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HomeMy WebLinkAbout08/24/1982 Study Session 2L AUGUST 24, 1982 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 Lynn Carmidhael, Clarence Barnett, Henry Beauchamp, Lynn Budhanan, Shirley Doty, W.K. "Pete" Moore, and Jack Sparling. 1. OPEN DISCUSSION FR THE GOOD OF THE ORDER Mayor Carmichael discussed the existing vacancies on various hoards and ccmmissions due to either resignations or term expirations. The Mayor also advised Council of receipt of a petition this date filed by the drivers and public passengers protesting the firing of Transit Manager Dan Newton. Council member Doty expressed concern that the Southeast Center Board is presently 30 days past the deadline in submitting their written response to the reccrnnendations made by the Advisory Ccmmittee. Council member Beauchamp stated this had been ccmpleted but has not been typed yet. In regards to the petition, Council member Moore indicated his displeasure that such a petition had been drawn up by City employees and that management is doing a good job. Council member Sparling mentioned that the parks are looking much better and are turn- ing green. 2. EXECUTIVE SESSION It was MOVED by Buchanan, seconded by Doty to move into Exec- utive Session for the purpose of discussing collective bar- gaining and personnel. Unanimously carried by voice vote. BUSINESS MEETING 3. ROLL CALL At 3:00 p.m., the Council members commenced the regular meet- ing, Mayor Carmichael presiding, Council members Barnett, Beauchamp, Budhanan, Doty, Moore, Sparling and City Manager Zais and Assistant City Attorney Vanek present on roll call. 4. INVOCATION The Invocation was given by Council member Beauchamp. 5. CONSENT AGENDA Mayor Carmichael referred to the items placed on the Consent Agenda, questioning whether there were any additions or dele- tions fran either Council members or citizens present. Coun- cil natter Moore requested the addition of Item No. 10, how- ever, Council member Barnett had a question on this subject. The Acting City Clerk then read the Consent Agenda items, including ordinances by title. It was MOVED by Moore, sec- onded by Buchanan that the Consent Agenda, as read, be passed. Unanimously carried by roll call vote. (Subsequent paragraphs preceded by an asterisk (*) indicate items on the Consent Agenda handled under one motion without further discussion.) *6. MINUTES The Council minutes of July 15 and. August 10, 1982 were ap- proved, having been duly certified accurate by two Council members and no one present wishing to have said minutes read publicly. 7. CURRENT STUDY SESSION ITEMS None 8. AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION R. L. "Dick" Wiehl, attorney for Yakima Valley Disposal, stated he wished to bring to Council's attention the current AUGUST 24, 1982 249 language of the Municipal Code affecting garbage collection and that in his opinion this establishes a monopoly and is in violation of the Sherman Anti-Trust Act. He further requested that Council address this issue and decide Whether private enterprise will be allowed to compete for the collection of residential services. Elsie Gregorich, 1516 Browne Avenue, questioned Council about the bond issue for street lights being on the upcoming ballot; however, Council informed her this issue was not going to be on the ballot this fall. Ms. Gregoridh stated she felt that not only this issue should be _considered in the near future, but also desired to have major repair of the sidewalks added as part on the bond issue. 9. PETITION FOR REOONSIDERATION OF ORDINANCE NO. 2625, GARBAGE COL- II/ LECTION, BIN SERVICE City Manager Zais informed Council that a petition had been received protesting the enactment of this ordinance and to note the options available to Council as set forth by the City Attorney's office. The City Manager further stated that Council did not have to make a decision at this meeting, but would be required to render its decision prior to September 17 in order to meeting filing requirements with the County Aud- itor. It was MOVED by Budhanan, seconded by Beauchamp to postpone rendering a decision on this issue to no later than September 14, 1982. Unanimously carried by voice vote. 10. REPORT FROM COMMUNITY & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT RE: INTERNAL RE- ORGANIZATION John Beer, Jr., Director of Community & Economic Development, reviewed the staff report. Council member Beauchamp requested staff to clarify how this reorganization would result in an annual net savings of $34,000. City Manager Zais stated the next savings is actually around $29,000, since there is approximately $5,000 of salary increases that must be deducted from the savings generated by the elimination of the Community Development Block Grant Manager's position. Mr. Beer stated there are new changes in the federal government requirements involving the CDBG Program and that only 20% can be spent for administrative costs, Which could result in decreasing the staff in the future. Council member Doty stated that although she is in favor of cutting back staff on the CDBG, she hoped this would not have an impact on the citizen participation program. Council member Barnett questioned whether another agency, such as the Council of Governments could handle the CDBG for the City. City Manager Zais stated that the City of Yakima is considered an entitlement community and this func- tion rests solely with the City. It was MOVED by Mbore, seconded by Sparling that the City Manager be authorized to implement this reorganization as of September 1, 1982 and that the required ordinance dianges be implemented as part of the regular Community Development Block Grant Application process and during the regular City budgeting process. Council member Doty stated she would vote against this motion since she still has some concerns on this issue, but felt they could be re- solved. The motion carried by 4-3 voice vote. Beaudiamp, Buchanan and Doty voting nay. 11. REPORT ON YAKIMA TRANSIT SYSTEM TRIAL SUNDAY SERVICE William Strole, 201 S. 48th Avenue, stated he is a Sunday bus rider and appreciates the improved service. He further stated he had urged people to vote for the increased sales tax since he was under the impression it would be used to improve the bus service; however, that with the proposed elimination of Sunday service, he felt the citizens will be paying the ad- ditional sales tax and not receiving any better service. Mr. Strole recommended that Council consider continuing the Sunday service at least until the end of this year and advertise this service. Council member Barnett stated the statistics given in the report are not comparable and requested the percentage figure of ridership in the morning versus in the afternoon for Sunday service. Dave Rhodes, Director of Public Works, stated 250 AUGUST 24, 1982 he would researdh this if necessary. Mr. Rhodes further stated that the farebox percentages are very lag and that staff felt the need to bring this issue before the Council for a determination. Council member Beauchamp questioned whether temporary personnel would continue to be utilized if this service is continued. Mr. Rhodes stated if Council decided to add Sunday service as part of the regular route, then per- manent employees would be utilized. Council member Beauchamp questioned staff as to how many full-time permanent employees would be added to retain Sunday service. Mr. Rhodes stated he would researdi this. Council member Doty stated that if Sunday service becomes part of the regular route, the per- centage of farebox return would drop drastically. She further stated that it is hard to justify this kind of expenditure for so few people, but did realize it will be an inconvenience for some people. Council member Sparling requested that staff return next week with the requested figures prior to deciding on this issue. Council member Mbore stated he felt there is a need to create a capital improvement fund for the bus systen and believed the City should be independent and not rely on any UMFA funding. He further stated that the Sunday service had been sufficiently tested; that it did not work and should be eliminated. City Manager Zais stated that if the trial Sunday service is extended, the City will be required to ask the Civil Service Commission to grant an extension retaining these drivers on a temporary employment status. It was MOVED by Beauchamp, seconded by Sparling to delay a decision until next week and to have staff provide information on the exact cost of continuing to operate the Sunday service. Council member Buchanan stated that the trial period had already exceeded the original time frame and it is not being utilized by a large percentage of residents to allow it to continue. Council member Barnett stated he would vote for discontinuance of the service since it is not cost effective. The question was called for the vote on the motion. The motion failed by 5-2 voice vote. Beauchamp and Sparling voting aye. It was MOVED by Doty, seconded by Moore to discontinue transit Sunday service effective September 26, 1982. Council member Sparling stated he is concerned about the lack of information as to the cost of implenenting this service permanently. The motion carried by 5-2 voice vote. Beauchamp and Sparling voting nay. *12. INVESTMENT REPORT FOR JULY, 1982 The report from the Acting Director of Finance and Budget dated July 31, 1982, regarding the investments of the City of Yakima, was accepted and approved. *13. ORDINANCE APPROPRIATING FUNDS FOR IMPROVEMENTS TO THE COM - MUNICATIONS CENTER (Second Reading) Ordinance appropriating funds from the Fire Capital Fund for continued upgrading of the Fire Dispatch Center, having been read by title only at the previous meeting, was brought before the Council for a second reading. ORDINANCE NO. 2633, AN ORDINANCE amending the 1982 budget for the City of Yakima; appropriating money in 332-Fire Capital Fund for expenditure during 1982. *14. ORDINANCE APPROPRIATING FUNDS TO THE TRANSIT CAPITAL RESERVE FUND AND REPAYING CERTAIN LOANS (First Reading) The ordinance appropriating funds to the Transit Capital Reserve Fund and repaying certain loans, having been read by title only at this meeting, was laid on the table for one week or until August 31, 1982. AUGUST 24, 1982 251 15. OTHER BUSINESS ITEMS OF INFORMATION Items of information supplied to Council were: memorandum from City Attorney re: Ballot Proposition Endorsement. 8/19/82; letter from Cox Cable of Yakima to Cable Coordinator re: SPOTLIGHT, replacement for HBO. 8/13/82; monthly report of Chief of Police for July, 1982; memorandum from Community & Economic Development Department re: Fire Master Plan Status Report. 8/19/82; memorandum from Community & Economic Development Department re: Zoning Ordinance Status Report. 8/19/82; letter from Department of Community & Economic - Development to Margaret Weaver re: Issuance of Business License for former Dry Dock Tavern. 8/16/82. II 16. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to cane before the Council, it was MOVED by Buchanan, seconded by Mbore to move into Exec- utive Session for the purpose of discussing personnel and prospective litigation and to then immediately adjourn the meeting. Following the completion of the Executive Session, the meeting adjourned at ji hour of 5:00 P.M. ow /, 4 READ AND CERTIFIED ACCURATE BY g ieh r . 7 . ,;, DATEM/A- 44 UNI O OFTP717 AV __ A ., ;. ..„ DATE ow �L MEMBER ATTEST: `S _,...Z 49-.4. ginkl"- Atavvvv:A621Q, ACTING CITY CLERK MAYOR 1