Resolution 1427RESOLUTION NO. 1427
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
EDMONDS, WASHINGTON, ESTABLISHING THE CITIZENS'
HOUSING COMMISSION
WHEREAS, in 2017 the City of Edmonds began the process of developing a Housing Strategy to
fulfill an objective of the Housing Element of the city's Comprehensive Plan at P. 96, which
states: "Implementation Action: Develop a strategy by 2019 for increasing the supply of
affordable housing and meeting diverse housing needs;" and
WHEREAS, the Council has heard numerous comments and concerns from our constituents that
the process for establishing policies around an expanded range of housing options should be
revised to include greater public input and balanced representation; and
WHEREAS, three primary themes have emerged from input the Council has received from its
constituents; and
WHEREAS, first, rather than an Administration -appointed task force working toward housing
policy recommendations, members of the public have expressed a strong preference for a process
which establishes a Housing Commission via applications from interested citizens; and
WHEREAS, second, a strong preference has been expressed for sufficient time to be provided
for all housing -related issues to be thoroughly vetted to enable policy recommendations to be
brought forward that are in Edmonds' long term best interests; and
WHEREAS, finally, the public has made clear it expects members of the Housing Commission
should represent all areas of Edmonds and the Edmonds Bowl should not be over- represented;
and
WHEREAS, on December 11, 2018, the Council passed Resolution 1420 to docket a
Comprehensive Plan amendment that is expected to result in the removal of the 2019 timeline for
establishment of an Edmonds Affordable Housing strategy as called for in the current
Comprehensive Plan and to provide additional time for development of an appropriate array of
diverse housing options for Edmonds; and
WHEREAS, the Council also agrees that the process for citizen involvement should be retooled
to encourage volunteer participation from across Edmonds; and
WHEREAS, the expanded timeline for development of diverse housing policy options provides
the opportunity to establish a Citizens' Housing Commission to enable direct citizen involvement
in this important process; and
WHEREAS, on February 19, 2019, the Council discussed next steps toward achieving this
objective; and
WHEREAS, a significant initial step will be to establish a Citizens' Housing Commission to
assess all factors that must be considered in driving toward housing policies that expand the
supply of diverse housing options while maintaining Edmonds' character and quality of life; and
WHEREAS, on February 19, 2019, the Council also provided direction that such a Commission
should be formed; and
WHEREAS, on March 19, 2019, the Council provided more specific direction as to the contents
of a resolution that would create the Citizens' Housing Commission; now therefore,
THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF EDMONDS, WASHINGTON, HEREBY
RESOLVES AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. Citizens' Housing Commission Created. The Citizens' Housing Commission is
hereby created and shall be subject to the following provisions:
A. Mission. The mission of the new Citizens' Housing Commission shall be as follows:
Develop diverse housing policy options for Council consideration designed to expand the
range of housing (including rental and owned) available in Edmonds; options that are
irrespective of age, gender, race, religious affiliation, physical disability or sexual
orientation.
B. Appointment Process. The Commission shall consist of fifteen voting members: each
Councilmember will select two appointees and one alternate; and the mayor will select one
appointee and one alternate. The mayor's selection will be from the remaining pool of
applicants after Councilmembers have made their selections.
C. Appointment by Zone. Each of the seven Councilmembers shall be assigned a particular zone
at the Council President's direction and will be responsible for assessing applications from
that zone (see map attached as Exhibit A describing the seven geographic zones of Edmonds
which will be attached to the Commission application form). Each Councilmember will
select two appointees and one alternate from his/her assigned zone. In the event that there are
insufficient applicants to fill the positions for a particular zone, the Councilmember assigned
to that zone may select from the remaining applicants residing in any other zone, but only
after the other Councilmembers have made their selections.
D. Meetings. The Commission will meet at least once per month on a day and time to be
determined by the Commission, and may meet more frequently at the Commission's
discretion. The time and place of the first meeting of the Commission shall be established by
the Council President.
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E. Voting. Alternates should attend meetings to remain current on the Commission's progress
but shall not be voting members unless they are participating in lieu of an absent
Commissioner from their assigned zone.
F. Liaisons. Two Councilmembers shall be assigned to the Commission as Council Liaisons in
an advisory (non -voting) role.
G. Public Outreach. The Commission shall host public outreach sessions (open houses, town
halls, etc.) once per quarter at varying public locations within Edmonds to provide updates on
its progress in developing housing option policy recommendations.
H. Website Updates. The status of the Commission's work on the development of expanded
housing options shall be updated regularly on the city's Housing website.
L Reporting to the Council. The Commission shall report progress to the Council at least once
per quarter, beginning in the 3rd quarter of 2019.
J. Sunset Date. The Commission will complete its work by December 31, 2020 and have a
sunset date of January 1, 2021.
Section 2. Recruiting. A post card will be sent to each Edmonds household announcing the
application process and deadlines. This mailing will be in addition to the process normally used
to publicize Commission application availability (e.g., City website announcements, articles in
local media, etc.).
Section 3. Application Process. Applicants for appointment to the Commission shall be subject
to the following:
A. Qualifications. Commission applicants must be current residents of Edmonds.
B. Zones. Each applicant must identify which of the seven "zones" he/she lives within (see
map attached as Exhibit A describing the seven geographic zones of Edmonds which
will be attached to the Commission application form).
C. Application Contents. The following information will be requested on the application
form:
a. Occupational status and background.
b. Organizational affiliation.
c. Why are you seeking this appointment?
d. What skills and knowledge do you have to meet the selection criteria?
e. List any other Board, Commission, Committee or official position you currently
hold with the City of Edmonds.
f. How long have you lived in Edmonds?
g. Do you rent or own your home?
h. Are you currently a landlord of property located in Edmonds?
Note: items a-e above are standard questions of applicants for any Edmonds
Board or Commission. Items f-h above are specific to the Edmonds Citizens'
Housing Commission.
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RESOLVED this 161h day of April, 2019.
CITY OF EDMONDS
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ATTEST:
CLERK, SC "1' ' ASSEY
FILED WITH THE CITY CLERK:
PASSED BY THE CITY COUNCIL:
RESOLUTION NO.
April 12, 2019
April 16, 2019
1427
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February 2019
Edmonds Housing Strategy