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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03/18/1980 Business Meeting MARCH 18, 1980 47 1 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 Beaucha p, Lynn Buchanan and Shirley Doty. Council members Lynn Carmichael and Don Hinman absent. It was MJVED by Doty, seconded by Buchanan that the minutes of the January 22 and 29, 1980 meetings, 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, Doty and Edmondson voting aye by voice vote. Carmichael and Hinman absent. Mayor Edmondson announced that a copy of a Washington State Senate Resolution commending the National High School Rodeo which will be held in Yakima, and declaring the week of July 28 through August 3, 1980, as National High School Rodeo Week, has been received. Mayor Edmondson announced that there will be a pancake feed at "The Place" at the First Presbyterian Church this Saturday from 8 :00 a.m. until Noon. Mayor Edmondson stated that there have been held several meetings of the Committees of the Council to recommend appointments to boards and commissions and inquired if Council would like to hear some of the recommendations now. There was a general consensus of the Council to wait until next week. Mayor Edmondson read and presented a proclamation proclaiming March 16 -22 as Camp Fire Birthday Week in honor of the 70th National Birthday on March 17. She also commended the DeM lays and proclaimed March 16 -22 as Deeblay Week. Mayor Edmondson reported that there have been five citizens residing in Council District #2'' who have submitted their names to be considered for appointment as Councilman. The five citizens were: Clarence Barnett, Bruce Crest, Marles D. McDonald, Rex Newland and Tony Sloan. Mayor Edmondson suggested that a time be scheduled to met to schedule interviews and suggested a dinner meeting next Tuesday. It was the general consensus of the Council to have a dinner meeting next Tuesday to discuss scheduling interviews of the Council applicants. George McElroy, Chairman of the Human Relations Commission, thanked the Council for their cooperation in the past year. He reported that there are two vacancies on the Commission and stated that it is the desire of the Commission to have three Commissioners interview the applicants and invited Council to have one Council member present at the interview. Mayor Edmondson stated that the Council did not set up that type of interview process. The Board or Commission may give their recommendations, but not enter into the interviewing process. She stated that when the Committee of the Council meets, they could possibly include a member of the Human Relations Commission. Shirley Doty, Chairman of the Council Committee for appointments to the Human Relations Commission, invited members of the Human Relations Commission to attend their committee meeting on Friday. The Commission, having submitted a report on the goals and objectives for 1980, Freya Burgstaller reviewed the_goals. Dolores Goodman read the Objectives for 1980 and Council member Doty requested that a member of the Human Relations Commission attend some of the citizen forums that the Council is setting up. Mayor Edmondson stated that the Affirmative Action Specialist will be apprised of the dates of the meetings. Mr. McElroy reported on the various seminars that the Commission members have attended. He requested -that one Council member be appointed as a liasion between Council and the Commission. He stated that it has been their policy to have an invited guest speaker from an organization within the community at their meeting, and invited the Council members to attend their meetings. Mayor Edmondson stated that it has been a policy of the Council not to attend any of the boards and commission meetings for the reason of possible conflict. Fred Andrews, City Attorney, stated that he has recommended in the past that Council not to educate themselves on matters that will ultimately be heard by the Council when it sits as a quasi - judicial body, i.e., rezone hearings where Council has to make a decision based on the testimony at the formal public hearing. He stated that as far as this request, there is no legal problem for a Council member to learn something about or attend 0 472 MARCH 18, 1980 a meeting or acquaint themselves with the functions and policies of the commission since the matters pertaining to the Human Relations Canmission would not cane to Council for a formal hearing where the Council will be sitting in a quasi-judicial capacity. Mayor Edmondson thanked the Canmission for the report. Gary DeCoteau, Affirmative Action Specialist, reviewed the 1979 Affirmative Action Status Report. Generally, the overall employee composition of the City is fairly representative of the County labor force. However, the distribution of women and minorities within the classification structure needs to be improved. He reported that a thorough Affirmative Action Plan is now under staff review which, when implemented should remedy City deficiences in this area. He stated that Affirmative Action is not a means to hire unqualified persons. He reviewed and explained the various ctharts in the report. There was some discussion on the recruitment process for fire and police departments. Mr. DeCoteau reviewed the recommendations in the report: 1. That provision in the City Civil Service system be researched for possible revisions to increase the alternatives relative to employment and retention of protected groups. II/ 2. That Affirmative Action consideration should be an integral part of all personnel practices. 3. That a comprehensive Affirmative Action Plan be adopted to (1) detail affirmative action responsibilities, implementation strategy and evaluation criteria and (2) serve as a guide for the City. 4. That an extraordinary appropriation of funds for Affirmative Action, career development and recruitment be considered during the 1981 budget. 5. That "bridge" positions should again be researched in all City departments to facilitate the movement of minorities and women from traditional to non jobs, such as from clerical or service and maintenance to technical. 6. That cross-training be explored to bring women and minorities into classifications Where severe institutional barriers exist, e.g., women in Skilled trades. There being no action needed at this time, Mayor Edmondson thanked staff for the report. Walt Feser, Customer Services Manager, stated that he is asking Council to consider a change in the ordinance that could result in considerable savings regarding the impounding of animals. The Ordinance presently requires that the City hold an animal for 72 hours after the impound has been posted. He stated that it is being requested that the animal be kept 72 hours after the animal is impounded. He reported that the animal would be under the City's care on the average of 3 days instead of 4 days and would save the City approximately $6,000 in a year's time. Council member Doty expressed some concern for the owner who is out-of-town and would be unable to get their dog back in that amount of time. Mr. Feser stated that if the animal is licensed, the owner is contacted and if they are unable to contact them, the animal is usually held a little longer. Art Zerbach, Director of Finance & Budget, II/ reported that many of these recommended changes cone from the suggestions of the neighborhood committee that came before the Council regarding the dog problems in their area. Councilman Buchanan reported that the Committee has met irregularly, and has not finished their redomnendations, and perhaps Council should wait for that. Mr. Zerbach stated that the brochure was written at the suggestion of the committee. Mayor Edmondson inquired if the Committee has seen the brochure and Councilman Buchanan stated that they have not. Mr. Zerbach reported that the contract with the Humane Society has expired, but the terms of the contract are carried aver until another contract is signed. He stated that negotiations are in process and one proposed change is that When there is more than one animal in a cage, the City would be charged the full rate for one animal and half the cost for the others in the same cage. It was MOVED by Buchanan, seconded by Doty to renegotiate the contract as suggested in the recommendations. Del Trimble, Animal MARCH 18, 1980 473 Control Officer, pointed out that one animal in a cage protects the animal from contracting diseases from other animals, thus protecting the City from law suits. Mr. Feser stated that they are talking about dogs with pups or a cat with a litter being in the same cage. The question was 'called for the vote on the motion: 'carried, Beauchanp, Buchanan, Doty and Edmondson voting aye by voice vote. Carmichael and Hinman absent. It was MOVED by Buchanan, seconded by Doty that the ideas regarding impound time for animals and procedure and licenses of cats be brought to the citizen committee on animal control for their input: carried, Beauchamp, Buchanan, Doty and Edmondson voting aye by voice vote. Carmichael and Hinman absent. Mr. Zerbach reported that in 1975 When CETA employees were used for hause-to-house canvassing, there was a 40% increase in the purchase of dog licenses. He reported that since that time, the number of licenses purchased has declined steadily. He reported that CETA employees have been requested, but the request has not been approved yet. It was the general consensus of the Council to approve the house-to-house canvass if we can get the CETA personnel to do it. Larry Wright, Principal Planner, reported that staff is in the process of developing a comprehensive plan and this status report is provided on an infonnational basis. He stated that it is a different approach than the City is currently using. In order to speaked up the development process, a certain number of decisions are going to have to be made administratively rather than through the full hearing process. Mayor Edmondson inquired if this has to be adapted before or after the Urban Area Plan and Mr. Wright reported that it has to be adapted after the Urban Area Plan. Be stated that they are talking about dropping "zoning" and going to "districts". Mt. Wright clarified several items in the proposed ordinance in response to Council inquiries. Following discussion regarding the eligibility of changes in the wastewater treatment plant construction contract, it was MOVED by Buchanan, seconded by Doty to approve Change Order No. 10, as requested, for the Wastewater ;Treatment P4tit Construction: carried, Beaudhamp, Buchanan, Doty and Edmondson voting aye by voice vote. Carmichael and Hinman absent. Mayor Edmondson referred to an off-agenda item and it was MOVED by Beauchamp, seconded by Buchanan to set April 15, 1980 as the date of hearing on the. final assessment roll for L.I.D. No. 1024, 47th and Modesto Water District: carried, Beauchamp, Buchanan, Doty and Edmondson voting aye by voice vote. Carmidhael and Hinman absent. Its of information supplied to Council were: news release re: General Irrigation System. 3/13/80; letter to the Editor from the Director of Community Development in response to an editorial appearing in the March 6th Yakima Herald Republic. 3/12/80; letter from Pacific Northwest 4-Wheel Drive Assoc. re Cougar Lakes Wilderness Area. 3/6/80; memo from Walt Feser, Customer Service Manager re: parking tickets -- 1978-1979-1980. 3/5180; news release re: Community Development Block Grant Request for Proposals. 3/12/80; Yakima Fire Department Emergency Activity Report for February, 1980; Agenda for Airport Advisory Commission Meeting for March 18, 1980; meeting notice from Yakima Housing Authority rescheduling meeting to March 18, 1980. 3/11/80; notice of NAHRO Biannual conference, May 18-21, 1980; memo from Director of Community Developbent re. Outside Utility Request for sewer service to 1104 So. 68th Ave., requested by Donald E. Adams. 3/7/80; memo from Director of Finance; and Budget re: L.I.D._ Bonds interest rates. 3/10/80; Yakima Valley Conference of Governments Newsletter. 3/7/80; and minutes of Jany. 7 & Feb. 4, 1980 Human Relations Commission Meetings. There being no further business to cane before the Council, it was MOVED by Beauchamp, seconded by Buchanan that this meeting be adjourned at the hour of 5:00 p.m. to then meet on Thursday, March 20, 1980 at the Yakima City Shops Camplex at 2:00 p.m.: carried, Beaudhamp, Buchanan, Doty. and Edmondson voting aye by voice vote. Carmichael and Hinman absent. READ AND CERTIFIED ACCURATE BY _,.:LLA 0 :e 1) 412eLtic. DATE zillgo COUNCILMAN A . /..141r f /COUNCILMAN ATTEST: • m it, - e CITY RK ' MAYOR