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Home My WebLink About08/30/2018 Special Meeting380 YAKIMA CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING August 30, 2018 Fairbridge Inn, 1507 N. lst Street, Yakima 3:00 p.m. MINUTES 1. Roll Call Council: Mayor Kathy Coffey, presiding, Assistant Mayor Dulce Gutierrez, Council Members Kay Funk, Brad Hill, Carmen Mendez and Jason White Staff: City Manager Moore, Communications and Public Affairs Director Beehler, Community Development Director Davenport, Chief Engineer Sheffield, Public Works Director Schafer, Yakima Police Captain Jones and City Clerk Clear Tee Absent: Council Members Holly Cousens (excused) 2. North First Street Listening Session Council Member Mendez, as Chair of the Partnership Committee, introduced John Gasperetti who helped put together this meeting. Mr. Gasperetti stated he has had his business on N. 1st Street for 52 years and after a long wait, the revitalization is about to become a reality thanks to Council approving the car tab fee and securing funding. He stated there is reason to be positive and hopeful, and welcomed those in attendance to feel comfortable asking questions and interacting with City staff. Randy Beehler, Communications and Public Affairs Director, stated he would be facilitating the meeting and introduced interpreter Rosalinda lbarra, Community Development Administrative Assistant and John Fannin, Community Relations Assistant, who would be taking notes. Attendees asked the following questions with staff answering (in italics): Economic development: • Commercial access on North First Street — Roadrunner owner had site specific questions. Staff will follow up with owner. • Positive impacts on economic development • Hotel/motel definition? This has been remanded to the Planning Commission. • Economic development following investment. • lncentivizing property ownership/business? Infrastructure development is the key. • Review project objectives - Moving goods/people or facilitating friendly neighborhood environment? Does it aim to enhance aesthetics or flow of traffic? Project construction, maintenance: • Is there a maintenance plan? Project designed to require the least costs to maintain. • Design restrictions on private property? No, not requiring a planting plan for private property or design standards at this time. • Why not stipulate design standards? Legal issues with private property rights...however city is happy to work with neighborhoods wanting to pursue design standards. Page 1 of 3 381 • Parking minimums, number of parking spots for construction • Land utilization • Impacts on other City revenue streams? Rate increases not anticipated. • Plans set in stone? No, but they need to be finalized by November. • Why are water/wastewater reserve funds being used? Are they being used to retire debt? Is there a plan to pay the funds back? This project is about improving infrastructure...all those funds are being used for utility improvements to improve fire suppression by upgrading water main from 16 to 20 inches. City is not borrowing money. City is using designated capital funds in water and stormwater for infrastructure upgrades as part of this project. • What was promised? Contingencies, are they contractual or vague? Federal funds have been used to design Phase 1, "N" Street to SR 12, and Federal funds of $2.7 million are in the process of being obligated for the construction of Phase 1, which will begin early next spring. Local funds have been used to design Phases 2 and 3. • How many utilities are cooperating? They will all be offered opportunities to install when the trench is open. • What is the cost of removing power poles, cost to property owners? Poles will be moved back, not total removal of poles. • Are fiber optics available on North 1st Street? Yes. • Will there be empty conduit to facilitate utility installation? Yes. • Artwork at entrances to the project? That hasn't been discussed. Public safety/traffic: • Police presence, police presence at night — crime/homelessness issues? YPD is recruiting new officers, using data -driven research, bicycle officers. Using partners, adding dedicated mental health associates. • Eyes on the street? Police are working within legal constraints. It is not a crime to loiter on public property. Long term goal is to implement Neighborhood Resource Officers...similar to the SRO concept. • Presence of Union Gospel Mission/plans to address issues? Again, loitering not a crime on public property. Police bringing in resource people to address mental health, chemical dependence issues. Union Gospel Mission staff wants to engage with people it serves throughout the day, and with the neighborhood. UGM plans an outreach to help clean up with neighboring properties. • Can the pedestrian light by UGM be moved to the north? The pedestrian light could be moved to the north (Oak Street), but doing so would require an upgrade to the signal with additional lights for the Oak Street traffic. • Crosswalk improvements/emphasis? No additional crosswalks planned. • Bike lanes: Regular from 1 to R, and protected bike lanes south of 1? No, all bike lanes will be regular. • Is the project enough to address the difficult issues facing North 1st Street? • Will there be 4 lanes for the entire corridor? Yes. • Citywide crosswalk enforcement. • Losing turn lanes? Generally no, only removing those where there is low use. • Any problems with fire suppression/drinking water from the same pipe? No. It's not abnormal and actually cost effective in maintaining the infrastructure as it is the same water source for both. • What can property owners do to help address blight? Pay attention to outdoor lighting design, special paints can deter graffiti, ornaments are available for outside fumiture to discourage loitering. Connect with police, code enforcement. • How about a foot patrol on North 1st Street? Bike patrol more effective, covers more ground while getting officers out into the community. Page 2 of 3 382 • What can we do besides calling 911 regarding homeless issues? All calls are recorded and receiving calls for assistance can help officers see if there is a trend in a specific area. Unaddressed comments/questions: • How does North 1st Street revitalization fit in with the East West Corridor project? • Possibility of forming Business Improvement District? • Condemning properties/code enforcement. Chief Engineer Sheffield reviewed the timeline of each phase, with phase one beginning in spring of 2019. Public Works Director Schafer provided information on funding of utilities and financing of project. Community Development Director Davenport discussed project design and history. Police Captain Jones provided background on police efforts in the corridor. Jonathan Smith, President of Yakima County Development Association, talked about the positive economic return on infrastructure redevelopment. Mike Johnson, Union Gospel Mission Chief Executive Officer, stated they are working to improve neighbor relations and will be conducting clean up efforts along N. 1st Street, as well as additional outreach to those they serve that linger outside the building. City Manager Moore announced Mr. Valicoff, owner of Fairbridge Inn is conducting tours of the facility for anyone wishing to attend. John Gasperetti stressed the importance of this project and thanked everyone for making this meeting possible. 3. Adjournment MOTION: Mendez moved to adjourn to a Joint City/County Study Session on September 10, 2018, at 10:30 a.m. at City Hall in the Council Chambers. The motion carried by unanimous consensus, Cousens absent. The meeting adjourned at 4:42 p.m. CERTIFICATION READ AND CERTIFIED ACCURATE BY ATTEST: COUNCIL MEMBER 0/84€ DATE ,Ji COUN\ Page 3 of 3