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.
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RECEIVED
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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
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