HomeMy WebLinkAbout01/29/1991 Adjourned Meeting 288
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% 1 CTTY: OF ,YAKIMA, WASHINGTON ..
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ADJOURNED MEETING.
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The City. Council met 'in session on this date. at` A.M. at the
Holiday Inn,, with the Executive Board f the Yakima County
Development Association (YCDA). City Council members present were
Mayor Pat Berndt, Henry Beauchamp, Lynn Buchanan, George Pechtel
and Skip . Semon. Council members Clarence Barnett and Bernard
Sims absent - and excused. YCDA .members present were Executive
Director Tim McGree, President Ann Palmer, Vice President Preston
..Shepherd, 'Secretary Bob Hall, Treasurer Mel Tanasse, and Board
members` - Bob Bauerle,' Ken Hudson, and Joe Murphy. City staff
members present were. City Manager Zais (also serving as a YCDA
Board member), Assistant City Manager Stouder, Community and
Economic Development Director Rice and Deputy City Clerk Lovell.
Mayor Berndt welcomed the YCDA members,-. and expressed regret from
Council member - Bernard Sims, who was out and unable to
attend the .meeting. YCDA Executive Director McGree thanked
Council for the opportunity to meet and discuss items of common
interest. Mr. McGree'began with a brief history of YCDA over the
past five years. At its formation, the main challenge to the
organization was to increase development investment in the area.
YCDA has been extremely successful in its efforts, and over 1200
jobs have been added to the local economy. Mr. McGree stated that
a large measure of the success can be attributed to the
cooperation and support provided by local jurisdictions.
According to Mr. McGree, the major challenge faced by YCDA is a
lack of competitive industrial property. YCDA will continue to
pursue this effort, both on the legislative side and in the
private sector. On behalf of the YCDA Board, President Ann Palmer
thanked Council for the opportunity to meet and exchange ideas.
She acknowledged the contribution and resources that City staff
has made available to YCDA. Mayor Berndt offered Council support,
and said that YCDA's legislative priorities will be endorsed by
Council during the legislative session. Mayor Berndt added that
the City has endorsed YCDA's proposal to reestablish the Stampede
Pass rail line. YCDA Board member Preston Shepherd praised Tim
McGree's successful efforts in gaining Senator Jim Matson's
support for the rail line and industrial site development.
Council member Beauchamp asked about the importance of a Port of
Entry designation. Mr. McGree replied that the designation is
important to some companies, and would provide another marketing
tool for YCDA. Council member Semon asked Mr. McGree for his
assessment of legislative possibilities this year. Mr. McGree was
optimistic that state -wide infrastructure needs will prompt
funding for several jurisdictions, including Yakima. However, he
was certain that the funding amount will be insufficient to meet
local needs, so YCDA will continue to seek other funding sources.
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JANUARY 29, 1991 - ADJOURNED MEETING 2 8 9
Council member Beauchamp inquired about minimum size requirements
for a competitive industrial park site. In addition to acreage,
Mr. McGree stated that the optimum competitive site provides
utility services and appropriate zoning. Council member Pechtel
praised YCDA for their remarkable success, given a lack of
. adequate, , P
Mr. echtel questioned where YCDA will find
'the necessary funding t'o` accomplish their goals. Ann Palmer
explained a concept that is being formulated to create a a spin-
off corporation of YCDA that would serve as applicants to local
financial institutions for funding the purchase of property.
Board member Ken Hudson said. that YCDA is optimistic about the
concept, and restated their intention to obtain funding through
the private sector. City Manager; Zais stated./that the. scope of
the concept precludes individual' funding, and will ,instead
require cooperative efforts. Council member Pechtel encouraged
interagency cooperation on overlapping interests. Council member
Semon agreed, stating that area legislators were impressed with
the local cooperative spirit. Mayor Berndt reported an offer from
County Commissioner Chuck Klarich for the Association of Counties
to host a luncheon meeting to work on common Yakima agenda.
. YCDA President Ann Palmer stated that if the community is
s successful in establishing an industrial park, the next challenge
will be the workforce issue. She encouraged the City and YCDA to
work together to assess their roles in this issue. Tim McGree ,
confirmed that local employers have experienced difficulty in
finding qualified, productive workers.
YCDA Board member Ken Hudson asked Council members if they had any
questions concerning the role of YCDA and their performance of
current contractual obligations. Council member Semon observed
that participation in YCDA has been beneficial to the City. Mayor
Berndt stated that many people have difficulty understanding the
concept of economic development, and YCDA is making good
educational progress. City Manager Zais stated that although
Council member Barnett was unable to attend today's meeting, he
was pleased with the YCDA report, stating that the completeness of
the report answered his questions.
YCDA President. Ann Palmer stated that working together has made
both YCDA and the City collectively stronger. On behalf of the
YCDA Board, she thanked Council for the opportunity to meet, and
encouraged Council members to contact YCDA if they have any
questions. Ms. Palmer also thanked Council for allowing City
Manager Zais to serve on the YCDA Board, as they consider him a
valuable resource. On behalf 'of the Council, Mayor Berndt
thanked the YCDA Board for meeting today, and encouraged continued
cooperation between the two groups.
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at the hour
of 1:00 P.M.
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2 9 0 JANUARY 29, 1991 = ADJOURNED MEETING
READ AND CERTIFIED ACCURATE BY: L(. Ak./�d�` --s= 2/47 ?(
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CITY CLERK MAYOR
Minutes prepared by Deputy City Clerk Lovell.
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