2021-12-15 Economic Development Commission PacketAGENDA
Edmonds Economic Development Commission
Wednesday, December 15, 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 November 17, 2021 Meeting Summary (2 min)
4. Audience Comments (3 minutes per person)
5. Discussion: Streateries (25 min)
6. Idea List Review (25 min)
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: January 19, 2022 6PM
Zoom Information:
https:Hzoom.us/I/98696685791?pwd=RytOZiVuK3ZCNON4QlRrM HZgSWPvQT09
Meeting ID: 986 9668 5791
Passcode: 901513
CITY OF EDMONDS
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION MEETING
November 17, 2021
COMMISSIONERS PRESENT:
Nicole Hughes, Chair
Darrol Haug
Kevin Harris, Vice Chair
Jay Hoag
Scott Merrick
Carrie Hulbert
Kevin Smith
Keith Hamilton
COMMISSIONERS ABSENT:
Charlie Lieu, excused
Evan Sittauer, Student -Rep
LIAISONS PRESENT:
Roger Pence, Planning Board, ex-officio
Bruce Faires, Port Commissioner, ex-officio
LIAISONS ABSENT:
Vivian Olson, Councilmember, ex-officio
Greg Urban, Edmonds Chamber, 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 6:00 p.m.
Call to Order and Land Acknowledgement
1. Roll was called, and no absences noted.
2. Approval of Agenda: Nicole proposed to move the City Update to 4.5 after Audience Comments as
Patrick needs to leave early for a special Council meeting. Darrol moved to approve the change to the
agenda; Kevin H. seconded; motion passed.
3. Approval of October 20, 2021, Meeting Summary: Kevin Smith moved to approve the meeting
summary; Jay seconded; motion passed.
4. Audience Comments: None.
4.5 City Update: Patrick shared that the City's 2022 budget is in the middle of Council deliberations. The
City is currently accepting business support grant applications through November 22nd. The household
grants are in high demand, we've received over 400 applications. The Highway 99 City office is moving
forward. There will be reception services and a public computer , as well as court services and the Police
Community Engagement Officer will work out of this space. There will also be two workstations for police
officers to utilize. The City is hopeful it will open in the early part of 2022. The City is working in
collaboration with Ed! for holiday promotions. The City is currently recruiting several positions, including
Community Services & Economic Development Director, Public Works and Utilities Director, Diversity
Commission Coordinator, as well as many more. The new Development Services Director started
yesterday. WA Hospitality Association sent a letter to administration and City Council explaining the need
to maintain the streateries. The idea of will be presented to Council next week. A discussion followed
about how the streateries could be better utilized to aid in the recovery process.
5. Discussion: Review Economic Development Idea Heatmap w/ Breakout Discussion: Nicole introduced
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this topic and explained that during the Council presentation it was asked that some of the project ideas
be refined and explained in more detail. Nicole shared the SurveyMonkey results of the survey that was
sent out to the Commission determine the projects that have the most interest. She explained that based
off the survey results, the Commission is going to do a deeper on the top ideas. She further explained the
three areas of focus of the brainstorm session.
At this point, everyone joined a breakout session to further explore an idea.
1: Neighborhood Brand Development and Marketing: Carrie, Jay, Scott, Roger and Megan
Goals/Objectives:
Our concept is to create an overarching Edmonds brand along with sub -brands for neighborhood
business districts that communicate the different qualities of each, giving each district a unique sense of
place. The primary focus will be on the business community, though the residents will be included as
stakeholders. This will help to:
1. Attract more businesses to all areas of Edmonds
2. Strengthen the sense of community in all the neighborhood districts
3. Create/enhance the business communities that exist, highlighting the strengths of the different
areas
Steps:
1. Identify neighborhood districts to focus on
2. Identify community leaders that live or work in each neighborhood district to help drive the
process (potentially council members)
3. Engage with the community to find out what they think defines their district
4. Design a solution, potentially with a brand agency or consultant
Working Assumptions:
1. Since Downtown Edmonds & Waterfront receive the majority of visitors it will be the hub,
driving awareness and visits to other areas of town in various ways TBD
2. The focus is on economic development of each neighborhood business district
2: Tourism Visitor Attraction Through Non -Traditional Arrival; Green Tourism: Kevin H., Bruce and
Patrick
1. Description: The city can help support greater demand for whale watching at the Port by
taking greater advantage of the Destination/Port of Edmonds program and additional creative
city support. Bruce noted that currently 50% of whale watchers arrive via public transport.
Vision of success: see #2 below.
2. Goals/Objectives:
a. Ramp up to an additional 5,000 new visitors to Edmonds annually (by the end of 5
years).
b. Incent/promote/entice those visitors to come downtown after their Puget Sound
Express boat ride and 'experience Edmonds'.
c. Benefit: additional services revenues Downtown plus additional Port Services/PSE
revenues.
d. Physical connection between Port and Downtown: clear, fun path to walk; signage for
directions to fountain (10 minute walk); Bruce noted that the Port should be willing to
3. Steps:
develop shuttle services to meet demand.
Evaluate scalability of Destination/Port of Edmonds program
Craft a 2 minute video to show on PSE boat trip when returning from trip
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c. Disseminate new visitors guides (10K being printed) to PSE and port to help advertise
Downtown services
d. Ask Port to step up to increased demand to provide transport services between Port
and Downtown for those visitors who wish to be transported.
e. Develop incentives to entice folks Downtown — e.g., use ARPA funds to convert into
Chamber bucks to pick up in person at the Chamber and use for services. (Check
legality of Edmonds subsidy).
f. Federal infrastructure bill: what could Edmonds use $$ for in this regard? Direct or
indirect? Make sidewalks/streets more accessible. Need to brainstorm.
4. Note: Boutique hotel at Port would add an important dimension, increase Downtown shuttle
demand and change this idea's framework/steps.
3: Entertainment: Children's Museum and Recreation: Darrol, Kevin Smith and Nicole
1. Describe Idea — what would it look like if realized? 5/10/20 years
a. Develop a family -centric, year -around learning/play/exploration option for families of
Edmonds and neighboring municipalities.
i. Children's Museum would help Edmonds' reputation and increase options for
being a "family friendly" city with family friendly entertainment options.
2. Goals/Objectives
a. Edmonds would have an indoor option for families with young children to explore and
play in al earning based environment (opportunities for education on cultures and
diversity, science, environment, and other related activities.
b. Indirect benefit to city:
i. Revitalization of Highway 99 (making it more attractive to development and
visitors)
ii. Could it draw restaurants or other businesses to the area if family
entertainment options are in the area?
iii. Could location also target public park (e.g., zoning next to park location)
3. Steps
a. Study optimal operating structure (for profit or non-profit)
i. Capital requirement and revenue model. Does it pencil out in a city of our size?
ii. Contact Edmonds investors to help understand feasibility and desire to
contribute
iii. Arts collaboration: Could Children's Museum partner with arts community?
1. Example —Arts "pass" at other museums or art options includes an
annual pass to the children's museum
b. Identify location
i. Highway 99 or Firdale if redeveloped
ii. Does Edmonds make sense or would Lynnwood/North Shoreline/MTL be more
suitable?
c. Identify City involvement?
i. Zoning
ii. Create public awareness, interest, and community engagement
iii. EDC create model (business/non-profit plan)
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Economic Development Commission
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1. Is there enough young families to support children's museum in city of
our size
iv. City campaign to get private interest (e.g., advertising non-profit board)
v. City could waive or reduce development fees (if non-profit)
d. Contacting Seattle/Everett and other successful museums — would they be willing to
either educate EDC on business model or partner (e.g., satellite).
i. Pop-up locations at Waterfront Center
ii. Connected/partnering with other ventures (example — Seattle Ferris wheel
being near aquarium, etc.)
e. Brainstorming ideas for Children's Museum or related indoor entertainment option
(bowling, swimming, "Fantasia 2.0").
i. More reliable and year -around swimming options
ii. Outdoor music gazebo (an example is Shoreline near City Hall). City Park? Yost
Park?
iii. Weekend children's art events (Waterfront center)
iv. Creative district endeavors and collaboration with the creative district.
v. Larger vision around general children's experience in Edmonds.
vi. Multiple options in varying districts (allowing different entertainment options in
different districts)
vii. Marsh restoration (education on environnment, salmon, children -focused
educational experience, etc.)
viii. Seasonality —creating year -around options
ix. Could the library be moved, and the current library building be repurposed for a
children's museum?
This information will be refined and packaged to be presented to Council. Kevin H. asked if this process
works for everyone. Darrol felt this was creative and helpful. Kevin Smith appreciated the measurability
of the discussion.
6. Project Committee Updates
a. Edmonds Business Booster Portal: Kevin H. shared that he, Carrie, Scott, and Patrick met. The
hope is to get version 2.0 rolled out before the end of the year as well as getting under contract
with a website manager and extending the developer contract before Patrick retires.
b. Waterfront Zone Opportunities: Nothing urgent to share.
c. Parking and Shuttle: Nothing urgent to share.
d. Data and Communication: Nothing urgent to share.
8. Liaison Updates (5 minutes per liaison)
a. Bruce Faires (Port of Edmonds) shared that their budget has been approved. Next month will
be his last meeting.
c. Roger Pence (Planning Board) at the last PB meeting, they received an extensive briefing from
Parks on the PROS plan. Looking forward to meeting the new Development Services Director.
9. Roundtable Discussion:
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Kevin H. nothing. Scott nothing. Kevin S. suggested an idea to have either the City or Chamber create a
wine tasting event in the summer as there are two new tasting rooms in town. Carrie shared that Ed! is
considering a wine tasting idea. She explained that Edmondsholidays.com is up and running and shared
all the holiday happenings around downtown and that the trolley will be both downtown and uptown for
two Sundays. Darrol said big thank you to Megan for restoring the EDC webpage. Jay, two weeks in
February is a statewide red wine and chocolate event, perhaps piggy back on Kevin Smith's idea.
10. Adjourn at 8:06 p.m.
Next regular meeting: December 15, 2021, 6 PM location Zoom
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Economic Development Commission
November 17, 2021
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