2022-11-16 Economic Development Commission MinutesCITY OF EDMONDS
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION MEETING
November 16, 2022
COMMISSIONERS PRESENT:
Nicole Hughes, Chair
Kevin Harris, Vice Chair
Darrol Haug
Jay Hoag
Kevin Smith
Keith Hamilton
Kate Nolan — Student Representative
COMMISSIONERS ABSENT:
Vacant Seat -Mayor Appointment
David Kaufer—excused
Carrie Hulbert —excused
LIAISONS PRESENT:
Roger Pence, Planning Board, ex-officio
Susan Paine, Councilmember, ex-officio
LIAISONS ABSENT:
Angela Harris, Port Commissioner, ex-officio
Ryan Crowther, Edmonds Chamber, ex-officio
GUEST:
David Preston, Port of Edmonds
Joe N.
STAFF PRESENT:
Todd Tatum, Director CS/ED
Megan Luttrell, Program Coordinator CS/ED
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 the table introductions to introduce Kate to
the group. David and Carrie are excused, both absent due to illness.
2. Approval of Agenda: Kevin S. moved to approve the agenda; Jay seconded; motion passed.
3. Approval of October 19, 2022, Meeting Summary: Darrol moved to approve the meeting summary;
Kevin S. seconded; motion passed.
4. Audience Comments: None.
S. Discussion: Micro -mobility— Nicole opened the discussion. The goal is to discuss what micro -mobility
can mean for Edmonds. How could it impact Edmonds? What are the trends around micro -mobility?
It is suggested that micro -mobility can be scooters, e-bikes, shuttles, and public transportation. The
purpose is to look at this through the economic development lens. Darrol suggests an additional type
of micro -mobility as tiny vehicles that are enclosed with heaters, one and two seater vehicles. This
opens the idea of parking your car and grab a tiny vehicle. David Preston suggests defining them as
cars and not cars. How do we regulate the vehicle and where do they go? It is determined that we're
talking about ways to travel on the road, not the sidewalks. Keith suggests having designated areas to
store the means of transportation. Susan shares that Community Transit (CT) is launching a pilot
program of a shuttle/van service in Lynnwood. Todd has had a conversation with CT about the
program. They are piloting a van ride share program that would run continual throughout the
day/night. Kevin H. asks if we have identified the problem we are trying to solve? Are we trying to
address the parking problem? Connecting different neighborhoods? He further asks how this works
in rainy climates. Kevin S. agrees, the biggest issues this are this type of transportation will face in this
area is weather and topography. He suggests riding a micro -transportation to larger public
Meeting Summary
Economic Development Commission
November 16, 2022
Page 1
transportation such as a shuttle or the light rail, allows for flexibility in different weather situations.
Nicole adds that infrastructure improvements will need to match the micro -mobility movement. David
Preston adds regulations need to be determined because visibility is critical. Kate points out that the
youth frequently use public transportation. She also adds that the health benefits of biking outweigh
the need to get out of poor weather. Nicole presents the question of what do we need to do to make
the shift for this? Darrol suggests creating some synergy to test the idea and micro -mobility could be
added to the comp plan development. David Preston asks how the e-bikes are being regulated and/or
how do you regulate them? Susan explains the City would need to adopt regulations. Nicole notes
that there is a safety piece to this discussion that needs to be addressed. Keith adds that the
regulations could become controversial, such as where do lanes go, does this eliminate parking
spaces. Kevin H. asks is this addressing the congestion and parking issue downtown? If you can
connect a problem to solve with this being the solution it adds to the credibility of the idea. Todd
believes this is an economic development idea. How do we remain economically viable? How do we
bring people to town without bring in all the cars? What policies do we advocate for? What is the roll
for this commission in the conversation? Kevin Smith mentions how will the transportation be used,
will someone really jump on to get around downtown or is it more to connect to different
neighborhoods? Kevin H. is curious about where the e-bike or e-scooters will be stored? Having them
parked on the sidewalks is problematic. Darrol adds that if the streets are developed for public space,
a combination of solutions for where do people park to get to the downtown core; where do you get
an a -bike or scooter to get downtown. Kevin H. wonders what other states or cities are doing to solve
these problems. How do you subsidize e-bikes? What have they done to change the behavior? Jay
mentions that in Europe there's a penalty for not returning the bike back to a docking station. Nicole
asks is this an area that we want to study, build a case, and develop economic impacts? Kevin Smith
adds that looking at this with other topics makes sense. Micro -mobility with parking he'd have more
of an appetite for. Susan adds that she likes the connectivity component of this idea. Nicole asks if
there is any cross -promotion opportunity with Civic Park opening. Kevin H. adds if the group wants to
pursue this idea, let's invite e-bike businesses to come discuss this idea with the group. Todd suggests
inviting Cascade Bicycle Group to gather their perspective. Nicole asks if the group would like to
develop an ad -hoc committee to discuss or would we like to continue discussing with the full
commission. Kevin S. & Jay are not fully engaged with the concept. Roger adds that due to his
experience, he doesn't feel that this is a necessary project. His understanding is that the CT trial
projects have not been successful. Kevin S. is struggling to see the solution as he doesn't have the
vision for it. David Preston recommends keeping it on the radar but let the market drive it. Keith is
curious how neighboring communities are looking at micro -mobility. There is curiosity of Carrie's
perspective. Nicole will loop Carrie in on the discussion. Nicole summarizes that this idea will stay on
the back burner but not an idea to actively pursue.
6. Liaison Updates
a. City Council (Susan Paine) shares that Council is working on the budget and the CIP/CFP over
the next few weeks. Nicole asks about the Downtown Parking Study in the budget for 2023. Darrol
has presented data to Councilmembers on where funds could be allocated from. Kevin S.
mentions the BD2 decision was passed.
b. Port of Edmonds (David Preston) a Port walk was held, about 25 people attended; Darrol added
it was superb. The new building has the foundation poured, it will start being erected soon. The
boardwalk improvements are moving slowly forward.
c. Chamber of Commerce (Ryan Crowther) absent.
Meeting Summary
Economic Development Commission
November 16, 2022
Page 2
d. Planning Board (Roger Pence) they had a successful joint meeting with Council. The
conversation was focused on current projects; comp plan (has to be completed by 12/2024). The
Porchfest event was the roll out of City staffs vision statement. The other heavy lift will be the
rewrite of the development code. They will push to make sure it moves forward.
e. City of Edmonds — Todd is working on the draft legislative agenda. There will be an ask for
additional funding for Hwy 99. The Creative District Advisory committee is getting back up and
running. There will be a Creative District convening at the beginning of the year. He's working with
other Creative Districts to get a regional pull.
Nicole asks how everyone would like to handle the December meeting, due to the proximity to
the holidays. After a brief discussion, it is decided to cancel the December meeting.
7. Roundtable Discussion:
Keith, good meeting. Kevin H. shares that Nicole and he did a BD2 Zone walk, they should have done it
before the joint meeting with Planning Board; his lesson, he will do this type of research in the future, for
topics that are critical. Edmonds Biz Booster is ready to move into version 3.0. He also thanks Kate for
joining the Commission. Darrol has an interesting new task with the School District. Lynnwood has
approved 6,000 new apartments, it's estimated to bring 1,200 kids additional kids into the district, that is
2.5 schools worth of kids. They're working on how to address the growth. There will be public meetings
to follow this, as it will likely be a bond issue. Kate is happy to be here. Kevin Smith enjoys being in person.
Nicole agrees that the being in person is great, and the hybrid model is a great option too.
10. Adjourn at 7:56 p.m.
Next meeting: January 18, 2023, 6 PM location Hybrid — Brackett Room & Zoom
Meeting Summary
Economic Development Commission
November 16, 2022
Page 3