HomeMy WebLinkAbout2016-05-19 _Minutes - NCBCFOR THE
RECORD / FILE
Yakima City Council Committee Minutes
Neighborhood & Community Building Committee (NCBC)
2°d Floor Conference Room, City Hall
May 19, 2016
Committee Members
Dulce Gutidrrez (Chair)
Avina Gutidrrez
Carmen Mdndez
Staff
Mark Kunkler, Acting City Manager
Joan Davenport, Community Dev Director
Rosalinda Ibarra I Scott Schafer
Ken Wilkinson
Valerie Smith
Archie Matthews
Sara Watkins
Jenise Sanders
Cally Price
Joe Caruso
Chair D. Gutierrez called the meeting to order at 2:00 p.m.
Others
Ellicott Dandy
Phil Mattoon
Lynn Buchanan
Raquel Ferrell -Crowley
Mary Lopez
Francisco Fernandez
Jose Castrejon
Bob Strader
Lowel Krueger
Steve Hill
Carole Folsom Hill
Jeff Bakers
Nereida Espinoza
Jorge Alvarez
Angelica Sanchez
Introductions — Everyone in attendance provided a brief introduction. Spanish interpretation was
available.
Armory Pro osal / Homeless Issues — Lowel Krueger, Executive Director of Yakima Housing
Authority, provided a quick overview of a proposal to use the Armory site, located in the vicinity of
S. 16a` Ave & Tahoma Ave, to provide housing and services to homeless veterans in the Yakima
area. Part of this proposal is a joint collaboration with Perry Technical Institute which is introducing
a new program that would provide workforce training to veterans using their services. After a brief
discussion about the partnership with Perry Technical and traffic concerns, the committee was
generally in favor of supporting this project and recommended that it be presented to the full
council at an upcoming business meeting with answers that address questions such as traffic flow,
sidewalks, project timeframe, and any other anticipated needs.
Exl2loratory Committees - Bike/Pedestrian Committee Ethics and CommunityInte ration —
D. Gutierrez reminded the audience that regular meetings for these committees will be held
separately once they have been established.
Bike/Pedestrian Committee — Sara noted that the previous policies and procedures could be
reviewed and revised for the re -instated Bike/Pedestrian Committee. C. Mendez to coordinate a
meeting with Joan and Sara to discuss monthly meeting schedule and steps on how to increase
public participation since staff support will be minimal.
In response to inquiries about addressing transportation issues, D. Gutierrez clarified that those
concerns should be presented to the full council so that direction can be given at that level. Issues
related to transportation are overseen by the Economic Development Committee at this time.
Several practices are in place to ensure community engagement for equitable representation such as
the city website, press releases, and announcements at public meetings.
Ethics and Community Integration — Sara reported on research of what other cities have adopted for
committees that focus on enforcing ordinances established by the local jurisdictions such as human
rights, discrimination, equality issues, fair housing. In regards to formulating the procedures for the
city ethics committee, Sara suggested evaluating present ordinances and enacting one dealing with
human civil rights. Also, having a member with background or experience in the legal field would
benefit the ethics committee.
Sara referred to the City of Portland as an example of a starting point for the vision of the
community integration committee to include components such as community programming, cultural
events, immigration services, and diverse community engagement. C. Mendez suggested looking
into how a human services department could potentially fit into one of these committees.
The next step is to establish parameters, draft policies and procedures will be presented at the next
NCBC meeting.
Update on Parks Report — Ken Wilkinson reported an overview and updated the committee on the
Parks Report. Reporting parameters are divided by council districts displaying parks operational
costs, current staff resources, future park improvements, and fees for services being provided.
Additional information was requested to be included in the report such as the year of the latest
capital improvement for each park, costs to new facilities at Cherry Park, a list of facilities that have
been added to the responsibilities of the Parks department, and an actual total of revenue collected
due to the 2013 fee increase. Ken reported that the Parks survey is being drafted and will be sent out
to random property owners. As requested by C. Mdndez, he provided a copy of the maintenance
contract with Perry Tech which expires in December 31, 2018. Discussion continued regarding
partnership agreements with public and private entities providing recreational opportunities for the
community and better ways of tracking information regarding park issues. Joe Caruso provided an
update on the house that burned on the property adjacent to Cherry Park. He indicated there may be
a possibility of the city obtaining it to expand that park.
Steve Hill expressed concern about the inability for the general public to utilize the ball fields at
Kiwanis Park. He feels that the community could have a greater benefit by using them. Ken
responded that only one field remains unlocked and is available for use. Due to vandalism, access to
these fields is limited to groups for tournaments, school games, and parks programs. However, Elks
Parks has ball fields that are always available. Issues that affect the quality of life for the
surrounding neighborhood were discussed.
Equity Assessment — Joan reported that data collection is in place. Things such as street
improvement and repairs, sidewalk conditions, fire and police stations, utilities, transit lines,
schools, community centers, and environmental issues. The Comprehensive Plan will be reported by
council district. D. Gutierrez requested that Dr. Fraga's comparison be utilized in conjunction with
the information from the Comprehensive Plan. She shared her thoughts about drafting a letter
requesting interest from a university to assist in conducting an independent research study for
developing the investment and needs assessment. She wants to ensure that the existing conditions
report include all the required elements of the Comprehensive Plan. A. Gutierrez mentioned other
resources available such as the Yakima School District and the neighborhood studies conducted in
the late 90's and in 2012. The timeline process was discussed; committee members hope to have
some information available to them prior to the fiscal year in order to appropriate funds for the
upcoming budget year, if possible.
Ellicott Dandy, One America, commended the committee members for their efforts in developing a
needs assessment however, recommended an oversight committee to allow community members
participation in a broader perspective. She offered support by One America as a tool to assist with
the communication barriers and help the public understand transparency and accountability.
Committee members expressed disagreement and mentioned some of the outreach methods being
utilized such as providing translation services at the committee meetings, distributing information in
English and Spanish, engaging the public from their represented districts, having open discussions
at public meetings.
In response to Jeff Baker's comments, D. Gutierrez encouraged his continued participation with this
committee to help identify and specify issues in the neighborhoods. The ongoing relationship
between the City and the Yakima School District will contribute to address safe route to school
concerns.
Board Appointed Reports — Standing Item
Comprehensive Plan Update — Valerie Smith reported that the Yakima Planning Commission will
host a workshop with the consultant team, Berk Consulting, on Wednesday May 25, 2016 at 5:00
p.m. Various topics pertaining to the land use and housing element of the Comprehensive Plan will
be discussed. Anyone interested in receiving notification can be added to the list of parties by
contacting the Planning Division office. Public outreach will continue throughout the update
process.
Homeless Network — The Homeless Network meeting was cancelled. Mark Kunkler shared a
potential site for the temporary relocation of the homeless encampment. The property is located
north of the new roundabout on Fair Avenue adjacent to the Cascade Mill site. Sunrise Outreach
would be designated to handle the administration of the camp. Staff further explained the proposal.
C. Mendez suggested this proposal to be presented to City Council along with a Letter of Intent
from Yakima Valley Conference of Governments stating their contribution.
Parks & Recreation Commission — The Parks department provided a tour for Council members last
week. The vacancy on the Parks & Rec Commission remains unfilled. Still seeking applicants.
South East Community Center (SECC) — A. Gutierrez will be the liaison and will attend the next
meeting in July. Ken reported that SECC discussed the need for a new HVAC system.
Historic Preservation — The next meeting is next week. No further updates provided.
Other Business/Audience Participation — Ms. Garcia expressed her concerns and inquired about
immediate plans to address the current homeless situation on Chestnut Ave. D. Gutidrrez clarified
the potential proposal to relocate that homeless community to a different location.
Raquel Ferrell commended the council for their efforts on responding to the homeless situation in
an expedited manner. She attends board meetings of various agencies and is seeking ways of
helping the City capitalize on opportunities such as grants to assist in the Council's efforts. She
suggested that the Council look at Wenatchee's United Way project regarding poverty issues.
Carole Folsom -Hill appreciated all the work that City staff is doing in helping the folks at the
homeless camp by providing sanitation facilities.
North 6"' Avenue Portion of William D. Douglas Trail — Joan provided a memo in response to Mr.
Buchanan's complaint about the status of the William O. Douglass Trail. The Streets department
will post "No Parking" signs and install chevron markers at the trail entrances to prevent vehicles
from parking there in the coming months. They will also utilize the curbing being removed from
the Lincoln Underpass for replacing the damaged sections along the trail, as well as to comply with
the requirement of the State Recreation and Conservation Office grant to provide for a separation
barrier between the trail and the street. Lynn Buchanan provided pictures for the committee
members.
Other Business — C. Mendez requested a special meeting of the City Council on Wednesday May
25, 2016 to review the temporary homeless encampment proposal. Cally Price asked if the City
Manager contract/agreement can be included as an item for approval at the same meeting;
committee members agreed:
Adjourn — C. Mendez motioned/seconded by A. Gutierrez to adjourn; motion carried unanimously.
Meeting adjourned at 4:30 p.m. The next Neighborhood and Community Building Committee
meeting will be at 2:00 p.m. on June 16, 2016.
Approved by:
Date Approved:
Prepared by: Rosalinda Ibarra, Community Development Administrative Assistant