HomeMy WebLinkAbout03/10/1992 Adjourned Meeting 179
CITY OF YAKIMA, WASHINGTON
MARCH 10, 1992
ADJOURNED MEETING
The City Council met in session on this date at 7:00 A.M. at
the Yakima Center Board Room for informal discussion. Mayor
Pat Berndt (absent after 8:45 A.M) and Councilmembers Bill
Brado, Skip Semon, and Bernard Sims present. Councilmembers
Clarence Barnett, Henry Beauchamp, and Lynn Buchanan absent
and excused. City staff members present were City Manager
Zais, Assistant City Manager Stouder, Administrative
Assistant to the City Manager Oliver, and Clerk Harris.
Others present were Airport Manager Bruce Loy (absent after
7:45 A.M.).
Airport Manager Loy distributed information and reported on
the status of the Terminal Radar Approach Control (TRACON).
At the present time, the airport uses a remote signal out of
Pasco. He reported Congressman Morrison had lobbied and
received appropriations for an entire TRACON facility, which
would give the airport personnel a small building with a
radar scope and an approach and depart control on site.
However, since that time Federal Aviation Administration
(FAA) has decided to downgrade this facility from a TRACON to
an ASR -9 radar with signal remoted to the Pasco TRACON
facility. If this happens, Yakima Air Terminal will not only
lose positions in its tower, but the pay scales will also be
downgraded. Efforts are currently being made in Washington,
D.C. to procure the TRACON facility for Yakima. The area
around the Firing Center is an especially dangerous area,
which needs additional radar coverage. The military is
considering putting up its own radar screen. Councilmember
Semon asked how many flights a year are diverted because the
airport does not have the added facilities. Mr. Loy stated
he doesn't know, but most diversions are related to weather.
The user -fee was discussed with the possibility of the
airport being reimbursed for overtime incurred by the customs
inspector, so the fee is passed onto the user via user-fees.
Attorney Pat Ballew has offered to research this issue. The
Airport Master Plan has a negotiated cost of $70,000 and
hopefully will be approved in a couple of weeks. A total of
$96,000 has been collected to cover the "incubator period ",
another $103,000 is needed. Puget Sound support was
discussed briefly, with it being noted that the Yakima Air
Terminal's goal of increased trade and investment
opportunities efforts need help from the leaders in the
SEATAC community. Mr. Loy stated the landscaping is in and
looks very nice. Boardings were down by 2 1/2 %, but in the
overall outlook it was an improvement. The excessive cost of
flying from Yakima to Seattle was discussed. Mr. Loy said
this is being looked into and more airlines need to be
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MARCH 10, 1992 - ADJOURNED MEETING
available for a more competitive rate. He stated he is
negotiating with another airline to locate at the Yakima
airport, the name of which he could not divulge at present.
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Casino runs are being considered. Mr. Loy requested a
meeting with the Council every three months to keep them
updated on airport issues.
Discussion ensued concerning the contaminated water issue in
the City. Mayor Berndt reported Chuck Clarke, the Director
of the Department of Ecology (DOE), would be in town next
week to meet with her and Assistant City Manager Stouder.
She said she made him aware that the City has had no answers
to problems with the contaminated water issue. Since money
will be available to hook -up the areas with contaminated
water, Mr. Clarke recommended the affected residents be
connected to the City water system. The problems with the
DOE were discussed. Mayor Berndt and Assistant City Manager
Stouder expressed faith in Mr. Clarke and that he would be
able to help the City. Mr. Stouder stated that satellite
water and sewer systems would enter into this issue. The
possible expense of the cost of hook -ups was discussed and it
was also stated some people are happy with the water, even if
it is suppose to be contaminated. Councilmember Brado stated
he feels the City needs to be tougher with DOE. Mayor Berndt
stated the DOE did not initiate the laws; that our
legislators passed the Clean Air Act and other laws which
requires DOE intervention. City Manager Zais stated the City
needs to have additional DOE officials to answer questions,
concerning this issue. Mayor Berndt urged Councilmembers to
attend the Solid Waste Advisory Committee meetings so they
could be better informed on these critical issues.
Councilmember Semon stated his concern, along with Mr.
Brado's, that the City should .question some of these
requirements more than they do. The recycling issues,
landfills and various possibilities were discussed.
Councilmember Sims feels society has reverted to wasting time
with issues like recycling. He feels with the extra expense,
lower income residents will resort to throwing trash
everywhere, rather than paying a higher charge. It was the
consensus that the public shows a great interest in curbside
recycling until they are told the cost, then they change
their minds. Education appears to be the answer, without
citizens feeling like they are being forced into something.
It was the consensus of the City to present a letter to DOE,
asking for funding for the contaminated water issue.
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MARCH 10, 1992,- ADJOURNED MEETING
Mr. Stouder discussed having a joint meeting with the County
Commissioners, during next Tuesday's City Council meeting, to
have Val Finlayson present the Visionary Report. Mr. Stouder
stated Urban Growth boundaries would have to be drawn in the
near future. A bus tour has been tentatively scheduled for
the area, within the next week, so these boundaries can be
discussed.
The proposed industrial park on River Road and 16th Avenue
was briefly discussed. Councilmember Brado asked if the
property owners would be required to sell their land for the
value of the property, before the City improvement are made,
the answer was affirmative. The appraisals will be paid by
the City.
Mr. Zais informed the Council that Mr. Stouder has resigned
from his position with the City as Assistant City Manager,
effective the end of this month. He has accepted a position
with the firm of Bucher, Willis & Ratliff, a private
consulting firm in Seattle. Mr. Stouder expressed his
satisfaction and voiced his appreciation to the City, and all
with whom he has worked with during his tenure, which has
been almost eight years. Mr. Zais expressed. the City's
appreciation for the excellent work Mr. Stouder has performed
for the City in his service of over seven years.
The meeting was adjourned at 10:0 A.M.
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CITY CLERK ' MAYOR
Minutes prepared by Clerk Harris
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