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HomeMy WebLinkAbout06/07/1983 Study Session 4 r'-' JUNE 7, 1983 STUDY SESSION 1. ROLL CALL The City Council met in session on this date at 2:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers of City Hall, Yakima, Washington. Mayor Lynn Carmichael presiding, Council members Clarence Barnett, Lynn Buchanan, Shirley Doty and W. K. "Pete" More and Assistant City Manager Wittenberg and City Attorney Andrews present on roll call. Council members Henry Beauchamp and Jack Sparling absent and excused. 2. INVOCATION The Invocation was given by Council member *Doty. 8a. EXECUTIVE SESSION REGARDING PROSPECTIVE LITIGATION Mayor Carmichael reported there is a need to hold the Executive Session regarding prospective litigation at this time. It was MOVED by Doty, seconded by Barnett to move into Executive Session for the purpose of discussing prospective litigation, to then reconvene the meeting. Unanimously carried by voice vote. Beauchamp and Sparling absent. 3. OPEN ,DISCUSSION FOR THE GOOD OF THE ORDER Council member Doty informed Council John Beer, Jr., Director of Community and Economic Development, would like to provide a status report regarding the rat abatenent program currently underway. John Beer stated the program has been very successful and due to the overwhelming response of citizens, the program has been extended to June 9. He expressed his appreciation of the assistance provided by the following participants in the program: Council member Shirley Doty, Betty Gaudette, citizen, Del Kary, Superintendent, Street Division, Dixie Kradht, Housing Supervisor, Housing Services Center, Joe Jackson, Supervisor, Street Division, and also Yakima County and the Yakima Health District. Mr. Beer - indicated staff anticipated the City portion of the budget for the program was on line, however,the County costs for the rat abatement program may run over budget. Assistant City Manager Wittenberg informed Council of a recent legislative session which passed a new DWI state law which will necessitate the City to pass an ordinance that conforms with that law. He stated that due to the time element involved, he would like to request Council approve a special business meeting for June 21 for this item, to then hold the regular study session. It was the consensus of the Council to comply with Assistant City Manager Wittenberg's request. 4. AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION II/ Norman Steuart, 217 No. 16th Avenue, informed Council he was representing the electorate of the City of Yakima, stating he has been involved gathering signatures in opposition to Ordinance No. 2693 regarding water rates. Mr. Steuart stated the citizens of Yakima request Ordinance No. 2693 be revamped, rescinded or put on the ballot in September. He stated he will submit the petitions to the City Clerk on Friday, June 10. Mayor Carmichael questioned if Mr. Steuart had the petitions with him today. He responded negatively; signatures are still being gathered and he expects to have the necessary amount by June 10 at 4:00 p.m. Mayor Carmichael informed Mr. Steuart the City Clerk has been instructed not to accept the petitions in a legal sense, but the petitions may be deposited for safekeeping measures only. City Attorney Andrews informed Mr. Steuart Ordinance No. 2693 is not subject to a referendum process as Council is carrying out the predetermined administrative function versus a legislative function in JUNE 7, 1983 493 setting the water rates. City Attorney Andrews reiterated the City Clerk cannot accept the petitions legally, however, it is Mr. Steuart's decision if the petitions are to be deposited at City Hall for safekeeping rreasiires only, with the understanding that the petitions are not being filed for legal action. 5. STATUS REPORT FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT REGARDING COMPREHENSIVE UTILITY PLAN Don Skone, Associate Planner, l,aas present to provide background information on the Comprehensive Utility Plan and expanded upon the elements of the plan; 1) the need for sewer interceptor service areas plan including policy for allocation II/ of interceptor capabilities; 2) the continuing sewer inflow and infiltration problems Which were not significantly reduced by sewer relining; 3) the requirement for an updated City water system plan by the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services; 4) the desire and need for a coordinated City/County storm drainage plan and regulations to alleviate costly storm drainage prdblems; 5) the growing problems with the City's antiquated irrigation systems and the resulting need for capital intensive system repairs and replacements; and 6) the factor of staff capability, given manpower and other constraints, to evaluate systems needs and prepare plan elements. Mr. Skone elaborated on the revised scope and timing of the Utility Plan Which reflects the current needs and staff capabilities. He addressed the priority of the four plan elements which consisted of: I. Water System Element, II. Irrigation System Element, III. Sewer Systems Element and, IV. Storm Drainge Element. Addressing Item III. Sewer Systems Element, Mr. Skone stated that due to the size of the irrigation system and the inadequate manpower and equipment, staff would like to revise this plan into an ongoing program and develop a continuing improvement of the system. He referred to Item IV. Storm Drainage, stating work had been discontinued due to lack of funding for Phase II of the Storm Water Management Plan. Mr. Skone reviewed the schedule of completed projects and referred to the aerial photo which was instrumental for the Comprehensive Utility Plan. Addressing the problem of low irrigation water pressure, Council member Barnett questioned if staff Checked the citizen's water lines as well as City water lines for possible corrosion. Dennis Covell, Director of Engineering and Utilities, responded, informing Council of an ordinance Which states that for $1, the City will provide a pressure check on private water lines. Council member Doty requested further clarification of No. 2, regarding continuing sewer inflow and infiltration problems. Dennis Covell responded to Council's questions. It was MOVED by Barnett, seconded by Doty to accept staff's report with Council's appreciation. Unanimously carried by voice vote. Beauchamp and Sparling absent. 6, REPORT FROM THE FIRE DEPARTMENT REGARDING STAFFING AND EARNED LEAVE LIABILITY STATUS Fire Chief Ed Carroll was present to expand on staff's report regarding the effect of the additional three Fire Fighter positions on earned leave liability balances. He commented that even with the time lag involved with hiring the additional Fire Fighters following the passage of the 1983 Budget for the Tire Department, there has been a positive impact on the earned leave liability prdblem. Chief Carroll referred to the suggestions outlined in staff's report regarding additional approaches to reducing the unfunded liability experienced in the Fire Department. He suggested the establishment of a dollar amount goal, lowering of the maximum accrual limits contained within the contract, and also establishing a, line item within each annual budget to accommodate cashing out retirement benefits. Council member Moore requested clarification of Chief Carroll's suggestion of the establishment of a dollar amount goal. Chief Carroll responded to Council's questions. It was MOVED by Barnett, L 9L 1 . JUNE 7, 1983 seconded by Buchanan to accept the report with Council's appreciation. Unanimbusly carried by voice vote. Beaudhaly and Sparling absent. Council member Moore stated he would like Council to research the possibility of the establishment of a line item in the budget for cashing out retirement benefits during the upcoming budget process for 1984. 7. REPORT FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE AND BUDGET REGARDING GENERAL ACCOUNTS UNWLLECTABLE DEBTS AND CITY CREDIT POLICY John Hanson, Director of Finance and Budget, was present to expand upon staff's report Which addressed a schedule of General Accounts uncollectable debts. He informed Council staff had been advised by the Legal Department that collection efforts on any bad debts which were past ,particular statute of limitations provisions would not be viable. He also commented that several of the debts were too small or the individual who incurred the debt could not be located. Mr. Hanson informed Council this was the first occurence of a general accounts receivable debt write-off within the last ten years. Council member Moore questioned why Tahoma Cemetery appeared on the list of Traffic Engineering Division uncollectable debts. John Hanson respbnded, informing Council of the lack of appropriate docunentation in several instances which resulted in the necessity for the bad debt write-offs. Discussion followed regarding the developrrent of the City's centralized accounts receivables and of the proposed strengthening of the City's credit policy. It was MOVED by Barnett, seconded by Moore to accept staff's recommendation to authorize staff to Prepare the proper legislation to write off accumulated _uncollectable debts and endorse a policy of very limited credit for Obligations to the City. 'Unanimously carried by voice vote. Beauchamp and Sparling absent. 7a. OTHER BUSINESS Council member - Barnett reported the Council URAB Committee members, consisting of Clarence Barnett and Pete Moore, met with the Utility Rate Advisory Board on June 3rd. He stated the Council Committee was requested by the URAB to convey two points to the Council: 1) should the URAB continue to function, and 2) if the URAB continues, Council should provide the ground rules and future direction for the Utility Rate Advisory Board. Council member Barnett relayed the URAB's position that Council action regarding the water rates issue destroyed the Board's credibility. ,Council member Moore _expressed his dissatisfication with the events of the meeting and questioned if there was a continued need for the existance of the Utility Rate Advisory, Board. 'Council member Doty suggested the possibility of the URAB adopting a membership format similar to that of the Downtown Area Redevelopment Committee (DARC) Wherein a Council liaison and staff members attend and have the opportunity to convey suggestions and participate in the meetings. Council member Doty spoke in support of the concept of citizen advisory groups, expressing her appreciation for the time and effort the various groups have provided to the City. It was the general consensus of the Council to give this matter further consideration. Council member Doty requested Council's consideration of the numerous vacant lots throughout the City Wherein extensive weed problems exist. She suggested the possibility of utilizing volunteers to locate the owners of the weedy lots and then making courtesy calls to the owners, requesting they comply with the City weed abatement ordinances. Addressing the recent City clean-up regarding the rat abatement program, Council member Doty questioned the feasibility of a program which would involve the construction of garbage can racks enabling the garbage cans to be kept off the ground and, therefore, assist in the City's litter control effort. She suggested the possibility of utilizing the Craftsman Corp in the construction of the inexpensive racks. JUNE 7, 1983 495 Addressing the earlier request for a special business meeting, City Attorney Andrews informed Council of the necessity to address the recent authorization the City has received in response to a grant request to Yakima County Area Agency on Aging. He indicated that due to the time element involved, the contract needs to be signed by the City and returned to the County by June 17th. City Attorney Andrews suggested Assistant City Manager Wittenberg sign the agreement with the understanding that the agreement_ is subject to ratification by resolution of the City Council. He indicated staff would bring this item back to the Council at the June 21st meeting for Council adoption of the resolution. 8. EXECUTIVE SESSION RBGARDIW COLLECTIVE BARGAINING It was MOVED by Barnett, seconded by Moore to move into Executive Session for the purpose of discussing collective bargaining and then immediately adjourn the rreeting. Unanimously carried by voice vote. Beauchamp and Sparling absent. 9. ADJOURNMENT Following completion of the Executive Session, the meeting was adjourned at the hour of 4:10 p.m. READ AND CERTIFIED ACCURATE Bytoe DATE SI COU *IL ADM R / Ate lad • DATE_ COUNCIL MEMBE' ATTEST: • ( Pt ' CITY CLERK i JUNE 14, 1983 There being no quorum present, no meeting was held.