HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-23-17 Economic Development Committee MinutesCouncil Economic Development
Committee
Planning Conference Room
City Hall
March 23rd, 2017
1:30 p.m.
Members: Staff: Others:
Councilmember Coffey
Councilmember Cousens
Councilmember Gutierrez
Cliff Moore, City Manager
Sean Hawkins, Economic Development
Manager
Jeff Cutter, City Attorney
Sara Watkins, Sr. Assistant City Attorney
Rob Peterson, Airport Manager
Joseph Calhoun, Sr. Planner
Randy Bonds Jr, Web Applications
Developer/Administrator
Colleda Monick, Economic
Development Assistant
Luz Gutierrez
Teresa Sanchez
Verlynn Best
Chelsea Mack
Executive Minutes
Lease Agreement – Former Tiger Mart – 1808 North Front Street
Cutter provided an update regarding the lease agreement with Dean Owens and noted
that the agreement is contingent on obtaining a NFA (no further action) letter from the
Department of Ecology.
Councilmember Cousens made a recommendation for City Legal to negotiate a potential lease
with Dean Owens and to bring the lease to the City Council for final approval if negotiated.
Seconded by A. Gutierrez. Motion was approved 3-0.
Comprehensive Plan Presentation – Economic Development Elements
Calhoun made a brief presentation to councilmembers regarding the economic
development highlights of the comprehensive plan update. The plan is currently in a 60
day comment period; public entities have been notified; the plan is available on the
website; and a public hearing for accepting the plan is tentatively scheduled for June
6th, 2017.
Economic Development Plan and Millsite Web pages on City Website
Bonds provided a brief overview of the improved Economic Development page on the
City website which now houses the Economic Development Strategic Plan in its
entirety. The page includes links each of the plans initiatives, program documents, and
partners involved. Bonds also previewed the Cascade Millsite website in progress
which includes an FAQ section, timeline, documents pertaining to the project, historical
information on the site, as well as an interactive map of the various phases of the
project. Councilmembers requested early access to the site so that they might provide
feedback before it goes public.
Code Updates – YMC 8.30 (Street banners) and YMC 11.08 (Sign Code)
Watkins walked through proposed changes to the current ordinances which were
initiated due to a recent federal ruling that affects our policies.
There was a recommendation by the committee to bring the proposed changes to full council for
further review.
JEM Development Parking Agreement
Hawkins shared the city’s existing parking agreement with JEM Development for use
of two parking lots. Currently the city is paying $7,000 a year along with maintenance
to lease both lots. No action is necessary to keep the agreement in place, but an
alternative revenue source will need to be sourced if council would like to keep the
agreement in place for future years.
Councilmembers were in agreement that they would like to explore parking lot usage
during the next month as well as a breakdown of each parking lot’s individual cost.
Update Items
Economic Development Plan – Next Steps
Hawkins shared with the councilmembers a list of upcoming meetings discussing the
various initiatives of the plan. To date, 5 of the 7 councilmembers have expressed interest
in participating in various aspects of the plan and at any time, any councilmembers may get
engaged in any of the phases of the project.
Airport Update-
Peterson provided an update on airport activities; including the recent attendance at the
annual NW AOPA (Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association), brochures and flyers that were
shared with attendees of the conference; 2016 load factor numbers; possible interest
converting the 1600 sq/ft old terminal building into a coffee and pastry shop; and a brief
update on the hiring progress of an Assistant Airport Manager.
Audience Participation –
Councilmember Coffey requested that ‘Review Minutes’ be included to the top of all future
Council Economic Development Committee meeting agendas.
Councilmember Coffey requested Hawkins to extend an invitation to Jonathan Smith of
YCDA to attend the next Council Economic Development Committee meeting and share
with the group any insight he might have on why ‘Autozone’ chose Pasco over Yakima (in
reference to a recent article in the Yakima Herald).
Sanchez noted a spelling error in the minutes of one of the attendees to the last meeting –
the correct spelling should be noted as Haddia Nazer.