HomeMy WebLinkAbout02/18/1992 Business Meeting 158
CITY OF YAKIMA, WASHINGTON
FEBRUARY 18, 1992
BUSINESS MEETING
1. ROLL CALL
The City Council met in session on this date at 2:00 P.M. in
the Council Chambers of City Hall, Yakima, Washington. Mayor
Pat Berndt, presiding, Councilmembers Clarence Barnett, Henry
Beauchamp, Bill Brado, Lynn Buchanan, and Bernard Sims
present on roll call. Councilmember Skip Semon absent and
excused. City Manager Zais, City Attorney Vanek, City Clerk
Roberts and Clerk Harris also present.
2. INVOCATION /PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by City Attorney Vanek.
3. OPEN DISCUSSION FOR THE GOOD OF THE ORDER
Councilmember Barnett discussed the memo from himself and
Councilmember Brado relating to surveying Yakima businesses
regarding future trolley service and the possibility of the
downtown merchants contributing toward the free trolleys.
Councilmember Sims stated he did not feel downtown merchants
would be willing to pay for the free trolley service since
they are already paying a tax of three - tenths of a percent
for the trolleys. Based on that information, the committee
did not want to waste the money for that survey. Staff
members stated a combined survey will be made by Transit and
Refuse. Councilmember Beauchamp stated he would like to have
information from other cities which have successful trolleys
and are interested in buying ours. City Manager Zais
discussed possible means of revenue. The advantage of less
pollution in the City by using the trolleys was discussed by
Councilmember Buchanan. There has been a steady increase of
riders since the program began.
Birthday greetings were given to Police Chief Green.
4. CONSENT AGENDA
Mayor Berndt inquired if there was additional material
available concerning Item No. 8. City Clerk Roberts
explained that the Yakima Herald - Republic was the only
bidder, at a 5% increase from last year. Mayor Berndt
referred to the items placed on the Consent Agenda,
questioning whether there were any additions or deletions
from either Councilmembers or citizens present. It was the
general consensus of the Council to add Item No. 8 and remove
the minutes of February 4, 1992. The City Clerk then
read the Consent Agenda items, including resolutions and
ordinances by title. It was MOVED BY SIMS, SECONDED BY
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BUCHANAN, THAT THE CONSENT AGENDA, AS READ, BE PASSED.
The motion carried by unanimous roll call vote; Semon
absent. (Subsequent paragraphs preceded by an asterisk
( *) indicate items on the Consent Agenda handled under
one motion without further discussion).
5. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF JANUARY 21 AND 28, AND FEBRUARY 4,
1992 ADJOURNED AND BUSINESS MEETINGS
*A. The Council minutes of the January 21, and January 28,
1992 Business Meetings were approved, having been duly I,
certified accurate by two Councilmembers and no one
present wishing to have said minutes read publicly.
B. February 4, 1992 Business Meeting
Councilmember Buchanan requested the minutes of the
February 4, 1992 Business Meeting be delayed for
one week.
6. PUBLIC MEETING TO CONSIDER HEARING EXAMINER RECOMMENDATION ON
MASTER APPLICATION AND PARTIAL RIGHT -OF -WAY VACATION FOR
CENTRAL WASHINGTON COMPREHENSIVE MENTAL HEALTH FOR PROPERTY
IN VICINITY OF SO. 4TH AVENUE AND PINE
This being the time set:for the public meeting, Associate
Planner Valoff explained the staff's recommendations for the
right -of -way vacation. The staff recommended approval of the
partial right -of -way vacation and construction of the medical
office complex. Councilmember Barnett questioned a variation
in the site plans. Mr. Valoff explained that the plans had
been changed several times and that Mr. Franklin would
explain the present plans. He stated that no objections were
made at the Hearing Examiner's hearing by any property
owners. It was stated that public transportation would be
the largest means of transportation used and that .future
plans have been made for additional parking. The Council
questioned the staff concerning the parking and it being
sufficient. City Manager Zais informed the Council that they
have the authority to decide if additional parking is needed.
Mayor Berndt opened the public meeting and asked for anyone
wishing to speak in favor of the vacation.
Architect Dave Franklin explained the plans for the mental
health facility to be built on the property. This facility
will be used for patients to be evaluated and cared for,
including a de -tox center.
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Councilmember Buchanan was concerned that the City was
practically giving away the right -of -way property which would
be a loss to taxpayers. Staff members stated that the right-
of -way had previously been given to the City. Councilmember
Buchanan still maintained that right -of -way vacations were
being too freely given with no guarantees that the City would
be able to buy back part, if needed in the future, at a
reasonable rate. Councilmember Buchanan questioned several
times if Comprehensive Mental Health would be willing to sell
back to the City, at the same price it was bought for, the
right -of -way for Tieton Drive if it was needed in the future.
He never received a direct answer. City Attorney Vanek
cautioned Mr. Buchanan that additional compensation, over and
above the limits that are set in the statute, could be
unlawful. Councilmembers Buchanan and Beauchamp were
concerned that the street would be too narrow at the planned
crosswalks for large trucks to pass safely. The possibility
of Tieton Drive being made a through street to 3rd Avenue was
discussed, with no definite conclusions reached.
Jerry Henderson, President of Operations of Yakima Interurban
Trolley Lines, assured the Council that the trolley buildings
would be protected; probably as a future trolley museum. He
stated both organizations will benefit from this facility.
Terry Fitzgerald, Director of Comprehensive Mental Health,
stated he is certain the trolley buildings will permanently
reside where they are presently located. He also feels the
services provided by the facility will be a tremendous
benefit to the City and approves of the proposed site. The
proposed tunnel and possible problems were discussed; with
the possibility of a skybridge if the tunnel is not
successful.
Larry Petry, Chairman of the Comprehensive Mental Health
Board, stated he felt the service the facility will be
rendering to the City and the County needs to be considered.
Police Chief Green, also speaking as a private citizen,
stated the City's need for the facility and asked the Council
to think of it as an investment in the community.
Councilmember Brado stated he felt this would be a good time
to put Tieton Drive through to 3rd Avenue, with the
possibility of vacating 4th Avenue also discussed.
Earl Weatherman, President of the Yakima Valley Credit Union,
stated 4th Avenue was very important to them as an exit from
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FEBRUARY 18, .1992,
their property. He stated he is in favor of the project and
1, would like to see 4th Avenue narrower for safety's sake.
Councilmember Sims asked for an opinion from City Attorney
Vanek regarding the Council having the authority to review
the parking one year after the building was completed. City
Attorney Vanek advised against retaining jurisdiction over
this master application. He advised the Council to decide on
what they feel is adequate parking at this meeting. Planning
Director Skone stated that when this project is finished, it
will be under the law which requires that their employees
trips be reduced, in regard to vehicle travel. Therefore,
the number of parking spaces needed would not be as great.
Mayor Berndt asked if there was anyone present wishing to
speak against the vacation. There being none, Mayor Berndt
closed the public meeting. She inquired of the Council if
any outside contact had been made concerning this issue; the
Councilmembers all declared no contact. Following further
discussion, and the ordinance having been read by title, it
was MOVED BY BARNETT, SECONDED BY SIMS, TO PASS THE
ORDINANCE. City Manager Zais stated that the Council needed
to deal with the street size and design. It was MOVED BY
BEAUCHAMP, SECONDED BY BRADO, TO AMEND THE MOTION THAT NO
PORTION OF THE STREET WILL BE LESS THAN 30 FEET AND TO DIRECT
STAFF TO BRING BACK LEGISLATION. The amended motion carried
by 4 -2 roll call vote; Semon absent. Mayor Berndt and
Councilmember Sims voting nay. Mayor Berndt stated she voted
nay because she was satisfied with the original motion.
Councilmember Buchanan stated he feels this is another
situation where City taxpayers are giving away, as the price
is required by State law, a street vacation to an entity that
is not even a taxpayer, is totally wrong. Councilmember Sims
stated he would like to clarify this statement. He stated
that Comprehensive Mental Health is a taxpayer because they
pay employment taxes and State B & 0 taxes and he feels this
is a major contribution. Mr. Franklin asked for further
discussion before the decision was final; the Council agreed.
Mr. Franklin asked if the street width could be approved by
1/ the City Engineer. He stated that adding the extra footage
to the street would cause them to have to move the building
back and he did not feel this was appropriate "on a whim ".
The Council assured him it was not on a whim, but a valid
decision, based on the need for more space for trucks to be
able to pass. Mr. Franklin then agreed with the decision.
The question was called for a vote on the motion, as amended.
The motion carried by 5 -1 roll call vote; Buchanan voting
nay. Councilmember Semon absent. Councilmember Brado stated
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he voted aye, but was still not comfortable with the parking
and would have liked to have seen Tieton Drive go through.
However, he did not want to kill the project. Councilmember
Buchanan voted nay stating he knew it would not kill the
project. City Attorney Vanek stated an amended ordinance
would be prepared and returned to Council for passage.
7. AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION
None
*8. CONSIDERATION OF AWARD OF CITY'S LEGAL ADVERTISING CONTRACT
The City's legal advertising contract for a term
of February 18, 1992 to February 18, 1993 was awarded to the
Yakima Herald - Republic.
*9. CONSIDERATION OF RESOLUTION APPROVING PRELIMINARY SUBDIVISION
AND PRELIMINARY PLAT SUBMITTED BY LARRY LOVELESS
RESOLUTION NO. D -6059, A RESOLUTION approving the preliminary
plat and preliminary subdivision submitted by Larry Loveless
(Barnaddy Addition II) for eleven lots at the southwest
corner of South 22nd Avenue and West Viola Avenue in the City
of Yakima, subject to certain conditions contained in the
Hearing Examiner's Recommendation; making additional findings
approving an administrative adjustment that would allow
tandem parking; and authorizing the Mayor to sign the
preliminary plat.
*10. CONSIDERATION OF RESOLUTION DECLARING DIEBOLD SAFE AS SURPLUS
AND DONATING SAFE TO THE YAKIMA VALLEY MUSEUM
RESOLUTION NO. D -6060, A RESOLUTION declaring one Diebold
Safe surplus and without value and authorizing its transfer
to the Yakima Valley Museum and Historical Association.
*11. APPROVAL OF POLICE DEPARTMENT 1991 ANNUAL REPORT
The Police Department 1991 Annual Report was approved.
*12. APPROVAL OF VEHICLE ACCIDENT REPORT FOR JANUARY 1992
The Vehicle Accident Report for January 1992 was accepted.
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I/ 13. OTHER BUSINESS
None
Information Items:
Items of information supplied to Council were: Letter from
City of Sunnyside supporting Optional 0.1% Sales Tax Election
for Criminal Justice Purposes. 2/11/92; Memo from Yakima
County Development Association regarding 911 system.
2/10//92; January 1992 Office of Housing and Neighborhood
Conservation Elderly Co -op Monthly Report; The Zoning Report,
"Recent Trends in the Design of Cul -de -sacs and Dead -end
Streets in Subdivisions." May 19, 1989; Community Response,
Yakima County Substance Abuse Coalition Newsletter. Vol. 2,
No. 2, January 1992; and Agenda for February 18, 1992 Yakima
Valley Conference of Governments Executive Committee meeting
and minutes of its January 21, 1992 meeting.
14. EXECUTIVE SESSION REGARDING COLLECTIVE BARGAINING
Property Acquisition was added to the Executive Session. It
was MOVED BY BRADO, SECONDED BY BUCHANAN, TO MOVE INTO
EXECUTIVE SESSION FOR THE PURPOSE OF DISCUSSING COLLECTIVE
BARGAINING AND PROPERTY ACQUISITION, TO BE FOLLOWED BY
IMMEDIATE ADJOURNMENT. The motion carried by unanimous voice
vote; Semon absent.
15. ADJOURNMENT
Following the conclusion of the Executive Session, the
meeting was adjourned at the hour of 4:40 P.M.
READ AND CERTIFIED ACCURATE BY: eb 3
COUNCI :ER DATE
C• LMEMBER DATE
A TTEST :
CITY CLERK / MAYOR
Minutes prepared by Clerk Harris
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