2023-06-21 Economic Development Commission MinutesCITY OF EDMONDS
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION MEETING
June 21, 2023
COMMISSIONERS PRESENT:
Nicole Hughes, Chair via Zoom
Kevin Harris, Vice Chair
Darrol Haug
Jay Hoag
Natalie Seitz
Matt Cox
Kevin Smith
Nick Perrault
Allan Townsend
COMMISSIONERS ABSENT:
Kate Nolan — Student Representative
David Preston, Port Commissioner, ex-officio
LIAISONS ABSENT:
Vivian Olson, Councilmember, ex-officio
Ryan Crowther, Edmonds Chamber, ex-officio
Vacant — Planning Board, ex-officio
GUEST:
Will Chen, Councilmember
Neil Tibbott, Council President
Nick Maxwell
STAFF PRESENT:
Megan Luttrell, Program Coordinator CS/ED
LIAISONS PRESENT:
Economic Development Commission meeting called to order by Kevin Harris at 6:00 p.m.
Call to Order and Land Acknowledgement
1. Roll Call and Recognition of Approved Absences: Kate is absent due to illness.
2. Approval of Agenda: Jay moved to approve the agenda; Kevin Smith seconded; motion passed.
3. Approval of May 17, 2023, Meeting Summary: Jay moved to approve the meeting summary; Natalie
seconded; motion passed.
4. Audience Comments: Nick Maxwell, shares that Planning Board has not appointed a liaison but may
have one by November. Planning Division has presented a Hwy 99 Renewal Project for the south
stretch of Hwy 99. The Planning Board supports the idea but make sure it works for the folks that live
and shop there.
The group did round the table introductions to welcome Allan and Nick to the group.
5. Discussion: Follow up with Council President Neil Tibbott — Revenue: This is a follow-up to the
Council budget retreat that the EDC attended in April. There is desire to dig in deeper to the discussion.
How can the EDC get involved proactively or weigh in on ideas. Nicole shares the Budget Priorities
Feedback Form topics: Public Safety Services; Community Spaces; City Government; Environment;
Neighborhoods; Human Services. The feedback form also has some revenue options. Kevin Harris
points out that the EDC could add value to almost all the priorities, except for Human Services. There
is a lot of diversity in the group as far as experience. Neil explains that the priorities highlighted on
the Feedback Form are top priorities over the course of the next five years for the Council. Neil asks
how the group feels about the identified priorities. Are there others that rise to the top for the group.
Nicole adds that the group has done a lot of exploration around the neighborhood business district
idea and how do we increase business activity and attract new businesses to the those areas. Also,
how do you improve flow from business district to business district; how do you get there if you don't
Meeting Summary
Economic Development Commission
June 21, 2023
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have a car. She points out Susan McLaughlin's work last summer supports this idea. Natalie supports
neighborhoods as a priority. The primary commercial area for the City is Hwy 99 and there is
development happening to add residential space to Hwy 99; how is that impacting the economy? Hwy
99 is a neighborhood with great restaurants but it's not walkable. An area of study could be how
accessible businesses are within neighborhoods and if they're not accessible what is the benefit to
make invest in making them more accessible. Jay points out that Seattle businesses are relocating to
Edmonds. How do you plan to give business districts identity that attract the relocation of businesses?
Darrol adds that Hwy 99 is undergoing a lot of changes. Current and past police chiefs have shown a
desire to have a greater presence near Hwy 99; there could be a move of the Police Department up
to the area. If that changes, it will shake up the dynamic of the downtown. It could change the
economy of downtown. Matt adds the most synergy between this group and the list of priorities is in
Neighborhoods. He adds that green infrastructure could be priority to add — charging stations and
green power grid. This would benefit residential and commercial groups alike. Nick agrees that the
Neighborhoods is a high priority. Community spaces is a tie in for him; there's a desire to develop an
area for families for rainy day activities. Kevin Harris adds that Neighborhoods is important but there
are a lot of intersectionality of the priorities. He asks how we can make strategic infrastructure or
other investments that will leverage long term, responsible growth. What is responsible growth?
What is the core economy? Should that be diversified and how? Neighborhoods is one piece of this.
What makes people feel like they live in Edmonds rather than a specific neighborhood? He would ask
some of these questions; the Commission could ask the questions and do some of the work. Neil
explains that he's felt the businesses districts could be built up and improve the connectivity. He
wonders how we build up the BN Zones to improve the walkability and bikeways to improve access
to businesses. Council approved a fourth police squad to operate in other parts of the City, likely for
the Hwy 99 area. Will points out that public safety is crucial for economic development and quality of
life. Natalie agrees that public safety on Hwy 99 is a top priority. Darrol adds that a plan needs to be
developed prior to the additional development and improvement plans. Kevin Harris adds, can you
use the B&C partnerships to leverage ideas. Will likes the idea versus hiring consultants for all. Neil
points out that we have economic driver partnerships for example the ECA; how can we build these
opportunities in other parts of the City. Nicole explains that EDC explored the idea of community
space, like the Waterfront Center, near Hwy 99 and the benefit of having that type draw in a more
accessible location. Will shares this is an idea he's had for years; to have a community space to
highlight the cultural diversity in Hwy 99. Attract folks with the food; Korean dance; Chinese Lion
Dance, etc. Darrol mentions dusting off the studies that the EDC has done regarding Five Corners;
Firdale and Westgate. Neil coins Will's idea as a mega -magnet; what ideas are there for other
neighborhoods. There's always the question of how we fund these ideas; perhaps public, private
partnership. Are there funding opportunities we haven't tapped into in the past. Natalie adds that
there is grant funding opportunities but how much staff time are we leveraging to seek grant
opportunities for areas outside of the bowl. Kevin Harris shares that there are grad students willing
to work on grant opportunities for school credit. Neil adds that there has been discussion of adding a
grant manager to staff. We have not increased property taxes in 6 years. We've increased revenue by
increasing sales tax, and it's increased significantly from internet sales. Staffing costs have increased
and it's driving a need to increase revenue. Council's position is to be revenue neutral; we don't want
to tap into our ending fund balance. We might have to but it's not renewable source of revenue.
Darrol suggests at looking at ways to retain the car sales revenue because the industry is evolving.
Neil explains that one suggestion at the budget retreat was a lev. Kevin Harris asks Neil to develop an
ask, if there is one, of the Commission. The Council is still conducting budget townhalls and they will
be reviewing information collected on 6/27. Neil explains the Comp Plan is going to be a huge piece,
Meeting Summary
Economic Development Commission
June 21, 2023
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maybe it makes sense to organize a committee to focus on the Comp Plan. There is likely to be
additional opportunities in the next year to dedicate others to. The largest redevelopment of Hwy 99,
in the history of Edmonds, is happening right now. Do we need different types of infrastructure than
we're currently planning for, if so, it should be put into the comp plan. Will requests that this
Commission pick up where they left off on researching moving the public safety building up to Hwy
99. Nicole points out that the research that was done wasn't specific to public safety but also moving
City Hall and other facilities. Neil asks the group, what's one budget item we should consider adding
to the 2024 budget or a budget takeaway. Nick needs to do more research. Jay won't add to the list,
he's happy with how it's built. Darrol suggests moving the library roof leak from 2028 to 2024. Natalie
would like to see a REDI program manager, and the Uptown City Hall has presented a need, she
suggests leasing a large location for community space to allow for additional programs. Allan would
add data to the conversation, survey the community on their wants and needs. Kevin Harris is
intrigued by grants and public private partnerships. Nicole would explore technology and how it could
free up city resources to automate repetitive tasks.
6. Discussion: Family, Child and Youth -Focused Businesses/Activities: Darrol shared background
materials on this topic to both Allan and Nick. He adds that there are no indoor active business or
organization in Edmonds that fills this niche. Kevin Smith adds that with the loss of Funtasia or Family
Fun Center, this area has been lacking. It would be good to approach the Youth Commission to see
what types of ideas they have to fill this niche. Darrol asks what the next steps are to build the idea
and move forward. Nicole adds that we need to highlight the need and the economic impacts. Kevin
Harris asks Darrol if he would like to assign some homework. Darrol points out that this will take land,
time, funding and finding a sponsor. He points out that we need to put all these things together to
find out if there is support for this notion. He wants to tap into the other areas to determine if there
is going to be support. Darrol will send out some ideas for the group to think of. Will points out that
Boys & Girls Club is currently fundraising for their new building, we don't want to conflict with those
efforts.
7. Liaison Updates:
a. City Council (Vivian Olson) Absent.
b. Port of Edmonds (David Preston) working on the Port boardwalk. The new admin building
should be completed just after Labor Day.
c. Chamber of Commerce (Ryan Crowther) Absent.
8. Roundtable Discussion: Darrol shares there will be recommendation to the school district to go for a
levy for $590M; to build additional space for middle schools. Natalie shares that several candidates
came and spoke at the Hwy 99 open discussion.
9. Adjourn: 8:05 p.m.
Next meeting: July 19, 2023, 6 PM location Hybrid — Brackett Room & Zoom
Meeting Summary
Economic Development Commission
June 21, 2023
Page 3