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2019-04-17 Economic Development Commission MinutesCITY 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 APPROVED Meeting Summary Economic Development Commission April 17, 2019 Page 1 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. APPROVED Minutes Economic Development Commission April 17, 2019 Page 2 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. APPROVED Minutes Economic Development Commission April 17, 2019 Page 3