Edmonds

No response from the City of Edmonds Code Enforcement Official Mike Thies. I think I'll send him an email on Monday to set-up an appointment to discuss my complaint.

I have asked the City of Edmonds for Hearing Examiner Reports for: Ord. 3729 - Street Vacation between the 700 Block of 8th and 9th Aves. N. and North of Daley Street. Council purchase of easement Old Milltown Courtyard Council purchase of land from Edmonds School District - Old Woodway Elementary School Council purcahse of land on Main Street, East of 9th Ave.

Effect Of Plan A. Private Projects. All private projects requiring city review and approval shall be consistent with the Comprehensive Plan. B. Public Projects. No street, park or other public way, ground, place, space, or public building or structure, or utility [whether publicly or privately owned] shall be abandoned, constructed or authorized until the Hearing Examiner has reviewed and reported to the City Council on the location, extent and consistency with the Comprehensive Plan. The Hearing Examiner's report shall be advisory only. Notice of the hearing by the Hearing Examiner shall be given in the manner specified in each case by the City Council. C. Street Vacations and Dedications. The Comprehensive Plan shall be consulted as a preliminary to the establishment, improvement, abandonment, or vacation of any street, and no dedication of any street or other area for public use shall be accepted by the city council until the location, character, extent, and effect thereof shall

Chapter 10.35HEARING EXAMINER Sections: 10.35.010 Office of hearing examiner. 10.35.010 Office of hearing examiner. A. Appointment. There is created the office of the hearing examiner. The hearing examiner shall be appointed by the mayor and confirmed by the city council for a term of four years. The first year of the term will be probationary during which year he or she will serve subject to the approval of the mayor. During the balance of the four-year term the hearing examiner may be removed only for good cause. B. Temporary Appointment. The mayor shall appoint a temporary hearing examiner to serve whenever the hearing examiner informs the mayor that he or she cannot serve. C. Conflict of Interest. The hearing examiner may hold no other position in the city government of Edmonds or be an employee of or contractor for any person under contract to the city of Edmonds. The hearing examiner shall comply with the requirements of Chapter 1.14 ECC, Public Official Disclosure. D. Freedom

Let's follow the code enforcement process. (CLICK ON PICTURE)

(Click on title for complete letter) Note: Letter date 10/19/2009 - Received by the City 10/20/2009 - I didn't see this letter until this morning. The letter states "ESC Associates plans to refile the rezone application shortly". Building Heights is a current issue!

Edmonds Beacon 10/15/2009 STROM PETERSON responds , (“What is truly spooky is the attempt to TRICK Edmonds citizens into becoming zombie voters by telling ghost stories. The TREAT is that Edmonds residents are too smart to fall for these tall tales.”) STROM PETERSON blatantly ignores the truth. (His fear-mongering Press Release has been deleted.) "Peterson agrees, saying, “Building heights is not the issue in downtown Edmonds. Having vacant storefronts is the issue. Edmonds is known and treasured for its character, and I have always expressed my commitment to maintaining Edmonds small-town charm.” Building heights in the Downtown is a CURRENT ISSUE. Two examples: 523 Alder St and 190 Sunset Ave S . Click on the addresses for detailed information. First address is a 35ft tall single family residence. Second address is the Old Safeway/Antique Mall property, west of the Ferry loading lanes. In previous campaigns, Mr Peterson accepted thousands of dollars from Albert Dykes and ESC As

Be sure to check it out - link on the left

Edmonds City Council Position 2 - Diane Buckshnis - former bank regulator (This one is a no brainer because she running against a Cheesemonger.) Edmonds City Council Position 1 - Michael Plunkett (Michael knows the issues having been around 30 years and sides with the citizens first.) Edmonds City Council Position 3 - Lora Petso (A lawyer with a degree in Economics, Lora is one smart cookie always protecting taxpayers wallet.)

It's so refreshing. Do you remember that Paul McCartney song "Let em in"? Someones knockin at the door Somebodys ringin the bell Someones knockin at the door Somebodys ringin the bell Do me a favor, Open the door and let em in Sister suzie, brother john, Martin luther, phil and don, Brother michael, auntie gin, Open the door and let em in. http://www.orvisblog.blogspot.com/ I can't get the song out of my head! Don't Bother Knock'en DJ Wilson Strom Peterson Ron Wamblot Peggy Olson Welcome - Come on in! Steve Bernheim Michael Plunkett Dave Orvis (Candidates) Diane Buckshnis Adrienne Fraley-Monillas Lora Petso Hiding in the Basement Priya Cloutier

It doesn't take a CPA degree to realize the City of Edmonds is fiscally challenged. Even the Mayor, who is not a CPA, describes the current financial state as " cash strapped ". The Mayor's 2009-2010 Budget presentation to the Council blamed Tim Eyman for the City's current financial predicament. The Mayor's Fire District 1 Contract proposal presentation to the citizens and council contains a material misstatement of fact . Slide 11, Cost from a contract, Fire District One is offering a contract for 2010 that will cost $6.2 million. This figure is from Exhibit A, Fire District Cost Model which excludes the EMS Transport Fees estimated at $700,000 in the 2009 Budget. The Budget figure amount is based on 50% collectible of the billed rates plus mileage charge. My calculation using the 2007 Edmonds Fire Department Annual Statistics Report conservatively found the billed amount at $1.4 Million. Material Misstatement The cost to Edmonds taxpayers would be some

This is DJ Wilson's mantra. Last night, the Edmonds City Council met with Fire District 1 Commissioners to discuss the proposed Fire Service Contract and sale of the Edmonds Fire Department. There were two issues that struck me in their discussion: 1.) The Edmonds City Council is not concerned about the Level of Service Fire District 1 will provide the Edmonds taxpayers. 2.) Edmonds City Council President DJ Wilson said the District has 27 Million in unrestricted and unreserved tax dollars, while the city has a 7 Million deficit. On the Level of Service subject, State law requires all public providers of Fire and Emergency Services to set measurable performance standards and goals. RCW 35.103 and 52.33, City and Towns and Fire Districts. As I heard several councilmembers publicly state their lack of concern about the level of service the District would provide, I wondered If they knew about these required reports. I don't think so! The Mayor has provided very little information

The following financial information was obtained from the city's website and financial reports: Comparison of Ending & Beginning Cash Balances for the General Fund #001 2004-2009 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report/ Final Budget /Variance 2004 Ending $5,727,099 2005 Beginning $3,461,927 $2,265,172 2005 Ending $6,055,094 2006 Beginning $3,273,822 $2,781,272 2006 Ending $6,161,803 2007 Beginning $3,551,328 $2,610,475 2007 Ending $5,810,379 2008 Beginning $2,207,263 $3,603,116 2008 Ending $3,260,920 2009 Beginning $977,951 $2,282,969 The ending cash and cash equivalents is found in the Comprehensive Annual Financial Report Profit and Loss figure less the Emergency Reserve Fund $1,927,600.

PUBLISHED BECAUSE THE CITY REMOVED THIS PRESS RELEASE FROM THE CITY'S WEBSITE On October 6th, The Edmonds Interim Financial Director announced the existence of a City Council Contingency Fund in the amount of $93,000. The money currently is hidden and comingled in the City's General Fund. Funny thing - not one council member knew that this existed back in March when Mayor Haakenson announced these budget cuts. Press Release City of Edmonds Mayor Gary Haakenson March 13, 2009 For Immediate Release To: Edmonds City Council The Edmonds Beacon editor@edmondsbeacon.com The Edmonds Enterprise edmonds@heraldnet.com The Everett Herald newstips@heraldnet.com Contact: Mayor Gary Haakenson425.771.0247 Mayor makes service cuts to city budget(Edmonds - WA) Mayor Gary Haakenson has announced the following service cuts to the City of Edmonds’ budget that will be implemented immediately.Since the approval of the 2009-10 budget in November of 2008, the City’s sales tax revenues have dropped d

BOO! With Halloween fast approaching, the word spooky comes to mind. These are genuinely spooky times. Two frightening proposals are before the City of Edmonds, the sale of our Fire Department to Fire District 1 and a Contract Rezone to allow for 75 ft tall buildings on our waterfront. Prior to completing the public hearing process, Edmonds City Councilman Strom Peterson has publicly endorsed the sale of our fire department and the give away of $700,000 to $1.4 Million taxpayer dollars yearly to Fire District without contract credit. Despite his claims to the contrary, Strom Peterson favors taller buildings in the downtown, a well-documented fact in City Council and Planning Board Meeting Minutes. Come November the citizens of Edmonds can put these scary thoughts behind us by electing Diane Buckshnis to the Edmonds City Council. Diane will bring financial experience to the Council. Unlike her opponent, Diane will not only listen to, but will welcome citizen comment and participation. P

From studying the City of Edmonds Budget and looking at surrounding City Fire Departments, it costs approximately 2 Million Dollars to operate a Fire Station. Edmonds has 3 Fire Stations equaling 6 Million Dollars. Fire Station 20 located in Esperance (outside City of Edmonds boundary limits) serves unincorporated county and the Town of Woodway . Increase fire service contracts to match the cost of providing fire and ems service to these two jurisdictions 1.6 Million or close Fire Station 20 for a 2 Million savings. 6 Million Less 1 Million Fire District interlocal agreement, less 600,000 for the Woodway Fire Service interlocal agreement. Propose a 4.4 Million Contract with the Fire District 1. Keep our Fire Stations, Fire Equipment assets and the EMS Transport Fee tax revenue! Revenue: EMS Levy 3.9 Million EMS Transport Fees 1 Million Bond Revenue $270,000 Wow - Edmonds realizes a profit to use for the Fire Station maintenance and future upgrading Fire equipment. Reasoning: Sin

Mayor Haakenson says the EMS Transport Fees (city's bill, if the paramedics take you to a hospital) go with the sale of the Fire Stations. Mayor's reasoning is that Mountlake Terrace didn't sell their Fire Station. Edmonds is selling 3 Fire Stations therefore the EMS transport fees go with stations. Huh? What does this mean? Edmonds taxpayers will continue to pay for the purchase of these public assets for as long as the term of the contract. Currently Edmonds Property owners are paying a Public Safety Levy .12 per thousand property valuation, amounting to $840,000 per year to pay the bonds for fire station 17 and the public safety building. This tax will continue along with the EMS Transport Fees. According to the September 1, 2009 Meeting Minutes , Fire District 1 is considering the option of floating bonds to be used for the 8 million dollar purchase and using Edmonds EMS Transport Fees to pay for the new public debt. This means Edmonds taxpayers will be paying th

Last Friday, my email box was cluttered with a unsolicited spam message from Council Candidate Cloutier. Ms Cloutier used the very same email service that Councilman DJ Wilson uses to communicate Constant Contact, a permission-based email service, meaning "people who have asked to receive your message". I have never asked, nor do I desire to learn what is on Ms. Cloutier's simple mind. Here is Ms. Cloutier's evasive and unresponsive answers to my questions as to how she obtained my email address. If you too received this unsolicited email without permission forward it along with a complaint and objection to abuse@constantcontact.com . THE EMAILS Ms. Tupper: It is not that I being uncooperative, it is just that you are not getting the answer you want. I can only tell you what I know. I encourage you to make the contact with Mr. Nault. I hope that he can help you find an answer that will satisfy you. Best of the Evening, Priya On Sat, Sep 19, 2009 at 7:26 PM, F

Edmonds Voters can't go wrong! Latest News - The Snohomish County Elections conducted the manual recount of the City of Edmonds Council Position 3 race on Friday, September 11, 2009 at the Bethany Tabulation Center located at 1818 Pacific Avenue, Everett. Results have been released and will remain unofficial until certified by the Snohomish County Canvassing Board on Tuesday, September 15, 2009 at 11:00am. Follow this link for the unofficial results . Thank you, Councilman Ron Wambolt for your four years of service to our community!

Well, the weather seems to be signaling that Autumn is approaching, but no need to fret ... there’s lots going on in Edmonds that might interest you. So here’s an update from your friendly, neighborhood, Precinct Committee Officer ... and Edmonds advocate. · The Edmonds City Council Primary results are in... well, sort of... Diane Buckshnis ( http://www.dianebuckshnis.com/ ) won the primary for Edmonds City Council Position 2. And she received more votes than any city council candidate participating in the primary. That makes her one for one in Edmonds elections. Her opponent in the upcoming general election, Strom Peterson –the appointed incumbent–, is zero for three in Edmonds elections. No doubt a close general election is anticipated, but the results indicate Diane effectively communicated her issue-based, Community-focused message and that it is being well-received. As Diane says, “When elected, I intend to advocate for the ENTIRE Edmonds Community because, I believe, Community In

The 2009-2010 Edmonds City Final Budget $7,9372.337. Proposed Fire District One Contract $7,902,183. savings $70,154 THE MAYOR IS GIVING AWAY THE EDMONDS EMS TRANSPORT FEE OVER $700,000 Extra Expense to Edmonds $629,846

To the Edmonds Mayor, your presentation is an illogical analysis of the current and future revenue and expense compared to existing budget and the Fire District 1 proposal to provide fire and EMS services. Needless to say, the cost savings are an exaggeration. The Mayor and Interim Finance Director have manipulated the numbers to present a more favorable result to the council and public. THE PROBLEM WITH THE MAYOR’S PRESENTATION IS BOTH A PROJECTED REVENUE AND A PROJECTED EXPENSE ARE PROBLEMATIC! The first discrepancy found in the Mayor’s presentation is the EMS transport fee to the tune of $700,000. This revenue figure appears in the Comparison of City Operated Fire Department -vs.- Contracting for Services and then the tax revenue magically disappears from the Fire and EMS Contract Services with Fire District 1 spreadsheet. Nowhere in the Mayor’s PowerPoint presentation does he reveal the EMS Transport Fee revenue disappears from the City’s revenue and does not appear in the Fire Di

May 31, 2009 Dear City Councilmembers: On Tuesday, June 2, I will be unable to attend the council meeting and public hearing on the water rates and storm water rates and utility tax increases. Therefore, please accept this email as my public comments regarding the proposed rate and tax increase for the Edmonds water and storm water utilities. While the increase in rates may be justifiable, the City’s notice and announcement of this public hearing was inadequate. The hearing notice failed to advise the public of two important things; how much of a proposed increase and why the action is necessary. Especially, since just six months ago, the utility taxes were increased. A reasonable person could assume another increase is unwarranted. Furthermore, in order to increase the rates and taxes the City must demonstrate to the ratepayers that the increases are required to recover increased costs of administrating, regulating and providing the service. The staff agenda memo and exhibits do not p

Ordinance 3709 Utility Tax increases passed 11/19/2008 Cable TV 5% consumer - 6% Business Tax Sewer 10% Water 10% Strom Water 10% Ordinance 3618 12/27/2007 Natural Gas 6% Consumer 6% Business Tax Telephone 6% Cable 6% Consumer 3% Business Tax Water 6% Storm Water 6%

I dedicate this song to Mayor (aka Captain) Haakenson and the Councilmembers that vote to raise the Water and Utility city tax. Went to see the captain, strangest I could find, Laid my proposition down, laid it on the line. I won't slave for beggar's pay, likewise gold and jewels, But I would slave to learn the way to sink your ship of fools. Ship of fools on a cruel sea, ship of fools sail away from me.It was later than I thought when I first believed you, Now I cannot share your laughter, ship of fools. Saw your first ship sink and drown, from rockin' of the boat, And all that could not sink or swim was just left there to float. I won't leave you drifting down, but woh it makes me wild, With thirty years upon my head to have you call me child. Ship of fools on a cruel sea, ship of fools sail away from me. It was later than I thought when I first believed you, Now I cannot share your laughter, ship of fools. The bottles stand as empty, as they were filled before. Tim

Do you think this is an informative announcement? Does it say, how much and why the tax increases are needed? HEARING NOTICE EDMONDS CITY COUNCIL THE FOLLOWING PUBLIC HEARING HAS BEEN SCHEDULED ON TUESDAY, JUNE 2, 2009: PUBLIC HEARING ON A UTILITY RATE AND WATER TAX INCREASE The City Council meeting will begin at 7:00 p.m. at the Council Chambers, Public Safety Complex, 250 5th Avenue North, Edmonds, Washington. At the time and place stated above, all interested parties will be heard; however, there will be a time restriction for oral comment. Written comments are welcomed prior to or at the Public Hearing. If the item is continued to another date because it is not completed, or further information is needed, the date of the continuation will be announced only at the meeting. Additional information may be obtained from the City Clerk’s Office: (425) 771-0245. ____________________________ Sandra S. Chase, CMC Edmonds City Clerk Posted: May 15, 2009 Published: May 17, 2009

For more information: Diane Buckshnis 425 672 5119 votediane@comcast.net FORMER BANKER AND BANKING REGULATOR OPPOSES APPOINTED CITY COUNCIL MEMBER FOR POSITION #2 Diane Buckshnis, former banker and banking regulator, announced her candidacy for Edmonds City Council to a group of over 40 Edmonds residents, hosted by Brian and Betty Larman. After the break-up of the Soviet Union, Buckshnis worked in Lithuania, with American and European consortiums and effectively assisted in rebuilding its regulatory and banking system. She also served as a federal bank regulator, including investigating and cleaning up the (Keating) Savings and Loan debacle. According to the Larmans’ “Diane’s past experience in financial management, budgeting and gover

Looks like the pool will open this summer! What an unbelievable funding raising effort done by the Save Yost Pool group. In such a short amount of time, the group raised over $54,000, half the amount needed to cover the cost of the pool operation. The Mayor has raised the user fees to cover the other half of operational expenses. Now, let's work on the Senior Center budget cut for 2010. The South Snohomish County Senior Center provides much needed and valued service to our community. The measly $60,000 contribution from the City should not be taken away from this nonprofit organization.

From: Richard I. Senderoff, Ph.D. Precinct Committee Officer (Elected): Edmonds 34 21st Legislative District, 1st Congressional District I hope you’re enjoying the Easter and Passover holidays!- I know... it’s raining... but that never stops us in Edmonds- does it? Still, there’s much happening that could have more significant consequences (than the rain) that I thought might interest you... So here’s some news you can use! · Did you know Diane Buckshnis is running for City Council? Please check out her web site that provides an overview of her background, perspectives, and community involvement making her –in my opinion– an excellent candidate for Edmonds City Council... http://dianebuckshnis.com/default.aspx . Don’t you think her banker and bank regulator experience, in particular, will allow her to make valuable contributions to Edmonds city government? If she could help clean up the S&L (Keating 5) debacle and, also, assist establishing the Lithuanian banking system during post

The Everett Herald article "No more free ambulance rides" is not accurate. The 1/1/2009 - 3/31/2009 Budget Report is available and shows no income for the EMS Transport Fee. Ordinance 3706, Emergency Medical Services Transport Fees passed on November 18, 2008 and became effective on January 1, 2009. On December 16, 2008, the City Council authorized the Mayor to sign a contract with Systems Design Northwest to bill for the EMS Transport Fee. Why has the City not realized any of this income?

Will Yost Pool open this summer? NO , the Pool will not open according to Council President D.J. Wilson. 1. Council President Wilson told the Levy Committee the Mayor's Program Budget Cuts will not be considered or changed by the group of citizens. 2. At the March 24th, Council Meeting Council President Wilson introduced the Mayor and the Agenda Item on the Budget Cuts. In his introduction, Wilson clearly stated the decision was made and Yost Pool would not be opened this year. 3. Now on the King 5 Evening News, Council President Wilson has raised the bar for a citizens group made up of Pool users in their Herculean effort to raise private donations. The Mayor advised the pool group, the city would need $30,000. Wilson has notified a new extraordinary figure of $120,000 needed to open Yost Pool. Council President Wilson is talking out of both sides of this mouth and at the same time thwarting the public initiative to keep Yost Pool open for our citizens. As citizens, we can be appr

In 2003, the Edmonds City Council created the Parks Trust Fund for the purpose of receiving tax deductible donations for the maintenance and continuation of the Flower Program, Beach Rangers and Yost Pool. The City Code states; 3.16.010 Parks trust fund. The administrative services director is hereby authorized to create and number a new fund to be known as the parks trust fund for the purpose of receiving donations from the city's citizens for, or in aid of, the cost of operating, maintaining and improving the city's parks and other related beautification, aquatic, and environmental protection programs such as the city's flower program, the Beach Ranger program and the Yost Pool. This fund is created and shall be maintained to the end that such donations shall be fully tax deductible and in accordance with the laws of the United States and the regulations of the Internal Revenue Service. [Ord. 3466 § 1, 2003]. 3.16.020 Administration of the fund. The council shall endea

This article, "In Hard Times, Public Places are More Important Than Ever" (click on title for complete article) a common sense and historical approach to what government should be doing for it's citizens in "hard times". Look around Edmonds at some of the great public spaces developed and given to the City in past hard times. The Edmonds Center for Arts was built in the middle of the depression 1939 with Public Works Administration financial assistance. The Edmonds Historical Museum was a Carnegie donation in 1910 and another downtime in our national economy. Now is the time for the City to provide recreational opportunties for the citizens not close them.

Quote from the 2009-2010 Mayor's Budget message, "As I look to the future, it is clear to me that we will not be able to operate with the number of employees that we have even today. We must become dependent on technology to lead us into the future. Computers don’t require cost of living increases or ever increasing health benefit packages. We need to allow for Edmonds residents to do all their business with the city online. Receive and pay their utility bills online, file building permits and pay for them online, obtain city licenses online as well as what we already do online with giving our citizens the ability to select and pay for recreation classes online and be able to do all their correspondence with city employees online. Our website is sorely lacking in customer service capabilities and it needs upgrading to facilitate becoming the interface between citizens and city employees. In order to make that happen in the future, I have added 3 positions to our IT department

This article " Crisis as Opportunity " (click on title for link) makes some very salient points about the current opportunity and how the crisis, if handled properly, can have a very positive outcome on the future of our community. The very first paragraph, government is in trouble, less money for our youth and seniors. My oh My, the Mayor is not willing to even consider across the board budget cuts, nor look at the current budget for genuine waste and opportunities for savings. Everyone including Youth and Seniors should accept reductions but not at a 100% level. Ask the Mayor, if the staff does all the work, why do we need you? Ask him to take a 100% pay cut. It's draconian to cut off the youth and seniors in community with a simple stroke of the pen, same with the Mayor's salary. The sharp point and underlying message of the Mayor's Press Release is "Forget the Past and Give up on the Future." The Seniors who have long contributed to our community d

Dear D.J., If you get a chance, I would appreciate your sharing the attached PowerPoint with the Citizens Committee. This information provides evidence, beyond any reasonable doubt, that the City of Edmonds has been providing Fire and Emergency Medical Services for less than the cost of service to the unincorporated Esperance and Fire District No. 1. I'm hoping the group will truly look to Budget before focusing on just the taxpayer's pocketbook. The question I ask you; Is the newly created EMS Transport fee required for the subsidization of the two interlocal agreements with Esperance and Woodway ? The council, mayor and staff have not done proper due diligence of the current and passed city financial decisions to start requesting more and new taxes from the citizens. Fire District No. 1 collects tax revenue 1 million City of Edmonds charges 300,000 for service. City of Edmonds makes annual payment for Station No. 10 to Fire District No. 1 65,000. City of Ed

Press Release City of Edmonds Mayor Gary Haakenson March 13, 2009 For Immediate Release To: Edmonds City Council The Edmonds Beacon editor@edmondsbeacon.com The Edmonds Enterprise edmonds@heraldnet.com The Everett Herald newstips@heraldnet.com Contact: Mayor Gary Haakenson 425.771.0247 Mayor makes service cuts to city budget (Edmonds - WA) Mayor Gary Haakenson has announced the following service cuts to the City of Edmonds’ budget that will be implemented immediately. Since the approval of the 2009-10 budget in November of 2008, the City’s sales tax revenues have dropped dramatically. Consequently, we have adjusted our estimates for the balance of 2009 and all of 2010. With this reduction in revenues, our ending cash balance is in danger of dipping into negative territory, so we can’t wait until after the proposed November 2009 ballot measure to make service cuts. The cuts must begin immediately. This is the first of several budget cuts that will be implemented in the next 60 days. Unf