HomeMy WebLinkAbout12/11/1978 Business Meeting 150
DECEMBER 11, 1978
The City Council meeting scheduled for session on this date at 1:00 P.M.
met in the City Council Chambers at 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.
This being the time scheduled for the 1979 Budget Review for City
Manager, City Council and Legal, Dick Zais, Acting City Manager,
reported on the following:
LEGISLATION: Probation Services has requested $25,000; public TV
support $25,000; Transportation Exchange, will be speaking to Council
later on this date and it is not expected they will request FRS funds
for 1979; Yakima Conference of Governments, Council previously approved
$13,000 for 1979 and another request will be made later in the meeting
for further funds; $11,500 budgeted as the City's share of dues of
membership in the Association of Washington Cities. The budget includes
dues for Sister City.
COMMUNITY RELATIONS: Council has asked the Human Relations Commission
to meet with them to recommend how the CRO position is to be
administered in 1979.
CITY MANAGEMENT: No change will be made in 1979.
PERSONNEL: Bob Weaver, Personnel Officer, reported that this division's
expenditures have increased due to the addition of one new proposed
position: personnel analyst/Civil Service secretary-Examiner and the
cost of living increase for 1979. This division will be administering
EEOC affirmative action and manpower programs, developing and
coordinating in-service training and apprenticeship program and
counseling, as it has been doing in the past. Recruiting and
transportation costs and professional services are also included in this
budget. Professional services monies may be used for professional labor
relations assistance for contract negotiations with Police and Fire
Departments in 1979. Council asked Weaver about additional programs in
1979. Weaver explained that there will be more training and promotional
programs for City employees. Weaver stated that employee morale is one
of the advantages of in-house training and promotion. He estimates six
training seminars will be available in 1979 using 4% of personnel staff
time and at an approximate cost of $3,400. Affirmative Action Contract
Compliance will continue to be monitored by the CRO. Labor negotiations
will be shared between Personnel and City Manager's Office.
Iris Litzenberger, City Clerk, reported that there will be no change in
the City Clerk's Office in 1979. No FRS funds will be requested.
PROSECUTION/INDIGENT DEFENSE/LEGAL COUNSEL: Fred Andrews, City
Attorney, reported there will be no changes in this Department in 1979
with the exception of an increase of $6,500 for indigent attorney fees.
INFORMATION SYSTEMS: Tom Froula, Division Manager, explained to the
Council that this division includes Word Processing, Data Processing and
the Copy Center. The Copy Center expects no changes in 1979 and Word
Processing is installing new equipment approved by Council in 1978.
There will be a reduction of one person in Word Processing in 1979 for a
savings of $4,000. Froula made an informal request for FRS funds in the
amount of $4,300 to purchase a module of computer memory and
communications adaptor for the Data Processing section. This would
reflect a reduction of approximately $1,056 in the City's share of
rental of the Joint City/County Computer equipment. FRS monies
requested are $20,600 for the continuation of one programmer/analyst in
1979.
PURCHASING: Jean Shipman, Purchasing Agent, explained to Council that
she will need to replace her current Department Assistant II as she has
taken another job within the City, and is asking for an additional
$1,348 (which includes fringe benefits) for a Buyer position as a backup
for the Purchasing Agent. Ms. Shipman also explained that she is
working with Bob Weaver, Personnel Officer to check on the possibility
of sharing a Department Assistant II with that office.
DECEMBER 11, 1978
FACILITY MAINTENANCE: It is being requested that personnel be increased
by 1.5 custodians to replace the contract and maintenance service. This
should realize an estimated savings of approximately $5,500 in 1979.
There will be an additional $15,000 budgeted for SCAN services in 1979.
This is due to the fact that SCAN services were not budgeted in 1978.
Dick Zais explained to the Council the current status on the air
conditioning system in City Hall. He stated that he would like a second
opinion to determine the problems of why the system is not working
properly. Zais also stated that the recommendations from the space
Study will be submitted to the Council in early 1979.
At 3:30 PM, the Council members commenced the regular meeting, Mayor
Edmondson presiding, Council members Beauchamp, Buchanan, Hinman, Lee,
Sparling and Wonder and Acting City Manager Zais and City Attorney
II/ Andrews present on roll call.
The Invocation was given by Council member Lee.
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 Hinman requested that
Item 1/14 be removed from the Consent Agenda. it was the general
consensus of the Council that the deletion of Item #14, as requested, be
made. The City Clerk then read the Consent Agenda items, including a
Resolution, by title. It was MOVED by Lee, seconded by Wonder that the
Consent Agenda, as read, be passed: carried, Buchanan, Edmondson,
Hinman, Lee, Sparling, Wonder and Beauchamp voting aye on roll call.
(Subsequent paragraphs preceded by an asterisk (*) indicated items on,
the Consent Agenda to be handled under one motion without further
discussion.)
Art Zerbach, Director of Finance and Budget, reported on the bids
received for the wastewater facilities project bonds, as follows:
Consortium of Seattle-Northwest Securities Corporation, Dean Witter
Reynolds, Inc., Merrill Lynch Weld, and William P. Harper & Sons _-
annual interest cost of 6.353722%.
Foster & Marshal, Inc.,/Blyth, Eastman, Dillion.and Company, Inc.,.-
annual interest cost of 6.399786%.
Smith Barney, Harris Upham & Company, Inc. - annual interest cost of
6.4120%.
John Nuveen & Company, Inc. - annual interest cost of 6.4826%.
Mr. Zerbach recommended that the bid from the Consortium of Seattle
Northwest Securities Corporation be accepted. He stated that the
difference between the estimated 6.5% annual interest cost'and the
6.353722% bid would be $4300 per year over the next 30 years. It was
MOVED by Hinman, seconded by Wonder to accept the bid of the Consortium
of Seattle-Northwest Security at an annual interest cost of 6.353722%:
II/ carried, Beauchamp, .Buchanan, Edmondson, Hinman, Lee, Sparling and
Wonder voting aye by voice vote.
Mayor Edmondson reported that staff and members of the Yakima Housing
Board are unable to be here.today,to discuss the 1978 year-end report of
the Yakima Housing Authority and requested this item be continued for
one week. It was the general consensus of the Council that the report
from the Yakima Housing Authority be continued for one week. .
This being the time fixed for the hearing on the School District
right-of-way street vacation, vacating a portion of So. 47th Avenue and
West Arlington Street, Ines Rice, 4409 West Arlington, stated that she
wants to be sure there isn't any dust problem left. from Glenmoor Green.
It was MOVED by Wonder, seconded by Sparling that Ordinance No. 2241,
providing for said street vacation, be passed: carried, Edmondson,
Hinman, Lee, Sparling, Wonder, Beauchamp and Buchanan voting aye on roll
call.
ORDINANCE NO, 2241, AN ORDINANCE providing for the vacation of portions
of public streets in the City of Yakima, Washington.
DECEMBER 11, 1978
152
This being the time fixed for the hearing on the major modifications to
Broadmoor Mobile Home Park Planned Development, Councilman Wonder
inquired if the developer has agreed to accept the recommendations of
the Planning Commission. Larry Wright, Principal Planner, reported that
the developers have agreed to the conditions. Mayor Edmondson stated
that in Phase II of the Planned Development that was approved, the
developer was suppose to put in a playground which was not done and
inquired if the conditions imposed can be enforced. Mr. Wright reported
that the owner was warned at that time to follow those conditions,
whereupon he sold the mobile home court. The new owner is trying to
comply with the conditions imposed under Phase II, however, he has since
changed the court to an "all adult" court and in this major modification
has requested a deletion of the playground areas. Bill Rehfield,
neighbor inquired what the major modification is going to do,. Mayor
Edmondson stated that they are requesting an additional 7 spaces. Betty
Gaudette, 701 No. 6th Street, inquired if new owners could come in and
allow children and then once again there would be no playground. Mr.
Wright explained that it is indicated as an "all adult" court in the
plan and program and it would take legal action to enforce it if the new
owners didn't go along with it. Don White, new owner, stated that it is
an adult court and it is their intention to keep it that way. He
reported that it is their intention to cleanup the court by putting in
landscaping. They want to make 7 spaces where there is nothing but a
dirt pile now; but will delete 11 other spaces over a period of time.
It was MOVED by Wonder, seconded by Lee that Ordinance No. 2242,
accepting the recommendations of the Planning Commission and granting
modifications to planned development zone for property situated at 55
West Washington Avenue, be passed: carried, Hinman, Lee, Sparling,
Wonder, Beauchamp, Buchanan, and Edmondson voting aye on roll call.
ORDINANCE NO. 2242, AN ORDINANCE granting modifications to a Planned
Development Zone for certain property situated at 55 West Washington
Avenue in the City of Yakima.
This being the time fixed for the hearing on the rezone request filed by
Mr. Walkenhauer and the Yakima Business College, Mayor Edmondson
questioned this property being zoned B -3 when it abutts a residential
zone. Larry Wright, Principal Planner, stated that a B -3 zone is the
most intensive business zone and allows almost anything; however, the
off - street parking requirements would restrict some of the uses.
Councilman Wonder inquired if there were any objections raised at the
Planning Commission hearing. Mr. Wright stated that there weren't any.
It was MOVED by Wonder, seconded by Lee that Ordinance No. 2243,
accepting the recommendation of the Planning Commission and rezoning
said property, be passed: carried, Lee, Sparling, Wonder, Beauchamp,
Buchanan, Edmondson and Hinman voting aye on roll call.
ORDINANCE NO. 2243, AN ORDINANCE accepting the recommendation of the
Planning Commission and rezoning property at 1110 Browne Avenue from
R -3, Multiple Family Zone to B -3, General Business.
This being the time fixed for the hearing on the rezone request filed by
St. Michaels Episcopal Church for property located at 6 and 10 So. 6th
Street, Councilman Beauchamp inquired if they are currently using those
properties as a parking lot. Mr.. Wright stated that they are, however,
it is not paved. Father Hotchkis stated that they would like to fence
the parking area and have it paved. It was MOVED by Wonder, seconded by
Beauchamp that Ordinance No. 2244, accepting the recommendations of the
Planning Commission and rezoning said property, be passed: carried,
Sparling, Wonder, Beauchamp, Buchanan, Edmondson, Hinman and Lee voting
aye on roll call. - -
ORDINANCE NO. 2244, AN ORDINANCE accepting the recommendation of the
Planning Commission and rezoning property at 6 and 10 So. 6th Street
from R -3, Multiple Family to B -3, General Business Zone.
The hearing on the 1979 Budget, having been continued from the December
4, 1978 meeting, Acting City Manager Zais reported that he had included
in the Council's packet the five year comparison of budget report which
Councilman Sparling had requested. Chuck Frenzel, Eichler Disposal,
submitted information to Council on his firm's position on the proposed
refuse budget, and stated he would be attending the Thursday budget
study session and would answer any of the Council's questions. Ines
Rice, 4409 West Arlington, stated she was unhappy with the format of the
budget as it was not clear. She stated that the City has to budget to
DECEMBER 11, 1978 153 .
maintain basic services. She also questioned 62% of the budget being
funded with FRS funds. Acting City Manager Zais reported that 62% of
the available FRS funds are being proposed to balance the General Fund.
He stated that that' is about 10% of the entire budget. Mrs. Rice stated
that she also objects to the proposed loan from the Water/Sewer.Fund to
the Refuse Division. Betty Gaudette, 701 No. 6th Street, spoke in
support of allocating sufficient funds for basic services, especially
for police and fire. Reverend Alan Krabbe, spoke in support of
maintaining public services. He stated that he has worked with the
Police Department and most of the police officers expressed concern that
they don't have the time to do preventive work. Larry Robinson, 501 So.
6th Avenue, stated that the City should not be in any business other
than police, fire and utilities. He stated that the City should sell
the Capitol Theatre- and the Bicentennial Pavilion and let private
enterprise handle the garbage collection. Following Council discussion,
Mayor Edmondson declared the public hearing on the proposed 1979 budget
Closed.
Gini Heintzman, Director, Yakima Valley Transportation Exchange, spoke
in support of having Council apply 5% of the UMTA grant for their
operation. She stated that it's reimbursable to the City from the
federal government. Acting City Manager Zais reported that the $30,000
FRS funds allocated in 1978 are not eligible for :reimbursement, but the
UMTArgrantJund would be. Councilman Wonder inquired if the City has
requested the $30,000 from UMTA. Bob Knight, Transit Manager, stated
that our UMTA grant has been reduced, to .$2 however, 1$30,000 can '
be made available for the Transportation Exchange. The 5% would only be
approximately $14;000. Councilman Wonder inquired if' the -, Transit—
Division could still operate with the balance of $246,000 and Mr. Knight
stated that they could. Acting City Manager Zais inquired what their
request-would be for 1979. Ms.-Heintzman-stated that they will be
budgeting for two vans and with- the City's share of the operation
budget,'they.will be requesting , .$16,532 plus UMTA monies. Msi-Heintzman
reported that they take care of a large number of passengers that the
City Transit system can't handle at this time. She stated that she also
believes they should' be under contract with the City.. Bob Knight agreed
that the Transportation Exchange should be under contract with the City..
No action was taken by the 'Council at time. .
- - -
- -
Doug Grandquis, Executive Director, Conference .of Governments; reported
that 28 per capita assessment Council voted on is unacceptable. The
COG general membership voted that a 55 per capita assessment was the
minimum that would be acceptable. Carol Darby, Director of Community
Development, stated that it is important that the City coordinate with
other Yakima County jurisdictions and that COG is needed.. She outlined
an alternative which would call for the reorganization of COG. This
alternative would 'preserve the COG functions; offer additional sources
of funding that we are currently not eligible; and solve some of the
rural vs, metropolitan philosophical difference that are surfacing in
COG. There are three functions to COG: (1) A-95 Review; (2)
Non-metropolitan area ..wride planning and organization for rural areas;
and (3) metropolitan planning organization (MPO).. MPO is a designation
by the federal government for Tlans.forlmetropolitan areas -
(50,000 and above population), which does not have to be administered
through :a Conference of Governments. - Miss Darby recommended that
Council request the Executive Committee to hold an emergency general
membership meeting the week of December 1,8 to review
reorganization. She stated that Yakima County is designated as a
metropolitan area, which means that the Lower Valley communities are
competing with metropolitan areas. The function COG under this
reorganization would be A-95 Review,A,aw and Justice, non-metropolitan
planning and City/County coordination. The funding would be
approximately 10% per capita assessment. These changes would require
the rewriting of the COG by and articles of charter and the
establishment of an area wide planning work program. The MPO would be
separated from COG and would be responsible for metropolitan planning in
urban areas. The function would be to administer YMATS, urban area long
range planning and possibly LBG/DIME. The funding for_the two programs
would be $18,907 which would be a savings of about $9,100: We would
have to solicit a letter from the Governor redesigntating our MPO to the
metro area and rewrite an agreement with the Department of
Transportation. It is important to know that this program makes it
possible for the Lower Valley communities to apply for non-metropolitan
grants. Mr. Grandquis stated this proposed reorganization of COG needs
to be studied. Following discussion, it was MOVED by Sparling, seconded
1 54 DECEMBER 11, "1978
by Wonder to explore the reorganization plan and have a report back in a
reasonable amount of time: 'carried, Beauchamp, Buchanan, Lee, Sparling
and. Wonder voting aye by voice vote. Hinman voting nay. Mayor '
Edmondson not voting due to conflict of interest as she is Chairman on
the COG Executive Board. Mayor Edmondson stated that if an emergency
meeting is called, she would like the Council members to be present at
that meeting.
Council having previously instructed staff to prepare legislation at the
December 4, 1978 meeting, it was MOVED by Lee, seconded by Wonder that
Resolution No. D-3996, authorizing payment of a damage claim filed by
Loretta Steele, to adjust her utility bill for the time period of August
30th to October 30, from $40.33 to $13.70, be passed carried,
Buchanann, Edmondson, Hinman, Lee, Sparling, Wonder and Beauchamp voting
aye on roll call.
RESOLUTION NO. D-3996, A RESOLUTION authorizing payment of a claim for
damages filed by Loretta Steele.
Councilman Hinman stated that he had requested that the outside utility
request filed by Robert Johnson be removed from the Consent Agenda,
because he had had a call on it and thought the citizen was going to.be
here to speak to that matter. It was MOVED by Wonder, seconded.by
Sparling that the outside utility request filed by Robert Johnson for
water and sewer services to a proposed mobile home pafk to be located in
the vicinity of So. 15th and West Washington Avenues, be passed, with
the conditions recommended by the Planning Commission: Carried,
Beauchamp, Buchanan, Edmondson, Hinman, Lee, Sparling and Wonder voting
aye by voice vote.
, -
Acting City Manager Zais reported that the Editorial in yesterday's
newspaper was not totally accurate when comparing the County's FRS funds'
used with our own budget. He reviewed the County's FRS budget stating
that it has been use for salaries and capital outlay.
Items of information supplied to Council were: letter from City
Attorney re prospective litigation against R. W. Beck & Associates.
11/21/78; letter from R. W. Beck re: sewer rehabilitation program.
11/10/78; Yakima Wastewater Facilities Project Cost Summary as of
October 31, 1978; monthly report to Director of Community Development
from the Office of Code Administration - 11/78; information format and
budget information from Yakima County District Court Probation Services
relating to their request for FRS funds; memo from Dick Zais, Acting
City Manager re Larson Garage Lease Bid results. 12/6/78; article from
Spokane Washington newspaper re balancing their budget. 12/10/78; memo
from Community Development Department regarding outside utility requests
from Mr. Reeves A. Thielen. 12/1/78; copy of minutes of the November
28, 1978 meeting of the Board of Adjustment; copy of minutes of the
November 28, 1978 meeting of the Yakima Valley Regional Library Board of
Trustees; Housing Services Center Newsletter. . 12/78 issue; and,
Community Development Plan and Program 1979 to 1982.
There being no further business' to come before the Council, it was MOVED
by Wonder, seconded by Buchanan that this meeting be adjourned at 6:00
P.M., to then meet at 1:00 P.M. on Thursday, December 14,. 1978:
carried, Beauchamp, Buchanan, Edmondson, Hinman, Lee,. Sparling and
Wonder voting aye by voice vote.
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READ AND CERTIFIED ACCURATE BY . At .- 4
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COUNCILMAN
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