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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03/07/2006 Adjourned Meeting 2 475' > • • ADJOURNED MEETING MARCH 7, 2006 - 7:00 P.M. CONVENTION CENTER - ROOM C 1. RoII CaII Present: Council: Mayor Dave Edler, presiding, Council Members Ron Bonlender, Micah Cawley, Norm Johnson, Bill Lover, Neil McClure, and Susan Whitman Staff: City Manager Zais, City Attorney Paolella and Acting City Clerk Moore 2. Public hearing to consider a petition to rename "B" Street to Martin Luther King Boulevard Bill Cook, Director of Community and Economic Development, gave an introduction to the hearing. On the 16 of December 2005, United Ministries Alliance submitted an application, and paid the fees, requesting a street name change. The application met all requirements and all necessary steps have been fulfilled to hold this public hearing. There are nine businesses with frontages on "B" Street. Notifications were sent to property owners and 183 neighborhood addresses advising of the application and the public hearing as well as requesting information on expected impacts if the name change is approved. There were only four responses; three in support and one in opposition. Public hearing notices were published in the paper for three days and were also on the City's website. The website also conducted a survey under Yakbak. The survey results were: 400 responses, 39% yes, 58% no. Agencies that might be impacted were also solicited for input. The impact total resulting from the responses was $8,000, including the post office. Colleen Ellingsworth, Address Management Coordinator for the U.S. Post Office, explained how a street name change is handled. A conservative estimate of their financial impact is $3,196. When the street changes, everyone will have to put in a forward change of address card that will be in effect for twelve months. Businesses must change their letterhead and return addresses. This street will be set up in the post office's automated systems, and it will have to agree with the signage. Mail will have to be spelled out to read just like the signs. If someone abbreviates the name, it will kick out of the automated system and delay delivery. City Manager Zais explained that this hearing gives Council the opportunity to hear the public's views. Council will then have a choice of continuing the hearing if there is additional testimony needed or making a decision to vote on this question this evening, or deferring the vote for another meeting for deliberations. If there were to be a change in this street, it requires formal legislation at a City Council meeting. That legislation has not been introduced here. 476 ADJOURNED MEETING MARCH 7, 2006 — MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. HEARING Reverend Robert Trimble, Mt. Hope Baptist Church and United Ministers Alliance, as the applicant for the change, outlined the reasons for the request. Our youth need to see that our American heroes have come from multi- ethnic backgrounds. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. is recognized as truly a great and significant American role model. In recognizing Dr. King's selfless effort for the betterment of our society, we can begin to focus our attention on and recognize non -white American heroes. Our children need to see this focus for a greater personal growth and to deepen their understanding of their country as a whole. We all need this focus to further unite us as one nation, one people. "B" Street travels through the heart of downtown. City Hall, the Yakima Herald Republic newspaper building, Shaw and Sons Funeral Home are all situated on "B" Street. This name would be highly visible for those who visit our city and will provide a daily reminder of our continuing need to work together truly representing the meaning of community. • Mayor Edler opened the public hearing at 7:20 p.m. Opponents Bill Hambelton, 615 South 32 Ave., expressed concern about the actual cost of a rename. He then suggested that Harry Truman would be more appropriate than Martin Luther King, Jr. He said Dr. King receives honor in our community by a school and a park being named for him. He would like to see this go to the people in the form of a vote. Bob Hauk said he had no objection to renaming the street should those in favor of it pay for it themselves. He would rather see the $11,000 go to the Police to get a handle on the graffiti problem. Dr. King was a great man but has already been honored with a park and a school. Bob Lovenduski, 508 N. 63 Ave., claimed it is an insult to the man's legacy because it starts in a run down neighborhood, goes through commercial and then ends in another run down neighborhood. He felt it was not a good representation of what Dr. King stood for. Don Holmes said he wasn't sure whether he was opposed or for it. He asked Council if the City had enough money for police and fire or the jails and street repairs. If it is decided to change the name, it will indirectly be coming out of tax increases and if the money is used for other than what it was earmarked for, it could be considered a misappropriation of funds. He doesn't care who the suggested name change is for, in his opinion we just don't have the money. His suggestion is to do what he has seen done in California. They have street numbers and then under the street number a sign that says "in honor of Bob Hope" or someone. People requesting the change would still pay for it by fund raising methods. This could be used on any street at any time with or without expense to the taxpayer. He believes the majority of the opposition is with regard to who is paying for it. 2 4,77 ADJOURNED MEETING MARCH 7, 2006 — MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. HEARING Yvonne Wilbur, historian, said we have had "A" Street through "S" Street in this town since 1904 or 1908. We have changed "C" Street to Lincoln and if we change B Street to Martin Luther King, it will be "A" Street, Martin Luther King Boulevard, Lincoln Avenue, and then "D" Street. This will be confusing. The town is going to be torn up for two years with the downtown being revitalized. She questioned whether we would want to make it harder for tourists to come in and find where they want to go. Proponent Steve Mitchell spoke about Dr. King's success at ending segregation and referred to Yakima being a community that is divided by race. He pointed out that this is not a racial issue, but is about all citizens in this community and is a starting point for us to come together as a community. Rev. Rosetta Jones, 4610 Englewood, said Dr. Martin Luther King was the only one that brought unity, not our presidents. She said we should signify unity and rename the street. Leslie Wahl, 2403 W. Yakima Avenue and a representative from the 14 Legislative District, emphasized that the Democratic Party supports the civil rights of all people. Dr. King was called to leadership during civil rights and is the embodiment of that struggle. His work is not finished and his ultimate sacrifice should not be forgotten. The renaming will remind us we must not take our rights for granted. She then gave a contribution of $250 and challenged other community groups to donate to lessen the impact on the City. She also encouraged any property owners that need help in changing their addresses, to contact the Democratic Party. Curt McFarland, Pastor at First Presbyterian Church, claimed that there is a lot of healing and unifying work to do in our community and that this is the right way to proceed to make a statement that we want to do that. Jimmy John Morris, Sr. Pastor of Vineyard Church, said they are one of the 25 who share the address of "B" Street. He said they feel it would be a great honor to have the name changed. He said he was also representing a group that they call themselves the Pastors Who Drink Coffee. They believe Dr. King's dream of unity is essentially the message of the gospel of Jesus Christ and they unanimously support the name change. Bob McLaughlin, former principal of Davis High School and also representing the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, spoke in favor of the name change. Pastor John Everhart, read a portion of Dr. King's "I Have A Dream" speech and claimed that those signs will remind us of the dreams that Dr. King had and that this All- American City can make that dream become a reality. 3 478 ADJOURNED MEETING MARCH 7, 2006 — MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. HEARING Ernie Harrelson, Rector of St. Michaels Episcopal Church, spoke in favor of the proposal saying we need to preserve Dr. King's memory by making his dream our dream and passing it along to the generations that follow us. Ester Huey, said the new council gives her hope and spirit that they are a council that recognizes the needs and wants of the citizens. She commented that you would only have to be a child growing up in the segregated south to understand what a huge thing this is. She told the Council not to let this be the last time that they have thoughts of how they want their city to be and to step forward. Young people here are our future. You are giving them a lesson that they can be heard, that they can be considered and you are trying to build a better tomorrow. Others who spoke in favor of the name change were: Barry McNeice, owner of Yakima Stamp Works on "B" Street Alonzo Marquez, 613 N 3rd Street Jessica Ayala representing OIC High Jordan Stickel, Selah High School student Terry Cox Jr., a senior at Davis High School Bobby Carter Glenn Rice, 211 N. 26 Avenue Mateo Arteaga Kathy Bonlender Elizabeth Townsend Shirley Scoggin Dave Roberts, Pastor of St. Baptist Church Ben Soria Mrs. & Mrs. Don Rome Lynne Kittelson Henry Beauchamp and a number of others who didn't clearly identify themselves. • Mayor Edler closed the public hearing 8:40 p.m. • Council Members' Comments Mayor Edler said he was saddened that it has taken this long to honor the man who gave his life in pursuit of equality for all Americans. This issue has stirred emotions of many in our community who believe our community to be whole where race and color cannot separate us. We must unite to overcome the problems we face and push aside our prejudices to heal the hurt of many in our city. If it's going to be a great city to live and work in, it has to be for all. That was part of Martin Luther King's message and a reason he should be honored in our community with a street right through its heart named after him. 4 479;, ADJOURNED MEETING MARCH 7, 2006 — MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. HEARING Council Member Johnson addressed Rev. Everhart saying when you spoke this evening, he couldn't help but think of his own half black grandchildren and what this means to them and all the children'. He said he will vote for this change. Council Member Lover spoke of his experiences and how, as a result, he will vote in favor of the change. Council Member McClure pointed out the street named after Washington who was involved in a war in 1776, and one for Lincoln who was president during a war in 1863. That first war brought us freedom, the second war just about tore our country apart. Then 100 years later, Martin Luther King, Jr. got there without a war, through justice and through non - violence. It is a pleasure to sit on Council and honor a man that helped fulfill our founder's wishes, President Lincoln's wishes, and the wish of all of our people. Council Member Bonlender said there is always a lot of talk about investment and revitalization at the council meetings. This is an investment in our people. The bang for the buck is huge. He is proud to vote for this proposal. Council Member Whitman said she has honestly gone back and forth so many times on this issue and truly did not make up her mind on how to vote until tonight. Most of the money will be coming from the Streets Division and not from the general fund and, therefore, the money spent on this would not have been used for police, parks, or fire and can only be used in the Street Division. She has heard a lot of talk from the public that we shouldn't do this, and did receive phone calls and letters from those people. But very few letters were received in favor of it. The people opposed did not come tonight. She wanted to emphasize to the public that the Council wants to hear from the public and those letters and phone calls mean a lot to us. This is not supposed to be her personal decision as she is a representative of the people. Until tonight all she was hearing was no. Council Member Cawley said he, too, did not make up his mind until tonight. He said it is difficult to be born after this all happened and try to empathize and understand the entire movement. BONLENDER MOVED AND JOHNSON SECONDED TO RENAME "B" STREET TO MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. BOULEVARD AND TO DIRECT STAFF TO PREPARE THE APPROPRIATE LEGISLATION. CAWLEY MOVED AND JOHNSON SECONDED TO REFUND THE $500 APPLICATION FEE FOR THE STREET RENAME. The motion to amend failed by a 5 -2, roll call vote; Whitman, Bonlender, McClure, Edler, and Lover voting nay. The original motion passed by unanimous roll call vote. Mayor Edler presented Reverend Trimble with the display Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard sign. 5 480 ADJOURNED MEETING MARCH 7, 2006 — MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. HEARING 3. Adjournment The meeting adjourned at 9:03 p.m. / %l . 1 READ AND CERTIFIED ACCURATE BY �lt_� / 0Z CO UN MBER DATE 6 COUNCIL ME B DATE ATTEST: CIT LERK / . AVID EDL ,MAYOR Minutes prepared by Linda Watkins. An audio and video tape of this meeting are available in the City Clerk's Office 1 6