HomeMy WebLinkAbout2018-02-15 NCBC Agenda PktYakima City Council Committee
Neighborhood & Community Building Committee (NCBC)
Council Chambers – 129 N 2nd St, Yakima, WA
Thursday February 15, 2018
2:30 p.m.
City Council City Staff
Councilmember Dulce Gutiérrez Cliff Moore, City Manager
Councilmember Carmen Méndez Joan Davenport, Community Development Director
Councilmember Kay Funk Sara Watkins, Senior Assistant City Attorney
Councilmember Holly Cousens (alternate)
Agenda
1) Board Appointed Reports – Standing Items
a) Transit Development Plan / Transit Related Issues (Maxey)
b) Parks & Recreation Commission (Funk/Wilkinson)
c) Henry Beauchamp Community Center (White/Wilkinson)
d) Historic Preservation (White/Calhoun)
e) Yakima Planning Commission (White/Calhoun)
f) Bike/Pedestrian Committee (White/Calhoun)
g) Homeless Network (Méndez/Davenport)
h) TRANS-Action Committee (Méndez/Davenport)
i) Council Mentorship/Internship Program (Gutiérrez)
2) Update of Strategic Plan & Committee Role (Funk)
3) Other Business / Requests
a) Approve Minutes of 11/28/2017 and 01/18/2018 NCBC Meetings
b) Future Items / Recap of Deliverables for Next NCBC Meeting
c) Interpreter for Next Meeting (48-hr advance notice)
4) Audience Participation
Next Meeting: March 15, 2018
The complete agenda packet is available online at: https://www.yakimawa.gov/council/city-council-committees/
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Yakima City Council Committee Minutes
Neighborhood & Community Building Committee (NCBC)
2nd Floor Conference Room, City Hall
November 28, 2017
Committee Members Staff
Dulce Gutiérrez, Chair Joan Davenport Ken Wilkinson
Carmen Méndez Cliff Moore Alvie Maxey
Holly Cousens, alternate Rosalinda Ibarra Joseph Calhoun
Avina Gutiérrez (absent) Sara Watkins Ana Cortez-Steiner
Others: Martha Aitken, Dr. Phil Hurvitz, Tony Courcy, Steve Hill, Maria Rodriguez, Carole Folsom-Hill
Chair Dulce Gutiérrez called the meeting to order at approximately 2:05 p.m. She introduced new Assistant
City Manager Ana Cortez-Steiner.
City Manager Moore requested agenda item #2 be presented first.
Update on Equity Study Additional Information Requested – Martha Aitken and Dr. Phil Hurvitz explained
the revisions to their final report and responded to additional information that was requested by NCBC
members at a previous meeting. Revisions to the final report include: expanded executive summary,
conclusions and recommendations which highlight steps to support future analysis; and expanded
interpretations of scatter plot data. As for the additional information requested, they concluded that in most
cases the data hasn’t been collected, but they were able to include data for transit ridership for riders under
the age of 18. They hope to include information on police calls for service at the December 12th Council
meeting presentation; however, they recognized that work is necessary to resolve some issues with that data.
Dr. Hurvitz provided extensive background on how the analysis was performed. He explained his
observations about the overall trends discovered in the scatter plot data analysis, such as: increase in median
family income on westside; increase in Hispanic population on eastside; college graduation rates increase on
westside but decrease on eastside; built structures are older on eastside and newer on westside; police
department calls for service are generally across a range of demographics; no apparent patterns in fire
department calls for service; slightly more streetlights in areas of lower income and higher Hispanic
population; code compliance requests are generated in higher renter-occupancy and lower median family
income; area of park per resident is lower on eastside and higher on westside with fewer Hispanics; bus
ridership is higher in greater Hispanic population and lower income, it’s also slightly lower on east side in
areas with more youth and lower in tracts with more seniors; more bus stop shelters and benches exist in
tracts with greater percent of Hispanic concentration and lower income levels. He emphasized the distinction
between equity versus equality and stated that the graphs show equality. The committee expressed their
appreciation towards the Metro Center project team.
Méndez agreed with the recommendations suggested, particularly as they relate to parks, which include:
adding qualitative data to supplement the quantitative data, developing a set of criteria for prioritizing park
improvements, providing the prioritized list to private entities seeking to fund park improvements, and
developing a policy whereby the city uses a percentage of private contributions for parks to support other
park improvements and amenities across the city. Gutiérrez asked for data without apparent outlier
information, this information will be available online. She also inquired about a peer review process to which
Aitken replied that since this is a contract, not scholarly work, a peer review would not apply. In response to
Méndez’s question regarding recommended models or strategies that other cities are using, Dr. Hurvitz
encouraged committee members to periodically analyze the census data and the American Community
Survey. Audience members Tony Courcy and Steve Hill commented on the overall project. Gutiérrez stated
that this report would be utilized as a reference tool for different issues and serve as a foundation to acquire
more information and/or improve existing systems, such as Yak Back. Details pertaining to the final report
presentation were discussed. The final report will be presented to the City Council on December 12th.
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Board Appointed Reports – Standing Item
Transit Development Plan/Transit Related Issues – Maxey reported that the minutes of their previous
meeting will be included in the next NCBC packet. Some highlights include: will survey attendees due to
low attendance at meetings; public can contact Yakima Transit to provide feedback on placement of new bus
shelter locations, installation to take place in spring 2018; new bus pass designs due to fraud issues; shuttle
service for the upcoming Luminaria event at old Kmart parking lot; increase in vanpool groups, sidewalk
improvements on 40th Ave between Tieton & Summitview avenues; successful Fair shuttle event; future
planning towards new Transit facility; IT software updates.
Parks & Recreation Commission (P&R) – Wilkinson summarized the topics discussed at the November 8th
P&R meeting: Naches Parkway, establish criteria to make decisions on capital improvements, “grade” park
amenities, Randall Park pond improvements performed by Stormwater staff.
Henry Beauchamp Community Center (HBCC) – the center is seeking volunteers for their annual
Christmas dinner party happening on December 15th. Cousens encouraged volunteers to participate at this
event.
Historic Preservation (HPC) – the November meeting was rescheduled to November 29th due to the holiday.
An application for Certificate of Appropriateness was received for the installation of solar panels in the
Barge-Chestnut Neighborhood. This will be reviewed by the Historic Preservation Commission.
Yakima Planning Commission – the next meeting is December 13th. Staff is in process of identifying future
text changes to implement recent Comprehensive Plan changes. There is one vacancy on this commission.
Bike/Pedestrian Committee – the next meeting is December 12th. The Committee received the final draft of
the Bike Plan and staff will review it for grammatical errors prior to distributing it.
Homeless Network – a retreat is scheduled for November 30th at ESD 105. Staff presence is encouraged.
TRANS-Action Committee –D. Gutiérrez reported that the next meeting is November 29th. Elections will
take place for four positions. Davenport reached out to SOZO and Fairgrounds staff about participation.
Méndez suggested also inviting YMCA.
Approval of Minutes – A motion was made by Méndez, seconded by Cousens, to approve the minutes of
10/19/2017 as presented; motion carried unanimously.
The Community Integration Exploratory Committee draft minutes of 10/03/17 and 10/09/17 are included in
the packet.
Recap of Deliverables – none noted.
D. Gutiérrez announced that Spanish interpretation services are available; however, require a 48 hour
advance notice.
The Committee agreed to have a wrap up meeting in December to recap the year’s activities.
Audience Participation – Carole Folsom-Hill spoke about the equity study strategy. Tony Courcy asked
about the transportation list to which Moore replied that the original list was approved by Council in March
2017.
Adjourn – D. Gutiérrez adjourned this meeting at approximately 4:03 p.m.; the next meeting is December 21,
2017.
Approved by:
Date Approved:
Prepared by: Rosalinda Ibarra, Community Development Administrative Assistant
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Yakima City Council Committee Minutes
Neighborhood & Community Building Committee (NCBC)
City Council Chambers
January 18, 2018
Committee Members Staff
Kay Funk, Chair Joan Davenport Ken Wilkinson
Dulce Gutiérrez Sara Watkins Alvie Maxey
Kathy Coffey (alternate, present) Rosalinda Ibarra Joseph Calhoun
Carmen Méndez (absent, excused) Ana Cortez-Steiner
Others:
Chair Dulce Gutiérrez called the meeting to order at approximately 2:32 p.m.
Election of Chair – Nominations for the position of Chair were called. Gutiérrez nominated Funk; Funk
accepted. The Committee voted in favor of appointing Funk as Committee Chair.
Establish Committee Meeting Date & Time – Gutiérrez requested the meeting start time be changed from
2:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. and continue meeting on the third Thursday of each month. Committee agreed.
Summary of NCBC 2017 Activities – Davenport recapped the activities that the committee worked on in
2017. Some accomplishments included: discussion of Parks Comprehensive Plan; parks and playground
ordinance; completion of the Yakima Comprehensive Plan 2040; WSU Metro Center Equity Study project
completed; staff assistance to the Exploratory Committees (Community Integration, and Ethics & Equal
Rights); annexation of property at 64th Ave & Ahtanum Rd; improvements to the 40th Ave & Chestnut Ave
intersection; review of funding from YVCOG for homeless programs; Council Mentorship/Internship
program; update of the building permit fees; change in administrative approval of long plats; issues of
overgrown vegetation; converting Naches Parkway to a park; presentation of the final report on the Equity
Study Analysis. The complete summary is included in the agenda packet. The committee accepted staff’s
report.
Discuss Approach of 2018 Board Appointed Reports – A discussion ensued about how board appointed
reports would be addressed. Pending the April re-organization of council committee appointments, it was
agreed to have the board appointed reports first on the agenda and in the meantime allow staff members to
provide the monthly updates for their respective boards, unless a council member wished to give the update.
Board Appointed Reports – Standing Item
Transit Development Plan/Transit Related Issues – Maxey provided the minutes of the 11/8/17 meeting.
The next meeting is 2/7/18 at 5:30 p.m. in the Public Works Training Room, a draft agenda was included.
Parks & Recreation Commission (P&R) – Wilkinson informed that Rod Bryant will continue as
Commission Chair. He also reported about a request to memorialize a park facility after E.B. Putnam, former
Park Superintendent. The Parks Commission discussed Fisher Park Golf Course as the appropriate facility.
Other topics discussed include: Community Swimming Pool Ad Hoc Committee, Harman Center newsletter,
Randall Park improvements project extended to September 2018.
Henry Beauchamp Community Center (HBCC) – the next quarterly meeting is 1/23/18 at noon. Jason
White is the assigned Council liaison.
Historic Preservation (HPC) – Calhoun reported that the HPC approved a Certificate of Appropriateness to
install solar panels for a house in the Barge-Chestnut Neighborhood. At the next meeting, which is 1/24/18 at
5:30 p.m., the Commission will be discussing potential projects to seek funding from the CLG (Certified
Local Government). He informed that Jason White is the Council liaison and there’s still one vacancy.
Yakima Planning Commission – the next meeting is 1/24/18 at 3 p.m. in Council Chambers. Calhoun
reported that the Commission will discuss potential standards for temporary worker housing. He also pointed
out that there’s one vacancy and Jason White is the Council liaison.
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Bike/Pedestrian Committee –Calhoun reported that the committee looked at the final draft of the Bike Plan
at their previous meeting. The draft will be forwarded to Council for consideration. The next meeting is
2/14/2018 at 10 am in the 2nd Floor Conference Room. There is one vacancy and Jason White is the liaison.
Homeless Network – Davenport reported that Méndez is the liaison and Gutiérrez is the alternate. Among
topics discussed was the winter shelters and the Continuum of Care (CoC). The Committee talked about
having an organizational chart of the various homeless boards to include member names and voting capacity.
TRANS-Action Committee – the next meeting is 1/24/2018. Méndez is the council liaison.
Approval of Minutes – Approval of the minutes was postponed to the next NCBC meeting.
Future Items / Recap of Deliverables – none noted.
Other Business – In other business, Coffey inquired about the Equity Study. She requested the final report be
distributed to the new council members. After brief discussion, the committee agreed to request a study
session on the Equity Study to review the integration of the concepts into the programming of the City and
outline action steps.
Gutiérrez provided an update on the status of the Council mentorship/internship program for this year. She
reported that the principals for Eisenhower, Davis, and Stanton schools are working on identifying the
students that will participate.
Funk described her idea of the review of the Strategic Plan pertaining to the council committee structure. She
suggested changing the focus of the Neighborhood & Community Building and Public Safety Committee to
crime intervention and healthy communities and crime prevention. Coffey provided historical input on how
the NCBC came to be. She also stated that the full Council has to be involved in this decision.
Gutiérrez announced that Spanish interpretation services are available; however, require a 48 hour advance
notice.
Davenport noted that staff is working on updating the Vacant and Dangerous Building project. A report will
be presented to the NCBC in February or March.
Audience Participation – Tony Courcy spoke about his storm water issues as described at the Council
meeting of December 12th. Cortez will follow up with Mr. Courcy regarding his concerns.
Adjourn – Funk adjourned this meeting at approximately 3:41 p.m.; the next meeting is February 15, 2018.
Approved by:
Date Approved:
Prepared by: Rosalinda Ibarra, Community Development Administrative Assistant
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