2022-04-20 Economic Development Commission Packet1-7c, Is 9 V
AGENDA
Edmonds Economic Development Commission
Wednesday, April 20, 2022
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 March 16, 2022 Meeting Summary (2 min)
4. Audience Comments (3 minutes per person)
5. Discussion: Idea Readout to City Council Discussion
6. City Update (5 min)
7. Liaison Updates (5 min each)
a. City Council
b. Port of Edmonds
c. Chamber of Commerce
d. Planning Board
8. Roundtable Discussion (10 min)
9. Adj ourn
Next regular meeting: May 18, 2022 6PM
Zoom Information:
https://zoom. us/I/98696685791?pwd=RVtOZeVu K3ZCNON4Q1 RrM HZgSW pvQT09
Meeting ID: 986 9668 5791
Passcode: 901513
CITY OF EDMONDS
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION MEETING
March 16, 2022
COMMISSIONERS PRESENT:
Kevin Harris, Vice Chair
Darrol Haug
Carrie Hulbert
Keith Hamilton
Kevin Smith
Scott Merrick
Charlie Lieu
Jay Hoag
Evan Sittauer, Student -Rep
COMMISSIONERS ABSENT:
Nicole Hughes, Chair —Excused
LIAISONS PRESENT:
Susan Paine, Councilmember, ex-officio
Angela Harris, Port Commissioner, ex-officio
LIAISONS ABSENT:
Roger Pence, Planning Board, ex-officio
Greg Urban, Edmonds Chamber, ex-officio
GUESTS:
David Preston, Port Commissioner
STAFF PRESENT:
Doug Merriman, Interim Director CS/ED
Megan Luttrell, Program Coordinator CS/ED
Economic Development Commission meeting conducted via ZOOM and called to order by Kevin Harris
at 6:01 p.m.
Call to Order and Land Acknowledgement
1. Roll Call and Recognition of Approved Absences:
2. Approval of Agenda: Darrol moved to approve the agenda; Kevin Smith seconded; motion passed.
3. Approval of February 16, 2022, Meeting Summary: Kevin Smith moved to approve the meeting
summary; Jay seconded; motion passed.
4. Audience Comments: None.
S. Discussion: Review/Edit Ideas List: Kevin explained the discussion tonight will be a full group check in
on the top nine ideas in the pipeline to determine if they're ready to be presented to Council. The
following four bullets will be the outline for discussion for each idea.
• Prepare the list for possible read-out/report to City Council:
• Refined vision for each idea in terms of benefit to city:
• Discuss readiness to share with City Council:
• Identify any issues that should be removed/added:
NEIGHBORHOOD BRAND DEVELOPMENT:
Kevin Smith explained the discussions focused on a rebrand of Hwy 99, including a name for the
Edmonds stretch. The intention is to achieve a consistent look and feel to all the neighborhoods in the
city. In order to reach this goal, there would need to be outreach to the communities in each
neighborhood. Carrie mentioned that they looked at it as a holistic approach. Susan shared that our new
Development Services Director, Susan McLaughlin is planning to do a neighborhood analysis. Scott added
DRAFT Meeting Summary
Economic Development Commission
March 16, 2022
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that agrees that a similar look and feel is important but asked, how do we accomplish this idea if there
isn't buy off from the communities. Keith agrees this idea is valuable but doesn't feel it's ready for Council.
Kevin Smith countered that with the city's current Hwy 99 improvements, this could be the right time to
discuss this with Council, while it's early in the development process. The discussion shifted to discuss
planting the idea for Council to keep in mind. There was mention that the focus doesn't need to be on all
neighborhoods at this time but could start with a few areas or just Hwy 99. Susan suggested looping
Director McLaughlin into the concept. A majority supports approaching Director McLaughlin with this idea
as a first step. Kevin H. & Kevin S. suggested developing a strong benefit statement first.
TOURISM VISITOR ATTRACTION THROUGH NON-TRADITIONAL ARRIVALS
Darrol recollected that Bruce Faires emphasized how the Port could be utilized for non-traditional ways
to enter the city. Carrie brought up the idea of cruise boats stopping in Edmonds; Patrick had
communicated with the cruise boat staff, Megan added that it hasn't had any movement and Doug
agreed. David Preston, Port of Edmonds, shared that the only way it would is to go off the pier. David
suggested busing the people from cruise boats up to Edmonds to bring more folks in town for more than
whale watching. Susan didn't feel it's ready for Council. The entire group agrees to table it for now.
ENTERTAINMENT: CHILDREN'S MUSEUM AND RECREATION
Kevin Smith shared that this idea lends to bringing families into the area. Darrol added that Hwy 99 is
lending to development due to access of public transportation. He suggests that there should be an
emphasis on the indoor family experiences. Consensus is to add this idea to list to Council. Kevin Smith
added that this idea not only offers recreational experiences but could also offer educational activities for
young families, which does not currently exist in the Hwy 99 corridor. Darrol pointed out that Edmonds
doesn't have any birthday party locations, and this would lend to it. Scott adds that this could include the
arts community as well. Kevin H. clarified that this could be presented as family friendly recreation that
could include a children's museum.
PARKING SOLUTIONS
Darrol suggested we gather more information regarding parking issues. He explains that City Hall currently
has about 60 employees and the Public Safety building has about the same. The city currently has several
vehicles in the area for standard operations as well as police operations. The City Hall parking lot and the
lot south of City Hall are public parking lots but currently not on any map, marked as such. The Public
Safety Complex has about 120 parking stalls but only a few are for public parking. The walkable Edmonds
area is defined as one block, each direction, from the fountain. If this is closed permanently, it would
eliminate 100-120 parking spaces. If City services moved out of downtown, it would free up a significant
amount of parking spaces. Kevin H. suggested introducing it with the preface that we understand it's not
part of the current budget cycle, but we do feel it needs to be considered. Darrol explained that every
time we do something parking is affected and we need to recognize that. It is suggested that we keep it
alive by proposing that we poll the business community to get their input. Keith adds that we recommend
in the next budget cycle that a parking study be included. Scott mentions that group could propose
purchasing property to subsidize the parking problem. Susan suggested leasing parking lots for use on
business off hours. Kevin H. proposed explaining to council that this topic is important to us and suggest
some recommendations rather than proposing it as a project... and that the EDC is prepared and willing
to work on this when Council and the Mayor determine the timing is 'right'.
HWY 99: CITY FACILITIES AND ACTIVITIES ALONG RENEWAL ZONE
Darrol shared that some car lots at the north end of Hwy 99 are not being used, is there a way to direct
how they might be utilized. There is a small City Office being developed at the south end of Hwy 99. Darrol
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Economic Development Commission
March 16, 2022
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suggested considering using some of the empty spaces on Hwy 99 for City purposes such as public safety.
He also added that the current City Hall has potential to be repurposed as a hotel facility or for office
space. The current Public Safety Complex could be used for a year-round public market as suggested in
the Strategic Plan. Susan mentioned that there is a land acquisition process happening right now for parks.
Kevin Smith presented the idea as a larger discussion to explore cost, to determine if it makes sense to
move city services long term. Susan shared, these ideas have been presented to the Planning & Public
Safety Committee and it's been presented as a very preliminary cost of $750-$1000/sq. ft. Kevin H.
checked in to see if the idea is to move city facilities and repurpose the valuable real estate. Darrol made
the point that the Hwy 99 office can be a study on how more accessible services are utilized. He also
added, a full move wouldn't have to be to Hwy 99, it could be to 5 Corners or near the Public Works
building. There was not a strong consensus to move forward but more discussion on this topic is needed
before presenting it to Council.
WALKABLE CITY CONCEPTS
Carrie shared that Director McLaughlin is addressing this in her Greenscapes Plan. She doesn't know if
there's much for us to do with this. Kevin H. wondered if adding EDC perspective to the steering
committee makes sense; Susan agrees that would be valuable. Doug shared that Director McLaughlin is
excited to move forward on projects and would likely be open to collaborating with EDC if given notice to
be prepared. Carrie would be interested in being part of the steering committee; Darrol is also interested.
Result is moving forward for clarity with Director McLaughlin to understand what her vision is.
FERRY RESERVATIONS
This idea is to how to capture the ferry traffic in different ways. The discussion shifted to how to get folks
getting off the ferry to stay in Edmonds or get them to come back to Edmonds. There are plans to
reconfigure the ferry lanes. Susan suggested calling something this idea other than ferry reservations and
with that change the group agrees to move forward.
FOOD TRUCKS
Kevin H. felt there some short-term potential with this idea. Carrie asked if sales tax goes to the city where
it's sold; Doug said it's supposed to. Angela feels like it could be presented and spend some time discussing
it further. Scott didn't feel like it's to the point to present, a little too fresh. Charlie doesn't feel it competes
with current Edmonds restaurants because of the different price points. Kevin Smith felt there could be
struggles to get this to fruition. Kevin H. suggested adding a caveat to this one; perhaps labor issues would
challenge this idea. Perhaps the Commission does some homework and discusses with current food truck
vendors. Carries suggested trying this in neighborhoods other than downtown to see how it works.
Consensus to move it forward.
HEALTH CARE TECH CORRIDOR
Charlie is very passionate about this and stated she will continue to work on this after she exits the EDC.
This is a longer -term project. Consensus is to move this forward. Kevin H. asked Charlie to create a clear
benefit statement. Jay will work with Charlie on this and take the lead from the EDC.
6. City Update: The legislative session has wrapped up. Hwy 99 renewal plan was included in the
transportation budget, Governor Inslee will be signing the bill on March 25th. The Hwy 99 Neighborhood
Office will be opening at the end of this month. The LTAC grant program for 2023 will be launched shortly.
8. Liaison Updates
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Economic Development Commission
March 16, 2022
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a. City Council (Susan Paine) Council is working on the Pros Plan. They're also working on bicycle
code changes. There is currently a downtown building permit moratorium, they're scheduled to discuss it
at the March 22nd meeting.
b. Port of Edmonds (Angela Harris) the Port retreat is next week. They be discussing the north
boardwalk, seawall project and admin building and also mission statement work.
9. Roundtable Discussion: Kevin H. thanked Charlie and Scott for their service. Charlie thanked everyone
for the experience and will stay involved; Scott thanked everyone for all the work, keep the work up;
Darrol asked if can we consider doing in person meetings?; Jay will be seeking reappointment; Evan thanks
Charlie & Scott; Carrie thanked Scott and Charlie and mentions the current and upcoming Ed! Campaigns;
Kevin Smith thanked Charlie and Scott.
10. Adjourn at 8:00 p.m.
Next regular meeting: April 20, 2022, 6 PM location Zoom
DRAFT Meeting Summary
Economic Development Commission
March 16, 2022
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