HomeMy WebLinkAbout2017-03-29 _Minutes - NCBCYakima City Council Committee Minutes
Neighborhood & Community Building Committee (NCBC)
City Council Chambers, City Hall
March 29, 2017
Committee Members
Dulce Gutidrrez (Chair)
Avina Gutidrrez
Carmen Mdndez
Staff
Cliff Moore, City Manager Ken Wilkinson
Joan Davenport, Community Dev Director Scott Schafer
Sara Watkins Alvie Maxey
Joseph Calhoun
Rosalinda Ibarra
Chair Dulce Gutierrez called the meeting to order at approximately 2:03 p.m. She stated this is the
rescheduled meeting from March 16"
Draft Comprehensive Plan Briefing to Prep for Joint Study Session — Calhoun briefed the Committee in
preparation for the Joint City Council & Yakima Planning Commission study session. The topics include the
purpose of the update, timeline and next steps, and element highlights. The purpose of the update is due to a
requirement of the Growth Management Act (GMA) to plan for Yakima's growth over the next twenty years.
It is also a requirement to receive state funding. He reported the dates of future public hearing dates. The plan
elements included in this update are:
Land Use — provides for a streamlined process and more options for new development.
Economic Development — provides goals and policies consistent with the 2017-2020 Economic
Development Strategic Plan and continues with the goals for the Cascade Mill Site and LIFT Funding.
Housing — promotes diverse housing choices and supports residential in the downtown area.
Transportation — promotes multi -modal transportation and is integrated with the 2040
Transportation Plan which identifies potential truck routes/freight corridors and further addresses
traffic concerns. The committee briefly discussed the issue of truck routes and concluded that A.
Gutierrez would recommend to the Economic Development Committee that they add this topic to
their agenda.
Capital Facilities — contains an inventory of city -owned facilities and is consistent with the Capital
Facilities Plan. This an important factor for project funding and revenue sources, including grants.
Utilities — inventories outside utility provides such as electricity, natural gas, and telecommunications to
coordinate future development.
Parks and Recreation — consistent with the goals and policies of the Parks and Recreation
Comprehensive Plan 2017-2022.
Natural Environment and Shorelines — the goals and policies are consistent with Best Available
Science and the Shoreline Element adopted in 2014. It also includes updated mapping for
floodplains. Calhoun reported that in response to significant concerns from the development
community, the Planning Commission at their next meeting will discuss alternative development
regulations to prohibit and/or permit land uses in the floodway fringe. He stated that the
recommendation from the consultant is to limit permitted uses in the floodway fringe (FEMA's
100 year floodplain).
Energy — encourages alternative energy sources for new development and re -development
projects. This is an optional element under GMA.
Historic Preservation — promotes awareness, protection, and rehabilitation of historic sites and
structures. It identifies properties that may potentially be eligible for the local, state, or national
historic register. This is also an optional element -under GMA.
Summary of Barge -Chestnut Traffic Calming Project — A motion to postpone this item was withdrawn due to
interest by audience members. In response to concerns raised by Lynn Buchanan at the last NCBC meeting,
Davenport responded with a detailed report outlining the process taken for the Neighborhood Traffic
Calming Program and the petition submitted by the Barge -Chestnut Neighborhood Association in 2007. At
the time Memorial Hospital was working on their planned closed campus expansion project which
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contributed to some recommendations. She also included a report prepared by Kittleson & Associates, Inc. in
2009 that analyzed the petition and developed a list of potential traffic calming recommendations to the City.
The neighborhood was provided an opportunity to vote via a mailed ballot and the majority of the votes
received favored installing traffic calming devices. No audience comments were noted.
Performance Area Costs and Schematics — Wilkinson shared costs and options for constructing a
performance area in parks. He provided site layouts for Martin Luther King Jr. Park and Southeast
Community Park as previously requested by the committee. Total cost is approximately $48,000 and
includes site repair, electricity installation, concrete pad or pavers and performance shelter. Shelters,
depending on type, vary widely in cost. A. Guti6rrez expressed a preference for having a permanent structure
and suggested having community input to decide on which park to construct the stage area at. After further
dialogue, it was committee consensus to ask the full City Council to include on the Parks & Recreation
Commission agenda a discussion on all parks east of 16th Ave for a potential performance stage.
Summary of Yakima Valley Trolley Corridor and Other Trails — Wilkinson reported on concerns that the
Yakima Bikes and Walks group had regarding corridors and trails. He met with the Yakima Bikes and Walks
group and indicated that their top concerns were the trolley corridor, and East-West Corridor connectivity to
the Greenway. The other issue noted was evaluating the conditions of trails and pathways. He stated that staff
will work on including their concerns in the Parks and Recreation Comprehensive Plan.
Status of Petry Tech and Yakima Youth Soccer Association contract report — Wilkinson provided
information on the contracts with Perry Tech and Yakima Youth Soccer Association for use and maintenance
of the Perry Tech soccer complex. Both agreements end December 31, 2018 and he explained the
termination terms for each contract. He also noted that termination of the two contracts will not result in a
savings to the Parks Maintenance budget unless staffing is reduced. Mendez reiterated opposition with the
City paying $40,000 for a non-profit to use. Conversation continued about the benefit or detriment of
terminating the contracts. It was suggested that staff contact YYSA to start the conversation of possible
contract termination and invite Lowell Krueger for input on how his veteran's homeless program may help.
Board Appointed Reports =Standing Item
Community Equity Program — Calhoun demonstrated the sidewalk collector data app that the interns helped
develop and are using to inventory the sidewalk condition study. Davenport distributed two draft proposals
submitted by the WSU Metro Center for Applied Research for the equity study data analysis, one of which
partners with the Kettering Foundation. Moore and Davenport elaborated on their conversations with and
questions from the WSU Metro Center representatives. The topic was discussed at length, ultimately M6ndez
motioned, seconded by A. Guti6rrez, to have a follow-up brainstorming meeting amongst themselves and
provide a summary of their expectations to Moore. Motion carried unanimously.
Comprehensive Plan Update — nothing further noted.
Homeless Network — M6ndez reported that she was voted into the Homeless Network executive committee.
Moore updated on the conditions of the temporary homeless camp. Minimal expense to the City to provide
fencing around the perimeter. All other costs are being handled by Transform Yakima Together group.
Parks & Recreation Commission — none noted.
Henry Beauchamp Community Center — The next quarterly meeting is April 25" at noon.
Historic Preservation — Calhoun reported that the Commission is working on their 2017 work plan;
approved a Certificate of Appropriateness request to install solar panels in a historic house; Fruit Row
kickoff meeting happened in March. The next meeting is scheduled for April 26"
TRANS Action Committee — D. Gutierrez reported a vacancy in the vice -chair position. The opportunity to
send a city representative as part of the Washington D.C. delegation has passed. Other topics of discussion
included the completion of 2016 IRS tax reporting and the opening of a transportation manager for YVCOG.
Transit Development Plan/Transit Related Issues — Maxey recapped the minutes of the previous Transit
meeting. D. Guti6rrez asked about whether the service delays were due to the winter weather conditions. In
response to the new busses purchased, Maxey replied that the busses are rotated on all transit routes. He also
described the experience in testing electric busses. The next meeting is May 101h
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Ethics & Equal Rights Committee — A. Gutierrez reported that the committee gave their report to Council in
March. Their previous meeting was cancelled due to scheduling conflicts.
Community Integration Committee — D. Gutierrez indicated that the exploratory committee provided their
first quarterly report to City Council in March.
Bike/Pedestrian Committee — Calhoun recapped the topics discussed at the previous meeting which
included: changes to crosswalk walk and clearance timing on Yakima Ave, changing the synchronize timing
on the traffic lights on Yakima Avenue from free flow timing; the committee will hold a study session on
April 13d` to review the components of the Comprehensive Plan and provide comments prior to their next
meeting on April 18tH
Approve Minutes of 02/14/2017 — Motion made by Mendez, seconded by A. Gutierrez, to approve the
minutes of 02/14/2017 as presented; motion carried by unanimous vote.
Other Business/Requests — Staff reviewed the list of deliverables from this meeting.
• Moore to contact Perry Tech and Yakima Youth Soccer Association to discuss future of contracts.
• Committee members to provide Moore summary of ideas/suggestions for the WSU Metro proposals.
• Chair Gutierrez to ask at the next City Council meeting, under other business, that they send the
discussion of parks to the Parks and Recreation Commission.
A. Gutierrez inquired about assessment value of pocket parks, particularly 2nd Street Park and the one across
Kiwanis Park that are not being utilized properly and could perhaps be sold for other business opportunities.
Wilkinson will provide assessed value.
D. Gutierrez reminded the public that interpretation services need to be requested 48 hours in advance.
Audience Participation — Robert Strader, Yakima Bikes & Walks and city resident, spoke about the west side
trolley corridors and partnership opportunities to pave over underground utilities; expressed interest in
assisting with the sidewalk condition data collection through the use of the city developed app; better ADA
compliance in parks; issue with transit delays due to weather conditions; and opportunity for citizen input in
transit routes.
Adjourn — D. Gutierrez adjourned this meeting at 4:00 p.m. The next meeting is scheduled for Thursday
April 20, 2017.
Approved by:
Date Approved: 04'g -40-6r7
Prepared by: Rosalinda Ibarra, Community Development Administrative Assistant
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