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- Would
voters approve a levy to build
it?
- Council accepts
community center survey; refers to P&R Commission
- SUNNYSIDE (Monday 12-13-99)---Will Sunnyside
voters urge their city to build and operate a
community center, and are they willing to foot the
bill?
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- That question weighed heavily on the minds of
city councilmen this evening, as they accepted a
community survey report about such a center, and as
they discussed the public's mood in view of Initiative
695.
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- Many worked hard on developing some idea about
what Sunnyside might want in a community
center.
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- A report
by Traho and Associates, architects, was well received
by the council and members of the public Oct. 4. A
community center could cost as much as $5-million and
require a local tax levy. Then I-695 was approved by
voters Nov. 2.
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- The tax-revolt initiative may have taken some
wind from the sails of those who would like to see a
center built. But I-695 was approved to cut car tab
prices and get voter approval for new taxes and fees.
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- If Sunnysiders want a new community center,
they can still vote for a 20-year levy. And they can
still go after other grants to embellish center
programs. Nothing has changed that option.
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- Councilman Chad Werkhoven wasn't sure whether
local voters would approve a $5-million, 20-year bond
levy for a new community center.
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- "When we started out, I envisioned a center to
be run by a private nonprofit group. The committee
report assumes the city would run it. Does the city
want to run a community center? What are operating
costs? What about revenues?"
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- Councilman Mike Farmer noted reports indicated
that other cities are heavily subsidizing their
community centers.
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- Mayor Ed Prilucik called for an in-depth
financial analysis of the proposed center.
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- Said Werkhoven, "I don't want folks deluded
that we have a grandiose plan. I hate to see so many
people and so much energy put into a project without
the support of the remainder of the community. The
center would have to be revenue neutral before I'd
support it." It's income would have to match it's
maintenance and operating costs. He indicated he
didn't support a bond levy.
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- Councilman Mike Farmer suggested a toned-down
version of a community center.
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- "Now that we've seen the figures, maybe we
could build, for example, a $250,000 center and build
it in stages. I'd still like to go for it. If the
community supports it, I'd go for it. We need to
figure maintenance and operations costs."
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- Parks and Rec. Commissioner Ellen Bird said,
given the survey report, that "We can profit from the
mistakes of others...It will come to a vote of the
citizens. Don't let it go down the drain."
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- Dale Bailey suggested the city expand one of
two buildings used for the senior citizens' center.
"We (seniors) don't need two buildings. A $5-million
(center) will never pay for itself. Our town's not big
enough. Yakima supports its center from its motel
taxes--we don't get enough (revenue)."
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- The council agreed to refer the survey to the
Parks and Recreation Commission for discussion, and
give them minutes of tonight's city council
meeting.
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- In other business, the council:
- Received copious information regarding a skate
park for the city. Kids speaking on behalf of such a
park said they are talking with possible sponsors to
obtain land and dollars for it. They would like to see
such a park not tied to community center
discussions.
- Approved a change in the agreement for grant
writer services.
- Agreed to cooperate with other Yakima County
towns with regard to the Yakima Valley Office of
Emergency Management's Comprehensive Emergency
Management Plan.
- Approved a three-year contract with the Yakima
County Humane Society at $19,356 a year.
- Agreed to leave developer permit fees at $50
rather than raising them to $180.
- Approved a funding matrix for dollar sources
and spending on utility construction in an area to
serve Canam Steel.
- Agreed not to have a council meeting Dec. 27
unless it's urgent.
- In its Dec. 20 meeting, the council will
discuss approving its 2000 budget ordinance (public
hearing), agree whether to close out the 1998 WAME
(women and minority loan program) grant, discuss Parks
& Rec. fees and hope for public input, discuss an
interlocal agreement to house some Richland prisoners,
discuss an ordinance setting city employee salaries,
and discuss an "emergency plan" for the city.
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