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Home My WebLink About02/27/2007 Adjourned Meeting / Study Session 321 ADJOURNED MEETING /STUDY SESSION FEBRUARY 27, 2007 8:00 A.M. - 9:30 A.M. COUNCIL CHAMBERS - YAKIMA CITY HALL 1. Roll Call Present: Council: Mayor Dave Edler, presiding, Council Members Ron Bonlender, Micah Cawley, Norm Johnson, BiII.Lover, and Susan Whitman Staff: City Manager Zais, City Attorney Paolella and City Clerk Moore Absent: Neil McClure (absent and excused) 2. Presentation from the Committee for Downtown Yakima regarding a proposal to expand a Parking and Business Improvement Area (PBIA) and to contract for maintenance of the Central Business District City Manager Zais supplied historical information on the maintenance of the Central Business District. The Parking Business Improvement Area (PBIA) is limited to a sixteen block core area and revenue is the result of assessments in that area. During planning for downtown improvements, there were also discussions with downtown interest groups about maintenance. That was when the Committee for Downtown Yakima (CDY), the new oversight committee, was being formed, representing all stakeholders for downtown Yakima. They have a proposal for the maintenance of downtown and to work with the business community to 'expand the PBIA boundaries in the short term and again in the long term after the Westside improvements are completed. It was a 2007 budget policy to look at using the dollars available in the Parks • budget for a maintenance contract with an entity, possibly the Committee for Downtown Yakima. There will also be a future study session on the possibility of a contractual agreement for downtown parking enforcement. At the request of Council Member Lover, Mr. Zais clarified the difference between the Committee for Downtown Yakima (CDY) and the Yakima Downtown Association (YDA). YDA is the successor to DARC (Downtown Area Redevelopment Committee) established by formal resolution, and ' represents the sixteen block core area of the existing PBIA. It is a public, Council- appointed entity and their monthly meetings are covered on YPAC. It is not a non - profit, but is an arm of the City and their meetings are subject to the open meeting process. Through that body, recommendations are forwarded to the City Council for decision making. The Committee for Downtown emerged from conversations that took place over several years 322 ADJOURNED MEETING — FEBRUARY 27, 2007 STUDY SESSION while the downtown area was in transition. It is a C3 non - profit committee; a private entity not a public corporation. They represent the stakeholders from downtown. They have contracted with Urban Place to help guide the downtown renewal effort. Doug Picatti, Chair of the Committee for Downtown Yakima, emphasized the importance of the timeliness. The first phase of the downtown streetscape project is in effect and it needs maintenance now. The Westside area project will start shortly and will need maintenance. The Westside merchants are actively involved and willing to give their support. We hope, through the City's leadership, to set up a mechanism to help maintain the streetscapes. Jamie Stickle, Chair of the YDA, addressed Council Member Lover's questions about the two committees and explained how they are not a duplication. The YDA is charged with advising the City Council on issues pertaining to the existing PBIA. They have no authority, no money, and no management, but consist of business people who care. Their responsibility is limited to the sixteen block business district core. It was originally created primarily to answer questions about parking and have focused on parking for 32 years. CDY evolved from efforts of the City and YDA in 2002. They knew that downtown was more than those sixteen blocks. They reached out to the Westside and Front Street Merchants Associations as well as the Capitol Theatre, the Visitor and Convention Center, the museum, and the library, pulling together stakeholders to talk about a vision for downtown. The difference between the two committees is the limited scope of the existing PBIA, that sunsets in April of 2008 (YDA) while the CDY works for the future of downtown. The City Council has contracted with the CDY to create a professional management of downtown, making it more than just the PBIA issue. Steve Gibson of Urban Place gave a presentation. • The core purpose statement of CDY: To lead and implement the renaissance of downtown making it the premier gathering place of Central Washington. • Why expand the PBIA? Consistent approach to Yakima Avenue streetscape Overall downtown maintenance Downtown security Parking lot maintenance and security Downtown beautification projects Create Downtown Yakima Clean and Safe Team Consistent downtown funding • How do we accomplish this? Change in assessment rates Change in boundaries 2 323 ADJOURNED MEETING — FEBRUARY 27, 2007 STUDY SESSION • Funding Assessment rates have not changed since 1974. The current PBIA sunsets in April 2008. The City Council can make short term assessment changes by holding a public hearing and legislative authority. Council -can also change the boundaries as long as it doesn't increase the assessment by more than 10 %, also requires a public hearing and a new ordinance. If it were increased more than 10 %, it would require a petition drive. • Recommendations Short term (one year) small expansion from Naches Avenue to 7th St. Projected revenue increase - $2,940 Increase the assessment rate 100% setting the new annual PBIA assessment revenue at roughly $72,184. Contract with the CDY,to maintain the downtown Long term (multi -year starting in June /July 2007) - Do a formal renewal and further expansion of the PBIA in 2008. A Steering Committee of business and property owners will guide the process, rates and boundaries, develop budgets, assessment methodology and rates. A formal petition process will be required under state law. Funding Downtown Clean & Safe Efforts -PBIA (by contract to CDY) $ 70,000 - Parks Dept. Budget (to CDY) $ 50,000 - CDY Budget — Programs $ 50,000 - CDY Budget — Mgmt, $ 23,000 TOTAL $193,000 Managing Downtown Clean & Safe Efforts - Committee for Downtown Yakima (CDY) Mr. Gibson went on to describe the financial aspects of their recommendation and confirmed that they will commit to the program if it receives Council approval. He pointed out that the only part that is city money is the $50,000 from the Parks Department budget. Mr. Gibson recommended this subject be put on a Council agenda quickly to create the legislation to expand the district, raise the assessment, and schedule a public hearing. Discussion was held on the reasoning behind the expansion boundaries and critical timing with spring coming. The labor intensive nature of the petition process was described and the two step process (short term and long term) was justified. Also discussed was how to ensure that the downtown business owners are involved, aware, and in support of the plan. The idea was brought forward that the CDY will manage the public space downtown and the YDA would move into parking authority. Also discussed were the efforts for community safety such as increasing the ambassadors from two to six. Council Members Cawley and Lover expressed discomfort at being "rushed" into action. Mayor Edler summarized that there are two recommendations; 1) to expand the PBIA, and 2) increase the assessment, both requiring a public hearing. 3 324 ADJOURNED MEETING — FEBRUARY 27, 2007 STUDY SESSION 3. Audience comments Kathy Coffey, 340 N. 22 Avenue, as a long term hospitality industry spokesperson encouraged Council to do this and not lose the momentum that from what you have done to date. Joe Mann responded to the comments about business owners reactions to increasing the assessments. He said he pays $40 a year and raising it to $80 is still just "peanuts ". He feels the assessments are reasonable and does not expect anyone to complain about them. JOHNSON MOVED AND WHITMAN SECONDED, TO INSTRUCT STAFF TO SET A PUBLIC HEARING AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. The motion carried by unanimous roll call vote; McClure absent. JOHNSON MOVED AND WHITMAN SECONDED TO DIRECT STAFF TO COMMENCE NEGOTIATIONS ON A CONTRACT WITH THE COMMITTEE FOR DOWNTOWN YAKIMA FOR MAINTENANCE OF THE CENTRAL BUSINESS DISTRICT. The motion carried by unanimous roll call vote; McClure absent. 4. Adjournment The meeting adjourned at 9:26 a.m. READ AND CERTIFIED ACCURATE BY �h a1° M 09 COUNCIL ME■ DATE ' X7 COUN' DATE ATTEST: A l f / CITY CLER DAB i EDLER, MA'OR Minutes prepared by Linda Watkins. An audio and video tape of this meeting are available in the City Clerk's Office 4