2016-10-19 Economic Development Commission MinutesCITY OF EDMONDS
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION
October 19, 2016
COMMISSIONERS PRESENT
Jamie Reece
Darrol Haug
Matthew Waldron Mary Monroe
Michael Schindler
Nicole Hughes
Aseem Prakash
Neil Tibbott, Councilmember, ex officio
Greg Urban, Edmonds Chamber, ex officio
Bruce Faires, Port Commissioner, ex-officio
COMMISSIONERS ABSENT
Stephen Clifton
George Bennett
Nathan Monroe, Planning Board, ex officio
STAFF PRESENT
Patrick Doherty, Econ. Dev & Comm. Serv. Dir.
Cindi Cruz, Program Coordinator
1. The Economic Development Commission meeting was called to order at 6:00 p.m.
2. Approval of Agenda.
3. Approval of 9/21/16 EDC Minutes. Mike moved to accept minutes as written. Aseem
seconded; motion passed.
4. Audience Comments No comments.
5. Report from subgroups:
a. Downtown Parking: Reviewed memo from parking sub -committee. Summary of five points:
enforcement, modifying parking permit process, looking at re -designating some lots in the city,
pay parking & metering, good neighbor approach - working with businesses that have excess
parking in off hours, and signage.
Enforcement: Parking enforcement is 30/70 split with animal control, have not filled vacant
position former employee was hired back on temporary contract 20 hours a week, until position
is filled. Should result in improved enforcement. Overtime parking fine is $40 if paid within two
days you get 50% discount. (NOTE: While this was stated, and believed to be so by many, the
discount is no longer available. It was revoked by Council in 2013) Does parking enforcement
pay for itself? What does parking enforcement do to increase business? What does a parking
space mean to a downtown business? Does parking enforcement increase economic impacts
positively for shopping, dining, and for customers? Is parking more of a problem where people
are parking all day? Pay parking could be handled differently such as meters, kiosks, etc. Local
employees parking inappropriately in on -street spaces that should be reserved for shoppers. How
do we increase parking supply? Could spaces be striped or hash -marked to indicate the exact
location of each parking space? Should we review what other cities have done to solve parking
problems such as Kirkland, Ballard, or another city that has dealt with the issue? How is parking
enforcement prioritized with a 70/30% split position? 504 employee parking permits per year,
$50 dollars per year. Could you move the permitted parking further out from the core? There is
no way that this group can solve issues but with memo you can identify issues and suggest some
solutions.
Lots: Lot behind Chanterelle's: city parking permits for 14 monthly spots; could it be made into
an hourly lot rather than monthly permits? Not owned by City but part of adjacent bank property.
Approved Meeting Summary
Economic Development Commission
October 19, 2016
Page 1
There is a development company interested in purchasing; City wants to see appropriate
redevelopment in downtown area and will not stand in the way of development of the entire site
to save the parking lot. Ferry parking is a problem. Port parking lot was discussed.
Metered parking: not yet.
Good neighbor parking: Spaces available at banks, etc. could open up in evening for additional
parking. Liability issue could be a problem for property owners but the BID could potentially
help with insurance coverage. Signage is an issue and verbiage on signs is important. Ferry
parkers would park all night on streets and residents were allowed to get a parking permit to
allow unrestricted parking in front of their residence. Signage should be clear to what is allowed.
Have memo revised by sub -committee. Aseem moved and Matt seconded this to have
document sent out by subgroup, with final revisions by Jamie. motion passed.
Neil brought up topic of library parking lot and the use of that lot. That will be discussed further
at future meeting(s).
b. Civic Field Master Planning Process: Hybrid plan (attachment of plan presented to open
house on Oct 19). The concept will be available for commenting online until November 3. Is
there a need for sub -group to add/delete/restate original comments? Since plan has been revised
perhaps there should be a look at original comments. Review hybrid plan and get comments back
to Patrick for inclusion into memo regarding civic field master plan. Economic impact of
different plans was discussed. Sub -group has discussed economic impacts of different aspects of
the plan: elements including different uses, parking, economic impacts on downtown there is
need review to make sure the comments reflect the opinion of the EDC as a whole. Could attend
PB meeting on Nov 9 when this is scheduled for discussion or have added to agenda as a joint
meeting. Matt moved to have quorum of commission attend Nov 9 PB meeting as a quorum
for a joint meeting Mary seconded. Motion approved. Patrick will send out message to PB.
c. Highway 99 Subarea Planning Process: Nothing yet — next open house will be November 10.
6. Report from Liaisons:
a. Council: Neil — sub -committee on sign code, looking at extending period before enforcement
and would like some work done by a sub -committee of the EDC to aid the downtown businesses
and the BID on fresh ideas for design, signage, A -board use. Brainstorming for new ideas to help
businesses off the beaten path. On side streets. Timeline: revisiting issues in November by CC.
Pedestrian level directional signs.
b. Planning Board: Nathan was absent.
c. Port: Bruce — budget process for Port, financially healthy, better communications, SMP
controversy with buffer issues at Harbor Square and marsh, will curtail economic development.
Suggests discussion at next meeting.
d. Chamber of Commerce: Greg: The BID is proposing to expand their boundaries to include
Salish Crossing, Tree lighting will be November 26.
7. Old Business:
a. Suggestions for Meeting Information & Announcements: Nicole moved that Jamie write
memo regarding parking press release Matt seconded — motion passed, Darrol opposed.
Adjourn: 8:04 p.m.
Next regular meeting: November 16, 2016, 6 PM
Approved Minutes
Economic Development Commission
October 19, 2016
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