OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Edmonds City Council Regular Meeting - May 12, 2026

City Council & Boards — Tuesday, May 12, 2026
BodyEdmonds, Washington
SessionCity Council & Boards
DateTuesday, May 12, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 2:53:20

Transcript — Verbatim
0:18

Good evening.

0:18

Welcome to the May 12th meeting of the Edmonds City Council.

0:22

I will now call the meeting to order.

0:24

Please join me in the flag salute.

0:27

I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America.

0:32

And to the Republic for which it stands under God.

0:39

Liberty and Justice Carl.

0:42

Thank you.

0:43

For the land acknowledgement, Councilmember Eck, please.

0:48

We acknowledge the original inhabitants of this place, the Snowmish people and their successors, the Tulela tribes, who since time memorial have hunted, fished, gathered, and taken care of these lands.

1:02

We respect their sovereignty, their right to self-determination, and we honor their sacred spiritual connection with the land and water.

1:12

Thank you.

1:12

Mr.

1:13

Lani, can we have a roll call, please?

1:16

Councilmember Eck.

1:18

Here.

1:18

Councilmember Chen.

1:20

Councilmember Barnett.

1:21

Here.

1:22

Council President Dodge.

1:23

Councilmember Olson.

1:24

Here.

1:25

Councilmember Payne.

1:26

Here.

1:27

Councilmember Nand.

1:28

Mayor Rosen.

1:30

All elected officials are present.

1:32

Thank you.

1:33

Our next item of business is approval of the agenda.

1:36

Motion to approve.

1:38

Is there a second?

1:39

Second.

1:40

Council President Dash.

1:42

I motion to add interview for appointment to a board or commission to item 9.2 on council business.

1:49

Second.

1:49

It's been moved and seconded to add the appointment of the planning board to item 9.2.

1:54

All in favor, please raise your hand to say aye.

1:56

Aye.

1:57

Thank you.

1:58

Anybody opposed, please raise your hand and say nay.

2:00

Motion is approved unanimally.

2:02

Thank you.

2:02

Councilmember Payne, I thought I saw your hand up.

2:06

That was um I think I have to wait for the consent agenda to come up.

2:10

I'm going to make a motion to pull something from the actual if you'd like to do it now, please go.

2:15

I'd like to um have item 8.4, which is regarding the salary commission, move to the um council business at 9.3.

2:25

Thank you.

2:26

That item is pulled from consent and will be item number 9.3.

2:30

Uh with those changes, all in favor of the agenda uh approval, please raise your hands and say aye.

2:37

Aye.

2:38

Aye, hi.

2:39

Anyone opposed, please raise your hand and say nay.

2:41

The agenda is approved as amended.

2:43

Thanks.

2:44

Our next item of business is presentations.

2:48

Uh first one is a proclamation of public works week.

2:51

And I see a couple folks here.

2:53

Well, if you join me at the podium, Jeannie, as I mentioned, this is uh proclamation for public works week.

3:18

Um, and it is whereas public works professionals focus on infrastructure, facilities, and services that are of vital importance to sustainable and resilient communities and to public health, high quality of life and well-being of the people of the City of Edmonds.

3:32

And whereas these infrastructure facilities and services could not be provided without the dedicated efforts of public works professionals who are engineers, managers, and employees at all levels of government who are responsible for rebuilding, improving, and protecting our nation's transportation, water supply, water treatment, and solid waste system, buildings, and other structures, uh other structures, facilities essential to our cities.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Government Structure████████████████████████████28%
Personnel Matters███████████████15%
Fiscal Sustainability████████████12%
Public Safety██████████10%
Budget Equity Analysis█████████9%
Procedural██████6%
Public Engagement█████5%
Affordable Housing████4%
Community Engagement███3%
Summary of Proceedings

Edmonds City Council Regular Meeting - May 12, 2026

The Edmonds City Council met on May 12, 2026, from 6:00 PM to 8:53 PM in the Council Chambers and via Zoom. The meeting included presentations on the state legislative session, the South County Fire Regional Fire Authority (RFA) bond and redistricting, a finance update, public comments, and key council business including the confirmation of Stephanie Lukash as City Administrator and the appointment of a Planning Board alternate. The council also debated and voted on the unpausing of the Salary Commission.

Presentations

  • Proclamation of Public Works Week 2026: Mayor Rosen proclaimed the week of May 17–23, 2026 as Public Works Week. Two public works employees (from the wastewater treatment plant) spoke, thanking the council and highlighting their work.
  • 2026 State Legislative Session Brief: Deborah Mungia, the city's lobbyist, presented a 30-minute briefing covering the 60-day short session (adjourned March 12, 2026). Key points: The state faced revenue challenges, using Rainy Day Fund transfers and cuts; the capital budget invested in housing and created a $25 million revolving loan program for clean energy upgrades; the transportation budget preserved funding for the SR 99 project but assumed a $180 million delay in spending; House Bill 2442 passed, creating new local sales tax options for children/families and expanding REET uses; Senate Bill 6346 (the millionaires tax) imposes a 9.9% tax on income over $1 million starting 2028, with sales tax exemptions for diapers, hygiene products, and over-the-counter drugs expected to reduce local sales tax revenue; housing bills included SB 6026 (prohibiting cities over 30,000 from excluding residential use in commercial/mixed zones) and HB 2266 (additional STEP housing requirements). Mungia noted the governor is exploring a new Department of Housing. Councilmembers expressed concerns about unfunded state mandates, cannabis revenue declines, and the impact of tax exemptions on city budgets.
  • Briefing from Liaison to South County Fire RFA Board: Officer Morris presented on two major issues: a proposed $420 million, 20-year bond measure (to replace/renovate fire stations, including Station 20 in Edmonds, and a new station near Highway 99/Swedish Hospital) and redistricting following Edmonds' annexation into the RFA. Three redistricting plans were presented: Plan 1 (most of Edmonds in District 2, 3,400 residents in District 1), Plan 1A (all Edmonds in District 2), and Plan 2 (north-south split along Pine Street). A third plan (Plan 3) would create seven districts, removing at-large seats. Councilmembers raised concerns about representation, timing of the bond relative to recent annexation, and the need for community engagement. Officer Morris encouraged residents to attend RFA commission meetings.
  • Mayor's Finance Update: Mayor Rosen reported that the state, through its own audit, discovered an overpayment of REIT funds to Hera Healthcare Realty Trust. The city must refund $183,621 (split evenly between the two REIT funds). The combined REIT funds currently hold approximately $10.5 million, so the refund is manageable.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Richard Marin (cemetery board): Invited the community to the Memorial Day program on May 25, 2026, at 11:00 AM at the cemetery, featuring a 90-year-old Danish woman who experienced Nazi occupation and a B-24 pilot who was shot down and protected by the Dutch.
  • Joan Longstaff (Edmonds real estate broker): Thanked Councilmember Payne for connecting the property at 22816 Edmonds Way with governmental agencies. Praised the Planning Department and code enforcement for responsiveness.
  • Sharon (West Haven Apartments resident): Voiced grievances about unsafe, unsanitary, and oppressive living conditions at West Haven, including unexplained utility bills, restrictions on personal items, and poor management by investors. Asked the council to provide resources and establish a regulatory system to protect tenants.
  • David Dorin (Kenmore resident): Spoke in support of Stephanie Lukash's appointment, citing her national recognition (League of Women in Government Hall of Fame, Assistant City Manager of the Year 2023) and her strong performance in Kenmore. Urged the council to confirm her.
  • Roger Pence (Edmonds resident): Commented on the RFA issues, noting that fire commissioner districts only matter in primary elections (general elections are district-wide). Criticized the RFA for lacking community engagement on the bond and commended Officer Morris for his presentation.
  • Bill Krapik (Woodway resident, remotely): Raised questions about Stephanie Lukash's appointment, including her salary, role, and background. Also commented on the RFA bond, questioning the business model and lack of economies of scale.

Consent Calendar

  • Approved as amended: Items 8.1 (Council meeting minutes of May 5, 2026), 8.2 (payroll and benefit checks), 8.3 (claim checks), 8.5 (Ordinance to amend Code 1.04.035), and 8.6 (confirmation of Planning Board alternate) were pulled to council business. Item 8.4 (Salary Commission) was also pulled. The consent calendar passed unanimously.

Discussion Items

  • City Administrator Confirmation of Appointment: HR Director Lisa Tackett presented the rationale for the position (clearer distinction between political and operational leadership, administrative expertise, continuity). The position was benchmarked against cities of 20,000–80,000 population, with a salary range of $181,000–$242,000 (Grade NR 47). The selection process: 29 applicants, top four interviewed by city leadership, an expert panel, the mayor, and the council. The mayor selected Stephanie Lukash, who has over 30 years of local government experience, including serving as Assistant City Manager in Kenmore, and holds an MPA from UW. Council debated the performance evaluation process (probationary period, annual reviews) and whether council would have input. The motion to confirm the appointment passed unanimously. A separate motion to approve the employment agreement also passed unanimously. Lukash then addressed the council, expressing gratitude and commitment to collaboration.
  • Appointment to Planning Board Alternate: Bristol Ellington, City Manager of Shoreline and former planning director for Henderson, NV, was interviewed. He holds master's degrees in urban and regional planning and public administration. Councilmembers praised his experience. The motion to appoint him passed unanimously.
  • Consideration of Unpausing Salary Commission (Item 8.4 pulled from consent): Councilmember Payne moved to change the salary commission from a 2-year to a 4-year cycle. After debate on frequency, cost, and political interference, the motion failed 4-3. Councilmember Dash then moved to adopt an ordinance to unpause the salary commission and align it with the even-year biennial budget cycle. This motion passed 5-2, with Payne and one other opposed.

Key Outcomes

  • Confirmed: Stephanie Lukash as City Administrator (unanimous).
  • Appointed: Bristol Ellington as Planning Board Alternate (unanimous).
  • Failed: Motion to change salary commission cycle from 2 to 4 years (4-3).
  • Passed: Ordinance to unpause Salary Commission and align with even-year budget cycle (5-2).
  • Noted: $183,621 REIT refund to the state.
  • Upcoming: The RFA bond measure decision expected by end of June; redistricting by end of summer. Community engagement encouraged.
  • Next Council Meeting: Committee sessions scheduled for the following week (May 19, 2026).

Meeting Transcript

Good evening. Welcome to the May 12th meeting of the Edmonds City Council. I will now call the meeting to order. Please join me in the flag salute. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America. And to the Republic for which it stands under God. Liberty and Justice Carl. Thank you. For the land acknowledgement, Councilmember Eck, please. We acknowledge the original inhabitants of this place, the Snowmish people and their successors, the Tulela tribes, who since time memorial have hunted, fished, gathered, and taken care of these lands. We respect their sovereignty, their right to self-determination, and we honor their sacred spiritual connection with the land and water. Thank you. Mr. Lani, can we have a roll call, please? Councilmember Eck. Here. Councilmember Chen. Councilmember Barnett. Here. Council President Dodge. Councilmember Olson. Here. Councilmember Payne. Here. Councilmember Nand. Mayor Rosen. All elected officials are present. Thank you. Our next item of business is approval of the agenda. Motion to approve. Is there a second? Second. Council President Dash. I motion to add interview for appointment to a board or commission to item 9.2 on council business. Second. It's been moved and seconded to add the appointment of the planning board to item 9.2. All in favor, please raise your hand to say aye. Aye. Thank you. Anybody opposed, please raise your hand and say nay. Motion is approved unanimally. Thank you. Councilmember Payne, I thought I saw your hand up. That was um I think I have to wait for the consent agenda to come up. I'm going to make a motion to pull something from the actual if you'd like to do it now, please go. I'd like to um have item 8.4, which is regarding the salary commission, move to the um council business at 9.3. Thank you. That item is pulled from consent and will be item number 9.3. Uh with those changes, all in favor of the agenda uh approval, please raise your hands and say aye. Aye.

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