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20180814 City CouncilEDMONDS CITY COUNCIL APPROVED MINUTES August 14, 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 A] Compaan, Police Chief Phil Williams, Public Works Director Carrie Hite, Parks, Rec. & Cult. Serv. Dir. Patrick Doherty, Econ. Dev & Comm. Serv. Dir. Shane Hope, Development Services Director Scott James, Finance Director Mary Ann Hardie, HR Director Jeff Taraday, City Attorney Scott Passey, City Clerk Nicholas Falk, Deputy City Clerk Jerrie Bevington, Camera Operator Jeannie Dines, Recorder The Edmonds City Council meeting was called to order at 7:02 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. Councilmember Johnson participated by phone. 3. APPROVAL OF AGENDA COUNCILMEMBER TIBBOTT MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER BUCKSHNIS, TO APPROVE THE AGENDA IN CONTENT AND ORDER. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. 4. APPROVAL OF CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS COUNCILMEMBER TEITZEL MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER BUCKSHNIS, TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. The agenda items approved are as follows: APPROVAL OF COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OF AUGUST 7, 2018 2. APPROVAL OF CLAIM CHECKS AND WIRE PAYMENT 5. PRESENTATION UPDATE FROM FEDERAL LOBRYNS'r Edmonds City Council Approved Minutes August 14, 2018 Page 1 Mayor Earling advised Tim Lovain, Crossroads Strategies LLC (the City's contract lobbyist/strategist in Washington, DC) was in the area visiting several clients. Economic Development/Community Services Director Patrick Doherty introduced Mr. Lovain. Mr. Lovain reported he enjoys working for Edmonds in Washington DC. He is a member of the City Council in Alexandra, Virginia and hopes that helps him do a better job representing Edmonds as well as makes him a better Councilmember. His primary focus for Edmonds in Washington DC has looking for federal assistance for the Edmonds Street Waterfront Connector project, especially through TIGER grants, now called BUILD, and the INFRA grant program. He has worked with USDOT to understand the criteria and priorities important to them to assist the City in formulating the strongest grant application as well as worked with the congressional delegation to get the strongest support and to familiarize them with the merits of the project. Mr. Lovain reported Congress decided to dramatically increase the size of the TIGER/BUILD program in 2018 from $500 million to $1.5 billion with further increases in fiscal 2019. Congress has also gotten more prescriptive and set deadlines for the administration to implement each grant round; instead of taking 18 months, it will be much faster. Congress has also taken efforts to make USDOT more transparent about their choice of projects to ensure they are selecting projects on their merit as well as being more prescriptive about spending funds on urban versus rural, etc. Congress is pushing merit -based criteria and when basing projects on merit, the Edmonds Street Connector project is a good one. Although the focus has been on those two large grant programs, Mr. Lovain said they have also been looking for other possible funding sources such as grants or loans for the Edmonds Street Connector, Highway 99, Daylighting Willow Creek, drinking water, wastewater and other City projects. They have also worked with City staff to make them aware of critical federal actions that are happening and are anticipated, to help the City anticipate upcoming changes. For example, budget agreements that set the stage for funding, infrastructure bills, permit reform, etc. Mr. Lovain encouraged Mayor Earling and staff to visit Washington DC on a regular basis and they will set up a schedule with the delegation offices and USDOT to put a face to the name and focus on the importance of the Waterfront Connector project. Councilmember Teitzel thanked Mr. Lovain for the work he is doing. With regard to Sound Transit 3, one of the major transportation infrastructure projects in this area, Councilmember Teitzel relayed he has heard the administration is considering possibly reducing funding for that project. Mr. Lovain answered there is real consternation in the transit world because the administration has pulled back on the full funding grant agreement process and is holding back some funds. He was not familiar with exactly where the ST3 funding stands; the main project the president wants to hold hostage is the New York/New Jersey Gateway Project. Sound Transit may get caught up and be a victim of that. 6. STUDY ITEM 1. COUNCILMEMBER 2019 BUDGET GOALS DISCUSSION Council President Nelson relayed the priorities Councilmembers identified at the last meeting: Councilmember Priority 1 Priority 2 Buckshnis Tree Canopy Edmonds Marsh Fraley-Monillas Help fund the South County Mayors Continue to fund the Snohomish Homeless Project — hotel for homeless Health District at $2/capita children Edmonds City Council Approved Minutes August 14, 2018 Page 2 Johnson Short sidewalks/improving pedestrian Assistance for identifying historic safety preservation properties for the historic registry Mesaros Provide operating funds to the Edmonds Fund Waterfront Center Public Facilities District Nelson Fund the Waterfront/Senior Center rebuild More sidewalks and pedestrian safety enhancements Teitzel Transitional housing for the homeless City pay 100% of cost to rebuild Waterfront Center parking lot Tibbott Short sidewalks Construction of Civic Field Councilmember Nelson invited Councilmembers to amend their priorities. Councilmember Buckshnis clarified her priority was the environment; she wanted to ensure projects that were started in 2018 such as Windward's study of the Edmonds Marsh and the Urban Forest Management Program were completed. She noted one of the recommendations in the UFMP was a City Arborist which she has been requesting for two years. Councilmember Tibbott referred to his first priority of short sidewalks, noting some projects were identified as long sidewalks and there were differences between minor and major projects. He agreed with Council President Nelson's more general approach, more sidewalks and pedestrian safety enhancements. His second priority was still funding of Civic Field. Councilmember Fraley-Monillas requested her priorities be reversed. She asked whether the South County Mayors Homeless Project — hotel for homeless children and families was still under consideration. Mayor Earling said he would have better information early next week; he is meeting with the South County Mayors later this week. Councilmember Fraley-Monillas requested an opportunity to revisit the South County Mayors Homeless Project if Mayor Earling reports it is still moving forward. Mayor Earling said he signed off on the $1/capita payment to the Health District this week. Councilmember Fraley-Monillas clarified her request for funding of the Health District is $2/capita in 2019. Councilmember Mesaros asked Council President Nelson how many priorities he wanted to narrow the list to. Council President Nelson answered in a perfect world, he would like to narrow it to 3-4. He suggested the Council vote on #1 priorities and then focus on #2 priorities. Councilmember Johnson agreed with the language suggested by Council President Nelson, more sidewalks and pedestrian safety enhancements. As her second priority was not echoed by other Councilmembers, she requested it be replaced with allocating $200,000 for open space. COUNCILMEMBER MESAROS MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER BUCKSHNIS, THAT ONE OF THE COUNCIL'S PRIORITIES BE FUNDING OF THE WATERFRONT CENTER. COUNCILMEMBER TEITZEL MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER BUCKSHNIS, TO AMEND THE MOTION TO READ, SUPPORT 100% OF THE FUNDING OF THE PARKING LOT AT THE WATERFRONT CENTER, BUT NOT THE WATERFRONT CENTER ITSELF. Councilmember Fraley-Monillas commented the Waterfront Center is approximately $6 million short of its funding goal and asked if Councilmember Mesaros' motion was that the City provide that much money. Councilmember Mesaros clarified his motion was funding of the Waterfront Center and he did not suggest an amount. He recognized Councilmember Teitzel's motion brings parameters to the discussion. Edmonds City Council Approved Minutes August 14, 2018 Page 3 Councilmember Buckshnis commented the lease will be presented to the Council next week and she feared this was putting the cart before the horse. Council President Nelson suggested the priority be help fund the Waterfront Center as a general priority and not get into the specifics such as fund the parking 1'ot. Councilmember Mesaros spoke against the amendment based on Council President Nelson's comments. The intent of this exercise is to set priorities regarding allocation of funds in the budget rather than approving specific projects. Further definition of his original motion, providing funding for the Waterfront Center as a budget priority, will evolve via the budget process. COUNCILMEMBER TEITZEL WITHDREW THE AMENDMENT WITH AGREEMENT OF THE SECOND. MOTION CARRIED (6-1), COUNCILMEMBER JOHNSON VOTING NO. COUNCIL PRESIDENT NELSON MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER TIBBOTT, TO PRIORITIZE FUNDING MORE SIDEWALKS AND PEDESTRIAN SAFETY ENHANCEMENT. Councilmember Teitzel asked if more sidewalks and more pedestrian safety enhancements included crosswalks. Council President Nelson answered yes, pedestrian safety enhancements was deliberately broad to include a variety of safety enhancements including crosswalks. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. COUNCILMEMBER BUCKSHNIS MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER FRALEY- MONILLAS, THAT THE COUNCIL CONTINUE ITS FOCUS ON THE ENVIRONMENT RELATING TO THE TREE CANOPY, OPEN SPACE, AND THE EDMONDS MARSH. Councilmember Tibbott appreciated the priority but found it too broad and preferred it be narrowed to tree canopy and open space. COUNCILMEMBER TIBBOTT MOVED TO AMEND TO REFINE THE FOCUS ON URBAN FOREST MANAGEMENT AND ACQUIRING OPEN SPACE. MOTION FAILED FOR LACK OF A SECOND. Councilmember Teitzel asked if the intent of the motions was to set the top 3-4 priorities. Council President Nelson agreed that was the end goal, but it would be fine if seven were identified tonight. Councilmember Buckshnis said the reason she included the Edmonds Marsh is Windward is already engaged and their efforts will continue into next year. Councilmember Tibbott clarified the priority would be to continue studies related to canopy, UFMP, Edmonds Marsh and acquiring open space to preserve the environment, but additional studies were not envisioned in those areas. Councilmember Buckshnis agreed. Councilmember Tibbott expressed support for the motion. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. COUNCILMEMBER FRALEY-MONILLAS MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER BUCKSHNIS, TO HELP FUND THE SOUTH COUNTY MAYORS HOMELESS PROJECT. Councilmember Tibbott commented a fund has already been established for homelessness response. He was concerned there were no details related to this project. Councilmember Fraley-Monillas explained this is not related to the funds identified in the 2018 budget to homelessness issues in Edmonds. This is a project Edmonds City Council Approved Minutes August 14, 2018 Page 4 in the pipeline that supports homeless families and children in the Edmonds School District. She requested Councilmembers support this motion and leave it up to Mayor Earling to determine the amount Edmonds should contribute along with the other cities. Council President Nelson relayed his understanding the original project was in Lynnwood. Councilmember Fraley-Monillas answered it was on the border between Lynnwood and Edmonds but will house children in the Edmonds School District. Mayor Earling reiterated he will know more later this week. MOTION CARRIED (5-2), COUNCILMEMBERS TIBBOTT AND JOHNSON VOTING NO. Councilmember Teitzel relayed one of his top priorities is transitional housing for the homeless. The Council has had substantial discussions about affordable housing and making housing more reachable for people of modest as well as the homeless. He has learned that if the City invests a nominal amount in a project, the City would have some control over prioritizing who would be eligible for the units. He would like to explore that further and to consider setting aside a nominal investment for such a project which may limit the amount of influx into Edmonds and help the City take care of their own. Mayor Earling commented efforts to date have been focused on housing for Edmonds School District children and families. Councilmember Teitzel said his focus would be facilities in Edmonds city limits that would be available to people from modest to low income or potential homeless; investing a nominal amount in a project would give the City some control over who would be eligible for the units. COUNCILMEMBER TEITZEL MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER FRALEY- MONILLAS, TO PLACE FUNDING FOR HOUSING FOR LOW INCOME OR POTENTIALLY HOMELESS ON THE PRIORITY LIST FOR 2019. Council President Nelson observed the priority Councilmember Teitzel identified previously was transitional housing for the homeless and asked if his intent was to broaden that. Councilmember Teitzel said the primary focus would be homeless but it would be broader to include low income individuals in Edmonds. Council President Nelson suggested the priority be transitional housing; that was acceptable to Councilmember Teitzel. Councilmember Mesaros explained transition housing is typically for 4-6 months to help people transition to permanent housing and asked if that was the intent. Councilmember Teitzel said the intent was housing that would transition into permanent, long term housing as there is currently a lack of transitional housing. Councilmember Mesaros asked if Councilmember Teitzel envisioned the City having control or partnering with someone. Councilmember Teitzel explained the City would contribute a nominal amount toward a partnership with other entities. Councilmember Mesaros commented the City is in the midst of a study of housing needs in Edmonds and how they relate to surrounding cities so he was unprepared to support this at this time. He supported the last motion because it is a specific project that has been under consideration and is important for the Edmonds School District. He suggested delaying this priority until there was more definition. Councilmember Buckshnis asked if this was related to following through with the housing strategy. When she thinks of transition housing, she thinks of the YMCA, Trinity Place, etc. Councilmember Teitzel said the homeless study will be completed in September and he anticipated funding would be needed to respond to the study's findings. Councilmember Buckshnis asked if he envisioned there would be funds available from the $250,000 that was allocated in 2018. Councilmember Teitzel answered it was not clear what the funding need will be in the future. Councilmember Buckshnis observed this is a follow-through on the housing strategy and the homelessness study. Councilmember Teitzel agreed it was. Edmonds City Council Approved Minutes August 14, 2018 Page 5 Council President Nelson agreed with Councilmember Mesaros that because the housing strategy was still being created, he was hesitant to support this motion because it was not clear what that strategy will be and this priority assumes it would lead to this suggestion. He did not support the motion. Councilmember Fraley-Monillas suggested a placeholder for this item since the amount was not yet known. Councilmember Teitzel responded the Council allocated funds in the 2018 budget to address the opioid response and homelessness; this would be an additional incremental amount to begin taking action. UPON ROLL CALL, MOTION FAILED (2-5), COUNCILMEMBERS FRALEY-MONILLAS AND TEITZEL VOTING YES; COUNCIL PRESIDENT NELSON AND COUNCILMEMBERS JOHNSON, BUCKSHNIS, MESAROS AND TIBBOTT VOTING NO. Councilmembers Johnson and Buckshnis advised they voted no because they needed more information. COUNCILMEMBER FRALEY-MONILLAS MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER TEITZEL, THAT THE CITY CONTINUE TO PAY THE SNOHOMISH HEALTH DISTRICT $2/CAPITA FOR 2019. Councilmember Tibbott observed the current rate is $1/capita and asked if the intent was to raise it to $2/capital Councilmember Fraley-Monillas answered yes. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. COUNCILMEMBER MESAROS MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCIL PRESIDENT NELSON, TO BEGIN FUNDING THE EDMONDS PUBLIC FACILITIES DISTRICT WITH OPERATING FUNDS FOR THE UPCOMING YEAR IN AN AMOUNT TO BE DETERMINED. Councilmember Mesaros commented in his role as liaison to the PFD, it has become apparent that many other cities with performing arts centers are providing operating funds on a regular basis. He recognized the City has a relationship with the PFD on capital funds, lending them money since the economic downturn, and it was his expectation the PFD will not need a loan in 2018. He relayed the PFD plans to begin repaying the City in 2019 from sales tax revenue. His proposal is an amount that would be determined later for the support of operations of the PFD which is done by the ECA non-profit. Councilmember Buckshnis said she has met with Councilmember Mesaros and was provide the PFD's accountability audit. She suggested the City looking at the PFD/ECA's management before considering funding their operations. Performing art centers who receive money from their cities are not PFDs who have their own funding mechanisms. She suggested Councilmember Mesaros' suggestion be considered by the Finance Committee. The audit report includes management letters that continue to show deterioration, internal control problems, front loading of vacations and a variety issues that need to be addressed from a management perspective before the City provides funds for operating. She did not support the motion. Councilmember Fraley-Monillas expressed support for the motion, relaying the PFD has been asking for assistance for as long as she has been on Council. The Council needs to consider organizations such as the senior center, the ECA and other others that benefit the community and perhaps assist them moving forward. Councilmember Teitzel expanded on Councilmember Buckshnis' comments, relaying he also has concerns with the ECA's finances and continuing audit findings. Although he is sympathetic to the need to provide funding to the ECA because they provide a tangible benefit to the City's economy, he had concerns about the numbers. He proposed sitting down with the ECA and PFD Boards to go over the audit findings to determine what is being done to improve the operation and the financials before providing additional funding. He was not saying he couldn't support it at some point but needed to understand financials better. Edmonds City Council Approved Minutes August 14, 2018 Page 6 UPON ROLL CALL, MOTION CARRIED (4-3), COUNCIL PRESIDENT NELSON AND COUNCILMEMBERS FRALEY-MONILLAS, MESAROS AND TIBBOTT VOTING YES; COUNCILMEMBERS JOHNSON, BUCKSHNIS AND TEITZEL VOTING NO. Councilmember Fraley-Monillas asked Councilmember Tibbott about his priority regarding Civic Field. Councilmember Tibbott said he is very supportive of that project and based on citizen involvement and participation in the planning, the City is also supportive. However, at this point he wanted to see the plan developed by the consultant and recognized it may not be a budget priority until 2020. Council President Nelson thanked the Council for their efforts to narrow the priorities. 7. CONVENE IN EXECUTIVE SESSION REGARDING PENDING OR POTENTIAL LITIGATION PER RCW 42.30.110(1)(i) At 7:47 p.m., Mayor Earling announced that the City Council would meet in executive session regarding potential and pending litigation per RCW 42.30.110(1)(i). He stated that the executive session was scheduled to last approximately 30 minutes and would be held in the Jury Meeting Room, located in the Public Safety Complex. No action was anticipated to occur as a result of meeting in executive session. Elected officials present at the executive session were: Mayor Earling and Councilmembers Fraley-Monillas, Buckshnis, Teitzel, Tibbott, Mesaros and Nelson. Others present were City Attorney Jeff Taraday, Human Resources Director Mary Ann Hardie, and Police Chief Al Compaan. At 8:19 p.m. Mayor Earling announced to those present that the executive session would be extended for 15 minutes. The executive session concluded at 8:34 p.m. 8. RECONVENE IN OPEN SESSION. POTENTIAL ACTION AS A RESULT OF MEETING IN EXECUTIVE SESSION Mayor Earling reconvened the regular City Council meeting at 8:35 p.m. 9. ADJOURN TO COMMITTEE MEETINGS With no further business, the Council meeting was adjourned to committee meetings at 8:36 p.m. (Parks & Public Works Committee in Council Chambers, Finance Committee in the Jury Meeting Room and Public Safety, Personnel & Planning Committee in the Police Training Room.) DAVI 0. EARL G, MAYOR NEtiASSEY, CITY C ER Edmonds City Council Approved Minutes August 14, 2018 Page 7