2016-07-20 Economic Development Commission MinutesCITY OF EDMONDS
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION
July 20, 2016
COMMISSIONERS PRESENT
George Bennett
Stephen Clifton (left at 7:40)
Jamie Reece
Matthew Waldron
Darrol Haug
Nicole Hughes
Mary Monroe
Aseem Prakash
Neil Tibbott, Councilmember, ex officio
Greg Urban, Edmonds Chamber, ex officio
COMMISSIONERS ABSENT
Michael Schindler
Nathan Monroe, Planning Board, ex officio
Bruce Faires, Port Commissioner, ex-officio
STAFF PRESENT
Patrick Doherty, Econ. Dev & Comm. Serv. Dir.
Cindi Cruz, Program Coordinator
ALSO PRESENT
Bob McChesney, Exec Director, Port of
Edmonds
1. The Economic Development Commission meeting was called to order at 6:01 p.m.
2. Approval of Agenda. Added City Report under Commissioner's Corner Mary moved and
Aseem seconded approval of the agenda motion passed.
3. Approval of 6/15/16 EDC Minutes. Stephen moved to accept minutes as written. Mary
seconded; motion passed.
4. Old Business
a. Leadership Discussion: As appointed at last meeting, Jamie is serving as interim chair and
Darrol serving as interim vice chair. Terms of office were discussed. Election of officers could coincide
with the anniversary of creation of commission in April every year. Nicole moved to nominate Jamie
and Darrol for chair and vice chair through April 2017, Aseem seconded. Motion passed.
b. 2016 Priorities — Discussion included: How to participate in goal achievement and how to
measure goals that are identified as priorities by EDC. Is the EDC an advisory body? Highway 99 sub-
area planning project is underway and should provide comments to consultant right away. The draft info
on Hwy 99 should be available soon, possibly as early as September with plan projected to be finished by
year-end. Could accumulate multiple comments and pass on to staff/consultant. Commission was
encouraged to attend open houses on these projects and provide comments, input is needed.
Opinions/comment from the EDC on the economics and feasibility of projects is valuable input to
consultants/staff/Planning Board. Should focus on economic impacts of specific projects and support of
economic activity and businesses. Civic Field project is also underway and input is needed regarding use,
passive park, year-round farmer's market, parking for events, etc. Parking is a major topic coming up in
many different group discussions. Parking concerns raised are enforcement of existing parking limits and
employees parked in inappropriate locations such as in front of the business they work at. The BID has
hired a parking engineer to study parking problems, barriers to parking/enforcement, and assessing
diagonal parking on some streets. The EDC could form a sub -group to review parking issues, Five -
Corners plan will be worked on when Hwy 99 process is over — probably 2017. Groundwork for
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Economic Development Commission
July 20, 2016
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redevelopment at Five -Corners was started with UW student work at the same time as Westgate and study
was completed several years ago. EDC could review the Five -Corners study and provide comments when
staff begins work in 2017. Change memo designations of non -urgent to "standby": Aseem moved to
accept with amendments, the EDC Priorities Workgroup memo, Mary seconded motion passed.
c. Presentation to Council — review PowerPoint created by George. Jamie went through slides.
Neil suggested bringing in other groups to EDC to discuss and collaborate. George will make changes,
revise presentation and bring back to next meeting. Patrick will schedule on City Council agenda with
Council President Kristiana Johnson. Matt moved to accept PowerPoint plus edits and have chair
make presentation to CC George seconded, motion passed.
5 New Business
a. Topics for next meeting: Civic Field, Parking, Sub -groups
Volunteers for sub -groups:
Civic Field — Greg Urban, Nicole, Mary, Stephen, Darrol
Parking: Aseem, George, Jamie, Darrol— (Stephen referenced Roger Brooks presentation that
could provide information)
Hwy 99: Matt, Mary, George
Patrick will send out a -mails to schedule the meetings.
6. Commissioner's Corner
Greg discussed the Taste of Edmonds and use of Civic Field for the event by the Chamber of Commerce.
The Taste brings in approximately $450,000 and costs $250,000 to present. The events funded through
the year include: Halloween Trick -or -Treat, Fourth of July events, Tree Lighting, etc. The community
groups that work the event and receive funds include: Kiwanis, Lions Club, Boys & Girls Club, Senior
Class at Edmonds Woodway High School. Economic impact around town is hard to measure, restaurants
& bars do well after Taste closes. Chamber pays City for additional police presence. Six local restaurants
were represented out of 35 food vendors. Charge for admission provides funds for the fencing, which
helps control access and crowd. Food trucks cannot handle the volume of food sold. Local restaurants are
charged the same as the out -of -Edmonds vendors. Bands are paid to play for three stages. Beer garden is
the dominate moneymaker for the event. City charges Chamber for the field use. Noise issues are ongoing
problems that Chamber is working on and hopes to find solutions to alleviate noise complaints that are a
result of the Beer Garden.
Bob McChesney (attending for Bruce Faires, Port Commissioner) - reported on Port having a great year.
Neil Tibbott — WWU Sustainable City projects kickoff is in September, one of their projects is to create
an app for visitors to Edmonds. He encourages commission comments on developing app.
Darrol — Would like to encourage education presentations for commission to learn about issues.
Jamie — Sub -groups can consider presentations on subjects they are focused on.
Patrick — City update: Newspaper article regarding Snohomish County Executive's 9 point economic
initiative. Hired consultant for outreach to home -based businesses in town, 550 home based business exist
and will be surveyed to determine potential resources and encourage home based businesses. Hotel — key
property downtown is for sale and in touch with broker seeking developers. Advertising to attract
business to Edmonds — ads in Seattle Business Mag, DJC, and ad oriented to trade shows in Europe.
Community survey - with national research center is complete, two phases sent out to 2200 households
28% response rate on the randomized portion, opened up to online participation and 335 responded
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online; report due in August, open houses in fall to share with public. Holiday market is a go this year
should have 30 booths on 5 h Avenue in front of City Hall. Restroom project is currently in permitting
stage, will go to bid first part of August, bid award on 8/23, and should start construction right after Labor
Day. Hope to open the restroom by Halloween.
7. Audience Comments - None
8. Adjourn at 8:01 p.m.
Approved Minutes
Economic Development Commission
July 20, 2016
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