Michael Plunkett

Letter to the Editor: Who is drinking the Kool-Aid?

I feel the need to respond to Councilman Michael Plunkett’s email to several citizens that condemns the Planning Board’s proposed changes to the BD (business district) zones, and asked those citizens to “please don’t drink the developers’ Kool-Aid.” 1) Mr. Plunkett says that some of the people who spoke in favor of taller buildings at…

Edmonds Council levy workshop back in council chambers; will be televised

Following an outcry from two councilmembers and some citizens, the three-hour Edmonds City Council workshop scheduled Tuesday night to discuss ideas for a possible November levy has been moved from City Hall’s Brackett Room back to the Council Chambers, where it can be televised. The meeting will begin at 6 p.m. at the Public Safety…

Two councilmembers threaten boycott over plan to hold non-televised levy workshop

The Edmonds City Council’s plan to hold a non-televised public workshop Tuesday to discuss ideas for a possible levy came under fire Saturday, with two councilmembers threatening to boycott the session if the workshop goes forward as planned. My Edmonds News received a flurry of emails Saturday, starting with one sent by Councilmember Michael Plunkett…

Lorenzo Hines confirmed as City of Lynnwood’s new finance director

The Lynnwood City Council Monday night confirmed Lorenzo Hines, current finance director for the City of Edmonds, as its new finance director. The vote was 6-1. “I am excited to work with Mr. Hines,” City Councilmember Jim Smith said in an email to Lynnwood Today. “Lynnwood is fortunate to get such a qualified finance director.”…

Report: Edmonds councilmembers’ conduct didn’t violate state, federal laws

If you have attended an Edmonds City Council meeting during the past year – or watched the taped version on local cable television – it’s likely you are familiar with ongoing tension between City of Edmonds Finance Director Lorenzo Hines and two Edmonds City Councilmembers, Diane Buckshnis and Michael Plunkett. From Hines’ perspective, that tension…

Q&A with City of Edmonds Finance Director Lorenzo Hines

My Edmonds News sat down with City of Edmonds Finance Director Lorenzo Hines on Thursday to discuss the findings of an investigation into a complaint he made against Edmonds City Councilmembers Diane Buckshnis and Michael Plunkett. Here is a summary of that interview: Q: Now that the report has been issued,  where do you go…

Citizen Harry: What should the city do with those high-interest rate bonds?

By Harry Gatjens Refinance? Pay off bonds? Buy parks? A lot of information and misinformation is circulating right now about what the City Council is doing regarding some older, high-interest rate bonds. So what is really happening? The City has a number of bonds outstanding from 1998 and 2001. The original concept was take advantage…

2011 budget passes Edmonds City Council – now awaits mayor’s signature

The Edmonds City Council passed its version of the 2011 city budget Tuesday night, and the next step is a signature by Mayor Mike Cooper. The vote was 6-1, with Councilmember D.J. Wilson voting no. Wilson called the budget “irresponsible” because it doesn’t fund important initiatives and isn’t sustainable long term. Some of Wilson’s fellow…

Edmonds City Council gets to work on budget amendments

Edmonds City Councilmembers rolled up their collective sleeves Tuesday night and began suggesting amendments to Mayor Mike Cooper’s proposed 2011 City of Edmonds budget. All suggested amendments, which were submitted in writing to City Council President Steve Bernheim, will be posted on the City’s website so the public has a chance to review them. The…

Edmonds Council Resolution 1237 explained

My Edmonds News today received a draft copy of Resolution 1237, which wasn’t listed on last night’s council agenda but was approved with minimal discussion and no explanation to the public. A letter that accompanied the resolution, written by Edmonds Mayor Mike Cooper to City Councilmembers Diane Buckshnis and Michael Plunkett, states that the council has authorized the…

Council looks to hire budget analyst as information concerns continue

The Edmonds City Council Tuesday night wasn’t able to pass the city’s proposed mid-year budget amendment — a source of recent controversy — but Council President Steve Bernheim said he will bring it back for reconsideration at next week’s meeting. Tuesday’s vote on the proposed budget adjustment, made mid-year to bring the beginning budget balances…

Citizen Harry: About that $2 million question from the Edmonds Council

Publisher’s note: The following report from My Edmonds News correspondent “Citizen Harry” Gatjens focuses on details surrounding last Tuesday night’s discussion regarding the proposed Edmonds City Council mid-year budget adjustment. Gatjens, an accountant, is familiar with city budget issues due to his work on the 2010 Citizens Levy Committee. The Edmonds City Council’s consideration of…

Edmonds Council votes to pursue customers for its broadband business

The Edmonds City Council unanimously approved a resolution Tuesday night to support efforts to pursue customers for the city’s 24 strands of fiber optic cable, which so far have been largely unused by anyone other than the city itself. A helpful background article on the fiber optic issue appears here, but the main points are…

Edmonds City Council directs staff to investigate possible PUD partnership

The Edmonds City Council Monday night authorized the city attorney and staff to investigate the potential cost-savings involved in partnering with the Snohomish County Public Utility District as it begins installing fiber optic cable in parts of Edmonds. Snohomish County PUD is already planning to install its own cable in certain neighborhoods, such as Westgate…

Citizen Harry: What all this talk about fiber optics really means for Edmonds

Recently, Edmonds City Councilmember Michael Plunkett asked me if I would be interested in joining the Citizens Technology Advisory Committee (CTAC), and I jumped at the chance. This committee was formed several years ago; its purpose is to advise city leaders on the best use of a fiber-optic cable that was given to the City…

Voters will face $40-per-vehicle fee hike to fund road, sidewalk projects

The Edmonds City Council on Tuesday night decided by a 4-3 vote to place a proposal on the November general election ballot that would fund 37 separate city traffic safety, congestion and pedestrian improvements — using a $40-per-vehicle increase in licensing fees assessed to Edmonds residents. The proposal to place the measure on the ballot,…

Citizen Harry: The Levy Committee, Meeting 1

Edmonds resident Harry Gatjens is providing regular reports to My Edmonds News on the workings of the 2010 Citizens Levy Committee. You can also read his story chronicling his recent quest for the vacant Edmonds City Council seat here. July 28: Meeting One The City Council of Edmonds has established a citizens committee to look…

City Council appoints Mike Cooper to be Edmonds’ new mayor

Current Snohomish County Councilmember Mike Cooper was appointed Mayor of Edmonds Tuesday night, and he said he will immediately resign from his County Council seat so that he can officially take the job. A former City of of Shoreline firefighter who also served two terms representing Edmonds in the state Legislature, Cooper said  he is…

Mayor vs. city manager: A recap of how we got here and what’s next

On Tuesday, the Edmonds City Council will hold a public hearing — and possibly take action — on Councilmember Michael Plunkett’s idea to place before voters a proposal that would change Edmonds from a mayor-led to a city manager-led form of government. Given all of the recent government turnover — including the appointment of two…