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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03/13/1984 Study Session MARCH 13, 1984 241 STUDY SESSION The City Council met in session on this date at 1:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers of City Hall, Yakima, Washington. Council members present were Mayor Clarence Barnett, Henry Beauchamp, Lynn Carmichael, Shirley Doty and W. K. "Pete" Mbore. Council member Lynn Buchanan present after 1:45 p.m. and Council member Jack Sparling present after 1:50 p.m. 1. COUNCIL COMMITTEE DELIBERATIONS REGARDING -POINENTS TO BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS Discussion was held regarding a special meeting to be held with the Human Relations Commission on April 17, 1984 at the Towne Plaza Motor Inn. Council members convened into their council committees for consideration of appointments to boards and commissions. At 2:00 p.m., Council members commenced the regularly scheduled study session. Appointments to the various boards and commissions were made, as follows. It was MOVED by Doty, seconded by More that Robert Tenney be appointed to the Planning Commission. Unanimously carried by voice vote. It was MOVED by Buchanan, seconded by Doty that Paula K. Redd be appointed to the Yakima Center Advisory Board. Unanimously carried by voice vote. It was MOVED by Carmichael, seconded by Doty to appoint Marcia Williams to the Community Development Citizen Advisory Committee to fill the vacancy created by Bonita Cole in the Southwest neighborhood representative position. Unanimously carried by voice vote. ' It was MOVED by Carmichael, seconded by Beauchamp to appoint 'Martin Mbngeau to the Human Relations Commission to fill the vacancy created by Craig Smith. Unanimously carried by Voice vote. 2. OPEN DISCUSSION FOR THE GOOD OF THE ORDER Mayor Barnett presented Thomas Upton with a proclamation depicting March 11-17 as National Surveyor's Week. Mayor Barnett questioned Council on a date to be set for a meeting on We'st sewer with the County Ccmmissioners. It was the general consensus of the Council to set the date as April 9, 1984 at 9:00 a.m. in the Yakima County Health District basement for the meeting. 3. STATUS REPORT ON SLUDGE MANAGEMENT PROGRAM Dennis Bertek, City Engineer, provided Council with background information on the management of sludge, stating sludge is now being considered as a valuable resource. He stated that - 'Solutions for sludge management must be cost-effective and II/ protect the health and environment. Mr. Bertek informed Council of the accomplishments of the department thus far on the program: development of an operating manual; study completed by a consultant satisfied the Environmental Review Process by the Health District and development of an agricultural site approval request form. He continued to inform Council about the sludge which was applied to a farm just outside the Yakima area: Elaborating upon the agricultural effects and process of distribution of sludge, Mr. Bertek distributed photographs of the farm on which the sludge was applied. He foresees the agricultural community paying for the sludge so as to offset the cost of fertilizer. With Council member Doty distributing a slice from a tree to Which sludge was applied, Mr. Bertek stated the rate of growth was increased because of the exposure to the nutrient and soil values of sludge. He informed Council of the alternate methods in which sludge is used effectively by various cities. Council member Doty reported on the - positive gains she experienced from attending a recent sludge management seminar. 242 MARCH 13, 1984 Discussion was held regarding the length of time for testing of the product and the odorous effects as it relates to the community. It was MOVED by Beauchamp, seconded by Carmichael to accept the report. Unanimously carried by voice vote. Council member Moore stated that credit should be given to Ines Rice for introducing the idea of applying sludge on farmlands to Mr. Bertek. 4. RECONSIDERATION OF EXPANDING CITY EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES TO INCLUDE MUNICIPAL PARAMEDIC/AMBULAWE SERVICE (Continued from 2/14/84) Larry Pryor, Yakima Ambulance, presented Council with a package of information and recommended the City not pursue the matter of entering into the ambulance service business. Mayor Barnett questioned if the City were to provide ambulance service, would Yakima Ambulance remain in business. Mr. Pryor replied that it would be very doubtful. Discussion was held II/ regarding the costs of operating this business and its effectiveness as it pertains to the citizens of Yakima. Referring to page 7 of the Council report, Council member Carmichael questioned the amount of write-offs. Mr. Pryor responded there is currently a state law regarding services Which DSHS does not pay for but allows the ambulance service to charge a fee 'to the custamer. Mayor Barnett stated the reasoning for the Council members' questions on costs is because several citizens have expressed this as their primary concern with the present ambulance service. Mr. Pryor justified his costs, in part, due to the travel time involved -to provide the service. Council member Doty questioned why the cities with a similar population size have lower rates than the City of Yakima. Mr. Pryor reiterated that Yakima is compared to Wenatchee in population size and stated the Wenatchee ambulance service pays their employees only when called out, as opposed to Yakima ambulance Which pays their employees 24 hours a day. Council member Beauchamp pointed out that on Page 8 of Pryor's report, he states the business loses $241 per "dry-run". His main reason for adding this to the report is to make the City of Yakima aware of the cost of being in the ambulance business. It was MOVED by Carmichael, seconded by Buchanan to move this item to the business portion of the meeting under Current Study Session Items as NO. 8a. BUSINESS MEETING 5. ROLL CALL At 3:00 pm., the Council members commenced the regular meeting, Mayor Barnett presiding, Council members Beauchamp, Buchanan, Carmichael, Doty, Moore,-Sparling and City Manager Zais and City Attorney Andrews present on roll call. 6. INVOCATION II/ The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Mayor Barnett. 7. CONSENT AGENDA Mayor Barnett referred to the items placed on the Consent Agenda, questioning Idiether there were any additions or deletions from either Council members or citizens present. Council member Doty requested the addition of Items Nos. 11 and 19. Council member Buchanan requested Item No. 18 be removed from the Consent Agenda. It was the general consensus of the Council that the addition of Items Nos. 10, 11 and 19 and the deletion of Item No. 18, as requested, be made. The City Clerk then read the Consent Agenda items, including resolutions and ordinances by title. It was MOVED by Carmichael, seconded by Buchanan that'the Consent Agenda, as read, be passed. Unanimously carried by roll call vote. 243 MARCH 13, 1984 8. CURRENT STUDY SESSION ITEMS a. It N. 4 Larry Pryor, Yakima Ambulance, corrected an earlier statement he had made, informing Council he does not charge welfare patients unless the Welfare Department denies payment for the patient. Council member Buchanan questioned the subsidy funding listed in the report. W. Pryor responded he has received grant monies in the past, however, they have expired at this time. In response to Council member Beauchamp's inquiry, Mr. Pryor stated the last rate study was conducted in January and added the studies are conducted every six months, with an average operating profit margin of 5%. Although he _would be willing to maintain the current level of his fees for a time, Mr. Pryor informed Council. that the quality of his service would decrease. Council member reiterated that if' the ambulance rates were lower, an increased number of citizens in the cammunity would be much more inclined to call upon this service rather than seeking an alternative, one Which would be less costly. Mr. Pryor responded that he doesn't doubt this statement; therefore, he is recommending that the City aid in subsidizing this service for the purpose of decreasing the rates. Discussion was regarding the first aid responses by the Fire Department and the ambulance service. City Attorney- Andrews referred to the legal ramifications of this issue, namely, the two recommendations given on page 1 of the report: He stated, if enacted, the recommendations would be in violation of Article 8, Section 7 of the Washington State COnstitution. Council member Carmichael reiterated her suggestion from a past Council meeting, to appoint an ad-hoc committee of citizens with expertise to work on this issue further. It was MOVED by Carmichael, seconded by Moore that Council create an ad-hoc canmittee made up of the following members; one attorney, one physician, a CPA, four citizens at large (one of which is to be a senior citizen and one a cdunty resident), the President of the EMS Council and a representative of the outlying fire districts which totals nine. Council member Carmichael proposed that perhaps Council Would have the opportunity to develop objectives and guidelines to which the ad-hoc committee could pursue the investigation into the emergency ambulance service in Yakima and report the finding back to Council. council member Doty requested that the motion made by Council member Carmichael, be made in two parts. It was MOVED by Carmichael, seconded by Moore to establish the ad-hoc canmittee, as outlined. Unanimously carried by voice vote. It was MOVED by Carmichael, seconded by Doty to establish a Council canmittee to make recommendations to the Council which would establish the guidelines under which the ad-hoc comittee would work and give consideration of staff support to work with this ad-hoc committee. Unanimously carried by voice II/ vote. Council member_Sparling recommended that staff assemble a questionnaire to send to the city governments of Walla Walla, Everett, Kennewick and Wenatchee to find out what is the total cost of ambulance service as it relates to subsidization in reducing the cost of ambulance service. It was the general consensus of the Council that the Council committee consist of council members W. K. "Pete" Moore, Lynn Buchanan and Lynn Carmichael. 9. AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION None • *10. PRESENTATION OF YEAR-END REPORT FOR CITY'S SELF-FUNDED HEALTH INSURANCE PLAN The report from the Assistant City Manager dated March 13, 1984 regarding the City's Self-funded Health Care Insurance Plan, was accepted and approved. 244 MARCH 13, 1984 *11. RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING AGREEMENTS FOR JOINT USE OF RAIL FACILITIES AND OPERATION OF TROLLEYS RESOLUTION NO. D-4928, A RESOLUTION authorizing the execution of a Joint Facility Agreement with Yakima Valley Transportation Company for trolley car operation. RESOLUTION NO. D-4929, A RESOLUTION authorizing the execution of a Trolley Operations Agreement. 12. RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING EXECUTION OF A PROFESSIONAL SERVICES CONTRACT TO PERFORM A DATA PROCESSING/INFORMATION SYSTEMS NEEDS ASSESSMENT STUDY Resolution No. D-4930, having been read by title, it was MOVED by Carmichael, seconded by Buchanan that the resolution, as read, be adopted. John Hanson, Director of Finance and Budget, asked Council for their support of the data processing systems again. He stated that without this study, the Information Systems' ability to have information to the Council and City departments would be diminished. Mr. Hanson introduced Doug Jonis of Matrix Management Group. The question was called for a vote on the motion. Unanimously carried by voice vote. RESOLUTION NO. D-4930, A RESOLUTION authorizing the execution of a contract with The Matrix Management Group for professional consulting services. *13. RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING CLOSURE OF CERTAIN STREETS FOR THE HATFIELD RUN RESOLUTION NO. D-4931, A RESOLUTION authorizing the closure of certain streets within the City of Yakima to accommodate "The Hatfield" event. *14. DISPOSITION OF DMA( Z CLAIMS A. Damage Claim filed by Yakima Business Center Associates RESOLUTION NO. D-4932, A RESOLUTION authorizing payment of $68.90 to Yakima Business Center Associates in settlement of a claim for damages within the City of Yakima. B. Damage Claim filed • Ray Blondin RESOLUTION NO. D-4933, A RESOLUTION authorizing payment of $126.73 to Raymond G. Blondin in settlement of a claim for damages within the City of Yakima, *15. SET DATE OF HEARING March 27, 1984 was set as the date of hearing on the rezone request filed by Mr. and Mrs. Lopez for property located in the 400 Block of North Naches Avenue. *16. APPROVAL OF FINAL CONTRACT PAYMENT FOR WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT DIKE REPAIR PROJECT The report from the Director of Engineering and Utilities dated March 13, 1984 with respect to the completion of the work on the Wastewater Treatment Plant, performed by Eagle Crushing, was approved, the work accepted and payment of the final estimates as therein set forth was authorized. *17. OUT OF STATE TRAVEL The out-of-state travel for Ty Wick, Water/Irrigation Supervisor, to attend a conference in Eugene, Oregon, May 9-12, 1984, at a cost of $200, was approved. 18. ORDINANCE PERMITTING AND REGULATING THE LANDING OF HELICOPTERS WITHIN THE CITY LIMITS Ordinance No. 2754, having been read by title, it was MOVED by Beauchamp, seconded by More that the ordinance be passed. MARCH 13, 1984 245 Council member Buchanan questioned the altitude restrictions . in the proposed ordinance. Pleas Green, Chief of Police, responded that the guidelines shown were 'suggested by the Federal Aviation Administration. Council member Buchanan stated that the minimum height given is 905 feet higher than Federal regulations. He suggested the figure listed in Section 1, Subsection A be substituted to read 2,095 feet instead of 3,000 ft. It was MOVED by Beauchamp, seconded by Moore to pass the ordinance, . as corrected. Unanimously carried by roll call vote. Doty temporarily absent. ORDINANCE NO. 2754, AN ORDINANCE relating to public safety and morals; regulating aircraft operation over the City of Yakima; permitting and regulating the landing of helicopters within II/ the City; amending Sections 6.32.010, 6.32.020, 6.32.030 and 6.32.040 and enacting 6.32 as a new Section, all of the City of Yakima Municipal Code. *19. ORDINANCE RELATING TO THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT ADVISCeY COMMITTEE ORDINANCE NO. 2755, AN ORDINANCE relating to City government ' administration; creating a Community Development Advisory Committee, defining its purposes and providing for appointment of members; and amending Sections 1.39.010 and 1.39.020, and repealing Section 1.39:060, all of the City of Yakima Municipal Code. *20. ORDINANCES AMENDING THE 1984 BUDGET (Second Reading) A. An ordinance amending the 1984 Budget for 1984 general government equipment replacement reserve contributions having been read by title only at the previous meeting, was brought before the Council fora second reading. ORDINANCE NO. 2756, AN ORDINANCE amending the 1984 Budget for the City of Yakima; making appropriations from unappropriated fund balances within various funds for _expenditure during 1984. B. An ordinance appropriating funds for cartographic work for the Planning Division; having been read by title only at the previous meeting, was brought before the Council for a second reading. ORDINANCE NO. 2757, AN ORDINANCE amending the 1984 Budget for - the City of Yakima; and making an appropriation in the 000-General Fund for expenditure during 1984. C. An ordinance appropriating funds- for development and distribution of a City Annual Report having been read by title only at the previous - meeting, was brought before the Council for - a second reading. II/ ORDINANCE NO. 2758, AN ORDINAL= amending the 1984 Budget for the Yakima; and - making. an appropriation in the 000-General Fund for expenditure during 1984. *21. ORDINANCES AMENDING THE 1984 BUDGET (Second Reading) A. An ordinance appropriating funds for the purchase of police patrol vehicles having been read by title only at the previous meeting, was brought before the Council for a second reading. ORDINANCE NO. 2759, AN ORDINANCE amending the 1984 Budget for the City of Yakima; making appropriations from unappropriated fund balances within various funds for expenditure during 1984. B. An ordinance appropriating funds for City Hall restroam modifications having been read by title only at the previous meeting, was brought before the Council for a second reading. 246 MARCH 13, 1984 ORDINANCE NO. 2760, AN ORDINANCE amending the 1984 Budget for the City of Yakima; making appropriations from unappropriated fund balances within various funds for expenditure during 1984. 22. OTHER BUSINESS Council member Carmichael corrected her motion made earlier on the appointment of Marcia Williams for the Southwest category on the Community Development Advisory COmmittee, stating she would prefer to have it Changed to the At-Large position, replacing Mary Burki. It was the general consensus of the Council to amend the motion previously made. (Doty present after 4:00 p.m.) II/ Larry Wittenberg, Assistant City Manager, provided Council with updated information on items that were before the State legislature. He stated SB 4404 concerning infrastructure funding did not provide for funding, however, the public works inventory study is being continued, along with the planning process and funding has been promised in the future, pending the outcome of the studies. Regarding the enforcement of collecting unpaid parking tickets, the Governor signed the bill allowing the City to have authority to collect on these tickets as the City did not have this authority before. The PCCA is now the Department of ComMunity Development, Which was continued as a separate entity to represent local government interests. He informed Council that the Governor has signed a bill on the repealing of the local option 3% hotel/motel tax. In regards to 2SHB85, binding arbitration for deputies and second class counties and above, the Governor signed the bill also. Another item of interest regarding DWI enforcement, the legislature budgeted $3 million to assist jurisdictions that are experiencing problems with this situation; he added the City of Yakima is not having problems in this area. Council member Carmichael suggested that Council consider writing a letter to the Governor enforcing the appointment of Mt. Pat Dunn as permanent director of FORA. It was MOVED by Beauchamp, seconded by Carmichael to write a letter to the Gbvernor. Unanimously carried by voice vote. Information Items Its of information supplied to Council were: memo from Director of Engineering & Utilities and the Wastewater Superintendent re: Update on Treatment Plant Operational Cbncerns 3/5/84; memo from City Attorney re: Damage Claims Referred to Insurance Company 3/6/84; Activity Report for February 1984 from Yakima Fire Department; monthly report from McCaw Cablevision for January 1984; Permit Center Report for February 1984; memorandum from Yakima Valley Conference of Governments re: March Newsletter 3/7/84; minutes of 2/21/84 Police & Fire Civil Service Commission meeting; and minutes of 2/28/84 Board of Adjustment meeting. 23. EXECUTIVE SESSION It was MOVED by Doty, seconded by Buchanan to move into Executive Session for the purpose of discussing collective bargaining. Unanimously carried by voice vote. 24. ADJOURNMENT Follbwing the completion of the Executive Session, the meeting was adjourned at the hour of 4:05p.m. READ AND CERTIFIED ACCURATE 131c4ipAA,_102)uyv DATE5 t COUNCIL MEMBER DATE fl Fit COUNCIL MEMBER ATTEST: k a )1 - 11 - , 4 16-44}1 Aer • CITY CLERK - MAYOR