HomeMy WebLinkAbout10/16/2018 05B Council Economic Development Committee ReportBUSINESS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
YAKIMA, WASHINGTON
AGENDASTATEMENT
1
Item No. 5.B.
For Meeting of: October 16, 2018
ITEM TITLE: Council Economic Development Committee report
SUBMITTED BY: Cliff Moore, City Manager
SUMMARY EXPLANATION:
At the September 27, 2018 Council Economic Development Committee meeting, the committee
members (Gutierrez and Cousens) reviewed a draft letter from Yakima Air Terminal/Rob
Peterson. Grant funding for the FLYYKM campaign is coming to an end and committee
members and staff believe it is important to continue this marketing. Attached is a draft copy of a
letter that could be sent to Union Gap and a draft letter that could be sent to other neighboring
communities requesting funding for continued marketing of the FLYYKM campaign.
This marketing effort increased the number of people using Yakima Air Terminal for travel which
resulted in increased load factors, thereby securing an additional Yakima to Seattle flight. The
hope is that through increased marketing efforts, Alaska Airlines will add additional flights to
Yakima's schedule.
ITEM BUDGETED:
STRATEGIC PRIORITY:
APPROVED FOR
SUBMITTAL:
City Manager
STAFF RECOMMENDATION:
BOARD/COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION:
ATTACHMENTS:
Description Upload Date
draft FLYYKM funding request -UG 10/8I2018
Type
Cover Memo
2
draft FLYYKM funding request -Others 10/8/2018 Coyer Memo
3
October 16th, 2018
Arlene Fisher
City Manager
107 W. Ahtanum Road
P.O. Box 3008
Union Gap, WA 98903-0008
RE: SPONSORSHIP REQUEST TO MAINTAIN THE FLYYKM MARKETING PROGRAM
The Yakima Air Terminal -McAllister Field (Yakima Airport) is served by Alaska Airlines, which provides
the Greater Yakima area with reliable and convenient air transportation to Seattle -Tacoma International
Airport (SEATAC). In 2014, the City of Yakima utilized 'a $290,000 grant from the United States
Department of Transportation (USDOT) to launch a FLY YKM marketing program to encourage the
community to fly out of the Yakima Airport instead of driving to SEATAC. This program has been
successful by attracting an additional 38,000passengers to the Yakima Airport thereby increasing passenger
ridership 32%. This increase resulted in Alaska Airlines adding an additional daily roundtrip flight to
SEATAC. The success of this marketing program has provided our communities with shorter connections
at SEATAC and provides a more reliable way of travel during winter months when mountain passes
frequently close due to unsafe driving conditions.
Unfortunately, the USDOT grant will expire at the end of 20118. In orderto continue this marketing program
on behalf of all communities in the Yakima Valley, the City of Yakima is committed to budgeting $25,000
in 2019 for this effort. Since Yakima's air service is essential for our region, it is imperative that the City
of Yakima reach out to our neighboring cities whose residents utilize the airport in order to maintain our
marketing program in 2019and years to follow. In
City of Yakima is requesting a $10,000 match from
of Yakima's contribution. The City of Yakima enc
YKM program to ensure future air service is not
additional flights or new destinations.
order to maintain our current level of marketing, the
the City of Union Gap for 2019 to compliment the City
ourages our neighboring cities to participate in the FLY
only retained, but has the opportunity to grow with
Thank you for your consideration and please let me know if you have any questions.
Sincerely,
Cliff Moore
City Manager
Cc: Yakima City Council
Robert Peterson, Airport Director, Yakima Air Terminal -McAllister Field
File: \\yakima_city\ykat\Users\rpeterso\Air Service
4
October 16th, 2018
City Manager
100 W Washington Ave
Yakima, WA 98903
RE: SPONSORSHIP REQUEST TO MAINTAIN THE FLYYKM MARKETING PROGRAM
The Yakima Air Terminal -McAllister Field (Yakima Airport) is served by Alaska Airlines, which provides
the Greater Yakima area with reliable and convenient air transportation to Seattle -Tacoma International
Airport (SEATAC). In 2014, the City of Yakima utilized a $290,000 grant from the United States
Department of Transportation (USDOT) to launch a FLY YKM marketing program to encourage the
community to fly out of the Yakima Airport instead of driving to SEATAC. This program has been
successful by attracting an additional 38,000 passengers to the Yakima Airport thereby increasing passenger
ridership 32%. This increase resulted in Alaska Airlines adding an additional daily roundtrip flight to
SEATAC. The success of this marketing program has provided our communities with shorter connections
at SEATAC and provides a more reliable way of travel during ;winter months when mountain passes
frequently close due to unsafe driving conditions.
Unfortunately, the USDOT grant will expire at the end of 2018. In order to continue this marketing program
on behalf of all communities in the Yakima Valley, the City of Yakima is committed to budgeting $25,000
in 2019 for this effort. Since Yakima's air service is essential for our region, it is imperative that the City
of Yakima reach out to our neighboring cities whose residents utilize the airport in order to maintain our
marketing program in 2019 and years to follow. In order to maintain our current level of marketing, the
City of Yakima is requesting a $10,000 match from the City of for 2019. The City of Yakima
encourages our neighboring cities to participate in the FLY YKM program to ensure future air service is
not only retained, but has the opportunity to grow with additional flights or new destinations.
Thank y
u for your consideral
�n and please let me know if you have any questions.
Sincerely,
Cliff Moore
City Manager
Cc: Yakima City Council
Robert Peterson, Airport Director, Yakima Air Terminal -McAllister Field
File: \\yakima_city\ykat\Users\rpeterso\Air Service