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HomeMy WebLinkAbout10/05/1993 Study Session 450 CITY OF YAKIMA, WASHINGTON OCTOBER 5, 1993 STUDY SESSION 1. ROLL CALL I/ 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. Assistant City Manager Rice, Assistant City Attorney Carberry, and City Clerk Roberts also present. 2. INVOCATION /PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Council Member Semon. 3. OPEN DISCUSSION FOR THE GOOD OF THE ORDER A. PROCLAMATIONS (IF APPLICABLE) None 4. AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION Richard Andring, 203 South 8th Avenue, voiced a complaint that was discussed during his neighborhood meeting regarding reports of individuals drinking in the Davis High School parking lot after school hours and vehicle incidents which occurred as a result of the drinking. Commenting about the upcoming cable TV regulation issues, Mr. Andring suggested more selections be added to basic cable service. Another area of concern expressed by Mr. Andring is the need to install a bicycle route sign as well as a speed limit sign on North 6th Avenue. Three Students from Davis High School requested that Council waive the permit fee for a fireworks display; the request was granted due to a previously adopted ordinance. Verna Beggs, 1204 East Spruce Street, reminded Council that neighborhood residents favor the siting of the City Police Station /Legal Center at Kiwanis Park. Assistant City Manager Rice explained that proposals have been received, the cost factors are expected very soon, and the process is continuing with a decision to be made by Council in the very near future. 451 OCTOBER s -5, 1993 5. PRESENTATION OF -PRELIMINARY PARKS AND RECREATION COMPREHENSIVE PLAN The Parks and Recreation Comprehensive Plan will be used to address various issues, including those related to funding, facing the division. David Flaherty, Parks and Recreation Manager, explained that along with information already included from the Vision 2010 process and a survey of city residents and businesses, the plan will be further enhanced by the inclusion of public comment from a series of upcoming community neighborhood meetings. In order to adequately address questions about park issues, Council Member Barnett indicated that new meetings should be scheduled in addition to the comprehensive plan meetings recently held. He also suggested that a plan document, instead of a summary, be available for citizen review. Mr. Flaherty indicated the upcoming meetings would specifically deal with Parks and Recreation issues and further explained that the timeframe to finish the plan in terms of state funding is about July of next year in order to be in a position to apply for specific funding for specific projects. Referencing the Executive Summary, Mr. Flaherty reviewed Priority 1: Development of existing city owned park property; Priority 2: Repairs, renovations, and enhancement to existing developed city parks and facilities; Priority 3: Development of urban pathways; Priority 4: Acquisition and development of new parks and recreation facilities; and Priority 5: Implement future manpower (staffing) needs. There was discussion concerning the amount of vacant land the city owns. Referencing the Vacant Lands Inventory list on page C -1, it was requested that a map be drawn so that the locations would be clear. Council Member Barnett commented that he thought Priorities 1 and 2 should be in reversed order based upon the survey that was made whereby the people indicated a great support for Priority 2. He further explained his concern to maintain and upgrade what property the city currently owns. Mr. Flaherty said it was a good point and that issue would be reevaluated. Council Members Barnett and Brado referred to proposed objectives and policies contained in the preliminary plan which would establish ongoing park capital improvement funds through development fees, and would require development dedication of land for the parks, and a park land improvement fund through building permit fees. These could be a basis for requiring developers to put up quite a bit of money which might have an adverse effect on them. Mr. Flaherty explained that these proposals are part of a variety of solutions for Council consideration. Those suggestions are happening in other communities around the state and around the nation. It is another option for park property to be added to the park 2 4. 5.2 OCTOBER 5, 1993 system given the realities of the economic times in terms of cities being able to acquire property. It may not be good for Yakima. There was further discussion concerning developing the facilities at Gilbert Park and the restrictive covenants there, along with continued discussion about the public survey results received from eastside residents, and the need to have balance on the committee to include citizens in general, as well as developers. Mark Needham, 5205 Bristol Court, commended the City on development of the Comprehensive Parks and Recreation Plan. However, he disagreed with the objective and policy to develop a variety of Enterprise Recreation Programs as listed on page 3 -4 of the draft. He explained that he and his wife own Meadowbrook Family Fun Center located at 72nd and Nob Hill. The center includes a miniature golf course that has been there for six seasons and a batting cage that just opened this spring. This last year was spent going through the planning and permit process and is just days away from getting building permits for the bumper boats and go -cart track near the Meadowbrook Mall area. As a business person of 20 years, Mr. Needham explained that he doesn't have any problem with competition, but feels as though he is competing against his own tax dollars. He feels the City is competing with private enterprise for commercial recreation programs. When asked by Council Member Sims whether he would be interested in contracting out and providing that entertainment in the city park, Mr. Needham said he would not be interested. There was discussion and comments among Council members regarding whether the public need is being met concerning this activity and whether the city should be in this business. Mr. Needham stated that he would like the wording removed from the draft document. Mayor Berndt suggested that it be reworded to say where the needs are not being met, rather than giving specific examples. Bruce Smith, 4404 Maple Avenue, agreed with Mr. Needham's comments and asked if things are being done because they are "need driven" or "revenue driven." He also commented about the expansion of trips or tours that used to be very modest but now have expanded into overseas cruises with dozens of trips per year. He suggested to Council that a policy be set to say where that starts and where that stops. Mayor Berndt suggested that some of the neighborhoods be notified especially since there are quite a few who wish to speak to this issue. It is important that we have balance from all sectors of our community to have a chance to comment on that. 3 453 OCTOBER, ,, 1993 6. REPORT FROM DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT REGARDING AIRPORT SHORT PLAT ANALYSIS Council Member Barnett suggested this issue be discussed with the County Commissioners since the majority of the area is in the County. It was determined that it would be scheduled for discussion during a joint City /County meeting. 7. REPORT FROM DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT REGARDING STATUS OF GROWTH MANAGEMENT PLANNING EFFORTS Don Skone, Planning Manager, thanked Council for their participation in the successful neighborhood meetings recently held. Many citizens have indicated they would like to see them continue, and they probably will. Mr. Skone also reported that YCTV will broadcast later this month "Looking Ahead: Planning Yakima's Future" which will feature a recap and summary of the neighborhood meetings. With respect to Urban Growth Boundaries, that issue is currently being studied by the Visioning Steering Committee with a recommendation expected shortly. That recommendation will be shared with the Valley Planning Commission who will then make recommendations to the legislative bodies. Hopefully, Urban Growth Boundaries will be set within this year. Council Member Sims explained that the Growth Management Act requires these meetings to be held, and staff has summarized comments received during those meetings. He asked how those comments will be incorporated into the growth management process, how will comments be reacted to, and will a survey be done so that a consensus is reached determining which points are important to the majority of the citizens and then included in the plan. Mr. Skone explained individual comments will be addressed according to what particular category it pertains to, i.e., Land Use, Parks, Fire and Police, etc. Because these neighborhood meetings have been held, the planning process will go easier because citizens have expressed their thoughts and there is some idea of what is on their minds. Council Member Barnett expressed concern that perhaps there would not be enough time for public review of the Parks and Recreation Comprehensive Plan between now and January. Mayor Berndt requested that copies be made available in the Clerk's office and their availability advertised. There was further discussion among Council members and staff concerning the turnout at the Growth Management Meetings, the planning process, and the large number of viewers who are watching the meetings televised by YCTV. 4 454 OCTOBER 5, 1993 8. OTHER BUSINESS Council Member Buchanan requested that one of the alternates attend the PTBA meeting Wednesday because he could not attend. Mayor Berndt asked that this message be left with the secretaries and make sure that they follow up to make sure somebody oversees finding an available alternate. Council Member Brado invited Council members to come to Swan Avenue Park for cleanup activities. Mayor Berndt announced she will miss the next two Council meetings. Information Items: Items of information supplied to Council were: Memorandum from City Engineer regarding North First Avenue Status Report. 9/30/93; Memorandum from AWC regarding Activities of the 1993 -94 AWC Legislative Committee. 9/21/93; Agenda for the October 6, 1993 Yakima Valley Public Transportation Benefit Area Board of Directors and minutes of its September 22, 1993 meeting; Monthly Annexation Status Report for September 1993; Monthly Report from City of Yakima Rebound Plus for September 1993; Assignments Pending in Office of Environmental Planning as of October 5, 1993; Monthly Report of Office of Housing and Neighborhood Conservation for September 1993; Agenda for the October 7, 1993 Downtown Area Redevelopment Committee; Agenda for the October 5, 1993 Yakima County Substance Abuse Coalition Board of Directors meeting and minutes of its August 3, 1993 meeting; Article from September 6, 1993 Time, "Sky's The Limit "; Article from City Journal, "Is Reinventing Government Enough ? "; National Institute of Justice Fourth Quarter 1992 Drug Use Forecasting; and Cable Cues Newsletter, Fall 1993. 9. EXECUTIVE SESSION REGARDING PROSPECTIVE LITIGATION It was MOVED BY SIMS, SECONDED BY BEAUCHAMP, TO MOVE INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION REGARDING PROSPECTIVE LITIGATION WITH IMMEDIATE ADJOURNMENT THEREAFTER TO OCTOBER 12, 1993, AT 7:00 AM AT THE YAKIMA CENTER. The motion carried by unanimous voice vote. • 5 455 OCTOBET 5 , 1993 10. ADJOURNMENT TO OCTOBER 12, 1993 ADJOURNED MEETING AT 7:00 A.M. AT THE YAKIMA CENTER FOR INFORMAL DISCUSSION AMONG COUNCIL MEMBERS Following the conclusion of the Executive Session, the meeting was adjourned at 3:37 p.m. READ AND CERTIFIED ACCURATE BY: fie a�a_ �_ 7 y ' O %' L MEMBER /SATE 4 4/ 49/ 4 COUNCIL MEMB DATE ATTEST: '4( ( / CITY CLERK MAYOR MINUTES PREPARED BY DEPUTY CITY CLERK SKOVALD. 6