2024-03-20 Economic Development Commission MinutesCITY OF EDMONDS
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION MEETING
March 20, 2024
COMMISSIONERS PRESENT:
Allan Townsend
Matt Cox
Kevin Smith
Jay Hoag
Nicole Hughes, Chair via Zoom
Darrol Haug
Kevin Harris, Vice Chair
Natalie Seitz
Nick Perrault
COMMISSIONERS ABSENT:
Kate Nolan — Student Representative
LIAISONS PRESENT:
Vacant — Planning Board, ex-officio
David Preston, Port Commissioner, ex-officio
LIAISONS ABSENT:
Chris Eck, Councilmember, ex-officio
Ryan Crowther, Chamber, ex-officio
G U ESTS:
STAFF PRESENT:
Todd Tatum, Director CCED
Megan Luttrell, Program Coordinator CCED
Economic Development Commission meeting called to order by Nicole Hughes at 6:01 p.m.
Call to Order
1. Roll Call and Recognition of Approved Absences
2. Approval of Agenda: Allan points out that the next meeting date needs be updated on the agenda to
2024, with that change Jay moved to approve the agenda; Nick seconded; motion passes.
3. Approval of February 21, 2024, Meeting Summary: Kevin Smith moves to approve the meeting
summary; Allan seconded; motion passed.
4. Audience Comments: No Audience Comments
S. Discussion: Economic Development Goals and Measurements: Nicole explains the two documents
that have been provided to the group. Todd takes the group through the Comp Plan Update process
and where we're currently at. There is open discussion and time to include additional ideas in the
coming weeks as the process is still in the ideation phase. There will be a first draft presented in April,
and an update will be brought back in May. Nicole walks through the goals with the group.
"Neighborhood hub and centers" references the growth alternatives; "business districts" is a term
that was referenced in the previous Comp Plan but will be cleaned up as the process moves forward.
Natalie asks that the DEIA Commission review Goal C and assist with the language. Placemaking
focuses on the resident's experience and connectivity in the community; Destination Development
focuses on bringing people into the community.
Meeting Summary
Economic Development Commission
March 20, 2024
Page 1
As the Comp Plan Work Group has worked through the ideas the commission developed, they put the
ideas into buckets that fall under each goal. The full group reviewed all the goals and policy buckets,
provided suggestions, refined each list and language within the goals.
The Work Group will take Goal B to their next meeting and reword it to make it clearer.
Natalie suggests removing the "support business growth" out of Goal C.
Matt suggests adding "targeted infrastructure improvements" from Goal B to Goal C.
In Goal D, Kevin Smith suggests adding "proactive" permitting to the language. Due to the current
challenges with the permitting process. Natalie suggests modernizing the permitting process. David
suggests removing "facilitate sustainable economic development". Natalie explains that "sustainable"
was added to emphasize the need to be cognizant for future generations.
Nicole summarizes — the work group will set a time to meet and review the proposed suggestions.
They'll review the consultant's document as well.
Saturday there is a growth alternative meeting this Saturday at City Hall, please attend if you can. If
you have anything to add after the meeting, email Nicole.
6. EDC Report to City Council: Nicole asks the group to review the presentation for April 2nd and provide
any comments.
7. Facilitated Discussion: EDC Effectiveness: Kevin H. led the exercise. The group broke out into groups
to work through the exercise to reflect on what's working, what hasn't been successful and how things
could improve.
8. Liaison Updates:
a. City Council (Chris Eck): Absent.
b. Port of Edmonds (David Preston): No report
c. Chamber of Commerce (Ryan Crowther): Absent
9. Roundtable Discussion: Looking forward to Growth Alternatives meeting. A resounding thank you to
Jay & Kevin Smith for their time on the EDC as well as to Nicole & Kevin H for their leadership in the
Chair & Vice -Chair roles. There is a recommendation to draft an improvement plan for the permitting
process.
10. Adjourn: 8:15 p.m.
Next meeting: April 17, 2024, 6 PM location Hybrid — Brackett Room & Zoom
Meeting Summary
Economic Development Commission
March 20, 2024
Page 2