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HomeMy WebLinkAbout08/02/1976 Business Meeting AUGUST 2, 1976 The City Council met in session on this date at 1:30 P.M. in the !Yakima Valley Museum and Historical Association. Council members present were Mayor Betty L. Edmondson, Jean Allard, Ralph Holbrook, W. K. "Pete" Moore, Nadine Walker, and Gordon Wonder. Council members reviewed the status of the Downtown Improvement Project commencing with a discussion concerning the downtown parking control system. Phil Johnson, Parking Systems Manager, reviewed the framework for transition from parking meters to free parking and details of parking system. The Council was apprised by Mr. Johnson that parking control would be instituted to cover the parking both on and off-street. The Council was informed that a monthly parking questionnaire was distributed business tenants in the downtown LID to determine the number of spaces needed for business vehicles and for monthly parking permits. The system for monthly parking for lots was reviewed which outlined the standards by which parking permits would be issued (exhibit E of Parking Control System Report). The Council was further apprised that enforcement with respect to parking in the Miller lot, Cody property, and Washington Mutual Properties would commence in September subsequent to the conclusion of acquisition negotiations and lot construction. Parking enforcement would be subject to the same conditions as for other lots. The Council was in general agreement with the parking system outlined. A question was raised with respect to special permit fees for meter hoods sold monthly and yearly to commercial business interests; it was suggested that the City Manager investigate raising those fees from the current $3.00 per month or $30-per year level. Next, the Council was apprised of a request by the Post Office for additional parking spaces on Chestnut at the Post Office lot. Upon consideration, the Council asked the Parking Manager to proceed with assisting the Post Office in meeting their request. • Director of Community Development Fred Stouder subsequently re- viewed the comparison of final parking spaces in the downtown project compared to the Jacobson Report completed in 1974. Mr. Stouder explained briefly that due to changes in engineering specifications and modifications to the downtown parking plan the number of parking spaces were significantly reduced from the original estimate. Also many stall deletions were necessary due to provisions made for bus shelters and "knuckles", together with other legal restrictions on parking. The reductions apparent in each of the four City lots were illustrated together with an overview of the parking available in the Larson Garage and on- street. All total, the lots provide 396 spaces; the Larson Garage, ' 150; and on-street parking 570; for a grand total of 1,116 parking spaces. The original Jacobson Report had indicated that approxi- mately 1,500 spaces would be provided. In response to this report, several Council members suggested that the City pursue a reevaluation of where additional angle street parking may be provided in the downtown area to recapture those parking spaces lost. Specifically, areas on Chestnut and "A" Street were suggest- ed. Mr. Stouder indicated that the Community Development Depart- ment would reanalyze the parking situation for that purpose. The Council was given a copy of the P.B.I.A. Budget worksheet with a schedule of expenditures illustrated from September 1, through December 31, 1976, amounting to a total of some $64,000. The Council was apprised that assessments were scheduled to be collected commencing on October 1, 1976. The Council next considered the matter of Larson Garage tenant occupancy. After some discussion, it was the consensus of the Council that the City should not be engaged in leasing its facilities to tenants in the garage and that we should proceed with advising tenants of the necessity to be relocated elsewhere. Thereafter, the tenant occupied portions would be modified into additional parking spaces. The City Manager was instructed to proceed with advising the tenants of the Council's intention. As a side issue, , it was suggested by Gordon Wonder that the City investigate provid ing gas for Police cars at the Larson Garage or at fire station locations in the downtown area. 287 AUGUST 2, 1976 'Finally, the Council undertook some discussion regarding the engagement of engineering services and a requested authorization for consulting engineers in connection with the Chestnut and Walnut plazas in the downtown improvement program. The City Manager advised the Council that the City's Engineering ;Staff would be unable to undertake this work this year and that in the interest of seeing that the project was completed in all phases this year, outside engineering assistance 1 Ishould be sought. The Council determined that discussion on the subject should continue at the regular agenda meeting. At 2:45 P.M. the Council adjourned from the Yakima Valley !Museum Building and returned to City Hall for the regular Council Agenda Meeting. At 3:00 P.M., the Council members moved into the Council 'Chambers for the balance of the meeting, Mayor Edmondson 'presiding, Councilmen Allard, Holbrook, Moore, Walker and 'Wonder, City Manager McMicken and City Attorney Andrews 'present on roll call. Councilman Simmons absent on roll !call, it was MOVED by Wonder, seconded by Holbrook to excuse :Councilman Simmons from this meeting: carried, Allard, Edmondson, Holbrook, Moore, Walker and Wonder voting aye by , voice vote. The Invocation was given by City Attorney Fred Andrews. The minutes of the previous meeting of July 26, 1976, having been duly certified accurate by two Councilmen and no one ;present wishing to have said minutes read publicly, Mayor ;Edmondson declared said minutes approved as recorded. , Mayor Edmondson referred to the items placed on the Consent !Agenda, questioning whether there were any additions or 'deletions from either Council members or citizens present. !City Manager McMicken asked that item number 16 be deleted from the Consent Agenda and considered in its normal sequence on the Agenda. It was the consensus of the Council that the deletion be made as requested. The City Clerk then !read the Consent Agenda items, including resolutions by title. It was MOVED by Moore, seconded by Holbrook that the Consent Agenda as read, be passed: carried, Allard, ; , Edmondson, Holbrook, Moore, Walker and Wonder voting aye on roll call. Simmons absent. (Subsequent paragraphs preceeded by an asterisk (*) indicate items on the Consent Agenda handled under one motion without further discussion.) This being the time set for a hearing on preliminary plat -- Northridge Terrace, 615 So. 45th Avenue, Associate Planner Glenn Rice and Public Works Director Dave Vargas reviewed the plan and answered questions of Councilman Allard regarding access roadways and the steepness of the hill. After further d iscussion, it was MOVED by Wonder, seconded by Moore that the ;Northridge Terrace Preliminary Plat be approved: carried, ;Allard, Edmondson, Holbrook, Moore, Walker and Wonder voting iaye by voice vote. Simmons absent. Mr. Lester Watkins and Mr. Keith Owens, downtown businessmen, addressed the Council in opposition to the downtown parking 'plans. Mr. Watkins also showed concern about extending curbs into the streets and the closing of 7th Street and "A" Street. Mr. Owens asked for an explanation of what his monthly fee covers. Mayor Edmondson stated that the Council has been taking a closer look into providing more parking. Councilman Wonder stated that mistakes had been made and the Council is trying to find out who made them and get them corrected. Councilman Moore feels the Jacobson Report had !poor engineering. It was the consensus of the Council that the City Manager provide Mr. Owens with an answer in regard to the monthly fee he pays. 288 AUGUST 2, 1976 City Manager McMicken referred to Resolution No. D-3564, authorizing the hiring of professional accounting services to audit the City's Community Development Block Grant funds. He stated that the fee was not to exceed $5,000. Councilman Holbrook asked if the firm of Haskins and Sells is from Yakima. City Manager McMicken said they are from Seattle and Yakima has no firm with the qualifications for the work. It was MOVED by Walker, seconded by Moore that Resolution No. D-3564 be passed: carried, Allard, Edmondson, Holbrook, Moore, and Walker voting aye on roll call. Wonder voting nay on roll call. Simmons absent. RESOLUTION NO. D-3564, A RESOLUTION authorizing the hiring of professional accounting services to audit the City's Community Development Block Grant fund. City Manager McMicken referred to Resolution No. D-3565, authorizing' the execution of a "Deed of Right to Use Land for Public Recreation, Purposes" covering the Yakima Community Park site. It was then MOVED by Moore, seconded by Wonder that Resolution No. D-3565 be passed: carried, Allard, Edmondson, Holbrook, Moore, Walker and Wonder voting aye on roll call. Simmons absent. RESOLUTION NO. D-3565, A RESOLUTION authorizing and directing the City Manager and City Clerk of the City of Yakima to execute "Deed of Right to Use Land for Public Recreation Purposes" covering the Yakima Community Park site. Mr. Norman R. Steuart, 217 N. 16th Avenue, again addressed the Council in re to placing a painted crosswalk at N. 16th Avenue and Folsom Avenue. Councilman Walker expressed concern regarding the safety of the driver. Mayor Edmondson felt that painting a crosswalk there would represent false safety because the drivers would be coming over the hill from Summitview Avenue to Lincoln Avenue. After discussion, it was MOVED by Wonder, seconded by Walker to accept the Traffic Engineer's report and deny the request for a crosswalk, and ask him to keep an eye on the traffic and problems that might occur and come back to the Council if he sees any change. It was then MOVED by Holbrook, seconded by Allard that the Motion be amended to add that all people signing the original petition requesting the crosswalk be notified of the Council's decision and why the decision was made. Allard and Holbrook voting aye by voice vote. Edmondson, Moore, Walker and Wonder voting nay by voice vote. Simmons absent. Motion failed for want of a majority vote. Councilmen Wonder, Walker and Edmondson indicated that they feel the people have been heard on this matter. Mayor Edmondson then called for the vote on Motion to accept the Engineer's report, etc., carried, Allard, Edmondson, Moore, Walker and Wonder voting aye by voice vote. Holbrook voting ) nay by voice vote. Simmons absent. Public Works Director Dave Vargas reviewed his report on the two possible methods of allocating FAM funds, which are: 1. Direct annual allocations of $50,000 per 10,000 population to all cities and populations of over 5,000 persons. Under this formula, Yakima would qualify for a direct allocation of $200,000 per year. 2. Direct annual allocation to each metropolitan planning organization (MPO) based on population. Under this formula, the Yakima COG would receive a direct allocation and the City would compete with the County, Selah and Union Gap for available funds. 289 AUGUST 2, 1976 He explained that a public hearing on the two alternatives has been scheduled by the Washington State Highway Commission in Olympia on August 17, 1976, and that City officials should attend and express their views. Mr. Vargas recommended alternate #1 as being the best as in alternate #2 the money would go to COG and the City would not know how to plan for the use of the money as they would not know how much the City, would get. It was MOVED by Moore, seconded by Wonder that the Council present its views to the Highway Commission and favor alternate #1, as recommended: carried, Allard, Edmondson, Holbrook, Moore, Walker and Wonder voting aye by voice vote. Simmons absent. *It was MOVED by Moore, seconded by Holbrook that the report of the City Engineer dated July 29, 1976, with respect to the completion of the work and public works contracts, CBD Parking Lots and Other, (LID 1001) be approved, the work be accepted and final payment of the final estimates as therein setforth are hereby authorized: carried, Allard, Edmondson, Holbrook, Moore, Walker and Wonder voting aye by voice vote. Simmons absent. It was MOVED by Moore, seconded by Holbrook that Resolution No. D-3566, requiring the abatement of fire hazards on certain property be approved: carried, Allard, Edmondson, Holbrook, Moore, Walker and Wonder voting aye on roll call. Simmons absent. RESOLUTION NO. D-3566, A RESOLUTION requiring the abatement of fire hazards on certain property, directing notice to property owners to abate such hazards and, in the alternative, authorizing abatement by the Fire Marshal. *It was MOVED by Moore, seconded. by Holbrook that Resolution No. D-3567, denying the Damage Claim of Pauline Haney be passed: carried, Allard, Edmondson, Holbrook, Moore, Walker and Wonder voting aye on roll call.- Simmons absent. RESOLUTION NO. D-3567, A RESOLUTION denying the claim of Pauline Haney filed with the City of Yakima on June 24, 1976. An Ordinance transferring and appropriating the amount of $17,000 in the Urban Arterial Street Fund to pay for the Walnut Street Underpass Proposal, having been read by title only at this meeting, was laid on the table for one week or until August 9, 1976. City Manager McMicken explained that this covers the final progress payment of $16,924 to Burlington. The total cost of the project was $99,930. Police Chief Jack LaRue reported on the proposed Ordinance prohibiting loitering for the purpose of prostitution, explaining that this gives the Police Department a tool to work with in that it affords a means for the uniform policeman as well as the plainclothesman for minimizing the highly physical conduct of the prostitutes who beckon and gesture to passersby for the purpose of soliciting prostitution. In answer to the question of what has been the effect of the mass arrests recently, Chief LaRue reported that it has an affect from five to seven days and that it is a terrific drain on the police personnel. City Attorney Andrews answered questions regarding the Ordinance and the amount of fines or sentences imposed when these cases are brought to court. He explained that the maximum amount is $250 or 90 days in jail or both and previously in most cases, the person.has been given the maximum 90 days of which approximately 75 days are suspended. IThere was some discussion on the Assistant City Attorney's comments relating to the sentencing of men and the prostitutes, that the men should receive lesser sentences because the loss of time from their jobs. It was the consensus of the Council that the penalty should be equal. After discussion, it was MOVED by Moore, seconded by Allard that Ordinance No. 1980, prohibiting loitering for the purpose of prostitution, 20 AUGUST 2, 1976 - - - be passed: carried, Allard, Edmondson, Holbrook, Moore, Walker and Wonder voting aye on roll call. Simmons absent. - ORDINANCE NO. 1980, AN ORDINANCE relating to public safety and morals; prohibiting loitering for the purpose of prostitution; enacting Section 6.04.387 as a new section, and repealing Section 6.04.155, of the City of Yakima Municipal Code; and declaring an emergency. It was MOVED by Moore, seconded by Allard that Ordinance No. 1981, relating to the use of water from City ditches, be passed: Harried, Allard, Edmondson, Holbrook, Moore, Walker and Wonder ; voting aye on roll call. Simmons absent. City Manager McMicken !explained that this ordinance merely changes certain sections of the Municipal Code to read canals instead of flumes, which ;brings it more up-to-date. ! !ORDINANCE NO. 1981, AN ORDINANCE relating to public services and utilities; enpowering the City Manager to control and regulate the use of water from City ditches; declaring certain prohibited ,conduct to be unlawful; amending Section 7.28.020 and 7.28.030, and repealing Section 7.28.010, all of the City of Yakima Municipal ;Code. The Planning Commission report having been received on the matter of the Rex Sweitz Special Permit request for construction of , a triplex in an R-2 zone at 1214 So. 5th Avenue, and approving said request after having it remanded to them by the City Council for further review, no further Council action is necessary.' An off-agenda item, a Resolution authorizing the execution of an agreement with R. R. Jump, Consulting Engineers for professional , ;engineering services in connection with Yakima Center Parking lLot and Street Modifications, was discussed. City Manager McMicken ;explained that the staff is recommending this firm for this Ijob and explained plan "A" which will be covered by this contract. In answer to questions by Council members re the fee to be paid, , Mr. McMicken reported that Jump's fee is 8.7% of the contract award, not to exceed the engineer's estimate by 10%. This estimate is to be furnished at the time for final plans. He also gave the schedule or rates for additional services, as stated in the proposed contract. Council members asked various questions !regarding how this particular firm or any consulting firm is selected. Mr. McMicken explained that certain kinds of professional* services are required and are available for certain kinds of jobs, that quotations are received from various firms, that ;local firms are used if possible and the staff tries to ;spread the work among the available firms. After discussion, it was MOVED by Walker, seconded by Moore that Resolution No. 1D-3568, authorizing the execution of said agreement with R. R. Jump Consulting Engineers, be passed: carried, Allard, Edmondson; ; !Moore and Walker voting aye on roll call; Holbrook and Wonder ; !voting nay on roll call. Simmons absent. ;RESOLUTION NO. D-3568, A RESOLUTION authorizing and directing I/ the City Manager and City Clerk of the City of Yakima to execute an agreement with R. R. Jump Consulting Engineers for professional ! 1 engineering services in connection with Yakima Center Parking : Lot and Street Modifications. An off-agenda item, the matter of the offer to purchase for the Fire Training site by Gary Lukehart for $62,000 plus interest for 12 years, was brought on for discussion. Council members !indicating that they feel the City should not be in the real !estate or contract business, it was MOVED by Moore, seconded _ by Walker that this offer as presented, be rejected and that ; we would be open to a counter offer that would include a total payment in cash: carried, Allard, Edmondson, Holbrook, Moore, ; !Walker and Wonder voting aye by voice vote. Simmons absent. 291 AUGUST 2, 1976 There was discussion re the Yakima Center Advisory Board 1minutes distributed to the Council for their information, !regarding the purchase price of the proposed kitchen equipment and the veto power to be given to Ray Pittman, Manager of the Visitor's and Convention Bureau. City Manager McMicken reported on the amount budgeted for kitchen equipment and !explained that they are trying to get the best kitchen for the money available. He also explained that the veto power Ito be given to Mr. Pittman is necessary as he is responsible 1 for seeing that the correct warrantees are obtained, etc. No formal action was taken regarding these matters. !There being no further business to come before the Council, it was MOVED by Moore, seconded by Walker that they go into !Executive Session to discuss the acquisition of the Cody , property: carried, Allard, Edmondson; Holbrook, Moore, !Walker and Wonder voting aye by voice vote. Simmons absent. 'After the Executive Session, it was MOVED by Moore, seconded I by Walker that we do now adjourn at the hour of 6:00 P.M.: !carried, Allard, Edmondson, Holbrook, Moore, Walker and Wonder voting aye by voice vote. Simmons absent. READ AND CERTIFIED ACCURATE 0 NC LMAN xio Ai r/ DATE COU I MAN ATTEST: - 44111F j - CITY ERK ( MAYOR