2018-10-17 Economic Development Commission Packet'fl c. 189,J
AGENDA
Edmonds Economic Development Commission
Edmonds City Hall
Brackett Meeting Room, 121 5th Ave N
Wednesday, October 17, 2018
6-8PM
6:00 P.M. - CALL TO ORDER
Call to Order
Roll
Call
1.
Approval of Agenda
2.
Approval of September 19, 2018 Meeting Summary
3.
Audience Comments (3 minutes per person)
4.
New Business:
25 min.
Mark Craig, Bartell's Westgate Project
15 min.
Strategic Action Plan update
40 min.
5.
Subgroup updates:
Development Feasibility
Arts/Tourism
Dayton Street Project
Business Attraction
6.
Liaison Updates (5 minutes per person)
20 min.
7.
Roundtable Discussion (Council, Commissioners, City, Liaisons)
20 min.
8.
Adjourn
Next regular meeting: November 21, 2018, 6 PM (do we want to change this date)
CITY OF EDMONDS
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION
September 19, 2018
COMMISSIONERS PRESENT
Mary Monroe, Chair
Kimberly Koenig
Scott Merrick
Darrol Haug
Nicole Hughes, Vice Chair
Jamie Reece
Neil Tibbott, Councilmember, ex officio
Nathan Monroe, Planning Board, ex officio
Bob McChesney, Port of Edmonds, ex officio
Greg Urban, Chamber of Commerce
COMMISSIONERS ABSENT
Matthew Waldron (unexcused)
Mike Schindler (excused)
Aseem Prakash (excused)
GUESTS — Jake Hope
STAFF PRESENT
Patrick Doherty, Econ. Dev & Comm. Serv. Dir.
Carolyn Douglas, Communications
Jeannie Dines, Recorder
The Economic Development Commission meeting was called to order by Mary at 6:00 p.m.
Roll call and excused absences: Aseem Prakash and Mike Schindler excused for work reasons
and Matt Waldron was not excused.
1. Approval of Agenda: Approved.
2. Approval of July 18, 2018 Meeting Minutes: Kimberly moved to approve minutes. Jamie
seconded; motion passed.
3. Audience Comments: Jake Hope, suggested the Port's postcard regarding their 70' anniversary
could have been mailed earlier.
4. New Business:
Strategic Action Plan Update: Mary recalled the EDC discussed reviewing the SAP and deciding
whether to be involved in an update or just summarizing what has been accomplished. Patrick
provided background on the development, adoption and update of the SAP. Discussion followed
regarding how the SAP has been used by the City. Darrol, Mary, Neil and Nathan agreed to meet
and review what elements have been completed. Patrick offered to provide the quarterly updates
he has prepared in the past.
Revenue Review by Sources: Neil referred to the Sales Tax Analysis by Category June 2018
YTD, highlighting three top revenue sources (construction trade, retail automotive, misc. retail).
He will provide commissioners a link to the quarterly financial reports. The General Fund is on
target this year both compared to 2017 and with the budget and REET revenues are exceeding
projections by 30%. PSRC reports cities are beginning see a softening in their retail revenue. Patrick
said Snohomish County EAC reported the average home price in the Snohomish County dropped
from $460k to$430k, car retailers also seeing softer sales this summer compared to last year;
however, storefront -type retailers are not finding a softening. Kimberly said she has not had that
feedback from storefront retailers. Jamie said anecdotally the "Amazon head -tax hangover"
affected confidence. Greg relayed the City's Finance Director will spot check revenue and sales
tax from vendors at festivals. Neil continued his review of revenue sources in the second quarter
financial report and suggested the EDC brainstorm opportunities to expand the 2-3 top revenues
DRAFT Meeting Summary
Economic Development Commission
September 19, 2018
Page 1
generators. Nicole said two of categories, amusement & recreation and light
industrial/manufacturing, have been on the business wish list a long time.
5. Subgroup Updates
Development Feasibility: Mary reported the group talked about reviewing the Development Code
and looking at ways to streamline/make it easier navigate and possibly changing the code to add
conversion of a nonconforming use to a hotel as an allowed use. Patrick said after the 2011
recession while he was in Federal Way, a task force of the development community, Master
Builders, Chamber, etc. was created that developed 31 recommended changes to the code, all of
which were implemented within two years. Darrol recalled the study on Five Corners engaged
developers about barriers to development; that could be a place to start. He cited other barriers such
as installing/upgrading sidewalks and the requirement for a fire suppression system for residences
over 3,000 square feet.
Arts/Tourism: Patrick provided an update on the Creative District, anticipating the application
will be submitted in the next couple weeks which is followed by a 60-day review. If Edmonds'
district is approved, it will be the first in the State. Kimberly reported the group also discussed
continuing to explore a partnership with Lynnwood related to lodging. Mary suggested developing
proposals at the next committee meeting. Patrick reported the group also discussed getting
demographics from the whale watching tour and installing signs along the ferry line regarding a
podcast about Edmonds. He reported on meetings to discuss the formation of a partnership with
Ed!, ECA, Cascadia Art Museum, City, Port, Chamber, etc. to collaborate on advertising. He
announced a free retail seminar in the Plaza Room on September 26 at 6:30 p.m. in the Plaza Room,
the Volunteer Appreciation Reception from 5-7 p.m. on October 9 in the Brackett Room, and the
Diversity Film series that begins in October. Neil reported the Edmonds Fishing Pier was in the
Herald's top 10 tourist attractions, attracting 100k visitors/year.
(Kimberly and Patrick left at 7:04 p.m.)
Dayton Street Project — Review of Draft Memo: Jamie will resend the draft to Kimberly and
Patrick. The memo highlights five points: 1) proactive outreach, 2) establishing a liaison, 3)
repeating elements of the Main Street project, 4) creating a fund for incidental damages, and 5)
realistic communication. The project to replace sewer, water, and stormwater on Dayton from 3'
to 91}i is targeted to begin in January. The Committee did not request any changes to the topics
addressed in the memo.
Business Attraction: Scott reported the goal is identifying synergies to attract businesses and
identify businesses types. The group needs more participants to be effective; Patrick will remind
the initial volunteers. Neil relayed an Edmonds construction company that his son works for
recently moved to Edmonds after rents in Seattle increased. Bob said Paul Allen has notified marine
retail uses in south Lake Union they will be asked to leave which the Port's is considering in its
marketing strategy. Scott said the group also discussed creating remote work spaces for employers
such as Microsoft due to commutes.
4. New Business: (Con't)
Discussion on topics/speakers for future EDC meetings: Mary recalled there was interest in
education and/or a deeper dive into specific industries. Commission suggestions included
developers willing to talk about recent experiences with the code, permits, etc.; the Bartell
developer who spoke to the Planning Board; Doug Spee who developed the post office building;
the developer/architect involved in a Firdale project that did not happen; the Cascadia Art Museum
regarding how to better promote the museum and arts in Edmonds; people who speak out against
EDC proposals (such as the 15-foot ground floor) to provide their perspective how the EDC can
Draft Minutes
Economic Development Commission
September 19, 2018
Page 2
meet goals while still moving the EDC mission forward; and Mike McMurray, the new owner of
the former Next to Nature and Fabric of Life spaces.
6. Liaison Updates: 1. Bob reported it has been a very good year for the Port; Harbor Square is fully
occupied, and the vacant property is being marketed. The Rotary Club notified the Port today they
will not be doing the Waterfront Festival this year. 2. Nathan reported the Planning Board is
reviewing updates to the code and the Shoreline Master Plan. Next week's retreat will include
discussion on housing. 3 Greg reported the Taste went okay, revenue was average. Parks advised
construction on Civic Park will be underway in 2020 so staff is exploring other potential locations.
Upcoming events include Halloween, the Networking Spirts Event October 24 from 8-10 p.m., and
the Candidate Forum with candidates for the 21s1 and 32' District and PUD positions on October
1 in Council Chambers.
7. Roundtable Discussion (Council, Commissioners, City, Liaisons): Darrol reported on an
Edmonds School District task force that is looking at all their buildings leading up to a bond issue
in 2020. The strategy is renewal of the existing levy and not to increase the levy amount. The school
district received a $20M windfall this year due to the levy and State funding which was used for
teachers. There will not be that same windfall in years 2-4; the budget deficiency is about $30M
with no source of revenue to cover it.
8. Adjourn at 7:28 p.m.
Next regular meeting: October 17, 2018, 6 PM
Draft Minutes
Economic Development Commission
September 19, 2018
Page 3