2019-05-15 Economic Development Commission MinutesCITY OF EDMONDS
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION
May 15, 2019
COMMISSIONERS PRESENT
Mary Monroe, Chair
Nicole Hughes
Scott Merrick
Jamie Reece
Darrol Haug
Kevin Harris, Vice Chair
Kimberly Koenig
Neil Tibbott, Councilmember, ex officio
Greg Urban, Edmonds Chamber, ex officio
COMMISSIONERS ABSENT:
Margaret Safford (unexcused)
Bruce Faires, Port Commissioner, ex-officio
Guests:
Bob McChesney, Port of Edmonds
STAFF PRESENT:
Patrick Doherty, Director
Cindi Cruz, Program Coordinator
Economic Development Commission meeting called to order by Mary Monroe at 6:00 p.m.
1. Approval of Agenda: Scott moved to approve agenda, Nicole seconded, motion passed.
2. Roll Call and recognition of absences: Mary acknowledged that Margaret Safford is unexcused
for a vacation less than 2 weeks. Aseem Prakash has resigned and the vacancy has been advertised.
3. Approval of 4/17/19 EDC Minutes: Kimberly moved to approve minutes, Scott seconded, motion
passed.
4. Audience Comments: None
4. Old Business: Patrick provided information on absences: let the Chair, Patrick, or Cindi know in
advance of the meeting either by phone call or e-mail. An excused absence would be if you are ill,
on a vacation longer than 2 weeks, or a work related absence. The Chair will acknowledge at the
meeting the excused absence. Must attend 70% of the meetings per year but excused absences do
not count against you. It is difficult to keep up on what is being worked on either at the regular
meetings or in the sub -committee work if you are unable to attend the meetings.
Darrol thanked Mary for her presentation to the Council last month on EDC priorities. Some
concern over the Council not being clear on what the EDC has accomplished. Could the EDC
provide a synopsis of previous letters to remind Council of what has been accomplished? Some
clear direction by the Council on what they would like the EDC to work on. It was an acceptance
memo to Council they did not need to vote on it. There is no intention to write or rewrite the
development code. Perhaps could ask for a vote in the future of what Council would like EDC to
work on. Neil thought the memo provided clear and specific objectives from the commission.
Provide quarterly updates to Council when there is something substantial to report. Can ask Neil to
update Council on specific items the EDC is working on. Provide specific list of accomplishments
to Neil. Darrol would like to know if SAP progress is going to be provided to Council. Patrick will
provide an update on the remaining SAP items based on the spreadsheet summary that he, Neil,
Phil, and Darrol had worked on. Patrick will bring update to next meeting.
5. New Business: Neil discussed General Fund First Quarter 2019 financial report. (See attachment
1). Discussion ensued about the report. There was comparisons to 2018 and the increases and
decreases in the different sectors. Provide next quarter in addition to this year accumulating the
year to date information on revenue and expenses. Is there value in a longer look back to potentially
2001 and what the trend has been over that period of time? Medical industry numbers could be
Approved Meeting Summary
Economic Development Commission
May 15, 2019
Page 1
informational as that is a recession proof industry. General Fund Revenues are heavily dependent
on taxes as indicated on page 3.
Greg Urban stated that he had been asked by a restaurant owner about a less obtrusive
sidewalk/outdoor dining demarcation rather than stanchions, fencing, and/or ropes and wide bases
that are a trip hazard. Research to determine what code and permitting changes would be required.
Could be put on the BID agenda for them to bring to Council attention.
6. Work -group updates — key focus of each group. Outline goals and work steps to achieve:
Development Feasibility: Nicole provided an update and discussed feedback from
Council and stressed there is no intent to dive into code rewrite but looking at obstacles to
development and business wishing to build or locate in Edmonds. The goal is to research
and identify obstacles and challenges to development and how to change by creating a
roadmap for businesses and developers on how to navigate the process — videos and/or
tutorials for guidance. Survey folks who have done projects recently, focus on smaller scale
commercial and tenant improvement projects. Approximately ten questions with standard
yes/no answers plus room if respondents care to provide additional information and be
contacted if they wish. Patrick has discussed with Dev Services Director, Shane Hope and
will involve her in the process. Survey questions will be reviewed by Shane. Would like to
include up to 50 projects. Include businesses that have recently moved to Edmonds.
Why/what/ attraction was there in moving to Edmonds? After receiving data analysis will
come back to commission with info. Also reviewing business district promotions on
website with the plan to add updates to the information. Darrol mentioned the loss of the
book store and the relationship of higher taxes to raising the rents for small retail business
in downtown. Could be difficult to attract small retail but restaurants are still viable.
Property owners cannot absorb the tax increases without raising rental. Preservation zones
are potentially a method hold down property taxes. Could this be reviewed? Jamie
discussed the value of selling the experience of shopping in a small downtown to combat
the online shopping trends.
Add this discussion on June agenda for Business Attraction Sub -committee.
Arts/Tourism: Kimberly provided update on ferry line marketing project, identifying
recommended locations for signage, continuing to explore URL, have identified some local
"voices" to record a message, 3 minute message maximum to provide canned engaging
information then a portion of message would change quarterly to provide info on timely
events happening within the quarter. Patrick is researching signage placement: "You're not
just in line, you're in Edmonds". Trolley proposal for test run in July and August on
Saturday. Challenge is inventory for trolleys. Approximate cost is $800 per day. Pilot
project would be 9 weeks. EDC budget could provide approximately $10,000, sponsorship
opportunities will be explored but potentially go ahead with pilot if a trolley can be located.
Provide transportation between downtown Edmonds, Port, whale watching, museum, etc.
Pilot project could provide information to determine feasibility for entire market season
during 2020. Should it be totally free, sponsorships, or $1 per ride? The pilot this year sets
the plan for the future. Still looking into possibility of hotel on waterfront.
Workgroups could start providing written reports to EDC prior to regular meeting so there
could be more time for discussion at meeting.
Business Attraction: Kevin provided update on meeting surveys, it will prove to be
difficult to interviews businesses who have left Edmonds. Reviewing business workspace
possibilities: community workspace at Westgate Village development which will be a rent
Approved Minutes
Economic Development Commission
May 15, 2019
Page 2
by the hour on your app approach. There will also be traditional retail at Westgate Village.
Healthcare and medical business attraction is one of the discussion items of the sub-
committee and involving Verdant Health and other area medical clinics in the discussion
to promote the benefits of establishing a presence in Edmonds. Neil asked what buildings
would be available for location and Kevin stated there are several around high school and
hospital. Determine the location needs and then identify what might be available.
At next meeting come back with work steps, goals of work -groups.
7. Liaison Updates (3 minutes per person):
Council: Neil had been contacted by business owner about the Edmonds Downtown Alliance
(BID/Ed!) and why it was formed and could there be a 5 year evaluation of the benefits to the
businesses and which businesses see the most benefit from the BID? A presentation will be
scheduled at the next EDC meeting.
Planning Board: No representative at this time.
Port: Bob McChesney was filling in for Bruce and provided an update. Family Day at Port on June
1 music, yacht tours, boat rides, food trucks. PSE is running 3 whale watching trips per day.
Refreshed public access plan for the Port which will include: lighting, landscaping, new railings,
all to make the Port more inviting to public.
Chamber: Greg passed out Chamber agenda, Teresa Wippel was named citizen of the year. Updated
on Taste event, and Decant Edmonds event is 5/25.
8. Roundtable Discussion (Council, Commissioners, City Liaisons, 3 minutes per person):
Jamie: Edmonds Jazz Connection on 5/18 all free event in 3 locations around downtown Edmonds.
Mary asked that chairs of workgroups submit reports ahead of time for distribution. Patrick updated
on Creative District subcommittees: Directory, Branding, Learning Opportunities & Diversity.
Encourage applications for EDC vacancy runs thru 5/31/19. Darrol discussed ESD bond needs and
plan to not have large property tax increase. He has worked with Finance Committee and Scott
James to improve visibility and transparency of data. Hopefully this will be part of next year's
budget process.
9. Adjourn at 7:58 p.m.
Next regular meeting: June 19, 2019, 6 PM.
Approved Minutes
Economic Development Commission
May 15, 2019
Page 3
General Fund First Quarter 2019
'f1c. 18y"
■ General Fund revenues are $42,000 (0.6%) ahead of last
year, and $ 3 91, 000 (5.3%) behind budget
■ General Fund expenses are $666,000 (6.7%) ahead of
last year, and $1.5 million (13. 1 %) behind budget
■ Overall reasonable results for the first 3 months of the
year
1
General Fund 3 Months YOY
Sales Tax Composition
I�. Q09
$500,000
$450,000
$400,000
$350,000
$300,000
$250,000
$200,000
$150,000
$100,000
$50,0- =M == on�, 1 11 II II
p\p�\� So�°5
a�Ga
° a dS
pp0 aS°p
/°�GoS
PGG �pSS at
P o
J
■ Jan -Mar 2018 ■ Jan -Mar 2019
eo
J
2
General Fund Revenue by Category,
3 Months Ended 3/31/18 compared to
3 Months Ended 3/31/19
'(1?C. 1$y"
$6,000,000
$5,000,000
$4,000,000
$3,000,000
$2,000,000
$1,000,000
Taxes Charges for Goods
and Services
■
Licenses and Permits
Intergovernmental Miscellaneous Fines and Penalties
■ 3 Months Ended 3/31 /18 ■ 3 Months Ended 3/31 /19
3