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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, Zoom Information: Join Zoom Meeting https://zoom.us/i/94367788930?pwd=LldTTmw5ViNzNE5mRGVU0HhnV2FwQT09 Meeting ID: 943 6778 8930 Passcode: 063504 One tap mobile +12532158782 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 DRAFT Meeting Summary Economic Development Commission July 15, 2020 Page 1 DRAFT 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 DRAFT Minutes Economic Development Commission July 15, 2020 Page 2 DRAFT 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 DRAFT Minutes Economic Development Commission July 15, 2020 Page 3 DRAFT 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 DRAFT Minutes Economic Development Commission July 15, 2020 Page 4