Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout06/07/2016 Business Meeting 414 • YAKIMA CITY COUNCIL June 7,2016 City Hall -- Council Chambers 6 p.m. Business Meeting; 6:30 p.m. Public Hearings -- MINUTES BUSINESS MEETING 1. RoII Call Council: MayorAvina Gutierrez, presiding, Assistant Mayor Holly Cousens, Council Members Kathy Coffey, Dulce Gutierrez, Bill Lover and Carmen Mendez Staff: Interim City Manager Cutter, Acting City Attorney Kunkler and City Clerk Claar Tee Absent: Council Members Maureen Adkison (excused) 2. Pledge of Allegiance Mayor Gutierrez led the Pledge of Allegiance. 3. Open Discussions for the Good of the Order Interpreter Services Mayor Gutierrez announced interpreter services are available. A. Presentations / Recognitions / Introductions Recognition of Retiring Permit Technician Ellena Hazen for 21 Years of Dedicated Service to the City of Yakima Community Development Manager Davenport and Codes Manager Caruso recognized Ellena Hazen for 21 years of service to the City of Yakima. Mayor Gutierrez presented her with a service award certificate. Ms. Hazen thanked the City, and in particular, Leonard Hall for encouraging her to apply 21 years ago. ii. Excellence on Main Street Award: Economic Vitality Sean Hawkins, Economic Development Manager, introduced Steve Weise, Chairman of the Downtown Association of Yakima to share some good news about a small business. Mr. Weise reported the Thai House facade improvement, the pilot project of the Downtown Association of Yakima, received the Economic Vitality award at the Washington Main Street's excellence awards ceremony on April 26th in Chelan. The project has enhanced the building not only visually, but also spurred activity to the area and surrounding businesses. 4. Council Reports Page 1 of 7 415 None. 5. Consent Agenda Mayor Gutierrez referred to the items placed on the Consent Agenda, questioning whether there were any additions or deletions from Council members or citizens present. There were no changes. The 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: Coffey moved and D. Gutierrez seconded to approve the consent agenda. The motion carried by a unanimous vote, Adkison absent. A. Approval of the minutes from the May 3 and 17, 2016, City Council Business meetings; May 18, 2016, City Council Retreat; and May 9, 10, 13 and 25, 2016, Special City Council meetings B. 1st Quarter 2016 Capital Improvement Projects Report C. 1st Quarter 2016 Financial Trend Monitoring Report • D. Project Completion and Contract Acceptance for Stephens & Sons Construction - Project 2431 MLK Jr. Park & Miller Park Pool Bath House Building Demo (Standard Motion V -B- Accept the project and approve) E. Project Completion and Contract Acceptance for Granite Construction Company - Project Yakima Trolley Parking Lot (Standard Motion V -B- Accept the project and approve) F. Set date of June 21, 2016, fora public hearing and approval of an Interlocal Agreement for the 2016 JAG Grant G. Set date of July 5, 2016, for a public hearing to consider the Yakima Planning Commission's recommendation amending the Yakima Municipal Code related to land use regulations and locations pertaining to recreational and medical marijuana production, processing, and retailing of such uses H. Resolution authorizing an agreement with Landau Associates, not to exceed $180,000, for wood debris and landfill gas evaluation on the proposed alignment of Bravo Company Boulevard and the East -West Corridor RESOLUTION NO. R- 2016 -072, A RESOLUTION authorizing the City Manager to execute a Professional Services Agreement with Landau Associates, not to exceed $180,000, for wood debris and landfill gas evaluation on the proposed alignment of Bravo Company Boulevard and the East -West Corridor. Resolution granting a one -year extension of the Preliminary Plat approval for the plat of Annalisa, a twenty -five lot subdivision, located in the vicinity of 80th Ave. and Tieton Drive RESOLUTION NO. R- 2016 -073, A RESOLUTION granting, a one year extension of the Page 2 of 7 416 Preliminary Plat approval for the plat of Annalisa, a twenty -five lot subdivision, located in the vicinity of 80th Ave. and Tieton Drive. J. Ordinance repealing Yakima Municipal Code Chapter 11.58 Flood Damage Prevention, to address required changes by the Federal Emergency Management Agency ORDINANCE NO. 2016-004, AN ORDINANCE relating to the regulation of building construction and the National Flood Insurance Program in the City of Yakima repealing Yakima Municipal Code Chapter 11.58 Flood Damage Prevention, Ordinance (Ord. No. 2560 § 1 (part), 1981) to address required changes by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). 6. Audience Participation Walt Ranta, City resident, apologized for his comment at the last meeting about cell towers noting he misspoke and meant to discuss a request for a list of clean and sober houses. He has learned there is no list and shared his concern with the number of clean and sober houses in the community. Shannon Bird, City resident and business owner, shared her concern for the prolific display of merchandise outside businesses, which are blocking other businesses from view of the public. She shared some pictures for Council to review. Joe Caruso, Codes Manager, explained the language in the municipal code prohibits outdoor merchandise displays in parking lots orADA parking slots, it does not restrict merchandise displayed in other areas of the property. MOTION: Lover moved and Coffey seconded to move the issue of outdoor displays and non - typical displays to a committee for ordinance changes and to work with Legal and Codes. The motion carried by unanimous vote, Adkison absent. Joe Mann, City resident, invited the community to attend the 4th annual Ron Bonlender Memorial Car Show and Cruise the Avenue on June 18, 2016, as well as the Yakima County Marble Tournament and other activities. Larry Mattson, Director of Yakima Valley Conference of Governments, announced they received a technical assistance grant from the Urban Institute to study the feasibility of a Pay For Success program. He introduced team members Kim, Rebecca and Joe from the Urban Institute and invited Council members to a study session the next day at 2:00 p.m. Paul Tabyoyon, City resident, expressed his concern on the lack of sidewalks, particularly near a bus stop where he lives. Joan Davenport, Community Development Director, stated the sidewalk count will be part of the comprehensive and transportation plan process and confirmed we are "sidewalk" poor in our community. PUBLIC HEARINGS 7. Closed record public hearing and ordinance reflecting the Hearing Examiner's recommendation on a proposal by Brian Griff and Larry Loveless to rezone nine parcels in the vicinity of S 80th Ave & Tieton Dr. from Single - Family residential (R -1) to Two - Family residential (R -2) zone Trevor Martin, Associate Planner briefed Council on the ordinance. Page 3 of 7 417 Mayor Gutierrez opened the public hearing. Larry Loveless, City resident, spoke in support of the ordinance. The City Clerk read the ordinance by title only. ORDINANCE NO. 2016 -005, AN ORDINANCE concerning land use regulation, planning, and rezoning of nine parcels of property located in the vicinity of South 80th Ave. and Tieton Dr. from Single - Family Residential (R -1) to Two - Family Residential (R -2), and consider approving the recommendation of the Hearing Examiner. MOTION: Coffey moved and Cousens seconded to pass the ordinance. The motion carried by unanimous vote, Adkison absent. 8. Public hearing regarding: A) Adoption of the Six -year Transportation Improvement Program for the years 2017 to 2022, and to amend the Metropolitan Transportation Plan; and B) Amend the Yakima Urban Area Comprehensive Plan Capital Facilities Element; and continue to a second Public Hearing at the June 21, 2016 Council Meeting Chief Engineer Sheffield briefed Council on the issue and stated this item will return on the June 21, 2016, City Council agenda for an additional public hearing before action is needed. Council Member D. Gutierrez asked if N. 6th Avenue can be added to the list, since it is in bad shape. Mr. Sheffield noted it will be added to the list for the next meeting. Mayor Gutierrez opened the public hearing. Phil Hoge, City resident, spoke in support of item number three on the list. CITY MANAGER REPORTS 9. Proposal by the Yakima Housing Authority for the use of the Yakima Armory site to provide housing and services to homeless veterans in the Yakima area Interim City Manager Jeff Cutter introduced Lowel Krueger, Executive Director of the Yakima Housing Authority. Mr. Krueger briefed Council on its proposal to use the Yakima Armory site to provide housing and services to homeless veterans in the Yakima area. Their intent is to partner with Perry Technical Institute to provide training and they anticipate serving approximately 38 members at this facility. Christine, with Perry Technical Institute, reported the facility has grown over 90% over the last 10 years and needs additional space, which this opportunity provides. After Council discussion, Council Member Coffey suggested Council have more time to II absorb this opportunity before making a recommendation of support. 10. Homeless location options and update Community Development Manager Davenport reported there are about 20-40 people living on E. Chestnut on any given day. The City is unable to relocate them until there is another location. The Health District evaluated the current situation and reports this is an emergent health condition. Ms. Davenport stated the City is working with other partners to provide the homeless with housing vouchers and asked Council to defer any consideration of alternate sites for the time being. Page 4 of 7 418 Sara Watkins, Senior Assistant City Attorney, advised Council the City has a proposed agreement with the Health District, which has agreed to loan the City up to $20,000 to assist in public health and sanitation services for this issue. The agreement states the City must repay the loan by December 31, 2016. The City intends to request reimbursement of the funds from the Yakima Valley Conference of Governments (COG). Don Hinman, with Yakima Neighborhood Health Services, stated they are working with COG and the County Commissioners to have the homeless relocated into homes by the end of the month. They would like the bathrooms that are brought in to be cleaned once or twice a day to avoid any smells and to have the bathrooms removed once the relocation is complete so a new encampment doesn't emerge. Audience comments: Candie Turner, City resident, agreed the homeless issue must be addressed immediately. Frank Hewey, City resident, stated he lives .17 miles from the homeless encampment and believes when other homeless find out about the housing vouchers, the encampment will grow. He is also concerned about how long this process will take and what happens to the homeowners in the area who are being harassed and with all the garbage being strewn about. Anthony Akins, City resident and neighbor of the encampment, expressed his frustration with how this is being handled. He feels Neighborhood Health should be paying for this since he believes they invited the homeless to Yakima. Ruby Irving, City resident, stated she purchased a house in the area two years ago and feels Yakima has let her down. She thinks Neighborhood Health's heart is in the right place; however, the neighbors are suffering due to the homeless piling up garbage, urinating and defecating next to residences. She proposed Neighborhood Health and its partners purchase a warehouse or land in an industrial location to offer basic necessities for the homeless. Glenda Harris, City resident, suggested the City pay the homeless to pick up garbage. Bill Brado stated he is the owner of affordable housing units near the Union Gospel Mission. He understands the Tiger Mart on N. 1 st is one of the proposed locations for the encampment and believes it is the most undesirable of the sites as it is the gateway into Yakima. He hopes the City finds a solution to the problem soon. Dean Owens, owner of Owens Harley Davidson, spoke against using the Tiger Oil location on N. 1st for an encampment site. Paul Tabyoyon, City resident, does not see the County participating in what he sees as a joint issue. Larry Mattson, Yakima Valley Conference of Governments Executive Director, thanked the City, Neighborhood Health and the Health District for working on this issue. The public health emergency is serious and needs to be addressed immediately. Rhonda Hauf, with Yakima Neighborhood Health Services, stated they have reduced the Page 5 of 7 419 amount of homeless in our area. She explained the rise of the river has brought more homeless into the city. Maud Scott, City resident, thanked the City Council and others for trying to find a solution. She is also happy to see residents in the area attending meetings and voicing their concerns. After further Council discussion, MOTION: A. Gutierrez moved and Coffey seconded to approve the Interlocal Agreement with the Yakima Health District for up to $20,000. The motion carried by unanimous vote, Adkison absent. 11. Report on general government fees Finance and Budget Director Epperson briefed Council on the report. 12. Council direction regarding interpreter services at Council meetings City Clerk Claar Tee briefed Council on her findings and recommended the following policy: A professional English -to- Spanish interpreter to be available at the two Council business meetings regularly scheduled to take place each month. If interpreter services are not needed within an hour of the beginning of a Council business meeting, the interpreter present will be allowed to leave the meeting. For other Council meetings (i.e. special meetings, executive sessions, study sessions, retreats, committee meetings, etc.), the City will provide interpreter services only if the issue(s) to be discussed is expected to draw a large crowd (based upon the determination of the mayor and /or city manager) or if interpreter services have been requested as per this policy. Interpreter services can be requested for Council meetings by contacting the Yakima City Clerk's office not less than forty -eight (48) hours prior to the start of such meeting. If during a meeting it is necessary for a speaker's comments to be interpreted so that Council members and others in attendance may understand them, the time required for interpretation will not be counted against the designated time for speakers to address the Council. MOTION: Cousens moved and Mendez seconded to adopt the recommendation. The motion carried by unanimous vote, Adkison absent. 13. Other Business Council Member D. Gutierrez would like to invite Yakima Neighborhood Health Services to a Council meeting to present on the services they provide to our community. Interim City Manager Cutter stated he would issue an invitation. MOTION: Mendez moved and Coffey seconded to have staff bring the breed specific ordinance to the next meeting removing the ban. The motion carried by a 5- 1 vote with Lover voting no, Adkison absent. Mayor Gutierrez stated she received information from the Arboretum indicating the City of Yakima is three out of four steps away from being considered a Tree City USA, which would compliment the All America City designation. She would like this referred to the Community and Neighborhood Building Committee to see what other steps are Page 6 of 7 420 needed. The issue was approved by Council consensus. 14. Adjournment MOTION: Cousens moved and Coffey seconded to adjourn to a Council Study Session on June 14, 2016, at 10 a.m. in the Council Chambers at City Hall. The motion carried by unanimous vote, Adkison absent. The meeting adjourned at 8:33 p.m. CERTIFICATION READ AND CERTIFIED ACCURATE BY li■ _ ' COUNCIL MEMBER DATE - - , 0-- • kiliedi 0 COUN MEMB: R 1 ! 1 DATE ATTEST: a,L.Gyyt ULaCbt [ . i' , \\ `I' 1) n 7 0.--- Ykt / ' , v (4 .,, 4 II A --- .r ft �/ CITY CLERK - , 3 ,',<� �''' YOR ._.-----) . i , p ... 'if , ( TON I 1 Page 7 of 7