City Council

GRANDVIEW CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES MAY 17, 2022 1. CALL TO ORDER Mayor Gloria Mendoza called the special meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers at City Hall. The meeting was held in person and was also available via teleconference. Present in person: Mayor Mendoza and Councilmembers David Diaz, Jessie Espinoza, Bill Moore (Mayor Pro Tem), Robert Ozuna, Javier Rodriguez and Joan Souders Present via teleconference: None Absent: Councilmember Mike Everett Staff present: City Administrator/Public Works Director Cus Arteaga, City Treasurer Matt Cordray, Police Chief Kal Fuller, Parks and Recreation Director Gretchen Chronis, Assistant Police Chief Seth Bailey, Assistant Public Works Director Todd Dorsett and City Clerk Anita Palacios 2. ARPA PROJECTS Council reviewed the results of the following four proposed activities given to councilmembers to complete the “agee or not agree” form: ARPA Eligible Proposed Activities to help residents and businesses from remaining $258,583 funds Council Members Activity Amount Percent Agree Agree Yes No Food & Nutrition Community Survey Page 5 “20% of residents need assistance”; Final Rule page 17 & 18 allows this activity. $ 18,000 4 1 80% Host 4 Festivals or Events (as a Business Revenue Recovery Activity) – propose Main Street conduct these events. Community Survey page 23 - 40% of residents & CS page 38 – 47% residents want these; Final Rule page 21; Initial Business Survey results indicate that about half of businesses responding had a 10% decrease of revenues as a result of COVID-19. $ 90,000 5 0 100% Support Youth Center with Activities - (city or nonprofit to conduct) – (activities would include summer camps and supporting local organizations providing summer youth activities) Community Survey page 33 - 53% residents want these activities; Final Rule page 20; ARPA FAQs Treasury website page 18. $ 50,000 5 0 100% Regular Meeting Minutes May 17, 2022 Page 2 Support Senior Citizens Activities Community Survey page 36 - 41% residents want these activities; Final Rule page 20; ARPA FAQs Treasury website page 18. $ 20,000 5 0 100% Total $ 178,000 Remaining $ 80,583 Councilmembers who completed the form were Jessie Espinoza, Robert Ozuna, David Diaz, Bill Moore and Joan Souders Discussion took place. On motion by Councilmember Moore, second by Councilmember Ozuna, Council approved the following ARPA activities: • Food & Nutrition–$18,000–allocate ARPA funds to local food banks • Host 4 Festivals or Events–$90,000–allocate ARPA funds to Grandview Main Street • Support Youth Center with Activities–$50,000–allocate ARPA funds to Parks and Recreation Department • Support Senior Citizens Activities–$20,000–allocate ARPA funds to Parks and Recreation Department Roll Call Vote: • Councilmember Diaz – Yes • Councilmember Espinoza – Yes • Councilmember Moore – Yes • Councilmember Ozuna – Yes • Councilmember Rodriguez – Yes • Councilmember Souders – Yes Council reviewed the following new projects that were submitted: Essential Worker Premium Pay - $60,000 City Administrator Arteaga explained that during the pandemic, City employees continued to report to work even though public offices were closed to the public. City staff implemented new ways to continue to provide the needed and/or expected services to the public. The ARPA Final Rule (pages 35 and 35) supports the provision for using ARPA funds to provide premium pay to essential workers who did not have the ability to work remotely. He recommended a one-time $1,000 per employee (60 full-time employees) for a total of $60,000. On motion by Councilmember Moore, second by Councilmember Ozuna, Council approved the allocation of ARPA funds in the amount of $60,000 for full-time employee essential worker premium. Roll Call Vote: • Councilmember Diaz – Yes • Councilmember Espinoza – Yes Regular Meeting Minutes May 17, 2022 Page 3 • Councilmember Moore – Yes • Councilmember Ozuna – Yes • Councilmember Rodriguez – Yes • Councilmember Souders – Yes Broadband Infrastructure Installation - $10,000 City Administrator Arteaga explained that the Port of Grandview was awarded a Community Economic Revitalization Board (CERB) planning grant to help define local broadband needs. The Port collaborated and partnered with Petrichor Broadband LLC. The Port asked the City for assistance in completing the study and requested a $10,000 contribution to help fund the project to improve broadband in the community and throughout the Port District. On motion by Councilmember Moore, second by Councilmember Espinoza, Council approved the allocation of ARPA funds in the amount of $10,000 to the Port of Grandview for the broadband infrastructure study. Roll Call Vote: • Councilmember Diaz – Yes • Councilmember Espinoza – Yes • Councilmember Moore – Yes • Councilmember Ozuna – Yes • Councilmember Rodriguez – Yes • Councilmember Souders – Yes The following new projects/activities were presented: Skateboard Park for Youth – $10,000 Councilmember Diaz explained that Grandview youth were severely impacted by COVID-19 due to inaccessibility of healthy outdoor activities. Lack of organized physical and individual activities took a toll on youth. He indicated that he spoke to some youth in Sunnyside and Grandview about the idea of a skatepark. Grandview youth would be able to individually or in groups enjoy outdoor activities and improve their social and healthy well-being. Senior Citizen Recognition Events – $8,000 Councilmember Diaz explained that senior citizens were disproportionately impacted because the Senior Center closed during the pandemic. Social and hot meal gatherings were cancelled. Lack of social gathering impacted single senior citizens. Stakeholders in the community would organize a cultural event at the Senior Center to bring awareness of the impact senior migrant population has had in the community. The goal was to bring pride and awareness of their contributions. Future events would encourage acknowledgement of seasonal festivities. Police Department Fitness Facility Remodel – $70,000 Police Chief Fuller explained that COVID caused exceptional stress on essential workers such as law enforcement personnel. New variants of COVID continue to create risk for first responders when being exposed to the public. Individual wellness was important to reduce the risk from COVID or related illnesses. An infection that spreads through staff could devastate the ability to meet essential staffing needs. A fitness facility remodel would allow for more decontamination and shower stations, more space between workout equipment and better ventilation systems. It Regular Meeting Minutes May 17, 2022 Page 4 would create a larger and more hygienic space for essential personnel to socially distance while maintaining fitness and wellness. It would contribute to quicker recovery when there was an exposure. School Resource Officer (Partnership with School District) – $120,000 Police Chief Fuller explained that COVID caused schools to shut down and move to on-line learning. This disrupted normal student support systems which suppressed violence and gang activity. With in-person classes starting, there has been a large spike in all types of discipline issues. There has been an increase in student-on-student conflicts in conjunction with an increase in community gang activity and violence. Placing an additional School Resource Officer in the schools would allow both handling of current conflicts and reducing future problems before they arise. Retention Incentive for Hiring New Police Officers/Dispatchers – $30,000 Police Chief Fuller explained that COVID-19 caused cities to lose experienced and highly trained police officers and dispatchers at unprecedented rates. Police officers were leaving the force due to numerous reasons including higher health risks in responding to calls, increased crime rates and adverse new federal/state policing policies. Many officers were taking early retirement, changing careers or leaving the entire workforce. Dispatch candidates were in short supply throughout Yakima County. The Police Department (GPD) lost five police officers since January 2020. This low level of patrol officers creates an urgent public safety concern for the City. As other police departments, GPD was experiencing challenges in recruiting and retaining police officers and dispatchers due to the pandemic. He proposed offering lateral officers and experienced dispatchers retention incentives with a two-year commitment period. The incentive funds would be placed in a discretionary fund for the Police Chief to request approval to expend if a suitable candidate applied. Retention incentives would ensure Grandview has sufficient staffing to prevent and rapidly respond when threats occur in the community. Discussion took place. The City Treasurer would review the following projects for eligibility and allowability based on the Final Rule. Activities meeting ARPA requirements would be listed on the “Agee or Not Agree” form and sent to Councilmembers to complete. City Administrator Arteaga provided a status update on the following previously approved ARPA activities: ACTIVITY AMOUNT STATUS ❖ New Well Project: ARPA funds would be used to off-set the $3.5 $500,000 Done million DOH funding. ❖ Splash Pad: Requested Council approval to move forward with $100,000 Pending obtaining an Engineer’s task order to complete the design of the Council project. In addition, Council needed to identify the location of the Approval new splash pad. ❖ City Hall Electronic Reader Board Sign: Council authorize staff to $50,000 Done bring back a recommendation. ❖ Compression Devices-Fire Department: Project was complete. $34,128 Done ❖ Council Chambers Sound System: This project was ongoing. $30,000 On-going Regular Meeting Minutes May 17, 2022 Page 5 Some electrical components were installed and portable headsets and audio speakers would be added to enhance the sound to both the Council Chambers and the zoom provision. Councilmember Espinosa would be assisting with the final stages of this project. ❖ Marketing Materials to Attract new Businesses: The ARPA Group $25,000 Pending would provide a recommendation. Council Approval ❖ Existing Small Business Grants: The ARPA Group would provide a $150,000 Pending recommended application process. Council Approval ❖ Dykstra Park Asphalt Paving: Requested Council approval to move $100,000 Pending forward with obtaining an Engineer’s task order for the design and Council bid document preparation. Approval TOTAL $989,128 ACTIVITY AMOUNT STATUS ❖ Tourism and Hospitality Support for the Chamber of Commerce: $20,000 Council Council would need to identify the parameters that the Chamber of Action Commerce would need to follow for the funding. Needed ❖ Fair/Rodeo Support: Council would need to identify the parameters $10,000 Council that the Fair/Rodeo would need to follow for the funding. Action Needed ❖ Main Street Program: Council would need to identify the $10,000 Council parameters that the Main Street Program would need to follow for Action the funding. Needed ❖ New Small Business Grants: Council would need to approve an $50,000 Council application process. Action Needed ❖ Residents’ Utility Support: Council to direct staff to bring back a $50,000 Council recommendation for consideration. Action Needed ❖ Downtown Beautification: Council to provide staff with a $100,000 Council recommendation. Action Needed ❖ New Broadband infrastructure installation: Council agreed to a $10,000 Council $10,000 contribution to the Port of Grandview for a planning grant Action to help define local broadband needs. Needed ❖ Entrance Beautification: Council to provide staff with a $50,000 Council recommendation. Action Needed TOTAL $300,000 2021 APPROPRIATION $1,547,711 2022 ALLOCATED $1,289,128 BALANCE $ 258,583 Regular Meeting Minutes May 17, 2022 Page 6 Discussion took place. On motion by Councilmember Souders, second by Councilmember Moore, Council approved the following projects/activities to proceed as indicated: ACTIVITY AMOUNT ❖ New Well Project: Allocate ARPA funds to off-set the $3.5 million Department of $500,000 Health funding. ❖ Splash Pad: Obtain Engineer’s task order to complete project design. $100,000 ❖ City Hall Electronic Reader Board Sign: Purchase sign from Eagle Signs. $50,000 ❖ Compression Devices-Fire Department: Project complete. $34,128 ❖ Council Chambers Sound System: Project ongoing. Purchase portable headsets $30,000 and audio speakers to enhance sound to Council Chambers and Zoom. ❖ Marketing Materials to Attract new Businesses: Obtain marketing proposals from $25,000 Pixelsoft Films-Marketing; Field Group-Marketing & Advertising; Engima- Marketing & Advertising ❖ Existing Small Business Grants: Utilize YCDA to process grant applications. $150,000 ❖ Dykstra Park Asphalt Paving: Obtain Engineer’s task order for design and bid $100,000 document preparation. ❖ Tourism and Hospitality Support for the Chamber of Commerce: Allocate ARPA $20,000 funds to the Chamber of Commerce. ❖ Fair & Rodeo Support: Allocate ARPA funds to the Fair & Rodeo. $10,000 ❖ Main Street Program: Allocate ARPA funds to the Main Street Program. $10,000 ❖ New Small Business Grants: Utilize YCDA to process grant applications. $50,000 ❖ Residents’ Utility Support: Allocate ARPA funds to NW Community Action Center. $50,000 Roll Call Vote: • Councilmember Diaz – Yes • Councilmember Espinoza – Yes • Councilmember Moore – Yes • Councilmember Ozuna – Yes • Councilmember Rodriguez – Yes • Councilmember Souders – Yes The following items were pulled from the list for further consideration. ACTIVITY AMOUNT ❖ Downtown Beautification: Council to provide staff with a recommendation. $100,000 ❖ Entrance Beautification: Council to provide staff with a recommendation. $50,000 Regular Meeting Minutes May 17, 2022 Page 7 3. ADJOURNMENT On motion by Councilmember Moore, second by Councilmember Souders, the special meeting adjourned at 8:10 p.m. ___________________________________ ___________________________________ Mayor Gloria Mendoza Anita Palacios, City Clerk