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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. 400 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. 2 401 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 3 402 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 Iirt.dIJ eir /1106 CO CIL ■ ` A DATE ► //-04 -6 7 COUNCIL MEMB DATE ATTEST: 1.L a ' jj 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 4