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20170117 City CouncilEDMONDS CITY COUNCIL APPROVED MINUTES January 17, 2017 ELECTED OFFICIALS PRESENT Dave Earling, Mayor Thomas Mesaros, Council President Michael Nelson, Councilmember Adrienne Fraley-Monillas, Councilmember Diane Buckshnis, Councilmember Dave Teitzel, Councilmember Neil Tibbott, Councilmember ELECTED OFFICIALS ABSENT Kristiana Johnson, Councilmember 1. CALL TO ORDER/FLAG SALUTE STAFF PRESENT Carrie Hite, Parks, Rec. & Cult. Serv. Dir. Shane Hope, Development Services Director Rob English, City Engineer Renee McRae, Recreation Manager 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 5`h 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 with the exception of Councilmember Johnson. 3. APPROVAL OF AGENDA COUNCILMEMBER TEITZEL MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER TIBBOTT, TO APPROVE THE AGENDA IN CONTENT AND ORDER. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. 4. APPROVAL OF CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS COUNCILMEMBER BUCKSHNIS MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER TIBBOTT, TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. The agenda items approved are as follows: 1. APPROVAL OF COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES OF JANUARY 10, 2017 2. APPROVAL OF COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OF JANUARY 10, 2017 3. CLAIM FOR DAMAGES FROM ELANA SHIPPEN (AMOUNT UNDETERMINED) 4. APPROVAL OF CLAIM CHECKS AND WIRE PAYMENT 5. CONFIRMATION OF HAROLD WILLIAMS II APPOINTMENT TO THE SISTER CITY COMMISSION Edmonds City Council Approved Minutes January 17, 2017 Page 1 6. BUDGET CARRYFORWARD INFORMATION MEMO 5. AUDIENCE COMMENTS Dianna Maish, Edmonds, member of Save Our Marsh, thanked the Mayor and the City Council for the informative presentation by Western Washington University students last Friday at City Hall. She was pleased to see community discussions regarding improving the health of the Edmonds Marsh such as reducing Harbor Square runoff, more effective stormwater management techniques in the buffer area, strategies for enhancing biodiversity, minimizing invasive plant species in the marsh and the possibility of enhancing wildlife habitat. The Edmonds Marsh is the only remaining salt marsh between Tacoma and Everett and can provide more ecosystem service than it currently does. Save Our Marsh is eager to hear the City's plans for following up on the students' well formulated recommendations. Since most of the work will involve Port property, they are interested in how the Port will participate in implementing the results. Save Our Marsh wants to help, perhaps with planning, grants, field work or organizing community volunteers. She relayed their appreciation for the Council's decision which allowed Edmonds to be the first city in the state to receive such a quality assessment. Rich Demeroutis, Edmonds, reported tripping on a raised piece of pavement about a year and a half ago when walking along 5'h in early evening darkness. Fortunately, he was able to stop his fall with his hands but suffered tendentious for several months following the fall. He discovered a faint line of florescent paint on the raised piece of pavement and during subsequent walks, saw Faded lines painted in several areas on pavement along 5th Avenue. Those have been re -marked but have not been ground down in the past six months. He reported the raised pavement to the street department and was told they are marked and ground down by a contractor. He encouraged the City to give more attention to raised pavement pieces. He has also reported missing caps in the street, and once it took 4-5 months for it to be replaced. When reporting overgrown vegetation on sidewalks on Edmonds Way, the City said it was the State's responsibility and the State said it was the City's responsibility. When he called recently about ivy covering half the sidewalk near Madrona School, it was trimmed within a week. 6. PUBLIC HEARINGS 1. CIVIC CENTER MASTER PLAN PUBLIC HEARING Parks & Recreation Director Carrie Hite explained this is a hybrid draft of the Civic Park Master Plan. There has been a very robust community conversations about the park; the Master Plan reflects the interests expressed by the community. This presentation was previously scheduled in November 2016 but was rescheduled due to full agendas at the end of 2016. She sought Council direction on any changes to the final draft plan; staff's intent is to return the Master Plan to Council in the next 1-2 months for final adoption. Chris Jones, Principal and Landscape Architect, Walker Macy, explained Walker Macy has been working with Ms. Hite, the Project Advisory Committee (PAC) and the community to develop a Master Plan that re -envisions the Civic Center Playfield. This is a great site for a downtown park and Walker Macy was excited to be a part of the process. The hybrid plan is the culmination of a nine-month planning and community engagement process that included three public open houses and three on-line open houses. He explained Open House #3 began with review of Open House #2 to update members of the public who had not been part of the entire process. Open House #I identified programs the community wanted to see at Civic Playfield which included over 100 ideas. He reviewed results from Open House #2 • Ideas from Open House #1 were developed into two illustrative plans: Edmonds City Council Approved Minutes January 17, 2017 Page 2 Option 1 —Meadow Loop 2 smaller or 1 large soccer field 4 petanque courts 1.5 courts Playgrounds Walking jogging paths Multi -use lawn Existing Field House / B&G Club Shade pavilion and restroom In-person discussion & report back: o —160 attendees 0 16 discussion tables o Preferred Plan (by majority at table): • Option 1: 8 • Option 2: 4 • Split: 2 ■ Unclear: 2 o Individual Comment Cards: • Option 1: 5 • Option 2: 3 • Undecided / Unclear: 3 Option 2 — Activi Center 1 large + 1 small soccer field 8 petanque courts 4 courts 200m track Skate park Sand volleyball Parking Playgrounds Walking jogging paths Multi -use lawn Expanded Field House for B&G Club / Cafe / restroom Picnic pavilion Results of the online open house (August 24th to September 7th) 0 1,057 visitors 0 379 responses o Preferred Plan • Option 1: 88(23.9%) • Option 2: 280(76.1%) o Age Range ■ Over 70: 38 (17.7%) ■ 45-69: 81 (37.7%) • 30-44: 80 (37.2%) • 18-29: 7 (3.3%) ■ Under 18: 5 (2.3%) o Common reasons respondents preferred option 1: • Free-flowing structure, layout • Walking paths • Water feature and plaza • Open green spaces and lawn • Reduced number of petanque courts ■ No track o Common reasons respondents preferred option 2: • View terraces • Long walking and running paths • Focus on fields and athletic facilities • Expanded boys and girls club • Skate park ■ Potential for large events Edmonds City Council Approved Minutes January 17, 2017 Page 3 • More spaces for families and children ■ Track • Combined open houses (in-person and online) results: o Option 1: 178(35%) • In-person: 90(64%) • Online: 88(24%) o Option 2: 330(65%) • In-person: 50(36%) ■ Online: 280(77%) • Most consistent comments: o Like the lawn terraces o Skate park should remain o Option 1 curves nice but want more active programs like Option 2 • Additional feedback: o Common elements not shown that respondents would like to see included: ■ Additional restrooms ■ Benches and/or seating areas • Lighting ■ Additional covered athletic facility and market space ■ Stage • ADA accessibility ■ 400 -meter track Mr. Jones reviewed the Hybrid Plan: • How we resnonded to what we heard: Top 10 activities (from Open House #1 Votes Included in H brid Plan 1. Restrooms 77 ✓ 2. P6tan ue 76 ✓ 3. Jogging/walking paths 71 ✓ 4. Soccer 67 ✓ 5. Shade trees 56 ✓ 6. Skate park 50 ✓ 7. Playground 50 ✓ 8. Tennis 49 ✓ 9. Boys & Girls Club 48 ✓ 10. Multi -use lawn 42 V/ • From total list of 40 activities, 36 are accommodated in the hybrid plan • Themes/priorities o 1 st: Active o 2nd: Passive o 3rd: Civic • Framework diagram o Civic Edge (West) o Landscape buffer (North, South and East ) o Multi -use Lawn • Pedestrian and vehicular connections through park o Sidewalk on 6t" o Sprague Avenue right-of-way connection through park providing cross park connection to downtown Edmonds City Council Approved Minutes January 17, 2017 Page 4 o Sinuous paths on north and east side 0 1/4 mile soft surface loop with 2 lanes Mr. Jones described the hybrid plan (starting on west side and proceeding counterclockwise): • Market promenade along 6t' Avenue o Pedestrian friendly, at -grade streetscape street grade o Not included in park plan but recommended as City strategy to activate park and make park safer • Tennis courts o Replace existing courts o Moved 10 feet south and added planting buffer o Moved 38 -feet off the property line • Multiuse court • Mound with constructed stairs • Topographic change on south side of mound provides opportunity for small climbing wall • Locations along track for park course • Skate park o Cast in place o Below grade • Playground • Terraces • Track follows property boundary • Pathway with seating on south side of multiuse lawn area • 4 Pdtanque courts, garden spaces and seating areas o Front door to park o Needs to be beautiful, high horticultural value, gateway, shade, seating areas • Restroom, shade structure and potentially concession space • Small water feature • Potential location for signature art piece • Boys & Girls Club in current condition with no expansion • Multi -use ball court • Community Hubs o Potential 12,000 square foot Boys & Girls Club expansion o Potential 20,000 square foot Boys & Girls Club alternative ■ Do not recommend, comments indicate this footprint does not fit neighborhood Mr. Jones reviewed: • Photographs of what the spaces could look like: o Great lawn o Market Promenade o The Meadows Aerial looking at the northwest corner illustrating: o Dominant space is multiuse playfield ■ Light fixtures shown could be relocated o Skate park o Playground o Boys & Girls Club (existing and potential expansion) o Water feature/art element o Restrooms, shade structure and concessions o Pdtanque courts Edmonds City Council Approved Minutes January 17, 2017 Page 5 Hybrid Plan event overlays o Small to medium size events within the park • Diagram illustrating how could accommodate small performances, wine garden, market, small -medium performances o Large events • Taste of Edmonds • 4ch of July • Market & Festivals • Hybrid plan includes same amount of flexible space in the park as exists today • Will require efficiencies by the Chamber Mr. Jones reviewed the results of Online Open House #3 (October 19'h to November 4th) • 347 visitors o Majority nearby residents o Most had not attended any of the in-person open houses o Age Range • Over 70: 7% • 45-69: 48% ■ 30-44: 41% • 18-29: 0% • Under 18: 2% 156 comments on plan o Range of comments similar to prior feedback: • Like the curves, paths and passive areas • Like the integrated activities • Skate park location is an issue for residents ■ Beautiful plan, good compromise ■ Not enough sports/ playfields and too much passive area • Not enough passive area and too much sport activity ■ P6tanque grove is nice but would like larger tournament area ■ Appreciate the thoughtful incorporation of community feedback ■ Formal track should be included ■ Like the 6th Avenue market promenade and plaza ■ We should leave the park as is ■ Concerns about buffers, noise, dogs, lighting and other design details Mr. Jones reviewed updates to the Hybrid Plan based on community concern since Open House #3: • Most controversial siting was skate park due to noise and adjacently to neighborhood o Proposed change — move skate park away from north edge of park and swap it with a picnic space which is a more passive, quieter use. Returns skate park generally to its current location • Add two p6tanque courts on southwest side for a total of six courts o Integrate planting and seating • If Boys & Girls Club expands, change basketball court to multiuse court He reviewed a schematic of the typical planted buffer along the alleyway on the north side: • Public expressed concern with children running into the alley on the north side to and from the park and safety concerns that creates o Some suggested a fence on park boundary • A fence does not create a welcoming sense to park o Planting bed creates a more welcoming entry Edmonds City Council Approved Minutes January 17, 2017 Page 6 Diagram: Planted berm, 8 -foot jogging/walking path, 14 -foot minimum planted buffer, 17 -foot alley Could be schematic design feature. Another possible solution is a sidewalk on north side Mr. Jones displayed a diagram illustrating potential phasing: • Phase A: West side, hardscape • Phase B: Softscape • Phase C: Market Promenade on 6th Avenue Mr. Jones explained another issue is the tennis court fencing on the northwest corner • Tennis courts currently abut alley on the north side and 6th Avenue • Propose moving two tennis courts east 38 feet with a buffer on the north side to mitigate and provide noise attenuation between the park and residents. • Relocation created some concern regarding fencing. Options include: o more transparent netting o Netting is only raised when courts are being used o Constructed fencing can be more appealing than existing fencing • Will continue to engage the community regarding this issue Council President Mesaros asked about the height of a standard tennis fence. Mr. Jones answered 12-15 feet. Council President Mesaros asked how many tracks exist in city limits. Ms. Hite answered there are tracks at Edmonds-Woodway High School, former Woodway High School, Madrona School and College Place. She summarized middle school and high schools typically have tracks but elementary schools do not. Council President Mesaros supported the recommendations for 0 Avenue and the opportunity that provides. He observed 6°s Avenue will not be completely closed to traffic but the design features will indicate that it is primarily a pedestrian way. Mr. Jones explained the proposal is for the grade to be flush from curb to curb with no east -west grade transition and a different type of pavement. There are some challenges on the west side due to the topographic change to the fire station but they are not insurmountable. Councilmember Buckshnis commented the packet was very thorough. She recalled parking is an issue in Edmonds and asked how making 6'h Avenue a pedestrian promenade would affect parking. Ms. Hite said parking was raised during the process; there was a strong sentiment in the community not to have parking in the park. The proposed street improvements on 6'h and 7rh could accommodate more parking than exists today. Councilmember Buckshnis pointed out the potential conflict between the promenade and access for the fire station. Mr. Jones acknowledged that was not addressed; the concept of a promenade is in its infancy and there are many things to be worked out. The illustration of a market setup and programming are not accurate based on that need for circulation and would need to accommodate emergency access. Councilmember Buckshnis asked whether the alley would be open to cars. Mr. Jones answered yes. Councilmember Buckshnis asked if Sprague Street would be open for cars. Mr. Jones answered it would not be open for cars through the park; it was intended as a walkway only. Ms. Hite said there are two alleyways, one to the north and one to the south that act as driveways for condos on the north and south sides of the park. The promenade through the park is part of the park now; it was vacated because the site was already developed as a park. Councilmember Teitzel expressed his appreciation for the public involvement in the development of the plan. He observed the existing Boys & Girls Club was an older structure but an assessment found it did Edmonds City Council Approved Minutes January 17, 2017 Page 7 not rise to the level of historic significance. He was aware the building needed a lot of work and asked whether it was savable. Ms. Hite answered it would have to be completely renovated in order to meet the needs of the Boys & Girls Club. In conversations with the Boys & Girls Club, they are interested in demolishing the structure and build a new building. Councilmember Teitzel observed the building needs structural work and asked the cost to bring it up to current standard. Mr. Jones said the budget may include a line item associated with renovations to the Boys & Girls Club. He agreed a substantial investment in the structure would be necessary to make it functional such as mechanical, electrical, plumbing, ADA accessibility, etc. The setup of the existing space makes it difficult to accommodate that use. Councilmember Teitzel observed the tennis courts, the potential multiuse court and the skate park, all hard surface noise generating activities, are clustered in the northwest corner. He asked about moving the tennis courts where the grandstands current exist and aligning them end to end to spread out the noise generating activities more evenly around the park. Mr. Jones answered that could be explored. Nobody wants a skate park next to their residence and few want tennis courts next to their residence. Putting those in the center would destroy the park and moving features would likely result in different groups expressing concern. He agreed there were a lot of hard surfaces in the northwest. He suggested considering whether there was a way to reduce the hard surfaces such as a cinder tennis court that would reduce the noise as well as the view of the colored surface. However, that would be challenging because the courts are also used for pickleball. He summarized moving the tennis courts would require relocating a lot of features. Ms. Hite pointed out the skate park was moved from the north edge to the center and replaced with a picnic area which is a quieter activity. The multiuse court is optional in the hybrid plan and would likely be omitted to keep the cost of development down unless the Boys & Girls Club rebuilt on the other multi -use court. With the picnic area, the stairs, the track, the climbing wall and the tennis courts are the only hardscape on that edge. Councilmember Teitzel recalled concern about noise from the skate park and asked whether the surface on the jogging/walking path could be a cinder -type surface that could not be skateboarded on. Mr. Jones answered the sinuous paths are envisioned as a hard, ADA accessible material but could be a soft paving system. The Sprague access will likely designed for fire truck, pedestrian, and bicycle use which could be skateboarded on. He acknowledged mitigating hard surfaces to reduce noise was a valid concern. They could look at other ways to attenuate noise such as maximizing the buffers on the north side and shifting the tennis courts south closer to the Sprague Avenue right-of-way to provide more buffer on the north side as well as provide more significant plant material. Councilmember Fraley-Monillas asked whether moving features around the outside perimeter of the park would eliminate the ability for the Chamber to have 4th of July, Taste, etc. in the park. The plans currently include a big open space that will accommodate a scaled back version. Mr. Jones answered rotating uses could be explored. A wild idea would be to flip the uses from the north to the south but the challenge with that is the design team would essentially need to start over. Moving program spaces around would be difficulty and would bring up new challenges associated with adjacencies. He acknowledged there is never a perfect solution; it is a puzzle. Councilmember Fraley-Monillas anticipated the same concerns would be expressed from residents on the south side of the park. Ms. Hite reminded where the hard surfaces are located on the west edge is unrestricted land; there are limits on the amount of impervious surface in the center portion from the east edge to the multi -use field. Councilmember Fraley-Monillas asked if the Boys & Girls Club has expressed any intent to leave the area. Ms. Hite answered no, during the latest conversation she and Mayor Earling had with the Boys & Girls Club 2-3 months ago, they indicated their intent to stay at Civic and would like rebuild a new club. Councilmember Fraley-Monillas commented the Boys & Girls Club currently serves 150 kids in that small space. Mayor Earling said there was a clear indication from the Boys & Girls Club that they are Edmonds City Council Approved Minutes January 17, 2017 Page 8 very active and want to pursue a new building on the site but do not have any immediate plans. They understand the value of a Boys & Girls Club in the downtown area. Councilmember Fraley-Monillas asked for additional information regarding 6th Avenue, asking if the intent was still a two-lane road with sidewalks on both sides. Mr. Jones answered yes. He clarified when the City Council approves the Master Plan, it will not include 6th Avenue as part of the proposal. They see a great opportunity to redevelop the street; in this concept it would remain two lanes with parking on both sides. Their suggestion is for it to be an at -grade promenade with different paving material, tree lined, etc. in the future. Councilmember Fraley-Monillas observed 6th Avenue could still be closed for events. Mr. Jones answered yes. Councilmember Fraley-Monillas relayed her understanding that the Civic Park Plan would not affect traffic on 6th Avenue. Mr. Jones agreed. Councilmember Nelson echoed Councilmember Buckshnis' concern with fire station access if 6th Avenue is converted to a market promenade, noting the trucks could use the doors on the opposite side. With regard to the skate park, he understood the desire to move it to a quieter location but was not crazy about the new location. He asked if there were other materials that absorb sound better than the current skate park. Mr. Jones there are not a lot for the skating surface. There is another material used for performance stages but he has not seen it used for a skate park and was uncertain if it would be quieter. Councilmember Nelson inquired about natural buffers around the skate park. Mr. Jones said berms only do so much; distance provides the most attenuation. Councilmember Nelson asked whether the location of skate park impacts the lawn. Mr. Jones answered no, it integrates well and could be shifted slightly. An early concept included a depressed skate park further west with the walkway over the top. That was cool idea but very expensive. Councilmember Nelson asked how that would affect the sound. Mr. Jones answered there will be echo from the concrete regardless of whether it is depressed; the more depressed it is, the less noisy it is. Ms. Hite said the skate park in the original schematic and in the current proposal is more of a bowl in the ground rather than above ground. The existing skate park is above ground which echoes more than an in -ground bowl will. Councilmember Tibbott appreciated the amount of public engagement in the process. He asked if the track material was envisioned to be a rubber surface. Mr. Jones envisioned the track would be a typical material as recycled rubber that is easy on joints, similar to other professional tracks. Councilmember Tibbott asked if that track would primarily be used for walking/jogging. Mr. Jones said it would not be a skating surface. Councilmember Tibbott asked about the material for the emergency vehicle access path. Mr. Jones answered concrete or pavers although pavers are likely cost prohibitive. It could be a scored concrete walkway or exposed aggregate, colored concrete, etc.; there are many ways do concrete in a nice way. Councilmember Tibbott asked whether asked whether some of the hardscape activities in Civic Park could be reduced by placing them in other parks such as Maplewood Park which has no amenities other than some camp sites. Ms. Hite said that was considered during this process. The tennis courts at this site are the only tennis courts downtown. Maplewood is not located downtown, City Park cannot accommodate any other activities, and the Frances Anderson Center field is used a lot and has no space for tennis courts. The Park, Recreation and Open Space Plan speaks to a compliment of recreation components in all parks. This signature downtown park has a lot of activities but is one of the only spaces downtown besides City Park whose key feature is the spray pad and the playground and Frances Anderson Center whose key feature is the soccer field and bandshell. Mr. Jones said if the Boys & Girls Club redevelops on the site, that could include an indoor tennis court. Edmonds City Council Approved Minutes January 17, 2017 Page 9 For Councilmember Tibbott, Ms. Hite said in addition to the two tennis courts at Civic Field, there are also courts at Yost and Seaview. Councilmember Tibbott pointed out there are walking paths at some elementary schools such as Edmonds Elementary. Mayor Earling opened the public participation portion of the hearing. Carl Zapora, Edmonds, congratulated and thanked Mayor Earling and the City Council for the open process and for holding a public hearing to gather public input. He attended one of the three open houses and felt it was very well done. He was frankly blown away by the hybrid proposal and how it accommodated so many competing priorities. He loved the hybrid plan, a beautiful design, with a lot of thought into it. He appreciated Mayor Earling and the Council's openness to the flexibility of the field space, good for park space, recreation space and healthy activities as well as for festivals which add to the flavor of Edmonds, making it an attractive community for all citizens. He thanked the City and the consultant for the genuine opportunity for input and the great job on the hybrid plan. Darleen Attik, Edmonds, speaking on behalf Pat Woodell, Edmonds, referred to discussion about revising the design and moving the skate park to 7th Avenue or other location. She expressed support for the City Council approving a plan that leaves the skate park where it is in the most recent design, close to the Boys & Girls Club. This location is realistically spaced away from condominiums and single family residences that border Civic Field. Neighbors to Civic Field have had 11 years of experience with the skate park in its current location, making it a known quantity. In 2005 when the City Council approved the skate park, it was specific about where it should be sited. The Council's approval came after a long and careful process that included noise studies, research by the Skate Park Work Group, several Planning Board and City Council meetings and at least three public hearing and pages of testimony and reports documenting opinions for and against siting a skate park in Civic Field. References to the core documents that summarize this public and often controversial history were included in her written comments. If the current design that proposes to move the skate park near a residential border of Civic Field is changed, she requested the neighbors of Civic Field be given notice of the proposal and an opportunity to comment. She urged the City Council to honor the hard work done 11 years ago and leave the skate park where it is in the current design. Linda Malan, Edmonds, said living on Daley Street allows them to walk downtown and provides a front row seat to activities in the park. That ideal setting can also become unlivable; for example, in August they must leave home during the Taste of Edmonds. Upon learning of the plans to create a signature park on Civic Field, residents on its border have expressed their concerns and ideas. In April 2016, before the open house and before plans were developed, a detailed summary of comments from residents on the north and south sides of the field were submitted to Ms. Hite. They have also attended the public meetings and written letters. Even with all that input, the final hybrid design placed the skate park beneath the windows of their living area. They are grateful to Ms. Hite and Walker Macy that the skate park hopefully will no longer be placed there. That was such an unexpected radical change from the two earlier plans, that their confidence in having input on the final in plan has been shaken. The skate park is the busiest of all the park features, used year-round by all ages with activity beginning at daylight and continuing after dark. Placing the skate park near any residences would make those homes less desirable. The best, carefully determined location for the skate park is for it to remain where is now. She assumed most downtown city parks were surrounded by full size streets; the condos on the north side are only 17 feet from the park's northern edge with only a narrow, busy alleyway separating them. If the edges of the park are filled with as many activities as citizens wish to use occasionally and overlooks the borders that contain full-time homes, it will seriously affect the desirability of living in this downtown area. Bill Wood, Edmonds, highlighted the need for a fence to separate the field from the alley on the north that connects 6th and 7th. He did not support moving the tennis courts or the skate park any closer to Edmonds City Council Approved Minutes January 17, 2017 Page 10 residences bordering the north alley than they currently are. There is currently a fence around the entire perimeter of the field with only one openitatg on the north side between 61" and 7t", making it easy for drivers to know where children may be running to/from the park. This fence was deemed necessary to prevent children from being hit by cars. The current design calls for landscaping instead of a fence. It was stated at the Planning Board that bushes will minimize the chance of children being hit by cars; he argued the goal should be to prevent children from being hit by cars, not minimize the chance. To say a fence is inconsistent from a design element standpoint is regrettable. If the design does not include a fence, the first child hit by a car will be a preventable tragedy. The fence need not be tall, a 3-4 feet fence would be enough. A fence on the north alley would also protect elderly, vulnerable residents from opportunistic vandals, purse snatchers, etc. from leaping out of the bushes. He also did not want the noisy athletic uses to get any closer to existing residents; there are no Edmonds residents more greatly affected on a daily basis by any redevelopment of the field than the several dozen families who live adjacent to it. He requested the Council protect the children on the field as well as the safety of nearby residents by requiring a fence. Jack McHenry, Edmonds, described his background in education. After retiring three years ago, he became a member of the Petanque Club. He was initially curious about the enthusiastic group of people he watched playing p6tanque when walking home from downtown. He was invited to try and found the game fun, challenging and addictive. He also learned the Edmonds P6tanque Club exists for more than the game played on theses courts; when it was founded five years ago, the founders envisioned a civic group that would work for the community, educate and engage young people, serve as an economic stimulus for the City, raise money for good causes and benefit Edmonds. As fun as the game of p6tanque is, it is a means for a project that was created to enrich the community. The club is excited and appreciative that the new Civic Playfield includes a welcoming, attractive p6tanque grove near the entrance of the park. The P6tanque Club currently has 77 members and continues to grow; two years ago it was the fastest p6tanque club in the county and this month it was featured in the National P6tanque Club Magazine for its community service. The new playfield design will allow the club to broaden the ways it serves Edmonds by contributing to the Edmond Food Bank, involving students and young people in the sport, and hosting tournaments that attract visitors. On behalf of the P6tanque Club, he thanked the Parks & Recreation Department and Planning Board for the care they have given to the project and the space allocated to p6tanque in the new park. The club looks forward to the next phase so members can continue to play p6tanque in the park and can continue their contributions to the community. Michelle Martin, Edmonds, said she was born in France, is now a citizen of the United States, and is the founder of the Edmonds P6tanque Club. She thanked the Parks & Recreation Department especially Ms. Hite for supporting and helping p6tanque flourish. P6tanque is growing across the world and is being considered for the 2024 Olympics. As Mr. McHenry stated, the mission of the club is to reach out to the community. Since its inception, the club has worked to benefit Edmonds by hosting large scale tournaments that attract players from throughout the region. They also raise money for good causes; for example, over the years the club has donated $24,500 to the Edmonds Food Bank, worked with young people and hosted a Sister Cities Student program. The club is excited about the six courts in the p6tanque grove and was gratified at the November 9 Planning Board meeting to see the Board's understanding of the club's desire to create the p6tanque grove as a flexible community space that will allow additional temporary courts to be created on the crushed granite surface. The ability to format the p6tanque grove will allow the club's community events to continue. The club hopes to provide a pleasing space for other community events such as the 4t" of July and the Taste of Edmonds' wine garden. Danene Warnock, Edmonds, described her background in design and marketing production as well as urban design and landscape architecture. She was appreciative and excited about the six p6tanque courts planned for Civic Park. For the reasons mentioned by Ms. Martin and Mr. McKay, she looked forward to the design of the p6tanque grove, envisioning it as an attractive area at the entrance to the park, and Edmonds City Council Approved Minutes January 17, 2017 Page 11 inviting open space. It will be a pleasant place with seating and tables that will complement the other spaces being contemplated such as the gardens, paths, lawns and other sport -specific areas. The club believes the grove can be attractive and inviting while maximizing its available footprint and hence its versatility and ability to support the club's outreach activities. It would be most beneficial if the p6tanque grove has the flexibility to host larger format activities and events; such activities contribute economically to Edmonds as well as contribute to the food bank and broader social outreach. In the same way that Edmonds skateboarders lend their expertise to the layout and design of the skate board park, p6tanque players look forward to the opportunity to assist with the design of the p6tanque grove, resulting in an area of the park that will allow larger p6tanque and community events and benefit the Edmonds community in many ways. Greg Urban, President & CEO, Edmonds Chamber of Commerce, thanked City staff, City Council and the consultant for the work done on the hybrid plan. The Chamber has been open to changing the space and working the Chambers' events into the space allowed. The hybrid plan allows the Taste and 4th of July to continue in different a configuration, removing some onsite parking. The space is an economic driver in the community; the P6tanque Club uses it to raise funds via tournaments, the Chambers' events at Civic Field generate approximately $24,000/year that they give back to non -profits and service clubs. He believed swapping the skate park and the playground to be a better solution; the proposed location in the revised hybrid plan does not allow for a natural buffer to absorb sound. The location of the proposed playground with tall berms on both sides could absorb more sound as well as not encroach on the great lawn and multiuse space. He referred to the east -west corridor, the Sprague Avenue vacation, pointing out police/fire access is typically required to be 16 -feet wide; the proposed path appears to be much narrower. Expanding the width of the east -west corridor and using a non -hard surface that would not accommodate skateboards, bikes or roller blades such as a hard pack granite would also allow the market to happen inside the park and it could be used by the P6tanque Club for expanded courts during large tournaments. Chris Ziobro, Edmonds, an advocate for skate park, a skater, and a dad with two kids envisioned Civic Park as a multigenerational venue where families can gather. If properly designed, it can be a hub of activity for everyone, not just skaters. There is a noticeable difference between a skate park and a basketball or tennis court where non -participants are excluded. He was not a huge fan of moving the skate park away from the playground, pointing out that spreading uses apart and possibly isolating skaters who can be self -policed when integrated with the larger group. He preferred the skate park be located adjacent to other family -friend activity areas. With regard to the speculation about sound, he suggested having a noise study done to verify that a skate park is louder than two basketball courts; he suspected the skate park would not be noticeably louder. Modern skate parks are below ground and are quieter than the current design. The berms will also help lessen the sound unless a person lives directly above the skate park. He emphasized this is a community park; those living adjacent have an opinion but choosing to to live adjacent to a public space, they could reasonably assume there would be sounds from the public space. Brian Brookhart, Edmonds, a father of two and a resident on 6th across from Pine Street Park, said the process has been incredible. He was impressed by each stage and aspired to represent himself as previous speakers. He joined the planning effort to support the interest and activities of his family but found it a great way to plug into the community. He has made friends and has been recruited by the P6tanque Club. This design provides an incentive to go to the park. He was generally pleased with the design, accommodating all his family's interest, particular skateboarding. His family typically travels outside Edmonds to enjoy one of the better designed parks in the area, a park that serves varying interests and supports every level. Skate parks can be aesthetically pleasing; the worst skate park is an unused park that becomes a hangout spot and gives him and his family and others who love the sport a bad name. He was okay with any location for the skate park but agreed with the recent move. As a generalist, Walker Macy has done an excellent job but he urged the Council to contract with a professional designer and builder for Edmonds City Council Approved Minutes January 17, 2017 Page 12 the skate park. As skateboarder who is passionate about skateboarding and has traveled the globe to skate, he wanted something great in Edmonds, something aesthetic pleasing, that pleases the community and reduces sound volume, needs a good skate park designer and builder would address. Rich Demeroutis, Edmonds, commented he lived near City Hall when he was a child and recalled playing on the dirt Civic Field until dark. When he was in junior high, he participated in football, track and baseball at Civic Field. The field has great sentimental value to him and many others, serving as the high school football field in the early 1900s. He wanted the design to include the 220 track so he and others did not have to drive to Edmonds Woodway High School to use the track. He noted few people play petanque this time of year; a synthetic track could be used even in rainy months. He also suggested including soccer fields. He suggested building a feature with the 1% or a climbing wall to buffer sound. If the Boys & Girls Club expands, he suggested it be a joint use facility with a community center to draw youth and seniors, a health club, a gathering place in off hours. Jeff Peterson, Edmonds, said he liked Option B better than Option A and was glad to see a hybrid plan developed. He had hoped there would be a bigger, permanent field for soccer. A father with two children, he said it was important to have a good park nearby and he looked forward to bringing his children to play at Civic Park. He supported the idea of a fence on the north side to keep kids from chasing balls outside the park. He questioned whether the petanque courts would be sited north -south or east -west. Iyam Winterfelt, Edmonds, said 2'/2 months ago she drove 1700 miles from Minnesota to Edmonds to retire and to play to petanque. In July 2014, she visited Edmonds and delighted in the murals on buildings, the kindness of the people at the Visitors Center who provided her a packet of materials. She visited the murals, the sculpture walk, historic buildings, Driftwood Players, Edmonds Center for the Arts, and took a yoga class. After reading an article in the Beacon inviting people to play petanque, several ladies offered to teach her to play. That weekend was the Bastille Day tournament and after three hours of experience, she played in the tournament and had the time of her life. At the end of that week, with all the other wonderful things in the community, it was the people in the Petanque Club that made her decide to retire in Edmonds. She thanked the Council and staff for the work they do to preserve such a precious oasis. She commented the Pdtanque Club will be playing in Barcelona Spain representing Edmonds. Lorna Moffett, Edmonds, thanked the group working on this great plan for considering the tennis courts. She recalled 17 years ago she was able to move into a condo in the Edmonds Bowl where she can walk to stores and look out on the tennis court, kids playing, open grass, etc. When she heard the City planned to purchase the School District property, she thought it would be wonderful. Then she heard that the tennis courts would be moved east, leaving her a view of the fence and the hard surface instead of green grass. She said 90% of the time during the months when people play tennis, only one court is used. She suggested eliminating the east tennis courts and making it a grass field which would also be useful during the Taste. Tom Schappacher, Edmonds, said he works for the UW in real estate; one of the things his boss asks about when he presents a plan is the as -is plan. With this opportunity to consider designing the playfield, consideration should be given to its history and what it was used for in the past, rigorous sports. He would have liked to have seen the process consider a self-sustaining model with rigorous use and paying customers. The Pdtanque Club is a passionate group who mobilized and was well represented in the process. However, athletic teams and sports have not been well represented. Where hundreds play petanque, thousands play and watch sports. He envisioned high school soccer or football in downtown Edmonds a couple times a season, the number of people that would attract to downtown to visit businesses and the field use fees it would generate. He recognized rigorous sports and lights for sporting events would understandably concern neighbors but he was concerned that had not been considered Edmonds City Council Approved Minutes January 17, 2017 Page 13 especially when that use would pay for itself. He requested the City consider that and reopen discussion of an as -is plan. Sports on the fields could bring thousands to use the fields day and night 365 days/year versus the proposed uses that likely will only occur on sunny days. Val Stewart, Edmonds, thanked Ms. Hite and Walker Macy for their excellent work, months of a very robust public process. As a member of PAC, she looked at all the public input and research as well as the expertise that Walker Macy brought to the planning process. She expressed support for the proposed changes to the hybrid plan. A lot of thought has gone into the concerns the public expressed, locating the skate park based on research done 11 years ago. With regard to the fence, she was confident Walker Macy would develop a landscape buffer that would prevent children from running back and forth and putting themselves at risk. This will be a well-designed park that will hold the interest of kids and the right landscaping can avoid balls and other objects going into the alleyway. With regard to represented interest groups, she assured there have been online and physical open houses and the majority of interests are represented in this minimal space. With a background in sports and physical activity, she recognized that physical activity fads come and go; the park spaces need to be transitional, flexible and endure into the future. This is a park for all residents, all abilities, and all mobilities, and it was important that the young, the old and families have a places to play, be at peace, be active and to watch. She concluded this is a great plan and the process has been excellent. Hearing no further comment, Mayor Earling closed the public participation portion of the hearing. He recalled Ms. Hite's interest in direction from the Council but questioned how that would be possible with the variations that have introduced by Walker Macy and by the public as well as the questions that have been asked. Although many of the ideas are fabulous, he was concerned with the element of cost associated with further manipulation. Ms. Hite said the plan Walker Macy presented is the hybrid design with a few changes based on public comment at the Planning Board public hearing and the open house. She would like to give Walker Macy direction to develop the final Master Plan for Council adoption. With the comments the Council has heard tonight and their own opinions, she asked whether the Council was supportive of the hybrid plan with the changes or if there were any major changes the Council agreed upon. If there are no major changes, Walker Macy will polish the Master Plan and bring it back for adoption. Major changes could include moving the skate park, moving or having more p6tanque courts, moving the tennis courts, etc. Council President Mesaros commented on the popularity and growth of p6tanque. He supported the changes made to the hybrid plan based on community comments, recognizing regardless of the plan or location, there will always be concerns from the residents living on the borders. He supported having Walker Macy polish the hybrid plan, mitigate factors as best they can and return with a recommendation. Councilmember Fraley-Monillas liked the location of the skate board park in the middle, close to Boys & Girls Club, envisioning that location would offend the least amount of people. Her concern with swapping the skate park and playground was the sound of children screaming on the playground carries much more than the skate park noise. She also preferred a natural barrier on the north and south sides instead of a fence and did not anticipate it would create a danger for children. She envisioned thick vegetation to keep kids from running through. She thanked staff and Walker Macy for the great job they did and for the great public process. Councilmember Tibbott agreed with Council President Mesaros and Councilmember Fraley-Monillas regarding the changes to the hybrid plan. He suggested having one tennis court and one multiuse court and giving consideration to adding courts in other parks. He did not favor a fence, observing it could be added later if it was necessary for safety purposes. He looked forward to seeing how the buffer material worked and the openness it provided. He also supported using crushed granite on the east -west pathway Edmonds City Council Approved Minutes January 17, 2017 Page 14 which would provide opportunity for additional courts. He asked the width of the east -west path. Mr. Jones responded it was 12 feet wide. Councilmember Nelson agreed with the previous Council comments regarding the changes to the hybrid plans. He pointed out the distance of the track will be 1/3 mile. If the City was going to have a skate park, he supported having it designed by someone who designs skate parks. Councilmember Buckshnis supported the hybrid plan with the proposed changes. She referred to Ms. Moffett's comments about tennis, pointing out tennis was huge in the 70's; most of the players at the Harbor Square Tennis Court are baby boomers. Not many younger people play tennis; most prefer big field sports. She supported the idea of having only one tennis court as that may be all that is needed. She rarely sees either of the tennis courts being used even in the summer. With regard to the fence, she preferred a natural barrier such as trees, noting there is not much activity in that area. Councilmember Teitzel said he generally likes the plan and thanked staff and Walker Macy for their great work. He agreed with exploring a reduction in the tennis courts from two to one. He lives very near and observes the tennis courts daily; it is the exception that both are in use even in nice weather. He supported the revised skate park location and suggested planting a thorny row of bushes along the north alley that discouraged people from walking through it would serve the need instead of a fence. He was concerned about children running into the alley and agreed that edge needed careful consideration. Councilmember Fraley-Monillas said she visits the Boys & Girls Club at least once a week and has seen both tennis courts in use during the summer. She asked whether the City had any data on use of the tennis courts. Ms. Hite said drop-in use is not tracked; data is available on instruction the City provides on the courts. The City uses both courts for tennis lessons in the summer. The courts at the former Woodway High School are not used as much as they could and Yost Park has two courts. By department policy, whenever tennis courts are resurfaced, pickleball lines are painted and portable nets are available for checkout. Pickleball is more of a trend than tennis; there is a large pickleball club in Edmonds. Reducing the two tennis courts to one would accommodate four pickleball courts rather than eight with two tennis courts. Yost Park has eight pickleball courts available on the two tennis courts. Councilmember Fraley- Monillas said she received comments about the pickleball courts and whether pickleball would continue on those courts. She expressed interest in more concrete data regarding use of the tennis courts. Ms. Hite offered to provide the Council numbers from the City's programs. Councilmember Teitzel commented the Boys & Girls Club likely will want to expand either in their current location or where the tennis courts are located. If that happens, there would be a multiuse court on the north border which could be used for pickleball in addition to the single tennis court. Ms. Hite advised work will continue on SEPA, a community naming contest, costing options, fund development packages and design development of the Master Plan. She will return to Council for final adoption soon. Mayor Earling thanked Ms. Hite and Mr. Jones for the work they have done and looked forward to the final product. Mayor Earling declared a brief recess. 2. PUBLIC HEARING OF THE SNOHOMISH COUNTY HAZARD MITIGATION PLAN City Engineer Rob English recalled Snohomish County Department of Emergency Management made a presentation to Council last week and several questions were raised. Staff researched the questions and emailed responses to the Council. The City submitted a grant to secure funding for the Dayton Street Edmonds City Council Approved Minutes January 17, 2017 Page 15 Pump project. If the City is successful in obtaining the grant, this plan needs to be approved before the funds can be secured. Staff recommends forwarding approval of the plan to next week's Consent Agenda. Councilmember Buckshnis asked if approval should include directing the Mayor to bring back the Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan prepared in 2009 for an update. She recalled staff indicating there was no record that it had been adopted. Mr. English said Police Chief Compaan is working with Snohomish County Department of Emergency Management to update that plan and will bring it to the Council in the future. Mayor Earling opened the public participation portion of the public hearing. There was no one present to provide comment and Mayor Earling closed the public participation portion of the hearing. COUNCILMEMBER FRALEY-MONILLAS MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCIL PRESIDENT MESAROS, TO APPROVE RESOLUTION NO. 1382, A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF EDMONDS ADOPTING THE UPDATED AND REVISED SNOHOMISH COUNTY HAZARD MITIGATION PLAN. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. 7. STUDY ITEMS 1. DISCUSSION REGARDING COUNCIL RETREAT AGENDA Council President Mesaros expressed appreciate to Councilmembers and Directors for their input which he is using to formulate an agenda. The goal of the retreat is setting the Council's calendar for 2017, getting a sense of the timing and ensuring the Council is addressing topics that affect citizens and resolving issues that have been unresolved for a number of years. The retreat will be 12 to 5:30 p.m. on Friday and 8:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Saturday in the Edmonds Library Plaza Room. Councilmember Fraley-Monillas requested Councilmembers receive the agenda in advance. Council President Mesaros anticipated the agenda would be complete by the end of business tomorrow and available Thursday morning. Mayor Earling said he was thrilled to attend a Martin Luther King breakfast on Monday in downtown Seattle, attended by 500-600 people. The breakfast is a good reminder of the principles under which a very powerful movement began and continues. Councilmember Teitzel also attended the breakfast. Mayor Earling reported he spent today in Olympia in eight meetings starting at 8:30 a.m. and ending with a 2 hour and 10 -minute drive back to Edmonds in a rainstorm. He assured a lot of work was done; the specific intent was to ensure key legislators in the district as well as transportation leaders in the House and Senate were informed of the waterfront access project. There was a very positive response including from Representative Clibborn who said when the $500,000 was allocated, she did not think there was a chance that something would be put together. She is excited about the project. 9. COUNCIL COMMENTS Councilmember Teitzel said he enjoyed the Martin Luther King, Junior breakfast yesterday, a wonderful, moving presentation and great music. He reported on the Sustainable Cities Partnership presentation by Western Washington University (WWU) students who presented three concepts for consideration, 1) removing invasive species from the marsh and replacing with native species, 2) extending the boardwalk and adding observation platforms, and 3) a concept for stormwater management at Harbor Square. The students did a great job, providing a good start on concepts that can be explored and expanded. Edmonds City Council Approved Minutes January 17, 2017 Page 16 Councilmember Teitzel reported he and his wife recently saw "Hidden Figures" at the Edmonds Theater, a timely movie in view of yesterday's holiday. He found it very powerful and moving, even tearing up at times and highly recommended the movie. Councilmember Fraley-Monillas reported on the march in downtown Seattle on Martin Luther King Day that brought together people from many places. Everyone in the march was marching for peace, getting along and love. Councilmember Nelson looked forward to the retreat and was excited about the Civic Field Park. Councilmember Buckshnis reported she attended the WWU students' presentation. All their reports (41n Avenue Cultural Corridor, Edmonds Marsh Restoration, Zero Waste/Food Waste, Mobile App, Wastewater Treatment Plant Education, Stella's Landing, Playful City, Edmonds Cemetery Mapping, Sea Level Rise, Green Business Program, and Walkability Assessment) are available on the City's website under Sustainable Cities Partnership. 10. CONVENE IN EXECUTIVE SESSION REGARDING PENDING OR POTENTIAL LITIGATION PER RCW 42.30.11I0l1lti? This item was not needed. 11. RECONVENE IN OPEN SESSION. POTENTIAL ACTION AS A RESULT OF MEETING IN EXECUTIVE SESSION This item was not needed. 12. ADJOURN With no further business, the Council meeting was adjourned at 9:28 p.m. AVID O. EARLING, MAYOR SCOTT PA EY, CITY L Edmonds City Council Approved Minutes January 17, 2017 Page 17 JQ