compare with other metals. High levels of soft iron in waters are expected
because it is naturally found in high levels in the area. They will collect additional samples for heavy meals
and return next year with a more complete report.
Emily explained along with numerical data, they also collect data on habitat around the watershed such as
vegetation and bottom substrate found in the water. There are some areas of concern such as sediment flow
in Shell Creek; the heavy flow has caused gravel to be covered making it difficult for salmon to spawn and
caused blockages that make it difficult for salmon to traverse the creek. There also issues with woody
debris; woody debris is essential for salmon because it creates pools and back currents that give salmon a
resting place. Last winter someone removed all the woody debris from Shell Creek near Holy Rosary
Church; likely with good intention, but it is important the woody debris remain in the creek.
Miriam Gold reported on salmon stewardship in Shell Creek. Salmon surveys done in late November and
December see salmon returning to Shell Creek from the ocean to spawn. Population surveys are taken to
count the number of returning salmon, counting living and dead salmon as well as the places where salmon
may have laid eggs in the gravel. Far fewer salmon were spotted this year than in previous years, both coho
and chum and streamside residents also report they have seen fewer salmon this year compared to past
years. Many streamside residents report they have frequently seen on and off years for the salmon run so it
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is hoped the population will bounce back in this year's surveys. Students Saving Salmon also do frequent
habitat restoration on private properties in Edmonds such as the area on Shell Creek by Holy Rosary Church.
Habitat restoration includes removal of noxious and invasive species such as Himalayan blackberry,
morning glory and ivy which choke out other native vegetation and replanting with native species such as
dogwood, ferns and spruce. Habitat restoration is funded with grants from Sound Salmon Solutions. This
process has numerous benefits; plants shade the water keeping the temperature optimal for salmon and a
greater variety of vegetation makes provide a better ecosystem for all aquatic life including salmon and the
roots help prevent streamside erosion. A variety of vegetation also makes for a more aesthetically pleasing
streamside.
Miriam explained one of the most significant areas of salmon stewardship is the Students Saving Salmon's
work with the Will Creek Hatchery, helping to raise the salmon at the hatchery from eggs to fry. This year
the club did its second release of salmon fry into upper Shell Creek that had not seen salmon in decades
due to multiple waterfalls and blockages that stop salmon upstream progress. The club also attempted to
place salmon eggs into a hatch box in Shell Creek; the purpose of the hatch box is to mimic natural condition
of gravel at the stream bottom. This was not successful because the area where the hatch boxes were placed
had too much fine sediment which clogged the hatch box and killed the eggs. Although unfortunate, it
helped educate the club on where to place the hatch box to ensure more success.
Elena Sta. Maria said Students Saving Salmon also spread awareness of how to protect salmon and their
habitat along with spreading awareness of the club. Besides visiting streamside residents on lower Shell
Creek, they have presented analysis of water quality and streams and the Marsh to the Edmonds City
Council annually for three years. They have also made several presentations about their findings to other
community groups such as the Floretum Club, the Puget Sound Anglers, the Olympic Fly Fishers, Trout
Unlimited as well as third graders at Brighton School. Representatives from Edmonds Community College
Public TV interviewed club member Ava Wilson and club advisor Joe Scordino about their experiences.
They have had a booth at the Watershed Festival at the Willow Creek Hatchery for the past three years and
are planning to continue that outreach. They also had a booth at the Edmonds Waterfront Festival last month
and hope to have that opportunity in the future. Both festivals allowed them to interact with kids and their
parents to teach them different ways to help save salmon and streams.
Ava Wilson relayed the Students Saving Salmon's recommendation that the current water quality
monitoring project continue so that annual trends can be evaluated and baseline information can be
established. This will provide long term data that will allow comparisons in the future to potential
environmental or pollutant driven issues and probable effects of climate change. Additionally, this project
has provided students with field science experience and expertise that will be valuable to future jobs and
possible careers. Fields studies and activities continue to attract new students to the club. Students Saving
Salmon greatly appreciate the continued support from the City and the City Council and their enthusiasm
toward their efforts and hope the annual funding will continue as the funds are vital to obtaining supplies
needed to conduct the project.
Ava explained data gathered while monitoring the local watershed's water quality indicates the principle
water parameters, temperature, dissolved oxygen and pH in the creeks, meet Washington water quality
standards for salmon. Students Saving Salmon commend Edmonds residents for helping to keep streams in
good condition. The data indicates water quality conditions in the creeks are suitable for salmon and efforts
to reestablish viable Coho and Chum salmon runs should proceed. Unlike the streams, the Edmonds Marsh
did not conform to state standards. Students Saving Salmon hopes their data will be considered in current
studies on ecological function and restoration planning for the Edmonds Marsh. Better fresh water
circulation, increased native vegetation such as trees and shrubs, and year-round tidal influx of saltwater
may help alleviate the problems found in the Marsh. The occurrence of carcinogenic pollutants that exceed
state criteria is an area of concern that warrants further investigation. This year they will collect additional
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water and sediment samples with the funding provided by the Edmonds City Council and report the results
next year. Fecal coliform analysis needs to continue to better understand exactly when and why the spikes
in bacteria counts occur. Although bacterial DNA testing is expensive, it is plausible that determining the
source of fecal coliform bacteria in higher count samples such as dog, birds, humans or other warm-blooded
animals will be beneficial.
The Shell Creek salmon stewardship project should continue because the outreach to residents and
restoration efforts will benefit existing and future salmon that utilize Shell Creek. They plan to continue
raising coho salmon with the Willow Creek Hatchery so that release of juvenile coho salmon into the upper
reaches of Shell Creek can further bolster the resident population. They hope to pursue avenues such as
grants to determine the feasibility and cost of restoration projects to remove salmon passage barriers in
creeks. They also hope to reestablish coho salmon in other creeks in Edmonds. Continued outreach to the
community on the importance of water quality and stream habitat is needed to help restore salmon
populations in Puget Sound. Their participation in events such as the Watershed Fun Fair and the Waterfront
Festival help to get the word out about their efforts and hopefully attract attention and citizens who are
willing to help.
Ava relayed their appreciation for the opportunity to work with the Tree Board to improve vegetation on
creeks and hope to continue working with them. Getting the community involved in projects such as
removing invasive plant species and planting native plants is also a critical part of their community outreach
because it is a way for citizens to actively contribute. The community needs to work together to reduce or
eliminate the use of pesticides and herbicides that can enter waterways and preventing pollutants from
roadways and other sources from entering streams, especially from storm drains that flow directly into
streams and the Marsh. Together we can make the environment better for everyone including the salmon.
She displayed a list of individuals and organizations and relayed the Students Saving Salmon's thanks for
their help. Without help from the community, grant funding and Council support, the Students Saving
Salmon would not have been able to enjoy the rewarding experience to improve the environment. The
salmon are also thankful.
Councilmember Buckshnis commended the Students Saving Salmon. She asked whether their analysis had
been correlated with the closure of the tidegate. Emily responded they monitor for salinity. Councilmember
Buckshnis suggested the lack of saltwater flow into the Marsh when the tidegate is closed be considered in
their analysis, noting there will be efforts to keep the gate open year-round. She commended the monitoring
that illustrate pollutants from SR 104 and Harbor Square. She expressed support for providing funding to
the Students Saving Salmon in 2019.
Councilmember Teitzel referred to language on page 5 of the report regarding nitrates, "...nitrates generally
increased during the periods that the tidegate was secured open allowing saltwater to enter the Marsh during
high tides. High nitrate levels can cause algal blooms which can deplete dissolved oxygen levels in water
thus impacting fish and other aquatic organisms." He had presumed daylighting Willow Creek would be a
net positive to the environment, but this language suggests as the saltwater intrusion is increased, it could
cause increased algae blooms and decrease dissolved oxygen, thus harming fish. Joe Scordino responded
that is a valid observation. Puget Sound saltwater carries more nutrients than are currently seen in the
freshwater environment in the Marsh. High nutrient levels and algae blooms is one of issues the Puget
Sound Partnership is addressing and seeking the source. One of the reasons is lawn fertilizer; reducing
fertilizer use would reduce that concern.
Councilmember Teitzel referred to the waterfall near the intersection of 7" and Glen on Shell Creek. He
supported installing a fish ladder to allow salmon to transverse the waterfall and reach the upstream habitat.
He asked what the City could do to help achieve that. Mr. Scordino said the first major step is getting the
property owner to agree to have their property modified. Although there was some initial interest in studying
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the feasibility of modifying the property where the waterfall is located, more recently the property owner
has stopped talking to them. With the property owner agreement, they hope to obtain a grant to do a
feasibility study of what would be required to remove the waterfall, install a fish ladder, etc. Councilmember
Teitzel asked if the City could help with the property owner. Mr. Scordino answered possibly.
Councilmember Fraley-Monillas referred to the egg hatchboxes that were unsuccessful due to the sandy
creek bottom and asked where a better location for the boxes would be. Miriam answered they will try to
place the boxes in an area where the bottom is gravellier. This year's location included a bit of a back pool
where the water circulated the sediment. When placing the hatchbox, they also take into account human
activity to avoid any interference with the box.
Councilmember Johnson said the Students Saving Salmon have done an excellent job with the assistance
of the advisors and she appreciated the work they have done over the past three years. She asked why they
did not expand to include Perrinville Creek. Mr. Scordino answered that has been considered but it comes
down to the amount of time the students have to be engaged. The students currently give up one weekend
a month to do monitoring; although that does not seem like much, they are involved in an amazing amount
of other activities. Councilmember Johnson suggested with the expected increase to 50 members, they
consider expanding to include Perrinville Creek in the future.
6. AUDIENCE COMMENTS
Roger Pence, Edmonds, said he passes the welcome sign daily and has noticed it looks neglected as a
result of deferred maintenance. When he viewed the proposed new sign, he liked that it was larger and
longer and positioned to improve visibility to both roads, but was disappointed in the look and feel of the
sign; it did not reflect the warm and inviting atmosphere of downtown Edmonds. He learned the appearance
of the sign the result of instructions to the designer to follow the wayfinding sign standards. He pointed out
this is not a wayfinding sign; it is an arrival/destination sign that a motorist is entering downtown Edmonds
so the wayfinding standards should not apply. The proposed sign would be more appropriate for a corporate
office park and does not reflect the City of Edmonds. He suggested sending the design back; following a
conversation with Frances Chapin, he was confident a better sign could be designed, one that was more
appropriate to Edmonds.
Joan Longstaff, Edmonds, referred to a stop light on Edmonds Way, commenting they used to be able to
watch until the light on 95' Place turned red which meant the traffic traveling east on SR-104 also had a
red light, but that has changed. As a result, she got in a T-bone accident, was hospitalized and suffered a
traumatic brain injury. She requested the light on SR-104 be red for eastbound traffic when the light on
95th is red.
Sharon Mayo, Edmonds, a resident of Westgate apartments, said the corner at 95' is very dangerous; cars
travel very fast, making it difficult to turn right or left. Every morning and night when she turns into the
apartments, she prays she will not get hit. The speed limit is 35 mph, but no one goes that speed. She
recommended the light be changed so an accident like Ms. Longstaff s does not happen to someone else;
her car was totaled, and she was lucky she was not killed She requested the City change the light so it is
safer for the residents of the apartment complex.
Bernadine Lee, Edmonds, agreed with Ms. Longstaff and Ms. Mayo, commenting she was a passenger in
the car of a friend when they came close to being hit on the passenger side when entering the parking lot.
She agreed something needs to be done.
Carolynne Harris, Edmonds, recalled a meeting at the City Council and a meeting at Edmonds Lutheran
regarding low income housing. The thing most people are afraid of is crime increasing if housing is
constructed that school teachers, police officers and others can afford. She pointed out there has always
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been crime in Edmonds, recalling when they bought their house in Emerald Hills in 1974, one neighbor
was in the Greek mafia and two others were in prison. The neighborhood had block watch which allowed
her to get to know neighbors within three blocks. She recalled living by a rapist for 12 years and another
man who was imprisoned for trying to kill his wife. She recalled Councilmember Fraley-Monillas
commenting about crime on Highway 99 in Edmonds. She requested block watch be reestablished, perhaps
funded from the opioid response fund because crime is usually due to drugs.
Laura Johnson, Edmonds, co -lead for Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America, said like MADD
that was established to reduce drunk driving, MDA was created to demand action from legislators to
establish common sense gun reform. They support the 2"d Amendment but believe in and work for common
sense solutions to decrease the escalating epidemic of gun violence that is killing too many children and
loved ones. Her family has not had direct experience with gun violence; however, her kids have grown up
surrounded by the threat of gun violence. Her eldest was born one year after the Columbine shootings and
was in 9" grade when four freshmen students were shot and killed by a classmate at Marysville Pilchuck
Highschool. Her daughter was an acquaintance of one of the victim so the reality of a school shooting no
longer seemed like something that happened somewhere else. Her son was in I` grade when 20 first graders
and 6 teachers were murdered at Sandy Hook Elementary. When she had the "I want you to hear it from
me first" conversation with him after the recent Parkland shooting, she noticed he was sad but not surprised.
They both realized he has never known a reality where school shootings were not a semi regular occurrence.
At school her kids regularly participate in active shooter response drills, a program called ALICE, where
students are taught to fight back by causing distraction with the goal of slowing a shooter from going to the
next classroom. In many school shootings, the shooter is a fellow student who acquired the gun from home.
Had the weapon been responsibly secured, they would not have had access to a firearm and the shooting
could have been prevented. It is common sense that gun owners should be required to store their guns
securely and prevent children from accessing them. She applauded Council President Nelson for bringing
forward this common sense gun legislation that will save lives. It does not take away any rights, it simply
requires those who choose to exercise their 2"d Amendment rights to do so responsibly.
Carol Megenity, Edmonds, referred to the safe gun storage ordinance, commending Council President
Nelson for bringing this important ordinance to the City. It seems intuitive that gun owners would store
their guns safety, however, almost daily the news reports another tragedy that could have been prevented if
the gun had been safely stored away from the child who shoots another child, the individual with depression
who commits suicide, the person with dementia, rage, etc. When someone dies in such a tragic way, it
affects the extended family for the rest of their lives. Like the seatbelt law or the no texting while driving
law, people seem to need laws to remind of them of their responsibility to use common sense. This is an
important move by the City in the right direction for gun safety and to reduce gun violence. This law will
truly make a difference for quality of life in Edmonds.
Emma Johnson, Edmonds, said kids are tired of being scared and adults not fixing things to protect them.
This year, her U.S. Government class studied the Bill of Right including the 2"d Amendment which states,
"A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and
bear Arms, shall not be infringed." They also studied the Declaration of Independence and her unalienable
rights to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. The way that some exercise their interpretation of the 2"d
Amendment is infringing on, or completely ending, someone else's right to life, liberty and the pursuit of
happiness. A right to own a gun should not be a right to irresponsibly store the gun, allowing a child to play
with it and accidentally shoot, injure or kill themselves or another. A right to own a gun should not be right
to store it unsecured and allow a depressed teen or young adult to find it and in a state of temporary
desperation end their life. A right to own a gun should not be a right to store it irresponsibly and allow yet
another teenage boy angry at a girl to go into a school and kill her and possibly other students. At 15, she
has never know going to a school without active shooter drills. These drills are necessary because
lawmakers have failed to protect students. There is enough to deal with as a teen and she should not have
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to go into a classroom and consider where she would hide, what she could throw to protect herself or where
the nearest window is to escape. She urged the Council to vote in favor of the proposed ordinance.
Tiffany Teasdale, Edmonds, owner of Lynnwood Gun, said she was on KIRO News today. She expressed
concern with the type of locking device cited in ordinance and suggested the Council confer with the
officers in the Street Crime unit about people breaking and entering into homes who steal guns and cut
through the locks suggested in the ordinance. Criminals should be charged for stealing guns instead of
making law abiding citizens criminals for trying to save their own lives. She understood and agreed with
the goal of having guns locked for safety, but people may not have enough money to purchase a lock or
safe. She questioned whether the City would provide a Liberty safe to every resident who owned a firearm.
She preferred to have the fee imposed on a person committing a crime instead of the lawful gun owner.
When two juveniles, both felons with ties to gang activity, stole a firearm from her store, one got 18 days
and the other 52 weeks. When the one got out of jail after 18 days, he committed a strong-arm robbery and
shot and almost killed the homeowner.
Sandra Herman, Edmonds, said in 1982 before it was known the NRA was a front to launder money for
political campaigns, she passed a hunter safety course and received a card that proved she had been
indoctrinated to the most important part of gun ownership - safety. The class taught her how to recognize
the parts of a gun, where the safety was located, how to load, hold, shoot and walk with it, never point it at
anyone, how to unload it and how to safely store it. As a gun -smarts advocate, she reads tragic stories daily
that remind her of the benefit of a hunter safety class. The problem is too many gun owners do not have the
proud heritage of gun ownership in their backgrounds. In her childhood home the doors were unlocked and
keys were stored under the vehicle's floor mat; the only thing that was locked up were the guns and ammo
separately. Her home also included asbestos siding, knob and tube wiring and lead paint; she didn't have a
helmet, seatbelts in the back of the pickup, or drunk driving laws. Society has come a long way. The way
we think about keeping our families safe has changed on a variety of issues; when organizations like the
NRA shirk their duty to educate gun owners, something must stand in the void that is left. When dangers
such as secondhand smoke, the need for CO2 detectors, or updated building code were recognized, local
governments have always been the source of changing culture. Sensible gun culture is badly needed. Trigger
locks are incredibly inexpensive and readily available. Gun safes save lives and for those worried about the
"armed boogey man" touted by the NRA, fingerprint handgun safes provide access at the touch of a button.
The proposal will save lives by bringing back the fundamental basic tradition of gun culture - safety.
Rosie Bailer, Edmonds, cited statists: last month at least 14 U.S. children and teens unintentionally shot
themselves or someone else. On June 26 in Missouri, a 3 year old boy fatally shot himself; on June 231 in
Louisiana, a 4 year old fatally shot himself, on June 23`d in Louisiana, a 3-year old boy shot himself in the
arm; on June 121h in Tennessee, a 13 year old boy fatally shot his 12-year old sister; on June 6" in Kansas,
a 7-year old boy shot his 5-year old sister in the arm; on June 5" in Kentucky, a 6-year old boy fatally shot
himself; on June 5' in Arizona, a 13-year old boy fatally shot his 14-year old friend; on June 4th in
Washington, a juvenile shot a 14-year old boy in the chest; on June 41 in Michigan, a 4 year old girl shot
herself in the finger; on June 4" in Illinois, an 8-year old boy shot a 5-year old brother in the neck; on June
4' in Ohio, a 13-year old boy fatally shot his 2-year old relative; on June 3' in Alabama, a 16-year old boy
shot himself in the wrist; on June 1" in Louisiana, a juvenile shot a 7-year old girl in the neck; on June 1st
in Louisiana, a 6-year old boy shot himself. Shootings by children can be prevented with responsible gun
storage. The Washington State Department of health reported 47% of the 1.8 million Washington State
adults who have firearms in their homes stated they are stored unlocked; 876,000 people in Washington.
When she was young, she rode in a laundry basket in the car, she never had a bike helmet and she dined in
the smoking section of restaurants. Society no longer considers these things safe for their children; common
sense legislation has changed culture and she was certain common-sense gun storage legislation can do the
same for her grandchildren. A member of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America and a registered
voter, she is paying attention.
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Heather Damron, Edmonds, parent and co -lead of the Edmonds Mom Demand Action for Gun Sense in
America, said gun violence is pervasive in America, an epidemic. People cry out when mass shootings
occur and beg for those in charge to do something and sadly often see more calls for thoughts and prayers
than actual action from elected officials. She was heartened Edmonds was making strides to curb gun
violence, legitimate efforts to keep the community safe and she applauded the legislation brought forward
by Council President Nelson. Safe storage is simple and effective; it is common sense that storing firearms
securely locked, unloaded and separate from ammunition is an effective safeguard to keep guns out of the
hands of people who should not have them. These simple steps reduce a child's ability to access guns and
helps protect kids from suicide and accidental shootings. Responsible storage of firearms keeps guns out of
the hands of children who may turn those guns on their peers in anger or frustration. Her first memory of
a firearm was about the age of 7 when some 12-13 year -old boys at her church found a gun in one of their
homes that they thought was unloaded and one boy was killed from a gunshot to the head. A life taken
prematurely, and two broken families left in the wake of a completely preventable tragedy. Children and
unsecured guns are a dangerous and all too often deadly mix. In the United States, 1.7 million children live
in a household with at least one unlocked loaded gun and every year hundreds of kids gain access to one of
these irresponsibly stored firearms and use it to unintentionally shoot themselves or someone else. In the
past three months, three separate instances of gun violence have forever altered the lives of her loved ones.
It is time to set parameters and define exactly what responsible gun ownership means for the health and
safety of the community. She urged the Council to put the ordinance into effect and lead by example and
action and not with thoughts and prayers.
Sierra Johnson, Edmonds, said during training to be a counselor at a day camp this summer, their training
included emergency drills such as active shooting drills. The camp is held in an open park and they were
taught if there was an active shooter, to tell campers to scatter and run as fast and as far as they can. She
plans to continue her studies in elementary education and recently came to terms with the fact that as a
teacher she needed to be willing to risk her life for students, which she is. She accepts that it is the job of a
teacher to both teach and protect kids, just as she expects elected representatives to do their job to pass
legislation to protect the community. In school shootings, it is often a student that does the shooting and
they often acquire the gun at home. This legislation simply requires those who choose to own a gun do so
responsibly so a gun does not fall into the hands of a child and result in a preventable tragedy. She thanked
Council President Nelson for introducing this common-sense gun legislation and she urged the Council to
pass it.
Mike McMurray, said a survey on My Edmonds News found 70% did not like the new sign. He referred
to his emails to the City and appreciated Frances Chapin talking with him. He recommended having more
public debate about the sign including input from local artists. The sign will be in place for the next 40
years and should be considered an opportunity to do better. He hoped the Council would allow the public
to submit design alternatives which could save the City money. He suggested Councilmembers drive by the
mural painted by Mack Bennett at 550 Main.
Mack Bennett, Edmonds, said he has been painting signs for over 50 years. With the advent of vinyl and
digital, a lot of the aesthetics of signs have been lost. He preferred to preserve the welcoming sign, whether
by him or another artists, noting there has been a resurgence and interest in in hand work. He liked the
existing sign in its present state, preferring the worn old sign to a vinyl or computer -generated sign. He
hoped the City would consider a different design. He recalled reading an obituary about a man who had
been a graphic designer and his son said everything he did was cut and paste, he never used computers. One
of his jobs was designing Microsoft's first logo.
Sharon Mayo, Edmonds, said it's difficult to walk through the sand at the dog park and requested an ADA
path to a bench.
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Marjorie Fields, Edmonds, said the proposed new sign is not reflective of Edmonds' ambiance. She
supports protecting children from gun violence and urged the Council to pass the legislation quickly as this
is an urgent matter.
Ross Demmick, Edmonds, referred to the ordinance regarding safe storage of firearms, and the
qualitative/quantitative statements on the first page or the ordinance, requesting the source of the statements
be made available to judge the potential efficacy of the ordinance. Section 5.24.070.D of the ordinance
related to reporting of lost/stolen firearms refers to penalties if a lost or stolen firearm is used by a third
party to injure or kill another, stating it is a negligent act on the part of the owner unless the theft is report
and it was stored with an approved device and in a manner to render it inaccessible or unusable to any
person other than the owner or other lawfully authorized user. He asked how that standard could be met if
the gun was stolen and used in the commission of a crime. He referred to prima facie evidence of negligence
in the ordinance and asked if that same prima facie extended to how the weapon was secured at the time of
its theft.
7. STUDY/POTENTIAL ACTION ITEMS
1. GATEWAY SIGN REPLACEMENT SR 104 & 5TH AVE S
Parks & Recreation Director Carrie Hite displayed photos of the proposed design, explaining this gateway
sign has been in the CIP for the past two years and funding was included in 2018 to replace the sign. The
Parks & Recreation Department is responsible for wayfinding signs and other non -regulatory signs such as
park signs, interpretive signs, etc. Most of the City's signage is fabricated and created in the internal Public
Works sign shop. This sign was planned to be fabricated by a sign company; some of the interpreted panels
are also fabricated by a sign company because they weather better in the saltwater air. There have been
some concerns raised this week about the gateway sign. Historically, people in Edmonds are passionate
about signs; so passionate in fact that comments in 2006 about the hodgepodge of signs led to a public
process and an appendix that was adopted in the Streetscape Plan specifically about signs, criteria, aesthetics
and the need for consistency and efficiency in the design. The Parks Department followed up on those
recommendations and developed a wayfinding sign program with design guidelines in 2008. That sign
program is available on the City's website under Parks Department planning documents. She explained:
• The wayfinding sign program includes design standards for directional signs, parks signs, public
parking and other unique signage.
o Goals
• Develop design parameters to provide a consistent look to City signage to assist visitors
and residents in wayfinding;
■ Create design standards that can be replicated by the City Public Works sign shop;
• Create affordable and easily maintained signs;
• Reflect elements of City design already in use such as the wave pattern and the color blue)
and identify key locations.
o Review: design process in 2008 included presentation for discussion at DEMA meetings, Arts
Commission and Planning Board
o Importance of implementation of the wayfinding sign program referenced in the 2013 Strategic
Plan and the 2014 Cultural and PROS Plans.
• Over the past several years the Parks Department has used these guidelines for the implementation
for new signage — for example, large directional signs downtown and in the Westgate District
• Gateway signs
o The 2006 Streetscape Plan also identified gateways to the City, including Five Corners, SR 99,
SR 104 & Main at the ferry, and SR 104 & 5th Ave S.
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o The SR 104 & 5th Ave S. sign, originally installed in the late 1970's early 80's, was identified
for replacement in the 2016 CIP with a $40,000 budget for design, fabrication and installation.
o Location — WSDOT right of way — primary function is as a highway sign for SR 104 in an area
where traffic is moving fast, 30 — 40 mph.
o Goal to meet WSDOT requirements, but also be consistent with existing City sign program.
o City paid WSDOT to review the City's sign standard and criteria in order to locate a sign on
WSDOT property
Arts & Culture Program Manager Frances Chapin displayed a photograph of the proposed sign
superimposed on the site and explained because the Parks Department wanted a more inclusive approach
for this sign and to provide a broader perspective, staff developed a process that included representatives
from the Planning Board, the Arts Commission and the Economic Development as well as Parks and
Economic Development staff. The committee and the designer were tasked with taking into consideration
many things including the functional requirements of the site on a major highway right-of-way, keeping in
mind the purpose of the sign as perceived by WSDOT is an entry to downtown Edmonds that is visible
from both roadways westbound. The committee and designer were also tasked with working with a creative
esthetic related to the existing wayfinding signs and sense of continuity as well as a way to tell a story for
Edmonds. WSDOT's guidelines regarding size of the marker, size of the message area, potential for traffic
distraction, safety, security, visibility, scale and context compatibility with the landscape and land use in
that area were shared with the committee.
Ms. Chapin displayed the preliminary concepts that the committee reviewed in 2017, explaining they
quickly chose a preferred concept that had appealing elements such as a softer shape and the sign being on
posts which reference the waterfront landscape. The committee then discussed the form, the base, the
materials, visibility from both roadways and the overall setting and the designer further refined the design.
The design was developed in conjunction with adjusting the location of the foundation and the landscaping
to optimize visibility from both roadways and to ensure compatibility with the site. WSDOT did not want
a massive concrete foundation that an out -of -control car could strike so the foundation was designed with
posts set into an underground foundation with rusted Corten steel panels provide a wavelike curve that is
set into the landscaping. Corten steel was also used in the Five Corners roundabout landscaping and the
sculpture, referencing the waterfront, the railway, and other aspects of early Edmonds.
Another important issue to WSDOT was visibility. WSDOT wanted the sign to face westbound traffic on
SR 104, and for the sign to be clearly visible to vehicles traveling to the waterfront was well as to vehicles
on 5th Avenue. The size and simplicity of the lettering was a concern to WSDOT, ensuring it was readily
visible. There is no electricity to the site so consideration was given to solar lighting. She displayed an
image of the sign at light, lit with solar LEDs. The sign form has a wavelike curve or could be interpreted
to mimic the horizon and the lighting provides a glow along that horizon. The sign is constructed using two
panels, a larger panel in the back and a smaller offset panel in front with lighting behind. The architectural
3D letterforms make the sign highly visible during the day and incorporating lighting will make the sign
visible at night. The word "Downtown" is laser cut through the metal that allows back lighting. The two
panels and the architectural letters provide more dimensionality to the sign, it is not a flat panel.
WSDOT was also concerned with safety and security due to traffic speeds in that area. There is no
pedestrian access to the site. The minimum clear zone is 10 feet so the sign foundation was moved 5 feet
east and moved forward about 10 feet which provided more space and a larger, more graceful, bermed
landscaping and improved readability from both roadways. Ms. Chapin summarized the committee was
tasked with addressing the functional requirements of the site as well as reflect the natural beauty of the
area including the Edmonds landscaping, shoreline and the sky which led to this sign as the recommended
design proposal.
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Page 12
Council President Nelson did not think a state agency should tell the City what the sign should look like. If
the sign needed to be move to location where the City can control the design, it should be moved. Further,
for $40,000, the sign should be able to do much more such include cameras that track vehicles looking for
stolen cars, high frequency emitters to warn animals not to cross the roadway, Wi-Fi maps for tourists, etc.
He recommended the cost of the sign and the landscaping be reduced. Although there was good
representation from boards and commissions on the committee, it was still a small group and it's apparent
more citizen involvement is needed. He recognized it is always a challenge when citizens do not hear about
a project until the end. He preferred to redesign the sign with more public input.
Councilmember Buckshnis recalled the lengthy process for the Five Corners art installation. She did not
think the proposed sign looked like a wave or the horizon. She agreed with Council President Nelson that
it was unfortunate citizens were not included in developing the design. Overall she did not mind
minimalistic aspect of the sign but did not feel it reflected a wave.
Councilmember Tibbott relayed his understanding the sign would utilize solar panels, a low-cost way to
light the sign and create an entry to the City. He liked the proposed design and asked how the sign differed
from public art. Ms. Chapin said this is it is a sign, not public art. A different, more extensive process and
funding is used for public art such as at the Five Corners roundabout. Councilmember Tibbott asked
whether the process for public art would be more extensive than for a directional sign. Ms. Chapin answered
it would be.
Councilmember Tibbott noticed the sign was consistent with other signage in the City and he appreciated
references to the Five Corners roundabout. He asked whether downtown merchants were part of the review
process for this gateway sign. Ms. Chapin answered they were not specifically involved but had had many
opportunities to comment during the wayfinding sign process in 2008. This sign includes elements of the
wayfinding sign standards; the committee was tasked with finding consistency with the wayfinding sign
program, but not to do something exactly like the wayfinding signs.
Councilmember Tibbott said he has done work involving monument signs in the Puget Sound area and was
amazed a sign of this quality, landscaping, etc. could be done for $40,000. He has seen much smaller signs
in that price range. He was surprised at the number of WSDOT requirement the sign had to comply with,
noting none of them were artistic standards, they were related to safety, visibility, how motorist receive
information, etc. He expressed support for the proposed design. He asked what sign existed before 1980.
Ms. Chapin recalled Councilmember Johnson mentioning the connection to SR 104 was done in the late
1970s and the sign was installed at that time. She asked the museum to research and they were not able to
find anything related to that site. Councilmember Tibbott observed this would be the second sign at that
location. If a group was interested in restoring the sign and placing it in the museum, a business or other
location where people take pictures with it, that would be an option to preserve nostalgia of sign and allow
people to enjoy it versus seeing it driving by at 40 mph.
Councilmember Teitzel commented this is change and change is hard. He was used to the old sign and it
takes time to get used to it. He found it unfortunate the sign was not conveyed in 3D with the sea grass
landscaping, backlighting, etc. He liked the sign and appreciated the work and input from the community.
He has paid attention to the public input in local news publications and understood there was a lot of
concern, some of which he felt may be due to the difficulty discerning the design scope from the
photographs. With regard to the cost, the sign could be in place for the next 40-60 year, $40,000 for design,
fabrication, installation and landscaping does not seem out of line.
Councilmember Fraley-Monillas said there was no sign in this location prior to the installation of the
existing sign. She noted the proposed sign says "Downtown Edmonds" not "Welcome to Edmonds" like
the existing sign which has an Edmonds sort of feel. She questioned why the sign was not being replaced
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July 17, 2018
Page 13
with another wooden sign with lighting. She couldn't remember another time when there had been so much
public outcry about a sign, commenting perhaps there should have been public hearing. This sign is not a
wayfinding sign, it is a welcome to Edmonds sign and the new sign does not give her a welcoming feeling.
Councilmember Fraley-Monillas said as long as the sign meets WSDOT's requirements, it could be any
design and does not need to be this modern feeling. The sign reminded her of the Five Corners roundabout
but not of any other area of Edmonds. She favored having more public input, noting the committee was not
representative of the 40,000 people in Edmonds; the Council is. She favored proceeding slowly, anticipating
a less expensive sign could be achieved by replacing the old sign in a manner that meets WSDOT's
requirements. Of all the comments she has received, only 2-3 said they like the new sign, the rest do not.
Councilmember Mesaros said he has worked in large institutions during his career and has been involved
in several signage projects, particularly monument signs that tell the public they have arrived at a location.
He found the $40,000 budget well within what it takes to accomplish that. He asked whether the current
sign would meet WSDOT requirements. Ms. Chapin answered not if it were changed. Councilmember
Mesaros observed there was no lighting on the current sign due to the lack of electricity. He asked whether
the deterioration of the current sign was driving this process to update the sign to match other sign standards.
Ms. Chapin answered the sign is deteriorating. Councilmember Mesaros asked how long the current sign
would last. Ms. Chapin was uncertain; Councilmember Mesaros recognized something needed to be done
at some point. He agreed with Councilmember Fraley-Monillas that an opportunity for public input separate
from a City Council meeting where there could be interaction and conversation followed by a
recommendation from staff. He found the amount of input from citizens interesting and wished there was
more input about other important issues the Council considers. He encouraged staff to seek additional public
input and to consider various options. With regard to the gateway signs, due to this sign's location, it needs
to be welcoming and doesn't have to exactly match other City signs.
Councilmember Johnson commented the existing sign had been in place 50 years and replaced once. She
was surprised so many people love the existing sign. The proposed sign is intended to be complimentary to
the wayfinding signs. Five areas have been identified to have gateway signs and she preferred to take
another look at the gateway sign program installation as authorization for the new sign did not need to be
happen tonight or perhaps even this year. If 1000 people say they do not like the sign, that is instruction to
the Council to take a second look. She was confident staff has heard from the public and the City Council
and will return with a recommendation.
Ms. Hite summarized staff will be happy to add more citizens to the committee, develop more designs and
return to City Council.
Councilmember Tibbott shared the interest in getting more public input. He did not see this as the gateway
sign to Edmonds; the City has grown since the 1980s and there are 5 areas where gateway signs could be
installed. He suggested the public process include input on the other four locations and potentially some
consistency.
Councilmember Fraley-Monillas agreed with Councilmember Johnson with regard to consistency in all the
gateway/entrance signs. She suggested instead of adding people to the committee that staff hold an open
house.
Councilmember Teitzel referred to prominent aspects on the old sign, the wooden piling in the foreground
and the ferry in the background and suggested integrating a stylized ferry and piling in the new design. He
recalled the artwork at Five Corners evokes pilings.
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Page 14
Councilmember Johnson commented one of most important visual cues on the existing sign is the word
"Welcome."
Mayor Earling said he was interested and amused by the discussion. He is a member of the Sound Transit
Board which is involved with major art installations at all the stations. The Sound Transit Board is
comprised of 18 people and most of the comments as they adjudicate proposed art pieces start with "I don't
know anything about art, but..." and then go into design advice. He acknowledged this is a Council decision
but there is a lot of similarity between a sign and art.
Mayor Earling declared a brief recess.
2. PRESENTATION OF EDC MEMO ON POTENTIAL USE AND LOCATION OF CIVIC
FACILITIES
Economic Development/Community Services Director Patrick Doherty explained as with previous
occasions when the Economic Development Commission (EDC) has discussed an issue and forwarded it
to Council, this is a presentation of their memo. No decision or action is sought tonight, only direction
whether to have this matter proceed to a committee for further discussion and consideration.
EDC Member Matt Waldron explained this issue arose when the City acquired civic field and the designs
for civic field came to the EDC for comment. During those discussions, the EDC considered what the
immediately adjacent neighborhood would look like including the Public Safety Complex, the Police
Department and City Hall. The EDC also discussed the best use for the City Hall and whether the Police
Department was in the best location. As the EDC was learning about Highway 99, commissioners discussed
the potential for a non-profit development to serve as a catalyst for other development. A subgroup
considered all these concepts and a key topic was what is the best use of civic facilities in this neighborhood.
He recalled Commissioner Aseem Prakash mentioning a development such as City Hall or the Police
Department on Highway 99 would be the City's way of showing support for that area's evolution and
progression, showing good faith and encouraging an area like Highway 99 to develop. The EDC wanted to
determine early if this was an immediately impossible idea, so the subgroup met with one Councilmember
to solicit feedback as well as with Councilmember Tibbott, the Council liaison to the EDC. The subgroup
also met with the Police Chief about moving the Police Department who acknowledged both challenges
and advantages.
The EDC recognized it did not have tools or authority to recommend anything be moved/done without
careful study. The EDC's agreed its deliverable to the City Council would be the list of considerations in
the EDC's memo that include disruption, cost, opportunity, consistency with development of Civic Field,
etc. The EDC recognized a real estate analysis would be required to determine feasibility in both
neighborhoods, the current location and Highway 99. The EDC supports the City Council moving forward
with discussion on this topic.
Mr. Doherty reiterated the presentation of the memo was to share an idea with the Council; if the Council
was interested, it could be referred to a committee for further discussion.
Councilmember Fraley-Monillas inquired what is the EDC piece to this concept, whether it was develop
City Hall and the Public Safety Complex into other uses. She noted if City Hall or the Public Safety
Complex were moved, and she asked if the EDC piece was the construction of new buildings on Highway
99. Mr. Doherty answered there were two issues, 1) are the current properties and/or buildings providing
the best activation and economic vitality to the downtown neighborhood especially as downtown is
stretched to Civic Park, and 2) related to the Highway 99 Plan, a City or other entity is a great catalyst to
providing activation and activity via the infusion of investment and employees which can be a signal to
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Page 15
private developers, property owners and investors to follow suit. Councilmember Fraley-Monillas
commented there are plenty of buildings on Highway 99 with plenty of staff; the hospital is the biggest.
Councilmember Fraley-Monillas asked what use has been discussed for City Hall. Mr. Doherty said the
EDC did not do an in-depth study. The question was whether City Hall was the highest and best use from
an economic vitality perspective with the location on the north edge of downtown and whether there could
be other uses for the properties such as commercial, residential, mixed use, hotel, offices, etc.
Councilmember Fraley-Monillas said she did not see economic vitality in City Hall. She was curious about
moving the Police Department to Highway 99 which would be closer to the work they do; however, a new
building could cost $30-40 million.
Councilmember Buckshnis had no interest in pursuing this and wished the EDC would work on ways to
bring in tourism and visitors to the City. She has visited many cities throughout the world and City Hall is
never on the outskirts; it is always in the center of town. She did not like the City Hall building, thought it
was one of the ugliest buildings she has ever seen and was not aware how City Hall was moved to that
building instead of a building like Bellevue or Kirkland's City Hall. She anticipated the citizens would
rebel if the City Hall were moved to Highway 99 because many residents visit the second floor.
Mayor Earling provided the history, explaining when he was active in the Chamber, City Hall was in two
ramblers. It was decided a new City Hall building needed to be built or purchased. The owners of the
building where City Hall is located decided to sell. When the numbers were run, moving to the existing
building saved approximately $1 million versus constructing a new building.
Councilmember Mesaros said he was the Councilmember who met with the subgroup. He found the idea
interesting because he saw the value of economic development of a government or not -for -profit entity
locating to an area and spurring further development. The City is fortunate to have a big not -for -profit
entity, Swedish Edmonds, on Highway 99 which has spurred a lot of development. However, that
development is not occurring south of 228'. He found it an interesting idea to create a study to consider the
potential real estate and impact of that investment.
Councilmember Mesaros said he has personally been involved in two projects in San Diego, the initial Kroc
Center, an investment of $40 million in eastern San Diego that spurred development and transformed that
neighborhood, and the Balboa Theater in downtown San Diego. He pointed out the various museums in
downtown Tacoma have spurred a lot of development in an area where no one wanted to invest. More
recently he was involved in a project in Augusta, Georgia where an abandoned theater reopened, an
investment of $28 million of not -for -profit funds. He summarized opportunities abound around the country,
but it is unknown whether this is an opportunity for Edmonds. On reflection, he said the opportunity was
more for the Police Department than for City Hall. There are multiple options including selling the Public
Safety property and reinvesting the funds in a new Police Department on Highway 99, moving City Hall to
the Public Safety Complex and building a new Police Department on Highway 99, etc.
Councilmember Teitzel applauded the EDC for thinking outside the box. He has heard criticism that the
City is very bowl -centric and he could see benefits from the public's standpoint and from the growth
stimulation standpoint of moving investment away from the bowl to the Highway 99 corridor. He
recommended this idea not be dismissed as it warranted additional investigation.
Council President Nelson said although it was an interesting idea, it should not go any further as clearly
moving staff and building new buildings would cost a significant amount. He questioned the interest in
constantly monkeying with the downtown. Highway 99 needs to be revitalized and the City has done a lot
to facilitate that. He did not think moving governmental building would create economic development. He
did not support funding a study.
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Page 16
Councilmember Tibbott asked what a study would cost. Mr. Doherty answered that had not been
researched; if the Council was interested, staff could do further investigation. He anticipated the general
scope would be to look at the value and potential uses of the downtown properties and potential cost
scenarios. Councilmember Tibbott asked if that could be done in-house. Mr. Doherty answered if the
Council was interested in discussing this further and wanted cost estimates for a study, staff would talk to
3-4 firms who do that work and discuss it further in a committee meeting.
Councilmember Tibbott asked whether Highway 99 needed a catalyst, noting there seemed to be quite a lot
of interest from developers particularly in residential on Highway 99. Mr. Doherty agreed there has been
some interest, but he was not confident the southern half of the corridor would see redevelopment soon.
Councilmember Tibbott relayed his support for staff developing cost estimates and refining the scope. He
recognized a lot of people visit City Hall, but for the Police Department and the Court, public transportation
is much- better on Highway 99. He did not support a large study.
Councilmember Fraley-Monillas commented the southern portion of Highway 99 is covered with hotels
and until one of those sells, not much development will occur in that area. Although she has heard and read
this is economic development, moving City functions to Highway 99 would detract from the economic
development in downtown and she was unsure it would spur development activity on Highway 99. She
would like to see more development on Highway 99 and wished the EDC would develop a magic wand to
do that. Without more information, she did not support moving buildings around without a tangible reason.
Mayor Earling suggested staff survey major realtors and get a ballpark on some of the issues and return to
City Council.
Councilmember Johnson said if the City Hall and Police Department were moved to Highway 99, the City
would not collect property tax or sales tax, one of the City's number one economic drivers. She suggested
the EDC take a closer look at the City's strategic plan with regard to economic development, noting it is
nearly time to update the strategic plan.
3. SAFE STORAGE OF FIREARMS DISCUSSION
Council President Nelson thanked the citizens who contacted him and other Councilmembers as well as
those who spoke during Audience Comments both for and against and expressing their concerns. He takes
all those comments to heart and if things need to be clarified or amended, he was happy to do it. He would
rather debate signs and the location of City buildings and not have to talk about firearms. He never thought
when he became a Councilmember that that would be something he would be doing but he also never
thought he would hear his 6-year old, beaming with pride, say he now knows how to properly barricade
himself from an armed gunman. There is something wrong with society when kids have to be trained to
respond to a gunman coming into their school. Action is clearly not occurring at the state or federal level
and the reliance is now on citizen initiatives.
Council President Nelson relayed finding of a survey by the University of Washington Department of Public
Health of 35,000 household, the most comprehensive study done in the last 10 years, that found only 6 %
of the 36% of gun owners surveyed kept their firearms locked, the remainder kept their firearms unlocked.
Everyone knows how easy it is for children to access firearms and study after study and body count after
body count finds not locking up firearms results in accidental child deaths, increased risk of child suicide
and provide criminals easy access to guns. He recognized locks cannot do everything; this law is written to
provide options for citizens. His focus is protecting kids. He recognized the key part of safe storage was to
educate people to lock up their firearms and if not, they will be fined, a civil infraction, up to $500. If a
child or other prohibited person has access to a firearm that was not secured, the owner could be fined up
to $1000. If that child or prohibited person hurts someone or themselves with an unsecured gun, the owner
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can be fined up to $10,000. The ordinance allows for hearings, appeals, mitigating factors, etc. The
ordinance would be effective 180 days from passage to allow for education regarding the importance of
locking up firearms.
Council President Nelson introduced Snohomish County Health District Administrator Jeff Ketchel to
describe the District's Lock It Up Program. Mr. Ketchel said he was here at the request of Council President
Nelson and Councilmember Fraley-Monillas to discuss data and outreach related to firearms. The Board of
Health of the Snohomish Health District has not taken a position on the proposed ordinance and he did not
want his comments or presence to be construed as support or opposition to the ordinance but rather as the
City's public health agency, providing public health information. Storing firearms unlocked and unloaded
with the ammunition locked separately can reduce the risk of injuries and deaths involving children and
teens as well as prevent firearm thefts. In 2016, according the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System,
an annual telephone survey in the U.S., approximately 1/3 of Snohomish County adults reported firearms
in or around their homes. Among these adults, 1/3 reported the firearm was loaded, and 1/2 of those
individuals indicated the loaded firearm was not locked up; 6% of all homes in Snohomish County have
an unlocked and firearm inside.
A study printed in the Annals of Internal Medicine reported that adolescents with access to firearms are 2.6
times more likely to die by suicide than adolescents without access to firearms. Between 2014 and 2016,
15 youth died by suicide in Snohomish County, 8 of the 15 used a firearm. There were 6 suspensions and
3 expulsions in school districts located in Snohomish County during the 2015-2016 involving a firearm on
school premises, transportation system or school facility. In the 2016 Health Youth Survey, a survey given
to all 6`h, 8th, IOth, and 12th graders in Washington State every 2 years, 4% of Snohomish County IOth and
12" graders reported carrying a gun to school on at least one occasion during the previous 30 days. In
response to statistics such as these, the Snohomish Health District has long supported a Lock It Up program,
a voluntary initiative urging the safe storage of firearms. The program works with police departments and
gun retailers to provide education about safe gun storage and locking devices at the point of purchase or
when containing a concealed pistol license. The Health District is happy to work with the City of Edmonds
on outreach and education regarding the Lock It Up program and the safe storage of firearms.
Councilmember Tibbott said he not see anything in the ordinance about a gun being transported. Council
President Nelson answered the requirement to have the firearm locked would apply whether the firearm is
at home or in an unattended vehicle. That would not apply if the firearm is on the person of someone who
has a concealed weapons permit. Councilmember Tibbott clarified locked storage is required in a home or
during transport.
Councilmember Tibbott asked if heirloom guns that have been disabled such as the trigger removed or not
usable would be considered locked. Council President Nelson read from the ordinance, "properly engaged
so as to render such weapon inaccessible or unusable to any person other than the owner or other lawfully
authorized user," clarifying if the gun is unusable or missing a part, that would be sufficient.
Councilmember Teitzel commented over 30 years ago his younger brother got access to his father's loaded,
unsecured firearm and committed suicide. He liked to think his brother would still be alive if that gun had
been properly secured. He was supportive of common sense safe gun storage. He noted I-1639 has gathered
sufficient signatures to be on the on ballot in November. Section 5 of I-1639 contains provisions similar to
the proposed ordinance. Mr. Taraday agreed there were similarities but Section 5 states nothing in the
section mandates how or where a firearm must be stored. Assuming the proposed ordinance and I-1639
passes, Councilmember Teitzel asked whether I-1639 would supersede Edmonds' ordinance. Mr. Taraday
said the passage of I-1639 may make certain aspects of the Edmonds ordinance unnecessary to the extent
that they overlap. The ordinances do similar things, but they are not identical. The ordinance requiring
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reporting of lost and stolen firearms is also touched on in the initiative but it is addressed as an affirmative
defense so it is somewhat different.
Councilmember Teitzel referred to Section 5.2.A of I-1639 which states, "Community endangerment due
to unsafe storage of a firearm in the first degree is a class C felony punishable according to chapter 9A.20
RCW." In the Edmonds ordinance, such an infraction is a civil infraction. He asked whether state law would
supersede Edmonds law in that instance. Mr. Taraday responded it was difficult make a direct comparison;
I-1639 also identifies community endangerment in the second degree as a gross misdemeanor.
Councilmember Teitzel asked if I-1639 and the ordinance pass, could both could continue to exist and the
state law would not supersede Edmonds' ordinance. Mr. Taraday answered that was true in general.
Council President Nelson said the deciding factor for him was the initiative was brought by citizens and
nothing was being done by elected officials; people are asking elected officials to take action. He was unsure
the initiative would pass and did not want to assume or wait until it passed if that meant in the meantime
one child's life could be saved by not having access to a firearm. The main distinction is Edmonds'
ordinance includes civil penalties and the initiative has criminal penalties.
Councilmember Fraley-Monillas thanked Council President Nelson for moving forward with this
ordinance, recalling every time a shooting occurs, Councilmembers react, urging something be done. Seattle
passed an ordinance and last night the Mukilteo City Council passed a gun safety resolution. She read from
the resolution, "Now therefore, be resolved that the Mukilteo City Council supports the following
legislative and community actions: Universal background checks for all gun sales; [a number of] state-wide
efforts; training for all public employees, school personnel, and volunteers in Adverse Childhood
Experiences, trauma informed care perspectives and de-escalation dynamics; additional School Resource
Officers in schools focusing on building relationships with students; additional mental health counselors in
schools; opposing the arms of school staff and personnel; community forums and events to raise awareness
about gun safety, mental health support and intervention, suicide prevention, and emergency preparedness;
legislation requiring all guns in homes to be secured with significant consequences for failure to do so;
improvements in mental health access, diagnosis and treatment; continuing distribution of free gun locks
to Mukilteo residents and others at community events; and beginning a gun buy-back program in Mukilteo."
She encouraged Councilmembers to pass the ordinances regarding safe storage and reporting lost and stolen
firearms.
Councilmember Buckshnis expressed support for the two ordinances, suggesting Edmonds adopt a
resolution similar to Mukilteo's, a Resolution to Support a Holistic Approach to Ending Gun Violence. She
agreed with Mr. Demmick and suggested using the statistics provided by Mr. Ketchel in the ordinance
whereas clauses. -
Councilmember Mesaros was supportive of the ordinances and looked forwarded to voting on it once the
details were finalized. With regard to Councilmember Teitzel's concerns about I-1639, he agreed with
Council President Nelson on moving forward with the City's ordinances and if any conflicts are
encountered, adjustments could be made. He asked if there was anything restricting the City from pursuing
criminal penalties. Mr. Taraday answered he would need to think about more about that; the City needs to
be careful not to do anything that conflicts with state law. He has not evaluated that question because the
ordinance did not include criminal penalties. Councilmember Mesaros said to someone who lost a child
due to someone's negligence in not securing their arms and they were only fined, that would not seem to
value the life of that child. He requested Mr. Taraday research criminal penalties.
Councilmember Mesaros asked the City's limits as a municipality compared to what is available to the state
and federal governments. He wanted to do the maximum to stop this problem from continuing to happen.
Mr. Taraday answered that was an interesting question; there is a preemption statute that prevents the City
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from adopting certain types of regulations that address firearms. The Seattle ordinance has many similarities
to the proposed ordinance; a commenter on the Seattle ordinance said it would inevitably end up in court.
In light of that possibility, there were certain aspects that he would prefer to discuss with the Council in
executive session.
Councilmember Fraley-Monillas asked what Council President Nelson was seeking. Council President
Nelson answered he was introducing the ordinances, gauging the Council's interest and seeking input on
any additions/changes. No action is requested tonight but he will bring it back at a future meeting,
potentially as early as July 24.
Councilmember Mesaros requested the option of criminal penalties as well as civil penalties be explored.
Council President Nelson agreed he wanted to have the strongest possible laws.
COUNCILMEMBER MESAROS MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER TIBBOTT, TO
EXTEND THE MEETING UNTIL 10:15 P.M. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
Councilmember Johnson requested Mr. Taraday comment on the email sent to the Council by David Slim
regarding RCW 9.41.290. Mr. Taraday said given the likelihood this ordinance has to draw litigation, he
preferred to discuss that issue in executive session.
Councilmember Johnson believed everyone wants to keep the community safer for children. It is very
difficult to hear about school shootings, and she was surprised to hear students live in fear. When she was
a child, there were drills where students went under their desk in the event of a nuclear weapon discharge.
She looked forward to having the ordinance come back to the Council. She suggested the Council start with
a resolution of intent and move on to an ordinance.
Mayor Earling said the resolution described tonight as well as the ordinances proposed by Council President
Nelson are important for the Council to consider. He was convinced all the problems could not be solved
in one fell swoop, but continued efforts will fill the gaps. He is a member of the National Mayors Opposed
to Illegal Guns and it is small things like this that will make a difference.
8. COUNCIL COMMITTEE REPORTS
COUNCIL COMMITTEE REPORTS AND MINUTES
Finance Committee
Councilmember Teitzel reported among other topics which are reflected in the minutes, the committee
discussed the Second Quarter 2018 Budget Amendment which includes the addition of a Public Works
Senior Accountant/Analyst and reducing the Finance Department Senior accountant by 50%. He recalled
bringing these two items forward was a disjointed process that warrants further discussion. Councilmember
Buckshnis and he plan to meet with Mayor Earling, Mr. Williams and Mr. James to develop an alternative
approach to the two positions and bring it back for full Council consideration.
Parks & Public Works Committee
Councilmember Tibbott highlighted Item 8 on the committee's agenda, Funding of Walkway Projects. The
committee was provided a detailed approach to building walkways in the City via hiring a concrete crew
and the outcome would be building a mile of new walkways every year. The next step will be for Public
Works Director to develop a decision package for consideration during the budget review process. He
offered to distribute the plan to Councilmembers for review prior to the budget process.
9. MAYOR'S COMMENTS
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Mayor Earling reported Mr. Williams, Chief Compaan and Mr. Hauss met with residents about issues on
Pine Street. Staff provided a great deal of factual information and will determine if anything can be done.
10. COUNCIL COMMENTS
Councilmember Tibbott reported he also attended the Pine Street meeting; in addition to the data Mr.
Williams presented, data was provided by the neighborhood. Much of the data was anecdotal and concern
was expressed regarding several areas, especially children getting on/off buses in the dark. This is another
reason for a walkway program so Public Works can respond more rapidly respond to these issues. He will
be on vacation next week.
Councilmember Buckshnis thanked Edmonds in Bloom and Tree Board volunteers and families who hosted
their gardens for the garden tour. The tours were spectacular, approximately 450 tickets were sold. She will
be on vacation next week.
Councilmember Teitzel thanked citizens who weighed in on safe gun storage, commenting it was very
important that kids are kept safe. He thanked Council President Nelson for his work on those ordinances.
On Sunday, he had the pleasure of introducing the Cliff Perry Band at the first concert in the park at City
Park. A large crowd enjoyed the beautiful day and the bluegrass music.
Councilmember Mesaros relayed he will participate in his first sprint triathlon this Sunday.
Councilmember Johnson appreciated the opportunity to participate by phone. She was surprised to read
about the press conference regarding the safe gun storage idea in My Edmonds News and understood there
was a second press conference tonight prior to the City Council meeting. She reminded that although the
Council is comprised of seven individuals, they work as a team. Many years ago, a professional taught the
Council how to work together; one of the key components was no surprises. She commented it was a bit of
a showboat to take a highly controversial issue like gun safety and not give the City Council a heads up.
She was personally offended with process.
11. CONVENE IN EXECUTIVE SESSION REGARDING PENDING OR POTENTIAL LITIGATION
PER RCW 42.30.110(1)(i)
This item was not needed.
12. RECONVENE IN OPEN SESSION. POTENTIAL ACTION AS A RESULT OF MEETING IN
EXECUTIVE SESSION
This item was not needed.
13. ADJOURN
With no further business, the Council meeting was adjourned at 10:15 p.m.
a
DAVID O. EARLING, MAW SCO PASSEY, CITY C
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