HomeMy WebLinkAbout09/06/2016 Business Meeting/Executive Session 465
YAKIMA CITY COUNCIL
September 6, 2016
City Hall -- Council Chambers
5:00 p.m. Executive Session; 6 p.m. Business Meeting -- MINUTES
EXECUTIVE SESSION
1. Executive Session regarding pending litigation and land and property considerations
Roll Call: Mayor Kathy Coffey, presiding, Assistant Mayor Carmen Mendez, Council
Members Holly Cousens, Avina Gutierrez, Dulce Gutierrez and Bill Lover
Absent: Council Member Maureen Adkison (excused)
MOTION: Mendez moved and Cousens seconded to adjourn to Executive
Session regarding pending litigation and land and property considerations for
up to one hour. The motion carried by unanimous vote, Adkison absent.
Executive Session was held and adjourned at 5:55 p.m.
BUSINESS MEETING
1. Roll Call
Council: Mayor Kathy Coffey, presiding, Assistant Mayor Carmen Mendez, Council
Members Holly Cousens, Avina Gutierrez, Dulce Gutierrez and Bill Lover
Staff: City Manager Moore, City Attorney Cutter and City Clerk Claar Tee
Absent: Council Member Maureen Adkison (excused)
2. Pledge of Allegiance
Mayor Coffey led the Pledge of Allegiance.
3. Interpreter Services
Mayor Coffey announced interpreter services are available.
4. Open Discussion for the Good of the Order
Statement of Support for the Guard and Reserve
Council Member Cousens read a Statement of Support for the Guard and Reserve.
A. Proclamations
Constitution Week proclamation
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Mayor Coffey proclaimed the week of September 17 through 23, 2016, as Constitution
Week and Leslie Shields accepted the proclamation.
ii. National Truck Driver Appreciation Week
Mayor Coffey proclaimed September 11 through 17, 2016, as National Truck Driver
Appreciation Week and Ed Chadwick accepted the proclamation.
B. Presentations / Recognitions / Introductions
Recognition of 15 Years of Service for Fire Lieutenants Jason Ray
and Brian Kneisler
Fire Chief Stewart recognized Fire Lieutenants Jason Ray and Brian Kneisler for 15 years
of service to the City of Yakima.
ii. American Public Works Association Project of the Year Award for the
Yakima Railroad Grade Separation Project
City Engineer Sheffield presented Council with the American Public Works Association
Project of the Year Award for the Yakima Railroad Grade Separation Project.
C. Appointments to Boards, Commissions and Council Committees
Acceptance of Council Nominating Committee minutes and
recommendation of appointments to the Yakima Housing Authority,
Board of Appeals, Hotel /Motel -- Tourist Promotion Area and Lodging
Tax Advisory Committee, as well as discuss application deadline for
exploratory Committees
Council Member Lover provided an update on the Council Nominating Committee
meeting. After Council discussion,
MOTION: Lover moved and A. Gutierrez seconded to appoint Billy Fetzer to the Yakima
Housing Authority board. The motion failed by a 5 -1 vote, Coffey, Cousens, A. Gutierrez,
D. Gutierrez, and Mendez voting no, Adkison absent. MOTION: A. Gutierrez moved
to postpone any nominations to any committees at this time. The motion failed due to lack
of a second.
MOTION: Cousens moved and Mendez seconded to appoint Nick Marquez to the
Yakima Housing Authority board. The motion carried by a 4 -2 vote, A. Gutierrez
and Lover voting no, Adkison absent.
MOTION: Lover moved and Cousens seconded to appoint Mike Heit to the Board
ofAppeals, Sarah Davila to the Hotel /Motel -- Tourist Promotion Area and Charlie
Robin to the Lodging Tax Advisory Committee. The motion carried by a 5 - vote, A.
Gutierrez voting no, Adkison absent.
MOTION: D. Gutierrez moved and Cousens seconded to seta deadline of
September 20, 2016, for acceptance of applications to the exploratory
committees. The motion carried by unanimous vote, Adkison absent.
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MOTION: Cousens moved and Mendez seconded to accept the Council
Nominating Committee minutes. The motion carried by unanimous vote, Adkison
absent.
5. Council Reports
None.
6. Consent Agenda
Mayor Coffey referred to the items placed on the Consent Agenda, questioning whether
there were any additions or deletions from Council members or citizens present. Item 5B
(now item 8) and item 5F (now item 9) were removed from the consent agenda. 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: Mendez moved and Cousens seconded to approve the consent agenda.
The motion carried by unanimous vote, Adkison absent.
A. Approval of the minutes from the August 16, 2016, City Council Business
meetings and August 11, 15, 23, and 30, 2016, City Council Study Sessions
B. Resolution authorizing a settlement agreement with Jose Ochoa -Mares to
resolve and settle the litigation brought by the City
RESOLUTION NO. R- 2016 -103, A RESOLUTION authorizing and directing the City
Manager of the City of Yakima to execute the settlement agreement entered into by the
City of Yakima ( "City ") and Jose Ochoa -Mares ( "Claimant ") to resolve and settle the
litigation brought by the City.
C. Resolution authorizing a lease agreement with the US Department of
Transportation Federal Aviation Administration for a lease of property for
aeronautical navigation equipment and to provide Air Traffic Control services
RESOLUTION NO. R- 2016 -104, A RESOLUTION authorizing the City Manager to execute
a lease agreement with the United States Department of Transportation Federal Aviation
Administration for a lease of property for aeronautical navigation equipment and to provide
Air Traffic Control services.
D. Resolution authorizing a property lease agreement with Ellensburg Telephone
Company, d /b /a Fairpoint Communications, for the City's primary radio
transmission site on Look Out Point
RESOLUTION NO. R- 2016 -105, A RESOLUTION authorizing the City Manager to enter
into a property lease agreement with Ellensburg Telephone Company, d /b /a Fairpoint
Communications, a Washington Corporation, for the City's primary radio transmission site
on Look Out Point.
E. Ordinance relating to Leaves of Absence and amending Yakima Municipal Code
Section 2.40.050 Military Leave
ORDINANCE NO. 2016 -015, AN ORDINANCE relating to Leaves of Absence and
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amending Yakima Municipal Code Section 2.40.050 Military Leave.
7. Audience Participation
Frank Hewey, city resident, stated he has made two public records requests related to the
homeless encampment - -one to the City and one to the County. He stated if the City could
not move the homeless from Chestnut Avenue without having an alternate location, then
the County was not following the same rules when moving them from the encampment by
the river. He asked for an update on how much the encampment has cost the City and how
many have been placed in housing.
Ruby Irving, city resident, reported she has witnessed drug usage at the homeless
encampment and is very concerned about children witnessing this. She also shared her
concerns about the filth on Naches Avenue and how badly it reflects on the community to
visitors.
Rich Austin, Yakima Valley Sports Commission, reported on the Pirate Plunder event and
Hot Shots Tournament. He thanked the City of Yakima for assistance with the events.
Luz Gutierrez, city resident, stated she thinks the appointment process to the City's boards
and commissions is flawed. She shared her concerns about garbage strewn around
downtown and the difficulties businesses are facing due to the homeless. Ms. Gutierrez
also reported the Mexico Consulate visited Yakima and is interested in helping with a
Mercado project.
Tommy Lee, city resident and business owner in Yakima, reported his business has
suffered over the last several months due to the homeless and something needs to be
done. He submitted a petition requesting the Council relocate or offer other housing
options for the homeless in the downtown area and to come up with a long -term plan to
create a better and safer environment for the neighbors and businesses.
CITY MANAGER REPORTS
8. Set October 4, 2016 as the date to hold an open record public hearing to discuss initiating
a right -of -way vacation in the vicinity of S. 51st Ave. & Walnut St.
Council Member D. Gutierrez asked why the City is initiating this action. Community
Development Director Davenport explained the property owner requested the City initiate
the vacation.
MOTION: Coffey moved and Lover seconded to approve the set date for October
4, 2016, for this item. The motion carried by a unanimous vote, Adkison absent.
9. Resolution authorizing a radio site sublease agreement with New Cingular Wireless PCS,
LLC, a Delaware limited liability company for the purpose of leasing available space on the
City's Look Out Point radio communications site
This items was postponed.
10. Request for Letter of Support for Next Step Housing concerning the proposed Bicycle
Apartments project at 118 N 50th Avenue
Office of Neighborhood Development Services Manager Matthews briefed Council on the
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request.
MOTION: Lover moved and Cousens seconded to approve the request fora letter
of support. The motion carried by unanimous vote, Adkison absent.
11. Resolution authorizing City staff to submit a "Tree City USA" application to the Arbor Day
Foundation, Washington State Department of Natural Resources Urban & Community
Forestry, and USDA Forest Service for development of a tree care ordinance and board
Supervising Planner Peters briefed Council on the issue.
Yakima Arboretum Co- Executive Directors Jheri Ketcham and Colleen Adams -
Schuppe spoke in support of the Tree City USA application and referenced a study
indicating trees actually reduce crime in neighborhoods.
The City Clerk read the resolution by title only.
RESOLUTION NO. R- 2016 -106, A RESOLUTION authorizing City staff to prepare and
submit a "Tree City USA" application to the Arbor Day Foundation, Washington State
Department of Natural Resources Urban & Community Forestry, and USDA Forest
Service, and development of a tree care ordinance and board.
MOTION: A. Gutierrez moved and Cousens seconded to adopt the resolution. The
motion carried by unanimous vote, Adkison absent.
12. Resolution authorizing a mutual rescission with regards to contract agreements with
Yakima Valley Partners Habitat for Humanity for the construction of four new low income
housing units at 1220 S. 16th Avenue
Office of Neighborhood Development Services Manager Matthews briefed Council on the
issue.
The City Clerk read the resolution by title only.
RESOLUTION NO. R- 2016 -107, A RESOLUTION authorizing the City manager to execute
a mutual rescission with regards to HOME CFDA Contract #14.218 between the City of
Yakima and Yakima Valley Partners Habitat for Humanity due to Habitat's inability to
perform the terms and conditions therein.
MOTION: Mendez moved and Cousens seconded to adopt the resolution. The
motion carried by unanimous vote, Adkison absent.
13. Resolution adopting Yakima Transit's Transit Development Plan for 2016 -2021 and annual
report for 2015
Transit Manager Maxey briefed Council on the resolution. Council Member D. Gutierrez
suggested establishing a formal citizen transit advisory committee with Council oversight.
Robert Strader, city resident, shared his concern that Yakima Transit has lacked Council
oversight the last several years and supports Council Member D. Gutierrez's comments.
The City Clerk read the resolution by title only.
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RESOLUTION NO. R- 2016 -108, A RESOLUTION adopting Yakima Transit's Transit
Development Plan for 2016 -2021 and annual report for 2015.
MOTION: Mendez moved and A. Gutierrez seconded to adopt the resolution. The
motion carried by a unanimous vote, Adkison absent.
ORDINANCES
14. Discussion regarding proposed revisions to Ordinance No. 2016 -008 (marijuana)
Senior Assistant City Attorney Watkins briefed Council on Council Member Cousens
proposed changes to the marijuana ordinance relating to Small Convenience Center
(SCC) zoning and adding to the definition of child care centers.
Justin Heater, City resident and owner of Slow Burn, spoke in support of allowing
marijuana retailers in the SCC zones.
Anna Marie Dufault, non - resident, spoke in support of adding to the definition of child care
centers and spoke against allowing retailers in the SCC zones.
After Council discussion,
MOTION: Cousens moved and A. Gutierrez seconded to set a public hearing for
September 20, 2016, to discuss the daycare centers. The motion carried by a 5 -
vote, Lover voting no and Adkison absent.
MOTION: Cousens moved and A. Gutierrez seconded to seta public hearing for
September 20, 2016, to discuss the SCC zones. The motion carried by a 4 -
vote, Mendez and Lover voting no and Adkison absent.
15. Other Business
Council Member Lover suggested having a meeting with the Housing Authority to review
the board appointment process and possibly change some language on the application.
Mayor Coffey suggested this be addressed at the Council's upcoming retreat.
Council Member Cousens suggested placing a link on the City's website to update
community members on the homeless issues. City Manager Moore noted this information
changes quickly and could be added to a monthly newsletter. Codes Manager Caruso
provided an update on the homeless encampment noting there is zero tolerance for drugs
and alcohol.
16. Adjournment
MOTION: Mendez moved and D. Gutierrez seconded to adjourn to a City Council
Study Session on September 13, 2016, at 10 a.m. in the Council Chambers at City
Hall. The motion carried by unanimous vote, Adkison absent. The meeting adjourned
at 8:32 p.m.
CERTIFICATION
READ AND CERTIFIED ACCURATE BY
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