Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout08/16/1993 Adjourned Meeting 330 CITY OF YAKIMA ADJOURNED MEETING AUGUST 16, 1993 The City Council met in session on this date at 8:00 A.M. in the Council Chambers at the Yakima City Hall, Yakima, Washington to prioritize the objectives for the I -82 /Gateway Project. Council members present were Clarence Barnett, presiding, Bill Brado, Skip Semon and Bernard Sims. Council Members absent were Mayor Pat Berndt, Henry Beauchamp, and Lynn Buchanan. Staff members present were City Manager Zais, Dennis Covell, Director of Engineering and Utilities, and City Clerk Roberts. Acting Mayor Clarence Barnett called the meeting to order. He announced that at the last City Council meeting, Council requested a meeting to prioritize the objectives for the I -82 /Gateway Project. Dennis Covell stated that a Steering Committee meeting was held last Friday, with 20 members participating in the prioritization of the project objectives. The Committee reviewed the objectives, deleted some, combined a couple, and prioritized seven objectives to recommend to the Council. He explained that the items deleted were considered either a requirement of the project regardless of the priorities or were similar to another objective. He stated that each member ranked the objectives, which were then compiled, with the results being presented to Council in their packets, as follows: #1 Relieve congestion E. Yakima /Terrace Heights Way #2 'Improve Access from Fairgrounds /Sundome area to 1 -82, Terrace Heights and Yakima CBD #3 Improve utilization of Lincoln /B Couplet. Reduce impacts of logging and fruit trucks on downtown, Convention Center and residential area #4 Relieve congestion at 8th /9th Street intersections #5 Promote economic development by preserving access to existing business and provide access to North -West quadrant of interchange area #6 Provide a pedestrian /bicycle connection between downtown Yakima and the Greenway #7 Create a "Gateway" to the City of Yakima. Acting Mayor Barnett stated his understanding of the letter from Mr. Larson, Department of Transportation, is that the redefined stage one would create operational problems until the entire project is completed; however, he did not want to stop the project. Mr. Covell agreed with that assessment. Mr. Barnett questioned whether objective #7, which is to create a "gateway" to the City, is necessary. It appears that would be a given, 381 • AUGUST 16, 1993 , ADJOURNED MEETING considering the previous objectives. Mr. Covell stated the previous objectives work towards that, but he believes the gateway objectives include some desire to enhance the gateway with landscaping. The majority of the beautification will not be done in stage one. Council Member Brado commented that Mayor Berndt had provided her prioritization list and reported that Council Member Beauchamp left a list of concerns with him. He suggested that the Value Engineering Team be provided with each Council member's priority list, along with the recommendation from the „ Steering Committee, and any concerns of the Council. Mr. Barnett ` he favors the Value Engineering Team receiving the complete Work' of the Steering Committee. Mr. Covell commented that the Department of Transportation has already submitted their concerns to the Value Engineering Team, and suggested that Council might want to submit a similar document. Mr. Barnett asked what the concerns are of the Department of Transportation. Mr. Covell stated the concerns are the same as previously submitted. Jerry Foy requested a copy of the prioritization list from the Mayor and a copy of Council Member Beauchamp's concerns. Mr. Brado stated the Mayor's list is included in the handout. He stated that Mr. Beauchamp's concerns are that there are too many red lights that will hamper traffic flow; the free right turn on 1 -82 south will be eliminated; the merger lane on westbound Yakima Avenue will merge with the flyover ramp from south I -82 and perhaps the merger lane should be extended west toward 9th Street; and all of Fair Avenue improvements should be completed in stage one. Council Members Semon and Sims indicated their acceptance of the recommendation of the Steering Committee. Mr. Barnett agreed with the project objectives, although he may not have prioritized them exactly as the Committee. He stated he would like for #6 to read "provide an unobstructive pedestrian /bicycle pathway to downtown." Council Member Brado stated that the "A" objective, ( #1 priority) would be his first priority; and "F objective ( #4) would be his second priority. It was MOVED BY SIMS, SECONDED BY SEMON, TO FORWARD THE GATEWAY STEERING COMMITTEE'S LIST OF OBJECTIVE PRIORITIES TO THE VALUE ENGINEERING TEAM. The motion carried . by unanimous voice vote; Berndt, Beauchamp and Buchanan absent. Mr. Barnett announced that any concerns of individual Council members should be provided to Mr. Covell to be forwarded to the Value Engineering Team. He stated he has a few concerns, which he had previously voiced. He also requested a copy of the letter written last week by the Department of Transportation. Mr. Covell reviewed the schedule of the value engineering study, which indicates a written report regarding their recommendations should be available on approximately August 26th. Mr. Foy requested a copy of that report. Mr. Barnett requested staff to provide a copy of the report to Jerry Foy and to the members of the Steering Committee. • 2 382 AUGUST 16, 1993 - ADJOURNED MEETING It was MOVED BY SEMON, SECONDED BY SIMS, THAT THE MEETING BE ADJOURNED AT 8:28 A.M. The motion carried by unanimous voice vote; Berndt, Beauchamp and Buchanan absent. READ AND CERTIFIED ACCURATE . BY: �r .'�/ i✓H ;— S ," / f y CO Jr METER / DATE .e/ 40r )/4/W COUNCIL MEMBE DATE ATTEST: CITY CLERK ACTING MAYOR 3