HomeMy WebLinkAbout2016-04-28 _Minutes - NCBCYakima City Council Committee Minutes
Neighborhood & Community Building Committee (NCBC)
2nd Floor Conference Room, City Hall
April 28, 2016
Committee Members Staff Others
Councilmember Dulce Gutiérrez (Chair) Mark Kunkler, Acting City Manager Lynn Buchanan
Councilmember Avina Gutiérrez Joan Davenport, Community Dev Director Luz Gutiérrez
Councilmember Carmen Méndez Rosalinda Ibarra, Administrative Assistant Mike Falk
Scott Schafer, Public Works Director Phill Mattoon
Ken Wilkinson, Parks & Recreation Manager Robert Strader
Jenise Sanders, Parks Admin Asst
Valerie Smith, Senior Planner
Cally Price, Executive Secretary CMO
Chair D. Gutiérrez called the meeting to order at 10:03 a.m.
Introductions – Everyone in attendance provided a brief introduction.
Update on Parks Commission – Ken Wilkinson reported on past park improvements and
summarized the report distributed to the committee members. The updated report includes past park
improvements and future projects for park facilities by districts since the year 2000. He noted that
the report information will serve as a tool in updating their parks plan (2017 – 2022) which is due to
be completed in June 2017. Part of the update process includes sending out a community wide
survey in English and Spanish. Wilkinson requested suggestions from committee members for
questions to include in this year’s survey. He plans to send out the survey at the end of May and
appreciated a response from the council members at their earliest convenience. After discussion
concerning the report data, the committee members requested additional follow-up information to
include total funds expended and the year in which an investment was last done for each park, an
update regarding the lease and maintenance agreement for the YPAL Center, and a list of the fees
associated with using the City park facilities. Chair Gutiérrez also requested a report showing staff
resources vs. additional tasks assigned to the Parks Department for the May 19th NCBC meeting. In
response to the William O. Douglas trail, Chair Gutiérrez noted that this topic will be further
discussed at the next meeting.
Status of Bike Plan – Structure/Organization of Bike/Pedestrian Committee – Joan Davenport
provided a brief summary on the history of the previous Bike/Pedestrian Committee. Part of the
dissolution of that committee was due to limited staff resources. It was noted that Carmen Méndez
will be the council liaison assigned to the new Bike/Ped Committee. Chair Gutiérrez requested the
language on the member requirements be changed from “citizen” to “resident” and extended an
invitation to any member of the public interested in serving on this committee. Phil Mattoon,
representing the Yakima Bikes and Walks group, offered any assistance necessary to maintain the
revamped Bike/Ped Committee operational. Bob Strader pointed out that he would like to see the
transit element addressed as well. As a point of clarification, it was stated that the Bike/Ped
Committee will be separate from this Committee but updates will be provided monthly at the NCBC
meetings.
Exploratory Committees – Ethics and Community Integration – In addition to the reestablishment of
the Bike/Ped Committee, Council adopted two exploratory committees which are Ethics, and
Community Integration. A. Gutiérrez will lead the Ethics and Chair Gutiérrez will take on the
Community Integration. Each committee will consist of five residents. The committee members
shared their ideas for these two exploratory committees: to provide checks and balances to the
community and provide resources for legal permanent residents to become naturalized were among
the examples noted. Legal staff previously provided a memo to the members with information about
other communities in the State which currently have similar committees. Luz Gutiérrez commended
the committee members for their efforts to increase participation among the entire community and
expressed interest in serving on one of the exploratory committees. Mark Kunkler commented that
the other cities reported their focus on internal personnel issues for their ethics committees and
cautioned the City to broaden their scope on the factors that will be addressed through the Ethics
committee. Davenport suggested supplemental questions be drafted and provided to Cally so they
can be included in the Boards and Commissions application. Luz Gutiérrez also recommended that
the application be updated to include the district of residence of the applicant applying.
Davenport provided an update on the Transportation Plan and Bike Plan. She stated that the Council
adopted a final draft of the Bike Plan last November and staff was holding off until the adoption of
the Transportation Plan to maintain consistency. Valerie Smith will keep the Committee informed
on the process of the Comprehensive Plan Update, as required by the Growth Management Act.
Board Appointed Reports – Standing Item
Homeless Network – Méndez hasn’t attended a meeting of the Homeless Network but has been
involved in the Justice Housing Project group also related to homeless issues in the City.
Parks & Recreation Commission – D. Gutiérrez reported that a new youth member has been
appointed and Paul Williams was appointed as vice-chair. Among topics covered were: Kissel park
summer program fees, SOZO project, and Parks budget. Wilkinson added that the old bathhouses at
MLK and Miller Park were demolished and removed, new bathroom at Milroy Park, and a vacancy
still existed.
South East Community Center (SECC) – Currently there isn’t a council liaison appointed to this
Commission. Council will discuss further the appointment of a council member and whether the
SECC falls under the NCBC’s agenda. Wilkinson provided a brief update on their latest meeting.
The SECC meetings are held quarterly, next one is in July.
Historic Preservation – A. Gutiérrez did not attend the last meeting. Minutes of that meeting will be
provided. Davenport recapped the meeting.
Adjourn – A. Gutiérrez motioned/Méndez seconded to adjourn at 11:00 a.m. The next
Neighborhood and Community Building Committee meeting will be at 2:00 p.m. on May 19, 2016.
Approved by City Council on 05/17/2016.
Prepared by: Rosalinda Ibarra, Community Development Administrative Assistant