HomeMy WebLinkAbout2017-01-26 _Minutes - NCBCYakima City Council Committee Minutes
Neighborhood & Community Building Committee (NCBC)
City Council Chambers, City Hall
January 26, 2017
Committee Members Staff
Dulce Gutierrez (Chair) Cliff Moore, City Manager Ken Wilkinson
Avina Gutierrez Joan Davenport, Community Dev Director Scott Schafer
Carmen Mendez Sara Watkins Alvie Maxey
Chair Dulce Guti6rrez called the meeting to order at approximately 1:30 p.m.
Communityquity Program — Davenport briefly recapped the steps that have been taken thus far related to
the Equity Study project. Moore further described the conversation with WSU's Metropolitan Center for
Applied Research and Extension. He noted that the agency expressed interest in working with the City but
they wanted to know what the Council's expectations are for the study research and analysis results. After
some discussion, the committee agreed to have a member attend a follow-up conference call with WSU to
gather information and clarify what the City's intent and purpose of the equity study is. Davenport also
mentioned that two seniors from LaSalle High School will be working part-time to assist staff with additional
data collection and evaluation, such as preparing an assessment of sidewalk conditions. In response to D.
Guti6rrez's inquiry regarding transit ridership locations, Maxey stated that Yakima Transit tracks usage
frequency and he noted that the data is already available on the equity study website as a separate layer.
Community Renewal District — Watkins provided the committee a memo with information related to
community renewal law and examples. She explained the purpose of the law is for municipalities to address
areas affected by blight and to provide them with a tool to acquire and redevelop those areas to stimulate
redevelopment for economic growth. She further described the extensive public process in the event eminent
domain is used. A. Guti6rrez feels that this would be a positive impact for the community and would like
staff to continue researching how this can be implemented in the City of Yakima. M6ndez questioned the
feasibility of this implementation to which staff responded that it is a rather long process and noted a couple
areas that may benefit from this. The Committee voted unanimously to send the community renewal district
matter to the Economic Development Committee for further discussion and evaluation.
Parks Updates — Wilkinson reported on the future needs of parks as taken from the 2012-2017
Comprehensive Plan list. Any projects that were not completed from that list will be rolled into the next plan.
He indicated that a draft of the 2017-2022 Parks Comprehensive Plan is being finalized and would like to
present it at the February NCBC meeting. He also encouraged Council, staff, and the community to send him
any ideas/suggestions to be incorporated in the future parks plan.
Wilkinson then shared some highlights from the parks survey. A total of 665 surveys were returned and data
is still being tabulated. Staff intends to share the survey results data with the community as part of their
Comprehensive plan update public participation process. He noted three meeting dates that will be conducted
in February at various sites, more information will be forthcoming in a press release. Discussion continued
regarding grant matching fund requirements and park prioritization as well as increased public participation
and ways to improve the parks survey.
Wilkinson explained the parks and playground rules and regulations ordinance. The ordinance amends the
Municipal Code to provide rules pertaining to the proper use of park facilities and equipment, and also
prohibits any interference with parks personnel that would hinder them from performing their job. D.
Guti6rrez reported on the importance of signage to illustrate park rules. Wilkinson stated that staff is
currently working on a draft list of updated parks rules and regulations. Discussion continued about fines
collected related to park violations. If possible, A. Gutierrez would like to ensure that those funds are
redirected to park repairs and improvements. A. Guti6rrez motioned, seconded by Mendez, to forward the
park ordinance to the full council with additional information regarding fines as requested. Motion carried
unanimously.
Board Appointed Reports — Standing Item
Comprehensive Plan Update — Davenport reported that a joint study session will be scheduled with the
Yakima Planning Commission and City Council, possibly in late March, to review the Comprehensive Plan.
Homeless Network — Moore clarified the difference between the purpose of the Homeless Network and the
HPPC (Homeless Planning and Policy Council) and explained the importance of the City's involvement. He
also informed the committee that YVCOG (Conference of Governments) adopted the HPPC's five year
homeless plan. Watkins provided an update on the RFP (Request for Proposal) process.
Parks & Recreation Commission — D. Guti6rrez recapped the prior meeting which included discussion on a
mission statement, reviewing the parks survey results and improve participation, and pushing back the Adopt
a Park policy.
Henry Beauchamp Community Center —Considerable dialogue ensued about the improvements needed at the
community center. A motion was made but not voted on due to the Committee's consensus to invite the
Executive Director for the Henry Beauchamp Community Center, Adrianne Garner, to the next NCBC
meeting to make a presentation about the community center and programs offered.
Historic Preservation — Davenport distributed a draft brochure of Yakima's Historic Fruit Row proposal.
This is a community effort to nominate an area to be designated as a historic district.
TRANS -Action Committee — D. Gutidrrez announced that Ron Anderson was appointed as the new chair. She
also mentioned that a delegation will be going to Washington DC for lobbying efforts and it would be
beneficial to have a city representative accompany that delegation.
Transit Development Plan/Transit Related Issues — Maxey reported that the previous meeting was postponed
due to weather conditions. It will be rescheduled to February 8, 2017 at 5:30 p.m. in the Public Works
Training Room.
Ethics & Equal Rights Committee — Maria Rodriguez provided a brief summary of the two meetings that
have occurred in January. They will be focusing on the asset inventory and developing an elevator speech.
They will be meeting twice a month in February.
Community Integration Committee — Davenport recapped the committee's first meeting which had been
rescheduled due to weather. Watkins noted that both committees agreed to amend their policies and
procedures to reflect a 48 hour advance notice for interpreter service requests and also indicated that the
committees agreed to have recorded meetings beginning in February. To formalize, D. Gutierrez motioned,
seconded by A. Gutierrez, to amend the policies and procedures to reflect the requested changes. Motion
carried unanimously.
Bike/Pedestrian Committee — Phil Mattoon reported that the committee reviewed the goals of the
Transportation Plan related to bicycle and pedestrians. The next meeting is scheduled for February 21St
Approve Minutes of 12/16/2416 — Motion made by M6ndez, seconded by A. Guti6rrez, to approve the
minutes of 12/16/2016 as presented; motion carried by unanimous vote.
Other Business/Requests — Staff reviewed the list of deliverables from this meeting.
• Set up conference call with WSU regarding data collection and ethic study and invite M6ndez
• Send Community Renewal District matter to Public Safety Committee
• Council member or staff member to participate in the Transportation Coalition delegation to
Washington DC
• Invite Henry Beauchamp Executive Director to the next NCBC meeting
• Research code violations fines and distribution
• Draft Parks plan to be added to NCBC February agenda
• Reschedule the next NCBC committee to Tuesday February 14, 2017 due to scheduling conflicts
The committee discussed further how they want to proceed in regards to eminent domain and whether they
should get city council direction on sending this as a separate item to an exploratory committee or not. They
concluded to leave it since the Economic Development Committee will review the overall Community
Renewal District, of which eminent domain is a component of.
D. Gutierrez reminded the public that interpretation services need to be requested 48 hours in advance.
At a previous meeting, the City Council referred the issue of "Welcoming City" to the NCBC for additional
review. After a brief dialogue, D. Gutierrez motioned, seconded by Mendez, to move the Welcoming City
matter to the next Public Safety Committee. Motion carried unanimously. Mendez commented that it would
give an opportunity for them to hear from the Chief of Police. Motion carried unanimously.
Audience Participation
Rogelio Montes requested advance notification be provided so that he can inform community members of
future meetings that involve the topic of Welcoming City.
Mary Lopez provided ideas on how to increase citizen participation on the parks survey. She was encouraged
to attend Parks and Recreation Commission meetings.
Tony Courcy addressed the committee about the eminent domain issue. He also inquired as to who his
council representative is.
Adjourn — D. Gutierrez adjourned this meeting at approximately 3:25 p.m. The next meeting is scheduled for
Tuesday February 14, 2017.
Approved by: c e zel=x ,
Date Approved: 02 2-6 17 ,
Prepared by: Rosalinda Ibarra, Community Development Administrative Assistant