2021-08-12 Ed! Board MinutesEd! Board Meeting August 12, 2021
Meeting called to order: 8:03
Board Members/Administration in Attendance: Kimberly Koenig, Jen Lawson, Olivia Brown -
Latham, Robert Boehlke, Musa Safouane, Deandra Peterson, Beth Sanger, and Carrie Hulbert.
City of Edmonds Representative in Attendance: Patrick Doherty and Megan Luttrell.
Guests: Liz Morgan (FIELD), Rachel Dobbins (Art Walk Edmonds), MacKenzie Graham
(Maclash + Brow Bar), David Preston (Port of Edmonds), Sheila Cloney (Anchor Chic), Christine
Poirier (Pear Tree Consignment), Shelia Cloney (Anchor Chic Consignment), Whitney Popa
(Workhorse HQ), Hannah Glasser (Driftwood Modern), Jen Larson (Crow), Holly Buchanan
(Christina Science Reading Room), Erica Sugg (Edmonds Chamber of Commerce.)
Approval of Previous Meeting's Minutes: Jen moved to approve the minutes. Deandra
seconded. All approved, none opposed.
President's Report: Kimberly presented. New mask mandate starts today. Cheryl left notes to
be read as she is on vacation. She had a positive meeting with Mayor Nelson. She said Ed!
would like to attend City Council meetings on a regular basis and provide an update to council
members. She and the mayor discussed leasing/purchasing a Holiday Trolley. She also met
with Dave Turley about Ed! finances. Ed! will have a new deadline for the budget next year: July
15`h. City is sending businesses to collections are in arrears of BID collections. Business
collections is not as impactful as sending an individual to collections. City is considering
charging Ed! for administrative charges. Patrick added that the finance department routinely
charges other city departments for administrative overhead. This overhead charge is in
discussion and input is welcome and valuable. BIDs in other cities have other financial
arrangements and Patrick will investigate how they are structured financially.
Treasurer's Report: Carrie presented. July was on track with expenses and assessments.
Don't have an updated report.
New Businesses Added to BID: Deandra presented. Five new businesses have joined the
BID: Nicolle Maurer Counselling, Kennedy Legal Counsel, Kelly Baker, Gotta Lotta, and Adapt
to Growth Therapy. Touching base with each of them and making personal contact. Also
working on an email template to reach out to new businesses as personal contact may be
difficult with the pandemic.
City Report: Patrick presented. American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) has given the City of
Edmonds $11.9 million. The city has received half. The city as allocated the money to be spent
over the next four years. There are six general funds for the ARPA money, two funds directly
impact businesses in Edmonds. The fund for business district promotion is not for downtown
businesses but is available for other areas. The tourism fund can be used for downtown and
may be used for the holiday trolley.
A new grant program will be available for businesses that got very little/no help. Sending out
postcard to all businesses with the details. The city is open to amending the program if needed.
Kimberly asked about businesses that hadn't been open for two years. Do they still have to
show a loss? Patrick said that this grant was looking at income at the end of 2020 versus pre -
pandemic levels. Businesses with losses of about 50% and have not gotten support from other
programs would be eligible for the grant.
Financial aid will be available for students attending Shoreline Community College and
Edmonds Community College for returning to school to learn new trades. Nonprofits will also be
eligible for support.
The mayor and council are putting together next year's budget. Sheila reached out requesting
wayfinding signs be added to the budget.
Three Police chief candidates have met with the mayor, have had official interviews with council,
and attended a public meet and greet. QR codes were used so public could make comments on
the candidates. Backgrounds checks will be conducted. The mayor will make a police chief
recommendation. Council will vote to confirm or deny the appointment.
The city is engaging with Highway 99 merchants. The second uptown market is tonight.
Permits & Building Update: n/a
Committee Updates
• Communication & Outreach: Pam has been reaching out to the businesses at Salish
Crossing to join the BID. All but one are on board.
• Admin: Did not have a meeting this month due to vacations.
• Marketing: Meeting next week. They are brainstorming what to do next year and
holiday as well. Looking at last year as to what was successful. Did not do Drink Bingo
this summer as the restaurants are busy. Instead, Ed! will publish a feature article on
local restaurants. Would like feedback from Loving Summer campaign.
• Appearance & Environment: Have requested funding for wayfinding signs. Want to tie
waterfront to downtown. Contacting Coastal Community Bank to join the After Hours
parking program. Sound Credit Union and WaFd could both use updated signage. No
new lots on the horizon. City leased the Bank of America Third Ave lot for Walkable
Main, but the Fourth Ave lot could not be leased because they already had leases. No
specific sign that says Fourth Ave lot is not available and Patrick is working on a
temporary sign with Diamond Parking. Olivia mentioned current signage is not visible
and should be so. Umbrellas will be included in the next budget. Musa is researching
new umbrella vendors. Liz stated barriers at the fountain need to be secure that cars do
not drive through. Large gaps in the current barricade. A cone ineffectively fills one of the
gaps. Cars are driving through, and children are playing in the street. Patrick will contact
the street department and resolve.
Grants Program: n/a
New Business: Hannah asked about the welcome sign on Fifth Ave S. Sign is falling
apart. Patrick explained a new sign will be put into place and will contact the Parks
Department for an update.
Olivia added that Taste Edmonds is looking for volunteers. It is an all -volunteer event.
Erica said the volunteer situation is looking a little dire. Reaching out to community
groups. People under 21 can volunteer at Will Call.
Next BID meeting is September 9, 2021.
Meeting Adjourned: 8:50am