HomeMy WebLinkAbout09/11/2012 Study Session 280. .
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YAKIMA CITY COUNCIL
STUDY SESSION
September 11, 2012
Council Chambers -- City Hall
10 a.m. Council Study Session regarding Downtown Issues
MINUTES
* Back Print
1. Roll Call
Council: Mayor Micah Cawley, presiding, Assistant Mayor Maureen Adkison, Council Members
Sara Bristol, Kathy Coffey, Rick Ensey, Dave Ettl and Bill Lover
Staff: City Manager O'Rourke and City Clerk Claar Tee
2. Discussion regarding Downtown Parking *Parking Commission*Parking lots*On street parking
City Manager Tony O'Rourke discussed downtown parking issues with Council and based upon
the citizen survey suggested eliminating or changing the parking lot ticket machine in order to
provide 4 hour free parking. Citizens with parking permits would be moved to private parking lots
and proper enforcement would ensure no "camping" in the lots by employees of the downtown
core. The City Manager also recommend disbanding the City's Parking Commission and instead
Council would have oversight of parking issues. Mayor Cawley requested citizen input on the
issue.
Joe Mann, 6 N. 3rd Street, Yakima, noted he thinks free parking for his customers would be
great. However, he has concerns about people taking advantage of the situation.
3. Discussion regarding Special Events
City Manager O'Rourke noted citizens need more reasons to visit downtown. He would like to
see more functions downtown after hours and provide more of a sense of security with Yakima
Police Department bicycle patrols. Council discussed the idea in more depth.
4. Discussion regarding 4th Street
City Manager O'Rourke suggested closing portions of 4th Street by the Capitol Theatre's Black
Box to create a public pedestrian plaza, where most events could be'held. This would be a
tempoary closure with removable bollards in order to maintain emergency access. In addition,
the City should require a deposit for events, which would be refundable provided the event
holders cleaned up after their events and followed guidelines that would be in place. The
Council commented favorably on the vision.
5. Discussion regarding Design Standards
City Manager O'Rourke questioned if Council has interest in looking at in depth design standards
for the downtown area. Council discussed the issue in depth and suggested a possible
moratorium on downtown while development standards are proposed. City Manager O'Rourke
noted it is important to create a standard, have clear written guidelines as the current standards
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are very broad. Council Member Ensey stated he is not opposed to a discussion on standards;
however, he is concerned about property rights. Council Member Coffey stressed the importance
of having a definition in their minds about design standards.
6. Discussion regarding Downtown Public Safety Update
City Manager O'Rourke referred to items in the Council packet on public safety. The Police Chief
will be utilizing full time bike patrols in the spring time to have a physical presence in the
downtown area, especially in the evenings during special events.
7. Discussion regarding Assessments*Current status*Tiered method*Exempt
properties*Zones*Business license linkage
City Manager O'Rourke suggested some changes to the Downtown Yakima Business
Improvement District (DYBID) assessment, such as decreasing or eliminating zone 2. He
proposed a two -tier assessment by way of businesses with vacancies who have been adversely
affected by the recession should be given a lesser assessment rate than those with occupied
space. Council Member Bristol mentioned she would like to hear the DYBID Advisory Board's
opinion on the issue.
Brad Christianson, Chair of the DYBID Advisory Board noted they had a late start in the year and
were not able to assist in the planting basket bidding process. They are in a discussions about
what to recommend and will report back to Council.
• Council discussed the issue further and noted they appreciated City Manager O'Rourke's
leadership.
8. Adjournment
The meeting adjourned at 11:04 a.m. to the next Council Business meeting on September 18,
2012 at 6 p.m. in the Council Chambers.
Motion: Adjourn, Moved by Council Member Rick Ensey, Seconded by Council Member Kathy
Coffey. Carried 7 -0. Council Members voting Aye: Adkison , Bristol , Cawley , Coffey , Ensey ,
Ettl , Lover .
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