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HomeMy WebLinkAbout07-26-2018 Economic Development Committee notesCouncil . — o0nc`UEcono��~c Development �~o�����ffee Second Floor Conference Room Yakima City Hall Committee Members: Staff: Council Member White Assistant City Manager Ana Cortez -Steiner Information Systems Manager John Carney Associate Planner Eric Crowell Planning Manager Joseph Calhoun Chief Engineer Brett Sheffield Economic Dev.Manager Sean Hawkins Records Administrator Jodi Stephens Council Member White called the meeting to order at 1:37 p.m. Absent: Council Members Cousens and Dulce Gutierrez l. Reviewed the draft minutes from July 5,ZOl8meeting: There was noquorum atthe meeting toapprove the minutes. Community members,. John Cooper Jonathan Smith Luz Gutierrez Kait|in Bain Andrew Holt Joe Mann 3. Discussions: a. Strategic Plan Update Calhoun presented a PowerPoint presentation emphasizing the Economic Development Element is one of the primary elements of the Comprehensive Plan and ismandated bythe Growth Management Act (GK4A).The plan guides physical development through 2O4Oand was adopted byCouncil onJune 6, 2017. Crowell reviewed the conditions and trends ofthe demographics, challenges and opportunities, and goals and policies ofthe plan. Further discussion took place about options to attract businesses to Yakima and White asked about aPublic Authority District. Hawkins explained the Public Yakima's competitiveness, and is created by Council. It does not have taxing authority and is similar to a Port District. Calhoun briefed White on the free pre -application review process that connects the applicants with various City departments and what permits they will need moving forward. b. Conduit and fiber assets Carney reported on the findings from his research conducted on Anacortes. Anacortes is running conduit sleeves inside of existing vacated pipes, which cost about $500,000 and they are the size of Selah. They are using the conduit to bridge communications between government buildings. Carney reported City staff are currently conducting an inventory of the City's underground conduit and working with GIS to create a mapping application to show a visual inventory of the conduit and targeting 2019 to show the Committee the results. The City currently utilizes fiber optics here at the City of Yakima to join our government buildings. Carney also indicated the best part of this process is IT and Public Works are working more closely together on projects and are moving toward a dig once approach. c. Creative District update White did not discuss this item. d. Sidewalk and crosswalk pain—White did not discuss this item. i. Policy ii. Costs iii. Recommendation e, Discussion on vacant building i. List of vacant building and owners Calhoun indicated the City of Yakima doesn't track this information; however, there is a link accessing Yakima County information via the City's website. White would like to know what the City of Spokane has done with vacant buildings. A North First Street Corridor PowerPoint presentation was added to the agenda, which Sheffield presented. This project will begin in spring of 2019. • Phase 1 is from 'N' Street to SR12 • Phase 2 is from 'I' Street to 'N' Street • Phase 3 is from MLK to 'I' Street The North First Street Ad Hoc Committee was created and met several times in 2011. The City received a SIED Planning Grant of $25,000, and on October 18, 2011 the Council accepted the North First Street Corridor Revitalization Project Planning Grant final report and brochure. The Yakima Bikes and Walk group were a proponent of adding the sidewalks in the plan. After discussion, Cortez confirmed with White he would like to see changes to sidewalks, landscaping, and the middle of the road. 3. Future CED agenda items • White would like "other business" as a standing item on this agenda • Pavement coating • Discussion on vacant buildings • Would like North First Street as a standing item until we decide otherwise White brought up the incorrect cost quoted at the last Council meeting and his concern if several Council members want to attend the Economic Development Conference in Ellensburg. Cortez indicated the deadline is July 31, 2018 and she is not aware of any other requests to attend. White made a request to attend. 4. Audience participation Luz Gutierrez would like to know if any of the money for the North First Street project can be used anywhere else in the City. She also thanked Community and Economic Development Manager Sean Hawkins for all his hard work, his work with LCDR, and having such a great interest in economic development in our area. Community member and business owner Joe Mann spoke highly of the YakBack feature on our website and thanked the staff who responded so quickly and professionally to a report of a pothole. Mr. Mann also suggested when selling property or land to consider the long-term interest to the City, and not only accept the highest bidder. Adjourned at 2:40 p.m. The next meeting is scheduled for August 23, 2018 at 1:30 p.m. in the Second Floor