2020-12-16 Economic Development Commission Packet"7C. } g9"
AGENDA
Edmonds Economic Development Commission
Wednesday, December 16, 2020
6 — 8 PM Zoom Info below
6:00 P.M. — Call to Order and Land Acknowledgement: "We acknowledge the original inhabitants of this place, the
Sdohobsh (Snohomish) people and their successors the Tulalip Tribes, who since time immemorial have hunted, fished,
gathered, and taken care of these lands. We respect their sovereignty, their right to self-determination, and we honor their
sacred spiritual connection with the land and water." - City Council Land Acknowledgment
Call to Order
1. Roll Call and recognition of approved absences
2. Approval of Agenda
3. Approval of November 18, 2020 Meeting Summary
4. Audience Comments (3 minutes per person)
5. City Update
6. Old Business
a. Idea review, work prioritization and 2021 planning (40 minutes)
7. New Business
8. Work Group Discussions:
a. Recovery (10 min)
b. Business Attraction (10 min)
c. Ad Hoc Idea Generation (10 min)
9. Liaison Update (15 minutes)
10. Roundtable Discussion (10 minutes)
11. Adjourn
Next regular meeting: January 20, 2020 6PM
Zoom Information:
https://zoom.us/i/97467156807?pwd=cHdkZ21OVSt*bGRUcitJd0w1MWFidz09
Meeting ID: 974 6715 6807
Passcode: 921051
CITY OF EDMONDS
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION MEETING
November 18, 2020
COMMISSIONERS PRESENT:
Nicole Hughes, Chair
Darrol Haug
Jay Hoag
Kevin Harris, Vice Chair
Scott Merrick
Kevin Smith
Charlie Lieu
Carrie Hulbert
LIAISONS PRESENT:
Greg Urban, Edmonds Chamber, ex officio
Vivian Olson, Councilmember, ex officio
COMMISSIONERS/LIAISONS ABSENT:
Jamie Reece - unexcused
Roger Pence, Planning Board, ex-officio
Bruce Faires, Port Commissioner, ex-officio
GUESTS:
None
STAFF PRESENT:
Patrick Doherty, Director
Megan Luttrell, Program Coordinator
Economic Development Commission meeting conducted via ZOOM and called to order by Nicole Hughes
at 6:05 p.m.
1. Call to Order and Land Acknowledgement
2. Approval of Agenda:
Nicole amended the agenda to add two items; 7.b Commission Comment on Hotel Use in
Central Waterfront Zone, and 8.b.iv Carrie Hulbert report on EcIL Scott moved to approve agenda,
Jay seconded, motion passed.
3. Roll Call and recognition of absences: Absent Jamie Reece
Round-robin introductions of Commissioners and liaisons. Introduction of new student
representative, Evan Sittauer.
4. Approval of October 21, 2020 Meeting Summary.
Kevin S moved to approve, Jay seconded, motion carries.
5. Audience Comments: None
6. City Update
Patrick provided a brief City Council update. The City's budget is in the process of being presented
to Council by staff and Public Hearings are scheduled for over the next month or so. Mayor has
included a robust Human Services Program for 2021 with a $500,000 budget which would fund
an on -staff Social Worker as well as direct support services to residents in need. There is also a
proposal to establish a Community Renewal Area and Plan for the southern 2 miles of Highway
99 that has been identified as the most underserved neighborhood in the City. This would
potentially allow for more financial tools for that area and would be of interest to the Commission.
Patrick addressed the new COVID restrictions. Restaurants and bars must close indoor services;
retail can only operate with 25% capacity; gyms have to close. Mayor and staff held a Zoom
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Economic Development Commission
November 18, 2020
Page 1
meeting with restaurant owners yesterday and there is a follow-up meeting Friday with additional
merchants. Due to the significant impact on restaurants and bars, there will be a presentation of
Proposed Regulations for "Streateries" to Council to have provisions in place for outdoor dining
for the winter months. Retail merchants benefit from nearby restaurants being open, and their
customers; therefore this should be helpful to all merchants for restaurants and bars to be active.
All ideas are welcome. We have completed our CARES Fund business grants this week and hope
to not leave any money on the table. Patrick was contacted by staff from Snohomish County
Executive Somers's office seeking information regarding our need for additional CARES funding
and what we could do with it. We have approximately 35 additional businesses that we could
immediately identify to receive grants. Carrie asked if there is any potential for funding to assist
restaurants as they make modifications to abide by new restrictions. The Mayor and Patrick have
discussed the potential for purchasing heating units, tents or other items and rent them out for a
small nominal fee so as to not constitute a gift of public funds. Research is going into to costs of
purchasing items and consulting legal on what is allowable to rent.
7. Old Business
a. Discussion of Councilmember Distelhorst's October Presentation. Nicole began a free -form
discussion requesting impressions and thoughts. Kevin H. provided some background; he and
Nicole met with Luke prior to his presentation Felt this could be favorable to Edmonds to try and
attract women, minority and veteran -owned businesses to demonstrate inclusivity, but not clear
on Luke's 'ask' for our Commission Carrie agreed that this would be good for Edmonds. Nicole
shared that Luke is only gathering information and research while presenting this idea to various
commissions at this time. Kevin H. thought Scott could share this idea with the Creative District
to align support with the other Boards & Commissions. Although Scott supports the idea of
bringing more women- and minority -owned businesses to Edmonds, he is not clear on what the
ask is. Vivian shared that during her contracting officer work with the Air Force, they were able to
give disadvantaged -owned businesses priority. At this time, the assumption is we are not tracking
the work the City is doing with disadvantaged -owned businesses but mentioned that Phil Williams
believes that we are doing business with several businesses that are. However, she is concerned
that actuals are not what is perceived and in order to set goals we should start tracking. Kevin S.
struggles with how to track it and implement the process. Scott felt the tracking criteria could be
difficult to determine and be unfairly weighted. He did suggest that the promotional budget could
be used to advertise in order to bring disadvantaged businesses to Edmonds. Kevin H. indicated
that he believed Luke's work is targeted more towards businesses that are directly contracted
with the City and not private businesses working within City limits. Kevin H. proposed that we go
back to Luke and ask for clarity. Nicole, Kevin H. and Patrick will reach out to Luke to get clarity
on what the Commission can support and what the timeline looks like.
b. Commission Comment on Hotel Use in Central Waterfront Zone Nicole led the discussion.
There will be a presentation at the November 24t"* (*after the EDC meeting, the item was
postponed from the Council agenda; date TBD) City Council meeting regarding this topic. Nicole
suggested one of two options for sharing during public comment at the November 24t" Council
meeting. 1. Any Commissioner at -large, speaks at Public Comment during the meeting and
voices support but is not speaking on behalf of the Commission or 2. The Commission prepares a
statement that one Commissioner presents on behalf of the Commission. Vivian inquired about
whether or not anyone has reached out to their appointing Councilmember. Those who have
not yet reached out have indicated they will prior the November Council meeting. Kevin H.
volunteered to send out an summarized bullet points list of Commission discussion points for
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Economic Development Commission
November 18, 2020
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commissioners supporting the hotel use issue, leveraging a letter Scott sent to his
Councilmember. Darrol asked Patrick about parking requirements; do we know how many units
the hotel could include or how many parking spots would be required? Patrick explained that
there are parking requirements based on the number of units in the hotel. The hotel would have
to meet parking requirements whether on site or nearby. There are only a few properties on the
waterfront that could theoretically be renovated into a boutique hotel. After further discussion
Darrol and Vivian expressed that they both felt a representative Commissioner presence would
be most useful at the upcoming Council meeting. Nicole moved that she and Kevin H. will
prepare a statement on behalf of the Commission in support of a waterfront hotel to be read
during public comment at the November 24' Council meeting, motion passed unanimously.
8. New Business: None.
9. Committee Review:
a. Work Prioritization Discussion: Nicole shared the Ad Hoc Idea Generation group's categorized
priorities identified during the retreat. Several thoughts came out of this, such as; does our
committee structure still work for us? Could new items/projects results in new committees?
Scott noted that the Business Attraction committee is also exploring the healthcare corridor
on Highway 99, although not a new idea and the economic benefits are plentiful. Patrick gave
an update on where the trolley purchase stands. The momentum slowed down on the
purchase when COVID hit but the prices on trolley are now significantly lower than we were
originally looking. Discussion resumed around organization and structure of committees.
Nicole will send out a Doodle poll to everyone to determine each commissioners top 3 topic
for committees. Charlie suggested that there be one or two people that are the go- to data
folks for the group. She volunteered for this role . Vivian suggested that Evan also be a part of
the data collection group, if interested.
b. Work Group Discussions
i. Ad Hoc Idea Generation (Kevin S, Jay, Jamie, Nicole)
This group presented the ideas prioritization list and will focus on poll responses
for next meeting.
ii. Recovery (Jay, Kevin S, Carrie)
Kevin S. shared they are meeting on Friday. The group had trouble determining a
direction. They're planning to focus on economic recovery and COVID related
issues.
iii. Business Attraction (Kevin H, Scott, Darrol, Charlie)
Work is moving forward on the Business Support (Accelerator) Website Portal.
Patrick and Greg have been working to get website up and running. The purpose
of the site is to provide a one -stop structure to provide resources to startup
businesses. The Chamber will host the website. The agencies that are
collaborating in this portal are motivated to communicate their resources to
business owners that are unaware they exist. There is potential for receiving a
grant to hire a local web designer. City can provide PR so that people know this
resource is available. Collaborative relationships.
iv. Carrie Hulbert Ed!:
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See the liaison update.
10. Liaison Updates (3 minutes per liaison) (15 minutes)
Vivian mentioned several ideas the Commission could focus on: if a business needs support with
the grant program, have a liaison to reach out to provide assistance. A committee to assist
businesses who need to modify their current business structure in order to operate during
temporary restrictions.
Our City facilities have a $9M backlog. She volunteered EDC to develop a committee to look into
facilities. Is there potential to rent out the 3rd floor of City Hall. We need to be fiscally responsible
when it comes to our buildings.
Greg filled us in on cancelled events. However, the Santa letter box is going to operate this year.
They're currently doing a push for Edmonds Cash, a little over $1,000 of certificates. Encourage
everyone to shop local. Planning the Chamber Board retreat; looking ABC plan for 2021.
Fundraising goal surpassed their $100,000 goal by December 315Y this past Monday when they hit
$107,000. The Museum has chosen to not do the Santa fire truck this year based the newly
implemented restrictions. Santa Earl & Elf Emily will make some appearances downtown.
Carrie Hulbert shared that Ed! is focused on holidays while being socially responsible and
following current restrictions. Ed! has launched a calendar of activities. Posters are posted. Social
Ed! Campaign. 30 window posters are being distributed downtown. Selfie cut-outs are being
placed where trolley stops were typically at. Restaurants are doing a festive drink campaign;
they're getting creative with to -go opportunities for businesses to promote on their website. Their
Budget should be approved next week.
11. Roundtable Discussion:
Kevin S. mentioned a Salish Sea Brewing Company article that King 5 had done, interesting story
and encouraged everyone to support our restaurants. He also toured the newly developed
Waterfront Center with the CEO Daniel Johnson; beautiful and lots of opportunity for economic
growth. Charlie followed up on her willingness to be involved in data research and feels strongly
about her commitment to it. Carrie encouraged everyone shop local and to do what we can to
save our small businesses and reminded everyone of Localvore! Greg shared that the Chamber
handed out 100 PPE kits to local businesses yesterday. Patrick let everyone know that if they
wanted any assistance in preparing a statement to Council in support of the waterfront hotel, to
reach out to him and he'd be happy to offer some guidance.
12. Adjourn at 8:11 p.m.
Next regular meeting: December 16, 2020, 6 PM location TBA
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Economic Development Commission
November 18, 2020
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