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Home My WebLink About12-21-18 Agenda with attachments1 • C6161111 1 ! j,. 211 Floor r Room P . 1 : • : Is . i 970MM =- A. Yakima Housing Authority request for support for a $2.5 million capital budget proposal for•; project in the 2019 session (Lowel Krueger : •from YHA) B. Yakima Basin Integrated Plan state funding request (County position) C. • • Committee suggestions (Homelesscamp) D Freight Rail Regulatory A. Boards & committee applications (Claar Tee) Lodging Tax Advisory Committee Allen -••- :r reapplied A ' • * November Meeting convened at 8:45 a.m. Council present: Kathy Coffey, Brad Hill and Carmen Mendez via speakerphone r IT16ndez attending via speakerphone,Committee consensus for meeting.the 1. Approval of - Coffey moved and Mendez seconded to approve the September 27, 2018, Partnership Committee• - • by unanimous• business2. New A. Transit extension Maxey reviewed a requested change to Route 6 to encompass an extension : ♦ 41 st Street in Terrace Heights, -estimates• • •I be $106,000 with another84010 for Dial -a -Ride. However, these - only estimates - costs would depend on ridership. Moore reported this change is outside the City limits and would require approval of Yakima County. It was Committee consensus to schedule a meeting with the requestor, Moore l Hill bythe end ofthe month. MooreB. The Seasons loan reported in 2009 the City loaned $200,000 out of CDBG Seasons,funds to the Strosahl's, as the owners of The Seasons Performance Hall, to install fire suppression equipment at The •. to be repaid in two years. er, with the recession, no loanpayments - - received from 2009-2015, increasedwhich the loan by $60,000 in interest. -r reported in 2015, the loan was renegotiated;• -without the City's knowledge the r •sahl's transferred the r--• to The Seasons, although th- • are still responsiblefor "- debt.W Strohsahl's/Seasons have since made payments on the loan • • $60,000 and are •w requesting the City to forgive the •-•' auditand become part-owners of The Seasons. Cutter explained the loan must be paid back to the CDBG fund prior to the next HUD • the current balance 111. Coffey moved and Mdndez seconded to take this to Council fundsrecommendation that the City repay CDBG out of general order to satisfy HUD auditors, the Seas •remaining motion-. by • C.. business A. Report from Olympia lobbyists regarding a potential letter of support for Communities of Concern Commission legislation request ON Beehler reported the City's Olympia lobbyists did not recommend a letter of support on this issue. It was Committee consensus to decline this request,- B. Update on scheduling meetings with state representatives Beehler reported this meeting is scheduled for December 7 at noon. M6ndez stated she will not be able to attend. After discussion,r • • and M6ndez secondeds recommend to Council that capital facility upgrades to include the H13CC • YPALNVFCC, Lionspool and Franklin pool, be unanimousadded to the legislative priorities. The motion carried by vote. C. Report on updates to the N. 1st Street attendees Beehler reviewed a draft letter to N. 1 st Street attendees. It was Committee consensus to send the letter as soon as possible a to help facilitate a N. Ist Street Associationmeeting. Committee would like to know which venue will be proposed before confirming for the next meeting. D. Boards & committee applications 0 This item was tabled. 4. Other business • Claar Tee reviewed the 2019 Council Business meeting schedule with the Committee for their input. • It was Committee consensus to cancel the December Partnership Committee meeting. meeting5. Future agenda items Legislative issues including pools and community centers. M6ndez left the reviewed6. After a brief adjournment, item 3D was brought back to the table. Boards & committee applications Claar Tee Boards i Commission vacancies and applications. Claar Tee noted she recently reached out to the Yakima Bikes & Walks group for applicants to the Bike/Ped Committee. It was Committee consensus (M6ndez absent) to appoint and reappoint the following: 1 . Charter Civil Service: appoint Louisa Beckstrand 2. Arts Commission community rep: appoint Maureen Adkison 3. Bike Ped: reappoint Ken Jones and Shirley Strader 4. LTAC: reappoint Colette Keeton, Charlie Robin, Angie Girard • Sarah Davila 5. TPA: reappoint Luis Guti6rrez and Lisa Vallejo. Appoint Sarah Purl 7. The meeting adjourned at 10:05 a.m. to the next meeting • January 19, 2019 at 8:30 a.m. in the 2nd floor conference room. Carmen M6ndez, thair •; • is pleased to provide this letter in support of a Capital Budget Appropriation of $2.5 • to the • Authority • the City • Yakima for the Veterans •, and Services Center (VHSC) • be constructed in Yakima, Washington. The VHSC will • the existing Yakima Marine Armory into 14 studio units for • Veterans and 27 newly constructed, • affordable • and three-bedroom units to serve homeless veteran families. The rehabbed Armory building will include a one-stop, 12,000 SF, supportive services facility for all homeless veterans in the community. YHA is •. with Yakima Neighborhood Health, Blue Mountain Action • and Yakima County Veterans Affairs • provide health and dental care, behavioral health, housing ♦ and case management. This $2.5 million appropriation is critical to fill an unmet need in • • for ••• the Yakima community, YHA successfully applied to obtain the property in 2017 as federally surplused property through the McKinney-Vento Act Title V Property Disposition program. The project has • • • • Tax Credits, Housing Trust Fund, HOME • from the City • Yakima, and funding from the Federal Home Loan Bank Affordable Housing Program. YHA has leveraged every dollar available for funding of the Veterans Housing and Services Center and while 78% of the budget is funded, a gap still remains. An appropriation from the Capital Budget would ensure the successful build out of the social services space to provide crucial supportive services to residents and all homeless veterans in our community. There is currently no other resource in Yakima or the surrounding area that provides this level of comprehensive and coordinated services in a one-stop location for • veterans seeking services. ma= urban Eberhart November 30, 2018 Killilas Reclanialiori Djiricl Corr im issioner Cory Wrighl K1//1/;1S corrilly Commissioner Mike Leila The Honorable Jay Inslee Yakima ("Ourity Office of the Governor Wendy McDermol I PO Box 40002 An tarj(wi Rimars Olympia, WA 98504-0002 Lisa Pe'lly moll [)I Anted Dear Governor Inslee: Phil Rigdon Yakanm -Vaijon Thank you for your ongoing leadership and support for the Yakima Basin Integrated scall Rcvdl Plan (Integrated Plan). As you develop your budget proposal, we respectfully request Rova Irnp-iijori Asin(i that you include $42.1 million for the Integrated Plan as proposed by the Washington State Department of Ecology. This request would fund projects important to the continued success of the Integrated Plan, including significant construction components of Cle lurn Fish Passage, along with numerous projects implementing the other six elements of the Integrated Plan. As you know, the Integrated Plan was developed by a diverse group of stakeholders including farmers, irrigation districts, city and county governments, the Yakama Nation, conservation organizations, and state and federal agencies. Our collaboration remains strong and committed to fulfilling our shared goals. 1M1Frd?r=7`Gr-sIISLT-catn ID, r sLorage imi and out-of-strearn uses, will protect and enhance fish andwildlife habitat, provides increased operational flexibility to meet ecological objectives, and improves the reliability of irrigation, municipal, and domestic water supplies in the basin. Implementing the Integrated Plan over the next 25 years is imperative to Washington State's economy and environment. Thank you for your dedication to the Integrated Plan. We greatly appreciate your continued partnership. Governor Inslee am� Urban Eberhart li&w�k Cory Wright Philffigdon Yakama Nation W dy McDermott .1--waeric,-o.i. Vivers -cott :evell, Roza Irrigation District cc: Maia Bellon, Director, Department of Ecology Tom Tebb, Director of Office of Columbia River, Department of Ecology Sen. Christine Rolfes, 23rd Legislative District, Senate Ways & Means Committee Chair Sen. David Frockt, 46th Legislative District, Senate Ways & Means Committee Vice Chair Sen. John Braun, 20th Legislative District, Senate Ways & Means Committee Ranking Member Sen. Jim Honeyford, 15th Legislative District, Senate Ways & Means Committee Asst. Ranking Member Rep. Steve Tharinger, 24th Legislative District, House Capital Budget Committee Chair Rep. Richard eBolt, 20th Legislative District, House Capital Budget Committee Ranking Member ResionfIR, the natural health and economy III the Ya"ija Basiri. PEW" criff From: Nate Kaplan <nkaplan@gorail.org> Sent: Tuesday, November 27, 2018 4:25 PM To: Mendez, Carmen; Moore, Cliff, Cortez, Ana Subject: GoRail Follow Up Attachments: STB MultiSigner Letter -all signers.pdf, Balanced Regulation Issue Paper.pdf M—UMMMER61m, It was a real pleasure meeting each of you this morning. And thank you for letting me share some insight on what the freight rail industry is focused on for 2019, and explain the serious challenges faced if th- •• • portation Board (STB) decides to re -regulate freight railroad routes and rates, aka ForcedAccess. To recap, Congress has objected to Forced Access several times in the past because it is known that this regulatory overreach will hinder freight rail's economic growth and efficiency in turn harming the logistics chain and freight mobility in Washington and across the country. Nearly 600 organizations and elected officials across the country have written or signed -on to letters to Congress opposing Forced Access, and we would love to have the City of Yakima's support since a vote by the 5 -member STB Commission will likely occur early next year. Here's more background on the policy: a. Here is a link to UPSs opposition to Forced Access; and here is a Point&bunter-Point from GoRail's presi•- •, • e oup letter we sent last year opposing Forced Access with approximately 500 signers from across t country – about 100 additional letters have been sent since (attached) I N• -• 11 ISM, prep-dTea ne an=M — ers-rurTalramsiciera-Lionopposin Flum-L-0 ce55 MUM, Washington's congressional delegation (and CC'ing our two senators Senator Patty Murray, 154 Russell SOB, Washington DC 20510; Senator Maria Cantwell 511 Hart SOB, Washington DC 20510). Please feel free to edit these letters however you'd like, but I thought this would be a good start. Please always let me know if there's anything I can do to help you and the City now or in the future. I'll be connecting you with BNSF on a separate email regarding the at -grade crossing. Thanks again! Nate I 11:111111irill RMITMON MIMINE MIAMMUMM Nate Kaplan West Coast State Director GORAIL November 16, 2017 The Honorable John Thune Chairman, Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation United States Senate Washington, DC 20510 The Honorable Bill Nelson Ranking Member, Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation United State Senate Washington, DC 20510 FIRM-Offi- �90 01 Chairman, Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure United States House of Representatives Washington, DC 20515 The Honorable Peter DeFazio Ranking Member, Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure United States House of Representatives Washington, DC 20515 The U.S. Surface Transportation Board (STB) continues to consider new regulations on freight railroads that stand to harm our econo consumers and thousands of &-irmq1 factories. mines and other businesses that rely on freight tail. The proposed regulations represent a dramatic step backward from the balanced regulatory system that is working today by providing a regulatory benefit to some shippers at the expense of the efficiency of the entire network. These new regulations would undermine the ability of railroads to reinvest capital in the tail network thus imperiling local rail service for most shippers and communities. At a time when the nation is looking to leverage private investment in infrastructure more than ever and is counting on efficient and safe transportation to facilitate economic growth, Congress should ensure that regulators leave railroads free to invest and innovate to better serve customers and the nation. We represent communities and companies across the country that know well the public benefits of private freight rail investment. Freight railroads are the only transportation mode that pays for its own infrastructure with almost no government support. This saves taxpayers money while also keeping freight off already crowded and underfunded highway infrastructure. And, every ton of freight moving by rail rather than by highway means less fuel was consurned for the move and fewer pollutants were emitted. Most importantly, the massive private investments made by freight railroads connect local farms, companies and mines to markets across the country and world. In 2014 alone., private railroad if iK��ryxmi %274 irw ' rmurmul This mean jobs for our companies and a powerful catalyst for economic development in our communities, Contrary to the assertions of interest groups promoting these unnecessary new federal regulations, the proposals would be extremely damaging to rail -served communities and businesses, The proposed new regulations would force railroads to open their privately -owned networks to competitors by turning over traffic to other railroads, potentially at below-market rates and without any showing of competitive abuse. The proposals undermine existing free market competition and �gtAa"—,+8rVi-rr, dna��tvys■ )wala,_rm�i 2ni eg�-Ctivv,—�61attrt framework set by Congress in the Staggers Rail Act of 1980, which ushered in a freight rail renaissance in America, This is a classic case of regulatory overreach. Congress did not ask the STB to take any of these steps when it reauthorized the Board in 2015 and, in fact, these proposals have been previously rejected by Congress 16 times, and for good reason. They would limit railroads' ability to earn enough capital to reinvest in their networks, making the national freight rail system less efficient, less safe and less productive. At a time when the country is considering massive infrastructure investments to spur economic rowth -. frei,#Ait railroads (crovide a shini examf.*,Ie of the Wower of �crivate investment, We need to support freight railroads' ability to invest to continue to relieve pressure on the highway system and to support the still -recovering economy. In that context, these actions by the STB make no sense. Please preserve the existing smart, balanced regulatory system that protects shippers while allowing railroads to invest. Monroe Jones President Birmingham Rail & Loco. Co., Inc. (AL) Corbett Bennington Director of Plannin 01 • Allen Blythe President Ferrovia Services, LLC (AL) Knox Kershaw CEO Knox Kershaw, Inc. (AL) Billy Ainsworth josh Curtis Governmental Affairs Director Johnathan DTsang Senator Arkansas General Assembly Michelle Gray Represenative Arkansas General Assembly 2 wp"-, ASSOCIATION OF AMERICAN RAILROADS November 13, 2018 Dear Newly Elected Members of Congress: Congratulations on your recent election to Congress: As you transition from campaigning to governing, the n tion5s private freight railroad industry — the linchpin of our integrated national infrastructure system — wants to provide key facts surrounding our business and outline some key policy positions. • . ! Trade enabler: Global commerce is tied to 42% of rail traffic and 50,000 domestic rail jobs, worth $5.5 billion in annual wages and benefits. Railroads haul roughly '33% of U.S. exports, allowing U.S. industries to compete abroad. Together with trucks and barges, freight trains help move an average 54 tons of goods per American each year. Committed to its workforce- In 2017, private freight railroads employed roughly 170,000 people – 82% of which are unionized – earning $125,400 per year on average in total compensation. Through collective bargaining, the industry works with labor to forge healthcare, retirement, and compensation packages ranked in the top 5% of U.S. industries. Polido recommendations: 1980 after years of discord, allowing the industry more freedom to make routing and pricing decisions dictated by market conditions. Strong gains in private investment have followed, correlatil, with marked improvements in safety, service, and competitive rail rates. The Surface Transportatio Board (STB), the independent agency with oversight of rail economic dealings granted by Congress including mediation and adjudication with rail shippers – remains critical in ensuring the health and viability of the freight rail network. The STI3 must maintain the current regulatory framework, whi balances the needs of both railroads and shippers, and not implement wholesale changes that would compromise the ability of railroads to earn the revenue needed to reinvest in the network and meet customer demand. Congress, which reauthorized the ST13 in 2015 and avoided major policy change in doing so, should maintain proper oversight to ensure its critical directive is not circumvented. I User-foaded infrastro0ow Commercial trucking is the biggest customer of the private freight rail industry and its biggest competitor. Ample research shows large trucks fail to pay for the damage they inflict on roads, bridges, and highways. This underpayment puts the rail sector – which fully covers its costs, reduces emissions, and lessens traffic – at a competitive disadvantage, but also contributes significantly to the insolvency of the flighway Trust Fund, which has required $1431 billion in general taxpayer funds in the last 10 years. Federal infrastructure policy should remedy this fundamental imbalance by ensuring users of inftastructure pay for their use, which could be done through a host of mechanisms, such as a Vehicles Miles Traveled (VMT) fee. This could be applied to commercial vehicles to account for distance traveled and the weight of Ireight-carrying trucks. Pro4nnovation — —: Freight railroads increasingly test and deploy new technologies to bolster safety and efficiency. Ideal oversight in this area should be federal to avoi a pate wo o state directives – thus hindering interstate commerce – and should position railroads on equal footing with their transportation peers. Regulations from the U.S. Department of Transportation and laws from Congress should favor technological improvements and center on demonstrated outcomes – such as improving safety in a specific area. Lawmakers should avoid one -size -fits -all policies that hinder modernization destined to improve safety, including policies that mandate specific operating models. 1 111 MTHI III!•I i,I ig� I pi;�1111 1111 11• Sincerely, Ian Jefferies Senior Vice President of Government Affairs and incoming (Jan. 2Q 19) President and CEO Association American of Railroads