HomeMy WebLinkAbout02/08/2000 Adjourned Meeting 2 264
CITY OF YAKIMA, WASHINGTON
FEBRUARY 8, 2000
ADJOURNED MEETING
The City Council met in session on this date at 11:30 a.m., in the
Public Works Training Room, 2301 Fruitvale Boulevard, Yakima,
Washington to meet with the Parks and Recreation Commission.
Mayor Mary Place, presiding, Council Members Clarence Barnett,
Larry Mattson, Bernard Sims, and John Puccinelli were present.
Council Members Henry Beauchamp and Lynn Buchanan were absent and
excused. Parks and Recreation Commission members, Mike Nixon,
Chairman, Phil Hoge, and Tom Hurson were present. Staff members
present were Dick Zais, City Manager (present after 12:05 p.m.);
Glenn Rice, Assistant City Manager; Chris Waarvick, Director of
Public Works; Denise Nichols, Parks and Recreation Manager; Lynn
Quesenbury, Parks and Recreation Administrative Assistant, and
Linda Watkins, Pension /Records Clerk.
Mayor Place clarified that the goal of this meeting was to review
how the Mission and Vision statement and priorities established by
City Council last year fit with the Parks and Recreation
Commission's vision.
Mike Nixon described the' Commission's beliefs and commitments to
the community. He stressed their belief that parks are essential
to the quality of life of the community and they are clearly
essential as alternatives to deter kids from trouble.
Denise Nichols reviewed accomplishments for 1999. She stressed .
the Commission's strong desire to uphold maintenance standards
within the parks. There was discussion regarding graffiti
problems and efforts being done throughout the City to overcome
them. Mrs. Nichols described recent grant successes for
;improvements for the Powerhouse Canal Pathway.
Some of the items discussed as challenges and opportunities for
the year 2000 were the completion of Chesterley Park and all the
pathways that have received funding and the relocation of the
Larson Park tennis courts. Staff brought up the subject of trees,
advising the Commission and the Council that the staff arborist
receives many requests for tree removals. Discussing the
importance of a tree ordinance, John Puccinelli volunteered to
help Denise Nichols and Council Member Barnett rewrite the
existing one.
Another subject that had a lot of discussion was advertising and
sponsorships. Questions were asked about a market for selling
advertising on the bottoms of the pools, or sponsorship of pools
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FEBRUARY 8, 2000 - ADJOURNED MEETING
or baseball fields, including the upkeep, in exchange for renaming
them. Another question Council Member Puccinelli raised was
whether the City was receiving any revenue from the vendors
selling food in parking lots at the various parks. Receiving a
response in the negative, it was requested that Denise Nichols and
the Parks and Recreation Commission'talk with the Codes Department
about enforcing the existing ordinances relating to this subject.
Council Member Mattson asked about the possibility of starting a
Parks Foundation and was told there is interest and it will be
pursued.
Mrs. Nichols advised the Council of issues on aquatics that would
be coming before them the first part of March; citizen petitions
relating to the closing of Lions Pool for the summer, structural
repairs required on the water slide at Franklin Park, and some
boiler problems at Lions pool.
Council Member Sims noted there are currently three vacancies on
the Parks and Recreation Commission. Two members, Mike Nixon and
Phil Hoge, have expressed their desire to be reappointed.
Applicants have been interviewed and a recommendation will be
forthcoming. Council Member Beauchamp had previously asked to
wait for a period of time hoping a minority would apply and could
be considered. Council Member Sims suggested that wait shouldn't
be longer than another two weeks before action should be taken.
The meeting adjourned at 12:50 P.M. to February 15, 2000 at
7:30 A.M. at the Police Station /Legal Center (2 Floor Training Room)
for a study session regarding Fire Department budget issues.
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&71 READ AND CERTIFIED ACCURATE BY: , . /�h r C• �iCIL MEMBER
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COUN MEMBER PTE
ATTEST:
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City Clerk M Place, Mayor
Minutes prepared by Linda Watkins. An audio tape of this meeting is available
in the City Clerk's Office
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