HomeMy WebLinkAbout2016-09-15 _Minutes - NCBCFOR THE
Yakima City Council Committee Minutes
RECORD / FILE
Neighborhood & Community Building Committee (NCBQ
City Council Chambers, City Hall
September 15, 2016
Committee Members
Dulce Gutidrrez (Chair)
Avina Gutierrez
Carmen Mdndez
Staff
Cliff Moore, City Manager
Joan Davenport, Community Dev Director
Rosalinda Ibarra I Sara Watkins
Alvie MaxeyI Scott Schafer
Bronson Faul
Chair Dulce Gutidrrez called the meeting to order at 2:03 p.m.
Others/Audience Participation
Charley Mulvey Luz Gutierrez
Carole Folsom -Hill
Public Information and Update on Newsletter Idea — City Manager Moore provided an update on
recent public information media releases. The committee would prefer a specific, more permanent,
plan with a section providing all council districts an opportunity to be featured in the newsletter. A.
Gutidrrez motioned, seconded by C. Mendez, to add this topic of conversation to council's agenda
for further discussion. Motion carried unanimously.
Community Equity Program — J. Davenport briefly recapped Benita Horn's presentation to City
Council on August 23rd. Davenport indicated that a presentation to the full council of the data
collection study is scheduled for September 20th. She noted that additional information will be
developed and included in the website. Davenport and Watkins provided a memo which listed ways
that this data may be useful and next steps to consider, particularly focusing on visioning and goal
setting for the overall project and desired outcomes of the exploratory committees: the exploratory
committees may evaluate the data and indicate their perception; establish goals and direct tasks for
the committee's purpose; the data may be used to support future projects. Watkins further described
examples of vision statements and short term and long term goals and ways to achieve those goals.
She also noted that the rules and procedures of the exploratory committees may need to be
reevaluated to coincide with outcomes and goals of the Council moving forward. D. Gutidrrez
requested sidewalks be included in the data collection, specifically where sidewalks exist on one or
both sides of the street and ADA accessibility. She voiced her interest in providing a one -day
employee training on cultural competency and directed staff to provide more information on budget
availability and estimated costs for such training as well as for the other goals contained in
Davenport's memo. It was the consensus of the committee that the desired outcomes for the goals
be discussed at the roundtable meeting with the full Council.
Bike/Pedestrian Committee — C. Mdndez reported that the Nominating Committee will need to meet
to review applicants.
Park Updates — The Millennium Foundation representative was unable to present at this meeting so
this item will be postponed to the October meeting. D. Gutidrrez asked the City Manager to obtain
information related to the Millennium Foundation funds and operations as soon as possible.
K. Wilkinson requested guidance and suggestions from the committee on obtaining grant funding
and locations on where to place the exercise equipment. He indicated that parks staff may be able to
install the equipment. The committee supported and encouraged staff in their efforts on seeking
grant opportunities that are available to the City. Wilkinson reported that progress on Cherry Park
continues and Watkins updated on the status of land acquisition. J. Caruso is prepared to begin the
process of demolition for the property adjacent to the park, which includes inspections for asbestos
and to determine whether it is structurally safe or deemed a dangerous building due to a previous
fire. Wilkinson also reported that he has reached out to a donor to help with the cost of the
playground equipment at Cherry Park.
Follow -Up Report on Track Routes — B. Faul introduced himself and spoke about truck routes. He
researched and provided the committee with legislation on what other communities in the state have
adopted to restrict and/or authorize truck routes in their jurisdictions. The Committee expressed
appreciation for the information and agreed to discuss this matter further with the full Council,
perhaps at a future roundtable meeting. D. Gutierrez voiced apprehension regarding any conflicts
with the Transportation Improvement Plan or Comprehensive Plan, currently being updated; and the
possibility of incorporating these measures into those plans. Moore replied that language can be
added to the Comprehensive Plan to support enacting legislation to accommodate truck routes. He
indicated that there are several independent ordinances that designate truck routes in the city of
Yakima. A. Gutierrez suggested adding those truck routes as a layer in the data collection inventory.
Davenport pointed out there's currently a chapter in the Transportation Plan related to freight,
freight movement and recommended route locations.
Board Appointed Reports — Standing Item
Comprehensive Plan Update — Davenport indicated that staff is working with the consultant to
provide a draft Comprehensive Plan and Transportation Plan before the end of the calendar year for
Council's review. The Planning Commission has held several meetings to discuss existing
conditions and recommendations that will be presented in a future Council study session, late
November/early December.
Homeless Network — Due to cancellation of these meetings, Mendez had nothing to report.
Davenport and Moore reported that they are anxiously awaiting the release of the draft report of the
Five Year Homeless Plan from the Yakima Valley Conference of Governments. A. Gutierrez
suggested inviting a representative of the Homeless Network to a future NCBC meeting. Carole
Folsom -Hill added that differences in leadership and transitional roles have contributed to that
organizations lack of meetings. Moore spoke about the legislative priority regarding the sunset
clause attributed to the recording fees that help combat homelessness issues.
Parks & Recreation Commission — D. Gutierrez reported on the Randall Park improvements and
future funding for projects based on priority. Also noted was the deadline for the Parks survey
which ends on September 30tH
Henry Beauchamp Community Center — A. Gutierrez reminded everyone about the name change
ceremony happening on November 9th at the community center. Wilkinson met with the sign copy
to replace the existing sign.
Historic Preservation — A. Gutierrez had no new updates. Davenport mentioned the optional
Historic Preservation Element for the Comprehensive Plan.
TRANS -Action Committee — As a temporary appointment, D. Gutierrez will attend the next
quarterly meeting. Appointment of a permanent representative will be discussed at the Council
roundtable meeting.
Transit Development Plan/Transit Related Issues — A. Maxey, Yakima Transit manager, invited
members of the public to address any transit related issues. He informed the committee about
pursuing the purchase of ten new bus shelters that are lighted with solar power. D. Gutierrez and A.
Gutierrez expressed support for establishing a more stable and transparent transit board. Moore
indicated that formalizing a citizen transit advisory board can be discussed at the Council's
roundtable meeting. D. Gutierrez asked for the minutes of the previous transit board meetings to
which Maxey responded that minutes were not kept for the advisory board. He indicated that
moving forward, a staff person will be taking minutes.
Other Business/Requests — C. Mendez motioned, seconded by A. Gutierrez, to approve the meeting
minutes of 8/18/2016. Motion carried unanimously. Staff reviewed the list of deliverables for the
next meeting:
■ Research one -day training opportunity for staff
■ Report on budget impacts to accomplish the goals listed in Davenport's memo
■ Options for Council member section in newsletter
• Millennium Foundation financial report
+ List of future roundtable conversation items
■ Press release on Parks survey deadline
• Add additional information to the data inventory such as sidewalks, ADA ramps, and
truck routes
D. Gutierrez reminded the members of the public to provide 48 hours advance notice to request an
interpreter.
Audience Participation — Charley Mulvey, Yakima resident, spoke about sidewalks, specifically
concerned with snow clearing in the wintertime as it affects bus riders and pedestrians a lot.
Luz Bazan Gutierrez, Yakima resident, recommended adding transit bus shelters and density zoning
to the data collection. She feels the high crime rate is attributed to the areas where high density
residential is allowed, such as District 1. Another issue mentioned was the location of billboards and
their dilapidated condition. She suggested that the City take advantage of those billboards to
promote city news and programs. Also, she stressed the importance of the city's participation in the
upcoming meeting that the Washington State Department of Transportation will hold in Yakima.
Lastly, she spoke about representation in city boards and commissions and making sure members
live within city limits and represent the district they reside in.
Carole Folsom -Hill, Yakima resident, asked about economic development in relation to access and
location of grocery stores. Additionally, she requested that Vicky Ybarra's letter to the editor be
addressed in the data collection.
A. Gutierrez added that the deadline for application submittal to the exploratory committees is
September 20th and she extended an invitation to everyone interested in serving to get their
application submitted to the Clerk's office soon.
Adjourn — C. Mendez motioned/seconded by A. Gutierrez to adjourn; motion carried unanimously.
Meeting adjourned at 3:17 p.m.
Approved by:
Date Approved: 1110 -
Prepared by: Rosalinda Ibarra, Community Development Administrative Assistant