2016-11-16 Economic Development Commission MinutesCITY OF EDMONDS
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION
November 16, 2016
COMMISSIONERS PRESENT
Jamie Reece
Darrol Haug
Matthew Waldron
Michael Schindler
Nicole Hughes
Stephen Clifton
George Bennett
Neil Tibbott, Councilmember, ex officio
Greg Urban, Edmonds Chamber, ex officio
Nathan Monroe, Planning Board, ex officio
COMMISSIONERS ABSENT
Mary Monroe
Aseem Prakash
Bruce Faires, Port Commissioner, ex-officio
STAFF PRESENT
Patrick Doherty, Econ. Dev & Comm. Serv. Dir.
Cindi Cruz, Program Coordinator
1. The Economic Development Commission meeting called to order at 6:04 p.m.
2. Approval of Agenda. Added in discussion of property tax by Neil Tibbott. Move 9. City
Report to follow Item 4
3. Approval of 10/19/16 EDC Minutes. Matt moved to accept minutes as written. George
seconded; motion passed.
4. Audience Comments No comments.
9. City Report Patrick provided update on:
Highway 99 open house held last Thursday, November 10. Consultants will continue working on
plan, potential adoption in first quarter 2017, elements of plan include: standardize zoning along
Highway 99, proposing consolidation of CG zone, 75 feet versus current 60 feet height limit.
Multi -family zoning would be included in commercial zone allowing the multi -family zoning to
abut residential zoning and adding the increase in height to 75 feet. There is currently not enough
ROW for safe and/or comfortable walkways so it is proposed to increase the setback to 10 feet for
properties abutting the highway. This will add a pedestrian feel with space for benches,
walkways, and ability to create a comfortable walkway. Incentives could include multi -family tax
exemption, more assertive and aggressive zoning, federal financing, CDBG money, waiver of
fees, etc. A potential pilot project could have the City partnering or purchasing property with a
private developer to create an impact development for Highway 99 area. City could lead the way
and emphasize what could occur with new zoning. This would be an aggressive way to kick start
development.
Downtown parking: Enforcement has been stepped increased due to temporarily rehiring a
retired parking enforcement officer in August. There has been a spike in ticket writing and now
the increase in tickets is dropping so the theory is increased enforcement is working. We need to
correct the assumption that parking ticket fines are discounted by 50% if paid within 24 hours.
This is not true as the discount was eliminated by Council action in 2013. Also there is an
escalation of parking fines if you receive up to 3 in one year. The BID is working on creating
"Good Neighbor" private parking lots with businesses that have parking lots available in evening
for general parking.
Approved Meeting Summary
Economic Development Commission
November 16, 2016
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Civic Field — coming back to Council in December.
General: Business attraction event on November 29, 2016. Sent out 75 invitations. Bob Drewel,
WSU is keynote speaker, Ten Gun Design business, Juliana Van Buskirk from Chamber may
attend, Tom Mesaros will represent City Council. Holiday market is every Saturday through
December 17.
Council Neil gave update on City Council: CC is supportive of more enforcement on parking.
Recommendations put forward on parking will be considered by CC. Mayor has also asked that
directors start working on issues related to parking. Discussed impact fees related to Highway 99
will substantially increase for developers but could provide a discount for anyone providing
affordable housing on Highway 99. Walking and biking is an economic draw for community. The
Edmonds Street Connector, alternative to the at -grade crossings, is supported by CC and Mayor
and will depend on financing, it would increase the walking and tourism for waterfront by
providing the accessible walkway/bikeway. Update on sign code regulation: forming a sub-
committee on signage for downtown business owners. Enforcement of signs is on hold until
February. Directional signage for businesses within the downtown core is estimated at $150,000.
5. Report from subgroups:
a. Highway 99 Subarea Planning Process: Matt: have not met since the open house last week.
Patrick will schedule a meeting of this subarea group. Analysis of City offices and police office
relocated to Highway 99. Could City be the lead? Property owners at 2201' & Highway 99 are
waiting for Highway 99 subarea planning process completion before substantial development of
property.
b. Downtown Parking: Darrol: residential parking permits, 3 separate zones, central, south and
north residential zones. Process is to buy permit that goes on vehicle, sold on yearly basis, 300
permits, cost is $.50 per week. Two per house plus two guest permits are available. There are 550
employee permits, $50 per year, permits are hanging tags. How does police prioritize
enforcement? There are 1000 tickets issued per year historically, encourage active enforcement,
15 tickets per day, these include parking enforcement, parked on curb, no parking zone, etc.
Police Chief has list of violators that park in front of their own businesses, no priority but just
increase in enforcement. Preferred: '/z time enforcement is really 1/4 time enforcement. Could you
up enforcement temporarily for 6 months? Monitor at mid -year to see if that is effective or not
before committing to creating an FTE. Chief will be responding to Council at 11/22/16 meeting.
Would like opinion of EDC before forming his comments to council. Cannot contract out for this
position due to union restrictions. Chief has reluctance in tying revenue to position. Technology
could play a role; while expensive, Chief would not be opposed to trying. Could increase some
parking availability by striping parking spaces. When fully staffed there are two FTE's with
30/70 parking/animal control split. It is difficult to devote time to parking enforcement when
pulled off for other more emergent animal control issues. Multi -pronged approach could include
letter to business owners explaining value of not parking in front of your own business (chamber
and/or BID). Be cautious of over -enforcement. Sometimes problem is not as big as it could be —
safety is imperative. Timing of enforcement is another consideration. Recommend half-time
parking enforcement on temporary basis, look where tickets are predominant, and striping. There
is an interdepartmental staff team working on parking and will be considering many different
components. Employee and residential parking permits should be reviewed. Employee parking
zones are too close to downtown core. Recommend they be moved out from core. Other things
are in original recommendation. Patrick will report back from city interdepartmental team and
will want to include someone from EDC and BID on this team. George will draft a memo and e-
mail to Jamie & Darrol. Request quarterly updates on ticketing — to answer where, why, and
Approved Minutes
Economic Development Commission
November 16, 2016
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when. Explore non -enforcement options. Good neighbor program proposed by BID. Matt moved
and Mike seconded to have memo written by parking sub -group motion passed.
Darrol mentioned courtesy ticket process they have in Chelan — first ticket is free as a courtesy
perhaps this could be used here.
c. Civic Field Master Planning Process: Nicole: subgroup reviewed proposal and plan met
many of desires, sports elements, maximum use for activities, not single use limitations,
flexibility. Darrol stated that EDC opinions were considered in plan. Already decided to move
skateboard park away from residential, tennis courts are multi -use, water feature but not spray
park, big field will be marked for soccer and used for other sports. Better plan that original
concepts, could be worth expressing there is a much better plan by EDC. Survey went out to
request more uses of fields. Patrick read memo from subgroup. memo — could come from EDC —
encourage flexibility. Boys & Girls Club move. Nicole moved Stephen seconded to have
Patrick send memo motion passed.
6. Report from Liaisons:
b. Planning Board: Nathan - Civic Field process is moving forward, meeting on SMP.
c. Port: Bruce absent
d. Chamber of Commerce: Greg - tree lighting on November 26, holiday market will also be
happening, that day is also small business Saturday encouraging shop local.
7. Old Business:
a. Discussion of Data & Background Information already discussed.
8. New Business:
a. New Work Items for Sub -groups review of potential work items, what to shift focus on for
subgroup work. Examples of future sub -group topics: growth management background information, port
versus city in regards to economic development, Harbor Square and review of potential development,
review studies on economic development, should studies and information be updated for City. Create new
group to review topics and determine what the sub -groups should focus on. Darrol, George, Nicole &
Stephen will meet together: Matt moved George seconded to create subgroup to bring back items to
next meeting motion passed.
b. Sign Code - bring back to EDC before 120 days are up for review.
c. Discussion of Property Tax - not discussed.
10. Commissioner's Corner — Question if bank is coming in at old post office? There will be a bank
and also a restaurant. December meeting should be changed to December 14 George moved, Matt
seconded to move to December 14. Location will be determined.
Adjourn: 8:02 p.m.
Next regular meeting: December 14, 2016, 6 PM
Approved Minutes
Economic Development Commission
November 16, 2016
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