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Home My WebLink About05/01/2018 05C Minutes 03-15-2018 Neighborhood & Community Building CommitteeYakima City Council Committee Minutes Neighborhood & Community Building Committee (NCBC) City Council Chambers March 15, 2018 Committee Members Kay Funk, Chair Dulce Gutierrez Carmen Mendez Holly Cousens (alternate, present) Others: Joan Davenport Sara Watkins Rosalinda Ibarra Ana Cortez -Steiner Staff Ken Wilkinson Alvie Maxey Joe Caruso In the absence of Chair Kay Funk, Dulce Gutierrez convened the meeting at approximately 2:30 p.m. A quorum was present with alternate member Holly Cousens attending. Board Appointed Reports — Standing Item Transit Development Plan/Transit Related Issues — the 2017 minutes have been posted online. Maxey reported that three public meetings have been scheduled regarding the loss of Route 10. The first one took place on March 6' and is available on YPAC. The next two meetings are on March 20' at 2pm and 5:30pm at the Public Works Training Room. Parks & Recreation Commission (P&R) — Wilkinson reported on the topics discussed at the March 14' meeting, which include the newly adopted ordinance that includes parkways and pathways; progress on the ongoing Randall Park improvements; MLK Park Community Swimming pool updates. He also informed that the Harman Center will be temporarily shut down for annual deep cleaning of the facility. In response to Gutierrez's inquiry about the property adjacent to Cherry Park, Watkins replied that the foreclosure process is currently in the redemption period. More information will be available soon as to whether the owner will pursue property redemption or if it will go on sale. *Chair Funk arrived at approximately 2:40pm, at which point Cousens excused herself from the meeting. Discussion about a rundown fence on the east side of Gardner Park adjacent to an apartment complex ensued. Staff will verify whether the fence is on private or City property and address the graffiti issues and dilapidated conditions. Henry Beauchamp Community Center (HBCC) — Cortez reported that there wasn't a meeting in March; however, she's been in constant communication with the HBCC director to clarify the center programming and business model. Historic Preservation (HPC) — Davenport reported a lack of a quorum at the last meeting. Yakima Planning Commission (YPC) — Davenport summarized the YPC discussion of the possible amendment to the Yakima Municipal Code related to taxi -cab home occupation business licenses. She also noted that the public hearing related to temporary worker housing is scheduled for March 28'. Watkins described the changes being proposed to include: clarifying the definition of "hotel/motel" and modifying the definition of "boarding house" to "congregant living facility" and establishing an appropriate level of review for such use based on number of occupants. The committee members expressed concerns related to public safety, inadequate living conditions, and fair treatment of immigrant communities. Following an extensive dialogue among the NCBC committee, Mendez suggested a study session on this matter prior to the Council public hearing; the committee agreed. Watkins elaborated on the taxi -cab business license amendments. Specifically, taxi drivers are seeking approval to conduct their business as a home occupation rather than a general business in which they are required to provide a commercial location. Bike/Pedestrian Committee — nothing to report. Homeless Network — Mendez reported that today (March 15') marks the end of the youth extreme winter weather shelters. Other highlights reported include: YVCOG' s decision to temporarily discontinue the HPPC meetings until further notice and a better solution is devised; the Affordable Housing Committee will have a meeting on March 21st at 3:30 pm., Funk will attend and it was suggested that a Planning staff member also be present. In an effort to provide clarification on the issues related to YVCOG, Davenport and Watkins gave a brief overview about the Continuum of Care programs, such as the McKinney-Vento Act. The federal programs will be relied upon the Department of Commerce to monitor regulation compliance. The Governance Committee will meet on March 30". Watkins will report back at next month's meeting. Funk expressed concern with YVCOG program compliance related to data obligations; the committee concurred. Page 1 8 Mendez proposed researching the feasibility of utilizing the 2060 and 2163 funding to create a Human Services Department within the City of Yakima organization. She indicated that she intends to bring that up at the upcoming Council briefing for potential placement on a future Council business meeting agenda. Funk suggested drafting a letter to the YVCOG Board of Trustees expressing the City's concerns, and requesting a formal response, on the issues of data compliance, structure, program services, accountability, contract fulfillment requirements, and the discontinuation of the HPPC group. It was noted that Brad Hill is the City's representative on the YVCOG Executive Committee. The committee agreed to move this discussion forward to the full City Council for further direction. TRANS -Action Committee — the next meeting, and first one this year, is scheduled on March 21st at 2pm. Tree City Board — none noted. The minutes will be available online soon. Community Integration Committee — Cortez reported that the committee held their first meeting this month. She noted their request for availability of training opportunities; one vacancy exists; not all districts are represented on the committee. The Nominating Committee will meet this week to recommend candidates. Council Mentorship/Internship Program — Gutierrez reported that the participating students have been identified and will be attending a future Council meeting. Update on the Vacant & Dangerous Building Project — Caruso presented a status update on the Vacant & Dangerous Building report. In 2015, due to an increase in various unauthorized entry complaints, Code Compliance Officers conducted an inventory of all vacant structures throughout the City of Yakima. They identified 119 structures and categorized them into four levels, with Level 1 being the most dangerous type. The Level 1 and Level 2 structures were addressed immediately and marked as "Dangerous Building" and posted with "No Trespassing" signs on the exterior, mainly to ensure the safety of first responders. Efforts were made to work with the property owners as much as possible; however, some of the properties are bank - owned. Out of the original 119 structures only 47 vacant structures remain. Furthermore, the Code Compliance Officers conducted another inventory in February of this year and identified an additional 77 vacant structures. Staff will implement a similar process of performing the necessary steps to achieve compliance with these vacant structures. Gutierrez inquired about obtaining the full names of the property owners, to which Caruso replied that it would take a costly title report to identify, with accuracy, the names of all the property owners listed. He explained that a title report is obtained prior to the City taking action on a property and the cost is passed to the owner by recording a lien on their property. Discussion continued on the high amount of vacant buildings, particularly the ones that have remained vacant for many years. Caruso and Watkins explained the legal ramifications about demolishing uncompromised vacant buildings without the owner's consent. Gutierrez ex ressed support for enhancing the current ordinances to better a* a a vacant building issues. To conclude, the committee agree to meet afterwards anrprovide staff additional ea formalizing a strategy to present this report to the full City Council. Such information may include: constitutional issues, public safety concerns, covering the cost of identifying the property owners, making the owner's liable for tax a n Approval of Minutes — Gutierrez motioned, seconded by Funk, to approve the minutes of February 15, 2018. Motion carried unanimously. Future Items Recap of Deliverables — study session regarding temporary worker housing; update on the strategy to address vacant and dangerous buildings; governance issues at the Council briefing. Audience Participation — none noted. Funk announced interpreter services are available with 48 hour advance notice. Adjourn — Funk motioned to adjourn. This meeting adjourned at approximately 3:52 p.m.; the next meeting is April 19, 2018. Approved by: Date Approved: Prepared by: Rosalinda lbarra, Community Development Administrative Assistant Page 2