HomeMy WebLinkAbout01/20/1975 Business Meeting 23?
JANUARY 20, 1975
erntn _se5SiOn op this date at 600 P.M. in the
!Conference Room at Yakima City Han.
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% Administrative Assistant, Dick Zais, reviewed preliminary study
'materials concerning the Ombudsman Plan for the Cities of San
Jose, San Diego and Seattle. Pursuant to a review of these plans,
a suggested job profile for the position was considered.
lin discussing the materials concerning the Ombudsman concept,
'Councilman Schussler suggested that the Ombudsman should focus
specifically on fielding minority complaints and conducting
specialized investigations. In this context, he felt that a
Ifull-time Ombudsman was unnecessary and that perhaps a special
person inside the Administration could be designated as the
Ombudsman and report to an independent Human Relations Commission
which would meet on an ad hoc basis to review special minority
complaints. Councilman Schussler did not visualize the Ombudsman
as a "Public Information Officer". He believed it should be
addressed in a different context. City Manager McMicken expressed
concurrence with Councilman Schussler's suggestions and indicated
that an adaptation of the concept for the Human Relations
Commission might be the best procedure. Mayor Broad expressed
some concern over the new proposal, observing that the Task
Force would very likely oppose an aberration from the Council's
original proposal. City Manager McMicken suggested that before
the Council embarks on the Ombudsman Plan, that it should review
the existing system for processing complaints and requests for
information presently handled by the Administration. After
some discussion, it was concluded that such a review would be
helpful. The Council decided to set aside its Friday luncheon
for discussion of the complaint procedure and Ombudsman Plan,
commencing at 11:30 in the Chalet Restaurant.
Council then held an Executive Session for consideration of
purchase of property for park purposes.
At 8:00 P.M., the Council members moved into the Council
Chambers for the balance of the meeting, Mayor Broad presiding,
Councilmen Brown, Edmondson, Jarms, Moore, Schussler and
Simmons, City Manager McMicken and City Attorney Andrews
present on roll call.
The Invocation was given by City Manager McMicken.
The minutes of the previous meeting of January 13, 1975,
having been read by the Councilmen, Mayor Broad indicated
that there were two additions to be inserted and that the
minutes would then be signed at the next regular meeting.
This being the time set for the Hearing on the Appeal from
the Planning Commission's action denying the Rezone Application
filed by Robert L. Suver and Paul LaChance for property
located along Naches Avenue and 6th Street between Yakima
and Lincoln Avenues, and the petitioner having requested
a continuation of this Hearing to March 17, 1975, it was
MOVED by Schussler, seconded by Simmons that this Hearing
be continued to March 17, 1975: carried, Broad, Brown,
Edmondson, Jarms, Moore, Schussler and Simmons voting aye
by voice vote.
Mr. Henry Beauchamp, being present, presented a brief update
to the Council re Southeast Comnunity He expressed
his appreciation to the Council for their past support
of the Center and explained that_the Center was recently the
recipient of a grant in the amount of $50,000. He-spoke
to the objective of the Center becoming self supporting. Mr.
Beauchamp explained that he is now employed full time with
the 0.I.C. Program, but remains a Board member for the
Southeast Community Center. Mr. Johnnie Rance, Acting
Director of SCC, also thanked the Council for past support
and requested future support for the Center, while the
effort is being made to become self supporting. Also on
behalf of the SCC, Mr. Lee thanked the Council for their
past help and support of the Southeast Community Center. Also
introduced was Board member Loretta Plum.
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_ JANUARY 20, 1975
In accordance with the Hearing held the previous week on the
Rezone Application filed by Billington Builders Supply, Inc.,
it 4yas MOVED by Schussler, seconded by Edmondson that the Motion
requesting a rehearing of this request by the Planning Commission,
be passed: carried, Broad, Brown, Edmondson, Jarms, Moore,
Schussler and Simmons voting aye by Voice vote.
MOTION, A MOTION requesting a rehearing by the Planning Commission
of its denial of the rezone of property at 502 and 504 West Nob
Hill Boulevard from R-2, Two-Family Zone, to B-3, General
Business Zone.
Referring to the requested authorization to engage legal service
for litigation relating to the Downtown Improvement Project,
City Manager McMicken explained that this request is in two
parts, the first involving the necessary legal services in
connection with the required Environmental Impact Statement
and also the engagement of an Engineering Firm to prepare the
Environmental Study. City Attorney Andrews explained that
the legal counsel is requested in connection with ramifications
of the Environmental Impact Study. He reviewed the action
taken near the beginning of the Downtown Project, when the City
was served with a law suit involving Bishop and others, owners
of business interests in the downtown core area, who objected
to the lack of an Environmental Impact Statement and which
suit is now in court. Mr Andrews recommended the services
of the City's Bond Counsel, the firm of Preston, Thorgrimson,
Ellis, Holman and Fletcher of Seattle. He explained that there
are elements such as timing to be considered in connection with
this Study-z_and the City has asked for their legal services in
the pending law suit. Mr. Andrews indicated that the project
will require an Environmental Impact Statement relating to
how the downtown project will effect the quality of the environment
and noted that no such statement has been prepared to date. In
reference to the time element, Mr. Andrews indicated that the
statement should be completed before the City proceeds on the
downtown project. He recommended that the legal services be
engaged in accordance with a letter from the Bond Counsel.
The letter received from them indicates charges for their legal
services to include appearances in court, on an hourly basis,
at $50.00 an hour for Mr. Walls and $40.00 an hour for his
Associates, along with reimbursable expenses. It was MOVED
by Schussler, seconded by Simmons that the City staff be authorized
to retain the legal services of Preston, Thorgrimson, Ellis,
Holman and Fletcher of Seattle: carried, Broad, Brown, Edmondson,
Jarms, Moore, Schussler and Simmons voting aye by voice vote.
Present and speaking in opposition to the downtown project was
Mr. Keith Owen.
City Manager McMicken explained the proposed agreement with
the engineering firm of Stevens, Thompson and Runyan, Inc.,
for engineering services in connection with the Central Business
District Improvements. He noted that the project cannot proceed
until the Environmental Impact Statement is prepared, all in
accordance with law. He reviewed the proposed provisions of
the agreement and the Scope of Services to be covered, to include
1 the parking, traffic volumes, the characteristics of the business
area, noise and related data. The study will also address
the specific concerns by the City on the social and economic
characteristics of the Central Business District, potential
increases in the trade activities, future land .use, vehicular
and pedestrian traffic, consistency with related plans, existing
and anticipated traffic volumes, traffic modifications and
air quality and energy consumption. He reported that the Environ-
mental Questionnaire has been prepared and a determination
made within the City staff that the Environmental Impact Study
is necessary and should be prepared. A total of eight engineering
firms were invited to submit proposals, these have been reviewed
by the City staff and three firms were brought in for interviews.
The firm of Stevens, Thompson and Runyan was unanimously recommended
for this work. The drafted Environmental Impact Statement is to
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JANUARY 20, 1975
be prepared by March 24, 1975. City Attorney Andrews also
;reviewed provisions of-the agreement, noting that the firm
will perform Phase A, which involves the drafting of the
;Environmental Impact Statement and Phase B, preparation
of the final Impact Statement. He reviewed the various
'services to be performed by the firm, all as described in
the agreement. Mr. Andrews also reviewed the requirement
for several public meetings and a determination after preparation
of the preliminary draft as to whether they will proceed
with the final statement. The agreement has a provision
for additional special services which may be requested by
the City, as needed, to include providing testimony as may
I be required, additional public meetings, and additional
'evaluations. The City is to pay for the work done in accordance
'with the billings, not to exceed $25,000. Also included
in the agreement is the provision for re-negotiation and
Itermination if the project is discontinued, abated or suspended
:along with an arbitration provision. It was MOVED by Edmondson,
H seconded by Brown that Resolution No. D-3254, authorizing
the engagement of Stevens, Thompson and Runyan, Inc., for
!engineering services in connection with the Downtown Improvement
Project, be passed: carried, Broad, Brown, Edmondson, Jarms,
!Moore, Schussler and Simmons voting aye on roll call.
RESOLUTION NO. D-3254, A RESOLUTION authorizing and directing
the City Manager and City Clerk of the City of Yakima to
;execute an agreement with Stevens, Thompson, and Runyan,
Inc., for professional services in connection with Central
!Business District Improvements.
I t was MOVED by Brown, seconded by Schussler that Resolution
No. D-3255, authorizing the certification of certain individuals
'authorized to draw payment vouchers for a letter of credit
of the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development,
be passed: carried, Broad, Brown, Edmondson, Jarms, Moore,
;Schussler and Simmons voting aye on roll call. City Manger
I McMicken explained that this provides for Dick Hill to incur
!expenses in connection with the application for fund for
the Community Development Program.
RESOLUTION NO. D-3255, A RESOLUTION authorizing the City
Manager of the City of Yakima to certify individuals authorized
Ito draw payment vouchers for a letter of credit of the United
;States Department of Housing and Urban Development.
;Director of Management and Budget, Bob Hilsmann, reviewed
the proposed Ordinance specifying fringe benefits for City
'personnel and explained the changes from last year's Ordinance.
1It was MOVED by Schussler, seconded by Edmondson that Ordinance
INo. 1745, providing for said fringe benefits, be passed:
carried, Broad, Brown, Edmondson, Jarms, Moore, Schussler
I/
and Simmons voting aye on roll call.
'ORDINANCE NO. 1745, AN ORDINANCE pertaining to City personnel;
Idefining the content of the classification and compensation
:plan; specifying the work week, vacation accrual provision
and leave of absence provisions for certain City employees;
!amending Sections 2.20.020, 2.22.010 2.22.030, 2.40.020
and 2.40.060 and Subsections 2.20.088 (d) and 2.20.088 (g),
all of the City of Yakima Municipal Code; and declaring
an emergency.
Damage Claims having been filed with the City Clerk on
a. January 10, 1975, by Gregory Vern Cearlock, 610 So. 14th
Avenue, in the amount of $170 for an excessive water
billing;
b. January 13, 1975, by Charles 0. Martin, Jr., 311 N. 35th
Ave., in the amount of $25.73 for damages in connection
with a clogged sewer line
c. January 15, 1975, by Robert N. Hintze, 305 N. 21st Ave.,
in the amount of $2,191.98 for damages from a clogged
sewer,
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JANUARY 20, 1975
it was MOVED by Schussler, seconded by Brown that said Damage
Claims be referred to the City Manager and Staff for study and
recommendation: carried, Broad, Brown, Edmondson, Jarms, Moore,
Schussler and Simmons voting aye by voice vote.
Referring to the City's Comprehensive Park Plan, Mayor Broad
referred to the appointment of a Committee for the consideration
of the River Front Park and stated that names had been suggested
by Parks Director Bill Hutsinpiller. It has been suggested that
this matter be given to the Parks Commission for recommendation.
It was the Council's consensus that this matter be turned over
to the Parks Commission for recommendation.
City Manager McMicken reported on suggested appointments to the
Police and Fire Civil Service Commission, and submitted the names
of Mr. William Baker and Mr. Ralph Holbrook for ratification. Mr.
Baker will fill the unexpired term of Charles Lyon and Ralph
Holbrook replaces Ed Williams. It was MOVED by Schussler, seconded
by Simmons that the Council ratify the appointment of William
Baker and Ralph Holbrook to the Police and Fire Civil Service
Commission: carried, Broad, Brown, Edmondson, Jarms, Moore,
Schussler and Simmons voting aye by voice vote.
There being no further business to come before the Council, it
was MOVED by Moore, seconded by Simmons that this meeting be
adjourned at 8:50 P.M., to Friday, January 24, 1975, at the hour
of 11:30 A.M., to then meet in the Chalet Restaurant: carried,
Broad, Brown, Edmondson, Jarms, Moore, Schussler and Simmons
voting aye by voice vote.
READ AND CERTIFIED ACCURATE BY DATE
COUNCILMAN
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ruNCILMAN
ATTEST:
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CITY •ERK
MAYOR
**Inadvertently omitted above:
Councilmen present at the Study Session were Mayor Bert Broad, Wray
Brown, Betty L. Edmondson, Dick Jarms, W. K. "Pete" Moore, Don
Schussler and Bill Simmons.