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2023-01-18 Economic Development Commission MinutesCITY OF EDMONDS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION MEETING January 18, 2023 COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: Nicole Hughes, Chair Kevin Harris, Vice Chair Darrol Haug Jay Hoag Kevin Smith Keith Hamilton David Kaufer Carrie Hulbert Kate Nolan — Student Representative COMMISSIONERS ABSENT: Vacant Seat -Mayor Appointment LIAISONS PRESENT: Susan Paine, Councilmember, ex-officio David Preston, Port Commissioner, ex-officio Ryan Crowther, Edmonds Chamber, ex-officio LIAISONS ABSENT: Vacant — Planning Board, ex-officio GUEST: 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: It is recognized that the Planning Board position is vacant. 2. Approval of Agenda: Jay moved to approve the agenda; Darrol seconded; motion passed. 3. Approval of November 16, 2022, Meeting Summary: Kevin S. moved to approve the meeting summary; Jay seconded; motion passed. Susan has to leave meeting early; therefore her update is moved up: a. City Council (Susan Paine) last night at City Council there was discussion about the Boards & Commissions, the discussion is on -going. Council Board & Commission assignments will be in Friday's packet, she has been asked to be reassigned as she has a conflict on this night. Council did pass a budget item to lease the Bank of America parking lot to increase parking downtown on Saturdays and Sundays. David P. asked why we don't create paid parking lots. Susan responded that residential and business employee parking permits have been increased. Leasing the Bank of America parking lot was not intended to increase revenue. Darrol asked if the lack of vacancy openings posted on the website will be addressed. Susan explained that Council is looking into this. Todd adds that there is not one point person for all Boards & Commissions. He has a desire to pull the advertising and communication on openings under him to oversee. 4. Audience Comments: None. 5. Discussion: EDC Positioning Discussion: Nicole explained that this item is to brainstorm the following: Goal: collaboratively develop our position statement/framework. What is the value of the commission and why are we doing this work? Meeting Summary Economic Development Commission January 18, 2023 Page 1 Outcomes: Renew our understanding of our work and our commitment to it. Set our 2023 intentions. The group will breakout in to five pairs to discuss five areas of "Who are we?", see Attachment 1. There is a brief discussion, prior to breaking out into pairs, about what has been valuable about the Commissions work or where improvements could happen. Susan highlighted the neighborhood discussions and the value that has to Economic Development. Darrol spoke to the parking discussions that have happened. Kevin H. mentions how there has been emphasis on being seen over the past year and a half. He suggests being more intentional this year in creating partnerships with other groups (for example, other boards and commissions or even private sector). Kevin S. suggests encouraging economic growth in the different neighborhood districts, how can the commission help guide the business growth. Carrie added that the group brainstorming sessions have been effective and valuable but need to get to the recommendations quicker. The group broke out into pairs to discuss the "Who are we?" topics. Diversity of experience: David K. shares that the Diversity of Experience could be elevated through the Biz Booster and possibly a partnership with Edmonds College. Kevin H. suggests approaching high school business teachers to target entrepreneurs. Kevin S. suggests that each Commissioner submit an experience statement. In the future, if there's a specific area of knowledge base or skill set the Commission is looking to target, it would help identify Commissioners area of expertise, as well as assisting new Commissioners familiarize with the Commission. Demographic diversity: Keith shares they feel the statement is well written. They determined the Commission is not diversified. Trying to identify gaps or areas of priority could help with outreach. Carrie adds, if open positions could be advertised in targeted ads, it could help garner interest from a more diverse applicant pool. Nicole suggests looking into whether there is a distribution list from the neighborhood meetups that Planning and Development held this past summer. David P. suggests successfulness will recruit folks, goals should be to make money for the City and businesses. Diversity of thinking: Darrol explains that they feel the Commission does a good job of the elements in the statement. 'Do-ers': Jay shares that time commitments and expectations per month, have been successful. It should be clear to new Commissioners what the time expectations are. Kevin S. suggests the value of annual retreat to focus the work plan. The annual Council report should also be calendared. Non -partisan: Todd likes the wording and likes that it's being called out. Economic Development is easily and inherently non -partisan. Darrol suggests replacing the word "park", considering the civic connotations to the word. David P. recommends making the statements more concise. The group takes 4 minutes to reflect on page three of the attachment. The group shares ideas they would like to see accomplished in the next year. 6. Liaison Updates: Meeting Summary Economic Development Commission January 23, 2023 Page 2 City of Edmonds — Todd Lunar New Year event will be held on Saturday, January 21St. His department will be working on the Community Cultural Plan and the Economic Development Plan as they are both budgeted to be updated this year. He is also working on positioning framework for the Creative District. b. Port of Edmonds (David Preston) the Port is actively working on the remodel Port Administration Building. He recommends partnering with Puget Sound Express as they bring a lot of people in to the City. c. Chamber of Commerce (Ryan Crowther) left early. Nicole asks the group if they would be willing to writing an experience statement. Darrol asks Nicole to put together a framework for it. General consensus agrees. 7. Roundtable Discussion: Darrol shares that the next king tide, if it follows the predictions of global warming, will be above the seawall. Kevin S. has his order in for Moto Pizza; read an article in Seattle Times that the Sounder Train may be going away; interesting idea of a program where business owners can direct part of their B&O tax to the City, Todd is looking into it. Jay had a good holiday break. Todd adds that the City is getting electric bikes for staff, he suggests talking with Carrie about the electric bikes and Ed! for the summer. Carrie, Ed! had a successful holiday season, they're working on Love List for the Valentine's Day campaign; welcomes any micro -mobility discussions. Keith, go Kraken! Kate compliments the hybrid sound quality from both sides. Kevin H. kudos to Kate for her contributions tonight. 10. Adjourn at 7:56 p.m. Next meeting: February 15, 2023, 6 PM location Hybrid — Brackett Room & Zoom Meeting Summary Economic Development Commission January 23, 2023 Page 3 ATTACHMENT 1 2023 Citizens Economic Development Commission Powers and Duties The Commission is empowered to advise and make recommendations to the Mayor and City Council, and as appropriate to other boards and commissions of the City on such matters as may be specifically referred to the Commission by the Mayor or City Council, or on matters independently generated by the commission, related to: • Strategies, programs or activities intended to generate economic development and consequently increase jobs and municipal revenue. The Commission shall deliver an annual report to the City Council in written and oral form during the first quarter of every year, and when appropriate, during other times as directed by the Mayor or Council. The commission is encouraged to work in conjunction with other boards and commissions on proposals, recommendations, projects or activities of mutual interest, or as otherwise directed by City Council. Similarly, the commission is encouraged to collaborate and cooperate with other organizations, agencies or entities engaged in economic development in Edmonds. (Edmonds City Code Chapter 10.75) Notes Pairs Discussion: Who are we? The following list of qualifications and goals for candidates was created by Kevin Harris in 2022 to help guide city council members with appointment vacancies during the selection process. We will use this list as a starting point for developing the framework of how the EDC operates. • Diversity of experience: we value the diversity of experience in our group - including small and large business professionals with a variety of licenses, certifications, folks from the public and non-profit sectors, folks who work professionally across sectors, including private, non-profit, civic, tribal, and public, retirees who have lived for years in Edmonds, or are recent transplants. • Demographic diversity: in every sense, including residence (different parts of Edmonds), cultural background, ethnicity, identity and age. In particular, younger commissioners would provide additional balance for our current commission makeup. • Diversity of thinking: we find it's helpful to have a systems -thinking discipline, to be able to help evaluate issues from multiple perspectives, as well as the short and longer term intended and unintended consequences of actions, ripple effects and cause and effect relationships. We also value folks who understand that economic development doesn't occur in a 'bubble, but as part of the larger goals of a healthy Edmonds - including community health, our shared environment, 'smart' growth and improving the quality of life for all of our residents. • 'Do-ers': We are not a think-tank. With your guidance, we take on projects that require real work, relationship -building and public input. As a volunteer organization, we can't do everything, but we do want to prioritize and move forward with commitment and partnership to achieve real and measurable results. There is much more to our work than just meeting once a month to share ideas. • Non -partisan: We do not inject personal agendas into our work, and do our best to park 'bias'. We serve Edmonds. We are mindful of building coalitions that avoid politicization, and seek consensus whenever possible. We believe that our Commission can be most effective and produce durable results, if we avoid adding members who have 'dug -in' positions, and are unwilling to listen to other's points of view (both externally and internally). Activity: read assigned section and discuss edits, additions, changes. Can you find examples of these values in our work? Share out as a group. %) Full Group Discussion Celebrate Success: what successes or accomplishments have been achieved through our work? What are the values that drive the work of the commission? What are the strengths of the commission and, in which areas of our work are we meeting expectations? Are there areas of growth needed? (in work, process, goals, other areas?) One year from now, what is one thing you would like to see completed/accomplished? 0