HomeMy WebLinkAbout07/16/1991 Adjourned Meeting 443
CITY OF YAKIMA, WASHINGT1ON
ADJOURNED MEETING
JULY 16, 1991
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The. City Council met in session on this date at 11:30• A.M. at the
Wastewater Treatment Plant to continue discussion of the Engineering and
Utilities Department operations (continued from July 2, 1991). Mayor Pat
B erndt and Councilmembers Clarence Barnett, George Pechtel, Skip Semon and
Bernard Sims in attendance. Councilmembers Henry Beauchamp and Lynn
Buchanan absent and excused. City Manager Zais, Assistant City Manager
Stouder, Engineering and Utilities Director Covell, City Engineer French,
Water Superintendent Wick, Wastewater Superintendent Waarvick and Deputy
City Clerk Lovell also present.
Engineering Department /Development Standards - City Engineer French
recapped the debt service for revenue sources, and mentioned that
alternatives will be necessary for completion of Engineering projects. In
light of recent staff resignations, all Engineering tasks will be reviewed
to create a more flexible department structure. Mr. French explained the
current review process which will result in adoption of Chapter 12 of the
Municipal Code - "Development Standards." Standards for all classes of
development will consolidated in one chapter, and should simplify the
review and permit process. The local development community is involved in
review of Chapter 12, and public meetings will be held before the document
is presented to Council for approval.
First Avenue Street Improvements - Engineering and Utilities Director
Covell explained the funding formula for Public Works Trust Fund projects,
and noted a lack of available funding. Local land owners who are seeking
improvements to First Avenue will be required to participate in an LID, or
the project cannot be done. The landowners will receive the benefit of
low interest rates, but a decision must be made on the project within two
weeks. Mr. Covell has scheduled a meeting with First Avenue property
owners to discuss the proposal and individual obligations. City Manager
Zais noted that projects of this magnitude approach the issue of a
community bond issue for future street improvements.
Improvements to 72nd Avenue - Mr. Covell mentioned that the County has
lowered the priority level for improvements to 72nd Avenue. The street
has changed from a top priority status to priority #61. This is tied to
the annexation issue, but the City feels that improvements to this road
are still a County obligation.
Wastewater Issues - Wastewater Superintendent Waarvick gave an overview of
Wastewater responsibilities, and explained that the service area
transcends City boundaries. Mr. Waarvick introduced staff members Bruce
Bates and Doug Mayo. Mr. Mayo is managing the facility grant project
which started four weeks ago, and will be completed in about one year.
The Comprehensive Sewer Plan will be the next phase when funding is
available. Currently, the division is working to leverage funding into
the future to prepare for upcoming growth and development. There are
still projects to be done, but Mr. Waarvick does not anticipate a rate
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increase for the next three to four years. However, recent permit fee
increases by the Legislature area concern to the department, and may
result in pass- through costs to consumers. Mr. Waarvick observed that
preventative maintenance is the key to'the successful operation of the
facility, and distributed statistics related to maintenance and
operations. Mr. Zais noted that this plant has performed secondary
treatment since the 1970's, and praised the foresight of utilizing federal
funding to implement the technology before that source was exhausted.
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There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 1:25 P.M.,
for a brief'tour of the facility. '
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ATTEST:
DEPUTY CITY CLERK MAYOR
Minutes prepared by Deputy City Clerk Lovell.
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