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HomeMy WebLinkAbout05/15/1984 Study Session MAY 15, 1984 289 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, Henry Beauchamp, Lynn Carmichael, Shirley Doty, W. K. "Pete" Moore and Jack Sparling. Lynn Buchanan present after 2:10 p.m. 1. OPEN DISCUSSION FOR THE GOOD OF THE ORDER Mayor Barnett requested Council members to inform him whether or not they intend to take the Trolley Ride, May 16th; if they will be attending the 7:00 a.m. breakfast at the Garden Terrace on May 18th; the firing demonstration at the Yakima Firing Center on Saturday, May 19th; and the open house at the Good Samaritan Health Care Center on May 20th at 1:00 p.m. In response to the questionnaire regarding the employee attitude survey, Council member Doty stated she would like to take this one step further, if it meets with the approval of other Council members. She stated she would like for staff to offer constructive criticism and offer some specific suggestions wherein Council might be able to improve their working ability with staff. Council member Moore expressed displeasure with the article which appeared in the newspaper on the City's storm drainage problem, stating he did not feel the proper background infoLmation had been obtained before the article was written. After further discussion regarding the storm drainage problems and the need to address the situation, it was MOVED by Carmichael, seconded by Doty, that Council place on the agenda, in the near future, the matter of the storm sewer study for reconsideration. Council member Moore stated he has no objection to this and reiterated his concern that proper research be done by those responsible for newspaper articles before the articles are printed. The question was called for a vote on the motion. Unanimously carried by voice vote. 2. REPORT FROM DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE & BUDGET REGARDING STATUS OF DATA PROCESSING NEEDS STUDY BY MATRIX MANAGEMENT GROUP John Hanson, Director of Finance & Budget, introduced Charlie Scott, Matrix Management Group, who gave a brief presentation on the status of the Data Processing Needs Study pointing out that the study is at an interim basis. City Manager Zais stated that today's objective is to look at the situation and have Matrix come back with a program to utilize the City's current system. He added that a final presentation will be made to Council the latter part of June. No action was required by Council on the matter at this time. 3. EXECUTIVE SESSION It was MOVED by Doty, seconded by Buchanan to move into Executive Session at 2:45 p.m. for the purpose of discussing pending litigation. Unanimously carried by voice vote. BUSINESS MEETING 4. ROLL CALL At 3:15 p.m., the Council members commenced the regular meeting, Mayor Barnett presiding, Council members Beauchamp, Buchanan, Carmichael, Doty, Moore and Sparling and City Manager Zais and City Attorney Andrews present on roll call. 290 MAY 15, 1984 5. INVOCATION The Invocation was given by City Manager Zais. 6. 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. Mayor Barnett requested that Item No. 19 be removed from the Consent Agenda. Council member Carmichael requested that Item No. 11 be added to the Consent Agenda, and that Item No. 15 be removed from the Consent Agenda. Ben Chandler, 1008 S. Naches Avenue, requested that Item No. 17a be removed from the Consent Agenda. It was the general consensus of the Council that the addition of Item No. 11 and the deletion of Items Nos. 15, 17a, and 19, as requested, be made. The City Clerk II/ then read the Consent Agenda items, including resolutions and ordinances by title. It was MOVED by Carmichael, seconded by Buchanan, that the Consent Agenda, as read, be passed. Unanimously carried by roll call vote. (Subsequent paragraphs preceded by an asterisk (*) indicate items on the Consent Agenda handled under one motion without further discussion.) 7. CURRENT STUDY SESSION ITEMS None *8. APPROVAL OF MINUTES The Council minutes of April 17, and 24, 1984, were approved, having been duly certified accurate by two Council members and no one present wishing to have said minutes read publicly. 9. AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION Jane Benoit, a member of Fresh Air for Non Smokers, (FANS) requested to know what action Council has taken on their request to pass an ordinance prohibiting smoking in all public places. Mayor Barnett reported to date no action has been taken and informed Ms. Benoit that Seattle is currently in the process of changing some of the verbage in their ordinance, and before taking action on the issue, it might be helpful to see what problems they have experienced, and why they are changing their ordinance Dr. Marjorie Wilson proposed that the Seattle ordinance, with information on revisions of the ordinance, be passed on to City Attorney Andrews for rewording which would make it applicable to the City of Yakima, and hopefully an ordinance will be passed within a month. No action was taken by Council at this time. 10. REPORT FROM DEPARTMENT OF ENGINEERING & UTILITIES REGARDING DIVERSION DAM FINANCIAL STATUS II/ Dennis Covell, Director of Engineering & Utilities, gave a brief report on this item stating a few corrections need to be made, and indicated the date of Department of Ecology grant was submitted May 14, 1984, rather than September 14, 1984; and the figure of $256,912 should be changed to $219,402. Mr. Covell reported that the Department of Fisheries has agreed to fund the cost of $7,200, and the City's consultant revised the cost estimate for the fish ladder to $205,621 versus the $219,402 figure submitted earlier. The second thing which has occurred since' the March report is that the Department of Ecology has reconsidered and requested a grant be submitted. This has been done for the amount of $331,946. He stated the construction costs are pretty much the same as submitted in the March report and reviewed the financial tables presented in the staff report. For funding, he recommended the Councilmatic bonds because they are the most expedient solution to the unfunded dollar amount the City currently faces of $265,000 plus. He indicated the City owns the Diversion Dam and the Naches Cowiche Canal Company signed an MAY 15, 1984 291 agreement with the City in 1922 for 50% maintenance and operational cost share. Mayor Barnett requested clarification as to who would be responsible for paying back the funds if the City goes with the Councilmatic bond theory. Mr. Covell stated the people benefiting from the Naches Canal Company would pay back the cost through an agreement with the Naches Cowiche Canal Company with the , timeframe to be determined later. Mr. Covell pointed out that twenty irrigation districts are owned and maintained by the City, as well as the City Parks and Tahoma Cemetery which are involved in the Naches Canal Company, and, as users, will be repaying a portion of that money also. Mr. Covell reviewed the cost breakdown over the 10 -15 -20 year timeframe. He reported in 1984 the Naches Cowiche Canal Company raised their rates upwards of 80% in anticipation of minor capital improvements to their distribution system and in anticipation of a Community Economic Revitalization Board (CERB) grant long term low interest. The cost was raised per share from $264.00 to $469.90 and is in effect now, and will generate nearly $38,000 per year, but some of this is for maintenance and operational cost of the system. Council member Doty requested comments from Bob Ingham, Chairman of the Board for the Naches Cowiche Canal Company, and Orville Shaw, Board member, regarding what would be a logical amount for people with small residential lots to pay. Mr. Ingham stated it is hoped they could pay it off within a 15 year period, but this will depend on the type of maintenance the canal requires over the next 15 years. He stated by raising the cost of the users an, additional 80% this year, they feel this will be enough money to cover the canal company's share over a 15 to 20 year period of time. Mayor Barnett asked Mr. Covell what is staff's recommendation on the 10 -15 -20 year pay back plan. Mr. Covell stated he felt the 10 year would require them to impose an even higher rate increase than they have already done, and stated he would recommend the 15 year payback. Council member Doty stated we also need to remember that this is an additional fee that would be in place for the next 15 years regardless of any other regular yearly raise in rates that may have to be imposed. So, theoretically, we could get into a situation where a particular district might have a sizeable increase due to repairs and maintenance, therefore, the basic amount for a residential average lot may not be the sole sum they might incur. Mr. Covell stated this is correct, it does not preclude that they may have to have a regular maintenance increase. Mayor Barnett asked Mr. Covell to comment on why he feels we should not wait to request possible CBDG funds for this project.. Mr. Covell stated the funds for 1984 are already allocated and to request funding for 1985 would require submitting an application and compete with other agencies desiring funding for specific projects. He indicated this requires several public hearings and he is fearful that DOE would hold back on their grant in this instance. He stated the Jobs Bill money in the amount of $222,000 must be spent by the end of 1984. Council member Beauchamp requested to know if the DOE grant is questionable. Mr. Covell stated he feels it is pretty sound and it is his opinion the City will receive the money. Council member Sparling asked to know how long it takes to obtain councilmatic bonds. City Manager Zais stated we would have to go before the bond council and Preston Thorgrimson's office, but if a policy decision is made by Council today to take this course of action, that is what the City would submit to DOE for providing matching funds for their grant proceeds. He stated he would be looking at a 90 to 120 day process at the minimum. It was MOVED by Carmichael, seconded by Doty, that Council direct staff to prepare appropriate legislation to accomplish the issuance of councilmatic bonds to cover the Naches Cowiche Canal Company share of construction costs and any City costs not covered by anticipated grant funds and that the City enter into an agreement with the Naches Cowiche Canal Company whereby the Canal Company agrees to pay back to the City its share of the construction cost for the diversion dam ;. plus interest and bond, cost, over a 15 year period of time. .,Unanimously carried by voice vote. 292 MAY 15, 1984 *11. PRESENTATION OF STATE AUDIT REPORT FOR 1982 The report from the Director of Finance & Budget regarding the 1982 state 'audit report, dated April 27, 1984, was approved. *12. CONSIDERATION OF A RESOLUTION DENYING A REQUEST FOR SUBDIVISION VARIANCE AS REQUESTED BY MERLE AND LYDIA WAREHIME RESOLUTION NO. D-4948, A RESOLUTION affirming the City of Yakima Planning Commission's denial of a subdivision variance - request by Merle and Lydia Warehime. 13. DISPOSITION OF DAMAGE CLAIM Michael Cahill, 4711 Clinton Way, stated it is his opinion II/ that since the street was in existence before the golf course, the City should be responsible for the damage to his automobile when it was struck by a golf ball from Fisher Golf Course. He added the City should have allowed for such errors when they designed the golf course. After discussion by Council, and Resolution No. D-4949 having been read by title, it was MOVED by Carmichael, seconded by Sparling, that the resolution denying the claim of Michael Cahill be adopted. Carried by 5-2 roll call vote. Barnett and Beauchamp voting nay. RESOLUTION NO. D-4949, A RESOLUTION denying the claim of Michael G. Cahill in the amount of $101.33. *14. DISPOSITION OF DAMAGE CLAIM RESOLUTION NO. D-4950, A RESOLUTION denying a claim for damages with the City by W. P. Rhodes. 15. APPROVAL OF APPLICATIONS TO REHABILITATE RESIDENCES OUTSIDE THE CDBG TARGET AREA Council member Carmichael expressed her concerns about the lack of documentation on the issues and requested additional information. She added we should concentrate more on the applications within the targef'area before funding is spent outside the target area. Stating the Taylor residence at 1319 S. 13th Avenue seems to fall into a category where a waiver could be considered; it was MOVED by Moore, seconded by Beauchamp, to grant a waiver for 1319 So. 13th Avenue only. Council member Carmichael stated she is not ready to make a decision on this item. She stated she would like to know how many applications within the target area are waiting to be processed, and added she would like to see the funds utilized within the target area prior to granting waivers for funding to be used outside the target area. It was MOVED by Carmichael, seconded by Buchanan, to table this item and the motion made by Moore. Carried by 6-1 voice vote. Beauchamp voting nay. *16. REPORTS FROM DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE & BUDGET II/ a. Treasury report for April, 1984 The .report from the Director of Finance & Budget, dated April 30, 1984, regarding the investments of the City of Yakima, was accepted and approved. b. Budget Report for April 1984 The Report from the Director of Finance & Budget, dated April 30, 1984, regarding the investments of the City of Yakima, was accepted and approved. 17. SET DATE OF HEARINGS FOR JUNE 5, 1984: a. Request by Associated Grocers for rezone of property in vicinity of So. Naches Avenue & Rainier Street from R-3 to M-1 and vacation of a portion of alleyway. MAY 15, 1984 293 Ben Chandler, 1008 So. Naches Avenue, stated his concern with the vacation request being made by Associated Grocers is that if the vacation is granted for the north side (as requested), they will eventually want the south side vacated also. He stated he would like to know why they wish to have this portion of the street vacated. City Manager Zais explained the action to be taken today is to set the date of hearing for the vacation request for June 5, 1984, and at that the time the public will be given an opportunity to ask questions regarding this issue. Following discusssion, staff indicated they would send notification of the hearing to the people in the area of the vacation. It was MOVED by Buchanan, seconded by Doty to set the date of hearing for June 5, 1984 for the rezone. Unanimously carried by voice vote. 11/ Resolution No. D-4951, having been read by title, it was MOVED by Carmichael, seconded by Buchanan that the Resolution be adopted. Unanimously carried by roll call vote. RESOLUTION NO. D-4951, A RESOLUTION commencing alley vacation proceedings and fixing the time and place for a hearing on the matter of the vacation of a portion of the north/south alley in the 900 block of South Naches Avenue. *b. Request by Webb Tractor for vacation of a portion of East Arlington Street, between So. First Street and the railroad right of way. RESOLUTION NO. D-4952, A RESOLUTION commencing street vacation preceedings and fixing the time and place for a hearing on the matter of the vacation of a portion of Fast Arlington Street lying between South 1st Street and the Burlington Northern right of way. *18. SET DATE OF HEARING FOR JUNE 19, 1984 ON THE CONSIDERATION OF A MAJOR MODIFICATION TO AN EXISTING PLANNED DEVELOPMENT LOCATED AT 54 WEST NOB HILL BOULEVARD, REQUESTED BY THE BAMBOO TERRACE June 19, 1984 was set as the date of hearing for a major modification to an existing planned development located at 54 West Nob Hill Boulevard, as requested by Kuie Wen. 19. APPROVAL OF FINAL CONTRACT PAYMENTS Item postponed and removed from the agenda. *20. APPROVAL OF OUT OF STATE TRAVEL a. The out-A-state travel request for Bob Wheeler, Accounting Manager, to San Francisco, CA to attend Government Finance Officers Regional Seminar, June 11, & 12, 1984, at a cost of $478.00, was approved. II/ b. The out-of-state travel request for Ron Tobia, Police Department, to attend an I.D. Technician Conference in Vancouver, B.C., May 17-19, 1984, at a cost of $175.00, was approved. *21. SIDEWALK REPAIR PROGRAM a. Consideration of a Resolution authorizing execution of a Sidewalk Agreement and Repair Contract. RESOLUTION NO. D-4953, A RESOLUTION approving a form of Sidewalk Construction or Repair Agreement Installment Contract". b. Consideration of an Ordinance amending the 1984 Budget, appropriating funds into the Street Division Budget. (First Reading) An Ordinance amending the 1984 Budget for the City of Yakima; and making an appropriation in the Street Fund for expenditure during 1984, having been read by title 294 MAY 15, 1984 only at this meeting, was laid on the table for one week or until May 22, 1984. *22. CONSIDERATION OF AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE 1984 BUDGET AND APPROPRIATING ADDITIONAL FUNDS THE SENIOR CITIZEN TOUR PROGRAM. (First Reading) An Ordinance amending the 1984 budget for the City of Yakima; and making an appropriation in the 131-Parks fund for expenditure during 1984, having been read by title only at this meeting, was laid on the table for one week or until May 22, 1984. 23. OTHER BUSINESS Mayor Barnett presented Dave Rhodes, Director of Public Works, with a proclamation designating May 20-26, 1984 as National Public Works Week. Information Items Items of information supplied to Council were: letter from William'Almon requesting reappointment to Yakima Air Terminal Board 5/7/84; index of City's long range plans 5/11/84; Fire Department Activity Report for April 1984; Yakima Valley Conference of Governments News in Brief & A-95, Volume 10, No. 4, May 3, 1984; American Public ' Transit Association Legislative Report, 5/4/84; minutes of the 4/18/84 Traffic Safety Advisory Commission meeting; minutes of the 4/30/84 Board of AdjUstment meeting; and minutes of the 4/17/84 Police & Fire Civil Service Commission meeting. 24. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to come before the Council, it was MOVED by Beauchamp, seconded by Carmichael, that this meeting be adjourned at the hour of 4:25 p.m. Unanimously carried by voice vote. I < READ AND CERTIFIED ACCURATE B 411) A LA I DATE • NCIL MEMBER 11 4, / DATE 7 _py COUNCIL /EMBER ATTEST: ye! ed-e-eA/ - CITY CLERK MAYOR