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HomeMy WebLinkAbout04-27-17 Economic Development Committee MinutesCouncil Economic Development Committee Planning Conference Room City Hall April 27th, 2017 1:30 p.m. Members: Staff: Others: Councilmember Coffey Councilmember Gutierrez Cliff Moore, City Manager Sean Hawkins, Economic Development Manager Joan Davenport, Director of Community Development Rob Peterson, Airport Manager Sue Ownby, Purchasing Manager Colleda Monick, Economic Development Assistant Luz Gutierrez Verlynn Best Jon Smith Executive Minutes Reviewing of the Minutes from March 23rd, 2017 – reviewed and accepted as submitted  JEM Development Parking Agreement - Hawkins provided an update regarding the parking agreement between the City of Yakima and JEM Development for the use of two parking lots. No action is necessary to keep the agreement in place, but the council has an option to review the agreement and would need to find an alternative revenue source in order to extend the agreement. Parking lot usage was explored over a two week time period and the findings were presented to councilmembers as requested. Councilmembers Coffey and Gutierrez would like the findings and the agreement presented to full council for further discussion.  Yakima Millsite – Visual Engineering Resource Group (VERG) Project Hawkins and Davenport provided a brief overview of sample projects created by the VERG. Plans are underway for a three party contract (between the City of Yakima, Yakima County and Washington Department of Transportation “WASHDOT”) to be brought forth to council for VERG to create a video rendering of the Millsite. The contract would not require any General Funds to be used as the City would be able to use LIFT funds for its portion of the three party contract. Councilmembers Coffey and Gutierrez were in agreement to bring the contract forward for full council review at the May 16th, 2017 council meeting.  Economic Development Plan – Incubator RFQ Contract Hawkins and Ownby provided a brief overview of the RFQ process for the incubator contract. Over 106 different firms were sent the RFQ with only 2 submitting proposals. The proposals were then scored and the firm with the highest score, Graham Baba Architects will be contacted and an agreement with them for the services will be brought forth for full council review at the May 16th, 2017 council meeting. The deadline for the CERB agreement is May 19th, 2017, which provides funding to the city for the incubator RFQ. Councilmembers Coffey and Gutierrez have agreed to move the RFQ Contract with Graham Baba Architects to full council for review without committee consensus. Update Items Economic Development Plan – Next Steps Per council request, Hawkins will provide a quarterly update to council on plan developments (first update set for June 6th,2017). Hawkins shared the Yakima Millsite website as well as an online site map for business sites. Hawkins also reviewed updates regarding the image campaign and a preliminary website draft/updates to be made to the city website. Airport Update- Peterson provided an update on airport activities; including load factor numbers and an upcoming military exercise to take place at the airport. Councilmember Coffey requested additional information to be shared at the next council ED meeting regarding accessing a tax on rental fees for cars to be used for marketing dollars for FlyYKM. Audience Participation – Jonathan Smith of YCDA shared with the group insight on why ‘Autozone’ chose Pasco over Yakima, noting that none of the Yakima sites were ‘site ready’. Hawkins shared a civic request for “Brewery Welcome” banners to be hung along Yakima Avenue during mid August through October 1st. Councilmembers requested a detailed written proposal to be shared at the next council ED committee meeting.