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HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-28-1975 Minutes1 1 1 MINUTES PASCO CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL PUBLIC HEARING CALL TO ORDER: JANUARY 28, 1975 Mayor Linton called the Council to order at 7:34 P.M. -and declared that this was the second public hearing on the Housing & Community Development Program for the City of Pasco. Requested a roll call. ROLL CALL: By Clerk's representative. Present were: Don Linton, M.R. Denney, Billie Sargent, Al Schor, Jan Tidrick and Bill Wilkins. Sterl Adams was absent. (Mr. Denney objected to roll call as it was not a regular council meeting; however, Mayor Linton explained that for the record, he wanted to show those councilmen present at the public hearing. Mr-. Denney agreed). PUBLIC HEARING (Second Hearing): Mayor Linton declared the public hearing open on the Housing & Community Development Program and at this time would like to ask for any public input on the subject of the HUD funds that are available to the City of Pasco, The statement was read at the last public hearing (January 21, 1975) on the purposes; however, there were people in attendance at this meeting who were not at the meeting of the 21st, and the Mayor requested the City Manager to read the statement and purposes. (see minutes of January 21, 1975 for text). Frank Thomsen, Manager of Pasco Chamber•of Commerce, read into the record a little history of the City of Pasco up to 1915 from the Franklin Flyer. One, "Keep your Eye on Pasco", a slogan - Mr. Muncey, Pasco Weekly Headlight predicting progress for the community. In 1889, the same year as the slogan was proposed, the Pasco 'c.`: citizens met to indicate their willingness to allocate $40,000 towards the erection of a State Capitol. Building and to put aside 300 acres of land adjoining the town. Way back then, Pasco citizens were willing to stand up and allocate $40,000 for a State Capitol. Now, we are not asking the Council to bid for the State Capitol, but that you consider downtown Pasco in your deliberations for priorities. Carol Ezell, National Organization of Women (N.O.W.), wishes to request the use of this.money specifically used as it is directed,to the under -privileged and poor. Ms. Ezell requested some kind of guarantee that the funds would be used to help the underprivileged because she could not see that improving downtown Pasco would! help the poor. Kathy Utz, Director of Social Planning, asked that the following statement be read into the record. "The H.C.D.A. brings together over a dozen grant programs aimed at providing eligible cities with a variety of programs to assist them in developing viable v•;) urban communities by providing decent housing and a suitable living environment, and expanding economic opportinuties principally for persons of low moderate income. Programs providing direct benefits for low income groups take two essential forms of particular importance to those too young or too old to participate in the expansion of job opportunity through job development programs. In light of the goal, objectives of the Act and in keeping with the trend, the Benton -Franklin Community Action Committee would like to suggest the following programs which represent a: 1) creation of a -low interest loan fund for housing rehabilitation, 2) acquisition of a site for construction of senior citizen facility or residential complex. Such a facility would include a sliding scale, medical clinic committed to come to Pasco, particularly if a committment to provide a facility is made, 3) the acquisition of a site to be sold at nominal cost to an individual or community user, willing to work with the community to develop training programs to support needy people, 4) fund to be set aside for program development in the NHF to assure a good mixture of programs to meet:nedds,r5) that any program undertaken by the City will result in committed jobs for low and moderate incomes." Mrs. Utz further stated that it would be up -to the Council to put price tags on.these items, but at this time, she was merely presenting some options to the City. 194 MINUTES PASCO CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL PUBLIC HEARING JANUARY 28, 1975 Mr. Max Andrus, Social Planning Commission, stated that as a result of 250 questionaires returned from survey, the following results were noted. 1. Improve community business area (104) 2. Support lower income housing programs (103) 3. Improve & construct arterial streets (102) 4. Promote economic development (95). Mr. Andrus went on to say that streets in Pasco are ridiculous, but like Kathy, he was merely giving alternatives. He compared physical vs. social development and came up with the following percentage: 47.5 physical; 40.7 social. Mr. Andrus didn't believe that you could separate physical from social. Mayor Linton responded by stating that the City had improved Arterial Streets recently, and he concurred with improvement of streets, but not on Arterials. Ms. Katherine Smith, Benton -Franklin Community Action, asked if the City Council was going to improve the downtown area, what kind of Affirmative Action plan were they going to give to the people? Mayor Linton replied that her question was premature at this time and would be more appropriate after a decision had been made. Mr.;Jim Ajax, City Engineer, stated that.in addition to public hearing, specific projects as input to what the long term community objectives should be, what the long term/short term objectives are - all are not necessary at this time. This can be taken care of later - any information the public might have, what the City should have, housing assistance programs, and in addition, the Community Development staff is available for discussion and information. Mr. Charles Grigg called attention to $750,000 to be spent over 3 -year period and stated the City Council had the responsibility of spending it for all people of the community, not just one area, not one particular group of citizens, but everyone. He felt we could get carried away in just one project because it was not too much money when you started purchasing land, etc. Mrs. Katie Barton asked, "when we put pit all down, how much is going to go for feasibility studies and administration costs - I believe we should stay within the guide lines that are set down to spend it - we can have a lot of suggestions but the priorities should be the guide lines that it's what it should be spent for." Mr. Bob Sullivan stated he had lived in Pasco since 1937 and had seen it slip into a sad state of affairs. He particularly criticized lack of parking when you come into town. Mrs. Jessie Blanton stated, "I'm enthusiastic seeing the CBD being helped. If you don't have a core area 'or central area, how can you have a fringe? I think there are valuable things to be considered - principally, saving Pasco as a shopping center from which the other fringe areas may progress and grow." Mr.,Marvin Trillie explained that no matter how much money you pumped into the C.B.D. project, he didn't think it would help. Further, Sacramento was a Model City under Johnson and there was a lot of difference between business community and public service community and people are trying to throw both of them together and you have to differentiate. Mr. Wilkins responded, "young man, two people can build side by side. One will succeed, the other will fail. If you have the will you can make it work, if you don't want it to, it won't. I think Pasco can do it." Mr. Howard Young expressed concern for our people, low income, moderate income, elderly - many elderly people would like to shop close, don't want to go any further than they have to. Also, rejuvenation brings additional business plus more people and it would be beneficial to all. Mr. Jay Hendler stated that the City was going to build a $15 to $20 million dollar bridge, take care of the downtown area and the people will have a reason to use it. Mrs. Elaine LaFon, Goodwill Industries, would like to plea for her particular group, but realized the Council had to decide which was best and which would benefit more people as a whole. Mr. Russell Ridenour reminised over early day Pasco to present time and criticized streets, lighting system, sewer systems, etc. and ended his comments by stating Pasco was going to have to get away from the railroad before i.t can be improved. MINUTES PASCO CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL PUBLIC HEARING Public Hearing - Continued: JANUARY 28, 1975 1.95 Mr. Robert Lawrence, Smart Realtors, Hallmafk Apartments, reminded the Council that they were a "circular team." We need each other, Police needs citizens, citizens need the Police, CAC needs the people, people need them - everything that's going on indidicates that we are all Americans and willing to work patiently, listen to good comments and ctdticisms plus work together. He commended the Council for their efforts. Mr. Denney replied that he would like to get together with Mr. Lawrence - his was the first compliment in many months.. Mayor Linton thanked delegation for attending and the special public hearing was declared adjo.urned.at 8:25 P.M. . 4A�-� DONALD D. LINTON, MAYOR ATTEST: Leo E. Olney, Director -ofFinan and ex -officio City Clerk 11 1