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
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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.
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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
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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.
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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.
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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
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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
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ATTEST:
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CITY CLERK MAYOR
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