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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03/01/1983 Study Session L QL MARCH 1, 1983 STUDY SESSION The City Council net in session on this date at 1:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers of City Hall, Yakima, Washington. Council members present were Assistant Mayor Lynn Budhanan, Clarence Barnett, Henry Beaudhamp, Shirley Doty, W. K. "Pete" Moore and Jack Sparling. Mayor Lynn Carmichael absent. 1. OPEN DISCUSSION FOR THE GOOD OF THE ORDER Council member Doty reported she has received telephone calls from citizens regarding the problems with gorator pumps at the Wastewater Treatment Plant as mentioned in the February 15, 1983 memo fran Dennis Bertek. It was suggested by a citizen that perhaps staff should consider using the previous screwdrive -type pump, rather than the existing reciprocal-type gorator pumps. Dennis Bertek, Supervising Sanitary Engineer, responded that since the status report, staff has had further contact with the manufacturer and feels a solution is eminent. Mr. Bertek stated staff is reviewing all possibilities to reach a solution to the problem. Council immber Barnett reported he had received a call fran a citizen regarding a build up of rocks in the Yakima river near the Wastewater Treatment Plant. He indicated that the citizen was concerned due to possible flooding or erosion as a result of this "island" of rods and wanted the proper authorities to be are of the problem. Council member Doty suggested a new format for Council meetings, Wherein, Council meetings would alternate with Study Session items only for one week, to be followed with Business items only the next'latek. She explained this new foLitut would allow for more indepth review of Study Session items and also save staff time. Council member MOore concurred with Council member Doty's recommendation and suggested Council try the new Council meeting format for a pericd_of three months. It was MOVED by Moore, seconded by Sparling to move this item down to become Item No. 7A under the Business portion of the meeting. Unanimously carried by voice vote. Carmichael absent. City Manager Zais informed Council of a letter he had recently received fran the County Canmissioners regarding the proposed Public Transportation Feasibility Study presented to Council ' February 1, 1983. He informed Council of the County Commissioner's decision to delay proceeding with the proposed transportation in Yakima due to increased sales tax. He indicated the County Canmissioners may want to reconsider this issue in a year or two, but will not proceed at this time. It was the general consensus of the Council that a public forum for the purpose of Obtaining public response regarding a proposed public transportation system in Yakima was not necessary at this time. 2. REQUEST FOR COUNCIL ASSISTANCE WITH ENGINEERING CONSULTANT II/ SELECTION Dennis Covell, Director of Engineering and Utilities, was present to summarize his request for Council participation in consultant selection for the General Irrigation Diversion Dam Engineering Evaluation and the Traffic Progression Analysis. He informed Council that staff anticipates approximately seven proposals for the diversion dam proposal and seven to ten proposals for the traffic analysis proposal. He requested a Council member to assist in consultant selection, oral interviews, contract negotiations and progress reviews of the consultant's work performance. Council members Moore and Doty volunteered to assist with the Diversion Dam analysis. Council member Sparling indicated he would like to assist with the Traffic Analysis study. MARCH 1, 1983 O5 3. MEETING WITH UTILITY RATE ADVISORY BOARD REGARDING WATER RATE STUDY City Manager Zais introduced members of the Utility Rate Advisory Board; James Daily, Shannon Smith, Joseph Andreotti, Chairman, Hal Davis and June West, City Manager Zais began the discussion, informing Council of staff's request to obtain Council guidance before proceeding with the water rate study. Shannon Smith expanded on the three major elements involved with the Boards' philosophy for increased equity in the charges for water service: 1) Cost of Service, which includes all costs associated with billing, reading and customer service functions. 2) Capital Charge, which consists of a mathematical procedure factored according to neter size, current installation cost and maximum capacity as measured in gallons per minute. 3) Volume Charge, which is the cost to treat and distribute water to the customers and includes operation and maintenance (0 & M) cost of the water supply facility. Mr. Smith expressed the Board's confusion with the different users and rates. He indicated the Board would like to establish a philosophy so that rates may be applied evenly across the hoard. He expressed the Board's desire to see no one water user subsidizing another user. Mr. Smith also addressed the differential rate dharged to customers who are located outside the City limits, which currently amounts to 50% more than the in-City rate. He indicated the Board's philosophy in this matter is that the Water Division should not benefit from this surcharge. Council member Barnett expressed his concerns regarding the minimal water user paying a substantial increase versus the larger volume user paying a smaller or decreased rate for water under the Utility Rate Advisory Board's suggestion. Council member Doty questioned the origin of the 50% surdharge placed on customers located outside the City limits. Dennis Covell, Director of Engineering and Utilities, was available to explain the philosophy regarding the differential rate. Shannon Smith explained the Board's philosophy regarding the surcharge, informing Council that the Board did not feel the differential charged to outside City limit customers was just a revenue raising effort; the Board feels the general fund should receive the revenue without it passing through the Water Division. Discussion followed regarding the use of domestic water for irrigtion purposes. Council member Moore requested clarification of the Board's philosophy regarding Cost of Service, Capital Charges and Volume Charges. City Manager Zais informed Council that if staff were to pursue the Board's recommendations, staff would exceed the budgeted amount for this item. Frank Mabry explained staff had assumed that the surcharge was not a variable and therefore, it would cost $500 to change the surcharge to be a variable in the computer programming of the water rate analysis. Mr. Mabry requested direction from Council at this time regarding staff authorization to complete the programming analysis for the water rate analysis study. No formal action taken at this II/ 4. ROLL CALL At 3:00 p.m. the Council members commenced the regular ueeting, Assistant Mayor Budianan presiding, Council member Barnett, Beauchamp, Doty, Moore and Sparling and City Manager Zais and City Attorney Andrews present on roll call. Carmichael absent and excused. . 5. INVOCATION The Invocation was given by Council member Beauchamp. 6. ODNSENT AGENDA Assistant Mayor Buchanan 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 City Clerk then read the Consent Agenda items, including resolutions and ordinances by title. Council member Barnett 14 ()P MARCH 1, 1983 requested It No. 10 be added to the Consent Agenda, however, it was the consensus of the Council that Item No. 10 be left off the Consent Agenda. It was MOVED by Beauchamp, seconded by Doty that the Consent Agenda, as read, be passed. , Unanimously carried by roll call vote. Carmichael 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 A. Item No. 1 It was MOVED by Moore, seconded by Beauchamp to request staff to prepare the proper legislation to Change the Council meetings of the first and third Tuesday 's of the month to be Business meetings only, starting at 2:00 p.m.; the second and fourth Tuesday's of the month will be Study Sessions only, at Which the Council will not enact any business. The fifth Tuesday of a month would be held only at the call of the Mayor. This Council meeting format will be on a trial period for three months. Discussion followed concerning the optional fifth Tuesday meeting in a month. City Manager Zais addressed the quarterly evening meetings regarding the new format. Council member More withdrew the motion. Council requested staff to prepare an appropriate schedule which would allow for the new Council meeting format. B. It No. 3 It was MOVED by Beauchamp to allow $500 allocation for a variable pertaining to the computer programming for the water rate analysis. The motion died for a lack of a second. Frank Mabry, Water Division Superintendent, clarified staff's request. It was MOVED by Barnett, seconded by Beauchamp, to authorize as many variables that can be obtained, but not to exceed $500. Motion failed 3-3. Buchanan, Doty and Moore voting nay. Carmichael absent. *8. MINUTES The Council minutes of January 18, 1983, were approved, having been duly certified accurate by two Council members and no one wishing to have said minutes read publicly. 9. AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION Ines Rice, 4409 W. Arlington, was present to request details regarding the water rate analysis and expressed her opposition to water rate increases. 10. PRESENTATION OF 1982 POLICE ANNUAL REPORT Jack LaRue, Chief of Police, was present to introduce his Command Staff and provide an overview of the annual report. City Manager Zais commented on the crime clearance rate, informing Council that the 1982 clearance rate exceeds all previous levels from 1960. Council member Beauchamp requested clarification of clearance rates. Rosemarie Ulfter, Records Supervisor, responded to Council's questions. It was the general consensus of the Council to accept staff's report. 11. PRESENTATION OF 1982 TRANSIT ANNUAL REPORT Dave Rhodes, Director of Public Works, and Bill Schultz, Transit Manager, were present to expand upon the report. Dave Rhodes informed Council of corrections in the report. He indicated that fare box revenue should be $208,000 and the revenue figure for service unit 512, Fixed Route Service, should be $749,971. He also informed Council that all outstanding debts incurred by the Transit Division have been paid off. He commented on the farebox revenue figures, informing Council that in 1981, Transit experimented with various techniques that did not produce revenue, such as Sunday service. Mr. Rhodes expressed his concerns regarding the lack of money in the replacement fond for the buses. He -407 MARCH 1, 1983 stated there is a necessity to take the cash carryover from 1982 and place the money in the replacement fund. Dave Rhodes • , responded to - Douneil's questions regarding policies and • procedures pertaining. to City buses. Cbuncil member Beauchamp requested information regarding the 'current status of the Customer Relations - position Transit' was planning to fill. • Dave Rhodes Informed the Council that :the job description has been re-written and submitted to the CiVil Service Cemmission; following the Commission approval, he and Bill Schultz would proceed to fill the vacancy. Discussion followed regarding farebox revenue calculations. Bill Schultz informed Council o f a reporting system he hopes to have in place soon, thich 11 C l o - lin= il parli II/ • Dave Rhodes responded to Council's questions. It was the general consensus of the Council to accept staff's report. *12. APPROVAL OF RIGHT-OF-hay USE PERMIT REQUESTED BY YAKIMA COUNTY The Right Use Permit as requested by Yakima County, submitted by the Director of Ccmmunity and Economic Development, dated March 1, 1983, was accepted and approved. , *13. TREASURY REPORT FOR JANUARY, 1983. - The Treasury Report for January 1983, frtm the Acting Director of Finance & Budget dated March 1, 1983, was accepted and approved. 14. OTHER BUSINESS It was TYDVED by Barnett, seconded by Sparling to appoint William A. Rater to fill the vacancy on the Yakima Center Advisory Canmittee. Unanimously carried by voice vote. Carmichael absent. Council member Sparling questioned the status of the Union Pacific railroad tracks on Nob Hill Boulevard. He questioned if Union Pacific had informed the City of their decision in this matter. City Manager Zais informed Council that Union Pacific has indicated the tracks will remain on Nob Hill Boulevard. Assistant City Manager Wittenberg and Jean Shipman, Purchasing Agent, were present to request direction fran Council regarding the purdhase of a 3/4 ton pickup truck for the Fire Department. Assistant City Manager Wittenberg cemented on the item tabled at last week's Council meeting regarding , purchasing policy procedures and requested direction before proceeding with the truck purchase. Council member Sparling reported on local car dealers' interest regarding contracting for City fleet warranty maintenance work. He informed Council 11/ that the local dealers cannot compete financially with the state contract. It was MOVED by Barnett, seconded by Beaudhamp to authorize staff to purdhase the truck for the Fire Department on a state contract. Unanimously carried by voice vote. Carmichael absent. It was MOVED by MOore, seconded by Beauchamp to adopt the policy of taking local bids unless there is greater than a 10% difference in the bid amount. Unanimously carried by voice vote. ; Doty abstaining due to her absence on this item when discussed last week. Carmichael absent. Assistant City Manager Wittenberg requested clarification of the motion, asking if the motion involved just vehicles or all purchases. It was the consensus of the Council that the notion pertains to vehicles only. Council member Moore questioned the status of the request made by the Humane Society for a future site for a new animal shelter. 4 0 8, MARCH 1, 1983 Information Its Items of information supplied to Council %%ere: Council Calendar for March, 1983; memo from Director of Engineering & Utilities .re: Gorator Pumps at Wastewater Treatment Plant. 2/15/83; Canmunity Television Newsletter; Volume 1, No. 2. 2/83; and minutes of February 2, 1983 meeting of the Traffic Safety Canmittee. 15. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to cane before the Council, it was MOVED by Beauchamp, seconded by Moore that this meting be adjourned at the hour of 4:35 p.m. Unanimously carried by voice vote. Carmichael absent. READ AND CERTIFIED ACCURATE BY OIL -.2:A! NCIEL MEMBE• DATE , /' R ATIEST: 1 , /ea-.6/40440„..„ 5/ CITY CLERIC MAYOR