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41110 Council Development Committee
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
4:00 p.m.
Members present: Micah Cawley, Maureen Adkison, Rick Ensey
Staff: Bill Cook, Michael Morales, Jeff Cutter
Status of Renewal. Community Tax Break Program. (CRD)
Michael Morales reported that the status of the annual allocations is delayed while we wait
for the outcome on the question of the extension of benefits. Some projects have also been
delayed by economic circumstances. We hope to know if there will be an extension by early
November and will update the Committee at that time. Applications will be accepted
through the end of October.
Update on 45 Avenue / Alpine Way properties
Bill Cook presented an assortment of options:.
1. If the City were to purchase the four properties that are in question, the worst case
price scenario for the entire project would. be $650,000.
2. Condemnation requirements are clearly spelled out by state law and the conditions of
the vacant house do not meet those requirements at this time.
3. It may be possible to obtain a standing weedy lot clean up order next year. The
weedy lot season is April 1 to October 1.
4. The city could act as an intermediary to help negotiate or propose solutions with
various parties to the lawsuits and liens.
5. The city could act as an intermediary to help private developers purchase the nine
buildable lots.
6. The city could negotiate a license agreement with Yakima Valley Canal Company.
7. The city could remove the landscaping improvements if they are bothersome.
Councilmember Cawley asked about the process of title searches for the parcels. Jeff Cutter
said that a litigation report will identify the claims against the property, and additional
research can be done to try to obtain all the details.
Jeanne Crawford commented on the boarded up house, the canal and the general
appearance of the area. She hopes that some of the options will be used to improve the
situation. Bill Cook reported that the boarded up house has not been deemed dangerous,
so the city cannot demolish it. However, it is not currently habitable. He also said that
Yakima County records show no property tax delinquencies of more than one year on the
lots in question.
Art Opfer commented on pet waste, site screening, and an untended poplar tree, and said
there are large amounts of concrete buried on one or more of the lots. Councilmember
Cawley asked Bill Cook to find out who owns the lot in question to see if the poplar tree can
be removed.
Jim Evans asked about bonds, the permitting process, compaction reports and blamed the
situation on the failure of code enforcement and building inspectors. He does not think the
city should purchase the homes or lots. Michael Morales furnished a Public Disclosure
Request form to Mr. Evans to facilitate his request for documents.
Councilmember Cawley thanked staff for their work and ideas. He requested that staff
begin work on the title search process. He would like to consider condemnation only as a
last resort. Councilmember Ensey supported the concept of working with private developers
and working to negotiate the liens and lawsuits. He also stated that we need to enforce
code compliance on all lots. He does not approve of the city purchasing any of the
properties. Councilmember Adkison assured the neighbors that Council shares their
concerns and will continue to pursue improvements. In summation, Councilmember Cawley
said the Committee is not in favor of property acquisition or condemnation.
Sawmill Site
Two citizens presented information to the Committee in regard to proposed future
development at the old Boise Cascade site. They would like to see a working sawmill
museum as part of a large center that could also include retail, restaurants, an aquatic
center and nature paths that would connect to the Yakima Greenway. They see this project
as a great opportunity for a public /private partnership.
The next regularly scheduled meeting of the Council Economic Development Committee will
be Wednesday, November 4, 2009, at 4:00 p.m. The agenda will include an update on the
45 Avenue / Alpine Way project and an update on the CRD.
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Micah Cawley, Chair Date