Monday, July 22, 2002, 6:00 p.m.

Shoreline Conference Center, Highlander Room

Mayor Jepsen called the meeting to order at 6:25 p.m. and asked everyone to introduce themselves. All Councilmembers were present with the exception of Councilmember Ransom, who arrived at 6:37 p.m.. YMCA Board Chair Pearl Noreen also arrived at this time.

City Manager Steve Burkett introduced Terry Pollard, Executive Director of the YMCA. Mr. Pollard described the YMCA’s search for a new building, or site on which to build a new facility. He said the YMCA would like to have a 43,000 square foot building on a two-acre site to include a pool, youth/family gym, teen center, physical health facility, multi-purpose room and a family center. He emphasized the need for a health fitness facility in the community to meet the needs of all age levels, all walks of life and income levels. He said the estimated cost of such a facility is $11 million. The YMCA has worked for four years to develop its plan and is also doing a capital facility feasibility study to gauge the organization’s ability to raise the funds needed to build. Mr. Pollard said he believed that the YMCA is close to being able to locate a site.

YMCA Boardmember Gildow discussed the fact that the YMCA is a national organization with the resources to offer local Y’s expertise in organizational development, planning, budgeting, etc. This is a significant benefit to the local organization.

Mr. Burkett described the City’s plans to build a city hall, noting the City has been looking for a site or a building. He said there is $4 million in the Capital Improvement Plan for city hall, as well as the amount of money that is currently spent renting facilities. The City is also looking for approximately two acres. Mr. Burkett pointed out that there could be advantages to city hall being located near the YMCA, for both organizations. He added that the Interurban Trail will also be an asset if the YMCA and city hall could be built close by.

There was a discussion of possible siting at the Gateway complex.

Mayor Jepsen asked what the YMCA would need to do to get to the point of "due diligence" if it were determined that the City and the YMCA were to work to locate near each other.

Mr. Pollard said that the YMCA is close, with its capital facility study expected to be completed by the end of August.

Councilmember Hansen asked if the YMCA has money from the sale of the Edmonds property, to which Mr. Pollard responded that the funding from that sale went to purchase property in Federal Way.

Councilmember Ransom commented that he would like to see Cromwell Park and the Holiday Resort site considered for city hall. He also asked the YMCA president about their consideration of the Alderwood School annexation site. Ms. Noreen indicated it was low on their list of priorities, but was still being considered.

Deputy Mayor Grossman preferred a mixed use concept with a government center, the YMCA and retail.

Responding to Board Chair Pearl Noreen’s question about obstacles to the use of the Cromwell Park site, Mr. Burkett said that King County would have to make some changes to the deed. He noted there might also be neighborhood opposition to changing the use from a park to a city hall.

Mayor Jepsen noted that the Enterprise Foundation is looking at doing a possible demonstration project to help cities purchase property and hold the site until it gets transportation improvements and is developed.

Councilmember Montgomery noted a concern with any site that takes property off the tax roll.

Mr. Burkett said he and Mr. Pollard will keep working together to see if any form of partnership can be worked out.

Continuing, Mr. Burkett reviewed the City Council Goals and Critical Success Factors. He noted that many of these goals, such as quality learning environment for all ages, outdoor recreational opportunities, and healthy neighborhoods, dovetail nicely with the goals of the YMCA

Councilmember Gustafson said he would like to see two-way communication with the Youth Council in order to share information and opinions to better connect the City Council and the whole City with the youth of the community.

Councilmember Chang wondered how building a YMCA and city hall on the Gateway site would negatively affect the City’s pool and Spartan gym operations. Mr. Burkett responded that staff would work with the YMCA to coordinate. Mr. Gildow pointed out that most pool facilities are over-booked at present. Councilmember Gustafson did not think the new YMCA would create a problem for the City.

YMCA Boardmember Dunn said that perhaps this provides an opportunity for a child care facility at a site located near city hall.

Councilmember Gustafson concluded that he was pleased to see the City and the YMCA working together for the benefit of the whole community. He also appreciated the all the work that the YMCA does in this area.

Mayor Jepsen declared the meeting adjourned at 7:20 p.m.

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Joyce Nichols, Communications and Intergovernment Relations Director