Grandview Pride

February 2009

Para información en español, visite www.grandview.wa.us

o llame al 882-9200, Gracias                Volume 3, Number 1

In This Issue

·    2008/2009 City Council Targets

·    Intergovernmental Cooperation

·    Centennial Celebration

·    Swim Pool

·    Disc Golf Course

·    Country Park Pathways

·    Frenzy Friday After School Program

Contact Us

Bleyhl Community

Library

311 Division Street

Phone:  509-882-9217

City Hall

207 W. Second St

Phone: 509-882-9200

Fax:    509-882-3099

Fire Department

110 Avenue A

Phone:  509-882-9224

Fax:     509-882-6546

Parks & Recreation

303 W. Wine Country

Phone:  509-882-9219

Fax:     509-882-3099

Police Department

201 W. Second St

Phone:  509-882-2000

Fax:     509-882-1232

Public Works

603 N Willoughby Rd

Phone:  509-882-9211

Fax:      509-882-9232

www.grandview.wa.us

Upcoming Events!

RECREATION:

Feb 20 – Parade of Hearts semi-formal senior citizens dance 7-10 pm @ Sr. Ctr.

Mar 5 – Line Dance Exercise Class (6 wks) 5:30-7 pm @ Sr. Ctr.

Mar 12 – Ballroom Dance Class (6 wks)  7-8:30 pm @ GMS

Apr 1-15 – Youth Baseball Registration

Apr 11 – Easter Egg Hunt & Kiwanis Bunny Breakfast @ Country Park

LIBRARY:

Story time every Thursday, 10 am

Book discussion 4^th Thursday, 10:30 am

Book sale Apr 30 and May 1 sponsored by Friends of the Library (donations accepted)

BLOCK WATCH:

To develop a Block Watch Program in your neighborhood, contact the Police Department at 882-2000.

2008/2009 City Council Targets

In December 2007, the Mayor and Council had a planning session to identify priorities for the period 2008/2009. Twenty-four goals were established and following is the accomplishments to date:

·         Five year revenue and expense estimates for the Current Expense Fund were revised in early 2008, which verified the need for additional revenue to sustain city services, such as Police, Fire, Streets, Parks, Recreation, Library, etc. Following the failure of a utility tax measure in May 2008, each Councilmember prioritized the services in the Current Expense Fund. Based upon this input, a list was developed for the Council as a whole. Council implemented a series of service reductions affecting animal control, parks maintenance, swimming pool, museum and recreation. As a result, the Council was able to establish balanced budgets for 2008 and 2009. In early 2009, revised five year projections were prepared for the period 2010-2014.

·         The City and School District renewed the joint agreement for a School Resource Officer at the Grandview Middle School, with both paying 50% of the costs.

·         The Council approved the concept of establishing a rental registration and inspection program, similar to the program currently in Pasco.

·         The Council approved the “Alive Downtown” plan for downtown revitalization and design standards for new construction or substantial renovation in the downtown core area. Efforts are underway to secure federal and/or state funding to make the improvements.

·         A revised plan for a new swimming pool facility was developed by a citizens committee and staff to present to the community in early 2009.

·         Efforts are continuing to find a dedicated revenue source to develop a plan for street seal coating and resurfacing. The 2009 budget includes $25,000 for seal coating.

·         The City obtained a grant of $660,000 to install curb and gutter, sidewalks and water improvements to the neighborhood west of Grandridge and south of Second Street. The project should be completed by summer 2009.

·         In pursuit of a new joint YVCC/City library facility on the YVCC campus, the State has committed $2 million for the project. Another $2 million must be raised by June 2009.  As of December 2008, another $1.1 million has been committed. The Council and YVCC President discussed the College’s revised Master Plan and their interest in potentially purchasing the Senior Center and/or Westside Park to accommodate growth in school population and programs.

·         The Council adopted changes to the City code regarding criminal behavior to provide more tools for police officers. The City continues to work with local legislators to strengthen state laws.

·         As part of the Council’s desire to expand the neighborhood block watch program, three additional neighborhoods are now participating.

·         A new Water Comprehensive Plan has been developed, is under review by the State Department of Health, and will be presented to the Council for approval in March 2009.

·         A new Sewer Comprehensive Plan has been developed and will be submitted to the Council for approval in March 2009.

·         In order to protect the City’s water rights, efforts are underway to certificate each of the City’s existing wells and add future well sites for growth.

·         A Centennial Committee was established to develop a plan to celebrate the City’s 100^th anniversary in 2009.

·         A grant was secured to install new playground equipment at Westside Park, which was completed in November 2008.

·         A new pre-manufactured restroom facility was installed at Dykstra Park.

·         As required by state law, a new Comprehensive Plan for the City was approved in January 2008.

·         In the 2008 budget, funds were budgeted in the Capital Improvement Fund for the placement of an automated electronic reader board, but the project was placed on hold after the failure of the utility tax measure in May, 2008. A newsletter is sent to City residents 3-4 times per year, and efforts continue to expand the use of the City’s website to provide information.

·         Funds are included in the budget to support training opportunities for all City employees, based upon availability and priority.  

·         Design plans were developed for a new animal shelter facility and the project went out to bid. The project was placed on hold due to funding restraints.

·         The Council met with the Port Commissioners and Yakima County Development Association to review the current economic development environment and efforts. The Council approved a new contract with YCDA for 2009 to 2013.

The City Council’s of Grandview, Prosser and Sunnyside agreed to pursue several areas for potential partnerships: animal control, recreation, purchasing, information technology and legislative advocacy.  The goal is to identify cost effective ways to provide City services by working together.

Our community will be celebrating its 100^th anniversary in 2009 and several events have been planned.  Oral history presentations will be conducted the fourth Tuesday of each month through May at The Vineyard (150 Division) from 7-8:30 pm:

·         February 24^th – Churches and Schools

·         March 24^th – Immigrants

·         April 28^th – Downtown/Businesses, Fair & Harvest Festival/Team Pull, Parade

·         May 26^th – Municipality

On Sat., April 25^th at 10:00 am, a community portrait will be taken at the downtown intersection of Second and Division Streets.  Mark your calendar and bring the family to be included in the portrait. For more information regarding our Centennial celebration, visit the City’s website or contact the Parks & Recreation Department at 882-9219.

The Swim Pool Committee invites you to attend one of the community outreach meetings to help decide what direction to pursue regarding our community’s swim pool facility. The outreach meetings will be held at the Senior Center (401 W. Second) on Tuesday, March 31^st at 1 and 7 pm. It is vital that community members attend one of these meetings to help establish a plan to replace the existing outdated facility.

For his senior project, GHS student Jacob Wagner is currently working with community members and City officials to establish a disc golf course at Dykstra Park. This recreational amenity will be enjoyed by many park patrons for years to come. The project should be completed later this spring.

The City applied for a Pacifi-Corp grant to install additional accessible asphalt pathways at the Country Park Events Center. The pathways will connect the various components of the facility and provide a boost in event participation.  Grant awards will be announced by the end of April.

Frenzy Friday after school program for early release Fridays continues to be a huge success at the Middle School.  Average weekly attendance for this program has been over 100 students.  Activities include basketball, computer lab, ping pong, foosball, air hockey, dodge ball, music, and more.