HomeMy WebLinkAbout2017-05-18 NCBC Agenda PktYakima City Council Committee
Neighborhood & Community Building Committee (NCBC)
Council Chambers, City Hall – 129 N 2nd St, Yakima, WA
Thursday May 18, 2017
2:00 p.m.
City Council City Staff
Councilmember Dulce Gutiérrez (Chair) Cliff Moore, City Manager
Councilmember Avina Gutiérrez Joan Davenport, Community Development Director
Councilmember Carmen Méndez
Councilmember Holly Cousens (alternate)
Agenda
1. Post-Update on WSU Metro Center Proposal for Equity Study Review
2. Parks Updates (K. Wilkinson)
a. Memo – Meetings with Yakima Youth Soccer Association and Perry Tech & Follow-Up
Data
3. Board Appointed Reports – Standing Item
a. Comprehensive Plan Update (J. Calhoun)
b. Homeless Network (C. Méndez)
c. Parks & Recreation Commission (D. Gutiérrez)
d. Henry Beauchamp Community Center (A. Gutiérrez)
e. Historic Preservation (A. Gutiérrez)
f. TRANS-Action Committee (D. Gutiérrez)
g. Transit Development Plan / Transit Related Issues (D. Gutiérrez)
h. Ethics & Human Rights Committee (A. Gutiérrez) –
i. Community Integration Committee (D. Gutiérrez) – 04/10/2017 & 04/26/2017 Minutes
j. Bike/Pedestrian Committee (C. Méndez)
4. Other Business / Requests
a. Memo – Procedure for Responding to Complaints
b. Approve Minutes of 04/20/2017
c. Recap of Deliverables for Next NCBC Meeting
d. Future Items
e. Interpreter for Next Meeting (48-hr advance notice)
5. Audience Participation
Next Meeting: June15, 2017
The complete agenda packet is available online at: https://www.yakimawa.gov/council/city-council-committees/
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The WSU Metropolitan Center for Applied Research & Extension
City of Yakima
Rev. 5/1/2017 MetroCenter.wsu.edu
Objective:
To analyze data from the City of Yakima’s Equity Study to help inform the 2018 budget and future
budget decision.
Background
In May 2016, the Yakima City Council directed City staff to begin an Equity Study to research the
distribution of city funded services and improvements. This study was launched through the
encouragement of a private non-profit organization. The data collected to date have been made
available to the public on the City’s website at https://www.yakimawa.gov/council/equity-study/.
Representatives from the City of Yakima contacted WSU’s Metropolitan Center for Applied Research and
Extension (Metro Center) to assist the City with addressing equity concerns of Council Members around
resource allocation.
About the Metro Center
The Metro Center helps Washington’s cities and metropolitan communities create vibrant economies,
healthy communities, and sustainable environments. We do this by connecting decision-makers with the
expertise of Washington State University to produce practical solutions to the challenges of growth.
Using a project-based and client centered approach, the Metro Center remains flexible to respond to
emerging needs, and help communities build capacity to create sustainable solutions for the future.
About our process
The Metro Center compiles a unique team for each project with the necessary expertise and attributes
to successfully complete all project goals. Team members include WSU faculty and staff; however, we
also utilize external partners as needed for a project. Potential partners were contacted during the
creation of this draft to ensure that the Metro Center has the ability to undertake and fulfill the actions
proposed below. Their input and expertise is incorporated into this proposal.
Project Tasks:
Task 1: Validate Equity Study data
Methods
Confirm with City Council up to 6 data sets identified in Task 2 B, excluding US Census Bureau data, to
assess the validity of those data. For each data set selected we will conduct, as appropriate:
A. A process audit by interviewing City staff and reviewing documents associated with how these
data were collected, compiled, summarized, and made accessible to the public.
B. An accuracy audit of the data by randomly selecting a representative sample of data points, and
independently determining the accuracy through direct observations.
City of Yakima Responsibilities
City staff will make original data available for an audit and staff members will be available for questions.
Metro Center Deliverable
We will provide a written report of our findings to the City with an option for an in-person or remote
presentation.
Timeline
June 2017
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The WSU Metropolitan Center for Applied Research & Extension
City of Yakima
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Rev. 5/1/2017 MetroCenter.wsu.edu
Task 2: Analyze existing Equity Study data to assess the geographic distribution of public
resources and funds (e.g. city, State, or Federal)
Methods
A. Assess the quality of the data to understand any qualitative concerns and limitations that would
impact data analysis or interpretation (i.e. period of time collected, geographically resolution of
the data, etc.).
B. Confirm the input and output variables for the analysis, and the geographical dividing line. Initial
request included the following 6 data sets, upon which this estimate is based:
o Input variable:
• Demographics, to include income, race, education level, marital status, home
owner or renter, property value and age
o Output variables:
• Public safety calls for service (location, response time)
• Street lights
• Code compliance requests
• Parks (exempt parks that are privately funded or charge for use)
• Transit ridership, shelters, benches
o Geographical dividing line
• 16th Avenue
C. Perform the appropriate statistical analyses to assess any relationships amongst the input and
output (i.e. response) variables.
Metro Center Deliverable
We will provide a written report of the process we used for the analyses, results of the analyses, and an
interpretation of the data, with an option for an in-person or remote presentation.
City of Yakima Responsibilities
City staff will make all data sets, including any meta-data available to the WSU team in mutually agreed
upon format(S), documentation as to how data were collected, accessed, and / or manipulated as well
as being available to answer questions as needed.
Timeline
Completion by 90 days from initiation of the contract, or mutually agreeable date.
Budget: $25,069
The budget includes personnel, materials, travel, and WSU’s required 26% indirect costs.
Personnel
Includes all salaries, wages and benefits of project personnel required to implement project tasks as well
as administrative aspects of the project including, but not limited to, meetings, reporting, and
communication.
Materials
Materiel costs will be minimal and may include photocopying and binding of final reports.
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The WSU Metropolitan Center for Applied Research & Extension
City of Yakima
3
Rev. 5/1/2017 MetroCenter.wsu.edu
Travel
Travel costs will be incurred only as necessary to complete project tasks and will include: travel to and
from Seattle and Yakima, hotel and meals while in travel status, and local ground travel, as set by the
U.S. General Services Administration.
Indirect Costs
A Facilities and Administration (F&A or Indirect Cost) rate of 26% is added to all direct project costs.
NOTE: These are preliminary estimates only, and have not been reviewed by WSU contracting or finance
offices. As such, they are subject to modification as part of the formal contracting process. These
estimates include a good faith assessment of the appropriate Facilities and Administration (F & A or
Indirect Cost) recovery rates (26% for most activities herein), which may also be changed after formal
review. These estimates are provided to facilitate discussion and negotiation, but do not constitute a
formal offer or the basis of a formal contract – which may only be executed by the WSU Office of
Research Support and Operations. All expenses regarding the venue, food, and rentals are to be paid for
by the funder.
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MEMORANDUM
To: Council Member Dulce Gutierrez, Chair
Council Member Avina Gutierrez
Council Member Carmen Mendez
Neighborhood and Community Building Committee
From: Cliff Moore, City Manager
Date: April 30, 2017
Subject: Meetings with Yakima Youth Soccer Association and Perry Tech
I was asked to meet with representatives of the Yakima Youth Soccer Association (YYSA) and Perry
Technical Institute to discuss the agreements in place that require the City to maintain soccer fields on
the campus of Perry Tech. Specifically, I was asked to explore the impacts to both Perry Teach and YYSA
if the City were to be unable to continue to provide the maintenance for these soccer fields.
The agreements currently in place between the City, Perry Tech and YYSA are updated versions of the
original agreements that date from 1993. In short, these agreements enable YYSA to use the soccer
fields at Perry Tech for practices, games and tournaments during its soccer season, based on certain
conditions, mainly that Perry Tech students have to the fields during school hours. The agreements call
for the City to maintain the fields, primarily through mowing them in season. Perry Tech benefits from
the agreements in that the fields are maintained and are accessible for their students during the school
day. YYSA benefits by having access to the fields for their various activities. While there is a cost to the
City to provide the maintenance (approximately $39,000 a year in staff time to mow and provide
maintenance and repairs to the irrigation system, plus the use of City equipment), it has generally been
regarded as a benefit to the City to ensure that YYSA had a location at which they could provide a
healthy activity for young people in Yakima. In addition, YYSA has provided support to the City Parks and
Rec department by managing a number of soccer leagues for the community.
Along with Parks and Rec Manager Ken Wilkinson, I met with Perry Tech President Christine Cote on
April 20, 2017. Ms. Cote expressed appreciation for the long-standing agreement and she stated that
nothing in the school’s current plans would call for expansion into the current soccer fields. She also
noted that the school feels that providing access to YYSA is important for the community. She
understands that the City has budget challenges but she said that if the City was unable to continue to
provide the maintenance, the school could not afford to do so. She stated that they might return the
fields to agricultural production (hay). There is some possibility that Perry Tech will start a Landscape
Design program in the future and Ms. Cote said that if that were to happen, the area might be used as
outdoor lab space for that program.
On April 20, 2017, Ken Wilkinson and I also met with YYSA Board members Ron Mansfield, Jr; Ron
Mansfield, Sr. and Ron Sabari. They reported that YYSA serves between 500 and 600 Yakima youth each
year and that they serve many low income families. Through various fund-raising events over the years,
YYSA reports that they have invested approximately $85,000 in the soccer fields at Perry Tech, primarily
in the sprinkler system used to water the fields. Although their annual budget is approximately $175,000
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(generated through user fees and fundraising), they stated that they could not cover the cost of
maintaining the fields at Perry Tech. They use revenue for uniforms, referees and other support for their
activities. They stated that when they have tournaments they bring hundreds, if not thousands of
people to town for weekend stays so they believe that they do help with economic growth in the
community. They are currently working on expanding some areas for fields at Ahtanum Youth Park in
Union Gap, but those plans are not finalized, nor would they be likely to have enough space to replace
the fields at Perry Tech. The board members understand that the City has budget pressures, but they
expressed hope that the City would be able to continue maintain the fields at Perry Tech for the next
several years at least. We did ask the YYSA Board members if they are collaborating with SOZO and they
reported that to date, they have not developed a relationship with SOZO.
We did ask YYSA to provide some follow-up data to inform the conversation. Specifically, we requested
that they the total number of participants in the YYSA activities in 2016, along with the number of games
and practices at the Perry Tech fields. Finally, the YYSA board members had agreed to work with the
Yakima Sports Commission to develop an estimate of economic activity generated by their tournaments.
To date we have not received that information but we have followed up with an email requesting that
they provide that information in time to have it included in the next NCBC meeting packet.
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To: Neighborhood & Community Building Committee
From: Cliff Moore, City Manager
Date: May 9, 2017
Subject: Follow-up Data from YYSA Regarding Program Participation and Economic Impact
Generated Through Use of Perry Soccer Fields
YYSA Perry Participant use:
20 teams X 18 rostered = 360 youth
4 fields X 7 Days week = 28 (field days a week)
4:30-8:30 weekday park access X 5 = 20 weekday hours
8:00-4:00 weekend use X 2 = 16 weekend hours
Total 36 park hours a week
360 players X (average 6+ hours a week per player game and practice field time) =2160
weekly park hours used per participant
(This figure does not include immediate and extended family park use; this number would
increase X 4 for a family of four)
Economic Impact Generated:
Here are the numbers from the 2016 Yak Attack tourneys:
Room Nights 1,500
Estimated Economic Impact $554,400
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MEMORANDUM
To: Cliff Moore, City Manager
From: Joan Davenport, AICP, Community Development Director
Joe Caruso, Code Administration Manager
Date: April 28, 2017
Subject: Procedure for Responding to Complaints
At the April 20, 2017 City Council Neighborhood and Community Building Committee (NCBC) meeting,
Mr. Ed Pacheco testified:
He left a voice message for “CODES” about a neighboring property (address of code complaint
was 616 S 9th Ave) a few days ago and he has not heard anything from Codes. He used to live on
S 31 Ave and he stated that he always got a call back the next day when he lived there…. He
asked what the policy was about call backs to a person who makes a complaint.
A follow up was requested by the City Council members. Immediately following the NCBC meeting, I
talked with Mr. Pacheco and he mentioned that he did not know exactly who he called. There was no
complaint on our hotline phone.I also suggested his best solution to something like this would be to
write a complaint and file it with “YakBack”, because those are routed directly to the appropriate
department and we respond within 48 hours. He apologized and said that he did not know the public
could file Code complaints at YakBack.
Mr. Joe Caruso and a YPC officer responded the next morning to investigate the complaint. They found
the subject property covered with graffiti and all windows broken out. City crews secured the house
immediately. Joe also talked directly to Mr. Paheco to let him know the property had been secured. Mr.
Pacheco was very appreciative.
The standard procedure for responding to Code Complaint includes:
1. Document the complaint. This includes creating an entry in our automated parcel tracking
system called “SmartGov”.
2. Field verification that a Code violation actually exists. City staff always field verifies and if
possible talks to the resident or property owner.
3. Call or email back to the person who filed the complaint to inform them of the outcome from
the investigation, IF REQUESTED. We receive a lot of anonymous complaints or from people who
do not give enough information to contact them.
4. Follow-up with enforcement measures, as appropriate.
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Yakima City Council Committee Minutes
Neighborhood & Community Building Committee (NCBC)
City Council Chambers, City Hall
April 20, 2017
Committee Members Staff
Dulce Gutiérrez (Chair) Cliff Moore, City Manager Ken Wilkinson
Avina Gutiérrez Joan Davenport, Community Dev Director Scott Schafer
Carmen Méndez Sara Watkins Rosalinda Ibarra
Joseph Calhoun
Chair Dulce Gutiérrez called the meeting to order at approximately 2:02 p.m.
WSU Metro Center Representatives for Equity Study Review – City Manager Moore introduced Martha
Aitken and Bradley Gaolach, representatives from the Washington State University (WSU) Metro Center.
Gaolach, Center Director, gave a brief summary about the Metro Center and of the process and services that
they provide. Aitken described in detail the revised proposal which includes validating the data from the
equity study and determine how the City can use it in future budget decisions and resource allocations. The
project completion date is anticipated by mid-August 2017 and total budget is approximately $32,500. Some
suggested recommendations, not included in the budget, were to: conduct Undoing Institutionalized Racism
training; collect and utilize additional data such as health data; engage in broader community conversations;
provide additional tools and training. She then provided an opportunity to answer any questions from the
committee members. D. Gutiérrez asked for the Council retreat priorities be in considered in the review
process, listed under Task 2 as Method A. Method C, City Council member interviews, was of concern to the
committee in that it may prolong and/or complicate the data analysis process and was later requested to be
removed. The committee created a list of subset assets which they feel are measurable and align with other
City planning documents, such as the Comprehensive Plan and Economic Development Plan. The list
includes: demographics (income, race, education, marital status, owner vs rental percentage, property value,
age); location and police response times; streetlights; code compliance complaints; parks (to exclude charge
for use parks, cemeteries, privately funded parks); and transit ridership in correlation with benches and bus
shelters. A. Gutiérrez suggested adding data for healthcare access/needs, the committee agreed. Extensive
discussion continued about how the data will be analyzed and validated, geographical boundary, revisions to
the proposal, desired outcomes and objectives, and further clarification of private donations for parks.
Ultimately, A. Gutiérrez motioned, seconded by Méndez, to send the committee’s recommended revisions to
WSU Metro Center so they can incorporate them into the proposal and return the revised proposal back to
the committee as soon as possible for a special meeting to review and make recommendation for the May 2nd
City Council business meeting. Motion carried unanimously.
Status of Perry Tech and Yakima Youth Soccer Association (YYSA) contract report – Wilkinson and Moore
met with representatives of the Yakima Youth Soccer Association and Perry Technical Institute earlier in the
day. Moore briefed the committee on the meeting discussion. Both organizations appreciated the long-
standing partnership with the City and expressed concern over the impact of terminating the agreements.
Perry Tech indicated that they would not be able to maintain the fields and would consider other uses for the
property. YYSA stated that this would cause significant impact because they cannot afford to maintain the
fields and they do not have sufficient space at Ahtanum Youth Park to replace them. YYSA is hopeful that
the City will continue the maintenance agreement for a few more years as they rely heavily on those soccer
fields for their competitive leagues. It was pointed out that YYSA and SOZO have not developed a strong
affiliation. Méndez emphasized her position regarding providing maintenance to a facility that is not
accessible to all city residents equally. Wilkinson added that YYSA will provide the City the total number of
program participants and the economic impact generated by their tournaments and he noted that both
contracts end December 31, 2018. A. Gutiérrez requested that staff provide a written report on this topic of
discussion for the committee members. That information will be included in the next NCBC packet.
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Board Appointed Reports – Standing Item
Comprehensive Plan Update – Calhoun reported that the Comprehensive Plan Update is still in the comment
period. Staff is preparing for the May 10th public hearing with the Planning Commission. In regards to the
sidewalk condition assessment, staff is focusing on ½ mile walk to school routes around elementary schools.
Homeless Network – Méndez provided a recap stating that HUD was determining compliance of the
Continuum of Care required in order to continue to be eligible to receive federal funding.
Bike/Pedestrian Committee – Mattoon reported the following topics discussed at their April 18th meeting
which included: sidewalk ordinance, engineering recommendations for the 40th Ave & Chestnut intersection,
suggested improvements to the Transportation Plan 2040, meeting date change from the 3rd Tuesday to the
2nd Tuesday of every month. Méndez motioned, seconded by A. Gutiérrez, to send forward to the full
Council the suggested recommendations for improvements to the 40th Ave & Chestnut Ave intersection.
Motion carried unanimously.
Approve Minutes of 3/29/2017 – Motion made by Méndez, seconded by A. Gutiérrez, to approve the minutes
of 03/29/2017 as presented; motion carried by unanimous vote.
Méndez was excused at approximately 3:00 p.m.
Parks & Recreation Commission – Topics of discussion included: proposed soccer program at Miller Park
basketball courts, RCO conversion environmental assessment, Comprehensive Plan update, 2017-2022 Parks
& Recreation plan update, Cherry Park improvements and new playground, Miller Park study session recap,
performance stage area at MLK Park or Southeast Community Park.
Henry Beauchamp Community Center – Chelsea Mack was appointed to the board. The next quarterly
meeting is April 25th.
Historic Preservation – The Commission is finalizing the list for their 2017 work plan.
TRANS-Action Committee – The next meeting is April 26th at 2:00 p.m.
Transit Development Plan/Transit Related Issues –The next meeting is May 10th.
Ethics & Equal Rights Committee – Their meeting was continued to April 27th.
Community Integration Committee – nothing new to report.
Other Business/Requests – Staff reviewed the list of deliverables from this meeting.
• D. Gutiérrez to share list of subset assets with representatives of WSU Metro Center.
• Moore to provide committee members written notes on the meeting with YYSA and Perry Tech.
• Add to Council’s May 2nd meeting an agenda item for the intersection improvements to 40th Ave &
Chestnut Ave.
In an effort to increase efficiency and reduce redundancy, A. Gutiérrez suggested that staff provide written
reports in advance of committee meetings. She also encouraged that the city promote the upcoming cleanup
event on Facebook and through a press release.
Davenport requested guidance from the Committee regarding an annexation request received for property in
the vicinity of S 64th Ave & Ahtanum Rd. In the past, these requests were sent to the Built Environment
Committee for review. Calhoun described the annexation process according to State law. It was committee
consensus to send this item to the full Council for further direction.
D. Gutiérrez reminded the public that interpretation services need to be requested 48 hours in advance.
Audience Participation – Ed Pacheco, District 4 city resident, commented in favor of having a third party
weigh in on the equity study. He expressed concern on the turnaround time for addressing code complaints
based on location. In his opinion and recent personal experience, he believes complaints are responded to
faster for areas involving a west side property versus an east side location. Staff will follow-up with Mr.
Pacheco’s complaint and provide a written report on the current policy for response times. He asked whether
the equity study will be available in Spanish to which staff replied that translation capability is available on
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the website through Google. He complimented the Parks and Recreation afterschool and summer programs.
And also voiced concern on the accessibility and affordability of soccer field facilities for all community
members.
Tony Courcy, city resident, addressed the committee regarding several topics including storm
drains/infrastructure, incorrect time of a public meeting posted on website, and inquired as to who his council
representative is. D. Gutiérrez replied that Mr. Courcy’s representative is Mayor Kathy Coffey. Her contact
information will be e-mailed to him.
Adjourn – D. Gutiérrez adjourned this meeting at 3:33 p.m. The next meeting is scheduled for Thursday May
18, 2017.
Approved by:
Date Approved:
Prepared by: Rosalinda Ibarra, Community Development Administrative Assistant
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