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HomeMy WebLinkAbout04/24/1984 Business Meeting275 APRIL 24, 1984 BUSINESS MEETING . The City Council met in session on this date at 3:00 p.m. in the Yakima Convention Center, Yakima, Washington. Mayor Clarence Barnett presiding, Council members Henry Beauchamp, Lynn Buchanan, Shirley Doty, W. K. "Pete" Mbore and Jack Sparling and City Manager Zais and City Attorney Andrews present on roll call. Council member Lynn Carmichael absent and excused. 2. INVOCATION The Invocation was given by Mayor Barnett. . OPEN DISCUSSION FOR THE GOOD OF THE ORDER Council member Doty reminded everyone that Saturday, April 28th is "Clean Up, Green Up" day and encouraged everyone to do their part in an effort to clean up Yakima. 4. CONSENT AGENDA Mayor Barnett referred to the items placed on the Consent Agenda, questioning whether there were any additions or deletions from either Council members or citizens present. Council member DOty requested. that Item NO. 10 be added to the Consent Agenda. It was the general consensus of the Council that the addition of Item N. 10, as requested, be made. The City Clerk then read the Consent Agenda items, including resolutions and Ordinances by title. It was MOVED by Doty, seconded by Sparling that the, Consent Agenda, as read, be passed. Unanimously carried by roll call vote. Carmichael absent. (Subsequent paragraphs preceded by an asterisk (*) indicate items on the Consent Agenda handled under one motion without further discussion.) 5. CURRENT STUDY SESSION ITEMS None 6. AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION Larry Mathews, 805 S. 17th Avenue, stated he understands from articles in the newspaper that Yakima Valley Transportation is going out of business. He stated approximately twenty-eight years ago the Union Pacific Railraod separated two franchises, one for the bus depot and one for the railroad. In his recollection, he stated when the franchise expires or is cancelled, it is the railroad's responsibility to remove the tracks. He stated since they have indicated they no longer intend tb stay in business, it is to the City's advantage not to renew the franchise for any period of time, and put them on notice to remove the tracks. He stated he understood that the property along Nob Hill Blvd. is the property of the Railroad Canpany, except within the City limits, it is the property of the City. He stated this information should put the City in a good position to get something back from the Railroad Canpany. 7. HEARING REZONE REQUESTED BY YAKIMA ORTHOTICS This being the time fixed for the hearing on the rezone of property locatedbetween lith and 12th Avenues, Yakima Avenue to Chestnut Street, as requested by Yakima Orthotics, Larry Wright, Assistant Director of Community & Economic Development, was present to answer questions regarding the rezone. Council member Doty expressed concern that the area appears to have quite a mixture of zoning. Larry Wright indicated the report had been reviewed by the Planning COmmission and they had given approval of the rezone. He 1 276 APRIL 24, 1984 stated as it relates to the Sub -Area Plan, staff is proceeding slowly due to other projects on Which they are currently working. He stated the Planning Commission had indicated it seemed more reasonable to complete the area in B-1 zoning and, therefore, approved this rezone request as such. Vern Holbrook of Aspen Realtors, was present representing the property owners, Mr. & Mrs. Smith. He stated Mr. & Mrs. Smith had lived in their home for a number of years and currently find themselves surrounded by B -I and B-2 zoning and feel this situation no longer lends itself to residential living, therefore, are desirous of selling the property. There being no other citizen present wishing to speak to this issue, the public portion of the hearing was closed. It was MOVED by Beauchamp, seconded by Buchanan to accept the recommendation of the Planning Commission to grant the rezone request. The question was called for a vote on the motion. Carried by 5-1 roll call vote. Doty voting nay due to concern regarding the way we are moving into areas a block or two blocks at a time and are perhaps displacing property owners through the rezone process who do not actually wish to leave the area. Carmichael absent. 8. HEARING ON REZONE REQUESTED BY THE SISTERS OF PROVIDENCE This being the time fixed for the hearing on the rezone of property located in the vicinity of North 4th and "D" Streets, from B-2 to Planned Development, as requested by Sisters of Providence, Karen Munson, 2028 Waverly Place, Seattle, Washington, Housing Consultant for the Sisters of Providence, was present to support this rezone request. She stated this is a 48 unit low income elderly rental development located on the southwest corner of N. 4th Street and East "D". She stated the project is being funded by the U.S. Housing and Urban Development (HUD) through the Section 202 Loan Program, and that Providence House is the only elderly housing project funded in the State of Washington during 1983 under this program. She stated the senior citizens eligible for residence in Providence House would be assisted by the Section 8 Program with their rental payments. Council member Beauchamp questioned what efforts would be made to assure that all ethnic groups would be served by this project. Ms. Munson stated the program is sponsored by HUD .and requires an affirmative fair marketing housing program, and every effort would be made to make these units available to all ethnic groups. There being no other citizen present wishing to speak to this issue, the public portion of the hearing was closed. It was MOVED :by Doty, seconded by Buchanan to accept the recommendation of the Planning Commission and grant approval with the conditions stated in Item No. 3, as recommended by the Planning Commission. Unanimously carried by roll call vote. Carmichael absent. 9. HEARING ON THE PROPOSED MECHANICAL REFUSE COLLFCTION SYSTEM This being the time fixed for the hearing of the proposed Mechanical Refuse Collection System, Dave Rhodes, Director of Public Works, gave a brief introduction as to how this proposed system came about. He stated this was first proposed and recommended by the Chamber of Commerce in a report to Council a year ago, and that last year at budget time Council had requested staff to submit a report regarding this issue. He stated, at the current time, there is a need to replace three refuse trucks, and the question is Whether to replace them with three new trucks like the ones the City has or replace them with trucks which have the mechanical arms. Mr. Rhodes stated there has been concern regarding a reduction in personnel if the City goes to the mechanical refuse collection system. He explained there will be four refuse workers lost through attrition within the next year, and three other refuse crew members have applied to transfer to other divisions as positions become available, therefore, no one would be left unemployed due to the changeover to the mechanical collection system. He addressed other concerns regarding the issue and APRIL 24, 1984 then the citizens were given an opportunity to comment on the system. Citizens speaking in opposition of the new system were: 'Irvin Lisle, 614 S. 19th Avenue, John and Anna Bulger, 317 N. 26th Ave., Madeleine COoper, 1 N. 65th Avenue, Hank Williams (no address given), Ray Munly, 410 S. 25th Avenue, Gerry Vance, 210 S. 28th Avenue, Ines Rice, 4409 Arlington, Betty Gaudette, 701 N. 6th Street, Walter Ewald, 2304 Summitview, Bill Wolfe, 3701 W. Lincoln, Roger W. Snyder, 1204 McKinley, Bill Young, 1119 S. 21st Avenue, John Brown, 301 N. 42nd Avenue, and Nada Davis, 310 S. 50th Avenue. Citizens expressed opposition to the system stating they did not like the looks of the containers, the size is objectionable to senior citizens who fear they will not be physically able to handle the containers themselves, and some do not like the idea of sharing containers with neighbors. Another primary objection is that citizens feel the cost of refuse service will go up if the mechanical system is implemented and this is of concern to senior citizens on fixed incomes, as well as those Who feel the refuse rates are high enough already. Citizens speaking in favor of the mechancial refuse collection system were: Craig Robinson, Rt. 4, Box 4004, Yakima; Gordon libnder, 718 N. 56th Avenue and Herb Brunkhorst, 1015 W. 5th Avenue, Grandview. Mr. Robinson spoke in favor of the system, stating it will work well on the east side of the City where it will be used first. Mr. Wonder stated he believes the system will work and encouraged Council to work with staff to "ork the bugs out of the system." Mr. Brunkhorst is a citizen of Grandview and stated they have this system there and are pleased with it. There being no other citizen present wishing to speak to this issue, the public portion of the hearing was closed. It was the general consensus of the Council for staff to address the questions raised by the citizens and bring this information back to Council at a later date. NO action was taken by Council regarding this issue at this time. *10. PRESENTATION OF, 1984 FIRST QUARTER BUDGET REPORT The report from the Director of Finance and Budget dated April 20, 1984, regarding the investments of the City of Yakima, was accepted and approved. *11. CONSIDERATION OF A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING EXECUTION OF AN AGREEMENT RE FAUS FUNDING - TIETON DRIVE PROJECT RESOLUTION NO. 4942, A RESOLUTION authorizing and directing the City Manager and City Clerk of the City of Yakima to execute an agreement with the -State of Washington, Department of Transportation for partial reimbursement of costs for improvements to the intersection of 48th Avenue and Tieton Drive. *12. CONSIDERATION OF A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING SUBMITTAL OF D.O.E. GRANT APPLICATION FOR FISH ENHANCEMENT -DIVERSION DAM RESOLUTION NO. D-4943, A RESOLUTION authorizing a grant application to the State of Washington, Department of Ecology, for diversion dam rehabilitation funds. *13. CONSIDERATION OF A RESOLUTION VACATING UTILITY EASEMENT IN VICINITY OF RCWE HILL RESOLUTION NO. D-4944, A RESOLUTION vacating a public utility easement. *14. PARTICIPATION WITH YAKIMA COUNTY IN AN ELDERLY HOUSING REPAIR PROGRAM The report from the Department of Community and Economic Development, dated April 6, 1984 was. approved. 277 278 APRIL 24, 1984 15. OTHER BUSINESS City Clerk, Karen Roberts stated she was in receipt of a Ietter from the Herald -Republic informing the City they will be charging the City for printing the Council Agenda in the future, at the rate of $2.25 per column inch. She requested to know whether or not Council wishes to continue publishing the Agenda. It was the general consensus of the Council that the City publish a.condensed version of the. Agenda on a weekly basis, to be funded from the City Clerk's budget. It was MOVED by Doty, seconded by Beauchamp that the City continue to publish the council Agenda and begin paying for this service the 1st of May. Carried by 4-2 voice vote. Sparling and Buchanan voting nay. Carmichael absent. INFORMATION ITEMS Items of information supplied to Council were: Letter from Mbnico C. Amador, Director, Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity re Routine Compliance Review - Community Development Block Grant 4/16/84; memo from Bruce Crest re Cable_Company Annual Reports 4/18/84; letter from Warren D. Starr commending the action taken by Fire Dept. re Hoover School Fire 4/13/84; petition appealing order issuing preliminary permit from Kenneth 0. Eikenberry, Attorney General and D. Anthony Weeks, Assistant Attorney General re Proposed Hydroelectric Development in the Yakima River Basin, Washington 4/13/84; report of statistics from Yakima Police Department from March 1984; letter from Herald-RepUblic regarding publishing Council Agenda 4/11/84. 16. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to cane before the Council, it was MOVED by Beauchamp, seconded by Buchanan that this neeting be adjourned at the hour of 4:45 p.m. Unanimously carried by voice vote. Carmichael absent. ATTEST: CITY CLERK