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HomeMy WebLinkAbout02/25/1992 Business Meeting 164 CITY OF YAKIMA, WASHINGTON FEBRUARY 25, 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 I/ Pat Berndt, presiding, Councilmembers Clarence Barnett, Henry Beauchamp, Lynn Buchanan, and Bernard Sims present on roll call. Councilmembers Bill Brado, and 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 Councilmember Barnett. 3. OPEN DISCUSSION FOR THE GOOD OF THE ORDER It was MOVED BY SIMS, SECONDED BY BEAUCHAMP, TO APPOINT MARK OLLOM AND ANITA MONOIAN TO THE COMMUNITY PROGRAMMING ADVISORY COMMITTEE. The motion carried by unanimous voice vote; Brado and Semon absent. Councilmember Barnett asked for clarification from Lon Wyrick on the status of the Public Transportation Improvement Conference (PTIC), from which the Council had received two letters. Lon Wyrick, Director of Conference of Governments, explained the letters were concerning the Public Transportation Benefit Area (PTBA). The Public Transportation Improvement Conference (PTIC) Committee agreed additional time is needed to review the City of Yakima's participation in the PTBA. This would allow time for discussion and compromise by the working group in the development of a viable transition agreement. It would also allow time for additional education and information meetings with city councils throughout the County. The time frame cannot be extended past March 9th. There are two options; one is to reach a decision by March 9th or all of the committees would opt out and continue the process in six months. The decision will be made at the March 5, 1992 PTIC meeting. Councilmember Sims stated the 14 cities involved felt they needed additional time for planning, before reaching a final decision. 4. CONSENT AGENDA 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 Items Nos. 9 165 FEBRUARY 25, .:1992., and 12 to the Consent Agenda. The City Clerk then read the Consent Agenda items, including resolutions and ordinances by title. It was MOVED BY SIMS, SECONDED BY BUCHANAN, THAT THE CONSENT AGENDA, AS READ, BE PASSED. The motion carried by unanimous roll call vote; Brado, and Semon absent. (Subsequent paragraphs preceded by an asterisk ( *) indicate items on the Consent Agenda handled under one motion without further discussion.) *5. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES OF THE FEBRUARY 4, 1992 BUSINESS MEETING The Council minutes of the February 4, 1992 Business meeting were approved, having been duly certified accurate by two Councilmembers and no one present wishing to have said minutes read publicly. 6. AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION Mayor Berndt proclaimed March 1992, as Yakima Bowling Month. The proclamation was accepted by Pansy Hudon, of the Yakima Women's Bowling Association. Ms. Hudon stated there would be over 7,000 members of the Women's Bowling Association (WBA) in Yakima between -March 7th and June 2nd for bowling tournaments. The proceeds of the tournament will go to handicapped children, and disabled veterans funds. Ms. Hudon invited the Council to: the . opening ceremonies on March 7, 1992. She stated this tournament would bring Yakima approximately $3,000,000 in revenue. 7. REPORT ON COMMUNITY PUBLIC SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS' LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES A Legislative update was given by Marketa Oliver, Administrative Assistant to the City Manager. She asked City Attorney Vanek to speak to the proposed amendment to the Open Public Records Act. Mr. Vanek stated this would amend the Act that governs the types of meetings the City holds. It would increase restrictions on authority to hold executive sessions. Advisory boards and commissions holding no authority would be required to hold open meetings. It also requires that committees of the Council be held in open sessions and that telephone conferences be open to the public. Ms. Oliver reported on the Early Retirement Bill, HB 2947, which could potentially affect 15 to 20 City employees with early retirement. She stated City Manager Zais was in Olympia today testifying, regarding HB 2938, which relates to Public Transportation Benefit Area. 2 166 FEBRUARY 25, 1992 Tim McGree, Executive Director of the Yakima County Development Association, reviewed HB 2287 regarding port districts. Mr. McGree stated their major concern is preparing competitive industrial property. There is only one port district allowed per county and they are trying to change that to allow more than one. Ms. Oliver asked for Council direction in regard to supporting that bill. Alex Deccio, Yakima County Commissioner Chairman, discussed the PTBA issue. He stated considering the March 9, 1992 deadline, he feels this project will have to be abandoned because the entities cannot come to an agreement. He feels an agreement needs to be reached between all the entities in the County before they start the process. Mayor Berndt asked Mr. Deccio if the County has followed the Growth Management Act (GMA) bills and if they are taking a stand on it. Mr. Deccio replied that he is supportive of one bill that would have a severe impact on the GMA. He feels the existing GMA is too restrictive and has too much adverse effect on citizens. He stated State funding for GMA will be reduced even further. Curtis King, President of Yakima Chamber of Commerce, stated they are following SB 6254 and SB 6255, which are wetland bills. He reviewed SB 6442, a teen -age labor bill, which would reduce the amount of hours 16 and 17 year olds are allowed to work. Councilmember Beauchamp asked if this bill wouldn't benefit teenagers that miss school to work in the fields. Mr. King replied that those situations are already covered by law and this bill would be harmful to young adults. They are also following the Clean Air Act (TDM Bill) and working to get it amended. He said they are also following the health care issue and the port district bill. The prevailing wage bill has died, which affects bidding. Dr. Phil Tullar, President of Yakima Valley Community College (YVCC), discussed the college's hard work to gain additional enrollment. Yakima is still next to the last place in enrollment and they are working to correct this. He thanked the City for their support. Kathy O'Meara- Wyman, Director of Community Relations for St. Elizabeth Medical Center, updated the Council on the health care reforms which are in the Legislation. She stated HB 3590 passed, which supports health care. The Medical Center also supports Dr. Tullar and gaining additional enrollment for YVCC. She discussed the health care ballots and asked Councilmembers to fill these out and return them for better input into what Yakima needs. Mayor Berndt 3 167 FEBRUARY 25, 1992, .,., questioned Ms. O'Meara on the status of the residency program. She replied that program is moving forward, but nothing is final at this point. Lon Wyrick, Conference of Governments, discussed the Growth Management Act. Mr. Wyrick would like to get the message to the Legislators that if they change the requirements, then the funding has to be changed. Bruce Loy, Manager of Yakima Air Terminal, discussed HB 2609 involving airport expansion. He stated he has discussed this with Representative Rayburn. The bill has been changed several times and he feels in its present form it is a good bill. In answer to Mayor Berndt's question about the Foreign Trade Zone application, Mr. Loy reported that some funds are available and they are looking for additional funding for the port of entry. The foreign trade application is still being considered. Councilmember Beauchamp asked how many ports of entry we have in our area. Mr. Loy stated Spokane is the only one we have on the east side of the State. Phil Pleasant, 701 S. 7th Avenue, urged the Council to give more recognition to the black community in regard to training and business opportunities. He asked the Council to request the Legislators to not grant even one permit for removing hazardous waste at Hanford until a part of the $30 Billion in the Federal Hazardous Clean -Up Project is used for training and business opportunities for the poor and minorities, and in particular, blacks. 8. REPORT FROM ENGINEERING & UTILITIES DEPARTMENT REGARDING FOURTH QUARTER 1991 CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS It was MOVED BY BUCHANAN, SECONDED BY BEAUCHAMP, TO ACCEPT THE REPORT. City Engineer French, reviewed the report. He stated minorities are reported in categories by minorities and female. Councilmember Beauchamp stated he felt ethnic minorities are not strong beneficiaries of City projects, and he feels at least the work force should consist of minorities. Phil Pleasant, 701 S. 7th Avenue, asked the City to require a report of minorities according to race, jobs, and dollar amount. He asked for more opportunities for blacks. Mayor Berndt advised the Council and Mr. Pleasant of the Central Washington Homebuilders program for training and placements and suggested they be contacted. The question was called for a vote on the motion. The motion carried by unanimous voice vote; Brado and Semon absent. 4 168 FEBRUARY 25, 1992 *9. REPORT FROM PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT REGARDING STREET LIGHTING PROGRAM This report is an overview of current street light design, installation, and operation procedures of the City's 3400 street lights. The lighting system is divided between arterial street lighting and residential street lighting. The 1992 budget amount for maintenance and operation is $199,170. The report was added to the Consent Agenda and accepted. *10. CONSIDERATION OF RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING SUBMITTAL OF APPLICATION FOR CENTENNIAL CLEAN WATER GRANT RESOLUTION NO. D -6061, A RESOLUTION authorizing the City Manager to sign all applications, grant agreements and amendments, and other documents relating to the Centennial Clean Water Fund for collection system planning, design, and construction grant financing. *11. CONSIDERATION OF RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING EXECUTION OF AGREEMENT WITH YAKIMA HERALD- REPUBLIC FOR PRINTING AND DISTRIBUTION OF PARKS AND RECREATION SUMMER PROGRAM GUIDE RESOLUTION NO. D -6062, A RESOLUTION authorizing execution of an agreement with the Yakima Herald - Republic for the publication of the City of Yakima Parks and Recreation Division Summer Program Brochure. *12. CONSIDERATION OF ORDINANCE VACATING PROPERTY IN VICINITY OF SOUTH 4TH AVENUE AND PINE AS REQUESTED BY CENTRAL WASHINGTON COMPREHENSIVE MENTAL HEALTH ORDINANCE NO. 3436, AN ORDINANCE relating to urban area zoning; approving an application by Central Washington Comprehensive Mental Health to construct a Medical Office Complex in the vicinity of South 4th Avenue between Tieton Drive and Pine Street; granting an administrative adjustment of parking standards; vacating a portion of South 4th Avenue between Tieton Drive and Pine Street; and granting a license to Central Washington Comprehensive Mental Health, its successors and assigns, to construct, maintain, and operate a tunnel under and across South 4th Avenue between Tieton Drive and Pine Street. 5 w • I • 169 FEBRUARY 25, .1992, *13. CONSIDERATION OF ORDINANCE ESTABLISHING A SICK LEAVE POOL FOR CERTAIN CITY EMPLOYEES ORDINANCE NO. 3437, AN ORDINANCE relating to personnel and leaves of absence, providing two systems for the transfer of accrued leave, for exempt classification employees and for American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) represented employees; and enacting Sections 2.40.110 and 2.40.120 as new sections of the City of Yakima Municipal Code.',. *14. FIRST READING OF ORDINANCE APPROPRIATING FUNDS INTO THE LAW AND JUSTICE FUND (NO ACTION REQUIRED THIS MEETING) An Ordinance amending the 1992 budget and appropriating funds to provide for a Police Mobile Data System, having been read by title only, was laid on the table for two weeks, until March 10, 1992. 15. OTHER BUSINESS None Information Items: Items of information provided to Council were: Memorandum from Code Administration Manager regarding Notice of Non - Compliance, 123 So. 7th Avenue. 2/19/92; Monthly Report of the Chief of Police for January 1992; Agenda for February 26, 1992 Police and Fire Civil Service Commission and minutes of its December 19, 1991 meeting; Personnel Hiring /Vacancy Status Reports as of February 6, 1992; Minutes of the February 6, 1992 Down Area Redevelopment Committee meeting; Assignments Pending in Office of Environmental Planning as of February 25, 1992; News Release regarding kick -off of Pennies for Playgrounds campaign. 2/24/91; Article from February 17, 1992 Newsweek, "Can You Top This ? "; and Article from 1992 Alexander Research & '.Communications, Inc., "Downtown Idea Exchange." 16. EXECUTIVE SESSION REGARDING PROSPECTIVE LITIGATION It was MOVED BY BUCHANAN, SECONDED BY BEAUCHAMP, TO MOVE INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION FOR THE PURPOSE OF DISCUSSING PROSPECTIVE LITIGATION, TO BE FOLLOWED BY IMMEDIATE ADJOURNMENT THEREAFTER TO MARCH 3, 1992 AT 1:15 P.M., AT CITY HALL FOR A FIRE DEPARTMENT EQUIPMENT DEMONSTRATION. The motion carried by unanimous voice vote; Brado and Semon absent. 6 170 FEBRUARY 25, 1992 17. ADJOURNMENT TO MARCH 3, 1992 AT 1:15 P.M. FOR FIRE DEPARTMENT EQUIPMENT DEMONSTRATION AT CITY HALL (BY B STREET ENTRANCE) Following completion of the Executive Session, the meeting was adjourned at the hour of 3:20 P.M. I ! READ AND CERTIFIED ACCURATE BY: U lI L21.(,../I. i UN LMEMBER , DATE / , , C.UNCILME': R DATE ATTEST: g Ct-Af 4 -w 6-4-eh.& Qa-t Ze4,-Lc;61- CITY CLERK MAYOR Minutes prepared by Clerk Harris 7