MONROE CITY COUNCIL. Agenda Bill No Discussion: Economic Development Approaches

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1 MONROE CITY COUNCIL Agenda Bill No SUBJECT: Discussion: Economic Development Approaches DATE: DEPT: CONTACT: PRESENTER: ITEM: 09/12/2017 Administration Deborah Knight Deborah Knight Discussion: 09/12/2017 Attachments: 1. Economic Development Strategy REQUESTED ACTION: Discuss the City s economic development priorities; and provide feedback regarding the proposed approach. DESCRIPTION/BACKGROUND The City s Comprehensive Plan identifies six themes as economic development priorities: 1. Develop a thriving downtown with vibrant Main Street character. 2. Provide a great place to start and grow a business. 3. Become an outdoor adventure destination. 4. Continue growth and development. 5. Maintain Monroe s US2 regional retail center. 6. Be walkable, accessible and interconnected. Mayor Thomas and the City Council have accomplished a number of action items included in the Economic Development Plan (EDP): Reestablish a thriving Chamber of Commerce and/or Washington Main Street Program. The City commissioned a study to develop an implementation plan for the Main Street program. Based on this study, in 2017 the City dedicated $25,000 to a Downtown Monroe Association (DMA) to hire an executive director who is working toward establishing a Main Street program. Hosting periodic tours of local manufacturers and businesses with the Chamber of Commerce and Economic Alliance of Snohomish County. Providing tours to business representatives interested in expanding a business to or starting a business in Monroe. Refine and implement the sidewalk, storm water, streetscape and other infrastructure improvements on Main Street. Installed pervious concrete to expand the sidewalks in the downtown to increase pedestrian connectivity and walkability; comply with the Department of Ecology s stormwater requirements; and allow for a larger event space by installing the new sidewalks flush with the road surface. Installed Swifts sculpture. Enhance the pedestrian environment in Downtown. In addition to the sidewalk project, the city installed art work, updated streetscape furniture and installed new accent lighting. Provide great customer service at City Hall; focus on what can be done versus what cannot be done. With recent approval from Council, staff is implementing an online plan submittal and review process. Minor code amendments were also accomplished to streamline the permit review process. Identify regulatory and financial incentives for starting or growing new business and industrial uses. Continued downtown fee waiver program. Increased thresholds for additional transportation fees when expanding or enhancing a business. Promote Monroe as an active sports and outdoor adventure destination. Purchased event-branded fencing; installed tourism-branded street pole banners in downtown & Page 1 of 5

2 North Kelsey shopping districts. Printed and distributed annual destination event brochures. Visually and physically connect central Monroe to its natural assets including the Skykomish River, Cascade Mountains, bike and pedestrian trails and surrounding open spaces. As part of a Regional Water Trail Coalition working group, staff identified connection points between the downtown and the Skykomish River. Convening a group to advocate for trail connections among cities in the Skykomish and Snoqualmie River valleys. Encourage an active lifestyle and events for both residents and visitors. Completed skate park upgrade at Lake Tye Park that draws visitors and compliments adventure sports events. Installing exercise stations at Sky River Park. Regularly host events that promote active lifestyles including triathlons, wakeboarding competitions, fun-run/walks and cycling events. Continue to attract active sports and outdoor adventure themed events to key areas such as Lake Tye, Downtown and the Skykomish River. Regularly host numerous regional, national, and international adventure-themed events. In addition to the items outlined in the Economic Development Plan, the following initiatives have also been undertaken: Develop a local and regionally efficient transportation system. Work with Washington DOT to design the 191 st Avenue connection and the expansion of improvements to SR 522. Provide a supportive business environment that encourages small businesses to open and move to Monroe. This supports the EDP s imitative to Identify regulatory and financial incentives for starting or growing new business and industrial uses.again, the City has continued the downtown fee waiver program and has increased the threshold for additional transportation fees when expanding or enhancing a business. Supporting and partnering in job fairs and small business workshops, including with the Chamber and Coastal Community Bank. Working to serve the city s population by providing facilities such as parks and walkable neighborhoods. For example, Monroe installed the Woods Creek Road pedestrian path. In addition, development regulations require new developments to install parks, trails and sidewalks. Developing better tools to address homelessness, including conditions contributing to homelessness. The purpose of this agenda bill is to present the proposed approach to economic development for 2018 and get input from the City Council. Proposed Approach Create an Economic Development Team. For 2018, Mayor Thomas is recommending the City form an ad-hoc Economic Development Advisory Board with representatives from the City, business community, Monroe Chamber of Commerce, Downtown Monroe Association, and medical and not-for-profit partners. The Economic Development Advisory Board will act as the City s economic development team. As outlined in Monroe s Economic Development Strategy, the Economic Development Advisory Board will recommend short-term (1-3 year), near-term (4-6 year), and long-term (beyond 7 year) activities. The activities approved by the Mayor and City Council in year one will guide economic investments to be funded in the 2019 budget. Mayor Thomas and the City Administrator, along with appropriate staff as needed, will provide direction and staff support for the Economic Development Advisory Board. It is anticipated this Page 2 of 5

3 board will be formed in the fourth quarter of Board recommendations will be processed through the Monroe Planning Commission and Parks Board as needed. Recommendations will be reviewed by the City Council for consideration in the 2019 budget. No funding is included in 2018 to support the board. Tourism Promotion and Marketing. Residents and visitors already know Monroe as a destination and base for adventure. There is an effort underway, led by Snohomish County Tourism, to connect communities in the Sky Valley and develop a Sky Valley marketing coalition. Building on this identity is a natural way for Monroe to continue offering local outdoor activities and attract visitors to support Monroe s businesses. The goal in 2018 is to develop tourism partnerships to cohesively market existing visitor experiences while building new destinations such as the regional Water Trail. Partners include the Monroe Chamber of Commerce, Downtown Monroe Association, Snohomish County Tourism, Sky Valley Chamber, City of Snohomish, City of Sultan, Town of Index and Town of Skykomish. The City Administrator, along with appropriate staff as needed, will provide staff support for tourism promotion and marketing. On-going funding for brochures and marketing may be reallocated to support a cohesive marketing strategy to increase visitors and overnight stays in Monroe. Business Recruitment and Retention. Monroe has a remarkably diverse economy which includes successful industrial, commercial, and retail sectors. Hundreds of new homes are under construction and more are planned in the coming year. New retail, industrial, and commercial business opportunities are available to serve the influx of new residents. The foundation is in place to keep the City s existing businesses while attracting new retail, commercial, and industrial businesses to the community. The goals in 2018 are to focus the City s efforts on marketing and selling the North Kelsey properties, while also filling vacant storefronts such as the former Albertsons, exploring new commercial areas, and supporting existing businesses. Proposed initiatives include: updating the North Kelsey marketing materials and generating interest in the property; updating the City s business website to illustrate to potential investors why Monroe is a great place to do business; and working with Everett Community College and the Monroe School District to ensure skilled, trained workers are available to fill vacant positions. Funding may be needed to hire specialists to develop new marketing materials and work to attract developers to the North Kelsey properties Economic Development Initiatives The following key economic initiatives are proposed for 2018 by the Mayor to support Monroe s Economic Development Strategy: 1. Develop a thriving Downtown with vibrant Main Street character. a. Assign the City Administrator to act as the downtown development expediter/ambassador. b. Continue the $25,000 funding to the DMA to help support the Executive Director position, who would market downtown Monroe. c. Funding $15,000 for downtown art and banners. d. Revisit the Downtown Master Plan to ensure the goals and policies are consistent with the current business environment. 2. Promote Monroe as a great place to start and grow a business. a. Assign the City Administrator as the point person to advocate for and coordinate economic development within Monroe. b. Increase the City s visibility and attendance at new business ribbon cuttings and business sponsored events. Page 3 of 5

4 c. Evaluate permit and land use fees to ensure Monroe is competitive with other cities in the region. d. Work with the Economic Development Advisory Board to determine what assistance, support, information or incentives will encourage businesses to start or relocate to Monroe. 3. Promote Monroe as a sports and outdoor adventure destination. a. Continue to work with the regional Water Trail Coalition to adopt and implement the Water Trail plan, establishing Monroe as a water trail-town destination. b. Work with Snohomish County Tourism s regional marketing coalition to increase Monroe s profile as an adventure destination for overnight stays and promote Monroe to visitors seeking provisions, lodging and entertainment on their way to and from the Cascades back-country. c. Fund $70,000 (carryover from 2017) to complete the Lake Tye and Cadman Park master plans. This item will be presented as part of the Mayor s 2018 Budget proposal. 4. Support continued growth and development. a. Evaluate amending the City s urban growth area to expand housing and retail development at the intersection of SR522 and Main Street. b. Budget $1,950,000 for acquisition of right of way on Oaks Street to extend Tjerne Place from Woods Creek Road to Old Owen Road. This item will be presented as part of the Mayor s 2018 Budget proposal. c. Budget $245,000 to design the extension of 191 st Avenue from Rainier View Road to the roundabout on Chain Lake Road. This item will be presented as part of the Mayor s 2018 Budget proposal. 5. Complete Monroe s Regional Retail Center. a. Work with the Economic Development Advisory Board, Planning Commission, and Parks Board to design, create and install gateway and directional signs to visually connect commercial development on US 2 to Downtown in order to create a complete retail center. b. Plan and hold special events and temporary activities on the vacant land in North Kelsey to bring residents, visitors and shoppers to the area to support existing businesses. c. Hire consultant to provide strategic guidance for marketing the North Kelsey properties. d. Utilizing the North Kelsey marketing strategy developed in c, work with the Economic Development Advisory Board to evaluate potential development incentives for North Kelsey to achieve the City s development goals. e. Work with the North Kelsey broker to identify known purchasers and developers based on the strategic guidance and updated development incentives. Generate interest and enthusiasm for the property. Prepare and issue an offering announcement. Evaluate proposals and select a preferred submittal. f. Develop a plan to fund the 2020 bond payment associated with the North Kelsey properties. 6. Walkable, Accessible, and Interconnected Community. a. Fund $70,000 (carryover from 2017) to complete the Lake Tye and Cadman Park Master plans. This item will be presented as part of the Mayor s 2018 Budget proposal. b. Continue to work with the regional Water Trail Coalition to adopt and implement the regional Water Trail plan. c. Fund $70,000 to complete Skykomish River Waterfront & Greenway Master plan. Page 4 of 5

5 IMPACT BUDGET Those items with 2018 budget implications are identified as part of the Mayor s 2018 Recommended Budget, which is scheduled to be released by the end of the month. TIME CONSTRAINTS None. Page 5 of 5