2015-08-19 Economic Development Commission MinutesCITY OF EDMONDS
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION
August 19, 2015
The Citizens Economic Development Committee meeting was called to order at 6:00 p.m. by Chair
Schindler in the Brackett Room, 121 5th Avenue North, Edmonds.
COMMISSIONERS PRESENT
Michael Schindler, Chair
John Rubenkonig, Vice Chair
Julaine Fleetwood
Darrol Haug
Roger Hertrich
Nicole Hughes
Rich Senderoff
Darlene Stern
Douglas Swartz
Teresa Wippel
Bruce Witenberg
COMMISSIONERS ABSENT
Jenny Anttila
John Dewhirst
Randy Hayden
Debbie Matteson
Jamie Reece
1. ROLL CALL AND OPENING REMARKS
PLANNING BOARD LIAISON
Phil Lovell
ELECTED OFFICIALS PRESENT
Councilmember Lora Petso
PORT OF EDMONDS LIAISON
Bob McChesney, Executive Director
STAFF PRESENT
Patrick Doherty, Econ. Dev & Comm. Serv. Dir.
Cindi Cruz, Program Coordinator
Frances Chapin, Arts & Culture Program Mgr.
Jeannie Dines, Recorder
Program Coordinator Cindi Cruz advised Commissioners Dewhirst, Hayden and Anttila have excused
absences.
2. AMENDMENTS TO AGENDA - None
3. APPROVAL OF JULY 15, 2015 EDC MINUTES
Commissioner Senderoff requested the Commission's discussion regarding the Tourism Subgroup taking
a hiatus be expanded to reflect that the Commission was not fully supportive of that decision. The
following amendments were made to the minutes:
• Add to the first paragraph "Several members of the Commissioner were disappointed that the
Tourism Subcommittee will be taking a hiatus."
• Move the phrases at the end of the second paragraph "disappointment the Tourism Subgroup was
disappearing when they have done good work in the past; the EDC continuing to generate ideas;
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concern some aspects of tourism are already being address by other groups" to the end of the first
paragraph.
Revise the second sentence in the first paragraph to read, "He referred to a memo that he
generated to the EDC..."
Attach Commissioner Dewhirst's memo to the minutes
COMMISSIONER HAUG MOVED, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER HUGHES, TO APPROVE
THE AMENDMENT. MOTION CARRIED (11-0-1) COMMISSIONER STERN ABSTAINING.
COMMISSIONER HUGHES MOVED, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER WITENBERG, TO
APPROVE THE JULY 15, 2015 MINUTES AS AMENDED. MOTION CARRIED (11-0-1)
COMMISSIONER STERN ABSTAINING.
4. FIRST QUARTERLY PROGRESS REPORT ON STRATEGIC ACTION PLAN (SAP)
Economic Development & Community Services Director Patrick Doherty referred to the Progress Update
on the SAP document (also available on City's website), explaining this is the result of the EDC's
previous discussion about informing the community regarding progress on the SAP. He plans to update
the progress report quarterly. He welcomed Commissioners' input regarding the progress report.
Chair Schindler asked whether the items the EDC is working on will also be highlighted on the City's
website. Mr. Dougherty said this is strictly related to the SAP. Commissioner Stern suggested putting
information regarding the update on Channel 21 such as featuring one item and referring viewers to the
website for further information.
SUB -COMMITTEE REPORTS:
a. Strategic Action Plan
Commissioner Haug reported the EDC had the highest attendance at the volunteer picnic; 75% of the
members attended. He thanked Mr. Doherty for his response to the EDC's request for a quarterly update.
Now that information is available regarding progress on some SAP items, the question arises what else
can be done to inform the public such as articles in My Edmonds News, the Beacon or other form of
communication; just putting it on the City's website may not be enough. He reviewed an EDC SAP
Subcommittee Discussion Guide and invited input on the following: 1) completed items of SAP — how
best to communicate to public, 2) EDC input elements, 3) Town Hall meetings to continue the public
discussion of the elements of SAP, 4) when and how to update the current SAP, and 5) development of
cost estimate for key elements of SAP. Commission suggestions included:
• Hold topical Town Halls such as regarding the SAP to review what has been done and Q&A
• Add progress on the SAP to another meeting such as the Mayor's Town Hall
• Hold Town Hall meeting with an overall presentation on the SAP and breakouts on specific items
• Article in the newspaper featuring progress on one item in SAP
• The public does not care about SAP but they do care about topics
• Consider ways to educate the public about topics as well as how to engage in the process
• Describe opportunities for the public to engage
• Communicate with the public and get information out early in the process
Arts & Culture Program Manager Francis Chapin reported on a mini arts summit held in July regarding
the Community Cultural Plan that included presentations on the five topic areas of greatest interest
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followed by breakouts into smaller groups. Many of the people who attended the summit were not
involved in the process of developing the Community Cultural Plan.
Mr. Doherty reminded when the City Council approved the update to the SAP four months ago, it was
with the caveat that a public process occur next year to update the SAP. The draft 2016 budget includes a
placeholder for that public process.
b. Business Districts Enhancements
Vice Chair Rubenkonig referred to business district summaries that have been prepared for Westgate,
Downtown, Five Corners and Firdale; summaries for the Waterfront and the 76t' Corridor are in the
process of being prepared. The intent is to have the summaries and photographs on the City's website by
September. Mr. Doherty explained the business attraction advertising staff began in July includes a
rebranded URL for one of the City's webpage, YourBizInEdmonds.com, that directs users to the Bring
Your Business to Edmonds webpage that will list business districts with links to the summaries and
photographs. The intent is to encapsulate the district's character, highlight primary businesses, recent
enhancements/improvements, traffic volumes, examples of potential desirable and complementary
businesses, transit, etc.
Discussed followed regarding potential additional districts such as the Port and Harbor Square, intent of
the district information to inform potential businesses and/or brokers about the districts, and adding
unique attributes of each district to the summaries. Commissioners were invited to contact subcommittee
members or Mr. Doherty with any changes/additions.
6. DISCUSSION ON UPCOMING MEETING WITH CITY COUNCIL (SEPTEMBER 8)
a. Summarize Value of CEDC
Commissioners suggested the presentation include a review of the reason the EDC was created and what
the Council asked EDC to do (develop new strategies for economic development and identify new
sources of revenue) and whether the EDC is doing it. Commissioners brainstormed the following values
of the CEDC:
• Citizen think tank
• Diverse views and geography
• Lightning rod for ideas, cross pollination of ideas though discussion
• Conduit for input and ideas from citizens to EDC and then to staff and Council and vice versa
• Deep dive into topics that Council or staff do not have time to do
• Vetting feasibility of ideas, both positive and negative. EDC has investigated and determined
some strategies and revenue sources are not feasible
• Guest speakers — explore ideas/concepts/projects
o Chamber
o Doug Spee
o Swedish Edmonds
o Lindsey Echelbarger
o Snohomish County Tourism Bureau
o Roger Brooks
o Senior Center
o BID
Networking with potential partners regarding economic development
Extending conversation
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b. Summarize Accomplishments
Commissioners brainstormed the following accomplishments:
• Six Items from 2009 Report to Council
Summarize past annual reports
Development of various strategies leading to accomplishments
o Code for Westgate
o Ads in Puget Sound Business Journal
o Input on tourism website and sounding board
o Explore business incentives
o Year-round farmers market
o B&B research
• Sounding board
• Vetted fiber optics
o Revenue and cost savings
• Facilitated Westgate design and discussion
• Facilitated discussion regarding festival retail downtown
• Initiated and continue to support SAP
• Pursued and endorsed establishment of downtown restroom
C. Summarize Future Value (what we want to work on)
Commissioners brainstormed the following future values:
• Diversity
• Update of SAP
• Five Corners — revisit in light of Council action on Westgate
• Continue to explore strategies for Hwy 99
• Help to promote Edmonds as business location (website)
• Strategies to encourage walkable neighborhoods
• Hotel — Hwy 99 or boutique hotel downtown
• 4th Avenue Arts Corridor
• Sports tourism
Chair Schindler reported the presentation would be made by the Chair, Vice Chair and past Chair. He
requested one member from each subcommittee attend and be able to speak as well as one at -large
Commissioner.
7. COUNCIL LIAISONS' COMMENTS
Councilmember Petso advised the EDC's September 8 report to the Council is scheduled for 45 minutes;
she recommended the presenters retain time for Council questions. She recalled being asked in January
what the Council wanted from the EDC; she suggested considering how Councilmembers' responses fit
with the list of accomplishments.
Councilmember Petso reported the Council was provided an update regarding the Marina Beach Master
Plan. A representative of Washington State Ferries indicated the Edmonds Crossing project is not dead
which means there may be a ferry dock at Marina Beach in the distant future.
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8. PLANNING BOARD UPDATE
Planning Board Member Phil Lovell reported the public hearing regarding the Marina Beach Master Plan
at the last Planning Board meeting revealed there is a great deal of public support. He distributed a
drawing of Marina Beach that includes the conceptual footprint of the Edmonds Crossing alignment. He
urged the Council to read the Planning Board meeting minutes that summarize the Board's lengthy
discussion including the potential impact of a future Edmonds Crossing project. The Planning Board
recommended approval of the Marina Beach Master Plan. He read from a letter from WSDOT Ferries
Division dated June 19, 2015, "Unocal and its successors maintain the ownership of certain assets and an
easement that span the adjacent Burlington Northern Saute Fe railroad right-of-way. The Limited
Warrantee Deed granted Unocal and its successors (WSF) the right to demolish properties in the
easement, and construct the ferry terminal trestle and utilities necessary for the operation of the Edmonds
Crossing Ferry Terminal at the site." The Master Plan is designed so that minimal infrastructure will be
impacted by Edmonds Crossing alignment.
Mr. Lovell pointed out the conceptual Edmonds Crossing alignment crosses Port property. He relayed the
WSF representative indicated their long range plan (a 10-year plan that includes projects for the next 30
years) will be updated next year and that he suspected the Edmonds Crossing project will be on project
list. A brief discussion followed regarding how the potential of Edmonds Crossing has affected
development of Edmonds.
9. PORT OF EDMONDS UPDATE
Bob McChesney reported the Port is having a very good year; the marina is full. Puget Sound Express
whale watching tours are having an economic impact including their purchase of approximately 300
gallons of fuel per day as well as bringing thousands of people to Edmond who otherwise may not have
visited. Harbor Square is also doing very well. In response to a question whether the whale watching tours
have resulted in an increase in overnight stays, Mr. McChesney was uncertain how much could be
attributed to the whale watching tours but Harbor Inn has been full all summer. Puget Sound Express has
booking arrangements with various tour groups in Seattle and Snohomish County that bring busloads of
people to Edmonds. He summarized it was a good illustration of the power of tourism and economic
development. He thanked Mr. Doherty for his assistance with bringing them to the Port.
10. COMMISSIONERS' CORNER — TOPICS FOR POTENTIAL DISCUSSION FOR NEXT
MEETING — None
11. AUDIENCE COMMENTS — None
12. ADJOURN
With no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 7:42 p.m.
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