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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03/06/1990 Business Meeting 431 MARCH 6, 1990 BUSINESS MEETING /STUDY SESSION 1. ROLL CALL The City Council met in session on this date at 2:00 P.M. in the Council Chambers of City Hall, Yakima, Washington. Mayor Pat Berndt, presiding, Council members Clarence Barnett, Henry Beauchamp, George Pechtel, Skip Semon and Bernard Sims present on roll call. Council member Lynn Buchanan absent and excused: City Manager Zais, City Attorney Vanek, City Clerk Roberts and Clerk Givens also present. • 2. INVOCATION The Invocation was given by Mayor Berndt. 3. OPEN DISCUSSION FOR THE GOOD OF THE ORDER Police Chief Green gave an overview of the possible availability and assistance of the Washington National Guard. The Police Department staff prepared a request for ground surveillance personnel, specifying two or more being bilingual, a computer programmer assistant, a data entry person and some specialized equipment. He also asked for air surveillance, if needed, for detection of marijuana growing operations. The assistance of the National Guard • will be paid for by the Washington National Guard. The funding comes through the Federal Government. Council member Barnett expressed concern relating to the Growth Management Proposal. Mr. Barnett was concerned about City sewer and water tax being increased approximately 5% overall and doubted that this tax would benefit the City. Ty Wick, Water Division Superintendent, answered that the Bill has been gutted and is being revised, without that provision. He stated staff is monitoring this Bill. Mayor Berndt asked staff if the Fair Board is subsidizing the Transit Shuttle bus service to the SunDome from the Convention Center. Staff will provide her with this information. Mayor Berndt presented a plaque to Anthony F. Menke in recognition and appreciation of his service and contribution to the Yakima Regional Planning Commission from 1978 to 1990. Council member Barnett asked for the City's stand on taking over County's responsibility for Animal Control. John Hanson, Director of Finance & Budget, responded that the County is having a contract dispute with the Humane Society. They do not have a contract at this time, and the County has asked the City to provide temporary emergency help in cases of dangerous or potentially dangerous dogs. The City is working with them on an agreement to provide back -up service, limited to areas of the Upper Valley. 4. AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION Mayor Berndt read a proclamation declaring the month of March 1990 as Red Cross Month. A representative from the Yakima Chapter of the American Red Cross accepted the proclamation and thanked the Mayor and Council members for their support. Charles Kriz, 5708 Bitterroot Lane, congratulated Police Chief Green for the actions taken on drugs. He noted an AD /1 4 3 2 MARCH 6, 1990 article from a Seattle paper about the severe drug problem in Yakima. He felt Council has not shown support to rid the streets of drugs. He asked the Council to speak to Judge McDonald, and ask him to change his decision to give $250,000 in "the soda pop case" to law enforcement only. Paul Sears, Bargaining Agent for AFSCME, stated that employees are here to address the collective bargaining issues. He encouraged the staff to negotiate a contract. Chief Green, stated for Mr. Kriz's benefit, that he knows the Police Department does have the full support of the City Council and the City Manager in this federal funding matter. 5. CONSIDERATION OF RESOLUTION AMENDING THE SERVICE POLICY FOR THE GLEED WATER SYSTEM TO ACCOMMODATE THE NACHES SCHOOL DISTRICT'S REQUEST FOR WATER SERVICE Ty Wick, Water Division Superintendent, stated the request to extend the water main to the Naches Valley Primary School. The current policy says requests must come to Council on a case by case basis. This amendment would make the extension more limited than the current policy. It only extends services to existing developments and supplies water in cases where the water is polluted or contaminated. Council member Beauchamp asked about the total length of the water line extension and the final cost. Mr. Wick stated the line would be a little more than a mile and the cost, according to the Naches School Superintendent, is $280,000. Mr. Beauchamp asked if the City would be required to pay any of this cost. The answer from Mr. Wick was "No ". Council member Barnett asked if the City would be responsible for water line maintenance if the school relocated at some future date. Mr. Wick responded that the City would maintain it only as long as there was a need. Mr. Barnett wished to know if the Naches School used all of the water allocation then would future customers in the area not be eligible to receive the water? Mr. Wick answered in the • affirmative. Mr. Barnett then asked if it was the County's obligation to provide the water to them. City Attorney Vanek answered the question by stating that the City can contract within certain geographic limits of the City, but the County, itself, does not have an obligation to provide the school with water. Mr. Barnett then wanted to know what action has been taken by the Naches School District to obtain water from another source. John Jones, Superintendent of Naches Valley School District, responded that the Department of Health said the well, which has been there for 50 years, is in a hazardous location and they want to relocate or to find a new water source. The engineers are concerned about the water quality in the Gleed area. The consultants encouraged the school to find a permanent water system, rather than drill another well. Mr. Jones stated that getting water from the City is costlier, but it is a long term solution that will serve the area forever. Mr. Barnett asked Mr. Jones if there are any water rights to be transferred to the City. No one had an answer to this. There were questions from the Council about the long- term maintenance provision. They were informed that this line has a life in excess of 100 years. Ines Rice, 4409 Arlington, spoke in opposition to this resolution. She felt the City's first concern is to the City residents, not to Gleed or others. She suggested that developers, when they want water and sewer use from the City, should designate a dedicated fund for development of our Rattlesnake watershed. Betty Gaudette, 701 N. 6th Street, also spoke in opposition. She also feels the City residents should be the City's first consideration. She was concerned over the amount of water Gleed would be using and their water rights. AD /2 MARCH 6, 1990 433 John Klingele, 1312 W. Walnut, spoke in favor of this resolution because it is seriously needed by the School District and will provide the City with additional revenue. Council member Pechtel asked Mr. Wick the difference between what we can extract and what we use in water. Mr. Wick answered that the average day's demand is about 11 million gallons of water a day, the capacity of the plant is 20 million gallons. -Mr. Pechtel commented that he feels in the future, cities will be asked to furnish water and sewer to outlying regions, because of contamination, cost of drilling wells, etc. He feels that the school's need for water has priority over irrigation. Council member Semon summarized the comments by stating that Naches School will pay the capital costs of this system. The monthly fees will pay for the cost of the maintenance and other fees will allow the City to recapture some of its financial investment. Mr. Wick agreed with this assessment. Mr. Jones further commented that the Council has only been asked for 20 allocations when there are, 100 available. The . school might have to relocate if there is not a good water supply. He stated the Naches area residents also pay taxes and shop in Yakima and that we are in a society that is suppose to share and be co- operative. Resolution No. D -5712 having been read by title, it was MOVED BY BEAUCHAMP, SECONDED BY SIMS, THAT THE RESOLUTION BE ADOPTED. The motion carried by 4- 2,roll call vote. Barnett and Berndt voting nay. Buchanan absent. RESOLUTION NO. D - 5712, A RESOLUTION relating to the extension of domestic water service to the Gleed area; approving the provisions, terms, and conditions of the Gleed Water System Utility Agreement; and amending City of Yakima Resolution No. D -5091, adopted February 26, 1985. 6. REVIEW OF REQUEST FROM CAPITOL THEATRE CORPORATION FOR ADDITIONAL FUNDING (CONTINUED FROM FEBRUARY 5, 1990) Glenn Rice, Director of Community & Economic Development, stated that the Capitol Theatre Committee requested additional funding for operation and maintenance. Council member Barnett asked if there was a source of funds to give to the Theatre and about the future of the hotel /motel tax. Mr. Rice answered the hotel /motel tax is expended to its maximum at this time; and it is obligated to support either the Theatre, the Convention Center or the SunDome. The tax will be eliminated by 1995. Council member Beauchamp asked the number of shows put on in each year in the Yakima Capitol Theatre. Jeanne Connors, President, Capitol Theatre Committee, responded that the average number of events were 10 per year, these being major .1 events. Mr. Beauchamp asked if more events could be added. Ms. Connors answered that they could put on more, but they have to put on events with the lowest risk factor, assuring themselves that the tickets will be sold. Council member Pechtel asked about an entertainment tax being a possibility for raising revenue. City Manager Zais, responded that the City is not proposing the Council enact that tax, but it is an option to explore. The admission tax was in effect in Yakima until 1980 -81. The tax was removed because it was primarily directed at movie theaters and the owner of the enterprise felt he was paying a disproportionate burden of taxes. The County has explored the possibility of an admission tax on other activities, such as the Air Fair, racetrack, theaters, Convention Center, SunDome, etc. Mr. Zais stated if this type of AD/3 • 434 MARCH 6, 1990 revenue base is to be looked at, it is a question of need or demand for finances and a question of timing. The need and demand of the Capitol Theatre is only one aspect of that, other tourism activities play a part in this. This revenue could be directed to the promotion industry, which the Capitol Theatre is a part of. Mr. Pechtel stated he felt the Theatre is a fine community addition, however with the finances being a problem, the staff recommendations should stand the way they are. Mayor Berndt added that she felt the purpose of the Theatre is a part of the quality of life in Yakima and she feels that is more important than ever before. She commented that she felt the City has no business getting into the management of the Theatre. There is no reason to think the City could do a better job than is presently being done. She stated she would like to see all the various art organizations get together and discuss long range financing for all the groups. There was further discussion among the Council members concerning enacting an admission tax before the County does. Council member Sims asked the Capitol Theatre staff if they were prepared to discuss the staff recommendations. Jim Smith, Chairman of the Capitol Theatre Committee, stated their staff has looked at all of the alternatives; that performing arts are not a profitable operation. He stated that their Theatre has received over $100,000 a year in private support which is the highest percentage of private support of any performing arts theater in the State. Mr. Smith does not feel that they can increase their financial support any more than they already have. Council member Beauchamp asked about getting advertising sponsors. The response was that the Theatre already does that to the greatest extent they are able to. The Theatre staff feels they need another avenue of reliable, steady income to be able to operate effectively. They have cut several staff positions and they use as much volunteer help as possible. Other Council members concurred that this is a worthwhile organization, but it is not going to be profitable on its own and that a decision has to be made on the best way to subsidize it. The Mayor commented that the Council would like to see a five year projection to know what is expected in funding. There was additional Council discussion concerning the mutually agreed worth of the Theatre and various ways of funding it, including more community support and additional taxing. It was MOVED BY BARNETT, SECONDED BY SIMS, FOR THE STAFF TO EXPLORE SOME OF THE ALTERNATIVES THAT HAVE BEEN BROUGHT UP BY VARIOUS MEMBERS DURING THE SESSION AND GET TOGETHER WITH THESE PEOPLE (ARTS /TOURISM ORGANIZATION) AND EXPLORE SOME OF THE ISSUES THAT COME UP ON THE TAX. The motion carried by unanimous voice vote. Buchanan absent. 7. OTHER BUSINESS Council member Barnett stated he has had several calls from citizens concerning receiving adequate emergency medical services from the airport fire station. Mayor_' Berndt expressed concern over hiring 3 extra people now when they may not be needed later. Mr. Barnett asked to be on record that he had responded to the concerns of his constituents. City Manager Zais stated that Chief Beeson is out of town and he will have more information when he returns. Council member Pechtel recommended William Huibregtse and Dave McFadden for the vacancies on the Urban area Regional Planning Commission. It was MOVED BY PECHTEL, SECONDED BY SEMON, THAT WILLIAM HUIBREGTSE AND DAVE MCFADDEN FILL THE VACANCIES ON THE REGIONAL PLANNING COMMISSION. The motion carried by unanimous voice vote. Buchanan absent. There was further discussion about filling the vacancies on other board and commissions. AD /4 • 435 MARCH'6, 1990 • John Hanson/ Director of Finance & Budget, handed out an update of the Legislative items priorities and stated which Bills are dead. One key item that all were made aware of was SB 6904; as it came out of the Senate it was primarily sponsored by Senator Newhouse. It was an important step to get some recognition from the Senate of the need for local ,government funding. City Manager Zais stated he will get more information on the Bill presented by Senator Brock Adams concerning funding for the drug trafficking battle. He stated that. Council member Buchanan was in Washington D.C. for the National League of Cities meetings and met with our State representatives regarding our funding request for the drug war. Mr. Hanson stated the Governor's gas tax proposal is on the Governor's desk for his signature. It' provides for a street utility tax among other tax options. (Council member Barnett absent after 4:27 P.M.) 8. EXECUTIVE SESSION REGARDING PROSPECTIVE LITIGATION It was MOVED BY BEAUCHAMP, SECONDED BY SIMS, TO MOVE INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION FOR APPROXIMATELY 10 -15 MINUTES FOR THE PURPOSE OF DISCUSSING PROSPECTIVE LITIGATION AND THEN ADJOURN TO MARCH 13TH FOR THE CITY MANAGER'S EVALUATION. The motion carried by unanimous voice vote. Buchanan absent. 9. ADJOURNMENT FOLLOWING THE EXECUTIVE SESSION, THE MEETING WAS ADJOURNED AT THE HOUR OF 4:53 P.M. READ AND CERTIFIED ACCURATE BY: 1 f /' OU MEMnE / DATE a b1/441 VAIA/91 (-• N 'L MEMBER DATE ATTEST: . /cc y j 1 C.-04.c (,a :c,/SeA/rid CITY CLERK - MAYOR Minutes prepared by Lois Harris - Givens AD /5