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HomeMy WebLinkAbout04/26/1983 Business Meeting 450 APRIL 26, 1983 BUSINESS MEETING 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, Henry Beauchamp, Lynn Buchanan, Shirley Doty, W. K. "Pete" Moore and Jack Sparling and City Manager Zais and City Attorney Andrews present on roll call. 2. INVOCATION The Invocation was given by Council member Beauchamp. Mayor Carmichael proclaimed May 1, 1983 as Law Day and the week of May 1-7, 1983 as Law We and presented the II/ proclamation to City Attorney Fred Andrews, who accepted on behalf of Assistant City Attorney John Vanek. 3. CONSENT AGENDA Mayor Carmichael referred to the its placed on the Consent Agenda, questioning hether there were any additions or deletions from either Council members or citizens present. Council member Barnett requested that Its Nos. 5 & 6 he added to the Consent Agenda, however, Mayor Carmichael stated that staff would like to make a presentation on Item No, 5. Council member Beauchamp requested that It No. 7 be added; however, it was the general consensus of the Council not to do so. Council member Moore requested that the off-agenda item, No. 17-a, be added to the Consent Agenda. Council member Doty requested that Item No. 13 be removed and Council member Beauchamp requested that It No. 11 be removed from the Consent Agenda. It was the general consensus of the Council that the addition of Items No. 6 and 17-a and the deletion of Items Nos. 11 & 13, as requested, he made. The City Clerk then read the Consent Agenda items, including resolutions and ordinances by title. It was MOVED by Doty, seconded by Moore that the Consent Agenda, as read, be passed. Unanimously carried by roll call vote. (Subsequent paragraphs preceded by an asterisk (*) indicate it on the Consent Agenda handled under one motion without further discussion.) 3a. AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION None 4. DISCUSSION RE: WATER RATE STUDY (continued from 4/19/83) Tarry Mathews, 805 So. 17th Avenue, read a proposal he sub- mitted, supporting the recommendations of the Utility Rate Advisory Board. Gary Martinkus, Chairman representing the Yakima Motel Owner's Association, spoke in support of the Chamber of Commerce's proposal. He stated that the motel owners feel that an unfair burden would be placed upon than II/ with the present proposal. Gary Webster, General Manager, Chamber of Commerce, recapped the proposal given last week for a flat increase of 8% for non-irrigation users and 20% for those using domestic water for irrigation purposes. He reported that the Chamber of Commerce has kept track of the minutes of the Utility Rate Advisory Board meetings since September 1981. The Chamber understands staff's pcsition, and has no particular qualms about the data base on which Frank Mabry based his recommendations. The Chamber Board has reviewed this proposal and our initial thought was proposed to Council on a one-year operating need basis. He further stated that if Council deems it appropriate to lock at a two-year rate increase, the Chamber would accept the 13% proposal. He referred to page five of the Utility Rate Advisory Board's proposal and stated that the Chamber is questioning the contribution percentage to the 12.5% in-lieu-of tax, which has APRIL 26, 1983 '+51 nothing to do with the supplying of water to the community. He suggested that Council take a lock at that and freeze it at a fixed dollar amount. He pointed out that the commercial and industrial users also pay a ready to serve charge and fire service charge, in addition to the consumption rate. Ines Rice, 4409 W. Arlington, stated that her utility bill is already high and agreed with Gary Webster, stating that 12.5% for government is beyond What she can afford. Council member Moore commented that the parks and schools should not be subsidized for irrigation water to the extent which currently exists. Council member Moore also proposed the formation of a Council Committee to review the URAB study with the Board members. Council member Doty stated there are a couple of philosophical questions Council should address: 1) should the parks and school irrigation rate be subsidized at the current rate? 2) if not, what should the new rate be for parks and schools? 3) should we be talking about a percentage or a cents increase? and 4) how does Council feel about the 12.5% in- lieu -of tax? She suggested that perhaps it can be decreased a percent or two, but first, Council should get information on how much each percent is worth in dollars. Council member Barnett distributed information providing figures on his proposal to utilize the Chamber's proposal (8/20%) for the last 6 months of this year, and then.next year increase the total operating revenue to yield an additional 4.63%, which would equal a 13% increase. Council member Sparling asked for comparison water rate figures for the cities of Wenatchee, Grandview, Prosser, Sunnyside and Ellensburg. It was MOVED by Moore, seconded by Beauchamp to instruct staff to prepare the proper legislation to increase the water rates for the balance of this year at 8%, which included legislation to raise the rate for the ensuing year at 5%; that we also increase irrigation water rates to 204 for residential users and 20c for the first 5,000 cf for parks and schools and 10 for each additional 100 cf after that. Discussion followed regarding the motion and the impact this would have on Parks and Recreation and the School District's budgets. Staff members indicated they could have information available on the impact on the Parks & Recreation budget by the next Council business meeting. Mayor Carmichael expressed her concern that this proposed increase may not be adequate to sustain adequate reserves for debt service requirements. The question was called for the vote on the Motion. Carried by 5 -2 voice vote. Barnett and Carmichael voting nay. It was MOVED by Moore, seconded by Doty that we have a committee of the Council appointed to work with the Utility Rate Advisory Board. Carried by 6 -1 voice vote. Barnett abstained, stating he doesn't know the purpose of the Committee. Council member Sparling indicated he would be interested in working on this committee; however, no appointments to the Committee were made. 5. PROGRESS REPORT FROM THE CITY PUBLIC RELATIONS COMMITTEE Bruce Crest, Public Relations Committee Facilitator, commented that the committee consists of 12 City employees who have been reviewing the issue of public relations from an external and internal viewpoint. He briefly reviewed his report, complimenting Council on the media meeting which was held and suggested that Council consider meeting with the various City Boards and Commissions, possibly at a Council Study Session, at least once a year. It was MOVED by Beauchamp, seconded by Doty to accept the report with our thanks. Unanimously carried by voice vote. *6. FIRST QUARTER REPORT ON REVENUE AND EXPENDITURES FOR 1983 The First Quarter 1983 Financial Report, submitted by the City Manager, dated 4/26/83, was accepted. L52 APRIL 26, 1983 7. PROPOSED RELOCATION OF PARKS ADMINISTRATIVE- AND MAINTENANCE FACILITIES Council member Barnett inquired if approved, would the relocation immediately save enough funds so that Washington Pool may be reopened this summer. Dave Rhodes, Director of Public Works, commented that the proposed irrigation rate increase would have some impact on his answer and he would have to recalculate his figures. He further stated that he has held two positions vacant so he can fill then with the employees whose positions would be cut due to the relocation of the Parks Shop. Council member Moore commented that he recognizes that if the - Parks and Recreation budget for irrigation is doubled, as presented, then provision will have to be made to cover the deficit. Council member Buchanan commented that he has still not received a list of property owned by the City. City - Manager Zais responded that although 11/ that list is essential, there has been a in having staff time and resources to do that. The question was called for a vote on the motion Unanimously carried by voice vote. *8. INVESTMENT REPORT FOR MARCH, 1983 The report from the Director of Finance &• Budget dated March 31, 1983, regarding the investments'of the City of Yakima, was accepted and approved. *9. FINAL CONTRACT PAYMENT FOR THE 1982 IRRIGATION PROJECT The repOrt from the Director of Engineering & Utilities, dated April 19, 1983, with respect to the completion of the work on the 1982 Irrigation Project, performed by Ironstone, Inc., was approved, the work accepted and payment of the final estimates as therein set forth was authorized. *10. TRAFFIC PROGRESSION STUDY CONSULTANT CONTRACT RESOLUTION NO. D-4799, A RESOLUTION authorizing and directing the City Manager and the City Clerk of the City of Yakima to execute an agreement with �2M-Hill .regarding traffic signal synchronization. 11. DISPOSITION OF DAMAGE CLAIM FILED BY LUIS ESCAMILLA (Continued from 4/12/83) Council member Beauchamp inquired about the procedure of handling the personal property of persons who have been arrested; and was referred to the Chief of Police. Resolution No. D-4800 having been read by title, it was MOVED by Beauchamp, seconded by Doty that the resolution be adopted. Unanimously carried by roll call vote. RESOLUTION NO. D-4800, A RESOLUTION denying the claim of Luis Escamilla in the amount of $175.00 filed with the City of Yakima. II/ *12. AN ORDINANCE APPROPRIATING FUNDS BJR STREET REPAIRS AND AUTHORIZING AN INTERFUND LOAN (First Reading) The ordinance appropriating funds for street repairs and authorizing an interfund loan having been read by title only at this meeting, was laid on the table for two weeks or until May 10, 1983. 13. AN ORDINANCE REGARDING THE ORGANIZATION OF THE PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION (Continued from 4/12/83) Ordinance No. 2688 having been read by title, it was MOVED by Beauchamp, seconded 'by Moore that the ordinance be passed. Dave Rhodes, Director of Public WbeKs, clarified several issues in the Parks & Recreation Commission list of goals, in response to Council member Doty's questions. The question was called for a vote on the tion. Unanimously carried by roll call vote. APRIL 26, 1983 1 -1• 5 3 ORDINANCE NO. 2688, AN ORDINANCE relating to local government administration; creating a Park and Recreation Commission; specifying its members and terms of office; providing for its organization; specifying its functions and duties; and amending Sections 1.35.010 and 1.35.020, and enacting new Sections 1.35.030 and 1.35.040, all of the City of Yakima Municipal Code. *14. AN ORDINANCE REGARDING THE CITY'S PARTICIPATION IN A DEFERRED COMPENSATION PLAN (Continued from 4/12/83) ORDINANCE NO. 2689, AN ORDINANCE relating to City government personnel; authorizing City participation in a management group tax deferred compensation plan; and enacting Section 11/ 2.20.130 as a new section of the City of Yakima Municipal Code. *15. AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE 1983 BUDGET AND APPROPRIATING MONEY WITHIN THE FIRE CAPITAL FUND (First Reading) An Ordinance amending the 1983 BUdget and appropriating money within the Fire Capital Fund having been read by title only, was laid on the table for two weeks or until May 10, 1983. *16. AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE 1983 BUDGET AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS FOR COMMUNITY AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND PARKS & RECREATION CCMMISSION (Second Reading) An Ordinance appropriating funds for Community and Economic Development Department and the Parks & Recreation Commission, having been read by title only at the previous meeting, was brought before the Council for a second reading. ORDINANCE NO. 2690, AN ORDINANCE amending the 1983 Budget of the City of Yakima; appropriating various amounts from unappropriated fund balances within various funds for expenditure during 1983. 17. OTHER BUSINESS Mayor Carmichael extended an invitation to the Council to attend the Air Defense Arterial Air Show at the Firing Center on Saturday, April 30, 1983. She also inquired if a Council member would be available to present a proclamation this Saturday at the Holiday Inn, for the Hospital Institute and Educational Food Service Day. Council member Doty expressed her concern regarding the Senior Citizen Clerk position being changed to a Recreation Leader Which may have future repercussion due to the possibility of that person assuming these duties and then requesting a reclassification. Dave Rhodes, Director of Public Works, II/ assured the Council that the duties remain the same; however, the Recreation Leader job description better describes the duties and functions of that position. Council member Barnett referred to the gravel bar removal report in the Council packet and urged staff to remove the big rocks and pursue a resolution to this prablem. There was disoussion regarding Council member attendance at the ANC Legislative Day in Olympia and it was the general consensus of the Council that Council members should contact the Mayor's secretary as to their attendance. InfoLiletion Items Items of information supplied to Council were: memo from the City Manager to Charles Flower, Chairman, Police & Fire Civil Service Commission re: City Manager participation in the selection of Police and Fire Chief positions. 4/19/83; memo from the Director of Community and Economic Development re: Cox Cable copyright dharges. 4/18/83; letter from the Supervising Traffic Engineer to Raymond E. Whittaker re: 45i4. APRIL 26, 1983 sidewalk painting at North 56th Avenue. 4/20/83; memo from Supervising Traffic Engineer re: miscellaneous traffic requests. 4/12/83; memo from the Director of Public Works re: senior citizen POsition. 4/11/83; letter from Department of Social and Health Services, Water Works Certification Board re: receipt of Certificate of Competency by Frank L. Mabry. 2/1/83; letter from McCaw Cablevision re: monthly report of cable television operations. 4/18/83; and memo from the Director of ,Engineering and Utilities, Wastewater Superintendent and Sewer Maintenance Supervisor re: Gravel Bar Removal from Yakima River Adjacent to Yakima Wastewater Treatment_Plant Outfall. 4/20/83. *17a. POLICE DEPARTMENT TELECOMMUNICATIONS CONTRACT RESOLUTION NO. D-4801, A RESOLUTION 'authorizing and directing the City Manager and City Clerk of the City of Yakima to execute an Access Terminal Sublease Agreerrent with the Washington State Patrol. 18. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to came before the it was MOVED by Mbore, seconded by Beauchamp that this meeting be adjourned at the hour of 5:05 P.M. Unanimously carried by voice vote. READ AND CERTIFIED ACCURATE BY , DATE 3/ COUNCI;4MECER, " DATE COUNCIL MEMBER ATTEST: 41. CITY CLERK MAYOR -; - ,