2016-08-17 Economic Development Commission MinutesCITY OF EDMONDS
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION
August 17, 2016
COMMISSIONERS PRESENT
Stephen Clifton
Jamie Reece
Michael Schindler
Matthew Waldron
Darrol Haug
Nicole Hughes
Mary Monroe
Neil Tibbott, Councilmember, ex officio
Greg Urban, Edmonds Chamber, ex officio
Nathan Monroe, Planning Board, ex officio
COMMISSIONERS ABSENT
George Bennett
Aseem Prakash
Bruce Faires, Port Commissioner, ex-officio
STAFF PRESENT
Patrick Doherty, Econ. Dev & Comm. Serv. Dir.
Cindi Cruz, Program Coordinator
ALSO PRESENT
David Preston, Port of Edmonds
Mayor Dave Earling
Roger Hertrich
1. The Economic Development Commission meeting was called to order at 6:01 p.m.
2. Approval of Agenda. Item 3a Presentation to City Council was added to agenda and
approved.
3. Approval of 7/20/16 EDC Minutes. Stephen moved to accept minutes as written. Darrol
seconded; motion passed, Mike Schindler abstained.
Mayor Earling was present and thanked the commission and expressed how extremely important the
commission is to the City. He encouraged independent thinking on the part of the Commission. Input
from the commission related to the issues on current agenda items is very important. There is a new
energy and excitement in downtown core now compared to several years ago. This energy and excitement
is a result of the many projects happening around town that are vital to the economic growth of the
community.
3.a. Presentation to City Council: Reviewed PowerPoint to present to Council on Tuesday, August
23, with changes made after input at July meeting. There were additional changes to some of the
wording. Jamie will be presenting the PowerPoint to Council.
4. Report from 3 subgroups: (the order was changed to allow longer discussion on the Civic
Field Master Planning Process)
b. Highway 99 Subarea Planning Process: Mary gave the update on the subgroup meeting.
Desire for more retail, more sales tax -producing businesses, transportation elements, recommend
coming up with strategies to encourage desired development, open house in September, provide
input on draft plan, potentially have meeting with consultants. There should be ample opportunity
at open house and online to provide input. Encourage EDC to use official opportunities for
Approved Meeting Summary
Economic Development Commission
August 17, 2016
Page 1
commenting. Could there be a joint meeting with Planning Board regarding this project/process?
Such as open houses and other public opportunities for input on the project; consultant will create
proposals. Commission sub -group has expressed ideas for consideration: land use regulations
encouraging redevelopment, parking regulations near future and existing transit stops, incentives
need to be part of plan, not -for -profit housing developers be contacted and identify parcels ripe
for redevelopment, concern about transitioning blighted areas (motels, trailer park), Burlington
Coat Factory site (building has 20 year lease with tenant) potential development on north and east
side of property. Should whole commission be engaged in this project? Sub -group could meet and
have comments back to consultant by Oct 1. No date for open house on Highway 99 but may be
in September. Could EDC have joint meeting with PB for this process. Mary will be point of
contact for comments on this project. Property owners of 220t, at SE corner of Highway 99
currently have pre -application conference and are redeveloping property on an incremental basis.
Property behind Safeway is waiting for Hwy 99 sub -area plan completion.
c. Downtown Parking: Darrol was subgroup contact. Meeting with BID who has hired
consultant regarding parking in downtown. Parking enforcement has not been consistent,
employees in downtown area can park outside of 3 hour parking zone. How many permits are
issued? Increase the 3-hour limits to push employee parking out of downtown area. Some
business owners park on street in front of businesses but parking enforcement has been sporadic
since retirement of one of the parking enforcement officers. Parking garages would be one answer
but are very expensive at $30,000 - $50,000 per stall. The BID has looked at available inventory.
There are businesses with existing lots that could be used for public parking depending on
employee working hours. Liability has been raised as a concern for businesses offering their
parking lots for public parking. Some are already available but unknown to public. Signage at
some existing parking lots has created some confusion. Restriping current parking lots could
create more spaces. Also some restriping of current parking on streets from parallel to angle
parking, create one-way streets and add angle parking. Parking enforcement made friendly,
merchant validation, to improve parking issue. Parking is about signage, size, length of time
allowed. Could the fees have graduated amounts for parking violation penalties. Consider parking
meters that are self -serve, using an app to pay for parking. Shuttles for satellite parking lots.
Survey related to parking, ease of parking, demographic — younger age thought it was easy to
park, older demographic believes parking is difficult. Could Main and Dayton become one-way
and create angle parking. Jamie will be primary point of contact for parking issues in Darrol's
absence.
a. Civic Field Master Planning Process: Darrol gave update. Met as a sub -group, next public
meeting on this project is August 24. Subgroup will meet after that because consultant will reveal
the results of all prior meetings and provide two proposals. Additional input will be taken
between August 24 b and October V, for public comment. Commission will meet again and also
subgroup and will accept ideas/comments by commissioners. Other opportunities to participate
via online open house until September 28th. Discussion of existing buildings, such as Boys &
Girls Club: could there be alternative locations? Ongoing discussions with City by B&G Club.
Could be different redevelopment of Club because it may be of historic significance. Parking is
also an issue and concerns were raised if on -street parking will be adequate. Responses are
heavily dominated by surrounding residents but it is city-wide asset. Tournament utilization
brings people from outside Edmonds. Passive uses can also attract tourism as well as active use.
Urban park, such as Bellevue's downtown park is an example, enhancement to vitality of
downtown with the urban park. Focus on what is desired but do phased implementation. Dog
walking was discussed. Go to 24th Open House; subgroup will meet shortly after August 29, will
discuss open house results, conversation at September EDC meeting to gather rest of input to
present input to consultants. Stephen will be point of contact.
Approved Minutes
Economic Development Commission
July 20, 2016
Page 2
5. Report from Liaisons:
a. Council: Neil — Housing Hope looking at options on Hwy 99; signage in downtown area is a
concern; considering restarting Transportation Committee for City and integration into City of
Edmonds
b. Planning Board: Nathan — Civic Field, 5-corners rezoning/redevelopment process next year
c. Port: David Preston here for Bruce Faires, expressed concerns about permitting issues in City,
speedier permitting process could be easier for development within City of Edmonds, discussion
about redevelopment of Firdale Village.
d. Chamber of Commerce: Greg said Taste went well, not as good as 2014 but better than 2015,
got 3 calls of complaint, noise, etc., political supporters were complained about. Reached out to
residents before the event and gave passes to all residents who wanted it.
8. Audience Comments — none. In the future add this to the beginning of the agenda.
6. New Business:
a. Future agenda items, speakers, etc: Presentations on Highway 99 Task Force, Civic Field.
Growth Management Act, Long Range Financial Planning group, Affordable Housing, review
elements of what comes next and if EDC needs background education. Consultant reports are
available and individuals as commissioners could review on their own. Not using time at a
meeting for presentations but review documents in advance and then have speakers to address
issues. Information for meeting on 9/21 should be sent in by 9/8. How could EDC utilize WWU
program Sustainable Cities Partnership. Deliverables have been identified but mobile app and,
green business initiative for community could pertain to EDC goals. Entreprenuer/incubator
program at EDCC utilizing 3-d printers. Role of Port as it is different than a City government,
what they can do to promote economic development.
Stakeholder for Civic Center at next meeting, parking discussion at next meeting, stakeholder for
Highway 99 at October meeting. These presentations will be asked for but cannot guarantee.
7. Commissioner's Corner
Adjourn at 8:00 p.m.
Approved Minutes
Economic Development Commission
July 20, 2016
Page 3