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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03/20/1984 Study Session MARCH 20, 1984 247 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 Buchanan, Lynn Carmichael, Shirley Doty, and Jack Sparling. Council member W.K. "Pete" Moore Absent. ' 1. OPEN DISCUSSION FOR THE GOOD OF THE ORDER Council member Doty reminded the council that this is Agriculture Week, stating she is a member of a group, Washington Women for the Survival of Agriculture, which group _ works with the Legislature regarding issues that concern them. Mayor Barnett requested COuncil's opinion on whether they preferred group or individual pictures for the Annual Report II/ to the citizens. It was the consensus of Council that individual pictures would be submitted by each Council member. Mayor Barnett indicated there are several citizens in the audience wishing to address Items Nos. 2 and 3, at this time due to prior ccmmiUtents later in the afternoon. It was the consensus of the Council to allow these persons to address the -issues before Council conducts their discussion of the items. 2. RECOMMENDATIONS OF LIONS POOL PROJECT, PLANS AND FUNDING ALTERNATIVES Gary Webster, General Manager of the Chamber of Commerce, spoke in opposition to the proposed assessment of a 4% real estate transfer tax to aid in financing the Lions Pool project and the Diversion Dam. He commented this would have a negative impact on the economy of the real estate industry, Which is just now beginning to recover from a slump. He further commented that since the Diversion Dam does not benefit the entire community, it is not justifiable that those citizens transferring property should finance this project. Responding to Cbuncil member Carmidhael's question regarding alternative funding, Mr. Webster suggested working with sane of the COngressional delegation in an attempt to move this issue in a different direction. As to the Lions Pool project, he felt possibly the bond issue would be a more appropriate way to approach this dilemma. Glenn Rice, representing the Yakima Board of Realtors, stated this kind of added dimension to financing is expensive and could be a deterrent to prospective homeowners. Mr. Rice stated he personally favors the bond issue method as these types of projects are community needs and should be addressed by the entire community, rather than just homeowners. Gordon Wbnder, 718 North 56th Avenue, stated he wanted to emphasize that the real estate transfer tax is not a tax against the property owner, it is a tax against only the person that sells a piece of property. He stated, in essence, that the City would be doing by imposing a tax of this type, is charging only those people who transfer property; a relatively few in this entire City for the benefit of maybe 50 to 60% of the City to use the water fran that dam. Dave Rhodes, Director of Public Works, stated that the Lions Pool has been the object of a study by the Parks & Recreation Commission and staff for approximately a year. He stated the pool has been closed for almost two years and staff is at a point where direction fran Council is necessary in order to continue on the project. Mr. Rhodes indicated half of the funding for the project has been obtained from the sale of Parks properties and before more time and effort is spent on researching the issue, he desires an indication fran Council on whether they feel the balance of funding the project will be - made available. Council memberrmidhael indicated skepticism as far as a memorandum of agreement with the School District is concerned regarding shared maintenance and operation of the pool, due to the fact that such an agreement was not honored by the School District in the past. It is her 248 MARCH 20, 1984 opinion this was one of the contributory factors, along with the City's shortfall of dollars, which brought about the current situation. She indicated this should be kept in mind as negotiations are made with the School District. Mr. Rhodes Stated he did not share those fears, NIJ. is .hopeful that a ) five-year agreement, which will commit 'bOth parties, will alleviate this prdblem. Bernie Sims, Parks and Recreation Commission member, stated the Parks and Recreation Commission has been working on this solution for two years and it is their belief the community feels this is a very high priority since the facility has been vacant for so long. He stated if the money was available today, the facility would not be completed and ready for use for 111/2 months. He urged the Council to take action quickly in regard to beginning construction. After further discussion, Council member Doty suggested staff bring back more information regarding the special levy and also check into the possibility of using Community Development Block Grant funds for funding this project. Mr. Rhodes indicated he would also continue negotiations with the School District and more clearly define their role in the joint maintenance and operation agreement, as well as the duration of the agreeaent. 3. REPORT FROM ENGINEERING AND UTILITIES DEPARTMENT REGARDING REVISIONS TO DESIGN AND FINANCING STATUS OF THE DIVERSION DAM It was MOVED by Doty, seconded by Sparling that It N. 3 be placed under current Study Session Items as 7a. Unanimously carried by voice vote. Moore absent. 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, Sparling and City Manager Zais and City Attorney Andrews present on roll call. Cbuncil member Moore absent and excused. 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. The City Clerk then read the Consent Agenda items, including resolutions and ordinances by title. It was MOVED by Carmichael, seconded by Doty that the Consent Agenda, as read, be passed. Unanimously carried by roll call vote. Mbore absent. (Subsequent paragraphs preceded by an asterisk (*) indicate items on the Consent Agenda handled under one motion without further discussion.) 7. CURRENT STUDY SESSION ITEMS a. Item No. 3 Dennis Covell, Director of Engineering and Utilities, referred to two maps on the wall and indicated that not quite half of the City is currently being served irrigation water by the diversion dam. He stated that other systems are served by the Naches-Cowiche Canal Company, which receives water from the Diversion Dam. Mr. Covell reviewed the status of the project indicating the Department of Fisheries is requesting modifications be made to the fish screen which will cost an additional $9,000 for consultant services. Council member Doty indicated this is a tremendous increase from the original figure quoted for the fish screen and suggested it is time for the City to take a stand against further questionable requirements. Mr. Covell indicated staff has a meeting with MARCH 20, 1984 249 'the Bureau of Reclamation on Monday, March 26, 1984, to see if money is available from Power Administration or Bureau of Reclamation for the fish enhanc portion of the project. City Manager Zais asked if there has been a representative of Congressman Morrison's office invited to the meeting on Monday. Mr. Covell stated it is not his meeting, he is just there to provide technical background. Following further discussion regarding the design and requirements place4 the City by the Department 5f Fisheries, it was MOVED by Doty, seconded by Beauchamp to discontinue discussion of this matter, except for a brief oral report next week, until a period of three weeks when we can have more definite information. Unanimously carried by voice vote. Moore absent. 8. AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION Ines Rice, 4409 W. Arlington, Betty Gaudette, 701 N. 6th St., and Dolores Gbodman, 1002 S. 6th St., appeared before Council expressing their concern and dismay that a recent visit to the Semer'Treatment Plant had resulted in what they believed to be an unjustified complaint filed by City Management against one of the Treatment Plant employees. The request was made to remove the report from the employee's personnel file and the situation be corrected. Council member Doty stated she and • Council member ?'bore serve on the Labor Management Committee and have been called into action on two different occasions this year to deal with the very issues which concern these citizens today. She stated a procedure had been established for employees to make their concerns known to their supervisors, which was followed in this instance. City Manager Zais stated the employee's personnel file does not contain a copy of the grievance report. He explained this is an administrative document which has been filed with the Union and is not part of the individual's personnel file at this time. He stated there is a separate document, which is a disciplinary action, that has been taken, but it is not directly related to that is being stated here today in connection with that tour. 9. REPORT ON TRANSIT REGARDING STATUS OF PROPOSED LEGISLATION ESTABLISHING FEES FOR HANDICAPPED SERVICES . Bill Schultz, also li contributions Council regarding this report, and explained the federal requirements of a 30-day advertisement period prior to the public hearing. Concerns were expressed by Council members that sane of the residents of nursing homes might not have transportation to the hearing, and some are unable to read or write due to their nature of illness or disability from stroke, etc. The request was made by Cbuncil that arrangements be made to accommodate these people. Council m been made by the users of Dial- services to help defray the expenses of the - program. It was MOVED by Buchanan, seconded by Sparling that a date of hearing be set; the date of the hearing to be established by staff. Carried by 5-1 voice vote. Barnett voting nay. Moore absent. 10. RECONSIDERATION OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT IRRIGVTION ASSISTANCE FINANCING PLAN WITH CONFERENCE OF GOVERNMENTS :.,4 Deniiia'Covell, Director of Engineering Si presented the staff report and indicated his concern about contracting with public agencies when there is a law on the books with the state regarding consultant services and solicitation for Proposals for prOjects over $2500, which is further compounded when we are utilizing Community Development Block Grant Funds. Mayor Barnett indicated he felt it would be unfair to the Conference of Governments at this point, to request other proposals when they have already submitted their bid. Mr. Covell indicated the law states cost cannot be the primary consideration in the selection of a consultant. Council member Buchanan questioned why this is on today's agenda if we 250 MARCH 20, 1984 don't know where we stand on this issue. Mr. Covell indicated this issue was just brought to his attention. It was MOVED by Buchanan, seconded by Sperling this be tabled until next week so %e can know whether or not Oauncil can take any action. Unanimously carried by voice vote. 'tore absent. *11. REPORT FROM POLICE DEPARTMENT REGARDING JAIL TASK FORCE ACTIVITIES The report fran the Police Deparbnent, dated March 12, 1984 was approved. *12. REPORT FROM ENGINEERING & UTILITIES DEPARTMENT REGARDING STATUS OF GLEED WATER ENGINEERING STUDY The report fran the Engineering & Utilities Department, dated March 15, 1984 was approved. *13. RESOLUTION ORDERING SEGREGATION OF AN ASSESSMENT IN L.I.D. NO. 1028 RESOLUTION NO. D-4934, A RESOLUTION ordering segregation of an assessment in Local Improvement District No. 1028. *14. SET DATE OF HEARING FOR MAJOR MODIFICATION TO AN EXISTING PLANNED DEVELOPMENT Aprii 1984 was set .as the date -c)f for a major modification to an existing Planned Development located at 54 West Nob Hill Boulevard. *15. ORDINANCE REPEALING SECTION 9.15.030 OF THE MUNICIPAL CODE RELATING TO TRAFFIC ACCIDENT INVESTIGATIONS ORDINANCE NO. 2761, AN ORDINANCE relating to traffic law enforcement and repealing Section 9.15.030 of the City of Yakima Municipal Code pertaining to accident investigations. *16. ORDINANCE AMENDING THE 1984 BUDGET, APPROPRIATING FUNDING FOR DATA PRCCESSING/INFORMATION SYSTEMS NEEDS ASSESSMENT AND COMPREHENSIVE PLAN (First Reading) The Ordinance amending the 1984 Budget for the City of Yakima, and making an appropriation in the 000-General Fund for expenditure during 1984 having been read by title only at this meeting, was laid on the table for one week. 17. OTHER BUSINESS Council member Sperling requested sane device be provided for maps, charts, etc., which are placed on the wall by staff during their presentations. He stated he is unable to see the item when they are pinned to the wall and perhaps an easel could be used instead of the wall. ":- Council member Doty stated it is time to take a lock at the West Valley Sewer System. She stated she would like to see the City of Yakima move forward- with this issue. Mayor Barnett stated he would like to see Council proceed with portions 1, 2 and 3 and consider the annexation reccmmendation at a later date. He stated COuncil could analyze the impact and availability of funds for 4 and 5 at that time. Council member Buchanan was concerned as to how much money the City would have to expend and haw long it would take to recover that investment. Council member Beauchamp was interested in knowing how many residences in that area are being discussed. Staff indicated there are at least 200 houses in this area shown on the map, and with the moratorium being placed by the Department of Ecology on septic tanks in that area, this is an added encouragement for those residents to connect to City sewer. (Council member Carmichael absent after 4:45 p.m.) Council member Beauchamp stated the analysis of staff has merit and he would like to see sane action taken in this direction. Dave Rhodes, Public Works Director, stated financially, the City could not lose on this proposition. He stated the City should obtain a commitment fran the Health 251 MARCH 20, 1984 District to follow the letter of the law that says anyone within 200 feet of a sewer system has to connect to it. After further discussion on the issue, it was MOVED by Beauchamp, seconded by Doty that we accept Mayor Barnett's recordation to proceed with priorities 1, 2 and 3 and leave_the last two priorities for a later date. council 'member Sparling stated he would have to see more information before he would vote on such a motion. The question was called for a vote on the motion. Carried by 3-2 voice vote. Sparling and Buchanan voting nay. Carmichael and More absent. Dave Rhodes, Director of Public Works, indicated he would be presenting the refuse mechanical collection system to council next week and he encouraged than to observe such a system in II/ operation in the 'southern part of the county before this presentation is made. INFORMATION ITEMS Items of information supplied to Council were: letter from Charles E. Boone complimenting the City Transit system 3/14/84; memo from Director of Community & Economic Development re Section 312 Loan Program 3/14/84; letter from Yakima Police Patrolman's Association listing Association officers and negotiating team members 3/12/84; monthly reports frail Chief of Police for February 1984; minutes of February 29, 1984 Traffic Safety Advisory Commission meeting; minutes of February 20, 1984 Parks and Recreation Commission meeting; and minutes of March 7, 1984 Yakima Clean Air Authority meeting. 18. EXECUTIVE SESSION It was MOVED by Beauchamp, seconded by Sparling to move into Executive Session for the purpose of discussing pending litigation. Unanimously carried by voice vote. Carmichael and Moore absent. 19. ADJOURNMENT Following the completion of the Executive Session, the meeting was adjourned at the hour o 5:55 p.m. fj READ AND CERTIFIED ACCURATE BY/AWAmmuar: DATE,17/(24c 'CO eilL R // old. -A-4 A DATE COUNCII ATTEST: // - 44V, A CITY CLERK MAYOR