Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout04/15/2008 04B-5 Minutes 03-27-2008 Council Neighborhood Development Committee `f8 - Special Meeting Minutes Early Learning Center Siting Neighborhood Development City Council Committee Wednesday, March 27, 2008 Meeting Members: Bill Lover, Chairman Staff: Parks Commissioners: Kathy Coffey Dick Zais - -Bob Busse, Chair Neil McClure Chris Waarvick — Maureen Adkison Denise Nichols - -Tom Hinman -- Mike Nixon —Paul Williams Invited Guests: Rick Linneweh, President & CEO, Memorial Hospital Barbara Cline, Traho Architects Benjamin A. Soria. Superintendent, Yakima Public Schools 411 Dr. Jane Gutting, Superintendent, ESD 105 Henry Beauchamp, Executive Director, OIC Ester Huey, Executive Director of the SECC Maud Scott Chairman Lover opened the meeting by welcoming the "Early Learning Center/Thrive by 5 Partnership" (ELC). Rick Linneweh provided a brief overview of how the 12-15 sites within the service area had been narrowed down to 2, including the following criteria: • Infrastructure evaluations • Ability to demonstrate and centralize services • Housing demographics and available properties The site needs approximately 4 acres and the committee is expected by the major benefactor to provide a significant contribution to the Early Learning Center Project. The two sites now being looked at are MLK Park (between Washington Middle School and Adams Grade School) and the Southeast Community Center. Barbara Cline, Traho Architects, provided a sense of scale for the project Chris Waarvick discussed the physical footprint and attributes of the two sites. Benjamin A. Soria, � • So Yakima Public Schools, commented that ELC is desirous of saving as much of park open space as possible. He identified the Adams area as having around 1,000 school -age kids in the proximity. Parks Commissioner Chairman Bob Busse asked how large the building would be. The answer from the Early Learning Center Partnership was approximately one of the 4 acres would be a building facility. Bob Busse also asked if the major benefactor had specific features in mind. The Early Learning Center Partnership responded in the affirmative that features are specified that are consistent with the services required. Parks Commissioner Mike Nixon inquired what outside space is needed aside from parking. The Early Learning Center Partnership response was that in addition to computer labs, office space, learning conference room spaces, that there would be playground space, and there would be an isolated interactive exhibit which would be fenced yet available to the community and other care centers. Commissioner Maureen Adkison had a question about public safety. The Early Learning Center Partnership response was those questions and concerns need to be investigated, though it is recognized that the MLK Park area has a high concentration of children and housing density. The closing of Race Street needs to be looked at. Fire and Police were requested by Council to weigh in on both sites in terms of public safety matters. Chairman Bill Lover asked Henry Beauchamp what consequences would be for OIC and the current services if the Southeast Community Center was selected. Henry responded by recognizing that some services may be impacted, but he hopes that the best site would be selected, and if the Southeast Community Center were selected that would be "ok" with him, and other opportunities would be investigated for the current services. Chair Lover asked the Early Learning Center Partnership if some of the Southeast Community Center's services could be incorporated into the Early Learning Center's mission. Rick Linneweh responded that certainly some of the services could be considered for incorporation. Denise Nichols observed that MLK Park is one of the few open spaces in a very densely populated neighborhood and has a mixture of trees and the Spray Toy facility. She also 0 commented that there were neighborhood and playground activities at the Southeast Community Center park area. Created by mskovald/cw Neighborhood Development Committee 32708Meetmg Minutes.doc 2 • Ester Huey commented that the Early Learning Center needs to happen. The services that the OIC contract provides for are very similar and have much overlap. She commented that the Early Learning Center needs to be at one of the two sites currently being reviewed. While she said she has great sentiment attached to the Southeast Community Center, either site would be acceptable. Council Member Cawley commented that the Early Learning Center Project needs to be viewed from the big picture and how important it is to Yakima. City Manager Dick Zais asked of OIC what they anticipated to happen after the final two years of the current contract ended. Ester was uncertain as to how services would continue because money is very tight. Henry Beauchamp further commented that if the Southeast Community site is selected some of the services could continue at different sites, perhaps even at the Excel High School. Ester made a final comment that the children being served currently are in many cases the same children or from the same families that "Thrive by 5" would serve. Dr. Jane Gutting, Superintendent of ESD 105, commented that they have 42 current partners; they are very much aware of Ester's programs and committed to maintaining these services and wish to assure the entities that the Early Learning Center will work for all. Council Committee Member Kathy Coffey commented on how excited the possibility of the Early Learning Center was. She had no current preference on site; she expressed great respect for Ester Huey and Henry Beauchamp for all that they have done for many years. She is anxious to move forward yet wishes to see some open spaces protected at either site for public use. Maud Scott thanked everyone for their time to discuss this matter. She started supporting for the Southeast Community Center site because of the density and busing issues at Adams make that site too small and too congested. The City Manager asked of the Early Learning Partnership whether they would prefer a purchase or a lease. The answer provided was that it depends on the site. The Council committee request that staff review siting criteria once again with the Early Learning Center Partnership; public safety and traffic matters followed by a Parks Commission recommendation to the Council Neighborhood Development Committee, followed by a recommendation from the Neighborhood Development Committee to the full Council. Created by mskovald/cw Neghborbood Development Committee 32708Mecting Minutes doe 3 Approved: 410 ill Lover, Chairman Created by mskovaldlcw Neighborhood Development Committee 32708Meeting Minates.doc 4