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HomeMy WebLinkAbout09/04/1979 Business Meeting SEPTEMBER 4, 1979 333 The City Council met in session on this date at 3:00 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 absent. Mayor Edmondson thanked the other Council members for beginning the Council meeting one hour late so that we could welcome the Champion Yakima Beetles home from the American Legion World Series. Councilman Beauchamp reported that he had driven past 516 So. 6th Street and did not see a pile of brush there. He further stated that he drove by 516 No. 6th Street and there is a pile of rubbish at that address. He questioned if it is possible that the fire abatement notice, discussed at the last Council meeting was sent to the wrong address. II/ City Manager Zais stated he would check on it. Council member Lee reported that there was an error in the Herald-Republic Editorial regarding the vote on the motion to reimburse the Mayor's travel to Mississippi. She stated that there was only one nay vote by Wonder. Mayor Edmondson asked Council to reconsider the motion which is something in the past now. She gave a brief report on her travel and the Yakima Beetles. Councilman Beauchamp inquired if action was ever taken regarding the request for a flag in the CBD area requested by the American Legion Auxilliary. Mayor Edmondson stated she would check on it. City Manager Zais introduced Gary DeCoteau, the Affirmative Action Specialist. It was MOVED by Hinman, seconded by Sparling to move into Executive Session for the purpose of discussing collective bargaining: carried, Beaudhamp, Buchanan, Edmondson, Hinman, Lee and Sparling voting aye by voice vote. Wonder absent. Following the Executive Session, Council members discussed the State Examiner's Audit 'Report on the Housing Authority. City Manager Zais stated that this laudit was initiated by the - City several months ago. This was transmitted to the Housing Authority Board and Mr. Hargis' comments are in the Council packet. He reported that Mt Hargis was advised that this would be discussed today and he chose not to attend. He reported that this document and Mr. Hargis' letter was transmitted to the State Attorney General's Office. Mayor Edmondson stated that the City Council created the Housing Authority Board and the only authority invested in the 1Council is to appoint members to the Board. She inquired if Council has any authority regarding the Housing Authority Board dissolution And reconstitution. City Attorney Andrews stated that there aren't any Statutory procedures to dissolve the Housing Authority. She stated there is a State Statute that talks about removal of the Commissioners, which he read. The Commissioners may be removed on the ------ grounds of inefficiency, neglect of duty, or misconduct. Mayor Edmondson stated that na member of the Council is saying that there is any misconduct, but only wants this for their information. Councilman Hinman expressed concern that the Housing Authority has not taken any action on this. Councilman Sparling suggested a_report should be obtained from the Housing Authority Board. Councilman Beauchamp questioned what More information the Housing Authority Board could provide after reporting that the money has been repaid and they are not asking for any resignation. Councilman Hinman stated that they should explain why they are allowing the Director to remain in, that position. Following further discussion, it was the general consensus of the Council to wait and see how the State Attorney General's Office responds to this audit. This being ,the time fixed for the continuation. of the hearing on the Community Development Block Grant Fund, Carol Darby, Director of Community Development, reported that the report on the streets and ditch covering alternatives is not complete. Council member Lee stated that the 312 loan program needs money. She inquired if the money comes from the Block Grant. Ken Crawford, Chief of Housing and Neighborhood Conservation, reported that the 312 money is from a separate fund which is allocated to us from HUD. Council members discussed reducing the street program and Carol Darby stated she could get 'additional information on street funding. It was MOVED by Hinman, seconded by 334 SEPTEMBER 4, 1979 Buchanan to accept the 1980 Community Development budget, as presented, except for the screening of the ditch and street program: carried, Beauchamp, Buchanan, Edmondson, Hinman, Lee and Sparling voting aye by voice vote. Wonder absent. Larry Wright, Principal Planner, stated that the Urban Area Comprehensive Plan was developed by the Regional Planning Commission. It has been reviewed by the Yakima City Planning Commission, who held a public hearing on it. He stated that some of the recommendations were grammatical corrections and also included some energy aRareness and some transportation areas. He stated staff would like Council to adopt this as a policy guide. Staff will not be filing a map with the County Auditor nor enter it with the City Clerk. This is a policy making guide rather than a set document. Carol Darby, Director of Cammunity Development, reviewed the process this will take for approval. The other jurisdictions are reviewing it now and then it will go back to the Joint Board for approval by December, and by early spring, the corrected II/ copy will cane back to Council for final approval. Mayor Edmondson stated that under the Utility narrative, there was a sentence that was not included in this copy that was in the original plan that she feels should be in this narrative, regarding Yakima County's ability to • provide utilities. Miss Darby stated that that can be included. Mayor Edmondson questioned the word "of" under "compatibility", on page 6 which did not fit in the sentence. Mr. Wright stated that that is a typing error. Councilman Hinman expressed concern about putting this into effect all at once, and suggested a public hearing. Miss Darby stated that staff would like to work with this for a while before it is finalized. Mr. Wright stated that staff can't put together a joint subdivision and zoning ordinance without the approval of this document. City Manager Zais stated that this is a preliminary document which may be changed depending on what happens within the next few months. It was MOVED by Beauchamp, seconded by Lee to preliminarily accept this preliminary guide with the changes as given in the Planning Commission report and the two suggestions by the Mayor: carried, Beauchamp, Buchanan, Edmondson, Hinman, Lee and Sparling voting aye by voice vote. Wonder absent. Mayor Edmondson stated that she was concerned about the wording regarding the parks required in low density areas. Council members discussed appointments to boards and commissions, Mayor Edmondson reporting that staff is working out a form that people who are interested in serving on boards'and commissions can complete to give Council information on them. It was MOVED by Lee, seconded; by Buchanan that Don Emerick be reappointed to serve a four year term on the Airport Advisory Commission: carried, Beauchamp, Buchanan, Edmondson, Hinman, Lee and Sperling voting aye by voice vote. Wonder absent. It was MOVED by Lee, seconded by Buchanan that Bill Almon be appointed to serve a four year term on the Airport Advisory Commission: carried, Beauchamp, Buchanan, Edmondson, Hinman, Lee and Sparling voting aye by voice vote. Wonder absent. It was MOVED by Buchanan, seconded by Sperling that Don Heinen be appointed to fill the unexpried term of Mary Snyder to June 6, 1981 on the Airport Advisory Commission: carried, Beauchamp,, Buchanan, Edmondson, Hinman, Lee and Sperling voting aye by voice vote. Wonder absent. After stating that he had spoken with Miguel Rodrigues, it was MOVED by Beauchaup, seconded by Lee that Miguel Rodrigues be appointed to serve on the Human Relations Commission: carried, Beauchamp, Buchanan, Edmondson, Hinman, Lee and Sparling voting aye by voice vote. Wonder absent. Mayor Edmondson reported that Greta Atwood is interested in being reappointed to the Yakima Center Advisory Commission and has been an excellent member of that Ccmmission. It was MOVED by Sperling, II/ seconded by Beauchamp that Greta Atwood be reappointed to serve a four year term on the Yakima Center Advisory Commission: carried, Beauchamp, Buchanan, Edmondson, Hinman, Lee and Sperling voting aye by voice vote. Wonder absent. It was MOVED by Beauchamp to appoint Manuel Olives to the Planning Commission. The notion failed for lack of a second. Councilman Beauchamp stated that Mr. Olives is interested in serving and he indicated he would send a letter. Councilman Sperling expressed interest in obtaining more candidates to choose fram. Larry Wright, Principal Planner, stated that they are having problems in getting a quorum for their meetings. He stated that they want to be sure the people have the time to devote to serve on this commission. Mayor Edmondson reported that she has received a letter from Gilbert Chandler, resigning from the Planning Ccmmission. It was MOVED by Beauchamp, seconded by Buchanan to appoint Linda Platter to the Planning Commission for a four year term. Councilman Hinman stated that he feels uneasy appointing a person just by a resume without knowing her. The question SEPTEMBER 4, 1979 was called for the vote on the motion: Buchanan and Edmondson voting 335 aye by voice vote. Beauchamp, Hinman, Lee and Sparling voting nay. Wonder absent. The motion failed for lack of a majority vote. It was MOVED by Hinman to direct the Mayor to have Mrs. Platter come in for an interview. The motion failed for lack, of a second. It was the general consensus of the Council to have Council members Beauchamp and Lee be a committee of two to meet with these applicants to get more information. It was MOVED by Hinman, seconded by Beauchamp to reappoint Cliff Miller to serve a six year term on the Board of Adjustment: carried, Beauchamp, Buchanan, Edmondson, Hinman, Lee and Sparling voting aye by voice vote. Wonder absent. Following discussion, it was the general consensus of the Council to have staff work up a general application form for appointments to boards and commissions. Councilman Hinman temporarily absent at 5:50 P.M. City Manager Zais stated that Council requested staff to investigate options for creating a special taxing district for the Airport. He stated that that is a technical legal area that the City Attorney could handle, however, he is busy at this time. Staff has talked with our bond consultant, Forrest Walls, who has some expertise and background in this area. City Attorney Andrews reported that Forrest Walls indicated he would be willing to make an analysis and then make suggestions to City as to what legal options would be open for independent financing of the airport. The fee would be on an hourly basis. He indicated that if Council is interested in creating an independent taxing district, it is - required by State Law to be in place by October 1. Council member Lee inquired if we have any money to pay for this. City Manager Zais reported that no funds were budgeted, it would have to come out of contingency funds.. It was MOVED by Sparling, seconded by Lee to engage a special legal counsel for analysis of the special airport levy: carried, Beauchamp, Buchanan, Edmondson, Lee and Sparling voting aye by voice vote. Hinman temporarily absent. Wonder absent. It was the general consensus of the Council to continue for one week the discussion on the :capital cost recovery charge report and cost analysis for refuse bin service. City Manager Zais reported that we discovered too late that the 25 year telephone franchise will soon expire in time to analyze it. It has to be submitted to a'vote of the people. Staff is requesting that Council authorize us to engage an interim permit with the telephone company until we can get together to review the details and put together a renegotiating plan and submit it as a proposition to the electorate. Mayor Edmondson inquired if they can operate without a franchise. City Attorney Andrews stated that Council can adopt a resolution to authorize the telephone company to continue in operation for a period of one year Without a franchise by granting a temporary permit. (Councilman Hinman present after 6:05 PM). It was MOVED by Hinman, seconded by Lee that Resolution No. D4142, granting a permit to Pacific Northwest Bell Telephone Company to continue operation pending reissuance of franchise: carried, Beauchamp; Buchanan, Edmondson, Hinman, Lee and Sparling voting aye by voice vote. Wonder absent. RESOLUTION NO. D-4142, A RESOLUTION granting a permit to Pacific Northwest Bell Telephone Company to occupy City streets and other public places in the City of Yakima for business purposes. Items of information supplied to Council were: legislative update - from United States Conference of Mayors. 8/9/79; monthly report of Chief of Police for July, 1979; and monthly report of Yakima Air Terminal for July, 1979. 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 6:10 P.M.: carried, Beauchamp, Buchanan, Edmondson, Hinman, Lee and Sparling voting aye by voice vote. Wonder absent. READ AND CERTIFIED ACCURATE BY, DATEA 5$4 77 ? , DATE7 e COUNCILMAN ATTEST: - AP!A CITY MA RK -,"•!‘..--"AL.L.---"' • . /r ,YDR