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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03/27/1984 Study Session 252 MARCH 27, 1984 STUDY SESSION The City Council met in session on this date at 2:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers of City Hall, Yakima, Washington. Council members present were Mayor Clarence Barnett, Lynn Buchanan, Shirley Doty, W.K. "Pete" More and Jack Sparling. Council member Henry Beauchamp present at 2:15 p.m. Council member Lynn Carmichael absent. 1. OPEN DISCUSSION FOR THE GOOD OF THE ORDER Council member Sparling asked. Dave Rhodes, Director of Public Works, when the report on the maintenance of Gilbert Park will be available. City Manager Zais explained there were several aspects of that. report which Council had requested staff bring back and the last indication he. received from Mr. Rhodes was the information would be available April 10th. Mr. Rhodes indicated City Manager Zais was correct; staff had been requested to report on Gilbert Park and the Park on 44th Avenue, as well as the amount of money contributed by IAC funding for the purchase of Chesterly Park. The report was also to contain the annual cost of maintenance for the parks. Mr. Rhodes indicated an effort would be made to bring this particular information back to Council at next week's meeting. 2. RECOMMENDATIONS OF LIONS POOL PROJECT, PLANS AND FUNDING ALTERNATIVES Dave Rhodes, Director of Public Works, presented an update on the Lions Pool issue, indicating the use of Community Development Block Grant funds is not a viable direction in which to proceed. He informed Council he has met-with the School District and is in the process of negotiating a maintenance and operation agreement with them. John Hanson, Director of Finance & Budget, presented his report on the Lions Pool Special Levy Costs. Council member Nbore indicated a special levy would give the citizens an opportunity to express their opinion. He stated that before anything is done, an agreement with the School District must be in tact, and secondly, an agreement with the people who have the artesian'wel1 must be made. Mike Nixon, Chairman of the Parks & Recreation Commission,. stated in his opinion, the councilmatic bond issue is the most viable. He expressed concerns about this issue and the School District's levy being placed on the same ballot due to the likelihood of the pool project being overlooked in favor of the School bond. He stated the councilmatic bond issue would enable the pool to be operable much sooner than would a levy or bond issue. Les Hardwick stated in the past there had been a tremendous amount of vandalism to the pool and was curious to know if that _situation had been corrected. He stated he would approve of such a . project, providing the same type of vandalise could be eliminated in the future. Pat Berndt, 215 Bel Air Drive, encouraged Council to expedite the renovation of Lions Pool due to the Y's crowded facility since the closure of Lions Fool. She stated the pool is needed for the "Learn to Swim" program for the children in the community, as well as adults who swim for fitness and health reasons. She stated the "Swim for Fitness" program has been curtailed due to the crowded facility and urged Council to place a priority on funding the Lions Pool project. It was MOVED by Beauchamp, seconded by Doty to move this item to the Business Session under Item No. 8a. Commenting on the interest expenses for the levy, City Manager Zais - stated the interest figures given in the report would be the maximum amount. He stated staff would further review the figures with Council prior to this issue being placed on the ballot. Council member Sparling stated he had been persuaded by Pat Berndt that this is an emergency situation, and therefore, Council should consider going to the bond issue. The question was called for a vote on the motion. Unanimously carried by voice vote. Carmichael absent. 253 MARCH 27, 1984 3. CONSIDERATION OF RECOMMENDATIONS FROM PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION RE: 1984 CAPITAL PROJECT PRIORITIES Dave Rhodes, Director of Public Works, indicated Council had instructed staff to bring back recommendations as to priorities on which the monies from sale of park properties could be spent. He stated the top priority being Lions Pool, takes care of $14,000, plus additional money. Council member Sparling questioned the amount to have another architect look at the facility and give an opinion. Mr. Rhodes indicated this would cost approximately $10,000. After further discussion on the matter, it was the general consensus of the Council to take no action at this time and staff was directed to bring back further information regarding the priority list submitted in the staff recomnendation. 4. RECONSIDERATION OF REFUSE RATE STRUCTURE AND MECHANICAL REFUSE COLLECTION SYSTEMS STUDY Dave Rhodes, Director ofPublic Works, reviewed the report to Council and responded to questions by Council members. Mayor Barnett commented citizens are not being billed for extra refuse, and the City is losing annually $112,000. Mr. Rhodes indicated Refuse drivers place more emphasis on completing their routes than being bookkeepers and Staff is currently working on a computer printout which would be more effective than the current route book system. Mayor Barnett also questioned if the mechanical system would eliminate carry-out service. Mr. Rhodes stated records indicate carry-out service is used mainly by those who can afford it for convenience sake. He stated a special route may need to be established for the elderly and handicapped needing carry-out service. We to the lateness of the hour, it was MOVED by Buchanan, seconded by Sparling this item be moved to Item Nb. 8b during the Business Session to allow citizens present an opportunity to comment on the issue. Unanimously carried by voice vote. Carmichael absent. BUSINESS MEETING 5. ROLL CALL At 3:00 p.m., the Council members cammenced the regular • meeting, Mayor Barnett presiding, Council members Beauchamp, Buchanan, Doty, Moore and City Manager Zais and City Attorney Andrews present on roll call. Council members Carmichael and Sparling absent and excused. • 6. INVOCATION ' The Invocation was given by Council member Doty. 7. 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 More requested Item No. 14 be added to the Consent Agenda. Council member Boty.suggested a synopsis of this item, the 1983 Industrial Safety Report for City Departments, be published in the Employee Newsletter. It was the general consensus of the Council that the addition of Item NO. 14, as requested, be made. The City Clerk then read the Consent Agenda items, including resolutions and ordinances by title. It was MOVED by Beauchamp, seconded by Buchanan that the Consent Agenda, as read, be passed. Unanimously carried by roll call vote. Carmichael and Sparling absent. (Sub- sequent paragraphs preceded by an asterisk (*) indicate items on the Consent Agenda handled under one motion without further discussion.) 254 -MARCH 27, 1984 8. CURRENT STUDY SESSION ITEMS a. Item No. 2 Mayor Barnett asked if there were citizens present wishing to address this issue. There being none, Council continued their discussion. Council member Doty expressed concerns regarding the pool levy being coupled with the School bond issue, Stating she feared the pool levy might be the one singled out by the citizens to vote against. Council member Moore stated he felt the special levy was appropriate, as it would allow Citizens in the community an opportunity to express their opinion. Council member Beauchamp stated he believes the dommunity has expressed a desire to have the pool operable and agrees it should be dealt with. It was MOVED by Beauchamp to proceed with the councilmatic bond, the ,five year general obligation bond, for funding of the prOjeCt. The Motion died for lack of a second. It was suggested by Council member Doty to consider this next week when Council is in full representation, and make a decision regarding this issue at that time. It was the general consensus of the Council to continue the matter for one week. b. Item No. 4 Norm Steuart, 217 North 16th Avenue, spoke in opposition of the mechanical refuse collection system, stating the City is having problems meeting funding Obligations for other projects and feels the money required to implement such a refuse system could be used more wisely in other areas. Lester Hardwick, 113 N. 22nd Avenue, also spoke in opposition to the mechanical system, pointing out the 90 gallon containers would present a problem for some senior citizens as they would not be able to manage the heavy containers. He also indicated he did not feel a flat rate would be fair to those citizens who do not presently fill one container a week. Be suggested it be put to the voters before this costly system is implemnted. Marguerite Hackett, 304 N. 37th Avenue, stated she does not presently fill one can a week. She also indicated she would not be able to manage a 90 gallon container herself. She indicated she is well acquainted with the system in Tpppenish and does not favor that type of system. She requested the system be left as it is. Dolores Goodman, 1002. So, 6th Street, also stated she would be physically unable to handle a 90 gallon container and desires the system be left as is. It was MOVED by Buchanan, seconded by Moore to accept the report and set a date of hearing for April 24, 1984. City Manager Zais suggested Council may wish to select an alternate place to conduct the hearing, such as the Convention Center, to accommodate the citizens wishing to attend. The question was called for a vote on the motion. Unanimously carried by voice vote. Carmichael and Sparling absent. *9. APPROVAL OF MINUTES The Council minutes of February 7, 14, and 28 were approved, having been duly certified accurate by two Council members and II/ no one present wishing to have said minutes rPaa publicly. 10. AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION Jane Benoit, 8503 Hawthorne Drive, Joyce Sevigny, and Dr. Marjorie Wilson of Fresh Air For NOn Smokers (FANS) were present to encourage Council to adopt an ordinance Which would • prohibit smoking in public places in Yakima. It was pointed out by Council that enforcement of such an ordinance would be difficult. After further discussion, Mayor Barnett indicated this request would be given further consideration in the future. NO action was taken by Council at this time. 11. HEARING ON RECONSIDERATION OF LOPEZ REZONE REQUEST This being the time fixed for a hearing on an appeal of the Yakima Planning Commission's denial of a rezone for property located in the 400 block of North Naches as requested by Mr. and Mrs. Mike Lopez, Pat Weddle, local real estate agent, Al MARCH 27, 1984 255 Falk, attorney representing Mr. and Mrs. Elves, prospective property owners, and Mr. Herb Schmidt, 5204 Douglas Drive, shared their views and opinions as to why they believe the property should be rezoned from R -3 (multi- fami residential) to B-1 (modified .business). Mrs. Lopez stated she did not feel their rezone request had been given a fair rehearing by the Planning Commission as had been requested by Council. She stated some of the Commission members questioned if they had to rehear the application of the rezone and one Commission member .actually stated he was unwilling to listen to their rationale again. Mrs. Lopez argued against the City Planning staff's concerns that this rezone may not adequately protect the interest of all adjoining residential properties, stating this statement is subjective and unspecific. Secondly, she stated the staff argued that the rezone would not allow for a larger traffic volume. She maintained there could easily be more traffic volume in an R -3 zone than in B -1, especially if a large apartment complex were to be constructed there. Thirdly, she stated the Planning staff feels that Naches Avenue should be kept a historical site. Mrs. Lopez pointed out that presently most of Naches Avenue is now zoned for business and these businesses have often done more to preserve the character and quality of the area than have the residential property owners. She added that staff feels there already exists a significant amount of B-1 and B-2 zoned property near the site. She. stated this area has many properties zoned B -1 and B -2 that are deteriorating or are unusable for small businesses. She added small businesses need properties that are useable without extensive repair and remodeling, before they become dilapidated. She stated that many R -3 property owners are unable to maintain their property and B-1 owners are financially able and have the incentive to do so. Mr. Herb Schmidt, 5204 Douglas Drive, concurred with Mrs. Lopez, stating he is.a'property owner in this vicinity and as such, has maintained_ the decor of surrounding properties. He added that to do this he has to be selective about his renters and has to charge accordingly for maintenance and repairs to the property. It is his opinion that B-1 property will be much better maintained than would R -3 property. Pat Weddle, a local real estate agent, stated she had reviewed and inspected several properties that are currently zoned B-1 and none of these properties are as desirable for her clients as is the property being discussed today. Attorney Al Falk, representing Mr. and Mrs. Elves, prospective property owners, stated the property is to be used as a professional office for,1 n's Cost Isss Auto Parts and would not generate a large amount of traffic into the area. He informed Council that all the surrounding properties have been rezoned to B-1 or B-2 and, in fact, the Urban Area Comprehensive Plan, which has not yet been adopted, has this property rezoned to B-1. He stated this property is quite suitable to the needs of his clients and encouraged Council to approve the rezone to B-1. Lucy Hoffman, 410 N. Naches, stated she was neither for nor against the rezone, but when she and her husband purchased their property, they had assumed they would have neighbors with when they could become acquainted. She stated she was disappointed to learn that the property might be rezoned and a business would be going in because this meant they would not have neighbors next door to them. After further discussion on the issue, it was MOVED by Beauchamp, seconded by Moore to approve the rezone as requested. Mayor Barnett stated he is voting in favor of the rezone due to the material presented in Exhibit P-1 which indicates professional uses are potentially compatible at this site according to the Optimal Land Use Plan. Beauchamp stated he is voting in favor of the rezone due to the fact that the surrounding properties have been similarly rezoned in the past. Buchanan and Doty voted against the rezone based on the Planning Commission's recommendation.. Moore voted in favor of the' - notion indicating there was only one dissenting person stating she is unsure if she is for or against the rezone. Carried by 3 -2 roll call vote. Buchanan and Doty voting nay. Carmichael and Sparling absent. 256 MARCH 27, 1984 12. REPORT FROM TRAFFIC ENGINEERING REGARDING SUMMITVIEW TWO-WAY LEFT TURN LANE AND PARKING PROHIBITION Hank. Hein, Supervising Traffic Engineer, reviewed the staff report and,recamendations. Mark Hoge, 1007 Summitview, spoke against the 'issue stating it would take away parking needed for his residence. After further discussion, it was MOVED by Buchanan, seconded by Doty to refer the matter to the Legal Department for drafting a parking prohibition ordinance addition. Unanimously carried by voice vote. Carmichael and - Sparling absent. (Buchanan absent after 5:07 p.m.) 13. RECONSIDERATION ON COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT IRRIGATION ASSISTANCE FINANCING PLAN WITH CONFERENCE OF GOVERNMENTS (Continued from 3/20/84) Dennis Covell, Director of Engineering and Utilities, presented staff's report and recommendation. He stated he has determined that the City can contract with Yakima Conference of Governments considering the usage of HUD Grant Funds, and recommended contracting with Conference of Governments for the financial plan for the HUD target area irrigation systems. It was ICVED by Beauchamp, seconded by Moore that staff bring back legislation in the form of a resolution for formal action to contract with Conference of Governments for the financial plan for the BUD target area irrigation systems. Carried by 3-1 voice vote. Doty voting nay. Buchanan Carmichael and Sparling absent. *14. PRESENTATION OF 1983 INDUSTRIAL SAFETY REPORT FOR CITY DEPAR21ENTS The 1983 Industrial Safety Report from the Assistant City Manager, dated March 22, 1984 was approved. 15. REPORT FROM DEPARTMENT OF ENGINEERING & UTILITIES REGARDING 48TH AVENUE -TIETON DRIVE PROJECT Dennis Covell, Director of Engineering and Utilities, presented the staff report on this project. It was MOVED by Barnett, seconded by Beauchamp that as an interim measure a two-way amber caution flasher be installed on Tieton Drive and sane advanced signing on Tieton Drive be installed contingent upon the fact that it does not jeopardize funding for the project. Unanimously carried by voice vote. Buchanan, Carndchael, and Sparling absent. *16. REPORT FROM DEPARM1ENT OF ENGINEERING & UTILITIES REGARDING STATUS OF 45TH AVENUE - SU4N1TVIEW TO CHESTNUT PROJECT The report fran the Department of Engineering and Utilities, regarding the status of the 45th Avenue-Summitview to Chestnut project, dated March 27, 1984 was approved. II/ *17. CONSIDERATION OF A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING EXECUTION OF AN AGREEMENT WITH YAKIMA VISITORS AND CONVENTION BUREAU FOR MANAGEMENT, OPERATION AND PROMOTION OF THE YAKIMA CENTER RESOLUTION NO. D-4935, A RESOLUTION authorizing and directing the City Manager and City Clerk of the City of Yakima to execute an agreement with the Yakima - Valley Visitors and Convention Bureau for the management and promotion of the Yakima. Center. *18. CONSIDERATION OF A RESOLUTION SUPPORTING THE YAKIMA RIVER BASIN ENHANCEMENT ACT" RESOLUTION .NO. D-4936, A RESOLUTION supporting the pending Yakima River Basin Project Proposal of January 13, 1984. MARCH 27, 1984 257 *19. CONSIDERATION OF A MOTION AUTHORIZING EXECUTION OF AN AGREEMENT RE: ENERGY SAVINGS DEMONSTRATIONS PROGRAM A MOTION authorizing the execution of an agreement re: Energy Savings Demonstrations Program was authorized. *20. REPORT FROM COMMUNITY & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DEPARIMENT REGARDING STATLE OF 1983 BUSINESS LICENSE COLLECTIONS The report from the DepaLlument of Community & Economic Development, regarding the status of the 1983 business license collections, dated March 27, 1984 was approved. *21. APPROVAL OF A MULTI-FAMILY REHABILITATION LOAN II/ The report from the Department of Community and Econmic Development, regarding a multi-rehabiliation loan dated March 27, 1984 was approved. *22. REPORTS FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE & BUDGET a. February 1984 Budget Report b. Treasury Report for February 1984. The reports from the Director of Finance & Budget, dated February 29, 1984, regarding the investmnts of the City of Yakima, was accepted and approved. *23. SET DATE OF HEARING FOR APRIL 17, 1984 FOR CONSIDERATION OF A MAJOR MODIFICATION TO AN EXISTING PLANNED DEVELOPMENT LOCATED AT 54 WEST NCB HILL BOULEVARD - April 17, 1984 was set as the date of hearing for a Major Modification to an existing Planned Development located at 54 West Nob Hill Boulevard. *24. SET DATE OF HEARING FOR MAY 1, 1984 FOR OONSIDERATION CF PROPOSED FEE FOR TRANSPORTATION SERVICES DOR THE ELDERLY AND HANDICAPPED May 1, 1984 was set as the date of hearing for consideration of a proposed fee for transportation of the elderly and handicapped. *25. CONSIDERATION CF AN ORDINANCE ESTABLISHING THE TRAFFIC PATTERN IN THE ALLEY BETWEEN 1ST AND 2ND STREETS, SOUTH OF YAKIMA AVENUE ORDINANCE NO. 2763, AN ORDINANCE relating to traffic control; designating one-way streets and alleys; and amending Section 9.50.290 of the City of Yakima Municipal Code. *26. CONSIDERATION OF AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE 1984 BUDGET, APPROPRIATING FUNDING FOR DATA PRCCESSING/INFORMATION SYSTEMS NEEDS ASSESSMENT AND COMPREHENSIVE PLAN (Second Reading) An Ordinance amending the 1984 Budget, appropriating funding for Data Processing/Information Systems Needs and Assessment and Comprehensive Plan, having been read by title only at the previous meeting, was brought before Council for a second hearing. ORDINANCE NO. 2762, AN ORDINANCE amending the 1984 Budget for the City of Yakima; and making an appropriation in the 000-General Fund for expenditure during 1984. *27. OTHER BUSINESS None Information Items Items of information supplied to Council were: letter from concerned citizens re: recently installed two-hour parking sign on Lincoln Avenue 3/14/84; letter from Olive C. Butler and Marguerite A. Keeper re: consideration of bus stop change 258 MARCH 27, 1984 rl ... on Englewood Avenue 3/20/84; memo from Director'of Finance & Budget re: Financing for Maintenance Needs at the Capitol Theatre 3/22/84; . memo from Transit Manager re: Transit Legislation 3/19/84; letter from Carolyn New, Activity Director, Chalet Nursing Home, re: appLeciation of Dial -A -Ride program 3/13/84; and Transit monthly reports for January and February, 1984. 28. EXECUTIVE SESSION Executive Session re: Pending Litigation was not held. 29. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to came before the Council, it was .MOVED by 'bore, seconded by Beauchamp that this meeting be adjourned at - the hour of 5;17 p.m. READ AND CERTIFIID ACCURATE B � �- : �. DATES //J COUNCIM ° f . 4 DATE / 37J 7 COUNCIL MER ATTEST: J CITY CLERK - MAYOR •