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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. 1 ** % 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. 268 _ 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 269 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, 1 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 40 . ' 1 , .1, • &W./ 4 :fda DATE Ar2 7- 7 6" ruNCILMAN ATTEST: AP 6‘4 ( . wmAgoi f 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.