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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 172 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 173 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 3 174 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. 4 aid 17 5 K CB 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. 5 176 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. 6 aT 1 7 *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. 7 178 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 8