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HomeMy WebLinkAbout11/15/1983 Study Session 123 NOVEMBER 15, 1983 STUDY SESSION The City Council met in session on this date at '2:00 P.M. in the Council Chambers of City Hall, Yakima, Washington. Council members present were Mayor Lynn Carmichael, Clarence Barnett, Henry Beauchamp, Shirley Doty, and W. K. "Pete" Moore. Council member Lynn Buchanan present after 2:15 P.M. Council member Jack Sparling absent. 1. OPEN DISCUSSION FOR THE GOOD OF THE ORDER Mayor Carmichael questioned if Council would like to meet with the Parks and Recreation Commission for a luncheon meeting prior to the budget review on November 29. Mayor Carmichael requested Council to check their calendars and verify if they would be available to attend the luncheon. Council member Barnett relayed a concern a citizen had ex- pressed alleging the lack of planning by the Traffic Engineering Department pertaining to installation of a left turn lane on Summitview and 7th Avenues, followed by the paving of Summitview Avenue. Council member Beauchamp informed Council the Yakima Valley 0.I.C. will be holding an Open House Friday, November 18, 1983 from 11:00 A.M. to 6:00 P.M. 2. CAPITOL THEATRE /TOURIST PROMOTION, BUDGET REVIEW Yakima Convention Center Les McNary, General Manager of the Yakima Center informed Council $135,000 is the total estimated room tax for 1984 and of that amount, $61,730 is budgeted for Capitol Theatre needs. He in- formed Council $73,270 is the balance of room tax money available to be allocated for Yakima Center needs in 1984. He stated 1983 is going to be a very good year for the Visitors and Convention Bureau and informed Council the 1984 budget will include the 1983 cash carryover of $35,000, thereby reducing the need for room tax money in 1984. Council member Barnett requested clarification of the revenues reported for the Convention Center to which Mr. McNary responded. John Beer, Jr., Director of Community and Economic Development, distributed additional information entitled, "Summary Statement, Fund 170 Tourist Promotion,.1983 vs. 1984 Budget" and expanded upon the information. Council member Beauchamp requested clarification of the increased revenue experienced by the Convention .Center. Les McNary responded, stating increased use of the building for Bingo resulted in more revenue than expected. Mr. McNary reviewed the capital outlay expenditures, informing Council of the request for the snack bar grill and security covers for the art work in the Center. He responded to Council's questions regarding the capital outlay requests. Council member Barnett requested clarification of the Trolley's 1984 budget. Les McNary responded, stating the Trolleys are not included in the budget as there is not any City or tax money involved with the Trolleys. City Manager Zais informed Council of the remaining funds held for the Trolleys. Les McNary informed Council of the need to re -roof the Center which is anticipated to cost $10,000 and responded to Council's questions. Capitol Theatre Eli Ashley, Manager of the Capitol Theatre, informed Council the Capitol Theatre is, . in its sixth season and is continuing to experience growth in the number of events, attendance and contributions from the private sector. Mr Ashley informed Council approximately $17,000 was expended for maintenance and repairs to the theatre in 1983 and stated he expected expenses to increase correspondingly with the increased income that is generated. Mr. Ashley requested the continuation of the 124 NOVEMBER 15, 1983 management fee of $20,000 from the City and also $23,000 in capital outlay expenses for equipment replacement. Addressing the major policy issues in the budget, Mr. Ashley referred to the request for the installation of a crosswalk and island between the Capitol Theatre and the City-owned parking lot on South 3rd Street. He informed Council of the potential liability to the City and indicated the crosswalk was an effort to solve that problem of liability before an accident occurs. Council member Barnett referred to page 134 and requested clarification of the reduction in revenue as indicated in the table. Eli Ashley expanded upon the reduction in insurance costs. Council member Barnett questioned if there was some manner that users could be included in the umbrella insurance policy. Eli Ashley responded, explaining the manner in which the insurance coverage is managed. City Manager Zais corrected an error on page 127 wherein the total of operation expenses for Fund 170 should total $53,530 versus $61,730. II/ Referring to major policy issues, John Beer, Jr., Director of Community and Economic Development, addressed the establishment of a depreciation reserve fund for the Capitol Theatre. He informed Council the architect for the Theatre, William Paddock, has estimated the annual cost for a depreciation reserve to be $72,000. Mr. Beer indicated staff is recommending utilizing $57,000 from the Capitol Theatre Reserve Fund. Addressing the budget policy issue of code deficiencies at the Capitol Theatre, John Beer proposed the $174,000 needed to bring the theatre up to code should also come out of the Capitol Theatre Reserve Fund. City Manager Zais commented the code deficiencies and maintenance costs total $250,000. Council member Doty requested clarification of the amount of interest earned to date in the fund. Council member Moore stated he did not believe funds needed to be spent for code deficiencies except for air conditioning. Discussion followed regarding the determination if the code deficiencies exist concerning the Capitol Theatre. Mayor Carmichael suggested exploring the question of code deficiencies during the budget wrap-up sessions. Council member Barnett suggested more time be allotted to the budget wrap-up meetings. Mayor Carmichael suggested Council consider the possibility of hiring a consultant to determine if the code deficiencies exist at the Capitol Theatre, in an effort to reach a determination on this question. John Beer informed Council the City of Yakima is a member of the International Conference of Building Officials (ICBO) and if Council directed, staff would explore the possibility of utilizing the services of ICBO in an effort to determine if the code deficiencies exist. No action was taken by Council regarding staff's suggestion. 3. EXECUTIVE SESSION Due to the lack of time, this item was delayed until next week's meeting, November 22, 1983. BUSINESS MEETING 4. ROLL CALL At 3:00 P.M., the Council members commenced the regular meeting, Mayor Carmichael presiding, Council members Barnett, Beauchamp, Buchanan, Doty and Moore and City Manager Zais and City Attorney Andrews present on roll call. Council member Sperling absent and excused. 5. INVOCATION The Invocation was given by Mayor Carmichael. NOVEMBER 15, 1983 125 6. CONSENT AGENDA Mayor Carmichael referred to the items placed on the Consent Agenda, questioning whether there were any additions or deletions from either Council members or citizens present. The Deputy City Clerk then read the Consent Agenda items, including resolutions, by title. It was MOVED by Doty, seconded by Buchanan that the Consent Agenda, as read, be passed. Unanimously carried by roll call vote. Sparling absent. (Subsequent paragraphs preceded by an asterisk (*) indicate items on the Consent Agenda handled under one motion without further discussion.) 7. CURRENT STUDY SESSION ITEMS None II/ 8. AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION None 9. HEARING ON 1984 COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT APPLICATIONS This being the time fixed for the hearing on the 1984 Community Development Block Grant Applications, Mayor Carmichael stated the Council is not anticipating making any determinations on this item until next week, November 22, 1983, however, Council would like to hear from the applicants at this time. Robert Sinclair, Chairperson of the Community Development Block Grant Advisory Committee, informed Council • of the extensive public notification process the Committee undertook for the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) applications. He introduced Committee members Mary Burki, Elsie Gregorich and Mike Kirkpatrick, who were present in the audience. Mr. Sinclair informed Council that following the five public hearings held on the subject of the CDBG applications, the CDBG Committee considered seven funding requests totaling $1,071,427. He stated with only an estimated $835,000 in CDBG funds to be disbursed, it was necessary for the Committee to pare $281,427 from the requests. He stated the Committee feels the recommendations constitute not only a balanced budget, but also an effort to equitably respond to the needs of the target area residents. Mr. Sinclair reviewed the seven applications and the Committee's recommendations contained in the report and responded to Council's questions. Mayor Carmichael extended the Council's appreciation for the work accomplished by the CDBG Committee. Due to the large number of individuals present in the audience, it was the consensus of the Council to address the applications in order, except to place items 4, 6, and 8 at the end of the list. 1. Yakima Valley Center for the Deaf. Marsha Sanderson, Executive Director of the Yakima II/ Valley Center for the Deaf, spoke in support of the Center's request of $24,595 for seed money to initiate a program that will provide a wide range of services to the deaf such as telecommunication devices, interpreter referral services and phone relay services. Those individuals present and speaking in support of the proposal submitted by the Yakima Valley Center for the Deaf were: Marvin Sundquist, member of the Board of Directors, Yakima Valley Hearing and Speech Center; Floyd Brower, deaf person; Carl Irwin, Regional Coordinator for Services for the Deaf and the Department of Social and Health Services; 011ie Nelson, 3302 Home Drive; Fred Maloney, Board member of the Yakima Valley Center for the Deaf and President of the Board of the Yakima Valley Hearing and Speech Center; Al Landis, 6903 Occidental; Sylvia Hinojosa, 402 South 38th Avenue; Nancy Frame, Board of Directors of the Yakima Valley Center for the Deaf; Diann Rockstrom, 105 North 77th Avenue; Mark Bontrager, 924 South 26th Avenue; Greg Sheets, Audiologist at the Yakima Speech Center; Charles Bailey, North 16th Avenue; and Lamertha Frasier, representing the Senior Citizen'Companion Program. Mayor Carmichael read a letter in 126 NOVEMBER 15, 1983 support of the Center's proposal from James Medina, Director of Special Programs, State of Washington, Human Rights Commission and informed Council of a telephone call received from Kathleen West - Evans, President of the Washington State Chapter of the American Deafness and Rehabilitation Association, expressing her support for the Yakima Valley Center for the Deaf's proposal. Council member Doty referred to page 3 of the Center's proposal pertaining to personnel and questioned if the proposed use of personnel was the best utilization of funding. She questioned if the hiring of an interpreter or the purchase of a YTT device would be a better use of funding. Marsha Sanderson responded stating she believed the proposed personnel allocation was necessary. Addressing Ms. Sanderson, Council member Barnett requested a list of the Board of Directors for the Yakima Valley Center for the Deaf. Council member Beauchamp requested Ms. Sanderson elaborate on the difference between the Yakima Valley Center for the Deaf and the Yakima Valley Hearing and Speech Center. Marsha Sanderson responded, informing Council the two entities share the same facility, but function independently. (Council member Buchanan absent after 4:24 P.M.) 2. Citizens for Northeast Yakima - requesting $12,000 or $22,500. Council member Beauchamp questioned if anyone from the City staff had investigated the bridge planking to ascertain if the bridge was hazardous. Robert Sinclair responded, informing Council Engineering staff had investigated the problem and verified the bridge was hazardous. Council member Moore concurred, stating he had inspected the bridge and found it was in need of repair. 3. Family Crisis Center. Peggy Bacon, Director of the Family Crisis Center, 15 North Naches, reviewed the request for funds which included: 1) remodeling of the kitchen area, 2) purchase of appliances, and 3) replacement of the heating and cooling system for a total request of $10,990. She responded to Council's questions. Those speaking in support for the Family Crisis Center request were Joyce Ware, 807 South 7th Street; Nancy Heisel, 415 South 58th Avenue; Sandra Westwood, volunteer; Fran Dew, Executive Director of YWCA, and Ann Ingham, Board member of YWCA. (Council member Moore absent after 4:45 P.M.) 5. Southeast Community Center. Cecil Collins, 1211 South 7th Street, Director of the Southeast Community Center, addressed the funding request by the Center which included: 1) expansion and repair of Annex "A" building to house the food bank - $10,198, 2) update the heating and cooling system for the main building - $4,500, 3) update and replace the existing gym equipment - $5,400, 4) remodel south entrance to include a vestibule for entrance doors - $4,200, and 5) replace booster heater in kitchen dish- washer - $95. He informed Council that Item 1, expansion and repair of Annex "A ", was the Center's higher priority. Discussion followed regarding the use of personnel to administer the food bank. Mayor Carmichael requested clarification of the Center's priority list, questioning why Item 1 was a higher priority than Items 2 or 3. Cecil Collins responded, stating more individuals would be served through Item No. 1. Council member Doty expressed her concern of the possibility of losing tenants due to the poor heating and cooling system and inquired about the construction on Annex "A" which took place approximately 11 years ago. Mr. Collins responded, informing Council the interior and exterior of Annex "A" was brought up to code at that time. Those individuals present speaking in support of the Southeast Community Center's requests were: Lamertha Frasier, P. 0. Box 9788, who expanded upon the Center's inadequate heating and cooling system; Teresita Chacon, Chairman of the Southeast Community Center Board; and Patty Gonzales, 415 West Naches. Referring to the Center's antiquated heating and cooling system, Council member Barnett addressed the stock the Center had received from Cox Cable and suggested the Southeast Center's Board consider utilizing the proceeds from part of the stock for the purpose of repairing or replacing the heating and cooling system versus holding the stock NOVEMBER 15, 1983 127 indefinitely Skip Ware, citizen, requested clarification of Council member Barnett's suggestion regarding the utilization of the Cox Cable stock. 4. Department of Engineering. Mary Burki, Co-Chairperson of the CDBG Citizens Advisory Committee, was present to expand upon the - Committee's recommendation which included $120,777 for funding an irrigation system financial plan; the necessary grants and other applications, and ,a reconstruction program with the remaining funds. Council member Doty commented she believed the Engineering staff could complete some of the proposed steps outlined in the recommendation, with possible assistance from a personal services contract. She commented the sources of funding and applications for the necessary engineering services were, for the most part, already known and it appears the proposed funding of $120,777 was somewhat excessive. Council member II/ Beauchamp stated he agreed with the concept of the Committee's recommendation, however, he also agreed with Council member Doty's concern that $120,777 may be excessive. Dennis Covell, Director of Engineering and Utilities, responded to Council's questions. Council member Doty introduced Lupita Guitierrez' Parker, CDBG Advisory Committee member, who had just arrived and was present in, the audience. 6. Housing Services Center. John Beer, Jr., Director of Community and Economic Development, reviewed the Housing Services Center's request which included: 1) staff and oper- ating costs for the administration of the Block Grant funds -- $57,131; 2) staff and operating costs for the implementation of. Citizens _Advisory Committee -- $22,906; 3) staff, operating and capital costs for single-family housing rehabilitation, multi-family housing rehabilitation, rehab/resale program and elderly-handicapped program and the temporary relocation program -- $625,394;: and 4) staff and operating costs for Housing Counseling Program -- $30,723. He stated staff supports the. Committee's recommendation that the single family rehabilitation program be funded in the amount of $193,846 (a reduction of $106,154 from the original request) and that all income from 1984 loan repayment be directed to this program. Council member Barnett requested clarification of the proposed staffing increase in 1984. John Beer responded stating a HUD representative had notified the City of the necessity to correct the budget line items and redistribute the staff allocation for the programs in accordance with the HUD guidelines. Discussion followed regarding the Housing Rehabiliation Program for 1984. 8. Parks and Recreation - City of Yakima. Proposed funding requests included: 1) construction ,of curb cuts to all of the parks located in the target area; 2) replacement of the chlorinator and diving board at Washington Pool; and 3) installation of a security system at both the Senior Citizens Center and Washington Pool. Council member Doty referred to last year's budget discussions wherein Council had expressed a desire to see participants of the Senior Citizen Center facility become more involved, with the support of the facility. She commented she would like to see the individuals utilizing the Center assist in the purchase of the proposed request for the installation of a security system at the Senior Citizens Center. Jodi Wroblewski, Recreation Superintendent, commented on the numerous projects the users of the Center have undertaken to fund the purchase of pool tables, chairs and dishes. She responded to Council's questions regarding the type of the proposed security system for the Center. Council member Beauchamp requested clarification of the proposed construction of curb cuts to all of the target area parks. Jodi Wroblewski responded, stating she would need to contact Gordon Elliott, Park Maintenance Supervisor, regarding his question of the proposed construction. , 9. Contingency Fund. The CDBG Committee recommended a contingency line item,be established with an allocation of. $19,000. Mayor Carmichael inquired if any CDBG funds were left over from last year's program. Mary Burki, - Co-Chairperson of the CDBG Committee, responded to Council questions. 128 NOVEMBER 15, 1983 Regarding Item 2. Citizens of Northeast Yakima, Betty Gaudette, 701 North 6th Street, urged Council to repair all crossings which are in need of repair. She stressed the safety problem which currently exists at the current crossings along "H" Street and North 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 6th Streets and Naches Avenue. Council member Barnett questioned if the bridges are the City's responsibility, why were the repairs never completed. Council member Doty complimented Ms. Gaudette for her time and effort in preparing the proposal for the Citizens of Northeast Yakima. There being no other citizen requesting to speak to this issue, the hearing was closed. 10. REPORT FROM LEGAL AND FINANCE DEPARTMENT AND DOWNTOWN AREA REDEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE REGARDING PARKING ENFORCEMENT Mayor Carmichael indicated discussion of this item would be delayed until next week's meeting, November 22, 1983, due to lateness of the hour. *11. REPORT FROM FINANCE AND BUDGET DEPARTMENT ON 1983 THIRD QUARTER INSURANCE CLAIMS HISTORY The report from the Director of Finance and Budget dated Nov- ember 15, 1983, regarding the. 1983 Third Quarter Insurance Claims History, was accepted and approved. *12. RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING EXECUTION OF A SEWER LINE INSTALLMENT REIMBURSEMENT AGREEMENT WITH DAVID C. FRANKLUND RESOLUTION NO. D-4879, A RESOLUTION authorizing the City Manager and City Clerk of the City of. Yakima to execute an -- agreement with David C. Franklund for the partial reimbursement of construction costs for A sewer line. *13. APPROVAL OF FINAL CONTRACT PAYMENT FOR LINCOLN AVENUE REHABILITATION AND "B" STREET RECONSTRUCTION PROJECT The report from the Director of Engineering and Utilities dated November 15, 1983, with respect to the completion of the work on Lincoln Avenue Rehabilitation and "B" Street Reconstruction, performed by Mid Columbia Paving, was approved, the work accepted and payment of the final estimates as therein set forth was authorized. *14. OUT OF STATE TRAVEL The out of state travel for Dennis E. Covell, Director of Engineering and Utilities, to attend a meeting with the International Engineers Company, Inc. in Boise, Idaho, November 21-22, 1983, at a cost of $256, was approved. 15. OTHER BUSINESS City Manager Zais informed Council staff has been notified of an increase in District Court fees from $18 to $28 for 1984. He informed Council of the impact this increase would have in the 1984 budget and addressed alternative solutions to the increased fees. City Attorney Andrews commented this topic could be discussed in conjunction with the task force created to review the County jail fees and indicated that the Council members which comprise the task force are Council members Barnett, Beauchamp and Mayor Carmichael. Information Items: Items of information supplied to Council were: Notification from Washington State Energy Office of funding acceptance of the Bioenergy Request submitted by Yakima Valley Community College, 11/8/83; letter of notification of the placement of the Lund Building on the National Register of 129 NOVEMBER 15, 1983 National Historic Places, 11/2/83; monthly report from McCaw Cablevision for September, 1983; Yakima Fire Department Emer- gency Activity Report for October, 1983; minutes of October 10, 1983 Parks and Recreation Commission meeting; minutes of October 10, 1983 Parks and Recreation Commission public hearing; minutes of October 18, 1983 Police and Fire Civil Service Commission meeting; and minutes of October 11, 1983 Community Programming Advisory Committee meeting. 16. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to come before the Council, it was MOVED by Beauchamp, seconded by Barnett that this meeting be adjourned at the hour of 6:30 P.M. to then meet on November 21, 1983 at 2:00 P.M. at the Library Auditorium. Unanimously carried by voice vote. Buchanan, Moore and Sparling absent. • f READ AND CERTIFIED ACCURATE BY „1,414, 40 DATEt-3-"/ - COUNCIL MacaER • (;117- e - e . 4; DATE - 6 - 7- 'COUNCIL MEMBER ATTEST: An C. - 4( ( A CITY CLERK MAYOR