HomeMy WebLinkAbout04-17-15 MinutesTakima City Council
Partnerships Committee
Friday, April 17th, 2015
Members in attendance: City of Yakima staff in attendance:
- Mayor Micah Cawley - City Manager Tony O'Rourke
- Councilmember Adkison - City Attorney Jeff Cutter
- Utilities & Engineering Director Debbie Cook
- Comm. & Public Affairs Dir. Randy Beehler
Guests in attendance:
- Yakima County Commissioner Mike Leita
- Yakima County Director of Public Services Vern Redifer
Mayor Cawley called the meeting to order at 11:11 am
- Discuss Yakima County proposal for the City of Yakima to enter into an interlocal agreement
which transfers the assets and responsibilities of Drainage Improvement Districts #29, #38
#39, #40, #41, and #48 to the City
Commissioner Leita and Director of Public Services Redifer presented information about Drainage
Improvement Districts ("DIDs") and their purposes. DIDs are special purpose districts formed to
construct and maintain infrastructure that drains excess surface water from properties within each
district. As with other special purpose districts, DIDs are typically operated by a three-member
board. If a DID board ceases, for whatever reason, under state statute responsibility for operation
of a DID falls to the county within which the DID is located.
As long as two decades ago, the boards of six DIDs (listed in the agenda item title above) located
within the Yakima city limits ceased, and responsibility for the operation of the DIDs fell to Yakima
County. The County is now proposing that the City take over responsibility for operation of the six
DIDs.
City Manager O'Rourke suggested that the City needs to perform due diligence with regard to the
condition of the six DIDs and what financial obligation the City may have were it to take on operation
of the DIDs. Commissioner Leita encouraged the City to respond by the end of May to the County's
proposal for the City to take over operation of the DIDs. City Manager O'Rourke said the City will
move forward with its due diligence with that timeline in mind.
The meeting was adjourned at 11:56 am.