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HomeMy WebLinkAbout09/29/2015 Study Session 271 1 '+ YAKIMA CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION September 29, 2015 Council Chambers -- City Hall 10:00 a.m. 1. Roll Call Council: Assistant Mayor Kathy Coffey, presiding, Council Members Maureen Adkison, Tom Dittmar, Rick Ensey, Dave Ettl and Bill Lover Staff: City Manager O'Rourke and City Clerk Claar Tee Absent: Mayor Micah Cawley (excused) 2. Yakima public market / business incubator concept City Manager O'Rourke reported the business incubator is not a new concept and has had great success in Wenatchee, Walla Walla and other cities. He introduced consultants Brian Scott with BDS Planning and Urban Design, Brett Baba with Graham Baba Architects and Abe Farkas with ECONorthwest who presented a PowerPoint on the concept of a 27,000- square- foot Public Market and Mixed -Use Incubator /Commercial Kitchen that would help promote local businesses. Brian Scott discussed the $7.5 million proposal, which would ideally be a public - private partnership and obtain funding through a variety of private and government sources. Mr. Scott stated their outreach included a community survey, a day long workshop, meeting with a food artisan group and meetings with farmers market vendors. Abe Farkas noted the annual operating cost would be approximately $349,500 with net revenue of $58,000. Financing options include: city and county grants, private donations, sponsorships, tax credits, block grants, and funding from State and Federal Agriculture Departments. Brett Baba reported the facility would ideally be located as close as possible to the proposed downtown plaza to build each other with synergy. He noted the market would also need an "anchor tenant," such as a restaurant, that might operate longer hours than the other vendors and attract people to the facility for nightlife. City Manager O'Rourke stated staff would work to identify potential funding sources within and from outside the City. The proposal was sent to the Council's Economic Development Committee for further review by Council consensus. 3. Proposed aquatic center agreements between the City and YMCA 272 City Manager O'Rourke briefed Council on the proposed aquatic center agreements with the YMCA. He reported the proposed facility would be at Chesterly Park and include a lap pool, a family and children's recreation pool and a warm water therapy pool. It also would include a slide, spray and splash elements, and a lazy river. Mr. O'Rourke noted under the draft agreement, the City would pay $4.5 million of the cost, plus interest on the debt service, and take on half of the future capital expenditures and yearly operating deficits. The design also includes a common area with a lobby and locker rooms that connects to a separate $9 million fitness facility that the YMCA would be entirely responsible for funding. That facility would only be open to YMCA members and guests. He observed the City hasn't opened a new pool in more than 40 years while closing two pools and noted their concerns about the aging facilities at Lions and Franklin Park pools. Bob Romero, General Director, Yakima Family YMCA, emphasized the new facility is not replacing the downtown YMCA, which also has a pool and estimates the organization currently serves 7,500 children in Yakima. He noted the proposed location has access to main transportation arterials and is on city bus routes. Dustin Yaeger, Yakima Family YMCA Legal Counsel, noted these are three intertwined agreements for the common good to provide our community with a new space. He stated pools do not make money and they need a partner. Steve Pratt, owner of the Yakima Athletic Club, stated their business is privately operated and pays taxes. He expressed his concern for his investment in the community. Cindy Pratt, co -owner of the Yakima Athletic Club, asked if it is in the best interest of the tax payers to support an effort where local government is competing with private enterprise. Carrie Sattler, General Manager of the Yakima Athletic Club, noted her concerns about the inequality of the tax situation and the partnership's impact on privately owned athletic facilities. Ester Huey, City resident, asked the City to address the need for accessible, affordable and adequate east Yakima pool and recreation facilities. Dan Arnett, non - resident, stated he has been involved in studies on pools and recreational sites in Yakima and noted the concessions are a huge issue. Sam Karr, City resident and Parks and Recreation Commissioner, noted he is for anything that improves Yakima but is concerned about the lack of input from the Parks and Recreation Commission, as well as citizen input. He understands there are concerns with the Washington State Recreation and Conservation Office (RCO) property conversion requirements and National Parks Service, which may be a bigger hurdle than the City realizes. He asked that this process not be rushed. Luz Gutierrez, City resident, feels this project is moving too fast and there will be a different City Council in January. She feels there needs to be more emphasis on where the youth are concentrated. Council Member Ettl asked Mr. Pratt what the cost is for a non - member to swim at the Athletic Club. Mr. Pratt noted it is $21 per day per person for non - members and half if they attend with a member. 273 Council Member Ettl asked why the Parks and Recreation Commission hasn't weighed in on this issue. City Manager O'Rourke noted the process began a year before with a committee of private citizens and public entities including members of the Parks and Recreation Commission to define what the needs are and what utilization they wanted from a pool, which was provided to Council. He noted they can't involve the Commission in the negotiations until a deal is completed, but have kept them apprised. It was Council consensus to remand this issue to the Council Built Environment Committee for further review and to invite the Parks and Recreation Committee to attend this public meeting. 4. Adjournment MOTION: Ensey moved and Coffey seconded to adjourn to the next Council Business Meeting on October 6, 2015 at 6 p.m. at City Hall. The motion carried by unanimous vote, Cawley absent. The meeting adjourned at 11:52 a.m. CERTIFICATION READ AND CERTIFIED ACCURATE BY /=i &/-/ C�c o COUNCIL MEMBER DATE 1 n v dOUNCILU BER DATE ATTEST: . < °, • ow ` a . '' f \+� „s' t \.)CITYCLERK, y � ��, MAY