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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2017-02-14 _Minutes - NCBCYakima City Council Committee Minutes Neighborhood & Community Building Committee (NCBQ City Council Chambers, City Hall February 14, 2017 Committee Members Dulce Gutierrez (Chair) Avina Gutierrez Carmen Mendez Staff Cliff Moore, City Manager I Ken Wilkinson Joan Davenport, Community Dev Director I Scott Schafer Sara Watkins Joseph Calhoun Alvie Maxey Chair Dulce Guti6rrez called the meeting to order at approximately 2:03 p.m. Presentation: Henry Beauchamp Community Center (HBCC) — Adrianne Garner, HBCC Executive Director, provided a summarized presentation of the programs, services, and activities offered at the community center in 2016. The center operates with three full-time and three part-time employees and many volunteers. The HBCC center runs an after school, summer and spring break program; People for People serves senior meals; Yakima Valley Regional Library and Yakima Neighborhood Health provide services there; they also operate a food pantry, assist with tax preparations, and provide an annual Christmas dinner to families in the community, among various other things. In response to capacity levels, Garner stated that capacity has to do with limited funding and staff availability and suggested the idea of partnering with AmeriCorps again. She then talked about the challenges the facility itself has endured such as HVAC failure, snow & ice removal, outdated bathrooms. She acknowledged Randy Pitney's dedication in ensuring the facility remains safe. The committee members expressed appreciation for all the volunteer and staff hours. Parks Updates — Wilkinson briefed the committee on the draft Comprehensive Master Parks Plan. He emphasized that planned park improvement projects that do not get completed carry forward to the next plan. He announced the three public meeting dates to share and discuss the results of the survey with the community. All meetings begin at 5:00 p.m. and they are February 15' at the Henry Beauchamp Community Center; February 21" at the Harman Center; and February 23rd in the City Hall Council Chambers. Mendez voiced concern with regards to the City's involvement in providing maintenance to the Perry Tech soccer fields and suggested the city's resources be utilized at another park. To which Wilkinson elaborated on the maintenance agreement with Perry Tech Soccer Complex and the use of the fields by the Yakima Youth Soccer Association. Staff will further research the two contracts. The discussion continued about the possibility of installing an event stage to provide shade for performers at parks, several parks were brainstormed. Phil Mattoon, Yakima Bikes and Walks, pointed out that the parks plan doesn't contain improvements for connectivity to West Valley trails and pathways. He would like that to be included and he suggested seeking funding opportunities such as the State RCO (State Recreation and Conservation Office) grants. Wilkinson replied that trails and pathways are incorporated in the Transportation Plan, Comprehensive Plan, as well as the Parks Plan. He also described the connectivity issues with Yakima Valley Trolleys and explained the 50/50 match funding requirement for RCO grants. Robert Strader, Yakima Bikes and Walks, also commented about the connectivity of trails in West Valley and noted that the survey results showed high usage from participants. He encouraged the City to further explore the possibility of connecting the trails east -west. After brief discussion, D. Guti6rrez entertained a motion, Mendez moved, seconded by A. Gutierrez, to have a presentation on the condition of trails/pathway corridors at the next NCBC meeting. Motion carried by unanimous vote. Board Appointed Reports — StandingItem Community Equity Program — Davenport introduced Felicity Farias and Ismael Rios, interns working on the equity study. Their main task is the sidewalk condition study. Davenport also introduced America Cuevas who is job shadowing City staff through her coursework at Yakima Valley Community College. Moore mentioned that staff is awaiting a response from the WSU Metro Center. Comprehensive Plan Update — Calhoun received a draft comprehensive plan from the consultants. Staff will be reviewing it and providing edits and feedback to the consultant. A joint study session with the Yakima Page 1 Planning Commission and City Council has been scheduled for April 11th in the morning, as well as an evening public session, to review the Comprehensive Plan. Staff suggested having a prep session at the next NCBC meeting to prepare for the study session. Homeless Network — Cliff reported that the Homeless Network meetings are the 3rd Thursdays at 9:00 a.m. at Yakima Neighborhood Health Services. He also expanded on the current funding cycle, the earmarks total $300K, of which $200K will be allocated to long term shelter projects and the remainder will be set aside for potential emergency homeless issues. The Committee requested the Homeless Network meeting minutes. Parks & Recreation Commission — Wilkinson stated the previous meeting was cancelled due to weather. The next meeting will be March 8th. Henry Beauchamp Community Center — Conversation included an advisory board vacancy and renaming of the Southeast Community Park to align with the recent renaming of the community center. Historic Preservation — The next meeting is February 22nd. Calhoun announced that Historic Preservation awards for research, project, and person will be presented to Jo Miles, Jason Eaton, and John Baule. They will also receive Council recognition in March. TRANS Action Committee — Council members will be notified of the date of the Washington D.C. delegation trip once it has been determined. It was mentioned that it would be appropriate for the Mayor to represent the City's interests and accompany that delegation. Transit Development Plan/Transit Related Issues — Maxey stated that the previous meeting was postponed again due to weather conditions. It will be rescheduled to February 15, 2017 at 5:30 p.m. in the Public Works Training Room. Ethics & Equal Rights Committee — A. Gutidrrez reported on the progress and mentioned that the committee chair will provide a report to Council in March. Moore attended the last meeting and he shared the adopted state and legislative priorities as background information with the exploratory committee. Community Integration Committee — D. Guti6rrez indicated that the exploratory committee is focused on a mission statement and deliberating on ideas for community outreach. She encouraged the public to attend or view the meetings on YPAC. Bike/Pedestrian Committee — Phil Mattoon, Vice -Chair, reported that a study session has been scheduled for February 15' at 6:00 p.m. in the 2❑d Floor Conference Room to review and familiarize themselves with the Bicycle Draft Plan and the Transportation Plan. The next regularly scheduled meeting will be February 21St Approve Minutes of 0.1/26/2017 — Motion made by M6ndez, seconded by A. Gutidrrez, to approve the minutes of 01/26/2017 as presented; motion carried by unanimous vote. Other Business/Requests — Staff reviewed the list of deliverables from this meeting. • Review the contracts with Perry Tech and Yakima Youth Soccer Association and report to Council. • Research cost for a stage/performance area at a park. • Report on condition of trails/abandoned corridors for next NCBC meeting. • Publicize the board vacancy for the Henry Beauchamp Community Center Advisory Committee. • Obtain minutes/agendas from the Homeless Network meetings. D. Gutidrrez reminded the public that interpretation services need to be requested 48 hours in advance. Audience Participation Lynn Buchanan, city resident, provided pictures to illustrate his concerns related to traffic control and proper signage for speed bumps, specifically in the Barge -Chestnut area, in comparison to speed bumps in other neighborhoods. He talked about damage to vehicles and safety issues for bicyclists. Staff will report on the Barge -Chestnut Traffic Calming project at the next NCBC meeting. Steve Hill, city resident, inquired about having a pool in east Yakima. He was invited to attend the Council Study Session on this topic which will be March 28' at 10:00 a.m. in the Council Chambers. Tony Courcy, city resident, encouraged the committee to consider the community's concerns. Page 2 Adjourn — D. Guti6rrez adjourned this meeting at 3:20 p.m. The next meeting is scheduled for Thursday March 16, 2017. Approved by: lkt=� Date Approved: -L I Prepared by: Rosalinda Ibarra, Community Development Administrative Assistant Page 3