HomeMy WebLinkAbout2016-07-21 _Minutes - NCBCYakima City Council Committee Minutes
Neighborhood & Community Building Committee (NCBQ
2"d Floor Conference Room, City Hall
July 21, 2016
Committee Members
Dulce Gutidrrez (Chair)
Avina Gutidrrez
Holly Cousens, alternate
Carmen Mdndez (absent)
Staff
Cliff Moore, City Manager
Joan Davenport, Community Dev Director
Rosalinda lbarra I Sara Watkins
Scott Schafer Ken Wilkinson
Jenise Sanders Chip Rognlie
Chair Dulce Guti6rrez called the meeting to order at 2:02 p.m.
FOR THE
RECORD / FILE
Others
Jheri Ketchum Carole Folsom -Hill
Steve Hill Maria DJ Rodriguez
Luz Bazan Gutidrrez Lynn Buchanan
Phil Mattoon Randall Yaeger
Robert Strader Ben Thompson
Tree City USA Presentation — Ben Thompson, Washington State Department of Natural Resources,
provided a PowerPoint presentation with information about the benefits and services, risks, and
costs of trees. He shared a website created by Dr. Kathleen Wolf that provides an overview of
scientific evidence of the benefits to the public health, social, and well-being by the green
environment. Recommendations for cities is that they have some type of resource assessment (tree
inventory); maintenance program for tree planting and care; incorporating urban forest stewardship
into current plans, goals, policies, and adopting ordinance to set expectations; having a professional
staff person or tree board; and public outreach and engagement. The Arbor Day Foundation has set
standards for a community to achieve recognition as a Tree City USA community. The city must
have a tree board or department, a tree care ordinance, an annual budget that comprises of at least
$2 per capita spending, and an Arbor Day Observance and proclamation.
Avina Gutierrez felt that this would be a good compliment to the recent All -America City
designation and would also benefit the City in other ways such as grants. It seems that the City
already meets or is in the process of complying with all four standards required to acquire this
designation.
Jheri Ketchum added that there is a volunteer tree board in Yakima and offered their services to the
City through the Yakima Area Arboretum assuming the city assigns a staff person as a point of
contact. Chip Rognlie works for the Parks Department and is the City's certified arborist.
In regards to meeting the monetary spending contribution of $2 per capita, Mr. Thompson described
examples of how a city may fulfill that requirement. He added that on average cities spend
approximately $9 per capita.
A. Gutierrez made a motion, seconded by Holly Cousens, to move this proposal forward to the full
council. Motion carried by unanimous vote.
Equity Assessment Status Update — Joan Davenport shared reportable data information that can be
collected for the purposes of showing the growth of the city and its needs. She demonstrated a
snapshot example of an animated website that staff is working on where this information will
eventually be mapped. Information available through the Census data currently shows population
and demographic increase through the years. Data collection will conclude in late August/early
September. D. Gutierrez requested an updated timeline for public dissemination.
The committee was informed of a presentation that will be given by Benita Horn to the City Council
regarding equity issues. The presentation is scheduled for Friday July 29th at 4:00 p.m. in the
Council Chambers. Sara Watkins advised the committee that the initial motion made by Council
directing staff to perform an equity assessment did not include contracting for third party assistance.
If the city wants to contract for assistance with a university or a private firm, she suggested that the
full Council be aware and discussion of this topic at a future meeting is necessary to make that
amendment. She also recommended that the upcoming presentation be advertised as a City Council
study session in the event council members want to take any action. Committee members accepted
S. Watkins suggestions. A. Gutierrez made a motion, seconded by H. Cousens, to hold a formal
study session on July 291h at 4:00 p.m. to hear a presentation by Benita Horn and discuss the equity
assessment. Motion carried by unanimous vote.
Due to the limited amount of time allowed for the presentation by Benita Horn, D. Gutierrez
indicated that any audience participation will be tabled to the August NCBC meeting. The
committee expressed appreciation towards staff's efforts in gathering information related to this
matter.
Exploratory Committees - Bike/Pedestrian Committee, Ethics, and Community Integration — J.
Davenport noted that the Greenway will have a representative on the Bike/Pedestrian Committee.
A. Gutierrez provided an update on the status of the applications received for these exploratory
committees. The Nominating Committee agreed to have a pool of candidates for selection before
they start appointing members. The Committee expressed concern about the City's publicizing
efforts and directed staff to utilize all resources available for public outreach in the English and
Spanish media. City Manager Moore indicated he will include this into his Chamber presentation
and radio interviews.
Estimates for the Cost of Equipment at Parks — Ken Wilkinson presented an update on the Cherry
Park improvements. A fence was removed and new picnic tables added. Further paperwork
processing needs to materialize in order to acquire the adjoining property to expand the park. Due to
funding issues in 1999/2000, a major improvement to install a basketball court was dismissed. K.
Wilkinson reported that the cost for a full size basketball court is approximately $50k. He would
also like to upgrade the playground equipment. He stated that the park surveys were already mailed
out and have begun to receive them back. The responses will help with the Parks Plan update. He
noted that the surveys are available online and in hardcopy in English and Spanish. Examples of
exercise equipment were included in the packet; however, staff was not able to obtain a pricing list
in time for this meeting. Discussion continued on several issues including the potential parks to
place exercise equipment; coordination a presentation to the full City Council on the Tree City USA
designation; safety issues and complaints related to the slick surface material used at the Kiwanis
basketball court; public outreach in English and Spanish on social media and online, specifically the
City's website. H. Cousens inquired about the foreclosure status on the property adjacent to Cherry
Park.
Board Appointed Reports_— Standing, Item
Comprehensive Plan Update — The Yakima Planning Commission will hold a study session on
Wednesday July 27th at 3:00 p.m. to review land use changes and citizen requests. Another open
house will be scheduled for late September. J. Davenport reported that Valerie Smith, Senior
Planner, has resigned and recruitment is in process to fill her vacancy.
Homeless Network — C. Mendez was not present to provide an update.
Parks & Recreation Commission — D. Gutidrrez reported that the vacancy for Parks Operation
Supervisor will soon be filled. K. Wilkinson addressed D. Guti6rrez's inquiry about turning off the
water feature at Millennium Plaza. He will approach the Millennium Foundation and the Block by
Block group to see what can be done.
South East Community Center (SECC) — The next quarterly meeting is Tuesday July 26tH
Historic Preservation — J. Davenport reported that a Historic Preservation Element will be included
as part of the update to the Comprehensive Plan. Staff has been diligently working with the Historic
Preservation Commission and the Department of Historic & Archaeological Preservation to draft
that chapter.
TRANS -Action Committee — The Committee agreed to postpone this appointment to the next
meeting due to C. Mendez's absence. J. Davenport informed them of the upcoming TRANS -Action
meeting; either D. Guti6rrez or A. Guti6rrez will attend.
Other Business/Requests — Maria Rodriguez, Executive Director of Rural Community Development
Resources (RCDR), summarized and highlighted survey results conducted by her agency focusing
in Districts 1 and 2. Respondents indicated that city government neglected the eastside of Yakima
and was not meeting the needs of those communities. She indicated that an action plan is in
progress and would like to partner with the City on addressing issues.
Recap of Deliverables — J. Davenport reviewed the list of deliverables for the next meeting:
• Advertise the next meeting as a full Council Study Session
• Maintenance report of the Millennium Plaza water feature
• TRANS -Action appointment
• Promoting the vacancies for the exploratory committees and maximizing the
opportunities
• Translate City website link into Spanish
• Updated timeline for the equity assessment study
■ Providing audience participation slips
• Report on truck routes and private business responsibilities
•
Audience Participation — Luz Bazan Guti6rrez, resident, requested a protocol sheet for the various
committees. She suggested press releases be sent to the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce so they
can forward on to other medias including Spanish radio stations. Ms. Gutierrez also commented on
proposals for small public works projects.
Steve Hill, resident, commented about lack of citizens on the committee or in the audience. He
mentioned that no one in his neighborhood received parks surveys and inquired about the trees that
were removed in his neighborhood. A. Guti6rrez and D. Guti6rrez provided clarification about the
Committee. S. Schafer explained the process of tree removal in the city right of way. He indicated
that the trees removed from the vicinity of Chestnut Ave and 6th Street were going to be replanted.
Carole Folsom -Hill, resident, appreciated the City's efforts in handling the homeless camp issues
downtown. After a brief discussion regarding truck routes, A. Guti6rrez requested a report on truck
routes and the responsibilities for private businesses for the next Committee meeting.
Randall Yaeger, resident, expressed concern regarding the lack of sidewalks on Powerhouse Road
near Robertson Elementary. He will provide pictures of the area.
Rob Strader, resident, pointed out the dangers kids are exposed to when walking to school on routes
that do not have sidewalks. He feels prioritization should be done to address areas previously
annexed into the City limits. Mr. Strader added a request for a citizen driven advisory board to
address transportation issues.
Adjourn — H. Cousens motioned/seconded by A. Gutierrez to adjourn; motion carried unanimously.
Meeting adjourned at 3:47 p.m. The next Neighborhood and Community Building Committee
meeting is scheduled for 2:00 p.m. on August 18, 2016.
Approved by: '�"- � V
Date Approved: OV, ZL?- / l
Prepared by: Rosalinda Ibarra, Community Development Administrative Assistant