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HomeMy WebLinkAbout09/17/2024 Business Meeting 399 Argh. r -r ,.rf rr/r'r rr, ‘ YAKIMA CITY COUNCIL MINUTES September 17, 2024 City Hall - Council Chambers - 129 N 2nd Street, Yakima, WA 5:30 PM City Council Regular Meeting — conducted in person and virtually via Zoom 1. Roll Call Present: Mayor Patricia Byers, presiding; Assistant Mayor Matt Brown and Councilmembers Reedy Berg, Janice Deccio, Rick Glenn, Danny Herrera and Leo Roy Staff: City Manager Vicki Baker, Acting City Attorney Cynthia Martinez and Acting City Clerk Brandy Bradford 2. Pledge of Allegiance Mayor Byers led the Pledge of Allegiance. 3. Interpreter Services Mayor Byers introduced Jorge Villasenor who announced interpreter services are available in Spanish. 4. Public Comment Mr. Timm, City resident, expressed concern about inconsistencies in the approval process for the housing project near Lewis Ave & Folsom Ave. Jennifer Schlenske, Executive Director of Justice Housing Yakima and City resident, spoke about the need to fund permanent supportive housing to prevent chronic homelessness and related issues. Tony Sandoval, City resident, spoke on the issue of vehicles speeding and distracted driving on Nob Hill Blvd. near 10th Avenue and suggested better enforcement in the area. 5. Open Discussion for the Good of the Order A. Constitution Week proclamation Assistant Mayor Brown proclaimed the week of September 17 through 23, 2024 as "Narcissa Whitman Chapter, NSDAR Constitution Week". Jill Scott accepted the proclamation. B. Recognition of retiring Yakima Police Lieutenant Chad Stephens Interim Police Chief Shawn Boyle recognized Lt. Stephens for his retirement after 35 years of service to the Yakima community. Mayor Byers presented Lt. Stephens with a retirement clock. C. Recognition of retiring Municipal Court Services Manager Jodi Stephens Yakima Municipal Court Judges Aryn Masters and Troy Clements recognized Municipal Court Services Manager Jodi Stephens for her retirement after 26 years of service to the City of Yakima. The Council thanked Mrs. Stephens and wished her well. September 17, 2024 —Yakima City Council Meeting Minutes Page 1 of 7 400 6. Council Reports A. Lodging Tax Advisory Committee (LTAC) Report Mayor Byers, Chair of the Lodging Tax Advisory Committee, briefed Council on the LTAC meeting of September 12, 2024, and reported on the Committee's budgetary allocation recommendations based on the 2025 forecast for Lodging Tax Revenue of $1,745,000. • $490,000 - Debt Service— Fixed Allocation • $280,000 - Convention Center Capital • $625,500 - Convention Center Operations • $ 50,000 - Visitor Center Operations . $ 90,000 - Sports Commission Operations • $150,000 - Capitol Theatre Operations • $ 60,000 - Sundome MOTION: Brown moved and Deccio seconded to approve the LTAC recommendations as outlined. The motion carried by unanimous vote. 7. Consent Agenda Mayor Byers referred to the items placed on the Consent Agenda, questioning whether there were any additions or deletions from Council members present. Item 7E and 7H were removed from the consent agenda. The Acting City Clerk read the Consent Agenda items, including resolutions and ordinances, by title. (Items on the Consent Agenda are handled under one motion without further discussion—see motion directly below.) MOTION: Brown moved and Deccio seconded to approve the consent agenda as read. The motion carried by a 7-0 roll call vote. A. Approval of minutes from the September 3, 2024 City Council regular meeting B. August 2024 Investment Transaction Report C. Approve payment of disbursements for the period August 1-31, 2024 D. Set date of October 15, 2024 for an open record public hearing to consider the Hearing Examiner's recommendation regarding a right-of-way petition for YWCA Yakima to vacate S. 10th Ave. between W. Chestnut Ave. and W. Walnut St. E. This item was removed from the Consent Agenda. F. Resolution authorizing a contract for the Yakima Air Terminal Building Modernization project with the Washington State Department of Commerce Community Economic Revitalization Board (CERB) for Capital Improvement Projects at the Yakima Air Terminal-McAllister Field RESOLUTION NO. R-2024-171, A RESOLUTION authorizing a contract for the Yakima Air Terminal Building Modernization project with the Washington State Department of Commerce Community Economic Revitalization Board (CERB) for Capital Improvement Projects at the Yakima Air Terminal-McAllister Field. September 17, 2024 -Yakima City Council Meeting Minutes Page 2 of 7 401 G. Ordinance amending the 2024 Budget for the City of Yakima and making appropriations from unappropriated fund balances within various funds for expenditure during 2024 for various purposes (Second Reading) ORDINANCE NO. 2024-025, AN ORDINANCE amending the 2024 Budget for the City of Yakima; and making appropriations from Unappropriated Fund Balances within various funds for expenditure during 2024 for various purposes. H. This item was removed from the Consent Agenda. Items Removed from the Consent Agenda E. Resolution authorizing award of Bid 12421 and execution of an agreement with Solenis LLC, to purchase Cationic Polymer Flocculant No action taken. This item will be brought back at a future Council meeting. H. Ordinance updating Classification and Compensation Plan for City Employees Section 2.20.100 Director of Human Resources Connie Mendoza provided information about the adjustments included in the proposed Pay Ordinance. MOTION: Brown moved and Deccio seconded to pass the Ordinance in Item H. The motion carried by a 7-0 roll call vote. ORDINANCE NO. 2024-026, AN ORDINANCE updating Classification and Compensation Plan for City Employees Section 2.20.100 8. Public Hearings A. Public hearing and Ordinance to consider the Hearing Examiner's recommendation regarding a right-of-way petition for O. Jean Owens Revocable Living Trust to vacate a portion of an alley and a portion of N. Front Street between Bartlett PI. and N. 1st Street Senior Planner Eric Crowell introduced this item and briefed Council on the Hearing Examiner's recommendation. Mayor Byers administered the Appearance of Fairness Doctrine by asking Councilmembers the following questions: . Is there any Councilmember who cannot hear this matter due to a conflict of interest, ownership of property adjacent to the street sought to be vacated, or inability to hear the matter in a fair and objective manner? Councilmembers responded no. . Has any Councilmember had any ex parte communications with the Applicants, or anyone else, regarding this application? If so, please place on the record the substance of your communications so that interested parties have the opportunity to rebut the communications. Councilmembers responded no. . Is there anyone who wishes to challenge any Councilmember's participation in this matter? No one spoke to the issue. Mayor Byers opened the public hearing. Stephanie Beaman, the applicant's representative, spoke in favor of Council approving this right-of-way vacation. September 17, 2024—Yakima City Council Meeting Minutes Page 3 of 7 402 With no one else coming forward or calling in to speak, Mayor Byers closed the public hearing. The Acting City Clerk read the Ordinance by title only. After Council deliberation, MOTION: Brown moved and Deccio seconded to pass the ordinance adopting the Hearing Examiner's recommendation. The motion carried by a 7-0 roll call vote. ORDINANCE NO. 2024-027, AN ORDINANCE relating to land use; vacating a portion of an alley and N. Front St. right-of-way between Bartlett PI. and N. 1st St. in the City of Yakima, Washington. B. Second Public Meeting to consider the Notice of Intent to commence the University District Annexation in the vicinity of Terrace Heights Dr., University Parkway, and Highway 24 Planning Manager Trevor Martin introduced the topic and reviewed information related to the proposed annexation and its' impact on property taxes and utilities; benefits of the annexation; and outlined next steps in the annexation process. He presented Option 5 map, an updated area proposed for potential annexation consisting of approximately 588 acres in size. The presentation included clarifying information and responses to concerns raised at the August 20th public meeting. Yakima Fire Chief Aaron Markham provided extensive information comparing Fire Department response times and major call types among surrounding fire stations. He also noted a potential decrease in insurance rates as a result of extending the City boundaries. Yakima Interim Police Chief Shawn Boyle shared information about law enforcement response time for calls for service and noted a faster response from YPD with more available resources. Public Works Director Scott Schafer shared information related to a proposed Terrace Heights fixed route and Dial-A-Ride services to serve the immediate area. Mr. Schafer also spoke about maintaining a level of service for street maintenance, particularly for road repair, street sweeping, sidewalk repair, weed control in the right of way, and snow and ice control. The following individuals spoke to this matter: Theresa Otto, Terrace Heights resident, urged Council of the Option 5 map. Terry Wittmeier, Terrace Heights resident and property owner, spoke about negative annexation experiences in other cities. Linda Sliger, representing Terrace Heights Community Association, voiced the association's collective opposition to the annexation proposal. Mark Young, Terrace Heights resident, spoke in opposition to the annexation proposal and commented on the issues of the school district and taxing for schools. Ray Lamoureux, Terrace Heights Fire District, spoke to the statistics of EMS response in the proposed annexation areas. September 17, 2024—Yakima City Council Meeting Minutes Page 4 of 7 403 Paula Heaverlo, Terrace Heights resident and property owner, inquired about removing properties from the flood plain areas situated in the County's jurisdiction. Vickie Gutheridge, Terrace Heights resident and property owner, asked Council to accept a petition rejecting the Terrace Heights annexation proposal. Council clarified that an official petition can be filed after an ordinance has been passed. Sandy Braden, Terrace Heights resident and property owner, informed Council that Byron Borton, one of the business owners petitioning for the annexation, withdrew his support from the annexation proposal. Mr. Martin clarified that staff had not received a formal withdrawal from Mr. Barton. After Council discussion, MOTION: Brown moved and Glenn seconded to direct staff to create an official petition and collect signatures and accept map number 5. The motion failed by a 6-1 roll call vote; Herrera, Roy, Berg, Brown, Byers, and Deccio voting no. MOTION: Berg moved and Roy seconded to accept map number 4 and direct staff to create an official petition and collect signatures. The motion passed by a 5-2 roll call vote; Deccio and Herrera voting no. MOTION: Brown moved and Berg seconded to require the assumption of any portion of existing city indebtedness by the area to be annexed. The motion carried by a 5-2 roll call vote; Deccio and Herrera voting no. MOTION: Brown moved and Berg seconded to require the simultaneous adoption of a comprehensive plan. The motion carried by a 5-2 roll call vote; Deccio and Herrera voting no. 9. Department Items A. Resolution authorizing agreements with Enterprise Fleet Management, Inc., to provide Fleet Management Services Fleet and Facilities Manager Kerry Jones briefed the Council on the proposed resolution. The Acting City Clerk read the resolution by title only. MOTION: Deccio moved and Brown seconded to adopt the resolution. The motion carried by a 7-0 roll call vote. RESOLUTION NO. R-2024-172, A RESOLUTION authorizing agreements with Enterprise Fleet Management, Inc., to provide Fleet Management Services. B. Resolution authorizing an Interagency Agreement with Washington Traffic Safety Commission for Dedicated DUI Enforcement Yakima Police Lieutenant Ira Cavin briefed the Council on the proposed resolution authorizing an interagency agreement to receive funds for dedicated DUI enforcement. The Acting City Clerk read the resolution by title only. September 17, 2024 —Yakima City Council Meeting Minutes Page 5 of 7 404 MOTION: Brown moved and Deccio seconded to adopt the resolution. The motion carried by a 7-0 roll call vote. RESOLUTION NO. R-2024-173, A RESOLUTION authorizing an agreement with Washington Traffic Safety Commission to provide funding to the City of Yakima for a dedicated officer whose primary responsibilities will be the detection and enforcement of impaired driving. C. Resolution authorizing a contract with Central Washington Fair Association for police services Yakima Interim Police Chief Boyle briefed the Council on the proposed resolution for police services during the 2024 Central Washington Fair. The Acting City Clerk read the resolution by title only. MOTION: Deccio moved and Brown seconded to adopt the resolution. The motion carried by a 7-0 roll call vote. RESOLUTION NO. R-2024-174, A RESOLUTION authorizing the City Manager of the City of Yakima to execute an agreement Between the City of Yakima and the Central Washington Fair Association ("CWFA") to staff police officers at the fairgrounds during the Central Washington Fair. D. Proposed changes to Criminal Rules for Courts of Limited Jurisdiction, CrRLJ 3.1, Standards for Indigent Defense Senior Assistant City Attorney Cynthia Martinez briefed Council on a recommendation by the Washington State Bar Association (WSBA) to the Washington State Supreme Court to limit the case load for public defenders. Ms. Martinez explained that if the Supreme Court adopts the proposed indigent defense case load standards, it will ultimately reduce the case load limit, in a phased approach, for each Municipal Court public defender from the current 400 cases a year to 120 case credits a year in 2027. The public safety and quality of life in the City of Yakima will be impacted in a negative way because there are not enough funding resources or attorneys practicing criminal law in Yakima County to cover the need. The Washington Supreme Court is accepting official comments. The Legal Department prepared a response letter with comments, including an analysis of the "Study" that the WSBA relied upon to make the proposed indigent defense caseload standard recommendation. After Council discussion, MOTION: Deccio moved and Brown seconded to authorize the Legal Department to submit these comments to the Washington State Supreme Court on behalf of the City of Yakima. The motion carried by unanimous consent. 10. City Manager Update City Manager Vicki Baker informed Council that the priority-based budget method is in process and a review of the overall preliminary budget will be presented to Council and the public on October 1st. Due to the upcoming extensive budget discussions, it was Council consensus to conduct longer meetings as opposed to additional meetings. September 17, 2024—Yakima City Council Meeting Minutes Page 6 of 7 405 11. Other Business MOTION: Byers moved and Brown seconded that the Codes Division and Yakima Police Department report to the Council the number of service calls and issues of code compliance and YakBack reports regarding hotels and other supportive housing facilities. The motion carried by unanimous vote. MOTION: Byers moved and Berg seconded that at a future Council meeting that Council consider having just one study session per month for a longer time as a cost savings to the City after completing the budgeting process. The motion carried by unanimous vote. MOTION: Brown moved and Berg seconded to add to a future agenda, in November, a discussion about developing a community service program involving non-profit providers and municipal courts. The motion carried by unanimous consent. MOTION: Brown moved and Berg seconded to add to a future agenda, in November, a discussion about developing an Adopt-a-Block Program in the City of Yakima. The motion carried by unanimous consent. 12. Adjournment MOTION: Brown moved and Deccio seconded to adjourn to the next City Council study session on September 24, 2024, at 5:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers at City Hall. The motion carried by unanimous vote. The meeting adjourned at 8:38 p.m. CERTIFICATION READ AND CERTIFIED ACCURATE BY l/? - COUNCIL ME E DATE COUNCIL MEMBER DATE ATTEST: v _Lod 0,b71� * SEAL : *1 ► _ i CITY CLERK �y., ,:�,, MAYO' 14;1sHi Gc°- September 17, 2024—Yakima City Council Meeting Minutes Page 7 of 7