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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. READ AND CERTIFIED ACCURATE BY , A . _ DATE 0 c)4---,( CO NC LMAT DATE ATTEST: COUNCI 'N / / it I / g / /, • „.....f....., ER Awl"- A1466/416...,2; MAYOR