HomeMy WebLinkAbout08/05/2019 06A Draft Council Meeting Minutes Approval 1471 r41
BUSINESS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
YAKIMA, WASHINGTON
AGENDA STATEM ENT
Item No. 6.A.
For Meeting of:August 5, 2019
ITEM TITLE: Approval of the minutes from the July 16, 2019 City Council regular
meeting, July 23, 2019 City Council special meeting and July 30,
2019 City Council study session
SUBMITTED BY: Sonya Claar Tee, City Clerk
SUMMARY EXPLANATION:
See attached.
ITEM BUDGETED:
STRATEGIC PRIORITY:
APPROVED FOR f
SUBMITTAL: City Manager
STAFF RECOMMENDATION:
Approve minutes.
BOARD/COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION:
ATTACHMENTS:
Description Upload Date Type
ci 7-1 7/30/ 01 r e o
D 7- 3 7/30/ 01 r e o
D 7-3 7/31/ 01 r e o
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YAKIMA CITY COUNCIL
July 16, 2019
City Hall -- Council Chambers
5:30 p.m. Regular Meeting; 6:00 p.m. Public Hearings -- MINUTES
.............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
1. Roll Call
Council: Mayor Kathy Coffey, presiding,Assistant Mayor Dulce Gutierrez, Councilmembers
Holly Cousens, Kay Funk, Brad Hill, Carmen Mendez and Jason White
Staff: City Manager Moore, City Attorney Cutter and City Clerk Claar Tee
2. Pledge of Allegiance
Mayor Coffey led the Pledge of Allegiance.
3. Interpreter Services
Mayor Coff ' ced - enor annou pTes are available.
4. Open Dis. .sion f• the ood ' he
A. ' -sent. s 'ecog 'on n ro io
Recognition of Councilmember Carmen Mendez by the Association of
Washington Cities
Peter King, Chief Executive Officer of the Association of Washington Cities (AWC), recognized
Councilmember Mendez for serving on the AWC Board.
ii. Retirement recognition of Joe Caruso, Code Administration Manager, for
18 years of service to the City of Yakima
Joan Davenport, Community Development Director, recognized Code Administration
Manager Joe Caruso for 18 years of service to the City of Yakima. Lynn Harden, City
resident, thanked Mr. Caruso for his service.
iii. Request by Councilmember Funk
Councilmember Funk made a request for information. She stated she had prepared a
document that she requested be added to the agenda packet, but there is no policy for that and
it was not added.
MOTION: Funk moved and Hill seconded to have her documents copied and made
available for the public. The motion carried by a 4-3 vote with Coffey, Hill and Cousens
voting no.
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5. Council Reports
A. Council Economic Development Committee report
Councilmember White reported on the recent Council Economic Development Committee
meeting including: vacant building ordinance and minimum maintenance standards, an airport
lease, the cruising issue, which will be discussed later in this meeting, and added a reminder
about the Study Session on July 30th at 5:30 p.m. on the Downtown Master Plan. He stated
the Committee agreed not to use the words Plaza and Game Changer due to the emotions
they evoke. Councilmember Hill encouraged Council to review the guiding document on the
Downtown Master Plan prior to the meeting, which has buy in from community stakeholders.
B. Council Public Safety Committee report
Assistant Mayor Gutierrez reported on the recent Council Public Safety Committee meeting
including: EMS proposal, barking dog ordinance and safe streets to school.
MOTION: Gutierrez moved and Mendez seconded to have a study session on safe
routes to elementary schools by the end of August. The motion carried by unanimous
vote.
6. Consent Agenda
Mayor Coffey referred to the items placed on the Consent Agenda, questioning whether there
were any additions or deletions from Council members present. Item E was postponed to a
future meeting, item G was removed from the consent agenda becoming item 10 and item 13
was added 'sent -comin -m 6H, agenda. The City
Clerk read I - Cons. t A nda ite ., inc�711� resol ions and ordi ces, by title. (Items on
the Consen 'genda e s er . k .n her di ussion—see motion
directly bele .)
MOTION: ousens moved and en I ez secon I e to approve t e consent agenda. The
motion carried by unanimous vote.
A. Approval of the minutes from the July 2, 2019 City Council regular meeting
B. 2019 2nd Quarter Treasury Report
C. Approve payment of disbursements for the period June 1 - 30, 2019
D. Resolution accepting and approving 2nd Quarter 2019 Claim Report
RESOLUTION NO. R-2019-066,A RESOLUTION accepting and approving the 2nd Quarter
2019 Claim Report for the City of Yakima.
E. This item was postponed to a future meeting
F. This item was removed from the consent agenda becoming item#10
G. Resolution authorizing a grant application to the Federal Aviation Administration
(FAA)for Capital Improvement Projects at the Yakima Air Terminal-McAllister Field
RESOLUTION NO. R-2019-067,A RESOLUTION authorizing a grant application to the
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Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)for Capital Improvement Projects at the Yakima Air
Terminal-McAllister Field.
H. Ordinance amending One Way Streets and Alleys to one-way restrictions on
Fairbanks Avenue between North 6th Avenue and Custer Avenue, and Jerome
Avenue between Campbell Lane and North 6th Avenue, YMC 9.50.290
ORDINANCE NO. 2019-015,AN ORDINANCE amending the City of Yakima Municipal
Code Chapter 9.50.290 One-way streets and alleys to add a portion of Fairbanks Avenue and
a portion of Jerome Avenue.
7. Public Comment
Liz Hallock, City resident, thanked the Police Department for its assistance regarding a
burglary at her home and added that she would like to see more police personnel to solve
property crimes.
Tony Sandoval, City resident, stated he has created an application to help support fighting
crime.
Sam Johnson and Ben Johnson, City residents, spoke against the ICE flights at the Yakima
Airport.
Roman Kilinkaridis, City resident, spoke in favor of the ICE flights and asked people to stop
targeting officers for doing their jobs. He also congratulated City Manager Moore on his new
job and Councilmember Mendez for her contribution on the Association of Washington Cities
Board.
Tony Cour. City re• ie sev / es.
PUBLIC H
8. Closed record public hearing and Resolution to consider the Yakima Planning Commission's
recommendation regarding the preliminary plat of Vista Ridge Phase 2 located in the vicinity of
S 72nd Ave & Coolidge Rd
Joseph Calhoun, Planning Manager, briefed Council on the hearing. Mayor Coffey opened
the public hearing. Tom Durant, City resident, spoke in support of the resolution. The City
Clerk read the resolution by title only.
MOTION: Gutierrez moved and Mendez seconded to adopt the resolution. The motion
carried by unanimous vote.
RESOLUTION NO. R-2019-068,A RESOLUTION approving the preliminary long plat of
Vista Ridge Phase 2, a thirty two lot single-family subdivision, located in the vicinity of S. 72nd
Ave. and Coolidge Rd., Yakima, Washington.
9. Second of two Public Hearings to consider: Resolution adopting the 2020-2025 Six-year
Transportation Improvement Plan and amend the Transportation Systems Plan 2040; and
Resolution amending the Yakima Urban Area Comprehensive Plan Capital Facilities Element
Acting Chief Engineer Bob Desgrosellier briefed Council on the hearing. Mayor Coffey
opened the public hearing and, with no one coming forward to speak, closed the hearing. The
City Clerk read the resolutions by title only.
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MOTION: Gutierrez moved and Mendez seconded to adopt both of the resolutions.
The motion carried by unanimous vote.
RESOLUTION NO. R-2019-069,A RESOLUTION adopting the Six-Year Transportation
Improvement Program for the period of 2020 through 2025 for the construction of the streets
and arterial streets in the City of Yakima and amending the Transportation Systems Plan 2040.
RESOLUTION NO. R-2019-070,A RESOLUTION to amend the Yakima Urban Area
Comprehensive Plan Capital Facilities Element to incorporate the Six-year Transportation
Improvement Program(TIP)for the period of 2020 through 2025.
DEPARTMENT ITEMS
10. Resolution authorizing an Agreement for Sewer and Infrastructure Development and Easement
with Catalyss, LLC
Assistant City Attorney Sara Watkins briefed Council on the change to the agreement. The
City Clerk read the resolution by title only.
MOTION: Mendez moved and Cousens seconded to approve. The motion carried by
unanimous vote.
RESOLUTION NO. R-2019-071,A RESOLUTION authorizing an Agreement for Sewer and
Infrastructure Development and Easement with Catalyss, LLC.
11. Considerati.. . " ruise t.- -" 'ssues
Community evelop nt olle' ick fed Council special events
including in rance r: uir _ .. d no . ont other es that all have anti-
cruising ord .nces t exce. .n .. . . .
The following people spoke against the insurance requirements for cruising events: Michael
Brown, non resident; Rhonda Cook, City resident; Art Reis, non resident; T.J. Davis, City
resident; Javier Gonzalez, City resident and Gary Campbell, City resident.
City Manager Moore stated repealing the ordinance will cause liability to our agency and
recommended creating an Ad Hoc Committee to review the issues associated with cruising
insurance. After Council discussion,
MOTION: Cousens moved and Mendez seconded to repeal Ordinance 9.25. The motion
carried by a 5-2 vote, Coffey and Mendez voting no.Assistant City Attorney Watkins advised
an ordinance will need to be brought back to Council to repeal the existing ordinance, which
would not be effective until 30 days after the ordinance publication date.
MOTION: Cousens moved and Hill seconded to create an Ad Hoc Committee to
evaluate future cruising activities. The motion carried by a unanimous vote.
MOTION: Hill moved to appoint Cousens, White and Funk to that Committee. The
motion failed due to lack of a second.
MOTION: Gutierrez moved and Cousens seconded to have White and Cousens on the
Ad Hoc Committee. The motion carried by unanimous vote.
12. Resolution authorizing a contract with Yakima Housing Authority for$1,000,000 of HOME
Investment funds to assist with the redevelopment and construction of the Veteran's Supportive
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Housing &Service Center project located at the former US Marine Corp Armory at 1702
Tahoma Avenue
Lowell Kruger, Executive Director of the Yakima Housing Authority, spoke in support of the
resolution and requested an additional $100,000 to assist with utility issues at the homeless
veteran project.Archie Matthews, ONDS Manager, briefed Council on the resolution and
recommended support of the additional funding request. The City Clerk read the resolution by
title only.
MOTION: Gutierrez moved and Mendez seconded to adopt the resolution with an
amendment increasing the amount to$1.1 million. The motion carried by unanimous
vote.
RESOLUTION NO. R-2019-072,A RESOLUTION authorizing an agreement with Yakima
Housing Authority in the amount of up to One Million Dollars ($1,000,000) in Federal Housing
and Urban Development HOME funds for assistance with the rehabilitation of existing
structures and construction of 41 low-income housing units.
13. Resolution expressing the City Council's intent to adopt legislation authorizing the imposition of
the maximum capacity available from the City's annual taxable retail sales and use tax, as
provided for in Substitute House Bill 1406 effective July 28, 2019, to be used for the provision
of affordable housing opportunities within the City
City Manager Moore stated this item needs to be postponed until the August 5, 2019 Council
meeting, which was approved by Council consensus.
CITY MA •D
14. Update on E flight-
City Manag aro d an related th ICE flights at e Yakima Airport.
Councilmember Hill requested clarification on how restricting flights could affect the
airport. Rob Peterson, Director of the Yakima Airport, reported the airport receives millions of
dollars in grant funding from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and those agreements
state that the airport is not allowed to discriminate against any type of airplane that lands or
departs at our public airport. Mr. Peterson added that the Department of Transportation
(DOT)feels strongly against King County's Executive Order and that the DOT has placed an
official Part 13 Complaint Notice on King County, which is the first step in proper notice of a
violation of the federal grant assurance agreements that King County signed. The next step is
a Part 16 Complaint, which may restrict any FAA grant funding at King County's Boeing Field,
along with other ramifications.
City Manager Moore advised that were the FAA to determine that the Yakima Airport was in
violation of any grant funding agreements, the City could be liable for repaying over$19 million
in grant funding received over the last ten years and be in jeopardy of not receiving over$15
million of future funding that is expected to be received over the next five years.
The following people spoke against having ICE utilize the Yakima Airport: Liz Hallock, City
resident; Ruthi Roth Erdman, non resident; Fran CuhtahLatah, non resident;Aileen Kane, City
resident; Maru Mora-Villalpando, non resident; Wendy Panto, non resident; Cassie Collins,
City resident; Martha Rickey, City resident; Noemi Sanchez, City resident; Janie Wright, City
resident;Anarose Reardon-Helferd, City resident; Michele Besso, City resident
Viviana (refused to provide last name and city of residence); David Morales, non resident;
Benjamin Rodgers, City resident; Phil Dindia, City resident, Rocio Carrion, City resident; Todd
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Mildon, non resident; Luz Gutierrez, City resident; Giovanni Severino, City resident;
Jamaica Zoglman, City resident; Heliodora Morfin (refused to provide city of residence); and,
Vivian Dunbar, non resident.
The following spoke in support of ICE utilizing the Yakima Airport: Mary Place, City resident;
Jerry Mellen, City resident; Lois Lopez, City resident; Kari Hannon, non resident; and, Roman
Kilinkaridis, City resident.
After Council discussion, Councilmember Hill added he thinks it is unprofessional and not
appropriate when Councilmembers discuss controversial issues on social media outlets.
Councilmember Funk raised a Point of Order that these are personal attacks. Mayor Coffey
ruled the point was well taken. After further Council discussion,
MOTION: Funk moved and Mendez seconded to direct staff to prepare a city
resolution comparable to King County International Airport-- Prohibition on Immigrant
Deportations PFC-7-1 EO, and this resolution will affirm our commitment to lawfulness
by preserving this language: the City of Yakima "shall adhere to any rulings or orders
of any court of competent jurisdiction in carrying out the directives provided herein."
The motion failed by a 4-3 vote, Coffey, Cousens, Hill and White voting no.
Assistant Mayor Gutierrez stated she would like to replicate what King County did with its
Fixed Based Operators (FBO) at Boeing Field and is interested in exploring those options with
Yakima's FBO, McCormick Air.
Rob McCormick of McCormick Air, responded that he does not discriminate against any flights
that legally . _ rut . - . . t. He • . -d he i ion as King
County's F: 0's who -r: timida by . ount ith threats of ase non-renewals. He
urged the ncil no . t :ncel. . . 'is I use h the largest leasee at
the airport. - adder at - has 'se . -'= 1 fli is and has n een anyone
mistreated. Ma Gutie ggestes o cil explore of options for FBO's.
MOTION: Gutierrez moved and Mendez seconded to direct city staff to expand fixed
base agency operators at the airport. After discussion, the motion failed by a 6-1 vote,
Coffey, Cousens, Funk, Hill, Mendez and White voting no.
Assistant Mayor Gutierrez stated she would like to discuss liability issues related to detainees
using City owned steps to deplane at the airport related to these flights.
MOTION: Gutierrez moved and Funk seconded to direct city staff to provide a legal
review of potential liability with the facilitation of or permission for operations
associated with transportation of immigration detainees. The motion carried by
unanimous vote.
MOTION: Gutierrez moved and Funk seconded to direct city staff to provide lawful
options around increasing insurance rates for operations associated with the
transportation of detainees.After discussion, the motion failed by a 4-3 vote, Coffey,
Cousens, Hill and White voting no.
MOTION: Gutierrez moved and Hill seconded to direct city staff to retrieve a summary
from the city's lobbyist in Washington, DC re immigration lobbying efforts and set up a
special meeting with our congressional delegation or their representatives to
discuss Yakima's need for humane and comprehensive immigration laws. The motion
carried by unanimous vote.
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Councilmembers discussed a time frame for a response. City Manager Moore stated staff can
have information related to this issue by the September 17 Council meeting.
15. Discussion regarding potential Levy Lid Lift and Repeal of 2013 and 2014 Charter
Amendments
Director of Finance Steve Groom introduced the item. Councilmember Funk discussed
removal of streets and park fund sequestrations and a levy lid lift. City Manager Moore advised
that Council discussed this during the 2018 budget process and it was recommended that the
best opportunity to generate revenue would be a levy lid lift rather than a repeal of the Charter
amendments due to debt obligation on streets until 2028 and on parks until 2042.
MOTION: Funk moved and Mendez seconded to place a proposition on the 2020
General Election ballot, before the registered voters of the City to repeal City Charter
Article VI, Section 8, sequestering $2M/yr street fund from General Fund revenue, and
Section 9, sequestering $750K/yr park and recreation fund to be taken from General
Fund revenue. Staff is directed to prepare a resolution with ballot language
expressing this intent for Council consideration and approval.After discussion, the
motion failed by a 6-1 vote with Coffey, Cousens, Gutierrez, Hill, Mendez and White voting no.
MOTION: Funk moved and Gutierrez seconded to have staff prepare a Study Session
to educate the Council and the public on the impact of the 1% property tax cap on
Yakima property tax revenues. The motion carried by unanimous vote.
16. Discussion -.. .' . the . . '... Night Ou chedul
City Manag Moore •p. -d the I oust ' ing moved to A st 5 in order for
Council to . -nd Na' a _ - t acti 'we tivitie tart with a kick-off the
evening of ' gust 5. wa oun. ..n• . . k p the date an time already set
for August
17. Follow up on discussions from the joint City Council and Yakima School District Board meeting
City Manager Moore reported his meeting with Superintendent Green was moved to July 24.
18. Other Business
A. Discussion related to the City Manager position
MOTION: Gutierrez moved and Cousens seconded to create a Council Ad Hoc
Committee consisting of the Mayor,Assistant City Manager and one other
councilmember to review the process for hiring the City Manager and Assistant City
Manager. After discussion, the motion carried by a 5-2 vote, Funk and White voting no.
MOTION: Cousens moved and Mendez seconded to nominate Hill to this Committee.
The motion carried by a 6-1, Funk voting no.
City Manager Moore distributed a memo regarding executive search firms for the City Manager
and that the City Manager, not Council, has appointing authority over the Assistant City
Manager.
MOTION: Funk moved to direct staff to prepare a contract offer for an interim city
manager contracted through the International City/County Management Association
for an estimated duration of August 2019 through February 2020, the contract offer will
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include salary allowance similar to current city manager, as well as housing and
mileage allowance. The motion failed for lack of a second.
B. Other business
Councilmember Cousens stated the City has committees for everything; however, the one
committee they don't have is a finance committee. MOTION: Cousens moved and Hill
seconded to create a finance committee to keep a better eye on the budget. After
discussion, the motion failed by a 5-2 vote, with Coffey, Funk, Hill, Mendez and White voting
no.
Councilmember Hill stressed the importance of parliamentary training for newly elected
officials. MOTION: Hill moved and White seconded to schedule Jurassic Parliament
training for the incoming Council after the election is certified and no later than
January 31, 2020. The motion carried by unanimous vote.
19. Adjournment
The next meeting will be a City Council special meeting on July 23, 2019, at 5:30 p.m. at City
Hall Adjourned at 10:23 p.m.
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YAKIMA CITY COUNCIL
SPECIAL MEETING
July u23, 2019
City Hall --Concil Chambers
5:30 p.m.Agenda Preview Meeting -- MINUTES
....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
1. Roll Call
Council: Mayor Kathy Coffey, presiding,Assistant Mayor Dulce Gutierrez, Councilmembers Kay
Funk, Carmen Mendez and Brad Hill
Staff: City Manager Cliff Moore, City Attorney Jeff Cutter and City Clerk Sonya Claar Tee
Absent and excused: Councilmembers Holly Cousens and Jason White
2. Agenda preview for July 30,August 5 and 20, 2019 draft agendas
City Manager Moo - - '- ed th- 4 Aug us - and 21 • • -
3. City Manager upd. includ • Man., ran• .tant ty Manager v ancies
City Manager Moo report' th; A d Co C• ey, Gutierrez d Hill met on July 18 to
discuss the City M -- - d A• istant • ;nager • c: . Mayor Co y distributed a memo
from the Ad Hoc Committee on its recommendations.After Council discussion,
MOTION: Funk moved and Gutierrez seconded to strike paragraph 4 &5 from this
memo. MOTION: Mendez moved and Gutierrez seconded to amend the motion to add that
we strike all reference to strong mayor in the memo. Mayor Coffey asked if it was Council
consensus that the memo is now appropriate without the strong mayor language, which was approved
by Council consensus.
MOTION: Gutierrez moved and Hill seconded to temporarily suspend its normal practice of
not making nor voting on motions during Council agenda preview meetings in order to
allow decisions to be made at this meeting regarding the city manager position.After
discussion, the motion carried by a 3-2 vote, Funk and Mendez voting no, White and Cousens
absent.
MOTION: Funk moved and Hill seconded to approve initiating a contract process with
ICMAto find an interim city manager for approximately September to February.After
discussion, the motion carried by unanimous vote, White and Cousens absent.
MOTION: Gutierrez moved and Funk seconded that under the terms listed in the memo,
that we appoint Cynthia Martinez as Interim City Manager starting August 21. After
discussion, the motion carried by a 3-2 vote, Coffey and Hill voting no, White and Cousens absent.
MOTION: Hill moved and Coffey seconded that Mr. Moore moves ahead with the already
Page 1 of 2
11
qualified applicants that he has identified and fill the Assistant City Manager
position. Councilmember Funk criticized the City Manager's previous hiring and firing process and
Assistant Mayor Gutierrez raised a Point of Order that councilmembers shall not disparage staff.
Mayor Coffey ruled the point was well taken.After further discussion, the motion carried by a 4-1
vote, Funk voting no, White and Cousens absent.
City Manager Moore reported on the 2020 budget schedule and that the levy lid lift will be discussed
as part of the budget process. Mr. Moore reminded Council that staff is prohibited from lobbying on
ballot measures. Fire Chief Markham provided an update on the ambulance RFP issue. Mr. Moore
stated staff will bring a draft letter of support to the County Commissioners on this issue for Council
consideration in the near future.
Communications and Public Affairs Manager Randy Beehler provided an update on the status of
North First Street construction, which is scheduled to be completed by the end of this year. City
Manager Moore and Councilmember Mendez reported on the recent Partnership Committee
meeting, which had members of the public bringing forward a Beer Garden Initiative. It was Council
consensus to continue to explore this opportunity. City Manager Moore advised there is an update to
the Strategic Plan included in their agenda packet.
Councilmember Mendez shared her concerns about the homeless and drug use on Naches Avenue
and asked if there were any additional steps the City should take. City Manager Moore advised there
are several departments working on this issue. City Attorney Cutter added that the City has better
control of the parkway since it has been designated as a park.
4. Council Committe to
None.
5. Adjournment
MOTION: Gutier d a Hills ed to a to a City C ncil study session on
Tuesday, July 30, 2019, at 5:30 p.m. at City Hall. The motion carried by unanimous vote, White
and Cousens absent. The meeting adjourned at 6:54 p.m.
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YAKIMA CITY COUNCIL
STUDY SESSION
July 30, 2019
City Hall --Council Chambers
5:30 p.m. -- MINUTES
1. Roll Call
Council: Mayor Kathy Coffey, presiding,Assistant Mayor Dulce Gutierrez, Councilmembers
Holly Cousens, Kay Funk, Brad Hill, Carmen Mendez and Jason White
Staff: City Manager Cliff Moore, Senior Assistant City Attorney Sara Watkins, Community
Development Director Joan Davenport, Planning Manager Joseph Calhoun and City Clerk
Sonya Claar Tee
2. Affordable Housing Issues
Joan Davenpo om 'ity evelop -nt l - •r, pr; ented a Po Point regarding
affordable hous •. City :n, - re• - e l - - :pplie r a grant on the
Housing Action Ian but • rec: - it; he may be addi nal grant
opportunities a -• - -ni• A ssist. ` Attar ' ra Watkins b fly explained urban
renewal districts. ' anning Manager Josep Calhoun reviewed the Planning Commission's
work on this project. Joe Schmitt, Director of Business Recruitment at Yakima County
Development Association, discussed Opportunity Zones and the possibility of utilizing SI ED
funding to incentivize Opportunity Zones. He stated guidelines for the zones are still being
determined at the federal level.
3. Downtown Master Plan Study Session
Colleda Monick, Community Development Specialist, presented a brief summary of the
Downtown Master Plan. Councilmember White reported the Council Economic Development
Committee recommends focusing on the downtown area and parkway. Councilmember Hill
indicated he would like to see the City focus on a smaller area and suggested 1st Street to
4th Street. Councilmember Mendez asked about the status of the east/west corridor
interchange. Community Development Director Davenport estimates the east/west corridor
work will begin in 2021 and possibly be completed in 2025. After Council discussion,
MOTION: Hill moved and Cousens seconded to direct staff to reconvene the
implementation oversight committee, as described on page 43 of the Downtown
Master Plan, to determine the viability of the plan and bring back a
recommendation to Council. MOTION: Funk moved and Mendez seconded to
amend the motion that the assessment and viability of the plan, or which features
are viable, be examined through the lens of what is financially viable in the short
term. After Council discussion, the motion to amend failed by a 4-3 vote with Hill, White,
13
Coffey and Cousens voting no. The motion carried by unanimous vote.
Assistant Mayor Gutierrez suggested diversifying this committee to include community
members that have not previously been involved, have no property or business interests
downtown and may not be downtown enthusiasts.
4. Public comment (allow 15 minutes)
Joe Morrier, downtown property owner, discussed his concerns with changing the traffic
pattern on Yakima Avenue and reported his company will be making an announcement
about another hotel and restaurant to be built downtown.
Andrew Holt, Executive Director of the Downtown Association of Yakima, believes there are a
lot of good aspects to the Downtown Plan and supports narrowing Yakima Avenue for foot
friendly traffic.
Verlynn Best, President and CEO of the Greater Yakima Chamber of Commerce, shared her
strong support of the Downtown Plan and added the Chamber would be happy to help
generate more participation on the implementation oversight committee.
5. Adjournment
MOTION: Gutierrez moved and Cousens seconded to adjourn to the next City
Council regular meeting on Monday,August 5, 2019, at 5:30 p.m. at City Hall. The
motion carried by unanimous vote. The meeting adjourned at 6:52 p.m.
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