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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 159 FEBRUARY 18, 1992,... 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. 2 16 0 FEBRUARY 18, 1992 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 3 161 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 4 162 FEBRUARY 18, 1992 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. 5 163 FEBRUARY 18, ..1992... 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 6