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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2016-08-18 _Minutes - NCBCYakima City Council Committee Minutes Neighborhood & Community Building Committee (NCBC) 2" d Floor Conference Room, City Hall August 18, 2016 Committee Members Dulce Gutidrrez (Chair) Avina Gutidrrez Carmen Mdndez Staff Cliff Moore, City Manager Joan Davenport, Community Dev Director Rosalinda lban•a I 'Sara Watkins Randy Beehler Randy Bonds Alvie Maxey Scott Schafer Archie Matthews Chair Dulce Gutierrez called the meeting to order at 2:00 p.m. Phil Mattoon Others FOR THE RECORD / FILE 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 Mendez 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 Gutierrez 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. rgov/,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. Gutidrrez'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 23`a at 1 p.m. The Committee members expressed satisfaction and appreciation for staff s work. Exploratory Committees - Bike/Pedestrian Committee, Ethics, and Community lnte rag tion — 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. Mendez motioned, seconded by A. Guti6rrez, recommending that City Council establish September 2nd as the application submittal deadline for all three exploratory committees. After C. Moore's suggestion, C. M6ndez amended her motion, seconded by A. Gutidrrez, recommending that City Council consider establishing September 9d' 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. Gutidrrez 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. Gutidrrez motioned, seconded by C. M6ndez, 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. Mendez. Parks & Recreation Commission — D. Guti6rrez reported that there wasn't a meeting in August. South East Community Center (SECC) — A. Guti6rrez 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. Gutierrez. TRANS -Action Committee — D. Gutierrez 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. M6ndez motioned, seconded by A. Guti6rrez, to approve the meeting minutes of 5/19/2016, 6/16/2016, and 7/21/2016 as presented. Motion carried unanimously. C. M6ndez 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. Guti6rrez motioned, seconded by D. Guti6rrez, 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. Gutierrez motioned/seconded by D. Gutierrez 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: 0 V t Prepared by: Rosalinda Ibarra, Community Development Administrative Assistant