Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout07/29/1968 Business Meeting r 455 . JULY 29, 1968 The City Council met in regular session, Assistant Mayor Robinson presiding, Councilmen Brown, Keith, Kurbitz, Lambert and McNeice, City Manager McMicken and Assistant City - Attorney McGlothlen present on roll call. Mayor Larson absent on roll call, having -been excused at the previous meeting. The Invocation was given by Councilman Brown. The minutes of the regular meeting of July 22, 1968, having been duly certified accurate by two Councilmen, and no one present wishing to have said minutes read publicly, Assis- tant Mayor Robinson. declared said minutes approved as recorded. This being the time fixed for the Hearing on the matter of the Fluoridation of the City water supply, Assistant Mayor Robinson explained that the request has been made by the Yakima Dental Society to have this matter submitted to the voters of the Cityof Yakima at a special election to be held in conjunction with the Washington State General Elec- tion to be held on November 5, 1968, for their adoption or rejection. It was*VED by Brown, seconded by McNeice that Ordinance No. 1052 relating to the fluoridation of the City of Yakima water supply and prescribing a ballot title, be passed as read: Assistant City Manager Robinson referred to City Manager Report #28 with attached reports on Cost Data on Fluoride Treatment of water for the City of Yakima from the office oflthe Direc- tor of Public Works, and Fluoridation _rules and regulations relating to public health. in Washington, from the Manual of the Laws . published by the Washington State Board. of Health, Washington State Department of Health. •.He then asked to hear from those present in favor of putting the matter of fluoridation of the Yakima City water system on the ballot for a vote of the people. Donald R. Dietz, President of the Yakima Valley Dental Society and Dr. Melvin H. Carlson, Dentist, were present and approved the matter of placing this issue on the ballot. Dr. Dietz stated they would urge the Council to approve this Ordinance so that this matter may be brought to a vote of the people. Mr. Laurence Robinson, representing the Yakima Pure Water Association, spoke against fluoridation of the City water supply and read a prepared statement, which was filed this date with the City Clerk, opposing the passage of Ordinance No. 1052 to put this matter on the ballot. In this statement against fluoridation of the Yakima City water system, the Yakima Pure Water Association suggested an alternate plan by which the City of Yakima would provide fluoride in tablet form for those desiring it, at a cost of less than $500.00'per year. Mr. O. F. Gilbert, President of the Yakima Pure Water Association, read a prepared state- ment against fluoridation of the City Water system, that quoted parts of many papers against fluoridation of the water systems, which has been filed with the City Clerk on this date. Others present at this meeting speaking against fluoridation of the Yakima City water system and against putting this issue on the ballot for a vote of the people were Betty and Clyde Keltner, Mrs. McCormick and Mrs. Rice. Mr. William Mcllvanie and Mr. Lynden Bronson, both read written statements against the fluoridation of the Yakima City water system. Dr. Donald Dietz commented that after listening to all the discus- sion against the fluoridation of the City water system, he would like to say that for • ' every reference against fluoridation, he could list 100 others that have beenl written to substantiate the use of fluoride in the water system. He further stated that the use of fluoride tablets isn't as effective because after a period of time, many people dis- continue taking the tablets. Dr. Carlson stated that it seems very apparent that there seems to be a difference of opinion and would urge the Council to pass Ordinance No. 1052 to put this matter on the ballot for a vote of the people. Dr. Leland Harris, Yakima County -City Health Officer, spoke in favor of fluoridation of the City water system, stating that there is much evidence to substantiate the fact that addition of:fluoride to the water systems helps to prevent dental cavities. He further stated that there are many drugs and minerals used in treating of diseases which, if taken in large; quantities, would be very poisonous. Councilman Lambert stated that Council members have received much information regarding fluoridation and feels that this matter should be brought be- fore the public for their opinion. Councilman Kurbitz displayed several samples of fluoride, in liquid and tablet form, to show what' people can buy in drug stores with a prescription, to treat water, and explained each. After due discussion, Assistant Mayor Robinson called for the vote on the Motion to pass Ordinance No. 1052, putting this matter on the ballot for a vote of the people. It carried, Brown, Keith, Lambert, McNeice and Robinson voting aye on roll call. Kurbitz voting nay on roll call. Larson absent. In voting aye, Councilman Brown stated that he will vote for the fluoridation' of the Yakima City water system, but that he would never vote for doing this without' bringing it to a vote of the people. .Councilman Kurbitz read a statement in connection with voting nay on this matter, which he filed with the City Clerk on this date, stating that he is not opposed to the fluoridation of water in general, but is not in favor of the Council passing Ordinance No. 1052 to place this matter on the ballot_ He explained that the voters of the City have rejected this matter twice and feels that if the proponents for fluoridation get the signatures of the proper percentage of voters to place this mat- ter on the ballot, that this is the way it should be done. ORDINANCE NO. 1052, AN ORDINANCE relating to public services and utilities; authorizing fluoridation of the water supply of the City of Yakima, subject to a referendum at a special election to be held in conjunction with the State General Election on! November 5, 1968; and prescribing a ballot title. It was MOVED by Brown, seconded by Keith, that Resolution No. D -1235 requesting the County Auditor to hold a special election for the purpose of submitting to th'e voters a proposition entitled, "Fluoridation of City Water Supply ", be passed as read; carried, Brown, Keith, Kurbitz, Lambert, McNeice and Robinson voting aye on roll call. Larson absent. RESOLUTION NO. D -1235, A RESOLUTION requesting the Auditor of Yakima County, Washington, to hold a special election. An Ordinance appropriating $3,000.00 to the Street Fund, in order to settle pending liti- gation by Bivens vs. City of Yakima and Pacific Power and Light Co., as authorized by Resolution No. D -1233, having been read in its entirety at this meeting, was "laid on the table for one week or until August 5, 1968. Councilman Lambert excused at 5:00 P.M. City Manager McMicken referred to his report #27 regarding the appeal of a sewer assess- ment by Mr. Harry spahn at the Council meeting of July 15, 1968. Mr. McMicken indicated • 456 C • JULY 29,.1968 ' that after thorough study of the matter by the staff and the City Attorney, it appears that the assessment is valid and a'legal lien exists against the property, and there is no legal way that Mr. Spahn may be•compensated. He further stated that the only recourse open to Mr. Spahn to attempt.to avoid payment : is to•refuse to pay two annual install- ments of his assessment, force the City toforeclose, and to defend foreclosure action in Superior Court. Councilman Brown indicated that he feels that this is an unfair • ' 11 . . assessment and that the matter should be further pursued to try and find some way to relieve Mr. Spahn from paying this assessment. Councilman Robinson stated that he con - curs with Mr. Brown in feeling that this is an unfair assessment, but that once an L. is fixed there is no way it can be changed. Council members indicated they felt this • matter should be studied further and also wanted to find out if any other parcels were . affected in this same way.• It was .MOVED by Brown, seconded by Keith, that this matter_ be further pursued to try and find some way to relieve Mr. Spahn of payment, and find out if any other parcels in this L.I.D. are affected; carried, Brown, Keith, Kurbitz, McNeice and Robinson voting aye by voice vote. Lambert and Larson absent. • City Manager McMicken explained that on May .20, 1968,'Mr. Cecil Terk, 2711 West,Chestnut, had filed with the City Clerk a claim for damages in the amount of $1,460.83 for damages resulting from flooding of his basement by water escaping from a broken irrigation line. ' Mr. McMicken - reported that since the amount claimed was.too high; the City Council grant authorization during the study session on July 15, 1968, to make a counteroffer to Mr. Terk, which offer Mr. Terk accepted. After due discussion, it was MOVED by Keith, . ' seconded by McNeice, that Resolution No. D -1236 authori payment of $1,075.00 to . . Cecil Terk in settlement of a'claim for damages, ,be passed as read: carried, Brown, Keith, Kurbitz, McNeice and Robinson voting aye on roll call. Lambert and Larson absent. RESOLUTION NO. D -1236, A RESOLUTION authorizing payment of a claim for damages filed against the City of Yakima by Cecil Terk. . City Manager McMicken requested authorization for Director r'of Public Works, John Mayo, to travel to Portland, Oregon, with expenses paid. It was MOVED by McNeice, seconded by Kurbitz, that said travel be approved with expenses paid: carried, Brown, Keith, Kurbitz, McNeice and Robinson voting aye by voice vote. Lambert and Larson absent. . • ' There being no further business to come before the Council, it was MOVED by Kurbitz, seconded by McNeice, that we do now .adjourn at the.hour of 5 :15 P.M.: carried, Brown, Keith, Kurbitz, McNeice and Robinson voting aye by voice vote. Lambert and Larson absent. READ AND CERTIFIED ACCURATE BY L p � DATE CO / I LMAN . ) c-41Sir 1 : DATE C OUNCILMAN • ATTEST: / l A AOZ� � �� C I T Y C L E R K • M Ai 0 ' P RI T E M • • • III . , .. . . . . , • . . . . . . . • • . . • • . . • . ... • . . .. . . . . _______ . . ,_ . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . • . . . . . . . . . . . . . • . • • .. , A