The Edmonds City Council held a special meeting on August 18, 2026, at 11:00 AM to address a public hearing on extending a development moratorium in the Deer Creek Critical Aquifer Recharge Area (CARA), and three council business items: an ordinance to extend the moratorium, a resolution of intent to annex part of the Esperance area, and an ordinance to expand automated traffic safety cameras to 24-hour operation in school zones. The meeting concluded at 12:57 PM.
Public testimony was taken on Ordinance 4430, which would extend the moratorium on permit applications requiring stormwater management in the Deer Creek CARA for an additional six months.
Staff (Mr. Teraday) explained the moratorium avoids processing applications that would ultimately be denied under current code. The PFAS study is expected in September 2026, and the six-month extension provides cushion; the council could repeal the moratorium early if an interim ordinance is adopted sooner. Councilmember Nand expressed concern about litigation risk from burden on property owners and requested updates on Mr. Booker's application. Councilmember Barnett suggested a targeted interim pathway after the study is published. Councilmember Olson noted a scrivener's correction replacing "regular meeting" with "special meeting." The motion to adopt the six-month extension passed unanimously.
Staff presented a resolution to declare intent to annex Area 1 (south of the bridge on 84th Ave W) via an interlocal agreement, deferring Area 2 pending infrastructure and cost analysis of the bridge. The resolution is not a legal prerequisite but a check on council interest. Key points:
Staff (City Administrator Lukash, Chief Dawkins, Engineer House) presented data from a June–July 2026 study showing thousands of speeding violations, including significant numbers of vehicles traveling 12+ mph over the limit in school zones. Collision data (one-year period) showed numerous accidents, including one fatality. Proposed operation: cameras would enforce posted speed limits 24/7, with fines of $200 for 6–10 mph over and $290 for >10 mph over during school zone hours; $144 for >6 mph over during school walk zone hours. A warning period would precede enforcement, expected to reduce violations by over 50%. Councilmember Barnett asked for monitoring of nearby residential streets for cut-through traffic.
If to go to setting. Good morning, everyone. This is August 18th, and it is a special meeting of the Edmonds City Council, and I'm calling that meeting to order at 11 o'clock. Um, we are opening the meeting. Our first item of business is audience comments. Um, to be clear, we also have a public hearing. The public hearing is on the moratorium uh for ordinance 4430, but audience comments are open to anybody who wishes to address counsel on items other than the public hearing. So if there are individuals who wish to address counsel on items other than the public hearing, please raise your virtual hand when I call on you. You will have three minutes. When you have 30 seconds left, the clerk will let you know. And when your time is up, the clerk will also let you know that. So we have a couple hands up, and the first individual is Ken Reedy. Hi. Ken Reedy, citizen of Edmonds. I am not speaking for or against annexing Esperance. Annexation may prove beneficial for both Edmonds and Esperance residents. My comments are about due diligence and the framework council uses for making future decisions. As I understand it, the resolution before you today would declare the city's intent to annex Area One and direct staff to work with Snohomish County on an interlocal agreement. At the same time, the resolution states that it does not bind the city to proceed, and that staff may ultimately recommend a different process or annexation area as additional information becomes available. The staff report also identifies the need for continued continued evaluation of infrastructure, future costs, service impact, staffing assumptions, interlocal agreement terms, public participation, and other matters before any annexation decision is made. That raises an important question. What information does council want before making future annexation decisions? And what specific questions should staff be directed to answer during the process. Last week I submitted a citizen proposed alternative resolution designed to identify the information council may wish to have before deciding whether annexation should proceed and under what conditions. It focuses on topics such as infrastructure obligations, service and staffing impacts, funding sources, interlocal agreement risks, and other unresolved uncertainties. My question, my concern is that council clearly identifies the questions it wants answered before the process moves forward. I respectfully encourage the council to establish a clear due diligence framework describing the financial infrastructure, service staffing, legal and public participation information it wants developed before declaring any intent to annex. Although the resolution does not bind the city to proceed, declaring an intent to annex Area 1 may reasonably create expectations among residents, property owners, Snowmish County, and other stakeholders regarding the direction of the process. The more information council develops before creating those expectations, the stronger the foundation for whatever decision ultimately follows. A clearly defined framework would also create a transparent public record of the information considered and the basis for the council's eventual decision. Good decisions are built on facts. 30 seconds. Stronger the factual foundation, the greater the public's confidence in the outcome. Thank you. Thank you. I also see a hand uh in council office if that individual would like to participate. Teresa, go ahead and there you go. You looks like you're unmuted. We are not hearing you. Hello? Can you hear me? We sure can. Yes. Terrific. Thank you so much. Hi, my name is Jack Malik. I'm a resident of Shoreline, and I'm a local realtor doing business in the city of Edmonds. Um, I'm currently trying to lease a space at 471 Admiral Way, which is the Port of Edmonds building. I've been before you once before on this issue. I've emailed you, and thank you all very much for your kindness and response and for the for listening.