Edmonds mayoral candidates face off in well-attended debate

Publisher’s note: This article was updated at 8 p.m. July 18 with additional details regarding the exchange between candidates Kristiana Johnson and Neil Tibbott about marriage equality.

There was hardly a vacant spot in the 700-seat Edmonds Center for the Arts auditorium Wednesday evening as the community turned out to hear Edmonds’ four mayoral candidates face off in the first debate of the current political season. While the evening was generally civil and respectful, on a few occasions the candidates challenged each other with contentious exchanges, some drawing gasps from the audience.

Presented by My Edmonds News and moderated by publisher Teresa Wippel, the 90-minute session included 11 questions touching on issues ranging from parking to housing to citizen engagement and more to which each candidate was given one minute to respond, plus three “lightning round” questions with short answers. Any candidates wishing to rebut another’s response received an additional 30 seconds to do so. The candidates were not provided with the questions in advance, and the audience was asked to hold applause and reaction during the debate.

After welcoming the audience and setting the ground rules, Wippel pointed out that while all questions were written by her, she did receive input from many citizens, and was pleased to note that much of this duplicated what she had already covered.  She then invited the candidates on stage, giving the audience the opportunity to applaud and welcome them before inviting them each to make one-minute opening statements.

First up was City Councilmember Kristiana Johnson, who stressed that this election will decide whether we remain the “gem of Puget Sound” or have higher buildings, a degraded marsh, and overdevelopment.

Next was City Councilmember Mike Nelson. He stated that we need “new leadership” that will preserve our values and keep our community safe.

Then came City Councilmember Neil Tibbott, who stated that he has the experience and skills to do the job, with a track record of bringing people together.

The final opening statement was from Edmonds City Planner Brad Shipley who said that decisions the city makes today will determine the future of our city, and that these decisions need to be made by the people and not special interests.

Wippel then proceeded with the first question.

Question 1: Now that the Edmonds Waterfront Connector project is dead, do you believe the city needs to develop an alternative plan for emergency waterfront access? If so, please share how the city should go about developing a plan that the public will support? If not, why not?

Nelson stressed that city officials need to “move forward” and work with South County Fire and other first responders to develop an immediate strategy for emergency access. This will be in place while the city develops a more permanent solution by looking at the alternatives that have already been put forth. He added that this effort needs to include measures to prevent any more suicides on the tracks. “We need to make sure everyone has a say in this,” he concluded.

Tibbot said that it’s important to look at other options for emergency access, saying that there were six short-term options in the original plan that merit closer examination. He believes that part of this is determining what resources are already available on the west side of the tracks. Input he’s already received from businesses and residents on the water side suggest that their top issue is pedestrian access in the event of closure of the Dayton and Main Street crossings.

Shipley said that “the city has a duty to provide emergency access to the water side of the tracks,” and that in addressing this the city needs to immediately focus on short-term, affordable, doable solutions, where city officials engage the public and find out what they think.

Johnson reminded the audience that the connector was initially supported unanimously by council. The recent vote to not allow the mayor to sign the contract with consultant Parametrix for the environmental study immediately eliminated $7.2 million from the State of Washington, $1.5 million from the Port of Edmonds, and pre-empted any further discussion by the public or council. She said she would have favored “looking at other alternatives and using the money for these purposes,” rather than giving it back and losing that opportunity.

Question 2: Edmonds Lutheran Church and Compass Housing Alliance are partnering to create a low-income housing development on church property. Do you favor this specific project and if so, how would you as mayor address public safety concerns raised by neighbors living nearby?

Tibbott responded that the land was church property, which the church sold to a private developer, and it is within their rights to do that. “As of now we don’t know what these buildings would look like or what the project would do,” he continued, “and I look forward to seeing how these plans develop.”

Pressed by Wippel to respond on whether or not he supports the project, Tibbott sidestepped, saying that he is supportive of a “multi-family project in that area.”

Shipley mentioned that as a city planner he is familiar with the project, and that it is an allowed use. He pointed out that plans for the project include supportive services for residents, and that they will have to follow existing city codes about nuisances and related concerns. “It’s more humane to house people than leave them on the street,” he concluded.

Johnson applauded the faith community for moving ahead on the issue of affordable housing, and that the Edmonds Lutheran Blokable project represents a “good solution” that gives folks suffering from various social ills a place to live and rebuild their lives.

Nelson stated his belief that the city needs to put forward funding to look into homelessness in our community, and that the recent homelessness task force study revealed that more than 200 homeless people are now in our community.  We need to find ways “especially for families and children who have no say in the matter” to have a safe place to live. He added that the Blokable solution is worth trying, but stressed the city needs to make sure it is able to enforce existing health and safety laws.

Wippel then moved on the first “lightning round,” posing the following yes or no question:

If a planned city parking study shows that there is a shortage of parking downtown, would you favor construction of a downtown parking garage?

Shipley, Johnson and Nelson all responded “no.”  Tibbott was the lone “yes.”

Wippel then posed question 3.

Question 3: Name three steps you would take to better engage and empower citizens in the process of city government decision-making.

Johnson gave the first response, saying that public involvement needs to happen early in the process and that the city needs to train staff “about how to do public involvement.” She also suggested mailing the regular city newsletter to all residents rather than just making it available online.

Nelson pointed out that social media is playing a huge role in peoples’ lives, citing the 15,000 signatures on the connector petition as an example.  He advocated using multiple platforms including social media and neighborhood meetings “where we come to you rather than you come to us.” to get the word out.

Tibbott stated the city needs to “ask the scary questions first” and not be afraid of the answers it may get, stressing such questions should be asked upfront rather than waiting until the end of project. He agreed that the city needs to use multiple platforms, and pledged that as mayor he would have “100 listening groups around the city within the first 100 days” that would allow him as mayor to hear citizens’ views and concerns first-hand.

Shipley favored bringing on a centralized communications person to coordinate this effort.  He said that the city needs to engage citizens from the beginning. He recommended doing small, low-cost demonstration projects as part of this outreach so citizens can see and react to changes on the ground.  As an example, he cited the Fourth Avenue arts corridor, suggesting that small, low-cost measures like adding container plants, signage and temporary benches could give citizens a feel for what the project would look like and help them decide if they want the city to go forward with more extensive measures.

In a rebuttal/response, Johnson pointed out that she spearheaded the Fourth Avenue arts corridor project, and that it would initially take a year to design stormwater and other necessary amenities, and another year to build.

Shipley rebutted that for less than $100,000, the city could install planters and other measures on the ground to see how folks like it, before committing to a major project and expenditures, to which Johnson rebutted that the design is already done and the lights have already been installed in the roadway.

Wippel then moved on to the next question.

Question 4:  Two of our city’s directors have left, and additional turnover is likely with the change in mayoral leadership. Given our area’s competitive job market, explain how you personally would work to recruit and retain key employees.

Nelson responded that “our town is our greatest asset,” and that he would take prospective candidates on tours of Edmonds and have them meet with community groups as a recruitment tool. “We have wonderful people here,” he added.

Tibbott stressed that we have “great staff in city government” and that he would make sure staff can continue to use their skills to better the community. “We need to give them permission to innovate, and reward this innovation,” he said. He also recommended more opportunities for advancement, saying that some city employees have left because they were “at the top and had no room to move up.”

A city employee himself, Shipley said that the city is already competitive in wages, and that it’s “beautiful and a great place to work.” He added that he personally knows the ones who are leaving, and is sad to see them go. “It’s tough when a certain councilmember makes public statements about how staff is doing their jobs,” he added, stressing that council and staff need to realize that they are all on the same team.

Johnson said she believes that the employees who recently left did so at least in part over uncertainty about the new mayor.  She advocated working with the HR director and the Association of Washington Cities to find and recruit quality staff for the city.

The debate then moved to the next lighting round question: Do you favor the idea of annexing Esperance into Edmonds?

Tibbott and Johnson both responded yes. Shipley said no, and Nelson gave a qualified “yes if they want to.”

Wippel then posed the next question.

Question 5:  Some say Edmonds is two cities — the Bowl and everywhere else. As mayor, how would you serve the other Edmonds?

A Lake Ballinger neighborhood resident, Shipley pointed out that he lives in “the other Edmonds,” and is personally familiar with the issue. He advocated the the city engage citizens where they are by coming out to the various neighborhoods.

Johnson basically agreed, saying that the city doesn’t need to have all of its public meetings in the Brackett Room or the downtown Edmonds Library, but rather to make use of community centers and other facilities outside the Bowl.  “We need to go where people live,” she said.

Nelson advocated instituting district elections, where council candidates are elected by the individual neighborhoods rather than the city at large. This, he said, would ensure that the interests of each neighborhood would be represented on council. “Under our current system folks outside the Bowl don’t get the attention they deserve,” he added.

Tibbott acknowledged that during doorbelling for his campaign, he has observed that concerns are different in different parts of the city. “We need to overlap and understand each other,” he said, and make sure these differences are reflected in our budget, etc.”

Johnson then rebutted, pointing out that the City’s Strategic Plan is for the whole city, saying that “we may be a city of 42,000, but we’re still a small town.”

Then it was time for the next question.

Question 6: What is Edmonds’ number-one public safety concern and how do you propose to address it?

Johnson responded that the biggest problem is the section of Highway 99 running through Edmonds, and that most police calls are to this area. “We need to get to the core of the problem,” she said. “When Shoreline cleaned up their stretch of Highway 99, the problem moved north to us. We need to close the no-tell motels and other magnets for crime.”

Nelson pointed out that he has personally ridden with police on patrol, and agrees that the motels and other businesses along Highway 99 are a problem. He further said that addressing this requires significant resources, and that police and fire responders are spending a disproportionate amount of time on Highway 99 instead of concentrating efforts on other parts of the city.

Tibbott reiterated his commitment to revitalizing Highway 99. “We have an excellent plan,” he said. “It beautifies the corridor and will go a long way toward making it an attraction. But we do need to improve traffic and pedestrian safety.”

Shipley agreed that Highway 99 is an “epicenter of public safety issues,” and that the city needs to make sure it is moving people off the streets. “I’ve worked on the (Highway 99) subarea plan,” he said. “I’m a full supporter of police and fire, and once redevelopment happens, I believe crime rates will improve.”

The next question addressed change.

Question 7: There’s a divide in Edmonds between those who believe our city should not change and those who believe we need to plan for change. As mayor, how would you bridge these differences of opinion?

Nelson stressed that “Edmonds is a special place and we need to keep it that way.” He said that the city needs to do a better job of “protecting the things we hold dear,” such as our beaches and parks. He pointed out that “there’s a limit to what our city can handle” and that the city is already “96 percent built out,” and that the type of rapid growth that is happening elsewhere will not happen here.

Tibbott pointed out that between 2010 and 2018, King County has grown at 20 percent, Snohomish County at 12 percent, and Edmonds at 5 percent, or less than 1 percent per year. This is the kind of growth Edmonds can accommodate if the city continues doing a good job planning for it, he added.

Shipley responded that we don’t have to be afraid of change, but that the city needs to engage citizens now on what they want Edmonds to look like 10 to 20 or more years down the road. He pointed out that because Edmonds is mostly built out, the majority of new housing will be constructed on the edges of town. This added population just outside our borders will put pressure on the city’s parks and city services, and the city needs to be thinking now about how it will accommodate this.

Johnson recalled growing up in an Edmonds with dirt roads, no sidewalks and riding her horse through Edmonds streets. “I want to keep Edmonds special, our downtown, our beaches, our vibrant arts scene,” she said, adding that the city needs to continue its efforts on Highway 99 because that’s where most of the new growth will occur.

The third lightning question came next:

Describe in five words or less the unique quality that makes you the best candidate for mayor of Edmonds.

Tibbott: thoughtful, engaged, listen, ready to go.

Shipley: I have done the work.

Johnson: Education, experience, leadership, management.

Nelson: Listen, initiative, act on it.

Wippel then moved to the next question.

Question 8: Edmonds was designated as the state’s first creative district. What is your idea for leveraging this designation to create arts and culture opportunities?

Shipley pointed out that this opens the door to an excellent opportunity to further engage artists in the community and to enhance the Fourth Avenue arts corridor.

Johnson stressed that she is very proud of the creative district designation, adding that the city should be looking for state grants to enhance the arts — and that the time is ripe for another arts summit in Edmonds.

Nelson said in his view “the arts are something that enriches us,” adding that it’s a way to encourage folks to live here and opens the door to encourage businesses to foster the arts.

Tibbott shared that he and his family fell in love with Edmonds when they first arrived, and that much of that was due to the vibrant arts scene. He also said that he’s excited and gratified at the spirit of volunteerism in Edmonds, especially the numbers of citizens who give their time to supporting arts events.

Question 9 was next.

Question 9: Many older Edmonds residents in particular are struggling to afford their homes due to increasing property taxes. As mayor, how would you address that burden?

Johnson advocates putting together lists of how seniors and others in economic distress can get tax and bill relief, citing the PUD and county as sources.  “This is a real problem, and I want to work to solve it,” she said.

Nelson pointed out that rising property taxes are “squeezing” folks on fixed incomes, and that city officials need to help get more folks qualified for tax relief, offer home repair assistance, and change the rules to allow for unattached parent-in-law units.

Tibbott agreed that we need more housing options, especially for seniors. He added that he’s “very proud” of our senior center and the work they do taking care of seniors and connecting them with vital services.

Shipley shared that as a city planner, he has heard the “heartbreaking stories of seniors who are facing loss of their homes” because their fixed incomes don’t rise along with taxes and levies. He advocates doing a better job of communicating the options available and increasing housing options.

Wippel then posed the 10th question.

Question 10:  The U.S. economy has been strong, but even during good times our city has many unfunded needs from street repair to sidewalks to deferred maintenance.  What city services would be prioritized and which would be cut during the inevitable economic downturn to come?  

Nelson responded that police and fire would be his last resort for cuts. He stressed that the city needs to prioritize sidewalks so that children and seniors have a safe place to walk. “We need to prioritize humans first, property last,” he said.

Tibbott agreed that public safety is essential, and that the city needs to look to other areas to make cuts in a downturn. He pointed out that the city does have reserve policies in place to pay for essential services in a downturn.

Shipley said that streets and sidewalks have traditionally been underfunded, and pointed out that Nelson had voted against funding these. He further said that he advocates looking for more efficiencies in city government.

Nelson rebutted that he’d put forward a hiring freeze, but would exempt positions vital for public safety, to which Shipley rebutted that Nelson had advocated for two new police officers that were not even requested, and proposed to pay for them out of funds allocated to street and sidewalk improvements.  This led to addition back and forth rebuttals — including Tibbott and Johnson — regarding what exactly was being advocated, by whom, and where the funds would be cut.

With order restored, Johnson responded to the question at hand, saying that she would delay park improvements while continuing existing recreational programs.

Wippel then put forth the last question.

Question 11: As a candidate for mayor, you are applying for a job – to be CEO of Edmonds. Explain to those hiring you — the voters — why you are the best candidate.

Tibbott stressed his years of experience with the city, serving on the planning board and other bodies, in addition to his current city council position. He added that as a private citizen he works in organizational leadership, a vital skill that he would bring to bear as mayor.

Shipley told a story of his 2004 work in Thailand rebuilding in the wake of the Tsumani where half of the people in the 5,000-population village either died or went missing. He told of a local villager who spoke with him after much of the rebuilding was complete, noting that while the new additions were nice, she was sad because now her sister lives too far away for them to visit. “This is a prime example of why we need to engage our stakeholders before we forge ahead with major projects,” he said. “If we’d listened to the villagers first, we could have avoided this.”

Johnson stressed her degrees in urban planning and experience in financial management, saying she’s “ready to go.”

Nelson spoke of his law degree and four years on council, his legislative record of listening and acting, and his work and initiatives including accessible parks, firearms, and creating a youth commission. “I’ve listened and I’ve acted,” he said.

This led to another series of rebuttals by the other candidates questioning Nelson’s actions of “going around the council” and approaching outside agencies without pre-knowledge of the rest of council, and Tibbott’s sending a minority report to the State Department of Ecology regarding the Edmonds Marsh.

“Nelson carries around an inflatable soap box,” added Shipley.  “He’s not as interested in engaging people as he is in doing stuff for himself.”

Nelson rebutted by asking Shipley why he donated $100 to Tibbott’s campaign and then decided to run for mayor himself. Regarding the donation, Shipley replied that his wife and Tibbott’s wife work together (both are teachers at Edmonds’ Chase Lake Elementary). Nelson then pressed by asking, “Will you be voting for Tibbott?” Shipley declined to respond.

Tibbott responded by saying to Johnson that he was sorry about sending the minority report, adding that “it was something we didn’t need to do,” to which Johnson replied, “I hope you learned your lesson.”

Shipley issued the final rebut, stressing that “we are all on the same team, councilmembers and staff. I want us to foster better relations over time, and as mayor I’d focus on this.”

In conclusion, Wippel offered each candidate the opportunity to ask one question of one other candidate.

Shipley began by asking Nelson why he feels there is a distinction between council and staff, and why he would jump over them and go directly to citizens. Nelson responded that the city does not have unlimited resources, and that it’s part of the system of checks and balances to reach out to the constituents.

Johnson then asked Tibbott whether he — as an ordained minister — would perform a marriage ceremony for one of his children if they were gay? “From my tradition I define marriage as between a man and a woman, so in my tradition those are the weddings that I perform,” Tibbott replied. “However that does not prevent me from supporting marriage equality. And I support the rights that marriage equality offers and I believe absolutely that people who love each other and are in a relationship have the opportunity to support one another in that relationship, they should have the rights to do that.” As a result, if one of his children “wanted to be in a same-sex marriage I would invite them to be married by someone else,” Tibbott said. “However, I would support them, I would be excited to make sure they had every right to maintain that relationship.”

Nelson asked Johnson to name her “least priority.” Johnson said that this would be spending the city’s limited excise tax revenues on parks.

Tibbott next asked Nelson why when he was council president it was so hard to reach him, saying he didn’t return calls or respond to emails.  Nelson expressed some surprise at this, saying that his contact information is on the city website, and that he always has and will continue to make himself available.

Closing statements were next.

Johnson reiterated how she loves Edmonds and grew up in the community. She described herself as a fiscal conservative who wants to help folks stay in their homes, she stressed her strong financial background, and concluded by stating that “no one would work harder for you.”

Nelson stressed his strong focus on moving Edmonds forward, having beaches without bridges, homes that fit the character of Edmonds’ neighborhoods, and a thriving downtown that remains quaint. He repeated his positions on maintaining more police, keeping guns out of the hands of kids, and protecting the environment.

Tibbott spoke of his commitment to listening, studying facts and coming up with fresh solutions. “I’ll always put people ahead of politics, work with our staff as a team, and seek good information for good decisions. I believe the best days of Edmonds lie ahead,” he said.

Shipley reminded the audience that the city and its residents are at a critical point. “Over the next few years we’ll need to develop a new comprehensive plan, light rail will arrive in 2024, and housing units will be added. I pledge to engage citizens all the way as we reach these,” he stressed.

Wippel then closed the evening by thanking the audience and candidates for their respectful participation, reminding them that primary ballots will being hitting their mailboxes this week, and that the outcome will determine which two of the four mayoral candidates will advance to the general election in November.

For those who missed the event, the debate was streamed live on Facebook and it is archived here. It was also videotaped separately and will be available soon on the My Neighborhood News Network YouTube channel. We will provide the video link as soon as it is available.

— Story and photos by Larry Vogel