2017-10-18 Economic Development Commission MinutesCITY OF EDMONDS
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION
October 18, 2017
COMMISSIONERS PRESENT
Jamie Reece, Chair
Aseem Prakash
Mary Monroe, Vice -Chair
George Bennett
Darrol Haug
Michael Schindler
COMMISSIONERS ABSENT
Nicole Hughes
Stephen Clifton
Matthew Waldron
Nathan Monroe, Planning Board, ex officio
GUESTS: None
Adrienne Fraley-Monillas, Councilmember, ex STAFF PRESENT
officio Patrick Doherty, Econ. Dev & Comm. Serv. Dir.
Greg Urban, Edmonds Chamber, ex officio Jeannie Dines, Recorder
Bruce Faires, Port Commissioner, ex-officio
1. The Economic Development Commission meeting was called to order by Jamie Reece at
6:01 p.m.
2. Approval of Agenda: Approved as submitted.
3. Approval of September 20, 2017 Meeting Summary.
Darrol moved that the September meeting summary reflect members with excused
absences, Mary seconded; motion passed.
Darrol raised the issue of whether the September 20 meeting had a quorum because two members
participated by phone and questioned the authority that allowed members participating in a
meeting via phone to considered part of the quorum.
Darrol moved if the EDC did not have that authority, that people on the telephone not be
counted as part of the quorum. Motion failed for lack of a second.
Discussion followed regarding difficulty hearing when on the telephone, how to determine what
the person on the phone can/cannot hear, whether other commissions allow participation by
phone, having enough technology in the future so participants can hear, precedence for allowing
members to participate by phone, and City Council rules that allow Councilmembers to
participate by phone. Patrick relayed his research found nothing in the code regarding
participation by phone; the code is silent on that issue.
Darrol requested the record reflect this discussion and that he objected to members participating
by phone being counted in the quorum and requested investigation be done to determine whether
there is the authority for call -ins to be counted in the quorum. Patrick offered to research the
process to allow members to participate by phone. Greg pointed out the meeting summary of the
EDC's first meeting in March 2016 states skyping or phoning in is allowed when members are
out of town.
Darrol moved to discuss members' participation by phone at the next meeting and specify
whether they can vote as part of the quorum, Mary seconded; motion passed.
George moved to approve the meeting summary as amended. Aseem seconded; motion
passed, Darrol opposed.
4. Public Comments:
Draft Meeting Summary
Economic Development Commission
October 18, 2017
Page 1
Councilmember Fraley-Monillas introduced herself
5 Old Business:
Subgroup Discussion (60 minutes):
• Development Feasibility: Mary distributed a Problem/Benefit Statement for 15-foot
floor to floor height requirement in BD1 zone that included objective, issue, approach,
possible strategies and outcomes and asked for Commissioners' input. Patrick described
the rational for the original change from 12 to 15 feet; national recognized retail speakers
said for successful retail spaces including longevity, flexibility and versatility, a higher
ceiling height was often better. The 15-foot first floor is also a reaction to some new
buildings with low first floor ceiling heights with offices that do not engage the
streetscape. Adrianne recalled another reason for increasing the height was to draw retail
businesses downtown during the downturn. Patrick referred to a list of other cities'
ground floor requirements. Greg pointed out few other cities have a 30-foot height limit.
Mary referred to the list of possible strategies in the Problem/Benefit Statement.
Discussion followed regarding impact 15-feet has on redevelopment, 15-foot ground
floor heights as an experiment that did not work, retaining the 30-foot building height,
and adding "parking" to the "Approach" section.
Darrol moved to use this document when modified to include parking as the
foundation for a recommendation to Council and to bring the document back to the
EDC when modified, Michael seconded.
Jamie moved amend to remove the bottom two bullets under Possible Strategies,
Mary seconded; motion passed.
Main motion as amended passed.
Art: Data collection on the survey continues and waiting for the consultants to provide
their report. Patrick reported the State is in the process of hiring a new person to run the
creative district process.
Civic Facilities: Subgroup is developing pros and cons replaced to locating civic
facilities on Hwy 99 and/or other areas; a draft memo will be presented to the EDC for
review in November. Discussion followed regarding potential other uses for City Hall,
sale of public property, potential to transform Hwy 99, and potentially moving City Hall
and Police Department to Hwy 99.
Affordable Housing: Jamie encouraged commissioners to attend the Affordable
Housing Task Force meeting on October 26 in the Library Plaza Room. Patrick
commented on the potential for the subgroup to incubate ideas and forward them to the
Task Force. He suggested a memo from the subgroup to the Affordable Housing Task
Force regarding issues the subgroup has discussed including, 1) optimizing the ADU
provisions in the code including allowing detached ADUs, 2) advocate for revision of
condominium law that has restrained development of condos, and 3) establishing sensible
guidelines for Airbnbs. Discussion followed regarding the definition of "affordability" in
Edmonds, what is affordable to whom, establishing "affordable housing" based on
median income in Edmonds, diversity of housing stock, and reduced lot sizes improving
affordability.
Mary moved to write a memo to Affordable Housing Task Force regarding the
three issues the subgroup has been discussing for consideration at the Task Force's
10/26 meeting, George seconded; motion passed.
6. New Business: None
7. Roundtable Discussion (Council, Commissioners, City, Liaisons)
Approved Minutes
Economic Development Commission
October 18, 2017
Page 2
Bruce: Port budget presented to public and Commission a week ago. Input on the budget at
10/30/17 meeting, final budget amended and approved 11/13/17. Port beginning process of
permitting a building on the south of the work yard for marine -related tenant(s). Puget Sound
Express doing well; adding a boat next year. Grant from Port of Seattle to advertise Edmonds
whale watching in other areas. Jamie: difficult for Port tenants to find parking this summer,
suggested increasing parking security. Aseem: has a parking garage been considered? Bruce:
preliminary discussion regarding parking garage across from Arnies on NE corner of Port
property; hoping for a public/private partnership.
Greg: 10/25 Networking with Spirts at Yacht Club. Benefit concert with four bands on 1115 at
Edmonds Center for the Arts. Attendance at festivals is declining. Trick or Treat downtown on
Halloween; live remote with KING 5 meteorologist from the museum. Photo contest, tree lighting
MC'd by Mimi Jung KING 5. Jamie suggested licensing the photos from the photo contest for
businesses to use in advertising.
Darrol: great vacation in Morocco. He and other former drum majors leading the UW band into
the stadium on 10/28. Working with Edmonds School District to study demography and
enrollment; may be interesting data for EDC.
Patrick: Developers and property owners attended 9/27 Hwy 99 redevelopment forum, possibly
some deals made. ED! developed a book with Edmonds restaurant menus that is available on
Puget Sound Express boats. City participating in holiday advertising with ED! Holiday market on
Saturdays in November and December, caroling contest during holiday season. Diversity film
series begins this weekend 12 pm at the Edmonds Theater. Small Business Development Center
Business Advisor Kathy Rupert will have office hours once/month in City Hall and the Export
Assistance person will also have office hours in City Hall.
Adrienne: met with developer on Hwy 99 who wants to be the first to develop under the new
regulations. City Council is reviewing the 2018 budget.
8. Adjourn at 7:46 p.m.
Next regular meeting: November 15, 2017, 6 PM
Approved Minutes
Economic Development Commission
October 18, 2017
Page 3