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Possible total price: $5-million Community Center study turned in SUNNYSIDE (Monday, 10-4-99)---Whether a new community center is in Sunnyside's future is iffy at this point.   But a $22,600 planning grant funded by the state a year ago has resulted in a detailed, 80-plus-page draft needs assessment and feasibility study, which was presented to the City Council this evening.   Given a range of construction and site costs, the center price tag could be marked at $5-million. If approved, the center likely would be financed via a local levy combined with state and federal grants.   Planning for the center has been conducted by a 10-member planning committee, Sunnyside Inc., and Traho Architects the past year. The detailed draft followed many meetings with local residents and officials, plus surveys of 418 adults and 1,460 teens, according to participants.   Said Barbara Cline, Traho representative, "93% of all those surveyed support the community center concept."   The "multi-general" facility would contain simultaneous activities among various groups in Sunnyside, with the idea that residents of all ages could use the center at the same time on any given day.   The proposed building could house a multipurpose gym, a large room, snack bar, canteen, kitchen, variable-size classrooms, conference room, toilets, plus utility and storage rooms, according to planners.   Greg Uberuaga, who spoke for the planning committee, recommended the study be included in the city's parks and recreation plan. He said the city should take the lead in funding and operations of the center, and consider possible sites.   The city should pursue funding options upon approval of the plan, said Uberuaga, who works for the Dept. of Social and Health Services and is active in the Youth Coalition program.   Future steps, Uberuaga said, could include the city and committee agreeing on a center site, approving a budget, and naming potential funding sources.   At least one person in the audience expressed doubts regarding the planned community center.   Bruce Ricks, city council candidate in a November contest with incumbent Errol Brown, said "I'm bewildered concerning the programs to come...I'm concerned how Sunnyside justifies programs for youth. I'd hate to see the community go to this cost and expense without justification. I haven't seen the justification. Given (events at) the Youth Coalition, indications are (center youth programs are not) justified," he said.   Juan Aguilar, president of the Lower Yakima County Rural Enterprise Community Advisory Committee, indicated there's a shortage of places to hold community events and gatherings. "This is clearly a place that can fill the gap...I will support this," he said.   At that point the mayor, Ed Prilucik, who also is a member of the "REC" left the meeting to avoid appearance of an interest conflict when it appeared LYCREC could be a dollar source for a center.   The Council almost forgot to call the mayor back long after the "REC" no longer was being discussed. The City Council was generally upbeat about the center. But they had questions needing resolution before they'd ever okay a final plan.   Councilman Don Vlieger's antenna went up when he spotted a proposal on plan page 79 indicating Sunnyside could be a possible center funding source. Dollars might come from a general obligation bond, and city tourism funds.   "Sorry, I'm a politician," Vlieger said. The green light on a final plan would include approval of the city as a funding source, and that needs to be hammered out at length.   Aguilar indicated if the city could OK dollars for utilities to help Canam steel expand its facilities, it could do so for a center as well.   "We need to go ahead as a team for USDA (U.S. Dept. of Agriculture) funds, Hanford economic research dollars and others...Not hard dollars...Soft dollars are out there," Aguilar said.   Councilman Roy Anciso asked what kind of matching funds would be expected from the city for a $5-to-6-million project.   Sunnyside Inc's Dave Fonfara stepped in at that point and said a combination of local funding, grants, and loans would be needed.   "But before we apply for grants, we need justification that a facility is needed. The list (page 79) is just a few potential funding sources, IF the city decides to go ahead," Fonfara said.   Councilman Chad Werkhoven said, "Two years ago, when this project started, I was skeptical. But (over time) my skepticism is gone. This is a pretty impressive document, worthy of the effort put into it," he said.   Werkhoven noted church and school facilities fulfill Sunnysides needs "some."   "But it would be good to come out of our little cliques in churches and schools...a facility would be good for this," he said.   Werkhoven noted the plan called for annual facility operating costs of $132,000 with expected operations income of $134,000.   "I suggest we use property the city already has control over. It's always impressed me that the people of Sunnyside have always gotten things done," he said. I'm lending my support to this community center."   Councilman Mike Farmer said "I was excited about this project when we started and I'm still excited. But I wanted to stay away from city involvement. He suggested a privite-non-profit group be incorporated to run the center.   Fonfara said the greatest problems for private non-profs is raising dollars for projects. He didn't rule out a private group in the future. But raising capital at the outset could more easily be accomplished by the city, he indicated.   Chad asked Traho's Barbara Cline if other cities had built community centers and "wished they'd done it another way." He suggested Traho survey the communities and return the information to the Council.   Cline said each community's center varied widely according to that community's needs. She said, however, Traho and the committee would follow up on Werkhoven's suggestion.   Councilman Errol Brown said the center concept has been well discussed at Council meetings and in the draft report. He added, however, that any plan with a price tag would have to be approved by voters.   "Voters will make the final decision, not us. That's not to say we don't need a community center. But the people who decide are the people who vote," Brown said.   In other business, the council: Approved a resolution to acknowledge the good efforts of the city's Beautification Committee. Mayor Prilucik said the recent firestorm resulting from remarks made during a Planning Commission meeting boiled down to a dispute between two individuals. He suggested the two should resolve their differences and move forward with city business. Approved funds to help provide utilities for Canam Steel's $9.5 million expansion program. Yakima will front $100,000 toward the task. Sunnyside will pay back $50,000 to the county at 4% interest over seven years in seven annual payments. The business expects to hire 65 more employees, and bring 141 industrialized acres into the city, adding to its tax base. Resolved to make 21 police reservists eligible for medical, disability, and survivors benefits for on-duty injuries. Cost is $60 per officer each year for an annual total of $1,260. "That's a real bargain for what these fellows face," said Councilman Errol Brown. Approved allowing police support staff--clerks, jailers and dispatchers--to go on 12-hour shifts to improve efficiency. Canceled their regular Oct. 11 meeting. The next meeting will take place at the Law and Justice Center beginning at 7 p.m. Oct. 18.