2020-02-19 Economic Development Commission Packet'11c. 189'j
AGENDA
Edmonds Economic DevelonmentCommission
Edmonds City Hall
Brackett Meeting Room, 121 5th Ave N
Wednesday, February 19, 2020
6-8PM
6:00 P.M. — Call to Order and Land Acknowledgement: "We acknowledge the original inhabitants of this place, the Sdohobsh
(Snohomish) people and their successors the Tulalip Tribes, who since time immemorial have hunted, fished, gathered, and taken
care of these lands. We respect their sovereignty, their right to self-determination, and we honor their sacred spiritual connection
with the land and water." - City Council Land Acknowledgment
Call to Order
1.
Approval of Agenda
2.
Roll Call and recognition of approved absences
3.
Approval of January 22, 2020 Meeting Summary
5 min. 4.
Audience Comments (3 minutes per person)
10 min. 5.
Old Business:
20 min 6. New Business: Discuss format, issues for mini -retreat in March.
15 min. 7. Work -group updates
Development Feasibility
Arts/Tourism
Business Attraction
15 min. 8. Liaison Updates (3 minutes per person)
15 min. 9. Roundtable Discussion (Council, Commissioners, City, Liaisons, 3 minutes per
person)
10. Adj ourn
Next regular meeting: March 18, 220 6 PM, Brackett Meeting Room, 3rd Floor,
Edmonds City Hall, 121 5th Avenue North, Edmonds.
DRAFT
CITY OF EDMONDS
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION MEETING
January 22, 2020
COMMISSIONERS PRESENT
Mary Monroe, Chair
Kevin Harris, Vice Chair (by phone)
Scott Merrick
Darrol Haug
Margaret Safford
Jay Hoag
Liaisons:
Greg Urban, Edmonds Chamber, ex officio
Vivian Olson, Councilmember, ex officio
COMMISSIONERS/LIAISONS ABSENT:
Kimberly Koenig (excused)
Nicole Hughes (excused)
Jamie Reece (excused)
Nathan Monroe, Planning Board, ex-officio
Bruce Faires, Port Commissioner, ex-officio
Guests:
None
STAFF PRESENT:
Patrick Doherty, Director
Cindi Cruz, Program Coordinator
Economic Development Commission meeting called to order by Mary Monroe at 6:02 p.m.
1. Approval of Agenda: Darrol and Patrick asked to add 1a. A welcome to Vivian and introduction of
present members. Margaret moved to approve agenda, Scott seconded, motion passed.
1 a. Welcome to Vivian and introductions. All Commissioners present introduced themselves and each
gave a synopsis of their backgrounds.
2. Roll Call and recognition of absences: All absences are excused tonight due to the regularly scheduled
meeting was moved to today's date due to inclement weather. Kevin's phone participation does
not count towards a count of two meetings attended remotely maximum per year.
3. Approval of 12/18/19 EDC Minutes: Margaret moved to approve minutes, Darrol seconded, motion
passed.
4. Audience Comments: None
5. Old Business:
Nothing discussed.
6. New Business:
Reports from meetings with appointing authority: Kevin had met with Councilmember Susan
Paine who is his new appointing authority. Hwy 99 is an important project to her. Interested in
healthcare core discussion and potential for incubators. Patrick distributed talking
points/informational handout about EDC and economic development that Commissioners can use
when reaching out to their appointing authorities or in discussions with citizens. Please review
and provide feedback and/or additions.
7. Work -group updates — Leads of each work -group to identify next goals work groups will undertake:
Discuss 2020 yearly work plan and a brief explanation each work -group was provided for Vivian.
DRAFT Meeting Summary
Economic Development Commission
January 22, 2020
Page 1
DRAFT
Participation and review of work groups occurs in the beginning months of each year to determine
what the focus will be.
Development Feasibility: Have not met since last EDC meeting so nothing to report.
Patrick did update on survey conducted by Dev Services. Work -group reviewed and there
are approximately a dozen or so respondents that were willing to be contacted. Have not
done anything at this point but welcome input and follow-up by EDC. Those surveyed
were small projects versus larger projects with staff and team of experts. Have
determined that there were a larger number of licenses that were not licensed in
Edmonds due to adoption of state business licensing system. Work -group will follow up.
Arts/Tourism: Patrick updated on the vetting process to purchase a trolley. There are
trolleys available nationwide through a brokerage site. Could be purchasing in other areas
than Seattle but cost of transport could make the Emerald City trolley more cost effective
because of minimal transport fees. Will be working to obtain monthly sponsorships by
local businesses. Probably only 6 total months of running the trolley for the first year. The
desire is to keep this an event and/or experience rather than specifically a transportation
mode. Discussion about management, maintenance and ongoing storage and care. Kevin
asked about walking tours of Edmonds that could tie into trolley. Mural tour was
produced by Sno Co Tourism Bureau but is no longer available. Public art tour and stages
of history tours could be a basis for downtown tours. Santa Barbara walking tour was
referenced as a model. St. Augustine was also mentioned. Port involvement will be
explored.
Patrick mentioned the audio clip that is downloadable for folks sitting in ferry lanes. "You
are not just in line, you are in Edmonds" downloadable with audio recording updated and
accompanied by video produced by BID's program administrator's son. Will be updated
in the next few days.
Business Attraction: Kevin updated on most recent meeting by work group. Discussed co -
working and incubation space. One at Westgate and one downtown to use as an
appointment space, work regarding these spaces is ongoing. Another one, Workhorse HQ
will be located in the Waterworks Building at 2nd and James providing 3600 square foot
space. Challenge is available property. Downtown Edmonds is attractive for this type of
opportunity. There was concerned expressed about parking availability as the 2nd and
James area is already very crowded for available on -street parking space. A number of
issued employee parking permits are in this location. Zinc Gallery is a potential for
allowing shared work space. And continue to have gallery space as a co -space.
Innovation is the goal to encourage businesses to come to Edmonds. Discussion regarding
the support of Port. Senior Core of Retired Executives (SCORE) network of business
support, Chamber, Northwest Innovation Resource Center, SBCD, maker space, etc. trying
to have meeting on 13th of next month to discuss incubation/innovation programming,
virtual/physical space potential and 'portal' ownership. All resources for local business.
Waterfront Center could provide possibility of a location. Virtual, physical,
temp/permanent space, differing versions of this opportunity. Large number of business
licenses that are home occupations and how do they access sources for meeting space,
etc. Arts community is a large part of businesses in the community also. Healthcare
provider/innovation piece and Kevin gave a background on the potential for future
healthcare startups in the greater Puget Sound area and many want to make a move out
DRAFT Minutes
Economic Development Commission
January 22, 2020
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DRAFT
of Seattle. Edmonds can offer a healthcare core with Swedish Edmonds to connect these
businesses with opportunities to expand to Edmonds. Kevin will be meeting in February
with Cambia Grove to discuss how to attract healthcare innovators out of Seattle. He
discussed ideas on how to encourage these innovators to locate in Edmonds.
Senior engagement piece: Darrol discussed ideas of how to involve bars and pubs to have
a pub crawl to target seniors to see what interest is and to get seniors more engaged.
Could also involve families of seniors re: promoting intergenerational activities. Patrick to
meet with Ferrell Fleming director of Waterfront Center/Senior Center to chain -link to
other leaders and gauge interest. Tourism group wants to determine how to have more
music performances. Could be connection with both groups. Arts and business attraction.
Music venue fees are an obstacle but perhaps there could be joint payments.
Next month and/or March put together work plan for 18-months to two year plan.
The EDC asked Vivian Olson (our new liaison) to report back to the Council meeting about what is
being worked on by the EDC.
9. Liaison Updates:
Greg mentioned GSBA event tomorrow 1/23. He was elected to the South District Fire
Commission in the fall. Chamber annual membership meeting will be 1/23 at Yacht Club including
a luncheon. Chowder event is 2/22 tickets are available.
Vivian discussed several topics she would like to see the Commission research: International
District how to bring charm into that area and develop an identity and get buy -in from that
community. Make it a tourism stop and/or destination, such as a museum, art mall, anime
museum, Las Vegas container park. How walkable would that be between Esperance County Park?
Having City functions more accessible to other areas of Edmonds such as out of the downtown
area. Resort hotel on waterfront. Patrick mentioned the code change to allow hotels in waterfront
zone is coming to City Council in the next month. Smaller hotel such as 40 rooms or so would work
but would have to be an independent rather than a national brand. Zoning is too restrictive to be
attractive to major hotel chains.
Greg mentioned request to put model train space for 3600 square foot space in Edmonds.
9. Roundtable Discussion (Council, Commissioners, City Liaisons, 3 minutes per person):
Jay mentioned a business provides wine storage at Waterworks Building. It is basically a private
wine locker. SanKai Sushi is great addition to Edmonds dining. Kevin appreciated being able to
participate via phone. Scott stated Creative District will be unveiling new logo soon along with
positioning statement, tagline, etc. Patrick noted Legislative session started last Monday in
Olympia and affordable housing, climate, public safety are the big issues this session and Edmonds
has some capital requests — treatment plant, Hwy 99, Waterfront Center and legislative proposals
to establish financial support for Creative District. Darrol mentioned his work with ESD on
technology issues and long range forecasting model and what buildings are needed. Bond issue
on 2/11 but unfortunately it is not enough money for what is actually required.
Adjourn at 7:52 p.m.
Next regular meeting: February 19, 2020, 6 PM in Brackett Meeting Room.
DRAFT Minutes
Economic Development Commission
January 22, 2020
Page 3