2023-03-09 Ed! Board MinutesEd! Board Meeting March 9, 2023
Meeting called to order: 8:01 am
Public Comment: Liz: Porchfest will take place on Sept 9, a day before the Chamber Car
Show. Want to partner with downtown merchants and businesses. Welcome suggestions to
make it more successful. The committee wants more streets to be closed. Could close the same
streets as the car show, a day early. Kimberly suggested a backroom blowout sale to capitalize
on the foot traffic. Erica wants to find a solution for the lack of retail sales.
New Edmonds map has been designed by Elizabeth Person. All of Edmonds, and downtown
Edmonds specifically, is included in the map.
David: Puget Sound Express whale watching boat has started going out for grey whales.
Board Members/Administration in Attendance: Kimberly Koenig, Jen Lawson, Matt
McCulloch, Olivia Brown -Latham, Robert Boehlke, Beth Sanger, Ricky Bobadilla, Cheryl Farrish
and Carrie Hulbert.
City of Edmonds Representative in Attendance: Todd Tatum (Community Services and
Economic Development Director)
Guests: Liz Morgan (FIELD), Whitney Popa (Workhorse HQ), Erica Sugg (Edmonds Chamber
of Commerce), David Preston (Port of Edmonds,) Kathy Solum (Edmonds Vision Center,)
Logan and Christine Harris (Camp Vintage,) Jason Arnell (People's Bank.)
City Report: Todd Tatum: Sketcher Fest international is July 14-16. The Lunar New Year
celebration is broadening up and including ECA and Civic Field as well as downtown. Want to
keep growing.
Marketing is working on a new branding exercise to be consistent.
Hospitality grants open on March 14. Businesses with losses of over 20% are welcome to apply.
Webinar info on March 13.
Parking lease has been signed for the Bank of America lot. Parking will be available weekdays
after 6 and on weekends from March 15 through Dec 31.
Erica: Connect Edmonds is on March 21 at Brigid's. It is a sold -out event.
Parade registration is open for the 4t". Beat Brackett foot race will take place. No fireworks in
downtown Edmonds this year.
Events in April: Chamber Foundation Laugh-a-thon, April 29, at Masonic Lodge, also known as
the old Edmonds Opera House. On April 15, the Old Edmonds Opera House will host a mini
concert featuring a band from the Taste. The chamber has lots of plans in place for a successful
Taste.
Approval of Previous Meeting's Minutes: Jen made the motion to approve Feb 9, 2023
minutes. Olivia seconded. All in favor, none apposed.
President's Report: Annual meeting on April 11t" . Election of new board members and
executive committee will take place at the meeting. Still need to fill the position of VP. The board
received feedback from a member about what Ed is doing/not doing for equity and inclusion.
Would like a presentation or a partnership with the Vida Agency to learn more.
Treasurer's Report: Has not gotten the info from the city.
New Businesses Added to BID: NC Concept store (Natalie has taken over the Crush
Footwear), Medicine Dance, JR Kennedy apartment rental.
Committee Updates
Admin: Board positions. Musa's open-door position is open for one year. This is an
appointed position. Matt's position is being filled by Jason. One by -appointment position
is open, and it is a three-year term.
Marketing: Working on Green Edmonds. Nine businesses have signed up. Bring your
own container on Earth Day for planting seeds is the promotion. Giving out seed
packets and window clings to downtown businesses. May add the video option like Love
Lists. Ed! is partnering with the Chamber and the City for Green Edmonds. Will use the
same marketing and will highlight each other's events. Tips for Small Businesses from
an attorney by Whitney Popa will be published soon. The women -owned -businesses
article is still going strong.
Communication and Outreach: Ricky will be speaking at the meet and greet. Carrie
annual meeting update: has contract from ECA for April 11 at 6pm. Invitations getting
mailed on Friday. Cash bar and light snacks.
Appearance & Environment: Working on signage for the new lots that the city has
secured. Mark VonGutten is doing the design. Fifty new spots at Bank of America
parking lot. Loving Summer campaign may need stronger poles. Also looking at other
signage opportunities, like wayfinding signs. May consider adding a QR code to
downtown signage.
New Business: n/a
Meeting Adjourned: 8:40