HomeMy WebLinkAbout04/20/2010 00 Standing Meeting, Item 4 •
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MEMORANDUM
TO: .Members of the Yakima City Council
FROM: Mayor Micah Cawley
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SUBJECT: North First Street Initiative
DATE: March 31, 2010
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Following up on one of the items discussed at our recent retreat, I am proposing that we
establish an Ad Hoc Committee of three City Council members to work with
stakeholders, community members, and staff in moving forward what I am tentatively
calling the North First Street Initiative. Accordingly, I have asked that this issue be
• included on our April 20 standing public meeting agenda.
A number of you have expressed an interest in this j
roect. As North First Street is a
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_Council priority, and is a major gateway into our community, I see this as a project we
will all be involved in, however, only three of us will be able to serve on the Initiative
Committee.
That said, the expectations of this Committee are high and will require a significant
investment of time and effort on the part of the Committee members. Assistant Mayor
Coffey has already been providing leadership in this effort through her work with the
North First Street business community by helping to organize them into a 501 -C3
organization. While a significant accomplishment, this was just the beginning of our
work here. Most recently myself and Council member Lover have been meeting with
some of the North First Street business owners to receive input and gauge interest and
support for an initiative. Council members serving on this Committee can anticipate the
need to participate in fundraising, public outreach efforts and advocacy efforts to key
legislators. With respect to the Committee's legislative efforts, it is envisioned this will
FOR COUNCIL INFO ONLY
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require several trips to Olympia and member districts to meet with key legislators from
outside our area, and potentially be part of the city's Washington DC delegation. In
addition, Committee members can anticipate an aggressive Committee meeting
schedule since this is a high priority as deemed by the Council.
Our efforts here will closely resemble the previous effort on the Downtown Yakima
Futures Initiative, only in this case, we are working on a Tess densely developed and
more diverse, in terms of services, stretch of street.
These challenges aside, participating on the Committee there will be an opportunity to
make a real difference in the appearance and vibrancy of this major gateway into our
community. As you consider your interest in this Committee, I ask you to take into
account your availability given the demands of this assignment.
I look forward to discussing and hearing your thoughts on this matter further with you at
our April 20 meeting.
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