2018-04-18 Economic Development Commission MinutesCITY OF EDMONDS
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION
April 18, 2018
COMMISSIONERS PRESENT
Jamie Reece, Chair
Kimberly Koenig
Scott Merrick
Matthew Waldron (arrived at 6:07 p.m.)
Aseem Prakash
Nicole Hughes
Michael Schindler (left at 7:41 p.m.)
Neil Tibbott, Councilmember, ex officio
Phil Lovell, Planning Board, ex officio
Greg Urban, Edmonds Chamber, ex officio
Bruce Faires, Port Commissioner, ex-officio
COMMISSIONERS ABSENT
Darrol Haug (excused)
STAFF PRESENT:
Patrick Doherty, Econ. Dev & Comm. Serv. Dir.
Cindi Cruz, Program Coordinator
Carolyn Douglas, Public Communications
1. Economic Development Commission meeting called to order by Jamie at 6:01 p.m.
2. Roll call and excuse absences. Darrol is excused for vacation. Patrick explained the absence
policy. Can call in by phone up to twice a year and participate fully in the meeting. Two new
commissioners were introduced and rest of commissioners introduced themselves. Scott Merrick
and Kimberly Koenig are new commissioners appointed respectively by Councilmembers Kristiana
Johnson and Mike Nelson.
3. Approval of Agenda: Patrick added the viewing of Port video as 6.5 on agenda. Approved as
amended.
4. Approval of 03/21/18 EDC Minutes: Nicole moved to approve minutes, Scott seconded;
motion passed.
5. Audience Comments: Scott Marshall, resident of Edmonds is interested in learning about
Economic Development. Carolyn Douglas introduced herself as the City's Public Information and
Communications Officer.
6. Membership & Leadership 2018-19 — Jamie stated there was one open seat which should be
appointed at next Council meeting. This item is postponed till May but all Commissioners are asked
to think about being chair and vice -chair and submit their name to Jamie if interested in these officer
positions.
6.5 Viewed Port video that was produced in conjunction with Port of Edmonds and City of Edmonds
to promote whale watching and tourism in Edmonds. Funded in part by a grant from Port of Seattle.
This will be shown in the Denver area to promote tourism to Seattle and subsequently Edmonds.
Very difficult to track how many visitors something like this will attract. Questionnaire to tourists
or some way to measure responses to video is desirable. Will be distributed on Facebook. Will ask
Puget Sound Express (PSE) to capture zip codes of ticket buyers. Port of Edmonds tenants were
featured in video. Incentives to frequent downtown businesses with coordination between PSE and
downtown businesses. Restaurant menu book has been successful. Brittany Williams at Port will
be working with Chamber, City, etc. How to measure impacts on businesses is a question. Tourism
from City. A suggestion made to form a subgroup of the EDC for tourism to interface with
Port/City. +
Approved Meeting Summary
Economic Development Commission
April 18, 2018
Page 1
7. Old Business:
Subgroup Discussion (50 minutes):
Development Feasibility — status of BD1 15' first -floor height issue: went to Historic
Preservation Commission (HPC) last Thursday. Concerns at HPC about changing the
character of downtown and could be mitigated to maintain the sense of character in BD1
zoning. Will be back to Council as soon as HPC minutes are completed, approximately the
second week of May. Then Council will decide to study or not and to forward to the
Development Services Department and Planning Board (PB). Could be up to a year before
code could be changed as a result. Question was asked if BID have position on memo and
they have not reviewed. Does not increase height but would allow 3 stories in the BD1
zone. There are concerns about replacing 1 & 2 story buildings with 3 story buildings even
though they would be the same height. Matt asked about modeling using any existing
buildings to provide examples of feasibility. If this proposal goes forward this could be
studied by modeling the changes. The Commission would be involved along with PB, ADB
and Council. Relationships to Growth Management Act? Westgate development satisfies
GMA requirements for jobs+housing in Edmonds at this time and any development on
Hwy 99 will continue to do so. Downtown involves a vision and what is the most attractive
option to maintain the characteristic of Edmonds. Neil encouraged Commissioners to keep
in contact with the Councilmembers who appointed them regarding this proposal. Planning
Manager has suggested that development code has many contradictory sections that may
create barriers to development. Would the EDC want to take this on as a project for a sub-
group to identify barriers to development? A suggestion was made to utilize college
students to assist. Aseem will work with Patrick. Reconvene sub -group.
Art — Nothing to report at this time.
Civic Facilities — finalize memo and approve forwarding to Council — Aseem updated
new Commissioners regarding the proposal. Encouraged an open mind regarding the
potential movement of the facilities to Hwy 99 or another location out of the Bowl. This
would open up opportunities for these buildings in the downtown area to a more economic
viable development. Redevelopment of civic facilities could be a catalyst to spur on
redevelopment of Hwy 99. Change terminology from City Hall to city facilities and add
Court within the PD. Study to evaluate city hall, police building, and other facilities.
Buildings need to be identified clearly so there are no misunderstandings about what
buildings/facilities are being considered. Spell out the items in the discussion items of what
is being discussed. A feasibility study could be recommended. Mike moved, Matt
seconded for movement to CC amended to add Public Safety Complex and for more
defined locations. Motion passed and Kimberly abstained.
Affordable Housing — update on Task Force: Jamie updated on affordable housing and
relation to economic development for new members. Meeting on 4/12 update: draft was
presented and open house is preliminarily scheduled in May. No real surprises. Create more
affordable housing. Draft will be revised and presented at Open House there will be one
more meeting with Task Force and final draft will be released.
Priorities for 2018 — review past priorities, discuss new ideas for subgroups: Move this to
May meeting and make it a priority for discussion. Continuing education and could bring
in other entities for educational purposes. Add tourism as a sub -group. Get back to sub-
group work rather than doing this work at the commission meeting level. Concerns were
expressed about work being done on Dayton from 3rd to 9t''. Get feedback from businesses
on Main St regarding what was learned during the 5' — 6' Ave project. What are the things
going forward to brand Edmonds. Kimberly will share info from business owner branding
Approved Minutes
Economic Development Commission
April 18, 2018
Page 2
project. Parking and Hwy 99 sub -groups are on hiatus at this time. Nicole discussed
industry recruitment, entertainment opportunities to recruit businesses for family interests.
Jamie will send out list of new sub -group topics.
8. New Business: See above.
9. Roundtable Discussion (Council, Commissioners, City, Liaisons): Phil — stated urban forest
management plan was discussed at PB, plan is available online, focus on pages 58-79 listing three
major objectives and strategies. Next open house will be on 4/19, 6-7:30 in Brackett Room. Bruce
— discussed Port retreat that was held recently business development was discussed, environmental
issues, financial forecast. Greg — Decant Edmonds event on May 20, there will be substantial
changes to the Taste. Neil — has met with potential business owner. Matt welcomed new members.
Kimberly —Edmonds Downtown Alliance annual meeting is 4/25 at ECA lobby.
10. Adjourn at 8:10
Next regular meeting: May 16, 2018, 6 PM
Approved Minutes
Economic Development Commission
April 18, 2018
Page 3