CITY TO FUND YOUTH PROGRAMS FOR THIS YEAR

Community youth programs are safe at least through this year, despite
future management and funding questions.

The Yakima City Council agreed Tuesday to temporarily run after-school
activities for at-risk youth that the Yakima County Substance Abuse
Coalition says it can no longer afford. The coalition had used AmeriCorps
grants for the programs' staff, but the grants expire at the end of this
month and won't be renewed.

To continue the programs at least through the end of this year, the city
will operate them through the Parks & Recreation Department, using its own
AmeriCorps grant, as it seeks a new service provider for the future. The
programs will continue at three places: Barge Lincoln Elementary School,
Garfield Elementary School and the Southeast Community Center.

The decision follows the coalition's recent announcement that it can also
no longer afford utility and maintenance costs for the community center,
where it provides tutoring and programs aimed at preventing drug and
alcohol use and teen pregnancy.

The coalition began managing the center in 1998 as part of an agreement
with the city, which owns the building and has resumed responsibility for
it. Also on Tuesday, the council unanimously approved $76,000 to pay for
architectural planning to expand the Municipal Court and Police Station Center.

The council held its first reading of an ordinance that would authorize
$381,361 for the expansion. The board will vote on the measure after a
final reading during the Sept. 2 council meeting.