2022-10-19 Economic Development Commission Packetf n C. 1 g9v
AGENDA
Edmonds Economic Development Commission
Wednesday, October 19, 2022
6PM — 8PM
REMOTE MEETING/ZOOM INFORMATION:
https://zoom.us/j/98696685791?pwd=RytOZj VuK3ZCNON4Q 1 RrMHZq SWpyQT09
Meeting ID: 986 9668 5791
Passcode: 901513
PHYSICAL LOCATION
The EDC members will be meeting remotely for this meeting and the public may as well at the zoom information
above. However, given the expiration of Gov. Inslee's proclamation on open public meetings, a physical location
to participate in the meeting must be provided. For this meeting the physical location provide is Edmonds
Waterfront Center Community Room B located at 220 Railroad Avenue. Comments may be emailed to
megan.luttrellkedmondswa.gov prior to the meeting.
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
Roll Call and Recognition of Approved Absences
2. Approval of Agenda
Approval of September 21, 2022 Meeting Summary
4. Audience Comments (3 minutes per person)
Economic Development Strategy Discussion (45 min) — All
This is an opportunity for the full commission and Director Tatum to collaborate
on vision for economic development approaches for the city, work prioritization,
and commission strategies.
6. Liaison Updates (5 min each)
a. City Council
b. Port of Edmonds
c. Chamber of Commerce
d. Planning Board
7. Roundtable Discussion
8. Adjourn
Next regular meeting: November 16, 2022, 6PM
CITY OF EDMONDS
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION MEETING
September 21, 2022
COMMISSIONERS PRESENT:
Nicole Hughes, Chair
Kevin Harris, Vice Chair
Darrol Haug
Carrie Hulbert
Jay Hoag
Kevin Smith
Keith Hamilton
COMMISSIONERS ABSENT:
David Kaufer - excused
LIAISONS PRESENT:
Roger Pence, Planning Board, ex-officio
LIAISONS ABSENT:
Susan Paine, Councilmember, ex-officio
Angela Harris, Port Commissioner, ex-officio
Ryan Crowther, Edmonds Chamber, ex-officio
GUESTS:
Jim Ogonowski
STAFF PRESENT:
Todd Tatum, Community Services/Economic
Development - Director
Megan Luttrell, Program Coordinator CS/ED
Susan McLaughlin, Development Services
Director
Economic Development Commission meeting conducted via ZOOM and called to order by Nicole Hughes
at 6:01 p.m.
Call to Order and Land Acknowledgement
1. Roll Call and Recognition of Approved Absences: Round robin introductions to introduce Todd Tatum
to the Commission. David Kaufer has an excused absence. Ryan Crowther, Susan Paine and Angela
Harris are all absent tonight as well.
2. Approval of Agenda: Darrol moved to approve the meeting summary; Carrie seconded; motion
passed.
3. Approval of August 10, 2022, Meeting Summary: Jay moved to approve the meeting summary; Kevin
S. seconded; motion passed, with Carrie abstaining due to absence.
4. Audience Comments: Jim Ogonowski shared that he is following the comp plan process. He served on
the Housing Commission. He feels that the comp plan should outline the vision of the City and then
determine how to execute. He sees there to be an over -emphasis on environmental issues and an
underwhelming focus on economics. He'd like the EDC to focus on how to increase revenue. He's
encouraging each board and commission to determine their own plan. He's asks if the EDC knows who
they report to, Council or Staff. He feels it's not clear who each board and commission serve.
5. City Update: Todd introduced himself. He will be the main liaison between the City and the EDC.
6. Comp Plan and Neighborhood Visioning Process Discussion: Nicole explained that she added the
Comp Plan on the agenda but the main focus of this item will be the neighborhood visioning process.
Susan shared a brief explanation of the comprehensive plan visioning, Everyone's Edmonds has a look
to attract all ages, approachable, and engage all people. This summer there was a targeted six -week
themed focus. Each week there was a variety of engagement to drive approachability as well as
develop recognition. Overall, the little engagement opportunity yielded 8,500 comments. Kevin
explained that EDC is interested in how they can participate and provide input for developing the new
comp plan. Todd added that he would appreciate meeting with the chair and vice chair to plan out
future agendas to dive into to several economic topics to discuss.
DRAFT Meeting Summary
Economic Development Commission
September 21, 2022
Page 1
Susan moved on to reimagining neighborhoods & streets. This concept took on new life during the
pandemic, as people were forced to gather in new places when the typical places were closed. The
focus is to really look at public spaces in all neighborhoods in Edmonds. Streets make up —77% of the
City's public space. How do we redesign our streets to accommodate all users? How can we activate
the streets we already have today? The scope of work includes developing new street typologies;
develop new public space typologies; create public space activation strategies toolkit. Susan explained
the street typology work includes a functional classification map. There is a requirement to map the
arterial roads, but the focus is on showing vehicle movement. She showed a cross-section example of
what the ROW could look like in the future. Susan shifted gears to discuss how public space activation
and the different ideas using the entire street or just a portion; closing or blocking off portions, etc.
The city held neighborhood meetings to discuss the different types of activation in each
neighborhood. The city has committed funding to try a pilot project activation event in each of the 6
neighborhoods: Downtown; Five Corners; Firdale; Westgate; Hwy 99/Ballinger; Perrinville. The
deliverable is an activation toolkit, it will provide description, design, and programming. Pilot project
core group meetings are ongoing. Kevin S. added that sidewalk improvements are exciting. He asked
how the improvements are being contemplated? Susan shared that there's several areas where the
ROW is not being utilized. Kevin H. mentions he's curious to know what themes they saw from all 6
neighborhoods and did any ideas change? Five Corners wants a food truck festival; Perrinville started
with a star gazing party; Westgate learned a lot about inequities. How do you activate Westgate?
Where are the natural gathering places? Where do you gather that's not too noisy? Five Corners was
interesting because of the streetscape so it was suggested to use BARC's lot but the idea is to use
public space so they will try to close 841hAve. Nicole asked about public engagement. Susan explained
that support has been typically, quite high. Carrie added that the programs themselves will be what
gets people excited about the activation. Kevin H. points out that there's a lot of differing opinions
out there, did you run into people who had different ideas and how was that responded to? Susan
explained that the project is not about what it looks like but really connecting with neighbors. It's a
holistic approach to infrastructure and street design as much as street activation. Carrie asked about
bike lanes being a part of the public activation. Susan explained that it's important to approach this
to utilize the entire ROW otherwise it will be allocated differently or possibly not used at all. Bike lanes
will be a part of some of the typologies. Kevin H. asked what is the benefit and/or role for the EDC
contributing to the comp plan? Susan shared a slide from Urbis showing the economic impact of
different curbside uses to highlight the benefit of the EDC's involvement. Nicole asked if there's
specialized knowledge that the group could be researching about street design to educate
themselves? Susan explains that streets are not complicated, it's the way people use them. Darrol
explained that every time we change something in Edmonds there seems to be input. Main Street was
received well, Sunset was not as easy, bike lanes get people excited. He emphasized that if you
improve but maintain the predominant use, it's better received then when the change eliminates
some of the uses that previously were in place. How are those different viewpoints going to be
managed? Susan expresses her understanding but explains that the emotion needs to be removed
from the discussion. Nicole thanked Susan for attending and for all the work she is doing in the
community.
7. Liaison Updates
a. City Council (Susan Paine) Absent.
b. Port of Edmonds (Angela Harris) Absent.
c. Chamber of Commerce (Ryan Crowther) Absent.
DRAFT Meeting Summary
Economic Development Commission
September 21, 2022
Page 2
d. Planning Board (Roger Pence) shared that Susan's presentation is a preview of what the PB will
receive next week. The PB will be reviewing the vision statement for the comp plan. He feels the
one thing that they will want to see is community engagement.
9. Roundtable Discussion: Roger shared an economic development opportunity. He did a walking tour
last week and the Five Corners Plaza property, it is currently for sale. The land is zoned neighborhood
business, which the zone is antiquated, it would require it to look like it does today, building on the back
of the property with parking in front. Roger feels it's worth an update to the zoning code. Darrol adds that
rezoning just because the property is for sale could go well or bad, it's a sticky situation. Jay mentions that
Hartland study got derailed because of the purchase of the BARC property. Keith suggest less codes could
be better. Roger suggests that guiding the codes in a direction that could improve the property would be
a positive approach. Todd added the Hartland study was very thorough, he is trying to organize what's
been done and what we know with staff and he would be willing to put that together. Jay added that the
Downtown Plan Assessment (Heartland) study was focused on the economic vitality of the neighborhood.
Roger adds the current zoning doesn't get redevelopment where it should be. Darrol added we lost our
student rep, we need to bring on another. There were two studies at 5 Corners both of which would be
meaningful for the EDC. Darrol is now the EDC rep for the Creative District, he's had two meetings, it will
need to be re -designated by the end of next year. There's an emphasis on the 41h Ave Cultural Corridor
and there's also an emphasis on how to get creative business out of the downtown. On the topic of moving
city services out of downtown, city services will likely be evaluated as the emergency order is lifted.
Someone should reach out to the city to see how the work environment will shift as we move forward.
Carrie shared that listening to Susan and how EDC can be involved led her back to the neighborhood
branding discussions that the EDC has done, Susan's data could be helpful. She also thinks it would be
interesting to survey the BID members about the office space business and how their work environment
is looking moving forward. Keith thinks that Jim had a good reminder at the beginning of the meeting to
determine the EDC's focus. Kevin H. added we've been moving away from the project work. What does
the work look like as a collaborative effort with other boards and commissions? He suggests continuing
conversations with community members, staff, other commissioners. He also suggests developing a guide
of principals to keep everyone on same track. Keith S. agrees that the governor's emergency order being
rescinded does make the future of the work force look different. He's excited for the moto pizza in
downtown Edmonds. Todd appreciates the comments tonight and is excited about the visioning for the
comp plan. Jay shared the survey participation was great in July but dipped in August; and welcomed
Todd. Nicole thanked everyone for a great meeting. Lots of positive work being done, the neighborhood
meetings have great energy. Between now and the next meeting Nicole, Kevin H. & Todd will meet to
explore the work that's being done and how to get it done. Kevin H. suggests an example and highlights
Carrie's idea of the electric scooters could be a good idea as it fits into transportation and the comp plan.
Carrie would like to think about discussing the idea at the next meeting.
10. Adjourn at 7:57 p.m.
Next meeting: October 19, 2022, 6 PM location Zoom
DRAFT Meeting Summary
Economic Development Commission
September 21, 2022
Page 3