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2019-03-20 Economic Development Commission MinutesCITY OF EDMONDS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION March 20, 2019 COMMISSIONERS PRESENT Mary Monroe, Chair Kimberly Koenig Michael Schindler Nicole Hughes, Vice Chair Scott Merrick Jamie Reece Bruce Faires, Port Commissioner, ex-officio Neil Tibbott, Councilmember, ex officio Phil Lovell, Planning Board, ex officio Greg Urban, Edmonds Chamber, ex officio COMMISSIONERS ABSENT: Darrol Haug (excused) Aseem Prakash Kevin Harris (excused) Guests: Mayor Dave Earling STAFF PRESENT: Patrick Doherty, Director Cindi Cruz, Program Coordinator Carolyn Douglas, Public Information Officer Economic Development Commission meeting called to order by Mary at 6:00 p.m. Absences: Darrol Haug excused for vacation extending beyond two weeks. Kevin Harris excused for absence related to work obligations. Mayor Earling recognized Mike Schindler for his service to the Commission. 1. Approval of Agenda: Jamie moved to approve agenda, Mike seconded, motion passed. 2. Approval of 2/20/19 EDC Minutes: Scott moved to approve minutes, Kimberly seconded, motion passed. 3. Audience Comments: David Kaufer and Kevin Smith have applied for the open position on the Commission. David Porter lives in Everett but is interested in economic development and what the Commission participates in. 4. Old Business: Finalize Priorities Memo for Council: Mary reviewed the priorities memo. There is additional information needed for the Business Attraction component. After discussion is was decided to add co -working space, healthcare innovation companies, and loop together onboarding interviews and business exit interviews as the three priorities from that subgroup. A formatting change was suggested to include a summary of the three different groups. Memo will be put on the City Council agenda for 4/16/19. The request will be for advice and support on the proposed work plan for this next year. It was recommended to know how these priorities will be accomplished not necessarily part of the memo as long as we know how the sub -groups will proceed. Patrick suggested adding the word "neighborhood" to Business District Code "review potential" updates. Neil suggested there is emphasis not to add to the code updates already being considered by the City. Emphasize "business district" not residential. Jamie made a motion to approve memo with suggested changes, Scott seconded, motion passed unanimously. 5. New Business: Leadership Discussion: Mary has been chair for a year now and entertained discussion for a change in leadership. Nicole nominated Mary to continue, Kimberly seconded and motion passed unanimously. Nicole suggested that Kevin would be good in the vice -chair role. In his absence the discussion is tabled until the April meeting. Approved Meeting Summary Economic Development Commission March 20, 2019 Page 1 6. Work -group updates — key focus of each group. Outline goals and work steps to achieve:. Development Feasibility: Jamie, Mike, and Patrick discussed and advised the group had not met. Arts/Tourism: Kimberly provided update on State Route 104 informational signage project for ferry lane motorists as they are waiting in line. The content will be a very basic video that can be accessed by going to the URL referenced on the signs. URL could be linked to VisitEdmonds and/or Downtown Alliance websites. The message will include: what you can do in Edmonds, events could be updated quarterly, has to be an interesting message, funny, so people will want to listen and return again. This could provide sponsorship/promotional potential for businesses. A podcast would be the ultimate goal for the information conveyance. Please provide feedback on URL's from Commissioners. Business Attraction: Scott provided update on meeting. Top three focus areas, are co - working space, healthcare innovation companies, and onboarding and exit interviews. Now to determine next steps and the feasibility, look to other communities that provide similar project support and look at older buildings that could provide the availability of office spaces. Healthcare innovation is being reviewed by Kevin. Obtain stats to determine what kind of businesses are in the health district 76t'', Hwy 99, 212', 220' area. Onboarding and exiting interviews should review what is currently provided to businesses when they come into the City, more robust about networking opportunities, how to contact businesses that are leaving to determine why the business is leaving. Creative District advertising is focused on business attraction. Creative District Advisory Committee needs to have a commissioner appointed to serve on the committee and Scott volunteered. First meeting is April 11 at 5:30 p.m. in the Frances Anderson Center. They will meet the 2' Thursday every month for the first four months and bi-monthly thereafter. 7. Liaison Updates (3 minutes per person): Greg: After Hours tomorrow night, March 21 at Olympic Ballet Theater and then go to ArtWalk Edmonds afterwards. Luncheon speaker next week is Marc Ikegami from Doug's Auto Group. Fundraiser "Decant Edmonds" to sponsor Chamber events will be held on May 25 at the Edmonds Center for the Arts. Bruce: Freedom Boat Club is new tenant at Port, they provide memberships for boaters. Puget Sound Express has taken an option on last remaining property at Port and may build on this property. Encouraged commission to think of the waterfront as a source of tourism. Provided information on cruise line that is cruising within Puget Sound "American Cruise Lines". Considers this to be an economic opportunity if cruise lines would/could stop in Edmonds. Would like to see Tourism sub -group explore these opportunities. Phil: Planning Board (PB) has continued discussing small cell regulations and has been referred to Council for public hearings. Presentation by the City regarding sustainability 35-page, multi - department report been placed on website. Update from P&R on Civic Field upgrades, waterfront improvements in conjunction with Waterfront Center development, and proposed ordinance updating regulations governing the use of parks such as prohibiting smoking, wildlife feeding, change park hours to sunrise to sunset, allow dogs on leashes in parks where they are currently not allowed. Further discussion about parking encourage Commission attendance at one of the upcoming public open houses on parking. Could potentially be some participation by Sound Transit to add to parking in downtown Edmonds. PB will have a retreat on 3/27. Phil has announced his retirement from the PB he will stay on till a replacement has been found. Approved Minutes Economic Development Commission March 20, 2019 Page 2 Neil: Council has voted to form a Housing Commission which will look at varieties of housing and a visioning process the next 10 to 20 years. No one on current boards/commissions will be eligible for an appointment to the Housing Commission. The Commission is broken into 7 zones of the City and three members from each zone. Two members and one alternate from each zone. Review and hearings regarding the installation of 5G networks is proceeding and attempting to provide as much direction as possible. Reviewed existing installations in Seattle and things are not good aesthetically. Council has also passed a resolution requiring explanation of the health risks of the 5G network installations. 8. Roundtable Discussion (Council, Commissioners, City Liaisons, 3 minutes per person): Kimberly reminded the Commission that retail sales tax goes up to 10.4% on April 1. Patrick mentioned the concerns about whale watching regarding governor's task force and what the effects are regarding Puget Sound Express. PSE has been involved in NW Whale Watching Association for several years and has been involved in amendments and regulations to affect whale - watching. PSE is an advocate for responsible whale -watching expeditions. A proposal was added to prohibit whale watching for 3 — 4 years by some members of the Governor's Task Force. It is well documented that the unreliable food source is the biggest issue for the resident orcas who only want to eat Chinook salmon. The transient orcas will eat everything. But the concern was focused on whale -watching vessels affecting the pods. The result was a law passed that allows whale - watching vessels to continue but maintain 300 yards distance from the pods and keep speed to 7 knots within'/2 mile of the pods. Mike stressed the Edmonds Waterfront Center will be built in two years and could provide many other opportunities for rentals and a regional draw for hotel development. 9. Adjourn at 7:26 p.m. Next regular meeting: April 17, 2019, 6 PM. Approved Minutes Economic Development Commission March 20, 2019 Page 3