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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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ADJOURNED MEETING
MARCH 7, 2006 — MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. HEARING
3. Adjournment
The meeting adjourned at 9:03 p.m.
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ATTEST:
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Minutes prepared by Linda Watkins. An audio and video tape of this meeting are available in the City
Clerk's Office
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