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HomeMy WebLinkAbout10/27/1981 Study Session 009 OCTOBER 27, 1981 STUDY SESSION The City Council met in session on this date at 1 :00 P.M. in the Council Chambers of City Hall, Yakima, Washington. Council members present were Mayor Betty L. Edmondson, Clarence Barnett, Henry Beauchamp, Lynn Buchanan, Lynn Carmichael, Shirley Doty, and Don Hinman. 1. OPEN DISCUSSION FOR THE GOOD OF THE ORDER Mayor Edmondson announced that the Health District will be having a demonstration of their computer system between 11:30 A.M. and 12:30 P.M. at City Hall. She also announced that the Ridgeview Group Home will be holding an open house tomorrow between 1:00 P.M. and 7:00 P.M., with a brief ceremony at 2:00 P.M. The Ridgeview Group Home is located at 1726 Jerome Avenue. Council member Carmichael stated she would like to bring up HB 749 for discussion. She stated that several months ago this was discussed and Council took a negative viewpoint on it. She stated that there has been a change in the bill since the close of the legislative session last spring. She spoke in support of this bill, stating that some of the smaller cities need this opportunity to levy a sales tax if they desire. Mayor Edmondson spoke favorably about the changes in this bill and agreed that the cities need to have this option. She emphasized that the Council is not stating they want to levy this tax in the City of Yakima, however, many small cities may need this in order to balance their budgets. Council member Hinman expressed his concern that the State's primary commit- ment should be for education. It was MOVED by Carmichael, seconded by Beauchamp to support HB 749 which gives the option to the City to levy a local sales tax, especially if there are local safeguards for the citizens. Carried by 5 -2 voice vote. Barnett and Hinman voting nay. Council member Doty stated she has received a call from a citizen concerned about the increase of the speed limit on 16th Avenue because of the school crossings, plus the YVT tracks and the fact that the street is hilly and has poor visibility. Following discussion, it was suggested that this concern should be brought to the School Safety Committee and then set a date of hearing for this after the first of the year. 2. STATUS REPORT OF WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT CONSTRUCTION - CONTRACT NO. 5 Jon Wiese, Sanitary Engineer, reported that the construction is 98% complete. He explained that there is testing of some equipment left to be done, however, that has to wait until the equipment instrumentation control system has been installed, which should be ready about the first of the year. He com- mented that he will be back in a couple of weeks to extend the Beck contract to the end of the year, for an additional cost of approximately $20,000 to $30,000. There was discussion regarding this time extension, concern being expressed that this is necessary. 3. STATUS REPORT RE TRANSIT PROGRAM Dan Newton, Transit Manager, reviewed his report dated 10/5/81, emphasizing the fact that the ridership on the Park and Ride Service to the Fair increased 87.497. He recommended that the fares be increased for that program next year to 25. He reported that the September ridership has increased 33% over last year. He stated that fare box revenue is covering approximately 18% of the cost to provide the service, not including figures for the Sunday and expanded evening service. In order to raise that percentage, the ridership needs to be increased or increase the fare box revenue. Council member Beauchamp commented that it is important to get the system to ®/ 0 OCTOBER 27, 1981 where it's paying a fair share of expenses and not let the fact that we have the tax revenues influence that. Mr. Newton stated that adult ridership is up 50 %. 4. REPORT ON 1981 THIRD QUARTER BUDGET EXPENDITURE STATUS Don Horan, Director of Finance and Budget, stated that we are looking at an approximate $400,000 loss in revenue and a potential savings of $300,000 of expenditures, leaving a potential loss of $100,000 at year end. (Mayor Edmondson absent after 1:55 P.M.) He reviewed his report dated 10/23/81, speaking about the payments on interfund loans. Regarding the payments from DOE, he stated that it is on a reimbursement basis and the books sometimes show $26,000 to $28,000 in the red until payment from DOE has been received. He stated that at the end of the year he would like to get an interfund loan to cover this so that it ends the year at zero balance. He stated that the loan would probably be repaid after 20 days when payment is received from DOE. He stated he would like to get Council's feelings towards this interfund loan. Council members did not respond other than to tell him to try it. 5. DISCUSSION OF PROPOSED 1982 BUDGET REVIEW CALENDAR City Manager Zais stated there are some corrections to be made to this schedule, and there are two dates conflicting with the Health District Board meetings. He stated he would like to change the meeting on November 10, 1981, to Monday, Novem- ber 9, 1981 and the meeting on December 8, 1981, to Monday, December 7, 1981. He stated that in Item No. 8, the day should be listed as Thursday, and in Item No. 13 the day should be Wednesday. Following discussion, it was the general consensus to approve this schedule and ask staff to schedule more of these meetings at the Yakima Center if possible. Council member Doty requested that the slide presentation be removed from the staff reports, for the expediency of time. 6. EXECUTIVE SESSION It was MOVED by Beauchamp, seconded by Doty to move into Exe- cutive Session for the purpose of discussing collective bar- gaining. Unanimously carried by voice vote. Edmondson ab- sent. OCTOBER 27, 1981 BUSINESS MEETING 7. ROLL CALL At 3:00 P.M., the Council members commenced the regular meet- ing, Assistant Mayor Hinman presiding, Council members Barnett, Beauchamp, Buchanan, Carmichael, Doty and City Manager Zais and City Attorney Andrews present on roll call. Mayor Edmondson absent. 8. INVOCATION The Invocation was given by Council member Beauchamp. 9. CONSENT AGENDA Assistant Mayor Hinman referred to the items placed on the Consent Agenda, questioning whether there were any additions or deletions from either Council members or citizens present. Council member Doty requested that Item No. 24 and Item No. 10 be added to the Consent Agenda. Council member Carmichael suggested that Item No. 18 be added to the Consent Agenda, however, there was a citizen present with questions about that item. The Acting 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 OCTOBER 27, 1981 O Agenda, as read, be passed. Unanimously carried by roll call vote. Edmondson absent. (Subsequent paragraphs preceded by an asterisk ( *) indicate items on the Consent Agenda handled under one motion without further discussion.) Assistant Mayor Hinman advised that staff had requested that Item No. 16 be continued one week. Bob Larson, Recreation Supervisor, was present to ask the City Council to look into the management of the Parks and Recreation Department. Mr. Larson voiced his feelings on the way that the Department was being operated. Mr. Larson explained that the concerns go back a year and at that time staff had met at the Union's office to discuss the problems they felt were occurring at that time. He stated that staff members tried to plan some type of activity that would bring this information to the necessary powers to make some changes. He explained that they kept hearing that meetings were going to be arranged to discuss the situation, but none were held. He stated that it was basically the consensus of the group that there is mismanagement and probably some incompetence causing a series of problems that have gone on for years. He also explained that the group never had a viable method whereby to pass their concerns on to the people that make decisions effecting their lives. Mr. Larson told Council that a meeting was held in August with staff members and the City Manager and that the group felt the situation had deteriorated even further. He stated that he then went to the Union and requested that a labor /management meeting be arranged to discuss the matter. The first meeting was held and the information was accepted but the group was basically given a two week delay in order for people to review the information and also allow the department manager time to prepare a response. He stated that a second meeting was held with little discussion and no responses to the accusations were given. He also explained that there were a variety of things to imply that maybe the questions shouldn't even have been asked. Mr. Larson stated that it did not have to be a group from the Chamber of Commerce, but someone who is knowledgeable in budget and management and hoped that the Council would find some mechanism whereby a committee could be formed to review the concerns. Mary Hersey, AFSCME Representative, read the letter dated October 23, 1981, which was addressed to Gary Webster at the Chamber of Commerce, into the record, which voiced the Union's unanimous decision that an independent study of the Parks and Recreation's management and budget practices be done. Bob Laird, former Cemetery Manager, en- dorsed the idea of the study being done. Paul Schafer, Parks Commissioner, told Council that the Commission is aware of some problems, but this matter has not come before them in a meeting. It was MOVED by Beauchamp, seconded by Carmichael that this be assigned to the Committee of the Council that deals with Parks to review the complaint and the materials which have been submitted to Council and report back to the Council within one to two weeks their recommendation or what steps, if any, should be made to seek solutions to the questions that have been raised. Council member Doty sug- gested that as an alternative, the Committee be expanded to include two Parks Commissioners and two members appointed by the Chamber of Commerce. Council member Hinman clarified that the Committee in question is the Council Committee that appoints Park Commissioners, and that they would report back within two weeks to the Council. The question was called for the vote on the motion. Carried by 5 -1 voice vote, Doty voting nay. Edmondson absent. 12. HEARING ON PETITION NO. 967 FOR ANNEXATION OF PROPERTY LOCATED AT 1809 WEST LINCOLN AVENUE AS REQUESTED BY RALPH HOLM This being the time fixed for the hearing on the annexation requested by Ralph Holm, Council member Doty expressed her concern on the difference in the staff recommendation and the Planning Commissions. She asked if the traffic generation between a B -1 and a B -2 Zone is staff's main concern. Larry 012 OCTOBER 27, 1981 Wright, Acting Director of Community and Economic Development, replied that it is and also access onto Lincoln Avenue. Council member Doty also asked if there was a drainage problem in that area and what exactly did Mr. Holm want to develop. Mr. Wright explained that other than a business, it hadn't really been discussed. Mr. Wright explained the difference between a B-1 and a B-2 Zone. Council member Barnett re- quested clarification on whether or not the owner wanted it to be zoned B-1 or B-2, and if it was zoned B-1 would he still want to annex. Ralph Holm addressed the Council and responded to the traffic congestion situation explaining that he felt there wouldn't be any more congestion than there already is. Council member Carmichael asked what Mr. Holm could do with the property if it was zoned B-2 instead of B-1. Mr. Holm replied that possibly a doctor would buy it. Council member Beauchamp asked if the primary reason for the B-.2 zoning was to enhance the selling of the property. Mr. Holm explained that it is. Council member Doty asked what the disadvantage would be if it just stayed zoned County Commercial. Mr. Holm explained a business would probably want to hook up to the sewer line. There being no one present to speak against the annexation, the public portion of the hearing was closed. It was MOVED by Buchanan, seconded by Doty that the property be annexed and zoned B-1. Discussion followed. It was MOVED by Beauchamp, seconded by Barnett to amend the motion to change the zoning from B-1 to B-2. Motion failed by 3-3 voice vote. Buchanan, Doty and Hinman voting nay. Edmondson absent. The question was called for the vote on the original motion. Carried by 4-2 voice vote. Beauchamp and Buchanan voting nay. Edmondson absent. *13• APPOINTMENT TO UTILITY RATE ADVISORY BOARD The recommendation of the City Manager to appoint Mr. H. L. Davis, Pacific Northwest Bell, to fill the remaining term of Mr. Hustader as the Public Utility Representative was approved. 14. CONSIDERATION OF REQUEST REGARDING SIGNALIZED SCHOOL CROSSING -- 44th/NOB HILL AND 44th/TIETON DRIVE Hank Hein, Supervising Traffic Engineer, was present to answer any questions. Council member Beauchamp asked how much it would cost to reinstall the signs at each location. Mr. Hein responded that it would be approximately $70 per location. Mark Bontrager, Yakima Citizens Safety Committee, read a pre- pared statement made on behalf of the Committee, which thanked Council and various departments in the City for their full co- operation on behalf of the safety of the school children. The statement went on to request Council to instruct the Engineer's Office to replace the patrol warning flag and their respective signs at these crossings. Carol Schenk, Whitney School Parent Council representative, spoke on behalf of re- installing the signs in their respective places. Ines Rice, 4409 West Arlington, stated that she would like to see some- thing done with the crossing lights in question. Del Cher- II/ rington, Principal of Whitney School, stated that he was con- cerned about the situation and that they had had the same signs up until this year. He stated that if the signs are legal, he felt they would give an extra margin of safety if they were reinstalled. John Kline asked Council if the signs had been destroyed. Council member Hinman assured him that they had not been destroyed but had been distributed to other locations. Council member Beauchamp asked if the flag removal had only occurred at these particular locations, or all over. Mr. Hein responded that the flags had been removed from three locations, Whitney School in two places -- 44th and Tieton and 44th and Nob Hill Boulevard, and at 5th Avenue and Fair- banks. Council member Beauchamp asked if the signs were re- moved with the recommendation of the School Safety Committee. Mr. Hein stated that the matter was reviewed with the Police Department, School Administration, and Traffic Engineering, but the Committee was not aware of the decision. Mr. Bon- OCTOBER 27, 1981 013 trager also responded to Council member Beauchamp's question, stating that it would have come through his office, not neces- sarily the School Safety Committee. It was MOVED by Barnett, seconded by Beauchamp that the two 20 MPH signs be replaced along with the flag signs. It was MOVED by Doty that the signs be replaced on the Nob Hill crossing only. The Motion died for lack of a second. Council member Carmichael stated that she felt they needed to be replaced at both places. Council member Beauchamp' stated that he felt that if the traffic pattern is the same at 5th and Fairbanks that the sign should also be replaced to keep with uniformity. It was MOVED by Barnett, seconded by Beauchamp to amend the Motion to include 5th and Fairbanks. Unanimously carried by voice vote. Edmondson absent. The question was called for the vote on the motion as amended. Unanimously carried by voice vote. Edmondson absent. 15. CONSIDERATION OF REQUEST RE PARKING RESTRICTIONS FOR CENTRAL AVENUE Mrs. Catherine Melford, 907 Central Avenue, described the traffic situation on Central Avenue that she has been experi- encing. Council member Beauchamp asked if a petition had been submitted by the citizens on Central. Mrs. Melford stated that the citizens are tired of trying to put out petitions and have nothing become of them. Council member Beauchamp asked if she had done one before. Mrs. Melford stated that she had. Council member Beauchamp asked if she had submitted a petition to the City. Mrs. Melford stated that she was not sure whether she had submitted it. Mrs. Melford explained that she had been coming down to the Council meetings requesting the NO PARKING signs for a long time. Council member Carmichael told Mrs. Melford that without the petitions Council had no way of knowing that all the neighbors are in agreement with her about the situation. Mrs. Melford stated that they are aware of it. Mrs. Carmichael stated that she personally would not vote in favor of what she was asking unless she saw a petition from the neighborhood that assured her that they understood what Council was considering and that they concurred with that. Skip Ware; a citizen, asked what the policy was concerning this type of action. Council informed him that a petition was needed from the neighborhood expressing their concern about the traffic situation. Evelyn Pleasant, 1202 South 10th Street, asked Council what would be done if a petition is received. The Council assured her that when a petition is received the Council will review it; its passage will depend on the amount of signatures on the petition, and whether or not they want the NO PARKING signs put up. Mrs. Melford told Council that she would submit a petition from the neighbor- hood. It was the general consensus of the Council that this item be tabled for two weeks, to enable Mrs. Melford to submit a petition. 16. CHANGE ORDER NO. 11, CONTRACT NO. 5, WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT CONSTRUCTION. This item was continued for two weeks. *17. RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING SETTLEMENT OF PENDING LITIGATION WITH AMERI- CAN APPRAISAL ASSOCIATES, INC. RESOLUTION NO. D -4566, A RESOLUTION authorizing settlement of pending litigation with American Appraisal Associates, Inc. 18. RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING PURCHASE OF ENGINE AND COMPONENT PARTS FOR REFUSE Ines Rice, 4409 West Arlington, told Council that she was opposed to the City not going out for bids and questioned why the Refuse Department was not using their back -up truck. Willis White, Director of Public Works, replied that the back -up truck is a 3 man truck, and they were trying to defray the cost of hiring extra help, as would be needed in this case. He also stated that they were using the truck until the refuse packer could be fixed. Discussion continued on who OCTOBER 27, 1981 would be repairing the truck and where the repair work would be done. Rich Anenson, Equipment Maintenance Supervisor, told Council that Peterbuilt Western provided professional help in overhauling the engine. He explained that one lof their journeyman mechanics and one of the City's journeyman mechanics assisted in the overhauling of the engine, at the City Shops. Resolution No. D-4567, having been read by title, it was MOVED by Buchanan, seconded by Doty that the Resolution be passed. Unanimously carried by roll call vote. Edmondson absent. RESOLUTION NO. D-4567, A RESOLUTION authorizing the purchase of a rebuilt diesel engine and component parts without calling for bids. *19. RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING A SCHEDULED PASSENGER AIRLINE LEASE AGREE- MENT WITH CASCADE AIRWAYS, INC. RESOLUTION NO. D-4568, A RESOLUTION authorizing the execution of a "Scheduled Passenger Airline Lease Agreement" with Cas- cade Airways, Inc. *20. RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING A SCHEDULED PASSENGER AIRLINE LEASE AGREE- MENT WITH HORIZON AIRLINES, INC. D/B/A HORIZON AIR RESOLUTION NO. D-4569, A RESOLUTION authorizing the execution of a "Scheduled Passenger Airline Lease Agreement" with Horizon Airlines, Inc. d/b/a/ Horizon Air. *21. RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING AN FBO LEASE AGREEMENT WITH DONAL A. LARSON RESOLUTION NO. D-4570, A RESOLUTION authorizing and directing the City Manager and the City Clerk of the City of Yakima to execute an Airport Lease Agreement with Donald A. Larson. *22. RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING A CONTRACT WITH DIAMOND CAB FOR ELDERLY AND HANDICAPPED SERVICE RESOLUTION NO. D-4571, A RESOLUTION authorizing and directing the City Manager and City Clerk of the City of Yakima to exe- cute a Transportation Services Agreement with Diamond Cab Com- pany. *23. DISPOSITION OF DAMAGE CLAIM RESOLUTION NO. D-4572, A RESOLUTION authorizing the payment of $55.51 to Rose Wolfe in settlement of a claim for damages filed with the City of Yakima. *24. ORDINANCE RELATING TO THE POSSESSION OF MARIHUANA ORDINANCE NO. 2557, AN ORDINANCE relating to public safety and morals; declaring it unlawful to possess marihuana; defining terms; and enacting Chapter 6.50, "Possession of Marihuana", and Sections 6.50.010, 6.50.020 and 6.50.030 thereof as a new II/ Chapter and new Sections of the City of Yakima Municipal Code. *25. ORDINANCE APPROPRIATING FUNDS FOR PURCHASE OF A BUS SHELTER -- SECOND READING ORDINANCE NO. 2558, AN ORDINANCE amending the 1981 Budget for the City of Yakima; and appropriating the amount of $2,600 in 763-Parking and Business Improvement Fund for expenditure during the year 1981. *26. ORDINANCE APPROPRIATING FUNDS FOR COMPUTER PROGRAM SOFTWARE AND OFFICE SPACE MODIFICATIONS -- SECOND READING ORDINANCE NO. 2559, AN ORDINANCE amending the 1981 Budget for the City of Yakima; and appropriating money in 199-Federal Shared Revenue Fund for expenditure during 1981. OCTOBER 27, 1981 015 27. OTHER BUSINESS Council member Doty expressed her concern that the Chamber of Commerce was choosing to neither oppose or state they were for the City's two proposals on the November ballot. Council member member Carmichael asked the other members if they were interested in meeting with the legislature before the election to discuss HB 749. She also suggested that the County, Union Gap and Naches be included and she would be happy to arrange the meeting. It was the general consensus of the Council that Carmichael arrange such a meeting. City Manager Zais asked Council if the Council Committee on II/ Parks, which consists of Lynn Carmichael, Shirley Doty and Don Hinman wanted to meet by themselves as a group or with staff. It was the general consensus of the group that they meet first as a group. ITEMS OF INFORMATION Memo from Acting Director of Community and Economic Develop- ment re Southeast Community Center, 10/20/81; memo from Acting Director of Community and Economic Development re Cable TV Update, 10/20/81; memo from Finance Director re Status Report -- DARC Committee -- Downtown Parking Enforcement, 10/23/81; letter from Evergreen State Specialized Transportation Association, 10/15/81; memo from Acting Director of Community and Economic Development re Outside Utility Connection (Sewer) requested by Mr. Rene Gamache, 10/20/81; memo from Acting Director of Community and Economic Development re Outside Utility Request (Water) requested by Mr. and Mrs. David Uhlman, 10/19/81; September 15, 1981 minutes of Police and Fire Civil Service Commission; October 8, 1981 Downtown Advisory Redevelopment Committee minutes; a publication, "The Mayor", 10/15/81; memo from Acting Director of Community and Economic Development re Outside Utility Request (Sewer) requested by Mr. Marvin Frigen, 10/23/81. 28. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to come before the Council, themeetingwasadjourn.datthour.f4:50 P.M. ' I Aid READ AND CERTIFIED ACCURATE BY 1, DATE CO/ IL 1.401 BER i il l .ddiA_A& _..—A.A— Oil Y DATE ISUNCIL MEMBER ATTEST: ri i , 7 (i. 2- eht7i7d.: CI TY C ir RK blfOR