By Harry Gatjens

With a full council present, the Edmonds City Council had a long evening of information to digest but few real calls to action.

The most time-consuming presentations were related to the Shoreline Master Plan and a presentation and brief discussion of the concept of park impact fees.

The Shoreline Master Plan presentation covered the requirements for developing land along the city’s designated shorelines. These include Lake Ballinger, the property both north and south of the ferry terminal along the railroad tracks, and the shoreline further north along the Meadowdale area. City planner Kernen Lien led the discussion and talked about the various setbacks and the relation between the Shoreline Master Plan and the Critical Areas Ordinance. The presentation was preliminary to a future presentation on suggested changes to the plan.

A long presentation was also made about the possibility and process for charging park impact fees on new construction. If enacted, these fees would only be assessed to new construction as a way to help fund future improvements to city parks required by the population inhabiting the new developments. The presentation was full of detail regarding the basis for charging such fees, the mathematics for computing them and optional ways to incorporate them.

There was discussion about whether fees should only be applied to residential or to both residential and commercial construction. Also discussed were items such as exemptions for low-income housing and the need for very strict regulations regarding these fees.

Carrie Hite, Edmonds Park, Recreation and Cultural Services Director, told the council that she felt that these fees would be a good way to raise money to help fund a growing parks system. After listening in great detail the various options, the council asked Hite to come back with a realistic proposal for them to consider.

There was also a presentation by the Snohomish County Visitors Bureau about their works for the past year and tourism impact on both Snohomish County and the city of Edmonds.

In addition, the council discussed whether to offer longevity pay to the city’s non-represented employees. Carrie Hite, now wearing her Interim Human Resources Director hat, explained that the council last year had approved a change in pay scales for these employees but had asked her to come back this year for discussion of the longevity pay issue. She presented a chart showing the longevity pay made to the City’s unionized employees and suggested that the non-represented employees should get longevity pay equal to the lowest union. She pointed out that longevity pay was recommended by the city’s compensation consultant last year.

This concept did not receive universal support by the councilmembers. There were mixed feelings stated and it was decided that Hite should bring back to the council her recommendations in file form. At that time, the council can further discuss the issue and decide how to proceed.

Due to the length of the various presentations, it was decided to postpone discussion and action regarding the council’s proposed adoption of Roberts Rules of Order until May 7 meeting.