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HomeMy WebLinkAbout11/17/1981 Study Session 033 NOVEMBER 17, 1981 STUDY SESSION The City Council met in session on this date at 1:30 P.M. in the Council Chambers of City Hall, Yakima, Washington. Council members present were Mayor Betty L. Edmondson, Clarence Barnett, Henry Beauchamp, Lynn Buchanan, Lynn Carmichael, Shirley Doty and Don Hinman. 1. OPEN DISCUSSION FOR THE GOOD OF THE ORDER Mayor Edmondson reported that there was an individual present that would like to care before the Council to bring some information to them at this time. Gini Heintzman, Yakima II/ Valley Transportation Excthange, explained that this year is International Year of Disabled Persons and distributed cards that are used to tell people that they have parked in a handicapped person's place. Ms. Heintzman requested that they would like to have this approved to have IYDP, City of Yakima, 1981, typed on the cards. Ms. Heintzman also requested that instead of people receiving a ticket the first time around, that these cards be placed on their windshield as a warning. She also stated that they would like permission to pass these cards out at the Mall on December 5, 1981 during the Handicap Fair. Mayor Edmondson requested clarification on Ms. Heintzman's requests pertaining to staff use of these cards in place of a ticket and stated that a report from staff would have to cane before the Council on this matter. It was MOVED by Hinman, seconded by Beauchamp that the use of these cards by citizens be approved to be put on cars that are parked in spaces reserved for handicapped people and that staff be directed to prepare a report regarding the possibility of using the cards in place of a citation the first time. Unanimously carried by voice vote. Mayor Edmondson advised Council that City Manager Dick Zais had been elected President of the Washington State City Manager's Association. Council, member Doty gave an update on the Christmas tree report which she gave at the last Council meeting. She advised that the Christmas Festival Committee and DARC were not interested in providing a Community Christmas Tree. Mayor Edmondson stated that if any citizen was interested in volunteering in any way that they should contact Shirley Doty. Council_member Doty advised that she would like to relinquish her membership on the RSVP Board and also the DARC Cammittee. She told Council when each Board meets, stated that she had learned a great deal while serving on these boards. It was MOVED by Carmichael, seconded by Buchanan that Henry Beauchamp be appointed to fill the vacancy on the DARC Committee. Unanimously carried by voice vote. Council member Barnett expressed some interest in serving on the RSVP Board, but wanted to talk to Mrs. Doty about the Board at a later date. Council member Carmichael gave a brief report on the lobbying efforts that were achieved in Olympia last week at the AWC's Legislative Day. She also explained . that PACC would be sponsoring a seminar on HJR7 with the Cities and Counties and felt that the City should send a representative. Council member Barnett reported that a citizen had discussed with him the possibility of starting and serving on a Centennial Planning Commission to celebrate the City of Yakima's Centennial Birthday in 1985. Mayor Edmondson advised that Mr. Barnett should advise the citizen to contact the Yakima Valley Museum and talk to the Director, Bill Pugh. 2. REVIEW OF 1982 PRELIMINARY AIRPORT BUDGET Assistant City Manager Larry Wittenberg and Airport Manager Gary Robbins presented the 1982 Preliminary Budget for the Airport. Mr. Wittenberg told Council that based upon a conservative budget in both expenditures and revenue 031+ NOVEMBER 17, 1981 categories, they were bringing a balanced budget before them for the first time in three years. As part of the preliminary presentation, we are projecting a carry-over of $53,000. Mr. Wittenberg discussed one problem which revolved around outdated leases, which were negotiated ten, fifteen or twenty years ago with no provisions for escalation in grades to match inflation. He also stated that as a result of sane of those leases and other factors at the Airport such as an extraordinary low ground rent that sane problems had occurred. He explained that there was a lack of ccupetitive bidding for agricultural leases at the Airport and those tended to be renegotiated on kind of a year-to-year basis with little or no increase in the ground rental for grazing and agricultural uses on the land surrounding the Airport runways themselves. He stated that they had instances where although the City held the prime lease there were a series of subleases in effect and the prime lessee was realizing a profit because the sublease resulted in more income than the City was receiving fran the prime lease. He stated that all of those problems have been attacked over the last 18 to 24 months and we have negotiated all the leases that either previously expired or expired in 1981. Mr. Wittenberg advised that in the past months an assessment and an appraisal of the fixed based operators had been completed and the Council had increased the ground rent fran ½ to 3 per square foot which essentially tripled the income due the Airport. He also explained that by having the agricultural leases go out to bid we have realized significant increases in revenue. We have also ti up the lease documents and provided that any sublease required the approval of the City and without that permission, the lease would become null and void. Mr. Robbins briefed Council on the airfield facility maintenance items which include reroofing the Central Building and painting the runway and taxi way margins. Mr. Robbins advised that they had agreed that the reroofing could legitimately be a capital improvement item. Mayor Edmondson questioned if the Change in the budget as it pertains to the CFR (Crash/Fire/Rescue) was taken out of the Airport budget to balance it or because they felt that Fire support should be handled in the General Fund. Mr. Robbins advised that this issue is one of the key issues that will be discussed with the County for joint operations of the Airport. Mr. Robbins stated that in the 126, General Revenues, there is $37,222 in revenue sharing but in light of the uncertainties, it was prudent we keep that $53,000 carry over ' - since they were not sure what will happen with the airline negotiations. He stated that we can't be certain what expenses will be involved in any joint venture that is agreed upon with the County since there may be some start up costs so rather than take that $37,000 out and show it at a zero balance, it is prudent to leave that there until we have a little better feel for what's going to happen. He advised that mid-year is the target date for the joint venture. City Manager Zais advised that since the negotiations with Republic Airlines had not been completed that Council should lock at the possibility of Republic not serving Yakima and the effect that new carriers could have on the revenue base and that we need to keep that kind of reserve built in there. He stated that the decision on whether or not Republic stays depends on air profitability and also the $800,000 in Federal subsidy. Mr. Robbins briefed Council on the Capital Improvement Fund-, 361. He stated that the revenue total will be the same as in the preliminary budget but the expenditures will be a little different. He reported that the anticipated $130,000 fran the last ADAP project and some expenditures and revenues for the remaining three months of the year, should leave us with a little over $300,000 to start the year. Mr. Robbins also told Council that they were looking at alternative heat sources such as solar, geothermal and also modernization of the building to accommodate the handicapped. Discussion followed on the drainage budget item. Mr. Zais explained that they had felt it was a legitimate responsibility of the Airport capital improvement fund to contribute to the City wide drainage study since that is where a great many of the drainage problems exist. Council member Beauchamp asked hcw they generate 035 NOVEMBER 17, 1981 administrative revenues. Mr. Robbins explained that it is made up of airline rentals, the restaurant lease and rental cars which are the largest income producers at the Airport. He also stated that it includes fixed base operators, fuel flowage fees, and parking lot fees. He explained that 523, Airfield Maintenance, generates revenues through landing fees, carry-over on the leasehold tax incames, FRS and the sale of electricity. Mr. Zais stated that the Capital Improvement Fund is the recipient today of the benefit of good staff work in negotiations with FAA in terms of reimbursement of Federal funding. He reported that this fund over the last ten years has been responsible for a great many interfund loans since the City had not really allocated its fair portion of matching funds from within the immediate budget and while waiting for Federal reimbursements. Mr. Zais stated that in 1979 when the II/ City was concerned in terms of what the final local City mate might be in completion of the major projects such as the runway extension and the completion of the fishery deal, it was recammended using FRS in the amount of $250,000 to apply toward the City's anticipated share once the projects were audited and closed out. It was programmed in the 1980 budget and was reappropriated into the 1981 budget. It has allowed the City to pay off the interfund loans that were outstanding and also at the same time in the past year they have worked hard with FAA in terms of those grants to gain additional credit. He advised that the result has been that we have gained additional revenue and it has allowed us to save more of the City's share which gives us a healthier cash position in the capital fund allowing us to do such things as a program in the budget for the next year and shift the bond debt service requirements fran the operation budget to the capital budget. Mr. Zais explained that that goes back to the bond issue of 1974 so that we have a good cash flow position to apply toward additional grants and aid that may become available to the City or to apply towards terminal improvements and other expenditures that don't have any prospect of receiving Federal or State funding. Discussion followed concerning the landscaping that has been budgeted to be done in 1982 with Council member Doty questioning the budget cost of $4,000 and what was involved. Mr. Robbins explained that $2,800 was for landscaping that will be done by themselves and the rest was for benches for the front of the terminal. Council member Doty advised that they should contact the City shops regarding some free trees that they were given which would help save money. Discussion followed regarding fire protection with Mr. Wittenberg explaining that during the latest negotiations with the County on a joint airport venture they had come up with doing it on a per call basis. He explained that basically the way that is done is to take the total budget for the Fire Department, divide it by the total number of calls they received in a year and a proportion of calls that are generated by the Airport, times the per call rate for the total budget of the Fire Department. II/ Council member Barnett asked what impact Republic Airlines pulling out would have on the budget and would the County still be interested in a joint venture. Mr. Wittenberg explained that Republic's landing fees were $77,040 and the terminal rent is $44,032 with the total anticipated between $125,000 and $130,000 for 1982. Mr. Wittenberg advised that the County was aware of the fact that Republic may pull out. Council member Carmichael expressed concern on not having a Council member as a representative for Airport negotiations. Mr. Wittenberg presented an update on the negotiations with the County identifying several major issues, some of which were: what would be the Civil Service end or collective bargaining situation of employees at the airport in the event of a joint venture; City service charge for divisions that service the enterprise operations of the City, whether that would continue or be reduced or eliminated based upon what the Airport Board decided they wanted to do, either contract with the City or the County for those services or sane private entity; another issue which we've gone into is Crash/Fire/Rescue; the make-up of the Airport Advisory Board; equipment, how that would be handled as far as a replacement Q 3 XVEMBER,17, 1981 _schedule since it was removed frcin the City Garage a year or so ago and maintenance is done at the Airport; capital imprOvement programs for the air terminal and airfield; another issue is possessery interest in the airfield property, they are discussing a phased transfer of ownership to a 50/50 split hetmaaa-the City and County. If the authority were dissolved, it is required by State law that you have to have a provision in the agreement in case the authority is dissolved and they were thinking About a phase- transfer of 10% of the value per year to a maximum of 50% within five years. Mr. Wittenberg requested that Council appoint a:member of Council to be in on the negotiations as a City representative. It was the general consensus that Council member Buchanan be appointed to serve as the representative for Council. BUSINESS MEETING 3. ROLL CALL At 3:00 P.M., the Council members commenced the regular meeting, Mayor Edmondson presiding,-Council members Barnett, Buchanan, Carmichael, Doty and Hinman and City Manager Zais and City Attorney Andrews present onroll call. 4. INVOCATION. The Invocation was given by City Manager Zais. 5. CONSENT AGENDA Mayor Edmondson referred to the items placed on the Consent Agenda, questioning whether there were any additions or deletions from either Council members or citizens present. Council member Hinman requested that Items No. 9 and 10 be added to the Consent Agenda. It was the general consensus of the Council that the addition of Items No. 9 and 10, as reque be made. The City Clerk then read the Consent Agenda items, including resolutions and ordinances by title. It was MOVED by Carmichael, seconded by Buchanan that the Consent Agenda, as read, be passed. Council member Hinman suggested that items that have been discussed previously and passed by a split vote for the legislation to be prepared, and come back to Council on the Consent Agenda, should have that date of discussion noted in the minutes. He stated that that would save time because a Council member probably would not take it off the Consent Agenda if the minutes would reflect their vote on that issue. Following a brief discussion, it was the general consensus of the Council to reflect the date that an item was discussed and legislation was directed to be ' prepared. The question was called for the vote on the Motion. 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. MINUTES The Council minutes of November 3 and 5, 1981, were approved, having been duly certified accurate by two Council members and no one present wishing to have said minutes read publicly. 7. AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION _ Ines Rice, 4409 Arlington, commented about the effect increasing Business Licenses would have upon the businesses. She also commented that the City should not be paying for the fire protection services at the Southeast Community Center. Mayor Edmondson proclaimed November 17th as "Jim Nolan Day". She stated the community will be celebrating at the Yakima Center his 38 years of broadcasting service in the valley. NOVEMBER 17, 1981 037 She also proclaimed Thursday, November 19th as "The Great American Smoke-Out Day", sponsored by the American Cancer Society. The week of November 15-21 was proclaimed as American Education Week and the week of November 22-27th as Bible Week. 8. PRESENTATION OF 1982 BUDGET FOR YAKIMA VALLEY CONFERENCE OF GOVERN- MENTS Bob Brandow, COG, distributed a paper on the COG budget comparison for 1980, 1981 and 1982. He mentioned that there will be COG general membership meeting in Toppenish on December 16th at 7:00 P.M. He reviewed the process of preparing the 1982 COG budget. He reported the general II/ membership has reviewed this budget and it has been recommended to the various members. He stated that the per capita assessment will remain at the same level as the last three years, which is 23.383. He stated that the goals have not been changed. He reviewed his report which was previously distributed to the Council. He commented that there will be one additional Planner hired to concentrate on local assistance programs. He stated that one area in which the City of Yakima can benefit is in the area of technical assistance. He stated that the City's assessment for 1982 will be $17,151, including YMATS which is less than the 1981 figure because it's based on less population. Council member Hinman expressed his concern that the City is subsidizing the other cities involved with COG because the City does not realize enough benefits from COG for the assessment paid. Mr. Brandow commented on the benefits the City receives and further stated that the City of Yakima indirectly benefits by the programs performed by COG for the other cities, in that problems in areas that could be annexed by the City are being addressed prior to annexation. Mayor Edmondson commented that the most important role we play in COG is unifying the government within Yakima County. She stated that COG is available if the City calls upon them for assistance. Council member Doty suggested that staff should be asked to explore some of the functions that COG can do for us. Council member Hinman suggested that a drug abuse program for youth would be an item that COG could explore. Mr. Brandow stated that his staff has foreseen the reduction in Federal funding and have planned accordingly to deal with those reductions. It was MOVED by Beauchamp, seconded by Doty to continue to support COG for the 1982 year and approve our local assessment and direct staff to prepare a letter so stating. Council member Hinman spoke about the lack of communication between the Committee he served on for Transportation and YMATS. Mr. Brandow stated that there is still the potential for that problem, however, staff is aware of that and is addressing that problem. The question was called for the vote on the Motion. Unanimously carried by voice vote. (Council member II/ Hinman absent after 4:00 P.M.) City Manager Zais stated that the policy document that came out of YMATS needs to be revised because it does not reflect the Council's policy. Mr. Brandow suggested that it be referred to the members of the staff serving on those committees. *9. REQUEST FOR PERMIT TO INSTALL A TRAFFIC SIGNAL REQUESTED BY FIRE DISTRICT NO. 11 ON WASHINGTON AVENUE FOR THE FIRE STATION RESOLUTION NO. D-4577, A RESOLUTION granting a permit to Yakima County Fire Protection District No. 11 to install and maintain a traffic control signal. *10. LEASE AGREEMENT WITH SUNDANCE TRAVEL SERVICE, INC. AT THE YAKIMA AIR TERMINAL RESOLUTION NO. D-4578, A RESOLUTION authorizing and directing the City Clerk of the City of Yakima to execute a lease agreement with Sundance Travel Service, Inc. 038 NOVEMBER,17, 1981 *11. FIX DATE OF JOINT HEARING WITH YAKIMA COUNTY COMMISSIONERS AND UNION GAP CITY COUNCIL ON URBAN AREA PLAN December 3, 1981, at 7:30 P.M. in Room 231:at the Yakima County Courthouse, was set as the date of a joint hearing on the Urban Area Plan. *12. ORDINANCE AMENDING THE 1981 BUDGET AND APPROPRIATING MONEY FOR THE COST OF CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS INSTALLATION AND REMOVAL ORDINANCE NO. 2564, AN ORDINANCE amending the 1981 Budget for the City of Yakima; appropriating the amount of $10,000 from unappropriated money in 763-Parking and Business Improvement , Assessment Fund to Account No. 763.612.573.90.42 therein, as a 1981 appropriation for 763-Parking and Business Improvement Assessment Fund. . „ *13. ORDINANCE PROVIDING FOR THE INCREASE IN BUSINESS LICENSE FEES, DISCUSSED AT THE NOVEMBER 3 AND 10, 1981 MEETINGS ORDINANCE NO. 2565, AN ORDINANCE relating to license and business regulations; adopting a business license fee and a schedule of rates therfore; and amending Section 5.52.030 of the of Yakima Municipal Code: 14. OTHER BUSINESS, Council member Barnett stated that Irvin Lisle is interested in serving_ on the Centennial Planning Committee suggested by the Yakima Valley Museum and Historical Society. It was MOVED by Barnett, seconded by Doty that .subject to Mr. Lisle agreeing to this, that he be appointed as the City's liaison to.the Centennial Planning Committee. Unanimously carried by voice vote. Hinman absent. 15. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to come before the Council, it was MOVED by Buchanan, seconded by Carmichael that this meeting be adjourned at the hour of 4:10 P.M., to then meet on Thursday, November 19th at 1:30 P.M. in the Council Chambers of City Hall. Unanimously carried by voice vote. Hinman absent. READ AND CERTIFIED ACCURATE BY ,J17.4. /v Al 1, DATE „ COUNCI BER • r 14:10 . DATE Z -17 :"? I L mEifi3E. ATTEST: aecL CITY CL' (. MAYOR