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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 II/ 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. .B1 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. 2 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 L. 33 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 II/ 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. READ AND CERTIFIED ACCURATE Alâ–  AA. Aki DATE/6 lesUNCIL p R DATE 4, COUNCI MEMBER ATTEST: I CITY .07 RK /6411X:E4Wrne444/