HomeMy WebLinkAbout2017-04-20 NCBC Agenda PktYakima City Council Committee
Neighborhood & Community Building Committee (NCBC)
Council Chambers, City Hall – 129 N 2nd St, Yakima, WA
Thursday April 20, 2017
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. WSU Metro Center Representatives for Equity Study Review (Martha Aitken, Senior Associate
and Bradley Gaolach, Center Director)
2. Parks Updates (K. Wilkinson)
a. Status Update of Perry Tech and Yakima Youth Soccer Association contract
3. Board Appointed Reports – Standing Item
a. Comprehensive Plan Update (J. Calhoun)
b. Homeless Network (C. Méndez)
c. Parks & Recreation Commission (D. Gutiérrez)
d. Henry Beauchamp Community Center (A. Gutiérrez)
e. Historic Preservation (A. Gutiérrez)
f. TRANS-Action Committee (D. Gutiérrez)
g. Transit Development Plan / Transit Related Issues (D. Gutiérrez)
h. Ethics & Human Rights Committee (A. Gutiérrez) –
i. Community Integration Committee (D. Gutiérrez) – 2/13/17, 2/21/17, & 3/13/17 Minutes
j. Bike/Pedestrian Committee (C. Méndez)
4. Other Business / Requests
a. Approve Minutes of 03/29/2017
b. Recap of Deliverables for Next NCBC Meeting
c. Future Items
d. Interpreter for Next Meeting (48-hr advance notice)
5. Audience Participation
Next Meeting: May 18, 2017
The complete agenda packet is available online at: https://www.yakimawa.gov/council/city-council-committees/
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The WSU Metropolitan Center for Applied Research & Extension
City of Yakima
4/17/2017 MetroCenter.wsu.edu
Objective:
To analyze data from the City of Yakima’s Equity Study to answer key questions to help inform the 2018
budget and future budget decision.
Background
In May 2016, the Yakima City Council directed City staff to begin an Equity Study to research the
distribution of city funded services and improvements. This study was launched through the
encouragement of a private non-profit organization. The City has made the study accessible to the
public at https://www.yakimawa.gov/council/equity-study/
Representatives from the City of Yakima contacted WSU’s Metropolitan Center for Applied Research and
Extension (Metro Center) to assist the City with addressing equity concerns of Council Members around
resource allocation and to help improve overall government functionality and decision making.
About the Metro Center
The Metro Center helps Washington’s cities and metropolitan communities create vibrant economies,
healthy communities, and sustainable environments. We do this by connecting decision-makers with the
expertise of Washington State University to produce practical solutions to the challenges of growth.
Using a project-based and client centered approach, the Metro Center remains flexible to respond to
emerging needs, and help communities build capacity to create sustainable solutions for the future.
About our process
The Metro Center compiles a unique team for each project with the necessary expertise and attributes
to successfully complete all project goals. Team members include WSU faculty and staff; however, we
also utilize external partners as needed for a project. Potential partners were contacted during the
creation of this draft to ensure that the Metro Center has the ability to undertake and fulfill the actions
proposed below. Their input and expertise is incorporated into this proposal.
Project Tasks:
Task 1: Validate Equity Study data
Methods
Through discussions with the City Council, prioritize up to 4 data sets to assess the validity of those data.
For each data set selected we will:
A. Conduct a process audit by interviewing City staff and reviewing documents associated with
how these data were collected, compiled, summarized, and made accessible to the public.
B. Conduct an accuracy audit of the data by randomly selecting a representative sample of data
points and independently determining the accuracy through direct observations.
City of Yakima Responsibilities
City staff will make original data available for an audit and staff members will be available for interviews.
Metro Center Deliverable
We will provide a written report of our findings to the City with an option for an in-person or remote
presentation.
Timeline
June 2017
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The WSU Metropolitan Center for Applied Research & Extension
City of Yakima
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4/17/2017 MetroCenter.wsu.edu
Task 2: Determine how the data from the Equity Study can be used to inform 2018 and
future budget decisions and future allocation of City resources to achieve City objectives and
goals.
Methods
A. Review current documents for priorities (i.e. Comprehensive Plan, Economic Development Plan,
Zoning Code).
B. Create a stakeholder map to identify key stakeholders.
C. Interview Council Members to determine priorities and objectives. City priorities, identified
through the review of City documents, will be used to inform the survey.
D. Categorize the existing city assets as they relate to these priorities and objectives to answer the
following questions:
o Do assets meet City priorities identified in item A?
o Do assets meet level of service standards? (Example: density standards, for number of
houses per acre, etc.).
If the set of City assets is more extensive than anticipated and analysis of all assets cannot be
completed within the constraints of the proposed budget, the Metro Center will choose a subset
of assets for the analyses which most align with the goal of Task 2.
Metro Center Deliverable
We will provide a written report of our findings to the City with an option for an in-person or remote
presentation.
City of Yakima Responsibilities
Based on the Metro Center’s requests, City staff will conduct GIS analyses, secure or develop new GIS
data layers as necessary and feasible, along with other data as appropriate.
Timeline
Completion by August 15, 2017
Metro Center Recommendations (not included in budget estimate)
Expand the key informant interviews for priorities and objectives to include community
members, stakeholders, and City staff, to assist City Council in making fully informed decisions in
the best interest of the City and the community.
Collect and/or analyze additional data to help inform budget decisions (i.e. transit access, health
data)
Budget: $32,500
The budget includes personnel, materials, travel, and WSU’s required 26% indirect costs.
Personnel
Includes all salaries, wages and benefits of project personnel required to implement project tasks as well
as administrative aspects of the project including, but not limited to, meetings, reporting, and
communication.
Materials
Materiel costs will be minimal and may include photocopying and binding of final reports.
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The WSU Metropolitan Center for Applied Research & Extension
City of Yakima
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4/17/2017 MetroCenter.wsu.edu
Travel
Travel costs will be incurred only as necessary to complete project tasks and will include: travel to and
from Seattle and Yakima, hotel and meals while in travel status, and local ground travel as set by the
U.S. General Services Administration.
Indirect Costs
A Facilities and Administration (F&A or Indirect Cost) rate of 26% is added to all direct project costs.
NOTE: These are preliminary estimates only, and have not been reviewed by WSU contracting or finance
offices. As such, they are subject to modification as part of the formal contracting process. These
estimates include a good faith assessment of the appropriate Facilities and Administration (F & A or
Indirect Cost) recovery rates (26% for most activities herein), which may also be changed after formal
review. These estimates are provided to facilitate discussion and negotiation, but do not constitute a
formal offer or the basis of a formal contract – which may only be executed by the WSU Office of
Research Support and Operations. All expenses regarding the venue, food, and rentals are to be paid for
by the funder.
Suggested Future Actions:
Doing this work may inform future projects that the City of Yakima may undertake including:
Undoing Institutionalized Racism training for City staff and City Council
Collecting and utilizing additional data beyond the Equity Study to inform budget and resource
allocation decisions.
Conduct broader community conversations to determine objectives and priorities of community
members.
Additional tools and training to increase the effectiveness of City Council and City staff to serve
the residents of Yakima including effective collaboration, compliance with the Washington Open
Public Meetings Act, and strategies for onboarding new City Council members and City staff.
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Yakima City Council Advisory Committee Minutes
Community Integration Exploratory Committee
2nd Floor Conference Room, 129 N. 2nd Street, Yakima, WA 98901
March 13, 2017
Staff Present Community Integration Community Members
Randy Beehler Anita Quintana
Sara Watkins Arthur Alcazar
Dulce Gutiérrez Brandy Schwartz (absent)
Cliff Moore Laura Armstrong
Marco Campos
Rachel Lierman
Tiffany Pitra
Meeting was called to order at 5:36 p.m. by Chairman, Arthur Alcazar.
Committee Chairman, Arthur Alcazar welcomed and thanked everyone for their attendance and
reviewed the agenda with the committee, noting some additions to “New Business” including data
sharing and timeline discussion.
A motion was made and the minutes of 2/13/2017 and 2/21/2017 were approved as presented. The
motion carried by a unanimous vote. Chairman Arthur signed off on the approved minutes.
The committee welcomed city manager, Cliff Moore, to the meeting. Cliff gave a brief overview of
the Yakima city government structure and how resolutions or ordinances are passed. The group also
participated in Q&A session afterwards.
• Overview of Ordinance & Resolution Process
o City Charter 1961 = Constitution of the city, describes structure of city government
-Not easy to amend or modify (vote of the people, court order)
o Yakima City Council is similar to board of directors with one employee, the City
Manager, who directs the city
o City code/municipal code is list of rules and regulations of different departments
-17 different titles (Ex: health and sanitation, licensing, public safety, traffic, etc.)
-Ordinances that make up the code are adopted by the city council
-Brought to council through:
-Staff recommendations based on state law, national codes, etc.
-Draft ordinance made by Council Committee (Economic Development,
Public Safety, Neighborhood and Community Building, Partnership), each
consist of 3 members and 1 alternate
-Draft ordinance/change in code can also just be a cleanup of language
(brought to consent agenda to Council)—routine, not something that’s
controversial
-Councilmember can add or take away from this
-Ex: grant application doesn’t need to change ordinance, but requires a
motion
-Councilmembers can also take action to draft resolution or ordinance to take
before the full council, doesn’t have to come from staff
o Resolutions: Give direction to staff (doesn’t change the law)
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Prepared by: Tiffany Pitra, Community Integration Exploratory Committee Recording Secretary
o Ordinances: Change the law
Q: How do you review the impact on community before voting on a resolution or ordinance?
Cliff: Not just one way; many are just routine, but some do need review.
o There are opportunities to comment about anything at beginning of council meetings
for 3 minutes
o There are opportunities for public comment on items on the agenda
o If it’s on the Council agenda, it’s pretty far along in the process
Randy: Land use applications require a public hearing
o Ex: apt. complex goes through a month long review, staff looks at it, public hearing
with hearing examiner, and finally: a council hearing)
o Per state regulations there is a 10 day notice and is published on agenda with
supporting documents
Cliff: Agendas for council meetings are released in advance for public to review, along with
supporting documents
Q: Regarding controversial content, what is your primary source of feedback for finding out the
pulse of an issue?
Dulce: Typically people reach out to councilmembers by emails and phone calls or they’ll read
about it in the newspapers. If it’s an issue that people care about, they’ll hear about it.
Q: What are the more controversial issues/areas from your experience? What has the public been
most interested in?
Dulce: Marijuana, Yakima Plaza, Welcoming City Resolution; everything outside of the consent
agenda is debatable, subject for change and controversy
Cliff: Homelessness in Yakima, also land use can be a big concern for community members
Q: Could public hearings before you make a decision help you make a decision? Would it help you
know who is going to be affected?
Dulce: Opportunities for audience participation are there, but how do we draw in the community?
o Public hearings: only allow people to comment on topic at hand
o Public comments at council meetings: open-ended
Cliff: An informal setting/town hall can be very useful for opposing sides to see each other. It’s a
good step to take before drafting resolution; it’s a way to slow down the process to make a more
durable solution.
Councilmember Dulce Gutierrez offered to share some ideas with the committee about this being a
platform to help enable the full participation of all people in all aspects of community life. This
includes life beyond city hall doors that is more neighborhood-focused. We could ask, “What
services are offered and how do people know about them?”
The scope is so big that need to focus on larger concepts of community integration. The process can
be broken down into three phases:
o Concept: Define community integration.
o Policy: What policies, institutions would build community integration?
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Prepared by: Tiffany Pitra, Community Integration Exploratory Committee Recording Secretary
o Practice: What does following these policies look like? Partnerships? Programs?
We may also want to consider the following:
o What are the identifiers of community integration that can actually be put into
practice?
o What are ways to bring people together from all walks of life where they don’t have
to talk about a policy?
o How to make Yakima a more vibrant city with more people engaged rather than
fewer?
Randy also mentioned that City Council is also given information about the community from
various advisory committees.
Dulce further explained the role of the Community Integration Exploratory Committee by asking a
few questions: How do you reach populations to come here? Is it possible to increase integration?
What are the short comings? And then, what is actually possible to solve? It’s important for City
Council to hear that this committee is working through the bigger concepts.
o Big concept(s)
o Break down identifiable issues
o Down the line—make suggestions
Q: Is there tracking of people who speak publicly at council meetings? Numbers?
Cliff: Read minutes online
Dulce: Talk to city clerk, no chart of number tracking
Q: How does one get news out about community events?
Cliff: audience participation at City Council meetings, get councilmembers to take an interest, email
councilmembers or send invitations
Randy: YCTV, YPAC, etc. any nonprofit organization can submit infographic
o Restriction: no monetary gain for commercial entity
Tiffany: Yakima Valley Tourism will include events on their calendar, email
• Community Outreach & Education Update:
Committee members Marcos, Anita and Rachel presented their summary paragraph. The group
reviewed the summary and suggested few edits. Below is the edited draft paragraph submitted to
the committee for inclusion in the written quarterly report.
Through sincerest efforts, it is recommended that the City partake in increased outreach
services and education that will empower Yakima residents to become more actively
engaged in the community and their neighborhoods. Upon evaluation of existing resources,
it may be recommended that the City of Yakima broaden such efforts to ensure maximum
participation and awareness. If broadening such efforts is deemed necessary, this could
make a stronger argument that a permanent Community Integration Committee is needed.
Furthermore, it would be critical that such committee would be culturally competent,
diverse, accessible, and knowledgeable in our community resources. Priorities may include:
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Prepared by: Tiffany Pitra, Community Integration Exploratory Committee Recording Secretary
ensuring all residents, regardless of primary language spoken or socioeconomic status, are
aware of any City opportunity, proposed change, or local event. Multi-pronged
communication strategies are strongly recommended in order to best suit the needs and
wants of our diverse community.
Notes from committee members:
o Change some language to remove “relative” terms, make some ideas open-ended for
further research and better define “multiple vehicles,” direct outreach, forums, social
media, etc.
o Change Spanish/English to read “inclusive language access”
Rachel will submit revision to the group as soon as possible for inclusion in the first quarterly
report.
Dulce explained the procedure for an exploratory committee to become permanent. At the end of
the exploratory term, the committee will present a recommendation about the status of this as a
permanent committee. A council member would make a motion and they would vote. If it’s
approved as a permanent committee, the exploratory committee is terminated and the application
process opens back up, members are approved and voted in. The permanent committee would then
vet programs, strategies, etc. about how to achieve community integration.
• Data Analysis/Information Sharing
Laura proposed reviewing data to confirm some of the “assumptions” we’ve made as a committee
about the Yakima Community. The group spent time looking at the Equity Study and 2016 Yakima
County Indicators Report.
o 16th Avenue is a clear divide between heavily Hispanic-populated areas of Yakima
and non-Hispanic areas
o Yakima County 46.5% Hispanic, 44% Hispanic City of Yakima
o % residents with less than 12th grade education causes us to think about accessibility
of information communicated by the City or throughout the community
o 18% people who speak English “less than very well” say that Spanish is their
primary language
o 17.4% Yakima City are foreign-born, 75% of foreign-born are not US Citizens,
many entered prior to 2010 (eligible for citizenship
o Other estimates state that there are approximately 11,000 people in Yakima County
that could be eligible for citizenship application
o District 7 total property value level is 2.8 times that of District 1
Anita shared some facts from the Community Health Needs Assessment (Virginia Mason
Memorial) that includes a Cultural Competency Action Plan and recommended that the group look
further into the report online.
o Breaks down health and wellness by social and economic determinants
o Compare Hispanic population to non-Hispanic percentage of population by age, may
need to target younger population
Q: What sports tournaments do we host in Yakima?
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Prepared by: Tiffany Pitra, Community Integration Exploratory Committee Recording Secretary
Randy: Soccer fields owned or maintained by City of Yakima, Sports Commission is not an element
of the City
Sara: Parks and Rec has report, Sports Commission hosts Hot Shots, Volleyball Jamboree, etc.
• Policy Awareness and Impact Update:
o Policy Pillar: goal that policies, ordinances, resolutions are reviewed or evaluated
through integration lens (Integration lens is building equity and increasing access)
o Equity: responsive, forward-thinking (across races, income, language, education,
income, etc.)
o Access: ensuring all people can access programs, services, opportunities
o What are ways that we can get this lens applied to the permanent committee?
Notes from committee members:
o What impact do we have on City Council and policy making? We need to focus on
getting the community involved so they can make changes.
Dulce encouraged the group by saying that a permanent committee does regular reporting to council
members (this is where the policy recommendations happen). Defining this within an exploratory
committee is a way to encourage future discussions around policy within a future committee.
o It is important that the group distinguish that we are not bringing forward any policy
recommendations, but reviewing what policies come out of City Council and other
committees
Laura will draft a paragraph explaining the policy awareness and impact objective for inclusion in
the quarterly report.
Sara gave an update about the Ethics and Equal Rights Committee mentioning their focus areas:
o Wage Theft
o Housing issues
o City infrastructure
The Ethics and Equal Rights Committee has requested a joint meeting with the Community
Integration Committee sometime at the end of April.
• Community Pride and Investment Update:
o Promote Yakima’s assets using strength’s-based thinking and messaging
o Develop neighborhood pride
o Investment equals ownership
Notes from Committee members:
o Look at memo from staff
o Avoid mentioning any specific strategies
Tiffany will expand on main ideas and submit a paragraph to be included in the quarterly report.
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Prepared by: Tiffany Pitra, Community Integration Exploratory Committee Recording Secretary
• Quarterly Report
Laura made a motion to accept these 3 as our concepts. Marcos seconded the motion.
Chairman Arthur calls for a vote. Motion carried with a unanimous vote.
The group agreed on formatting the written quarterly report as follows:
o Include mission statement/elevator speech
o Main areas of interest
o 3 paragraphs, 1 about each area of interest
o Include data sources and maybe highlight some stats
o 1 line about next steps
Chairman Arthur will present at City Council Meeting on the March 21st with some committee
members in attendance. The Community Integration Exploratory Committee will present at the
beginning of the City Council meeting and should plan to be arrive by 6:00p.m.
• Timeline
Committee members decided to break into smaller research groups to address the following items
and report back at the April meeting:
o Data: why do we think the city needs to be integrated?
o Benefits of community integration
o Other cities/communities
The research groups are as follows:
o Rachel & Arthur, Brandy: benefits & best practices for cities that share our size,
demographics, etc. (I Heart Yakima, Colleda Monick)
o Marcos & Anita: data focus (Parks survey, Yakima County survey)
o Laura & Tiffany: benefits of integration
• Action Items
o Laura & Anita will send data resources to the committee via email.
o Arthur will include timeline as an agenda item at our next meeting.
o Community Integration Committee should bring possible dates for meeting with the
Ethics and Equal Rights Committee to our next committee meeting
o Objective summary paragraphs from research groups are due by Thursday for
inclusion in the quarterly report.
o Sara will send the group an overview of Robert’s Rules of Order.
As no community members were present, the Community Integration Exploratory Committee did
not allow 15 minutes for public comment.
The next Community Integration Exploratory Committee Meeting will be held on Monday, April
10 at 5:30 p.m. in the upstairs conference room at City Hall.
Meeting adjourned at 7:52 p.m.
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Prepared by: Tiffany Pitra, Community Integration Exploratory Committee Recording Secretary
Approved by: Date of Approval:
(Arthur Alcazar, Community Integration Exploratory Committee Chair)
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Yakima City Council Committee Minutes
Neighborhood & Community Building Committee (NCBC)
City Council Chambers, City Hall
March 29, 2017
Committee Members Staff
Dulce Gutiérrez (Chair) Cliff Moore, City Manager Ken Wilkinson
Avina Gutiérrez Joan Davenport, Community Dev Director Scott Schafer
Carmen Méndez Sara Watkins Alvie Maxey
Joseph Calhoun Rosalinda Ibarra
Chair Dulce Gutiérrez called the meeting to order at approximately 2:03 p.m. She stated this is the
rescheduled meeting from March 16th.
Draft Comprehensive Plan Briefing to Prep for Joint Study Session – Calhoun briefed the Committee in
preparation for the Joint City Council & Yakima Planning Commission study session. The topics include the
purpose of the update, timeline and next steps, and element highlights. The purpose of the update is due to a
requirement of the Growth Management Act (GMA) to plan for Yakima’s growth over the next twenty years.
It is also a requirement to receive state funding. He reported the dates of future public hearing dates. The plan
elements included in this update are:
Land Use – provides for a streamlined process and more options for new development.
Economic Development – provides goals and policies consistent with the 2017-2020 Economic
Development Strategic Plan and continues with the goals for the Cascade Mill Site and LIFT Funding.
Housing – promotes diverse housing choices and supports residential in the downtown area.
Transportation – promotes multi-modal transportation and is integrated with the 2040
Transportation Plan which identifies potential truck routes/freight corridors and further addresses
traffic concerns. The committee briefly discussed the issue of truck routes and concluded that A.
Gutiérrez would recommend to the Economic Development Committee that they add this topic to
their agenda.
Capital Facilities – contains an inventory of city-owned facilities and is consistent with the Capital
Facilities Plan. This an important factor for project funding and revenue sources, including grants.
Utilities – inventories outside utility provides such as electricity, natural gas, and telecommunications to
coordinate future development.
Parks and Recreation – consistent with the goals and policies of the Parks and Recreation
Comprehensive Plan 2017-2022.
Natural Environment and Shorelines – the goals and policies are consistent with Best Available
Science and the Shoreline Element adopted in 2014. It also includes updated mapping for
floodplains. Calhoun reported that in response to significant concerns from the development
community, the Planning Commission at their next meeting will discuss alternative development
regulations to prohibit and/or permit land uses in the floodway fringe. He stated that the
recommendation from the consultant is to limit permitted uses in the floodway fringe (FEMA’s
100 year floodplain).
Energy – encourages alternative energy sources for new development and re-development
projects. This is an optional element under GMA.
Historic Preservation – promotes awareness, protection, and rehabilitation of historic sites and
structures. It identifies properties that may potentially be eligible for the local, state, or national
historic register. This is also an optional element under GMA.
Summary of Barge-Chestnut Traffic Calming Project – A motion to postpone this item was withdrawn due to
interest by audience members. In response to concerns raised by Lynn Buchanan at the last NCBC meeting,
Davenport responded with a detailed report outlining the process taken for the Neighborhood Traffic
Calming Program and the petition submitted by the Barge-Chestnut Neighborhood Association in 2007. At
the time Memorial Hospital was working on their planned closed campus expansion project which
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contributed to some recommendations. She also included a report prepared by Kittleson & Associates, Inc. in
2009 that analyzed the petition and developed a list of potential traffic calming recommendations to the City.
The neighborhood was provided an opportunity to vote via a mailed ballot and the majority of the votes
received favored installing traffic calming devices. No audience comments were noted.
Performance Area Costs and Schematics – Wilkinson shared costs and options for constructing a
performance area in parks. He provided site layouts for Martin Luther King Jr. Park and Southeast
Community Park as previously requested by the committee. Total cost is approximately $48,000 and
includes site repair, electricity installation, concrete pad or pavers and performance shelter. Shelters,
depending on type, vary widely in cost. A. Gutiérrez expressed a preference for having a permanent structure
and suggested having community input to decide on which park to construct the stage area at. After further
dialogue, it was committee consensus to ask the full City Council to include on the Parks & Recreation
Commission agenda a discussion on all parks east of 16th Ave for a potential performance stage.
Summary of Yakima Valley Trolley Corridor and Other Trails – Wilkinson reported on concerns that the
Yakima Bikes and Walks group had regarding corridors and trails. He met with the Yakima Bikes and Walks
group and indicated that their top concerns were the trolley corridor, and East-West Corridor connectivity to
the Greenway. The other issue noted was evaluating the conditions of trails and pathways. He stated that staff
will work on including their concerns in the Parks and Recreation Comprehensive Plan.
Status of Perry Tech and Yakima Youth Soccer Association contract report – Wilkinson provided
information on the contracts with Perry Tech and Yakima Youth Soccer Association for use and maintenance
of the Perry Tech soccer complex. Both agreements end December 31, 2018 and he explained the
termination terms for each contract. He also noted that termination of the two contracts will not result in a
savings to the Parks Maintenance budget unless staffing is reduced. Méndez reiterated opposition with the
City paying $40,000 for a non-profit to use. Conversation continued about the benefit or detriment of
terminating the contracts. It was suggested that staff contact YYSA to start the conversation of possible
contract termination and invite Lowell Krueger for input on how his veteran’s homeless program may help.
Board Appointed Reports – Standing Item
Community Equity Program – Calhoun demonstrated the sidewalk collector data app that the interns helped
develop and are using to inventory the sidewalk condition study. Davenport distributed two draft proposals
submitted by the WSU Metro Center for Applied Research for the equity study data analysis, one of which
partners with the Kettering Foundation. Moore and Davenport elaborated on their conversations with and
questions from the WSU Metro Center representatives. The topic was discussed at length, ultimately Méndez
motioned, seconded by A. Gutiérrez, to have a follow-up brainstorming meeting amongst themselves and
provide a summary of their expectations to Moore. Motion carried unanimously.
Comprehensive Plan Update – nothing further noted.
Homeless Network – Méndez reported that she was voted into the Homeless Network executive committee.
Moore updated on the conditions of the temporary homeless camp. Minimal expense to the City to provide
fencing around the perimeter. All other costs are being handled by Transform Yakima Together group.
Parks & Recreation Commission – none noted.
Henry Beauchamp Community Center – The next quarterly meeting is April 25th at noon.
Historic Preservation – Calhoun reported that the Commission is working on their 2017 work plan;
approved a Certificate of Appropriateness request to install solar panels in a historic house; Fruit Row
kickoff meeting happened in March. The next meeting is scheduled for April 26th.
TRANS-Action Committee – D. Gutiérrez reported a vacancy in the vice-chair position. The opportunity to
send a city representative as part of the Washington D.C. delegation has passed. Other topics of discussion
included the completion of 2016 IRS tax reporting and the opening of a transportation manager for YVCOG.
Transit Development Plan/Transit Related Issues – Maxey recapped the minutes of the previous Transit
meeting. D. Gutiérrez asked about whether the service delays were due to the winter weather conditions. In
response to the new busses purchased, Maxey replied that the busses are rotated on all transit routes. He also
described the experience in testing electric busses. The next meeting is May 10th.
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Ethics & Equal Rights Committee – A. Gutiérrez reported that the committee gave their report to Council in
March. Their previous meeting was cancelled due to scheduling conflicts.
Community Integration Committee – D. Gutiérrez indicated that the exploratory committee provided their
first quarterly report to City Council in March.
Bike/Pedestrian Committee – Calhoun recapped the topics discussed at the previous meeting which
included: changes to crosswalk walk and clearance timing on Yakima Ave, changing the synchronize timing
on the traffic lights on Yakima Avenue from free flow timing; the committee will hold a study session on
April 13th to review the components of the Comprehensive Plan and provide comments prior to their next
meeting on April 18th.
Approve Minutes of 02/14/2017 – Motion made by Méndez, seconded by A. Gutiérrez, to approve the
minutes of 02/14/2017 as presented; motion carried by unanimous vote.
Other Business/Requests – Staff reviewed the list of deliverables from this meeting.
• Moore to contact Perry Tech and Yakima Youth Soccer Association to discuss future of contracts.
• Committee members to provide Moore summary of ideas/suggestions for the WSU Metro proposals.
• Chair Gutiérrez to ask at the next City Council meeting, under other business, that they send the
discussion of parks to the Parks and Recreation Commission.
A. Gutiérrez inquired about assessment value of pocket parks, particularly 2nd Street Park and the one across
Kiwanis Park that are not being utilized properly and could perhaps be sold for other business opportunities.
Wilkinson will provide assessed value.
D. Gutiérrez reminded the public that interpretation services need to be requested 48 hours in advance.
Audience Participation – Robert Strader, Yakima Bikes & Walks and city resident, spoke about the west side
trolley corridors and partnership opportunities to pave over underground utilities; expressed interest in
assisting with the sidewalk condition data collection through the use of the city developed app; better ADA
compliance in parks; issue with transit delays due to weather conditions; and opportunity for citizen input in
transit routes.
Adjourn – D. Gutiérrez adjourned this meeting at 4:00 p.m. The next meeting is scheduled for Thursday
April 20, 2017.
Approved by:
Date Approved:
Prepared by: Rosalinda Ibarra, Community Development Administrative Assistant
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