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Home My WebLink About02/26/1979 Business Meeting FEBRUARY 26, 1979 2()3 The City Council net in session on this date at 2:00 P.M. in the Council Chambers of City Hall, Yakima, Washington. Council members present were Mayor Betty L. Edmondson, Henry Beauchamp, Lynn Buchanan, Don Hinman, Nadine Lee, Jack Sparling and Gordon Wonder. Mayor Edmondson stated that since the study session on the Regional Planning issues had to be postponed, it needs to be rescheduled. Following discussion, it was the general consensus of the Council to have staff reschedule a study session for discussion on regional planning issues. Mayor Edmondson announced that March 19, 1979 is the regularly scheduled time for the Council to meet at KYVE -TV and inquired if this is agreeable with Council. It was the general consensus of the Council to meet at KYVE -TV on March 19, 1979 for the regularly scheduled Council meeting. Mayor Edmondson reminded Council members of Representative Deccio's invitation to attend a legislative meeting during the first two weeks of March. Following discussion, it was the general consensus - of the Council to have staff check their schedule for March 12, 1979. Mayor Edmondson reminded Council of the public meeting scheduled for this Wednesday, at 7:30 P.M. at McClure School regarding the Nob Hill Plan and invited Council members to attend. Mayor Edmondson stated that there is still one vacancy on the Planning Commission and one on the Housing Authority Board. it was the general consensus of the Council to discuss this next Monday and have the Mayor inquire :if Jerry Klinetobe would be interested in serving another term on the Housing Authority. - Referring to a job announcement for the position of Assistant City Manager, Councilman Wonder inquired if it wouldn't be wiser to hire an assistant to City Manager. City Manager Zais, reviewed the role of the. position. of Administrative Assistant and its transition into the position of Assistant City Manager. He distributed a report on management positions since 1974, indicating positions deleted, combined, or added, which made a net difference in salary of $6600 on a yearly basis. The work load for the Assistant City Manager is still very heavy and, in fact, has increased. He stated that he feels the position is justified. Mayor inquired if the positon is budgeted and City Manager Zais stated that it is. Councilman Wonder inquired if arrangements - have been made for the Visitors and Convention Bureau to operate the.trolleys next year. Dick Hilligus, Director of Parks & Recreation, stated that he has net with the V&C Executive Board and we have gone back to the terms in the 1974 agreement. Councilman Beauchamp reqUested update on cable TV. Carol Darby, Director (of - Community Development, related that they are doing the strand mapping now and are looking at three possible locations for their office and earth station. She stated that they are of schedule and - should be digging in the ground in about two to three months. Councilman Beauchamp also inquired aboutthe,legality of taxingithe Home Box Office. _Miss Darby reported that 'attorney Nick Miller, had checked and found cannot tax it until the FCC deregulates it. Councilman Sparling requested a recap on the Larson Garage: City Manager Zais reported there have been inquiries and he would like to meet with the Council Committee for their input. It was the general consensus of the Council ComMittee to meet after if it is not too'late. ' Herb Mayer, City Engineer, referring to his Memo of his review of Pacific Power and Light's proposal relating to street lighting, stated that some of the street lights are own and maintained by PP&L and some are owned and maintained by the City. He stated that it is to the City's to own and operate the street lights. There are three levels of lighting: minimum standard lighting which have fixtures at each block and if theHolock exceeds 500 feet, a lighttisiolacethat mid block; intermediate lighting has fixtures placed approximately every 250 feet; and high: .lighting standards requires fixtures every 200 feet. He stated that the intermediate standard lighting is recommended 204 FEBRUARY 26, 1979 by PP&L in their report. He recommended that the minimum lighting , standard be done, to be financed by increasing the utility tax by 2%. If a neighborhood wishes to have more than the minimum lighting, then they should form an L.I.D. Councilman Hinman inquired if a builder would have to pay for new lights. Mr. Mayer stated that as new subdivisions are developed, they would be asked to bring the street lighting up to the City's standards. Councilman Wonder expressed concern about the equality of taxing the industries so heavily in comparison to residents. Mr. Mayer stated that several financial alternatives were considered, including an LID, FRS funds and general revenue funds. He stated that the increase would be 20 per every ten dollars worth of electricty. Councilman Wonder asked what the cost of installation for minimum standard lighting would be. Mr. Mayer stated that for 751 fixtures, at an installation cost of $425, would be approximately $300,000. Mr. Bob Peterson, PP&L, stated that Mr. Mayer's report was excellent, but cautioned the Council to take energy conservation into consideration when deciding on the standard of lighting. He stated that the increase from 3% to 5% utility tax would show up on the billing and request that the City publicize the fact that the increase is due to the City raising the utility tax. He stated that Selah liMits their tax to the first, $500 of the industrial users bill. It was MOVED by Hinman, seconded by Beauchamp to try the minimum standard five year program and have staff develop some better statistics on it and cone back with a better proposal like #2. Carol Darby asked what additional information Council wants and the Council members responded they would like more information on cost factors, limit of tax up to a certain amount for industry, cost for manpower to maintain the City's light fixtures, and was PP&L's rate increases taken into consideration. Councilman Beauchamp also requested a program schedule if the lighting project had to be done in more than one phase. The question was called for the vote on the motion: carried, Beauchamp, Buchanan, Edmondson, Hinman, Lee, Sparling and Wonder voting aye by voice vote. At 3:00 P.M., the Council members commenced the regular meeting, Mayor Edmondson presiding, Council members Beauchamp, Buchanan, Hinman', Lee, Sparling and Wonder and City Manager Zais and City Attorney Andrews present on roll call. The Invocation was given by City Attorney Andrews. Dr. Warren Starr, Chairman of the American Red Cross, read a proclamation proclaiming the month of March as National Red Cross Month. It was MOVED by Lee, seconded by Sperling that the proclamation read by Dr. Starr, be adopted: carried, Beauchamp, Buchanan, Edmondson, Hinman, Lee, Sparling and Wonder voting aye by voice vote. Mayor Edmondson signed the proclamation and returned it to Dr. Starr. Mayor Edmondson 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 Lee requested that Item No. 14 be removed from the Consent Agenda. It was the general consensus of the Council that the deletion of Item No. 14, as requested, be made. The - Deputy City Clerk then read the Consent Agenda items, including an Ordinance, by title. It was MOVED by Lee, seconded by Hinman that the Consent Agenda, as read, be passed: carried, Beauchamp, Buchanan, Edmondson, Hinman, Lee, Sperling and Wonder voting aye on roll call. (Subsequent paragraphs preceded by an asterisk (*) indicate -items on the Consent Agenda to be handled under one motion without further discussion.) It was MOVED by Lee p seconded by Hinman that the minutes of the February 13, 1979 meeting, having been duly certified accurate by two Council members and no one present wishing to have said minutes read publicly, be approved: carried, Beauchamp, Buchanan, Edmondson, Hinman, Lee, Sperling and Wonder voting aye on roll call. This being the time fixed for the hearing on the final assessment roll for L.I.D. No. 1011, River Road Sewer, Carol Darby, Director of Community DevelopMent, stated that Preston Shepherd and Associates was the consultant firm for this L.I.D. and Mr. Shepherd would answer Council's questions. Those citizens present objecting to the amount of their assessment were: Gordon Hanson, 2908 Tieton 'Drive, stated the method used for determining the assessment caused an inequity of assessments; Leland Gipson, 1211 No. 23rd Avenue, and Vern McDuffy,-- FEBRUARY 26, 1979 215 2304 River Road, Parcel 98 and 99, stating that parcel #97 has the same amount of land as his two properties combined and yet his assessment is higher. Preston Shepherd read into the record letters stating objections to their assessments, received from the following: Burton Dumford, 1214 N. 16th Avenue; Peter & Elsie Rabung, 1216 No. 23rd Avenue; Donald C. Weivoda, 3108 River Road; Mr. and Mrs. Jewell Baker and Mildred and Charles Nichols, 1212 No. 23rd Avenue. Mr. Shepherd stated that the final assessment is 6.49% higher than the preliminary figure given, as a result of being thrown into another construction year. Councilman Wonder questioned the method used to establish the assessment. Mr. Shepherd stated that the assessment was based on a flat rate per parcel, plus a percentage per square foot. Councilman Hinman stated that this L.I.D. has a mixture of residential and commercial and it's too bad the usage could not be taken into consideration. Following discussion regarding the method used for figuring the assessment, it was MOVED by Lee, seconded by Wonder that Ordinance No. 2269, confirming the assessment roll for L.I.D. No. 1011, River Road Sewer, be passed: carried, Edmondson, Hinman, Lee, Sparling and Wonder voting aye on roll call. Buchanan and Beauchamp voting nay. ORDINANCE NO. 2269, AN ORDINANCE confirming the assessment roll covering Local Improvement District No. 1011 as created and established by Ordinance No. 2064 of the Ordinances of the City of Yakima. Council members discussed the City Engineer's report on left turns at 2nd Street and Yakima Avenue, and it was MOVED by Hinman, seconded by Buchanan to try the staff's recommendation and reduce the amount of green light time on Yakima Avenue and put it on 2nd Street. Council members expressed concern about slowing the traffic on Yakima Avenue and Councilman Sparling suggested installing a "no left turn" sign for 30 days. Herb Mayer, - City Engineer, referred to his chart on the traffic flow for that intersection. He stated that staff discovered that left hand turns was not the only cause for slow traffic movement on 2nd Street. He stated that drivers asleep at the light and those waiting for pedestrians crossing on Yakima Avenue also cause a bottleneck at this intersection. He stated that an additional six second green light would not significantly impact Yakima Avenue and recommended changing the timing for a three month trial basis. The question was called for the vote on the motion: carried, Beauchamp, Buchanan, Edmondson, Hinman, Lee, Sparling and Wonder voting aye by voice vote. Referring to the report on domestic water usage by the Parks Department, Councilman WOnder inquired about the total usage by the Parks Department, stating he wanted to know what the bill is to the other users subsidizing the Park S Department. That information not being readily available, it was the general consensus of the Council to request further information on the cost of the water to the Parks Department. It was MOVED by Lee, seconded by Hinman that the report of the City Treasurer dated December 31, 1978, regarding the investments of the City of Yakima, be accepted and approved: .carried, Beauchamp, Buchanan, Edmondson, Hinman, Lee, Sparling and Wonder voting aye on roll call. It was MOVED by Lee, seconded by Hinman that the out-of-state travel request for Kennith Crawford, Chief, Housing and Neighborhood Conservation, to attend a training session on new Section 312 Loan Regulations in Washington D.C.', from February 28 through .March 2, 1979 at a cost of $731, be approved: carried, Beauchamp, Buchanan, Edmondson, Hinman, Lee, Sparling and Wonder voting aye on roll call. It was MOVED by Hinman, seconded by Buchanan that the reports relating to parking tickets and impounding submitted by the Customer Services Manager and the City Attorney, be accepted: carried, Beauchamp, Buchanan, Edmondson, Hinman, Lee, Sparling and Wonder voting aye by voice vote. City Manager Zais clarified that the present policy will remain status quo. Council meMber Lee inquired if Council had discussed the 30 minute parking meters as requested by Pioneer Bank. Mayor Edmondson stated that Council had not discussed that issue. Councilman Wonder stated that he thought an ordinance was passed to allow the placement of short term parking meters in the CBD area, and City Attorney Andrews confirmed that. It was the general consensus of the Council to have staff look at the parking around Pioneer Bank. It was MOVED by Hinman, seconded by 206 FEBRUARY 26, 1979 Wonder that Ordinance No. 2270, relating traffic control, specifying a time limit for parking in public parking lots, be passed: carried, Edmondson, Hinman, Lee, Sparling, Wonder, Beauchamp and Buchanan voting aye on roll call. ORDINANCE NO. 2270, AN ORDINANCE relating to traffic control; specifying a time limit for parking in public parking lots; and amending Subsection 9.50.675A of the City of Yakima Municipal Code. It was MOVED by Lee, seconded by Hinman that Ordinance No. 2271, prohibiting parking of certain vehicles on certain streets, be passed: carried., Beauchamp, Buchanan, Edmondson, Hinman, Lee, Sparling and Wonder voting aye on roll call. ORDINANCE NO. 2271, AN ORDINANCE relating to traffic control; prohibiting parking of certain vehicles on certain streets; and amending Section 9.50.480 of the City of Yakima Municipal Code. City Manager Zais submitted a letter he had received this morning from Eichler Disposal offering to operate the City's refuse department. He stated that he has not evaluated the offer as yet. He also stated that a letter has been received from Art Eichler stating that the City should consider contracting the City's refuse collection to a private hauler. It was the general consensus of the Council to refer the letter to staff. It was MOVED by Hinman, seconded by Wonder that Ordinance No. 2272, relating to garbage collection and removal; establishing refuse collection service rates, be passed: carried, Hinman, Lee, Sparling, Wonder, Beauchamp, Buchanan and Edmondson voting aye on roll call. ORDINANCE NO. 2272, AN ORDINANCE relating to garbage collection and disposal; establishing refuse collection service rates; providing for yard service and a "yard service surcharge", and adopting rules and regulations applicable thereto; amending Section 4.16.010 and Subsections 4.16.140 (C) and 4.16.140 (D) of the City of Yakima Municipal Code; and declaring an emergency. Doreen Starr, Elise DeGooyer, Brenda James, Kris Fletcher and Mark Pouley and Bruce Crest, Advisor, were present representing the Yakima Youth Task Force. Doreen Starr, Chairman, distributed an information packet which includes minutes of their meetings and various reports on projects they have done. Kris Fletcher reported the results of a poll that was taken last November on available activities for youth in the City and what the they are most interested in. Mark Pouley stated that the poll indicates the youth are especially interested in youth dances and concerts. He stated that he investigated the expenses involved in renting the Yakima Center or any of the halls in Yakima and reported that they are not affordable to the youth. He stated that most of the events at the Capitol Theatre are either not youth oriented or are too costly. He referred to the Selah Civic Center which he stated offers affordable activities for the youth. Council members discussed this problem of the youth and Councilman Hinman inquired if anyone fran the Parks Department has ever attended one of their meetings. It was reported that no one fran the Parks Department has attended a meeting of the Yakima Youth Task Force. Several Council members spoke in support of the Task Force and City Manager Zais stated that possibly the Parks Department could help them know what is available in the City for the youth and how to go about getting or using it. It was MOVED by Beauchamp, seconded by Hinman to refer the issue presented by the Yakima Youth Task Force regarding youth using, the Convention Center on a down-time basis to the Center Advisory Commission and also refer this " issue to the Parks Department for their assistance and coordination: carried, Beauchamp, Buchanan, Edmondson, Hinman, Lee, Sparling and Wonder voting aye by voice vote. It was MOVED by Hinman, seconded by Wonder to have staff prepare the proper legislation to make the Yakima Youth Task Force official: carried, Beauchamp, Buchanan, Edmondson, Hinman, Lee, Sparling and Wonder voting aye by voice vote. Its of information supplied to Council were: letter from Yakima County Prosecuting Attorney re victim/witness assistance unit service 2/16/79; population and housing information 1970-1978 prepared by the Office of Environmental Planning; comments on pending legislation by Code Administration; memo from Director of Parks & Recreation re update on Southeast Community Center wading/spray pool 2/21/79; memo from Director of Community Development re response to Yakima County environmental review on Terrace Heights Drive Interchange 2/15/79; memo 207 FEBRUARY 26, 1979 from Chief of Office of Housing and Neighborhood Conservation re Washington Park Tennis Court Construction 2/20/79; memo from City Clerk re Council Committees 2/15/79; report from the Director of Community Development on new outside utility request procedures 2/15/79; announcement of Assistant City Manager position; AWC legislative bulletin #6 2/16/79; status report on storm drainage study from the City Engineer 2/20/79; memo from Director of Parks & Recreation re review of pending legislation 2/22/79; and memo from Director of Parks & Recreation re trolley operations - update 2/22/79. There being no further business to come before the Council, it was MOVED by Wonder, seconded by Hinman that this meeting be adjourned at the hour of 5:40 P.M.: carried, Beauchamp, Buchanan, Edmondson, Hinman, Lee, Sperling and Wonder voting aye by voice vote. READ AND CERTIFIED ACCURATE DATE S774. 7? DATE COUNCILMAN ATTEST: Halt-g- -Ad ie-6-44-k■ta--- A, OF' Q....CITY CLERK ' MAYOR