2013-09-18 Economic Development Commission MinutesCITY OF EDMONDS
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION
September 18, 2013
The Citizens Economic Development Committee meeting was called to order at 6:05 p.m. by Vice Chair
Bruce Witenberg in the Brackett Room, 121 5th Avenue North, Edmonds.
COMMISSIONERS PRESENT
Bruce Witenberg, Vice Chair
John Dewhirst
Roger Hertrich
Nathan Proudfoot (arrived 6:10 p.m.)
John Rubenkonig
Gail Sarvis
Rich Senderoff
Darlene Stern
Douglas Swartz
Evelyn Wellington (arrived 6:15 p.m.)
Teresa Wippel
COMMISSIONERS ABSENT
ELECTED OFFICIALS PRESENT
Council President Lora Petso
Councilmember Joan Bloom
PORT OF EDMONDS LIAISON
Bruce Faires
STAFF PRESENT
Stephen Clifton, Community Services/Economic
Development Director
Cindi Cruz, Executive Assistant
Frances Chapin, Cultural Services Manager
Jeannie Dines, Recorder
Evan Pierce, Chair PUBLIC PRESENT
Kevin Garrett Ron Wambolt
Darrol Haug
Nicole Hughes Jim Reed
Debbie Matteson
Doug Purcell
ALSO PRESENT
Gloria Evstatieva, Student Representative
1. OPENING REMARKS
Vice Chair Witenberg advised Commissioners Hughes, Purcell, Haug, Pierce and Garrett have excused
absences.
2. AMENDMENTS TO AGENDA —NONE
3. APPROVAL OF JULY 17, 2013 ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION MINUTES
COMMISSIONER DEWHIRST MOVED, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER WIPPEL TO
APPROVE THE MINUTES OF JULY 17, 2013. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
(Commissioners Proudfoot and Wellington were not present for the vote.)
INTRODUCTION OF STUDENT REPRESENTATIVE, GLORIA EVSTATIEVA
Vice Chair Witenberg explained last year the EDC made a decision to have a Student Representative. Ms.
Evstatieva introduced herself and described her background. She responded to Commissioners' questions
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about activities she is involved in, her Bulgarian heritage, and her college aspirations. Vice Chair
Witenberg advised the Commission needed to vote to accept Ms. Evstatieva as the EDC's Student
Representative.
COMMISSIONER SARVIS MOVED, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER STERN TO APPROVE
GLORIA EVSTATIEVA AS THE EDC'S STUDENT REPRESENTATIVE. MOTION CARRIED
UNANIMOUSLY. (Commissioner Proudfoot and Wellington were not present for the vote.)
5. INTRODUCTION OF NEW COMMISSIONERS: NICOLE HUGHES AND DOUGLAS SWARTZ
Vice Chair Witenberg introduced Commissioner Douglas Swartz and he described his background. Vice
Chair Witenberg reported Commissioner Hughes was unable to attend tonight's meeting.
6. UPDATE ON DEVELOPMENT PLANS FOR SWEDISH EDMONDS FROM DAVID JAFFE,
CHIEF EXECUTIVE, SWEDISH MEDICAL CENTER
Community Services/Economic Development Director Stephen Clifton relayed at the EDC'S request, he
invited Mr. Jaffe to describe Swedish Edmonds' expansion plans. He also introduced Lindsay Hopkins,
Major Gifts, Swedish Medical Center Foundation, and Gwen Johnson, Swedish Foundation Board of
Governors.
David Jaffe, Chief Executive, Swedish Medical Center, provided a brief history of Swedish Edmonds;
the hospital was formerly Stevens and became Swedish Edmonds on September 1, 2010 under an
arrangement reached between the Hospital District and Swedish. A lot of good things were happening at
Stevens Hospital; Swedish Edmonds is taking the hospital to the next level, focusing on the community
and its needs. Their primary focus is the patient and their experience. He commented on employees'
culture change to ensure the highest quality service is being provided.
One of the promises made when Swedish entered into the arrangement with the Hospital District was a
major capital investment to improve the hospital facility. No capital improvements have been made since
1972. He described what has been done since September 1, 2010:
• Implemented Epic electronic medical records system
• Purchased Da Vinci Surgical System
• Acquired anew 1.5 tesla MRI
• Opened anew Cancer Center on April 2, 2013
He described plans for a new ambulatory care center, explaining the intent was to provide a welcoming
campus, a place people feel comfortable coming, a place the community comes not only for healthcare
but to have an ultimate experience. He displayed an architectural rendering of the new ambulatory care
center and described the 25-foot ceilings and skylights in the lobby, circular drive off Hwy 99, clear
directional signage, bistro area with indoor and outdoor seating, outdoor water feature, new state of the art
emergency facility, urgent care center, outpatient imaging center, 10-bed observation unit, 3%: story
parking garage, 37,000 square feet for future hospital based programs, and building construction that can
accommodate a future third floor. The emergency department was built in 1972 for 25,000 patients per
year; Swedish Edmonds is seeing 43,000 patients per year,
The spirit of Edmonds will be incorporated into the hospital by the installation of tongue and groove
panels on a 30-foot wall in the lobby created from 150-year old reclaimed driftwood, a fireplace with a
seating area, historic Edmonds photographs, local artwork, integrated art and sculptures, a wellness trail, a
gift shop, and classroom space.
In developing this design, Swedish Edmonds spent time reviewing surveys and questionnaires and talking
with a variety of people to learn what is important to the community. The common theme was they
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wanted to feel comfortable, safe, enriched and have an ultimate experience. He encouraged community
engagement and philanthropy and invited the community to the Swedish Edmonds Gala on November 15;
the proceeds will be used to support construction of the new facility.
Mr. Jaffe responded to Commissioners' questions:
• hill there be space for people to have gatherings/evening events? New space should provide
more flexibility.
• The CDC is charged with economic development and revenue enhancement. Floors• can the area
around the hospital be converted into a larger medical cortmrurmy and what can Edmonds and
the EDC do to snake that happen? There are a lot or medical office buildings around the hospital
and more are being constructed. More primary care physicians will be located in the urgent care
center. The excellence the hospital offers and the new facility will attract more people to the
community.
• Is there anything the EDC can do to encourage that future to happen faster? He will talk with
community relations and outreach staff about being more engaged with the EDC.
• What is the capacity of new facility? 53,000
• Ten years ago Edmonds was the third busiest ER in the stale; is it still? It is very busy, definitely
at the top ofthe list.
• EDC has discussed economic opportunity as a result of enhancement of Swedish Edmonds such
as horellmotel. conference center, hospice care, etc. The best group to talk with is Verdant Health
Commission. They have embraced working with community organizations like the hospital and
offering financial support. With regard to economics, many businesses have the ability to provide
software applications or technology to the hospital.
• What cart Edmonds do to provide amenities such as a hotel, restaurants. and retail near the
haspital for patients and their families which in turn lead to economic development in Edmonds?
A new group, Celebrate Edmonds, is being formed and plans to look at things like than, to make
Edmonds a destination and capitalize on the waterfront.
• The community is always huerested in how expansion translates to increased employment And
Increased revenue to the City. There is interest in a hotel on Hwy 99 that could senor people
visiting patients at the hospital as well as the Pac 12 hockey arena and Sea !Jogs at EWHS. is
there potential far using software at the hospital to provide for virtual visitation? Consideration
is being given to a virtual tour or art and other areas in the Facility for patients and their families.
• This looks like a large facility that is vety open to public. What plans are in place for protection
and security of building arrd people? It will be addressed the same as the parking lots with
recorded surveillance which serves as deterrent. There will also be additional security staff with
additional square footage.
• Arse there any plans to address mental health its facility? The emergency facility has a mental
health component now as well as a 23-bed mental health inpatient Unit_ There is enough space to
include outpatient mental health if the hospital chose; that decision has not been made yet.
• Will the bistro be open to public.? Edmonds-Woodway High School is surrounded by fast food
restaurants; wish there were more healthy options Bistro will be open to the public; high school
students are welcome.
• What is the timeline? In design development now, start the garage in November and plan to
complete the project mid -summer 2015.
• Is funding secure? Yes. Have a modest fundraising goal of $2 million that they hope to exceed,
Gwen Johnson, Foundation Board Member and community supporter, commented the hospital has
been neglected over the years. The strengths of the community are its educational system and strong arts
community and now the new energy or the hospital. State-of-the-art healthcare is important to economic
development- She encouraged Commissioners to attend the Gala at Lynnwood Convention Center.
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Mr. Jaffe offered to provide an update to the EDC at any time and/or arrange a tour of Swedish Edmonds.
UPDATES
a. Land Use
Commissioner Senderoff reported the group discussed streamlining the permitting process including the
fee structure, the video on Forest Grove's website to attract businesses, festival retail and the upcoming
property owner meeting, and business incentives.
Mr. Clifton reported the Planning Board held a workshop on September 11 on limiting uses on the ground
floor along designated street frontages of the BDI zone. A public hearing is scheduled on October 9.
Permitted/not permitted uses will be revised slightly based on the Planning Board's discussions.
Mr. Clifton reported meetings were held with BDI zone property owners on May 13 and September 4.
Roger Brooks attended the first meeting and described the importance of clustering and power of
concentration of festival retail type uses. None of the property owners at the first meeting were opposed
but requested an inventory of existing ground floor uses. He and Ms. Cruz conducted an inventory
(attachment to the Planning Board packet) which was presented at the second property owner meeting.
All the property owners at the second meeting as well as a couple property owners who were unable to
attend expressed support for the proposal. If adopted, existing businesses can remain; the limit on ground
floor uses will only be effective when a space is vacated for a certain period oftime.
Mr. Clifton advised there were approximately 15 property owners at the first meeting and 8-9 at the
second; there are approximately 50 property owners in that area. The public hearing notice will be sent to
all property owners in the BDI zone and he encouraged property owners to express their position at the
Planning Board public hearing. He created a chronology of events for the Planning Board public hearing
along with minutes of each meeting as well as referenced what other U.S. cities doing and the field trip
the Planning Board and EDC took to Kirkland.
No report.
Tourism
Highway 99
Vice Chair Witenberg reported the Highway 99 Taskforce's August 19 meeting included discussion
regarding:
• A $25 million community health center project under construction on Highway 99 that will serve
moderate to low income
• Campbell Nelson is supportive of a 205'h/Highway 99 gateway, Campbell Nelson purchased the
triangular lot (previously mobile home sales) and are using it as a used truck sale facility. They
also purchased the former Denny's property that is being converted back to a Denny's.
• Shoreline and Bellevue Hagen's stores have been closed. TOP Foods is putting more emphasis on
health food.
• Highway 99 Task Force Chair Jim Underhill talked with a potential developer of a Holiday Inn
Express at 22p'h/Highway 99.
• The Burlington Coat Factory property owner (five tax parcels) is considering shorter term tenant
leases with a view toward possible redevelopment.
• Planning Board will be discussing zoning on Highway 99 including possibly more mixed use
development and eliminating parking requirements with changes of use
• 228 h will become a through street into Mountlake Terrace. The left turn from Highway 99 to 76'h
will be eliminated.
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Cultural Services Manager Frances Chapin announced the ribbon cutting for the International Lighting
project is tentatively scheduled for October 10 but she is waiting to hear that the banner arms have been
shipped. The next phase of the lighting project will be to the north, with new light standards and banners
related to healthcare district_ The project was entirely funded with federal grants that did not fund any
replacement banners or extra light poles. A brief discussion followed regarding the timeline of the 228 s
project (construction begins in 2014), and Mountlake Terrace's plans to build a bike path between the
Interurban Trail and the Transit Center.
Community Technology Advisory Committee
Mr. Clifton reported when the City is installing fiber at new locations, Snohomish County PUD requires
adherence to spacing requirements between existing lines. He has asked Mayor Earling to contact
Snohomish County PUD to discuss waiving the requirement. With regard to a timeline for installing fiber
on 5'b Avenue, Mr. Clifton advised there is a potential customer on 5'" Avenue.
No report.
Communications
Presentation at Planning Board on BD1 Zone
This was addressed under Agenda Item 7a.
8. MISCELLANEOUS
Commissioner Proudfoot reported the reason Swedish Edmonds' Gala was not held in Edmonds is there
is no place in Edmonds with space for 500 people and catering. He suggested the Tourism Subcommittee
discuss that.
Commissioner Proudfoot reported his research of the Federal Railroad Association's (FRA) guidelines
and General Code of Operating Rules (GCOR) found creating a quiet crossing in Edmonds does not
preclude engineers from sounding their horn. The only way to completely eliminate a hom or sound is for
the tracks to go over or under a crossing. Federal Administration on Transportation of Hazardous
Materials does not list coal as a hazardous material or marine pollutant.
Port Commissioner Bruce Faires reported the Port's primary focus over the next six months will be
Harbor Square, The future of Harbor Square is prescribed by permitting restrictions; the Port needs to
determine the future of Harbor Square within the present restrictions. Strategy could include business
groupings, sale of buildings, building modification within the present zoning, etc. He summarized the
Port is trying to determine the best future of Harbor Square for the Port's owners.
Commissioner Proudfoot reported he talked to America Brewery Company located in Harbor Square.
They are expanding and a possibility is a rail spur from the main line into Harbor Square. The hops and
wheat are currently delivered by truck; a rail car could be used for delivery and storage. Port
Commissioner Faires advised issues include finding other companies to use the spur, siting the hopper
and negotiating with the railroad.
Mr_ Clifton reported the following:
• A permit has been issued for the Salish Sea Brewery on Dayton.
• The City continues to work with District 21 Representative Marko Liias regarding funding for the
Highway 99 project; funding depends on the legislature's approval of a transportation package,
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• The Scarecrow Festival starts October I and runs the entire month. It is designed after a similar
festival in Cambria, California. He and Ms. Cruz are creating two "tourist" scarecrows to be
displayed in front of City Hall. Further information including instruction is available on the
Edmonds museum website and the scarecrow hotline. Student Representative Evstatieva offered
to get EWHS involved.
• Sun Fun Tours is returning to Edmonds on Tuesday with 50 people from Kamloops. He notified
the downtown merchants and the Chamber of Commerce. There were many favorable comments
about the hanging baskets and comer plantings when they were here in July.
• The Planning Board held a Westgate workshop on September 1 I
■ With regard to Strategic Action Plan Item 5b2, improving community outreach, he submitted a
$4800 decision package for the 2014 budget for someone to post on Facebook, YouTube and
Google+. Student Representative Evstatieva suggested advertising on the ASB's Twitter and
Instagram.
Commissioner Senderoff expressed his appreciation for whoever created the system that allows
Commissioners to use their regular email and copy the EDC email address for record keeping purposes.
Mr. Clifton said he will pass that on to Brian Tully, Information Technology. Commissioners can use
their personal email as long as they copy EDC@edmondswa.gov.
9. AUDIENCE COMMENTS - None
10. ADJOURN
With no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 7:59 p.m.
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