HomeMy WebLinkAbout06/09/1981 Study Session 3
JUNE 9, 1981
STUDY SESSION
•
The City Council met in session on this date at 6:30 P.M. in the Council
Chambers of City Hall, Yakima, Washington. Council members present were
Mayor Betty L. Edinondson, Lynn Buchanan; Lynn'Carmichael; Bruce Crest,
Shirley Doty and Don Hinman. Council member Henry. Beauchamp absent.
1. OPEN DISCUSSION FOR THE GOOD OF THE ORDER ,
Mayor Edmondson reminded Council of the COG meeting next
' Monday at 2:00 P.M. at the Yakima County Courthouse. She also
commented that the AWC Conference begins next Tuesday.
Mayor Edmondson read into the record a letter she received
II/ from Jack W. Snook, Deputy Fire Chief from White City, Oregon,
addressed to the Council members, as follows: "I would just
like to take a moment' of your valuable time to express my
thoughts regarding your community, and more specifically your
Yakima Fire Department. For the past two years I have had the
most fortunate opportunity to instruct at the 22nd and 23rd'
'Yakima Staff and Command Schools respectively. During these
brief periods of time I have observed many unique and precious
* activities which, unfortunately, many times we seem to take
for granted. The leadership, direction and general commitment
of Chief Ed Carroll, his assistant, Ken, and persons such as
Bill' I Crawford ancl• Virginia are quickly becoming a rarity in
our profession. Few people realize the amount of work, res-
ponsibility, and organizational ability that goes into the
development and delivery of the finest command school offered
in this country. I, for one, was deeply touched and impressed
with what I've seen during these past two years. I would hope
- that you and the members of your City Council Would take just
a brief moment to thank' those people aforementioned in this
letter on behalf of the Fire service." Mayor Edmondson
• thanked Fire Chief Ed Carroll and his staff for their efforts
towards this project.
2. ' CONSIDERATION APPOINTMENTS TO BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS '
City Manager Zais stated that the appointment to the Civil
Service COmtission should be'effective after the hearing which
is before the Commission. Council member Hinman stated that
he has not met a couple of the applicants, and asked if in-
terviews could be scheduled. It was the general consensus of
the Council that interviews be scheduled with the applicants
for the week after next. Mayor Edmondson stated that there
will be a vacancy in August �n the Planning Commission and
'there is currently one vacancy on the Housing Authority which
will be addressed as soon as possible. Council member Doty
staied that there is a vacancy on the Human Relations Com-
mission and Assistant City Manager Wittenberg stated that
there is a vacancy on the Yakima Center Commission as Bob
has
Philiips declined to - acCept the appointment. Council
member Buchanan explained that there was some confusion be-
tween the father and the son when that appointment was made.
City Manager Zais reported that there is a vacancy on the
Parks Commission with the resignation of Dr. McGuinness.
3. REPORT FROM CITY COUNCIL RULES
Council member Crest stated that the Committee looked at two
aspects‘ of Council and Mayor responsibility and salary. He
reviewed the first page of the memo dated 5/26/81 which gives
proposed recommendations from the Committee. He commented
about the expansion of the roll of the Maydr in community
affairs,. 'i.e. speaking engagements. He stated that the ex-
pansion is mainly due to the request for appearances by the
' Mayor, but many of these are because the other members
do not take their share of responsibilities for these
functions. He also commented about the committee's concern
about the Cost for ceremonial gifts being Paid'by'the Mayor.
' Council member Doty stated that the committee thought that
some standard gift could be purchased and also keep funds
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JUNE 9, 1981
available for special commemorative gifts, if necessary. She
stated she understands that in some municipalities, the
Visitors and Convention Bureau has funds set aside for this
purpose. She stated that the committee felt that the Council
should take more responsibility and be mofe visible in the
community. She stated that the committee even considered the
possibility of requiring the Council members to serve on a
minimum number of boards and commissions. She stated that the
committee also recommends that all Council members be covered
by a life, liability insurance policy on Council business to
be paid by the City. Mayor Edmondson asked how a Council
member is going to be legislated to serve on boards and make
them go out into the community. Council member Doty suggested
that a handbook be prepared to be given to prospective and new
Council members which would outline the duties and responsi-
bilities and peer pressure 'would be the only way to enforce
it. Discussion followed on the item of the ceremonial gifts,
Mayor Edmondson commenting that this would have to be reviewed
for 'legality as the gifts would be purchased with public II/
money. She stated that if we ask the V & C to purchase these
gifts, the Council should be prepared for them to request
additional funds at budget time. Council member Crest stated
that the committee discussed this with the City Manager and
got a tentative opinion that this would be okay. He stated
that the committee considered budgeting for this in the Coun-
cil's budget and the Mayor and Council would make the decision
on the gift. We could then go, to the V & C and help them draw
up a document that would spell out how the money would be
appropriated and what mechanics would be necessary to get it
out of funds to be sent. It was MOVED by Hinman, seconded by
Doty to accept recommendation No. 1 on Page 2 and direct the
committee to further explore this recommendation. City
Manager Zais stated that he understands that Council will
designate a sum of money each year, allocated to the V & C and
they would administer it pursuant to a set of guidelines. The
question was called for the vote on the'motion. Carried by
5-1 voice vote. Edmondson voting nay. Beauchamp absent.
Mayor Edmondson stated that the Mayor's responsibilities
cannot be legislated. Council member Buchanan commented about
differences in salary for the Council members due to the
- mechanics of the law. He stated that it is recommended that
the salaries for the Council members and Mayor be increased
through several terms of office, as follows:
Effective Date Council Salary . Mayor's Salary
January, 1982 $250.00 $500.00
($33.00 Increase) ($200.00 Decrease)
January, 1984 $285.00 $570.00
($35.00 Increase) ($70.00 Increase)
January, 1986 $325.00 $650.00
II/
($40.00 Increase) ($80.00 Increase)
The Committee recommends that the Council members and Mayor
not receive City health or retirement benefits. Council
member Carmichael questioned why the retirement benefits would
be eliminated for the position of Mayor. Council member Crest
gave some background information on how this benefit was first
started and stated that staff could not find any legislation
that authorized this. He stated that the Committee felt that
benefits such as this should be given equally to all Council
members. He commented that-the benefit to being Mayor should
just be the added salary. Council member Carmichael expressed
concern about eliminating a benefit and decreasing, the salary
of a person who is working one half a work week. She stated
that when a person works 20 hours per week that person is
entitled to have any benefits the firm offers. Mayor
Edmondson stated that the position of Mayor is perceived by
the citizen as being the head of the City. Council member
Crest read the items listed on Page 3 of the report and it was
MOVED by Doty, seconded 'by Buchanan to accept these items on
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JUNE 9, 1981
Page 3 that have just been Carried by' 4-2 voice vote.
Carmichael and Edmondson voting nay. Beauchamp absent.
Council member Crest stated that there are three other
projects the committee wants to look at, listed on Page 3 and
the idea of handbooks could be included.as a project. Council
member Carmichael requested that any report coming from the
Committee 'in the future be distributed to the Council members
prior to the meeting to give adequate time to review the
recommendations. Mayor Edmondson stated that when this
committee was first formed they were'going to review the rules
and procedures. She asked the committee members the status of
that project. Council member Crest stated that those rules
and procedures are being done on a piece meal basis now, as
Council has been busy in other committee meetings.
II/ 4. CONSIDERATION OF BUS SERVICE TO THE CENTRAL WASHINGTON STATE FAIR
Followin discussion, it was MOVED by Hinman, seconded b
g Y by
Carmithael'to'accept the report staff to grOceed with
the bus service. Unanimously carried by voice vote. Beau-
champ absent.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
It was MOVED by Hinman, seconded by Doty to go into Executive
Session for the purpose of discussing pending and prospective
litigation. Unanimously carried by voice vote. Beauchamp
absent. „.
BUSINESS MEETING I I
6. ROLL CALL
At 8:15 P.M., the Council members commenced the regular_
meeting, Mayor Edmondson presiding, Council members Buchanan,
Carmichael, Crest, Doty and Hinman and City Manager Zais and
City Attorney Andrews present on roll call.. Beauchamp absent.
7. INVOCATION •
The Invocation was given by Council member Doty.
8. CONSENT AGENDA
Mayor'EdinOndson 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 membeT Doty requested that Item No. 16 be removed from
the Consent Agenda. It was the general consensus of the
Council that the deletion of Item No. 16, as requested, be
made. The City Clerk then read the Consent Agenda items,
including ordinances, by title. It was MOVED by Hinman,
II/ seconded by Carmichael that the Consent Agenda, as read, be
passed. Unanimously carried by roll call vote. ,Beauchamp
absent. (Subsequent paragraphs preceded by an asterisk (*)
indicate items on the Consent Agenda handled under one motion
without further discussion.)
10. AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION
No citizen was present wishing to speak about any issues.
9. MINUTES •
The Council minutes of April 30, May 5 and 7, 1981, were
approved,: having been duly 'certified accurate by Council
members and no one present wishing to have said minutes read
publicly.
382 JUNE 9, 1981
11. REPORT FROM CITY ATTORNEY ON WATER RIGHTS LITIGATION
City Attorney Andrews stated that last week there was a ques-
tion raised about individuals possibly needing to file for
their water rights for irrigation. He stated that he has
- learned that any claims by, City or water districts, or by
irrigation districts will protect the individuals who use the
water and the individuals need not file their claims. John
-Kiingele, a citizen, asked if the City had considered putting
a generator on the PP & L Canal to provide power for street
lights. He stated that if someone produces power on their
own, then the utility company is required to buy that power.
Mayor Edmondson thanked him for his suggestion.
12. REVIEW OF CORRESPONDENCE FROM EXECUTIVE BOARD FROM THE BROADWAY/
STANTON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL CONCERNING VARIOUS TRAFFIC MATTERS
II/
Don Hunt, principal of Stanton School, representing the PTA,
stated that an identical letter was sent to the County Com-
missioners and City Council,, because this is a dual problem.
He stated that the recent change of the speed limit on Wash-
ington Avenue by 40th Avenue has increased the traffic on
Lower Ahtanum Road and 3rd Avenue. He stated that the parents
are concerned about the development of Washington Avenue and
the traffic control. He stated that there is a meeting
scheduled on August 25, 1981, with Mark Bontrager, Yakima
School.District, and representatives of.the Police'and Sheriff
Departments to work towards law enforcement on this street.
He stated that speeding isn't so much a problem as the road
being so heavily traveled. Mayor Edmondson stated that
Council will work as best they can to solve this problem. Mr.
Hunt stated that the best way to work through this is through
the School Safety Committee.
*13. ORDINANCE REPEALING A SECTION OF THE MUNICIPAL CODE RELATING TO
WEED ABATEMENT PROGRAM
ORDINANCE NO. 2518, AN ORDINANCE relating to the Fire Code of
the City of Yakima; and repealing Section 10.05.100 of the
City of Yakima Municipal Code relating to the duty to remove
hazardous vegetation and debris.
14. ORDINANCE TO GRANT A SPECIAL IRRIGATION WATER RATE FOR YAKIMA
SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 7
Council member Crest asked that he be excused due to possible
conflict of interest. Ordinance No. 2519, having been read by
title, it was MOVED by Hinman, seconded by Buchanan that the
Ordinance be passed. City Attorney Andrews stated that there
should be a change made in the Ordinance. He stated that
Section 7.68.251 should read as follows: •
Bulk rate for municipal purposes.
A. The charge for domestic water used by the City of Yakima
for filling swimming pools or wading pools in the City
parks and for all City irrigation purposes, and the II/
charges for all domestic water used for irrigation pur-
poses by any municipal corporation which by agreement
with the City makes playgrounds or recreational areas'
available for City park and recreation use shall be as
follows:
First 5,000 cubic feet 10 per cubic foot
Over 5,000 cubic feet 5 per cubic foot
He explained the necessity of the language change, which was
too restrictive. It was MOVED by Doty, seconded by Hinman to
amend Section 1 -- 7.68.251 A wording to be as suggested by
the City Attorney. Carried by 4-1 voice vote. Carmichael
voting nay. Crest not voting due to conflict of interest.
Beauchamp absent. Council member Carmichael spoke in opposi-
tion to this Ordinance. She stated that this reduced rate for
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JUNE 9, 1981
the Parks and Recreation Department was established to
alleviate some financial difficulty the Parks Department was
facing. At that time, it was discussed as to whether this
would open the door for other entities being given this rate.
She commented that one of the reasons for the financial
-difficulty was because the School District pulled out of the
Lion's Pool contract in 1981. The City is going to be
foregoing about $12,000 that would have been received from the
School District. This Ordinance would also save the School
District about $10,000. She stated that other City
Departments were not offered the reduced rate for irrigation.
Mayor Edmondson stated she would vote against the Ordinance
because when this was adopted at budget time if was for a
certain purpose for one year only. At that time we discussed
if it:Was going to include other 'entities and we decided
against it. The question was called for the vote on the
Motion. Carried by 3-2 roll call vote. ,Carmichael and
—Edmondson voting nay. Crest .not ,voting due to conflict of
interest. Beauchamp absent.
ORDINANCE NO. 2519, AN_ORDINANCE relating. to- public services
and utilities; specifying rates for certain customers use of
domestic water for irrigation purposes; and amending
Subsection 7.68.251 A and 7.68.251 B of the City of Yakima
Municipal Code.
15. ORDINANCE REGULATING INSTALLATION OF FIRE PROTECTION SERVICES
Ordinance No. 2520, having been read by title, it was MOVED by
Hinman, seconded by Buchanan that the Ordinance be passed.
Fire Chief Carroll explained the reason for amending this
section of the Code which will eliminate the direct burial of
.a and increase the quality of the system check valve.
The question was called for the vote on the Motion.
Unanimously carried by roll call vote. Beauchamp absent.
ORDINANCE NO. 2520, AN ORDINANCE relating to public services
and utilities; regulating the installation of fire protection
- services; and amending Section 7.68.275 of the City of Yakima
Municipal Code; and declaring an emergency.
16. ORDINANCE AMENDING THE CLASSIFICATION AND COMPENSATION „PLAN J
CITY EMPLOYEES
Council member Doty questioned the reclassification of a Labor
Helper to Transit Service Worker. Assistant City Manager
Wittenberg explained that this is the result of a
classification study performed by the Personnel Division. He
reported that that position's duties were changed from those
duties performed by Labor Helper. Ordinance No. 2521, having
been read by title, it was MOVED by Hinman, seconded by
Carmichael that the Ordinance be passed. Unanimously carried
II/ by roll call vote. Beauchamp absent.
ORDINANCE NO. 2521, AN ORDINANCE relating to City personnel;
adopting a classification and compensation plan for City
employees to be effective July 13, 1981; amending Sections
2.20.100 and 2.20.110 of the City of Yakima Municipal Code.
*17. ORDINANCE APPROPRIATING FUNDS FROM FRS AND CONTINGENCY FUND TO THE
VOLCANO EMERGENCY FUND (SECOND READING)
ORDINANCE NO. 2522, AN ORDINANCE amending the 1981 Budget for
the City of Yakima and appropriating, transferring and
reappropriating money within and among various funds and
accounts, as appropriations for the 1981 City of Yakima
Budget.
*18. ORDINANCE APPROPRIATING FUNDS WITHIN VARIOUS FUNDS AND ACCOUNTS
(FIRST READING)
An Ordinance amending the 1981 Budget and appropriating money
within various funds and accounts, having been read by title
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JUNE 9, 1981
only at this meeting was laid on the table for two weeks or
until June 23, 1981.
19. OTHER BUSINESS
1 •
City Manager Zais asked how much of a Council meeting the
Council would desire next week since the meeting would be
scheduled .at the same time as the AWC Convention. Following
discussion, it was the general consensus of the Council that
unless something important comes up, the next meeting will be
considered cancelled.
INFORMATION ITEMS
Items of information supplied to Council were: memo from City
Manager in response to letter from H. A. Lindley, re ambulance
-service; monthly progress-report for April, 1981, from R. W.
II/
Beck on Wastewater Treatment Plant; emergency activity report
for May, 1981, from the Fire Department; monthly report of
Permit Center for May, 1981; monthly report of Code
Administration Office activities for May, 1981; monthly report
from Yakima Air Terminal for April, 1981; minutes of May 7,
1981, Civil Service Commission Appeal Hearing;-Ietter from Dr.
Don McGuinness, M.D., resigning from the Yakima Parks and
Recreation Commission; and Valley News published by Yakima
Visitors and Convention Bureau. June, 1981.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
•
It was MOVED by Hinman, seconded by Buchanan to move into
Executive Session for the purpose of discussing pending
- litigation and prospective litigation, and then .immediately
adjourn the meeting to meet on June 23, 1981, at 11:30 A.M. at
the County Courthouse to'discuss Urban Area Plan. Unanimously
carried by voice vote. Beauchamp absent.
20. ADJOURNMENT
Upon completion of Executive Session, the meeting was
adjourned at the hour of 9:45 P.M.
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