HomeMy WebLinkAbout022819 EDC minutestconomm Development
Committee
2nd Floor Conference -,.
City Hall
Members: Staff: Others:
Council member White Cliff Moore, City manager Luz Gutierrez
Council member Gutierrez Rob Peterson, Airport Director John Cooper
Council member Cousens Scott Schafer, Public Works Director Verlynn Best
Glenn Denman, Building Official Andrew Holt
Cally Price, Assistant to the City Manager Joe Mann
Jean Brown
Chelnn Gienger
Executive i is
White called the meeting to order.
1. Review draft minutes from January 24, 2019 meeting:
The January 24, 2019 meeting minutes were reviewed and approved as presented. .
2. Discussions:
a. Fulcrum 20 minute presentation — Chelann Gienger
Chelann Gienger, Owner of NUYU Juice bar, author of Dear Millennial and
Founder of Entrepreneur Before 25 presented on the innovation center
project she is working on in downtown Yakima and provided her background.
The innovation center would provide living space and working space and
resources where people could work on creating innovative ideas. Specific
ideas for the space include: apartments, offices, dining and coaching
opportunities, and would serve as a location for community events. A "Think
Big" festival will be held in October — details will be provided. Gienger invited
everyone to the next fireside chat that is being held on March 13 at 6:00 p.m.
— location to be determined. For updates on what Fulcrum is doing you can
sign up for the newsletter at fulcrumyakima.com.
b. Downtown destination
Moore reminded Council this was added as a Strategic Priority.:
c. Economic Development Plan — update timeline
Workgroups are to send updates to Cally. An updated timeline will presented
at the next meeting provided Price receives all the updates.
Competitiveness
1. Private sites — nothing reported
2. City sites — nothing reported
3. Mill site — Moore reported that a meeting was being held to discuss
issues with the mill site.
4. Public Port Authority — Moore reported that the Chamber is hosting a
luncheon on March 13 to talk about port districts. Rob Peterson and a
representative from the Tri -Cities Port District will be presenting.
5. Incentives — Jean Brown reported that the opportunity zone tax deferral
is available. The mill site, downtown area, and Union Gap all have
opportunity zones and are listed on Choose Yakima's website. Moore
added that there are some bills in the legislature to help increase
density/infill that the City is watching.
6. Education Alignment — Peterson reported that he hasn't heard anything
from CWU, however, he remains in close contact with them. Brown
reported that Choose Yakima established a technical committee and
they are developing a program database that will be available soon.
7. YKM — Peterson reported that the FLYYKM campaign has been very
successful. Grant funds for this program expire in December. There
was discussion about the Fly Alliance — an opportunity to expand air
service. Committee members support the Fly Alliance and Gutierrez
moved and Cousens seconded a motion to bring support for the Fly
Alliance to the full Council for consideration.
8. Convention Center — Cooper reported that the RFQ's were reviewed
and a firm was selected for the convention center expansion project.
Agreement details are still being worked on.
ii. Traded Sector
1. YKM —
2. Clusters —
iii. Community pride — Gutierrez reported that the image campaign was to
promote a positive image to Yakima residents and those visiting. New videos
need to be made.
d. Council policy requests
Shipping container draft ordinance — report from Glenn Denman
Denman reviewed the draft shipping container ordinance with the
Committee members. Gutierrez motioned and Cousens seconded to
bring the ordinance to the full Council for consideration.
3. Staff and Partner Announcements
a. Downtown infrastructure criteria — report from Scott
Schafer distributed a memo on staff's evaluation of the downtown core and
identified short and long term strategies that need to be addressed. Short
term items include things like traffic signals, pavement condition index,
lighting, cleaning up signage, etc. The pavement condition index report is
budgeted for in 2020. Long term strategies include traffic signals, complete
grind and overlay of Yakima Avenue, landscaping, and a few other things.
City staff will be meeting with DAY representatives to talk about low water use
gardens.
b. Everett abandoned/vacant building ordinance fee update
Information was included in the packet. White suggested that Yakima use
Everett's ordinance as a model for Yakima. The Committee members will
meet and discuss this prior to making a recommendation to the full Council.
After the Committee members meet then another meeting with DAY, Choose
Yakima, and City staff needs to occur.
c. Update on vacant buildings/lots in DYBID — report from Andrew Holt
Holt reported that he has been in contact with CWU to talk about internship
opportunities. The building vacancy list needs to be updated and this might
be something students can do.
d. Filling gaps information included in packet — no discussion
4. Future agenda items
a. Update on Chamber port authority discussion — Peterson
b. Committee members will meet to discuss vacant building ordinance
c. Update on the Main Street conference — White and Cousens
� 11111 :. 711
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Jason Re, Chair