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HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-23-17 Economic Development Committee MinutesCouncil Economic Development Committee Planning Conference Room City Hall February 23rd, 2017 1:30 p.m. Members: Staff: Others: Councilmember Coffey Councilmember Cousens Councilmember Gutierrez Cliff Moore, City Manager Sean Hawkins, Economic Development Manager Scott Schafer, Public Works Director Colleda Monick, Economic Development Assistant Maria Rodriguez Luz Gutierrez Lauren Leaky Rob McCurdy Phil Cline Haddia Nasser Ed Pacheco Steve Zien Executive Minutes  Economic Plan Update Hawkins shared that scheduling for various committee initiatives is underway, along with development of a public website devoted to communicating the process of each initiative. Additionally, the website will also provide city statistics related to economic development such as; airport load factors, number of commercial permits issued, sales tax growth, etc. Councilmember Coffey requested that the various committee initiatives and the individuals/organizations working on those initiatives be shared with the full council in order to provide an opportunity for additional involvement. Councilmember Coffey also requested the sharing and keeping of minutes at each of the meetings related to the initiatives.  Apprenticeship Resolution Schafer provided a draft resolution for committee review regarding establishing an apprenticeship utilization as an optional supplemental requirement for City of Yakima public works projects that exceed $300,000. There was a recommendation by the committee to move the resolution to full council for review.  Craft Beverage Yakima update and 2017 Professional Services Agreement Hawkins shared the promotional agreement between the City of Yakima and Craft Beverage Yakima. Members of the Craft Beverage Yakima organization spoke on the previous years accomplishments and thanked the council committee members for their continued support of the organization. There was a recommendation by the committee to move the resolution to full council for review.  Special Event Support Hawkins requested guidance on the distribution of funds for the remaining special event fund; $30K. Councilmember Gutierrez requested that a special committee be developed to provide assistance to the 4th of July planning team at the State Fair Parkway. Councilmembers discussed that they would like to see a 4th of July parade. Councilmember Gutierrez moved to bring a professional services agreement to full council that would provide $25K to the Cinco De Mayo Festival and $5K to be provided to the 4th of July event. Councilmember Cousens seconded. Motion carries.  RECON Hawkins shared that the booth for the 2017 RECON event has been booked and with it the city has four badges to be used at the show. Brad Hill from the Mill Site group and Jonathan Smith from the Yakima County Development Association have both expressed interest in attending. Councilmembers Gutierrez, Coffey, and Cousens are also all interested in attending and have requested additional information be provided to them regarding the event.  Housing Tax Incentive – Mills Building Hawkins shared with the councilmembers that the developer involved in the Mills Building renovations is interested in taking advantage of the city’s housing tax incentive. The multiuse development includes 8 multi-family unit apartments that will receive over $300,000 investment in each unit. The incentive would freeze the property taxes of the building at its current rate for the next 8 years. There was a recommendation by the committee to bring an agreement for the Mills Building for the housing tax incentive to full council. Update Items March Study Session regarding the discussion of an eastside pool – Councilmember Gutierrez requested an update regarding the Speedway development in relation to the Yakima Economic Development Strategic Plan, ‘Sites for Business’ initiative, to be provided in advance of the March study session. Audience Participation – Councilmember Coffey requested that ‘Audience Participation’ be included to all future Council Economic Development Committee meeting agendas. Central Washington Hispanic Chamber of Commerce – Mazar and Zien attended on behalf of the Chamber and noted that they would like to get involved and offered their services to the committee.