2016-03-30 Economic Development Commission MinutesCITY OF EDMONDS
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION
March 30, 2016
The Economic Development Commission meeting was called to order at 6 p.m.
COMMISSIONERS PRESENT:
George Bennett
Mary Monroe
Stephen Clifton
Aseem Prakash
Nicole Hughes
Jamie Reece
Matthew Waldron
Darrol Haug
Michael Schindler
Port Commissioner Bruce Faires, ex officio
Nathan Monroe, Planning Board, ex officio
Greg Urban, Edmonds Chamber, ex officio
COMMISSIONERS ABSENT: none
ELECTED OFFICIALS PRESENT:
Mayor Dave Earling
Councilmember Neil Tibbott
STAFF PRESENT
Patrick Doherty, ED/CS Director
Cindi Cruz, ED/CS Program Coordinator
ALSO PRESENT:
Bruce Witenberg
Alex Witenberg
1. Welcome by Mayor Dave Earling, thanking and encouraging the new members of the 2016
Economic Development Commission (EDC). The Mayor sited a few examples of recent
development in Edmonds including new restaurant at Perrinville and the redevelopment of the
post office site as indicators of some local economic growth. The Mayor thanked the commission
for volunteering their time to the City of Edmonds.
2. Introductions: Each commissioner and liaison introduced him or herself and gave a brief
background to the rest of the commission.
Overview of mission, purpose and history of the EDC: Patrick gave an overview of the history
and purpose of the EDC including the recent EDC that was allowed to sunset in 2015. A new
commission was created in 2016 with nine members and four liaisons. Liaisons/ex-officio
members are full participating members of the commission who may engage in discussion and
bring forward ideas but cannot vote on issues. Commissioners are officials and ambassadors of
the City. Staff will be responsible for working on ideas that are brought forward. Study's and
website materials posted on existing website will remain.
4. Orientation on:
a. OPMA — Boards and commissions are governing bodies and must follow the Open Public
Meetings Act. Public notice will be given for public meetings as long as there is a quorum of
members (five or more) attending. E-mails to a quorum of the commission can constitute a
meeting. A Do not talk "shop" if you find yourself in a social situation with a quorum of
commissioners. Staff covers meeting requirements, and will be sending out e-mails. Please do
not use "reply all"; if you do, you can create a quorum or "rolling" quorum by responding to
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Economic Development Commission
March 30, 2016
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e-mails. If you have something to share to the commission as a whole please send to Patrick
& Cindi. They will distribute to the commission. Texting is also problematic and can subject
your phone to the Public Records Act requirements. Use city e-mail for all commission
business. City e-mail addresses are in this format: firstname.lastname(c-r�,edmondswa.gov. A
link to a PowerPoint and/or video training on the OPMA will be sent to City e-mails, and it
is required within 90 days to review the training and acknowledge that you have reviewed the
training by e-mail back to Patrick and/or Cindi.
b. Public Records Act — All a -mails are discoverable under the Public Records Act. Use only
official City e-mails. Try not to write anything that does not pertain to City and Commission
business. If you use your personal e-mail and receive a request for public records, you will be
required to provide an affidavit stating that you thoroughly searched your personal e-mail.
You are not required to produce a record that does not exist. The City is working on a texting
policy because texts are also subject to the Public Records Act.
c. Conflict of Interest — The commission is not regulatory, but some policy matters could go
forward and the commission must be cognizant of any potential conflicts of interest. These
must be disclosed in a public manner. An example would be: a Commissioner owns property
on Highway 99 and the Commission is engage din discussions about promoting greater
economic development growth in that area. In that case the Commissioner should announce
that he/she owns property in the area and either abstains from further discussion or action on
the matter OR declare that he/she will remain impartial and has no conflict, allowing other
commissioners opportunity to say if they would prefer that the Commissionernot participate
or vote on proposals/recommendations related to that issue.
d. Code of Ethics — Staff gave commissioners a few moments to read. Be sure to distinguish
between personal views and commission representation when expressing opinions on EDC
business. If you are contacted by the press, please do not state any opinions on behalf of
commission unless it has been voted and approved by commission. It is ok to speak about
issues and gather information.
e. Membership requirements: If you are absent for three consecutive commission meetings you
can be removed from commission; elected government officials are not eligible for
commission appointments; Commissioners must remain residents of Edmonds; and initial
terms are staggered at two and three years long, with future terms set at two years.
Meeting Logistics
a. Date and time — The previous EDCmet on the 3rd Wednesday of every month. The new
Commission needs to establish meeting time and date. Skyping or phoning in is allowed
when members are out of town. Mike Schindler moved, seconded by Mary Monroe to
establish the third Wednesday of every month at 6 p.m. for the regularly scheduled
meeting time and day, location in the Brackett Meeting Room, 3rd Floor City Hall.
Motion passed unanimously. It is the goal to keep meetings at a 2 hour limit. Staff cannot
make 3rd Wednesday in April. Jamie Reece moved, seconded by Aseem Prakash to have
April meeting on Thursday, April 14 at 6 p.m. Motion passed unanimously.
b. Location — Brackett Room, 3rd Floor City Hall, 121 5th Avenue North, Edmonds.
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Economic Development Commission
March 30, 2016
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c. Participation & decision making vs consensus — There was discussion regarding how to reach
decisions. Jamie Reece moved and Mike Schindler seconded to accept voting method for
decision -making. After more discussion, motion passed unanimously.
d. Interaction with Council and other boards — Liaisons are to provide information back to the
respective groups they represent. Each commissioner should also provide feedback and
communicate with councilmember who appointed them. Councilmember Tibbott would like
to have a joint meeting with the Council sometime within the first year. Input from Council
regarding goals and accomplishments for commission. Suggested to review list from retreat
and bring list to next meeting. Strategic Action Plan is a resource for ideas of commission
work.
e. Minutes & agenda format — summary minutes will be taken, with motions and votes detailed.
6. Commission Logistics
a. Chair and Vice -Chair — Patrick explained the role of chair and vice -chair. It was decided to
wait for few meetings before electing chair and vice -chair. Staff will create agendas until a
chair is chosen. There was discussion on whether there are benchmark studies of other,
similar cities and how they could pertain to Edmonds. Some info on benchmarking is
included in the economic development chapter of the Comprehensive Plan which will be
forwarded onto Commissioners by staff.
b. Committees — Regarding sub -committees, there is no expectation for this group to form
standing sub -groups. Short-lived ad -hoc groups may arise to focus on certain subjects. .
7. Open Discussion
a. Each member shared reason(s) for participating on the EDC and a goal, objective, dream
related to economic development in Edmonds:
b.
Aseem Prakash: would like to see the Commission establish a vision of what would
constitute success on its part at the end of the first set of terms (2 or 3 years); also how
comparison or bench -marking against other, similar cities could help inform the
Commission's work and/or objectives.
Jamie Reece: more limited scope and goals than previous Commission
Mike Schindler: recruit appropriate industry for live -work opportunities. Tech industry.
Nicole Hughes: brainstorming to work on different areas/personalities/districts such as
Firdale, 5-Corners, Hwy 99 in similar ways to Westgate.
Mary Monroe: with her background in tourism at City of Lynnwood would like to see
stronger tourism push and agrees with Mike Schindler on industry with higher wages.
Greg Urban: as a liaison from the Edmonds Chamber he wants to see other areas than the
Bowl worked on for economic development
George Bennett: wants to work to make Edmonds better without getting bogged down in
"politics".
Neil Tibbott: Highway 99 improvements
Nathan Monroe: happy to be included as a member of the Planning Board.
Bruce Faires: focus on goals while remembering that this community does not like change
and long-range goals are important 10+ years.
Stephen Clifton: programs and series of initiatives to obtain community support for
economic growth that will help the City retainthe quality of life
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Economic Development Commission
March 30, 2016
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Darrol Haug: encouraged staff to try to show Roger Brooks webinar on 4/13. Remember to
obtain input from community members including the applicants to the commission that were
not selected.
Matthew Waldron: encourage work on utilizing space on Highway 99, 5-10 year plan to
recruit large employer(s).
8. Set next meeting — April 14, 2016, Brackett Room, 6 p.m.
9. Adjourn at 8:01 p.m.
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Economic Development Commission
March 30, 2016
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