HomeMy WebLinkAbout07-05-2018 Economic Development Committee minutesr -•
City Hall
Members: Staff:
Councilmember White Ana Cortez, Assistant City Manager
Councilmember Cousens Scott Schafer, Public Works Director
Councilmember Gutierrez John Carney, Information Systems Manager
Brett Sheffield, Chief Engineer
Tom Sellsted, Senior Analyst
Cally Price, Assistant to the City Manager
Executive is
White called the meeting to order.
Others:
Maria Rodriguez
Jonathan Smith
Luz Gutierrez
1. Review draft minutes from May 24, 2018 meeting:
The May 24, 2018 meeting minutes were reviewed. Gutierrez motioned to accept the
minutes as presented and Cousens seconded the motion. The minutes were approved
unanimously.
a. Strategic Plan Update
Cortez reviewed the strategic plan with the Committee members. Committee
members agreed that changing the format, to be consistent with Partnership,
would be appropriate. Committee members will meet and discuss strategic
priorities and report back at the next meeting.
b. Conduit and fiber assets
White reported that at the AWC conference there was a session on fiber and
he suggested that staff follow up with Port Angeles and Anacortes to see how
they implemented fiber using existing water pipes.
c. Creative District designation update
White reported that he is interested in spearheading this project and asked
that staff add this discussion to a future Council agenda.
White distributed a copy of a "Green Way" project for Yakima. Staff will see if
there are any codes regulating or prohibiting painting on the street and what
the paint would cost.
Gutierrez suggested that if this moves forward, that the project be started on
North 1St Street as part of the TBD project. Committee members would like to
see a timeline how this could be accomplished.
d. Economic Development Council conference
Cousens shared information she received about an Economic Development
Conference being held in Ellensburg and she would like at least one
committee member to attend. This item will be brought up at a future Council
meeting for discussion.
e. 1 st Street Development
Brett Sheffield spoke about the North 1St project, specifically, funding,
schedule and phases. Phase 1 (N. Street to SR 12) will begin in the spring
and is funded. Phases 2 and 3 could begin in 2020.
Gutierrez would like to see jaywalking addressed in the plans for N. 1 st Street.
Since some items still need to be addressed, Gutierrez suggested that a
Council study session be scheduled. Committee members will bring this up
at a future Council meeting. Presentation should include budget, vision, and
traffic model (similar to what was produced for the mill site). Gutierrez would
like to see the structure/framework of what the next 18 months would look like
and be able to monitor progress/benchmarks.
3. Future agenda items
Strategic Plan update
Conduit and fiber assets
Creative District update
Sidewalk and crosswalk paint
Discussion on vacant buildings
4. Other business
Cousens distributed information on how to fill downtown gaps she received at the
AWC Conference. Committee members would like to have a list of vacant buildings
in downtown Yakima and along North 1St Street.
5. Audience Participation
Luz Gutierrez inquired about the status of the Economic Development Plan that was
created a few years ago.
Jon Smith reported that CERB recently announced they will offer funding to assist
rural counties and cities with broadband provided it ties to job creation.
meeting is scheduled for July 26 at 1:30 in the 2nd Floor Conference Room.