HomeMy WebLinkAbout2017-06-29 _Minutes - NCBC _correctedYakima City Council Committee Minutes
Neighborhood & Community Building Committee (NCBQ
City Council Chambers, City Hall
June 29, 2017
*Corrected Minutes*
Committee Members
Dulce Guti6rrez (Chair)
Avina Guti6rrez
Carmen Mendez
Staff
Cliff Moore, City Manager I Ken Wilkinson
Joan Davenport, Community Dev Director I Scott Schafer
Sara Watkins
Joseph Calhoun
Rosalinda Ibarra
Alvie Maxey
Chair Dulce Gutierrez called the meeting to order at approximately 3:31 p.m.
Community Health Forum & Events in Yakima — Fenice Fregoso, Molina Healthcare, spoke about
collaborating with the City to host healthy community events in Yakima. M6ndez offered to work with Ms.
Fregoso to coordinate some block parties for the upcoming National Night Out. More information will be
provided at a future meeting.
Post -Update on WSU Metro Center Proposal for Equity Study Review — D. Guti6rrez reported that City
Council approved a contract with WSU Metro Center for the equity study analysis. Staff will ensure that the
deliverables of the contract are met.
Meetings with Yakima Youth Soccer Association and Perry Tech & Follow-up Data — Moore restated that
YYSA and Perry Tech did not have funds to continue maintenance of the Perry Soccer Complex fields. He
summarized the information provided by YYSA regarding participant usage of the fields and the economic
impact generated from the 2016 Yak Attack tournament. M6ndez pointed out that the economic impact was
generated for a tournament that took place at Ahtanum Youth Park and requested actual numbers reflective
of Perry Soccer field usage. Discussion continued, no further questions or comments from the committee
members at this time.
Summaryof Homeless Funding Process — Watkins provided a brief overview of the competitive bidding
process and highlighted some organizations that were awarded funds by the Yakima Valley Conference of
Governments (YVCOG). Approximately $1.9 million in public funds were available to service providers to
address homeless issues; the funds awarded are effective July 1St. Some outcomes noted were suggested
changes for the next cycle and ideas on how to better provide information to the service providers.
Discussion ensued about concerns expressed by M6ndez regarding the voting process at a YVCOG
Executive Board meeting. D. Gutierrez requested clarification about the council liaison voting rules. She
motioned to include this topic to the next City Council business meeting agenda; motion carried.
Board Appointed Reports — Standing Item
Comprehensive Plan Update — Calhoun reported that the Comprehensive Plan was adopted by City Council
at their June 6' meeting; it became effective immediately. The development regulations were also approved
and will become effective July 9th. He thanked everyone involved in the update process. M6ndez shared
positive feedback she received at the AWC Conference in regards to the City's Comprehensive Plan as being
one of the best submitted statewide.
Homeless Network — Mendez mentioned that the Homeless Network has applied for a 501(c)(3) to become
their own Continuum of Care in partnership with HUD.
Parks & Recreation Commission — D. Gutierrez reported that the commission toured several city parks and
observed many new improvements.
Henry Beauchamp Community Center — Wilkinson reported that the gymnasium at the HBCC was painted
by volunteers from the Together Church. The next quarterly meeting is July 25" but may be rescheduled due
to vacation.
Historic Preservation (HPC) — Calhoun announced that Joe Mann and Nancy Rayner are no longer on the
commission. A new member, Cynthia Hall, was appointed. The next meeting is July 26th. On July 9th the
HPC will have a booth at the Farmer's Market.
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TRANS Action Committee — Nothing new to report; next meeting is in July.
Transit Development Plan/Transit Related Issues — The next meeting is August 16t". Maxey reminded
everyone about the free shuttle rides to the Fairgrounds for the 4" of July celebration. The meeting minutes
of the last Transit Citizens Advisory Committee were included in the packet. A. Gutierrez inquired as to the
location and installation schedule for the Simme Seat benches at transit stops. Maxey responded that the
placement of the benches will be determined based on ridership usage and best fit. Staff will provide an
updated timeline on the placement and location of the benches.
Ethics & Equal Rights Committee (EERC) — EERC provided their quarterly report to Council on June 20tH,
noting three focus areas: housing, wage theft, and the equity study. Watkins informed the NCBC members
that the Ethics & Equal Rights Committee came to a consensus that their report to Council shall serve as their
final report, unless the NCBC requests otherwise. A. Gutierrez intends to meet with each subcommittee
separately to gain further understanding of their recommendation to City Council.
Community Integration Committee (CIEC) — The CIEC is working on their final report which they
anticipate presenting to City Council by October 2017.
Bike/Pedestrian Committee — Mattoon recapped the following topics discussed at their June 13' meeting
which included: reviewing the Six -Year TIP (Transportation Improvement Program), collaboration with the
`Blue Zone' committee. Future items include the possibility of incorporating the YPD bicycle patrols into the
Bicycle Master Plan (BMP). The final draft of the BMP was received from the consultants and they
anticipate Council approval in August. The next meeting is July I I". D. Gutierrez asked what the range
outside the downtown area for the YPD bicycle patrols is. Staff will report at the next meeting. Mendez
encouraged the committee members to provide the Bike/Ped Committee an opportunity to evaluate projects
for the TIP and give their feedback great consideration.
Council Mentorshipflnternship Program Info — In response to a previous audience request, Davenport
supplied a background informational memo describing the Council mentorship/internship guidelines; D.
Gutierrez and Mendez further elaborated on the program requirements. Davenport introduced Aaron
Hernandez and Lidia Diaz, two interns working in the Planning Division primarily on the sidewalk condition
inventory. A. Gutierrez offered to join them in collecting data. A report at the end of the summer internship
will be presented by staff.
Approve Minutes of 05/18/2017 — Motion made by A. Gutierrez, seconded by Mendez, to approve the
minutes of 05/18/2017 as presented; motion carried by unanimous vote.
Other Business — D. Gutierrez brought up a concern regarding concluding steps for the exploratory
committees as they finalize their recommendations to Council particularly during the interim period prior to
the implementation of a permanent committee, if that's their recommendation. Some ideas were discussed. In
the end, the committee agreed to ask each exploratory committee to present their final report to the NCBC
for an opportunity to ask questions and provide additional feedback if necessary. The Ethics & Equal Rights
Committee will be invited to the July NCBC meeting.
D. Gutierrez expressed concern about the dissemination of information pertaining to City business. She feels
that it is lacking and asked that staff put more emphasis on social media, send out press releases, and
continue with the monthly newsletter. A. Gutierrez will be featured in the July newsletter. It was agreed to
include this topic on the next meeting's agenda with a report about what to expect as far as increased activity
to be more effective in our communication efforts. The committee members will also provide suggestions
and ideas.
Possible Amend€nem to Municipal Code re: Overgrowth Vegetation on Properties — Watkins explained that
the City has received an overwhelming amount of complaints related to weedy lots or overgrown vegetation
in the last couple of weeks. Due to fire hazard this time of year, and in an effort to address this issue more
expeditiously, staff is requesting that the committee provide feedback on the possibility of issuing citations to
property owners who do not abate their properties in a timely manner. The committee expressed concern
about owners who are physically disabled and/or elderly; potential incarceration for not paying fines; vacant
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properties and absentee landlords; property owner's responsibility for maintaining the adjacent right of way.
A short sheet should be posted on the City's website with information about property owner's responsibilities
as they relate to the adjacent rights of way. Staff will further research the complaints and provide additional
information to analyze. Moore suggested adding this topic to Council's roundtable discussion on July 25th;
no one objected.
Recap of Deliverables — Staff reviewed the following list of deliverables from this meeting:
• Report on the City's public relations efforts, newsletters, social media, and press releases — next
NCBC
• Provide a response to inquiry about how far the YPD bike patrols range area is.
• Timeline and location of where the remaining Simme Seats will be placed.
• Add to Council's July 11th meeting an item for council liaison voting rules on outside
boards/commissions.
• Presentation of final report from the Ethics & Equal Rights exploratory committee — next NCBC
• Mendez will provide an update on the community fair/events.
• Add to Council's roundtable meeting on July 25' the discussion on overgrowth vegetation.
• A. Gutierrez will coordinate a date to conduct sidewalk collection data with the Planning interns.
The committee will decide whether the following future items will be on the July agenda:
• Review & Discussion of Previous Building Permit Fee Ordinances
• Final Approval of Subdivision of Land — Davenport briefly described this request.
D. Gutierrez reminded the public that Spanish interpretation services are available; however, need to be
requested 48 hours in advance.
Audience Participation — Luz Bazan Gutierrez, city resident, agreed that the City needs to increase their
public relations efforts. She also commented in favor of the bike patrols and feels they greatly improve
neighborhood safety. In regards to overgrowth vegetation, she stated that educating the community is more
effective than policing them.
A. Gutierrez invited the community to attend the 4t' of July Celebration at the Yakima County Fair Grounds.
Adjourn — D. Guti6rrez adjourned this meeting at 4:56 p.m. The next meeting is scheduled for Thursday July
20, 2017.
Approved by: ��Z..
Date Approved: t 7 /-2-01-7
Prepared by: Rosalinda Ibarra, Community Development Administrative Assistant
*These minutes were amended to reflect a correction as approved by City Council at their business meeting on August 1, 2017_
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