Edmonds

Really, I want to thank all of you that have called and emailed me offering your support and encouragement in my efforts to preserve Edmonds and trim the sails of the wayward ship, Edmonds City government. Since my blog post and last weeks Council Meeting, the response and support is overwhelming. If you left a voice mail message and I haven't returned your call, please accept my apology. Keep the Dirt coming by calling (425) 778-9465 or emailing me finistupper@hotmail.com . Even though my Just Dirt file is filling up it's one of the necessary components to grow flowers. I'm just amazed at the number who have stepped up to say the injustice must stop. Thanks for reading my blog and for your many kind thoughts and recommendations. The concern and kindness you have shown and displayed to me and my family is most appreciated. As always, I'm here to assist you too! Finis

CLAIM: At January 19, City Council Meeting the City Attorney claimed the city refunds the Appeal Fee to a prevailing appellant. TRUTH: The City of Edmonds does not always refund a successful appellant as the citizen claimed at the Council meeting AND SCOTT SNYDER REBUTTED. In the following matter, the staff changed the type of hearing midstream by renaming an appeal to some unknown and uncodified type of hearing not found in the City Code and referred to as an Exception Hearing. Then the staff denies the Appellants request for refund of Appeal Fee saying only successful appeals to the City Council are refunded. Here's the letter from Public Works Director Noel Miller to the Appellant denying refund of the Appeal Fee. File number APL 20090003. APL is an abbreviation of the word appeal. On the bottom of the page, below Mr. Miller's signature (JZL744973.DOC/00006.900000/). JZL stands for J. Zachary Lell an Attorney with Ogden, Murphy Wallace Law Firm . https://permits.edmonds

Code Enforcement Frequently Asked Questions How do I request code enforcement action or file a suspected violation complaint with the City? In emergency situations involving activities which must be stopped immediately to prevent irreparable harm, please contact Development Services during office hours or the police (911). On evenings, weekends, and holidays dial 911. Non-emergency complaints must be submitted in writing. The complaint must be signed and include the following: The address and telephone number of the person making the complaint. A clear description of the nature of the alleged violation. Location of the alleged violation and name of the alleged violator (if known). Any other pertinent information. To initiate a non-emergency investigation a "Request for Code Enforcement Action" (RCE) form should be completed. The form is available on-line and at City Hall. It can also be emailed, mailed or faxed to you. Although the form is not required, the RCE form will help

Edmonds is a great place to live, work and play. For over 30 years, my family has resided in downtown Edmonds. For many years I've been involved in City government and the administration of the Edmonds Community Development Code and Comprehensive Plan. Last week, I was sadden to learn of John LaTourelle passing. John was the City Consultant that wrote the original Comprehensive Plan Chapter 15 of Edmonds Community Development Code. Of course, John had a lot of assistance from a truly dedicated group of citizens, who provided important input. Most of their work has endured and preserved the Edmonds quality of life. Edmonds "The Gem on Puget Sound" is a true statement. The Edmonds' quality of life could be even better though, but for City Attorney W. Scott Snyder and the Ogden Murphy Wallace Law Firm butchering the city codes and Comprehensive Plan. Last weeks, Council meeting was a classic example of his poor work product and his dereliction of duty to the citizens and

This morning I realized that I relied on the Code Section cited on City form. What a silly mistake. There is an old saying always verify any information you get. Especially when it's the work of Scott Snyder and Odgen Murphy Wallace. It's the old saying "you get what you pay for" From: Thies, Mike [mailto:thies@ci.edmonds.wa.us] Sent: Thursday, January 21, 2010 9:16 AMTo: Finis TupperSubject: RE: Code Enforcement Form I don’t recall exactly. Whenever it was brought to my attention that the particular code had been revised. I believe in early 2009. -----Original Message-----From: Finis Tupper [mailto:finistupper@comcast.net] Sent: Thursday, January 21, 2010 9:05 AMTo: Thies, MikeSubject: RE: Code Enforcement Form When was it updated? From: Thies, Mike [mailto:thies@ci.edmonds.wa.us] Sent: Thursday, January 21, 2010 8:54 AMTo: Finis TupperCc: Grant WeedSubject: RE: Code Enforcement Form Apparently, you must have the old form. Please find the updated form attached. --

Claim: Comprehensive Plan is not self-executing. ECDC needs implementation language for compliance with the Comprehensive Plan. Truth: Effect of Plan section of the Comprehensive Plan clearly states the requirement for the Hearing Examiner advisory opinion of compliance prior to Council decision in 1.) Street Vacations and Dedications and 2.) Public Projects. Furthermore, ECDC 20.70.080 Staff Report preparation (A) (3) states the staff shall conduct, “An analysis of the requested vacation in relation to the provisions of this chapter and the applicable provisions of the comprehensive plan…” Which document is it, The Comprehensive Plan or Edmonds Community Development Code that the staff fails to comprehend. The City Attorney advises the City Council the ECDC requires new language and legal services to straighten out the wordsmith quagmire of his own execution. For many Years, Ogden Murphy Wallace Law Firm has represented the city. The City Attorney should know the code forwards and bac

Have you never email the City and been ignored? I would like to hear from you. Which city official ignored you and the circumstances. You may comment on the blog anonymously or email me. Thanks.

PLEASE READ THESE EMAILS IN REVERSE ORDER. Mr. Tupper, Your inquiries are being forwarded to Grant Weed for response. Sincerely, Mike Thies -----Original Message-----From: Finis Tupper [mailto:finistupper@comcast.net] Sent: Friday, January 15, 2010 8:10 AMTo: Thies, MikeCc: Haakenson, Gary; 'Stephen A. Bernheim'; daveandmarthaorvis@gmail.com; Wilson, DJSubject: RE: Email Followup Dear Mr. Thies: Please be more specific. Are you denying me the opportunity to meet with you to discuss your actions prior to the matter being referred to Weed, Graafstra and Benson? It is very clear to me you choose to ignore my email of January 8th requesting an appointment. What City Policy or Official Direction did you rely on to determine no need for response? Or do you make it a habit to ignore citizen requests? Thank you, Finis From: Thies, Mike [mailto:thies@ci.edmonds.wa.us] Sent: Friday, January 15, 2010 7:43 AMTo: Finis TupperCc: Haakenson, Gary; Stephen A. Bernheim; daveandmarthaorvis@gmai

My email to the unqualified investigator of Code Violations. No response. But I will keep you all informed in the process. Dear Mr. Thies: At your convenience, please schedule an appointment time for us to discuss the efforts your office took to resolve my code enforcement request, faxed on December 9, 2009. My desire is for a better understanding of the actions you as the Code Enforcement Officer accomplished prior to the involvement of Attorney Grant Weed, Esq. Please contact me to arrange for a mutually convenient appointment time. Thank you. Finis Tupper

Mr. Tupper, As you know, our office has been requested to assist with review and response to your request for code enforcement action received by the City on December 9, 2009. Your request alleges that the City failed to follow the Growth Management Act and Edmonds Comprehensive Plan regulations when it purchased and developed certain property. Because the request appears to center on issues concerning State law (the GMA) and the City's Comprehensive Plan, legal review is necessary in order to respond. Review of this nature is generally outside of the expertise of a code enforcement officer. Because there is some history relating to this matter we will need some time to investigate, obtain relevant documents, and research the law. Following our review we will provide you with a written response to the complaint. I do have one question for you. Is there a specific section of City code that you allege has been violated? If so, what section? Sincerely, Grant Weed Weed, Graafstra &

Mr. Tupper, Your inquiry has been forwarded to conflict council, Weed, Graafstra and Benson. Mr. Weed will be responding once additional information is gathered. Sincerely, Mike Thies (Edmonds Code Enforcement Officer)

Still waiting for a response from the Mike Thies, Edmonds Code Enforcement.