2019-07-24 Economic Development Commission MinutesCITY OF EDMONDS
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION
SPECIAL MEETING
July 24, 2019
COMMISSIONERS PRESENT
Mary Monroe, Chair
Scott Merrick
Jamie Reece
Darrol Haug
Kimberly Koenig
Margaret Safford
Jay Hoag
Neil Tibbott, Councilmember, ex officio
Greg Urban, Edmonds Chamber, ex officio
COMMISSIONERS ABSENT:
Nicole Hughes (excused)
Kevin Harris, Vice Chair (excused)
Bruce Faires, Port Commissioner, ex-officio
Nathan Monroe, Planning Board, ex-officio
Guests:
STAFF PRESENT:
Patrick Doherty, Director
Cindi Cruz, Program Coordinator
Economic Development Commission meeting called to order by Mary Monroe at 6:01 p.m.
1. Approval of Agenda: Kimberly moved to approve agenda, Jamie seconded, motion passed.
2. Roll Call and recognition of absences: Nicole and Kevin were excused because of work. New
member Jay Hoag was appointed by Councilmember Adrienne Fraley-Monillas and introduced
himself.
3. Approval of 6/19/19 EDC Minutes: Scott moved to approve minutes, Jamie seconded, motion
passed.
4. Audience Comments: None
5. Old Business:
SAP draft memo review — Darrol is still working on this and will bring back before Commission at
the next meeting.
6. New Business:
Darrol brought up the idea of reviewing creation of a preservation zone for downtown based on
input from mayoral candidates and Council. Appears to be growing support to do something about
preserving "downtown". How to go about doing this and what would be EDC role in this process?
Discussed at prior meetings and this idea had been parked to be discussed in the future when there
is some time freed up in an appropriate sub -group. What is preserving downtown mean? Identify
area, concepts (what is preservation district vs historic preservation) and what is relationship to
economic development. There was reference to the 15' ceiling height issue and would this be a
similar situation which the Council clearly did not want the EDC to review. Could wait until after
elections to determine if there is still a will to review this concept. Patrick mentioned that most of
the downtown is preserved by default because there is little to no redevelopment of existing parcels
at this time. The zoning is so restrictive that redevelopment is very difficult.
Scott asked about the burger restaurant and if there could be any action to encourage the owners to
open the restaurant. Patrick responded that the City cannot force someone to open their business.
7. Work -group updates — Leads to provide goals and work steps to achieve them:
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Economic Development Commission
July 24, 2019
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Development Feasibility: Jamie updated on major projects survey and reported the
Development Services Department is already in the process of doing a survey so the EDC
will not proceed with any plans to do the same. Will be following up on their process.
Patrick will update the committee on the process.
Business District directory: Currently reviewing content on website related to business
districts. Hwy 99 District: healthcare/hospital, international district, and gateway. 761h
Corridor will be pulled into healthcare/hospital district. Perrinville has three corners
located within Edmonds. Darrol has reviewed the website related to what is actually in
these districts. Information in studies are posted on website related to what the
neighborhoods would like to have in their specific districts. Zoning information and
information regarding permitted uses to be reviewed.
Arts/Tourism: Kimberly updated on the trolley that will run on all 5 Saturdays in August.
Patrick has negotiated with the trolley company to run 11 a.m. — 6 p.m. on Saturdays with
five stops between downtown Edmonds and waterfront. Could have a positive impact on
parking. A holiday trolley has been located from San Juan Island for the holidays. It will
run three weekends at a minimum. Update regarding ferry audio podcast for cars in the
ferry waiting line. A local comedian has agreed to record the message and Patrick will be
obtaining the domain name "EnjoyEdmonds.com" url. Signs have been approved by
WSDOT and just need to confirm locations. Directed to URL, includes photos and the
recording of where to go in Edmonds. No progress on change in zoning regulations to allow
hotel uses on waterfront. This would need to be a code change. There is virtually no chance
a national hotel chain would locate there. It would have to be an independent hotel with
20-30 rooms. But it would be the only hotel location on Puget Sound in the Greater Seattle
area that would be on a beach, creating a unique attraction. A question was asked about
AirBnb and B&B's being allowed, permitted uses in town and they are allowed as long as
they meet the zoning requirements.
Business Attraction: Scott updated on coworker space in Seattle that he, Patrick, & Greg
toured. Space is sold by subscriptions. Desirable to businesses that do not have an office
space. Different from the incubator model as this provides an office space only. Greg has
put together an idea to involve Port in this type of proposal for office space/coworker space.
Patrick gave update that Kevin is trying to set up meetings with Swedish and major
healthcare facilities to get them involved in conversation regarding their vision of what a
collaboration can involve.
8. Liaison Updates (3 minutes per person):
Council: Neil stated that he has heard from community that downtown is too crowded and it is
pushing people to outside districts such as: Perrinville, 5-Corners, Westgate, etc. Elderly population
have difficulties getting around in downtown. How do we serve the elderly community better?
Patrick mentioned that there are 100 more free parking spaces for evening and weekends provided
by the BID in bank lots that are closed on weekends and evenings.
Chamber: Greg said 4' of July parade was successful, 92 parade entries, 40 minutes less time.
Fireworks went well also. Taste Edmonds is the 3' week of August.
9. Roundtable Discussion (Council, Commissioners, City Liaisons, 3 minutes per person):
Jay had question about retail space co -working space.
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Economic Development Commission
July 24, 2019
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Darrol attended both retreats and budget discussions and thought some of the priorities would
involve issues the EDC could work on.
Patrick gave update on parking study public scoping meeting on August 8. There will be an online
survey form for people to fill out prior to the scoping meeting. Asking for input on topics citizens
want studied. You may participate online or at meeting. There is a basic scope that has been drafted
and this input will provide refinement of the scope and be presented to Council for approval to
proceed.
Mary asked if there was a desire to cancel the August meeting for vacations, etc. Scott moved to
skip August and Kimberly seconded. Motion passed unanimously. August meeting will be
canceled.
Greg brought up special fund created by Chamber now available to provide aide to businesses in
distress.
Jay agreed to join the Arts & Tourism group.
9. Adjourn at 7:43 p.m.
Next regular meeting: September 18, 2019, 6 PM.
Approved Minutes
Economic Development Commission
July 24, 2019
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