HomeMy WebLinkAbout2016-09-15 NCBC Agenda Pkt_revisedYakima City Council Committee
Neighborhood & Community Building Committee (NCBC)
Council Chambers, City Hall – 129 N 2nd St, Yakima, WA
Thursday September 15, 2016
2:00 p.m.
City Council City Staff
Councilmember Dulce Gutiérrez (Chair) Cliff Moore, City Manager
Councilmember Avina Gutiérrez Joan Davenport, Community Development Director
Councilmember Carmen Méndez
Councilmember Holly Cousens (alternate)
Agenda
1. Public Information and Update on Newsletter Idea (C. Moore)
2. Community Equity Program (J. Davenport)
a. Debrief on Benita Horn Discussion
b. Asset Data Collection
c. Ethics & Human Rights Committee (A. Gutiérrez)
d. Community Integration Committee (D. Gutiérrez)
3. Bike/Pedestrian Committee (C. Méndez)
4. Parks Updates (K. Wilkinson)
a. Millennium Foundation Questions (postponed to October meeting)
b. Exercise Equipment Costs
c. Cherry Park progress
5. Follow-Up Report on Truck Routes (Bronson Faul)
6. Board Appointed Reports – Standing Item
a. Comprehensive Plan Update (J. Davenport)
b. Homeless Network (C. Méndez)
c. Parks & Recreation Commission (D. Gutiérrez)
d. Henry Beauchamp Community Center (A. Gutiérrez)
e. Historic Preservation (A. Gutiérrez)
f. Temporary Appointment of Representative to TRANS-Action Committee
g. Transit Development Plan / Transit Related Issues
7. Other Business / Requests
a. Approve Minutes of 8/18/2016
b. Recap of Deliverables for Next NCBC Meeting
• Interpreter for Next Meeting
8. Audience Participation
Next Meeting: October 20, 2016
City Council Study Session Staff Notes
Approaching Equity Issues in Yakima - Presentation by Benita Horn
August 23, 2016
“Achieving equity is not a destination, it is a journey”
Key areas to achieve viable and sustainable initiatives:
1. Establishing a Vision
Create a vision, a sense of direction, of inclusion and equity throughout the City. Establishing
educational resources and utilize tools to provide staff proper training on cultural diversity. The
City of Seattle requires a one-day training and use the video entitled “Race, the Power of an
Illusion” as a mechanism to raise awareness among their city employees. Seattle has created the
Race and Social Justice Initiative (RSJI) in an effort to end institutional racism in City government
and achieve racial equity across the community. The City of Renton includes such measures in
their strategic business plan. Indicators of success in life create inequity across ethnicities.
2. Allocating Resources
Determine what could be a resource and what resources are necessary and define allocation of
resources. Launching the exploratory committees and having commissions is a wise use of
taxpayer dollars and also includes the public’s participation with ongoing communication in City
government.
3. Clear Outcomes
Establish clear outcomes that are achievable, provide direction for results that the City wants to
accomplish. Engage the community, acknowledge and provide access to the voices that are not
being heard.
4. Establishing Success Indicators (Mile Posts)
In Seattle, department heads outline specifics of what they plan to do and how they plan to
engage in their departments to achieve a collective approach for success. Staff developed ROSA
(RSJI Outcomes, Strategies, & Actions) tool to achieve equity in different service areas throughout
the city of Seattle.
5. Paying Attention to the Process – “What we do and how we do it”
Too much focus is put on what we do. Not enough importance on “how” the work gets done. This
includes asking yourself if we are taking an equitable approach or doing it the way it’s always been
done by evaluating who is on the work team, how is the assessment being done, what is in the
work plan, who are the stakeholders and are their voices being heard. Ron Chisolm “you cannot
eradicate institutional racism in the same way in which it was created”.
6. Celebrating Success
Equity study analysis, launching two exploratory committees. Celebrating the milestones along
the path to the ultimate goal.
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D. Gutierrez – understand more in-depth what the Council would like to do in terms of delivery of services
throughout the City with the resources available. Council has not explored the possibility of establishing
an initiative but has implemented two exploratory committees that will further look at existing fairness
and equity issues. How, and in what areas, can the City use an assessment tool based on an average matrix
to compare/contrast service across the City and implement policies that reflect equitable and fairness
practices.
B. Horn – the outcome of the assessment and the work of the exploratory committees will be much more
effective once the Council articulates a collective, shared vision. Consider some kind of
framework/systemic nature of work to provide necessary guidance and leadership. In the absence of that
direction, people will fill in the blanks to meet their needs. The concern that addressing equity issues for
a certain group creates inequity for another group was explained using the scarcity paradox. Council
should take the opportunity to convey the story of an asset-based paradox which is a win-win situation to
achieve progress and outcomes for all levels of the community.
A. Gutierrez – interested in perception of how poverty plays into access and equitable opportunities and
how does the City acknowledge deficiencies and convey that message to the community to achieve
positive outcomes.
B. Horn – “Business Case for Racial Equity” looks at institutional racism in the United States. Failure to
take into account factors such as institutional racism and the lack of systems that have been implemented
with the intent of eradicating poverty. In the United States, the laws of the land allow people to live
comfortably in their poverty. Ms. Horn described the Federal Housing Administration “red-lining” strategy
used by the Federal government regarding mortgage financing for home ownership, leaving a legacy of
inequity that exists today.
B. Lover – inquired as to why Ms. Horn prefers working with government entities and non-profits as
opposed to the private sector. Expressed the idea of looking at people for economic development, setting
money aside to provide low-income students the opportunity to further their education in Yakima County.
Using the negativity to get positive results.
B. Horn – In her personal experience, one of the differences she’s observed in working with government
and non-profit agencies is the accountability and transparency of those being served. Economic
development is people development and it’s important for the leadership body to hear and understand
each other. Step out of the box to find ways that Council priorities can be combined to find a common
ground.
H. Cousens – presentation gives Council a roadmap to move forward and be inclusive to bring forth the
voices of the people they serve. Engage the community to participate.
C. Mendez – take the opportunity to come together and identify a vision for the exploratory committees
to help guide and coach the committees for success.
M. Adkison – took the presentation as a learning experience and looking forward to the results of the
exploratory committees.
K. Coffey – excited for the changes coming to the community.
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Presentation Notes for Yakima City Council:
1. Who I am
a. Benita Rodriguez Horn; Daughter, sister, mother, grandmother.
Manager, Consultant – facilitator, coach, technical advisor, trainer in
organizational development through a social justice lens
2. Consulting Experiences:
a. City of Renton
b. City of Seattle (consultant, RSJI Manager)
c. City of Tukwila
d. City of Kent
e. King County Initiative: Building Equity + Culturally & Linguistically
Appropriate Services
f. Adjunct facilitator / trainer for GARE (Local & Regional Government
Alliance on Racial Equity – Julie Nelson Director, Senior Fellow for Haas
Institute for a Fair and Inclusive Society, University of California,
Berkeley)
3. Moving Forward in Yakima
a. Achieving equity is a journey, not a destination.
b. Important to have mile posts along the way to measure progress and
affirm accountability
c. Touch on some key areas that in my experience have made a significant
difference in viable and sustainable initiatives
i. Establishing a Vision
ii. Allocating Resources
iii. Clear Outcomes
iv. Establishing success indicators (Mile Posts)
v. Paying attention to the process
vi. Celebrating success
4. Vision and Consistency
a. Leadership and Staff Alignment
b. Vision alignment
Equity Presentation to Yakima Council by Benita R. Horn 7/29/16 Page 1
i. Not just an “add on” but is the work
c. Education
d. Tools (i.e. Internal & External Surveys (e.g. Yakima Equity Study); Racial
Equity Toolkit – Equity Lens and the support to use it effectively ;)
e. Seattle – Mayors Greg Nickels, Mike McGinn, Ed Murray (see handout
Seattle Executive Order2014-02)
i. The and Social Justice Initiative (RSJI) is the City of Seattle’s
commitment to realize the vision of racial equity. RSJI is a citywide
effort to end institutional racism in City government, and to
achieve racial equity across our community. Seattle Mayor Ed
Murray, City Council, and City Attorney all endorse and support
RSJI. RSJI builds on the work of the civil rights movement and the
ongoing efforts of individuals and groups in Seattle to confront
racism. The Initiative's long term goal is to change the underlying
system that creates race-based disparities in our community and
to achieve racial equity.
f. Renton Building an inclusive informed community with opportunities for
all (see handout Renton Business Plan)
5. Allocating Resources
a. Staffing support for equity technical assistance (Council, leadership,
community engagement (see handout Six Essential Strategies), etc.
b. Budget allocation (training, community engagement, etc.)
c. Ongoing feedback to Council and leaders
6. Clear Outcomes
a. By 2017 the City of Seattle will:
i. Ensure racial equity in City programs and services to make
tangible differences in people’s lives.
ii. Work with community-based organizations to support the
movement to end structural racism.
iii. Help lead regional and national networks for racial equity through
partnerships with other governments and institutions, the private
sector and philanthropy.
Equity Presentation to Yakima Council by Benita R. Horn 7/29/16 Page 2
7. Success Indicators
a. Seattle MOU’s with department heads
b. Departmental work plans
c. ROSA (RSJI Outcomes, Strategies & Actions – inward and outward facing)
8. Process – Ron Chisolm, Peoples Institute for Survival and Beyond – “cannot
eradicate institutional racism in the same way in which it was created”
a. Work Team
b. Assessment
c. Work Plan
d. Process Updates
9. Celebrating Success
a. Accomplishments in Yakima
i. Community Integration Exploratory Committee
1. Responsibilities: The committee is tasked with providing a
final report to the City Council with its recommendation on
whether or not a permanent committee should be created
to address improving community integration and other
similar matters in the City of Yakima. The committee is
tasked with exploring and evaluating what issues are
occurring in Yakima that would fall under such a
committee, as well as what other jurisdictions, cities and
counties in Washington State and elsewhere are doing to
address these issues. Some issues for consideration
include: helping immigrants with the citizenship process,
increasing the interest and diversity in government and
government committees, and increasing neighborhood
programming and involvement. This list is not exclusive
and is intended to give the committee some ideas and
starting points to evaluate. The committee is encouraged
to speak with community members to determine what
other issues may be affecting residents that would fall
under the purposes of this committee.
Equity Presentation to Yakima Council by Benita R. Horn 7/29/16 Page 3
ii. Ethics and Equal Rights Exploratory Committee
1. Responsibilities: The committee is tasked with providing a
final report to the City Council with its recommendation on
whether or not a permanent committee should be created
to address equality, discrimination and other similar
matters in the City of Yakima. The committee is tasked with
exploring and evaluating what issues are occurring in
Yakima that would fall under such a committee, as well as
what other jurisdictions, cities and counties in Washington
State and elsewhere are doing to address these
issues. Some issues for consideration include: wage theft,
tenant rights, and discrimination in the City of Yakima. This
list is not exclusive and is intended to give the committee
some ideas and starting points to evaluate. The committee
is encouraged to speak with community members to
determine what other issues may be affecting residents
that would fall under the purposes of this committee.
iii. Yakima Equity
1. Equity in resource allocation throughout the City
a. Question: How will this inform Council (e.g.
Ordinance, Resolution, other?)
b. Share Example – Street Lights – SCL – Equity Lens
10. Yakima Vision and Mission
To create a culturally diverse, economically vibrant, safe, and strong
Yakima community.
To provide outstanding services that meet the
community’s needs.
To govern responsibly by effectively managing and
protecting public resources.
Equity Presentation to Yakima Council by Benita R. Horn 7/29/16 Page 4
To build trust in government through openness, diverse leadership, and
communication.
To strategically focus on enhancing Yakima’s quality of life.
11. Questions?
12. What do you envision as next steps in Yakima?
Equity Presentation to Yakima Council by Benita R. Horn 7/29/16 Page 5
MEMORANDUM
To: Yakima City Council Neighborhood and Community Building Committee
From: Joan Davenport, Director of Community Development
Sara Watkins, Senior Assistant City Attorney
Date: September 15, 2016
Subject: Status of Community Equity Program
Step One: Asset Data Collection and Visualization
At the August 18, 2016 Neighborhood and Community Building Committee meeting, staff presented
the web site and an overview of the data collected as Step One of the Community Equity Program.
Additional information has been added to the site since the August presentation. This data is available
to the general public for review at the following website: .yakimawa.gov/equity-study
A presentation to the full City Council of this data is scheduled for September 20, 2016. Please keep in
mind that data is being added and the site is a work in progress.
This site, while preliminary in nature, provides a lot of information. Data has been collected and
illustrated to represent the distribution of resources and investments in the seven existing City council
Districts. The items displayed in this study represent information that can be measured and could
create benchmarks for comparative purposes in the future. The following items have been illustrated:
• How we got here – Growth of the city.
• Population and Housing Characteristics
• Top valued properties
• Public Safety calls
• Street Lights
• Graffiti and Pothole complaints from “YakBack” submittals
• 2015 Animal Control calls
• Code Compliance cases in 2015 featuring the type of cases reported such as illegal signs,
dumping in alleys, weedy lots, yard debris and graffiti
• Parks and investments in park properties by Council Districts
• Traffic Collision data
• Transit routes, stops and walking distance
What Will Happen Next?
At this point, staff has not drawn any conclusions about the data. The characteristics displayed in this
project represent a cross section of information about the City of Yakima. These items were selected
for display because they can be sorted by Council Districts for comparative purposes. Other features
can be included in this study and will be developed as the project is advanced. We believe that some of
the uses of this data to be as follows:
1. We expect the Exploratory Committees may want to review some of this data and comment,
develop observations or ask questions based on their perceptions of what the data indicates.
2. The NCBC and the City Council may use some of this data to help direct tasks, benchmarks
and goals for the Committees.
3. The City Council needs to establish goals and direction for the Equity Study project and the
purpose of the Exploratory Committees. This data may be useful in illustrating history and
concepts for future actions.
4. This data can be used to support analysis from outside parties to evaluate Yakima’s distribution
of resources. This will be useful in the event this project, or a portion thereof, is referred to a
university, institute or other third party for review.
Assisting the Exploratory Committees
One of the messages from Benita Horn to the City Council (August 23, 2016) related to the proposed
Exploratory Committees for Community Integration and for Ethics and Human Rights was that the
City Council needs to establish direction for these groups. Without guidance from the City Council,
these community members will not have a clear purpose or know what is expected of their work.
Further, they may not provide information to the Council that is useful or relevant to the Council’s
overall goals and desired outcomes for this project.
The NCBC should assist the City Council by suggesting some outcomes, or goals, that they would like
to be achieved in City government and the City of Yakima. Vision or purpose statements for the
Exploratory Committees and the Equity Study should also be suggested to show how every piece of
this project fits together.
The Vision of the project should be broad and encompass an overarching theme or goal. Vision
statements can be helpful when committees first meet, to provide a theme for the committees to keep in
their minds as they move forward with their work. Example Vision statements for this project are:
Ensuring access to government and services for all Yakima residents;
Better connecting all of Yakima’s residents to services and opportunities; or
Making Yakima’s government and services accessible for all residents.
These are just examples of broad vision statements that could be used. The examples encompass a
wide range of topics, opportunities, and issues. The project’s vision should also emphasize inclusion
of all residents of Yakima, which could provide guidance to the committees, and the public, that a goal
of the project is to have Yakima’s government and services be accessible to each resident of Yakima,
and for City committees, commissions, and staff to better reflect our diverse community.
There are two prongs to the project itself: the data collection piece that staff has been working on for a
few months, and the exploratory committees. To help the exploratory committee members, the whole
Council and the public understand the process, you may wish to outline purposes for each of the two
prongs. Here is an example for each of the two prongs:
The purpose of the Asset Data Collection is to evaluate the City’s current assets and systems in
place to help shape system changes to meet our vision and outcomes.
The purpose of the exploratory committees is to evaluate the City’s systems, inclusion, and
practices and provide recommendations to the Council on how the City can work towards its
desired outcomes.
Although these seem vague, they do let people know that the collection of data and the exploratory
committees are part of the overall project and have a distinct role in the process. You may choose to
make the purpose statements more specific, or similarly vague, depending on how specific you want
the project to be.
The committees, once they know their purpose, will need guidance from the City as to what they are
supposed to do, and what the City Council wants them to explore. The Committee also has goals and
objectives in mind with regards to this project. To make sure that the exploratory committees are
providing valuable pertinent feedback, it will be helpful to give them specific outcomes, or goals, that
the City wishes to achieve through the project. By giving the exploratory committees specific
outcomes or goals, and asking them to explore ways to meet those goals, you will provide them
guidance and a starting point.
Examples of such outcomes or goals, and what the exploratory committees may come up with as ways
to meet those goals could include (and these are only suggestions to give examples):
1. Outcome Desired/Goal: Increase Latino/Latina (and other underrepresented groups)
participation in city government:
o Council members should host series of coffee chats in their district.
o The City needs to make sure information is distributed in a variety of ways, not just
internet (such as information about participation opportunities, Council agendas, and
newsletters/publications).
o Reach out to existing groups such as the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, local
businesses, non-profit organizations and community groups and volunteer to speak at
meetings or forums to discuss City business and issues.
2. Outcome Desired/Goal: Hire more minorities in City jobs so City staff reflects our diverse
community.
a. Work on City training programs through internships and internal training.
b. Broaden screening programs to ensure availability and accessibility to all residents.
c. Add job fairs to the ways the City recruits candidates and informs the public of the
broad spectrum of jobs available at the City.
d. Start a job shadow program for high school students.
The Committee probably has more than one or two outcomes in mind. Outcomes should include both
short term outcomes and long term outcomes. Examples of long term outcomes could include ensuring
every child can walk to a park, trail, or City recreation area; or building stronger public-private
partnerships.
The exploratory committees could be given a list of desired outcomes and then tasked with
brainstorming how to achieve those outcomes and goals. Brainstorming could also include contacting
possible partners; creating listening sessions in each district where community members could come to
a meeting and discuss a particular subject (such as ideas on how to increase public participation in
government); or studying what other communities are doing or have done to meet similar goals.
Another way to visualize the overall project and process is as follows:
Conclusions.
We continue to be at the initial steps of the process, but have made much progress with the asset data
collection. That data information will aid the exploratory committees and help them understand where
the City is, today, with things like transit stops, street lights, police calls, and ONDS monies spent.
To efficiently move forward, goals and outcomes should be determined so that the exploratory
committees can be staffed, appointed and start their work to help shape the future of Yakima.
Further, there may be a need to amend the exploratory committee rules and procedures, as they were
developed prior to Ms. Horn’s presentation and the asset data collection. They are very broad, and
could be narrowed with the additional information, procedure, and the outcomes/goals set by the
Council.
District 1 District 2 District 3 District 4 District 5 District 6 District 7 Citywide
Population (total)12,533.00 13,358.00 12,859.00 13,175.00 12,683.00 13,176.00 13,283.00 93,220.00
Hispanic Population 9,626.00 9,713.00 4,395.00 5,724.00 3,668.00 1,820.00 2,641.00 37,587.00
% Hispanic 76.81%72.71%34.18%43.45%28.92%13.81%19.88%40.32%
Population Over 18 Yrs 7,604.00 8,545.00 9,377.00 9,716.00 9,801.00 10,175.00 10,069.00 65,287.00
Population Under 18 Yrs 4,929.00 4,813.00 3,482.00 3,459.00 2,882.00 3,001.00 3,214.00 25,780.00
% Population Under 18 yrs 39.33%36.03%27.08%26.25%22.72%22.78%24.20%
Area is Square Miles 2.38 3.5 4.7 2.46 4.58 4.54 5.84
Overall Density (pop/sq. mile)5,265.97 3,816.57 2,735.96 5,355.69 2,769.21 2,902.20 2,274.49
Housing Units 3,755.00 4,001.00 5,085.00 4,893.00 5,742.00 5,656.00 5,697.00 34,829.00
Property Value (in Millions)$416.30 $546.60 $962.00 $1,028.10 $1,121.10 $1,212.90 $1,165.30
Vacant land (acres)279.9 141.1 314.4 24.4 422.6 251.1 423.5
Police Calls (July 2016)1336 1332 813 1846 1253 431 562 7573
% of police calls 17.64%17.59%10.74%24.38%16.55%5.69%7.42%
total Street lights 573 549 621 1077 618 721 724 4883
Cost of annual power for lighting $34,953 $33,489 $37,881 $65,697 $37,698 $43,981 $44,164 $297,863
YakBack Service Requests 394 226 272 619 584 347 317 2759
Animal Control Calls (2015)499 556 377 480 382 159 192 2645
Code Compliance Cases (2015)589 634 380 748 284 176 143 2954
Land in parks, recreation, culture 74.8 276.3 51.7 35 70.8 15.6 265.4 789.6
Total Number of Parks & pathways 8 9 6 9 5 3 3 43
Park Capital Improvements (2000-
2015)$777,500 $8,909,000 $2,548,300 $1,299,000 $1,034,200 #########$948,400 $19,385,700
ONDS Home Repairs $438,174 $641,500 $361,727 $359,017 $533,267 $103,155 $144,919 $2,581,759
Yakima City Council Committee Minutes
Neighborhood & Community Building Committee (NCBC)
2nd Floor Conference Room, City Hall
August 18, 2016
Committee Members Staff Others
Dulce Gutiérrez (Chair) Cliff Moore, City Manager Phil Mattoon
Avina Gutiérrez Joan Davenport, Community Dev Director
Carmen Méndez Rosalinda Ibarra Sara Watkins
Randy Beehler Randy Bonds
Alvie Maxey Scott Schafer
Archie Matthews
Chair Dulce Gutiérrez called the meeting to order at 2:00 p.m.
Public Information and Public Relations – Randy Beehler provided a detailed overview on the
process for how information is disseminated to the public utilizing various communication
platforms available such as the city website, social media, publications, video/audio production, and
live events. Carmen Méndez expressed concern regarding information not being provided in
Spanish and whether the council meeting videos can be programmed with Spanish subtitles. In the
past, R. Beehler has spoken with several Spanish media outlets, however he’s found that not many
of them are interested in translating City publications. He also noted that subtitling the Council
meeting videos is cost prohibitive. Avina Gutiérrez requested a hardcopy list of the media platforms
being used and who is in charge of posting stuff to the various sites. Discussion continued regarding
the possibility of creating a bi-weekly newsletter that would feature a different council district each
time, providing Council members the opportunity to be more proactive and have that direct
connection with the residents. An announcement was made that all persons who would like to
receive a hardcopy mailing should contact R. Beehler to be added to an interest list.
Equity Assessment Status Update – J. Davenport introduced Randy Bonds, Web Applications
Developer, who has been working on a website that illustrates the data collection for the equity
assessment. R. Bonds noted that the website is still in draft form but it is available to the public
online at: www.yakimawa.gov/equity-study. He further described the data that is being presented in
the website such as the growth of the city, population and housing characteristics, top valued
property values, public safety calls, street lights inventory, graffiti and pothole complaints through
Yak Back, animal control calls and code compliance cases in 2015, parks and investments in parks.
In response to A. Gutiérrez’s questions about the Yak Back process specific to pothole and graffiti
complaints, R. Bonds and B. Sheffield explained how those types of complaints are received and
responded to, adding that the City usually provides a response within 48 hours. C. Moore would
follow up with public works staff to have potholes that have been previously filled with gravel or
cold-mix be refilled with hot-mix.
J. Davenport reiterated the fact that the website is still in the preliminary stages of development and
stated that additional data will be added as it is gathered. She also reminded the Committee about
Benita Horn’s presentation to the full City Council on Tuesday August 23rd at 1 p.m. The
Committee members expressed satisfaction and appreciation for staff’s work.
Exploratory Committees - Bike/Pedestrian Committee, Ethics, and Community Integration – The
committee discussed establishing an application submittal deadline or setting a minimum number of
applicants for the exploratory committees due to the overlapping situation of the applicants who
have expressed interest in more than one committee. C. Méndez motioned, seconded by A.
Gutiérrez, recommending that City Council establish September 2nd as the application submittal
deadline for all three exploratory committees. After C. Moore’s suggestion, C. Méndez amended
her motion, seconded by A. Gutiérrez, recommending that City Council consider establishing
September 9th as the application submittal deadline for all three exploratory committees. Motion
carried unanimously. Staff was directed to add this item to the next City Council meeting agenda on
September 6th.
Park Updates – K. Wilkinson provided a briefing regarding the Millennium Foundation, Block by
Block, and the Parks and Recreation Division involvement in the repair and maintenance of the
Millennium Plaza. Further research will continue as to which organization is responsible for the
electricity bill. A. Gutiérrez asked about how the Millennium Foundation partnership works
regarding matching funds between them and the City. She requested more information about their
board, their fund and how it is utilized, and who their point of contact is.
K. Wilkinson explained the cost figures for exercise equipment structures. He noted that the
estimates provided are for low end equipment so the actual cost for better quality equipment will be
substantially higher.
Regarding the Cherry Park progress, K. Wilkinson reported that the City is waiting for the bank to
obtain bids to demolish the house adjacent to Cherry Park. He mentioned that J. Caruso has been in
contact with the bank (property owner) and has advised them that the City is prepared to demolish
the house if the bank doesn’t move forward. J. Caruso also expressed interest to the bank about the
potential purchase of that property to expand Cherry Park. K. Wilkinson received a quote of $70k
for a playground structure. He indicated that a full size basketball court and playground structure at
Cherry Park may be overwhelming for the neighborhood. Therefore, he intends to bring design
plans for the Committees review and direction at a future meeting.
Report on Truck Routes – B. Sheffield reported that the City of Yakima does not have designated
truck routes. In about 2006, primary and secondary truck routes were proposed to be identified in
the Yakima Urban Area Transportation Plan 2025 but have not been implemented. He provided a
listing of the proposed primary and secondary road segments for truck routes within the City as well
as the pavement condition index (PCI) for each road segment along with the percentage of trucks.
The PCI is a rating of the condition of the pavement on a scale of 0 to 100; most of the road
segments rated high due to the road resurfacing project completed in 2013/2014. Staff is in the
process of updating the Transportation Plan, a draft form is scheduled to be available later this year.
Staff recommends that consideration and discussion about truck routes be included in the
Transportation Plan update. The Committee talked at length about enforcement mechanisms to limit
trucks on streets that are not identified as primary or secondary truck routes. C. Moore indicated
staff would conduct further research on what other communities are doing to either designate
preferred truck routes or prohibit certain areas. J. Davenport commented on the importance of
including this into the bigger picture of updating the Transportation Improvement Plan. A. Gutiérrez
motioned, seconded by C. Méndez, to introduce this topic to the full council for direction on
incorporating and developing legislation. Motion carried unanimously.
Board Appointed Reports – Standing Item
Comprehensive Plan Update – The Yakima Planning Commission will hold a follow up study
session on August 31st for the Comprehensive Plan. J. Davenport announced the recent hiring for
the Senior Planner vacancy.
Homeless Network – Nothing to report by C. Méndez.
Parks & Recreation Commission – D. Gutiérrez reported that there wasn’t a meeting in August.
South East Community Center (SECC) – A. Gutiérrez reported the approval by City Council for the
renaming of the community center to Henry Beauchamp Community Center. A recognition
ceremony is scheduled for November 9th.
Historic Preservation – Nothing reported from A. Gutiérrez.
TRANS-Action Committee – D. Gutiérrez attended the previous TRANS-Action meeting and
provided feedback on it. The Committee members agreed on postponing the appointment of a
representative to this committee until the full Council discusses committee/board appointments.
Other Business/Requests – Archie Matthews presented a housing project proposal from Next Step
Housing. The project provides 80 affordable housing primarily for homeless individuals and
families as well as disabled persons and veterans. Next Step Housing is requesting $200,000 from
the City to demonstrate local support and increase their chances for funding with both the
Washington State Housing Trust Fund and the Washington State Housing Finance Commission.
Staff is asking that the Committee forward this proposal to the full City Council for consideration.
Committee members expressed their support on this project pending further research on the funding
availability prior to Council approval as requested by C. Moore.
C. Méndez motioned, seconded by A. Gutiérrez, to approve the meeting minutes of 5/19/2016,
6/16/2016, and 7/21/2016 as presented. Motion carried unanimously.
C. Méndez excused herself from the meeting at 3:20 p.m.
Alvie Maxey, Transit Manager, requested a standing item on the NCBC meeting agenda to provide
the public opportunity to address transit related issues or questions. A. Gutiérrez motioned,
seconded by D. Gutiérrez, to add transit related issues to future NCBC agendas. Motion carried
unanimously.
Recap of Deliverables – Staff reviewed the list of deliverables for the next meeting:
• Follow up on possibility of bi-weekly press conferences and/or newsletter
• Refill with hot-mix the potholes that have been filled with cold-mix or gravel
• Announce at City Council additional public participation opportunities for the three
exploratory committees
• Block by Block and Millennium Foundation research
• Legal staff to do preliminary research on restricting or allowing certain areas for
truck routes
• TRANS-Action Committee appointment discussed with City Council
• Follow-up with Archie on budget for HOME Fund
• Provide a list of media outlets currently being used and who is in charge of postings
• Provide and translate the audience participation slips in Spanish
Audience Participation – none noted
Adjourn – A. Gutiérrez motioned/seconded by D. Gutiérrez to adjourn; motion carried
unanimously. Meeting adjourned at 3:25 p.m. The next Neighborhood and Community Building
Committee meeting is scheduled for 2:00 p.m. on September 15, 2016.
Approved by:
Date Approved:
Prepared by: Rosalinda Ibarra, Community Development Administrative Assistant