No preview available
HomeMy WebLinkAbout01/24/1995 Adjourned Joint Meeting 8 7 CITY OF YAKIMA, WASHINGTON JANUARY 24, 1995 ADJOURNED JOINT CITY /COUNTY MEETING I/ The City Council met on this date at 7:30 a.m., in the Yakima Room at the ESD #105 Administration Building Conference Center, 33 South 2nd Avenue, Yakima, Washington. Council Members present were Assistant Mayor Clarence Barnett, Henry Beauchamp, Ernie Berger, Bill Brado, Lynn Buchanan and Bernard Sims. Mayor Pat Berndt was absent and excused. City Manager. Zais, Assistant City Manager Rice, Dennis Covell, Director of Engineering & Utilities, and Deputy City Clerk Skovald were also present. Yakima County Commissioners present were Bill Flower, Bettie Ingham and Jim Lewis. Yakima County staff members present were Dick Anderwald, Planning Department, Dan Hesse, Public Works, and Dema Harris, Personnel. Union Gap Council members present were Bill Ackerman, Betty Boyd, Bud Laidler, Donna Miller and Phil Salzman. Union Gap staff members present were City Manager Paul Burlingame, Assistant City Manager Tony Wentz and City Clerk /Treasurer Kathleen Holscher. Commissioner Ingham welcomed Union Gap officials and briefly reviewed the agenda for the meeting. Dick Anderwald passed around a handout entitled Expectations of Yakima City /County Meetings. GATEWAY PROJECT UPDATE Dennis Covell, Project Coordinator, provided copies of the Yakima Gateway Project Status Report and invited questions about the project. He introduced Brad Stein, Project Manager with CH2M Hill; Dave Sagare, WSDOT South Central Region Right -of -Way Manager; Eilert Bjorge, WSDOT Liaison Engineer and Tom Truax, CH2M Hill Right -of -Way Manager. Brad Stein presented an overview of the I -82 phased project, including current projected costs for the remaining schedule and construction sequence for Stage 1. He indicated that some project elements, originally programmed for Stage 2 construction, will be constructed in Stage 1. Mr. Stein referred to the full build out illustration and briefly summarized how each interchange improvement component will meet the objectives of the project. I/ Funding and Costs Mr. Covell read the list of funding partners and reported the amount of the current level of funding. Since WSDOT increased their participation and TIB granted an increase, the total local funding percentage has increased; however, the percentage being paid by the City of Yakima, Yakima County and Yakima Transit has either decreased or remained at the same level. Mr. Covell reviewed the milestones that have been met to date including the Finding of Nonsignificance (FONSI), Right -of -Way 8 1 Adjourned Joint Meeting -- January 24, 1995 acquisition and advertising of Stage 1A construction. He also referred to the Remaining Stage 1 Schedule and pointed out the key dates of each stage. Construction Mr. Stein reported two planning sessions will be held, one on contract administration and a second one to initiate a partnership agreement. He reviewed the key criteria used for the development of the Construction Sequencing Plans and pointed out those of particular importance, such as the Project Schedule to minimize the total length of construction; Project Costs to allow for the most cost effective construction methodologies; Traffic Operations to maintain the Level of Service as much as possible; Safety for worker, pedestrian and motorist during construction and WSDOT /FHWA standards for sign and lane widths during construction. Mr. Covell reviewed the right -of -way status of Stage 1A and 1B. In an effort to be as cost effective as possible, he reported they are currently applying for additional funding for engineering costs and are trying to obtain other funding sources. Council Member Beauchamp expressed concern about the cost ratio for engineering costs. Mr. Covell explained this would cover some costs so that clearance could be obtained from WSDOT and the Federal Highway Administration. The costs are not construction engineering costs, but design and environmental access efforts of the project. Jerry Foy urged Council to reconsider the eminent domain clause pertaining to right -of -way acquisition and emphasized its usefulness and importance. Bev Luby Bartz asked about requested ' traffic control measures and future changes for the neighborhood at 8th and 6th Streets at Yakima Avenue. Mr. Covell explained the impact must be determined to be justified and cost effective before any street lights can be recommended. There was additional discussion concerning traffic control plans for Yakima Avenue and provisions for continuity during construction. Discussion of the I -82 Project concluded with a variety of opinions being expressed regarding the merits of synchronized signalization of new and existing traffic signals on Yakima Avenue. UPDATE OF CITY /COUNTY PRIORITIES At 8:30 a.m. Commissioner Ingham directed attention to the list of Legislative Priorities which identify and summarize concerns of the City of Yakima and Yakima County. Mr. Zais explained the procedure used by the City /County to establish its joint priorities and then I/ presented an overview of discussion issues. 2 Joint Meeting -- January Adjourned g rY 24, 1995 Criminal Justice Program A tentative settlement has been reached in the Jail Costs Agreement. The Task Force has not taken any action on its review of the criminal justice program and coordination between agencies I/ and its costs. Metro Comp Plan Study Unmet deadlines have brought penalties for non - compliance with the Growth Management laws; however, staff continues its work towards GMA goals. Emergency legislation has been requested so Public Works Trust Fund Grant applications can be submitted. Staff was requested to research whether there is any relationship with the Growth Management Act and HB1026 /Initiative 164 on private property rights. The Regional Transportation, PTBA, issue will be re- studied in 1995 since the ballot issue failed. Stormwater Drainage needs rules to enforce the EPA guidelines. The status of UAZO amendments is on hold until the new committee meets. Joint Legislative Priorities Unfunded Mandates -- This is an area where there is unanimous support between the City of Yakima and Yakima County. They oppose any legislatively or administratively - imposed new operation or service responsibilities without concurrent provision of funding. They also support legislative review of Washington Administrative Codes (WAC). The City and County also encourage the Legislature to consider giving suspension powers to the Joint Administrative Rules Committee. Health Care -- The City and County will request the Legislature and /or the Health Care Commission to clarify impacts of the Act on self - insured employers and preserve the benefits of self insurance. They would like the option to be exempted from the Health Services Act due to a demonstrated ability to successfully self- insure and at a cost lower than average. They also support the efforts of the Issues Investigatory Group and request a report on self- insured performance record. Growth Management -- The City and County support continued State funding for adoption and implementation of Growth Management Comprehensive Plans and regulations and oppose withholding I/ discretionary tax proceeds to cities, towns or counties that have not fully complied with GMA. They also support the development of legislation to strengthen the Presumption of Validity during GMA appeals and clarify that the burden of proof rests with someone challenging GMA actions. They also support the provision of population ranges (as opposed to a static figure) from the Office of Financial Management and legislation clarifying that urban growth areas need not be drawn at existing city limits; and they also support the idea of state funding assistance in defending appeals and examination of the possibility to require losing part 3 90 Adjourned Joint Meeting -- January 24, 1995 to pay attorney fees beyond Superior Court and addition of language to include mandatory state agency participation. Regulatory Reform -- The City and County of Yakima support modifications to GMA, SEPA, and the Shoreline Management Act to coordinate the acts. The City and County of Yakima also seek direct input to the Governor's Task Force on Regulatory Reform. They oppose substantive regional standards and timelines for county and city action on development applications (It is proposed as an alternative, to establish a timeline to review an application after it is deemed complete.); and enhanced front -end environmental review requirements without new funding. Fire Protection for Fairgrounds and County Shops The Broadway agreement with Yakima County has expired. The City of Yakima has proposed a fire protection services plan and presented it to Yakima County and the Fair Board and is awaiting response. A sub - committee has been established. 911 -- Consolidated Communications Another issue discussed was the priority to establish Joint Communications Dispatching for Police, Fire and Sheriff Departments. An update on the Emergency 911 system was presented and a meeting of the Administrative Board is scheduled for the near future. More regular meetings are needed to discuss long term planning. Operational alternatives will be considered by the SUNCOM Administrative Board including a contract with the City of Yakima, which is currently actively participating in supervising 911 operations. The City has continued to provide metropolitan dispatching services for the Upper Valley including Union Gap and Selah. The future objective is to phase in full consolidation. Annexation Program Copies of the City's revised annexation policy adopted by the Yakima City Council in August of 1994 were available at this meeting. Regional Services Meetings are underway to discuss the City /County Services Agreement. An upcoming meeting is scheduled with more planned for the near future. I/ Joint Airport Operations A current status report of these issues was presented. Discussions are on -going about sharing fire protection costs. A survey has been done to determined whether hours will be reduced at the tower, to possibly 12 hours or less in•the future, or to totally eliminate the tower when installation of the Radar Tower is implemented in 4 • 9.1 Adjourned Joint Meeting -- January 24, 1995 Pasco. City /County officials have been meeting with the FAA and Congressional members. There is a federal audit underway by the GAO to determine validity of estimates used by FAA in its decision to remote radar operations. A meeting was also held with Senator Gorton with information transmitted to Representative Doc Hastings. I/ Correspondence has been on -going with Transportation Secretary Pena. A tentative decision was made to remote radar to Pasco. A file notebook will be sent to Union Gap officials on this issue. The issue of Airport Leases, its policy and procedures, is a topic that needs to be discussed in more detail in the future. Property appraisals need to be done to determine fair market value. Legal staff will review the issue of leases and property management to determine whether there are any guidelines that should be followed, such as the RFP process. No further action will be taken until guidelines and criteria are met. There are some issues that need to be defined to avoid a liability position. A letter will be drafted and Union Gap will be kept informed. The siting of the National Guard Armory at the Airport with a 99- year lease and the possibility of land needs to be set for future discussion. The Richardson's Clean -Up issue also needs to be set for further discussion to talk about clean -up costs and the disagreement with the State as to the necessity of cleaning it up. State Recycling Law City coordination with Yakima County Solid Waste Management Plan is in progress, with the plan adopted. Yakima Center and Yakima Sundome There is currently on -going coordination of marketing and promotion with the Visitors and Convention Bureau with a request for $6 million State Capital Grant included in the City /County legislative priorities. The total project is estimated at approximately $8 million. Special Agency Services Planning & Delivery A copy of the report on existing agreements and plans for Emergency Services Delivery operations with EMS /E.S. /COG /Yakima Clean Air Authority/ Air Terminal Board, which was accepted by the City and I/ County, will be sent to Union Gap. Yakima River Basin Enhancement Project The City and the County support legislation that would encourage locally based watershed planning and interagency management coordination, including local funding authority. 5 9.2 Adjourned Joint Meeting -- January 24, 1995 Major Construction Projects The Phase II funding request of $22 million has been submitted to the Federal Highway Administration through DOT for the I -82 Gateway Project. Status reports are filed monthly by the consultants and the bid opening for Stage IA is scheduled for February. Right -of- way acquisition for Stage IA is complete and in progress for Stage IB. An area that needs future discussion with the State is the PLP clean -up pertaining to the Railroad Area Water Project. Flood Hazard Management Plan Existing conditions need to be documented and then a grant application submitted for planning the Flood Hazard Management Plan. A cost - sharing proposal is also under development. The meeting adjourned at 9:05 a.m. READ AND CERTIFIED ACCURATE BY: � i - . CO C I' I '.' ER a �� DATE O1 ; ii& . 1 1 - - / . 7 -9.-- 0 -/7 9 COUNCI `M is R DATE ATTEST: K 2 .3 le___,54 U _ CITY CLERK A IST' MAYOR Minutes prepared by Deputy City Clerk Skovald. 4 - - -.1-- -- ------ ooa \ Il 0, 603 I I 6