Council Meeting

Snohomish County Council Council Meeting Meeting Minutes Jared Mead, Council Chair Nate Nehring, Council Vice-Chair Councilmembers: Sam Low, Megan Dunn, Strom Peterson Thursday, June 15, 2023 2:30 PM Jackson Board Room Interviews/District Court Judge Vacancy (South Division) SPECIAL MEETING PRESENT: Council Chair Mead Vice-Chair Nehring Councilmember Low Councilmember Dunn Councilmember Peterson Heidi Beazizo, Chief of Staff Matthew Baldock, Candidate Michael Mohandeson, Candidate Jessica Ness, Candidate Neil Weiss, Candidate Debbie Eco, Clerk of the Council *See names below for names of people providing public comment 1. Call to Order Chair Mead called the Council to order at 2:30 p.m. and provided instructions for those wishing to provide public comment for both in-person and remote via Zoom. 2. Roll Call The clerk called the roll and stated that all five members were present. Page 1 of 4 Council Meeting Meeting Minutes June 15, 2023 3. Public Comment • Judge Goodwin, South District Court, spoke in support of Candidate Jessica Ness • Judge Beth Fraser, South District Court, spoke in support of Candidate Michael Mohandeson • Jennifer McIntyer, resident of the city of Kirkland, spoke in support of Michael Mohandeson • James Shemaria, resident of the city of Seattle, spoke in support of Michael Mohandeson • Steve Clough, resident of the city of Monroe and retired judge, spoke in support of Candidate Jessica Ness • Judge Anita Farris, Superior Court, provided supportive comments for Candidates Neil Weiss and Jessica Ness. She spoke in opposition of Candidate Matthew Baldock. • Lori Vonderburg, resident of the city of Shoreline, spoke in support of Candidate Matthew Baldock • Martha Saricino, resident of the city of Seattle and Snohomish County Deputy Prosecuting Attorney, spoke in support of Candidate Matthew Baldock • Jason Cummings, Snohomish County Prosecutor, spoke in support of Candidate Matthew Baldock • Bob Langbehn, Snohomish County Deputy Prosecuting Attorney, spoke in support of Candidate Matthew Baldock • Judge Mara Rozzano, Bothell Municipal Court, spoke in support of Candidate Jessica Ness • Megan Allen, spoke in support of Candidate Michael Mohandeson • Adam Cornell, resident of the city of Edmonds and former Snohomish County Prosecutor, spoke in support of Candidate Matthew Baldock • Don Raz, resident of the city of Seattle and King County Deputy Prosecuting Attorney, spoke in support of Michael Mohandeson There were no further persons wishing to provide public comment. 4. Council Interviews Candidates for District Court Judge Vacancy (South Division) Click on 2023-0617 link below for candidate information Heidi Beazizo, Chief of Staff, provided background information and explained how this position became vacant. She then explained the process for today’s interviews. Chair Mead and councilmembers introduced themselves. Councilmembers interviewed each of the following candidates separately for the South District Court Judge vacancy. Matthew Baldock Michael Mohandeson Jessica Ness Neil Weiss Page 2 of 4 Council Meeting Meeting Minutes June 15, 2023 EXECUTIVE SESSION Evaluate Qualifications of Candidate for Appointment of Elective Office Pursuant to RCW 42.30.110(1)(h) At 5:10 p.m., Heidi Beazizo, Chief of Staff, stated there is a need for an Executive Session to evaluate the qualifications of a candidate for an appointment to elective office, pursuant to RCW 42.30.110(1)(h) for an estimated duration of 15 minutes, with anticipated action to follow. PRESENT: Council Chair Mead Council Vice-Chair Nehring Councilmember Low Councilmember Dunn Councilmember Peterson Heidi Beazizo, Chief of Staff Bridget Casey, Prosecutor's Office Executive Session began at 5:11 p.m. for an initial 15 minutes to 5:26 p.m. At 5:26 p.m., the Chair extended the Executive Session five minutes to 5:31 p.m. At 5:31 p.m., the Chair extended the Executive Session five minutes to 5:36 p.m. At 5:36 p.m., the Chair extended the Executive Session three minutes to 5:39 p.m. At 5:39 p.m., the Chair extended the Executive Session four minutes to 5:43 p.m. The Executive Session ended at 5:40 p.m. Chair Mead called the Council back to order at 5:43 p.m. 5. Motion 23-232, making an appointment to the Snohomish County 2023-0617 District Court to fill a vacancy in the South Electoral District The clerk read the motion title into the record. ACTION: Vice-Chair Nehring made a motion to approve Motion 23-232. Councilmember Peterson seconded the motion. Councilmembers provided supportive comments, thanked candidates for participating in the process, and spoke about their top choices. ACTION: Vice-Chair Nehring made a motion to amend the motion to add Matthew Baldock’s name to Motion 23-232. Councilmember Low seconded the motion. Councilmember Peterson spoke to the motion and explained he would be supporting the amendment. The question was called for and the motion to approve the amendment carried four to one with Councilmember Dunn voting against. The question was called for on the main motion and Motion 23-232 as amended carried unanimously. Page 3 of 4 Council Meeting Meeting Minutes June 15, 2023 6. Adjourn There being no further business, Chair Mead adjourned the Council for the day at 5:55 p.m. Page 4 of 4