HomeMy WebLinkAbout03/04/1980 Business Meeting March 4, 1980 Alt
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The_City Council met in session opthisdate.at the. Council
Chambers Of City°,,11411, ;Yakima, Oashingtop; Mayor .:Petty T F:c.Trolidson
1n:residing, Council: members Henry 'BeauchaMp, Lynn PtChanan, Lynn
Carmichael, Shirley Doty and Don Hinman and City Manager Zais and City
Attorney Andrews present on roll call.
It was MOVED by Hinman, seconded by Doty that the Council minutes of the
regular meetings of January 2 and 8 and the special meeting of January
11, 1980, having been duly certified accurate by two Council meMbers,
and no one present wishing to have said minutes read publicly, be
approved: carried, Beaudhamp, Buchanan, Carmichael, Doty, Edmondson and
Hinman voting aye by voice vote.
Mayor Edmondson referred to the information received from the Assoc-
/ iation of Washington Cities on House Bill 865 re Off-Street Parking
Referendum, both Houses stating it has been passed by bo Houses and is now on the
Governor's desk for signature, and urging the cities to contact the
Governor asking her to endorse the bill. She explained that this failed
a few years ago and that this bill gives the cities permission to
license and regulate public and private parking, if necessary, and
further asked if the Council wishes to take a stand together or
individually to phone the Governor's Office. It was MOVED by Hinman,
seconded by Carmichael that the Mayor be instructed to speak for the
Council and communicate with the Governor urging her to sign this bill:
carried, Beauchamp, Buchanan, Carmichael, Doty, Edmondson and Hinman
voting aye by voice vote.
Mayor Edmondson stated that a request has been received petitioning the
Council to waive some of the conditions of the Fairview-Sumac vicinity
sewer district project and that this will be discussed under It 13,
Other Business.
Mayor Edmondson referred to the Council material on Boards and Com-
missions and stated that under the Human Relations Commission, there are
three vacancies instead of the two listed. There will be one in May.
Councilman Hinman referred to the report on 46th and Snowmountain clear-
view, stating that the people were referring to speed bumps or a stop
sign. Carol Darby, Director of Community Development reported that they
did traffic counts and it does not warrant any kind of signing. She
stated that the next step would be an enforcement problem. She will
contact Bob Leadon.
Mayor Edmondson announced two events during this month. (1) Red Cross
Month; (2) Nutrition Month.
Ines Rice asked if the public could speak to any item as it dames up and
was told that she could.
The matter of Council meeting schedule and changes in Rules and Pro-
cedures having been continued from the previous week for further study,
Council member Doty stated that she was concerned at the last meeting
and wished to talk to some of the people in the community. After
talking to some of them, she felt that some were concerned about going
to just daytime meetings, others liked daytime meetings and suggested
that perhaps there should be one night time meeting. Councilman Hinman
stated he likes it the way it is -- two afternoon meetings and two night
meetings. Council member Carmichael indicated that either way was fine
with her. Councilman Beauchamp indicated he prefers to go to the
proposed format with the night meeting once a month. Councilman
Buchanan indicated that he feels they should be afternoon meetings as
there has not been much difference in attendance of either night or
afternoon meetings. It was not that at the previous meeting, it was
MOVED by Buchanan, seconded by Beauchamp that all meetings go to day
meetings with the possible exception of one meeting per quarter. After
discussion it was MOVED by Beauchamp, seconded by Hinman to amend the
motion to adopt the change of meetings to afternoon meetings except one
night meeting the second Tuesday of each month: carried, Beaudhalv,
Carmichael, Doty, Edmondson and Hinman voting aye by voice vote.
Buchanan voting nay. City Attorney Andrews asked to have this clarified
for preparing the proper legislation to make these changes. It was the
consensus of the Council to have three meetings a month to begin at 1:00
p.m. for a two-hour study session and the regular business session to
start at 3:00 p.m. The second Tuesday to be a night meeting to start
4 March 4, 1980
with a study session at 6:30 p.m., the regular meeting to commence at
8:00 p.m. This will take effect after April 15, 1980.
City Manager Zais explained the community forum meetings and referred to
the memo from Carol Darby, Director of Community Developnent. These are
suggestions to he either on the district approach or a neighborhood
approach. After discussion, it was MOVED by Doty, seconded by Beauchamp
that the neighborhood approach should be used: carried, Beauchamp,
Buchanan, Carmichael, Doty, Edmondson and Hinman voting aye by voice
vote. It was the consensus of the Council that each one would attend as
many of these meetings as possible. Councilman Buchanan stated he
cannot attend on Thursday nights. City Manager Zais stated that these
are not special meetings, but extensions of Council meetings. Council
member Doty indicated that she feels these meetings should not nec-
essitate a great many staff members in attendance. Some Council members
felt that there should be some staff in attendance as resource people.
Others felt it more as a chance to share some ideas and bring some
things to staff. It was MDVED by Hinman, seconded by Carmichael that II/
the neighborhood approach could be taken and the only involvement of
staff would be to select a Facilitator. City Attorney Andrews explained
that whenever four or more Council members are at a meeting, it is
considered a Council meeting and there must be a record kept. It was
MOVED by ,Carmichael, seconded by Hinman that there will be no more than
three Council members at any one of these meetings. Mayor, Edmondson
stated that she thinks it is important for a record to be kept of these
meetings, that there does not have to be a format or a formal meeting
and declared both motions out of order. It was then MOVED by Doty,
seconded by Hinman that the community forum meetings be set up and
organized with Council members present, minutes shall be kept by a staff
member and the Mayor to designate a neighborhood facilitator for that
area: carried, Beauchamp, Buchanan, Carmichael, Doty and Hinman voting
aye by voice vote. Edmondson voting nay. It was not that the
meetings start April 3 and that Carol Darby, Director of Community
Development will arrange the sites.
Consideration of the proposed sale of. the Larson Parking Garage to Benny
Kwong having been continued fran the previous wek, it was brought on
for discussion at this time. It was noted that former Council member
Pete Moore urges the Council to follow through on this sale. Council
member Doty asked for a brief overview of the history of the Larson
narage. City Manager Zais reported that the City acquired the garage in
1976 for $180,000 which was a condemnation project, and was purchased as
a part of the downtown plan. At that tine, the City operated the garage
and continued with mixed tenancies of that garage. With the cost of
continuing business establishMents as well as the parking, the City was
experiencing a loss from $1,000 to $2,000 per month in 1978. A number
of different code inspections made by the Fire Department and City
Building Inspection Division indicated that many things needed to be
done to bring the building up to Code. City Attorney Andrews reviewed
the State statute about putting parking with private operators. The
City did try to do this and in accordance with State law, a bid call was
Made in 1978. No bids were received. A second call for bids was made
and one bid was received, but it was non-responsive to the
specifications in the bid call. Then, according to State law, the City
may negotiate a bid and if the City is unable to do that, then the City
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may continue to operate the garage for three years. Further review
brought out that in 1979, it was suggested that the Larson Parking
Garage be sold rather than leased and it was also found that it was no
longer feasible to have a staff at the garage and it was occupied by
parking. In July, a written offer was received from Mr. Kwong. There
were meetings with Council members Sparling and Wonder and with Lee
Semon and Mr. Kwong. Mr. Kwong, if the sale goes through, will do the
necessary %on( to bring the building up to Code and will pay the City
another $119,500 over a 20 year period. He also agrees to operate the
garage for public parking until the year 2000 and give the City two
parking lots south of the garage, which are valued at $42,000. After
discussion, it was MOVED by Hinman, seconded by Buchanan that the
Council authorize the acceptance of the purchase agreement of the Larson
(rage as outlined: carried, Beauchamp, Buchanan, Carmichael, Doty,
Edmondson and Hinman voting aye by voice vote. City Attorney Andrews
related to the Council that the sale shall be closed in approximately 30
days from this date. Staff was asked to advise Council in approximately
30 days. Gordon Wander asked the City to consider using the money from
the sale for development of future parking of the dcwntown area. It was
March 4, 1980 461
MOVED by Hinman, seconded by Carmichael that the money received from
this sale be used for parking in the downtown parking area: carried,
Beaudhamp, Buchanan, Carmichael, Doty, Edmondson and Hinman voting aye
by voice vote. City Manager Dick Zais reviewed his report re City-owned
Property: Leased Residences, which gives the history of leased
residences in the City and answers a request of the City Council for a
report on the number of City-owned residences which are leased to
private individuals. This inquiry was prompted by recent publicity
pertaining to the City's action to terminate the tenancy of City
employees residing in these homes. He reported that there are eight
properties leased to City employeet private individuals and listed
the location, Whether these are rented by City personnel or private
citizens and which ones were occupied as a condition of the employee's
job. It was found that only two, the hones at the reservoir and the
arboretum ;would constitute an occupancy requirement as a part of the job
by a City eTpioyee. The other residences could not justify such a job
i requitement. He concluded his review by indicating the City has been
remiss in not following through in a timely fashion on updating the fair
market rental values of the City and his policy in the future will be to
review these annually and increase according to fair market values. It
was rDVED by Buchanan, seconded by Hinman to accept the report as
submitted: _carried, Beauchamp, Buchanan, Carmichael, Doty, Edmondson
and Hinman voting aye by voice vote.
City Manager Zais referred to the proposed Wastewater Facilities Al loc-
ation Plan presented to Council for their review. Councilman Hinman
stated that he thinks it is a good report and fully agrees with it. It
was noted that it is ready for Council approval and for notification to
the other jurisdictions involved. It was the consensus of the Council
that this be sent to the other jurisdictions and let them know we are
accepting the report and ask them to read it and send it back to us with
their comments within 30 days. It was then MOVED by Hinman, seconded by
Carmichael to accept the report and instruct staff to send the report to
the jurisdictions involved and ask them to read it and send it back to
us within 30 days with their cements: carried, Beauchamp, Buchanan,
Carmichael, Doty, Edgondson and Hinman voting aye by voice vote.
Dennis Bertek, Sanitary Engineer,,, reviewed in detail the Sanitary Sewer
System Monitoring Study performed by CH2MHill. He first introduced
those present involved in the preparation of this study and with
CH2M-Hill, Bob Card, John Mayo and Jim Butt. He stated that there are
300 miles of underground sewer, lines that were involved in this study.
TOD
Card also made a presentation using a flip chart. Thirteen problem
areas were in the report which had been identified by the
City staff to be the source or cause of frequent surcharging which in
sone cases resulted in batement flooding. Flows were monitored for the
problem areas to provide a record for future reference. The overall
reccmnendation of the report was reviewed Whidh is that the City of
Yakima use this report as the basis for completing a comprehensive sewer
system plan. The goals of the plan would be the following:
1. To identify sewer improvements required to make the system
compatible with the City's long term land use development
plan.
. 2. To identify the cost-effective method for dealing with thir-
teen problem areas.
3. To identify sections of the system where removal of infil-
tration would be feasible and cost-effective.
- 4. To rank the Identified capital or maintenance improvements in
order of cost/benefit relationships, and then establish a
timetable for their Implementation that is consistent with the
City's. budgeting and planning constraints.
The AbOve recommendations of thei were reviewed as well as sane
short term solutions that were listed. It was noted that increased
inspection and maintenance was recommended for some problem areas,
capital .improyements for others and infiltration location and removal
for others. It was further recommended that before increased funds are
allocated for sewer maintenance or construction, costs of the
improvements be evaluated against their benefits. The report also
462 March 4, 1980
stated that the above recommendations should be implemented by City
staff, but to do this the City must make a definite commitment of
appropriate personnel and material resources. Two alternatives were
pointed out that the Council might,wigh,to consider.
Alternative #1 - It was proposed that the City staff do the Compre-
hensive Plan to again repeat at least once and maybe twice the monitor-
ing studies and reports, that it would be more cost-effective for them
to do it rather than CH2M-Hill.
Alternative #2 - Take a longer period of time to establish the same
task.
There was discussion re funding of this project. City Manager Zais
stated that it will impact future planning 'and mist increases and that
there will probably be a sewer rate increase next year. It was noted
that we will be looking for federal and state funds and possibly con-
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sider revenue bonds. After further discussion, it was MOVED by Hinman,
seconded by Beauchav that the Council approve the report and accept the
recommendations of the staff and go with Alternative #1: carried,
Beauchamp, Buchanan, Carmichael, Doty, Edmondson and Hinman voting aye
by voice vote.
City Manager Zais recommended that Item #11, Report re Yakima City
Transit Operations - Review of Future Financing and Service Alter-
natives, be continued to a future meeting as it will take a considerable
amount of time to present and discuss. It was MOVED by Hinman, seconded
by Doty that Item #11 be continued for one week: carried, Beaudhcav,
Buchanan, Carmichael, Doty, Edmondson and Hinman voting aye by voice
vote.
Jim Duchene, Architect on the Chinodk Hotel Building Project, was pre-
sent to request the Council's consideration in relocation of the bus
shelter in front of the building. He presented plans for a pedestrian
cover which indicates how the existing bus shelter interferes with about
two feet of the canopy. He explained the design of the proposed shelter
and that they would bear the cost of building the new bus waiting shel-
ter and work with the various departments of the City to accomplish the
relocation of the present shelter. He indicated that with Council
approval, they would undertake immediate construction and it would be no
more than six months to finish the project. Carol Darby, Director of
Community Development indicated that she would be interested in seeing
the final plans and was assured that the City staff will have a part in
finalizing the plans. After further discussion, it was MOVED by Hinman,
seconded by Carmichael to authorize the relocation of the bus shelter in
front of the Chinook Hotel as requested and that the architect negotiate
with City staff on this matter: carried, Beauchamp, Buchanan, Car-
michael, Doty, Edmondson and Hinman voting aye by voice vote.
Verna Beggs and others representing the Fairview-Sumac area were present
to discuss with the Council the matter requesting a waiver of certain
conditions from normal outside utility procedures as follows:
1. That City staff conduct two neighborhood meetings during the
month of March to assist area residents in completing the
application form.
2. That the $50 application fee be waived.
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3. That a deferred payment option (similar to an L.I.D.) be
permitted for the payment of the Capital Cost Recovery Charge.
4. That the outside utility agreement be modified to stipulate
that annexation not be pursued by the City for a period of
four to six years.
5. That a plumbing permit be obtainable and evidence of payment
of charges or agreement to pay (per deferred method) is shown
and that connection be permitted without the use of a licensed
plumber.
She requested that Council approve the request of the waivers. Carol
Darby, Director of Community Development reviewed the memo responding to
Mrs. Beggs' letter which she had distributed to Council members and
Others present. This memo has answered each of the its in Mrs. Begg's
letter as follows:
March 4, 1980 463
1. The Planning staff was neither budgeted adequate.fUnds nor was
any time programmed for this sort of project. I, therefore,
recommend against this activity and suggest that the indi-
viduals cone into the office as a standard procedure..
2. It is staff's the waiving of any legally
required fees will necessitate an ordinance Change. Staff
does not have the authority to waive fees.
3. The Capital Cost Recovery Charge Ordinance already makes
\ for deferred payment plan. The staff, however,
recommended p.hat,a minimuni,amount e.g., $200, be established
1 to insure that,adMinisaiVe costs do not exceed the amount
to be received.
4. We recommend that the City agree to defer annexation of this
area for a period of approximately three-years as it would not
be cost-effective to encourage this area to annex at this
time.
5. Without a substantial change to Ordinance No. 2027 relating to
plumbing codes, it does not appear that this is a viable
alternative. Any change in the aforementioned ordinance would
have a substantial impact, not only on the City's general
administration of the plumbing code within the City as well as
outside utility connections, but also on the very integrity of
• the sewerage system.
There was discussion on each of these items. Council member Doty stated
that she feels that the $50 application fee should be waived. Council-
man Buchanan stated he doesn't think the fee should be waived and that
others would be asking for this fee to be waived. Councilman Beauchamp
indicated that he feels these people should be helped. Mayor Edmondson
asked the City Attorney if it is in the best interest or legally pos-
sible to waive this fee or could it be added to the cost recovery charge
and paid similar to an L.I.D. City Attorney Andrews answered "no" to
that specific question. He stated that to make sane kind of a unique
classification or category that stands apart fran any other people or
projects would mean that the waiver would apply to any other project or
people that would fall in this same category. After further discussion,
it was MOVED by Hinman, seconded by Beauchamp that staff be directed to
investigate either the waiving or modification of the application fee
for the Fairview-Sumac area residents: carried, BeauChamp, Doty,
Edmondson and Hinman voting aye by voice vote. Buchanan and Carmichael
voting nay. There was discussion regarding the annexation issue. It
was MOVED by Hinman, seconded by Buchanan that the outside utility
agreement be modified and stipulate that annexation will not be pursued
by the City for a period of at least three years: carried, Beauchamp,
Buchanan, Carmichael, Edmondson and Hinman voting aye by voice vote.
Doty voting nay. Mrs. Beggs then stated that the residents would go to
the County and ask than to go into the sewer business and the residents
left the Council ChaMbers. It was then MOVED by Hinman, seconded by
Carmichael that the Council withdraw the motion giving staff direction
to investigate the possibility of waiving the $50 application fee:
carried, Beauchamp, Buchanan, Carmichael, Doty, Edmondson and Hinman
Voting aye by voice vote. Councilman Hinman stated that he thinks it is
important that the Council communicate with County Canmissioners on the
Fairview-Sumac issue and volunteered to meet with them the first thing
the next morning. Council members Beauchamp and Doty indicated an
interest in meeting with them also. It was MOVED by Buchanan, seconded
by Carmichael that Council members Hinman, Beauchamp and Doty be
appointed as a Committee of the City Council to contact the County
Canmissioners to discuss the Fairview-Sumac sewer issue: carried,
Beauchamp, BuChanan, Carmichael, Doty, Edmondson and Hinman voting aye
by voice vote.
Items of information supplied to Council were:' memo from Director of
Public Works re: 1980 Street Patdhing. 2/22/80; memo fran Supervising
Traffic Engineer re: Energy Conservation - Traffic Control Devices.
2/14/80; Permit Center - Business License Report for month of January,
1980; letter fran Northeast Neighborhood improvement Committee re:
concerns rais ed at their Feb. 19th Public Meeting. 2/23/80; and letter
in response from the Supervising Traffic Engineer. 2/25/80; memo fran
March 4, 1980
Supervising Traffic Engineer re: Clearviad - 46th Avenue &
Snowmountain. 2/22/80; ANC Legislative Bulletin No. 7, February 22,
1980; agenda for the 3 /4 /80.Planning Commission Meeting; and agenda for
the 3/4/80 Parks & Recreation Commission meeting and minutes of Jan. 28,
1980 meeting.
There being no further business to came before the Council, it was MOVED
by Buchanan, seconded by Carmichael that this meeting be adjourned at
the hour of 7:10 p.m.: carried, Beauchamp, Buchanan, Carmichael, Doty,
Edmondson and Hinman voting aye voice vote.
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