HomeMy WebLinkAbout08/19/1997 Adjourned Meeting 419
AUGUST 19, 1997
ADJOURNED STUDY SESSION
The City Council met in session on this date at 7:30 a.m., in the
Police /Legal Center, Yakima, Washington, Mayor Lynn Buchanan,
presiding (after 7:35 a.m.). Council Members Clarence' Barnett,
Henry Beauchamp, John Klingele (present after 7:40 a.m.), John
Puccinelli, and Bernard Sims present on roll call. Staff members
present were City Manager Zais, Assistant City Manager Rice, City
Attorney Paolella, Assistant City Attorneys Peterson and McMurray,
Director of Community and Economic Development Valenzuela, Fire
Chief Chronister, Deputy Fire Chief Martin, Wastewater
Superintendent Waarvick, Water and Irrigation Superintendent
Calvin, Associate Planner McBride, and City Clerk Roberts.
The meeting was called to order by Mayor Pro Tem Puccinelli.
1. STATUS UPDATE REGARDING BUSINESS INCUBATOR PROJECT
Assistant City Manager Rice gave a status report on the
business incubator project. The newest development of the
project is the receipt of a letter from the Nob Hill Water
Association indicating an interest in extending water lines
to serve the airport property considered as a primary option
for project location. The extension of utilities may be
used as a match for the incubator grant and now makes this
site viable once again. City Manager Zais described other
legal obstacles described in the staff report relating to
the original proposal to develop the incubator site within
TCR's proposed airpark. The original match was going to be
the land, but the FAA legal staff says the land is not
eligible to be used for match purposes. Assistant City
Attorney Peterson elaborated on the legal issues outlined in
his memorandum. City Attorney Paolella reported that Option
2 in the report (purchase a turn key operation from the
developer) has multiple complications legally. Option 3
(carve an incubator site out of the TCR Letter of Intent
Proposal) does not have legal issues to overcome. City
Manager Zais commented that Option 3 is dependent upon
carving out a parcel of property that TCR has tentatively
agreed to lease from the Airport. Council Member Berger
spoke about a trip he and Council Member Puccinelli made to
the Ellensburg incubator facility, which he felt was
discouraging towards developing an incubator project here.
Council Member Puccinelli disagreed with Mr. Berger's
assessment of the Ellensburg incubator facility, noting that
it takes time to determine if an incubator project is truly
successful, and Ellensburg has had its successes.
Discussion ensued regarding the option of carving out a
parcel from the TCR proposed lease with the airport. Dan
Tilley, representing TCR, stated their proposal could be
modified to utilize the cost of the infrastructure they will
incur to develop the airpark as a match if the incubator
project would be located within their airpark. He stated he
has a legal opinion from the Attorney General that says
private development on public property, if it is for private
420
AUGUST 19, 1997 - ADJOURNED STUDY SESSION
use, is not subject to public work regulations. The City
could still go out for bid (other sites) and let them turn
key a building. City Attorney Paolella stated the City is
also regulated by its Charter which requires going out for
bid for projects over $25,000. Council Member Sims asked
what would be required to carve out this parcel of land from
the TCR proposed lease. City Attorney Paolella stated that
' legally, because the City owns the land with the County, the
City would have to work with the Airport Board. Airport
Manager, Bob Clem, commented that the Board has accepted a
letter of intent to lease from TCR; there is no signed
lease. Discussion ensued with Mr. Tilley about the revised
proposal to carve out a parcel of land from TCR's proposed
airpark. Council Member Sims suggested pursuing Option 3
which includes the investment from Nob Hill Water to get the
$175,000 match and negotiate with the Airport and County
Commissioners and carve out the airport location and lease
it at the additional one cent per square foot rate and if
that is successfully accomplished, go out for bid on
construction of this building. Council members supportive
of Mr. Sims' suggestion were Puccinelli, Klingele,
Beauchamp, Buchanan. Council Member Barnett stated he would
like a staff report to study that has the latest
information. Mayor Buchanan asked staff to pull together
all the information and come back with another study session
without having last minute changes. Council Member Berger
asked staff to keep the County informed about the City's
proposal.
2. PROPOSAL FOR FINANCING AND SITING OF NEW FIRE STATION ON NOB
HILL BOULEVARD
Fire Chief Chronister stated that about nine months ago,
staff was requested to start looking at alternatives for
relocating a fire station due to the impact of the renewed
train traffic bisecting the City. He stated that from a
general fire protection and EMS service standpoint, the
City's property at 34th Avenue and Nob Hill Boulevard is a
good location. The proposal would be to transfer three of
the four firefighters from Fire Station No. 4 to this new
fire station. Council Member Sims posed several questions
to staff regarding the legality of having a one -man crew at
the Airport fire station, the cost of the new training
center, and the feasibility of repositioning a fire truck
throughout the day, as a training exercise. Mr. Chronister
stated he, too, has a concern about having a one -man crew;
however, he was not aware that it would violate Labor and
Industries rules. He further stated he does not have the
train traffic schedule in order to know the time to move
the equipment. Council Member Puccinelli stated the
railroad doesn't follow a schedule. Council Member Barnett
commented that citizens will wonder why the City can find
funding for a new fire station, but can't repair potholes.
He also expressed concern about using funds from the Fire
Capital Fund and the fact that both the existing station
and the proposed station meet acceptable response time
levels. Chief Chronister stated that while the response
time from the existing and the proposed fire stations is
2
421
AUGUST 19, 1997 - ADJOURNED STUDY SESSION
,a;
acceptable, the response time from the proposed location
would be 55 seconds' "lless than "the existing station's time.
Several Council members expressed their concern about
medical services and fire protection being delayed due to
train traffic. There was also discussion regarding the
possibility of obtaining funding from the County for
airport fire protection services and funding for the
proposed new station, particularly the use of EMS funds.
Mr. Chronister recommended pursuing discussion with the
County regarding funding a share of the Airport fire
protection services whether a new station is built or not.
Council Member Beauchamp suggested contacting the County
and advise them of what is under consideration and what the
• impact might be to the Airport and the County. There was
further discussion regarding the concern about leaving one
fire fighter to man the Airport fire station. Prior to the
conclusion of the discussion, City Manager Zais commented
that staff would follow -up on the suggestion of a meeting
with the County and the Airport staff.
The meeting was adjourned at 9:33 a.m.
READ AND CERTIFIED ACCURATE BY: � 2 �,_ s
C• CIL MEMBER DATE
i
40 - -- - -- - 8 lg --
/COUNCIL MEMBER/ DATE
ATTEST:
CITY CLERK 7 BUCHANAN, MAYO
An audio tape of this meeting is available in the City Clerk's Office
3