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20190102 City CouncilEDMONDS CITY COUNCIL APPROVED MINUTES January 2, 2019 ELECTED OFFICIALS PRESENT Adrienne Fraley-Monillas, Mayor Pro Tem Diane Buckshnis, Council President Pro Tem Michael Nelson, Councilmember Thomas Mesaros, Councilmember Dave Teitzel, Councilmember ELECTED OFFICIALS ABSENT Dave Earling, Mayor Kristiana Johnson, Councilmember Neil Tibbott, Councilmember 1. CALL TO ORDER/FLAG SALUTE STAFF PRESENT Phil Williams, Public Works Director Patrick Doherty, Econ. Dev & Comm. Serv. Dir. Shane Hope, Development Services Director Scott James, Finance Director Steve Fisher, Recycling Coordinator Tom Brubaker, 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 Pro Tem Fraley-Monillas in the Council Chambers, 250 Stn 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 Mayor Earling and Councilmembers Johnson and Tibbott. 3. APPROVAL OF AGENDA COUNCILMEMBER TEITZEL MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCIL PRESIDENT PRO TEM BUCKSHNIS, TO APPROVE THE AGENDA IN CONTENT AND ORDER. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. 4. APPROVAL OF CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS COUNCILMEMBER MESAROS MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCIL PRESIDENT PRO TEM BUCKSHNIS, TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. The agenda items approved are as follows: 1. APPROVAL OF COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES OF DECEMBER 11, 2018 2. APPROVAL OF COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OF DECEMBER 11, 2018 3. APPROVAL OF CLAIM, PAYROLL AND BENEFIT CHECKS, DIRECT DEPOSIT AND WIRE PAYMENTS. 4. ACKNOWLEDGE RECEIPT OF CLAIMS FOR THE AMOUNT OF $4,392.30 Edmonds City Council Approved Minutes January 2, 2019 Page 1 5. RESOLUTION OF APPRECIATION FOR SERVICE AS COUNCIL PRESIDENT - MIKE NELSON 6. RESOLUTION TO ADOPT UPDATED CAPITAL ASSET POLICY 7. RESOLUTION TO ADOPT NEW SMALL AND ATTRACTIVE ASSETS POLICY 8. CONFIRMATION OF APPOINTMENT OF MINDY WOODS TO DIVERSITY COMMISSION 5. PRESENTATION PRESENTATION OF RESOLUTION OF APPRECIATION FOR SERVICE AS COUNCIL PRESIDENT - MIKE NELSON Mayor Pro Tem Fraley-Monillas read a resolution of appreciation for Councilmember Mike Nelson's service as Council President during 2018. 6. AUDIENCE COMMENTS Farrell Fleming, Shoreline, Executive Director, Edmonds Senior Center, expressed his profound gratitude for the work of City staff following the tragic shooting in December at the Senior Center, particularly the Police Department who were remarkable, mature, restrained, and strategic in their thinking about how to handle the subsequent vigil to ensure it was a peaceful event and to convince the people attending the vigil that the police were present to keep everyone safe. The Police Department exemplified their motto of service over self. Several officers were on scene for approximately 18 hours after the incident; he was present from approximately 1 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. when the biohazard cleanup was complete. Edmonds has a remarkable Police Department; good people who are mature and use force when necessary but are enormously restrained. The Police Department did a remarkable job as did staff from Public Works and Parks who assisted in the days that followed. Royce Napolitino, Edmonds, on behalf of reSound, a Northwest Chamber Ensemble, a small, non-profit vocal chamber group that has acquired residence at Lynnwood's Trinity Lutheran Church, thanked the Edmonds Diversity Commission and the City of Edmonds for supporting their upcoming performance at Trinity Lutheran Church on January 27', the second performance of this piece, with the first performance held on January 13' at All Pilgrims Christian Church in Seattle. The work titled, "Let Justice Roll Down," is a multimedia musical journey to Selma and back. He provided background on the work, in April 2017 Plymouth Congregational Church's youth forum took a life -changing trip, retracing the steps of the American Civil Rights Movement. Upon their return, ten of the high school youth and their leaders compiled their experiences into a book, "Our Faith Journey through the American Civil Rights Movement." This performance features an original musical composition, a 20 -minute work, composed using selected text from the book, interviews with the youth and adult participants, and contributions from local civil rights leaders. The performance is important for the community because recent occurrences of racially motivated violence and other hateful acts remind of the work to be done and the 2010 census estimates Edmonds as more than 80% white. The goal of this project is for audience members to gain an understanding of how white privilege and institutionalized racism can be identified in communities. It will encourage people to think and act differently and be willing to enter into similar conversations and further the message. If attendees go on to lead more self -aware lives and are able to articulate what institutionalized racism is, then evolution has happened, and change is possible. He provided a quote from one of the youth trip coordinators, "I think one thing that is really crucial in the work of racial justice, specifically for white people, is to understand that this work cannot be done on the backs of people of color. That our education and our awakening and our understanding cannot be something that we are relying on folks of color to teach us." As they prepare for two performances this month, reSound is using some of the Diversity Edmonds City Council Approved Minutes January 2, 2019 Page 2 Commission's grant funds to engage the communities of Lynnwood and Edmonds to deliver their message. He invited the public to join them in a moving journey toward openness, understanding and path toward dismantling racism through understanding white supremacy and privilege. 7. REPORTS ON COUNCIL COMMITTEES COUNCIL COMMITTEE REPORTS AND MINUTES Public Safety, Planning & Personnel Committee Councilmember Mesaros reported the committee reviewed the salary schedule for directors. Committee members asked questions of staff and committee members planned to talk with staff between that meeting and next week's Council meeting when it will be on the Council's agenda for action. The total amount was approved in the 2019 budget, but Council action is required to approve the salary schedule. Finance Committee Councilmember Teitzel reported the committee discussed: • Small and Attractive Assets Policy and Revised Capital Asset Policy - approved on Consent Agenda. o Polices were separated in response to auditor comments o Spending threshold for WWTP increased from $75,000 to $100,000 ■ October Financial Report • Fund Balance and Reserve Policy Planning o A matrix with information from 15 neighboring cities is being created o Goal is to have good policies in place to guide budget planning o Plan to present to Council in February 8. ACTION ITEMS 1. APPOINTMENT OF BOARD AND COMMITTEE REPRESENTATIVES FOR 2019 Mayor Pro Tem Fraley-Monillas announced the following appointments: Committee Representative Affordable Housing Alliance Councilmember Tibbott Community Transit Mayor Earling & Councilmember Johnson (Alt) Disability Board Councilmembers Buckshnis & Teitzel Diversity Commission Council President Frale -Monillas Economic Development Committee Councilmember Tibbott Historic Preservation Advisory Commission Councilmember Johnson Lake Ballinger Work Group Councilmembers Teitzel and Buckshnis Alt) Lodging Tax Advisory Committee Councilmember Nelson Mayor's Climate Protection Committee Councilmember Buckshnis PFD Oversight Councilmember Mesaros Port of Edmonds Councilmember Teitzel Seashore Transportation Forum Councilmember Mesaros Salmon Recove — WRIA 8 Councilmember Buckshnis SN0911 Councilmember Mesaros Snohomish County Tomorrow Councilmember Johnson Snohomish Health District Council President Frale -Monillas Tree Board Liaison Councilmember Buckshnis Youth Commission Councilmember Nelson Edmonds City Council Approved Minutes January 2, 2019 Page 3 Public Safety, Planning and Personnel Comm. Councilmembers Nelson (Chair) & Tibbott Parks & Public Works Committee Councilmembers Johnson (Chair) & Teitzel Finance Committee Councilmembers Buckshnis (Chair) & Mesaros 2. APPROVAL OF RESOLUTION APPOINTING A COUNCIL REPRESENTATIVE TO THE SNOHOMISH HEALTH DISTRICT BOARD COUNCIL PRESIDENT PRO TEM BUCKSHNIS MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER MESAROS, TO APPROVE RESOLUTION APPOINT MAYOR PRO TEM FRALEY-MONILLAS TO THE SNOHOMISH HEALTH DISTRICT BOARD. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. 3. APPROVAL OF RESOLUTION APPOINTING A COUNCIL REPRESENTATIVE AND ALTERNATE TO THE SNOHOMISH COUNTY PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION BENEFIT AREA CORPORATION COMMUNITY TRANSi COUNCILMEMBER MESAROS MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER TEITZEL, TO APPOINT MAYOR EARLING AS THE COUNCIL REPRESENTATIVE AND COUNCILMEMBER JOHNSON AS THE ALTERNATE TO THE SNOHOMISH COUNTY PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION BENEFIT AREA CORPORATION (COMMUNITY TRANSIT). MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. 9. STUDY ITEMS 1. CLIMATE GOALS PROJECT UPDATE Development Services Director Shane Hope introduced Mark Johnson, ESA, noting that Councilmember Nelson has been active in moving this process forward. This effort began with the Council's adoption of a resolution with climate goals and ways to reduce Greenhouse Gases (GHG) and make improvements in the City while supporting the work of others. This effort began with a GHG Inventory; work was done previously on GHG emissions and climate actions the City could take. Mr. Johnson reviewed: • Background o Edmonds 2009 GHG Inventory and 2010 Climate Action Plan o Graphic of the Greenhouse Effect • Overview o What are greenhouse gases (GHGs)? ■ Gases that trap heat in the atmosphere: - Carbon Dioxide - Methane Nitrous Oxide - Fluorinated hydrocarbons o What does MT CO2e mean? ■ Metric tons of CO2 equivalent GHG Inventory o Fossil fuel inventory ■ Local fuel combustion o "Local" inventory ■ Fossil fuel emissions ++ Imported electricity ■ Waste emissions ■ Fugitive emissions (refrigerant gases, local natural gas loss) Edmonds City Council Approved Minutes January 2, 2019 Page 4 o Local + Household Consumption (local + imported) ■ Local emissions ■ Emissions from imported food, goods and use of services (fertilizers, production, transportation) ■ Upstream fuel production • What GHG emissions were measured? o Emissions from sources located within the city boundary o Emissions from grid- supplied electricity consumed within the city limits o Emissions that occur outside the city boundary as a result of activities taking places within the City's geographic boundary • Local emissions o Buildings (residential) 35% o Buildings (commercial) 15% o Buildings Industrial 2% o Transportation 40% o Waste 2% o Refrigerant Loss 6% • Graph of local emissions + household consumption -related emissions (imported) • Graph of GHG from Energy Consumed in Buildings (electricity, natural gas, other fuels) o Note share of GHG from Electricity vs Natural Gas o Inventory uses a "location -based" approach for GHG from electricity • Electricity o Graph of Electricity Emissions (MT CO2e) for Northwest Power Pool (local based emissions) and Snohomish County PUD (market-based emissions) o Location -based emissions are calculated using the regional electricity grid's GHG intensity and represent the average impacts of electricity use and efficiency efforts. o Market-based emissions are based on the GHG intensity of electricity contracts with local utilities. Snohomish PUD's electricity generation from Bonneville Power Administration are largely served by low-GHG hydroelectric and nuclear power. • Targets o Setting a Target o Rates of GHG reduction Needed o How Urgent is our Situation? • Setting a Science -Based Target Science -based Targets Celsius 1 1° 1 1.5° 2° Fahrenheit 1 1.80 12.70 13.60 o A science -based climate target sets a rate of climate action that is aligned with keeping average global temperature increases below a specified level of increase compared to pre -industrial temperatures. o Keeping global temperature increases below 2°C will allow the majority, but not all, of the global population to avoid the worst social and economic effects of climate change (Paris Agreement) o The average temperature of the earth is approximately 1.2°C higher today than at the beginning of the industrial revolution. • What are the options? What rates of GHG reduction are required: Target +1.0°C 350 ppm +1.5°C 400.pp +2.0°C 450ppm Average Annual Rate of Reduction to Meet Target (rounded) 8% F 5% 1 2% Edmonds City Council Approved Minutes January 2, 2019 Page 5 Annual Reduction compedto 2010 (values are rounded for simplicity) By 2020: 15% 13% 10% By 2030: 70% 50% 35% _By2050: 100% 100% 80% ■ How urgent is our situation and what can we expect moving forward? o Graph of global GHG emissions 2000, 2050, 2100 for Reference Scenario, National Plans, <2°C Path, and 1.5°C Path o Existing international and domestic activities and policies remain inadequate to prevent a 2°C warming • Physical Conditions o By 2100, summers in Edmonds WA 70.66°F will be like summers now in Laguna Niguel, CA 81.48°F +10C I +1.5°C I +2.0°C 7 -ft sea level rise globall 9.4 -ft sea level rise glob all 15 -ft sea level rise globally o Images of sea level rise in Port of Edmonds Marina, Edmonds Way, 5' Avenue South area ■ Figure 3.5: Differences in sea level rise due to global temperature increases. Note how the sea level creeps up the hillside and gradually covers more of the low-lying areas. Other areas in Edmonds are also affected. Physical Change to: Through: Conditions 1.5°C 2.0°C CO2 Ocean acidity increase 9% Ocean acidity increase 24% o Reduced consumption of goods, use of Frequency of warm extremes over Frequency of warm extremes over land reuse and repair land (PNW) increase 131% (PNW) increase 350% Temperature Extreme heat: 14% of global Extreme heat: 37% of global o Buying just what you need population exposed to severe heat at population exposed to severe heat at least once every 5 years least once every 5 years Water Population exposed to water scarcity Population exposed to water scarcity worldwide: 271 million worldwide: 388 million Ice Sea -ice -free artic: at least 1 summer Sea -ice -free artic: at least 10 summer every 100 years every 100 . ears Species loss: 4% of vertebrates lose Species loss: 8% of vertebrates lose at at least half of their range least half of their ran e Vegetation Species loss: 8% of plants lose at Species loss: 16% of plants lose at least half of their range least half of their range Species loss: 6% of insects lose at Species loss: 18% of insects lose at least half of their range least half of their range • What does daily life look like by 2050? Sample Communi Chan es Change to: Through: o 100% renewable electricity and large- • No fossil fuel combustion scale energy storage o Electrified transport o Reduced consumption of goods, use of o Purchase of durable goods with a focus on disposables and subsequent waste reuse and repair o Reduction of waste in processing and o Reduce food waste sales (pre -consumer o Buying just what you need o Composting (post -consumer Edmonds City Council Approved Minutes January 2, 2019 Page 6 Strategies and Policy Gaps o Reviewed City planning and policy documents o Found over 300 measures that pertain to climate action o Recommended adding 6 measures under existing categories (Transportation, Land Use, and Buildings) o Recommended a new category — Wastewater with 4 new measures Next Steps o Present Targets and Policy Gaps info to Climate Protection Committee o Hold a public open house Inventory and Targets o Develop a custom tool to assist in setting goals for specific measures Ms. Hope advised staff and the consultant will provide periodic updates to Council as well as seek Council input on the policy implications. The documents are being finetuned and made more user friendly for the public, particularly for the January 17" open house. The point of this is not just research/study for the sake of research/study but to determine what can be done. Councilmember Mesaros observed the targets looked at the beginning of the industrial revolution; he asked what year was used as the starting point. Mr. Johnson answered mid -19th century. Councilmember Mesaros said the opportunity to reverse culture is a challenge. He referred to Figure 2, How Urgent Is Our Situation and What Can We Expect Moving Forward and asked if there was somewhere between the National Plans and the reduction of 2°, noting there was a large gap between those two. Mr. Johnson answered the <2°C Path represents how much how much GHG would be necessary to reach that target. It would be possible to set a higher target and still have a reduction. He referred to the Physical Conditions table, pointing out the consequences of a 2° increase. Councilmember Mesaros summarized even if there is a reduction, there are still problems. Mr. Johnson commented the effort is applying the brakes to something very large. Councilmember Mesaros noted it has been growing for over 100 years. Ms. Hope said the resolution the Council adopted supported the goals of the Paris Accord. Councilmember Mesaros said last Sunday's "Meet the Press" was devoted entirely to climate change and included stories from communities around the United States. The panel analyzing the information included Representative Carlos Curbelo, a republican in Florida who is an advocate for climate change which does not fit the profile of his political party. Representative Curbelo said Florida anticipates Miami may not be livable by the turn of the next century which will result in declining property values. During King Tides most of the Florida Keys have a foot of water on their main streets due to tidal change. The program also interviewed a republican mayor in Texas whose town has gone entirely solar and has fields with solar panels. This is not a partisan issue, it is a community issue that needs to be tackled. He encouraged the Council and the public to watch that episode of "Meet the Press." The Texas mayor said they cannot wait for people at the national level to act; they decided they were going to take charge themselves to see what they could do to solve the problem. Councilmember Mesaros noted that is an important message for Edmonds, particularly due to sea level. Council President Pro Tem Buckshnis referred to the Physical Conditions table and asked what formulas were used to determine the percentages. Mr. Johnson answered it was information summarized by the ECC; the reports include the sources. He assured the information was sourced from published studies, not his own Edmonds City Council Approved Minutes January 2, 2019 Page 7 o More vegetables fruits, legumes, grains o Reduction in GHG-intensive foods and fish o Reduced meat and dairy o Decreased household consumption of goods and o Family education energy o Negative emissions actions o Mass sequestration via forests and technoloEy Strategies and Policy Gaps o Reviewed City planning and policy documents o Found over 300 measures that pertain to climate action o Recommended adding 6 measures under existing categories (Transportation, Land Use, and Buildings) o Recommended a new category — Wastewater with 4 new measures Next Steps o Present Targets and Policy Gaps info to Climate Protection Committee o Hold a public open house Inventory and Targets o Develop a custom tool to assist in setting goals for specific measures Ms. Hope advised staff and the consultant will provide periodic updates to Council as well as seek Council input on the policy implications. The documents are being finetuned and made more user friendly for the public, particularly for the January 17" open house. The point of this is not just research/study for the sake of research/study but to determine what can be done. Councilmember Mesaros observed the targets looked at the beginning of the industrial revolution; he asked what year was used as the starting point. Mr. Johnson answered mid -19th century. Councilmember Mesaros said the opportunity to reverse culture is a challenge. He referred to Figure 2, How Urgent Is Our Situation and What Can We Expect Moving Forward and asked if there was somewhere between the National Plans and the reduction of 2°, noting there was a large gap between those two. Mr. Johnson answered the <2°C Path represents how much how much GHG would be necessary to reach that target. It would be possible to set a higher target and still have a reduction. He referred to the Physical Conditions table, pointing out the consequences of a 2° increase. Councilmember Mesaros summarized even if there is a reduction, there are still problems. Mr. Johnson commented the effort is applying the brakes to something very large. Councilmember Mesaros noted it has been growing for over 100 years. Ms. Hope said the resolution the Council adopted supported the goals of the Paris Accord. Councilmember Mesaros said last Sunday's "Meet the Press" was devoted entirely to climate change and included stories from communities around the United States. The panel analyzing the information included Representative Carlos Curbelo, a republican in Florida who is an advocate for climate change which does not fit the profile of his political party. Representative Curbelo said Florida anticipates Miami may not be livable by the turn of the next century which will result in declining property values. During King Tides most of the Florida Keys have a foot of water on their main streets due to tidal change. The program also interviewed a republican mayor in Texas whose town has gone entirely solar and has fields with solar panels. This is not a partisan issue, it is a community issue that needs to be tackled. He encouraged the Council and the public to watch that episode of "Meet the Press." The Texas mayor said they cannot wait for people at the national level to act; they decided they were going to take charge themselves to see what they could do to solve the problem. Councilmember Mesaros noted that is an important message for Edmonds, particularly due to sea level. Council President Pro Tem Buckshnis referred to the Physical Conditions table and asked what formulas were used to determine the percentages. Mr. Johnson answered it was information summarized by the ECC; the reports include the sources. He assured the information was sourced from published studies, not his own Edmonds City Council Approved Minutes January 2, 2019 Page 7 calculations. Council President Pro Tem Buckshnis referred to the sea level rise graphic, commenting Puget Sound is not the actual coastline. She commented on the impact that restoration of the Edmonds Marsh would have on carbon sequestering and asked if consideration had been given to more forestation. Mr. Johnson said some kind of sequestration will be necessary to reach a net zero state, 1-1.5° by 2050 or 2° by 2060. One of his colleagues works on blue carbon, related to how salt marshes can sequester, and he has talked to her about considering how the marsh project might contribute to offsetting Edmonds' carbon footprint. The inventory gives a sense of scale; to completely offset Edmonds' carbon footprint with an average American forest would take an area 122 times the size of the City. Council President Pro Tem Buckshnis commented mediation farms are being done, Redmond is doing one. Council President Pro Tem Buckshnis referred to the City's local Taming Bigfoot effort. She asked if that educational information could be incorporated or could be a step in educating the public. Mr. Johnson agreed education was an important component. They try to give metrics so the public can see how they are doing, but the measures in the plans are ways in which the City is already engaged. This will help show which of those provide the biggest bang for the buck in the near future. Part of the process is looking where the biggest return can be realized; for example, electric vehicles are a magnificent way to get to a nearly carbon free footprint. Council President Pro Tem Buckshnis commented on planes and cruise ships and educating the tourist industry such as carbon offsets. For example, when she flies to Wisconsin, she pays $8 for a carbon offset. Mr. Johnson agreed that was important; he applauded companies like Boeing who is by far one of the best at reducing its carbon footprint relative to other industries. A recent presentation stated Boeing's production was up by 73% and its total carbon footprint was down by 20%. Ms. Hope agreed education will be something the Council will want to focus on; the first opportunity for the public is the January 17" open house. Councilmember Teitzel commented the material is sobering, especially for the waterfront community. He referred to Resolution 1389, expressing concern there may be conflicting agendas. It seems GHG control is the priority to arrest global warming, however, the goal in Resolution 1389 is to get to 100% renewal energy for municipal facilities by 2019. He was uncertain renewable energy equates to arresting global warming. In fact the definition of renewable energy in Resolution 13 89 specifically excludes energy derived from fossil fuel, nuclear and biomass feedstocks. Recalling Mr. Johnson's statement that nuclear energy is a low GHG emitting energy source, he asked if the Council should consider revising the resolution to include nuclear power as a device for reducing GHG. Ms. Hope answered the resolution addresses a number of things that can be done and does not indicate that one is more important than the other. For example, the Council made a decision to work with PUD to do offsets with the BPA mix of electricity for City facilities. A big part of the resolution is taking action and identifying things that could be done over a period of time to reduce GHG but other things that affect climate change. The Council could update list if they wished. If nuclear energy is a source of clean power that does not contribute to global warming, Councilmember Teitzel question whether that should that be identified as something to move away from in the near term. In the long term, he agreed with moving away from nuclear energy, but it could be considered as a reasonable energy source in the near term to create power without warming the atmosphere. Mr. Johnson commented on looking at all the options and where to get the most bang for the buck noting there may be other concerns with nuclear energy. He noted nuclear energy is not completely without a carbon footprint; there is carbon footprint associated with extraction, storing and creating nuclear power, but it is much lower than coal fire plants. That is the reason the mix in the NW of nuclear and hydro that BPA administers is so low. It is important for that discussion to occur and to consider other values. He agreed nuclear power has a smaller carbon footprint than fossil fuel -based sources. Edmonds City Council Approved Minutes January 2, 2019 Page 8 In considering what could be done locally from a policy standpoint to address global warming, Councilmember Teitzel asked whether wood burning fireplaces/stoves were better or worse for global warming than gas fireplaces. Mr. Johnson answered that is complicated. His understanding is woodburning fireplaces are generally not counted as contributing to global warming because the carbon is already in circulation in the air, it is renewable resource, taking carbon from trees, the wood is burned, it returns to the air and back into the tree. Another argument is that anything that adds carbon dioxide to the air needs to be offset and if the trees were not cut down, they would be pulling carbon out of the air. This inventory does not include a number for woodburning fireplaces because it has been the industry practice not to count it in the local emission source. Councilmember Teitzel questioned whether the City could have policies that incentivize woodburning or gas fireplaces depending on which is better for the environment. Councilmember Teitzel said as a pet owner, he is concerned about the effects of pet waste on GHG which equates to methane. He recalled a statement in the presentation that methane more impactful to GHG than CO2. He wondered if the City should consider policies related to how dog waste is handled. Mr. Johnson said contained landfills do a pretty good job of containing methane. Even though dog waste generates methane, that methane is generally captured and often converted to energy via landfill gas -to -energy plants. In a sense that methane may displace fossil fuel. Open agriculture is one of the biggest issues particularly the meat and dairy industry that accounts for one third of the overall household consumption. Councilmember Nelson offered context, commenting this is data that can be used as a starting point and a comparison with the previous Climate Action Plan to see what has changed. He highlighted the increase in natural gas use and transportation emissions. The intent would be for future goals and policies to address what is producing the most emissions and how to reduce it. The City has policies that are reducing emissions and it is apparent it will take more than education, it will also require changes in lifestyle. He commended the consultant for incorporating how households consume goods which not typically measured. He noted when people shop online, they may not think about the amount of emissions they are producing; creating that awareness is an important first step. With regard to online ordering, Mr. Johnson said a recent study looked at instantaneous delivery that consumers have come to expect compared to whether someone would have driven to the store for one small item although GHG is expended either way. Those industries are looking at improving their footprint but that is an area that consumers do have some control such as being disciplined about how many times they order a week. 2. VIDEO STREAMING OF COUNCIL COMMITTEE MEETINGS Councilmember Nelson said the packet contains a comparison of costs. Since then, the IT department researched using the City's existing camera company. Those numbers are not included in the packet but the highest was $8,100 one time per camera and installation, a total of $16,200 for two cameras (one already exists in Council Chambers), plus maintenance costs of 17-22%/year (approximately $3,000)/year. He asked whether the updated costs changed Councilmembers' interest in moving forward. Councilmember Mesaros inquired about the personnel cost of running system such as turning it on, maintaining it, record keeping, etc. City Clerk Scott Passey said it would increase his workload slightly as he would need to create three more meetings on the second Tuesday. It would also require at least one staff person per committee to operate the cameras/encoders. Councilmember Mesaros commented it was an addition of two staff because there is already one camera person. Councilmember Mesaros asked whether Councilmembers could be trained to start the cameras to minimize the cost. Mr. Passey answered that would be possible. Council President Pro Tem Buckshnis said she had no interest in pursuing videotaping of committee meetings because audio was j ust as efficient as video. She pointed out what happened with Watergate which Edmonds City Council Approved Minutes January 2, 2019 Page 9 was audio. She noted there was little interest in listening to the audio of committee meetings and this was much ado about nothing. She believed people act differently when they are on camera, for example little kids act very different when they are filmed. Audio allows discussions and not worrying about the camera and audio is just as transparent as video. There have been no complaints or lawsuits and nothing that requires committee meetings to be videotaped. She preferred to continue audio recording committee meetings and allow people to request the audio. Councilmember Teitzel said he supports transparency and open government and wants to make it as easy as possible for citizens to hear Council discussions, noting there are no votes taken during committee meetings. As Council President Pro Tem Buckshnis mentioned, every committee meeting is digitally audio recorded and they are archived and available upon request. Since the audio already exists, he asked if the digital audio recordings of committee meetings could be posted to the City's website. Mr. Passey said IT indicated the current website does not support that type of upload. Councilmember Teitzel asked how the recordings could be saved so citizens would have access. Mr. Passey said they are saved on the network server and he provides the recordings upon request. Councilmember Teitzel asked if that required a public records request. Mr. Passey answered it was done on a request basis because they cannot be posted on the City's website or the hosted website where other Council meetings are posted which only accommodates one record per meeting. Councilmember Teitzel said the only complaints he has heard about lack of access to committee meetings has been from local media, it is difficult for Beacon and My Edmonds News to report on meetings without hearing the discussion or having access to the summary minutes. If the digital audio were posted, he asked if it could be available the next day for the media. Mr. Passey said the issue is where they would be posted; he could send the recording to them after meeting. Councilmember Teitzel asked if the recordings could be available the next day. Mr. Passey answered yes. Councilmember Teitzel said that could be no -cost way to proceed and staff could track the number of requests for the recordings. If there was a high demand, the Council could invest in video recording equipment in the future. He concurred with Council President Pro Tem Buckshnis that audio recording was sufficient especially if it was available to the public within 24 hours. Councilmember Nelson pointed out decisions are made at the committee level to put items on Consent the Agenda such as the Transportation Safety Plan, continuing the City Attorney contract, fund policies, fiscal policies, and other substantive issues. Cursory minutes are not sufficient and when there is confusion about what transpires at committee meetings, the audio recording must be reviewed. Study sessions used to be videoed; when the Council began holding committee meetings in separate rooms, there was a downgrade to audio. For less than the cost of wayfinding sign, there can be cameras in committee rooms to the allow the public and the Council to be informed. The Council should be encouraging videotaping; it is good for democracy to allow the public to see and hear the Council, who is in the room, whispering, etc., full transparency at a minimal cost. COUNCILMEMBER NELSON MOVED, SECONDED BY MAYOR PRO TEM FRALEY- MONILLAS, TO FUND HAVING COUNCIL COMMITTEES VIDEOTAPED. Council President Pro Tem Buckshnis said she has watched committee videos in other cities, many do not have discussions and appear to do things behind closed doors which is even less transparent. She reiterated audio is just as transparent as video. The Council is not doing anything wrong; there are only two Councilmembers in each committee, there is not a quorum and there are no votes taken. Although items are forwarded to the Consent Agenda, Councilmember can pull items from the Consent Agenda. She suggested seeing how it goes with Mr. Passey providing the committee meeting audio to the media and see how many people are interested in listening to committee meetings. Edmonds City Council Approved Minutes January 2, 2019 Page 10 Councilmember Teitzel, Chair of the Finance Committee in 2018, disagreed wholeheartedly with Councilmember Nelson's comment that decisions are made in committee meetings. The only decisions are whether an item is forwarded to full Council for discussion and/or action or to the Consent Agenda. He agreed all voices including whispering are picked by the audio recordings. He concurred with Council President Pro Tem Buckshnis' comments. Mayor Pro Tem Fraley-Monillas commented on the ability to watch legislative committees on TV W, noting several other cities also video their committee meetings. She noted it was not that long ago, 10-12 years, that Council meetings begin being videotaped. This an opportunity to provide more transparency for anyone who wishes to tune in particularly if there is no cost to operate the cameras once the system is in place. She has heard from at least two media sources about the difficulty they have in determining what is occurring at committee meetings. She expressed support for the motion. Councilmember Teitzel said prior to returning to separate committee meetings, the Council addressed items during a monthly Council study session; the Council could return to that process instead of holding committee meetings. He summarized to limit use of taxpayer money, the Council could consider, 1) return to study sessions which utilizes the existing video equipment, or 2) make digital audio recordings of committee meetings available. Council President Pro Tem Buckshnis said the City has had videotaped its meetings for at least 20 years. The Council changed from committee meetings to a study session in the past due to an issue with diplomacy and has since returned to committee meetings. Audio recording committee meetings did not start until a former staff member refused to take notes. She pointed out what happened with Watergate which was audio. She preferred to continue audio recording and see if people complain about wanting to have committee meetings videotaped. Mayor Pro Tem Fraley-Monillas clarified videotaping of Council meetings has only been done for a short amount of time, the room previously did not have the capacity. One of the reasons the Council changed from committees of the whole or study sessions was those meetings were watered down by topics that were not study session items. UPON ROLL CALL, MOTION FAILED (2-3), COUNCILMEMBER NELSON AND MAYOR PRO TEM FRALEY-MONILLAS VOTING YES; AND COUNCIL PRESIDENT PRO TEM BUCKSHNIS AND COUNCILMEMBERS MESAROS AND TEITZEL VOTING NO. 10. MAYOR'S COMMENTS Mayor Pro Tem Fraley-Monillas reread the appointment of board and committee representatives for 2019 (see Agenda Item 8.1 above). 11. COUNCIL COMMENTS Council President Pro Tem Buckshnis wished everyone Happy New Year. She acknowledged the Packers did not have a very good season and hoped for a better season next year. She displayed free glasses that were distributed at a Packers game. She looked forward to an exciting year and urged everyone to spread kindness. Councilmember Teitzel wished everyone a Happy and Prosperous New Year. As a Cougar's fan, he enjoyed Alamo Bowl and the Rose Bowl. Councilmember Nelson wished everyone Happy New Year. Edmonds City Council Approved Minutes January 2, 2019 Page 11 Councilmember Mesaros wished everyone Happy New Year. 12. CONVENE IN EXECUTIVE SESSION REGARDING PENDING OR POTENTIAL LITIGATION PER RCW 42.30.11€1(] )(i) This item was not needed. 13. RECONVENE IN OPEN SESSION. POTENTIAL ACTION AS A RESULT OF MEETING IN EXECUTIVE SESSION This item was not needed. 14. ADJOURN With no further business, the Council meeting was adjourned at 8:26 p.m. !�-�7 (SCOA PASSEY, CI ERK Edmonds City Council Approved Minutes January 2, 2019 Page 12