2020-09-16 Economic Development Commission AgendaSPECIAL MEETING NOTICE
EDMONDS CITIZENS ECONOMIC
DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION RETREAT
There will be a SPECIAL MEETING of the Edmonds Citizens Economic
Development Commission on Wednesday, September 16, 2020 at 4 p.m. The
purpose of the meeting is to hold a commission retreat. The agenda for the meeting is
attached, miscellaneous items may be discussed and there will be an opportunity for
audience comments.
The meeting will be held virtually via Zoom format and login information is on the agenda.
The public is welcome to attend the meeting.
Posted/Emailed: September 14, 2020
POSTED:
City Hall
Edmonds Library
Public Safety
EMAILED:
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The Herald
The Seattle Times
The Edmonds Beacon
MyEdmondsnews.com
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Directors
SPECIAL MEETING AGENDA
Edmonds Economic Development Commission Retreat
Meeting held via Zoom see access info below
Wednesday, September 16, 2020
4-8PM
4:00 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
1. Welcome and Call to Order
2. Regular Meeting (10 min)
a. Approval of Agenda
b. Roll Call and recognition of approved absences
c. Approval of August 19, 2020 Meeting Summary
3. Opening remarks/warmup (15 min)
a. Purpose of extended meeting
b. Housekeeping: breaks, parking lot, discussion protocol
c. Warm up: 3 Good Things/3 Things to Change about Commission
4. Audience Comments (15 min)
5. Discussion Segment #1 (60 min)
a. Commission Strengths, Effectiveness and Challenges
b. Priorities and Categories of Economic Development Activities for Edmonds
Break
6. Discussion Segment #2 (60 min)
a. Working Group Discussions — current, suspended, new ideas
Break
7. Discussion Segment #3 (60 min)
a. Goals, Solution Development and Prioritization
8. Wrap-up/summary (10 min)
9. Adjourn
Next regular meeting: October 21, 2020 6 PM,
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DRAFT
CITY OF EDMONDS
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION MEETING
August 19, 2020
COMMISSIONERS PRESENT
Nicole Hughes, Chair
Darrol Haug
Jay Hoag
Jamie Reece
Kevin Harris, Vice Chair
Scott Merrick
Kevin Smith
Liaisons Present:
Bruce Faires, Port Commissioner, ex-officio
Vivian Olson, Councilmember, ex officio
Roger Pence, Planning Board, ex-officio
Greg Urban, Edmonds Chamber, ex officio
COMMISSIONERS/LIAISONS ABSENT:
Guests: None
STAFF PRESENT:
Patrick Doherty, Director
Cindi Cruz, Program Coordinator
Economic Development Commission meeting conducted via ZOOM and called to order by Nicole
Hughes at 6:02 p.m.
1. Approval of Agenda: Jay moved to approve agenda, Scott seconded, motion passed.
2. Roll Call and recognition of absences: None. Margaret Safford stepped down from the Commission
as of this meeting. Roger Pence was introduced as the liaison from the planning board.
3. Approval of 7/15/20 EDC Minutes: Jamie moved to approve minutes, Darrol seconded, motion
passed.
4. Audience Comments: None
5. Old Business:
Updates on City Plans to assist re -opening; EDC role and work in response to COVID-19
economic crises: Patrick updated on progress of business grants. $700,000 of the City's CARES
allocation has been appropriated for Business Support Grants. Grants were issued in the amount
of up to $8,000 gave out 90 grants to businesses all over the City. 50% were out of the bowl. 77
of the businesses were owned by minorities, women & veterans, 22 creative sector businesses.
High percentage of business loss over 70% and many had received no other grant. People got an
extra point for being out of the bowl. The question was asked why not issue grants to brick and
mortar businesses only. Administration had proposed this but Council asked to include home
based. There was a higher score give for more employees. Home based businesses were both
residents and businesses.
$300,000 of the $1.25M from the CARES money, plus $150,000 from additional General Fund
sources, will be issued in household grants of $1000 and $1500. This is in process now. Main
Street closure is still on Saturdays and Sundays and will continue till October 11. Now allowing
restaurants to use the parking spaces in front of their businesses to provide dining options and
will help meet the recently modified requirements of phase 2. This will allow non -household
members to continue to dine and meet folks for lunch, dinner, brunch. Another federal
programs may be available through the Community Block Grant program to allow cities to apply.
Will have more info later.
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Economic Development Commission
August 19, 2020
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Kevin H referred to EASC call today with Congresswoman DelBene's office about the expanded
employee retention tax credit among some other benefits that are in the works. Nicole asked if
there was any help needed to sort through these resources for the City and could the EDC help
out? Patrick will consider and let them know if there are opportunities to help. What is EDC role
in crisis response? A lot of work to keep on top of the available resources and then the results of
what happen after COVID. Need more time to delve into the details of what the landscape will
look like and Council will need this input from the EDC.
Business survey was proposed by the business attraction committee. Closing date was last
Friday and has been extended to this coming Friday. Patrick shared highlights of the results and
discussed results of survey with Commission. The Downtown Business Alliance Ed! had also
conducted a survey with the downtown business owners. Review and discuss within your
specific committees to determine if there are actionable items that could be useful. It was
discussed how to get relevant information out to businesses in a timely manner to provide them
helpful navigation of the grant and government programs. Information can be helpful to
businesses. Summarize responses in a FAQ style by subject. Potential 2n1 survey could get more
responses. Could go door to door with fliers and/or survey results to provide information.
Discussed how to encourage more input from certain areas that have under -responded. Could
help to understand what the different businesses are going through to recover from the COVID
shutdowns.
Sometimes the tenants do not know enough about what a landlord may be planning for a piece
of property. This can be difficult to get good responses. Property owners do not have to share
plans for their property until they are firmed up. Business attraction committee will review.
6. New Business:
Retreat Discussion: Nicole discussed that before COVID shutdown the EDC was planning a
retreat. Has been an interest by the Commission. One of the objectives would be establishment
of a strategic direction and communication path. Communication and setting direction with
Council should be an objective. Vivian encouraged the Commission to communicate with their
appointing Council members. Building ideas and encouraging enthusiasm by sharing information
with the Council. Economic development is critical for Highway 99 projects and these
businesses keep the City going. Could get better understanding and information from appointing
Council members. Kevin and Nicole will build a retreat agenda for review. Patrick recapped
retreat discussion — is it a regular meeting or a separate meeting. Could be at next regular
scheduled meeting on September 16. Should we wait till we have two new members? Two new
members will be appointed by Mayor. Scott moved to hold a retreat on September 16 from 4-8
p.m. and Jay seconded, motion passed unanimously.
Strategies for expanding knowledge and strategic ideas: Nicole suggested circulating books and
information to increase knowledge on economic development. Could bring in speakers that
have created projects in Edmonds.
7. Work -group Discussion:
Business Attraction: Scott discussed that the group had created the business survey. Most
efforts will be what was working on pre-COVID such as incubator proposals. Continue to
rejuvenate the health-care corridor work. Kevin H will restart discussions with Swedish and
Verdant. Review property and budget availability for potential for incubation businesses. Utilize
local educators such as Edmonds College. Incubation and business attraction could include
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Economic Development Commission
August 19, 2020
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approaching home base offices and offer an alternative to larger cities. Patrick will connect with
OfficeSpace.com to get word out to landlords to list their property. Meeting with Chamber etc
to create Edmonds business virtual online portal for resources to help incubate and accelerate
businesses.
Economic Recovery Committee: Jamie updated the three focus points which are education
marketing and incubation. Cultural considerations are to rebuild or leave. Education focusing on
PPE's. Building on survey questions — ask citizens what their needs are to stay in business.
Incubation looking at opportunities to sustain growth, demographics, expanding existing
businesses or opening new businesses. Kevin Smith also added that City revenues are doing
much better than surrounding cities. Would like to understand the data why this is happening. Is
there more online shopping? How to help retail businesses that are suffering during the
Walkable Main Street. Patrick shared the Ed! survey and will send out to the EDC for their
review. Will send out financial reports. Create resource of best practices.
Arts/Tourism Committee: Committee has no members currently.
8. Liaison Updates: Greg: at halfway mark of fundraising, with $50,000 goal of $100,000 through
end of year. Many events are canceled including Taste and Car Show. Undecided about
Halloween and Tree -lighting. Staff will be furloughed in September. There have been some new
business openings.
Roger: does not have update from Planning Board but would encourage Commissioners to
contact for PB interests and subjects. Regarding Hwy 99 and International District talk to Will
Chen who has his practice on Hwy 99.
Vivian: Public hearing on changing Haines Wharf from commercial zoning is coming up. Could
Main Street tax credit be an alternate to BID and Patrick stated the City must be a Main Street
Community to be eligible.
Bruce: He reported that Port was losing money as a result of COVID subsequently down about
$70,000 as a result of fewer tenants in dry stack storage. Renovation of building 3 is complete at
Harbor Square. HS has gone from 98% occupancy to 95% occupancy. Had one business leave.
Revenue is down but expenses are also down so it is not huge impact. Whale watching from PSE
is down about 50% this year as a direct result of COVID.
9. Roundtable Discussion (Council, Commissioners, City Liaisons, 3 minutes per person):
Kevin Smith mentioned dining at Epulo and it was wonderful experience. Old Epulo space is
already rented.
Kevin Harris thanked Nicole for chairing. And Vivian for her support. And Roger for being new PB
liaison.
Patrick updated on Northwest Innovation Resource Center and Amazon Catalyst innovators
grant project. Seventeen applications were received from Edmonds. Judging will be in
September. Three innovator -entrepreneurs from Edmonds will be awarded $10,000 to develop
and commercialize their innovation. Mayor interested in redevelopment of Hwy 99 corridor.
Hotel on waterfront discussed by Council could be brought forward again at least to either vote
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Economic Development Commission
August 19, 2020
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for or not. Burger Barn on Main Street is supposed to be opening up again. Kevin Smith asked if
it would make sense to have a committee for Hwy 99.
Adjourn at 8:25 p.m.
Next regular meeting: September 16, 2020, 6 PM location TBA
DRAFT Minutes
Economic Development Commission
August 19, 2020
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