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HomeMy WebLinkAbout07/15/2008 00 Misc Distributed at the MeetingOFFICE OF THE CITY MANAGER 129 NORTH SECOND STREET CITY HALL, YAKIMA, WASHINGTON 98901 PHONE: (509) 575 -6040 lJVL1L5Ul:t1JO AUVBUlJll1J To: City Council Members From: City Manager Dick Zais`O� Community Relations Manager Randy Beehler Subject: Chamber of Commerce State of the City Presentation Date:. July 10, 2008 Council Members, The State of the City presentation during the Chamber of Commerce luncheon next Monday, July 14 (11:30 am to 1:00 pm at the Clarion Hotel) is a wonderful opportunity to provide a condensed report card on the City's major accomplishments and initiatives during the past year. To help you prepare for the presentation, please review the attached information: 1) The luncheon agenda 2) Brief descriptions of significant issues that the most active Council committees have been dealing with The Chamber has asked each committee chair to briefly discuss items his /her committee(s) has been or is currently tackling. Council members who do not chair one of the most active committees are also invited to talk about issues they would like to highlight. As the luncheon agenda indicates, each Council member (and the City Manager) will have about 3 minutes to offer prepared remarks. The remainder of the time has been set aside for a question and answer forum. Please let us know if you need more information about the Council committee issues that are briefly described in this packet or any other items that you might like to address during the luncheon. We can also answer any questions you might have about the presentation format and /or your role in the event. , Yakima a j teair 'ells► 1994 Greater Yakima Chamber of Commerce General Membership Luncheon "State of the City" Presentation Monday, July 14, 2008 Clarion Hotel Agenda 11:30 am Buffet Lunch is served Raffle tickets are sold 12:00 pm Welcome - Brad Christianson greets the gathering and introduces VIP's Invocation - Pastor Jim Erickson, First Presbyterian Church Pastor Erickson is also Chaplain to the City of Yakima Fire Dept. Pledge of Allegiance 12:05 pm Introduction of New Members 12:07 pm Luncheon Sponsor Presentation 12:12 pm Chamber Awards Update 12:16 pm "State of the City" Presentation Introduction Each of the 7 guest speakers will have 3 minutes at the podium, beginning with Assistant Mayor Micah Cawley and finishing with City Manager Dick Zais. 12:40 pm Question and Answer Forum with Council Members and City Manager 12:50 pm "State of the City" Presentation Closing 12:55 pm Raffle.Drawing 1:00 pm Luncheon Concludes 1 Council Strategic Priorities/Vision & Mission Committee Chair —Kathy Coffey Dave Edler Micah Cawley Neil McClure (Alternate) New City Vision & Mission Statements and Council Strategic Priorities Following the City Council's January 2008 retreat, work began on revisions to the City's Vision and Mission Statements and the Council's Strategic Priorities. The Vision and Mission Statements serve as reference points when City programs, policies, and services are adapted to meet the evolving needs of the community. The Strategic Priorities reflect the Vision and Mission Statements, guide the City in the allocation of resources, and help the City evaluate its performance in meeting established goals. The City Council adopted revised Vision and Mission Statements and new Strategic Priorities in March of this year. The City's current Vision Statement is: To create a culturally diverse, economically vibrant, safe, and strong Yakima community, The City's current Mission Statement is: To provide outstanding services that meet the community's needs To govern responsibly by effectively managing and protecting public resources To build trust In government through openness, diverse leadership; and communication 4 To strategically focus on enhancing .Yakima's quality of life The Council's current Strategic Priorities are: + Maintain and Improve Public Health and Safety + Promote Economic Development and Diversification + Build and Utilize Strategic Partnerships Preserve and Enhance Yakima's Quality of Life Efficiently Manage Public Resources and Ensure Fiscal Stability Provide Responsive Customer Service and Effective Communications NJ Council Budget Committee Chair —Micah Cawley Kathy Coffey Neil McClure Bill Lover, (Alternate) City Budget Status - Strict cost containment measures, a freeze on employee pay increases, and increased construction activity that generated strong sales tax revenues combined to allow the City to avoid dipping into reserves in order to cover General Government expenses for the second year in a row. - The City's 2008 budgets for both General Government (approximately $58 million) and City -wide expenditures (approximately $181 million) continue the City's practice of keeping expenditures responsibly constrained within existing resources. Approximately $800,000 in general fund expenses that were included in the 2007 budget were eliminated from this year's budget in order to keep the City living within its means. - The budgeting process for 2009 has already begun and the elimination of more expenses will have to occur in order to balance next year's budget. . - Ongoing private sector cost increases (fuel, insurance, construction materials, medical coverage, utilities, etc.) along with labor cost increases are expected to continue to outpace City revenue growth. Because of that, additional reductions in City programs and services will be likely. City Council Budget Committee Formed in 2007, the Council Budget Committee is continuing its review of the City's General Government Budget. The committee's review includes identifying potential revenue opportunities that may be necessary to ensure the City's .ongoing Sustainability of Services, establishing City services priorities, and identifying expenditures /services that may be reduced, eliminated, combined, or.transferred to the private sector. 2006 Financial Audit The City received its 21St consecutive "unqualified" audit report from the Washington State Auditor's office for the 2006 fiscal year (the most recent audit performed). An "unqualified" finding indicates that the City practices sound financial management and has solid administrative procedures in place. Utilities Credit Rating The City received a two -step increase in its Water and Wastewater utilities credit rating from Standard and Poor's in May 2008 just prior to the sale of $9 million in revenue bonds. Due to the bump from an "A" to a "AA-" credit rating, the City will save money by paying a lower interest rate on the bond, the proceeds of which are being used for on -going enhancements to the City's Wastewater Treatment Plant and to refinance bonds that were . previously sold to make improvements to the plant. City Performance Audit In April 2008, the Yakima City Council invited Washington State Auditor Brian Sonntag to conduct an independent, comprehensive performance audit of the City's operations. Sonntag agreed to the request and the initial data gathering process began in June 2008. Voters approved Initiative 900 in 2005 which requires the State Auditor to conduct performance audits of state and local government agencies. 1 -900 also set aside a portion of the state sales tax to pay for audits. The cost of the Yakima performance audit, which could take a year or more to complete, will be covered by those funds. 3 Council Economic Development Committee Chair — Micah Cawley Rick Ensey Neil McClure Kathy Coffey (Alternate) More Than 2600 New Business Licenses Issued in Past 5 Years In the past 5 years, the City has issued more than 2600 new business licenses, a strong indication of Yakima's growing economy. The vast majority of the licenses have been issued to brand new businesses, although a few resulted from a business being sold to new owners or because the name of a business was changed. Record Level Construction Activity Construction activity in Yakima continues at record levels. In 2007, the City processed 258 permit applications, a 20% increase over the previous year. Permit activity appears to be on pace in 2008 to exceed 2007 levels. Commercial Revitalization Deduction Projects All of the City's $12 million in federal Commercial Revitalization Deduction allocations were made in 2007. Among others, projects included the new Fiesta Foods store on East Nob Hill Boulevard ($3 million), the new Yakima Residences hotel on North Fair Avenue ($2.7 million), the new Columbia River Bank on North 5th Avenue ($855,000), and rehabilitation of a Jeld -Wen, Inc. manufacturing building on North 6th Avenue ($1.5 million). Capitol Theatre Campus Project With funding provided through, a Public Facilities District consisting of the cities of Yakima, Union Gap, and Selah, Phase 2 of the Capitol Theatre Campus improvement project is progressing. The $9.5 million Phase 2 will include a Production Center, which will be constructed on the east side of.the theatre, and a two -story annex, which will replace an existing building to the north of the theatre and include office, meeting, and performance space. Yakima Resources Development City staff is continuing to provide assistance to Yakima Resources in its ongoing effort to develop property which was home to a wood processing operation. In June 2008, the City Council authorized the City to apply for funding from the state Local Infrastructure Financing Tool ( "LIFT ") program to assist in making improvements to roads, utilities, etc. on and near the Yakima Resources property. Such improvements are key to the development of the area. 4 Council Public Safety Committee Chair —Norm Johnson Dave Edler Bill Lover Rick Ensey (Alternate) Safe Community Action Plan In summer 2007, the City Council adopted Phase 1 of the Safe Community Action Plan ( "SCAP "). Utilizing resources made.available by the annexation of the City into the Regional Library District, Phase 1 of the SCAP funds 7 new uniformed officers, a crime analyst, and a crime - free - rental- housing clerk in the Yakima Police Department as well as a computerized prosecution case management system and a Municipal Court clerk. The new police officers are assigned to a dedicated Proactive Enforcement Unit allowing the Police Department to expand its successful Emphasis Patrol program which targets high -crime areas in the City. Criminal Justice Enhancements Funded By Dedicated County Sales Tax A .3% sales tax increase, approved by Yakima County voters in 2004, has enabled important enhancements to be made to the City's Criminal Justice System.. The tax currently funds 5 officers and 1 detective in the Yakima Police Department, 1 assistant City attorney and 1 legal assistant, 2 Municipal Court clerks, a three - quarter time Municipal Court commissioner, and 1 animal control officer. A sizable portion of the City's share of the sales tax funds continues to be dedicated to increased inmate housing costs at Yakima County facilities. Scheduled to sunset in 2010, preparations are underway by Yakima County to submit a ballot measure to voters to renew the tax. Decrease In Crime Rate Yakima's increased focus on crime- fighting efforts and the additional resources that have been made available through the SCAP and the .3% Public Safety Sales Tax are paying off. In 2006, Yakima's crime rate dropped by almost 6% compared to the previous year. In 2007, the crime rate was 17% lower than it was in 2006. Through April .2008, the crime rate had decreased another 16% compared to last year. Anti -Gang Ordinance Last year the City Council adopted a'strict Anti -Gang Ordinance that gave law enforcement additional tools to combat criminal street gang activity. Earlier this year the ordinance was revised based on bills passed during the 2008 session of the Washington State Legislature that provided clearer definitions of gang activity and stiffened penalties for gang- related crimes. Federal Public Safety Enhancement Grants The City successfully secured 2 federal public safety enhancement grants that total more than $700,000. The grant funding will be used to strengthen the City's gang resistance and intervention programs and to purchase technology to assist with graffiti surveillance, crime trend analysis, and data collection. Emergency Medical Services 1qvy In order to raise the standard of Emergency Medical Services ( "EMS ") care in Yakima, the City Council is considering submitting a ballot measure for the November 2008 general election to adjust the existing EMS levy. Increasing the current levy, rate from 25 cents - per- thousand to 50 cents -per- thousand would provide funding for 14 additional firefighters and enhanced on -scene paramedic support. The City Council will' hold a public hearing on the EMS Levy proposal on July 22nd at 7:00 pm in the Council Chambers at City Hall. Council Downtown Yakima Futures Initiative Oversight Committee Chair —Norm Johnson Rick Ensey Kathy Coffey Neil McClure (Alternate) Downtown Futures Initiative - The investment of nearly $11 million in public funds in the Downtown Yakima Futures Initiative ( "DYFI ") is making an impact. Paid for with a combination of allocations from the State Legislature, state Community, Trade, and Economic Development funds, federal Housing and Urban Development moneys, and City resources, Phases 1 and 2 of the sidewalk, lighting, and landscaping improvements have encouraged private investment and changed the downtown environment. The private sector has invested more than $50 million in Downtown Yakima in the past 3 years alone. - The Association of Washington Cities recently presented the City with the 2008 Municipal Excellence Award for Economic Development in recognition of the positive effects the first 2 phases of the DYFI are having in revitalizing Downtown Yakima. Washington State Governor Christine Gregoire joined many other dignitaries for a commemoration ceremony of Phases 1 and 2 in June 2008. - Phase 3 of the DYFI will begin near the end of July 2008 and should be completed before Thanksgiving. The $1.5 million Phase 3 will extend the sidewalk, lighting, and landscaping improvements north and south along parts of 1St Street, 2nd Street, 3rd Street and Naches Avenue. Historic District Brick Street Pavers In fall 2007, 100 years after the first brick street in Yakima was laid, community leaders dedicated the installation of new brick streets in the Historic North Front Street District. As part of a project to relocate utilities in preparation for the construction of railroad underpasses on MLK, Jr. Boulevard and Lincoln Avenue, an L- shaped section of North Front Street and "A" Street was paved with new bricks. The approximately $2 million project was paid for mostly with capital funds from state agencies which are earmarked for transportation improvements. Downtown Housing Tax Incentive In 2006, the City Council approved a tax incentive program targeted at encouraging the development of multi - family housing in Downtown Yakima. The program is- currently being utilized by a developer who is transforming the old Bon Marche department store into loft condominiums. Downtown Parking and Business Improvement Area Funds generated from assessments collected within an existing Parking and Business Improvement Area ( "PBIA ") are currently allocated (by Council action) to the Committee For Downtown Yakima ( "CDY ") for use in ongoing maintenance, promotion, and other improvement activities in the City's core. COY has proposed disestablishing the PBIA and forming a new, expanded Business Improvement District ( "BID "). Once a petition for a new BID is submitted to the City Council by affected business and property owners, the Council will consider establishing the BID boundaries and an assessment formula. in Council Trans it/Transr)ortation Plannina Committee Chair —Neil McClure Micah Cawley Rick Ensey Bill Lover (Alternate) River Road Improvements Approximately $7 million in major improvements to 18 blocks of River Road, which include utility upgrades, road widening, traffic signal installation, and new sidewalks, will be completed in summer 2008. The project, which was paid for from more than a half -dozen funding sources, substantially improves access to a major industrial and residential area of the City. MILK, Jr. Blvd. and Lincoln Avenue Underpass Projects Phase 1 of the Lincoln Avenue /Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard underpass projects, which primarily included relocating utilities, was finished in fall 2007. Acquisition of the rights -of -way necessary for the project began last year as well and will be completed soon. Construction on the Lincoln Avenue underpass is expected to begin in November 2008. - Selah and Union Gap Transit Service Yakima Transit began providing permanent Monday through Saturday bus service to the City of Selah in the summer of 2007. The service also includes Dial -A -Ride 6 days a week. Funding for the Selah route comes from a dedicated .3 %transit sales tax approved by Selah voters in November 2006. In January 2008, Yakima Transit started permanent Monday through Saturday bus service, including Dial -A -Ride 6 days a week, to the City of Union Gap. A dedicated .2 % transit sales tax approved by Union Gap voters in November 2007 pays for the service. Neighborhood Traffic Calming Program A variety of "traffic calming" methods are being tried in various neighborhoods around the City in order to encourage drivers to slow down. Radar speed limit signs have been posted, an enhanced crosswalk at the Convention Center on 8th Street was installed, "STOP for Pedestrian" bollards were placed at crossings of the Canal Pathway, and a radar speed trailer was purchased and is being used by the Yakima Police Department. Valley Mall Boulevard Construction on Phase 3 of Valley Mall Boulevard, which includes a new section of roadway connecting 3rd Avenue to 16th Avenue, has begun. The City of Union Gap, the Washington State Transportation Improvement Board, the Washington State Public Works Trust Fund Board, the Washington State Legislature, and the City of Yakima have all contributed funding for the $15 million project. Completion of Valley Mall Boulevard will enhance economic development by opening up additional land and by creating a direct link between the Yakima Air Terminal and 1 -82. VA Council Neighborhood Development Committee Chair -Bill Lover Kathy Coffey Neil McClure Micah Cawley (Alternate) Ready by Five Early Learning Center The Yakima non - profit organization Ready by Five, the Yakima School District, and the City are coordinating efforts to locate a site for a proposed early learning center in Southeast Yakima. The $10 million center, funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, is one element of a community partnership that will substantially increase access to high - quality early learning opportunities for children from birth to age 5 in the partnership's project area of East Yakima. The current preferred site is near Adams Elementary School. Strong opposition was voiced during a public hearing earlier this year to locating the Ready by Five facility on property which is now home to the Southeast Community Center. That site was removed from consideration at the request of Ready by Five. Renewal Community Reauthorization The City is actively pursuing Congressional reauthorization of Renewal Community legislation which provides economic development incentives including wage credits, tax deductions, capital gains exclusions, and bond financing. Yakima received 1 of the only 40 Renewal Community designations throughout the country 6 years ago. The program, set to expire in 2009, has been a key economic stimulus in the Yakima area and is critical to future growth. Neighborhood Cleanup Program The City's Neighborhood Cleanup Program has removed more than 30 tons of trash from various sections of Yakima in 2007 and 2008. Litter Reduction In the last 2 years, more than 1200 litter abatement letters have been sent to property owners in the City requiring them to clean up trash on or near their property. In 2007, almost 80% of the property owners contacted complied with the notice. In 2008, compliance has increased to nearly 90 %. Properties not cleaned up by the owner are abated by the City and the owner is charged for all associated costs. Illegal Dumping Program The City's Refuse Division and Office of Neighborhood Development have established a program designed to identify and clean up areas where trash has been illegally dumped. So far in 2008, the program has cleaned up well over 100 sites. The more than 5 tons of garbage that have been removed includes tires, appliances, furniture, brush, and a variety of other trash. Council Aquatics Feasibility Study Committee Chair —Kathy Coffey Dave Edler Micah Cawley Neil McClure (Alternate). Regional Aquatics Center Feasibility Study - Results of a feasibility study conducted by USHK of Lewiston, Idaho indicate that the Yakima area is well positioned as a location for a regional aquatics center. The board of the Yakima /Union Gap /Selah Public Facilities District has given initial approval to a .1 % sales tax increase to fund construction of the center. Any increase in the sales tax would ultimately have to be approved by voters in all 3 cities. - Preliminary discussions are underway with the owners of Yakima Resources concerning locating the center on Yakima Resources property, and with the Yakima Valley YMCA regarding a potential partnership with the YMCA for operation and maintenance of the center. - Further analysis of the study results is underway and next steps in the process are being determined. Key decisions will need to be made by local government, potential private sector partners, and non- profit organizations as the consideration and evaluation process continues. 9 Council Ad Hoc Arts Committee Chair —Kathy Coffey Bill Lover Norm Johnson Arts Committee /Commission The Council's Ad Hoc Arts Committee is working with representatives of the local arts community toward the formation of a Yakima Arts Commission. The structure and function of the commission is still under discussion. An arts commission could act as a design review committee for proposed public arts projects, coordinate arts activities in the community, assist in the marketing of arts programs, etc. 10 City /County Intergovernmental Committee Chair —Dave Edler Norm Johnson Neil McClure Rick Ensey (Alternate) Regional Stormwater Policy Group The Regional Stormwater Policy Group, consisting of representatives from Yakima County and the cities of Yakima, Union Gap, Moxee, .and Sunnyside, has transitioned from its previous planning functions to now focus on and oversight. The group is developing a.stormwater manual to assist developers in meeting requirements related to stormwater management. Work is also progressing on creation of an ordinance template which will eventually be adopted by each participating jurisdiction. Joint Adoption of Critical Areas Ordinance Earlier this year the City and Yakima County jointly adopted an updated. Critical Areas Ordinance. The ordinance guides development in order to protect critical areas such as wetlands, wildlife habitat, geologic hazard areas, and flood hazard areas. Uniform Development Standards /Growth Management Act Interlocal Agreement Discussions between the City and Yakima County are continuing regarding the creation of uniform development standards that would apply throughout the Yakima Urban Growth Area. Uniform standards would provide predictability for developers and consistency in the application of rules and regulations. Uniform development standards are one element of an Interlocal Agreement between the City and Yakima County, which is currently being renegotiated; that assures development within the Urban Growth Area is'consistent with the state's Growth Management Act. Airport Safety Overlay The City and Yakima County are working together with board members and staff of the Yakima Air Terminal to complete revisions to the existing Airport Safety Overlay ( "ASO ") Completion of the ASO revisions will provide predictability for property owners and developers within the ASO. City /County Purchasing Operations Consolidation The City and Yakima County jointly commissioned a study by the National Institute of Governmental Purchasing ( "NIGP ") to examine overall procurement operations and to evaluate the potential for consolidation of City and County purchasing functions. The NIGP found that a joint City /County purchasing program could result in both cost savings and improved services. The next step recommended by the NIGP is for the City and County to go through a strategic planning process to more clearly determine the feasibility of consolidating their respective purchasing operations. Additional City /County Services Coordination The City and Yakima County are actively exploring the potential for coordinating services ranging from land use planning and code enforcement to street maintenance and inmate detention. All options, including consolidation, which could_ result in improved levels of service and /or reduced costs, will be examined. 11