HomeMy WebLinkAbout04/19/1988 Business Meeting 305
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APRIL 19, 1988 •
BUSINESS MEETING
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, Lynn: -Buchanan, -Lynn Carmichael,. and Jerry Foy, present on
roll call. City Manager Zais, City Attorney Vanek, City Clerk
. Roberts and Deputy City Clerk Toney also present..-Council member
Bernard Sims - absent and excused. • 7 +£..• ,.
2. INVOCATION
The Invocation was-given by Council member Foy:
3. OPEN DISCUSSION FOR THE GOOD. OF THE ORDER
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Council member Foy announced there will be a Nuclear Science and
You Legacy to Our Children program hosted by the Yakima Hanford
family on May 14th and 15th.at the Modern •Living. at the
Fair - Grounds. The program begins- Saturday, •May 14th at 10:00 A.M.
and concludes at 4:00•M:' and Sunday,- ' May 15th noon to 4:00
P.M. Mr. Foy asked the City Clerk•Ao.,provide copies of the letter
to_:the other Council.. members.
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Mayor Berndt stated the CBS _news•coverage of the march against
drugs in .Yakima will be aired this coming Thursday night with Dan
Rather.: She.encouraged citizens to watch the presentation.;
Mayor Berndt stated•there_ will 'be.a meeting tonight at Davis High
,School•on the subject: of drugs: She stated2 :Elgie Bellizio of
California will . be••present to speak on :_this issue.
:',Mayor Berndt ;read :a "Kids ,.for •Parks" proclamation, which was
accepted :by.Parks•and Recreation Commission Chairman, Mike Nixon
• ..and Wanda :Schatz, Yakima Chamber of Commerce-President.. The Kids
for Parks 'Program was developed by the- Yakima - Public }School
• District #7, the Yakima Chamber of Commerce and the City .of- Yakima
Parks and Recreation Division.
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Mayor: Berndt read , a letter . fran - Jack. J.- Poots, CMC,, , President, of . .
the'+International Institute of,Municipal Clerks,announcing that
Deputy City Clerk, Barbara J. Toney has been „awarded the
designation of the status of Certified Municipal: Clerk. This
prestigious award recognizes•the professional' canpetencyfi.of Ms.
Toney in fulfilling the responsibilities and duties of her office.
It is granted only after a, person has. met the high educational,
experience, and service requirementstestablished :by I7 Council
members: extended congratulations and a round of.applause.
4. CONSENT AGENDA:- ,, • ° .
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Mayor Berndt referred to '.tie items placed on the -Consent Agenda,
questioning whether there were , _any additions• or deletions from
either :Council ._.members or-t citizens present. There•! being no
additions or deletions•from the Consent the City Clerk then
read the Consent Agenda items, including resolutions and ordinances
by title. It was MOVED by Carmichael,. seconded by' Beauchamp, that
the Consent Agenda, as ,read, be passed. Unanimously carried by
roll call vote. (Subsequent paragraphs. preceded. by an, ( *)
indicate items on- the - Consent , Agenda• :handled under - one motion
without ,further discussion.) ;• f
*5. APPROVAL OF `THEIMINUTES OF_ :THE - .COUNCIL MEETINGS-10F MARCH AND
29, 1988
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306 APRIL 19, 1988
The Council minutes of March 22 and 29, 1988 were approved, having
been duly certified accurate by two Council members and no one
present wishing to have said minutes read publicly.
6. AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION
Cliff Mickelson, 510 South Naches Avenue, requested that Council
approve placement of traffic stop signs along Naches Avenue from
• the .300 block to the 800 block. He presented a petition with 140
signatures•in support of this request. Mr. Mickelson stated the
residents believe that placement of the stop signs will help
control some the traffic in that particular area. •
Doug Pulse, member of the South Naches Avenue Cleanup Committee,
noted that Police Chief Green is issuing notices to landlords who
own rental property that is being used by the occupants to operate
moral nuisances in the City of Yakima. He stated the notices did
not give the landlords deadlines, therefore, he submitted a
petition to the City Council to establish deadlines.
7. PUBLIC HEARING ON THE FINAL ASSESSMENT ROLL FOR THE "J" STREET
SEWER LOCAL IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT NO. 1044 (SEE ORDINANCE
CONFIRMING ASSESSMENT ROLL)
This being the time set for the public hearing on the J Street
Sewer' Local Improvement District #1044, Rita Germunson, Office
Engineer, reviewed the information contained on the agenda sheet.
She stated the total project cost was $90,095.76 of which the City
participated in the amount of. $35,373.24.. She stated the final
assessment roll is $54,722.52 and has been pro -rated to six
parcels included in the Industrial Park and assessments were based
on a square foot rate method of , cost distribution. Mrs. Germunson
stated notices of this public hearing to confirm this final
assessment roll was sent to each property owner. She indicated the
Local Improvement District was formed to resolve a failing septic
system problem within the Industrial Park area. Following
inquiries from Council members, Mayor Berndt opened the public
hearing to allow the citizens an opportunity to comment in support
of, or in opposition to the L.I.D. There being no one present to
,addr =ess the issue, Ordinance No. 3091 was read by title by the City
Clerk. It was MOVED by 'Foy, seconded by Buchanan; that the
ordinance be passed. Unanimously carried by roll call vote. Sims
absent. •
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ORDINANCE NO. 3091, AN ORDINANCE confirming the assessment roll
covering Local Improvement District No. 1044 as created and
established by Ordinance'No. 3015 of the Ordinances of•'the City of
Yakima.
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8. PUBLIC'HEARING -REGARDING EASTSIDE ANNEXATION, PHASE I
Planning Manager Don Skone stated today's hearing was scheduled
• with the anticipation that City staff would have received all of
the required signatures prior to today's meeting. Mr. Skone
explained that staff is still awaiting•the arrival of an out of
town property owner's signature and requested the heating be
continued to May 10th. He asked that anyone present to speak to
this issue be given the opportunity to do so. There being no one
• present'to address'the Eastside Annexation, Phase I,. it was MOVED
. by Foy; seconded by Buchanan, to continue the hearing to May 10th
at 2:00 P.M. Unanimously carried by voice vote. Sims absent.
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•9. PUBLIC HEARING ON THE COMPREHENSIVE WATER AND SEWER.PLANS
This being the time set for the public hearing on the Camprehensive
Water and Sewer Plans, Assistant City. Manager Stouder made
introductory remarks on the purpose of the hearing, stating over
two years ago the City began a major comprehensive utility planning
process for the purpose of ensuring that the households and
businesses of this community will have clean water for their use,
and that the water is clean upon its return to the Yakima River.
He stated this is the City's first major comprehensive planning
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-effort: since; 1973:. in , the case. of the . water': system.:. He -. stated in
L1973 the ;City did adopt a Canprehensive .Water Plan in which the
• 'narrative was less : - than twenty pages in length. : He ; stated the
- -draft Water Plan(published over a year- and -a -half .ago numbers in
;.the hundreds 'of pages and is a reflection' the complexities of
- the:. times; • :.the' increasing regulationsy_of the state and • federal
. :goverrmlent Jand the-;demands that are' placed- upon ally of us, and
_particularly - -the: :utility systems for the future. . -In the - mid 70's
there .was• also',a;:major Comprehensive Sewer Plan Which • was •:primarily
a . facility ;study. .'directed towards .the! creation of a region -wide
sewage 'treatment: system.: While infiltration and' :inflow! problems
. :were looked at to some degree and system-wide issues; - i'and the
collection system was looked at, ;that was not the major emphasis of
the sewage treatment plant • facility plan. This is the first major
effort fon our utilities s e ystems to look toward the .future in over
fifteen .years. . +In addition; this:; effort was :propelled' by the City
Council's priorities::In.'the summer of 198.5 the Council met in an
all -day session to begin examination of the most important issues
• facingthe- .City, and ..to' determine what should the City Council and
City staff: direct our 'attention towards. The number one
was =the r planning for the future .'of the • utility systems. Mr.
Stouder stated he is reminded: of how important .these facility plans
are • by' a recent study that was completed by the {National Council of
Public Works on- 'the condition. Of' the nationwide utility systems.
That study was shared by Nancy Ruttledge, who was at that time the
Director of the National' Council of _Public Works,' and was head of
the State ' body• that conducted '.arsimilar :study in Washington State
four five years'. ago :J That study • revealed' that this `country is
goingto'need to double the' 45 billion' 'dollars annually committed
to.Your infrastructure. The' .study also .showed that overall, the
•condition'• of::.ourpublic works in this ;country is not very good,
:however; Yakima: can be proud of - the`.investMent that has'cbeen made
to date_; in :its .:infrastructure: Our .existing' :facilities, .- as they
are .today,.::'. over :two' ' ' ;hundred million dollars of
:investment'.. The r City. !has a r fixed capital ;asset ' in its,. water and
sewer systems - alone: ,:approaching two hundred- million dollars,
and this :does not consider. the 'twenty one million ;dollars .that the
Canprehensive Plans ; suggest we should make in the sewer system in
• the-next _ten to fifteen: years, or the ten million dollars slated
towards.: the water system:. That thirty million .dollars slated to
the year 2000; :is a minor; investment compared two hundred million
dollars; that is the existing• value ;of .those fixed .assets.. In
addition Ao . the fact that this :isr. the: first major. effort :in over
i fifteen years, and 'secondly,7:as a City Council priority, and
thirdly, it - ;is time :that we look at the condition, of our
infrastructure, I_ need to also 'remind; you that the City •-s utility
plan, as :all= -;of its •Capital. • Improvement Plan; is the : City' s
business plan:; Just'., +.as f look ' to their , _costs, the
demands 'of the .future; our utility systems are our business plans
for investment:. And just as investments may decline ; in.'the private
industry and hurt futuret job, ;creation and economic development, a
' decline of investment in our infrastructure is a signal ithat there
can be a •decline in the community. To bring you .up do date on
where we' ' are on the ' Water .and Sewer :Comprehensive Plansvi we began
.those effortsi .'over.: itwo years ' "with the publication ' Hof the
Canprehensive • Water: Plan in 1986,- and ;a few :months 'later' on the
Comprehensive Sewer .Plan. He 'stated these Plans were provided to
Council': as well' asrcitizens interested in them. He added that
anyone_ interested may obtain. 'copies of , the Executive-'Summaries, or
the entire . Plans from :;.the City Clerk' s :off ice .. He - stated a week
ago.;staff provided City with information regarding what has .
happened since' .• the- publication ; of _ :those i 'ini.tial ;Plans. This
consisted - of i:a. packet of material of some three': .hundred pages
- ;containing' -questions_ "posed ',by the Council : and/or - 2 interested •
citizens, :questions and answers from - our. l'egal'.: counsel on this
matter; letters from= ;various State and Federal(' agencies, and a
variety of other'material. He stated a lot has taken-place since
the first publication of those•Plans and he would like to summarize
where, we' are now: -• :. 1 :_' i
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Mr: Stouden stated when!_the:Comprehensive Water.: Plan was :initiated
we were also looking at the feasibility of the Rattlesnake Creek as
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308 APRIL 19, 1988
a potential storage site for future water supply for Yakima and the
• entire Urban area. At that time the City held an initial permit to .
do a feasibility study on Mile Four and Mile Six of Rattlesnake
Creek, and staff and consultants spent'a good part of a year- and -a-
half to two years looking at the feasibility of that area. Our
studies on Mile Four and Mile Six led us' to the conclusion that
neither of those sites would geologically support the construction
of a dam. We then moved toward Mile Eleven and are 'now doing some
initial studies on that site of the Rattlesnake Creek. Also at the
time of those. initial studies, the projection in the Comprehensive
Water .Plans, the maximum projections, had us looking toward
providing water for the regional area. There was some interest in
the City's water system, as is the City's sewer system,'becoming a
.regional purveyor: of water.. During' the planning. process we met
.with surrounding municipalities and water associations and asked
for their interest in being a' partner, in 'the - - long tern or short
tern,' in the creation of an additional water supply. Both these
plans look toward the year 2025. Based on this last year- and -a-
half to two years effort we have concluded, at'least temporarily or
preliminarily, that the future water demands on the City water
. would primarily be our own residents and the 'immediate area that we
may annex; that in the immediate future we will not be looking at
becoming a regional supplier of water as we are of the sewage
. treatment system. In addition, along the way in the comprehensive
• water planning process, the City became more involved in'the Yakima
-River Basin Enhancement Program. During the past summer, the City
was.a member of the River•'Basin Enhancement Off-Reservation-Storage
Site Work Group, to address what might be possible storage sites
for future water supply for the river basin, for urban needs, for
:agricultural needs, for fishery needs and :for the needs of the
Yakima Indian Nation. That work group concluded that the best
storage site and potential area for new storage was the enlargement
of Bumping Lake. The City, as part.of that work group, indicated
to the chair of that group and to the congressional delegation that
we would be willing to. support the enlargement of. Bumping Lake as
future. storage for the entire .river basin if our needs for water
conservation and- other improvements to. our system were also taken
into account. We also indicated we would not give up the pursuit
of the Rattlesnake on Mile Eleven; that while that!was ;a much
smaller potential storage-that be created, 20,000 to 60,000
acre feet as compared to the 200,000 or up to 400,000 acre feet
that Bumping Enlargement would be, we would support Bumping in it's
effort we will also continue to pursue the Rattlesnake. The City
did not want to be put in the position 15 -20 years from now with no
progress being made on the enlargement of .Bumping, yet our
residents having future water storage demands. The other major
question in the water system is the future of the irrigation
districts. There are some 65 irrigation districts and the City
limits those irrigation districts to basic.lawn watering purposes.
The largest of those irrigation systems, the 308 General System, is
the oldest and is. the system, that according to our engineer's
analysis, has already .outlived its useful life. It is still
working, but it is in a severe. state of deterioration and is the
source of major leakage in the irrigation system. The alternatives
posed to date for the solution of the irrigation question include:
1) the rebuilding of the 308 General System, 2) the transfer of
that system to the domestic water.system, or 3) the continuation
of the system as is. There is also a proposal that suggests a
Pilot Program to study the potential transfer of the..308 General
System to obtain a better understanding of the cost impact to
convert 100 to 150 homes a year, over a period of years, to-see
what the actual impact will. be. The last item.on the water system
is the need an additional well. The Ranney Collector that the City
relied on previously as a part of its entire water system is no
longer collecting water since the repair of the canal. Just to
remain where we are with that source of water collection and
storage and use,we need to rebuild or provide for another well.
He commented, in the short tern additional wells might provide the
solution for future water needs particularly for the residents of
the community, depending upon how much water can be saved through
conservation, and through improvements to the irrigation system.
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is'Projected that 21.5 thihlion'dollars'= needs. to -be• invested over
the' nekt- ten `or eleven years in- the - 'sewer system, most of- which is
' the' result 'of State `mandates:' The purpose_ is: .to insure
'that you ) have clean water , and that the water :: a's returned': to the
'Yakiiria River in a safe fashion:So it cari'be - used' downstream' "without
' • upsetting the r ecological balance <'. of I !the'' Yakimar.: River. He
closed his remarks --With a final comment drawn' fry the' ,public works
study to which' ''he had alluded ' initially. 1 He 'stated • a wide
' , council that speht-two years -studying' the condition of our public
Works - a n d "" graded :our- public facilities aso folloWs:: Highways C +,
Mass `transit `C= Aviation-'B., 'Water 'resources' B,' Water supply B -,
Wastewater C, -Solid waste C, and 'Hazardous' waste' 0. I would submit
th even` though 'We: 'are • _in the midst :'of this -major planning effort
and we' are looking at the - investment of ]21:5 `million_' in` the Sewer
Plant' and - 10 million or more' in :the • Water System;•'.' that the
- " cond'it'ions Jof • our ''public :facilities ; '`today are , -B +'s ' and; it is
because of -the investments that :we> have made - in the `past, 'and the
' ' fa'et' -that the Council` and `the 'community is now - looking at keeping
those''• systems 'that and -looking 'towards the future S With those
comments; he turned the'"•public '- hearing -back `to May Berndt for
comments from the' public' hearing '. ' • . - '
Council riiember Barnett stated Under his' - calculations '-there is at
least' -8.7' = million=' dollars that relate directl'y ' to the "' 'renewal of
our 1988 discharge'•peritiit by .the: +sewer - systems.' These are 1mandated
items by the State and Federal Government. The additional
requirements" -'for the '- nitrification dame:vell after. the sewer plant
• Was placed iri operat -ion and also• the dechlorination- ofithe! fluent
prior:cto 'discharge and ::the toxic chetnical? ", `.including
bib' monitoring - - which •requires considerable additional, '-expense.
These "are mandated = items'' that '';the- -Yak lira- City ".Council has
absolutely no: coritrof over, and . Some of these.: items :''must be
correctedr:before we= can` receive a - renewal of our-
• City . Manaer Zais:stated while these mandates' are coming upon us
• fast: - and the - federal' commitment - in tei:mss�of funding has
• been' declining :' Federal arid • State funding 'is' • significantly down
from the 'levels' - of ., the 70's and the early 80's. This is new
• federalism I which • -become8 +'localism .'in tends- of "the- financial impact
because' the -money 'has - to' come ?Tfrom the local. _.level;' :(this is a
fundamental issue' that the City of Yakima must -resolve
:Mayor 'Berndt opened the public hearing '-requesting• those'rwishing to
speak- to' the'`issue to state their -name 'and' address for the record,
and Sign 'their name on "the public hearing sheet. • : ••
• • John-"Greiner, 'representing the' mayor of Moxee City,' -.Mel Tanasse,
requested the City of Mokee be included in.the regional wastewater
'treatment plant. - He 'stated the' City of Moxee would' like to be a
part ' of ' the r Comprehensive Plan' also:' - L-
. Gary Web•ter,' General' Manager' of the - Yakima' °Chamber' of Commerce,
stated *-the Chamber has • provided` the - City ' with a ''copy ;''of its
• - r'e`port' and 'recommendations -'on the City' s -Water 'and Wastewater Long
Range ` Plaririing Studies which he - read 'into- -the •- record'.-- The: report
• 'niakes'"-'the following :' recommendations ' for the water :needs t 1) The
City litterediately •'develop:'`a: pilot ' program rot• -:at "= least a' hundred
hordes''`in the '308- irrigation districtfor use of 7 donne s tic. . water for
' irrigation;' 2)' The 'City should drill a new well' -to :meet _ emergency
'ne'eds ' and'. replace= the Ranney collector; `- 3) = , The City 'continue to
pursue''cautiously 'the : - Rattlesnake " dam - possibility- (so to :have that
alternative ;-c needed; ' 4:)i - The '.City "'- work - - for the
'enlargement bf" -Lake if the 'city can be ) allocated water
rights' 'Sufficient to'" meet -the City's -long tern needs 'through that
ehhancerierit, "' and '5') ' The! " discussion on: J. a regional approach • for
supply and - delivery should • "continue -to be rmad• over the few
years': E ' This= i issue may ` 'cane "into; better focus after the
adjudication issue is resolved and the enhancement projects have
been finalized.
•' The following recommendations" were -made in! _a - report from the
Chamber Jof' 'Coirumerce =regarding • the -wastewater' system:'° .1) The
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310 APRIL 19, 1988
infiltration problem at the wastewater plant in the summer must be
resolved in, the near future. The ability of the plant to operate
efficiently is dependent upon a solution to this problem; 2)
Continued efforts to work with the users of the industrial
sprayfield should be made and additional efforts attempted to
obtain more customers to use this system within the delivery area's
capabilities. Any additional customers' that. may be added would
reduce the overall individual user costs and reduce the. flow of
waste into' the wastewater plant. Continued efforts to bring the
sprayfield up to standards is essential for a long term economic
retention' and expansion; 3) The should establish approaches to
meet the Federal and State requirements that are cost effective and
• have a reasonable impact on sewer rates; 4) Besides the issue of
irrigation infiltration, there should be a concentrated effort to
implement the .other infiltration correction and rehabilitation
needs of.- the sewer system;. and 5) -It would appear that the present
hydraulic plant capacity. can meet -.the needs• of the area with the
exception of the summer when the irrigation infiltration problem
occurs. The issue of plant expansion should be analyzed to see if
the•monies are available and the.expansion can occur as a part of
projects paid by state and federal funds for the purpose of meeting
Federal Clean Act requirements. Mr. Webster thanked the Council
for the opportunity - to participate in the discussion of these
• important developments and expressed appreciation to City staff for
their assistance in analyzing this complex data.
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Hazel Umtuck, member of the Cultural Committee and the Roads,
Irrigation :and Land Committee of the Yakima Tribal Council, thanked
the City Council for the opportunity to comment. on the draft
Comprehensive Water and Sewer Plans. The following . comments were
• read by Mrs. Umtuck and Robert Tuck, Fisheries Biologist for the
Yakima Indian Nation. Mrs. Umtuck stated the Yakima Basin was
once the exclusive homeland of the peoples that now comprise the
Yakima Indian Nation. In 1855, the Yakima Indian Nation ceded the
lands that,the City of Yakima and its watershed now encompass to
the United States Government. The Yakima Indian Nation ceded the
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lands, but did not _relinquish their rights which were specifically
reserved for future generations of Indian People. The Indian
Nation retains treaty secured rights pertaining to the natural
resources in the Yakima Basin, i.e. water, fisheries, wildlife,
native foods and medicines, cultural, and archaeological. The
Tribe is therefore very concerned with any proposal that will
impact these' essential resources. The Yakima Indian Nation has
. followed the development of the City of Yakima's. draft
Comprehensive • Water and Sewer Plans with .much - interest. It
definitely needs to be said that water is absolutely essential to
the people of the Yakima Basin for a variety of purposes. The
•.City'should be commended for its foresight and willingness to plan
for the future water needs of its citizens,.as too often, planning
only occurs after a crisis arrives. Concern was expressed due to
the fact that the draft water plan discusses at great length .
• potential future water needs of areas outside the City of Yakima's
current service area. The question was asked is this emphasis on
.supplying the future needs of outlying areas really the intent of
the City Council.. The Indian Nation suggested that Council review
the draft plan very thoroughly before making any policy decisions.
The report tends to confuse potential regional water needs with
potential City water needs. The Council needs to clearly define
. for the .City staff which needs it is charged with meeting.
. Further, some of the data and information is suspect, to say the
least. For example, the draft plan casually mentions that energy
(electrical) costs are going to increase by 400% by the mid- 1990's,
• and then offers little to support this statement. We believe this
is a gross exaggeration, particularly in light of PP &L's publicly
stated goal of maintaining a static rate base .through : 1992. We
have checked with other agencies familiar. with future power
projections and they also believe this figure is unreasonably high. •
We are pleased that the Council has posed many specific questions
in Exhibit II -1 in the material prepared for the April 12th
session. We suggest that you ask for additional information with
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respect to. question 4109. - .Question' #1'23 goes : right to, the: core of
:-the decisions: that they City. Council will be: .facing over:: the next
several years. ;
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With respect. to the potential future- needs oft :the City' itself, we
• . - note. : that • ; these '.. appear to . : be f. relatively : -. modest. Viable
alternatives :are,:avai'lable to the City.+tovmeet these- needs; which
• can be.-;phased t in :over 'time, • as'. %demand .:increases. Met. can < support
. - . . any, .option). ='which.•' emphasizes. the .concepts. of • _conservation and
eff iciency. - Opportunities to do both appear to -be numerous :.
. We would ,.like._ to• 'clearly '. state that: the - Yakima -,Indian Nation •
continues to oppose construction of any•'project of Rattlesnake
• Creek,, due to the ..severe adverse . impacts it. would., 'have on the
• treaty - secured_ resources . the: area. After conducting its own
extensive review: of the :draft .plan, :we hope ;:the City Council would
.came to.,.the 'same: conclusion; perhaps for. the- additional reason that
it is. simply not needed. to meet the future water needs of the City
of �Yak'imar. , . a i , • . r 1 -
The City_. Council) has the . responsibility. • of -meeting the- future water
needs of. • the_ City .of. :'Yakima-! ( current - service ' area);. Providing
any .water :beyond:. that -is -not i a need or requirement; it < is.r a choice .
As the draft plan states on page XVIII; of ,the ,-Executive:.Summary,
"Future supply requirements depend on which demands the City
. . ' .chooses._': ' We urge..:the:- _City Council make a: I _careful, review of
the - situation before it :makese any irreversible decisions.
With respect :,to ::'the , Idraft Sewer ,, Plan;' it ::is. absolutely.; essential
that..tthe • .City : adequately. and = fully. treat any ,,e,ffluent that is
returned : to • the i , Yakima ,River.. Any - 'failure . to <. -do this
..severely impacts +. the health, and.- well - being: of the ., Yakima: :People,
since. we - arerthe ;first , major ; -- diverter •'downst'ream , from :the; Sewage
Treatment.. Plant. ' Water;- is..) diverted - onto,. • the --Reservation for
irrigation . and stock water, and ` ;water _iquahity in the river
influences =water•::.quality tr.in many: shallow. -wells that' -are.- used for
• - domestic :use.:.We.:all are. aware .that the 'Sewage -Plant has
not operated perfectly - in'.the past. Future failures have the added
potential of causing serious.. damage _'to :the . anadromous :fish - runs
that: are: beginning.-: to: -: show..) some signs of recovery,. due- 'to the
enormous efforts. :.of't -.:a" ~-number{ of - agencies, : <includng the City •
itself .::.We:: urge, the City make .sure as': ;has in ..place the: proper .
faci'lities ' to .collect and . treat- _the..C•ity' :s -, effluent: As an added
note; ,maybe :it istime .for: the City to :begin .considering-:recycling
some: of .its effluent. • _ ., . • -
Mr: Tuck :concluded his 'comments 'stating, the - Yakima ..Indian- Nation
appreciates the) opportunity to provide.}= test imony'.on:: hese very
important :issues, :ands;may.provide' additional written testimony to
Council: i . =. - . } : <_ . J ,,.
Ines _Rica, 4409.Arlington, stated she has ' a long:,time -interest
in the' water: situationF'of.: the City. She .;ind'icated,_she:r had reviewed
• most .of, :the :report 'has: some 1. can meats and r objections . sane of
the ;things:.scontained,. therein She :.stated the report- :indicates "no
property.- owner.; owns the irrigation , or canal;r company stock. The
City owns the stock'and holds= it in ;trust :for;the :proprietors as it
was purchased to be used." Mrs. Rice stated she is an advocate of
developing :the ;Rattlesnake, Creek 'project-, ',and :the -City: should have
taken action to. »develops the Rattlesnake - many years- ago, as was
- provided - under- the Harding ' Act. ; She- referred .to - letters :7 in her
•.firlei in which --she has Washington D.C. _prior .Ito-' Jackson
. =being. :appointed - -to ::the resource: committee;-; - and _;letters _,expressing
her-- :concern , about these. : water- rights She !stated ‘' ; Mayo of
:CH2M::Hi11;,' has•- beenLadvocating: combination; of irrigation water and
the city,xs ' . water. .for . a: number. ' .of years-, and) -she is
adamantly: opposed ..1- . this . • Mrs:. -) Rice stated, ., in ++ • reading the
material provided in the council packet, it seems - as- -.though the
• City has taken possession and ownership of these waters and is
acting as . a: trustee __-_of these; :water :.rights.-' She. asked to :see the
• ' conveyance ,Ithat :gives : the _City the right to take the.: water ;• stating
that when the ° water certificates -were turned over to the' City, the
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312 APRIL 19, 1988
City was only in a trusteeship. Mrs. Rice stated it is her opinion
that before the City can combine the irrigation water with the
domestic water, this issue would have to be voted' upon by the
citizens of Yakima. She indicated she has some historical legal
documents which she believes would be of interest to the City.
Council member Barnett informed Mrs. Rice that it is planned in the
near future to have the legal department address some of the issues
mentioned by her today, and hopefully she will be able to attend
that meeting. Mayor Berndt asked Mrs. Rice to allow staff to make
copies of those legal documents to which she has made reference.
Betty Gaudette, 701 North 6th Street, commented on the report from
the Seivage next to the last page where it says "during
the course of_the preparation of this plan, some improvements have
been 'identified and .the city has elected to implement some of
them." She noted one of was the. upgrading of'the• aeration
. system to :restore secondary treatment plant capacity to original
design and asked if that is the aerator from Philadelphia Gear? -
Mr. Zais stated, "Yes, the City has an obligation to refurbish that
system and make it operational and consultants have been engaged to
do that." He stated the City has been in litigation for some time
'against Philadelphia .Gear to pinpoint the responsibility, seek
damages'and recovery of our investment in .connection with the
services they provided.
Mrs.' Gaudette, referred to the Comprehensive Water Plan, stating
she would have appreciated it if the pages of the report had been
numbered with Arabic numbers rather than Raman Numerals. Mrs. •
Gaudette stated she shares Mrs. Rice's concern about the City's
legal right to take the irrigation. She referred' to page 20,
Alternative 3 which states, "currently there are no unknown rights
known to be available, thus the City would most likely have to
condemn some existing rights such as irrigation: She asked if the
• City is considering doing that. Council member Barnett responded
the City is not considering, this, it is however, one of the
alternatives presented in the plan. Mrs. Gaudette stated the other
thing she finds offensive about the Comprehensive Water Plan is
for the City of Yakima to become a regional supplier of water.
She stated she does not understand how such a report can be written
when the water rights of the. City are currently in adjudication.
She questioned the of the proposed five year project, asking
if this means Council will not make a decision until after the
pilot program has been canpleted.. She asked who is going to be
responsible for the cost of the Pilot Project should Council decide
to implement this program. Council member stated last
week staff indicated the irrigation line would be piped 50 feet
into the property and the homeowners would then use hoses and
sprinklers water their property. Mrs. Gaudette stated if the
City decides to use domestic water for.irrigation,'what about the
other costs involved. She stated the cost of the water. will never
be paid off, whereas, if the dual system is replaced, once it is
paid for," the property owners will only have to pay for •
maintenance. She stated all of these costs that have not been
provided in this report, will make a tremendous difference to the
citizens who will have to pay for it. She indicated it will be
more expensive in the long 'run for the citizens if the City
converts to using domestic water for irrigation.
Council member Foy responded it is very difficult for any study to
show what the actual costs will be for the .pilot program. He
stated if the basic concept- is putting the tee off of the current
water. line, and then install a meter and a spigot 50 feet in from
that line,'the property owners could then use hoses and sprinklers
to water the lawn; and those costs could then be determined. He
'stated this is the type of input Council needs from the citizens
regarding the pilot program. Mr. Foy stated public hearings will
be held to allow the citizens an opportunity to'address these
concerns.
Mrs. Gaudette stated four elderly women residing on North Naches
Avenue asked her to bring their letters to the City Council meeting
today as they were not able to attend the meeting. Mrs. Gaudette
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•
APRIL.; 19, 1988 - 313
_+read a- .,letterrfrom,-Mary Kirby;. 305: North Naches Avenue, ;stating she
feels• the cost = of 'domestic ,water -would be.i;prohibi:tive• beyond
her however;. she is ; able - to pay fog- ,the ;irrigation ;water she
currently f uses .: -Mrs . • Gaudette stated• • she ;r-has, , letters_ , regarding
. cost; concerns: ;;from„ Mrs.: Ethel; Ritter, ., 315 - North -, Naches;;-Avenue,
. - Frances ; Dorn, ._,307� North Naches- Avenue and rFlorine-;Burkepile, 311
North- ..Naches - Avenue... ; The - letters ; were submitted- r ;to the City
' ;Mr:; , Stouder stated, ,;issues -.of this nature.;:will- ,•be;,reviewed by
staff: ,In.,•regardF -;to_ the planning t- process , =looking,,to:the year 2025
considers all of the options, including - =populat ion . growth , ,as well
as alternatives. He stated one of the issues that potentially
• .. 'drives'', the. _Rattlesnake Creek. , Study as a storage, t is : the other
r . • surrounding users :: interest _ in _that, • and •.that the cost , of that
• 'system:: only ;becomes somewhat cost effective: •: based{ upon the larger
:construction of 60400 acre -feet of' -storage: The ;.City.. of; Yakima
.would_.neverc :need 604,000f acre feet ;water .storage,:. but maybe other
interested::: ,water -., ,users 1, might, - , particularly; , if , / Lake
enlargement) does knot proceed ..i So , the issue of , looking, at rregional
demands, was an :,aspect;r.of ; the t 2Rattlesnake )• ;Creek _feasibility and
quite .f rankly : : is_just , .prudent - planning.;, 'He a stated-'Council. should
•, be;commended-in [looking :a those feasibility : - studies and looking at
the.. "what , ifs." Council„• . Barnett, asked ;--,Mr Stouder to
clarify; s f - that - is .;54-, 0004 or 000 acre, ;.feet. Mr . :Stouder
stated. the Mile 4• - site , was around ; 59 -60, 000 .acre, feet, ; : the;- Mile 11
,- site was ,about,54- 56,.000. acre , feet .!He ; stated the City of- Yakima's
• . needs :are120,000: while everyone, -else,',s might _;be..;up tin:the ; 60,000's.
He; stated , for the ; sake lofj ,discussion•,- he ; tries to -keep itrr n round
numbers.i , ; . ,; ; i t .b', .� . , t { t
. Council member: : Foy - corm ,Betty Gaudette!.s._- comments! about Selah
and other entities dovetails -with- ;what, Mr Stouder has - stated All
of those issues are included as variables that may be considered
for al. very- long ,range • plan . ; As . Mrs. Rice commented , : she, wished
someone would have started.. this_,rproject in ;1964: sot ;we -could have
eliminated) , ; these ,,_court; : battles.:. He • stated • he - ,;previously
requested- . a letter • ,of.- intent _ ;be , .obtained , :•from _ potential users,
however: this has. not ,;been;;done. He• indicated he still• believes
• . such :.a•.letter should; be. ;obtained: from the surrounding :cities that
might have an interest in this matter in the future., • . ;•-
With :-respect 5to the City! s: irrigation systems, Mr. - Stouder: stated
at _•some point: invtime,_:the ::,property. owners,r.: will•;:have.- :;to make
improvements _or; replace +- the irrigation _line on , :..their ,personal
• property:,:, regardless ofJ what the- ,City-_does :in, the._future..:• !-'Y,
:c _7r r
Council;. Buchanan : : :statedt�_rhe was (flying over r the Naches
. Ri veri.;Saturday .and; noticed r,a , large amounts, -of : water -;.running above
the normal high water mark- ;,throughr42the , - trees:! ; -He , stated ; we are
talking about a shortage of water this fall but we currently do not
have. a way to ,trap - the excess water . • ,, • - r ; : ; _t
Larry: Bekkedahl,: representative : of Pacific Power- &7 Light, : 7 North
. 3rd.. stated/ • 'Power, and : Light t rwou hike, to go on
record, stating:. opposition- to,. the - predicted: •ele:ctr_ical rates as
stated in the Comprehensive Water Plan, Section 7, pages 33, 34 and
35 which lists a ; 400 %': increase•; in electrical: ; rates.: :.He also
expressed appreciation to the Yakima Indian Nation for recognition
of �,PP &L ! s devotion,,.: to stable: rates. E through: -- 1992. • He : stated
currently there is excess d surplus -that { .the + 'Bonneville Power
• Administration (BPA) has stated within their own entity of 1600
mega watts. He stated they , have ,;not even tapped_ , the ;accessible
electricity into Canada through the BC Hydro. He stated the excess
is ;there and • he does: not • feel ',their rates.:. are .going • to increase .
• Mayor, ; Berndt thanked Mr. Bekkedahl for clarifying ;this ; ;issue .
John Klingele, 1312 West Walnut, commented on the Sewer
• Comprehensive, Plan, stating staff was ,very- helpful in providing the
information ,• he • -- requested. _tHe -stated he shad some . difficuity with
the definitions..;given,.: :in_.• the; - material. ;c as s; they.;,- are ;.unclear.
He asked that staff work on providing better definitions in the
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:314 APRIL‘19, 1988
•
final draft plan. Referring' to the Comprehensive Water Plan, he
Stated he was disappointed in that he had a number of questions
- that were unanswered by staff. He stated the homeowners section
does not include the long range cost impact on individuals. He
stated the plan talks about replacing the - Ranney well•but does not
give particulars about'the size of replacement well. Mr. Klingele
spoke of the pilot program and commented he believes this will take
some effort on behalf of the City to educate people about properly
closing the irrigation pipes in the fall so they do not freeze
during the winter months. He stated 'he will be' submitting scene
written comments about definitions and other aspects of the plans
that he would like to. see changed.
Ines Rice, .4409 West Arlington,• referred 'to the water situation
stating she has learned that a' lot of the west side residents are
not allowing the City have their water rights; and are forming
' users organizations. She stated the City will not'be getting any
more water rights because the citizens do not 'trust the City
anymore. Council member Buchanan stated the citizens are justified
in that ' because in the past they were told by the . City that they
would get a special irrigation right forever. He stated when he
first became a Council member the rates were raised to cover- costs.
and he feels the citizens are justified in their feelings. Mrs.
Rice stated she has purchased property on the west side of the City
and the. developer was allowed to sell the water rights. Regarding
' the sewer issue, she stated she is irritated with EPA and asked why
were they not on the job when the City had this . thing going with
Beck? - Why did they allow Beck to do what they did and they just
• ' shut their eyes didn't see anything going on and now we are in
trouble; the hydraulics and the aeration basins don't work. She
said the EPA needs to be told off in a lot of ways. She added •
they were supposed to be overseeing the" project and they weren't.
She said, "Tell them for me to back off'."
Florence Hay, 71'6 South 18th Avenue, stated Yin 1980 she
replaced her irrigation water with domestic water'and asked if
there is going to be any more expense' to. her. She stated She does
not expect Council to answer this today, but would like to be
advised later. She stated -she currently has her 'irrigation lines
blown out.every year and has not had'any problems with the lines
freezing.
•
Robert Tuck,. Yakima Indian'•Nation, commented on Council member
Buchanan's' remark about the high water level of.the Naches River he
had observed last Saturday, stating the water is carrying the
migration of fish to the ocean and therefore is not being wasted.
He stated it is serving a critical purpose for the fish resource,
and is crucial to the properrlife cycle of the fish. He added,
even if the City builds on the Rattlesnake or enlarges' Bumping
Lake, the runoff Will not be'controlled.
There being no one else wishing to speak to this issue, Mayor
Berndt thanked those citizens who participated in today's
public hearing'. It-Was MOVED by Carmichael, 'seconded by Buchanan,
to continue this public hearing to the evening of May'3rd, at 7:00
P.M. Unanimously carried by voice vote. Sims absent.
•
*10. FIRST QUARTER MOTOR VEHICLE ACCIDENT REPORT
The first` quarter 1988 vehicle accident report submitted by the
Personnel Officer,' was accepted. •
•
*11. CONSIDERATION OF LEGISLATION RE:
•
Ar RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING EXECUTION OF AMENDMENT TO CONTRACT WITH
CULP-WESNER-CULP FOR DEVELOPMENT OF A FACILITIES PLAN
AND COMPLETION OF COMPREHENSIVE SEWER PLAN
•
•
RESOLUTION'NO.' D -5448, A RESOLUTION authorizing' the execution of
Amendment No: to the 'agreement with CVO -HDR,. Inc., consulting
engineers, for consulting engineering services. •
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APRIL'19,' 1988''' 315
' B '.'' 'ORDINANCE! `AMENDING "THE - 1988 BUDGET MAKING AN':APPROPRIATION IN
c: THE 476. SEWER `CONSTRUCTION'' FUND" TOI . COMPLETE THE :COMPREHENSIVE
:- `- SEWERC PLAN .' ( =FIRST 'READING ) -' • • ' ' • •• • '
An =0rd`inarice- "appropriating funds • for „ the''. completion :'of the
Comprehensive -Sewer 1 Plan having •been read by''title :only - this
meeting was laid -'on the • -table ''for ''orie' week I qor" until April 26,
1988.
• *12. CONSIDERATION OF RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING CONCESSION AGREEMENT WITH
YAKIMA' NATIONAL - LI-TTLE LEAGUE ' •
J
RESOLUTION: NO.' :I 5449; 'RESOLUTION 'authorizing ''and' - directing the
C ty Arid City -Clerk "of' • the -'City of- Yakima to' - execute a
concession • 1 ' - agreement ' : with , Yakima' ":Nat -ional Little League
Association. :,: {... - c::n; j
*13. CONSIDERATION OF RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING "INTERLOCALGOOPERATION
AGREEMENT WITH CARLON PARK
RESOLUTION ;NO." 1 5450,':A (RESOLUTION authorizing .the City Manager to
execute - an `Interlocal Agreement 'with :Selah, allowing
Yakima" provide'balifield maintenance at- 'Carlon•Park; Selah.
t
* 14. CONSIDERATION "OF RESOLUTION') AUTHORIZING TREE TOP - 'BICYCLE'( RACING
CLASSICi °;. ,
'RESOLUTION NO. • D =5451; A RESOLUTION'' authorizing :.the , -closure of
certain streets : within' lthe '' City?; - "of :.Yakima :_otot•r° accommodate a
criteriumf bicycle race:;
*15. CONSIDERATION OF RESOLUTION AUTHORIZINGTHE'''SALE:wOF ^SURPLUS
- PROPERTY (FIRE DEPARTMENT)
RESOLUTION NO. D -5452, A RESOLUTION authorizing the sale of surplus
per'sona property ownedby =-the City. f;->i'•
':• + '' '
*16'. `APPROVAL OUT -OF- STATE:TRAVEL FOR BRENL GEORGE; POLICE OFFICER,
TO BOSTON,' MASSACHUSETTS o' .t,, ; -,t,:
The out -of -state travel for Brenda George, Police Department, to
attend and participate in the National Law Enforcement' - Explorer
Conference in Boston, Massachusetts, July 10 -16, 1988, at a cost of
$600.00'; was;:approved ' -; {,
*17. CONSIDERATION OF AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE SALE OF GENERAL
OBLIGATION BONDS FOR -PARK IMPROVEMENTS
ORDINANCE NO. 3092, AN ORDINANCE`bf 'the'City Council of the City of
Yakima, Washington, providing for the issuance and sale of
' unlimited tax general obligation bonds of the. City in the principal
•sum of $2,250,000 for the_ purpose _of providing funds to pay the
Ill cost'of acquiring, constructing'and'installing improvements to City
park and recreation facilities; providing the date, form, terms and
maturities of said bonds; - providing for the disposition of the
proceeds of . sale of such bonds; providying 'for: the annual levy of
taxes to pay the principal of and interest on said bonds;' providing
for the sale thereof and declaring an emergency.
*18. CONSIDERATION'OF'- PROPOSED'AMENDMENT "TO' THE - CITY'S FLOOD DAMAGE
PREVENTION ORDINANCE •
ORDINANCE NO. 3093, AN ORDINANCE relating to building regulations;
providing standards for construction within floodways and amending
Section 11.'58.160 of the City of Yakima Municipal Code.
*19. CONSIDERATION OF AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE 1988 BUDGET AND
APPROPRIATING FUNDS FOR PARKS AND RECREATION DIVISION (SECOND
READING)
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316 • APRIL 19, 1988
• An Ordinance appropriating funds for the Parks and Recreation
. Division, having been read by title only at the April 5, 1988
meeting, was brought before the Council for a second reading.
ORDINANCE NO. 3094, AN ORDINANCE amending the 1988 budget for the
City of Yakima; and making an appropriation in the Parks and
Recreation Fund for expenditure during 1988.
20. OTHER BUSINESS
•
Mayor Berndt stated she had received a letter from James
Yakima Herald Republic, inviting the Council to a luncheon meeting
with the Yakima Herald Republic Editorial Board to discuss various
matters of interest. Following a brief discussion of possible
meeting'dates, it was the consensus of the Council to schedule the
luncheon meeting for May 24th.
Information Items:
Items of information supplied to Council were: Mission Statement
and Organizational' Chart for the Yakima County -Wide Coalition for
the War on Drugs, 4/19/88; .Memorandum from the Chief of Police
regarding Narcotics Enforcement Update, 4/14/88; Agenda for the
Special Hearing Examiner Meeting of April 18, 1988 and April 20,
1988 ;' Letter from the Director of Engineering and. Utilities
responding to Neil C. Buren's inquiry regarding Sewer•Service for
501 West Washington Avenue, 4/12/88; Minutes of the Parks and
Recreation Commission Regular Meeting of March .14, 1988; Minutes of
the Yakima Convention Center Advisory Commission Meeting held March
29, 1988 and the Yakima Center Management Report'for March, 1988
and the Monthly Division Report from the Department of Community &
Economic Development for March, 1988. -
21. EXECUTIVE SESSION REGARDING PENDING AND PROSPECTIVE LITIGATION
It was MOVED by Buchanan,' seconded by Barnett, to move into
Executive Session for approximately twenty minutes for the purpose
of - discussing pending and prospective litigation, and adjourn
immediately thereafter. Unanimously carried by voice vote. Sims •
absent.
•
22. ADJOURNMENT •
Following the completion of the Executive Session, the meeting was
adjourned at the hour of 4:20 p.m.
READ AND CERTIFIED. A C C U R A T E B I / . q
IL MEMBER DA
h ATTEST: COUN CT ,
KaAe-)-L A, ,
•
• . CITY CLERK • • MAYOR
Minutes prepared 'by Deputy City Clerk Barbara J. Toney, CMC.
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