2018-09-12 Planning Board MinutesCITY OF EDMONDS
PLANNING BOARD MINUTES
September 12, 2018
Chair Monroe called the meeting of the Edmonds Planning Board to order at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers, Public Safety
Complex, 250 — 5r' Avenue North.
BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT
Nathan Monroe, Chair
Matthew Cheung, Vice Chair
Alicia Crank
Phil Lovell
Daniel Robles
Mike Rosen
Carreen Nordling Rubenkonig
BOARD MEMBERS ABSENT
Todd Cloutier (excused)
READING/APPROVAL OF MINUTES
STAFF PRESENT
Carrie Hite, Director, Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services
Terri Arnold, Deputy Director, Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services
Rob Chave, Planning Division Manager
Jerrie Bevington, Video Recorder
Karin Noyes, Recorder
BOARD MEMBER LOVELL MOVED THAT THE MINUTES OF AUGUST 22, 2018 BE APPROVED AS
PRESENTED. BOARD MEMBER ROSEN SECONDED THE MOTION, WHICH CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
ANNOUNCEMENT OF AGENDA
The agenda was accepted as presented.
AUDIENCE COMMENTS
No one in the audience indicated a desire to comment during this portion of the meeting.
DEVELOPMENT SERVICES DIRECTOR REPORT TO PLANNING BOARD
Board Member Lovell asked if any agencies have submitted applications for the $500,000 that is available from the Alliance
for Housing Affordability for qualified housing projects. Mr. Chave said he does not have that information, but he would
assume so.
Board Member Lovell advised that he would be unable to attend the Economic Development Commission meeting on
September 19t1i as the Board's liaison. Chair Monroe agreed to attend on behalf of the Board.
PARKS, RECREATION AND CULTURAL SERVICES UPDATE
Ms. Hite introduced Terri Arnold, the City's new Deputy Director of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services. She explained
that the Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Update is typically provided on a biannual basis. She also comes before the
Board to discuss projected -related concerns and to present the yearly Capital Improvement Plan Update. She presented her
report, highlighting the following:
• Civic Field Design Development. They are moving full speed ahead on the design development of Civic Field. The City
purchased the property from the Edmonds School District and a master plan was adopted last year. The City Council
awarded the design contract to Walker Macy to continue their work with the community. A schematic design should be
ready for review in the next few weeks. All of the stakeholder groups have been engaged in the process, and their input
was incorporated into the design. The stadium was taken down earlier in the year to open up the field. However, the back
portion remains, as it was found to be holding up the alley. They are working to shore up the wall and then address the
issue as part of the park construction project. The estimated cost of the project is $12 million, and the goal is to put the
site plan and bid documents together for construction in 2020. Mayor Earling has set aside $2 million from the general
fund in 2018, and the City received a $1.5 million grant from the Hazel Miller Foundation that will be paid out
incrementally over three years. The City has also applied for three different grants from the State of Washington, which
have scored high. If awarded, these grants will provide an additional $1.35 million. She and Mayor Earling have also
approached the County for financial support. In addition, some park impact fees can be used for the project, as it will help
fulfill the growing needs associated with growth. All of these sources combined will provide about $7 to $8 million, which
is still short of the estimated $12 million cost, and staff is working on a plan for the remaining funds.
Board Member Lovell asked if the City has contemplated asking the public for help. Ms. Hite answered that the City does
have a desire to go out for some public donations. However, it is important that they coordinate their efforts with the Boys
and Girls Club, which is part of the development. Following the grant award from the Hazel Miller Foundation, a local
family has submitted several checks for the Civic Field Project, and the intent is to establish a program that would facilitate
public donations.
Board Member Robles asked if naming rights are protected. Ms. Hite said the City has a Park Naming Policy that allows
them to name a park after someone if they donate more than 50% of the total cost of the project. She noted that the Hazel
Miller Foundation has asked that at least a portion of the park (perhaps the north meadow) be named after her.
Board Member Rubenkonig asked if the City has had dialogue with the public to clarify the limitations placed upon the
park design by the grant. Ms. Hite answered that the adopted Civic Field Master Plan is the product of a robust public
process and successfully address the restricted and non -restricted areas. The decision to reopen the master plan at this time
would have to come from the City Council. She would not recommend doing so, since the current design reflects an
extensive community effort. She explained that the area where the tennis courts are located all the way to the Boys and
Girls Club and the public plaza area represent the two acres that are not restricted. The remaining 6 acres are restricted
based on the Snohomish County Futures Grant criteria. This area must be park space without buildings, parking, etc.
Vice Chair Cheung asked if there will be areas in the park where citizens can purchase bricks or stones with their names
on them as a way to raise funding for construction. Ms. Hite answered affirmatively and added that one area could be the
entry plaza that will have individual pavers.
Chair Monroe asked if the $12 million cost estimate includes the street promenade, and Ms. Hite answered no. Street
improvements will cost an additional $3 to $4 million.
Board Member Robles asked how many Petanque courts would be provided at the park, and Ms. Hite answered six. The
Petanque Club has requested that the courts be designed to allow flexibility to fit 12 to 16 courts during tournaments.
However, this will be difficult given the desire to add some soft features at the main entrance of the park.
Board Member Robles asked if parking is still a concern. Ms. Hite said that a clear decision was made in the master plan
process that the park would not be used to solve a downtown parking problem. The park would be used similar as today,
without any off-street parking. There are three public lots that surround the area that can be used for event parking, and
there will be some street parking when 6r' and 7r' Avenues have been upgraded as part of Phase 2.
• Fishing Pier. The City received $1.9 million from the State to rehabilitate the Fishing Pier and the project is nearly done.
The contractor will be back on site to repair some of the center joints. The City has some concerns about the repair work,
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September 12, 2018 Page 2
and they are not making progress with the contractor to resolve the issue. The project is in a holding pattern while the City
figures out the best step forward. Right now, the center joints do not impact the safety of the structure, but they will impact
its longevity.
Chair Monroe sked if the contractor is still solvent in business and if a bond was required for the project. He also asked if
the City has the ability to assess damages. Ms. Hite said the City Attorney is pursuing the situation and potential damages,
but she cannot discuss details of the case at this time.
Board Member Rubenkonig asked about the maintenance costs of this well -used facility. Ms. Hite answered that during
the busy fishing season there are often 300 people on the pier at night between 10:00 and 1:00 p.m., and the area gets pretty
messy by morning. The City sends crews out to the pier daily during the busy time to clean up. The pier doesn't require
as much maintenance during the summer. Crews check it every day, but only do a thorough cleaning a few times a week.
Board Member Rubenkonig asked if the City receives any revenue from the fishing licenses that are required. Ms. Hite
answered no, the licenses are issued by the State. However, it is important to note that the rehabilitation work was funded
primarily by the State via grants from the Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife and the Recreation and
Conservation Office. She pointed out that the fishing pier is actually owned by the Department of Fish and Wildlife, and
the City is under contract with them to maintain the facility. Once the rehabilitation project is completed, the City will
work with the Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife to transfer ownership of the pier to the City.
Edmonds Marsh. The City is continuing to contract with Keeley O'Connell to project manage the phases of the Edmonds
Marsh rehabilitation efforts. This is a joint effort of the Public Works and Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services
Departments. The goal is twofold to address stormwater issues on SR-104 and Harbor Square and to bring back the salmon
habitat into the marsh to rear their young. The feasibility study has been completed, and the project is currently at 30%
design. They anticipate the project will reach 60% design soon. Ms. O'Connell continues to apply for grant funding to
move the required studies and design work forward. Actual construction is anticipated to begin in four or five years,
depending on funding.
Ms. Hite reported that the rehabilitation project on the northwest portion of the marsh walkway should be completed in the
next few weeks. The City is also working on the boardwalk that is located on Port property. The City currently has a
maintenance and operations agreement with the Port of Edmonds that allows them an access easement to the eastern portion
of this walkway, and they are working to obtain an easement for the other portion, as well.
• Frances Anderson Center Playground. The playground equipment at the Frances Anderson Center was replaced in
2018. Whenever the City replaces playground equipment, they work to solicit public input regarding the design and type
of equipment. The new playground includes specific elements that provide more accessibility.
Board Member Robles asked if older children are allowed to play on the new equipment even though it is signed for
children under 12. Ms. Hite answered affirmatively and explained that the sign posts the National Playground Safety
Standards. The Recreational Immunity Law requires that cities do due diligence to make sure the safety standards are
posted in a visible location.
• Memorial Bench Program. The City is in the process of replacing the benches at Brackett's Landing North, which has
prompted staff to review and revise the City's Memorial Bench Program. Currently, the memorial benches expire after 20
years, and staff has been working to contact donors to see if they want to purchase the benches for another 20 years. For
those that do not, they solicit donors from the waiting list of approximately 200 names. At this point, all of the benches at
Brackett's Landing North have been sold and staff will now start working on bench replacement at Brackett's Landing
South.
• Security/Safety. This year, they have focused some effort on security and safety at the Frances Anderson Center and park
maintenance shop where several break ins have occurred. Cameras with motion sensors have been installed and staff has
received de-escalation training and tools for dealing with customers.
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• Cemetery Mapping. They are in the process of updating the cemetery records to bring everything online. There have
been some issues with the software, but the City's IT staff is working with the cemetery personnel to get the project up
and running.
Outdoor Fitness Zones. The Capital Facility Plan identified an outdoor fitness equipment installation project in 2018.
However, the City is still waiting on a grant application from Verdant Health. If funding is received, it is likely that Mathay
Ballinger Park will be the first location. A second installation could be done at Civic Field in 2019 or 2020. In addition
to equipment installation, the intent is to provide programs such as instruction on how to use the equipment, fitness classes,
etc. to help activate the facility. In 2018, the City worked in cooperation with CrossFit Industries to present a free
community fitness class at Hickman Park, which had more than 100 participants.
Chair Monroe asked how much capital the City has set aside for the fitness zones, and Ms. Hite answered that the City has
set aside $75,000 and submitted a grant application to Verdant Health for an additional $100,000. Staff is also working
on a grant application submittal to the International Fitness Campaign, which could provide up to $30,000.
• Meadowdale Playfields. The playfields were redone in partnership with Lynnwood and the Edmonds School District.
The fields opened earlier in 2018 and have been heavily used. Where there were previously three softball fields and two
dirt fields, there are now three softball fields and two multi -use fields. The multi -use fields have synthetic turf, and the
softball fields have synthetic turf on the infields. The City's softball program has tripled, and staff will request additional
funding in 2019 to accommodate more teams.
Board Member Lovell asked if the City has plans to monitor the performance of the crumb rubber fields given recent public
concern and the City's current moratorium. Ms. Hite summarized that, although the City currently has a moratorium on
crumb rubber, the fields are actually located in Lynnwood. At this time, the City does not have plans to monitor the fields,
but they will continue to keep their eyes on the extensive study that is currently being done by the Federal Government.
They anticipate the results of this study in the fall of 2018. So far, there have been no complaints, and the fields are wildly
popular.
Chair Monroe asked if more money is needed to fund the softball program operations or to build more fields. Ms. Hite
clarified that the additional funding would be used to support additional teams, but not add more fields.
Board Member Robles said he lives near the park and finds the "no parking" signs that are placed in numerous locations
along the roadway to be unsightly. Ms. Hite explained that no additional parking was provided as part of the project.
However, a partnership with the Edmonds School District allows patrons of the field to park in the school parking lots
when school is not in session.
• City Storage Building. The replacement shed should be completed by the end of 2018. The area has been graded to
accommodate a larger building than the previous one that burnt down. The building will serve both the park and facility
needs.
• Community Garden. A community garden has been identified in the capital budget for a number of years, but the City
has struggled to find an appropriate location. The City had negotiated an agreement with Snohomish County to locate the
garden at Esperance Park, but the Council did not approve the Interlocal Agreement pending a future discussion about
annexation. More recently, the City was contacted by an Edmonds resident who expressed a desire to do a type of sale
that would allow her to live on her property in perpetuity but allow the rest of the property to be used for a community
garden. This property would be an excellent location, and staff is currently pursuing the option.
• Veteran's Plaza. This project was completed earlier in the year after a very large community effort. The community did
a heavy lift for this project and it turned out gorgeous.
• Waterfront Redevelopment and Walkway Completion. The City has been working parallel with the Senior Center's
effort to rebuild the center. The City's interest is to pull back the creosote pier from the Sound and introduce a filtration
system from the parking lot to the Sound. In addition, the City plans to complete the walkway south of the Senior Center.
The City owns an easement in front of the Ebbtide Condominiums and is working with a designer to figure out the best
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option for connecting the walkway. The City recently received a request from the Senior Center that the City consider
paying the full cost of the parking lot and frontage improvements, and the request will be discussed at a special Council
meeting on September 20r''. The Senior Center plans to submit permit applications in October or November, with the goal
of starting construction sometime between April and June 2019. The City's project is bound by the fish window (July
through September) because it requires in -water work. That means the project will need to be started by June of 2019.
The walkway connection between the Senior Center and Olympic Beach Park will be Phase II of the project. They
anticipate an elevated walkway that goes in front of the Ebbtide Condominiums. The City is working to design a walkway
that fits within the easement it currently owns. The Ebbtide has filed a lawsuit challenging the easement, and it is
anticipated a decision will be issued in October or November. She emphasized that Phase I of the City's project will move
forward in 2018, but they still need to find funding for Phase II and design work will not continue until the lawsuit has
been decided.
Board Member Rubenkonig asked if the parking spaces would be signed to limit the length of time. Ms. Hite said time
limits have not been discussed as an option. All of the waterfront parks are extremely popular and parking is not currently
limited. Board Member Rubenkonig suggested the City should discuss this option at some point.
• Marina Beach Park. The Marina Beach Park project will be implemented in conjunction with the Edmonds Marsh
Project. A master plan is in place and construction is estimated to cost $3 million. It is too early to apply for grant funding
as the marsh improvements and daylighting Willow Creek will not be ready to move forward for about four more years.
As the project gets closer, the City will apply for grant funding.
• Student Conservation Association. The City has collaborated with the Student Conservation Association to bring a youth
work/education program to the City to help in the parks over the summer. The program has been very successful, and the
City plans to continue this partnership.
• Willow Creek Fish Hatchery. Sound Salmon Solutions has now completed the transition to operate the hatchery, and
the transition has been very smooth. They are currently raising funds to help with some building upgrades and continued
salmon education for the community.
• Urban Forest Management Plan. The Parks Department is working with the Development Services Department to bring
to completion the Urban Forest Management Plan before the end of 2018. Staff is working to complete the final edits and
bring it back for final Council adoption. The intent is to insert more language relative to the local situation.
• Edmonds Arts Commission Programs. The 33rd Annual Writer on the Sound Conference will take place the first
weekend in October and is again sold out. About 275 to 300 people attend each year, including a number of attendees
from out of state and even out of the country. A new public art installation called "Sunrise Run" was installed on the
breakwater in May. In addition, a new artist -made sculpture (Bookworm) was added on top of a flower basket outside of
the library. This summer's Concerts in the Park Series was very successful. Lastly, the Cultural Services and Economic
Development staff have been partnering on an application to the new Washington State Arts Commission Program to
become a Certified Creative District. The application included a robust public process, and there is good indication that it
will be competitive.
Gateway Sign. In late 2017, the City undertook a design process for a replacement sign for the SR-104 and 51 Avenue
South site. A committee was formed, including one member each from the Planning Board, Arts Commission, and
Economic Development Commission, and a proposal was presented to the City Council in July. The process was sent
back to the drawing board after some public comment indicated a desire to have the replacement design have more of a
look and feel of the existing signage or to have public involvement in the design process. In addition, the staff and Council
agreed that taking a look at all the potential gateway signage sites would be prudent before creating a new sign for the SR-
104 site. The Committee has been enlarged to include several other members of the community, and the process moving
forward will include community open houses. The intent is to start the process in late fall, with an anticipated
recommendation to the City Council in late spring of 2019.
Board Member Crank asked if City staff has been in contact with the person who created the smaller sign design. Ms. Hite
answered no, but that doesn't mean it won't happen at some point. Board Member Crank suggested the City should publish
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a follow-up story or press release about the new process, emphasizing that the discussion would include all gateway signs
and not just the sign on SR-104.
Board Member Rubenkonig asked what people like about the old sign. Ms. Hite said her understanding is that the sign is
quaint and people are attached to it. People like the ferry aspect of the sign, and they prefer the wood sign over the proposed
more modern metal sign. There has been some discussion about relocating the existing sign to somewhere else in the City
that is assessible to the public to take pictures, etc.
Board Member Crank left the meeting at 8:00 p.m.
Ms. Arnold provided an update on the City's recreational programs, highlighting the following:
• Yost Pool. The YMCA operated Yost Pool again in 2018, and they had a safe and successful summer. The City received
a number of compliments about the cleanliness and orderliness of the facility, which is now closed. The City completed
renovation of the locker rooms in 2018 prior to the summer season.
• CRAZE. The City continues to offer a wide array of recreational programs for all ages. The summer camps were
particularly successful this year and about 90% full. The pickleball courts are becoming wildly popular, with 76 people
signing up for Tuesday evening leagues. On Labor Day, all 8 courts were full and there were 20 people waiting.
• Special Events. Special events for 2018 included Outdoor Movies, Sand Sculpting Contest, Health and Fitness Expo,
Puget Sound Bird Fest, Watershed Fund Fair, Moonlight Beach Adventure, Starlight Beach Walk, Earth Day Ivy Pull and
the Marina Beach Summer Cleanup.
• Beach Ranger Program. The Ranger -Naturalists provided about 130 two-part marine education programs, as well as
classroom fieldtrips and a variety of camps and other outdoor educational programming for all ages. The Rangers patrolled
the waterfront every day from Memorial Day through Labor Day, and the Visitor Station was open every weekend and
some weekdays during the patrol season. More than 7,300 visitors came through the station in 2018.
Board Member Lovell asked Ms. Hite to answer the following questions:
• How is the Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Department relative to the budget? Ms. Hite advised that the budget
requires a balancing act. Some of the recreational programs are provided by the City directly and others are run by hired
contractors. They have a professional services and contractor budget for this purpose. Revenues are down this year, but
expenses are also lower. They will plan the 2019 budget based on this information. She explained that some programs
fill up, but others do not and have to be cancelled. When programs are cancelled, both the expense and revenue associated
with them are eliminated from the budget. Overall, the budget is in great shape.
Board Member Lovell asked if the 2018 budget included funding to replace a component at Yost Pool. Ms. Hite said the
locker rooms were renovated this year. Every year they try to do a capital project at Yost Pool. The City has invested
quite a bit of money into the facility, and most of the major systems have been replaced in recent years.
• What is the cost recovery ratio for the various programs? Ms. Hite responded that all of the adult programs cover their
own costs, but that is not always the case for the youth and children's programs. Because they want them to be available
to all children, some of the programs are subsidized and the City also offers some scholarship to low-income participants.
Overall, the cost recovery is good.
• Has there been in changes in program participation due to changing demographics? Ms. Hite answered that there are
definitely more young people participating in the programs now, as demographics have changed over the past three to four
years. They try to balance the programs to provide opportunities for all ages.
• What percentage of the park visitors and program participants come from outside of Edmonds? Ms. Hite commented that
there is really no way to measure how many park visitors come from outside the City. However, they do know where the
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program participants come from, and the City offers a 10% discount to Edmonds residents. Typically, people come from
Mountlake Terrace, Shoreline and Lynnwood. As traffic worsens in the region, people are less willing to drive to recreate.
Board Member Rubenkonig asked if the City has experienced homeless people sleeping in the parks. Ms. Hite answered that
there have only been a few situations of people sleeping in the parks over the past two years. When it happens, staff simply
asks them to move on and provides a list of potential resources of where they can get help.
Chair Monroe asked if the City offers a place for homeless people to shower. Ms. Hite said the City allows people to shower
at the Frances Anderson Center for a $3 charge, and there are usually punch cards purchased by others that allow those who
are unable to pay to shower for free. However, the Frances Anderson Center is not set up to be a hygiene center.
Vice Chair Cheung recalled that the City previously had discussions about a potential aquatics center. Ms. Hite explained that
a feasibility study was done in 2008 for an indoor aquatics center in conjunction with Yost Pool. However, the cost was
estimated to be between $16 and $20 million. The City Council removed the project from the Capital Facilities Plan in 2017.
Unless someone from the community expresses renewed interest in the proposal, she does not anticipate it moving forward any
time in the foreseeable future. She noted that in addition to Yost Pool, there are indoor facilities in both Lynnwood and
Mountlake Terrace that are available for Edmonds residents to use.
Board Member Robles asked if park maintenance staff have noticed an increase in wild animals (rabbits, coyotes, etc.) this
year. Ms. Hite said she has not heard any complaints, but she would check with staff. Board Member Robles noted that the
issue has been discussed on a number of community online forums.
REVIEW OF EXTENDED AGENDA
Chair Monroe announced that the Planning Board Retreat is scheduled for September 26' starting at 6:30 p.m. Topics of
discussion will include a briefing by the City Attorney, a presentation of upcoming issues and the work program, and an update
on the Housing Strategy. It was noted that the meeting would be open to the public, but no formal minutes would be prepared.
Chair Monroe agreed to email Board Members regarding food assignments.
PLANNING BOARD CHAIR COMMENTS
Chair Monroe did not provide any additional comments.
PLANNING BOARD MEMBER COMMENTS
Board Member Lovell announced that the City Council will conduct a public hearing of the preferred alternative for the
waterfront connector street on September 181. He urged Board Members to attend the meeting and share their thoughts during
the public hearing.
Board Member Rubenkonig reported that she attended the Housing Strategy Workshop on August 27t''. She said she was
uncomfortable with the handout that was provided to participants to explain the objectives of the strategy. A graphic was
provided to illustrate for each of the objectives, which she felt sent a different message than what was contained in the report.
The graphics ended up confusing the participants further and did not really convey the report goals. She expressed her belief
that the Housing Strategy needs to be rewritten, removing the confusing graphics and limiting the objectives to one. At this
point in time, the report appears to be overreaching. There is a mistrust of the data provided which must be addressed, and it
needs to be more readable for the non -housing professional.
Board Member Rubenkonig further expressed her belief that the overreaching nature of the Housing Strategy reflects the needs
identified by the housing professionals on the Task Force, was supported by the Planning Board, and represents authentic issues
that need resolution. However, the resolution of most of the issues is not going to be on a City level. Low-income tenant
protection requires enforcement, which must be addressed. Increasing supply of income -restricted affordable housing can be
done using existing housing stock or the expansion of housing diversity through vouchers and subsidies of a
federal/state/county/private nature. Supporting the needs of an aging population is a social component, but the expansion of
housing diversity can meet the issue of house rich/income poor seniors who desire to stay in their community. She recalled
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that, early on, the Planning Board verbalized that the Housing Strategy is the means to "take care of our own." Providing
housing alternatives which allow people to stay in their neighborhoods may be a community value. Many have experienced
the difficulties of parents trying to find downsizing housing options.
Board Member Rubenkonig continued that some in the community are expressing strongly that not all who want to live in
Edmonds should be able to. Legally, there are limits to that kind of thinking. However, there was a strong verbal opposition
to subsidizing someone to live in Edmonds. There may be exceptions to attitude as it pertains to the seniors and physically and
mentally challenged. Recognizing the fact that current homeless people are already a part of our community appears hard for
many to accept. The model provided elsewhere of the local hospital providing housing stability which increases health stability
may be what Verdant needs to pursue for our community. She concluded that the Housing Strategy needs to center on
encouraging multi -family housing and expanding housing diversity. Many of the objectives in the report can be met within
housing diversity. She observed that the public workshop was not meant to be a community forum on how things would be
handled differently. Many issues are already handled on a Federal level and it is not up to the City of Edmonds to do different
than what has already been put in place. She felt the Housing Strategy Task Force has a clear understanding of what is taking
place and the issues of concern, but there is a carefulness in terms of making it seems as though they are trying to take a
temperature reading on how amenable the public is to various concepts and ideas when, in fact, many of the ideas have already
been decided by City regulations (i.e. protecting tenant rights).
Board Member Rosen said he also attended the Housing Strategy Workshop where passions and emotions continued to be
strong. There was a police presence that added to the dynamics and raised passions, as well. He thanked the City Council for
its responsive, strong recommendation that more effort was needed to solicit public feedback. The workshop is a testimony
that they listened to the community. He referred to a memorandum from the Development Services Director that provided a
good representation of the frustrations that were expressed. The public comments at the workshop were insightful and echoed
the comments made on social media. About half of those in attendance had not attended any of the previous meetings regarding
the Housing Strategy. There appeared to be a strong lack of satisfaction in the format of the meeting, which included a
presentation, but no open public forum for people to ask questions and probe further into the presentation. That lead to an
overall dissatisfaction because people were unable to talk about their concerns.
Board Member Rosen recalled that questions were raised about the profile of the Housing Strategy Task Force participants,
and it was suggested that the Housing Strategy was set up to reflect their own self-serving interest. There continues to be a
lack of belief that people have had a meaningful opportunity to have input and that the input was, in fact, heard and understood.
Participants also voiced a lack of trust in the data, which has led to a misunderstanding as to why the City is having this
conversation and writing the Housing Strategy. He expressed his belief that there are major philosophical differences within
the community about what the community should be. He summarized that the community would be helped by allowing more
people to be heard and taking steps to respond to the concerns.
ADJOURNMENT
The Board meeting was adjourned at 8:35 p.m.
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