Edmonds City Council Regular Meeting - April 28, 2026

The Edmonds City Council held its regular meeting on April 28, 2026, at 6:00 PM. The meeting included presentations from the Prosecutor's Office and the Public Defender's Association, audience comments regarding the Lynnwood wastewater treatment plant, and council business items including adoption of the Safety Action Plan and an update on the Public Safety Sales Tax. Several items were approved on the consent agenda, and a presentation on the Perrinville flow reduction study was moved to consent.

Consent Calendar

• Approved City Council and committee meeting minutes from April 14 and 21, 2026.
• Approved payroll and benefit checks, direct deposits, and wire payments for April 1–15, 2026.
• Approved claim checks and wire payments for April 15 and 22, 2026.
• Approved the Interlocal Agreement with Community Transit for Highway 99 Revitalization Project Stage 3 (second reading).
• Approved Supplemental Agreement 4 for Highway 99 Revitalization Project Stage 3 (second reading).
• Approved increasing Administrative Assistants from 1.4 to 2.0 FTEs (second reading).
• Approved City Hall Roof Replacement Job Order Contract (second reading).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Tim Amon (CAPE – Citizen Alliance to Protect Edmonds) spoke about the City of Lynnwood's plan to expand the wastewater treatment plant within Edmonds, citing potential costs of $300 million and impacts on nearby properties. He invited council members to a tour of Charlotte's Garden on May 20, 2026, to view the affected area. He also noted their motion to appeal a determination of non-significance was dismissed by Lynnwood's hearing examiner.
• Unnamed resident living across from the wastewater treatment plant asked who is responsible for maintaining city-owned properties acquired for the project, noting overgrown grass and requesting guidance on mowing.

Discussion Items

• Prosecutor's Office 2025 Annual Report (First Reading): City Prosecutor Aaron Walls reported clearing the Blake marijuana conviction backlog, revamping community court with case managers and resources (primarily serving homeless participants), and addressing firearm seizures. Challenges include increasing public defender caseload standards and the new Lynnwood jail contract. Councilmember Nan inquired about walk-in office hours for victims; Walls agreed to explore feasibility. Councilmember Olson asked how more public defenders increase prosecutor workload; Walls explained it leads to more motions and discovery requests.
• Public Defender's Office 2025 Annual Report (First Reading): Executive Director Kathleen Kyle and Supervisor Dustin Drangis presented. Key data: median theft in 80 open cases was under $37; two stores drive most theft prosecutions. 46% of 2024 cases were in warrant status. They recommended pre-prosecution diversion (e.g., Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion) for low-level shoplifting. Challenges include implementing national workload standards (10-year forecast provided), the Lynnwood jail transition affecting vertical representation, and disability justice training. Councilmembers discussed reducing caseload through prevention (e.g., store security practices) and partnerships with retailers and food banks.
• Perrinville Flow Reduction Study Amendment (First Reading): City Engineer Mike Delilah presented an amendment to continue the 2015 study, funded 85% by a Department of Ecology grant (15% local match split 50/50 with Lynnwood). The scope includes geotechnical investigations for top 10 potential sites. Council moved to forward the item to the consent agenda; motion passed unanimously.
• Adoption of Safety Action Plan (Second Reading): Bertrand House presented the plan, developed over the past year with stakeholder input. It identifies 11 priority projects (e.g., citywide signalized intersection improvements, Highway 99 segments, 76th Avenue corridor, SR 104 adaptive system). The goal is to eliminate traffic fatalities and serious injuries by 2040, with a 50% reduction by 2035. Adopting the plan makes the city eligible for federal SS4A grants; the next grant application deadline is May 26, 2026. Councilmember Olson noted missed needs (e.g., crosswalk at Ferndale Village, 84th Avenue safety). The plan was adopted unanimously.
• Update on Public Safety Sales Tax: Chief Dawkins reported that the city has collected $209,913.22 from February to April 2026. The city received conditional approval but must align with six policy areas (e.g., immigration, use of force, firearms relinquishment) by June 30, 2026, to maintain compliance. No penalties are currently owed. The chief expressed confidence in meeting the deadline. A separate $100 million state grant for staffing is available once compliance is achieved.

Key Outcomes

• The amendment to the Professional Services Agreement for the Perrinville Flow Reduction Study Update was moved to the consent agenda and approved unanimously.
• The Safety Action Plan was adopted unanimously, enabling the city to apply for federal SS4A grants before the May 26, 2026 deadline.
• The Public Safety Sales Tax update was received; the police department is working toward compliance by June 30, 2026, with no immediate financial impact anticipated.
• Council comments included updates on SNOCOM 911's radio replacement bonding (likely $30 million starting 2035, with potential city assessment increase of $5,000), the Lynnwood wastewater treatment plant tour invitation, the Highway 99 Phase 3 gateway design survey, and the city's reconvened emergency management collaboration with 30 organizations.