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HomeMy WebLinkAbout08/18/1981 Adjourned Meeting (2) ADJOURNED MEETING COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT PUBLIC HEARING AUGUST 18, 1981 The City Council met in session on this date at 7:30 P.M. in the Council Chambers of City Hall, Yakima, Washington, Mayor Betty L. Edmondson presiding, Council members Lynn Buchanan, Lynn Carmichael, Bruce Crest, and Shirley Doty present. Council member Henry Beauchamp present after 7:50 P.M. and Council member Don Hinman present after 8:15 P.M. Ken Coffin, Community Development Block Grant Manager, explained the general, housing, public improvements, and economic development strategies in the Three Year Plan and Program. He stated that the purpose of this program is to provide for the improvement of low and moderate income neighborhoods through physical improvements in those neighborhoods. It is aimed at housing, but it's realized that housing alone can't improve a neighborhood; some social services need to be provided. (Council member Beauchamp present after 7:50 P.M.) Joe Valenzuela, 1204 So. 33rd Avenue, asked what the CDBG target boundary is, how many staff are employed by the CDBG and how the citizen participation was going to be handled if the Citizen Participation Coordinator position is cut. Mr. Coffin gave information on the boundary and reported that currently there are 14.65 staff positions and in this budget, he is recommending 10.3 staff positions. Mr. Coffin gave a brief explanation of the Citizen Participation Plan recommended by staff. Mayor Edmondson opened .the hearing on the proposals. SCHOOL DISTRICT #7 - MULTI-PURPOSE FIELD Council members Crest and Carmichael asked to be excused due to possible conflict of interest. Jesse Cox, Yakima Public Schools, explained the need for the multi-purpose field which would be used for soccer, baseball, softball, track and other sports. He stated that there aren't any track facilities in that area of the City and he would encourage funding of this request to put this facility at Washington Jr. High. He 'reported that the School Board is willing to fund this project 50/50, which would cost the City and the School Board $100,000 each. Other citizens speaking in support of this project were Cal Riemcke, Director of Athletics and Physical Education for the City, Melvin Stubblefield, 1310 S. 14th Ave., Eddy Brown, 5 N. 56th Ave., track coach at Washington Jr. High, Riley Leonard, Senior at Davis High, Eric Silvers, Nob Hill area, and James Posey, 3rd St./Pine Avenue area. (Council member Hinman present after 8:15 P.M.) Mayor Edmondson stated that those programs requested by staff would not be discussed until the end of the hearing unless there is a citizen present wishing to address one of the programs. YAKIMA HOUSING AUTHORITY - REVOLVING LOAN FUND Kay Haynes, Yakima Housing Authority, explained the revolving loan program, emphasizing that this would enable the program to continue even if Federal funds should be Cut. She stated that the Housing Authority needs funds available to 'initiate a housing project for site surveys, appraisals, etc., which would be reimbursed by federal funds PLANNED PARENTHOOD - COMPLETE FACILITY REHABILITATION Gwenn Chapman, Executive Director, Planned Parenthood, stated that last year they received About $20,000 to begin a weatherization program. She stated that there was not enough money to replace the windows and replace some of the air conditioners and requested $5,000 from 1981 funds to complete the program. YAKIMA NEIGHBORHOOD HEALTH - COMPLETE 1980 REHAB FACILITY Council member Hinman asked to be excused from discussion on this item due to possible conflict of interest. Mayor Edmondson reported that Anita Monoian, the Executive Director, is unable to attend this hearing and the architect, Bill Paddock will be making this presentation. Bill Paddock, ardhitect, explained the proposed remodeling which would enlarge the facility, connecting the two buildings. He stated he is not prepared to discuss the program. Ken Coffin explained that last year, 1980 funds had been granted to do some weatherization work and because L 51 ADJOURNED MEETING COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT PUBLIC HEARING AUGUST 18, 1981 of the extensive work, staff felt it best to consult an ardhitect, who would be funded through the project funds. He stated that it was determined that the $45,000 would not allow the modifications to sufficiently upgrade the facility. If additional funds are not budgeted, the project would be scaled don to such a degree that it would not help them. Although $37,000 has been requested, he stated that staff has recommended funding for $20,000 to make necessary improvements to the house at 812, which has the most critical need. It was the general consensus of the Council to allow Ms. Monoian the opportunity next week to speak in support of this project. Frank Rowland, 10 N. 37th St., expressed concern about spending money for remodeling these buildings when there are facilities available at the Southeast Community Center for rent. Dolores Goodman, a citizen, agreed with Mr. Radland's statement. WELFARE RIGHTS ORGANIZATION There being no representative present, Mayor Edmondson gave a brief description of the project requesting that the organization serve as community advocate. SISTERS OF PROVIDENCE - 100 UNIT ELDERLY HOUSING Sister Elizabeth Sandmeyer, Sisters of Providence, explained the need for the 100 unit congregate care elderly living facility. She stated that presently, that need is not being met in Yakima. Joyce Ware, 807 S. 7th Street, questioned where the facility would be built. Sister Sandmeyer stated that the site will be in the northeast area. INTERNATIONAL YEAR OF THE DISABLED PERSON COMMISSION - HANDICAPPED ACCESSIBILITY SURVEY MAP Ken Coffin stated that staff is already addressing this proposal. He explained that staff is performing a housing survey and this information was included in their survey. He stated that staff's survey did not include the entire area they requested to have surveyed however, the Committee can expand on those areas if desired. He stated that he will have enough money to print the maps. Mayor Edmondson stated that Council member Carmichael has been called aday to make a presentation at another meeting in City Hall. She stated • that Council member , Charrnichael will have an opportunity to listen to the tapes of this hearing. . . CITY ENGINEERING - REHAB IRRIGATION SYSTEM Denny Covell, City Engineer, stated that in order to address this issue, staff felt it would be necessary to do an engineering analysis of all the systems within the target area. Ken Coffin stated that last year, funds were allocated for alley dust abatement and staff has incorporated that request into this project. Staff is suggesting that the dust abatement program could be done in conjunction with the irrigation work because most of the irrigation lines are in the alleys. He stated that the engineering analysis would indicate if it is feasible to repair these systems. Steve Hall, 4507 Tieton Drive, asked how many families will actually be benefited by this project. Mr. Covell stated that he does not have that information naa, however, it could be provided following some research into the records. Mr. Coffin stated that . everybody in the City will benefit because it would reduce the infiltration into the sewer system. Katherine Mann inquired if the engineering study would be done by City staff and Mr. Covell stated that that would depend on the staff's work schedule. Other citizens present speaking in favor of funding this project were Mary Kirby, 305 N. Naches, Jack Wren, 811 S. 3rd St. and Betty Gaudette. Gordon Wonder questioned if the irrigation system is privately-cwned. Mr. Covell stated that the request is only for those public irrigation systems in the target area. YAKIMA VALLEY COLLEGE HANDICAPPED ACCESSIBILITY Mark Cornett, Y.V.C., spoke in support of funding this request and ex- plained some of the accessibility projects that have been completed at the college. He stated that staff has recommended that this be handled in a to-year program, however, he urged that funds be granted to ADJOURNED MEETING COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT PUBLIC HEARING AUGUST 18, 1981 canplete this on a one-year program. Council member Crest inquired if the state has any program to upgrade these facilities. Mr. Cornett stated that although they are required to upgrade the facilities, there wasn't any federal dollars attached to the legislation and the State has not allocated any funds. SOUTHEAST COMMUNITY CENTER AT WORK Council member Beauchamp asked to be excused from discussion on this it due to possible conflict of interest. Charles Lee stated that they are concerned with the staff summary and analysis. He requested that Pete Optekar be given the opportunity to speak next week because he is ill and could not attend this evening. The S.E. Community Center wants to enter into a cooperative venture with the City to serve all the citizens in the City. He stated that they concur with staff's recommendation with the exception of their recommendation to only appropriate $10,000. He stated that in view of the staff's recommendation, they would like to submit a revised one-year proposal. Mayor Edmondson inquired if staff has received a copy of this proposal and Mr. Lee stated that they have not. Mayor Edmondson stated that Council has agreed to allow Mr. Optekar to give a brief presentation, however, the Council wants staff to review this proposal. Mr. Lee stated that the first proposal was that the S.E. Community Center would do their programs by themselves and in the second proposal, we have cut the expenses, by going into a partnership with the City. James Posey, Director of the S.E. Community Center, commented that the S.E. proposal is a people program that is related to the people and will ultimately pay dividends. Stating that he didn't see a lot of people from that area involved in trades, Joe Valenzuela, a citizen, stated that if you can get the people in the S.E. area to work, then you stand a Chance in improving the whole area. Mayor Edmondson stated that Council would like to continue this hearing to next week to hear the balance of the proposals and to allow Pete Optekar and Anita Monoian the opportunity to speak about their respective proposals. It was MOVED by Hinman, seconded by Carmichael to continue this hearing to Tuesday, August 25, 1981 at 3. P.M. and that this meeting be adjourned at the hour of 10:00 P.M animously carried by voice vote. READ AND CERTIFIED ACCURATE BY r DATE COUNCIL ;1 ':ER t; i ,410 I - A 4 1 DATE 2 2 DUNCE MEMBER ATTEST: tS - 1 1 .44e>941-407f./ CITY CLERK MAYOR 1