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Edmonds council shifts meeting start to 6 p.m. and adopts new committee structure
Summary
Council President Tibbitt's proposal to change regular meeting start times, establish two three‑member committees and a Committee of the Whole passed after debate about public access and implementation details; council approved the primary code amendments 6–1.
The Edmonds City Council voted on Jan. 14 to change its regular meeting start time and to adopt a new committee structure intended to improve staff coordination and allow broader council engagement with cross‑departmental matters.
What changed
- Regular council meetings: start time moved to 6 p.m. with an adjournment target of 9 p.m.; council seating assignments would rotate monthly under the proposal. (The council approved the change 6–1.) - Committees: the council established two three‑member, non‑department‑specific committees (Committee A and Committee B) that will meet virtually at 3 p.m. on the first and third Tuesdays of the month. The council president will serve ex officio on both committees (non‑voting) and fill chair duties as required. - Committee of the Whole: the council created a Committee of the Whole (seven members) to meet virtually on the third Tuesday from 6‑9 p.m. for presentations and discussion; the Committee of the Whole will not take final action but will recommend items either to consent or a full council agenda. - Election day practice: council codified rescheduling meetings that fall on primary/general or other special election days to the day prior.
Council debate and public access concerns
Some council members and at least one resident urged retention of the 7 p.m. start to preserve access for working residents; others supported a trial of the 6 p.m. start and noted virtual participation options. An amendment proposing that the council president not be required to change seating assignments failed; a separate amendment to move committee start times to 3 p.m. passed, as did the establishment of Committee of the Whole rules (including a failed amendment to add Committee‑of‑the‑Whole public comment).
Why it matters: the reorganization aims to reduce staff siloing, allow the full council to hear larger presentations in a study‑session format, and create more predictable committee scheduling for frequent, department‑spanning items.
Next steps: the council directed the city attorney to draft ordinance language updating ECC 1.04 to reflect the new schedule and committee rules.
