HomeMy WebLinkAbout06/12/2007 Adjourned Meeting / Study Session 399
ADJOURNED MEETING /STUDY SESSION
• JUNE 12, 2007
8:00 A.M. — 10:00 A.M.
SOUTHEAST COMMUNITY CENTER
1211 South 7 Street
1. Roll 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 City Clerk Moore
2. Study Session on status of Southeast Yakima Community Center (SECC)
Chris Waarvick, Public Works Director, introduced Ester Huey, Executive
Director of the SECC; Bob and Lois Wardell, Wardell Architects; Bill Cook,
Community and Economic Development Director, Bill Cobabe, Office of
Neighborhood Development Services Manager, and Denise Nichols, Parks and
Recreation Manager. Mr. Waarvick stated the intent of the study session was
to brief the Council on the status of the building, plans for the future and the
operation of the Center, under the third year of a possible five -year
management contract with OIC and the day -to -day direction of Ester Huey.
Mrs. Huey said she was very proud of the programs at the Center, which were
to provide a variety of services to a population that generally does not receive
services elsewhere. Their objective is to foster self- sufficiency for the
southeast residents and provide an opportunity for people in southeast Yakima
to enjoy the same quality of life that others enjoy. After introducing her staff
she said there are approximately 100 volunteers assisting with programs, and it
has taken about 2.5 years to bring the service level to their goal when the
contract was written with OIC. She stated they have met all the goals in that
proposal with the exception of a group of young adults between ages 20 to 35
that they have not been able to reach. About 5,500 people per month avail
themselves of the services, plus agencies who rent space for various types of
training, i.e. Aging and Long Term Care that provides training for home health
care. She indicated there was a significant increase in attendance when OIC
took over the operation of the Center. Although they have been able to provide
funding for the services offered, it has been difficult to find funding for the
operations and administrative functions. The Center has received $75,000 per
year from the City for the fist three years of the contract. That commitment will
conclude at the end of 2007. They have not been able to find funds to replace
the operation dollars supporting the Facilities Manager's salary, plus providing
support for utilities, etc. She emphasized that their services are not only within
the Center, but they provide support to many other projects and programs
occurring in Yakima.
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ADJOURNED MEETING — JUNE 12, 2007
Denise Nichols, Parks and Recreation Manager, pointed out three challenging
areas the SECC is facing: Administration; Sustainability and Maintenance.
(1) Administration: Currently Mrs. Huey volunteers her time at the Center. .
She has a very small contract with the City of Yakima through the Parks and
Recreation Division for ten hours a week to work with the Americorps team,
which was part of the match for the Americorps grant. They have been looking
for a full -time, qualified, paid administrator to, manage the facility, but have not
been successful. Mrs. Huey has committed for another year or two, but her
goal is to make sure there is a well - qualified administrator and funds to pay that
person. She estimated that a full -time administrator for the Center would cost
around $82,000 annually, including salary and benefits.
(2) Sustainability: The Americorps grant is for three -years and provides many
of the program services. Possible budget cuts in the Parks and Recreation
budget will have a domino effect on the Americorps program, because of the
stipend we pay to have Americorps employees run after - school programs.
(3) Maintenance (facility upkeep): Bill Cobabe reviewed the funds that are
used for upkeep of the Center. He referred to non - federal funds that can be
used for ongoing maintenance. CDBG funds can be used for capital
improvements, such as installing a new roof. The City has made significant
capital improvements to the Center, including a new roof, exterior paint, parking
lot black top, emergency repairs and making the building ADA compliant. He
recognized Wardell Architects for their part in the improvements and
commended James Parks, Facilities Manager, for his ongoing efforts.
'Denise Nichols advised that staff would like to discuss obtaining the same
funding they have received in the last three years for the remaining two years
of the contract. She also requested Council to look at long -term sustainability,
both through facility enhancements and community programs, by continuing to
fund the free, after - school programs through partnerships with other service
agencies and Parks and Recreation.
Mrs. Huey noted that the after - school programs serve about 500 children per
year. We currently have fifteen Americorps members providing this service. If
those services and programs are reduced, she believes the kids who use the
programs will be on the streets and juvenile criminal activity will increase. She
said the community was becoming safer and she didn't want to see that stop
because of a reduction in youth services.
Council Member Bonlender asked whether CDBG funds were ongoing and
secure. Bill Cobabe replied it was difficult to predict when that money would
run out, but he expected it would probably be available for another three to four
years. Council Member McClure asked what programs Mrs. Huey believes are
missing at the Center. She responded she would like to see more services for
children to help with testing in the schools; a tutorial center to help those in the
classroom; staff with K -12 certification who can coordinate with the school
curriculum; services that would help people between the ages of 18 and 35
who have been incarcerated to become employed to make a livable wage; and
to have more services available to seniors.
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ADJOURNED MEETING — JUNE 12, 2007
Discussion followed regarding the Americorps program. Mrs. Huey said she
had been involved in the program for eighteen years and there had been
several changes. When the program started, there were no fees; now there is
a fee per member. Mrs. Nichols explained the fee structure that has increased
each year. The Council Budget Committee has asked staff to look at
reductions in their budgets; this program is on the list. The recommendation is
to decrease a 15- member team to a 12- member team resulting in $9,000 in
savings in the Parks and Recreation budget. They are trying to balance free
recreational services to the community and maintaining parks services. She
advised that the new Americorps grant will begin August 1 and she needs to let
the state know if we can support a 15- member team or a 12- member team.
In response to Council Member Lover's question about the size of the
Americorps grant, Mrs. Nichols answered approximately $150,000 and the City
had to provide a match. We contributed about $50,000 and the.state paid the
rest. Council Member Cawley asked if we have an active recruitment for
Americorps members. Mrs. Huey said Americorps is not a training program. It
is a program where members are committed to provide service to the.
community. We recruit nationally, as well as at the local colleges and
universities. We have a rigorous interview process, but there are still some
challenges in getting the highly - skilled members in Yakima.
Mayor Edler asked Mrs. Huey what she was recommending for long -term
sustainability. She would like to see us take the approach used in 1990 when
there were interlocal agreements with the Yakima School District, ESD #105,
the City of Yakima, and Yakima County. Each entity contributed funding for the
Substance Abuse Coalition. As other funding became available, they were
able to reduce the amount that each entity contributed for administrative
purposes. She believes this is a good method since the programs at the
Center support each one of those entities. It is extremely difficult to obtain
private contributions from the community for the Center. Other funding options
such as United Way and Legends Casino grants were discussed. Also
discussed were the requested cuts by the Council Budget Committee, the
increasing operating costs, and the need for someone to replace Mrs. Huey.
Council Member Johnson said they have an obligation to the SECC, just as
they have an obligation to the Harman Center. He sees a desperate need to
find funding in order to save young people from getting involved in gangs. He
believes Council needs to look very seriously at funding the Center during the
budget process. Denise Nichols added that the Harman Center has ways to
generate revenue, whereas, all programs at the SECC are free.
Mayor Edler questioned Bill Cobabe about his intentions to recommend
$75,000 of CDBG funding for the next two years and continue budgeting
$25,000 from non - federal funds. Mr. Cobabe answered the intent of Block
Grant funds is to provide assistance to people with low to moderate income
and to keep young people in an educational environment where they can grow
to their potential to pay more taxes in the community instead of drawing from
the base. Youth programs are very important to deter gang participation, but
when one area is funded, another area is cut; it would ultimately be the
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ADJOURNED MEETING — JUNE 12, 2007
Council's decision. James Parks commented on the reduction in gang activity
at Barge - Lincoln Elementary school where services are provided and the
rampant gang activity at Garfield Elementary school where there are no longer
services.
There was discussion on the building maintenance and the recent
improvements that have been made to the Center. Bob Wardell said they have
considered a plan to improve the lighting, floor = covering, layouts and ceilings
and will put together a comprehensive study of the next phase. Council
Member Cawley would like to consider expanding the building to incorporate
the YPAL Center and have a director who could oversee both groups.
3. Audience comments (9:45 a.m. — 10:00 a.m.)
Martin Chacon claimed the SECC needs a new vision. He does not think the
Hispanic community is being served and suggested programs that would
involve more Hispanics. Mrs. Huey advised that 85% of their services are to
the Hispanic community.
4. Adjournment
'JOHNSON MOVED AND MCCLURE SECONDED TO ADJOURN. The
motion carried by unanimous voice vote. The meeting adjourned at 9:40 a.m.
READ AND CERTIFIED ACCURATE BY
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CO CIL ■ ` A DATE
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CITY CLERK i'A . r DLER, ' ' OR
Minutes prepared by Deborah Moore. A CD and DVD of this meeting are available in the City Clerk's
Office
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