2011-08-17 Economic Development Commission MinutesCITY OF EDMONDS
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION
August 17, 2011
The Citizens Economic Development Committee meeting was called to order at 6:02 p.m. by Chair Frank
Yamamoto in the Police Training Room, 250 5th Avenue North, Edmonds.
COMMISSIONERS PRESENT
Paul Anderson
Tim Crosby
Bruce Faires
Don Hall
Mary Monfort
Beatrice O'Rourke
Evan Pierce (arrived 6:23 p.m.)
David Schaefer (arrived 7:14 p.m.)
Rich Senderoff (arrived 6:32 p.m.)
Evelyn Wellington
Bruce Witenberg
Rebecca Wolfe
Frank Yamamoto
Marianne Zagorski
COMMISSIONERS ABSENT
Stacy Gardea
Darrol Haug
Kerry St. Clair Ayers
PLANNING BOARD LIAISON
Kristiana Johnson
ELECTED OFFICIALS PRESENT
Councilmember Diane Buckshnis
STAFF PRESENT
Stephen Clifton, Community Service/Economic
Development Director
Cindi Cruz, Executive Assistant
Jeannie Dines, Recorder
PUBLIC PRESENT
Ron Wambolt
1. INTRODUCTION AND COMMENTS BY CHAIR
New Commissioners Evelyn Wellington and Tim Crosby introduced themselves and described their
backgrounds. Commissioners introduced themselves and described their backgrounds.
2. AMENDMENTS TO AGENDA
A report from the Communications Subcommittee was added as Agenda Item 4e.
3. APPROVAL OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION MINUTES OF JULY 20, 2011
COMMISSIONER ZAGORSKI MOVED TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF JULY 20, 2011.
COMMISSIONER O'ROURKE SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION CARRIED
UNANIMOUSLY. (COMMISSIONERS PIERCE, SCHAEFER, AND SENDEROFF WERE NOT
PRESENT FOR THE VOTE.)
4. REPORTS FROM SUBGROUPS
C. Technology Update on Fiber and Website
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Community Services/Economic Development Director Stephen Clifton reported Commissioner Haug,
CIO Carl Nelson and he plan to make a concerted effort in September to begin installation of some of the
targets of opportunity along 4th and 2nd Avenues and eventually the Edmonds Center for the Arts. That
could bring in revenue of approximately $4,000/month which would substantially shorten the payback
period. Mr. Nelson expects to be finished with the City's website update after Labor Day and will then
have more time to commit to the fiber project. A brief discussion followed regarding the fiber connection
to Harbor Square.
Commissioner Witenberg inquired about connecting Swedish -Edmonds. Mr. Clifton advised they are
currently under contract with Black Rock Cable.
d. Tourism
Commissioner Zagorski reported the subcommittee met in July with Tami Dunn, Sports Marketing,
Snohomish County Tourism Bureau. Ms. Dunn plans to visit venues in Edmonds next week with
subcommittee members and Parks & Recreation Director Carrie Hite to identify opportunities. Planning
Board Member Johnson advised Planning Board Member Val Stewart would like to participate in the
tour.
Chair Yamamoto reported on discussions he has had with Marla Miller, Executive Director, Business and
Operations, Edmonds School District, and Carl Zapora, South Snohomish County Commission for
Health, regarding funding for improvements to the Old Woodway High School fields.
e. Communications
Commissioner Zagorski summarized a proposal from the recently formed Communications
Subcommittee:
• Communicate with Edmonds citizens particularly regarding the Strategic Plan
o Utilize electronic and print media such as My Edmonds News, Edmonds Patch, and the
Edmonds Beacon
• Communicate with City Council
o Using the EDC draft minutes, a Commissioner provide a summary to the Council each month
regarding the EDC's work
o Appoint an EDC member to attend Council Community Services/Development Service
(CS/DS) Committee meetings and report to the EDC regarding upcoming issues
• Determine City Council candidates' stand on economic development by submitting questions for
candidate forums
• Subcommittee will meet at 5:30 p.m. the first Thursday of the month in the Port of Edmonds
Commission meeting room. First meeting September 1.
Commissioner Hall asked how Planning Board recommendations are presented to the City Council.
Planning Board Member Kristiana Johnson responded that the Planning Manager, Rob Chave, reports
Planning Board recommendations to the City Council. The Planning Board has also discussed ways to
improve communications. Often there is no public at Planning Board meetings and the first time citizens
are aware of issues is when staff makes the presentation to Council. The result is often poor
communication and the real issues get submerged.
Commissioner Zagorski suggested providing the Council an executive summary of the EDC minutes. Mr.
Clifton expressed support for a Commissioner attending CS/DS or Finance Committee meetings. For
example, the last CS/DS Committee meeting included discussion regarding development agreement and it
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would have been helpful to have others listening to that discussion; the brief minutes do not capture the
totality of the discussion. Council Committee meetings are held at 6:00 p.m. the second Tuesday of each
month.
It was agreed to review the agenda of the Council Committee meetings and identify a volunteer at each
EDC meeting to attend the next month's CS/DS and Finance Committee meeting.
A brief discussion followed regarding the subcommittee's plans to have a periodic column in the
Edmonds Beacon and My Edmonds News, and benefits of additional communication to highlight the
EDC's work.
COMMISSIONER ZAGORSKI MOVED THAT THE COMMUNICATIONS SUBCOMMITTEE
PROCEED ACCORDING TO THE PROPOSAL SUBMITTED ON AUGUST 17, 2011.
COMMISSIONER FAIRES SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
Commissioner Zagorski invited Commissioners to volunteer to make presentations to the City Council.
b. Strategic Planning and Visioning — Fundraising
i. Planning Board, Economic development Commission and City Council
Retreat #1, September 14, 2011 (open to public) 6:30 — 8:30 p.m., Council
Chambers
Mr. Clifton reported a preliminary agenda prepared by the consultant Tom Beckwith was sent to all
attendees. This kickoff meeting is an opportunity to provide input regarding the timeframe, refine the
scope of work, etc. Commission suggestions included televising the retreat and the consultant providing a
short presentation at the beginning of the retreat regarding what a strategic plan is/is not, how it fits with
other plans, etc.
a. Land Use (Westgate & Five Corners)
ii. Westgate & Five Corners
Mr. Clifton reported the UW students are working on the formed -based code using the two alternatives.
The Planning Board will review the form -based code and provide a recommendation to the City Council
this fall.
Discussion followed regarding the EDC reviewing the draft form -based code before it is presented to the
Planning Board, Commissioners attending and commenting at Planning Board meetings on issues related
to economic development, holding a joint meeting with the Planning Board when the UW presents the
form -based code, the Planning Board's consideration of the EDC's input in their deliberations, and a EDC
liaison attending Planning Board meetings.
Mr. Clifton suggested a process: a joint EDC/Planning Board meeting where the form -based code is
presented, the EDC and Planning Board discuss the code at their meetings, staff present the Planning
Board's findings to the EDC and the EDC provide input, the Planning Board consider the EDC's input
and make a recommendation to the City Council.
i. Proposed Code Amendments to BD Zones
Mr. Clifton recalled at the last meeting, the EDC expressed support for the four amendments (designated
street front and commercial depth requirements, uses in the BD 1 zone, step -back requirement and
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development agreements) with minor amendments. When the four amendments were presented to the
City Council, it was tabled over the issue of 35-foot building heights allowed with a development
agreement. The amendments were then reviewed by the CS/DS Committee who moved three of the
amendments to the full Council and recommended further review of the proposed amendment regarding
development agreements. One of the questions that has been raised about development agreements is if a
developer meets the criteria, is the Council required to approve the project. The City Attorney is
considering that as well as several other questions/concerns. Staff suggested to the members of the CS/DS
(Councilmembers Fraley-Monillas and Plunkett) that design criteria be incorporated into the development
agreement process.
Discussion followed regarding avoiding making height a campaign issue, incorporating design criteria
into the development agreement process, intent of a 35-foot cap on building heights via a development
agreement to be sensitive to concerns regarding increased height but also provide flexibility to develop a
building the community can be proud of, identifying communities whose building height is objectionable
and others where height is not objectionable, Seattle's decision to eliminate the requirement for retail on
first floor in many areas due to overabundance of retail space, recent unimaginative buildings constructed
in Edmonds, importance of adopting the first three amendments while further work is done on
development agreements, and informing the community that the issue of development agreements will be
studied further to address citizens' concerns.
Commissioner Senderoff clarified the EDC's previous support of amendments 1, 2 and 3 was with the
caveat that service businesses would be further defined.
COMMISSIONER HALL MOVED THAT THE EDC FORWARD ITS RECOMMENDATION
FOR APPROVAL OF AMENDMENTS 1-3 AS AMENDED (SERVICE BUSINESSES BE
FURTHER DEFINED). COMMISSIONER FAIRES SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
5. NEW INITIATIVES
Economic Development Commission Sunset Date and Appointment of Commissioners
Mr. Clifton explained the ordinance that created the EDC stated terms would expire in two years. The
initial life of the EDC only 1 %2 years before the Commission was extended for a year. If the Council does
not plan to extend the EDC, it is not necessary to change the terms and Commissioners could be allowed
to continue through December. If the Council extends the EDC or creates a permanent EDC, it is
appropriate to re -advertise the Commission positions and allow members of the public and existing
Commissioners to apply for the positions. Councilmember Buckshnis suggested the Commission also
address the process for replacing a Commissioner who misses several meetings.
Commissioner Faires proposed the Commission modify its mission to, 1) include what the EDC is doing
now, 2) continue pursuing specific economic development issues, and 3) monitor progress on the strategic
plan for a period of time.
Discussion followed regarding integration of the strategic plan into the City's budget, prioritizations,
goals, etc.; inviting existing commissioners to reapply and opening positions to the community; instituting
an appointment process similar to the Planning Board; staggering appointments; appointments by
Councilmembers and the Mayor providing more diversity; establishing a permanent commission or a long
term (5-year) extension; facilitating continuity by avoiding 17 new members on the Commission.
Mr. Clifton suggested topics for the EDC to work on include, 1) Transit Oriented Development (TOD)
nodes around the two swift stations on Hwy. 99, 2) developing a Master Plan for old Safeway property,
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and 3) TOD around the Edmonds station. He commented the EDC has done amazing things; without EDC
it was unlike the Strategic Plan would be underway or the planning done for Five Corners and Westgate.
Councilmember Buckshnis suggested, 1) extending the EDC through the end of the year, 2) establishing a
5-year or permanent EDC, 3) determining which Commissioners are interested in continuing, and 4)
opening the vacant positions to appointment by new Councilmembers.
Discussion continued regarding the EDC proposing a work plan at the time a request is made to extend
the Commission, new initiatives for the EDC to pursue, the EDC brainstorming economic development
ideas every 6-12 months, allowing new Councilmembers the choice to appoint a new Commissioner or
reappoint the existing Commissioner to ensure a connection between the appointing Councilmember and
the Commissioner they appoint, and revisiting the list of topics in the appendix.
It was the consensus of the Commission that the EDC continue.
6. PRIORITIZATION OF FUTURE AGENDA TOPICS
It was agreed a future agenda item would be extending the EDC through the end of 2011.
7. MISCELLANEOUS
Planning Board Member Johnson reported the Hearing Examiner recently reviewed applications for
outdoor dining at Five Bistro, Panera Bread and Scott's Bar and Grill. The Planning Board considered the
regulations and made a recommendation to the City Council that outdoor dining be permitted outright
under certain circumstances. The recommendation includes increased protection if the outdoor dining is
adjacent to a residential area such as screening, limited hours to coordinate with noise ordinance, etc.
Outdoor dining would make Edmonds more lively and fun, and it is good for economic development.
Discussion following regarding concern with the energy used by heaters in outdoor dining areas and
defining adjacent to residential in mixed use areas.
8. AUDIENCE COMMENTS
Ron Wambolt, Edmonds, expressed disappointment that development agreements have been delayed,
anticipating the inability to utilize a development agreement could result in Doug Spee developing a less
than optimum building. Rather than three floors of apartments, he will build two floors and the City loses
the revenue from the additional units and the monthly rents for all the apartments will be higher. He
expressed concern that the Planning Board's lengthy discussions were not adequately considered by the
City Council.
Commissioner Wolfe referred to misinformation she has heard that the change will allow development of
more condominiums and her assurance that the interest is in more affordable apartments to attract young
people to Edmonds.
9. ADJOURN
With no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 7:51 p.m.
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