HomeMy WebLinkAbout2016-12-16 _Minutes - NCBCYakima City Council Committee Minutes
Neighborhood & Community Building Committee (NCBQ
City Council Chambers, City Hall
December 16, 2016
Committee Members
Dulce Gutierrez (Chair)
Avina Gutierrez
Carmen Mendez
Staff
Cliff Moore, City Manager
Joan Davenport, Community Dev Director
Sara Watkins
Archie Matthews
Ken Wilkinson
Chair Dulce Guti6rrez called the meeting to order at 4:00 p.m.
Joseph Calhoun
Scott Schafer
Alvie Maxey
Rosalinda Ibarra
FOR THE
RECORD / FILE
In response to an audience member's inquiry regarding translation, D. Gutierrez reminded the public that
advance notice is required for those services to be available at the council committee meetings. An
interpreter is always available at the regular city council business meetings.
A motion was made and seconded to move agenda item 4 Board Appointed Reports to the beginning of the
meeting. Motion carried unanimously. The committee also agreed to allow audience participation during the
discussion for items 1 Community Equity Program and 2 Follow -Up Discussion on Ten Point Plan to
Address Homelessness.
Board Appointed Reports — Standing Item
Comprehensive Plan Update — Calhoun reported that the Planning Commission reviewed the Land Use
Element. The environmental review is ongoing with public review anticipated in January 2017.
Homeless Network — Annette Rodriguez provided some of the highlights from the previous meeting. She
reported that the network is considering on becoming a 501(c)(3) to seek future funding opportunities; a
homeless memorial will be held at the Millennium Plaza; preparations to conduct the annual Point in Time
Survey are underway.
Parks & Recreation Commission — D. Gutierrez recapped the prior meeting which included topics such as an
Adopt a Park ordinance being considered and revisions to the mission statement.
Henry Beauchamp Community Center — Wilkinson reported that much of the discussion was focused on
programs and activities offered at the center and its capital needs.
Historic Preservation — Calhoun noted that the commission is considering potential candidates for awards.
TRANS -Action Committee — next meeting will be in January 2017. A. Gutierrez brought up a citizen's
request to establish a bus route from Terrace Heights to the city.
Transit Development Plan/Transit Related Issues — The next meeting will be January 10, 2017.
Ethics & Equal Rights Committee and Community Integration Committee —D. Guti6rrez recapped the
orientation provided to the members of these two exploratory committees on December 8'.
Bike/Pedestrian Committee — The next meeting is December 20' at 1:30 p.m. Phil Mattoon reported that the
committee members will complete the required training on Open Public Meetings and Public Records.
Commurifty Equity Program — Due to technical difficulties display of the website at the meeting was not
available. Calhoun described phase two of the equity study which consists of analysis of the data collected.
Staff mapped a '/2 mile buffer around all the elementary schools that showed streets with and without
sidewalks. Further analysis will include the addition of street lights, ADA ramps, and collision data. He also
explained the Park Score analysis which uses census tracts and information to illustrate a ten minute walking
area from park entrances. A potential project to conduct a sidewalk conditions assessment citywide and the
possibility of overlapping certain data layers was discussed. Schafer reported that the street light installation
to LED project will take approximately two months to complete.
Tony Courcy, city resident, approached the committee about whether or not the city has an infrastructure
inventory. Rogelio Montes commented that the new lighting will likely reduce crime and extended his
assistance in any way for the betterment of the community.
The committee voted by motion to keep this item on the January agenda so staff can present the updates
made to the equity study website. Motion carried unanimously.
Follow -Up Discussion on Ten Point Plan to Address Homelessness — Audience members were given an
opportunity to address the committee on the ten point plan.
David Helseth, President of the Justice Housing Yakima (JHY), appreciated the City's efforts on dealing
with the homeless problem. He presented a document which proposes ten points that complement the City's
plan. He stated that getting direct input from homeless individuals to identify their needs and expectations
and also hiring a program manager to oversee the encampment are two critical parts for a successful
outcome. He indicated that JHY is not in a position to provide program management services at this time but
may have a potential person of interest.
Ellie Lambert, ALPHA team and member of JHY, spoke of her experience in managing a homeless
encampment and connecting individuals to necessary services. She also pointed out the importance of
establishing policies and procedures. The committee members expressed interest in further communication
with Ms. Lambert moving forward.
Previously the City Council tasked the NCBC to discuss three main points of the ten point plan and identify a
preferred camp location, partnerships and services offered by other agencies, and provide funding source
options. Considerable discussion continued regarding several sites and their viability as potential locations.
Among the factors considered were the site location, ownership, accessibility, facilities and amenities.
Ultimately, a motion was made by A. Guti6rrez, seconded by Mendez, to recommend the Tiger Mart on
North 1St Street as the location for a potential homeless encampment. Motion carried unanimously.
D. Guti6rrez reported on the following services that are already being provided by various agencies:
Triumph Treatment and the Union Gospel Mission provide hygiene centers;
Yakima Neighborhood Health Services (YNHS) provides storage of personal belongings, postal mail
services, job matching program, obtaining identification cards, family reunification program, and
establishing bank accounts as well as supportive housing;
Rod's House provides services for homeless and at risk youth.
Rhonda Hauff, YNHS, addressed the written comments submitted from them. She added that their board
conducts periodic focus groups to assess the needs of the community they serve and further described the
resources and services they offer. She was in favor of partnering with the City as needed and as available
funding permits. The topic of animal -assisted therapy requires further research to see what options are locally
available. Hauff also explained the motel voucher program that is available through the Northwest
Community Action Center for homeless couples and those who have pets. Additional monies are being
sought to expand this resource.
Extensive dialogue ensued about providing 24 hour security and having a full time program manager/site
coordinator. Staff and audience shared their experiences and lessons learned from the previous homeless
encampment. Also discussed was the process timeline for establishing this plan as being March 1St, prior to
the extreme winter weather shelters closing.
Pastor Andy Ferguson, represents churches in Yakima, suggested that the project be broken down into
smaller tasks to make it more manageable so that churches can be able to handle and coordinate, as opposed
to taking on the whole issue.
The following funding options were brought up for consideration: using reserves from the general fund,
pursuing a Human Services Department for the City, seeking grant funding, collaborating with existing
service providers, accessing the 2163 money from the County recording fees, utilizing a portion of the
revenue collected from marijuana retail sales tax, involving United Way and the Yakima Valley Community
Foundation. M6ndez motioned, seconded by A. Gutierrez, and requested staff to identify other funding
sources that can be utilized for this program; motion carried.
Dave Hanson, Sunrise Outreach, suggested that having a controlled environment will make it more possible
to self -govern the encampment and at the same time reduce the security cost.
A motion was moved by M6ndez, seconded by A. Guti6rrez, to send the recommendations on location,
partnerships and funding to the full Council at the next January 10' business meeting; motion carried
unanimously. A working session will be scheduled with participation of all the service providers interested in
attending.
Community Renewal District — A. Guti6rrez made a motion, seconded by M6ndez, to move item 5c
Community Renewal District to the next NCBC meeting in January; motion carried unanimously.
Parks Updates — Wilkinson provided a breakdown of the maintenance and repair costs for the Millennium
Plaza. He also reported on the parks capital projects as ranked by the Parks Commission members with
community input. A. Guti6rrez expressed an interest in having an opportunity to further discuss and possibly
reprioritize some of the capital projects listed. Wilkinson clarified that some projects are carried out through
grants which require local match funding.
Approve Minutes of 11/29/2016 — Motion made by M6ndez, seconded by A. Guti6rrez, to approve the
minutes of 11/29/2016 as presented; motion carried by unanimous vote.
ONDS 6" Ave Property Update — Watkins provided an update on a property on 6" Avenue which the City
has a lien on due to a fire. The current owner has agreed to assign the deed of trust to the City which enables
the city to move forward with property foreclosure. Potential acquisition and redevelopment of the lot can be
accomplished with funds through the Office of Neighborhood & Development Services. A. Gutierrez
motioned, seconded by M6ndez, to recommend that the full Council move forward with staff's recommended
plan; motion carried. It will be presented at the next January 10" meeting.
Other Business/Requests — Staff reviewed the list of deliverables from this meeting.
• Bring back the Equity Study discussion
• Item 5c Community Renewal District was postponed to the January 19`h NCBC meeting
• Continue dialogue on park capital project priorities
• Exploratory committee minutes to be included in the NCBC agenda packets
• Add to January 10th Council agenda a report on the homeless encampment plan
No future items noted. D. Guti6rrez reminded the public that interpretation services need to be requested in
advance.
Adjourn — D. Guti6rrez adjourned this meeting at approximately 6:30 p.m. The next meeting is scheduled for
Thursday January 19, 2017.
Approved by: r
Date Approved: d t / Wo a 01 7
Prepared by: Rosalinda Ibarra, Community Development Administrative Assistant