Part 1: includes first four interviews conducted Tuesday night. The final six interviews will be summarized in Part 2 on Wednesday.

In a job interview with a very unpredictable outcome, the 10 candidates vying to fill the vacant Position 2 Edmonds City Council seat each took a turn at the front of the council chambers Tuesday night, fielding questions ranging from their position on building heights to how to fund street paving to their vision for future Highway 99 development.

On the perennially sticky issue of whether Edmonds should allow taller buildings in the downtown core, none of the candidates supported the idea. However some were open to the possibility of more height in the Harbor Square business district if surrounding views weren’t blocked. And some candidates also said they would keep an open mind about possibly accommodating a bit of extra height for specific projects and/or in specific neighborhoods — Councilmember Diane Buckshnis floated the idea of a downtown 85-unit boutique hotel — in exchange for incentives provided by developers.

Each of the six current councilmembers had the opportunity to ask candidates two questions each, but the same questions were not asked of all candidates. We’ve included a summary below of main issues discussed, in order of each candidate’s appearance, but all the interviews were taped and will be broadcast via the city website and its cable TV channel by this Thursday, Feb. 19.

David Preston

Preston, an Edmonds Port Commission President and lifelong Edmonds resident, said that as a parent of two young children, he will bring a more diverse viewpoint to the council. (All of those currently serving on the council have either grown children or no children.)

Preston said that among biggest challenges the city faces are developing a stable revenue source, protecting its infrastructure and creating an economic environment that attracts tax revenue-generating businesses. Under questioning from Buckshnis, he said that while he doesn’t like the idea of raising taxes, he wouldn’t be opposed to putting before voters a levy aimed at generating revenue to repair the city’s streets.

Responding to a question from Councilmember Joan Bloom, Preston said that he didn’t know enough about the council’s plan regarding the Westgate commercial center — which has been put on hold until the city completes a corridor study for State Route 104 — to answer whether he would support it in its current form.

Preston said that he believes that the council should be involved “to some extent” in deciding what parks, recreation and open space projects should be pursued or grants applied for — a question asked by Councilmember Kristiana Johnson. And he reaffirmed his support for existing height limits with a few caveats — buildings may be able to go higher in areas like Westgate and Five Corners, where views aren’t an issue.

Councilmember Tom Mesaros asked Preston his opinion of the sometimes gray lines of responsibility between the legislative and executive branches of government. “Perhaps if the roles are overstepped in a certain area they need to be more well defined?” Preston said. ” It wouldn’t be good if council people were micromanaging prior to decisions being made.”

Asked how his experience as a port commissioner would benefit the council, Preston said: “I like to make quick decisions. I’ve learned to run very fast with molasses in my shoes.”

Michael Jay Nelson

A member of the Edmonds Planning Board and co-chair of the Edmonds Mayor’s Climate Protection Committee, Nelson noted (like Preston did earlier) that being a dad to two young children has “given me a solid foundation of patience” that would serve him well as a city councilmember. Other issues he addressed included:

How to pay for street repairs: “I’m open to any and all ideas to make that happen,” including levies and bonds, he said.

Next steps for Westgate planning: Nelson said that as a member of the city’s Planning Board, which spent time reviewing Westgate development ideas before they were sent to the city council, he hopes that there be opportunities for a joint meeting between the Planning Board and the Council to further discuss the Westgate issue before any final decisions are made.

Possible approval of building height increases in some neighborhoods in exchange for developer incentives: “Each situation, each location you have to look at it individually,” Nelson said. Considerations should include whether the proposed development fits the neighborhood it’s in, he said.

Challenges and opportunities facing the city: “The big elephant in the room is our Fire District 1 contract,” he said, adding the contract either needs to be renegotiated or the the council needs to find ” a different way to fund our fire services because that is just not sustainable.” Other challenges include increasing public access to and participation in city government. ight.

Future of Highway 99: Nelson said he sees Highway 99 “as a blank slate” and the city should “take some risk and experiment to try to revitalize that area.”

Environmental concerns for Edmonds:  It’s important for the city to measure its carbon footprint and determine how to offset CO2 emissions,  Nelson said.

In response to Councilmember Joan Bloom’s question of whether the city’s 17-member Economic Development Commission should be allowed to sunset as scheduled at the end of this year, be continued as is or restructured, Nelson said it’s important to regularly review all of the city’s commissions and boards “and take a look at how we can make them more responsive to our council and our community.”

Debbie Matteson

A member of the Economic Development Commission who also serves on the Snohomish County-Camano Association of Realtors Board, Matteson said she believes the EDC plays an important role in getting economic development information to the Planning Board and City Council and is also “a valuable resource for citizens.” Her only complaint is the pace at which EDC recommendations move once they’ve been sent to the council or Planning Board. “It would be nice to have things acted on a little more quickly,” she said.

Her take on other issues:

Westgate planning: There is “still room for improvement,” Matteson said, adding that she would like to more studies, particularly as they relate to business development and housing.

Parks planning and council vs. staff involvement: “There’s a point where we have to let the staff do their job,” Matteson said, adding that “certainly the council should have input into it.”

Support of existing building heights: “Yes”

Challenges/opportunities: She sees the downtown’s proximately to rail and ferry as an opportunity and also says future development of Harbor Square to include residential could offer improved workability and livability in the area. The Edmonds waterfront area “is a challenge” given train traffic and the inability to get people across the tracks in an emergency. Another challenge: lack of public restrooms downtown.

Street repairs: It may be possible to get state grants to assist with funding.

Possible approval of building height increases in certain neighborhoods in exchange for developer incentives: “Yeah, I think that’s a positive,” she said. “That’s the way our government runs, give and take.”

Future of Highway 99: Matteson said she likes the way Shoreline has redeveloped its Highway 99 corridor with plantings, islands, different types of paving and artwork.

Jeff Scherrer

Scherrer said he heard many concerns from voters while door-belling for the State Legislative District 21 House of Representatives position last year. (He lost in November to Lillian Ortiz-Self.) A main complaint was the city’s reliance on grant funding for projects like the Sunset Avenue Walkway, the Five Corners Roundabout and the Highway 104 crosswalk, while Edmonds’ basic infrastructure safety needs were ignored. His answers to councilmembers’ questions included:

 

Parks planning and council vs. staff involvement: The council should have more input on large lists of projects like those include in parks planning, he said.

Support of existing building heights: The answers vary depending on where you are in the city, Scherrer said, adding that “you have to take each one on its merits.”

Challenges and opportunities: Alleviating traffic congestion, improving the city’s economic vitality and improving public safety. Another challenge is to be fiscally responsible, which Scherrer says “ties in with the idea of grant funding. “I think we have to be very careful with how we are tied to the restrictions that come along with that type of process.”

Street repairs: Before considering a levy, the city should see if it can prioritize its funding to focus on paving projects, he said.

Future of Highway 99: “I would like to see more development up there,” which would include combined residential/commercial uses, he said.

Lines of responsibility between the legislative and executive branches: “In a pure sense, I think that council has the decision-making place in the government and I think it’s the mayors responsibility to carry out the will of the council,” Scherrer said, adding “I would hope that there’s teamwork.”