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.
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