Grandview Pride

October 2009

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

o llame al 882-9200, Gracias                Volume 3, Number 2

In This Issue

·    Criminal Justice Sales Tax Initiative

·    Project Updates:

o Downtown Alive

o Grandridge Neighborhood Improvements

o City/YVCC Joint Use Library

o East Entrance Improvements

o Euclid Road Improvements

o Community Center

·    2010 Budget

·    Inter-governmental Cooperation

·   Seahawks Playground

·   Centennial Time Capsule

·    Frenzy Friday Youth Program

·    5^th Annual Haunted House

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

Upcoming Events:

5^th Annual

Haunted House

10/30 & 10/31

5:30 to 10:00 p.m.

Downtown Grandview at

135 Division Street

Games, Food and Fun for Everyone

For more information contact Cookie Shannon at 882-3198

Criminal Justice Sales Tax Initiative

On November 3^rd, voters will be asked to vote on a proposal to continue the existing three-tenths of 1% sales tax for criminal justice purposes, which was originally approved by voters in November 2004.  The City of Grandview receives approximately $200,000 annually from this tax to fund two (2) Police Officers and a portion of the costs for the School Resource Officer.  In addition, the funds have paid for tactical vests for police officers, tasers, and portable radios. 

·       Downtown Alive – The City was notified in August that it will receive approximately $2 million in federal stimulus funds to assist in this project.  Additional grants received include $500,000 from the State Capital Budget, $550,000 from a Community Development Block Grant funds, and $250,000 from Yakima County Economic Development funds.  The project is expected to begin in the spring of 2010 and be completed by November, 2010.  The improvements will be on Division from Wine Country Road south to the railroad tracks, Second Street from Ash to Avenue A, and Wine Country Road from Ash to Avenue A.  They include road replacement, new and wider sidewalks, new street lighting, landscaping, irrigation, replacement of water lines, and additional parking areas.

·       Grandridge Neighborhood Improvements -   This project, which covered the area from Second Street to Fifth Street between Grandridge and Avenue C, included the construction of new roads, curb and gutter, sidewalks, water lines, and street lights.  The project was funded from a $660,000 Community Development Block Grant and a USDA loan.

·       City/YVCC Joint Use Library – This new facility, to be placed on the campus to the east of the existing main building, is currently under design.  It is expected that construction will begin in mid 2010 with completion in the summer of 2011.  The estimated cost of $4 million is being funded by a combination of federal and state grants, a state loan and private donations.

·       Country Park Events Center – A number of improvements have been completed recently, including new asphalt pathways, renovations to the George Young building, and a new playground funded by the Seattle Seahawks.  Much of the funding for the pathways came from Pacific Power and the Fair Foundation Board.

·       East Entrance Improvements – This project consists of leveling the area north of Wine Country Road west of the exit 75 ramp, installing irrigation lines, hydro seeding, and paving the parking lot.  Also included is the relocation of a portion of the Rose Garden to this area.  This project is funded from the City’s Capital Improvement Fund.

·       Euclid Road Improvements - This project, which was completed in September, included resurfacing and new sidewalk and curb and gutter in certain areas.  Funding for the project came from the federal stimulus bill passed by Congress.

·       Community Center – The City will be pursuing the construction of a new multi-purpose community center.  The new facility would include all the existing programming for senior citizens that is currently held at the Senior Center, as well as other recreational programming and community activities.  The City has established a separate Community Center Construction Fund.  That fund currently includes $360,000 from the recent sale of the Senior Center building to Yakima Valley Community College.  In early 2010, the City will be pursuing a Community Development Block Grant to secure the additional funds needed to build the new facility.  In the meantime, current senior citizen programs will continue at the Senior Center.

2010 Budget

The Mayor and Council had a planning retreat in July and provided staff guidance on priorities for 2010.  The Mayor’s proposed budget will be submitted to Council in late October.  At the same time, the City is currently in the process of negotiating three (3) new labor agreements with our police, public work and police support unions.  These agreements expire at the end of this year.  The public hearing on the proposed budget will be on November 16^th at 7:00 p.m.

The cities of Grandview, Sunnyside, and Prosser continue to explore ways to achieve cost efficiencies by working together.  Several months ago, the three (3) cities signed an agreement to contract with the Central Washington Humane Society to share the cost of a full-time animal control officer.  Other services are currently being reviewed, such as police dispatching, corrections, building inspections, recreation services, parks maintenance, and purchasing.

The grand opening for the Seahawks Play 60 Legacy Playground will take place on Tuesday, October 6^th at noon on site at the Country Park Events Center (812 Wallace Way).  The facility has been made possible by the Seahawks organization and generous contributions from the Grandview community.  Please stop by to help us celebrate!

The Grandview Centennial Committee is looking for individuals and organizations to contribute to the Community Time Capsule to be located and sealed in the basement of Grandview City Hall.  A sealing ceremony is slated for December with the opening of the time capsule to be conducted in the year 2059.  If you have an interest in participating, please contact the Grandview Parks and Recreation Department at 882-9219.

Our Frenzy Friday program continues to be a fun and successful program for Grandview Middle School students.  The program runs each Friday after early school release from 11:45 am to 2 pm.  Students enjoy a wealth of wholesome activities including computer lab, basketball, soccer, foosball, air hockey and more.  A parent signature is required on the program form.  For more information, contact the Grandview Parks and Recreation Department at 882-9219.