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HomeMy WebLinkAbout06/03/2008 04B Minutes 05-21-2008 Council Intergovernmental Relations Committee ,� ..x as _ n,. � i a,, , , ,r rra, G ty ± Counc , Comrniftee Meefang .a . .v. Council IntergovernmentaRR Cations Committee III Wednesday, May 21, 2008 2 :30 p.m. City Manager's Conference Room Council present: Norm Johnson, Neil McClure Absent: Dave Edler Commissioner: Absent: Mike Leita City staff present: Dick Zais, Dave Zabell, Rita DeBord, Bill Cook, Charlie Hines County staff present: Vern Redifer, Steve Erickson Regional Aquatic Study: The initial feasibility study is done. However, there is more work to be done on costs and fees. A year- around facility and a summer only facility were considered in the initial study. The YMCA has expressed an interest in participating in the operation of the facility. Talks between the City and YMCA will continue. Dick Zais reported that a meeting to discuss the project with the board of the Public Facilities District (PFD) will occur on May 22. A regional aquatic center concept could include the cities of Yakima, Selah and Union Gap, along with Yakima County. If the momentum continues at this pace, the project may be readyy to be placed on the fall 2008 ballot. West Valley Neighborhood Plan 411 City and County staff discussed the West Valley Neighborhood Plan at a meeting. held April 30. Steve Erickson reported that he expects the matter to be ready for consideration by the Regional Planning Commission in July. Steve intends to schedule another planning meeting for the first week in June. Consolidated City /County Issues City and County staff have been considering better coordination or consolidation of streets maintenance activities in urban areas. They have arrived at the conclusion that it does not appear to be feasible at this time to do a complete consolidation. However, there are common functional areas that would benefit from coordination. For example, the City might concentrate on snow removal, street lighting and traffic signal maintenance, and the County could focus on pavement preservation management. Chris Waarvick is preparing a draft coordination document. Better utilization of large pieces of equipment would be a highlight of this effort. The study to identify opportunities for consolidation between the City and County Purchasing Departments is nearing completion. The consultant's final report and implementation model will be presented to this committee in the near future. ID Help is needed to analyze the potential that exists to coordinate or consolidate the Codes and Planning areas. Dick Zais stated that the update to the Interlocal Agreement would • have to be complete and other consistencies must be in place to do this. Dave Zabell is in contact with a company that could execute a study on the matter. Details on the cost of the study and other matters will be forthcoming. It would be ideal to have the study underway by mid -year. In the interim, the City's Codes manager position may be under filled. The City appreciates the County's offer to allow Dave Saunders to help out occasionally. The work that is being done by this committee to reach common and uniform . standards for development is paving the way for coordination and /or consolidation. The matter should also be discussed with the Regional Permitting Customer Service Committee. It is possible that the upcoming performance audit might also suggest such a course of action. EMS Levy Yakima Fire Department Chief Charlie Hines talked about Emergency Medical Care and Service (EMS) levies. Yakima County's levy currently stands at 25 cents per $1,000 of assessed value. A change in the levy would require a sixty- percent voter approval. No determination has been made as to whether or when the City might request a change in the levy. A Council study session is scheduled for June 24. Parking Proposal il The County requested conceptual approval to change some parking spaces near. the Courthouse from parallel to angle parking for better access to handicapped parking. Norm and. Neil approved of the idea and suggested the County take the request to the Council Transportation- Transit Committee meeting immediately following this committee meeting. The next Intergovernmental Committee meeting is scheduled for Monday, June 2, beginning at 2:00 p.m., in the City Manager's Conference Room. . Approved by: fil,i101 eet&GI 'Of( S S Neil McClure, Acting Chair Date , .