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HomeMy WebLinkAbout01/03/1989 Study Session 070 JANUARY 3, 1989 T STUDY SESSION . • 1. The City Council met in session on this date at 2:00 P.M. in the Council Chambers of City Hall, Yakima, Washington. Council members present were Mayor Pat Berndt presiding, Clarence Barnett, Lynn Buchanan and Henry Beauchamp present on roll call. Council members Lynn Carmichael, Jerry Foy and Bernard Sims absent and excused. City Manager Zais, City Attorney Vanek, City Clerk Roberts and Deputy City Clerk Toney also present. 2. INVOCATION The Invocation was given by Council member Beauchamp. 3. OPEN DISCUSSION FOR THE GOOD OF THE ORDER • None . • 4. AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION • Charles Kriz, 5708 Bitterroot Lane; addressed Council regarding the money being spent by the Coalition for the War on Drugs, stating he thinks the money should have been given to the Police Department rather than to the "Paper, Committee." Mayor Berndt replied to Mr. Kriz's criticism,' stating that the money to support the Yakima County Drug Coalition ,for the War on Drugs is not all City funds. She said the City provides one third of the funding, as does the School District and Yakima County, therefore, the City cannot solely direct the use of those funds. John Klingele, 1312 West Walnut, made reference to the Municipal Code of the City of Yakima which lists an Investment Committee and a Human Relations Committee, stating to his knowledge these two committees have III been dissolved and should be removed from the Municipal Code Book. City Manager Zais responded briefly about the .Investment Committee, stating he, the Director of Finance and Budget, John Hanson and other City financial advisors act in the capacity of the Finance Committee. Mr. Zais explained that the duties of Mr. Hanson include those of the City Treasurer, along with the duties of the Director of Finance and Budget. 4A. APPEARANCE BY BEN LOMBARD REGARDING WHITE PASS SKI AREA EXPANSION Ben Lombard, 7802 Poplar View Way, business address of 1607 Lincoln Avenue., addressed Council regarding the above mentioned report. He reviewed the letter which he had submitted for inclusion in the Council packet and distributed a map of the White Pass Ski Area Expansion. Proposal. Mr. Lombard reviewed the proposed alternatives, stating he supports Alternate #7 due to the impact it would' have on Yakima tourism, adding that approximately 60,000 new skiers would be seeking lodging in Yakima. Mr. Lombard stated this alternative will provide four different levels of skiing and encouraged'Council's .endorsement of the same. He said it will generate approximately $7,800,000 in new revenue to economy and approximately 184 new jobs. He indicated the survey he conducted does not deal with the amount of additional local and state government tax revenues created from this $7,800,000, but estimated it would be thousands of dollars. He added the survey also does not deal with the amount of retail sales revenue that 100,000 new skiers would generate, noting that a skier spends approximately $500 to $1,000 a year on ski equipment. Mr. Lombard stated he has received a letter from the Yakima Visitors and Convention Bureau. Discussion ensued regarding the scoping process and the Environmental Impact Statement. Mr. Lombard stated that issue is being dealt with, however, he is trying to obtain information and support for Alternative #7 due to the ,economic. benefit to the City of Yakima, whereas the other alternatives would not have any economic benefit to the City. Mr. Lombard read a letter from Gary Webster, Chamber of Commerce, urging the approval of the proposed expansion to White Pass ski area due to the positive impact on the the City's winter economy. Mr. Lombard stated his intent today is to obtain a letter of endorsement directed to the Forrest Service, or the Mayor's signature on the response form he has provided. Planning Manager Don Skone, reported that he and Director of Community and • 080 JANUARY 3, 1989 Economic Development Glenn Rice attended an EIS scoping meeting (in November or December) conducted by the U.S. Forrest Service and White Pass Ski Company regarding this issue. Mr. Skone stated there seems to be some controversy about whether the expanded ski area should favor the cross country or down hill skier. He stated each alternative has a different, impact on the type of skiing and commented it is a bit premature to select a specific alternative at this time because the EIS has not yet been studied and such action could also be viewed as favoring one type of skier over another. With this in mind, Mayor Berndt asked for direction from the Council. It was the consensus of the Council that the information submitted by .Mr. Lombard be submitted for inclusion as appropriate documentation under the E.I.S. scoping process. Mr. 5. SET DATE OF.HEARING FOR JANUARY 24, 1989 ON FACILITY PLAN UPDATE FOR WASTEWATER IMPROVEMENTS CONTEMPLATED FOR FEDERAL MATCHING FUNDS - `IT .WAS MOVED ::BY' BUCHANAN :SECONDED BY "BEAUCHAMP,:".L.TOnSET :THE DATE Of JANUARY .:24TH AS.°`THE - ::DATE: :, OF :: THE. `` PUBLIC ;.. HEARING: ION THE ..FACILITY PLAN UPDATE FORWASTEWATER'o °,Ne. p Di .-..''"Unanimously,"-Carried... by. voice vote. Carmichael, Foy and Sims absent. Council member Barnett raised questions regarding the construction costs listed on Table 5 -1 of the Pre- Design Report. Mr. Waarvick stated the purpose of the pre - design is to scope out the work, however, until the final design is done, those figures could change. He added if staff feels the cost.for some of the •items is too high, those things will be deleted. Regarding the • increase of $954,200.: to a million dollar increase that Mr. Barnett stated may not have been included in the rate study, Mr. Waarvick stated. the rates cover the anticipated local share, and that is the important part. Mr. Waarvick was asked to respond to the Rudkin Road Improvement from $120,000 to $430,000, the dechlorination facility, the chlorine systems improvement and the trickling filter odor control. Council member Barnett noted that since the original rate study was completed in July, construction costs have .increased significantly, yet. staff maintains the rate study is still adequate. He commented •this would .lead him to believe the original costs were inflated. Mr. Waarvick indicated he would prepare responses to these inquiries prior to the public hearing. 6. CONSIDERATION.OF APPOINTMENTS TO CITY BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS Mayor Berndt suggested Council start with the appointments recommended by the City Manager. ITINASMOVEDATU.,:ERICHANAN4,1 SECONDED :.BY ,:. BARNETT.. ' TD APPOINT : RICHARD . OSTRANDER AND _,VERSA•` K''ANG :'TO < FILL' THE IWO VACANCIES ON AI E;. YAKIMA CENTER ADVISORY, BOARD `carried by voice vote.' Carmichael, Foy and Sims absent. . TT :; WAS MOVED .:BY _BARNETT, :1'S •0 ® D BY::BUCHANAN,.: C70NFIRM THE APPOINIMENT . . . OF "TRUSS•: RENNIE., `TO:: -SERVE :.: 0 ER : " ::SIX':`YEAR TERM,.: THE:?POLICE._. AND TIRE' CIVIL. ::::SERVICE'. {COMMISSION.'.. -. Unanimously .:. carried:. ..by: ..voice vote. Carmichael,.. Foy and Sims absent. (Term -will expire 12/31/94.)" IT :: .WAS :.:.. MOVED :.: - ,BY,:;: BARNETT; ...:.SECONDED, `BY BUCHANAN, ; :. :.ZOO . ::.'CONFIRM . . ' REAPPOINII4ENT 'OF..:BARBARA;..HENSON TO:: SERVEANOTHER ;;::THREE::YEAR. ::TERM' ON :THE .7 UTILITY RATE . < ADVISORY BOARD.° .: Unanimously ;., . carried.:.by. r voice vote. Carmichael, Foyy.and.S.ims.absent. (Term will expire .7/28/91.): . Mayor Berndt.stated there are other appointments to be made, however, with three Council. members absent, Council may wish to defer this issue until a full Council As present. This was the- consensus of the Council. Council member. Buchanan stated due to his busy schedule on Wednesday afternoon (the day the Health .District meets) he would be relieved if another Council member would volunteer to serve on this .Board. Mayor Berndt suggested that Council member Buchanan speak with some of the Council members that are not present today because she and Council member Barnett already serve on that Board. Council member Barnett stated he missed the last General Membership meeting of the Conference of Governments, therefore, he does not know, which Council member was nominated to serve as their. representative for • 08 1_ JANUARY 3, 4-9$9 the coming year. Mayor Berndt stated she;is sure they assumed he was going to serve in that capacity. Mayor Berndt suggested reviewing some of the Boards and Commissions which Council members serve on when a full Council is present. This was the consensus of the. Council. 7. REVIEW OF 1989 STATE LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES Regarding this item, Council member Barnett asked that the One Party Consent Bill, the issue of the sentencing guidelines and the federally mandated items without financial resources be added to the list of priorities to be discussed with State Legislators. this evening. Mayor Berndt stated would l.ike.to.see the City pursue the six months versus the year on the sentencing guidelines, adding that is what the County,is pursuing. Referring to the list of priorities by the Association of Washington Cities, Council member Barnett noted that law and justice and jail issues were not listed as a priority and he was wondering why. It was pointed out that Council member Foy is the Council representative and has not been present to represent the City regarding these issues. Mr. 'Zais stated he attends. these meetings, \however; he is a single voice with respect ..to the overall discussion :that occurs on these matters. He stated certain issues on the west side of the state have far more attractiveness and ''appeal to the broader group of cities than what eastern Washington seem to have. Mr. Zais -stated representatives of the State Associations of Cities and Counties have formed a group to discuss priorities to be introduced at the next Session. He stated a status report can be given at the' meeting this evening with representatives from the Association of Washington Cities. 8. OTHER BUSINESS • Council member Barnett referred to the memorandum from Transit Manager Bill Schultz regarding the UMTA Alternative Fuels Initiative, asking what impact that might have on the City if the manufacturers do not comply with these requirements to convert to an alternative source of fuel for transit coaches by the 1991 deadline. Fleet Manager Toney explained that Council member Barnett is referring to the 1991 emission control standards that all diesel manufacturers are going to be required to meet. He stated that at this point and time most of the diesel manufactures that he is aware of do not feel they will be able to meet 1991 emission standards which are much more stringent for transit coaches than the trucks that travel the highway. Mr. Toney indicated they are .working toward an alternative fuel such as propane, CNG, methanol; etc. Mr. Zais stated this is an issue the City will have to continue to monitor. Mr. Toney stated that he does not see this as a problem for the City, however, the City has four older coaches that need to be replaced within the .next two to three years and the City may want to make that :'purchase prior to the 1991'_emission standards going into :.effect or delay- any purchases beyond that date until the•diesel manufacture can comply with the new standards. Council member Buchanan stated propane is less expensive to convert to than CNG. Mr. Toney . stated he is not saying that it would be inappropriate for the City to convert to propane; •that might be a viable option. He concluded by stating staff will - continue to monitor the situation and keep the Council apprised. Information Items: Items of information supplied to Council were: December 30, 1988 Memo from Director of Finance and Budget and Director of • Engineering and Utilities regarding sewer rates and conformance' with Codes and rate table; Fighting Crime in Business Areas Seminar presented by The Washington Law Enforcement Executive Forum, State of Washington Downtown Revitalization Program, and Neighborhood Business Council, on Thursday, January 26, 1988, 9:00 a.m. -4:30 p.m.; Washington•State Convention and Trade Center, Seattle; Letter from Urban Mass Transportation Administration regarding UMTA Civil Rights Review Title VI (12/15/88) and Memo from Transit Manager regarding UMTA Alternative Fuels Initiative. 12/21/88; November 1988 MBE Report and 1988 Community Development Block Grant Monthly Report for November 1988; Monthly report for November 082 JANUARY 3, 1989 1988 from the Cable Communications Coordinator; Article from the December 1988 APWA Reporter, "Federal Requirements for Stormwater Management "; Fairtimes! newsletter from Central Washington State Fair for December 1988; Minutes of the November 16, 1988 Yakima District Board of Health meeting and agenda for its December 21, 1988 meeting; and Minutes of the November 23, 1988 and December 2, 1988 Yakima Air Terminal Board meetings. 9. EXECUTIVE SESSION REGARDING PENDING. LITIGATION AND DISPOSITION OF PROPERTY IT . WAS " ® ® BY._ BEAUCHAMP :' "SECONDED `:BY : BUCHANAN,' TO.: AU3OURN :- .10;-EXECUTIVE SESSIONS: REGARDING ' %PENDING;'rLITIGATION'` AND DISPOSITION OF ',PROPERTY WAND TO ADJOURN" ;IMMEDIATELY THEREAFTER 'THE "r6a 30'=P M. ',MEETING 'WITH AREA STATE LEGISLATORS. ''Unanimously carried by. :.voice. vote. ..Carmichael' ,, Foy and Sims absent. 10. ADJOURNMENT Following the completion of the Executive Session, the meeting was adjourned at the hour of 3:30 P.M. READ AND CERTIFIED ACCURATE BY , ( -P /J „ �/ 3 - �� ` L :I I: • DATE ATTEST: `OUN►i' MEMBER DATE Ira,A,2- ga,t- / ,‘4,1-2e44- CITY CLERK MAYOR (Minutes prepared by - Deputy City Clerk, Barbara J. Toney, CMC).