HomeMy WebLinkAbout02/08/1983 Study Session 388 FEBRUARY 8, 1983
STUDY SESSION
The City Council net in session on this date at 1:30 p.m. in the Council
chambers of City Hall, Yakima, Washington. Council members present were
Mayor Lynn Carmidhael, Clarence Barnett, Henry Beauchamp, Lynn Bucthanan,
Shirley Doty, W. K. "Pete" Moore and Jack Sparling.
1. OPEN DISCUSSION FOR THE GOOD OF THE ORDER
Council mamber Doty requested Council's decision regarding
representation for the Conference of Governments Executive
Committee. Following a brief discussion, it was the general
consensus of the Council to maintain the Council
representation for the Conference of Governments Executive
Committee as it currently exists. It was MOVED by Sparling,
seconded by Moore to continue the balance of the year with the
present member representation to the Conference of Governments
for the 1983 year. Unanimously carried by voice vote.
Council member Sparling questioned the status on the street
light at 1st and Yakima Avenue. City Manager Zais informed
Council member Sparling that he would request staff to contact
him regarding _this issue.
City Manager Zais reported he had just received a call fram
the City's financial consultant, Dave Smith, regarding the
result of Moody's Investors Service determination on the
City's bond rating. He informed Council that although
Standard & Poor's Colporation is still evaluating the rating
and has requested further information, Moody's Investors
Service has reached a determination that the Utility Bond
Rating will be rated "A"; down from the "A-1" rating which the
City previously held. He stated this rating of "A" will be
the same as the General Obligation Bond rating the City
received last month. City Manager Zais cited continuing
economic reversals, and higher than normal unemployment as
some of the criteria on which they based their decision. He
informed Council that Moody's spent extra time evaluating the
City's bond rating status, and they were pleased with reports
presented to them by the City and the Chamber of amerce. He
indicated they were also pleased with the settlement of the
Wastewater Treatment Plant litigation. City Manager Zais
informed Council that the additional information supplied to
Moody's Investor Service by the City aided in preventing the
rating from declining further. Council member Beauchamp
questioned if their decision was final. City Manager Zais
responded in the affirmative.
Mayor Carmichael announced the Council has received an
invitation from the Washington State Snowmobile Association to
attend their convention in Yakima on February 19, 20 and 21,
1983.
Mayor Carmichael informed Council she had received a letter
from the Yakima Air Terminal and copies of their By-laws. She
questioned if a motion was in order to approve the By-laws.
City Manager Zais stated that copies of the Yakima Air
Terminal's By-laws should be made and have a motion made to
approve them.
2. RECONSIDERATION OF 1983 BUDGET ISSUES
A. REPORT FROM LEGAL DEPARTMENT ON POTENTIAL STAFF REDUCTIONS
Council member Barnett commented on the recent Washington
State Supreme Court ruling to the effect that all persons
charged with violating City criminal ordinances are entitled
to jury trials, which was not previously true. He requested
City Attorney Andrews to elaborate on this new ruling and its
anticipated affect on the City's Legal Department. City
388
FEBRUARY 8, 1983
Attorney Andrews responded, informing Council that the new
ruling will increase the City prosecuting duties to an extent
Which cannot be determined fully at this time. Council member
Beauchamp requested clarification of the staff report
regarding scheduling of jury trials. City Attorney Andrews
was available to respond to Council's questions. City Manager
Zais commented on the amount of time required to research and
analyze all legal cases, emphasizing the time element involved
is essential.
B. REPORT FROM FIRE DEPARTMENT ON DEPUTY CHIEF POSITION
City Manager Zais reminded Council of the motion that was
II/ tabled at the December 16, 1982 Budget Wrap-Up Meeting,
regarding the elimination of the Deputy Fire Chief position.
It was MOVED by Beaudhamp, seconded by Buchanan to remove the
motion from the table regarding the elimination of the Deputy
Fire Chief position. Unanimously carried by voice vote.
Council member Doty requested clarification regarding the
training portion of the staff report. Fire Chief Ed Carroll
explained the jab classification, indicating some documents of
the job classification are not up to date. He commented on
the shifting of roles in the department and the jab
responsibilities of the Deputy Fire Chief. Council member
Doty questioned the number of Captains currently employed in
the Fire Department. Chief Carroll responded to the Council's
questions regarding the responsibilities performed by the
Captains and Battalion Chief. The question was called for a
vote on the motion. Motion failed 3-4. Barnett, Beaudhamp,
Carmichael and Moore voting nay.
C. REPORT FROM POLICE DEPARTMENT ON ADMINTSTRATIVE ASSISTANT
POSITION AND SERGEANT STAFF ASSIGNMENTS
Council member Doty requested clarification of staffing
requirements and questioned if the "On Guard" program is the
City's primary Community Services program. Police Chief Jack
LaRue was present to respond to Council's questions. Council
member Doty questioned the staffing requirements for the
Community Services Program. Council member Barnett requested
clarification regarding the consolidation of the
Administrative Assistant and the Secretary to the Chief of
Police and Command Staff position. Chief LaRue expanded on
the staff report, responding to Council's questions. It was
MOVED by Barnett that we proceed with the reassignment plan
proposed by the Chief of Police. Motion failed for lack of a
second. It was MOVED by Barnett, seconded by Doty to move
Item No. 2C down to became Item No. 6A under the Business
portion of the meeting. Unanimously carried by voice vote.
It was MOVED by Beaudhamp, seconded by Doty to move Item No.
II/ 2A down to become It No. 6B under the Current Study Session
Items of the Business portion of the meeting. Unanimously
carried by voice vote.
Council member Moore commented regarding the Housing Review
Committee meeting held last night, February 7, 1983, at the
Housing Services Center. He infonmed Council of the
Committee's recommendation to eliminate two positions at the
Housing Services Center, those being the positions of
Rehabilitation Specialist and Department Assistant III. It
was MOVED by Moore, seconded by Beauchamp to consider this
topic under the Business portion of the meeting as Item No.
6C. Council member Doty suggested moving the Item down under
Other Business as Item No. 16A, Consideration of Housing
Services Staffing Recommendations to then be moved up after
Audience Participation on the Agenda. It was MOVED by Moore,
seconded by Beauchamp that we consider the Housing Services
staffing recommendations under Item No. 16A of the Business
portion of the regular agenda. Unanimously carried by voice
vote.
390 FEBRUARY 8, 1983
BUSINESS MEETING
3. ROLL CALL
At 3:00 p.m., the Council members commenced the regular
meeting, Mayor Carmichael presiding, Council members Barnett,
Beaudhamp, Buchanan, Doty, Moore and Sparling present.
4. INVOCATION
The Invocation was given by City Attorney Andrews.
5. CONSENT AGENDk
Mayor Carmichael referred to the Items placed on the Consent
Agenda, questioning Whether there were any additions or
deletions fram either Council members or citizens present.
Council member Barnett requested Item No. 15 be added to the
Consent Agenda. It was the general consensus of the Council
that the addition of Item No. 15, as requestai, be made. The
City Clerk then read the Consent Agenda items, including
resolutions and ordinances by title, It was MOVED by
Beauchamp, seconded by Sparling that the Consent Agenda, as
read, be passed. Unanimously carried by roll call vote.
(Subsequent paragraphs preceded by an asterisk (*) indicate
items on the Consent Agenda handled under one motion without
further discussion.)
6. CURRENT STUDY SESSION ITEMS
A. Item No. 2C
It was MOVED by Moore, seconded by Beauchamp to accept staff's
report regarding the consolidation of the Administrative
Assistant and Secretary to the Chief positions, but do not
fill the vacancy created. Unanimously carried by voice vote.
Council member Moore commented that the Council is not
reducing on-street personnel; the need to address financial
limitations is necessary at this time.
B. Item No. 2A
It was MOVED by Beauchamp, seconded by Sparling to accept the
recommendation of the Legal Department. Carried by 6-1 voice
vote. Doty voting nay.
7. MINUTES
The Council minutes of December 16 and 21, 1982 and January 4
and 7, 1983 were approved, having been duly certified accurate
by two Council members and no one present wishing to have said
minutes read publicly.
8. AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION
Ken Schiller, General Manager of Cox Cable, announced Cox
Cable will provide restructured programming effective March 1,
1983. Mr. Sdhiller expanded on the new options available to
Yakima residents, informing Council that "Home Box Office"
(HBO) will replace the "Playboy" channel previously offered.
II/
Dr. Warren Starr, 5804 Douglas Drive, was present to thank the
Council for listening to concerns of the public regarding the
"Playboy" channel. He also stated he was pleased that Cox
Cable has listened to the residents regarding the elimination
of the "Playboy" channel. Dr. Starr also commented on the
report written by John Beer, Jr., Director of Camninity and
Economic Development, regarding cable television rate
regulation. Dr. Starr informed Council of his opposition to
cable rate regulation.
Jim Allision, Yakima Valley gkills Center, was present to
speak in support of Cox Cable's new programming structure.
It was MOVED by Moore, seconded by Doty to move Item No. 16A,
Housing Services staffing recomendations, up to become the
next item of business. Unanimously carried by voice vote.
FEBRUARY 8, 1983 39
16. OTHER BUSINESS
A. HOUSING SERVICES STAFFING RECOMMENDATIONS
Council member More commented that at budget time, it was
proposed Council eliminate the positions of Rehabilitation
Specialist and Department Assistant III. Council member Doty
had expressed some concerns of deleting these pOsitions, as
these are positions that work directly with the citizens. He
stated that at the Housing Services Review Committee meeting
held last night, February 7, 1983, it was decided to bring
this issue to the Council today. Council member Moore stated
that after discussing the evaluation of these two positions,
it was the consensus of the Housing Services Review Committee
II/ to suggest the elimination of the Department Assistant III
position at this time and retain the position of
Rehabilitation Specialist for a period of three to six months
time. Council member Moore commented that due to the
necessity to give the employees two weeks notice, Council
needed to act upon this item in a timely manner. Council
member Doty expressed her concerns, stating that the
Rehabilitation Specialist position is very instrumental,
especially with the Craftsman Corps. Council member Beaudhamp
commented he concurred with the suggestion, however, there was
one area in the Housing Services Center he was not comfortable
with. He stated he would like to see the default counseling
program restructured It was MOVED by Moore, seconded by
Beaudhamp to delete the position of Department Assistant III
from the Housing Services Division; that we do not maintain
the position of Rehabilitation Specialist, and review the
position in four to six months from now. Council member
Buchanan expressed his concerns regarding the time element
placed on the position of Rehabilitation Specialist. Council
member Moore explained the reasoning behind the decision of
reviewing the position in four to six months, stating he wants
the opportunity to evaluate the productivity of the position.
Mayor Carmidhael questioned why the Department Assistant III
position is being eliminated. Council member Moore stated
reductions have to be made due to over staffing. City Manager
Zais informed Council that the deletion of the Department
Assistant III position and the retention of the Rehabilitation
Specialist for four to six months, to then be reviewed, was
the recommendation of the Advisory Committee. He expanded on
the need to examine the Housing Services Center's relationship
to Housing and Urban Development (HUD) guidelines. Following
further discussion, the question was called for a vote on the
motion. Unanimously carried by voice vote.
9. REPORT ON DOWNTOWN AREA REDEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION
REGARDING PARKING LOT ENFORCEMENT HOURS
Council member Doty reported she had received a complaint that
II/ ,citizens are still not being informed of the two hours free
parking at the Diamond parking lots. She informed Council
that a suggestion has been made to post signs in the stores,
Which would inform customers of the first two hours of free
parking available to the customers. In addition, the
suggestion included educating the clerks in the stores
regarding the parking regulations, therefore, they could
become more knowledgeable when asked by customers What the
parking regulations include. Council member Doty questioned
if these kinds of suggestions would be of value. Council
member Moore stated he felt these suggestions should be
brought to the Downtown Area Redevelopment Committee's (DARC)
attention at their next meeting. Assistant City Manager Tarry
Wittenberg commented that Diamond Parking has been receptive
to suggestions in the past, however, he could not anticipate
their reaction to the suggestions just mehLioned. City
Manager Zais concurred with Council member Moore in that these
suggestions should be brought to DARC's attention. Council
member Barnett expressed his concerns regarding communication
problems pertaining to the free parking after 8:00 p.m. as
suggested in the report. It was MOVED by Buchanan, seconded
by Moore to approve the new enforcement hours. Unanimously
carried by voice vote.
3 9 2
FEBRUARY 8, 1983
10. REPORT FROM OONVENTION CENTER AND TROLLEYS REGARDING 1982 YEAR-END
STATUS
Les McNary, General Manager of the Yakima Center, was
available to present a report to Council regarding the 1982
year-end status of the Convention Center and the Trolleys.
Mr. McNary expanded on the creation of the anticipated "HOST"
program wherein the Convention Center will participate in
developing a program to train managers and owners of
businesses that are tourist oriented so that they, in turn,
may train their staff as well informed tourist recipients.
Mr. McNary addressed the need to resurface the roof of the
Convention Center in 1984. Council member Barnett questioned
the status of the trolley service. Mr. McNary reported there
will be trolley services for the 1983 _year, however, he
inforthed Council of the possibility that the trolley services
II/
may not be able to operate inside the City limits due to the
possible removal of electrical wiring by the Union Pacific
Railroad. He indicated trolleys could be relocated in the
County. Mr. McNary reported he anticipated running the
trolleys for the entire season, and does not anticipate Yakima
Valley Transit or Union Pacific nuking any changes during this
1, season of April 1, to September 5, 1983. Mr. McNary
introduced the needy hired Trolley Coordinator, Barbara
Thompson. Mr. NcNary responded to Council's questions. It
Was MOVED by Budhanan,_seconded by Moore to accept the report.
Unanimously carried by voice vote.
*11. RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION OF SUPPLEMENTAL AGREEMENT NO.
5 WITH WASHINGTON STATE DEPARTMENT OF 'TRANSPORTATION REGARDING
SOUTH FIRST STREET, MEAD TO ARLINGTON, PROJECT
RESOLUTION NO. D-4776, A RESOLUTION authorizing and directing
the City Manager and City Clerk of the City of Yakima to
execute Supplement No. 5 to an agreenent with the State of
Washington, Department of Highways, for partial reimbursement
of costs for overlay of South 1st Street from Mead to
Arlington Streets.
*12. RESOLUTION SETTING A DATE FOR HEARING ON THE CONFIRMATION OF THE
1983 IRRIGATION MAINTENANCE ASSESSMENT ROLL
RESOLUTION NO. D-4777, A RESOLUTION setting a date for hearing
on the confirmation of the irrigation maintenance assessment
roll for the year 1983.
*13. RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION OF AN AMENDMENT TO THE
OOLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGREEMENT WITH THE YAKIMA POLICE PATROLMEN'S
ASSOCIATION
RESOLUTION NO. D-4778, A RESOLUTION authorizing the amendrrent
of the 1983 Collective Bargaining Agreement between the City
of Yakima and the Yakima Police Patrolmen's Association.
*14. FIX DATE OF HEARINGS
A. February 22, 1983, was set as the date of hearing for a
major modification/rezpne from R-2 to Planned Development
located at 54 W. Nob Hill Boulevard (Bamboo Terrace).
B. February 22, 1983, was set as the date of hearing for a
rezone request from R-3 to B-1, located in the vicinity
of 300 block of South lath Avenue, as requested by D.
Miller and J. Sahr.
15. ORDINANCE RELATING TO ALCOHOL OONSUMPrION AT THE SENIOR CITIZENS
CENTER
Ordinance No. 2675, having been read by title, it was MOVED by
Sparling, seconded by Buchanan to adopt the ordinance as read.
Carried, by 5-2 voice vote. Barnett and Beauchamp voting nay.
FEBRUARY 8, 1983 393
16, OTHER BUSINESS
City Manager Zais informed the Council that a suit has been
'filed against the City regarding a bus accident.
Mayor Carmichael addressed the topic of Council attendance at
the National League of Cities Conference in March. She
suggested Council members Doty and Beauchamp be authorized to
attend the conference. Council member Doty expressed her
opposition to attending the conference due to budgetary
constraints. Mayor Carmichael then suggested Council member
Beaudiamp and City Manager Zais as possible candidates to
attend the conference. Council member Beauchamp expressed his
support for Council attendance at the Conference, indicating
II/ it was not necessarily important that he go, but stated he
felt it is important for the City to be represented.
INFORMATION ITEMS
Items of information submitted to Council were: memo from
Director of Community & Economic Development to the City
Manager re: Closing Out Sale - 6 North 3rd Street (Dahnken).
1/28/83; memo from the Director of Public Works to the City
Manager re: 1982 Christmas Decoration Report. 2/2/83; memo
from the City Attorney to the City Manager re: Damage Claims
Referred to Insurance Company. 2/3/83; letter from the
Supervising Traffic Engineer to C.C. Akin, Chairman, Local
Service Committee, Pacific Northwest Bell Telephone Company
re: 2nd Avenue Parking. 1/27/83; article from Business Week
dated February 7, 1983 "A Fiasco That May Rock Municipal
Bonds."; infolitation from The Bureau of National Affairs, Inc.
dated 1/17/83 re: "Regan Likely to Propose Consolidation of
CDBG, Revenue Sharing for Fiscal 1984."; minutes of the City
' of Yakima Planning Commission meeting of January 4, 1983;
minutes from the Community Programming Advisory Committee
meeting dated January 11, 1983; and Legislative Digest No. 1,
dated January 26, 1983.
17. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to cane before the Council, it
was MOVED by Mbore, Seconded by Sperling that this meeting be
adjourned at the hour of 4:05 p.m. Unanimously carried by
voice vote.
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