Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout11/03/1992 Study Session 1 NOVEMBER 3, 1992 STUDY SESSION 1. ROLL CALL The City Council met in session on this date at 2:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers of City Hall, Yakima, Washington. Mayor Pat Berndt, presiding, Council Members Clarence Barnett, Henry Beauchamp, Bill Brado, Lynn Buchanan, Skip Semon and Bernard Sims present on roll call. City Manager Zais, City Attorney Vanek, City Clerk Roberts and Deputy City Clerk Skovald (absent after 2:30 p.m.) also present. 2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE AND SPECIAL MUSIC BY ISABELLE ROBINSON IN HONOR OF ELECTION DAY The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Council Member Barnett. In honor of Election Day, Isabelle Robinson, Human Resource Division, sang "God Bless the U.S.A. ", accompanied by a video showing the Yakima Valley and citizens. 3. OPEN DISCUSSION FOR THE GOOD OF THE ORDER Council. Member Buchanan reported the Department of Transportation is presenting an ISTEA bike training session on November 20th. He invited Council members and staff to attend this meeting. 4. AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION None. 5. PRESENTATION OF 1993 BUDGET FORECAST (CONTINUED FROM 10/27/92) Utilizing slides of graphs from the Budget Forecast, City Manager Zais and John Hanson, Director of Finance and Budget, summarized the 1993 Budget Forecast. City Manager Zais emphasized that the Utility and Enterprise Funds are dedicated funds for those purposes only. With the near completion of the $10 million rehabilitation program at the Wastewater Treatment Plant, Mr. Zais suggested Council might like to tour the facility. He reviewed the various mandated programs which affect the City's budget. 6. REPORT FROM TRANSIT DIVISION REGARDING PTBA PROPOSAL RECOMMENDATIONS Bill Schultz, Transit Manager, stated the purpose of this presentation is to provide Council with the draft documents intended to form a Public Transportation Benefit Area. The two documents contain provisions to try to resolve some of the issues the Council raised in the past. These documents 2 NOVEMBER 3, 1992 will now go to the Public Transportation Improvement Conference. It is the County Commissioners' responsibility to initiate the proposition, which will probably take place mid - month. Council Member Beauchamp expressed concern that the City would give up its transit system to the PTBA after three years. Mr. Schultz reported that under the PTBA structure the City of Yakima would have three members on the Committee, which is sufficient for a veto vote. Council Member Semon commented that this provision was included so there will be no downsizing of the service to the citizens of Yakima. Council Member Barnett referred to Article 2, paragraph 3 in the agreement relating to the sale of the City's assets to the PTBA, at depreciated book value. He requested a legal opinion on how this relates to Mr. Vanek's previous legal opinion regarding the enhancement of the Public Works Complex using Transit funds which would force other non - Transit divisions to move. If the PTBA buys this Transit facility, then the other divisions have to relocate. He stated that the depreciated book value would not provide adequate funding for the other divisions to relocate. City Manager Zais stated that if the City goes out of the Transit business, then those assets will be preserved in the general ownership of the City. Mayor Berndt requested Mr. Vanek to draft a response to Mr. Barnett's question. 7. REVIEW OF BIOSOLIDS MANAGEMENT PLAN City Manager Zais explained that today's presentation is planned as an overview and additional meetings will be scheduled. He requested that Council members provide their questions to staff in advance of the meetings, if possible. Chris Waarvick, Wastewater Superintendent, introduced members of his staff in attendance, Bruce Bates, Doug Mayo and Pete Hobbs. He commented -that in earlier days, biosolids management was referenced as sludge management. He stated the biosolids can be very beneficial in the agricultural community. The farmer does not pay for the sludge; however, it would be very costly for the City to dispose of it at the landfill or by incineration. °He reported the City does not have adequate storage space for the sludge; the lagoons are full; staff wants to extend that by centrifuging. We have to get that sludge off the ground. If the lagoons were to be cleaned out, it would have to be done every four years, and it is a costly and unpleasant task. Mr. Waarvick responded to Council Member Barnett's questions concerning lagoon design and cost to rehabilitate the lagoons. There was also a discussion about the Plant no longer being capable of accepting grease and how businesses can disposal of its grease. Council Member Barnett stated that before this plan 2..' NOVEMBER 3, 1992_ is implemented, businesses need to be informed about how to dispose of grease. Mr. Waarvick stated that would be done as part of their public information program. Bruce Bates narrated a video presentation, "Biosolids, a Resource too Valuable to Waste ". Mayor Berndt requested that audio be put on the video so it can televised on YCTV. Mr. Waarvick stated that staff is tailoring the narrative to different audiences, but could have it televised once the script has been finalized. 8. OTHER BUSINESS Mayor Berndt informed Council members that their personal Council flower fund needs to be replenished. Information Items: Items of information provided to Council were: Washington State Tourism Bulletin; October 1992; Memo from Parks and Recreation Manager regarding Write -up on Tahoma Cemetery for a State Cemetery Publication. 10/14/92; Letter to County Public Works Director regarding Discharge of the Geothermal Water Supply from the Yakima County Jail into the City of Yakima Drinking Water System. 10/27/92; Letter to Washington State Department of General Administration regarding City of Yakima Health Benefit Program; 10/26/92 Rebound Plus Monthly Report for October 1992; Monthly Annexation Status Report for October 1992; Office of Housing and Neighborhood Conservation Elderly Co -op Monthly Report for October 1992; Assignments Pending in Office of Environmental Planning as of November 3, 1992; Metropolitan Yakima Comprehensive Plan Status Report as of October 28, 1992; Metropolitan Yakima Comprehensive Plan - Working Draft of Land Use Goals and Policies under Review. 10/28/92; and Agenda for October 28, 1992 Housing Authority meeting and minutes of its September 3, 1992 meeting. 9. EXECUTIVE SESSION REGARDING PROSPECTIVE LITIGATION AND COLLECTIVE BARGAINING It was MOVED BY BUCHANAN, SECONDED BY SIMS, TO MOVE INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION FOR THE PURPOSE OF DISCUSSING PROSPECTIVE LITIGATION AND COLLECTIVE BARGAINING, WITH IMMEDIATE ADJOURNMENT THEREAFTER. The motion carried by unanimous voice vote. 3