2021-01-20 Economic Development Commission Packetf n C. 1 g9v
AGENDA
Edmonds Economic Development Commission
Wednesday, January 20, 2021
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 (10 min)
2. Approval of Agenda (5 min)
3. Approval of December 16, 2020 Meeting Summary (5 min)
4. Audience Comments (3 minutes per person)
5. City Update (15 min)
6. Old Business (25 min)
a. Review Work Area Priorities
7. New Business
8. Active Work Group Updates:
a. Recovery (10 min)
b. Business Attraction (10 min)
9. Extended Agenda and Idea Pipeline (10 min)
10. Liaison Update (15 minutes)
a. City Council
b. Port of Edmonds
c. Chamber of Commerce
d. Planning Board
11. Roundtable Discussion (10 minutes)
12. Adjourn
Next regular meeting: February 17, 2021 6PM
Zoom Information:
https://zoom.us/I/98696685791?pwd=RVtOZOVuK3ZCNON4QlRrM HZgSWpVQT09
Meeting ID: 986 9668 5791
Passcode: 901513
CITY OF EDMONDS
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION MEETING
December 16, 2020
COMMISSIONERS PRESENT:
Nicole Hughes, Chair
Darrol Haug
Jay Hoag
Kevin Harris, Vice Chair
Scott Merrick
Jamie Reece
Kevin Smith
Charlie Lieu
Carrie Hulbert
Evan Sittauer, Student -Rep
COMMISSIONERS ABSENT:
None
LIAISONS PRESENT:
Greg Urban, Edmonds Chamber, ex officio
Vivian Olson, Councilmember, ex officio
COMMISSIONERS/LIAISONS ABSENT:
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 6:01 p.m.
1. Call to Order and Land Acknowledgement
2. Roll Call and recognition of absences:
All present other than Charlie. Charlie emailed she would be late, due to a work conflict; she was able to
join at 6:15pm.
3. Approval of Agenda:
Kevin Smith moved to add Federal Relief Package Discussion under new business; Kevin Harris, seconded,
motion passed.
4. Approval of November 18, 2020 Meeting Summary.
Darrol moved to approve, Jay seconded, motion passed.
5. Audience Comments: None.
6. City Update
Patrick shared that Council approved the City budget last night and Capital Improvement Program/Capital
Facilities Plan. He shared a few highlights: the Human Services program was approved with a $500,000
allocation, which includes a Social Worker, the remaining funds will be available to agencies that will
provide services to Edmonds residents in need. The other important item is $60,000 for doing a
community renewal plan on the southern segment of the Hwy 99 corridor. Focus will be on ways to kick
start redevelopment as well as infrastructure and amenity development in that area. Our business support
grant program has been completed. We distributed $1.3M to local businesses thru State and County
CARES grants. Council approved an emergency ordinance that allows for a structure to be constructed
and used for up to a year for the outdoor streateries. An additional emergency ordinance was also
DRAFT Meeting Summary
Economic Development Commission
December 16, 2020
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approved to allow these streateries within the City's right-of-way was also approved. PIO Jamie Holter,
resigned effective today. The City will do a recruitment for a replacement in the new year. The Creative
District has desired a freeway sign on 1-5 to callout Downtown Edmonds as a Creative District. WSDOT
has indicated there are too many signs in the Edmonds area of 1-5; therefore WSDOT denied the request
for an additional sign. The City will push back to have WSDOT reconsider.
7. Old Business
a. Idea review, work prioritization and 2021 Planning (40 minutes)
Nicole introduced the topic and shared screen to discuss her Excel spreadsheet (see attached).
She asked that each person who added ideas to the spreadsheet give a brief discussion on each
item to the Commission. She asked that everyone think about projects they would like to focus
on for 2021; think about attainable projects that are either short or long term. Vivian added to
the discussion focusing on the outdoors throughout the City. Once the list of priorities had been
presented, Nicole asked that everyone take 5 minutes to list out their top priorities for 2021. After
a lengthy discussion on priorities it was determined that Data Collection/Data Analysis has the
most interest; as well as equal interest in Neighborhood Business Districts; Waterfront Center
Opportunities; Healthcare Corridor. Nicole will send out a Google doc for people to weigh in on
what topics are of most interest to them to aid in determining Committee structure. Nicole is
hopeful the exercise provides clarity and guidance for 2021 work plan. Kevin H. added, think about
a pipeline list of ideas as they come up or if ideas fall off. Nicole suggests a standing Agenda item
of "Pipeline Review".
8. New Business:
a. Federal Relief Package Discussion
Kevin Smith led discussion. There is hope that a Federal relief package is going to get passed.
Businesses that can show a 30% loss will be the eligibility trigger. There will be some level
stimulus checks. If it passes there should be focus on getting word out quickly.
9. Work Group Discussions:
a. Recovery (Jay, Kevin S. Carrie)
The group is planning to meet as soon as the recovery package is released, in order to develop a
plan on how to get info out.
b. Business Attraction (Kevin H, Scott, Darrol, Charlie)
Kevin H. explained group met and discussed the business accelerator portal and the Hwy. 99
corridor. Kevin relayed his meeting results with Verdant Health to Patrick related to
sale/development of the Value Village property. BA has developed a strategy to present the
boutique hotel concept to Council, when the subject come ups next in a Council meeting Darrol
is meeting with South County Fire regarding abandoning buildings. Patrick added, we're moving
forward to get the business accelerator portal up and running, knowing that it will grow and
there's more opportunity. Kevin and Scott will work on assessment interviews with portal
providers to better understand their competencies, vision and gaps to make the portal stronger.
We've received an EASC grant to fund part web development and advertising for 2021.
C. Ad Hoc Idea Generation (Kevin S, Jay, Jamie, Nicole)
Group did not meet. They did the work in this meeting tonight. Kevin Smith suggests disbanding
this committee as there will be creating of new committees based on the above discussion.
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Economic Development Commission
December 16 2020
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10. Liaison Updates (3 minutes per liaison) (15 minutes)
Greg Urban shared that $16,000 of Edmonds Cash is floating around out in the community. Know
that Edmonds Cash is available to give as gifts. Chamber is currently exploring the idea of
entertainment district. It would allow for the open carry of alcohol within a given geographical
area. The entertainment district could be specific to events or specific dates and times. Edmonds
could be first creative district and entertainment district but there's still a long way to go.
Vivian Olson Entertainment District could be good segue to the neighborhood business districts.
The Diversity Commission is working on a diversity toolkit for Edmonds businesses to use. Patrick
added: Courtney Wooten is creating the diversity toolkit for businesses and plans to have it roll
out in January.
11. Roundtable Discussion:
Carrie shared an Ed! Update. They're currently pushing the Holiday campaign. February will bring
a new campaign; be sure to follow them on Facebook. Scott is excited about the direction the
Commission is heading. Charlie is impressed with the group and looking forward to participating
more. Kevin Smith: thank you for making first year on Commission good; looking forward to
recovery after this difficult year. Jay, happy holidays; feeling we'll come out of the pandemic and
difficult year on the other side. Evan: happy holidays and looking forward to 2021. Carrie: looking
forward to 2021. Kevin H. happy holidays; keep physical and mental health up and reach out to
others. Jamie, thank you to Nicole for leading this year; looking forward to a wonderful 2021.
Nicole, ditto holiday wishes and don't forget to support local journalism!
12. Adjourn at 8:14 p.m.
Next regular meeting: January 20, 2021, 6 PM location TBA
DRAFT Minutes
Economic Development Commission
December 16 2020
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