HomeMy WebLinkAbout08/07/1984 Study Session 340
AUGUST 7, 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, Shirley Doty and Jack Sparling. Council member
Henry Beauchamp present after 2:20 p.m. Council members Lynn Buchanan,
Lynn Carmichael and W. K. "Pete" Moore absent.
There being no quorum present at 2:15 p.m., Mayor Barnett commenced the
discussion with Item No. 3, which does not require Council action.
3. PRESENTATION ON URBAN DEVELOPMENT ACTION GRANT FUNDING PROGRAM
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Paul Strater, Director of Kittitas -Yakima County Economic
Development, provided background information and introduced John
Finke, of the National Development Council. Mr. Finke explained
the Urban Area Action Grant (UDAG) is actually a second mortgage
loan program for private business expansion. He stated requirements
for the project are that the business has to be located in an
eligible community, must involve the investment of private capital,
private equity and private bank debt, and must create permanent
private sector employment. (Council member Beauchamp present after
2:20 p.m.) He indicated the project must create at least one
private new job for every $10,000 invested in the project. He
named several projects completed in the State of Washington indicat-
ing various uses of these funds. He commented that if Yakima is
selected for a UDAG project, the money would be granted to the
City with instructions as to how the money would be loaned to the
business. The business would pay principal and interest to the
City on the amount of money borrowed for the project. Council
member Sparling asked what the terms of the loan would be - and :Mr.
Finke indicated they are negotiable, however, the interest is
generally five to eight percent for twenty-five to thirty years on
real estate property. He indicated the UDAG program has $440,000,000
per year to expend on projects. Mr. Finke informed Council that
tre next application submission date would be in November and that
two public hearings would have to be held and a resolution passed
by Council before an application could be submitted. He indicated
the application period would take about four months. He further
stated the cost involved in the legal work and preparation could
be added to the amount of the grant award. He stated the risks
involved in this process are minimal. Mr. Finke responded to
several questions regarding reinvestment of the funds and the
maximum amount of funding which can be requested by an applicant.
No action was taken by the Council.
A quorum being present at this time, Mayor Barnett reverted to the
original sequence of the Agenda.
1. OPEN DISCUSSION FOR THE GOOD OF THE ORDER
II/
Mayor Barnett announced he had received a letter of resignation
from Council member Moore, effective August 31, 1984. It was MOVED
by Beauchamp, seconded by Doty, that Council member Moore's resigna-
tion be accepted. Unanimously carried by voice vote. Buchanan,
Carmichael and Moore absent. City Attorney Andrews indicated it is
the responsibility of the Council to fill the vacancy, requiring a
majority vote of the remaining Council members. He stated this is
an "at-large" position, therefore, the person applying does not
have to live within a specific area of the City. Discussion
followed on the manner-in which Council will make a selection. It
was the general consensus of the Council to utilize the previous
process and request candidates to submit an application to the
City Clerk no later than the close of the working day on August
24, 1984. The applications will then be reviewed by Council
members, three of whom will be interviewed by the Council.
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2. REPORT FROM COMMUNITY & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT REGARDING
THE NORTH FRONT STREET IMPROVEMENTS
It was MOVED by Doty, seconded by Beauchamp, to move Item No. 2
down on the agenda to become Item No. 7a. Unanimously carried by
voice vote. Buchanan, Carmichael and Moore absent.
BUSINESS MEETING
4. ROLL CALL
At 3:00 p.m., the Council members commenced the regular meeting,
Mayor Barnett presiding, Council members Beauchamp, Doty and
Sparling and City Manager Zais and City Attorney Andrews present
on roll call. Council members Buchanan, Carmichael and Moore
absent and excused.
5. INVOCATION
The Invocation was given by Council member Beauchamp.
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. City Manager Zais
removed Item No. 21 from the Consent Agenda, stating there must be
five Council members present to vote on an appropriation ordinance.
Council member Sparling requested that Item No. 23 be added to the
Consent Agenda. It was the general consensus of the Council that
the addition of Item No. 23 and the deletion of Item No. 21, 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 Beauchamp, that the Consent Agenda, as read,
be passed. Unanimously carried by roll call vote. Buchanan,
Carmichael and Moore 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. 2
Larry Wright, Assistant Director of Community and Economic
Development, introduced Lenore Lambert, representing the North
Front Street Improvement Association. Mrs. Lambert indicated she
had received a copy of the staff report prior to the meeting and
was surprised to learn that staff did not feel their original
request for Community Development Block Grant Funds in 1982 was
specific enough. She stated the proposal had asked for funding to
repair 1,407 lineal feet of sidewalk, five old-time street lamps,
planters, and assistance in the development of a restoration plan
for the area. She indicated the North Front Street Improvement
Association had been incorporated since the submission of that
application. She further stated they are currently seeking other
funding sources, such as the National Heritage Foundation and The
Ted Robertson Foundation. She indicated City staff had made a
commitment to work with the Association regarding this project,
however, she feels the amount of anticipated time allocated is
rather excessive due to the fact that most of the information is
already contained in the City files. She requested this discussion
be continued for a few weeks to allow them time to adequately
study this material. Council member Doty requested a status report
from Mrs. Lambert regarding the request for funds from Jake Thomas,
President of the Historic Preservation, when she addresses Council
regarding this project again in a few weeks. Council member
Beauchamp asked what the Association's goal is for the North Front
Street Area. Mrs. Lambert stated their goal is to have a two block
area that looks as it did 100 years ago and make it a viable
economic part of the downtown area. She explained it is the
understanding of the Association that without the involvement and
development of the Burlington Northern Depot the project will not
become a reality. She indicated Burlington Northern has not yet
expressed any interest in this project. She reported their parking
lot is currently being used as a dumping ground and requested the
City contact Burlington Northern about this problem. It was MOVED
by Beauchamp, seconded by Doty, to continue discussion of this
project on the August 28, 1984 Council agenda. Unanimously carried
by voice vote. Buchanan, Carmichael and Moore absent.
9. AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION
Janet Amundson, 702 North 44th Avenue, Yakima, was present
regarding the passage of the ordinance regulating skateboarding,
bicycling, etc. on sidewalks. She stated the ordinance is unclear
and does not address the issue of joggers. Council member Doty
indicated this ordiance was passed due to a request made by
Downtown Area Redevelopment Commission members, in an attempt to
prevent accidents involving pedestrians and persons riding
bicycles, skateboards, roller skates, or other devices on wheels.
Council member Beauchamp expressed concern regarding young people
who ride their bicycles as a means of transportation to and from
school, the Mall, and to downtown areas for recreational
activities. He indicated the passage of this ordinance forces them
into the streets, competing with vehicular traffic. Mrs. Amundson
stated she intends to file a petition in protest of this ordinance,
as she believes it to be unconstitutional.
10. HEARING ON URBAN MASS TRANSPORTATION ADMINISTRATION GRANT
This being the time fixed for the hearing on the Urban Mass
Transportation Administration Grant, Bill Schultz, Transit Manager,
was present to answer questions regarding this hearing. He
indicated this is a hearing to allow for public input regarding
the expenditure of funds for eight transit vehicles and associated
equipment and is required by Federal regulations. There being no
citizen present wishing to speak to this issue, the public portion
of the hearing was closed. No action was required by Council on
this item.
11. CONSIDERATION OF A DISCOUNT FARE FOR YOUTH BUS PASSENGERS
Bill Schultz, Transit Manager, stated this item is the result of a
request from Yakima School District No. 7 regarding youth bus
passes. He indicated the School District had recently reduced the
radius from a school that a student has to reside in order to have
transportation provided for them by the School District.
Mr. Schultz expanded upon the system currently being used by the
School District and the current, time consuming, manner in which
City Transit fares are collected. He stated the proposed changes
would be more efficient for both parties involved. He reported a
discounted pass can be purchased by "honored" citizens and adults,
based upon an average forty ride month. A youth pass can currently
be purchased for $8.00, based upon a 40 ride month at the present
farebox rate of 20¢. He stated they are requesting a reduction in
this price to $6.50, which amounts to an 18% discount. He named
several advantages of selling a discounted pass. Mayor Barnett
pointed out that the UMTA regulations indicate a public hearing
must be held with adequate public notice before a fare change can
be implemented. Mr. Schultz indicated major changes do require a
public hearing, however, in this instance, the fare is requested
to be reduced. He stated he would verify his understanding that a
public hearing is unnecessary. Dean Starr, Superintendent of Yakima
School District, indicated the State is requiring the School
District to transport students outside a one mile radius rather
than the previous two mile radius to conform to their formula for
transportation funding. He stated the School District will be
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increasing the number of students they transport from 3,000 to
4,500 and expect student ridership on the City Transit System to
increase from 350 to 750 a day. He stated the School District
thought it would be more economically feasible to utilize the
public transportation system rather than increase their fleet to
accommodate the additional riders. Council member Doty inquired
who would be responsible for paying the $6.50 fare and Mr. Starr
replied the fare would be paid by State transportation money. Rick
Gagnier, Yakima School District, stated they are currently
receiving about $160,000 in revenue and next year's revenue fore-
cast is for $300,000 versus an estimated $450,000 expenditure for
transportation. He indicated the $6.50 fare would be a break-even
figure, based upon the State formula. After further discussion, it
was the consensus of the Council to have this item on the agenda
next week for action, depending upon whether or not a public
hearing is found to be necessary.
II/ 12. PRESENTATION FROM SOUTHEAST YAKIMA COMMUNITY CENTER
Cecil Collins, Director of Southeast Yakima Community Center, gave
a brief presentation, stating a copy of the 1983 year-end fiscal
audit, prepared by Boyd, Olofson & Company in compliance with
Federal regulations, was included in the Council packet for review.
No action was required by Council on this item.
13. REPORT FROM FINANCE & BUDGET DEPARTMENT RE: SOLICITING PROPOSALS
FOR THE CITY'S GENERAL INSURANCE PLAN
Bob Wheeler, Accounting Manager, was present to answer questions
regarding this report. Council member Doty questioned the reason
for the dramatic increase in the insurance rates. Mr. Wheeler
indicated the insurance companies have been quite competitive in
the past years and were making a tremendous interest income, and
now that conditions have changed, they are not willing to take a
loss. City Manager Zais added when the first proposal was made,
the losses were worse than they had predicted and according to
Glen Williams, INA has indicated the City of Yakima's policy has
proven to be unprofitable. He stated Mr. Williams is researching
other markets for replacing this coverage. Mr. Zais further stated
staff has been requested by another broker to consider rebidding
this service because other brokers may have access to broader
markets. After further discussion on the item, it was MOVED by
Doty, seconded by Sparling, to issue Requests for Proposals from
qualified insurance brokers, not overlooking the fact that there
are changes from time to time and there may be some other firms
that are now qualified that were not qualified last time.
Unanimously carried by voice vote. Buchanan, Carmichael and Moore
absent. Mayor Barnett indicated he is hopeful that antitrust
liability coverage will be included in this proposal. City Attorney
Andrews indicated staff is presently looking into this. City
Manager Zais stated staff is also looking for punitive damage
coverage for civil rights claims.
14. REPORT FROM CONSULTANT REGARDING WATER TREATMENT PLANT INTAKE
STUDY AND ICING PROBLEMS
Ty Wick, Water Division Superintendent, and John Mayo, CH2M Hill,
were present to respond to questions regarding this item. Mayor
Barnett indicated concern with the "order of magnitude" estimates
being used and was fearful that the project could possibly exceed
$425,000. Mr. Mayo indicated the item under question is basically
one of semantics; at this phase of the development specific
details are not known. He stated his firm had been extremely
cautious in their estimates, including a contingency factor. After
further discussion, it was MOVED by Doty, seconded by Beauchamp,
to accept CH2M Hill's report and recommend Alternative 2-A, with
the funding option in stages as outlined in Table III. Council
member Sparling questioned whether Council has to commit to the
amount of S283,843 for this project. City Manager Zais stated this
amount will be incorporated as an estimated expenditure in the
1985 budget. The question was called for a vote on the Motion.
Unanimously carried by voice vote. Buchanan, Carmichael and Moore
absent.
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*15. DISPOSITION OF SURPLUS PROPERTY
RESOLUTION NO. D-4988, A RESOLUTION authorizing the sale of surplus
personal property owned by the City.
*16. SUPPLEMENTAL AGREEMENT WITH FAUS FOR THE 48TH AVENUE AND TIETON
DRIVE INTERSECTION IMPROVEMENT PROJECT
RESOLUTION NO. D-4989, A RESOLUTION authorizing the City Manager
of the City of Yakima to execute Supplement No. 1 with the State
of Washington, Department of Transportation, for partial
remibursement of costs for improving the intersection of 48th
Avenue and Tieton Drive.
*17. AGREEMENT WITH FAUS FOR THE NOB HILL BLVD., 6TH STREET TO 3RD
AVENUE PROJECT
RESOLUTION NO. D-4990, A RESOLUTION authorizing and directing the
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City Manager of the City of Yakima to execute an agreement with
the State of Washington, Department of Transportation for partial
reimbursement of costs for the rehabilitation of Nob Hill Boulevard
from South 6th Street to South 3rd Avenue.
*18. DISPOSITION OF DAMAGE CLAIM
a. Denial of claim filed by Coreen Aman
RESOLUTION NO. D-4991, A RESOLUTION denying the claim filed
by Coreen S. Aman filed with the City of Yakima.
*19. APPROVAL OF RIGHT-OF-WAY USE PERMIT REQUESTED BY YAKIMA HERALD
REPUBLIC, 114 NORTH 4Th STREET
The Right-of-Way Use Permit requested by the Yakima Herald
Republic, to install a drive-up drop box on the north side of "B"
Street, between 3rd Street and 4th Street, was approved.
*20. APPROVAL OF CUT-OF-STATE TRAVEL .
A. The out-of-state travel request for Bill Schultz, Transit
Manager, to attend the American Public Transit Association
Annual Meeting and Public Transit Exposition in Washington,
D.C., September 28-October 4, 1984 at a cost of $1,448, was
approved.
B. The out-of-state travel for Henry Hein, Supervising Traffic
Engineer, to attend the Institute of Transportation Engineers
54th Arn Meeting in San Francisco, CA, September 23-27,
1984, at a cost of S1,000 was approved.
C. The out-of-state travel for Robert Weaver, Persoiuiel Officer,
to Alexandria, VA to attend the American Society for
Personnel Administration, October 11-14, 1984, was approved.
21. AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE GENERAL FUND AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS
FROM THE GENERAL FUND (Second Reading)
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Deferred one week.
*22. LEGISLATION RELATING TO YAKIMA AIR TERMINAL:
a. A Resolution Approving Air Terminal Rules And Regulations
RESOLUTION NO. D-4992, A RESOLUTION approving rules and
regulations adopted by the Yakima Air Terminal Board.
b. An Ordinance Relating To Ground Control And Security
ORDINANCE NO. 2796, AN ORDINANCE relating to public safety
and morals; providing for rules and regulations to govern
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Yakima Air Terminal ground control and security; and enacting
Chapter 6.35, "Airport Ground Control and Security", and
Section 6.35.010, 6.35.020, 6.35.030, 6.35.040, 6.35.050,
6.35.060, and 6.35.070 as a new chapter and new sections of
the City of Yakima Municipal Code.
C. A Resolution Pertaining To Grant Acceptance Authorization
RESOLUTION NO. D-4993, A RESOLUTION authorizing the Chairman
of the Yakima Air Terminal Board to execute Federal Aviation
Administration grant documents.
*23. LEGISLATION RE: MANAGEMENT COMPENSATION:
II/ a. An Ordinance Adopting A Classification And Compensation Plan
ORDINANCE NO. 2797, AN ORDINANCE relating to City personnel;
adopting a classification and compensation plan for City
employees to be effective October 1, 1984; amending Sections
2.20.110 of the City of Yakima Municipal Code.
b. A Resolution Authorizing Management Salary Adjustments
RESOLUTION NO. D-4994, A RESOLUTION authorizing salary
adjustments for management employees.
24. OTHER BUSINESS
Council member Doty stated she had received a call two weeks ago
from a gentleman regarding the lack of clarity on the ordinance
Council passed restricting the riding of bicycles, skateboards,
roller skates, etc. on sidewalks. His concern was that it did not
specifyhxactly where the City wished to prohibit these activities
other than saying "business zones", which means a person cannot
ride a bicycle along Summitview going past the West Park Shopping
Center or the Chalet Mall, or any other business zoned area.
Council memberjDoty stated she did not believe this was the intent
of the Council; rather the intent was to address the problem in
the downtown area. She suggested amending the ordinance to be more
specific and requested it be clarified through the media. Council
member Doty asked if the ordinance could be amended to stipulate
the Central Business District. City Attorney Andrews concurred
this could be done by amending that section in the ordinance
referring to the business zones. Council member Beauchamp
reiterated his concern regarding the young kids being forced into
the streets and traffic. Council member Sparling indicated he had
talked with one of the DARC membersand that person indicated there
was not uniform popularity amongst the Committee for this
legislation. After further discussion, it was MOVED by Beauchamp
seconded by Sparling, to present this on the agenda for discussion
on August 28, 1984. Unanimously carried by voice vote. Buchanan,
Carmichael and Moore absent.
Council member Doty stated she had attended a meeting with several
people from the Health District and the Board of Directors of the
Women's Century Club regarding pigeons and the health problem they
present in certain areas of the City. The cooporation of the
County and City was requested in an effort to address the problem.
Council member Doty inquired if Community Development Grant Block
funds could be used to assist with this project, similar to the
rat abatement project. Council member Beauchamp was in agreement
that this is a serious problem and warrants Council's attention
because diseases can be transmitted by these pigeons.
Jerry Foy, a citizen, requested clarification on the candidate
filing period due to the public disclosure factor involved in
filing for a public office. It was the general consensus of the
Council that applications would be accepted until August 24, 1984
and the interviews would be held September 5-11, 1984.
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Information Items
Items of information supplied to Council were: letter of resignation
from Council member Moore. 8/1/84; memo from Regional Planning
Commission re Continuation of the August 6, 1984 hearing. 8/1/84;
letter
from Yakima Board of Realtors re the Urban Area Plan. 7/27/84; Court
decision re litigation of transfer of fire inspection duties.
8/26/84; Permit Center report for the month of July 1984. 8/7/84;
Fire Department Activiity Report for June 1984. 7/23/84; minutes
of the 7/5/84 Civil Service Commission meeting; minutes of the
7/9/84 Planning Commission meeting; Yakima Valley TV "Cable Cues"
for August 1984; and an article from The Daily News re "Mechanical
Refuse System", 8/7/84.
25. EXECUTIVE SESSION
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It was MOVED by Beauchamp, seconded by Sparling, to move into
Executive Session for the purpose of discussing collective
bargaining and then immediately adjourn the meeting. Unanimously
carried by voice vote. Buchanan, Carmichael and Moore absent.
26. ADJOURNMENT
Following the completion of the Executive Session, the meeting was
adjourned at the hour of 5:25 p.m.
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