HomeMy WebLinkAbout111518 Economic Development Committee MinutesCouncil Economic Development
Members:
Council member White
Council member Gutierrez
Council member Cousens
White called the meeting
Committee
2nd Floor Conference Room
City Hall
November 15, 2018
Staff: Others:
Ana Cortez, Assistant City Manager Luz Gutierrez
Cally Price, Assistant to the City Manager John Cooper
Andrew Holt
Verlynn Best
Jonathan Smith
Maria Rodriguez
Joe Morrier
Jerry Mallen
Exec
1. Review draft minutes from
The September 27, 2018 ME
the minutes as presented an
presented.
2. Discussions:
a. Strategic Priorities pe
Main arterial
White'
during
:tuber 27, 2018 meeting:
minutes were reviewed. Gutierrez motioned to accept
to seconded the motion. The minutes were approved as
ggested`that this go back to the full Council for discussion
D Strategic Planning study session in January. Gutierrez
t the Council needs to identify the standards and who will
them.
ii. Downtown Plaza
Cortez asked for direction from the Committee members on how to
create a more dynamic downtown without a plaza.
b. Economic Development Plan
White asked that staff present the Economic Development Plan with the Committee.
He would like to see the findings that warranted the plaza and incubator projects be
moved forward. Participants thought the City had a good plan and conducted a
thorough process with a lot of time commitment; therefore, they would like Council to
support the Plan and keep moving it forward.
Mann stated that there is plenty of parking in downtown but that it isn't being used
adequately and suggested that Council revisit parking enforcement.
Morrier stated that people miss things to do. The Convention Center is vital to the
community and attendees want some where to go for shopping and entertainment.
Holt added that a key element of the Plan is to make downtown more walkable.
Best would like to see traffic on Yakima Avenue slowed down.
Committee member Gutierrez would like to see the following things:
-Solicit new ideas — replace the plaza
-Different approach to port district marketing
-New or modified parking regulations
-Shared ride pick up spots on Yakima Avenue
-Curb cuts for emergency vehicles
-Restrict the number of banks on Yakima Avenue
-Incentives for the former mall site
i. Community Pride
1. Cinco de Mayo
Committee members discussed whether the Cinco de Mayo
event should be added to the Master Plan. Committee member
Gutierrezdoesn't think it should be added to the Master Plan
without full Council support and public input.
2. Image: Creative district
Committee member Gutierrez, believes there needs to be a
more thorough assessment of the Creative District concept and
should not be included in the Master Plan. She moved that the
Creative District discussion be moved to the full Council for
discussion as part of the strategic planning session in January.
White seconded the motion. The motion passed.
c. Competitiveness
i. Private sites
ii. City sites
iii. Mill site
iv. Public Port Authority
Committee member Gutierrez would like to begin working on a Port
District in 2019 with the goal of moving it forward to the voters in 2020.
v. Incentives
vi. Education Alignment
vii. YKM
Partners need to support this asset.
viii. Convention Center
d. Traded Sector
i. YKM
White asked staff to provide an analysis of how to use a port district,
potentially Yakima Airport as a centerpiece.
ii. Clusters
This concept needs to be emphasized with the Airport.
e. Council policy requests
i. Vacant Building Ordinance
Cortez shared what she believed was Holly's ideas about vacant
buildings. White would like to see an inventory of all vacant
businesses.
3. Staff and Partner Announcements
White asked staff to research if hotel/motel funds can be used for Airport marketing.
Committee member Gutierrez asked about the City's partnership with the Sundome and
what it would take to appropriately promote the venue to Tri-Cities.
There was discussion about the restaurant at
Gutierrez believes the Cinco de Mayo even
Smith reminded everyone of the Enterpr
participants participated and in 2017 the
guidelines will be out in November.
and its usability.
could be added to the Strategic Plan.
allenge that will be starting. The first year 20
e 34. Opportunity Zones and tax incentive
Mann reported that the Light Parade will be December 2 at 6:00 p.m. The tree has been
secured and will be decorated in time for the parade.
4. Future agenda items
The next meeting will be December 20 at 1:30 at the YakimaAirport. CWSF
representatives will be invited to the meeting so they can share their ideas of how to
increase events at the Sundome.
a. Agenda items:
i. Vacant building ordinance
ii. Review Economic' Development Plan and Downtown Master Plan
iii. CWSF presentation
iv. :Tour airport property
5. Audience Partic
Jason White, Chair