HomeMy WebLinkAbout04/19/2011 04B-3 Minutes 04-06-2011 Council Economic Development Committee Y r .:.:I
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0 Council DeveCopment Committee
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
- 2:30 p.m.
Council Members present: Maureen Adkison, David Edler, Bill Lover
Staff: Dick Zais, Michael Morales, Chris Waarvick, Joan Davenport, Greg Copeland,
Cynthia Martinez, Cindy Epperson, Tara Lewis, Scott Schafer, David Schneider, Max
Linden, Pete Hobbs, Maria Mayhue,
Guests: Rich Austin, Luz Gutierrez, Jamie Stickel, Jamie Lee Stickel
Hot Shots request for approval of small banner replacement: The banner design has
not been completed. Rich Austin will report back to the Committee when the
design is ready.
Request for License Agreement — Smoke Out Choke Out: Joan Davenport reported
that the organizers of the Smoke Out Choke Out event have requested a license
agreement. The Committee gave approval to take the agreement to the full
Council when it is complete.
WWTP Industrial Waste Bio- Reactor: Scott Schafer and David Schneider explained
their research regarding the potential installation of a bio- reactor at the WWTP. The
0 new process would allow more efficient treatment of food waste and other industrial
waste; increasing capacity at the plant and reducing energy requirements and costs.
Extension of an industrial waste line is also expected to attract business. The estimated
timeline for the project would extend the line in phases and install the reactor in 2013.
Restoring capacity in this manner would allow the plant to defer more expensive and
less efficient expansion projects. The Committee took no action but is looking forward
• to progress updates.
Automated Parking Infraction System: Chris Waarvick reported on an opportunity to
replace the city's parking 'infraction management system with a new, more efficient
digital. management system. Cost to replace the system is estimated at $15,000,
including $5,000 in one time expenses and approximately $10,000 in annual costs. The
Finance Department reported that the Parking Fund has sufficient resources to cover
the initial cost. Waarvick suggested raising the parking fees perhaps even on a
temporary basis could help cover the cost of the upgrade. Lover expressed a concern
that high fees could keep people away from the downtown. Jamie Stickel of the
Committee for Downtown Yakima (CDY) said the goal is not to raise revenue by writing
tickets but to encourage turn over. Councilmember Edler moved to forward both a
sole source procurement action and an increase of the fee for parking citations
(to $25.00) to the full Council. The motion was unanimously approved.
On Street Parking Citation Authority: The concept was brought to the Committee to
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discuss a memo from Senior Assistant City Attorney Cynthia Martinez regarding
privatization of on- street parking enforcement in the downtown area. Waarvick said the
matter has gone through significant discussion at CDY and with the Parking
Commission but is not yet ready for action by the Council. Stickel said turn over and
availability of parking in the downtown area is crucial to the success of the downtown
revitalization. Martinez characterized the privatization as a gray area since the RCW is
silent on the matter. She said -she imagines the privatization would be very limited in
scope, such as contracting out the ticketing for "over the time limit" parking.
Councilmember Edler said he asked for the matter to come to this Committee because
of a request from CDY and he agreed it seems to be related to economic development.
Waarvick said the next step would be to use the data to create a plan. Councilmember
Adkison asked to have the plan come back to the Committee when it is ready for
review.
Capital funding options for County sidewalks: Dick Zais reviewed a memorandum and
REET 1, REET 2 and gas tax spreadsheets in regard to funding options for the
proposed Courthouse block sidewalk project. The Committee supported the project and
recommended that a plan be negotiated for a five -year payback starting in 2013. Zais
will work through the details with the Intergovernmental Committee.
Mill District update: Michael Morales reported that seven firms were invited to submit a
statement of qualifications for infrastructure design. A pre - submittal conference was
held at the end of March.
The next meeting of the Council Economic Development Committee will be Wednesday,
May 4, 2011.
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Maureen Adkison, Chair Date
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