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
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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
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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.
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