HomeMy WebLinkAbout05/01/1980 Adjourned Meeting u18
ADJOURNED MEETING -- COMMUNITY FORUM
MAY 1, 1980
The City Council met in session on this date at 7:00 P.M. in the Multi-
Purpose Room at McClure School, Yakima, Washington. Council members
present were Mayor Betty L. Edmondson and Shirley Doty. Councilman
Crest present after 8:50 P.M. Also present were City Manager Dick Zais,
McClure School Principal Mr. Bush, and the Meeting Facilitator Gus
Hunziker.
Mrs. Brooks, South 20th Avenue, reported on the numerous attempts to
rezone the property at Greenway and 20th Avenue, and asked what the
citizens can do in order to keep it from being rezoned to R-3 or R-4.
She also stated that traffic is a big problem. A citizen asked if the
school is crowded now. Mr. Bush stated that the school is not crowded
now, and could accommodate more students. Mr. Hunziker ,asked if the
gathering of many petitions can stop that property from being rezoned to
R-3 or R-4 once and for all. Mayor Edmondson stated each rezone has to
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be individually considered and Council makes the final decisions. City
Manager Zais also pointed out that the developer can take the issue to
court and the court's ruling would supercede the decision of the Coun-
cil. One citizen stated that it would be better if there were one
driveway per house rather than one driveway with duplexes lined up in a
row facing the driveway. Several citizens expressed concern that they
are not notified of a proposed project. City Manager Zais stated that
the developers are not required by law to communicate with the residents
in the area. The Council has adopted a policy that the developer should
contact the residents. Mr. Hunziker asked about having a stop sign
installed on 20th Avenue and Viola. He said the school children use
that intersection heavily. Another citizen related that the traffic
coming east on Viola by 20th Avenue do not stay on the right side of the
road. They straddle the middle of the road. He suggested that a yield
sign, be installed and the last 50 to 75 feet of Viola should have a
dividing line on it. A citizen asked if Mead Avenue would be put
through to 24th Avenue, stating it would help the traffic flow.
A citizen stated that their fire protection comes from the Airport
station and asked if there are going to be cutbacks at the Airport.
Council member Doty stated that Council is not sure if that station will
be converted to a partial volunteer force. She stated that Council is
looking at some alternatives to manning the station. City Manager Zais
stated that public safety personnel is one of the most expensive and
labor intensive products of the budget. We have to look at volunteer
firefighters or mutual aid, which is already in place. One citizen
stated that he got one of the letters, but it was a bit confusing, and
left him. to think that they were going to have the firefighters at
Station No. 5 go downtown and put all volunteers at Station No. 5.
The next comments were regarding the Transit system. Mayor Edmondson
explained about the alternatives for funding the Transit system: rais-
ing the Household Tax, or instituting a .3% Sales Tax. She stated that
if the Sales Tax were imposed, the Household Tax would be deleted.
(Councilman Crest present after 8:15 P.M.) City Manager Zais stated
that the route modifications can be implemented under the existing
budget and is scheduled for implementation on July 10th. He stated that
a central transfer station will be established at the Yakima Mall. A
citizen questioned the Council on the requirement of hydraulic lifts on
the buses in order to receive federal funding. Mayor Edmondson stated
that Council would consider fighting this requirement as the Transpor-
tation Exchange meets the needs of the handicapped and the elderly. II/
Mr. Hunziker asked the citizens their opinion of the City taking an
aggressive approach towards annexation or extending utilities outside
the City. Mrs. Brookes stated that if they do not want to come into the
City to share the expenses of operating the City, then they should not
be extended services. Mayor Edmondson explained the Outside Utility
Agreement, which has a clause in which the citizen agrees to annex to
the City when it is feasible. A citizen questioned the Council about
service being provided to the Fairview-Sumac Area. Councilman Crest
stated that the City has negotiated with the residents in that area in a
way that will benefit the City. They have requested that annexation be
delayed in order that they may apply for federal funds for curbing,
streets, water and lighting. Mayor Edmondson also stated that those who
are receiving outside utilities pay a 50% surcharge on their bill. A
citizen asked about the capacity of the Sewage Treatment Plant. Mayor
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ADJOURNED MEETING -- COMMUNITY FORUM
MAY 1, 1980
Edmondson stated that we are not going to know exactly what the capacity
is going to be until after it has been operating for a period of time.
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The meeting was adjourned at the ho of 9:00 '.M. ,
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