2022-06-15 Economic Development Commission MinutesCITY OF EDMONDS
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION MEETING
June 15, 2022
COMMISSIONERS PRESENT:
Nicole Hughes, Chair
Kevin Harris, Vice Chair
Darrol Haug
Carrie Hulbert
Jay Hoag
Keith Hamilton
Lee Reeves
Vacant
COMMISSIONERS ABSENT:
Kevin Smith — excused
LIAISONS PRESENT:
Susan Paine, Councilmember, ex-officio
Roger Pence, Planning Board, ex-officio
Angela Harris, Port Commissioner, ex-officio
LIAISONS ABSENT:
Greg Urban, Edmonds Chamber, ex-officio
GUESTS:
Matthew Waldron
STAFF PRESENT:
Megan Luttrell, Program Coordinator CS/ED
Economic Development Commission meeting conducted via ZOOM and called to order by Nicole Hughes
at 6:04 p.m.
Call to Order and Land Acknowledgement
1. Roll Call and Recognition of Approved Absences: Absences are as follows: Kevin Smith, excused.
3. Approval of Agenda: Nicole proposed to add a new item: Planning Board Joint Meeting as Item 6.5:
and strike item 2 from the agenda as that was a holdover from last month. Darrol moved to approve
the agenda; Jay seconded; motion passed.
4. Approval of May 18, 2022, Meeting Summary: Darrol moved to approve the meeting summary; Jay
seconded; motion passed.
5. Audience Comments: None.
6. Discussion: Request from Council regarding Public Facilities Location: Nicole gave a brief explanation
of the email that Councilmember Chen sent out last month requesting the Commission to research
the idea of moving City services out of the downtown core. The email references work and ideas that
the Commission explored in the past. Darrol reached out to Matt Waldron and George Bennett who
are previous Commissioners who researched this idea extensively. Darrol is working on coordinating
a meeting with them to discuss the work that they did. Nicole considered the real estate that would
be available if City Hall was to move. Are there revenue opportunities by moving? Also, are there
services that would serve the community better by being closer to Hwy 99. Darrol mentioned that the
Hwy 99 City Office is only leased for three years and it's not setup as long-term solution. Kevin H.
mentions that there has been a lot of changes since Matt and George's research. Legislative and
administrative leadership has changed. Kevin H. asked Susan what the general temperature of the
Council is on this idea. She explained that it's hard to say at this point, it's currently a preliminary idea
as it has not been budgeted and it's not a fully developed idea at this point. Nicole added the previous
work, researched the City Hall building move not the Public Safety building. There was also discussion
of other properties the City owns such as facilities that are being used only for storage. She also points
out that if staff is working from home lends to downsizing. Nicole suggests pivoting on this idea and
focus on City Hall rather than the Public Safety complex. Susan adds due to the high crime rate near
Meeting Summary
Economic Development Commission
June 15, 2022
Page 1
Hwy 99, it has been discussed moving the police station closer to Hwy 99 to better serve the high
need areas. Kevin H. asks if you could move the Police and not the other services. Susan explains there
is a lot to think about when moving the services and she wouldn't want to lose space and not meet
growing needs. She also added that commercial space on or near Hwy 99 goes at a commercial rate
and does not offer a government rate. Matt Waldron added that they had recommended that Council
do a real estate study to understand the value of City property and the ongoing needs/cost associated
with the properties. Matt's recollection is that at the time, there was some pushback from Council, it
was not wholly supported. Darrol suggests compiling the work that has already been done as a next
step. Jay and Darrol recommend continuing with the Ad Hoc Committee of Jay, Darrol, and Nicole.
They plan to move forward with their meeting with Matt and George. They will compile what was
done and provide a recommendation to the entire group on how to move forward. In the meantime,
Nicole has asked the whole group to read through the document that she forwarded out from
Councilmember Chen.
6.5 Planning Board Joint Meeting: Nicole explained that the Planning Board has requested to do a joint
meeting with the Commission on August 101h to discuss BD2 Zoning. Kevin H asked Roger to give some
context to the request. Roger explained that the PB feels it is logical to request feedback, comments,
or suggestions from the EDC due to the economic impact, prior to making any decisions to update the
zoning. Nicole adds that our July meeting should focus on researching this topic, to prepare the EDC
for the discussion. There is Commission support to do the joint meeting. There is hope that Planning
staff can come in July to brief the group on the topic. Darrol suggests meeting with PB on the 101h and
then breakaway and meet under separate structure to hold the August EDC meeting on August 101h
There is consensus approval for this idea.
7. City Update: Megan shared Human Resources is readyto send an offer letterto the Director candidate
to fill the Economic Development Director position. Councilmember K. Johnson has appointed David
Kaufer as her EDC appointment. The Uptown Evening Market starts on July 12th. Kevin H. suggests the
EDC try to attend the neighborhood district open houses if possible. Carrie added that there is still a
place for the EDC to continue the conversations on the neighborhood districts as Development
Services' work is specific to outdoor spaces.
8. Liaison Updates
a. City Council (Susan Paine) shared that Firdale has a once a month outdoor market. Council will
be looking at hybrid changes for Board/Commission meetings, code changes will need to be made.
This will be discussed on 6/21 Council meeting. Also, on 6/21 Council will be having a presentation
by Community Transit.
b. Port of Edmonds (Angela Harris) Had to leave early.
c. Planning Board (Roger Pence) No additional comments.
Roundtable Discussion: Jay is waiting for summer; Kevin H. apologized for missing last month's meeting,
he's had some personal issues; Darrol, suggest everyone writing a note to Greg Urban as he transitions
out of the Chamber; Keith mentioned that the Edmonds is in the top 5 in the Zillow rankings; Carrie, shared
that Ed! is getting ready to roll out Lovin' Summer campaign; Lee shared a Stanford business study for a
future discussion; Nicole thanked everyone for their contributions.
10. Adjourn at 7:40 p.m.
Next regular meeting: July 20, 2022, 6 PM location Zoom
Meeting Summary
Economic Development Commission
June 15, 2022
Page 2