HomeMy WebLinkAbout050219 EDC approved minutesConferencecommittbo
2nd Floor -
oom
City Hall
Members: Staff:
Council member White Sara Watkins, Assistant City Attorney
Council member Gutierrez Rob Peterson, Airport Director
Council member Cousens Cally Price, Assistant to the City Manager
White called the meeting to order.
1. Review draft minutes from February 28, 2019 meeting:
The February 28, 2019 meeting minutes were reviewed. Gutierrez motioned to accept the
minutes as presented and Cousens seconded. Motion passed.
2. Discussions:
a. Downtown destination — Watkins provided an update on the vacant building
ordinance that committee members discussed. Items that could be included in the
ordinance include, no boarded up buildings in the Central Business District, active
marketing efforts for selling vacant sites, assessing fees for vacant buildings,
decreasing the time of vacancy, etc. Gutierrez motioned to move the vacant building
discussion to the full Council and Cousens seconded the motion. Motion passed.
White asked that the vacant building ordinance be a standing item on the agenda.
Watkins suggested that staff and committee members work with DAY and YCDA.
b. Economic Development Plan
i. Competitiveness
1. Private sites — Smith reported that vacant sites are listed on YCDA's
website. The SIED Board approved funds for expanding the GIS
capabilities on YCDA's website. Committee members suggested that
the City work with YCDA to enhance what the city offers. Gutierrez
stated that we need to ensure that large businesses looking at
expanding are not brining pollution.
2. City sites — This item was covered above.
3. Mill site — Watkins reported that the full Council will be receiving an
update at the May 28th City Council agenda preview meeting.
4. Public Port Authority — Peterson reported on the luncheon that the
Chamber hosted and gave background information on when the City
had tried to establish a Port District in the past. The Chamber of
Commerce will be forming an exploratory committee and invited
Peterson to be a member. Cousens stated she believes Peterson
would be an asset to the exploratory committee. Gutierrez asked if
there was any interest from municipalities. Peterson replied that Union
Gap was the only municipality that provided funding to assist with
airport marketing efforts.
5. Incentives — Peterson reported that the Council can pass a resolution
creating an Airport Alliance that would allow incentives for airlines
looking to expand into Yakima. Smith added that more programs are
available to help businesses become more competitive.
6. Education Alignment — Smith reported that the committee members will
be meeting soon to review the career programs list that will be
available to kids from 6th grade through college age.
7. YKM — Peterson shared that a local business was looking to expand its
manufacturing at the airport. A sub -lease was signed with an option to
purchase the 51,000 SF building. Another company is looking at
storing a helicopter at the Yakima Airport for the upcoming fire season.
8. Convention Center — Upton reported that a committee was formed to
review qualifications. Council approved an agreement with the
architect and the timeline will be finalized soon. It's anticipated that
construction could begin in spring 2020.
Traded Sector
1. YKM -
2. Clusters — Smith stated that he will be attending the Pack Expo Show
in September. The focus is on foil bagging/packaging.
iii. Community pride — Holt reported that several events will be taking place in
downtown Yakima and highlighted some of the other signature events.
Planters will be planted this weekend and the hanging baskets should be
going up in the next couple weeks.
3. Staff and Partner Announcements
a. Downtown infrastructure criteria — Holt met with City staff to discuss standards. He
has a student that will help inventory the needs and research grant funding
opportunities.
b. Main Street Conference report — Holt highlighted some major takeaways from the
Main Street Conference (importance of an Economic Development person and
revitalization). Cousens added it was interesting to see how spaces are being used
(such as alleyways). The most important thing White learned was the importance of
public spaces and cities doing more with less. He would like to see Naches
Parkway used as a downtown destination. He also would like to see more
opportunities available for multi -use spaces. White and Cousens asked to have staff
members that attended the conference submit to Council what they learned.
4. Other Business
Cousens stated that she attended the Partnership Committee meeting when they were
discussing affordable housing. She believes that if the discussion of affordable housing
expands to include builders and developers that Council should consider moving that to the
Economic Development Committee.
Guti6rrez expressed concern with the procurement process and the use of E -Verify and
that she would be bringing her concern up at the next Council meeting.
5. Future agenda items
a. Incentives — Yakima Airport Alliance
b. Draft Vacant Building Ordinanc-
DA GIS information — linking with the City
d. Arts District
6. Audience Participation
�Mann asked a couple questions about the vacant building ordinance, affordable
o I sing/("Odeling, and where CWU was at with expanding its aviation program.
Jason)Whit�