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HomeMy WebLinkAbout07/17/1984 Study Session JULY 17, 1984 329 STUDY SESSION The City Council Tret 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 Carmichael, Shirley Doty, and W. K. "Pete" Moore. Council member Henry Beauchamp present after 2:05 p.m. Council members Buchanan and Sparling absent. 1. OPEN DISCUSSION FOR THE GOOD OF THE ORDER Irvin Lisle, City liaison for the Centennial Celebration, presented Council with a status report and a copy of the logo to be used for the Centennial Celebration. 2. REPORT FROM MATRIX MANAGEMENT GROUP RE DATA PROCESSING NEEDS STUDY PHASE I FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS Doug Jonas and Charles Scott, Matrix Management Group, presented a detailed report to Council regarding the City's current data processing system, the need to upgrade the system and their recommendations for doing so. After a considerable amount of discussion on this issue, it was MOVED by Moore, seconded by Carmichael, to move this item down on the agenda to become Item No. 6a so Council can take some definite action on the issue. Unanimously carried by voice vote. Buchanan and Sparling absent. BUSINESS MEETING 3. At 3:00 p.m., the Council members commenced the regular meeting, Mayor Barnett presiding, Council members Barnett, Beauchamp, Carmichael, Doty, and Moore and City Manager Zais and Assistant City Attorney Vanek present on roll call. Buchanan and Sparling Absent and excused. 4. INVOCATION The Invocation was given by Council member Doty. 5. 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 No. 10, as requested, be made. The City Clerk then read the Consent Agenda items, including resolutions and ordinances by title. It was MOVED by Carmichael, seconded by Moore, that the Consent Agenda, as read, be passed. Unanimously carried by roll call vote. Buchanan and Sparling absent. (Subsegent paragraphs preceded by an asterisk (*) indicate items on the Consent Agenda handled under one motion without further discussion.) 6. CURRENT STUDY SESSION ITEMS a. Item No. 2 John Hanson, Director of Finance & Budget, reviewed the report briefly with Council and answered questions regarding the report. After further discussion, it was MOVED by Moore, seconded by Carmichael, to accept the report, authorize staff to develop legislation as required, and direct staff to continue with Phase II of the project. Council member Doty questioned the source of funding for the purchase of the system. Mr. Hanson stated $23,000 would come from the existing budget savings and part would be absorbed through existing funds. He then reviewed the summary of the required 1984 actions and the funding proposal for 1984 contained in the report submitted to Council. Council member Beauchamp asked if this system is the one the City needs to meet the 330 JULY 17, 1984 current demands. Mr. Hanson stated this system has been determined to best suit the needs of the City. The question was called for a vote on the motion. Carried by 4-1 voice Vote. Beauchamp voting nay. Buchanan and Sparling absent. *7. APPROVAL OF MINUTES The Council minutes of May 22, 1984 were approved, having been duly certified accurate by two Council members and no one present wishing to have said minutes read pUblicly. 8. AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION Bruce Crest, Cable TV Coordinator, introduced Walt Schaar, the new General Manager for Cox Cablevision. He stated that Mr. Schaar is from Spokane, and has previously worked in Atlanta for two years prior to coming to Washington. 111 9. REPORT FROM POLICE AND LEGAL DEPARTMENTS RE: PROSTITUTION AND STREET ACTIVITIES IN THE CBD AREA Chief Green, Police Department, reported that this is not a new problem in the City, and the City has never had a tolerance policy regarding such activity on the streets. He indicated some of the persons engaged in prostitution are local residents, but the majority are transients and travel throughout the northwest cities. He reported that in a six month period last year the "Beat Officers" identified more than 130 different females working the streets in Yakima or engaged in prostitution related activities. Referring to two City ordinances Which apply to prostitution: Loitering and Offering and Agreeing for the purpose of prostitution, he indicated that both ordinances require considerable time and manpower to enforce. He reviewed the process involved in an officer's investigation of suspected prostitution. City Prosecutor, Bob Bounds, indicated it is very difficult to control prostitution simply because it is a person's constitutional right to talk about anything they wish. Mr. Bounds indicated it must be proven that a fee is being discussed and a commercial transaction is taking place before a person can be Charged with prostitution or offering and agreeing. Mr. Bounds requested guidance on what the Council wishes him to urge upon the Court in the way of a fine. He indicated the three options are: (1) Allow the Judge to make the decision; (2) Request the full penalty of 90 days in jail and a $500 fine for a person pleading guilty or (3) Allow Mr. Bounds, as a Prosecuting Attorney, to use his best discretion. Mayor Barnett stated if people want extra patrol officers assigned to the area, it would be necessary to pass another tax to cover the expense involved, of which he is not in favor. Pete Nakashian, owner and operator of the "Slice of Life" Pizza establishment, stated the prostitutes loiter in the vicinity of his business causing people to avoid his restaurant. Karen Bennett, 12 North 1st Street, stated she and her husband have owned the Sports Tavern for over a year and have not been bothered with this problem. She indicated 111 they do not allow these types of persons to loiter around their business. Her solution to the situation is for the merchants to take a firm stand against such activities and let people suspected of these activities know they are not going to be allowed in or around their businesses. It was MOVED by Mbore, seconded by Beauchamp, to accept and file the report. The question was called for a vote on the motion. Unanimously carried by voice vote. Buchanan and Sparling absent. *10. REPORT FROM THE CITY ENGINEER RE: 45TH AVENUE ACCESS IMPROVEMENTS The report from the Department of Engineering and Utilities regarding 45th Avenue Access Improvements, dated July 17, 1984 was approved. 331 JULY 17, 1984 11. CONSIDERATION OF A RESOLUTION APPROVING SUBMITTAL OF AN APPLICATION FOR THE "SELF-SUFFICIENCY DEMONSTRATION PROGRAM" Mayor Barnett stated this issue is caning before Council too quickly and with too many unknowns as to the future commitment of the Community Development Block Grant Funds. John Beer, Jr., Director of Community and Economic Development, and Bill Burris, Director of Yakima Housing Authority, addressed some of the concerns Council has regarding the implementation of this program, the Task Force which would need to be formulated, and future funding for the program. Council member Doty stated she felt the County would be a more appropriate legislative body to sponsor this type of program. Council member Carmichael stated she interpretes the material provided to Council as making the City a financial advisor and supporter of the program and was concerned that the City would be required to fund the program in the future. She agreed with Council member Doty that it would be more appropriate for the County to become involved in this project rather than the City. City Manager Zais indicated the Housing Authority serves the urban area as well as the City, and perhaps with more information on the subject it could be discussed at a later date. It was MOVED by Carmichael, seconded by Mbore that Council take no action on the matter at this time. Unanimously carried by voice vote. Barnett, Buchanan and Sparling absent. (Mayor Barnett having been excused at 4:45 p.m.) *12. STATUS REPORT RE: FEDERAL CABLE TV LEGISLATION The report fran the Department of Community and Economic Development regarding the status of Federal Cable TV Legislation, dated July 17, 1984 was accepted and approved. *13. APPROVAL OF PROPOSED LANGUAGE CHANGES IN OIL AND GAS LEASES IN THE RATTLESNAKE WATERSHED AREA The report fran the Department of Community Development regarding proposed language changes in the oil and gas leases in the Rattlesnake Watershed Area dated July 17, 1984 was accepted and approved. *14. STATUS REPORT RE: ENERGY CONSERVATION PROJECTS AND PROGRAMS AND APPROVAL OF RESOLUTIONS AUTHORIZING EXECUTION OF MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT WITH WASHINGTON STATE ENERGY OFFICE AND AUTHORIZATION FOR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE. The status report and staff recommendations regarding energy conservation projects and programs was approved. RESOLUTION NO. D-4981, A RESOLUTION authorizing and directing the City Manager to execute a "Memorandum of Agreement" with the. Washington State Energy Office. RESOLUTION NO. D-4982, A RESOLUTION authorizing the City Manager to apply for financial assistance for energy conservation projects. *16. CONSIDERATION OF AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE 1984 BUDGET AND • APPROPRIATING FUNDS INTO THE GENERAL FUND (First Reading) AN ORDINANCE amending the 1984 Budget, having been read by title only at this meeting, was laid on the table for one week or until July 24, 1984. *17. CONSIDERATION OF AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE SALARY RANGE FOR THE ASSISTANT CITY MANAGER POSITION ORDINANCE NO. 2791, AN ORDINANCE relating to City personnel; adopting a classification and compensation plan for City employees to be effective August 1, 1984, and amending Section 2.20.110 of the City of Yakima Municipal Code, and declaring an emergency. 332 JULY 17, 1984 18. OTHER BUSINESS Council member Carmichael stated the City has received a large amount of money from the Margaret Coffin-Holmes estate and the Council Committee has reviewed the three proposals received and made the determination to award the $20,000 to the Yakima Valley Regional Library. The funds will be used to supplement the historical and poetic history reference books of the Northwest. Assistant Mayor Doty questioned why the museum had been determined ineligible for the funds and Council member Moore stated the City cannot give funds to the museum as it is not a governmental entity. It was MOVED by Carmichael, seconded by Moore that the City of Yakima bestow the bequest given to the City by the Margaret Coffin-Holmes estate to the Yakima Valley Regional Library for the purpose of establishing 111 an appropriate memorial as outlined in the proposal to the City Council. Unanimously carried by voice vote. Barnett, Buchanan and Sparling absent. Council member Carmichael suggested letters be written to the other applicants explaining why their proposals were considered ineligible and how the funds will be used. Assistant Mayor Doty pointed out that an appointment needs to be made to the State Housing Committee and would like to nominate Martin Chacon. It was MOVED by Moore, seconded by Doty that Martin Chacon be appointed to serve on the State Housing Committee. Unanimously carried by voice vote. Barnett, Buchanan and Sparling absent. INFORMATION ITEMS Items of information supplied to Council were: Memo'from City Attorney re: Alley Maintenance 7/13/84; memo from Public Relations Committee Coordinator re: First Annual City Employee Picnic; Article from the Wall Street Journal re: "Cities Are Embracing Skyways to Foster Downtown Revival" 7/11/84; and Washington Community Development Bulletin 7/84. 19, ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to cane before Council, it was MOVED by Mbore, seconded by Beauchamp that this meeting be adjourned at the hour of 4:55 p.m. Unanimously carried by voice vote. Barnett, Buchanan and Sparling absent. READ AND CERTIFIED ACCURATE BY 1 DATEs-N-gf 7pci R ' DATE d`" 72/ COUNCIL ial ATTEST: 1O CITY CLERK MAYOR 111