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HomeMy WebLinkAbout08/05/2008 18 Ramp Removal on the 300-400 block of "A" Street BUSINESS OF THE CITY COUNCIL YAKIMA, WASHINGTON t AGENDA STATEMENT Item No. 12 For Meeting Of Aug. 5, 2008 ITEM TITLE: Consideration of legislation regarding removal of a ramp on the 300 -400 block of "A" Street, adjacent to JEM Development property (former Yakima Mall): A. Consideration of recommendation from the Downtown Yakima Futures Initiative Committee for ramp removal; and B. An Ordinance Amending the 2008 Budget and Making Appropriations in the 141- Street & Traffic Engineering Fund SUBMITTED BY: Bill Cook, Director of Community and Economic Development Cindy Epperson, Deputy Director of Accounting and Budgeting CONTACT PERSON/TELEPHONE: Bill Cook — 575 -6113 SUMMARY EXPLANATION: During the July 23, 2008 Downtown Yakima Futures Initiative Committee meeting, Joe Morrier requested that the City remove the eastern most up -ramp on 'A' Street that accesses the Mall parking area. It blocks the proposed entry way for a proposed Hotel. Since the City owns this ramp, the committee agreed that the City should accommodate this request and directed the 0 Engineering Division to get a price for this demolition of the ramp from the contractor (KRCI) who is doing the Downtown Yakima Futures Initiative, Phase 3 contract. KRCI's quote to do this demolition work is $85,500. It is proposed that the Street Fund cash reserves be used to pay for this work. Attached is the letter requesting improvements by JEM Development; the City's response to that letter; and the appropriation increasing the Street budget by $85,500. Resolution Ordinance X - Other (Specify) Correspondence (2) Contract Mail to (name and address): Phone: Funding Source Street and Traffingineering Fund 141 - unappropriated fund balance APPROVED FOR SUBMITTAL: V`c� <'` z, City Manager STAFF RECOMMENDATION: A: A motion to remove the ramp on the 300 -400 block of "A" Street B. Read the attached ordinance by title only at the August 5, 2008 Council Meeting. Pass ordinance after second reading at the August 19, 2008 Council Meeting. COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION: The Downtown Yakima Futures Initiative Committee 0 recommended approval at their July 23,2008 meeting. COUNCIL ACTION: • ORDINANCE NC). 2008 AN ORDINANCE' amending the 2008 budget for the City of Yakima; and making appropriations of $85,500 within the 141 - Street and Traffic Engineering Fund to provide for removal of a ramp on the 300 -400 block of "A" Street WHEREAS, the amount of $85,500 must be appropriated within the 141 - Street and Traffic Engineering Fund for expenditure during 2008 to provide for removal of a ramp on the 300 -400 block of "A" Street; and WHEREAS, at the time of the adoption of the 2008 budget it could not reasonably have been foreseen that the appropriation provided for by this ordinance would be required; and the City Council declares that an emergency exists of the type contemplated by RCW 35.33.091 and that it is in the best interests of the City to make the appropriation herein provided, now, therefore, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY OF YAKIMA: Section 1: The amount of $85,500 is hereby appropriated from the Unappropriated Fund Balance in the 141 - Street and Traffic Engineering Account 141- 141- 521 - 0000 - 542.70 -410 Street Maintenance - Professional Services as a 2008 appropriation to provide for removal of a ramp on the 300 -400 block of "A" Street. Section 2: This ordinance is one making an appropriation and shall take effect immediately upon its passage, approval and publication as provided by law and by the City Charter. PASSED BY THE CITY COUNCIL, signed and approved this day of August, 2008. DAVID EDLER, MAYOR ATTEST: CITY CLERK First Reading: Publication Date: Effective Date: Cje Ramp removal Approp Ord 08 7/31/2008 • MEMORANDUM July 17, 2008 TO: Council Downtown Futures Initiative Oversight Committee FR: Dick Zais, City Manager Bill Cook, Director of CED RE: JEM Development Request Letter — July 7, 2008 JEM Development, represented by Joe Morrier, has submitted an updated request to the letter submitted to council on June 24, requesting council consideration of certain commitments regarding land use, infrastructure and economic incentives that JEM has deemed necessary for a new hotel to be built in the former JC Penney building. This memorandum serves as a response and /or recommendation for each item listed in JEM's July 7 letter to the city: 1. "Remove the ramp that is located on the north side of the hotel site." Research conducted by city legal has determined that this ramp was constructed as part of an LID in the late 1960's. While the details of long term maintenance and care are not clear, it could be argued that this is a legitimate public expense to demolish the structure as a way to remove an obstacle to the reuse of the building. From a public use standpoint, the ramp has served its purpose and period of useful life. As the demolition of a public facility, the environmental impacts of this action would need to be further examined. In order to estimate the cost of demolishing the ramp as a public project, staff will request that the. DYFI Phase 3 contractor prepare an estimate for this work as a potential change order to the project. Mr. Morrier estimates the cost at $60,000 if done privately. Please note that as a public works project, contractor selection must follow city bidding procedures and all work must comply with state (or federal, depending on funding source) prevailing wage rate and other contract requirements. Accordingly, Mr. Morrier's estimate is likely understated. Some options to fund the demolition include: • DYFI Phase 3 contingency funds. There is only about $75,000 of contingency funds available on the contract for this project that could be accessed in the short term. Other sources of funds would need to be appropriated into the Phase 3 project. Accordingly, this would not be a viable source for funding; • Arterial Street Fund. There is currently less than $300,000 of 0 unappropriated cash reserves but given the obligations of this fund at this time it is not a preferred option; • Street Fund. There is presently $940,000 in unappropriated reserves in this fund, some of which could be allocated to this project. This would be the most viable source for the project at this time. 2. Vacation of the sidewalk on A Street between Naches Avenue to the east side of the The Lofts building. There is an established procedure for vacating a city ROW. The application is first considered by the Hearing Examiner who then forwards a recommendation to City Council. The city would need to determine a fair market value to be paid for the city's ROW and /or enter into an annually renewable license agreement for the long term use of the property. It would be premature to predetermine the outcome of this public process at this time. 3. Renewal Community Commercial Revitalization Deduction of $8 million minimum. As stated in the staff memo of June 24, the city receives an annual allocation of $12 million of CRD that must be awarded on a competitive basis, following review and ranking of applications by the council appointed CRD Allocations Committee. Due to the limited supply and increased demand for the CRD, the committee has III prioritized allocations to projects that will be placed in service in the current year. Given that the city has not received plans for review, it is unlikely that an $8 million project could be completed in 2008. However, if the project is under construction in 2008, it could receive a partial or full award. The 2008 application cycle will open the week of July 21, with Council ratification of the committee's recommendations at its September 16 meeting. Following a 45 day appeal period to the State of Washington, the awards become final and certificates are issued to projects before December 31. Appeals to the state can only be made on the grounds of project eligibility and compliance with the local procedures for allocation. A commitment to this project prior to completion of the application cycle could be appealed to the state, and could jeopardize the city's 2008 allocation. 4. Installation of new sidewalks, curbs and streetlights and planting of trees on "A" Street from Naches Avenue to Third Street" The cost of DYFI improvements is approximately $300,000 per block face pair. While this section is within the Phase 3 area of intent, no design has been done for this block section due - to the fact that there was not any new commercial activity proposed for "A" Street during the design phase, and bids have already ii) been awarded, with construction to begin later that month. There are not . a. • currently any design funds for additional DYFI work. This project would need to be included in a future phase of the DYF1. 5. Installation of sidewalks, streetlights and planting of trees on Naches Avenue between Yakima Avenue and A Street This request has already been fulfilled in DYFI Phase 3. 6. "Designate the use of two lanes on "A" Street for Lobby Parking — where the ramp is to be removed and the lane north of that lane." This request could be accommodated as part of the Right -of -Way vacation process and /or license agreement for "A" Street. Based upon the above, staff request the Futures Committee direction on responding to Mr. Morrier and recommendations that the Committee would forward to the full Council. • • • / rr �. RECEIVED • July 7, 2008 JUL 0 9 2008 • Dick Zais PTY OF YAKIMN C .. , LANNING DI ' j ` City Manager U. 1. 129 N. 2 Street . Yakima. WA 98901 1 1 Dear Mr. Zais, Mayor Dave Edler and Yakima City Council Members: DEVELOPMENT C O M P ANY Naches Hotel, LLC continues to move forward on its commitment and investment to build an upscale multi -story hotel in the former J.C. Penney location. The City of Yakima's partnership remains critical in the success of the project which would provide continued economic development and downtown revitalization. THE TOWER. LLC MORRIER HOTEL. LLC We request the support of the City of Yakima in this necessary project and ask for MORRIER RANCH your consideration in the following: MORRIER HOLDINGS. LLC YMSCC • Removal of the ramp that is located on the north side of the hotel site 402 E.YAKIMA AVE. • Vacation of the sidewalks on "A" Street between Naches Avenue to the east side of The Lofts building SUITE 1000 • K1MA WA 98901 • Renewal Community Commercial Revitalization Deduction of $8 Million minimum PHONE (509) 248 -4040 • Installation of new sidewalks, curbs and streetlights and planting of trees FAX (509) 457 -8361 on ''A" Street from Naches Avenue to Third Street • Installation of sidewalks .and streetlights and planting of trees on Naches Avenue between Yakima Avenue and "A" Street - www.jemdevelopment.com • Designation of the use of two lanes on "A" Street for Lobby Parking . (where the ramp is to be removed and the lane north of that lane) Estimated demolition costs is approximately $60,000.00 including saw cut, demolition, disposal of ramp, railing section, concrete curb, asphalt saw cut, architectural and engineering. We feel this project can be successful and one that will impact the core of downtown Yakima. It is our hope that the City realizes the project's potential and makes this investment in the renewal of downtown Yakima so additional jobs can be created, present jobs retained and local business sustained. Sincerel ' yours, • Jos- s R. Mo ier • • • • • • •