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HomeMy WebLinkAbout12/02/1974 Business Meeting 225 DECEMBER 2, 1974 The City Council met in session on this date at 1:30 P.M. in the Conference Room at Yakima City Hall. Councilmen present at the meeting were Acting Mayor Don Schussler, Betty L. Edmondson, Dick Jarms, W. K. "Pete" Moore and Charles A. Rich. County Commissioner Lenore Lambert appeared before the Council to request financial assistance from the City in supporting District Court costs. Judge Nicholson, speaking about the costs, indicated that District Court was experiencing a substantial deficit in finances for 1974 and was projected to increase for 1975. The combination of salaries, filing fees and costs for probationary services bring that deficit total to approximately $70,000. He thought that probationary services and rehabilitation programs for misdemeanants was a sound program from which the City derives substantial benefit. Aside from the proposed increase in legislative filing fees and an attempt to recoup forfeiture payments from the State, no other source of funding is available. Mr. Larry Young also spoke on this matter, noting the increase in case loads that were city related. The total request made of the City was $20,000-$25,000. Councilman Edmondson recommended that the City consider this proposal in its future budget deliberations. City Manager McMicken discussed a cooperative effort with the Chamber of Commerce to produce a public information fact booklet, which would include general information about the history and government of the City. It is intended that approximately 5,000 copies be produced for public distribution, as requested. Councilmen were in agreement. City Manager McMicken also asked the Council for its opinion on the possibility of co-sponsoring an Air Show with the Chamber of Commerce, whereby the City could derive some proceeds from admission charges which would be earmarked for future airport development. Councilmen agreed that the subject should be pursued with the Aviation Committee. City Manager McMicken mentioned that next Monday he would attempt to provide Council with an estimate of Management Compensation costs for 1975 and offer suggestions relating to the repeal of obsolete and anachronistic business licenses, such as the transient merchant, carnival license, etc. It was MOVED by Jarms, seconded by Moore that the Council move into Executive Session to discuss 1975 Collective Bargaining Union negotiations: carried, Edmondson, Jarms, Moore, Rich and Schussler voting aye by voice vote. Broad and Brown absent. After discussion, it was MOVED by Rich, seconded by Moore that 11/ the Executive Session be closed: carried, Edmondson, Jarms, Moore, Rich and Schussler voting aye by voice vote. Broad and Brown absent. At 3:00 P.M., the Council members moved into the Council Chambers for the balance of the meeting, Acting Mayor Don Schussler presiding, Councilmen Edmondson, Jarms, Moore and Rich, City Manager McMicken and City Attorney Andrews present on roll call. Mayor Broad absent and excused. Councilman Brown absent on roll call, having been excused at a previous meeting. The Invocation was given by City Manager McMicken. The minutes of the previous adjourned regular meetings of November 20, 1974, November 22, 1974, the regular meeting of November 25, 1974 and the adjourned regular meeting of November 26, 1974 having been duly certified accurate by two Councilmen, and no one present wishing to have said minutes read publicly, Acting Mayor Schussler declared said minutes approved as recorded. 26 DECEMBER 2, 1974 This being the time set for the Hearing on the 1975 Budget, Acting , Mayor Schussler reported that the 1975 Preliminary Budget has been submitted by the Manager and has been in the process of review by the Council in recent weeks. -City Manager McMicken reported that due to a change in tax rate by the State,the City will exper- ience a reduction of 10 percent in property tax for 1975, and that the 1975 Budget is directed toward fighting inflation. He indicated that certain priority choices'must be made in order that the budget be balanced. With the use of a diagram, he discussed the various breakdowns of the City government expenses noting that the Fire Budget equals approximately 22 percent and the Police approximately 30 percent. He%reported that the City will maintainthe same service charges inthe coming year. Mr. McMicken further reported that sales tax for 1975 is up 15 percent.1 He explained that each department was asked to make some reductions' in their departmental budgets. Mr. Bill Wilson, Chairman of the Yakima Police Patrolman's Association, being present, referred to petitions which were circulated to the public, which petitions , request that the present number of Policemen in the department be maintained or increased in the interest of citizen safety throughout the community. He submitted these petitions to the Council containing approximately 1900 signatures. He asked that the Council make public safety a top priority, in view of the rising crime rate in Yakima. He referred to the six jailor positions to be deleted through the closure of the City jail and transfer of operations to the County. He maintained that if the six positions are kept within the department, better service will be rendered to the public. Mr. Alan Bischoff, also represent-7. ing the Patrolmen's Association, gave several suggestions for Budget cuts. Acting Mayor Schussler noted that none now serving in the Patrolman rank will be deleted. Others present and protesting the possible cuts in Police Department personnel were Mary Wakley, Mrs. Gerald Gaudette, Mrs. Ines Rice, Mrs. Hirning, Leona Rockwell, Helen Lee, Bob Broyles and Larry Robinson. Mr. Larry Morehouse, Fire Department, presented facts and figures relative to the few increases which have been made in department personnel since 1971 and the adverse effect that any cuts would make on crews in a fire fighting situation. He asked that no cuts be made in the Fire Department, in the interest of citizen safety. Councilmen stressed to those present that the Police Department would not experience cuts in the present number of Patrolmen. Acting Mayor Schussler indicated that no formal action will be taken at this time and that the final budget would be adopted at a later date. This being the time set for the Hearing on a Rezone Application filed by-Jack Teitenberg for property at 1708 and 1712 South 16th Avenue, City Attorney Andrews noted that there is an error in the legal description and this request will go back through the Planning Commission and City Council again. This being the time set for the Hearing on the Rezone Application filed by Robert L. Suver and Mr. Paul LaChance for the rezone of property situated along Naches Avenue and 6th Street between Yakima Avenue and Lincoln Avenue, it was MOVED by Moore, seconded by Jarms that this Hearing be continued to January 20, 1975, at the request of the Petitioners: carried, Edmondson, Jarms, Moore, Rich and Schussler voting aye by voice vote. Broad and Brown absent. Present and speaking in opposition to the proposed rezone was Mr. Clarence Zimmerman, owner of property in this area. City Manager McMicken referred to the acceptance of a Grant Offer from the Federal Aviation Administration for the development of the Yakima Air Terminal, noting that the grant is not to exceed $683,220 and reviewed the breakdown of cost in reference to reloca• tion. He reported that the federal share is approximately 82 percent. It was MOVED by Edmondson, seconded by Moore that Resolution No. D-3221, authorizing the acceptance of said Grant Offer be passed: carried, Edmondson, Jarms, Moore, Rich and Schussler voting aye on roll call. Broad and Brown absent. 227 DECEMBER 2, 1974 RESOLUTION NO. D-3221, A RESOLUTION accepting a Grant Offer from the United States of America, Federal Aviation Administration in the maximum amount of $683,220 to be used for-Project No. 8-53-0089-03 in the development of the Yakima Air Terminal and authorizing the Mayor and City Clerk of the City of Yakima to sign the acceptance document for such grant. An Ordinance appropriating $60.0 within the Dangerous Buildings, Repair and Demolition Fund to install a screen wall around the Chieftain Hotel site, having been read by title only at this meeting, was laid on the table for one week or until December 9, 1974. A Damage Claim having been filed with the City Clerk on November 27, 1974 by George I. King, 2201 Fruitvale, in the amount of $33.55 for damages incurred during the installation of a 12-inch watermain, it was MOVED by Rich, seconded by Edmondson that said Damage Claim be referred to the City Manager and staff for study and recommendation: carried, Edmondson, Jarms, Moore, Rich and Schussler voting aye by voice vote. Broad and Brown absent. , A Damage Claim having been filed with the City Clerk on November 29, 1974 by Jeff B. Lee, P. O. Box 927, Zillah, in the amount of $208.51 for damages to his vehicle by a City bus, it was MOVED by Edmondson, seconded by Moore that said Damage Claim be referred to the City Manager and Staff for study and recommendation: carried, Edmondson, Jarms, Moore, Rich and Schussler voting aye by voice vote. Broad and Brown absent. Mr. Roy Richards, American Red Cross, being present, referred to the letter to the Council dated December 2, 1974 on behalf of the Red Cross, requesting that the City retain the services of the Red Cross in the summer Learn-to-Swim Program, which program is proposed to be eliminated and instead charge a fee of $3.25 for 10 swimming lessons to be taught by employees. He asked that the Council give attention to the considerations raised in the letter from Mr. Grey Lusty, Chapter Manager. There being no further business to come before the Council, it was MOVED by Rich, seconded by Moore that this meeting be adjourned at 4:20 P.M. to Friday, December 6, 1974 to then meet in the Flight Deck Restaurant; carried, Edmondson, Jarms, Moore, Rich and Schussler, voting aye by voice vote. Broad and Brown absent. /I / READ AND CERTIFIED ACCURATE BY . il Zeyi,., DATE /a 979 COUNCILMAN _ • DATE COUNCILMAN ATTEST: AP, . GO, CITY CL:,•K ACTING MAYOR