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Home My WebLink About02/27/2024 Study Session 283 MINUTES YAKIMA CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION February 27, 2024 City Hall —Council Chambers -129 N 2nd Street, Yakima, WA 5:00 p.m. Study Session —conducted in person and virtually via Zoom 1. Roll Call Present: Mayor Patricia Byers, presiding;Assistant Mayor Matt Brown and Councilmembers Reedy Berg, Janice Deccio, Rick Glenn and Danny Herrera Staff: Interim City Manager Dave Zabell, City Attorney Sara Watkins and City Clerk Rosalinda I barra Absent and Excused: Councilmember Leo Roy 2. Public comment(allow 15 minutes) Eric Hohman, Yakima resident, encouraged Council to decline the efforts to restructure the citizen committees. Natalie McClendon, Yakima resident, urged Council to consider revising the Rules of Procedure to limit the suspension of the rules to emergencies and majority support of Council members. Phil Hoge, member of Yakima Bikes and Walks, questioned the practicality of moving the Bike and Pedestrian Committee as a subcommittee under the Yakima Planning Commission. Jennifer Gindt, Yakima resident and Chair to the Bike and Pedestrian Committee, stated that moving the Bike and Pedestrian Committee would not serve the Yakima community well and noted health problems such diabetes, heart disease, and obesity that affect the population. Coleen Anderson, Yakima resident, asked Council to reconsider removing City support for the Sustainable Yakima Committee and Community Integration Committee and believes there's more work to be done related to climate change issues. 3. Update on Cascade Millsite Parkway City Engineer Bill Preston provided an extensive update on the Cascade Mill Site property including past projects, current design and construction efforts, along with the funding and environmental status. The property includes Bravo Company Blvd and is part of the "East- West Corridor" project, a multi-jurisdictional transportation group, which aims to alleviate traffic congestion on Yakima Avenue by improving access and safety and provides economic Page 1 of 3 284 development opportunities. Bravo Company Blvd currently connects to Fair Avenue via a roundabout and will eventually connect with a reconstructed H Street and North 1st Street. The project also includes the design and partial construction of a new sewer trunk line along 1-82 through the Mill Site property. Current efforts are underway to address the environmental work plan with Department of Ecology(DOE)to install underground utilities and construction designs. The funding spent to date is approximately$23.5 million from various funding sources comprised of ARPA, LIFT, DOE and other grants. Looking ahead, the City will continue to support Yakima County in the NEPA completion efforts; complete the IAWP for the underground utilities; work with DOE to develop cleanup efforts; keep the DOE and Yakama Nation informed of the project as it progresses; and continue to seek funding for all phases of the project. 4. Presentation of the City Space Study Interim City Manager Dave Zabell introduced Kim Phelps and Jodi Kittel of ALSO Architects, the firm hired to conduct the space planning study. Ms. Phelps and Ms. Kittel presented the City of Yakima Space Study report and highlighted the assessment of several City-owned facilities including: future City Hall (formerly Bank of America), City Hall Annex (current City Hall facility), Special Assault Unit(current Y-PAC), Zais Law and Justice Center, Police Annex, and ONDS building. The objectives of the study are to increase efficiency, enhance the public experience in accessing services, utilize recently acquired property, and identify consolidation efforts for economic redevelopment purposes. Mr. Zabell noted that the total cost estimate based on an ideal layout is approximately$26-$30 million. Further refinements based on Council and public input, potential for phasing of improvements, and development of a funding plan will occur over the next several months. 5. Update on 40th Ave & Chestnut Traffic Analysis City Engineer Bill Preston presented an update on additional traffic controls at the intersection of 40th Avenue and Chestnut Avenue. Council previously directed staff to explore the possibility of enhancing the bicycle and pedestrian awareness with the installation of High Intensity Activated Crosswalk(HAWK)system. Mr. Preston explained the advantages and disadvantages of installing a HAWK system at this intersection. The advantages include: HAWK systems reduce collisions on high-speed, high volume, multi- lane streets like 40th Avenue; more effective than Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacons (RRFB)systems; completely stops all traffic; and, provides up to an 8% reduction in pedestrian crashes over an RRFB system. The disadvantages include: more costly than other alternatives; purchase of right of way property; does not improve current operation of the intersection; six crashes since 2017 and none involved pedestrians or cyclists; downhill grade not favorable for signaled location; and, HAWK system is considered riskier for city staff when performing maintenance. The estimated cost to install a HAWK system at the 40th Avenue and Chestnut Avenue intersection is $367,000, which includes right of way acquisition. Additionally, Mr. Preston provided the following alternatives: • Enhanced lighting -add street light for the north crosswalk or replace existing crosswalk signs with LED Edged Lighted Crosswalk signs Page 2 of 3 285 • Advanced lighting - install additional RRFB flashers • Reduce speed limit- install speed limit signs to create a slower speed zone Mayor Byers expressed safety concerns regarding the downhill grade traffic and stated advanced lighting would be more effective.Assistant Mayor Brown voiced support for the low-cost alternatives. 6. Adjournment MOTION: Brown moved and Deccio seconded to adjourn to the next Council regular meeting on March 5, 2024, at 5:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers at City Hall. The motion carried by unanimous vote; Roy absent. The meeting adjourned at 6:27 p.m. CERTIFICATION READ AND CERTIFIED ACCURATE BY S^C 0 COU IL MEMB --��Ot ‘N OUNCIL MEMBER DATE ATTEST: ° 1/ $ SEAL CITY CLERK 11,q\NG-�o MAYO Page 3 of 3