HomeMy WebLinkAbout01/20/1977 Business Meeting `Pfl
ADJOURNED REGULAR MEETING - JANUARY 20, 1977
The City Council met in session on this date at 12:00 Noon in the
banquet room of Frasu's West restaurant at the Yakima airport,
Yakima, Washington. Council members present were Mayor Betty L.
Edmondson, Jean Allard, Ralph Holbrook, W. K. "Pete" Moore, Dr. Bill
Simmons and Gordon Wonder. Council member Nadine Walker absent.
Regarding appointments to City Boards and Commissions, the following
recommendations were made to fill vacancies: reappointment of Neil
C. Buren to the Police and Fire Civil Service Commission for six
years to December 31, 1982; appointment of Al Bariault to the
Planning Commission to August 31, 1982, to replace Dr. Earl Zini
who resigned; and appointment of Mr. J. Russell Rennie to fill the
unexpired term of Bruce Beaudoin to the City Employees' Civil Ser
vice Commission, which term expires June 1, 1981. It was MOVED by
Allard, seconded by Wonder that these appointments be made as
recommended: carried, Allard, Edmondson, Holbrook, Moore, Simmons
and Wonder voting aye by voice vote. Walker absent.
In considering A.W.C.'s advice regarding the disposition of local
LEOFF Pension Boards, it was MOVED by Moore, seconded by Allard
that recommendations be made to the state that the local Boards be
placed under State jurisdiction provided the State Board takes on
responsibilities for medical obligations; otherwise, local Boards
are to be left alone: carried, Allard, Holbrook, Moore,
Simmons and Wonder voting aye by voice vote. Edmondson voting nay
by voice vote.* Walker absent.
The next discussion was with members of the Yakima Valley Construc-
tion Federation which included Architects Ron Cameron and Bob
Dawley and Contractors Bob Lewis and Dick Wilson. The subject of
discussion was a review of City procedures in interpreting and
administering building code provisions. In this context, Bob Lewis
suggested that there should be some reorganization internally, to
enable the building department to have total responsibility for
administering all codes, rather than other divisions being involved.
He indicated that their problems were not necessarily related to
the time involved to conduct reviews and time checks, but questioned
the extra work done by the other divisions, such as the Fire
Department. Mr. Cameron related his concern over the City's
adoption and interpretation of State laws, i.e., the Uniform Building
Code with its adopted references. He felt that the principal problem
was reference codes, such as the National Fire Code, which were
being followed and interpreted by the City, whereas contractors
believe that the State's Uniform Fire Codes are to be observed.
Contractors have had difficulty in following the application of
both codes towards their particular projects. Mr. Cameron indicated
that their attorneys had been in contact with the Attorney General's
Office which had indicated that State Codes such as the Uniform
Building Code and the Uniform Fire Code were all that was required
to be followed and questioned the City's practice in adopting the
National Fire Code. He recommended that City Codes be examined
from a legal standpoint to clarify the requirements, and the City
should establish a central clearing house for code reviews. In
considering this, Councilman Holbrook raised the question of whether
members of the building industry would be prepared to aid the City
in examining its procedures to reconcile these differences. Bob
Dawley and Mr. Wilson indicated they would be supportive of this
type of assistance. Mr. Cameron concurred also, and went on to
discuss other problems they encountered in the administration and
interpretation of the Zoning Code by the Planning Department,
suggesting that this code be revised also so it can be interpreted
by the building officials rather than planners. Similarly, other
departments such as engineering, often times have not provided
sufficient review occasioning delays in processing plans. Council-
man Holbrook raised the question of whether one official in the
*Mayor Edmondson informed Council that our local Police and Fire
Pension Boards voted to retain local board jurisdiction.
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ADJOURNED REGULAR MEETING - JANUARY 20, 1977
City could inspect and interpret all codes such as mechanical,
plumbing, building or fire. Bob Dawley and others indicated that
this'might be possible but normally code interpretation was a
; specialized area. Councilman Simmons suggested that the problem
!raised by the Contractors' Federation be reviewed, with management,
and involve members of the industry in reviewing the problems.
'Councilman Holbrook suggested that the industry should assist in
,reviewing any upcoming ordinances which would amend and adopt by
!reference new code provisions. Councilman Moore indicated that he
,believed it was possible for one official to conduct a multitude
of inspections and that this approach should be considered. He
further supported having the industries involve themselves in
I/ !assisting the City and recommended the establishment of an advisory
iboard to review code adjustments. The meeting concluded with the
'understanding that the Acting City Manager would confer with
incoming City Manager - George Eastman on this matter, and with mem-
,bers of the construction industry to work towards clarity in
'administering and interpreting these codes.
iThere being no further business to come before the Council, it was
!MOVED by Moore, seconded by Holbrook that this meeting be adjourned
at the hour of 1:30 P.M.: carried, Allard, Edmondson, Holbrook,
Moore, Simmons, and Wonder voting aye by voice vote. Walker absent.
READ AND CERTIFIED ACCURATE BY -- ://gdh_r. DATE
COUNCILMAN
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COUNCILMAN
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