HomeMy WebLinkAbout03/03/1992 Adjourned Meeting / Study Session / Business Meeting 171
CITY OF YAKIMA, WASHINGTON
MARCH 3, 1992
ADJOURNED MEETING
The City Council met in session on this date at 1 :15 P.M. at
City Hall, "B" Street entrance. Mayor Pat Berndt,
Councilmembers Lynn Buchanan, Bernard Sims and City Clerk
Roberts present. They were given an equipment demonstration
by the City of Yakima Fire Department. Three new fire
engines were demonstrated, and the Councilmembers present had
the opportunity to go for a ride.
MARCH 3, 1992
STUDY SESSION /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, Skip Semon and Bernard
Sims present on roll call. 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 Buchanan.
3. OPEN DISCUSSION FOR THE GOOD OF THE ORDER
Councilmember Brado requested transit service for the
Castlevale /34th Avenue area. This area has been recently
annexed and has a large number of low income and senior
citizens requesting transit service. Mr. Brado stated he has
discussed this with the Transit Committee and the answer has
been that they need to annex additional surrounding area
first. He questioned the wisdom of annexing more area if
service could not be given to areas already annexed. He also
questioned spending more money on the trolleys when these
areas aren't being serviced. Councilmember Semon stated
routes would have to be changed to service this area.
Councilmember Buchanan stated there is a large amount of work
involved in changing the printed schedules when routes are
changed. City Manager Zais stated if the Council desires to
review this issue, staff could furnish specific information
to them. Councilmember Semon informed the Council that the
Transit Committee had made the decision not to survey
downtown businesses regarding financial support for the
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trolleys. Councilmembers Barnett and Brado suggested
including that in the survey that is being conducted
regarding transit.
Mayor Berndt read a Proclamation of appreciation to members
of the private sector regarding participation in relocation
and replacement of the railroad crossing pads. The following
businesses received a proclamation: Washington Central
Railroad, Union Pacific Railroad, Big Valley, Carrier
Transport, Drotzman Trucking, Eldon Graves Enterprise, Excel
Fruit Brokerage Inc., Fruit Packers Supply, Leach Trucking,
McGuire Lumber & Rahier Trucking, Michelsen Packaging, Paper
Pak Corporation, Petrolane Gas Service, Price Trucking,
Quality Trucking, Shields Bag & Printing, Snokist Growers,
H.R. Spinner & Longview Fibre, Strothers Trucking, 3 -Way
Trucking, Voelker Fruit, and Zellerbach Paper. Director of
Utilities and Engineering Covell thanked the City staff which
consisted of: Street Department: Joe Jackson, Tom Berg, Chuck
Martin, Jim Ives, Don Kerr, Doug Arenson, Tom Carlton, Ken
Thomas, John Rutter, Calvin Milner, Roy Thompson, Bob
Hamilton, Jack Balding, Gilbert Chandler, Bill Renecker, Ray
Kern, Robert Fraga; Traffic Division: Steve Knopp, Jim Bond,
Herb Still, Dave Winton, Shelly Willson, and Jerry Sweesy;
Sewer Division: Gary Hill, Randy Fleming, Allen Mason;
Irrigation Department: Ron Smith; Water Department: George
Justice; and Engineering Division: Mike Antijunti, Dick
Sommer, Tom Upton, Fred French, and Wendy Leinan. Mr. Covell
stated there had been over 3,000 man hours worked by the
City. The materials, labor and equipment amounted to over
$113,000. He thanked everyone involved. Mayor Berndt
thanked Councilmember Sims for spearheading the project.
Councilmember Sims thanked Mr. Tony Alegria of SnoKist for
the knowledge, work and information which he put into this
effort.
Mayor Berndt proclaimed March, 1992 as Pennies for
Playgrounds Month. City Parks and Recreation Manager
Flaherty, reported that $500 in pennies have already been
received toward the one million pennies needed for for summer
activities in City parks. He thanked the Herald- Republic,
KAPP TV, KXDD and KUTI Radio, Culligan Water, and US Bank as
sponsors of the program.
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 Off - Agenda
Item No. 14A and remove the minutes of February 11, 1992 from
the Consent Agenda. The City Clerk then read the Consent
Agenda items, including resolutions- and ordinances by title.
It was MOVED BY 8IM8, SECONDED BY BUCHANAN, THAT THE CONSENT
AGENDA, AS READ, BE PASSED. The motion carried by unanimous
roll call vote. (Subsequent paragraphs preceded by an
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asterisk ( *) indicate -items on.the Consent Agenda handled
under one motion without further discussion.)
5. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES OF THE FEBRUARY 11, 1992 BUSINESS
MEETING
It was MOVED BY BUCHANAN, SECONDED BY BEAUCHAMP, TO AMEND THE
FEBRUARY 11, 1992 MINUTES TO SHOW THAT IT WAS THE CHAIRMAN OF
THE COUNCIL, RATHER THAN COUNCILMEMBER BARNETT, WHO STATED
THAT A SECOND WAS NOT REQUIRED TO LAY A MOTION ON THE TABLE.
The motion carried by unanimous voice vote.
*A. Minutes of February 18, 1992
The Council minutes of the February 18, 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
None
7. REPORT FROM FIRE DEPARTMENT ON EQUIPMENT STATUS
Yakima Fire Department Chief Beeson thanked the Council for
their cooperation and discussed the updated equipment. He
introduced Battalion Chief Bachmann and Battalion Chief
Vance. Battalion Chief Bachmann explained the three new
fire trucks and the safety features incorporated in them.
The striped design on the side of the truck is reflective,
designed for better visibility. The larger, bubble type
enclosed cabs are designed for safety. The cost of the three
trucks, totally equipped, will be approximately $250,000
each. Battalion Chief Vance introduced the new safety
equipment for the firefighters. Demonstrations were given by
members of the Fire Department staff showing their "turnout"
clothing and equipment. A sample of the old and the new
protective clothing was modeled by firefighters, Bruce Newell
and Chris Stark. The Self Contained Breathing :Apparatus
(SCBA) and the Personal Alert Safety System (PASS) devise,
which is a motion detector, were demonstrated. The City has
first rate equipment and clothing, with . the first
consideration being the safety of the firefighters and being
able to give citizens the fastest and best service possible.
The annexation of Fruitvale Fire District was discussed and
the sharing of the equipment. A demonstration was given by
Captain Scott of the newest life saving equipment, a
Defibrillaton (Defib) Unit, which is used for citizens when
an emergency, such as a heart attack, exists. A video was
shown of a fire in Phoenix, Arizona showing the dangers of a
house fire and the need for the improvements that have been
initiated to protect firefighters. Another video illustrated
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the testing that the self contained breathing apparatus must
pass. The industrial scientific portable gas detector was
explained and demonstrated by Battalion Chief Andring.
Deputy Chief Martin discussed the firefighters accountability
system. The firefighters will be required to use a passport
card and name tags with a helmet shield. This is a safety
system so everyone can be accounted for at all times. The
goal is to have this system implemented by the grass fire
season. Chief Beeson thanked the City and Council for
providing the firefighters with their present equipment.
Councilmember Barnett questioned Chief Beeson concerning the
medical rescue vehicle, which had been budgeted for, and the
Service Cluster Action Team (SCAT). Chief Beeson explained
that a brand new vehicle was acquired when Fruitvale District
was annexed so the management felt there was no need to buy
another and he explained the reason SCAT has not been
implemented yet. Chief Beeson responded to Councilmember
Brado's question of what District required the most emergency
calls, by explaining that Station One handled 60% of the
calls. He explained the pros and cons of sending out a
pumper truck or a medical rescue vehicle, and the merits and
expense of both. He stated the City has been very sensitive
about using the Fruitvale equipment in that area.
8. VIDEO PRESENTATION ON IRRIGATION SYSTEM
Ty Wick, Water and Irrigation Supervisor, introduced a video
explaining the irrigation maintenance assessment. The video
explained how the rates are determined according to a rate
assessment formula, expenditures for the past year, plus cash
balance deficient, plus projected increases in operational
costs, minus expenditure adjustments, equals total operations
and maintenance costs which is divided by the system's square
footage giving a final figure, which is the assessment rate
for that system. Councilmember Barnett suggested changes in
the video to exclude the historical date of 1981, and simply
state "this is how we do it, and we do have this preventive
maintenance program ". He feels the statement concerning what
a citizen can do at a public hearing was misleading. He
stated the Council, as a Board of Equalization, has a lot of
leeway in what they are allowed to do in adjusting irrigation
assessments. The six months or more cash balance, as stated,
is in error; he believes it to be six months, not "or more ".
He feels the stabilization has taken place because some of
the cash balances were high to begin with. Mr. Wick stated
he did not want the citizens to think they could have their
individual assessment changed, since it has to be by
district. Mr. Wick assured the Council this would be
addressed. City Manager Zais commented he would like to see
this lead to a series of videos to keep the public informed.
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9. CONSIDERATION OF RESOLUTION ..REGARDING CITY OF YAKIMA
PARTICIPATION IN PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION BENEFIT AREA
Councilmember Barnett stated he would like to recommend a
small change in the verbiage of the resolution. He stated
the reason for withdrawal needs to be stated. Following
further discussion, and Resolution No. D -6063 having been
read by title, it was MOVED BY BEAUCHAMP, SECONDED BY
BUCHANAN, TO ADOPT THE RESOLUTION. It was then MOVED BY
BARNETT, SECONDED BY BUCHANAN, TO AMEND THE RESOLUTION IN THE
SECOND WHEREAS, IN THE LAST LINE OF THE SECOND WHEREAS, AFTER
THE WORDS, YAKIMA COUNTY PTBA, TO ADD "BECAUSE THE CITY OF
YAKIMA AND THE OTHER CITIES COULD NOT REACH AGREEMENT ON THE
FORMATION OF A COUNTY -WIDE PTBA, BY THE MARCH 5TH DEADLINE ".
The motion carried by unanimous voice vote. The question was
called for a vote on the motion, as amended. The motion
carried by unanimous roll call vote. Councilmember Beauchamp
stated he voted aye, but did not feel it was necessary.
Councilmember Semon stated he would like it to be made clear
that the City was not opting out because they do not agree
with it but because more time had to be taken to receive
additional information and additional planning time to do
this properly. City Manager Zais reported on his testimony
before the Senate on HB 2938 concerning the PTBA. He said
the bill has now been tabled, for which he is pleased.
RESOLUTION NO. D-6063, A RESOLUTION authorizing withdrawal of
the City of Yakima from participation in a proposed Yakima
County Public Transportation Benefit Area.
10. CONTINUATION OF DISCUSSION REGARDING CONSULTANT REPORT ON
WASTE REDUCTION AND RECYCLING STUDY
A. REVIEW OF INTERIM REPORT
Refuse and Recycling Manager Gaudette introduced Charlie
Scott, with Matrix Management. He reviewed their
recommendations with Council. Councilmember Barnett was
concerned with the cost of the, proposed curbside
recycling program. Mr. Scott agreed with Councilmember
Barnett that the City should start with the less costly
programs . first, rather than the curbside recycling.
Mayor Berndt stated the Solid Waste Advisory Committee,
commissioned by the County, needs City input before April
to help them make a decision for a plan; which has to be
submitted to the Department of Ecology (DOE). Public
Works Director Copeland explained that the program is
mandatory and the City has to be prepared for
implementation.
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B. REVIEW OF PROPOSED CITIZEN SURVEY
The Council and staff discussed possible questions of the
proposed citizen survey. Following further discussion
it was MOVED BY BARNETT, SECONDED BY BRADO, TO DEFER THE
PRESENT SURVEY AND CONTINUE TO DEVELOP SURVEY QUESTIONS.
The motion carried by unanimous voice vote.
C. REQUEST FOR POLICY DIRECTION AND GUIDANCE REGARDING
YAKIMA COUNTY SOLID WASTE PLAN
City Manager Zais corrected No. 1 in the Council staff
report information. He stated there is no Growth
Management Act boundaries, it is the Urban Area
boundaries, as it currently exists. Councilmember
Barnett stated he would like to work on Option No. 2
first. Refuse and Recycling Manager Gaudette reviewed
the options and asked for their direction. Councilmember
Barnett suggested an alternative could be yard waste and
OCC (cardboard), rather than the curbside service. Mayor
Berndt and Ms. Gaudette stated this would not be
sufficient. Mr. Scott stated an alternative, rather than
the curbside, would have to include a drop box service at
least. DOE has never designated exactly what would be
acceptable, other than the curbside service. He feels
alternatives could be successful, but it has never been
tested. Councilmember Semon asked what the penalty would
be, if the requirements are not met. Mr. Scott stated
the County plan would not be acceptable if DOE
requirements are not met and that would mean a lack ,of
grant money. It was the consensus of the Council that
the City should not have to abide by decisions made with
Western Washington and the larger cities in mind.
However, with the DOE mandates, the City does not have a
total choice in the matter. Following further
discussion, it was MOVED BY BARNETT, SECONDED BY BRADO,
TO ACCEPT THE MODIFIED VERSION 1 THROUGH 4 OF NUMBER 6.
The motion carried by unanimous voice vote; Beauchamp
absent. Councilmember Beauchamp absent after 4 :55 P.M.
It was MOVED BY BUCHANAN, SECONDED BY SIMS, TO MARE THE
URBAN AREA, AB WE KNOW IT, THE URBAN AREA, PLUS SELAH.
The motion carried by unanimous voice vote; Beauchamp
absent.
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*11. CONSIDERATION OF RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING EXECUTION OF CONTRACT
WITH THE YAKIMA- HERALD REPUBLIC FOR PRINTING AND DISTRIBUTION
OF SPRING PARKS AND RECREATION BROCHURE
RESOLUTION NO. D -6064, A RESOLUTION authorizing execution of
an agreement with the Yakima Herald - Republic for the
publication of the City of Yakima Parks and Recreation
Division Spring Program Brochure.
*12. SET DATE OF PUBLIC HEARING FOR MARCH 17, 1992 FOR ADOPTION OF
AMENDMENT FOR CITY FLOOD PREVENTION ORDINANCE
March 17, 1992 was set as the date of public hearing for the
adoption of amendments to the City's Flood Prevention
Ordinance.
*13. APPROVAL OF FINAL CONTRACT PAYMENT FOR 56TH AVENUE &
SUMMITVIEW AVENUE AND 32ND AVENUE AND SUMMITVIEW AVENUE
PROJECT (STANDARD MOTION VB - ACCEPT CONTRACT AND APPROVE
FINAL PAYMENT)
The report from the City Engineer dated February 20, 1992,
with respect to the completion of the work on 56th Avenue &
Summitview Avenue /32nd Avenue & Summitview Avenue Project,
performed by Knobel's Electric, was approved, the work
accepted and payment of the final estimates as therein set
forth was authorized.
14. OTHER BUSINESS
*A. CONSIDERATION OF RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING EXECUTION OF
AGREEMENT WITH THE PERS FIRE UNION REGARDING TRANSFER OF
FIRE DISTRICT 10 EMPLOYEE TO CITY EMPLOYMENT
RESOLUTION NO. D -6065, A RESOLUTION authorizing the
execution of an Agreement authorizing the one - time waiver
of certain provisions of the Collective Bargaining
Agreement between the City of Yakima and the
International Association of Fire. Fighters, AFL -CIO,
Local 469 (PERS) for the years 1991 and 1992.
It was the consensus of the Council for City Manager Zais
to distribute the information on the trolley survey but
not address it until next week, as the hour was late.
Transit Manager Schultz displayed a map and briefly
discussed the trolley routes and the ridership. 169,000
riders were serviced during the past eight months with
the drivers keeping track of the number of riders.
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15. EXECUTIVE SESSION REGARDING COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AND
PROPERTY ACQUISITION
It was MOVED BY BUCHANAN, SECONDED BY 8IMS, TO MOVE INTO
EXECUTIVE SESSION FOR THE PURPOSE OF DISCUSSING COLLECTIVE
BARGAINING, PENDING LITIGATION, AND PROPERTY ACQUISITION,
WITH IMMEDIATE ADJOURNMENT THEREAFTER. The motion carried by
unanimous voice vote; Barnett and Beauchamp absent.
Councilmember Barnett absent after 5:10.
16. ADJOURNMENT TO MARCH 10, 1992 AT 7:00 A.M. AT THE YAKIMA
CENTER FOR INFORMAL DISCUSSION
Following the completion of the Executive Session, the
meeting was adjourned at the hour of 6:30 P.M.
READ AND CERTIFIED ACCURATE BY: �� l (//
/
P CT MEMBER D T
COUN EMBER DATE
ATTEST:
CITY CLERK MAYOR
Minutes prepared by Clerk Harris
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