2020-08-19 Economic Development Commission Agenda'11c, 189'j
AGENDA
Edmonds Economic Development Commission
Meeting held via Zoom see access info below
Wednesday, August 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 July 15, 2020 Meeting Summary
5 min.
4.
Audience Comments (3 minutes per person)
15 min.
5.
Old Business:
Updates on City Plans to assist re -opening
EDC role and work in response to COVID-19 economic crisis
30 min
6.
New Business:
Retreat discussion
40 min.
Strategies for expanding knowledge and strategic ideas
7.
Work -group Discussion:
Business Attraction
Economic Recovery Committee
15 min.
Arts/Tourism Committee
15 min.
8.
Liaison Updates (3 minutes per person)
9.
Roundtable Discussion (Council, Commissioners, City, Liaisons, 3 minutes per
person)
10.
Adj ourn
Next regular meeting: September 16, 2020 6 PM,
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DRAFT
CITY OF EDMONDS
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION MEETING
July 15, 2020
COMMISSIONERS PRESENT
Nicole Hughes
Darrol Haug
Jay Hoag
Jamie Reece
Kevin Harris, Vice Chair
Mary Monroe, Chair
Scott Merrick
Kevin Smith
Liaisons Present:
Bruce Faires, Port Commissioner, ex-officio
Vivian Olson, Councilmember, ex officio
COMMISSIONERS/LIAISONS ABSENT:
Margaret Safford, unexcused
Greg Urban, Edmonds Chamber, ex officio
Nathan Monroe, Planning Board, ex-officio
Guests: None
STAFF PRESENT:
Patrick Doherty, Director
Cindi Cruz, Program Coordinator
Economic Development Commission meeting conducted via ZOOM and called to order by Mary Monroe
at 6:10 p.m.
1. Approval of Agenda: Jamie moved to approve agenda, Scott seconded, motion passed.
2. Roll Call and recognition of absences: Margaret is unexcused.
3. Approval of 6/17/20 EDC Minutes: Jamie moved to approve minutes, Scott seconded, motion passed.
4. Audience Comments: None
5. Leadership discussion:
Leadership — Scott nominated Kevin Harris for Chair and seconded by Nicole. Kevin declined.
Nicole volunteered to service as Chair and Jamie seconded. Kevin Smith moved to nominate
Nicole as Chair and Scott seconded motion carried. Kevin H volunteered to be vice -chair. Darrol
moved to nominate Kevin H as Vice -Chair and Jamie seconded and passed unanimously. Mary
stated that she had not been reappointed and will be stepping down from the Commission. The
Commission expressed their thanks and gratitude to Mary for serving these past 4 years.
6. Old Business:
Report from ad hoc Economic Recovery Committee: the committee did not meet and Scott briefly
discussed the community survey. A business survey has been discussed. Patrick reiterated that
things are rapidly changing and what was discussed a month ago is out of date because of the
changes in the business climate related to the COVID response by the State. Patrick will send out
latest draft tomorrow. Kevin asked if a business survey is of value at this time? Patrick stated
businesses are still struggling and trying to best determine how to conduct business. Still a good
idea but need to vet what would be the best information on a survey. Bruce asked if determining
what information would be most helpful to Council at this time would help businesses more.
Nicole asked if there was consideration that this could go into one of the new work groups or
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Economic Development Commission
July 15, 2020
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should it stay in recovery committee? There was concern expressed about getting the survey out.
Patrick explained that it has been an extremely busy time with getting the application process
going for the CARES business grants. Vivian responded the Council would like to hear
retailers/business owners' opinions on how to make things work and how are we helping the
businesses within the International District of Highway 99 and how to get people to return to
shopping. There was discussion on some of the things to help businesses with such as websites,
etc., remembering how important it is to include Asian community. Questions about how we
could promote their businesses differently. Concerns about racial sensitivity. Could there be
something more creative or an alternative on connecting with businesses? Is there a sense of the
businesses that are closed or businesses that are reopening? Patrick responded there is no real
good way to track closed businesses as the City is the last to know. He has personally visited
almost 200 businesses in the last week along with the Public Information Officer visiting another
30-40. All on Hwy 99, Westgate, 5-Corners, Firdale, Perrinville, Waterfront, except for the larger
grocery stores. Now a majority of businesses are owned and run by people that do not speak
English as their first language. Most of these are family -owned businesses and their only support.
Won't be closing up shop as they support entire families. Kevin S stated that many in the Asian
community don't understand federal aid programs. How could we get this info to the businesses
that need it the most? It was stated that many businesses cannot sustain with so many people
working from home. Could a business survey be utilized to pass along information about federal
programs? Vivian suggested contacting Will Chen as he is willing to help connect and work with
language barriers. Could provide a connection to the Asian businesses. Should there be a separate
subgroup created long-term for economic recovery? Could we attempt at recruiting volunteers
fluent in other languages than English? Partner with Chamber to show the value in the
organization for diverse businesses and could benefit the Chamber during their economic stress.
Marketing needs to be done with cultural sensitivity considering languages for different needs.
Patrick mentioned the postcard that was sent to every business in the City that was in 5 different
languages including a direction to City website for information regarding financial, PPE and other
recovery information. Do we want to reach out to bankruptcy attorneys etc., to provide resources
for businesses that may be not able to recover? Webinars etc. Was agreed that this could be
included in business support work group.
6. New Business:
Updates on City Plans to assist re -opening; EDC role and work in response to COVID-19 economic
crises:
Patrick discussed the Main Street closure on the weekends and the evolution of how it has come
to be now. Very supported by the restaurants and limited support by the retail businesses. Public
has been very supportive. Some retailers have done very well, some have been no different, and
some stated they have done worse. Trying to be consistent for now with the street closure on
Main only from 6t" to 3rd Avenues. Trying to work with restaurants to encourage cross promotions
between restaurants and retailers. Have spent considerable time talking to business owners in
the downtown area. Unfortunately, a number of shoppers are not going to go inside stores until
they are comfortable. Will not have any additional entertainment, pop -ups etc., during the
closure. Kevin H appreciated the information and commented that he had driven thru on each
weekend and thought adjustments were good, weather was better, concerned about health
issues due to high risk issues. Not surprised but appalled by the number of people not wearing
masks. How could we educate about wearing masks? Vivian suggested delivery option from
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Economic Development Commission
July 15, 2020
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retailers to a central delivery spot such as the fountain. Kevin S asked about businesses outside
the Main St corridor - has it adversely impacted them? Patrick said there is no way to know about
outside of Bowl area. On the rainy weekend 51h Avenue was closed and had poor business. All
retailers are different and seem to have different experiences. Mike McMurray has offered
parking at his 6th & Main St property for every weekend that Main has been closed. When market
is over for the day all of that parking remains during rest of Saturday and all of Sunday. Later in
the summer do more surveys or public and retailers to see how it went. Try to make it more
normal and acceptable to wear masks. It will be this way for a while. Patrick stated requirements
regarding masks. Cannot go into stores or establishments without one and businesses must
enforce this. Do not have to wear one outside as long as you can maintain 6-foot social distance.
Referenced a complaint received today. Have been giving out masks by the City and have quite a
few left. There was concern about trying to enforce mask wearing. A mask raffle by placing
numbers on them for a prize and a scavenger hunt similar to Find Waldo contest were suggested
to help encourage mask wearing.
7. Work -group Discussion:
Website
Webinar Panel/Web Support Online
Experiential ideas and business support
Nicole asked if these are the new groups and who would want to participate? Mask campaign,
business service webinar could fall into the webinar group. Continued discussion of new work
groups for the upcoming time period. Determine what groups we want to institute. Solicit
members. Patrick mentioned that tourism is being retooled and will need to be looked at and
cannot go away. Standing groups were: Tourism & Arts, Business Attraction and Development
Feasibility. Kevin S stated we need to keep a recovery effort going. It was recommended
Development Feasibility could be retired. Would need Economic Recovery as development is
probably not going to be on the forefront. Nicole mentioned some of the things going on in city
with social justice and equality movement in society. Look at our system and structures and
purposefully taking steps to incorporate anti -racist attitudes with concerns about the business
climate and a welcoming community. Translates into supporting and thriving businesses. Patrick
mentioned the Diversity Commission has existed for 5 years and the Mayor has established task
force to look at internal City operations. Diversity Commission is more external in the community.
Mayor is calling for racial and social justice training for staff, elected and boards and commissions.
Maybe a joint meeting with the Diversity Commission or a coordinating subcommittee. Jamie
encouraged to get coaching before starting out without knowledge. Need coaching to get
message right and avoid sending out the wrong message. Nicole asked if there was consensus on
retiring Development Feasibility workgroup. Jamie moved to retire and replace with Economic
Recovery and Jay seconded motion passed. Business attraction could take up some of business
recovery issues also. Will send list of work groups in the next couple of days and could request to
switch to another group. Darrol asked if some words could be put to what the groups will be doing
and respond within 5 days of email going out. Try to meet with your subgroup before next
Economic Development Commission meeting in August.
8. Liaison Updates: Bruce stated Port has been quiet. Commission passed resolution to give
Executive Director authority relative to COVID -19 to have ability to respond quickly. It was shut
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down in March until mid -May. No COVID cases at the Port. Opening up slowly to tenants and they
can access their boats under this phase. Whale watching is down about half but ongoing. Some
businesses were affected more than others.
Vivian discussed CARES money that has been gone through by Council. Housing Commission open
house is going on now. Social unrest has gotten in the way of much of the work of the Council.
Open to hear about what is being done and wants to get responses.
Jay mentioned that Greg Urban from the Chamber was unable to attend the meeting tonight.
9. Roundtable Discussion (Council, Commissioners, City Liaisons, 3 minutes per person): none
Darrol celebrated his 46' wedding anniversary. Kevin H thanked Nicole for stepping up as chair
and will support as vice chair. Mentioned retreat and if the EDC would like to do a retreat virtually
as he feels the pandemic is not going to end. Would like to determine how this Commission can
support Council and Mayor during this time. Scott mentioned getting back on track with the
Creative District. Jamie thanked Nicole for stepping up, agreed with idea of retreat, encouraged
Parks maintain the paths to encourage social distancing. Kevin S has been reaching out to
individual Commissioners. Met with Workhorse HQthis last month; they have interesting business
model that will probably be more in demand on the backside of the shutdown. A children's
museum would be encouraged as now you have to go to either Seattle or Everett. Could
incorporate social justice issues into a museum. Patrick mentioned the Chamber fundraising
campaign right now and explained the 3 different ways to support; go to webpage to see support
ideas. Mentioned the events that the Chamber puts on such as Fourth of July, Tree lighting,
Halloween, etc. Jay stated he had joined the Chamber in May and King 5 featured the fundraising
event last night. Good to see the Chamber fundraising is getting into local news.
Adjourn at 8:04 p.m.
Next regular meeting: August 19, 2020, 6 PM location TBA
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Economic Development Commission
July 15, 2020
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