City council to eye riverfront redevelopment pact

After repeated trips to the podium during call to the public, Phil Clark's questions about the city's agreement with its riverfront developer will be responded to by the Yuma City Council when it meets this week.

Over the years, Clark has questioned the agreement for riverfront redevelopment and some of its terms.

The documents the council will discuss are the Yuma Riverfront Master and First Phase Development and Disposition Agreement, dated Dec. 17, 2004, as amended and restated, and further amended; and the Yuma Riverfront First Phase Land and Improvement Lease, dated June 16, 2005, as amended; and other related issues.

The council meeting is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. Wednesday in the council chambers at Yuma City Hall, One City Plaza.

Other items on the agenda include:

• Application for a special event liquor license on behalf of the Humane Society of Yuma for the Critter Country event to be held from 5 to 11 p.m. April 13 at Yuma Palms RV Resort, 3400 S. Avenue 7E.

• An amendment to the Lower Colorado River Multi-Species Conservation Program.

• An application to the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation for a grant of $80,000 to accelerate the city's phased replacement of manual-read water meters to AMR (advanced meter reading) units.

• Adoption of the Yuma Regional Development Plan as policy for the city.

• Public hearing to amend the city's General Plan to change the land use designation from high and medium density residential to low density residential for property at the southwest corner of 24th Street and Avenue C. Applicants are Park West Yuma Development LLC and Territorial Real Estate LLC.

• Public hearing to amend the city's General Plan to change the land use designation from low-density residential to medium-density residential for property at the northwest corner of 40th Street and Avenue 7-1/2E. The applicant is Smoketree Desert Land LLC.

In addition to Wednesday's meeting, the council will hold a work session at 5 p.m. Tuesday in the council chambers.

During the work session, Julie Engel, president and CEO of Greater Yuma Economic Development Corp., will provide an update on the organization's midyear report on efforts to attract industry to the area and create jobs.

Also, the council will be briefed by Marine Corps officials on an upcoming Weapons and Tactics Instructor exercise to be held in the city.

Complete agendas for both meetings are available on the city's website at yumaaz.gov. City council meetings and work sessions are broadcast live on Time Warner Channel 73.