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HomeMy WebLinkAbout09/11/1978 Business Meeting ��� ~�� SEPTEMBER 11, 1978 The City Council met in session on this date at 1;30 PM 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 Sperling and Gordon Wonder: Since all Council members had received a number of letters from the public, time was taken to read these. Mayor Edmondson referred to her memo re our Sister City of it gi, Japan, and a tentative program arranged for the arrival of Mayor Takenami and five City Council members, and a tour guide/interpreter, who will be in Yakima from Thursday, September 28 through Sunday, September 31 1978, The memo also gave information on the Arboretum Park Japanese Garden and the Japanese Stone Lantern being donated by our Sister City. Mayor Edmondson reminded Council members of the COG meeting, Wednesday, September 13, 1978, at 7:30 PM in the ToppenYsh City Hall. It was MOVED by Hinman, seconded by Lee to move into Executive Session to discuss AFSCME negotiations: carried, Beauchamp, Buchanan, Edmondson, Hinman, Lee, Sperling and Wonder voting aye by voice vote. . , _Upon completion of the Executive Session, Mayor Edmondson announced that the Council meeting will be held at the Yakima Valley Regional Library Meeting Room, due to the large audience. At 3:15 PM, the Council members commenced the regular meeting, Mayor Edmondson presiding, Council members Beauchamp, Buchanan, Hinman, Lee, Sperling and WPqder and Assistant City Manager Zais and City Attorney Andrews present on roll call. . The Invocation was given by Councilman Beauchamp. Mayor Edmondson referred to the items placed on the Consent Agenda, questioning whether there were any additions or deletions from Council members or citizens present. Council member Lee requested that item #14 be removad.and Ines Riqe, a citizen, requested that item #13 be removed and another citizen requested that item #7 be removed from the Consent Agenda. Mayor Edmondson requested that item #10 be added tp'the Consent Agenda. It was the general consensus of the Council that the deletions of items #14, #13 and #7 and the addition of item #lO, as requested, be made. The City Clerk then read the Consent Agenda items. It was MOVED by Hinman, seconded by Wonder 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.) The citizen who requested the removal of the minutes from the Consent Agenda requested that the minutes of the last Council meeting be read. Mayor Edmondson 1nfqrmed him that the minutes of the meeting of September 5 have not been submitted. It Was then MOVED by Hinman, seconded by Buchanan that the minutes of the August 28, 1978 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 by Y voo� vote. |t was, the general consensus of the Council to change the sequence of the agenda in order to hold audience participation at this tYme. Those citizens present speaking to the matter of the resignation of City Manager George Eastman were: Johnnie Dittmar, 609 So, 25th Avenue, commended theZYty Council members, for taking action in requesting the resignation of the City Manager. She stated she was dismayed at Councilman 5par1Yng/s comments and desired his resignation from the Council. SEPTEMBER 11, 1978 Dolores Goodman, 1002 So. 6th Street, read Article II, Sections 1 and 2 of the Yakima City Charter and challenged the appointment of Councilman Sparling and the position he took. Bob Talcott, 5602 Englewood, submitted a petition of approximately 100 signatures in favor of retaining the City Manager, which were obtained yesterday. Leah Arnett, 212 So. 40th Avenue, stated that she feels the news media may have made some inaccurate reporting of situations involving the City Manager. She stated she did not want to see the firing of a man until she knows why he was fired and .requested that Council advise the community on the problems with the Clty Manager. Ray Pittman, 823 No. 48th Avenue, stated that whatever the reasons Council had for their decision, they need the support of the community. Betty Gaudette, 701 No. 6th Street, stated that she is unhappy with the method in which this was handled. Catherine Melfort, 907 Central Avenue, stated that she approves the action of the Council to fire the City Manager. Wade Melton, former City employee, spoke in support of the firing . of the City Manager and stated that some of the most important employees of the City have either resigned or had been asked to resign and have been replaced by trainees. Councilman Wonder asked if Mr. Melton could name specific positions. Following discussion about being put on the spot, Mr. Melton named the Personnel Office as an example. Charlie Pharmer, 412 So. 24th Avenue, spoke against the action of the Council. Larry Robinson, 501 So. 6th Avenue, stated that Mr. Eastman was the first City Manager this City has had that the citizen could approach. He also stated that the citizens of this City are entitled to know the reasons Council found for letting Mr. Eastman go. Dick Marble, 4910 Snowmountain, spoke in support of retaining City Manager Eastman and stated that Council. should have and should still give Mr. Eastman a chance to manage the City unhampered. He stated that he spoke with some people from Everett, and Mr. Eastman's reputation is excellent. Jack Wimer, 618 No. 46th Avenue, spoke in support of retaining City Manager Eastman. He stated that Mr. Eastman is not here today to defend himself because there was a death in his family. Doug Bernd, 2504 West Yakima Avenue, spoke in support of the three Council members, Buchanan, Sparling and Wonder, in, the Eastman matter. Mayor Edmondson then read the letter of resignation submitted by City Manager George Eastman effective as of November 1, 1978. It was MOVED by Lee, seconded by Hinman to accept the letter of resignation, as read. It was MOVED by Sparling, seconded by Wonder to table the acceptance of the letter of resignation until. October 11, 1978: Buchanan, Sparling and Wonder voting aye on roll call Edmondson, Hinman, Lee and 'Beauchamp voting nay. The motion failed for lack of a majority vote. Council members Hinman, Wonder, Edmondson, Buchanan and Sparling discussed their reasons for their vote on the firing of the Clty Manager. It. was. MOVED by Sparling, seconded by Wonder to table the acceptance of the letter of the resignation from the City Manager until 30 days - October 10, 1978: Sparling, Wonder and Buchanan voting aye on roll call.. Edmondson, Hinman, Lee and Beauchamp voting nay. The motion failed for lack of a SEPTEMBER 11, 1978 83 majority vote. Councilman Beauchamp explained his reason for voting as he did regarding the firing of the City Manager. The question was called for the vote on the motion to accept the letter of resignation from the City Manager: carried, Hinman, Lee, Beauchamp and Edmondson voting aye on roll call. Sparling, Wonder and Buchanan voting nay. It was then MOVED by Hinman, seconded by Lee to appoint Dick Zais as Acting City Manager effective November 1, 1978 for an indefinite period of time. Following discussion on the wisdom of delaying the search or selection of a City Manager, the question was called for the vote on the motion: carried, Hinman, Lee, Beauchamp, Buchanan and Edmondson voting aye on roll call. Sparling and Wonder voting nay. Chris Chandler requested information on the status of the tennis courts. Mayor Edmondson reported that Council had received a report on that last week and she will refer this matter to staff to supply Miss Chandler with a copy of that report. Jeff Hewitt submitted a petition regarding extension of the bus service hours. Mayor Edmondson advised him that this item was up for discussion later in the meeting and Council would discuss it at that time. This being the time fixed for the hearing on the Resolution of Intention D -3946, to create a Local Improvement District for the purpose of constructing a paved street with curb and gutter, Mayor Edmondson announced that Council has received reports from staff on this item. Herb Mayer, City Engineer, explained the location of the area Involved in this L.I.D. as being an extension of 800 feet from 24th Avenue to the west on Pierce Avenue. Max Vincent, 308 No. 6th Street, one of the petitioners and property owner, stated there are two property owners involved in this L.I.D. and he and the other property owner are in favor of the creation of the L.I.D. He stated they want to build a racquet ball facility, and this is to fulfill one of the conditions given by the Planning Commission. It was MOVED by Wonder, seconded by Beauchamp that Ordinance No. 2208, creating L.I.D. No. 1020, Pierce Avenue Paving District, be passed: carried, Lee, Sparling, Wonder, Beauchamp, Buchanan, Edmondson and Hinman voting aye on roll call. ORDINANCE NO. 2208, AN ORDINANCE providing for the improvement of certain streets by grading, ballasting, surfacing with asphalt concrete and constructing' concrete curbs and gutters, together with the necessary drainage features; establishing a Local Improvement District, providing for the method of payment thereof, and creating a special fund. This being the time fixed for the hearing on a rezone application filed by Mrs. Clara M. Voelker, requesting rezone of property located at 40 West Mead, Mr. Orman Arnold, 44 West Mead, presented Council with a letter given to him by Mr. and Mrs. McGuire, that has 30 signatures from neighbors all within a block, protesting the rezone request. Orville Voelker spoke in favor of the rezone, stating that it is difficult to • lease the building on their property because of the procedures they have to follow under the grandfather clause for zoning. He cited several busi- nesses in the area. He also stated that it would be hard to develop that property as R -2 because the street is too noisy for apartments. Councilman Beauchamp stated that some of the residents in the area signed the letter because they were afraid of a tavern going in in that area. Mr. Voelker stated that he did not believe that a B -2 zone allows the use of a tavern. Councilman Beauchamp inquired if Mr. Arnold was opposed to a regular business being located there and Mr. Arnold stated that that would be alright, however, a B -2 zone allows a tavern. Larry Wright, Principal Planner, confirmed that a B -2 zone would allow a tavern. Councilman Hinman inquired if the use of a tavern could be contracted out of the B -2 zoning. City Attorney Andrews stated that in some instances, it can, but he would need to have more specific information. He stated that generally the courts will uphold contract zones. After discussion, Councilman Beauchamp inquired if a B -1 zone restricts taverns. Mr. Wright stated that it does, but he doesn't know if that zoning would satisfy the owner. Mr. Voelker stated that they would be satisfied with a B -1 zone. Councilman Wonder suggested that Council accept the recommendation SEPTEMBER 11, ,1978 of the Planning Commission and deny this application and have the applicant reapply for the B -1 zoning: City Attorney Andrews reported that there is a time period after the denial of a'rezone application before the applicant can reapply, which is one year. He suggested that Council, by motion, take no action on this until the existing petition can be amended. It was MOVED by Hinman, seconded by Buchanan to continue this matter so that it can be worked out with staff for the proper zoning. Mayor Edmondson Inquired of Mr. Arnold if he• understood what the Council is doing and Mr. Arnold stated that he does. The question was called for a vote on the motion: carried, Beauchamp, Buchanan, Edmondson, Hinman, Lee, Sperling and Wonder voting aye by voice vote. It was MOVED by Hinman, seconded by Wonder that the intention to create a local Improvement district for installation of domestic watermains for property In'the Airport Industrial Park be continued to September 18, 1978: carried, Beauchamp, Buchanan, Edmondson, Hinman, Lee, Sperling and Wonder voting aye by voice vote. Council members having received the information previously requested on the proposed bus route modifications, Bob Knight, Transit Manager, reviewed the proposed bus route modifications. Mr. Knight stated that the public has to be educated on the bus system through a good marketing program, which would cost approximately $10,000 a year. Councilman Wonder asked what the increase of fare box revenue would be if this program were instituted. Mr. Knight stated that it would be hard to say, but an estimate would be about 10 to 12 percent. Councilman Hinman expressed concern about the continual need to improve the bus lines in order to receive federal funds. He questioned just how much money the people of Yakima will be willing to pay for their system. Council members'then discussed alternative funding methods, i.e., an additional .003% sales tax increase, increase.of household tax, or increase the bus fare. Mayor Edmondson inquired if there is enough money to pay for these increases as proposed. Mr. Knight stated that UMTA will pay for 50% of the funding of the route modifications and we have the balance from fare box, state, and household tax. He stated that the total needed for the Tieton Drive route modification would be $380,000. It was MOVED by Hinman, seconded Lee to go ahead and accept the route modification with the proviso; that Council, in the next year, decide the issue to determine how to finance the buses In the future. There being some confusion on what route modifications were included in the motion, Councilman Hinman clarified his motion as being to accept the route modification given in proposal #1 of Mr. Knight's memo of July 19 and August 16, which would be to split the Tieton -Nob Hill route and hire additional drivers at a cost of approximately $5,000 per month. Mr. Knight reminded. Council that the Broadway and Fairview route would . also have to be changed because of the splitting of the Tieton -Nob Hill route. Councilman Sperling stated that he would vote against the motion because he does not think Council has enough information on the revenue and expenditure figures. The question was 'called for the vote on the motion: carried, Beauchamp, Buchanan, Edmondson, Hinman, and Lee- voting aye by voice vote. Sperling and Wonder voting nay. It was MOVED by Beauchamp, seconded by Lee to delete the route to the mobile home court in Route #4, due to lack of ridership: carried, 'Beauchamp, Buchanan, Edmondson, Hinman, Lee, Sperling and Wonder voting aye by voice vote. Ken Crawford, Chief of Hous.ing and Neighborhood Conservation, reported that staff had received word from HUD that the City will be receiving only $910,000 and if Council continues with their ongoing projects, there will be a balance of about $42,917. After discussion on which requests would be eliminated because of their amount, Councilman Hinman asked when a final decision has to be made. Mr. Crawford stated that it has to be to HUD by October 15, and staff needs two to three weeks to prepare the application. Councilman Lee requested a copy of the chart Mr. Crawford referred to, which gives the requests and the amount of money available. Following discussion on some of the projects, it was MOVED by Beauchamp, seconded by Buchanan to consider this again in two weeks: carried, Beauchamp, Buchanan, Edmondson, Hinman, Lee, Sperling and Wonder voting aye by voice vote. SEPTEMBER 11, 1978 Ines Rice, 4409 Arlington, asked why the City has to send Carol Darby to Washington, D.C., when the City'has hired an attorney and engineer for the cable TV proposal. Mayor Edmondson stated that it is cheaper to send Carol to Washington, D.C. than to pay for the attorney to come to Yakima. It was MOVED by Hinman, seconded by Wonder that the out-of- state travel request for Carol Darby to go to Washington, D.C. to meet with Nick Miller, attorney on cable TV franchise, September 11 -14, 1978, at a cost of $971, be approved: carried, Beauchamp, Buchanan, Edmondson - , Hinman, Lee, Sparling and Wonder voting aye by voice vote. It was MOVED by Hinman, seconded by Wonder to continue item #14 re an Ordinance authorizing and regulating private fire alarm system connections and monitoring, for one week: carried, Beauchamp, Edmondson, Hinman, Lee, Sparling and Wonder voting aye by voice vote. Buchanan voting nay. Councilman Wonder suggested that Council should discuss a possible charter amendment that would make it easier to hire a City Manager which would be that the City Manager could only be hired on the basis that five Council members would have to vote for him to hire him and five Council members would have to vote to fire him. City Attorney Andrews informed Council that he did not believe a charter amendment could be prepared in time to put it on the general election ballot. It was the general consensus of the Council to discuss this during a study session. Items of information supplied to Council were: letter from Doug Grandquis re a special COG business meeting in Toppenish on Sept. 13; letter from Beth Hudspeth re invitation to Senior Citizen Center open house; letter from Dave Berthon re Red Cross Blood Program; letter from Dick Hilligus; minutes of Yakima District Board. of Health meeting of August 8, 1978; and, COG Newsletter'. There being no further business to come before the Council, it was MOVED by Wonder, seconded by Lee that this meeting be adjourned at the hour of ' 6:30 PM: carried, Beauchamp, Buchanan, Edmondson, Hinman, Lee, Sparling and Wonder voting aye by voice vote. READ AND CERTIFIED ACCURATE BY DATE 7',,..7/7 O L CMAN DATE 7125/7? COUNCILMAN ATTEST: Av A O 40/ 1u , C ITY C / MAYOR • • • •