HomeMy WebLinkAbout10/06/1981 Study Session ASO
OCTOBER 6, 1981
STUDY SESSION
The City Council met in session on this date at 2:00 P.M. in the Council
Chambers of City Hall, Yakima, Washington. Council members present were
Mayor Betty L. Edmondson, Clarence Barnett, Henry Beaudhamp, Lynn
BuChanan, Lynn Carmichael, Shirley Doty and Don Hinman.
1. OPEN DISCUSSION FOR THE GOOD OF THE ORDER
Mayor Edmondson mentioned that John Darker, an active,
innovative employee for 22 years who worked in the Sewer
Division, died and his funeral will be held tomorrow.
Mayor Edmondson referred to the letter from Mr. Mercy
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regarding street light bond issue and stated that staff will
answer that appropriately and asked if Council wants to refer
this to the Downtown Area Redevelopment Advisory Cammittee.
It was the general consensus that that is not necessary.
Council member Doty mentioned that the Action Alliance Group
will be holding a series of lectures on Monday evenings in
November regarding economics. Elizabeth Miller, Action
Alliance Group, had said that if Council were interested, they
might try to prioritize how they would try to deal with some
of the cuts that are being required by some of the agencies
and they make a presentation on that. It was the general
consensus of the Council to accept that offer.
Council member Beauchamp asked about the yield sign at the
intersection of S. 8th Street and Adams by Adams School.
Larry Wright, Acting Director of Community and Economic
Development, stated that a staff report will be coming to
Council soon on that subject. Mayor Edmondson inquired if
that intersection was one that was slated for a yield sign
rather than a stop sign in an attempt to save energy.
2. STATUS REPORT ON CABLE TELEVISION ACTIVITIES
Bruce Crest, Cable TV Coordinator, stated that Cox Cable is
operating routinely. He stated that during the last year, Cox
did complete ten miles of underground cable and in 1982, they
plan to do three miles, which should complete the underground
cable lines. He reported he expects both frandhise's revenues
will increase. He stated he expects a rate increase in 1982,
which should came to Council in about one month. The rate
increase is regulated as Council deems it necessary,
otherwise, it is automatic. He stated he will find out why
they are requesting a rate increase after he receives notice
of the rate increase. Council member Carmichael stated that
it would be hard to regulate the rate increase after it has
become effective. He stated that the franchise does not speak
specifically to the rate increase, however, it would not go
into effect until January. He commented that the Cable TV
companies do not want to come before the Council and justify
their rate increases, so the rate increases probably won't be
that high. He further commented that the regulatory
jurisdiction is only on the basic rate. Mayor Edmondson
suggested that the Legal Department find out if they have to
advise Council in advance about rate increases. City Attorney
Andrews stated he can lock at the franchise for information
About the rate increase. He stated that the Council can't
veto the rate increase. There was discussion regarding Cox
Cable completing their lines to the hospitals and Fairbrook
Addition. Bruce Crest stated that the schools will have cable
available, but not the hospitals and nursing homes. He
reported that the balance of the underground work will be
completed next year. He stated there isn't anything connected
at City Hall or the Courthouse, however, they are ready to
install it as soon as we ask for it. He stated he would like
to have it in order to monitor it. He stated they have .put in
connections at all the Fire Stations, at no cost, which was
not required. He commented that if the FCC de-regulates the
rates, then it would be up to the Council to regulate them.
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OCTOBER 6, 1981
Mt Crest stated that there are some potential problems with
Yakima Valley Cablevision and staff may need additional funds
to work through that problem. He reported that Cox Cable has
offered the City some air time for announcements, starting
tomorrow. City Manager Zais stated that while he was in
Anaheim for the City Manager's conference, he attended a
two-day Workshop on Cable TV. He spoke about how good the
public access program government service channel in Brea, CA
and Madison, Wisconsin is. He also spoke about internal
training opportunities using Cable TV.
3. STATUS REPORT ON TRANSIT AND REFUSE
City Manager Zais stated that at the time the six month budget
II/ report was given to Council, there were some questions and
concerns regarding the transit and refuse budgets. Willis
White, Director of Public Works, reported that although fare
box revenue was originally estimated at a 44% increase, they
are actually coming in at about a 30% increase. Council
member Barnett inquired if the fare increase contemplated for
1982 is still being considered even after the increase of the
sales tax. Mr. White stated that the fare box should be
bringing in About 25% of the operating costs. There were some
concerns expressed by several Council members regarding
recommending the increase of bus fares in 1982. City Manager
Zais shared some information with the Council that he had
gathered at the Conference he attended, which indicated that
transit fares 'across the country were too low. He stated the
speaker had' that the national statistics indicate that
the fare box covered about 40% of the operating costs and 50%
was their goal for next year. He stated there have been
several case law determinations which apply to the 13C
provisions which are pre-empting local labor agreements.
Council member Hinman reported that in the National League of
Cities workshop he attended, he learned that the larger cities
receive -more fran their fares, however, the smaller cities
receive less money from their fares, and Yakima is about
average when you consider the size of our system. Mr. White
reported on the Refuse Budget, stating that $914,000 was
budgeted for 1981 and there has been $20,000 of unanticipated
expenses in 1980, which was paid in 1981. He stated there was
a decrease of expenditures of $20,000 and the revenues are
down by about $20,000, but we plan to finish the year with a
carryover of about $11,000.
BUSINESS MEETING
4. ROLL CALL
At 3:20 P.M., the Council members commenced the regular
meeting, Mayor Betty L. Edmondson presiding, Council members
Barnett, Beauchamp, Buchanan, Carmichael, Doty and Hinman and
City Manager Zais and City Attorney Fred Andrews present on
roll call.
5. INVOCATION
The Invocation was given by Council member Buchanan.
6. 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.
Mayor Edmondson requested that Item No. 8 be removed fran the
Consent Agenda. Council member Beauchamp requested that
Items No. 11 and 12 be removed fran the Consent Agenda. The
Acting 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. Unanimously carried by roll call vote.
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OCTOBER 6, 1981
(Subsequent paragraphs preceded by an asterisk ( *) indicate
its on the Consent Agenda handled under one motion without
further discussion.)
7. MINUTES
Mayor Edmondson requested that the September 8, 1981 Council
minutes should be corrected on the 5th page, Item No. 20 to
read "National League of Cities Conference in Detroit ". It
was MOVED by Hinman, seconded by Doty that the minutes of
September 8, 1981, as corrected and the minutes of September
14, 1981, be approved. Unanimously carried by voice vote.
9. AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION
Mayor Edmondson read the following proclamations:
1. "Share a Song Week ", October 5 -9, 1981;
2. "National Family Sex Education Week ", October 5 -9, 1981;
3. "J.M. Perry Days ", October 7 & 8, 1981;
4. "Republic of China Day ", October 10, 1981.
10. RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING EASEMENT VACATION AT 1117 AND 1119 PLEASANT
Resolution No. D -4533, having been read by title, it was MOVED
by Hinman, seconded by Carmichael to adopt the resolution.
Mr. Clem Enright, owner of the property, briefed Council on
the easement vacation. The question was called for the vote
on the motion. Unanimously carried by roll call vote.
RESOLUTION NO. D -4553, A RESOLUTION vacating a portion of a
public utility easement.
11. RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING ADDENDUMS TO CONSULTANT CONTRACT FOR SEWER
RATE STUDY
Council member Beauchamp requested clarification on what
"spending packages" meant. City Manager Zais explained that
the consultant had provided the City with various levels of
alternative budget revenue adjustments that can be made for
the spending patterns that are ultimately needed. He also
explained that it did not tie in with litigation or the use of
the present wastewater facility but to the future operation
and maintenance of the facility beginning in 1982. Council
member Barnett requested clarification on when the Utility
Rate Advisory Board's review of the sewer rate study was due?
Denny Covell, Director of Engineering and Utilities, advised
that they had hoped to study the sewer rate study in depth the
last week of October. Council member Beauchamp requested
clarification on what strong waste meant. Denny Covell
explained that it was waste from restaurants, chemical
factories, food processing plants, or, rather solid wastes.
The resolution having been read by title, it was MOVED by
Buchanan, seconded by Doty to adopt the resolution.
Unanimously carried by roll call vote.
RESOLUTION NO. D -4554, A RESOLUTION authorizing the City
Manager and City Clerk of the City of Yakima to execute
Addendums No. 1 and 2 to the agreement for professional
services between the City of Yakima and Brown and Caldwell for
consulting engineering services.
12. RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING ADDENDUM AGREEMENT WITH PRIME COMPUTER, INC.
Council member Beauchamp questioned the difference in cost of
obtaining the printer between PRIME and Printonix. Larry
Wittenberg, Assistant City Manager, explained that if the City
purchased a printer of comparable capability from PRIME,
rather than Printonix, it would cost $9,000 more. Then if we
choose to lease that over the 59 months that are indicated,
which is the same period we are utilizing for the other PRIME
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OCTOBER 6, 1981
computer components, the lease cost would have been higher.
He stated that since our purchase cost is $9,000 lower, the
City will be realizing less monthly lease cost that has to be
put into the budget next year. The resolution having been
read by title, it was MOVED by Hinman, seconded by Beauchamp
to adopt the resolution. Unanimously carried by voice vote.
RESOLUTION NO. D-4555, A RESOLUTION authorizing and directing
the City Manager and City Clerk of the City of Yakima to
execute an addendum agreement with Prime Camputer, Inc.
*13. RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING TRANSFER OF CITY PROPERTY
RESOLUTION NO. D-4556, A RESOLUTION declaring certain real
property as surplus, and authorizing its conveyance to the
City of Yakima Housing Authority.
*14. RESOLUTIONS AUTHORIZING PAYMENT OF DAMAGE CLAIMS
a. RESOLUTION NO. D-4557, A RESOLUTION authorizing the
payment of $140.72 to Ted Parnell in settlement of a
claim for damages filed with the City of Yakima.
b. RESOLUTION NO. D-4558, A RESOLUTION - authorizing the
payment of $31.56 to Myrl J. Sanders in settlement of a
claim for damages filed with the City of Yakima.
*15. ORDINANCE APPROPRIATING MONEY WITHIN THE AIRPORT IMPROVEMENT FUND
(SECOND READING)
ORDINANCE NO. 2554, AN ORDINANCE amending the 1981 Budget for
the City of Yakima and appropriating money within 361-Airport
Improvement Fund for expenditure during the year 1981.
16. ORDINANCE AMENDING CLASSIFICATION AND COMPENSATION PLAN FOR CITY
EMPLOYEES
Council member Beauchamp requested clarification on what the
position change is re Clara Sanders' position. City Manager
Zais advised that staff had recommended to the Civil Service
Commission a change in that position from 12.5 to 15, and the
Civil Service Commission, upon reviewing the staff report and
listening to the presentation by the employee and the AFSCME
Union Representative, elected to recommend to Council a range
of 15. Mr. Zais advised that there had been a compromise
between the employee's request for 15.5 and staff's
recannendation for 14.5. The Ordinance having been read by
title, it was MOVED by Beauchamp, seconded by Buchanan to pass
the ordinance. Unanimously carried by roll call vote.
ORDINANCE NO. 2555, AN ORDINANCE relating to City personnel;
adopting a classification and compensation plan for the City
e:::: to be effective November 7, 1981; amending Sections
2.20.100 and 2.20.110 of the City of Yakima Municipal Code.
17. OTHER
Council member Doty requested Council's viewpoint on their
attendance at the National League of Cities Convention. She
stated that due to the tight budget and the fact that most of
the budgeted travel monies had been depleted by the trip to
Washington, D.C., she advised that Council should look
seriously at not attending. No action was taken at this time.
City Attorney Andrews reported on the time schedules to be met
in regards to the 16th & Lincoln intersection improvement and
filing for a grant with the State Urban Arterial Board. He
- stated that by October 15, 1981, the time will have passed,
mainly the actual filing of the certificate of condemnation.
He stated that due to conflicts with other cases, he is
recommending that the law firm of Lyon, Beaulaurier, Weigand,
Suko & Gustafson be retained. He commented that their
attorney fees would be covered by the grant. It was MOVED by
Hinman, seconded by Carmichael to retain the attorneys.
Unanimously carried by voice vote.
OCTOBER 6, 1981
City Manager Zais advised Council that staff may be bringing
another emergency resolution for their approval to make
repairs on a bus which was involved in a traffic accident this
afternoon.
ITEMS OF INFORMATION
Memo from Acting Community and Econanic Development Director
re 1981 CDBG Application. 10/1/81; memo from Alice Badhison,
Police Officer, re Sunfair Parade. 9/28/81; letter from
Junior Amusement Company re street light bond issue. 9/28/81;
memo from Yakima Valley WeC Bureau re Report of Membership
Revenue; letter from Pacific Northwest Pollution Control
Association re selection of John Fisher as 1981 Washington
State PNPCA Operator of the Year. 9/25/81; letter from
Chamber of Commerce thanking Henry Hein, Traffic Engineer, for
his participation in Aviation Industry Day. 9/25/81; monthly
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report of Chief of Police for the month of August, 1981;
article from Wall Street Journal re "New Taste for Small-Town
Living Helps Restore Pride to Neglected Main Streets; article
from Wall Street Journal dated 9/22/81; Yakima Fire Department
Emergency Activity Report for SepteMber, 1981; Board of
Adjustment minutes of September 22, 1981; Utility Rate
Advisory Board minutes of September 14, 1981; Yakima Center
Advisory Canmission minutes of September 16, 1981; Civil
Service Canmission minutes of September 3, 1981.
18. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to came before the Council, it
was MOVED by Hinman, seconded by Budhanan that this meeting be
adjourned at the hour of 4:10 P.M. Unanimously carried by
voice vote.
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