Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout03/12/1979 Business Meeting 215 MARCH 12, 1979 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 Betty L. Edmondson, Henry Beauchamp, Lynn Buchanan, Don Hinman, Nadine Lee, Jack Sparling and Gordon Wonder. Captain Rich Clark, Police Department, having previously distributed two complimentary tickets to Council, explained that these are for their 35th annual St. Patrick's Policemans' Ball on Saturday, March 17, 1979. Mayor Edmondson made several announcements, as follows: Notice of special AWC Legislative Meeting scheduled for Wednesday, March 14, 1979 in the Council Chambers at 1:00 P.M. Thursday, March 15, a Special Study Session has been scheduled at 1:00 P.M. to discuss Regional Planning issues. Invitation received fran Citizens' Safety Committee to attend II/ special meeting on March 15, Thursday morning at 9:45 at the School District Administration Building. Letter received from Fraternal Order of the Eagles regarding vandalism of Tahcma Cemetery, requesting Council consider fencing and gates at the Cemetery. They are also offering a $100 reward for the arrest and prosecution of the vandals. It was the general consensus of the Council to ask staff to make a report on cost and means for fencing and putting up gates at the cemetery. Mayor Edmondson requested a preliminary report from the City/County Consolidation Council Committee. Councilman Sparling reported on meeting with the Police Chief and County Sheriff stating that it was a very good meeting. He stated that there are several areas which could be combined, i.e., records and facilities. One site they considered to house the Police and Sheriff departments is the old Safeway Building on Lincoln Avenue. Councilman Hinman reported that he had net with the Code Administration Departments and requested them to come back with some reoanmendations. Council discussed staff's involvement in this and Councilman Sparling asked that we refrain from requesting too much frcm the City Manager until he has an Assistant. It was MOVED by Sparling, seconded by Buchanan to allow limited input from the audience in the discussion on the 80 unit housing project: carried, Beauchamp, Buchanan, Edmondson, Lee, Sparling and Wonder voting aye by voice vote. Hinman temporarily absent. Mayor Edmondson reported that besides the draft letter provided by staff, Councilman Hinman and Maud Scott have submitted their own draft letters for consideration. Council member Lee stated she feels Councilman Hinman's letter and staff's letter would jeopardize the project and since she visited the sites she feels they would enhance the neighborhoods. Councilman Beauchamp stated that he feels staff's letter expresses the Council's concern in a positive manner. Maud Scott, 309 So. 8th Street, submitted and read her draft letter, stating a better program would be to decrease the number of units on each site or to allow the people the opportunity to purchase homes. Mrs. Scott reported that she had called Lynn Stowell of HUD and he informed her that there isn't a strict time schedule that would preclude common sense. Mrs. Brackenbach, a citizen, expressed concern regarding the number of 4-5 bedroom units to be built asking Where the people and cars would go. Jean Allard, former Council member stated that although he used to be the Housing Authority's worse critic, he has developed a respect for the members serving on the Housing Authority Commission. He reported that their objective is to develop 140 units in a manner that they would be able to manage with staff. He stated that the Housing Authority is given a grant by HUD to develop these and they have 40 years to repay the grant. Ines Rice, 4409 West Arlington, expressed concern about the Housing Authority having the right of eminent domain. She also stated that she could not obtain certification of the zoning of the area. She also reported that she had called PP&L and is concerned about energy shortage. Larry Robinson, 501 So. 6th Avenue, stated that although public input is not required by HUD, Council must consider the people's input. He inquired Why these units should be put up when in only a short time it would became a ghetto. Ken Sprague, 105 So. 10th Street, suggested that some of these units should be built in the country to allow for easy access to jobs at the orchards. Expressing concern that HUD might not approve this project, and with all the competition from other cities, these funds might be granted elsewhere, it was MOVED by Beauchamp that the draft letter submitted in the Council packets, as proposed, be submitted and request that Mr. Moger, HUD Area Director, meet with the Housing Authority or Council, whichever Council chooses. The motion died for 216 MARCH 12, 1979 lack of a second. Council member Lee agreed with Councilman Beauchamp, however, she stated that Council should meet with the Housing Authority rather than HUD. Councilman Wander stated that the draft letter submitted by Councilman Hinman should be sent. He stated that at the time Council allotted seed money to the Housing Authority, they were talking about low income elderly. Councilman Hinman reported that he had talked with one of the contractors and was told that the bid limited the project to six sites and stated that maybe we should tell HUD what the community really wants. He stated that other Housing Authorities have contracted the management services to a private concern. It was MOVED by Wonder, seconded by Hinman to send the letter drafted by Councilman Hinman to the Area Director of Community Development. Following discussion, the question was called for the vote on the motion: Buchanan, Hinman and Wonder voting aye by show of hands. Beauchamp, Edmondson, Lee and Sperling voting nay. The motion failed for lack of a majority vote. It was MOVED by Hinman, seconded by Buchanan to direct staff to confact'HUD'andthe HOusing for a joint meeting before final approval of the 80 units: carried, Beaudhamp, Buchanan, Edmondson, Hinman, Lee, Sperling and Wonder voting II/ aye by voice vote. It was the general consensus of the Council to consider the remaining items on the study session agenda during the regular Council meeting on the 19th of March. At 3:00 P.M., the Council members commenced the regular meeting, Mayor Edmondson presiding, Council members Beauchamp, Buchanan, Sperling and Wonder, and City Manager Zais and City Attorney Andrews present on roll call. It was MOVED by Wonder, seconded by Buchanan that Council members Hinman and Lee be excused from this meeting: carried, Beauchamp, Buchanan, Edmondson, Sperling and Wonder voting aye by voice vote. Hinman and Lee absent. The Invocation was given by City Manager Zais. Mayor Edmondson acknowledged the presence of a Cub Scout Tropp from Barge School and their Den Mother, Patty Huff, and welcomed them to the meeting. 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. Councilman Buchanan requested that Item No. 12 be removed from the Consent Agenda. It was the general consensus of the Council that the deletion of Item No. 12, as requested, be made. The City Clerk then read the Consent agenda items, including a Resolution and Ordinances by title. It was MOVED by Sperling, seconded by Wonder that the Consent Agenda, as read, be passed: carried, Buchanan, Edmondson, Sperling, Wonder and Beauchamp voting aye on roll call. Hinman and Lee absent. (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 Sparling, seconded by Wonder that the minutes of the Council meeting of March 5, 1979, having been duly certified accurate by two Council members and no one present wishing to have said minutes read publicly, be approved: carried, Buchanan, Edmondson, Sperling, Wonder and Beauchamp voting aye on roll call. Hinman and Lee absent. *It was MOVED by Sperling, seconded by Wonder that Resolution No. D-4051, authorizing payment of $37.50 to L.L. Robinson, in settlement of a damage claim when he was allegedly misinformed by the Utility Division regarding his frozen domestic water service, be passed: carried, Buchanan, Edmondson, Sperling, Wonder and Beauchamp voting aye on roll call. Hinman and Lee absent. RESOLUTION NO. D-4051, A RESOLUTION authorizing the payment of $37.50 to L. L. Robinson in settlement of a claim for damages filed with the City of Yakima. Council members discussed the report on domestic water irrigation use and cost by the Parks Department. Councilman Wonder requested that if a rate increase is recommended at the time the water rate study is completed, that a report be furnished on the difference between the rate paid by the public and the rate paid by the City. Councilman Beauchamp asked what it would take to convert to irrigation. Dick Hilligus, Director of Parks and Recreation reported that a rough estimate to bring MARCH 12, 1979 217 in the line would be around $250,000. It was the general consensus of the Council to accept the report on domestic water irrigation use and cost by Parks Department and request:a report. on the difference between the rates paid by the public and the rate paid by the City if a rate increase is requested at the time the water rate study is completed. It was by 'Sloarling, seconded by Wonder that Ordinance No. 2275, amending certain employee fringe benefit code provisions, be passed: carried, - Budhanan, Edmondson, Sparling, Wonder and. Beauchamp voting aye on roll call. Hinman and Lee absent. ORDINANCE NoX7:.2275,'AN: ORDINANCE relatingltoCity personnel; .providing fringe benefits, for City - employees; amending Subsection 2:04,030B, 2.24,010A and 2.40.020A, all of the City of Yakima Municipal Code; and declaring an emergency. . . . c In discusSingth0 I pmposed j dr4nance providing a civil penalty for fire code violations, Councilman Buchanan objected to the amount of the penalty. City Attorney reported that this action would give the Legal Department a third alternative to enforce fire code violations. He reported that now the violator can either be charged with a crime or it can be taken to Superior Court as a nuisance. Under the criminal charges, the fine could be up to $250 per day. Several Council members expressed displeasure of the amount of the penalty, being set at $500 per day and were concerned with the authority this would give staff. Following discussion, it was the general consensus of the Council to continue this and have staff look at the civil penalty to determine if it could be "not to exceed $500 per day". It was MOVED by Sparling, seconded by Wonder that Ordinance No. 2276, fixing the time of delinquency of installments of assessments and providing for the issuance of bonds for the payment of L.I.D. No. 1014, 1977 Domestic Water Mains, be passed: carried, Buchanan, Edmondson, Sperling, Wonder and Beauchamp voting aye on roll call. Hinman and Lee absent. ORDINANCE NO. 2276, AN ORDINANCE fixing the time of delinquency of installments of assessments levied for the payment of the cost of the imprdVement in Local Improvement District No. 1014, and providing for issuance of bonds with coupons attached for the payment of the unpaid portion thereof. Coundilman Wonder requested confirmation of the hours to Obtain a burn permit being from 8:00 to 5:00 on weekdays. Fire Chief Carroll stated that an individual may obtain a burn permit for the calendar year. He stated that on a trial basis he trained two of his men to issue permits and over the last weekend they issued 45 permits. The problem in issuing them on weekends is that they can't guarantee that the men will be at the station. Mayor Edmondson asked if a citizen could write in and get a permit. Chief Carroll stated that he supposed it would be possible, however, their signature is required on our form. He reported that we supply than with regulations for burning. Mayor Edmondson inquired if Council still wants this item to be on the agenda for the 19th at KYVE and it was the general consensus that this need not be put on the agenda. City Manager Zais reported that Newell Pock, Chief Inspector, has resigned for personal reasons effective the end of this week. Dick Hilligus, Director of Parks & Recreation, reported that all the stones at Tahoma Cemetery have been set upright. He reported that the 40,000 index cards have been realphabetized by staff and volunteers. Its of information supplied to Council were: Letter to Dr. Donald Ballew, Pioneer National Bank, in response to his letter regarding parking abuse in the City parking lots two and three. 3/7/79; Letter sent to patrons of the Yakima Air TerMinal re: Colonel Bernt Baldhen Award, requesting written comments. 3/5/79; Announcement of construction summary and runway closure dates. 2/27/79; Letter from City Manager to David Yost, Manager, Yakima Center re: Utilization of Yakima Center as a multi-use meeting and convention center. 3/1/79; Copy of news media release and Fire Inspection Reports relating to Pumpernickel fire. 2/27/79; Memo from Supt. of Wastewater re Rob Fairbairn property. 3/5/79; Memo from Director of Community re LID Procedures 9/7/78; List of State Representatives serving on House Appropriations Committee and list of State Senators serving on 218 MARCH 12, 1979 , . Senate Ways & Means Ccmmittee.. Also included is a Senate telephone directory. 3/5/79; News Release re: 1979 Spring Clean-up, March 12-April 10, 1979; News Release re: Announcement of promotion of Jodi Wroblewski to the position of Recreation Superintendent. 2/26/79; Minutes of the Yakima District Board of Health of February 21, 1979; Minutes of the Board of Adjustment Meeting of February 27, 1979; AC Legislative Bulletin No. 8, March 2, 1979; and YCOG Newsletter, Volume 5, No. 3, March 6, 1979. There being no further business to came before the Council, it was MOVED by Sparling, seconded by Buchanan that this meeting be adjourned at the hour of 4:20 PM: carried, Beauchamp, Buchanan, Edmondson, Sparling and Vbnder voting aye by voice vote. .inman absen I . 7 H1 READ AND CERTIFIED ACCURATE BY L ,/, ; , j If / - ii,'), DATE ''.' 1- / I 1 -7 1 1 ir .• , /• . . _DATE,-.)0,4„/ 7, COUNCILMAN NriEST: 1, / - 0 _ ai•-•R -...—.4 'roar, .t".. ...... S ' ,07 • 4 i ,• i CITY • f e RK / , (MAYOR