HomeMy WebLinkAbout03/18/2008 04B Minutes 03-05-2008 Council Economic Development Committee 'K 1, Yakima Cit CouncilC -;--,-„, eeting ° � i s -, : l w
• Council Economic Development Committee
Council Chambers
Wednesday, March 5, 2008
4:00 p.m.
Members present: Councilmembers Cawley, Coffey, Ensey
Staff: Bill, Cook, Doug Mayo, Jeff Cutter, Jeff Peters
Invited guests: Larry Mattson and Darren Joss/Yakima Youth Soccer Association,
Don Eastridge/Yakima Farmers' Market
Yakima Youth Soccer Association (YYSA) development proposal
Larry Mattson and Darren Joss spoke to the Committee about proposed development plans
of a Yakima Soccer Complex and to seek support for a resolution that will come before the
full Council in April. A resolution is a required to begin the application process for a grant
available through the Department of Conservation and Recreation. The resolution will state
that the City is in support of YYSA as YYSA attempts to secure funding for this project. The
City's Parks and Recreation Division will assist YYSA with the grant process and other
matters related to the project. YYSA is also on the agenda for the March 12 Yakima Parks
and Recreation Commission meeting. Since the site under consideration is City property,
eventually a Memorandum of Agreement would have to come to Council that would allow
YYSA to occupy the property for the purpose of operating a soccer complex. The Committee
40 indicated support for the project and the resolution that will come to Council in the near
future.
Yakima Farmers' Market
Don Eastridge reported that the Yakima Farmers' Market is in the process of preparing a new
three -year contract for Council approval. The contract is very similar to previous contracts
that have been in place for the last nine years. One notable change is a request to expand
their area on Third Street, south of Chestnut to the Post. Office driveway, and west on
Chestnut to the alley between Second and Third. However, Jeff Schneider at YPD and Joan
Davenport from Traffic both recommend that the street closures should extend from
intersections, not alleys or driveways.
With each contract, the Market is required to have a petition of support signed by businesses
that are affected by the street closures. Don will continue to gather the signatures and to put
the finishing touches on the contract. The Market hopes to open on May 11. They plan have
the contract to Council sometime in April. The Committee voted to have the contract brought
to the full Council when it is ready and the petitions are signed.
Update on soils testing at the Yakima Resources site
Ray Paolella reported that testing and analysis are occurring. The City, Yakima Resources
and Boise expect to hear some of the results this month. The parties continue to work toward
a redevelopment project for the site.
Utility Availability Application
• The purpose of the utility availability application is to require verification that wastewater
availability exists before development occurs in the area within the urban growth area but
outside City limits. In February, the Committee asked Bill Cook to finalize the fee structure
and to discuss the application with the CWHBA/Joe Walsh.
Bill Cook and Joe Walsh met to discuss the application. The matter was also discussed at
the March 3 Council Intergovernmental Committee meeting. The application was edited by
Bill Cook and Doug Mayo, and the application fee was eliminated.
At the March 5 meeting of the Council Economic Development Committee meeting, Joe
Walsh emphasized that he believes the application can be further simplified to the point that
its only purpose is "to tell the City what the developer wants to do." Dave Zabell pointed out
that this kind of long -term planning will benefit rate payers of the utility over time and said that
the application serves the purpose of inviting a dialog with developers in the beginning stages
of their projects.
The Committee asked that Bill Cook and Joe Walsh continue to talk about the application.
They would like to see the final product come back to the Economic Development Committee
before it is sent to the full Council.
Economic Development legislation
Federal legislation: the City's delegation that travels to Washington D.C. next week will make
a request to extend the renewal community program. Without an extension, the program will
expire in 2009.
State legislation: The City supports the full implementation of the Local Infrastructure
Financing Tool (LIFT) to assist with public infrastructure for new development sites.
Annexation requests
Metz: The Committee approved sending the Metz annexation request to the full Council for
initiation.
Coolidge: The Committee gave their approval to send a letter to the residents in the area to
gauge the residents' interest in being annexed into the City. The Committee will review the
matter again after the letter is sent and the comment period has elapsed.
Yakima County Flood Management Plan
In November 2007, Yakima County circulated a flood management plan to all Yakima County
cities and agencies. The County asked the cities and agencies to adopt the plan, describing
the plan as "non- binding." City staff and legal counsel were concerned after their research
determined that the document is binding, and that it may not be entirely consistent with City
development standards.
Ray Paolella recently sent a letter to Yakima County asking for clarification. County staff has
indicated that they will respond to our request for clarification very soon. The Committee
determined that the matter can be forwarded to the full Council as soon as it is ready.
The next regular meeting of the Council Economic Development Committee is April 2, 2008.
Micah Cawley, Chair Date