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HomeMy WebLinkAbout02/19/2002 Business Meeting 446 CITY OF YAKIMA, WASHINGTON BUSINESS MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL FEBRUARY 19, 2002 - 2:00 P.M. COUNCIL CHAMBERS - CITY HALL 1. ROLL CALL Present: Council: Mayor Mary Place, presiding, Council Members Clarence Barnett, Lynn Buchanan, Paul George, Larry Mattson, John Puccinelli, and Bernard Sims Staff: City Manager Zais, City Attorney Paolella and City Clerk Roberts 2. INVOCATION /PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Council Member Puccinelli gave an Invocation, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance led by Council Member Buchanan. 3. OPEN DISCUSSION FOR THE GOOD OF THE ORDER • STATUS REPORT ON PRIOR MEETING'S CITIZEN SERVICE REQUESTS ❖ Cecil Hyatt request to reduce Parks and Recreation fees for golf and aquatics, Chris Waarvick, Director of Public Works, reported that Mr. Hyatt's request regarding the golf fees was referred to the Parks and Recreation Commission. The Commission has requested additional information from staff. We expect a report from the Commission within the month. Responding to a request from Council Member Puccinelli, Mr. Waarvick stated that the aquatic fee issue would also be presented to the Commission for their review. ❖ Carl Dry request for information regarding his sewer bill Pete Hobbs, Acting Customer Services Manager, responded to Mr. Dry's claim to Council that his sewer bills are being based upon the non -city rate although his property had been annexed. Mr. Hobbs reported that research confirmed that Mr. Dry has been billed at the appropriate city rate as had the previous property owners dating back to the date of annexation. He assured Council that there is a system in place to ensure that newly annexed parcels are charged the correct rate. A. PROCLAMATIONS (IF APPLICABLE) / SPECIAL RECOGNITION There were no proclamations. 1 447, FEBRUARY 19, 2002 B. BUS ROADEO AWARD FOR TRANSIT DRIVERS DAVE SCHMOE AND WAYNE PARSLEY Ken Mehin, Transit Manager, introduced Dave Schmoe who took first place in the bus roadeo for the cutaway bus category, and Wayne Parsley who finished in second place for the larger 35 -foot buses. Mr. Parsley described the course for the roadeo and stated it is very competitive. Mr. Mehin displayed the plaque that travels to the different agencies that have operators that win. Mr. Mehin announced that transit service for the newly annexed area will commence on March 4, 2002 by extending the existing transit routes. 4. CONSENT AGENDA Mayor Place referred to the items placed on the Consent Agenda, questioning whether there were any additions or deletions from either Council members or citizens present. By consensus, Item No. 10 was removed from the Consent Agenda. The City Clerk read the Consent Agenda items, including resolutions and ordinances by title. SIMS MOVED AND BUCHANAN SECONDED TO ADOPT THE CONSENT AGENDA AS READ. The motion carried by unanimous roll call vote. (Subsequent paragraphs preceded by an asterisk (*) indicate items on the Consent Agenda handled under one motion without further discussion.) *A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF THE FEBRUARY 5, 2002 BUSINESS MEETING, JANUARY 8 AND FEBRUARY 1, 2002 SPECIAL MEETINGS, AND JANUARY 15, 2002 ADJOURNED MEETING The minutes of the February 5, 2002 Business meeting, January 8 and February 1, 2002 Special Meetings, and January 15, 2002 Adjourned meeting were approved, having been duly certified accurate by two Council members and no one present wishing to have said minutes read publicly. 5. AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION Lois Gervais, 4204 Scenic Drive, brought several ladies with her and expressed their concern about a sports bar /casino being located across from Chesterley Park. Chesterley Park is used heavily by the youth for soccer and skateboarding, as well as other activities. After receiving advice from City Attorney Paolella and Dan Valoff, Senior Planner, SIMS MOVED AND MATTSON SECONDED TO DIRECT THE ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICIAL TO REVIEW THE RECORD, INTERVIEW THE INDIVIDUALS PRESENT, AND ENTERTAIN COUNCIL'S REQUEST THAT HE CONSIDER REQUIRING A CLASS 3 REVIEW. Council members excused Council Member Puccinelli from voting after he stated he had a potential conflict because his grandson plays at that park. The question was called for a vote on the motion. The motion carried by unanimous voice vote; Puccinelli abstaining. Mr. Maples, Administrative Official, stated he will hold a meeting with these citizens and review the other testimony and facts. He will then make a decision to either approve the project or to require a Class 3 Review. He advised that if the project is approved, an appeal could be filed which would be heard by the Hearing Examiner. 2 448 FEBRUARY 19, 2002 Bud Stillwaggon, 1512 West Chestnut Avenue, presented a letter he wrote requesting that three -way stop signs be installed at the intersection of 14 Avenue and Chestnut. He described the traffic situation and expressed his concern due to the children in the area attending St. Paul's School. Council Member Sims added that Mr. Stillwaggon would like to have a device that will alert people that children are in the area and they should drive more cautiously. Council members referred Mr. Stillwaggon's request to Traffic Engineering for review. Aileen Kane, 701 South 14 Avenue, asked Council how she could get parking in the vicinity of the college restricted to one side of the street. She stated the college put in a new parking lot and it is not full, yet parked cars line both sides of the street making the street hazardous for driving. Council suggested Ms. Kane work with the College to request an ordinance change to restrict the parking. PUBLIC HEARING 6. PUBLIC HEARING ON WASTEWATER FACILITIES PLAN AND 2001 COST OF SERVICE AND RATE STUDY (CONTINUED FROM FEBRUARY 5, 2002) • Staff remarks Doug Mayo, Wastewater Manager, distributed a list giving the names of acronyms used in the Cost of Service Study. He introduced John Koch from HDR, consultant, who prepared the Wastewater Facilities Plan, and Scott Stockton, Assistant Wastewater Manager, and stated that he also has Miguel Covarrubias available to serve as a Spanish interpreter. City Manager Zais commented that this is a continuation of the public hearing on the Wastewater Facilities Plan and Cost of Service Study that was held on February 5. While we are looking at a plan that focuses on projects for the next five -six years at a projected cost of $26 Million, the projected costs for the 20 -year Plan is $90 Million. Staff hopes that at the conclusion of the hearing Council will give direction on rate adjustments so that an ordinance could be returned for passage. • Mayor opens the public hearing Jar Arcand, Santiago's restaurant, 111 E. Yakima Avenue, distributed a copy of his letter dated February 19, 2002. He reviewed the facts in the letter relating to the increase in water rates over the past ten years, upon which his sewer bill is based. He commented that if his restaurant rates had increased at the same rate, a $4.95 lunch would now cost $65. He stated he is willing to pay his fair share for sewer; however, he thinks these costs far exceed what is fair. His business does not use a garbage disposal and does not pour grease and oil or harsh cleaning chemicals down the sewer drains. He compared Santiago's bills against those of the County Jail that prepares meals, and found that using the restaurant rates, the Jail would have been undercharged $102,513 for the past five years. He commented that if his business could be individually tested, he believes it would test cleaner than a residential line. Mr. Arcand's testimony initiated a lengthy discussion regarding the rate classification for restaurants. Council members thought that if a restaurant doesn't have a sampling port, an inspection of the restaurant would verify whether they use a garbage disposal 3 449 FEBRUARY 19, 2002 or not, and if they have a method to dispose of grease and oil other than the sewer drain. Under these circumstances, these restaurants should receive a discounted rate. Another option would be to require a sampling port; however, that could be quite costly for the business. • Public Hearing is closed and Council takes action Mayor Place closed the public hearing. SIMS MOVED AND MATTSON SECONDED TO ACCEPT OPTION A AND INCREASE THE CITY RETAIL RATE BY 35.9 %. The motion carried by 5 -2 roll call vote; Barnett and Puccinelli voting nay. SIMS MOVED AND BARNETT SECONDED TO ACCEPT OPTION C FOR THE CITY RETAIL STRONG WASTE FOR A FOUR -YEAR PHASED INCREASE FOR BOD AT 6.1 %, 6.1 %, 6.2% AND 6.5% AND TSS AT 18.7 %, 19.1 %, 18.9% AND 18.7 %. The motion carried by unanimous roll call vote. SIMS MOVED AND BUCHANAN SECONDED TO ACCEPT THE NON -OWNER RETAIL DOMESTIC (COUNTY) RETAIL INCREASE OF 14 %.• motion carried by 6 -1 roll call vote; Barnett voting nay. Council Member Barnett stated he favors a three - year phased in approach. BARNETT MOVED AND PUCCINELLI SECONDED TO ACCEPT THE RECOMMENDATION FOR THE REDUCTION IN FEES FOR THE NON -OWNER RETAIL STRONG WASTE USER OF 17.93% FOR BOD AND 15% FOR TSS. The motion failed by 4 -3 roll call vote; Buchanan, George, Mattson and Sims voting nay. SIMS MOVED AND BUCHANAN SECONDED TO ACCEPT THE STAFF RECOMMENDATION TO INCREASE SEPTAGE RATES BY 11.27 %. The motion carried by 6 -1 roll call vote; Barnett voting nay. Following discussion, MATTSON MOVED AND BUCHANAN SECONDED FOR PASSAGE OF THE PRE - TREATMENT SECTION 6 RATE INCREASE OF 68% FOR COUNTY AND 67% FOR CITY. The motion carried by 5 -2 roll call vote; Barnett and Puccinelli voting nay. Council Member Mattson suggested that staff could develop a calculation formula to help a business assess whether it is feasible to install a sampling port. City Manager Zais stated that an ordinance would be prepared to reflect Council's directions. Following a five - minute break at 4:00 p.m., there was discussion about changing to a monthly utility billing cycle. Staff will provide additional information about costs associated to the change in billing cycle. • 4 450 FEBRUARY 19, 2002 CITY MANAGER'S REPORTS 7. CONSIDERATION OF REPORT FROM YAKIMA DOWNTOWN ASSOCIATION REGARDING CENTRAL BUSINESS DISTRICT PLAN AND STAFF SUPPORT Bill Cook, Director of Community and Economic Development, and Jar Arcand, Chairman of the Yakima Downtown Association, advised Council about the desire of the Association to conduct a 24 -month pilot study to assess the feasibility of a staff member, Vaughn McBride, being assigned to assist the three business associations in their efforts to implement initiatives that support downtown revitalization. At the conclusion of a successful pilot study, it is understood that the Association would pick up the cost to continue this program. While Council members agreed with the concept, several of them asked what are the expectations of the Association and what benchmarks have been established that would indicate the program is a success. Council Member Mattson suggested another task be included to assist with an unifying theme or image for the downtown. Mr. Arcand responded that the Association would be monitoring the program and if it does not warrant the money they would have to pay to continue the program, it would not be continued. SIMS MOVED AND MATTSON SECONDED TO APPROVE THE 24 -MONTH PILOT PROGRAM AND REASSIGN ONE OF OUR PLANNERS TO THE DOWNTOWN COMMERCIAL REVITALIZATION PLANNER POSITION. The motion carried by unanimous roll call vote. 8. CONSIDERATION OF RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING EXECUTION OF CONTRACT WITH YAKIMA COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS FOR INMATE WORK CREW STUDY Shelley Willson, Streets and Traffic Operation Manager, reminded Council that during the Division's budget policy review session funds were approved for a work crew program; however, Council requested staff look at using city inmates rather than County inmates for the work crew. Included in this item is a report from the Police Department regarding a work crew study and its costs. The report indicates that the initial cost of implementing a city work crew would be approximately $285,945; therefore, the staff recommendation is to contract with Yakima County. Council Member Puccinelli stated he would like to see a program to allow people to work off minor fines. He advised that Selah has a program like that and asked staff to look into such a program for Yakima. The City Clerk read the resolution by title only; SIMS MOVED AND BUCHANAN SECONDED TO ADOPT THE RESOLUTION. The motion carried by unanimous roll call vote. RESOLUTION NO. R- 2002 -13, A RESOLUTION authorizing the City Manager to execute an Interlocal Agreement for Officer Supervised Work Crew between the City of Yakima and Yakima County. *9. CONSIDERATION OF RESOLUTION APPROVING REQUEST FROM YAKIMA COUNTY COALITION FOR THE HOMELESS FOR HOME GRANT FUNDING FOR EXTERIOR SIDING INSTALLATION RESOLUTION NO. R- 2002 -14, A RESOLUTION approving a $13,056 grant request from the Yakima County Coalition for the Homeless to be made from federal HOME funds to install new exterior siding to 303 South 4th Street tri -plex. 5 451 FEBRUARY 19, 2002 10. CONSIDERATION OF RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING EXECUTION OF MODIFICATION NO. 1 TO ENGINEERING SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH BLACK & VEATCH Council Member Barnett pointed out that the numerical dollar amounts in the agreement do not match the written dollar amount right next to it. Dueane Calvin, Water and Irrigation Manager, replied that the numerical figures are correct, explaining that when they were updated, the written amounts did not get changed. He said that a corrected agreement would be executed. The City Clerk read the resolution by title only; MATTSON MOVED AND SIMS SECONDED TO ADOPT THE RESOLUTION. The motion carried by unanimous roll call vote; George temporarily absent. RESOLUTION NO. R- 2002 -15, A RESOLUTION authorizing and directing the City Manager to execute Modification No. 1 to the existing Consulting Services Agreement (City Contract No. 2001 -79) between the City of Yakima and Black & Veatch Corporation for additional consulting services to assist in the development of a long- term regulatory compliance and professional development plan for the City of Yakima Water and Irrigation Division. *11. CONSIDERATION OF RESOLUTION DECLARING SEIZED VEHICLES AS SURPLUS AND AUTHORIZING THEIR DISPOSAL AT PUBLIC AUCTION RESOLUTION NO. R- 2002 -16, A RESOLUTION declaring the vehicles on the attached list surplus and authorizing their sale. *12. CONSIDERATION OF RESOLUTION MODIFYING THE CITY TREASURER'S PETTY CASH AND CHANGE FUNDS RESOLUTION NO. R- 2002 -17, A RESOLUTION amending Resolution No. R- 97 -80, adopted June 3, 1997, and authorizing the existence of Change Funds, and other Petty Cash Funds, within the various Funds of the City of Yakima. *13. APPROVAL OF RIGHT -OF -WAY USE PERMIT REQUESTED BY PALM SPRINGS LLC FOR FENCE PARALLEL TO WASHINGTON AVENUE IN VICINITY OF 1910 CORNELL AVENUE The Right -of -Way Use Permit requested by Palm Springs, LLC to install a fence on the south side of Washington Avenue starting at the intersection of Cornell Avenue and ending on the eastside of the condominium property was approved. *14. APPROVAL OF REPORT FROM DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE AND BUDGET: A. THIRD AND FOURTH QUARTERS 2001 TREASURER REPORT The Third and Fourth Quarters 2001 Treasurer's Report was approved. B. OCTOBER AND NOVEMBER 2001 REVENUE AND EXPENDITURE (BUDGET) REPORT The October and November 2001 Revenue and Expenditure (Budget) Report was approved. 6 4 5 FEBRUARY 19, 2002 ORDINANCES *15. CONSIDERATION OF ORDINANCE AMENDING THE MUNICIPAL CODE RELATING TO THE GRANTING OF RIGHT -OF -WAY USE PERMITS FOR SIGNS ORDINANCE NO. 2002-07, AN ORDINANCE concerning right -of -way use permits and amending Sections 8.20.040, .050, and .080 of the Yakima Municipal Code. *16. CONSIDERATION OF ORDINANCE AMENDING THE MUNICIPAL CODE RELATING TO THE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM COMMITTEE CRITERIA ORDINANCE NO. 2002-08, AN ORDINANCE relating to the appointment of regular members of the Capital Improvements /Facilities Committee; restricting appointment of regular members of the Capital Improvements /Facilities Committee to residents of the City of Yakima; amending section 1.38.020 of Chapter 1.38 of the City of Yakima Municipal Code. *17. CONSIDERATION OF ORDINANCE APPROVING THE REZONE OF PROPERTY AT 1501 SOUTH 18 STREET, REQUESTED BY PAUL KOVERMAN ORDINANCE NO. 2002-09, AN ORDINANCE concerning land use and zoning, rezoning three parcels (approximately 1.17 acres) addressed 1510 -1526 South 18 Street from Two - Family Residential (R -2) to Central Business District Support (CBDS), and amending the Official Yakima Urban Area Zoning Map accordingly. 18. OTHER BUSINESS No other business was discussed. • Information Items Items of information provided to Council were: Press Release from U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell re: Cantwell amendment injects independence into investigations of firefighter fatalities — USDA IG is charged with conducting independent investigations; Monthly Report of the Chief of Police for November 2001; Planning Division Assignments Pending Report as of February 19, 2002; Preston Gates Ellis UPDATE; Winter 2002; and Article from February 2002 Scientific American, "The Bottleneck" 19. EXECUTIVE SESSION REGARDING PENDING LITIGATION (ALLOW APPROXIMATELY 45 MINUTES) BUCHANAN MOVED AND MATTSON SECONDED TO ADJOURN THE MEETING TO MARCH 5, 2002 AT 7:30 A.M. FOR A STUDY SESSION ON BUILDING PERMIT FEES AND FIRE INSPECTION AND PLAN REVIEW IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING AN EXECUTIVE SESSION OF APPROXIMATELY 45 MINUTES TO DISCUSS PENDING LITIGATION. The motion carried by unanimous voice vote. The Council moved into Executive Session at 4:45 p.m. 7 453 FEBRUARY 19, 2002 20. ADJOURNMENT TO MARCH 5, 2002 AT 7:30 A.M. STUDY SESSION IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS ON BUILDING PERMIT FEES AND FIRE INSPECTION AND PLAN REVIEW Following the completion of the Executive Session, the meeting adjourned at 5:34 p.m. READ AND CERTIFIED ACCURATE BY: F 3 /I�/ Z� COUNCIL MEMBER DAT 3 /`y /o2- COUNCIL ME R DAT ATTEST: CITY CLERK ARY PLACE;MAYOR Minutes prepared by Karen Roberts. An audio and video tape of this meeting are available in the City Clerk's Office 8