HomeMy WebLinkAbout02/03/2009 04B Minutes 01-07-2009 Council Economic Development Committee 0
m i � itili a�Cit Council C o m mit tee M � �� c - ', ,:,.„
Counca Deve(op tent Committee
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
4:00 p.m.
Members present: Micah Cawley, Rick Ensey, Neil McClure
Staff: Bill Cook, Michael Morales, Lare Watters, Brett Sheffield
Review Yakima County Development Association Contract (YCDA - New Vision)
Dave McFadden spoke about the planned scope of work for the new five year (2009 -2013)
contract. The contract is considered annually during the city's budget process, and will
come to the full Council for final review on January 20. New additions to the scope of work
include working with a wider variety of new businesses and starting an entrepreneur
association to support emerging companies. As their top priority, YCDA will continue to
finance infrastructure improvements that will help to develop important industrial sites. The
contract received the unanimous support of the Committee.
Update on South 16 Avenue realignment
Huibregtse Louman Associates engineer Mike Battle used a map of the area to point out the
route for the realignment. The project is to relocate South 16 Avenue south of Washington
Avenue so that it is outside of the FAA designated airport runway safety area. Mike
reported that the final environmental assessment is scheduled to be approved this week.
0 Following_ approval the engineering specifications can be finalized and scheduled to go to
bid. He emphasized the volume of negotiations and communication that has occurred
between the various entities throughout this complicated process. They hope to go out for
bid in late February 2009. It is possible that the South 16 Avenue construction will be
completed at the same time as the Valley Mall Boulevard project.
Acting Airport Manager Jerry Kilpatrick explained that the underlying reason for the project
was due to a 1990s FAA decision to attempt to unilaterally enforce their runway safety area
design standards. Since the Yakima Airport made some runway changes during this time
period, the FAA requested the upgrade to their runway safety area.
Jerry reported that the environmental process has been particularly frustrating and
expensive. The airport has set aside $4 million in funding for the entire project. They
expect the cost to come in well below that figure, perhaps in the range of $2.6 to $3 million.
Jerry commented that every person involved is staying -up to speed on every detail in an
effort to bring this project to a conclusion as efficiently and quickly as possible.
If necessary, the next regularly scheduled meeting of the Council Economic Development
Committee will be Wednesday, February 4, 2009, at 4:00 p.m.
, I 11. - .ti / i. ,-..&.4 / '; .) 0 -° t f
Micah Cawley, Cha r Date
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