2015-12-16 Economic Development Commission MinutesCITY OF EDMONDS
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION
December 16, 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
John Dewhirst
Julaine Fleetwood
Darrol Haug
Roger Hertrich
Nicole Hughes
Debbie Matteson
Darlene Stern
Teresa Wippel
Bruce Witenberg
COMMISSIONERS ABSENT
Jenny Anttila
Randy Hayden
Jamie Reece
Rich Senderoff
Douglas Swartz
PLANNING BOARD LIAISON
Phil Lovell
ELECTED OFFICIALS PRESENT
PORT OF EDMONDS LIAISON
Bruce Faires
STAFF PRESENT
Patrick Doherty, Econ. Dev & Comm. Serv. Dir.
Cindi Cruz, Program Coordinator
Jeannie Dines, Recorder
PUBLIC PRESENT
Ron Wambolt
1. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL OF MEMBERS PRESENT
2. AMENDMENTS TO AGENDA - NONE
3. APPROVAL OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION MINUTES OF 11/18/15
COMMISSIONER HAUG MOVED, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER DEWHIRST, TO
APPROVE THE MINUTES OF 11/18/15. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
4. SUBMISSION OF 2016 GOALS AND PRIORITIES AS FINAL BUSINESS
Chair Schindler relayed this is final EDC meeting as the City Council made a decision to allow the EDC
to sunset. At the November meeting, the Commission discussed goals and priorities; the document in the
packet incorporates the suggested changes. He suggested the Commission vote on the proposed goals and
priorities in the event the City sets up new group regarding economic development.
Vice Chair Rubenkonig reviewed the revised list of goals and priorities:
Primary Goals
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• Examine the Five Corners neighborhood in light of redevelopment concepts for Westgate
• Continue work to track and update the accomplishments of the Strategic Action Plan
• Study various proposals to encourage increased tourism: parking, signage, festivals and hotel
accommodations
Secondary Goals
• Continue work as a "think thank" to explore new ideas
• Look at the possibilities of strengthening the connections between the various districts within the
City
Endorsed Ideas
• Support the ongoing efforts to revitalize Highway 99
• City study of the feasibility of Esperance annexation
Discussion followed regarding cost of improvements in the Esperance annexation area versus revenue it
generates, think-tank topics such as options for increasing density, Commissioners continuing to forward
economic development ideas to the City Council, staff s letter to Snohomish County regarding proposed
changes to multi -family zones in the urban growth area (including Esperance) that would allow more
housing and up to 5 stories. It was suggested Commissioner Haug develop a supplement to the EDC
goals/priorities document with further details regarding the think tank goal.
COMMISSIONER DEWHIRST MOVED, SECONDED BY VICE CHAIR RUBENKONIG, TO
MOVE "SUPPORT THE ONGOING EFFORTS TO REVITALIZE HIGHWAY 99" TO PRIMARY
GOALS." MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
VICE CHAIR RUBENKONIG MOVED, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER HAUG, TO STRIKE
"PRIMARY, SECONDARY AND ENDORSED IDEAS" AND JUST HAVE "GOALS." MOTION
CARRIED UNAIMOUSLY.
Commissioner Haug suggested adding the following goals:
• Explore alternative ways to achieve Growth Management Act population growth requirements
• Explore methods to accommodate added population with increased housing density to match
income diversities
Discussion continued regarding concern the suggested goals and priorities were inconsistent with the
EDC's mission, the purpose of the EDC approving a list of goals and priorities, and support for creating a
list of goals and priorities.
COMMISSIONER STERN MOVED, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER HUGHES, THAT THE
EDC ACCEPT THE CHANGES TO THE LIST OF GOALS AND PRIORITIES AND ADD
COMMISSIONER HAUG'S SUGGESTED GOALS. MOTION CARRIED (10-1),
COMMISSIONER HERTRICH VOTING NO.
AUDIENCE COMMENTS
Ron Wambolt, Edmonds, pointed out the City has attempted to annex Esperance several times but the
residents have voted against it. Discussion followed regarding recent changes in state law that make it
easier to annex an unincorporated island, and impacts on the surrounding (Edmonds) area of development
in Esperance. With regard to the County allowing taller building heights in Esperance, Mr. Wambolt
pointed out there are two CG zones on Highway 99 that allow taller buildings. He concluded the reason
he was here tonight was he attended the first EDC meeting in July 2009 and he wanted to attend the last
one.
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Vice Chair Rubenkonig advised he will send the revised list of goals and policies to Ms. Cruz for
distribution to Commissioners.
Commissioner Matteson thanked City staff for supporting the EDC and for all work they have done on
the EDC's behalf.
On behalf of the City, Mr. Doherty thanked Commissioners for their service. Notwithstanding the
Council's action, the EDC was a very valued organization. Given the sunset date in the code, a difference
of opinion among Councilmembers and a new Council composition in 2016, a decision was made to
allow the EDC to sunset and consider another group next year.
Commissioner Witenberg recognized Ms. Cruz for everything she does behind the scenes; without her
hard work and ability to organize, the EDC would not have been as successful. He found it unfortunate
the way the EDC was ending, finding it a huge disservice to the 17 people who have served on the EDC
and all the people who have served previously. Some Councilmembers acknowledged their complicity in
the failure and others do not. The EDC has a lot to be proud of and can walk out with their heads held
high.
Commissioner Stern said she will retain the concept of the phoenix.
With the possibility of a reconstituted group, Vice Chair Rubenkonig encouraged anyone interested in
being part of the group's leadership, to contact him, Chair Schindler, Ms. Cruz or Mr. Doherty.
Commissioner Schindler thanked Commissioners for their service.
6. ADJOURN
With no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 6:49 p.m.
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