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.