The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink About04/16/2018 Special MeetingYAKIMA CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING April 16, 2018 YSD Central Services Conference Rooms A & B, 104 N. 4th Ave., Yakima 6:00 p.m. -- MINUTES 305 . Roll Call Mayor Kathy Coffey, presiding, Assistant Mayor Dulce Gutierrez, Council Members Holly Cousens, Kay Funk, Carmen Mendez and Jason White were present along with City Manager Moore and City Clerk Claar Tee. Council Member Brad Hill was absent and excused. Yakima School District Board Members Martha Rice, Berenice Ponce, and Graciela Villanueva, were present, along with School Board Superintendent Jack I rion, Deputy Superintendent Cece Mahre, Assistant Superintendent Alicia Jacob and Associate Superintendent Scott lzutsu. 2. Joint Meeting with the Yakima School District Regarding Safety, Extended Learning Opportunities and Violence Prevention Mayor Coffey and Yakima School District (YSD) President Rice called the Special Joint Meeting to order at 6:04 p.m., and President Rice led the Pledge of Allegiance. President Rice announced the meeting is being broadcast live on cable channel 191. Safety Lt. Sean Boyle and Superintendent I rion each shared a PowerPoint presentation relating to safety, active shooter protocols, drills and communication between the Yakima Police Department and the Yakima School District. Scott Schafer, Public Works Director, commented that Transit can assist in evacuations during emergencies. Council Member Mendez asked why YSD is not utilizing Geo Fencing through Educational Service District 105. Superintendent Irian noted the School District utilizes many services from ESD; however, at this time Geo Fencing is not one of them. Lois Menard, YSD Safety Director, reported the School District is looking at several options including Geo Fencing. Assistant Mayor Gutierrez stated she, staff and other Council members conducted ten public safety outreach forums throughout the City with collaboration from several schools and the recurring theme from concerned parents is the safety of their children. Assistant Mayor Gutierrez reported that Safe Routes to Schools is one of the City's top priorities. Brett Sheffield, City of Yakima Chief Engineer, commented on the process for obtaining Safe Routes to School grants and asked for YSD's assistance in obtaining survey's from the parents of students, which will help in aftaining grants. Board Member Villanueva asked which schools will be receiving assistance from the grants and more information on the projects. Mr. Sheffield reported on the affected schools and described how the City utilizes the grants, which includes adding sidewalks, crosswalks, ADA ramps, flashing lights, etc. Assistant Mayor Gutierrez asked if the School District would follow up on the survey request and President Rice noted this would be a discussion Page 1 of 2 �� opportunity for Superintendent I rion and City Manager Moore. Extended Learning Opportunities Assistant Mayor Gutierrez noted another top City priority includes summer and after school programs. Assistant City Manager Cortez shared two maps, which indicate the locations of Parks & Recreation summer programs, partnerships and number of staff involved. Ken Wilkinson, Parks & Recreation Manager, reported some of the programs are free and some are fee based and he shared how the information is disseminated. President Rice suggested one iocation where all summer and after school programs could be located. Mayor Coffey recommended 211 would be an appropriate place for the information. YSD officials discussed school programs including Feeding Programs, Learning Assistance Programs and Intensive Improvement Plans. Council Member Cnusonudiscussed literacy awareness and adding information on utility bilis to help promote Iiteracy. Council Member Mendez suggested YSD partner with the City of Yakima on Beyond the Bell programs. Violence Prevention Superintendent I rion shared a PowerPoint presentation on violence prevention. City Manager Moore reported the City met with the Governor on several occasions and obtained a proviso from the Governor for $1 50,000 to launch a framework for violence and gang prevention, and to look at opportunities to partner wh faith -based and non-profit groups to establish a mechanism to seek larger Department of Justice funding. Conclusion Mayor Coffey stated she hopes to see some action in the near tuture on how the City can partner with YSD. President Rice stated since the Board and Council are policy driven bodies it would be appropriate for the City Manager and Superintendent to meet and report back with recommendations on how to address these issues. City Manager Moore stated he will follow up with Superintendent Irion on the following: school safety, survey forms, clearinghouse for youth programs and ongoing after school and summer programs. 3. Adjournment MOTION: Coffey moved to adjourn to the next City Council Mon April 17, 2018, at 6 p.m. at City Hall in the Council Chambers. The motion carried by unanimous vote, Hill absent. The meeting adjourned at 8:13 p.m. CERTIFICATION READ AND CERTIFIED ACCURATE BY / NC|LMEyNBER DZTE CITY CLERK �n � � . '•�� m� - ~ Page 2 of 2