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CouncilEconomic Development Committee
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
4:00 p.m.
Members present: Micah Cawley, Maureen Adkison, Rick Ensey
Staff: Dave Zabell, Bill Cook, Michael Morales
Michael Morales introduced CED interns Cherize Ramirez and Greg Harpel. Cherize and
Greg graduated from Yakima area high schools and are currently studying community
development at Portland State University. This summer they are working to establish a
network of northeast Yakima residents that will communicate with the city in regard to
various land use, planning and community development activities that occur in the
neighborhood.
Dave Zabell introduced Yakima Clean Air Authority Executive Director. Gary Pruitt and
Public Information Officer Dave Caprile. They reported that the Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA) recently established a more stringent air quality standard, and as expected,
the Yakima area is having, trouble meeting the standard at certain times of the year. The
primary culprit is wood smoke. .Clean Air is trying to find more ways to educate the public
and they continue to offer programs to help residents change out old woodstoves. If the air
e quality conditions do not improve, Yakima and other cities in Yakima County could at some
point be designated as "non- attainment" cities. Air quality improvements made now or in the
near future are viewed as proactive and are likely to come at a much lower in cost than
mandated d "non - attainment status" improvements. Dave Zabell noted that the city's current
annual assessment is $22,000. Several options are being considered that could raise the
2010 assessment to approximately $75,000. Councilmember Lover is the city's
representative in the Yakima Clean Air Authority Board. The committee would like to .
continue to receive updates on the matter.
Bruce Benson reviewed the status of both a pending annexation in the vicinity of North 83rd
Avenue and an additional annexation request from some nearby property owners. The
threshold required to annex the larger area was recently achieved. A motion was made by
Councilmember Ensey and was seconded by Councilmember Adkison to accept the staff
proposal to withdraw the initial annexation and proceed with the larger annexation. The
motion carried 3 -0 t� send,; the request to the full Council and to recommend approval. The
committee also agreed wit the staff recommendation to approve the Dahl annexation.
Michael Morales gave an update on federal Renewal Community legislation. The bill is
moving forward and we were told to expect a three year extension.
If there are items for the agenda, the next regularly scheduled meeting of the Council
Economic Development Committee will be Wednesday, August 5, 2009, at 4:00 p.m.
Micah Cawley, C it Date