HomeMy WebLinkAbout07/01/2008 00 Misc Distributed at the MeetingMoore, Debbie
Page 1 of 2
i st ribufed at irfess Meeting
From: Zais, Dick
Sent: Monday, June 30, 2008 2:06 PM
To: Moore, Debbie
Cc: Waarvick, Chris; Zabell, Dave; Morales, Michael; Nichols, Denise; Cook, Bill; Cutter, Jeff
Subject: FW: COMMENTS for City Council meeting 7 pm July 1, 2008
Importance: High
Debbie: Please make a hard copy for distribution tomorrow evening re this agenda item.
Thanks.
Dick
From: Connie Little [mailto:clittle @bentonrea.com]
Sent: Monday, June 30, 2008 12:00 PM
To: Zais, Dick
Subject: COMMENTS for City Council meeting 7 pm July 1, 2008
The following issues in the City Manager's
section of the meeting need my comment.
KIWANIS PARK - Conduct a wetlands assessment of Kiwanis Park.
This pond could be very contaminated from the former area in connection with incinerating garbage at the
incinerator - smokestack for several decades. It is also a haven for mosquitoes which like still water.
The covering of this pond with an attached drainage ditch would remove both of these
possible contaminants. I am working on
an article about Lyme disease and other
health issues connected to chiggers, reptiles, spiders, etc. With people visiting new areas, they can be infected
and return to our valley with health problems previously unknown. I move that this pond be covered.
It will be unavailable to birds and humans! It can be made available for an extra ball field I understand would be
useful to the local kids to use to play the old game I knew as "workup" we played with a ball made of a sock
stuffed with rags and a piece of 2 X 4 for bat, 75 years ago. We were poor!
CHESTNUT -BARGE AREA INCLUDING
THE A.E. LARSON MANSION, ROSEDELL.
The other paragraph deals with the calming of traffic in the Barge- Chestnut area. I had a call from a long time
acquaintance that the neighbors in the area of Rosedell, the mansion built by A.E. Larson are disturbed that the
newest owners want to establish a bed and breakfast at this beautiful location.
An attempt to do this was made a few years ago and that owner had to let the place go back and there has been
a terrible history of ownership. I did a video on Rosedell for YCTV which showed it at its best and I went to the
neighborhood meeting. I spoke for that owner to be allowed to have retreats and other quiet activities there.
There is no limit on parking on the north side and it is within traveling distance with little gas problems. Local
retreats would be a perfect outlet because these folks appreciate the beauty of Yakima.
This mansion costs a lot to maintain and issues similar to Birchfield Manor will calm the city council's fear of
drinking parties and
vandalim. Anyone coming as a guest will have the money to pay their way and appreciate the opportunity to stay
6/30/2008
Page 2 of 2
at Rosedell. If this issue comes up, feel free to call me and I will repeat my support for making Rosedell available
for bed and breakfast and retreats. It has four bedrooms with each a bath on the third floor which were
unbelievably well kept for a building erected in 1905 - now over 100 years old. Let's support this effort, if it is
brought to the council's attention.
KIWANIS PARK SKATEPARK FUNDING
The final comments are for the funding of the skate park at the corner of Maple and Fair Avenue. By all means
let's get this funded and built! I am happy those who appreciate the old buildings, such as the incinerator and
smokestack, see that this is kept as is and room is there for the local people to have lawn, swings, picnic tables,
etc. With other people using this neat little park, perhaps the type of skaters we have heard about near 40th and
Englewood will not behave and appreciate a high quality skatepark we have heard is planned.
Please give copies of this e-mail to each of the council members and department heads. You all know I am a full
time care taker and care about the east side of Yakima very much. Thank you for reading this and any time any
of you have a question, call me at meal time or after 6 pm in the evening, or send me an ,e-mail message.
Sincerely yours, Connie Little, Research
Specialist, Pacific Northwest States and
British Columbia, Canada; 2002 Simpson Lane, Yakima, WA 98901 -3908
(509) 453 -2815 e-mail: clittle(cDbentonrea.com
6/30/2008