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HomeMy WebLinkAbout06/23/1998 Adjourned Meeting / Study Session 165 CITY OF YAKIMA, WASHINGTON JUNE 23, 1998 ADJOURNED MEETING - STUDY SESSION The City Council met in session on this date at 7:30 a.m., in the 2nd Floor Training Room, at the Police Station /Legal Center, 200 South 3' -d Street, Yakima, Washington. Mayor John Puccinelli, presiding, Council Members Clarence Barnett, Henry Beauchamp, 'Lynn Buchanan, John Klingele, Mary Place, and Bernard Sims present on roll call. City Manager Zais; Assistant City Manager Rice; Don Blesio, Chief of Police; Gene Martin, Acting Fire °Chief; Assistant City Attorney Larry Peterson; Don Skone, Planning Manager; Joan Davenport, Supervising Associate Planner; John Elsden, Senior Project Planner; and Deputy City Clerk Skovald also present. Discussion Regarding Mutual Aid Programs Acting Fire Chief Martin presented a historical perspective about the Fire Department Mutual Aid Program, which has experienced continual refinement since its formation 35 years ago. He pointed out that the Mutual Aid Plate is a list of what apparatus will respond from the various local departments during any special type of fire incident. Al the numbers of Mutual Aid incidents change on a yearly basis, the Mutual Aid Program is an equal give- and - receive situation. Last year the Yakima Fire Department responded to 47 mutual aid calls I and also received assistance 47 times. So far during 1998, there have been nine assists and 10 responses. A few years ago, more was received than was given due to the Union Gospel Mission fire. Chief Blesio reported the Yakima Police Department has experienced a • long, copacetic history of mutual aid program participation with other agencies, usually with Selah, Union Gap, and Moxee. " State statute provides the authority to law enforcement agencies to respond to aid one another. In the field, the officers monitor each other's signals on a daily basis and are there to assist one another if requested. Chief Blesio explained that Union Gap and the City of Yakima both work from the same dispatching system, and if Union Gap's officers are closer to an incident, they will respond and stand by until Yakima officers get there and vice versa. I/ Assistant City Manager Rice acknowledged the great cooperation that exists among the various public safety agencies; he also indicated that as changes in mutual aid programs occur, updated material would be provided to the Council. Status Report and Discussion on GMA Mr. Rice explained that the staff report prepared for this study session replaces all previously distributed material on GMA 166 JUNE 23, 1998 Implementation Actions. John Elsden, Senior Project Planner, reported the Regional Planning Commission (RPC) is currently reviewing the new material revised by the Council during the past few months. This information will also be available for public review and comment during a public hearing with the RPC, expected some time in July 1998. Mr. Elsden explained that there is some secondary language belonging to both entities, but most of the language is from the City. City Manager Zais also noted that the draft Standards for Mobile Home Parks have been presented for review; however, that review is not expected to slow the progress of the City's • participation in the GMA process. • Council Member Barnett directed attention to the Class III Review process and expressed concern that it appears the level of review has increased for residential property. Mr. Elsden directed attention to Table 4 -1 and explained that this provision adds the ability and provides the opportunity to include additional planned development. Council Member Barnett also noted that the current Mobile Home Standards, included in the Urban Area Zoning Ordinance Table 4 -1, is not scheduled to be changed. Next, Council Member Barnett directed attention to the RPC recommendation to change the nonconforming uses language from three years to one year. Mr. Elsden indicated that the, Yakima County Planning Department prefers this change. Mayor Puccinelli noted that this issue could be included as one of the differences between the City and the County's separate versions of sections within the UAZO. Council Member Place inquired if the mobile home industry has been notified about the new draft Mobile Home Park standards. Assistant City Manager Rice reported that the draft was sent to all the mobile home parks and to the mobile home industry; after they review it, the draft will come back to the Council for further review. Council Member Place requested that concrete pads become a requirement for . mobile home setup and included in the development standards. Don Skone, Planning Manager, pointed out that manufactured homes require pier blocks, which provide an adequate foundation; the soil bearing capacity will dictate the circumstances as to whether concrete pads are required. Council Member Barnett feels this matter should be studied further and then revisited. Council Member Beauchamp feels some new standards are needed to address the kinds of problems experienced recently during development of the Riverview Mobile Home Park, such as requiring concrete pads instead of pier blocks to address the "issue of settling in the mud. Mr. Rice explained that a I/ requirement for concrete pads would be included within the various elements of the Building Code Standards with details written later. Since development standards are less specific than building codes, he suggested that decision be deferred to the City's Building Official. Council Member Place requested clarification as to the 10 -foot requirement between units. Don Skone explained the requirement has 2 167 JUNE 23, 1998 been 10 feet between extremities. Council Member Place requested that requirement should be clarified in the Mobile Home Standards. Council Member Beauchamp directed attention to green space or recreational space and questioned whether that refers to space between the units or within the whole park. He requested clarification of the green space definition. He requested additional standards be implemented to require some form of play space be included within each yard in the Riverview Mobile Home Park since these units will be for families. Don Skone asked what size; Mayor Puccinelli suggested the industry be brought in to provide some ideas to determine what is fair and equitable. The draft Mobile Home standards need to go to the industry and then come back to Council. Mr. Rice mentioned that he didn't want it to slow down the GMA process, but indicated that this is only a draft version and will be brought back to the Council for further review. Council Member Klingele questioned the status of the Critical Areas Ordinance. Mr. Elsden explained that has been under review with some changes expected. There is not a lot of privately held property along the river with wetland development; it is limited at this time. The current draft consists of about 30 to 40 pages and will be brought to the Council for consideration in the near future. Council Member Sims directed attention to the fact that the City of Yakima has been ineligible to apply for Public Works Trust Fund money the last three years and as a result has missed out on about $3 million. He requested the City consider adopting a temporary resolution implementing the Yakima Urban Area Comprehensive Plan for an interim period of time while new implementation standards are completed. This action would be similar to legislation adopted by smaller cities to become eligible to apply for any type funding associated with GMA compliance. There was a considerable amount of discussion about whether to direct staff to prepare a temporary resolution, ;because Yakima has multiple issues, which are more complex than the smaller cities' issues. Existing codes and standards would be utilized until implementation elements are completed. Discussion also continued about existing policies and ordinance enactment and what would have to be done for implementation to occur as it relates to the Comprehensive Plan since implementation regulations and policies are still being revised. I/ City Manager Zais reported that the Public Works Trust Fund application cyclic deadline for this year has already passed; October 1, 1998 is the cyclic deadline to submit a 1999 loan application, and next spring is the earliest the City could submit an application. Phil Lamb, Hearing Examiner for the City of Yakima and Yakima County, compared this situation to a similar scenario Yakima County encountered. The County is giving substantial weight to existing plans except where ,there are conflicts with Growth Management goals and policies. After continued discussion about the transitional decision making ability needed for the GMA compliance 3 166 • JUNE 23, 1998 process, City Manager Zais summarized the consensus among Council Members to direct staff to prepare the appropriate legislation to consider for the interim phase to be able to apply for Public Works Trust Fund money. Council Member Barnett directed attention to the Open Space Management Plan section on page 8 of the proposed Planned Development Ordinance. Pertaining to liens being applied for non - payment of assessments for "open space maintenance," he questioned whether the capability or ability exists to establish a lien against the title to the property or just to perform the maintenance on the property. Larry Peterson said that would be added. Next, Council Member Barnett directed attention to page 25 of 43 of the Draft Subdivision Ordinance, Chapter 14.20.120(A)(4)(j) and asked how do subdivisions make provisions for schools and school grounds if it is not by impact fees. Larry Peterson explained that the City Council decides what are appropriate provisions or actions for the community. He indicated perhaps dedication of property or impact fees or other appropriate provisions could be imposed at Council's discretion. Council Member Barnett disagreed with the phrase must make appropriate provisions. Council Member Barnett also asked why Title 12.08 Latecomer Agreements has been eliminated. Don Skone explained that the Community Economic Development Committee (which used to be called the Technical Advisory Commmittee and includes representatives from the local development community and other factions of the community) feels that section is not needed. Council Member Barnett directed attention to Section 16.01.050, Conflict of Provisions, and explained he feels it would be confusing without any amendment relating to every section of the Yakima Municipal Code containing permit process text. Larry Peterson referred to his June 12, 1998 Memorandum and explained that for practical application for Yakima Municipal Code provisions in conflict with Chapter 36.70BRCW or with language in the proposed new Title 16, the YMC provisions would yield to the new state law and proposed new Title 16 City code provisions. Existing provisions that are compatible would remain in effect. John Elsden summarized the remaining steps to complete the Yakima Urban Area Comprehensive Plan implementation process. He explained there would be public hearings with the RPC and the Joint Board and then a public hearing with the City Council and the Yakima County Commissioners. City Manager Zais commented about the complex nature of issues within the interim ordinance and the time it has taken to achieve a compilation of issues. Council Member Klingele asked about the Yakima Urban Area Comprehensive Plan amendment process, and Don Skone explained a hearing would be held after the attached amendments are in place. Council Members Barnett and Place raised some questions and requested clarification about program implementation costs, traffic counting 4 169. JUNE 23, 1998 devices and traffic light timing, and the status of collision data entry. Shelley Willson,-Acting Streets and Traffic Manager, reported that preparations are being made to refine the process and acquire equipment with the capability to organize and access traffic collision information more efficiently than what is currently being done. Chris Waarvick, Public Works Director, reported that traffic - counting devices are on order and additional units will be requested in the 1999 budget. Council Member Place requested the timing be evaluated for traffic lights to identify the sources of traffic backup problems and an accurate traffic count is essential to do that process. Chris Waarvick described some of the challenges and briefly reviewed the hardware, software, and personnel needs associated with implementation of the Transportation Concurrency Program requirements. Phil Lamb suggested a cautious approach be taken toward the Transportation Concurrency Ordinance because it has proven to be problematic in other areas that have implemented it. Additional information is needed on traffic flow before any action is taken. Council Member Barnett asked what implementing standards have been done to address private property rights. Don Skone explained that implementation procedures required by Chapter 36.70B RCW, also known as ESHB 1724 or Regulatory Reform, are meant to protect private property rights. It was MOVED BY KLINGELE, SECONDED BY PUCCINELLI, TO ADJOURN THE MEETING AT 8:50 A.M. The motion carried by unanimous voice vote. READ AND CERTIFIED ACCURATE BY: COUNCI MEMBER ' J DATE I 1 1 1 L : ER DATE ATTEST: CITY CLERK JOHN PUCCINELLI, MAYOR Minutes ,prepared by Deputy City Clerk Skovald. An- audiotape of this meeting is available in the City Clerk's Office 5