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HomeMy WebLinkAbout10/16/1979 Business Meeting October 16, 1979 361 The City Council met in session on this date at 2:00 P.M. in the Council .Chambers of City Hall, Yakima, Washington; Mayor Betty L. Edmondson presiding, Council members Henry Beauchamp, Lynn Buchanan, Don Hinman, Nadine Lee, Jack Sparling and Gordon Wonder present on roll call. In answer to Councilman Beauchamp's inquiry regarding the status of the American Legion Auxiliary request for a flag in the CBD area, Mayor Edmondson reported that the Auxiliary was taking it back to the other Auxiliaries to possibly raise some money for the flag; then they were going to report back to staff. Mayor Edmondson advised Council that she will be out-of-town from October 27 through November 17 and suggested that an Assistant Mayor be appointed for that period of time. It was MOVED by Hinman, seconded by Buchanan to appoint Council member Nadine Lee as Assistant Mayor for those three weeks: carried, Beauchamp, Buchanan, Edmondson, Hinman, Lee, Sparling and Wonder voting aye by voice vote. Referring to the report received from the Garfield School area neighborhood group and a petition received regarding weed control by the 16th Avenue entrance to the Airport, Mayor Edmondson stated that these communications have been referred to staff and a report will cane back to Council. Council member Lee stated that as President of the Retired Senior Volunteer Program, she will have to leave for a short time so that she may attend a United Way Allocation Committee meeting. Councilman Hinman questioned why there is a blinking red light signal on Yakima and 16th Avenues. Carol Darby, Director of Community Development reported that the control unit was damaged in an accident and another one is on order: Councilman Wonder stated that he would like to discuss the letter received from the Yakima Housing Authority Board, stating that he did not believe all the events are accurate. Council members discussed the meeting with the Housing Authority Board members which occured in March, at which time Council expressed concern regarding the Director's actions. Councilman Wonder stated that he was concerned about the impact the situation may have on the City, relating to federal funds. (Council member Lee temporarily absent after 2 :20 p.m.) City Manager Zais reported that the City had verbal conversation with HUD and we have requested an official statement from them on this matter. It was MOVED by Wonder, seconded by Buchanan that Council go on record as requesting the urgency of this question being answered by HUD regarding the liability of the Council in this matter: carried, Beauchamp, Buchanan, Edmondson, Hinman, Sparling and Wonder voting aye by voice vote. Lee temporarily absent. Councilman Hinman gave his opinion regarding the matter stating that the Housing' Authority has not denied that the Director has not done any of the things that were revealed by the Audit. The Housing Authority is refusing to supervise its employees. He stated that the Council is the only one in the City who has any control over the Housing Authority and he thinks Council should begin action and notify then that Ithey should be removed. Councilman Wonder suggested that Council get some legal advice and it was the general consensus of the Council to go into Executive Session'when Council member Lee is present. Willis Wriite, Public Works Director, reviewed the information in the Council packet regarding Speas' application for connection to the City's sanitary sewer .system. After review by the- Office of Code Administration and Department of Public Works, staff recommends that the connection be made. Mr. Wriite requested Council direction on two policies which would apply to any industrial user wishing to connect to the sanitary sewer. He stated that those industries that are on the industrial system' had committed in the past to certain improvements to the sewer system paying on an annual basis. He stated that staff is asking that Council approve a policy that when a firm changes from the industrial system'+' and goes onto the sanitary sewer, that they retire their debt. He stated that in this instance, that amount is $46,000. He also reported that 8,000 pounds BOD was reserved for the industrial waste users, of which Speas would represent approximately 1,000 pounds. 362 October 16, 1979 He stated he would like to make it a policy that when a firm transfers to this sanitary sewer that its reserved allotment of the BOD loading capacity be transferred also. Councilman Wbnder inquired why Speas wants to make this change. Willis White stated that Speas operates year-round and so 50% of their waste is already being treated though the plant. Following discussion, it was MOVED by Hinman, seconded by Beauchamp to adopt the two policy recommendations by staff regarding industries disconnection from the industrial waste system and connection to the sanitary sewer system: carried, Beauchamp, Buchanan, Edmondson, Hinman, Sparling and Wbnder voting aye by voice vote. Lee absent. An Ordinance amending the 1979 budget, appropriating transferring and reappropriating $15,000 for Capitol Theatre Litigation, having been read by title only previously, it was MOVED by Wonder, seconded by Sparling that Ordinance No. 2342 amending the 1979 budget, appropriating, transferring and reappropriating $15,000, be passed: carried, Beauchamp, Buchanan, Edmondson, Hinman, Sparling and Wbnder voting aye II/ on roll call. Lee absent. ORDINANCE NO. 2342, AN ORDINANCE amending the 1979 budget for the City of Yakima; and appropriating, transferring and reappropriating the amount of $15,000 as an appropriation for the 1979 City of Yakima Budget. Larry Wright, Principal Planner, reviewed the preliminary annexation policy. He stated that staff's goal is to provide for the planned expansion of the City in a manner compatible with the City's ability to expand and provide the full range of City services and facilities. He referred to a map which indicates the high, medium and low priority areas for annexation. He stated that the City has a tremendous extension of utility services outside the City Limits, which is not common. He reviewed alternative approaches the City could use, listed on page 20 of the report. The alternatives suggested are: disincorporation, freeze City Limits, formation of metropolitan jurisdiction, immediate annexation election, or follow the policies given under the goals and policies section of this report. (Council member Lee present after 3:25 p.m.) Councilman Wonder expressed concern regarding the Outside Utility Agreement and its lack of enforcement capability regarding the annexation requirement. City Attorney Andrews stated that he does not know of one instance where that specific convenant regarding annexation has been tested in court. He stated that it is his opinion that that is a valid and enforcable agreement. It was MOVED by Hinman, seconded by Buchanan that staff be directed to further develop the goals and policies as set forth in their report: carried, Beauchamp, Buchanan, Edmondson, Hinman, Lee, Sparling and Wonder voting aye by voice vote. It was MDVED by Wonder, seconded by Hinman to move into Executive Session for the purpose of discussing the Housing Authority appointees: carried, Beauchamp, Buchanan, Edmondson, Hinman, Lee, Sparling and Wonder voting aye by voice vote. Following the conclusion of the Executive Session:, Hank Hein, Supervising Traffic Engineer, referred to a map which indicates the placement of street lights and the type of lighting it is. He reported II/ on the advantages and disadvantages of the different bulbs and recommended the high pressure sodium type. He showed some slides which he had taken of the different street lights and spoke of their efficiency. (Councilman Wonder absent after 5:00 P.M) He referred to page 6 of his report stating that the payback was calculated to be about 4.2 years, converting to the high pressure sodium lights. Eva Ford, 703 No. Naches Avenue, reported her concerns about the 700 block of No. Naches Avenue not having any lighting. She reported that several years ago when the other lighting was installed on Naches Avenue, the neighbors questioned why a light wasn't installed on their block and were told that it would cost $10,000. Mary Kirby and Mr. and Mrs. Melville were also present regarding this issue. It was the general consensus of the Council to request staff to look into why lighting was not installed in the 700 block of No. Naches Avenue and to bring back a recommendation. Carol Darby, Director of Community Development, reviewed staff's recommendations as given in the report on the bulb recommendation lighting standArds, and lighting levels. Council next discussed the financing of the street lighting program. Councilman Hinman suggested councilmatic bonds. Hank Hein stated that approximately $40,000 could be saved, even adding almost 300 lights. Carol Darby suggested several alternatives - FAM funding, 1.A gas tax, October 16, 1979 363 increase the utility tax (2% increase would generate $150,000 annually), household tax (about 66 a month) or City-wide or specialized L.I.D.'s. Mayor Edmondson questioned hcw long it would take to implement this program. Mr. Hein stated that it would he phased in over a five year period. Councilman Hinman stated he would like a report on the councilmatic bond possibility. It was MOVED by Hinman, seconded by Buchanan to accept the staff's recommendations on bulbs and lighting levels and come back with additional options on financing: carried, Beauchamp, Buchanan, Edmondson, Hinman, Lee and Sparling voting aye by voice vote. Wonder absent. It was MDVED by Buchanan, seconded by Sparling to move into Executive Session for the purpose of discussing collective bargaining and then adjourn the meeting: carried, Beauchamp, Buchanan, Edmondson, Hinman, Lee, and Sparling voting aye by voice vote. Wonder absent. Items of information supplied to Council were: memo from Director of Finance & Budget re EDA Audit-Dogntown Project. 10/11/79; Revenue Sharing for States: An Endangered Species; Petition fran residents and property owners along 16th Avenue re entrance to City fran Yakima City Air Terminal; Outside Utility request for Sewer & Water, by William and Mary Scott. 10/5/79; Outside Utility request for sewer, by Debora Nelson. 10/8/79; Letter fran Visitors & Convention Bureau re Initiative 19. 10/4/79; minutes of Yakima Housing Authority meeting of Sept. 11, 1979; monthly report of Police Chief LaRue for Sept. 1979; monthly report for August, 1979 re Yakima Air Terminal; and COG Monthly Newsletter - October 5, 1979. Upon completion of the Executive Session, and there being no further business to come before the Council, it was MOVED by Buchanan, seconded by Lee that this meeting be adjourned at the hour of 6:15 p.m.: carried, Beauchamp, Buchanan, Edmondson, Hinman, Lee and Sparling voting aye by voice vote. Wonder absent. /%7 / READ AND CERTIFIED ACCURATE BY 6= 'DATE 13 ISV DATE COUNCILMAN ATTEST: er / 4 , T? ' • A 1'' CITY o r- MAYOR I/