HomeMy WebLinkAbout04/05/2011 04B-3 Minutes 03-08-2011 Council Intergovernmental Committee �y
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Intergovernmental Committee Meeting
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
Yakima City Council present: Chair Rick Ensey, Kathy Coffey, Dave EttI
County Commissioners present: Mike Leita
City staff: Dick Zais, Michael Morales, Jeff Cutter, Chris Waarvick, Joan Davenport
County staff: Terry Austin, Vern Redifer
Wastewater Tolling Agreement: Commissioner Leita presented the executed (City of Yakima
and Yakima County) Agreement to Jeff Cutter. Action step: Cutter will secure a signature
from Terrace Heights Sewer District.
Interlocal Agreement: The ILA was presented as it was from the last discussion in September
2010. Action step: Leita asked the Council to review and to bring comments and
questions regarding the current version to the next meeting.
Airport request for assistance with legal fees: Leita reported that a preliminary legal opinion
from Terry Austin with assistance from Cutter indicates that there is no legal obligation on the
part of the County to pay this expense. Councilmember Ensey asked about the long term
viability of the airport. Leita replied that he believes significant progress has been made.
Councilmember Ettl asked if that is the case, might it be practical to split the fees three ways to
help with this one issue. Leita said it is not in the County budget. Councilmember Coffey said
the matter will go to the full Council and that the legal fees aren't the only matter in question.
She has requested a full accounting of airport finances and stated that the Council won't make a
decision until they have complete information.
County Courthouse Streetscape: Michael Morales reported that the Council Economic
Development Committee supports the project to complete the streetscape of the Courthouse
block. However, repayment of a loan through REET could be hard to manage due to the
number of projects already on the REET list. Vern Redifer said the Courthouse exterior project
is scheduled for this summer with the sidewalk improvements in 2012. On a related matter, he
said the County is preparing to begin security improvements to the Courthouse. The plan
includes securing the south parking lot. The reconfiguration would close the First Street parking
access; adding eight or nine parking slots on First Street. However, it would leave the
Courthouse with no through access for freight deliveries. They asked the City to consider a
loading zone on either MLK, the west side of Second Street or in the median of Second Street.
Leita related that the cost benefit of planning the entire project might allow the County to
contribute to the cost of the First Street / "A" Street streetscape. The earlier cost estimate for
that portion was $280,000. He asked for a clear indication from Council that they are willing to
partner. Action step: Councilmember Coffey asked for a more definitive cost. Redifer
offered to come up with a figure. Coffey said the matter can go back to the Committee or
directly to the full Council with input from staff. Regarding the placement of the loading zone,
Leita said space on MLK would be ideal. Joan Davenport suggested that all of the parking
around the Courthouse be reviewed for transit, loading zones and parking. Action step: The
County requested a quick decision on the loading zone issue as soon as a site plan is
developed by County staff.
East — West Connector: Leita said the County is conceptually embracing the full corridor project
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as beginning in Terrace Heights and extending to Fruitvale Blvd. He suggested the City
consider the same concept. The County has chosen him as the dedicated Commissioner along
with Redifer and Gary Eksted as dedicated staff. They want to know who from City Council and •
staff will be dedicated to the project, and who will be the lead agency. He listed six conceptual
components to the corridor:
1. County roadway from the Yakima River east to Terrace Heights;
2. County bridge project;
3. Interaction with state and federal agencies concerning the interchange;
4. Interaction with city and developers concerning how corridor relates to development;
5. Mill site to North First Street;
6. Another set of underpasses to Fruitvale.
Leita said the Commissioners are considering significant SIED investments in the full corridor.
Action step: The Commissioners hope the City will have discussions on the . process and
that it can be further discussed at the next meeting of the Intergovernmental Committee.
He said their strategy may be to federalize the entire piece.
Drainage Improvement Districts: Redifer briefly reviewed the circumstances of the drainage
improvement districts. He suggested City and County staff meet to work on the issues. Leita
stated that County facilities located in the City need to be transitioned to the City. Coffey asked
if it would be better for the electeds to decide on a route before staff spends a lot of time on it
and asked if the County could put their position in writing. Leita characterized the issue as a
problem in regard to stormwater mandates. He suggested it would be better for the agencies to
look at it collectively. Action steps: The County will list the DIDs and the funding. The
staffs, will meet to identify information that will enable the decision making process.
The next meeting of the Intergovernmental Committee will be April 12.
it •roved by: •
Ric Ensey, Chair op Date