HomeMy WebLinkAbout06/19/1979 Business Meeting .282
JUNE 19, 1979
The City Council met in session on this date at 2:00 P.M. in the Conference Room of
City Hall, Yakima, Washington, Mayor Betty L. Edmondson presiding, Council members
Henry Beauchamp, Lynn Buchanan, Don Hinman, Nadine Lee, Jack Sparling and Gordon
Wonder, and City Manager Dick Zais and Assistant City Attorney John Vanek were present.
Mayor Edmondson made several announcements regarding upcoming meetings. She also
reported that at 1:30 today, in the Council Chambers, she had presented 15 On Guard
Certificates to the recipients for unusual and /or outstanding action in apprehending
criminal suspects or in preventing a possible crime.
There was some discussion re the dead -end street on N. 23rd Avenue, off of Lincoln.
It was noted that there is no light, not even a reflector. There is a foot bridge
over an irrigation ditch and the wire fencing is loose, which could be dangerous.
It was suggested that the staff look into the bridge safety and also the other
areas discussed regarding some kind of light.
Council member Wonder reported that on Yakima Avenue, in front of Global Travel
Service, near the Convention Center, there is a dangerous situation. The bark has
been removed from a large area, leaving a big hole. It was indicated that the
staff will check into this matter.
Council member Sparling asked about the Christmas Decorations and the funding. City
Manager Zais stated that there will be a report at the next meeting on exactly what
the Council decided to spend for Christmas decorations and how it is to be funded.
City Manager Zais reported that he and Carol Darby, Director of Community Development,
met with two members of the Housing Authority to ask them about their decision to
reject the offer of some housing units. It was explained that this would impact
the City's block grant program, and asked them to reconsider their decision. Dis-
cussion indicated that the purpose of the Housing Authority is to obtain as much
housing as possible for the block grant program. It was further reported that the
Housing Authority will reconsider their decision and possibly reapply for the Housing
units.
It was MOVED by Wonder, seconded by Lee that the Council move into Executive Session
re negotiations; carried, Beauchamp, Buchanan, Edmondson, Hinman, Lee, Sparling and
Wonder voting aye by voice vote.
Following completion of the Executive Session and before going on with the rest of
the Agenda, the Council members set a time limit of 5:30 to end this meeting.
Council member Jack Sparling reported that he and the other members of the Council
Committee on Fire Department Operations, Don Hinman and Lynn Buchanan, did quite an
in -depth study of the fire stations and their operations. He indicated that at the
present time it is not known how much money there will be next year, but that some-
thing should be done with the operation of the Airport Fire Station, Station #5 and
the proposed 911 Communications System. He thanked Chief Ed Carroll and Battalion
Chief Ken Groth for their assistance in making this study. Mr. Sparling reported
that it costs $250,000 a year to keep the fire station at the airport in operation.
It is mandatory under FAA regulations that there be a Station at the airport. They
do answer other fires in the area as well. Discussion indicated that if it is
mandatory that the Station be in operation only when the commercial flights come
in, there might be a possibility that that particular station could be closed at
night. It was noted that this might create other problems with the shift work of
the firefighters. It was suggested that there might be a possibility of using
volunteer firefighters as are used in several other cities. Other suggestions re-
garding the Airport Fire Station that might be cost saving factors were: The airport
facility could be run like a port or airport district, if possible; having the legal
department look into some way that the County could share the cost of the airport;
check into raising the landing fees& airport lease rates. Council member Sparling
further reported that in doing this study, if a fire station has to be closed, it will
probably be Fire Station #5, which costs $230,000 a year tooperate. There was some
discussion .regarding putting the fire and police answering services together and /or
with the County under the 911 program. It was noted that the 911 County -City pro -
gram will be discussed on Thursday. Chief Carroll suggested that with possible
reduced funds, that it would be appropriate to have a good Master Plan, with dollars
attached - for the level of fire services the City feels appropriate. After further
discussion, it was MOVED by Sparling, seconded by Hinman to ask Staff to explore the
possibility of forming an airport or taxing district and get some basic statistics on
landing fees: carried, Beauchamp, Buchanan, Edmondson, Hinman, Lee, Sparling and
Wonder voting aye by voice vote. It was then MOVED by Sparling, seconded by Lee,
that Staff be instructed to get more data on volunteer firefighters: carried, Beau-
champ, Buchanan, Edmondson, Hinman, Lee, Sparling and Wonder voting aye by voice vote.
(It was noted that Bellevue has some firefighter reserves - not volunteers -- they
get some pay while on a fire.)
JUNE 19, 1979 283
City Manager Zais referred to the Memo from the Fire Department on the proposed
acquisition of Aerial apparatus. He noted that several important policy issues
are discussed and it would be appropriate for the City Council to consider their
ramifications. He reviewed the Memo, which explained the need to start the
process of obtaining this apparatus as delivery cannot be expected earlier than
26 months following the award of bid. It was noted that there is $223,000 in
the equipment rental fund, which would mean that approximately $30,000 would
still be needed. It was further noted that the present snorkel is 11 years old
and since the "condemnation and disposal" of the old Seagraves 100' aerial ladder
truck, the City has no backup vehicle. However, the City is using Union Gap's
equipment as backup, but has no idea how long this can be used. In discussion
of the Memo, it was noted that there are some possible alternatives, to getting
the additional equipment. Those listed were:
1. Rigid enforcement of the existing protective codes.
2. Requiring automatic sprinkler or other extinguishing systems with
automatic reporting in all buildings over 35' or over x000 sq. ft.
3. Requiring early detection systems with direct reporting in all
commercial occupancies not required to be sprinklered.
4. Requiring smoke/heat detectors with a local alarm in every
residential occupancy.
Any and all of these alternatives will result in reduced incidence and/or
extension and intensity of fires. Additionally, there is a very distinct
possibility that implementation of alternatives 2 and 3 would negate the need
to include an aerial piece in the 1st alarm response of apparatus. Chief
Carroll reported, in answer to questions, re automatic sprinkling or early
detection systems, that there are approximately 135 buildings over 35'., of
which 35 are not sprinklered at the present time. He further reported that
sprinkler systems are more costly when retrofitting than in new construction.
They can, however, be expected to amortize themselves through reduced insurance
premium cost over a period of time, dependent upon such factors as the type of
construction, occupancy, etc. After further discussion, it was the general
consensus of the Council that the Council Committee should study the matter
further regarding the various aspects discussed and bring a recommendation
back to the Council.
Council Member Hinman absent after 5:10 P.M.
It was noted that the Council had earlier set a time limit of this study session
and it has now reached 5:30 P.M. It was the general consensus of the Council to
continue items No. 6, 7, 8 and 9 to the next meeting of June 26, 1979.
City Manager Zais mentioned that on Item No. 10, as directed by the Council
previously, it has been reported from the legal department that there is no
time requirement connected with the matter of fixing the Hearing on Southeast
Area Rezone matter, but if it were to be set for July 24, 1979, it would be
urgent to fix that time at this meeting. There was discussion by Council members
as to which dates they would be present for this Hearing. It was then MOVED
by Lee, seconded by Sparling to set the time for the Hearing on the Southeast
Area Rezone matter as a Special Meeting for Tuesday evening, August 7, 1979
at 7:00 P.M.: carried, Beauchamp, Buchanan, Edmondson, Lee, Sparling and Wonder
voting aye by voice vote. Hinman absent.
City Manager Zais reported on one other off-agenda item, stating that there was
notification last Friday of a special workshop in San Francisco connected with
the Housing projects which fall into the Housing Authority's programs. It
will relate to exactly what we are doing in the way Section 8 housing. They
feel that it is important that Darrell Griek attend this workshop on June 21
and 22, 1979, at a cost of approximately $375.00. It was MOVED by Lee, seconded
by Buchanan that this out-of-State travel be authorized: carried, Beauchamp,
Buchanan, Edmondson, Lee, Sparling and Wonder voting aye by voice vote. Hinman
absent.
There being no further business to come before the Council, it was MOVED by
Beauchamp, seconded by Lee that this meeting be adjourned at the hour of 5:45
P.M.: carried, Beauchamp, Buchanan, Edmondson, Lee, Sparling and Wonder voting
aye by voice vote. Hinman absent.
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