2024-03-20 Economic Development Commission Packet'nc. 1 Rye
AGENDA
Edmonds Economic Development Commission
Wednesday, March 20, 2024
6PM — 8PM
HYBRID MEETING
The Economic Development Commission members will be meeting in person and/or remotely for this meeting. The
public may join at the physical location or join through zoom.
PHYSICAL LOCATION
Brackett Meeting Room, Edmonds City Hall — 31 Floor
12151 Ave N, Edmonds, WA 98020
REMOTE MEETING/ZOOM INFORMATION:
https:Hzoom.us/j/98696685791?pwd=RytOZj VuK3ZCNON4Q lRrMHZgSWpyQT09
Meeting ID: 986 9668 5791
Passcode: 901513
6:00 PM Call to Order
1. Roll Call and Recognition of Approved Absences
2. Approval ofAgenda
3. Approval of February 21, 2024 Meeting Summary
4. Audience Comments (3 minutes per person)
5. Discussion: Economic Development Goals and Measurements (30 min)
6. EDC Report to City Council (15 min)
7. Facilitated Discussion: EDC Effectiveness (45 min)
8. Liaison Updates
a. City Council — Councilmember Eck
b. Port of Edmonds — David Preston
c. Chamber of Commerce — Ryan Crowther
d. Planning Board - Vacant
9. Roundtable Discussion
10. Adjourn
Next Regular meeting: April 17, 2023, 6 PM
CITY OF EDMONDS
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION MEETING
February 21, 2024
COMMISSIONERS PRESENT:
LIAISONS PRESENT:
Allan Townsend
Chris Eck, Councilmember, ex-officio
Matt Cox
Vacant — Planning Board, ex-officio
Kevin Smith
Selena Killin, Port Commissioner, ex-officio
Jay Hoag
Ryan Crowther, Chamber, ex-officio
Nicole Hughes, Chair via Zoom
Darrol Haug
GUESTS:
Kevin Harris, Vice Chair
Angela Harris — Executive Director, Port of
Natalie Seitz
Edmonds
Nick Perrault
Susan McLaughlin, Director Planning and
Kate Nolan — Student Representative
Development via Zoom
COMMISSIONERS ABSENT: STAFF PRESENT:
none Todd Tatum, Director CS/ED via Zoom
LIAISONS ABSENT:
None
Economic Development Commission meeting called to order by Kevin Harris at 6:00 p.m.
Call to Order
1. Roll Call and Recognition of Approved Absences
2. Approval of Agenda: Commissioner Perrault moved to approve the agenda; Commissioner Hoag
seconded; motion passed.
3. Approval of January 17, 2024, Meeting Summary: Commissioner Cox moved to approve the meeting
summary; Commissioner Townsend seconded; motion passed.
4. Audience Comments: No Audience Comments
5. Introductions: Port Commissioner Killin will be taking over for Port Commissioner Dave Preston.
6. Presentation and Discussion with Port Executive Director seeking support for Federal Grant: Port
ED Harris presented an overview of a project at the Port of Edmonds focused on opening up the
waterfront and addressing aging infrastructure. As background, the commission learned about
current operations which includes public access, commercial rental property, marina operations and
environmental stewardship. The port is seeking a federal grant for the North port wall and seawall
reconstruction project. ED Harris discussed the case for support including aging port wall and seawall
which are expected to need replacement to maintain safety within the next 5 years. The Port has been
looking at multiple sources of funding including state and Federal options. One funding source the
Port is seeking is through the RISE (Rebuilding American Infrastructure through Sustainability and
DRAFT Meeting Summary
Economic Development Commission
February 21, 2024
Page 1
Equity) grant program. The application process has included support from local elected leaders,
Edmonds Marsh Estuary Advocates, City Council, neighboring elected leaders, state leaders and would
like to include a letter of support from the EDC. Commissioner Seitz expressed an interest in seeing
the Port include a wider impact including restoring waterways and streams that were cut off years
ago. Commissioner Haug moved to provide the letter of support. Commissioner Smith seconded;
motion passed.
7. Discussion: EDC Report to City Council: Commissioner Hughes reviewed the components of the draft
report to city council — scheduled for April 2, 2024. Commissioners will have one more opportunity to
review the report for the final time at the March meeting. Commissioners suggested including the
following:
a. Economic Development Goals
b. Revenue Generation Opportunities (Parking Structure)
c. Expanding Boundaries of Engagement with City Council
d. Focus on Collaboration
e. Consider Recruitment of Additional Representatives
f. Adding More Emphasis on Equity and Measures to Achieve
g. Include Commission Overview, Values, Principles
h. Weave in "asks" considerations in the beginning of the report, not the end
A draft of the report will be provided to the commission at least 1 week our next meeting.
8. Discussion: Economic Development Element of Comp Plan Goals and Measurements: Director
Tatum introduced the topic objective of getting the Economic Goals back in front of the EDC to
continue the discussion from the last round of feedback on goals. There have been 4 main goals
identified through the process and our next step in the process is to sort out whether those goals are
the appropriate goals going forward. The next step will be to talk about the process going forward
and start outlining the policy that will support the 4 different economic goals. Director McLaughlin
reviewed the overall strategies and how they are moving forward which included planning for growth,
methodology for growth targets, defining centers and hubs and defining concept options. Commission
discussion included an interest in including more language and goals around equity and social justice
concepts in our goals — especially in areas where the supporting policies include those concepts. The
group discussed the differences taking shape with the new goals — Director Tatum noted that the new
goals are intended to be more specific, substantive, and actionable. Specific feedback on draft
language included notes on the following:
a. Item A — unique identity should be "identities" underscoring that there is more than one
perspective on how residents and neighborhoods identify themselves.
b. Item B — clarify scale of what (bulk of buildings or scale of amenities to support the
neighborhood.
c. Item C — Economic vitality should focus more on economic well-being of the community.
d. Item D — Infrastructure investment needs to be included.
e. Parking goals and accommodation should be included in goals.
f. A request to review the Environmental Impact Statement at a future meeting.
The next steps for this work will include a review of the draft policies connected to these goals which
will start with the EDC Comp Plan Workgroup to do an initial review and extend to the next meeting
of the commission for discussion. Commissioners were asked to take on homework to develop
thoughts and perspectives on the draft policies between now and our next meeting. Director Tatum
will send an updated version of the draft goals and policies the following week.
DRAFT Meeting Summary
Economic Development Commission
February 21, 2024
Page 2
9. Commission Leadership Nominations: Commissioner Harris introduced the topic of selecting new
leadership for the Chair and Vice Chair roles. Commissioner Hughes nominated Matt Cox as Chair.
Commissioner Harris nominated Allan Townsend. Both commissioners accepted the nominations.
Commissioner Cox was selected as Chair by unanimous voice vote. Commissioner Townsend was
selected as Vice Chair by unanimous voice vote. The new Chair and Vice Chair will begin serving
starting with the April commission meeting.
10. Liaison Updates:
a. Chamber of Commerce (Ryan Crowther): Recently held annual meeting — the chamber
had 89 new members last year, ended the year at 450 members with a 93% member
retention rate. In general, it's been a great year with great events and hoping that next
year is just as good. Looking forward to Spring and Summer events — one event of note is
a community update at Salish Boathouse with the Boeing VP of Gov Affairs which will take
place on April 11.
b. Port of Edmonds (Selena Killin): Thanks for letter of support
c. City Council (Chris Eck): Recent Council retreat included discussion on updating the city's
emergency management plan, a discussion on financial recovery and a planning and
development update. The council is also considering a pilot for the redlight camera
program — more on that as it develops, the program could go a couple of different ways.
11. Roundtable Discussion: Roundtable notes included the following: congrats to Commissioners Cox and
Townsend, thanks for the Comp Plan presentation and thanks to the Port for the presentation.
Commissioners Smith and Hoag will retire their positions in March, if anyone has recommendations
for applicants for the open position, please share. School bond passed @55%. Individuals can join the
chamber: FYI. Suggest that we consider sending liaisons to Chamber, Port meetings to reciprocate.
12. Adjourn: 8:15 p.m.
Next meeting: March 20, 2024, 6 PM location Hybrid — Brackett Room & Zoom
DRAFT Meeting Summary
Economic Development Commission
February 21, 2024
Page 3
Attachment 1: Letter in Support of Grant for Port
February 27, 2024
The Honorable Pete Buttigieg
Secretary
U.S. Department of Transportation
1200 New Jersey Ave. SE
Washington, DC 20590
Dear Secretary Buttigieg:
We are writing to express our support for the Port of Edmonds' North Portwalk and Seawall
Reconstruction project application for the FY 2024 Rebuilding American Infrastructure with
Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) program. The Port of Edmonds is seeking RAISE funding to
urgently rehabilitate the Port's decaying seawall and Portwalk to ensure the safety and resiliency
of the Edmonds waterfront, and to ensure the Port can continue to serve the communities of
Edmonds and Woodway, Washington as a center of economic development and environmental
stewardship.
The current seawall and northern section of the Portwalk, a prominent section of the Edmonds
waterfront, is in a state of disrepair and has only an estimated five years remaining in its lifespan.
The Port's seawall not only protects local businesses and access to the Port's marina, which is
the only protected moorage in the 30-mile stretch between Seattle and Everett, but also protects a
key multimodal corridor connecting to Washington State Ferries' Edmonds terminal and state-
owned fishing pier. This critical infrastructure protects these public and private assets, along with
sections of State Route 104 and Burlington Northern Santa Fe's (BNSF) rail line from rising sea
levels, winter storms, tsunami, and other natural hazards. As such, the Port is seeking federal
funding to avert the devastating impacts on businesses, economic activity, and the environment
that the failure of the seawall would cause.
The Port of Edmonds' application meets the overarching goals of the RAISE program by
providing significant benefits to the Edmonds community, taking proactive measures that will
enhance the area's resiliency to natural hazards, provide greater access and mobility to the Port
through the improvement and repair of pedestrian walkways, and reinvigorate the Edmonds
waterfront. The project will also help attract more economic activity and community
connectivity for the Edmonds and Woodway communities through the creation of a new public
plaza.
We appreciate your full and fair consideration of the Port of Edmonds' application. Thank you
for your attention to this matter.
Sincerely,
Kevin Harris, Vice Chair
City of Edmonds Citizen's Economic Development Commission
DRAFT Meeting Summary
Economic Development Commission
February 21, 2024
Page 4