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HomeMy WebLinkAbout07/01/1974 Business Meeting (I1 JULY 1, 1974 City Council met in session at 1:30 on this date in the Council Chambers at Yakima City Hall. Councilmen present at the meeting were Assistant Mayor Wray Brown, Betty L. Edmondson, W.K. "Pete" Moore, Charles A. Rich, and Don Schussler. At 1:30 P.M., Council met for press conference with the news media. Darrell Griek, Housing Services Representative, discussed the Rahabilitation Loan Fund with the Council, noting that this was an outgrowth of the Neighborhood Conservation Pilot Program. The intent of the fund is to finance loans from $25,000 interest on $300,000 of revenue sharing monies. The fund would require assistance from loan institutions to administer the program. Highest priority for assistance would be low income people. The loan per house is estimated to be $2,000 maximum and a $300 to $500 average to bring homes up to Code. The Yakima Housing Authority would determine the eligibility for receipients unable to obtain normal loan assistance. Art Gordon discussed Section 23 of the House Assistance Payment Program divided into three areas: 1. new construction, 2. existing construction with substantial rehabilitation, 3. existing construction without substantial rehabilitation. In this program eligible families are responsible for locating their own housing under a "Finders Keepers" policy. The local housing authority renders assistance to families by posting lists of open units which are eligible under the program. The Yakima Housing Authority has received its application for new construction. Cutoff date for accepting applications will be July 15. Mr. Gordon also discussed HEW model projects on aging in regard to a model project grant for elderly housing repairs, the intent being to assist the elderly and handicapped to improve the quality and livability of existing neighborhood housing. Tentative approval for this program had been received by the local office with final approval expected the 1st of July. Mr. Gordon further discussed the Housing Resources Center Tenant Certification Program. In cooperation with the Landlord Association which established both the Landlord Rights and Tenant Rights and responsibility in housing, the center's policy is to encourage organizations and groups to utilize the services of this program as it relates to the housing assistance payment program. Dick Hill, Principal Planner, discussed the Housing Element Amendment to the City's General Plan. A draft has been completed by Homer Matson. The housing element includes identification of problem areas as related to Yakima and identification of the needs for an effective housing program. The thrust is on improved policies and programs. A final draft will be forthcoming from Mr. Matson within the month. Glenn Rice gave a brief overview of new legislation in the housing areas as its relates to funding. Several cities throughout the country have set up rehabilitation JULY 1, 1974 loan programs, revenue block grants on zoning, voter approved bond issue and housing projects. Betty Edmondson asked that some comparision be made of other city programs comparable in size to Yakima. At 3:00 P.M. the Council members met in the Council Chambers for the balance of the meeting, Assistant Mayor Wray Brown presiding, Councilmen Edmondson, Moore, Rich, and Schussler, City Manager Craig McMicken and City Attorney Andrews present on roll call. Mayor Broad and Councilman Whitaker absent on roll call having been excused at a previous meeting. Invocation was given by Assistant Mayor Brown. The minutes of the previous meeting of June 24, 1974, having been duly certified accurate by two Councilmen, and no one present wishing to have said minutes read publicly, Assistant Mayor Brown declared said minutes approved as recorded. Henry Beauchamp representing the Southeast Community Center at Work, requesting $30,000 in Revenue Sharing Funds, referred to the proposal distributed to the Council members previously and reviewed this report. He introduced members of the Southeast Community Center at Work Board; Mr. Charles Lee, Reverend John Adams and Mrs. Eldora Rogers. Mr. Lee and Rev. Adams spoke to this matter requesting that the Council act on this request as soon as possible. City Attorney Andrews spoke about the legislative problems, stating that there is a problem at the State level, where the State Constitution prohibits a gift of City funds to private enterprises. Where the Southeast Community Center is not a public organization outright gifts are prohibited. City Attorny Andrews further stated that he still does not have any suggestion by which this request can be complied with. Henry Beauchamp spoke of a law reportedly passed at the last legislature which would enable first class cities to grant revenue sharing funds to organizations such at the Southeast Community Center at Work. City Attorney Andrews stated that he would like to study the new law further before making any recommendations. Councilman Edmondson stated that she feels that the City Council has shown by their actions, earmarking funds some time ago for this purpose, that they are attempting to find a way to get these funds to the Southeast Community Center at work. In discussion by the Council, it was indicated that they would like to have a profit and loss statement for the year 1973 from the Southeast Community Center at Work. It was the consensus of the Council that City Attorney Andrews be given time to study the law referred to by Henry Beauchamp and come back with further information, and that the Southeast Community Center at Work come back with a statement of revenues and expenditures for 1973. At that time the City Council will attempt to find a way to provide this $30,000 to the Southeast Community Center at Work. Mr. C. A. Toone, being present, spoke regarding problems at Randall Park which is across the street from where he lives. He stated that many times a number of young people are in the park fighting, having beer busts, using profanity, staying until all hours of the night. He asked about a curfew, and also stated that he had been working with the police and Bill Hutsinpillar. Police Chief Jack LaRue and Officer Carroll of the Police Department spoke to this matter. There was discussion about using Auxiliary Police or hiring special Police 1 0f5 JULY 1, 1974 to work in the parks. After discussion the City Council members asked the City Manger to investigate the the matter, find out what the cost would be to hire extra police help and report back to the Council. City Manager McMicken reported on the matter of authorization to exchange real property with Junior Amusement Company to execute a lease of Capitol Theatre premises stating that the contract is now ready to execute. After due discussion, it was MOVED by Moore, seconded by Rich, that Resolution No. D- 3149, authorizing the execution of said lease of Capitol Theatre premises be passed: carried, Brown, Edmondson, Moore, Rich and Schussler voting aye on roll call. Broad and Whitaker absent. RESOLUTION NO. D-3149, A RESOLUTION authorizing and directing the exchange of real properties with Junior Amusement Co.; and authorizing and directing the City Manager and City Clerk of the City of Yakima to execute a lease of Capitol Theatre premises to Junior Amusement Co. It was MOVED by Schussler, seconded by Rich that Resolution No. D-3150, a resolution of intention to improve property and creat a Local Improvement District, in accordance with Petition No. 795, requesting construction of a sewer, Voelker Addition No. 1, and fixing the time of Hearing for July 22, 1974, he passed: carried, Brown, Edmondson, Moore, Rich and Schussler voting aye on roll call. Broad and Whitaker absent. RESOLUTION NO. D-3150, A RESOLUTION of intention to create a local improvement district. City Manager McMicken reported that the Hearing date had been set for the YMCA petition for Vacation, for August 12, 1974, and a request has been made to reset this Hearing. It was MOVED by Schussler, seconded by Edmondson, that Resolution No. D-3151, fixing the time of Hearing on Petition for vacation of air space above a portion of east Yakima Avenue and repealing Resolution No. D-3148, be passed: carried, Brown, Edmondson, Moore, Rich and Schussler voting aye on roll call. Broad and Whitaker absent. RESOLUTION NO. D-3151, A RESOLUTION fixing the time and place for Hearing on a petition for vacation of air space above a portion of East Yakima Avenue within the City of Yakima; and repealing Resolution No. D-3148, adopted June 24, 1974. City Manager McMicken referred the matter of the review of signing and canopy for the Airport Parking Lot, to Jim Eakin, Airport Manager, who gave a report on this matter. Mr. Eakin presented drawings of several signs which are proposed, each costing approximately $4,200. Council members indicated they approved of the one sign, with the time on it, but were unsure about the other sign and requested further study be made. They indicated they would like to see rough drafts of further suggested signs. An Ordinance transferring the amount of $13,000 Federal Shared Revenue Funds for a grant to the Yakima County Health Department for the benefit of the Southeast Community Center Clinic, having been read by title only at the previous meeting and being read again by title at this meeting, it was MOVED by Schussler, seconded by Edmondson, that Ordinance No. 1680, providing for said appropriation be passed: carried, Brown, Edmondson, Moore, Rich and Schussler voting aye on roll call. Broad and Whitaker absent. ORDINANCE NO. 1680, AN ORDINANCE transferring the amount of $13,292 from 199-Federal Shared Revenue Funds to 000-General Fund and appropriating that amount to Account 034.590.31.300 as a 1974 appropriation to 000-General Fund. 1®e -JULY 1, 1974- - - - - - - - -- -- - - j The Yakima School Safety Council having presented a Resolution for 1 School Crossing Flashing Lights, Bill Stark, Traffic Engineer re- viewed his report on this matter. He stated that in 1973, the 1 school safety council and the Traffic Engineering Department had ' agreed upon a program whereby the red flags at 16 school crossings would be replaced with flashing amber lights at two installations 1 per year, which would have taken eight years. At the last Safety Council,meeting, June 12, 1974, a petition for a flashing light 1 installation at 44th Avenue and Summitview Avenue was reviewed. 1 This location is at the bottom of the priority list and at the rate 1 of two installations per year, it was determined that this location, would not receive flashing lights for eight years. It was the recommendation of the Safety Council that the program be expedited and the resolution was submitted to the City Council recommending that funds be budgeted for completing the flashing light program I/ 1 in two years. Mr. Stark reviewed the City's source of revenues and the costs for installing the lights. If the requested ' eight installations were to be installed it would cost approximately $20,000. In discussion :, Council members indicated that they feel ! that this program should be stepped up in accordance with the request from the school safety council. It was MOVED by Rich, seconded by Schussler that this matter be referred to the City Manager for 1 study and recommendation and a report back with a suggested plan for financing: carried.; Brown, Edmondson, Moore, Rich. Schussler voting aye by voice vote. Broad and Whitaker absent. , Dave Vargas, Public Works Director, gave a brief report on the recent water main break, the progress being made toward getting 1 it repaird, and the backup water systems being used until the s main is repaired. Mr. Vargas also reported on the Walnut Street undercrossing project, what is left to be done and that because of the recent shut -down due to workers' strike, he cannot give a possible opening date at the present time. City Manager McMicken reporting that Mr. Bert Newby of 937 West Grandview Avenue, Sunnyside, Washington, has submitted a request for sewer service to a duplex he owns at 5604 and 5606 West Chestnut, that his,property is contiguous to the City along its west side., but annexation is not feasible at this time due to lot size, and that Mr. Newby has signed an outside hookup agreement, it was MOVED by Schussler, seconded by Edmondson that the requested Outside Utility Request be granted: carried, Brown, Edmondson, Moore, Rich and Schussler voting aye by voice vote. Broad and Whitaker absent. City Manager McMicken read a letter from the President of Allied Arts Council offering assistance regarding Capitol Theatre. He stated that it would be desirable on the part of the City to avail itself of the representative character of the Allied Arts Council, that we have three years in which to determine how to restore the Theatre and the - management of the building, and should,take advantage of any suggested ways and means of doing that. Council members indicating that they appreciate this offer, it was MOVED by Schussler, seconded by Moore that the offer of the Allied Arts Council be accepted and that the Council would appreciate a re- port back with suggested ideas: carried, Brown, Edmondson, Moore, Rich and Schussler voting aye by voice vote. Broad and Whitaker absent. City Manager McMicken reported that he will be absent from the July 22, 1974 meeting. There being no further business to come be5ore the Council, it was MOVED by Moore, seconded by Rich that we do now adjourn at the hour of 5:20 P.M.: carried, Brown, Edmondson, Moore, Rich and Schussler1 voting aye by voice vote. Broad and Whitaker absent. READ AND CERTIFIED BY !/, _ A l, / DATE 7 -1 7 ' (3UN MAN DATE �, ATTEST: COU CIL�. N f 1/1, ,I CITY CLERK G ► ) ' MAYOR