HomeMy WebLinkAbout09/18/1979 Business Meeting SEPTEMBER 18, 1979 341
The City Council net 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 and Jack Sparling present on roll call. Councilman Gordon
Wonder present after 2:10 P.M.
Mayor Edmondson read a letter which was received from the American Red
Cross commending Pat Brady for her efforts in initiating a blood drawing
among City employees, and also commending those employees who gave
blood. The City; Manager and City Council were also commended for
allowing the employees to participate in the blood drawing.
Mayor Edmondson reported that Laurie Rbbillard, representing "Catch '79"
fund raising for Catholic Schools, contacted her asking if Council would
like to enter one Of the catagories to help raise money for "Catch '79."
Following discussion, it was the general consensus of the Council to
II/ respond individually on this matter.
Mayor Edmondson announced that there will be an open house on Wednesday,
September 19, 1979 for the Yakima Specialities, Inc., 9:00 A.M. to 3:00
P.M. She also announced that.the Senior Citizen Center will be holding
an open house in honor of their 6th anniversary on Sunday, September 23,
1979 at 1:30 P.M. Councilman Wonder present after 2:10 P.M. Council
member Lee reported that groundbreaking ceremonies at Yakima Valley
Memorial Hospital will take place at 2:00 P.M. on Wednesday,
September 19, 1979:
Council member Lee reported that she and Councilman Beauchamp have
interviewed two of the candidates interested in-serving on the Planning
Commission. She reported that Manuel Olivas works for Migrant Education
for Washington and resides within the City limits. He has the time to
serve and is interested in serving. She stated that he has a good
background and has a great deal of expertise to bring to the Commission.
She stated that she and Councilman Beauchamp are recommending that he be
appointed to the Planning Commission to serve a four year term filling
the vacancy which occurred when Russ Miller's term expired. She
reported that they also interviewed Jeff. Jensen, who works for Pioneer
National Title CoMpany and. resides within the Citylimits. Mr. Jensen
has the time to serve and is willing to serve. She stated that they
recommend him to fill the unexpired term vacated by Mark Fortier.
Several Council members expressed the desire that more than two
candidates be interviewed. 'Following discussion, it was the general
consensus of the Council to continue this to next week.
City Manager Manager Zais gave the Council two options relating to the
preparation of the budget - does Council wish to have a summary report
on the budget, which could be brought to than in mid-October; or should
staff proceed with preparing a preliminary budget which would cane to
Council approximately the third week of NOveMber. He stated that the
summary would probably raise questions in Council members' minds;
however, it would be more accurate in November. He stated that staff is
following Council's directions in not including any FRS funds and to
make reductions in service. No other new revenue sources are being used
at this time. Councilman Sperling suggested that sane action should be
taken on no hires in the last quarter of this year. City Manager Zais
reported that staff is controlling spending now; however, no blanket
restrictions have been set. Councilman Wonder expressed concern about
the time limit for Council involvement if they wait until November.
Councilman Hinman stated that staff was given directions previously on
the budget and staff can work it out and come back in November. City •
Manager Zais stated that in terms of tine and energy, doing
would involveEsome duplication. It was MOVED by Beauchamp, seconded by
Lee to go the second recommendation City Manager Zais made in terms
of a preliminary budget in November. Councilman Wonder. again expressed
concern about. waiting until the or third week in November before
knowing what the expenditures will. be. Following further discussion,
the question was called for the vote on the motion: - carried, Beauchamp,
Buchanan, Edmondson, Hinman, Lee, and Sparling voting aye by voice vote.
Wonder nay. It .was MOVED by Hinman, seconded by Sperling that if
it looks like we are going to have a cut in a department in January, to
go ahead and do it in this quarter. Following discussion, the question
was called for the vote on the motion: Beauchamp, Buchanan and Sparling
voting aye by voice vote. Edmondson, Hinman, Lee and Wonder voting nay.
The motion failed for lack of a majority vote.
342 SEPTEMBER 18, 1979
Ellis Cummins appeared on behalf of Central Washington State Fair Board
to request extension of the City bus schedule during the Fair week. He
reported that this was discussed with Willis %bite, Public Works
Director, and the only thought that was projected was that it would be
possible if the Central Washington Fair would underwrite the expenses
for this. If the hours of bus service could be extended, it would be a
great boom to the Fair and the people of Yakima. Councilman Wonder
inquired about the cost to extend the bus service. Willis White
distributed material and outlined a 30-60 minute service from downtown
area to the Fair and back. He stated that 30 minute round trip basis on
Sunday and evenings could he arranged. The cost is approximately $20
per hour, so service to the CBD area to the Fair and back from September
28 through October 6 would be approximately $1100. He stated that they
talked about service fran the CBD area to the Fair because of the
traffic and parking situation at the Fairgrounds. Mr. Cummins requested
that the evening schedule be extended until 11:00 P.M. He also stated
that transporting people from the CBD area and the Fair would not reach
as many people. Mr. hbite stated that the cost to extend the bus
service fran 6:00 P.M to 11:00 P.M. is approximately $4,000. Councilman
Hinman questioned if that would be an eligible expense for reimbursement
by UMTA and Mr. White replied in the negative. Mayor Edmondson inquired
if this includes fare box. Mr. White stated that it doesn't, however,
fare box revenues generally recovers only one quarter of the expenses.
Councilman Wonder questioned if this is an eligible item for room tax
funds to help defray the cost. City Manager Zais stated that Legal
would have to research this question. Councilman Wonder stated that
this is going to benefit the Fair and the Fair Board and inquired if
they would be willing to underwrite one half of the cost. Mr. Cummins
stated that he would like to take this question back to the Fair Board.
Councilman members discussed one half hour service vs. one hour service
and Mr. White stated that there would be one hour service unless one
half hour service was justified. It was MOVED. by Hinman, seconded by
Lee that staff be given authority to work out an agreement with the Fair
Board and look at some funding within the City that could pay for it and
bring it back to Council next week. Councilman Sparling stated that it
would have to be advertised so that people will use it. Mr. Cummins
stated that they would like to advertise it as soon as a decision is
made. The question was called for the vote on the motion: carried,
Beauchamp, Buchanan, Edmondson, Hinman, Lee, Sparling.and Wonder voting
aye by voice vote.
Yakima School District gave a slide presentation on the various programs
the schools offer and the relationship between the school and the
parents. Following the presentation, Mayor Edmondson thanked them for
their presentation.
Council members discussed the cost and funding of the Christmas
decorations. Willis White, Public Works Director, stated that the cost
for materials has been reduced fran $9,300 to $1,000; labor costs to put
the materials together is estimated to be about $1,000; contingency of
$2,000 and labor costs in the Street and Traffic Engineering is $7,500.
Council discussed the Christmas decorations to be used. Lee Semon,
representing the DARC Canmittee, expressed two concerns. The Christmas
decorations cost $12,000 and it would be a shame not to put them up. He
also stated that this proposal was to be covered by excess funds in the
PBIA Fund. He stated that he has been told that there aren't any excess
funds in that account. He stated that when the PBIA was formed, the
City came up with $550,000 matching money for redevelopment of the
downtown area. PBIA pays the City $60,000 yearly and of that money,
$5,000 was to be used for promotion of downtown area and Christmas
decorations. If there is an excess of $10,000 to cover this proposal,
where is the money that was to be used for promotion of the downtown
area? He stated that each year there is a deficit of $98, without the
$5,000 for promotion. Jean Groth, Finance Department, explained the
PBIA Fund and the balance in the account. Councilman Wonder stated that
there is a fixed assessment per employee and it can't be raised, so the
only way the fund will grcw is by having more employees work in the CBD
area. Therefore, if there is a little bit of a balance left to carry
forward, it should be saved in case it is needed. Councilman Beauchamp
asked what other choices are there besides PBIA funding. City Manager
Zais stated that the individual departments involved could be asked to
absorb the expenses or allocate funding from contingency reserve or give
it back to the businessmen. Councilman Wonder inquired if there is any
passibility of tieing the Christmas decorations in with tourist
promotion. Mr. Senon stated that the businessmen handled the Christmas
decorations in the past, however, they did not have a $1,000 tO put the
SEPTEMBER 18, 1979 343
decorations up and take them dcwn so they asked for volunteers. It was
MOVED by Lee, seconded by Wonder to give the Christmas decoration
project back to the businessmen. Mayor Edmondson stated that Council
made some commitments to the Christmas Festival Committee and they went
out and purchased banners for this year. Mr. Semon reported that the
PBIA was told that when they get to the place where they have $60,000 in
their fund, then $5,000 was for promotion and Christmas decorations.
Council member Lee withdrew her motion and Councilman Wonder withdrew
his second. Following discussion, it was MOVED by Hinman, seconded by
Wonder to ask staff to explore Councilman Wonder's_suggestion of using
room tax funds and see if it would he eligible to fund Christmas
decorations from now on. Councilman Hinman stated that he thinks the
Christmas decoratiOns should be put on a match basis with the downtown
businessmen. Councilman Wonder then withdrew his second to the motion,
stating that he also wants to put it on a match basis.. The motion was
then seconded by Beauchanp: carried, Beauchamp, Buchanan, Edmondson,
Hinman, Lee and Sperling voting aye by voice vote. Wonder voting nay.
Mr. Semon stated that a lot of money has been spent on the downtown area
and it now looks terrible. He spoke about the litter and about the
condition of the plantings.
It was MOVED by Lee, seconded by Buchanan to go into Executive Session
for the purpose of discussing pending litigation: carried, Beauchamp,
Buchanan, Edmondson, Hinman, Lee, Sparling and Wonder voting aye by
voice vote. -
_
Upon canpletion of Executive Session, City Manager Zais informed the
Council of the difficulties staff has experienced in trying to hire a
City Engineer. He reported that the position has been offered to three
candidates and all three have declined the position .based on salary and
management benefits. He stated that staff is in the process of making a
management analysis which should come to Council in October and is in
the process of internal factoring of responsibilities and duties. The
City Engineer position was factored, and based on that, it is
recommended that the salary range be raised to a maximum of $28,389.
lialmrAImprid§pn stated,that theapplicants „applied knowing the present
salary range. Carol Darby, Director of Comrnunity iieNielOpm and City
Zalsitsipongkeithabaotutwhseonnethifrsinwgaes iitdserheedinigmothffeelistbyitothwaers
cities which would compensate for the lower salary. It was MOVED by
Sparling, seconded' by Hinman to raise the maximum ccmpensation for the
position of City Engineer, as recommended by staff: carried, Beauchamp,
Buchanan, EdmondsOn, Hinman, Lee, Sparling and Wonder voting aye by
voice vote.
Carol Darby, Director of Community Development, informed Council that
staff is negotiating with APCOA regarding their lease for parking at the
Airport, which expired the beginning of August. Since then, they have
been operating on a verbal agreement and now want to formalize that
agreement. She also suggested that Council consider increasing the
parking rates. The existing rates are as follows: 0-1 hour - -2% each
additional hour is 10; daily maximum is $1.50 and weekly basis is
$7.50. The rates proposed are as follaes: 0-1 hour --35', -3% each
additional hour would be 15; daily maximum would be $2.00 and weekly
would be $10.00. 1 Councilman Wonder expressed concern about the rate
Illargeee , b enefits
discovered that APCOA would make the first $10,000 then the City would
get more money. Carol Darby explained the agreement, reporting that it
would not be the case in the instance. She also explained the parking
validation agreement with Frasu's Restaurant and stated that staff would
like APCOA to take over that relationship. Following discussion, it was
MOVED by Hinman, seconded by Buchanan to authorize staff to prepare
legislation to extend the lease with APCOA for two months, with the new
rates: carried, Beauchamp, Buchanan, Edmondson, Hinman, Lee, Sparling
and Wonder voting aye by voice vote.
City Manager Zais reported that the appraisal on the Larson Garage,
performed by Ralph Korn, has been received and staff is ncw examining
it. A report will come to Council later.
Robert Brown, 110 No. 56th Avenue, referred to a newspaper article in
the Herald-Republic regarding possible cutbacks in the Police and Fire
Departments. He questioned haw Council can afford to appeal the Safeway
decision. If the City is not going to pay the appeal costs, he
questioned who is. He requested Council to consider dropping the
appeal. Mayor Edmondson stated that this is still a matter for
Executive Session and therefore no comments may be given.
• 344 SEPTEMBER 18, 1979
Items of information supplied to Council were: letter from Mr. and Mrs.
L. J. Records re Housing Authority employee. 9/7/79; letter from
Preston, ThorgrimSon,,Ellis, Holman and Fletcher - Forrest W. Walls re
independent methods of financing the City of Yakima AiLport. 9/5/79;
Minutes of Yakima Housing Authority meeting on discussion on Moderate
Rehab Program. .8/14/79; minutes of Yakima Housing Authority meeting of
August 15, 1979; notice of appeal-Safeway Stores, Inc. v. the City of
Yakima. 9/13/79; AWC Bulletin re Elected Officials and Key City Staff
Members 'encouraged to attend AWC Fall "Mini Convention". 9/10/79; and
Yakima Valley Conference of Governments newsletter-9/4/79.
There being no further business to cane before the Council, it was MOVED
by Buchanan, seconded by ,Hinman that this meeting be adjourned at the
hour of 6:30 P.M.: carried, Beauchamp, Buchanan, Edmandson, Hinman,
Lee,-Sparling and Wonder voting aye by voice vote.
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READ AND CERTIFIED ACCURATE DATEq6V
DATE/Op/77
COUNCILMAN
ATTEST:
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- CITY elm RK ( MAYOR
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