HomeMy WebLinkAbout04/05/2011 04B-1 Minutes 03-02-2011 Council Economic Development Committee ' new - �i".11.,"�w y f :y. .�-r. ;'• ... - ..1,
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• Council Development Committee
• Wednesday, March 2; 2011
2:30 p.m. •
Council Members present: David Edler, Rick Ensey, Bill Lover
Staff: Dick Zais, Michael Morales, Joan Davenport
Guests: Rich Austin, Steve Caffery, Don Eastridge, Ben Shoval
Hot Shots request for approval of small banner replacement:- Yakima Valley Sports
• Commission Representative Rich Austin asked for permission to replace the eight Wine
. Country banners along Yakima Avenue from 4 Street to 1 Street with Hot Shots .
banners from June 6 through August 29. Mr. Austin said he had checked with the
Visitor and Convention Bureau and with CDY but will do so again at the Committee's
request. He will come back to the Committee with assurance from the stakeholders and
with the banner design: For future requests, Council asked staff to make sure the
requestor has ap from the stakeholders
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4 Street Theatre terrace / patio project: Steve Caffery reported that the final phase of
the production center is underway with the design.and construction of the terrace./ patio
project. He requested guidance on the process. Dick Zais said the procedure would be
for the Council to accept the proposal subject to final project design, project completion •
and acceptance of the donated structure when the time comes. Mr. Caffery reported
that the project value is approximately $1.5 and they have raised nearly $850,000 in
private donations. It is yet to be determined how the financing gap will be closed. The
• Committee moved to forward the item to the full Council with a recommendation to let
the project move forward. , . •
County streetscape request The 2012 improvements planned for the Courthouse will
include replacement of the sidewalks along MLK Blvd. The County is considering using
the DYFI, streetscape, design. They also proposed that the City replace the North
1st Street sidewalk from "A" Street to MLK (the east sidewalk) plus the section of
• "A" Street just east of 1 Street that wasn't done earlier. • The total estimated cost is
$388,000; the City portion would be $278,000. Michael Morales said discussions have
included advancing the cash with repayment out of REET .funds. However, REET
obligations are already mapped out for a few years and this project isn't included.
Councilmember Edler said he supports the project if the financing can be worked out
but would want .to know about potential cancellations of other projects. Councilmember
Ensey said he would like to see an updated list of REET projects.
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Mill District Update: Michael Morales said the recent focus has been on the issue of the
FHWA • letter and bringing everyone back to the table to examine transportation options.
He noted that Don Whitehouse at DOT has been very cooperative. A team of technical
people will meet in April to come up with specifics to respond to the FHWA standards. ..
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Regarding the Yakima Bears, Mr. Morales said the City sent a legal opinion regarding
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the use of CERB funds. An updated proposal and draft lease agreement were
requested from the Bears. Regarding the discussion that is ongoing between the Bears
and the City of Union Gap, Mr. Zais said it does not appear that Union Gap can create a
public facilities district on their own; it would need to be broader effort.
_ Councilmember Edler reported that he met with Greg Demers, one of the property
owners, at Mr. Demers' request. He said Mr. Demers characterized the project as being
at a crossroads and is frustrated by the lack of vision shown by the City.
Councilmember Edler stressed that this is an opportunity for a generational project and
it should be a high priority. Councilmember Ensey said he has a different view point
given the property owners' requests for tax dollars for a private project. Mr. Zais said he
understands the concerns about the project from the developer side but also talked
about some of the difficulties such as the FHWA opinion and the Bears flawed proposal.
He does not believe the city has the capacity to dedicate a staff person to the project
but disputed the idea that the city has been unresponsive. Councilmember Edler said
the city must realize the importance of 'the opportunity for retail and sales tax and
consider that the process is too difficult. Councilmember Ensey said the process needs
to be easier and Tess bureaucratic for every developer.
Mr. Morales said everyone would like the process to be further along. He suggested a
challenge to see what can be done by the end 'of the year; what the city can do, what
the private side can do, what Yakima County can do and what DOT can do.
Councilmember Edler said the Council needs to decide how high a priority this is. He
suggested it as a topic for the Council retreat. He liked the idea of a six -month check
list. Councilmembers Ensey and Lover agreed it is a good topic for the retreat.
Review Engineering's Procedures Manual and schedule of fees: Doug Mayo talked
about a policy issue brought forward during the last budget cycle to review Engineering
fees for plan review and inspection services of private projects. In response to the
policy issue the Engineering Division proposes the following: 1) Charge
owners /developers a portion of the engineering review and inspection fee at the time of
plans submittal, and 2) Update the unit bid price worksheet from which the engineering
review and inspection fee is calculated. Developer Ben Shoval spoke in favor of the
changes. The Committee recommended the item be forwarded to the full Council and
recommended approval after it has been discussed with the development community
and assuming the development community is accepting of the changes.
Report on Licensing Agreements for signature downtown events: Joan Davenport
reminded the Committee of the recent approval of a licensing agreement for the Hot
Shots basketball tournament which is similar to the long standing agreement for the
Farmers' Market. Organizers for two other big, downtown, annual, i.e. "signature
events," have now approached the City asking for agreements — Cinco de Mayo and
Fresh Hop Ale Festival. Staff asked permission to send the licensing agreements
directly to Council when ready. She said the process has been well received by The
Capitol Theatre and CDY. She also said the new agreements are expected to include
specific permission for banner placement. Councilmember Ensey noted -that downtown
business owner Kathy Mercy has not been in favor of the use of the Millennium Plaza
parking lot for events. Michael Morales said all of the businesses continue to be
included in the notice for the events. He explained that the agreements won't entirely
solve the issue for downtown businesses but are intended to place limits on the use of
the parking Tots and to add some organization to the overall process. At this point only
events that have been successful downtown for several years have requested the
agreements. Councilmember Lover asked if the Smoke Out Choke Out event
organizers have been contacted. Mr. Morales and Ms. Davenport said the organizers
have not asked the City about an agreement. Mr. Lover will let the organizers know of
this process.
Report on Yakima Planning Commission work plan: Ms. Davenport outlined the work
plan, calling it a well thought out and aggressive plan. Council will see some of the
actions as the Commission works through the plan. Much of the plan focuses on
streamlining processes. The work program is guided by quarterly reviews and targets.
The next meeting of the Council Economic Development Committee will be Wednesday,
April 6, 2011.
efr /' 43( David Edler, Acting Chair Da e
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