HomeMy WebLinkAbout08/14/2017 Study Session160
YAKIMA CITY COUNCIL
STUDY SESSION
August 14, 2017
City Hall -- Council Chambers
10:00 a.m. MINUTES
1 Roll Call
Council: Mayor Kathy Coffey, presiding, Assistant Mayor Carmen Mendez, Council
Members Maureen Adkison, Avina Gutierrez, Dulce Gutierrez and Bill Lover
Staff: City Manager Moore and City Clerk Claar Tee
Absent: Council Member Holly Cousens (excused)
2. Camp Hope options
City Manager Moore reported Camp Hope has been extremely successful, and the City is
grateful for Transform Yakima Together (TYT) stepping in to assist with the homeless
community.
Pastor Andy Ferguson, of Transform Yakima, reported they recognize homelessness is a
community wide issue and are honored to help serve. He reviewed what the future of Camp
Hope could look like if the camp was able to stay at the current location as semi-permanent.
He stated TYT envisions a long-term plan that would be phased in and includes multiple
"villages" of various populations, including families and individuals with common area facilities
that would be shared within each village. This could include a village similar to Quixote Village
in Thurston County with tiny houses.
Scott Schafer, Public Works Director, reviewed costs and problems associated with water
and sewer connections to the Camp, as well as issues relating to the future expansion of the
Wastewater Treatment Plant should this become a permanent camp at the current location.
Sara Watkins, Senior Assistant Attorney, briefed Council on zoning problems, highlighting the
following concerns:
• Homeless camps are not addressed in the City code and may fall into one of four areas
1) campground, 2) multi -family dwelling, 3) mission and 4) undefined use.
• In the current zoning, multi -family and mission use are not allowed and campgrounds
are for recreational purposes, which leaves undefined use.
• To apply under the undefined use requires a public hearing by the Hearing Examiner
with additional requirements.
Lee Murdock, non-resident, spoke in opposition to Camp Hope and shared her concerns
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regarding outcome measurements, auditing and whether all filing requirements are being met.
The foliowing community members spoke in support of Camp Hope: Patty Medina; Jodie
Miiler; Aileen Kane (with conditions of financial accountability); Dawn Campbell; Mary Fromm;
John VerHuel; Dana Smalley; Shawn Campbell; Verlynn Best; and Trenton Wells. Larry
Mattson, Yakima Valley Conference of Governments (YVCOG) Executive Director, spoke in
support of TYT's proposal and noted the importance of ending the winter emergency shelter
cycle.
Pastor Ferguson noted in response to Ms. Murdockin terms of an audit, prior to this
year TYT did not have more than $50,000 in receipts and therefore did not have the same
filing requirements. Additionally, of the funds received from YVCOG, nearly half is for tiny
homes and the other half is for Camp Hope with all receipts and expenditures on file at
YVCOG for public review. Mike Kay, Camp Director, reported there is a curfew in order
to work with guests to ensure they have a bed each night as they are oftentimes at capacity.
City Manager Moore explained this information is for Council consideration and no action is
expected at this time. He reminded Council that the City has invested over $1 2 million doltars
through CDBG and Home Funding from the Federal Government to assist with low income
housing over the last decade and although the City does not have funding to be responsible
for the homeless, the City is committed to helping.
3. Adjournment
MOTION: Mendez moved and D. Gutierrez seconded to adjourn to the next Council
Business Meeting on August 15, 2017, at 6 p.m. in the Council Chambers at City
Hall. The motion carried by unanimous vote, Cousens absent. The meeting adjourned
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