HomeMy WebLinkAbout03/08/2016 Special Meeting 370
YAKIMA CITY COUNCIL
SPECIAL MEETING
March 8, 2016
Convention Center
6 p.m. -- MINUTES
1. Roll Call
Council: MayorAvina Gutierrez, presiding, Assistant Mayor Holly Cousens, Council Members
Maureen Adkison, Kathy Coffey, Dulce Gutierrez, Bill Lover, and Carmen Mendez
Staff: Interim City Manager Cutter, Acting City Attorney Kunkler and City Clerk Claar Tee
2. Discussion and possible action regarding Yakima Central Plaza
Mayor Gutierrez thanked everyone for attending the meeting. Sean Hawkins, Economic Development
Manager, reviewed a PowerPoint presentation and briefed Council on the Plaza's role and how it was
identified as a source of Economic Development.
Kathryn Gustafson with Gustafson, Guthrie and Nichol, reviewed a PowerPoint on the Downtown
Retail Plan, Downtown Master Plan, Downtown Parking Study and Yakima Central Plaza Final Design.
Mayor Gutierrez stated it is her understanding with $8.5 million in private donations being raised, $1.1
million already spent, that leaves a balance of $4.4 million the City is responsible for. Mr. Hawkins
confirmed that is correct. Mayor Gutierrez commented on the strengths of our community coming
together with a vision of opportunities for our valley.
Council Member Coffey asked about the $750,000 budget shortfall. Interim City Manager Cutter
stated he will be presenting Council with a revised budget that will not have a shortfall. Assistant
Mayor Cousens thanked everyone for coming and mentioned the parking issues everyone brings up.
MOTION: Cousens moved and Lover seconded to block off the parking lot for two weeks,
from Sunday, March 13, 2016 to Saturday, March 26 to test whether there is a parking problem. The
motion failed 4 -3, with Adkison, Coffey, A. Gutierrez and Mendez voting no.
Finance and Budget Director Epperson discussed the debt service if the City borrowed $4.4 million,
with interest in the low $300,000's and could be higher depending on interest rates. Council Member
D. Gutierrez asked if there are ways to slim down the plaza budget. Economic Development Director
Hawkins noted there could be depending on the bidding process and materials used.
Mr. Hawkins responded to questions from audience members with the following answers: he is
proposing a contract with Block by Block to maintain the plaza with assistance from Parks and
Recreation for a total annual budget, including equipment, of $65,000; revenue from events should
cover the daily cost of maintenance; the design includes two bathrooms.
Mayor Gutierrez stated there is a lot of information to consider. Council Member Coffey appreciated
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the comments and noted it is time for consideration and deliberation in the near future.
3. Audience participation
The following individuals spoke in support of the Central Plaza: Dennis Dean, City resident; Grant
Dahl, City resident; Kathleen Goyette, City resident; Carter Fjeld, City resident; Nick Hughes, City
resident; Jessica Hawkins, non - resident; Laura Schlect, City resident; Bridget Russel, City resident;
Tony Sandoval, City resident; John Baule, City resident; Mary Lopez, non - resident; Yami Lancaster,
City resident; Ana Guzman, City resident; Carole Folsom -Hill, City resident; Shirley Strader, City
resident; David Rogers, City resident; Patrick Smith, non - resident; Robert Gerst, non - resident; Robert
Strader, City resident; Phil Hoge, City resident; Aileen Kane, City resident; Casey Corr, non - resident;
Karl Vanevnhoven, City resident; Paul Nagle - McNaughton, City resident; Jose Ramos, City resident;
Andy Jones, City resident; Mike McKinney, City resident; Jay Carskadden, City resident; Steve
Weise, City resident; Kara Lolley, City resident; Syvlia Whitmer, City resident; Cragg Gilbert, non-
resident; Monte Christophe, non - resident; and Terry Mullin, City resident.
The following individuals spoke against the Central Plaza: Sandy Belzer, City resident; Tim Hill, City
resident; Jerry Maggard, City resident; Mark Peterson, non - resident; Lynn Buchanan, City resident;
Verna Panian, non - resident; Paul Tabayoyon, City resident; Rob Leaming, non - resident; Rogelio
Montes, City resident; Kathi Mercy, non - resident; Ken Jones, City resident; Pres Tuesley, City
resident; Tom Bracewell, City resident; Audel Ramirez, non - resident; John Crawford, non - resident;
Scott Willson, City resident; and Kristen Fork, City resident.
The following individuals spoke neutrally about the plaza: Ron King, City resident; Michael McSharry,
non - resident; Tony Sloan, City resident; Brandy Schwartz, City resident; Mike Snyder, non - resident;
and Lorena Hernandez, City resident.
4. Adjournment
Motion: Adkison moved and Coffey seconded to adjourn to the next Council Business
Meeting on March 15, 2016, at 6 p.m. in the Council Chambers at City Hall. The motion
carried by unanimous vote. The meeting adjourned at 9:58 p.m.
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