2021-11-17 Economic Development Commission PacketAGENDA
Edmonds Economic Development Commission
Wednesday, November 17, 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 (5 min)
2. Approval of Agenda (2 min)
3. Approval of October 20, 2021 Meeting Summary (2 min)
4. Audience Comments (3 minutes per person)
5. Discussion: Review Economic Development Idea Heatmap w/Breakout
Discussions (45 min)
6. Project Committee Updates (5 min each)
a. Edmonds Business Booster Portal
b. Waterfront Zone Opportunities
c. Parking and Shuttle
d. Data and Communication
7. City Update (5 min)
8. Liaison Updates (5 min each)
a. City Council
b. Port of Edmonds
c. Chamber of Commerce
d. Planning Board
9. Roundtable Discussion (10 min)
10. Adjourn
Next regular meeting: December 15, 2021 6PM
Zoom Information:
https:Hzoom.us/i/98696685791?pwd=RVtOZiVu K3ZCNON4Q1 RrM HZgSW pVQT09
Meeting ID: 986 9668 5791
Passcode: 901513
CITY OF EDMONDS
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION MEETING
October 20, 2021
COMMISSIONERS PRESENT:
Nicole Hughes, Chair
Darrol Haug
Jay Hoag
Kevin Harris, Vice Chair
Scott Merrick
Carrie Hulbert
Kevin Smith
Keith Hamilton
Charlie Lieu
Evan Sittauer, Student -Rep
COMMISSIONERS ABSENT:
LIAISONS PRESENT:
Vivian Olson, Councilmember, ex-officio
Greg Urban, Edmonds Chamber, ex-officio
Roger Pence, Planning Board, ex-officio
LIAISONS ABSENT:
Bruce Faires, Port Commissioner, ex-officio
GUESTS:
STAFF PRESENT:
Patrick Doherty, Director
Megan Luttrell, Program Coordinator
Economic Development Commission meeting conducted via ZOOM and called to order by Nicole Hughes
at 6:03 p.m.
Call to Order and Land Acknowledgement
1. Roll was called, and no absences noted.
2. Approval of Agenda: Scott moved to approve the agenda; Darrol seconded; motion passed.
3. Approval of September 15, 2021 Meeting Summary: Scott moved to approve the meeting summary;
Jay seconded; motion passed.
4. Audience Comments: None.
S. Discussion: Ideas and areas of interest: Nicole shared that the EDC Council report was presented on
September 28t" by Nicole, Kevin H. and Patrick. She gave a brief overview of the presentation. Kevin shared
that the presentation yielded positive engagement from the Councilmembers. Darrol suggests creating a
checklist to present to each Commissioners appointer to get Council buy -off on EDC priorities. Vivian
shared that Nicole and Kevin H. have done a good job laying the foundation for good communication
between the Commissioners and their appointer. Scott felt the presentation was outstanding and very
concise.
Nicole transitioned the discussion to the idea pipeline. She covered the ideas that came up during the
Council presentation. Darrol explained that Patrick had shared that WSDOT/Ferries is not interested in
doing the ferry reservation system in Edmonds. Kevin H. suggested that someone loop back with
Councilmember K. Johnson on her further interest.; Scott will connect with Councilmember K. Johnson.
Kevin S. feels the idea would positively impact the economy in Edmonds and perhaps the benefits of the
idea should be presented to WSDOT. Scott will discuss the idea with Councilmember K. Johnson and see
what other approaches or ways to explore options, she would support to approach WSDOT again. Patrick
added, per his conversation with WSDOT, they felt the physical room doesn't lend to holding reservation
DRAFT Meeting Summary
Economic Development Commission
October 20, 2021
Page 1
cars; there is a logistical physical issue. The other issue they mentioned, is they don't see the value in
reservations as the ferry runs are frequent. Kevin S. suggested there is value in certainty, if you have a
reservation, there is less stress involved. Nicole suggests maybe it's offered seasonally. Kevin H. suggested
looking into food trucks in the ferry lines. Vivian mentioned that the restaurants in the area may not
appreciate the added competition.
The discussion shifted to the Downtown Preservation District (DPD) topic. Darrol suggested determining
a workflow to move work through the Commission quickly, that ultimately will need to go to Planning
Board. Darrol explained that DPD could put a positive spin on maintaining the quaintness of downtown
versus setting up Council to have to say no to changes downtown. Planning Board would have to do the
heavy lifting with this idea. There's a need to explore the economic benefit of DPD. Charlie struggled to
see how this is an economic topic for the Commission to address. Carrie agreed with Charlie. Carrie also
struggled with the definition of what makes downtown quaint. Keith felt that keeping downtown quaint
is an Edmonds draw. Carrie suggested maybe the Commission could have a hand in defining what DPD is
and then handing it over to the appropriate group to move forward with it. Patrick asked if we are using
this term in the same context as a Historic District or is this a new idea? The BD Zone — a block or so around
the fountain limits the building heights to two stories. Kevin S. noted that we need to start planning for
when it's no longer cost effective to rehab the buildings downtown, when they're unsafe.
Nicole shared that the Economic Vision/Use for Unocal Property was not on the written report. Patrick
shared that once the property is acquired by WSDOT, the City would like to acquire it and dedicate a part
of the site to the Willow Creek Daylighting project. There is the potential for a park and/or interpretive
station, but not much more.
Carrie suggested a new idea of green business and/or green tourism. The Mayor supports the idea. There
is a lot of support to explore this idea. Eco-tourism. Vivian suggested a local resident in Edmonds, that is
an expert in the marine life and diving, might be a good guest speaker. Nicole will do a deep dive, to
explore this idea further. Vivian suggested parking fees for non-residents and waiving parking fees for
Edmonds residents.
Kevin H. suggested focusing on brainstorm sessions rather than focusing on committee work.
Charlie would like to explore the Healthtech Corridor, there is a lot of opportunity in our area. Charlie
explained it's not just signage but also policy changes. With the hospital and medical district, there's a
good foundation for biotech. Kevin H. offered to talk to Charlie offline to go over the past research and
leg work that he has done to explore ideas for the healthcare corridor in Edmonds. Nicole asked if we
need to attract businesses to come here and is there another piece that would require some code
modifications. Charlie said yes, there's a lot of pieces involved, not just planning codes but also make some
tax policies adjustments.
Roger added an idea to the idea pipeline; he suggested following Portland's lead on putting together food
truck events in empty parking lots. Keith suggests the Burlington Coat Factory lot.
Nicole will send the ideas out in a Survey Monkey for folks to vote on their top three priorities.
6. Project Committee Updates
a. Edmonds Business Booster Portal: Kevin H. shared that the website developer made some
progress and is moving towards version 2.0 as quickly as possible.
b. Waterfront Zone Opportunities: Nicole shared they met to talk about next steps. They focused
on a -bikes and/or scooters rentals. They will be meeting with the Waterfront Center and meeting
with Councilmember Distelhorst as an advocate to support the e-bike idea. Patrick shared that he
DRAFT Meeting Summary
Economic Development Commission
October 20, 2021
Page 2
met with consultants this morning regarding the update to the Comp Plan, they discussed
development options on the waterfront. The economic development lens is being used while
updating the Comp Plan.
Kevin H. asked if there will be a serious role for the EDC to participate in the Comp Plan Update.
Patrick shared that there will be a role for the EDC in updating the Economic Development chapter
in the Comp Plan.
c. Parking and Shuttle: Darrol explained that at the last meeting they discussed ideas for parking
in lieu of a study right now. Darrol, Nicole and Patrick met with Phil Williams and the City's
transportation staff to generate ideas of what can be done now. Phil's staff said they'd think about
how to develop some questions to survey the business community to gain their perspectives of
how parking affects their business and customers.
d. Data and Communication: Nicole shared their meeting was about the Council presentation.
7. City Update: Patrick shared that it is budget season, which was presented by the Mayor to Council on
10/5. Departments presented department budgets last night. The CIP/CFP will be presented next week.
Council is interested in any input the EDC and anyone has. He shared that the streateries ordinance was
approved last year and the restaurants' permits run on an ordinance that sunsets at the end of this year.
There is no initiative on the side of administration or the Council to extend the expiration of the permits
at this time. The administration will not proactively implement the Walkable Main Street program next
year, it will be up to Council. Patrick did share that the revenue data, from the Main Street businesses,
shows that revenue is generally up, through July. We will put together a report once we've received all
the revenue data from the summer. ERPF grant programs are all moving forward and being awarded. We
will be going back to Council to update the ordinance to tweak the business grant criteria, in order to do
another round of business grants. Lastly, he shared he got a response from American Cruise Line, they will
meet soon to discuss how they might dock at the Port and discuss logistics. Scott asked that Patrick get
requirements and pass them along to Scott so he and Nicole can meet with the Port to loop them in. There
may need to be accommodations made to make this potentially work for the cruise line. Patrick added,
about streateries, Bellevue, Kirkland, Spokane and Seattle will be continuing their streateries program into
next year. Kevin H. was curious how those Cities resolved their conflict issues with their public.
8. Liaison Updates (S minutes per liaison)
a. Vivian Olson (City Council) agreed with Charlie that DPD idea might not be in the parameters
of the EDC. If there are changes proposed downtown, they must be very visual for the public.
Scott shared that he toured the new Graphite building last week and it's beautiful. There are ways
to redevelop Edmonds without adding 5 story buildings. Vivian felt there is no doubt that the
businesses are benefiting from the streateries and they will be requesting an extension. She
suggested reviewing the parameters for them. She explained that when the ECA was built there
was a proposal for a two tier parking structure but funding wasn't available for it. She also
suggested moving the entire public safety complex out of downtown and creating parking there.
Evan Nelson (she doesn't know him but communicates online with him) suggests digital
wayfinding signage. She would love for the City to collect rainwater on private and public
property.
b. Greg Urban (Chamber of Commerce) shared that the Plum Tree Plaza fire WISH grant
fundraising has been positive, and they've been able to grant $5,000 with $2,000 still available.
They also just received an anonymous donation of $5,000; with this donation, they will be able to
grant 12 businesses grants. The news the businesses have received is grim. They're being told it
DRAFT Meeting Summary
Economic Development Commission
October 20, 2021
Page 3
will take close to a year to reopen the building and there's not enough available space to relocate.
Halloween event will not be the traditional program. There will be a week-long trick or treat event
so as not to congregate unvaccinated children downtown. There's also an online costume contest
and pumpkin carving contest at the Waterfront Center this weekend. They are moving forward
with the in person tree lighting event.
c. Roger Pence (Planning Board) shared that at their last meeting they reviewed the CIP/CFP. They
will be holding a public hearing on the CIP/CFP next Wednesday. Any code changes generally go
through PB' the streateries ordinance did not go through PB last year because of its emergent
nature; they won't tolerate that again this year.
9. Roundtable Discussion: Darrol urged everyone to review the Parking Report that was sent out as there
is a piece of it that addresses a permanent closing of streets. Scott nothing. Jay nothing. Kevin H. nothing.
Kevin S. worried about supply chain issues and how that might affect revenue for the City. Evan nothing.
Carrie mentioned that Edmonds Holidays is coming up, there will be lots of activities happening and the
trolley will be back. Patrick shared the Holiday Market starts November 6t". Charlie mentioned that a
friend that is a developer is thinking of investing in a low rent food court in Edmonds, he's not ready to do
it but maybe the City could sponsor a space like this. Keith nothing. Nicole thanked everyone.
10. Adjourn at 8:13 p.m.
Next regular meeting: November 17, 2021, 6 PM location Zoom
DRAFT Meeting Summary
Economic Development Commission
October 20, 2021
Page 4
Oct 20, 2021
EDC Parking/Shuttle Subcommittee:
The Parking/Shuttle team drafted the following report to summarize what some key points
about parking and create some "next steps" to advance the gathering of information that will
be helpful in sorting out potential actions that could be taken before full "recovery". To move
the project forward Patrick reached out to Staff and we scheduled a meeting to discuss the
report and sort out some recommended actions. Below the report are the comments from the
meeting held Oct.12tn
Goal of 2021 EDC Parking Subcommittee:
Sort out parking issues and make recommendations for improvements. Some key points below.
Members: Jay Hoag, Kevin Smith, Evan Sittauer and Darrol Haug September 27, 2021.
2003 parking study:
1. There are approximately 1000 spaces downtown. Employee permits were 350 and now
750.
2. Now have 800+ residential permits who can park even closer to the core than
employees.
2019 July Public Survey 700 responses:
1. Pubic was quite vocal and patterns of comments should be reviewed based on today's
realities.
2. DT residents felt somewhat entitled to park with no fee or very low fees.
3. Employees were very vocal. Too far to walk from zones, park in 3 hr zones and set
alarm.
4. Garage and Shuttle lots were frequently mentioned.
5. Our great facilities, waterfront, old town, Civic Park all add to demand.
6. Visitor attractions, Sat market, Taste, Arts Festivals and walks, Walkable DT create
demand
Highlights of the Rick Steves interview about a Permanent Walkable Plaza:
1. To be successful it should be 7 days a week not just weekends. Depending on how the
use of the streets get used with extensions of the local businesses it may be possible to
open for a portion of the year, but it needs to be a continuous closure.
2. The current Walkable Edmonds of only one long street (Main from 6t" to 3rd is not really
the most functional. Especially when we allow cars to enter the "zone" around the
fountain area. Mixing cars and people is not user friendly for either.
3. With the current street configuration and businesses, the fountain would be the key
centerpiece and one block north and south and east and maybe one or two blocks to
the west.
4. Plaza success will be tied to a "Ring Road" that allow for easy traffic flow around the
Plaza area.
DRAFT Meeting Summary
Economic Development Commission
October 20, 2021
Page 5
5. Our current alleys are under-utilized. They should not be allowed to have entry into the
plaza area except during early morning service times.
6. Plaza area would allow service vehicles in early morning hours for deliveries, but they
must be out of pedestrian area at designated time.
7. Key to any modification of the DT area is to make sure we have done all we can to
unclog the nearby "artery roads". Parking areas should be clearly signed to direct
people to prevent continuous circling and hunting for space.
8. As a starting point the borders of that area could be 6t" Ave on the East, 4t" Ave on the
West, Dayton on the South, and Bell on the North. This area as defined would eliminate
almost 100 parking spaces of the approximately 1000 spaces shown in the 2003 parking
study.
9. The key to attracting visitors would be to provide parking not only for the stalls
displaced but for the added visitors we wish to attract to our DT area. Parking should be
adjacent to the ring road to be most effective. Plaza area as defined has about 100
stalls.
Edmonds continues to advance the "more visitors" agenda and it is working.
1. More people are coming to Edmonds and more of our citizens are using our DT area.
2. With a full recovery and probably a few changes in how DT is utilized with a "new
normal" it is not the right time for a new parking study. The results will not reflect the
changes.
3. See recommendation below on how we may wish to gather added information short of
a new full parking study.
Next Steps:
Edmonds and south Snohomish County have accelerated growth with the advent of Light Rail
and the associated development. We are the focal point for visitors wanting to use our unique
facilities. Each passing year we increase the number of visitors coming to DT. Before CV19 it
was clear the parking demand level had increased. And at this stage during dining times and on
weekends the same increase demand is evident. Multiple times around the block and longer
walking distances are the norm.
Timing for a full parking study is poor but doing a series of surveys will keep "parking" on
everyone's radar. Here are some ideas of various groups to survey. The EDC parking team
recommends the first work be done with Employers and Employees. Our business community is
"rethinking" how to structure and operate for the "new normal". During the earlier survey
employees freely discussed gaming the system. Employers need to help with the solutions for
both their customers and employees.
Visitors:
1. Where do you live?
2. How far did you park from your destination?
3. How often do you visit DT area?
DRAFT Meeting Summary
Economic Development Commission
October 20, 2021
Page 6
4. Would you pay to park closer?
5. If you live in Edmonds, would you pay for a permit allowing closer or less limited
parking.
DT residents: Currently by 800 permits, park in zones, and pay $25/yr.
1. How many cars do you have?
2. How many on -site parking stalls do you have?
3. Do you rely on street parking?
4. Do you buy parking permits? How many?
5. Do you buy guest permits? ($10/yr)
DT Business owners: Currently by 750 permits $50/yr.
1. Type of Business? Serviced based? Customer based?
2. Number of employees?
3. Do you provide off street parking? Buy permits? Employee use street parking? Buy
permits?
4. Cheap or free park in garage or park and shuttle facility?
5. Do employee survey with similar questions.
Parking Facility (Lots or Garage) Discussion
1. The renewed Parking study was going do survey work to gather public input and to help
the public understand the costs and revenue issues related to special parking facilities.
2. Remote location and shuttles?
3. Lower cost for lot or garage as compared with street fees? Employee use street parking?
4. Alternative location discussion and questions.
Tools to "ration or allocate" parking space:
1. Change timing, currently mostly 3 hours
2. Increase enforcement. Current enforcement is midnight to 6 pm. Allow time to target
ferry traffic.
3. Change price of for permits, could support moving to shuttle lots instead of using street.
4. Charge for street parking. First 30 minutes free for quick pickups.
5. Permits for Edmonds citizens if we begin to charge for street parking?
Oct. 12th Joint meeting EDC members: Darrol Haug and Nicole Hughes and Staff: Patrick
Doherty, Economic Development, Phil William, Director of Public Works, Rob English, City
Engineer, Bertrand Hauss, Traffic Manager.
Darrol and Nicole set the stage to urge staff to help with some survey work that can be done
now to gather information that can be helpful in planning to do more work on the perimeters
for improved parking in downtown and also continue to keep attention on parking issues while
we wait for a more compete recovery when a full parking study may be conducted. No time
frame for that study is planned but it is not budgeted for 2022.
DRAFT Meeting Summary
Economic Development Commission
October 20, 2021
Page 7
We review several key points in the report above and suggested the survey work relating to DT
employers and employees. See questions above for ideas on survey questions. We also
suggested DT residents could be surveyed as well.
Phil commented that the "tick mark" work recommended by the EDC has been a great success.
He fells it may have added 20% more capacity to our DT parking inventory. He also expressed
concern that the idea of a "parking garage" has come up repeatedly recently and some are
suggesting that the city build a garage. Darrol commented that until more information is
gathered and we have more public discussion it maybe too early to conclude a garage is the
correct solution.
We asked if staff would be willing to take our suggested topics for survey and draft some
questions that could be used to do the Employer/Employee survey. They agreed to discuss it
and get back with us. It looks likely they will help with crafting the questions but it is not sure
they are supportive of a survey.
Next step is to review their work if they move forward. Hopefully that will happen soon.
DRAFT Meeting Summary
Economic Development Commission
October 20, 2021
Page 8