HomeMy WebLinkAbout09/16/2008 04B Minutes 09-03-2008 Council Economic Development Committee LB
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Council Deve ' i' ut Committee
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
4:00 p.m.
Members present: Council Members Cawley, Ensey, McClure
Staff: Bill Cook, Michael Morales
Invited guests: Dave McFadden and Mel Wagner - YCDA
Heather Simmons - Rigdon - South Central WA Resource Conservation and Development
Council
Request from Yakima County Development Association (YCDA) for increased funding
Dave McFadden spoke to the Committee about the ramped up marketing that YCDA has
been doing for the area, and pointed out that the City's investment has remained at $20,000
for several years. An independent economist hired by YCDA recently determined that a
variety of pass through revenue from the City's $20,000 annual investment has resulted in
$250,000 in annual revenue. Mel Wagner reported that he has been doing investor
relations calls for YCDA for several years, and that over the last year he has heard from and
met with people that are very appreciative about what is going on in Yakima. He thinks that
the team — made up of YCDA, the City Council and others — is doing a good job of
spreading the news about what is happening in Yakima. YCDA plans to request an
S additional $10,000 from Council for 2009, for a total City contribution of $30,000. Micah
Cawley stated that it is important to invest in the City in this manner, and he made a motion
to recommend the increase to the full Council during the 2009 budget process. Neil
McClure seconded and the motion carried.
South Central WA Resource Conservation and Development (RC &D) Council presentation
The RC& D is a federal program created by Congress in the 1960s. It provides an avenue
for local communities to have a voice in how federal money is spent on matters of
conservation, development and utilization of natural resources. The program is part of the
US Department of Agriculture, and is administered by the National Resources Conservation
Service (NRCS). The South Central WA area includes Kittitas, Yakima and Benton
Counties.
Heather Simmons - Rigdon is a local program coordinator for RC& D, and spoke to the
Committee about the types of programs this organization might be able to help with. The
focus of the local RC &D is to facilitate partnerships — they want to bring public and private
groups together on big projects. Current projects with local cities include working with the
City of Ellensburg on flood plains and pathways and working with the City of Toppenish on a
tourism signage project. On the national level, RC &D is part of the fuels for schools project
and they have worked on interpretive centers, recycling programs, greenways, and the
creation of parks districts.
S The City of Yakima can become an RC &D sponsor with an annual $100.00 donation. The
benefits of sponsorship include the opportunity to work in partnerships on local projects,
help from RC& D staff, and increased technical and financial resources. In addition to local
and national sponsorships, and federal funding, RC &D is a 501(c)(3) and can apply for
project funds and grants that aren't available to cities.
Micah suggested that the Committee look over the RC &D materials, then talk to the rest of
Council and staff, and get back to Heather if the City is interested in becoming a sponsor.
The next regular meeting of the Council Economic Development Committee is October 1,
2008. Beginning October 1, the Committee will meet in the Community and Economic
Development Conference Room on the second floor of City Hall. The October 1 agenda will
include:
• Request from Apple Tree Construction regarding master plan review;
• Commercial Revitalization Deduction allocations;.
• Discussion regarding public service announcements when change occurs — for
example, many citizens are not aware of the change in dog license fees in 2008.
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Micah Cawley, Chair Date
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