2021-02-11 Ed! Board MinutesEd! Board Meeting
February 11, 2021
Meeting called to order: 8:04 AM
Board Members/Administration in Attendance: Pam Stuller, Matt McCulloch, Jenny Shore,
Kali Kelnero, Cheryl Farrish, Kimberly Koening, Mark VonGunten, Carol Sheldon, Jen Lawson,
Olivia Brown -Latham, Carrie Hulbert.
City of Edmonds Representative in Attendance: Patrick Doherty and Megan Luttrell
Guests: Liz Morgan (FIELD), Mary Kay Sneeringer (Edmonds Bookshop), Beth Sanger (OMBU
Salon + Spa), Rachel Dobbins (Art Walk Edmonds), Lori Kunze (While You're Away, LLC),
Justin Reeder (Edmonds Vitamins & Herbs), Greg Urban (Edmonds Chamber of Commerce),
Sheila Cloney (Anchor Chic), David Preston (Port of Edmonds)
Public Comment: N/A
Approval of Previous Meeting's Minutes: Kimberly moved to approve the minutes from the
1/14/2021 meeting with the correction that Olivia Brown -Latham is on the Communication &
Outreach Committee, not on the Marketing Committee. Matt seconded. All approved, none
opposed.
President's Report: Ed!'s monthly newsletter contains two surveys; participation is
encouraged. Shubert Ho is putting together a restaurant alliance, meeting the first Tuesday of
every month. Ed!'s monthly meeting with include a new agenda item for "Permits & Building
Updates." Pam appointed Olivia Brown -Latham to one of the Ed! Board's By Appointment
positions, with a term that sunsets in 2022. Kimberly seconded. All approved, none opposed.
Treasurer's Report: Ed! is starting off 2021 with a larger than expected fund balance, up from
an expected $10,000 to roughly $19,000. The last quarter of 2020's assessments were down,
as expected. However, it is a testament to the aggressive budget cuts made last year that we
were still able to come out ahead. In 2020, all committees cut budgets. There was a slight
increase in Admin costs, mostly due to Zoom. For 2021, we will maintain cuts to the
Appearance & Environment budget. The Communication & Outreach and Admin budgets will be
roughly the same, but the Marketing budget will have a buffer to allow for a new summer
marketing campaign. Ed! has a long-term project to review past revenue trends to be able to
better predict revenue going forward.
New Businesses Added to BID: N/A
City Report: Patrick provided a City report. The Edmonds Booster website is up
(www.edmondsbizbooster.com) and the long-term goal is to market local products on the site.
The Edmonds tourism website has been revamped (www.visitedmonds.com). The goal is not to
compete with Ed! but rather to promote businesses in the entire Edmonds area, not just
downtown. The Diversity Film Series is starting up — See the City's website for a synopsis of
films and topics. Talks have just started about Walkable Main Street for 2021 and the City is
looking for input from businesses. The hotel zoning change was passed this week to allow for a
hotel in the commercial zone. A new relief package was just passed by the legislature, with
some funds being allocated directly to small businesses. The City will put out a press release
with more details.
Permits & Building Update: This will be a new agenda item to allow more insight into changes
to the downtown core, which will allow for outreach and marketing strategy. These permits are
public record, so Kali has worked with the City to get information. The last reports from
December 2020 show two permits for the Edmonds Commons, revealing a 2-phase plan. The
first permit is related to remodeling the existing building. The second permit is to construct a
new building where the current parking lot is located. The project is being run by Mike
McMurray. There is also a proposal to use the old Baskin Robbins space to build live -work
townhomes. Kahlo's Catina down by the ferry is poised to open very soon.
Committee Updates
Communication & Outreach: Ed! had an inaugural new member coffee a couple of
weeks ago. Annual meeting is set for 04/28/2021 and plans are underway to make this a
more interactive process with breakout rooms, etc. A budget of $1,000 is needed for the
annual meeting, primarily for printing invitations and ballots, and mailing to 350
members. Bylaws require these ballots to be mailed. Discussions are underway about
how to transition ballots to a virtual format to save on some of these costs and
encourage more member engagement. Costs have been streamlined as much as
possible, by not redesigning the mailer and by not mailing to both physical and mailing
addresses.
o MOTION: Matt moved to approve $1,000 for spending towards the annual
meeting budget. Jen seconded. All approved, none opposed.
- Admin: Several Board positions end in 2021, creating openings that need to be filled.
This is a self -nominating process for any member interested in serving on the Board. Ed!
is working to update its directory.
- Marketing: Love Local, Love Edmonds campaign is in full swing. There is a scavenger
hunt associated with the cupids. Jen has offered to re -paint any cupids needing touchup.
Looking ahead at the 2021 marketing plan:
o Spring: Thoughts from the Edmonds community (what is your new local,
interviewing community members about what they think the future will look like,
etc.); Edmonds Localvore Event 04/29-05/02; Meet Your Neighbor event
o Summer: Summer Stroll maybe with another stencil; 4th of July events; Best
places to get a drink/bite; Best things to do locally with your kids; Summer activity
ideas (updated) with favorite summer camps; articles on new waterfront center
o Fall: Back to school ideas
o Other ideas: Beer 101; Fun facts about shopping local; Time Marches On
(walking tour of historical sites); Most popular skin care treatments locally;
Computer IT folks (some basics to try/do when having challenges); Real Estate
articles; Investment articles; Insurance for homeowners tricks/tips; Edmonds
Commons interview; Downtown Edmonds award series (i.e. best customer
service, best waffle fries, etc.); Wedding resources (venues, hair/makeup, bridal
stores, florists, catering, etc.); Would like to highlight by appointment
businesses.
- Appearance & Environment: Discussed collecting umbrella stands and putting them
back out in the Fall once things are hopefully COVID-safe. Also working to collaborate
with downtown businesses on how to best advertise parking, i.e. with a QR Code or
table tent signage. Discussions are underway about how to address parking issues with
up to 20 potential Streeteries taking up parking stalls. The City has reached out to BOA
about whether they will lease their parking lot for after hours parking. If this can't be
accommodated, then Ed! plans to collect and repurpose the signs.
- Grants Program: No updates.
New Business: None.
Meeting Adjourned: 9:03 a.m.