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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03/08/1984 Special Meeting 239 MARCH 8, 1984 SPECIAL MEETING - WEST VALLEY SEWER SERVICE The City Council met in session on this date at 11:30 A.M. in the basement conference room at the Yakima Health District building for a joint meeting with the Yakima County Commissioners to discuss the West Valley sewer service. Council. members present were Mayor Clarence Barnett, Henry Beauchamp, Lynn Buchanan, Lynn Carmichael, Shirley Doty and W. K. "Pete" Moore. Council member Jack Sparling absent and excused. Yakima County Commissioners present were Chairman Jim Whiteside, Chuck Klarich and Graham Tollefson. Commissioner Whiteside expressed the County's appreciation of the action II taken by the City Council authorizing the extension of the sewer line on Summitview Avenue in order to help solve some of the sewer problems in the West Valley area. Larry Wright, Assistant Director of Community & Economic Development, City of Yakima, summarized the wastewater agreement signed by Yakima County, City of Yakima, Terrace Heights Sewer District and the City of Union Gap, which was developed to expand Yakima's sewer plant to serve the regional area. He reported that, to his knowledge, there has only been five local improvement districts established in the West Valley area. Dennis Bertek, City Engineer, City of Yakima, gave a status report on the Wastewater Treatment Plant expansion project. He reported the plant is functioning as intendadand meeting the discharge requirements. Discussion followed regarding the financial aspects of the Treatment Plant expansion. Commissioner Klarich inquired about the amount of money that has been accumulating from the 50% surcharge paid by non-City residents who receive sewer service. Dennis Covell responded that $266,000 has been received from residents paying this surcharge. Dennis Bertek explained the Capital Cost Recovery Charge program. There was further discussion regarding the original funding of the expansion project and the reason for the regional wastewater service area. Commissioner Tollefson stated that the question is how is the County going to sell revenue bonds, when the County does not derive any revenue from that source. He commented the County can either fund a sewer district or a local improvement district. Council member Carmichael inquired why the County had not considered a General Obligation Bond. Commissioner Whiteside stated that the other County residents not receiving this service would not want to pay for it. Council member Carmichael asked if the City could act as the collection agency for the County. Commissioner Tollefson inquired what the difference would be if the City were to sell the bonds and collect the revenue to pay off the bonds. Jeff Snllivan, Yakima County Prosecutor, inquired if the City would be interested in terminating the wastewater agreement and wholesale the service to the County. Coniiiissioner Whiteside stated the Commissioners had discussion on this subject yesterday and came up with five options; three of which were not acceptable; leaving two possible solutions. One solution is that the County form a sewer district on a County wide basis and buy out the City's capital interest in the West Valley area, and act as a wholesaler. The second option is to participate in some sort of Revenue Bond measure. He stated that in order to effect the proposal made by Jeff Sullivan, the County would have to reach an impasse with the City because the City refuses to serve that area; or 2) by mutual consent, the City agrees the wastewater agreement be terminated and allow the County to wholesale this service. Council member Carmichael inquired how option one would effect the Urban Area Plan. Commissioner Whiteside reported that it would remove the impetus for County residents to annex to the City and that situation would have to be reassessed. Council member Buchanan expressed his concerns about the City operating a sewer system in the West Valley area, due to the large amount of undeveloped property in that area and the time which would elapse before the City would begin recovering their investment. Commissioner Klarich inquired if anyone has determined how many immediate sewer connections would be made in that area. The options available were mentioned again and it was the general consensus of the Council and County Commissioners to meet again in a couple of weeks. '4:4' 240 MARCH 8, 1984 SPECIAL MEETING - WEST VALLEY SEWER SERVICE It was MOVED by Buchanan, seconded by Moore that this meeting adjourn at the hour of 1:00 P.M. Unanimously carried 4 7 oice vote. Sparling absent. /4 READ AND CERTIFIED AC TE CURA BY ' - -,-' .-11,14,6, 4 -' Date Council Mem.-r / 1 , ' , V Date slisiPy Council MemVP AfILST: M ayor City Clerk mayor i .