2019-05-15 Economic Development Commission Packet'fl c. 189'j
AGENDA
Edmonds Economic Development Commission
Edmonds City Hall
Brackett Meeting Room, 121 5th Ave N
Wednesday, May 15, 2019
6-8PM
6:00 P.M. - CALL TO ORDER
Call to Order
1. Approval of Agenda
2. Roll Call and recognition of approved absences
3. Approval of April 17, 2019 Meeting Summary
4. Audience Comments (3 minutes per person)
10 min. 5. Old Business:
15 min. 6. New Business:
55 min. 7. Work -group updates — key focus of each group Outline goals and work steps to
achieve them:
Development Feasibility
Arts/Tourism
Business Attraction
20 min. 8. Liaison Updates (3 minutes per person)
20 min. 9. Roundtable Discussion (Council, Commissioners, City, Liaisons, 3 minutes per
person)
10. Adjourn
Next regular meeting: June 19, 2019, 6 PM
DRAFT
CITY OF EDMONDS
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION
April 17, 2019
COMMISSIONERS PRESENT
Nicole Hughes, Vice Chair (by phone)
COMMISSIONERS ABSENT:
Scott Merrick
Kimberly Koenig (excused)
Jamie Reece
Margaret Safford (excused)
Darrol Haug
Mary Monroe, Chair (excused)
Aseem Prakash
Guests:
Kevin Harris
Phil Lovell, Planning Board, ex-officio
STAFF PRESENT:
Bruce Faires, Port Commissioner, ex-officio
Patrick Doherty, Director
Neil Tibbott, Councilmember, ex officio
Cindi Cruz, Program Coordinator
Greg Urban, Edmonds Chamber, ex officio
Economic Development Commission meeting called to order by Jamie but Nicole was serving
as Acting Chair of meeting via phone call at 6:00 p.m.
1. Approval of Agenda: Darrol made an amendment and Darrol moved to approve agenda as
amended, Kevin seconded, motion passed.
2. Approval of 3/20/19 EDC Minutes: Aseem asked why he was not excused for this meeting as his
absence was due to a work engagement. Patrick explained the criteria that must be met to receive
an excused absence: one of three reasons: either work, illness, or vacation extending 2 weeks or
more, the reason must be provided to staff and/or the chair before the meeting and chair must excuse
the absence at the meeting they are unable to attend. Unfortunately, Aseem had e-mailed after the
March meeting had taken place. A Commissioner can call in by phone twice per year to avoid an
absence. Scott moved to approve minutes, Darrol seconded, motion passed.
Absences: Kimberly Koenig is excused for absence related to work obligations. Patrick advised
that Margaret Safford was appointed by the Mayor to replace Mike Schindler. Ms Safford is
excused due to a scheduled vacation beyond two weeks. Mary Monroe is excused for illness. Acting
Chair Nicole Hughes excused Commissioners for reasons given.
3. Audience Comments:
4. Old Business:
Summary of Council Presentation: Patrick discussed the prior evening's Council presentation
regarding priorities for the EDC to begin work on. Councilmember Buckshnis preferred the
Development Feasibility work -group not review code issues or permit problems but leave them up
to Planning Board and Dev Services. Councilmember Tibbott stated his support of the suggestion,
and no other Council members expressed an opinion. Patrick suggested starting with information
gathering on the issues. Identifying "pain points" that could be barriers to businesses wishing to
locate in Edmonds. It was suggested that Business Attraction work with Development Feasibility
on surveys and share information gathered. Aseem reminded Commissioners to communicate with
their Council person that has appointed them so they are aware of what the EDC is working on.
Neil felt report was very concise and focused.
Update on Parking: Darrol provided an updated on parking approved study and Request for
Qualifications (RFQ) will be issued with a due date of 5/3. This will provide a consultant list and
ultimately, based on their qualifications and a scope of work, a consultant will be selected for the
DRAFT Meeting Summary
Economic Development Commission
April 17, 2019
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DRAFT
study. Study is scheduled to be started by June to be complete by September so staff should know
by budget time if there are budget implications for 2020. Public input piece, survey, open houses,
etc. $35,000 was final budget but possibly will ask for additional money to make study more robust.
Ambitious schedule but hopeful there will be valuable information obtained in this time frame.
There was discussion regarding parking around Civic Field to maximize what is available around
the field. Pay parking will be part of the study.
Update on SAP: Darrol stated the long-range financial planning effort by the City has stopped.
5. New Business:
Leadership Discussion: Nicole nominated Kevin Harris as vice chair, Scott seconded for
discussion. After a brief discussion motion passed.
6. Work -group updates — key focus of each group. Outline goals and work steps to achieve:
Development Feasibility: Patrick passed out a summary of the work -group meeting.
Patrick will contact 2nd floor to identify potential participants in a survey regarding
experience in obtaining permits. Questions for businesses to find out what brought them to
Edmonds, their experience in developing a business in Edmonds, and this could be a combo
of efforts with the Business Attraction work -group for a comprehensive survey.
Arts/Tourism: Patrick updated: working on shuttle service details, hotel development
would need a code change and trying to get some traction in Planning Division to pick that
up, audio marketing to ferry holding lanes is proceeding after contacting State. State is
open to idea and open to putting up signs along route that City would produce. Would be
placed along ferry holding lanes up towards Westgate. Has contacted museum board about
taking on holiday market with the. Waiting on response.
Business Attraction: Scott advised this work -group did not meet.
At next meeting come back with work steps, goals of work -groups.
7. Liaison Updates (3 minutes per person):
Neil: distributed two copies of 2019 Budget in Brief Financial Report. Patrick will distribute a PDF
version to Commission. It is to be noted restaurant revenue has become very impressive, and may
play an important role in building area "staycation" marketing that may help mitigate revenue
decreases in an economic downturn. Patrick spoke to the support of the EDC in their support of
diversifying the economic sector in Edmonds. Discussion on including successes/accomplishments
of the EDC.
Phil: PB at last meeting held a public hearing on north end of Edmonds Haines Wharf. Proposal
was to change zoning classification to open space. A student representative has been added to PB.
PB will be reviewing condo non -conforming uses to determine what to do about this issue related
to rebuilding condos regarding the existing codes. Will attend PB meetings until he is replaced but
this will be last EDC meeting he will attend and has asked the PB to appoint a new liaison to the
EDC.
Bruce: Port is supportive of salmon recovery issues and marsh restoration. The Port supports
restoration of marsh but wants to have more information on what renovation/restoration means.
Revised environmental policy at last Port commission meeting. No waterfront festival this year.
Family day at the Port on June 1 which will include elements of the marine side of the past
waterfront festival. There will be an opportunity for public communication with Port
Commissioners. Tourism opportunity with small cruise ships and creating embarkation point to
San Juans at Port.
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Economic Development Commission
April 17, 2019
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Greg: updated on events: Leadership Snohomish County Step Up event on Friday the 26h, Decant
Edmonds event on May 25 at the ECA. Advised of strict state rules if having fundraisers. Chamber
does not endorse candidates but will hold a forum for candidates later in the year. Free business
workshop on June 6 in Brackett Room, "Building Your Business by Creating Community".
8. Roundtable Discussion (Council, Commissioners, City Liaisons, 3 minutes per person):
Scott: went to first Creative District Advisory Committee meeting last week and will be providing
a report on those meetings in the future.
Kevin: would like to explore opportunities to reconfigure relationships with Council in the future.
Darrol: involved in Edmonds School District issue on new buildings and what the proposal will be
presented to the public on building replacement.
Jamie: Joe of ECA presented at Rotary the other day discussing an increase of capital for the ECA
and a relationship with the Boys & Girls Club could come to the ECA property as a location. Egg
hunt at 10 a.m. on Saturday.
9. Adjourn at 7:57 p.m.
Next regular meeting: May 15, 2019, 6 PM.
DRAFT Minutes
Economic Development Commission
April 17, 2019
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