HomeMy WebLinkAbout06/25/1996 Special Joint Meeting 56.
CITY OF YAKIMA, WASHINGTON
JUNE 25, 1996
SPECIAL JOINT MEETING WITH
YAKIMA COUNTY AND UNION GAP
The City Council met on this date at 7:30 a.m. at the ESD #105
Administration Building Conference Center, 33 South 2nd Avenue, Yakima,
Washington, Assistant Mayor John Puccinelli presiding. Council Members
present were Henry Beauchamp (present after 7:50 a.m.), Ernie Berger,
John Klingele (present after 7:40 a.m.), and Bernard Sims. Mayor
Lynn Buchanan and Council Member Barnett absent and excused. City
staff members present were City Manager Zais and Deputy City Clerk
Skovald. Yakima County Commissioners present were Bettie Ingham, Bill
Flower, and Jim Lewis. Union Gap Council Members present were Mayor
Dan Olson, Bill Ackerman, Nathan Kwak, Walt Rippee, and Phil Salzman.
Union Gap Staff Member present was Kathleen Holscher, Assistant City
Manager. Representatives from the development community, members of
the media as well as a number of concerned citizens also attended this
meeting.
Commissioner Flower welcomed the group and the meeting began.
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ISSUES
Rick Linneweh, President of the Board of YCDA (New Vision), distributed
the agenda along with accompanying charts. After recognizing YCDA
Board Members Bob Baurerle, Guy Shinn, Joe Kauzlarich, Mel Tanasse, and
Bill Huibregtse, Mr. Linneweh provided a brief history of the
organization and explained its mission statement. He pointed out that
more investment support is anticipated to be needed in the future (by
1998) from both the public and the private sectors to recruit business
and industry to Yakima County. More industrial and business
development will improve the economic base, enhance the quality of life
in the community, and provide employment stability in the area.
Mr. Linneweh summarized the effort being made in the areas of
recruitment, expansion, and retention of jobs accomplished by New
Vision during 1995. He also presented a progress report for activities
expected for 1996, which will focus on growth and change. Emphasizing
the importance of client confidentiality, Mr. Linneweh emphasized the
necessity of appropriate reporting of development activity information.
Michael Tracy, New Vision Business Development Manager, described how
quality award programs, particularly the Business Job Retention
Programs, provide assistance to industries in jeopardy by providing
technical assistance. He also described new components to the
Industrial Expenses and Retention Program including forums to assist in
marketing programs and manufacturing extension partnerships programs
that include engineering assistance. These programs are very helpful
to companies as they determine areas to improve and modernize their
businesses.
Mike Gregory, New Vision Research and Administrative Manager, provided
details on the overall situation on recruitment and described the
process in place to handle informational inquiries. There has been a
recent surge of informational inquiries received from prospective
companies and the number of new contacts. He announced American
Publishers will start operations at the Airport.
JUNE 25, 1996 -- JOINT SPECIAL MEETING
Dr. J. Tuman, New Vision Bo Member,, provided a summary of the
current effort underway to hire a FTZ Development Manager. They expect
to have the position filled and the new hire on board in July. Once a
month a benchmark report will be submitted to YCDA.
Joe Gero provided additional background information about the FTZ.
Although they want to provide as much information as possible, the
Federal Government has strict confidentiality rules about cumulative
results and reporting information and particular information about
companies may be absolutely forbidden which may cause some reporting
difficulties. He suggested a work session be scheduled to discuss the
status reports which would be as specific as possible within the
federal restrictions. ,
Mr. Linneweh commented about the indirect benefits derived whenever a
company is retained in the community, such as disposable income;
increased sales revenues; economic expansion with secondary employment;
the tax base increase; and the pride of accomplishment that having a
job brings to an individual. He reported that they have accepted Joe
Gero's resignation. He will leave for the mid - Atlantic Region late
this summer and will give economic development education classes until
that time. Joe Gero directed attention to the stiff competitiveness
among all the communities to attract businesses to their area. He
described how Yakima compares with the competition. He referenced the
Company! Location Decision Matrix and explained the criteria and
categories. Issues such as the importance of quality of life, the cost
of doing business, and what the community has to offer. This is what
companies take into consideration. He emphasized the importance of
community preparedness such as the labor market and the availability of
utility ;services. He directed attention to the issue of industrial
property. Mr. Gero reported an industrial analysis is being done to
identify all potential industr;ial:,properties, the costs to develop
industrial, and focused on the economic reality that if properties are
too expensive, then a company won't come here.
Mel Tanasse, Property Development I -82 Committee, provided a status
report on land availability, the cost for land, and infrastructure
considered for development. Exact figures will be available upon
completion of the Industrial Property Study. He described increased
quality of life experienced in Moxee from the establishment of Agri
Tech. He also described some joint venturing possibilities for future
development in Yakima County.
Mr. Linneweh concluded his presentation by pointing out how important
it is to be prepared and the need to develop a long -term strategy to
market public property for successful economic development.
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After questions and comments among members of the group concerning the
dissemination of recruitment caseload information, Commissioner Ingham
suggested a partnership development mechanism be developed and put in
place to formulate administrative issues with the I -82 Committee.
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Joe Gero described the Economic 101 format and urged the scheduling of
a three'hour program on what the criteria is that companies look for
when they establish a new business and how the community can be more
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JUNE 25, 1996 -- JOINT SPECIAL MEETING
responsive to new business and industry. He suggested an Economic
Development Committee be formed to develop the communities' needs and
full potential in order to be more responsive to potential businesses.
A skilled workforce is also necessary.
City Manager Zais reported that more detailed information on airport
industrial site issues will be available after negotiations are
completed.
The meeting adjourned at 8:50 a.m.
READ AND CERTIFIED ACCURATE BY: 42-
CO CIL MEMBER' DATE
CO CIL MEMBER DATE
ATTEST:
CITY CLERK JOHN. -PUCC L MAYOR _PRO TEM
Minutes prepared by Deputy City Clerk Skovald. An audio tape of this meeting is available in
the City Clerk's Office
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