HomeMy WebLinkAbout04/12/1974 Adjourned Meeting and Council Workshop 04/12-13/1974 APRIL 12, 1974
ADJOURNED REGULAR MEETING - FRIDAY, APRIL 12, 1974
The City Council met in session at 12:00 Noon on this date in the
Flight Deck Restaurant at the Yakima Air Terminal.
The Council held general discussion on various city matters. No
formal action was taken at this meeting.
There being no further business to come before the Council, it was
MOVED by Rich, seconded by Moore that this meeting be adjourned at
1:30 P.M. to be held on this date at 5:00 P.M. for a Council Retreat
at Hidden Valley, Washington: carried, Broad, Brown, Edmondson,
Moore, Rich, Schussler and Whitaker voting aye by voice vote.
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CI;,' CLERK / MAYOR
COUNCIL WORKSHOP MINUTES
Hidden Valley Ranch - April 12 - 13, 1974
MUNICIPAL GOALS
The City Manager reviewed the progress made in achieving the
Municipal Goals set by the Council in May of 1971. The status
of these goals is described as follows:
Community Development
a. Shop Complex. This project has been programmed for
1974 and funded from Federal Revenue sharing in the
amount of $1.5 million. It is to be noted that addi-
tional cost increases are anticipated in steel and
asphalt for this facility. Councilman Brown
requested that the City staff investigate the annexa-
tion of the Fruitvale City Shop site to the City.
b. Improvement of at-grade Railroad Crossings. The City
Manager observed that "B", "D", "I" crossings have been
completed. Mayor Broad asked staff to investigate the
closing of the Lincoln crossing when the south bound evening
train is in and covers "B" Street but not Lincoln.
c. Fire Department Modernization and Updating. This has
been accomplished with the opening of two new fire
stations within the last year.
d. Purchase of new City buses. The Council authorized
the purchase of four new buses in March.
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APRIL 12-13, 1974
e. Building of Sewers in Older Areas Outside City. This
was attempted in the Fruitvale district and on the east
side through monies available from H.U.D. but has yet
to be completed.
f. Build a Convention - Cultural Center.
Discussion
The convention center bond issue vote failed at the
polls, however, the recent acquisition of the Capitol
Theatre is expected to meet much of the criteria for
a cultural center. The Council felt that the City
still lacked sufficient exhibition hall space and ban-
quet facilities which a Convention Center could provide.
Councilman Don Schussler asked that the Council provide
a clear statement to the public on its position on the
Convention Center in view of the neT., downtown redevelopment
plans. He said the public should be apprised that the Council
is not completely abandoning the project but that if
convention center plans are pursued the public will
be involved.
The Council agreed that the downtown redevelopment
plan could not ignore the future possibility of a
convention center and should therefore reserve
air rights over the parking lots proposed in the
plan. Wray Brown expressed opposit'ion to including
the air rights for a future convention facility in
the downtown redevelopment plan, but agreed that some
statement should be made to the public explaining
Council action.
The City Manager mentioned that the City would
become the owner of a twenty year bond on the
parking lots included in the downtown L.I.D.
and act as manager.
(As an aside the City Manager noted that the State
was going to draft legislation against the recently
enacted Room Tax inasmuch as several cities through-
out the State had opted for it and the State was
losing too much revenue. The City Manager recom-
mended that the City should issue bonds to protect the
funds from being recaptured by the State.)
Wray Brown and Betty Edmondson expressed concern over possible
charges of discrimination by the West Side merchants after
learning of the L.I.D. redevelopment plans recommended
for the downtown East Side. Chuck Rich recommended that
the Council advise West Side property owners that they
too could form an advisory group to investigate a possible
assessment for parking in their own areas, and that the
City would work with them in developing a proposal.
The Council gave some attention to the problems at the
Yakima Mall garage. Wray Brown contended that the downtown
merchants should buy the facility. The City's downtown
consultant, Jacobson& Assoc,.,has recommended that the Mall
garage should be paid for by a superblock and be reorganized.
The facility is now in receivership and apparently will
lose its mortgage.
The City Manager noted, finally, that the 1964 General
Plan had been followed very closely in the intervening years
and that most of its elements were incorporated in the
downtown redevelopment plans presently under study.
APRIL 12-13, 1974
g. Railroad Grade Separations. Grade separation construction is still
incomplete. An overpass for Tieton Avenue is under study.
h. Improvement of Industrial Waste Disposal System. The City Manager
observed that the Terrace Heights industrial waste system
is deficient and the City needs an engineering study to
determine the land acquisition and industrial waste requirements
necessary to accomodate potential industrial expansion
in the area. The City has not done this to date because
the problems associated with domestic sewers. Bert Broad
inquired where the City was with meeting the water requirements
of the Department of Ecology. The City Manager related
that the Citylias system, and meets the minimum
requirements of D.O.E.
Street'Lighting Plan. This is still under preparation I/
by the Traffic Engineer.
j. Improvement of Sidewalks and Construction of More Sidewalks.
The City staff submitted a Sidewalk repair report and comprehensive
sidewalk plan to the Council. The Council has made a
preliminary review and referred both to the Planning Commission
for their assessment. Wray Brown recommended that the
City consider a large massive program of sidewalk repair
and replacement. Don Schussler was interested in using
Federal Revenue Sharing for new sidewalks in the City.
It was the Council's decision to review these programs in
more detail pursuant to Planning Commission's review.
k. Development of Urban Beautification Program. An Urban
Beautification program has been intiated which includes
street tree planning.
1. Completion of Airport Projects. Airport Parking,
Fencing, Landscaping, and Runway Lighting, etc., are all
Council approved projects and programmed for 1974.
m. Piping of Open Irrigation Canals and Storm Drains.
This goal has not been met and flooding still persists
with heavy rains. One exception is the Sotheast Center
Park irrigation ditch which has been piped.
Administrative Procedures
a. Raising $500 bid limitation. The increase in the bid limitation
was passed by the voters last November. However, the new
law now limits public works projects done by force account
to $5,000. The City previously had been operating under
a $10,000 limitation.
b. Improve Relations Between Youth and City Government. The
Council gave some attention to the possibilities of furthering
youth development in City Government inasmuch as the former
Youth Advisory Commission was no longer operative. Betty
Edmondson suggested that a youth be appointed to each citizen
board or commission either as a full voting member or as
an at-large non-voting number. Wray Brown expressed opposition
against this but the Council agreed to give more attention
• to this proposal in the future. Chuck Rich also suggested
the City consider establishing a youth advisory board for
programming Capitol Theatre events.
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c. Institute a Government Public Relations Program. Don Schussler
recommended that the City consider hiring a professional
Public Information Officer similar to that used in Federal
and State agencies, skilled in the handling of public business
with the news media. Schussler observed that the City's
image had been deteriorating in recent months and believed
that such a position would be more conducive to better
news media relations. The City Manager expressed the belief
that the problem was in the news media approach towards
understanding City Hall operations. The consensus of the
Council was to arrange for a meeting with news media represen
tatives to discuss the City's position, listen to complaints
and consider suggestions for improving relations between
the City and the news media.
d. Recruit qualified minority employees. The City's Affirmative
Action Program has resulted in bringing more minorities into Cit:
employment to the extent that they are presently 10% of
the total work force.
FORECAST '74
The staff's Forecast '74 document was reviewed by the City
Council and evaluated on a numerical scale. Councilmen's responses
were averaged together for each department. Overall, most
City departments received an average score for their program
and expenditures. Nevertheless there were certain programs
under each group which the Council identified for separate
discussion purposes. These included the following:
Housing and Community Development
Swimming Pools
Senior Citizen Center
Alarm and Emergency Communications
Special Purpose Paths
Irrigation Water
Litter Clean up
Animal Control
Data Processing
Housing
The Council examined the present housing elements which include:
Housing Code
Occupancy Permit
Housing Resource Center
Neighborhood Conservation Pilot Program
Housing Environmental Consumer Counselingc
Rehabilitation Loan Fund
Yakima Housing Authority
Housing and Renewal Committee
City Manager Craig McMicken reviewed a memorandum from Homer
Matson, Chief of Housing and Neighborhood Conservation, concerning
the City's development of a Rehabilitation Loan Fund. The
new program proposed included conventional loans, low interest
long term high risk loan funds, and a similar fund which would
include provision for grants operated through Neighborhood Housing
Services Corporations funded from foundations and other private
sources. The Council expressed support of the concept but
were concerned about the administration of the program.
The City Manager reported that financial institutions were to
be contacted by Matson and asked to undertake the administra-
tion of the loans program, but this had never occured because
the Housing staff believed that increases in counseling services
were required first. However, the City Manager contended
M'IRIL_12713 1974
that the City had enough counseling services already and advocated
more pilot projects instead of a rehabilitation loan fund program.
(Don Schussler recommended that the City consider a modest
program to bring houses up to code that would limit loans to
a small amount. Bert Broad recommended that some assistance
be maintained, and Chuck Rich advocated the formation of a
local neighborhood L.T.D. for housing purposes specifically.)
The City Manager argued that the Rehabilitation Loan Fund is
really not a local affair. A recent survey conducted by, the
Senate Subcommittee of Internal Relations observed that the
Federal system has a proper role in housing more so than local
communities because of the size, complexity and expense of housing
rehabilitation programs. The Department of Housing and Urban
Development last year expended two million dollars to bail
out the housing subsidy program.
A U.S. Senate bill entitled Omnibus Housing and Community Development
has been proposed to include low income housing assistance,
community development block grants, urban home setting and
rehabilitation loans. Inasmuch as this bill may be passed
in '74 the City Manager recommended that the City stay out
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of the Rehabilitation Loan Fund area because of the problems
associated with instituting a comprehensive program more easily
accomplished through federal funding.
Wray Brown recommended that the City consider earmarking $25,000
a year in a small assistance fund for owners or renters, and
obtain financial expertise in administering a loan program.
Don Schussler observed that administration of such a loan be
the responsibility of financial institutions with the City
underwriting the loans. Schussler emphasized that the qualifications
for loans should be limited to individuals who normally are
unqualified for conventional loans and that funds would be
available only to bring housing up to code.
City Manager, Craig McMicken, recommended that the Council
consider deactivating the Housing and Renewal Committee, retaining
the existing Housing Code and Occupancy Permit System, and
give the Southeast Community Center the Housing Resource Center,
The Yakima Housing Authority would remain and the City could
plan a community development program under block grants. He
recommended discarding the Neighborhood Conservation Pilot
program and the Rehabilitation Loan Fund.
1 The City Manager further emphasized that the basic problem
in housing resulted from broken homes, welfare, and erratic
employment. Most scaled down City programs generally result
in a subsidy to the property owner.
The Council decided to retain the Housing Resource Center and
directed the City Manager to ask financial institutions for Council
assistance in developing a Rehabilitation Loan Fund. The/deferred
judgement on the Housing and Renewal Committee, the Housing
Code and Occupancy Permit until the newly appointed Task Force
made its recommendations. The Council agreed that Rehabilitation
Loan Fund was an appropriate City program but should be administered
by the banks. No funds were earmarked for the program.
SWIMMING
Betty Edmondson expressed some concern for the amount of money
and time expended in. developing the City's swim program. The
City Manager mentioning-that the swimming program
would be discussed at Monday, evenings Council session. Councilman
Edmondson also requested a figure on. actual cost for subsidizing
the Lion's Park pool.
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APRIL 12-13, 1974
Recreation
Chuck Rich expressed concern over increased vandalism in Washington
Park, and inquired as to what supervision was in effect. He
recommended that the City consider developing a Neighborhood
Youth Patrol Force consisting of volunteers to oversee park
activities. Mr. Rich also expressed a desire for an coordinator
to examine various citizen and community recreation areas.
City Manager McMicken observed that this is an ongoing responsibilit:
of the recreation superintendent, Ron Abernethy.
II/ The City Manager expressed a need for Council priorities on
Recreation vs. a Youth Center vs. the Police Involvement.
The Council recommended improving youth relations with the
Police Department.
Bill Whitaker inquired as to what percentage of the budget
in other communities throughout the state was expended on park
maintenance and development; and what that amounted to for
dollars spent on recreation per capita. The question was referred
to staff.
SENIOR CITIZENS CENTER
Chuck Rich felt that some explanation was needed to seniors
by recreation department on why they could not generate their
own funds. It was further mentioned that seniors were satisfied
with the performance of Vince Kennedy as Supervisor but were
more interested in a senior to coordinate their activities
than an Outreach Worker.
Alarm/Communications
Chuck Rich inquired regarding the status of 911 Emergency Telephone
Communication Service for the Yakima area. Bert Broad responded
by noting that the Yakima Emergency Services Council was initiating
a program to implement 911 in Yakima. The Emergency Services
Council named a committee to investigate the submission of guideline
plans for grants-in-aid qualifications for 911 financial support.
Administrative Assistant Dick Zais mentioned that the Council
also appointed a steering committee to investigate other cities
already using the 911 number, and also was given the task of
developing operational aspects and a preliminary plan for a
911 program.
Special Purpose Paths
The Council expressed interest in the amount of gas tax receipts
available for special purpose paths, and the progress made
on the City's bike plan. They further requested that a study
be made on the use of the Fruitvale Canal as a bikepath. The
City Manager noted that gas task receipts for special purposes
amounted to approximately $1,455 annually and that the City's
bike plan was in the preparation for submission to the Council
in the future. The City Manager expressed the need for
a long range plan of interconnecting City parks with bike passes.
IRRIGATION
The Council discussed the prospects of improving the City's
irrigation system and moving away from the current piecemeal
repair approach, The City Manager noted that the Public Works
Director was developing a strategy for defining the irri-
gation problem and a tentative action plan.
APRIL 12-13, 1974
;Wray Brown asked that that staff investigate the possibility
of water leakage at the new reservoir.
Litter Control
Administrative Assistant Dick Zais related to the Council the
;City's program in litter control under the administration of
the Bureau of Fire Prevention in the Fire Department. Essentially,
the Bureau of Fire Preverition.serves as the,clearinghouse for
all litter complaints, including related Service Requests and
; referrals from other departments and agencies. Specific program
;responsibility for Litter Control is assigned to the Fire Department.
The Police Department has secondary responsibility for enforcing
litter control violations made by individuals. The Refuse Department,
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'Office of Code Administration, Parks and Recreation, City Clerk,
!Public Works, and the Yakima County Health District are all
enlisted as support agencies in the control of-litter in the
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City.
FEDERAL REVENUE SHARING ALLOCATIONS
,Humane Society/Animal Control
The City Council reviewed the Humane Society Shelter needs and
I request for financial assistance to purchase new animal holding
cages and upgrade the Humane Shelter's ventilation system.
I In addition the Council'considered centralizing Animal Control
services at the and transferring'enforcement responsibility
to the Humane It was the consensus of the Council '
to earmark $10,000 in FRS monies toward the purchase of the
new animal holding cages. In addition it was recommended that
the City propose a 50-50 cost split with the County to fund
1 a new shelter amounting to a match of $100,000 each. This amount
combined with Humane Society funds of $75,000 would equal the
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estimated cost of a new facility--$275,000. In addition the
Council authorized the . Manager to negotiate'the transfer of
Animal Control enforcement and licensing responsibility to the
I Humane Society. The Mayor also requested that the City consider
I the merits of instituting Adifferential rates in animal licensing
fees. 1
1 Fairgrounds
1 The Council discussed the feasibility of providing fire support
service to the Fairgrounds. Don Schussler argued that the
Fairgrounds were not unique in generation of revenue and recommended'
1 that fire service not be extended on a contract basis. The
City Manager recommended that the City extend fire protection
services by contract, with the provision that the Fairgrounds
! annex to the City within three years or lose fire protection
service. The Council was in agreement.
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Southeast Community Center
The Council reviewed a request from the Southeast Community
I Center for funds in the amount of $30,1)01) to'meet a budget deficit.
1 The Council discussed the need for hiring a financial administrator;
for the Center and recommended that a financial audit be performed.
! The City Manager recommended that the City define specific activities
and attach performance requirements for Southeast Community
1 Center prograins. The Council agreed that the Center should
concentrate in two or program areas and maintain-control
over expenditures.
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APRIL 12 -13, 1974
In discussing problems related to the operation of the S.E.
Center, the Manager recommended providing funds for social
services to the aged and poor with the emphasis on sound programming
and performance of services. The Council agreed to earmark
$30,000 in Federal Revenue Sharing for such purposes. (There
were two votes against this.)
Mental Health Services
Mental Health Services of Yakima requested $30,000 in Federal
Revenue Sharing from the Council for an expanded program in
1974 that would continue to fund a portion of the services
of the clinical health services director; one professional
staff person skilled in children services with support services
for that position, funds to implement the program, and for
certain items of equipment including videotape equipment. The
Council reviewed the request and agreed to earmark $30,000
for the program.
Southeast Center Clinic
Marjorie Wilson of the Southeast Community Center Clinic requested
that the Council supply additional Revenue Sharing monies to
maintain services at their present level and expand programming.
In reviewing the request, the Council agreed to earmark $13,292
in F.R.S. but requested that additional input be obtained on
the program from "Southeast Community Center at Work ", and Dr.
Fout of the Health District. In addition, Chuck Rich requested
that the Center examine the feasibility of utilizing more volunteers
in their programs.
KYVE TV
Yakima's public television station, KYVE, requested an additional sum
of Federal Revenue Sharing money for capital expenditures for 1974.
The City Manager noted that the television stations largest priority
was for a new transmitter but that F.R.S. monieo l feagpap e f'u &g
for such a purpose. Apparently, however, there are /avai able that 1.!r.
require a $75,000 match. The Council agreed to earmark $25,000
in funds from Federal Revenue Sharing and requested that
the television station investigate the possibility color
programming.
Overruns
The City Manager observed that there was a possibility
of cost overruns in City projects presently funded from Federal
Revenue Sharing which include airport parking -- principally
an increase in asphalt prices; City shops - -a probable increase
in steel; and runway 4/22 overlay -- asphalt.
In addition the City Manager discussed a possible need for
a $10,000 appropriation for the Trolley Fund in anticipation
of additional expenses for shipment and operation of the
new trolleys. The City will operate the trolley system,
however someone else would manage ticketing and promotion- -
either a citizen group or Yakima Valley Transportation Company.
NON -FRS
The Yakima YOuth Center submitted a request for $25,000
to the City Council to fund a 100 local match for a Law and
Justice Grant. The money must come from the General Fund
since FRS funds are not authorized for such purposes. The
City Manager related that the Law and Justice committee
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APRIL 12-13, 1974
will not sanction the program because an application has
not been filed as yet. Law and Justice does not think well
of the program,because of the qualification requirements
which stipulate that 75% of youths served must be adjudicated.
There is no provision or support for a preventative delinquency
program.
The Council elected not to fund the Yakima Youth Center request,
but instead agreed to earmark $25,000 for the development
of a program to aid delinquent children and support delinquency
prevention. The program but would be explored by staff from
either Police or Parks and Recreation. _
MANAGER'S HOUR
The City Manager briefly summarized some further interests
for the Council to consider. These included the possible
development of plans for a new City Hall, the new look for
downtown redevelopment, and the prospects for regionalism
over the course of the next few years. McMicken emphasized
the need for enlarged regional planning and, the establishment
of an umbrella agency or Metropolitan Council composed of
elected representatives to administer, area wide transit,
emergency communications, regional planning for utilities and
related urban services.
RECAP OF FRS EARMARKINGS
The following is a brief recap of the Federal Revenue Sharing
funds earmarked by the Council at the workshop:
1. Humane Society Animal Cages--$10,000
2. Southeast Community Center--$30,000
3. Mental Health Services of Yakima--$30,000
4. The Southeast Community Center Clinic--$13,292
5. KYVE TV--$25,000
6. Delinquency Prevention Program for Youth--$25,000
7. Total Earmarkings--$133,292
There being no further business to come before the Council, it was MOVED
by Schussler, seconded by Moore that we do now adjourn at the hour of
3:30 P.M. on Saturday, April 13, 1974: carried, Broad, Brown, Edmondson,
Moore, Schussler and Whitaker viptIg aye oy -#4.ce vote.
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