HomeMy WebLinkAbout04/26/1991 Adjourned Meeting 379
CITY OF YAKIMA, WASHINGTON
APRIL 26, 1991
ADJOURNED MEETING
The City Council met in session on this date at 11 :30 A.M. at the
Restaurant at the Airport for briefing on the customs office and foreign
trade. Mayor Pat Berndt and Councilmembers Henry Beauchamp, Lynn
Buchanan, George Pechtel, Skip Semon and Bernard Sims in attendance.
Councilmember Clarence Barnett absent and excused. County Commissioners
present were Alex Deccio, Chuck Klarich and Graham Tollefson. Airport
Board members present were Bill Almon, Dennis Byam, Bob Clem, and Don
Heinan. City Staff members present were City Manager Zais, Assistant City
Manager Stouder and Deputy City Clerk Lovell. Airport staff members
present were Airport Manager Loy, Jerry Kilpatrick and Department
Assistant Sunderland. Also present were Ed Harrell and Glenn Phipps from
the Kittitas /Yakima Economic Development District (Ki -Yak); Ted Parks from
the Foreign Trade Zone Task Force; Leslie Ganz and Scott Jackson from
TRADEC; Dave Bachmann from the Yakima Fire Department; Anne Palmer, Ken
Hudson and Tim McGree from Yakima County Development Association (YCDA); •
Dave Wasson from the Yakima Herald Republic; Mac McCullough from
Washington Central Railroad; and local businessman Gary Lukehart.
Airport Board Chairman Bill Almon outlined the two -fold purpose of this
meeting: to present and review the initial draft of the proposed action
plan for institution of a Foreign Trade Zone (FTZ) in Yakima County; and,
to identify the necessary steps to ensure that it becomes a reality and is
economically worthwhile to the Valley. Mr. Almon explained that a FTZ is
the next logical progression after the opening of the user -fee Customs
Office in Yakima this May. Airport Manager Bruce Loy reviewed the
benefits of a FTZ designation in establishing the Yakima Valley as an
international port of entry. Mr. Loy said that a FTZ could boost and
diversify the region's economy, and could begin to pay for itself after a
three year start -up period. Mr. Loy estimated a shortfall of about
$113,000 for the first three years, however, a formal funding request is
not being made at this time. Representatives from Ki -Yak and YCDA
supported the FTZ proposal as an integral part of their efforts to attract
economic development and growth to the Valley.
Mr. Almon thanked everyone for attending the meeting today. There being
no further business, the meeting was adjourned / at 2:00,P. M.
READ AND CERTIFIED ACCURATE BY: s l ily / / 4/� A 1 .-2- q
COUNCIL 'EMBER DATE
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CITY CLERK MAYOR
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