HomeMy WebLinkAbout11/20/1979 Business Meeting 384
NOVEMBER 20, 1979
The City Council met in session on this date at 4:00 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 Gordon Wonder present on roll call. Councilman Jack
Sparling absent.
Art Zerbach, Director of Finance and Budget, referred to his memo re-
garding consideration of legislation re Downtown Area Redevelopment
Committee and stated that after talking to Mr. Lee Semon and others in
the downtown area that it has been brought to his attention that the
duties listed may be too restrictive. The function of DARC goes beyond
the parking and into the economic development of the downtown. He also
noted that the last item in his memo stated that all meetings are open
to the public, and that the meetings may not always be public. City
Attorney Fred Andrews stated that he had discussed this with Art, and
that the Open Meeting Law does not apply to such a committee as DARC
--which is advisory and non-decision making. Council members discussed
the memo and recommended several changes in the outline regarding the
references to parking facilities and parking enforcement in the downtown
core area -- indicating that the words "parking facilities", should be
deleted from Item No 1 under (I) Duties, as the Committee should be
interested in all development within the downtown core area, and add to
Item No. 3, besides parking, "other concerns". There were some ques-
tions regarding Item No. II, Committee Structure. Councilman Beauchamp
asked about having a small business serve on the Committee. Lee Semon
stated that there had been some problems in getting these persons to
serve, but that not putting them on the Committee does not preclude them
from participating in the meeting. City Attorney Andrews referred to
the terms of the members as stated under No. II, Committee Structure,
and asked if it could be reworded to state that one of the four property
owner's term be for a four year term, and the members approved for the
terms drawn, not to exceed themselves more than once. After discussion,
it was MOVED by Hinman, seconded by Wonder that the proper legislation
be prepared to establish a formal Downtown Area Redevelopment Committee,
incorporating the suggested changes: carried, Beauchamp, Buchanan,
Edmondson, Hinman, Lee and Wonder voting aye by voice vote. Sparling
absent.
The DARC Committee outline, as submitted, with proposed changes, is:
I. Duties
1. Study, consider and recommend plans for development
within the downtown core area.
2. Review on an ongoing basis current legislation pertaining
to downtown area parking enforcement; provide recommenda-
tions related thereto.
3. Identify issues and problems related to parking and other
concerns and recommend policies with regard thereto.
4. Perform other related activities as requested by the City
Council.
II. Committee. Structure
1. Four property owners (one from each super block).
2. Four business persons (one from each super block).
3. One banking representative.
4. One utility company representative.
5. One at large representative.
Terms of three members expire each year with initial terms
drawn by lot. One term to be a four year term. Members
approved for the terms drawn, cannot succeed themselves more
than once.
385
NOVEMBER 20, 1979
III. Meetings
1.. Shall hold, at least one meeting every three months.
2. Missing three consecutive meetings, disqualifies as
member unless excused by majority of other members.
The report from Gini Heintzman concerning the Yakima Valley. Transporta-
tion Exchange was continued for one week.
Larry Wright, Principal Planner, reported on the Arctic Circle Project
on 40th Avenue and Nob Hill Boulevard, reviewing previous action by the
Planning Commission and City Council. Previously it was the general
consensus, that there should be limited access, which conditions were
agreed to by Arctic Circle. Before the construction was finished, the
Planning,staff was asked to let the Arctic Circle go ahead and open.
During the week the same condition that was applied and accepted earlier
was not followed. They have installed a double faced sign which encour-
ages entrance from Nob Hill Boulevard. The terms were that the sign was
supposed to be for right turns only for eastbound traffic. As it is
now, the traffic is consistently backed up. Also, field investigators .
found that crossing from the 7-11 Store to the Arctic Circle is ex-
tremely dangerous.: Mr. Wright .stated that the staff recommends that the
barrier should be, put in as rapidly as possible. It was MOVED by Hin-
man, seconded by Wonder that the recommendation of the staff be accep-
ted, and that replacement of this barrier should be immediately imple-
mented: carried, Beauchamp, Buchanan, Edmondson, Hinman, Lee and Wonder
voting aye by voice vote. Sparling absent.
City Manager ZaiS reviewed the Management Compensation and Classifica-
tion Study, explaining that an evaluation system has been developed for
evaluating Division Managers, and that the report, salary adjustments
recommended, and proposed evaluation format, are the results. of an in-
volved process that considers compensation awards to management and the
City's bargaining:units since 1972, and also compares management posi-
tions both internally through a job. factoring analysis, and externally
against similar conditions on a State-wide, West Coast and National
basis. He further explained that the situation with regard to manage-
ment compensationJlas for some time continued to produce a compression
of salaries and a disparity,between Civil Service wage increases and the
increases awarded to management. It has also been noted that there are
great differences in Yakima's management salaries and those found in the
competitive market place, resulting in difficulties in filling manage-
ment vacancies. The Council has recognized the need for an analysis
which is provided An the present study. There was discussion by Council
members and it was suggested that possibly there should be a committee
of the Council to study the whole classification plan for management.
City Manager Zais stated that there are two ways for classification
reviews; the other is to hire a consultant. Other Council members
indicated that they felt theywould like to study this report-and have
the matter brought back later. After further discussion, it was the
general consensust of the Council to study this report and have it
brought back to Cduncil in two weeks.
It was then MOVED by Lee, seconded by Wonder to go into Executive Ses-
sion to discuss collective bargaining and property acquisition, and then
adjourn the meeting: carried, Beauchamp, Buchanan, Edmondson, Hinman,
Lee and Wonder voting aye by voice vote. Sparling absent.
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Following completion of the Executive Session and there being no further
business to come before the Council, the meetin; adjourned at 6:30 P.M.
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COUNCILMAN
ATTEST:
CITY C MAYOR