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HomeMy WebLinkAbout07/03/1979 Business Meeting 291 JULY 3, 1979 The City Council met in session on this date at 2:00 PM in the Council Chambers of City Hall, Yakima, Washington. Council members present were Mayor Betty L. Edmondson, Henry Beauchamp, Lynn Buchanan, Don Hinman, Nadine Lee and Jack Sparling. Gordon Wander absent. Mayor Edmondson distributed copies of the letter to be sent in response to the Department of Energy letter from Bonneville Power Administration regarding proposed rate making standards. It was the general consensus of the Council to send the letter. Mayor Edmondson inquired if Council would like to consider making the City Council packets available to the News Media at no charge. She stated that is the best way of informing the public about what's hap- pening at City Hall. They should advise the City Clerk's Office in advance that they desire a packet and if they don't pick it up for two weeks, then it will not be made available to them. Councilman Hinman stated that he believes that other interested persons or organizations Should also be able to get the Council packets free of charge. It was MOVED by Lee, seconded by Beauchamp to make the packets available to the - NewsMedia7 as outIined.: MOVED byJlinmanii_sedonded by Buchanan to amend the motion to allow other interested citizens to follow the same rules and pick up Council packets. Council member Lee stated she thought that making the packet available at the Library was sufficient for the pUblic, as they can make copies of any items they wish. Councilman Sparling inquired about the cost of the packets. City Manager Zais reported that the charge for the packets is $50.00 per year or $5.00 a month. The question was called for the vote on the amendment to the motion: carried, Beauchamp, Buchanan, Hinman and Sperling voting aye by voice vote. Edmondson and Lee voting nay. Wonder absent. The question was called for the vote on the motion as amended: carried, Beauchamp, Buchanan, Edmondson, Hinman and Sparling voting aye by voice vote. Lee voting nay. Wonder absent. Larry Wittenberg, Assistant City Manager, questioned has Council wants to handle the refunds for those who have paid for their packets for the year. City Manager Zais re- ported that it will be handled administratively. Willis White, Public Works Director, explained the City's vegetation control program. He stated that approximately 200 letters were mailed to property owners who were in violation, requesting removal of over- hanging vegetation on their property and 53 property owners still remain in violation. It is important to complete the vegetation removal pro- gram prior to the seal coating program, which is scheduled to begin on the 5th of July. It was MOVED by Hinman, seconded by Buchanan that Resolution No. D-4113, requiring the removal of overhanging vegetation on certain properties and? directing notice to property owners to remove such overhanging vegetation or in the alternative, authorizing removal by:the-City, be passed: carried, Beauchamp, Buchanan, Hin- man, Lee and Sparling voting aye on roll call. Wonder absent. RESOLUTION NO. D-4113, A RESOLUTION requiring the removal of overhanging vegetation on certain properties; directing notice to property owners to remove such overhanging vegetation; and in the alternative, authorizing removal by the City of Yakima. City Manager Zais explained the request made by Yakima School District No. 7 for hookup to the sewer without a connection charge at Castlevale School. He stated that in his letter, Dr. Starr expressed concern about the charge, inasmuch as the School District donated the easement for the sewer. He reported that the connnection charge would be $14,425 plus the capital cost recovery charge of $8,262.33 for a total of $22,687.33. Larry Wright, Principal Planner, explained an option to campramise the connection charge by basing it on the square footage of the school building only and not the entire property. That charge would be $4,706.40 for the connection and $8,262.33 for the capital cost recovery charge for a total of $12,968.73. Dr. Warren Starr, Superintendent, Yakima Public Schools, introduced Ron Edwards, Director of Housing, Transportation, Purchasing and Building/Remodeling; Rick Gagnier, Bus- iness Manager and Don Schussler, Attorney representing the School District. Mr. Schussler spoke on behalf of the School District, stating that at the time the City asked for the easement across the Castlevale Playground, the School District assumed that the City would not charge a connection fee. He stated that in the past, the City and the School District have cooperated, sharing facilities and other ventures. Mayor Edmondson stated that sharing, recreational use of facilities does not canpare with installation of this sewer line. Mr. Schussler stated in 292 JULY 3, 1979 that case the School District should have received canpensation for the easement. Dr. Starr spoke about the cooperation between the City and the School District and urged the Council to consider their request for a waiver fran this connection charge. Mayor Edmondson stated that at the time the easement was made, there should have been a value placed on the easement and the School District should be given full credit for the easement. Councilman Sperling spoke in support of granting the waiver and inquired about the impact this would have and if it can be legally done. It was MOVED by Sparling .to- look into the whole matter. The nation died for lack of second. , Fallowing discussion, it was MOVED by Hinman, seconded by Lee that if legally possible, waive the connection ' charge and put credita the easemeht'against the capital Cot Recovery Charge and be very liberal in the credit. John Vanek, Assistant City Attorney, suggested that Council have staff research the legalities involved as it is possible there may be some other options that might surface in the research. It was MOVED by Buchanan, seconded by Beau- champ to table the motion: carried, Beauchamp, Buchanan, Edmondson, Hinman, Lee and Sparling voting aye by voice vote. Wonder absent. II/ Council members discussed the meeting place of the study session, Councilman Sperling stated the Conference Roan is not adequate for seating or for roan comfort. Several Council members expressed their preference for a table at which they can sit around, which they felt is more conducive for a study session. No action was taken at this time. Dick Hilligus, Director of Parks and Recreation, reported that about a year ago, the City purchased some land at 1407 Swan Avenue which they were considering merging with some additional property across the canal ditch after covering the ditch, for park use. He stated that the Seventh Day Adventist church came to the City requesting us to consider their facility which they are selling because they are rebuilding on another site. The Park Commission viewed this property and it is their recommendation to drop the federal application for funds for Swan Avenue and change over to the Seventh Day Adventist property. Mr. Hilligus strived slides of the Seventh Day Adventist property and facilities. Following the slide presentation„Council member Lee inquired about the price for that land. The cost of the entire canplex would be approx- . imately $600,000. He reported that the Interagency Committee for Out- " door Recreation' has asked that we SUbMit this project for 75% federal and state matching funds for acquisition of approximately 2.5 acres of land for park use. There is $47,500 available now fran the last general obligation bond issue. We will have to look for grants for the building canplex which could be used for many park functions and/or could be rented or leased and possibly house the Parks and Recreation Department Office. He stated that applying for this grant does not commit the City to anything. It was MOVED by Hinman, seconded by Beauchamp that Res- olution No. D-4112, authorizing the application for funding assistance for outdoor recreation project to the Interagency Committee for Outdoor Recreation, be passed: carried, Buchanan, Edmondson, Hinman, Lee, Sperling and Beauchamp voting aye on roll call. Wonder absent. RESOLUTION NO. D-4112, A RESOLUTION authorizing application by the City of Yakima for funding assistance for an outdoor recreation project tio the State of Washington, Interagency Committee for Outdoor Recreation. Dick Hilligus, Director of Parks and Recreation, reported that the Master Plan for Chesterley Park has been approved by the Park Com- mission, Planning Commission and the Yakima Lions Club. The Planning Canmission has approved this as part of the Comprehensive Plan. He stated that a public hearing needs to be scheduled before the Plan can be developed. He stated that the plan has not been changed since the last time it was presented to Council. Council member Lee stated she thought softball was going-to be.eliminated fran that park, but it is still in the plan. Mr. Hilligus explained that the Park Commission has recommended. that organized sports not be ,held at this park .and the • ' softball diamonds are for tecreatitih'USe. It was MOVED by Buohanan, seconded by Beauchamp to accept the staff recommendation and approve the Master Plan for Chesterley Park: carried, Beauchamp, Buchanan, Edmond- son, Hinman, Lee and Sparling voting aye by voice vote. Wonder absent. Dick Zais, City Manager, distributed copies of sample listings for listing Council members phone numbers in the phone book, which the Telephone Company would like to try on an experimental basis in Yakima. It will identify the Council members' one numbers on a colored page in the phone book. Following discussion, it was the general consensus of the Council to have staff prepare a form on which they could write how they wish to be listed. JULY 3, 1979 293 Items of information supplied to Council were: Letter from Mrs. Eunice Clark, 1202 Terrace, re art selection suggestions for Center. 6/27/79; Memo from Assistant City Manager re Fuel Conservation. 6/13/79; Letter fran Dean Mosier, Director, Department of Community Services, Vancouver, Wa., re Status of Tax Increment Finance Legislation. 6/9/79; Letter fran Director of Public Works, to Mr. David E. Sagare, Washington State Department of Transportation, re Oak Flats. 6/18/79; Letter fran Yakima School DiStrict No. 7 requesting sewer hookup at Castlevale Elementary School without a hookup charge. 5/8/79; Letter fran Richard C. Smith, representing Terrace. Heights Sewer District Board of Commissioners re Terrace Heights Sewer District. 6/21/79; Copy of Motion for Recon- sideration which was filed by City Attorney, re Safeway lawsuit. 6/21/79; Memos fran Director of Community Developtent regarding Outside Utility requests: (a) Request submitted by Phil Sali for sewer for property located on the west side of Rock Avenue south of King Street. 6/26/79; (b) Request submitted by Adams Construction LID for sewer for Lots 20 and 21 Lindgren Addition in vicinity of S. 72nd Avenue and Midvale Road. 6/22/79; Yakima Wastewater Project Progress Report for May, 1979; Wash7 ingtan State Research Council Report. 6/15/79; and Public Disclosure Paiiphlet -- The People's Right to Know. It was MOVED by Hinman, seconded by Lee to move into EXecutive Session for the purpose of discussing pending litigation and personnel: car- ried, Beauchamp, Buchanan, Edmondson, Hinman, Lee and Sparling voting aye by voice vote. Wonder absent. Upon completion of the Executive Session and there being no further business to come before the Council, it was MOVED by Sparling, seconded by Buchanan that this meeting. be adjourned at the hour of 4:20 PM: carried, Beauchamp, Buchanan, Edmondson, Hinman, Lee and Sparling voting aye by voice vote; Wonder absent. READ AND CERTIFIED ACCURATE DATE.OTAL 3 31' DATE - 7 ' COUNCILMAN 4 . 9 /' jr • • yi CITY ole RK _ (MAYOR -