HomeMy WebLinkAbout02/09/1993 Business Meeting 14 3
CITY OF YAKIMA,, WASHINGTON
FEBRUARY 9, 1993
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, Council Members
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 Deputy City Clerk Skovald also
present.
2. INVOCATION /PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
The Invocation was given by Council Member Henry Beauchamp.
3. OPEN DISCUSSION FOR THE GOOD OF THE ORDER
After .giving a brief history of the community service
activities of the Washington Service Corps program,
Dave Broom, Program Manager, presented an award for
outstanding achievement to Mark LeCuyer, a Service Corps
participant working at the City of Yakima in public cable
access television. As well as performing his production
duties, Mr. LeCuyer produced a public service announcement
for the Gang Intervention Coalition about alternatives to
gang related activities. He also produced a video brochure
which reflects the significant impact youth service has both
locally and statewide. Wendy Warren, Cable Communications
Manager, was also recognized for her guidance and
encouragement while utilizing community television in the
program.
Council Member Barnett asked if the leaf pick -up program
would resume since the snow is melting. The question was
referred to staff for information.
4. CONSENT AGENDA
Mayor Berndt referred to the items placed on the Consent
Agenda, questioning whether there were any additions or
deletions from either Council members or citizens present.
It was the general consensus of the Council that Item No. 9
be removed from 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
ADOPTED. The motion carried by unanimous roll call vote.
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February 9, 1993
(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 JANUARY 5, 1993 BUSINESS
MEETING
The minutes of the January 5, 1993 Business meeting was
approved, having been duly certified accurate by two Council
Members and no one present wishing to have said minutes read
publicly.
The public meeting on the appeal of the Hearing Examiner's
decision regarding the Union Gospel Mission relocation was
not held due to the appeal being withdrawn.
6. AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION
Larry Mathews, 805 South 17th Avenue, stated he recently
testified before the legislature about a bill that would
impact the City's pit bull ordinance. Mayor Berndt
requested staff to provide further .information on this
issue.
7. REPORT FROM DEPARTMENT OF ENGINEERING AND UTILITIES
REGARDING STATUS OF PROFESSIONAL ENGINEERING ANALYSIS OF
TERRACE HEIGHTS WATER SERVICE OPTIONS FOR INDUSTRIAL
DEVELOPMENT: ALSO REVIEW OF IRRIGATION SYSTEM REPAIR
ALTERNATIVES (Continued from 2/2/93)
Ty Wick, Water & Irrigation Superintendent, and
Collie Martin, with CH2M Hill, were available to answer
questions. There was discussion among Council members that
included the option of possibly extending a pipeline to
Terrace Heights as a short term solution and whether to
utilize surface water or ground water from the Kiwanis well;
the pump and recharge capacity along with the quality and
potability of the water, and limitations of the Kiwanis
well; water rights and what impact additional wells would
have on emergency reserves and the water table; whose
responsibility it is to supply water to this area;
duplication of water service from other jurisdictions; the
cost of and method of financing this; the recommendations
included in the City Study and whether a hydrological study
is needed; the effect this additional water service would
have on the City's fire rating; and the need to meet with
Yakima County Commissioners to discuss both the short and
the long term solutions. After further discussion about
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annexation and wastewater issues pertaining to this area, it
was MOVED BY BARNETT, SECONDED BY BRADO, TO MEET WITH
THE YAKIMA COUNTY COMMISSIONERS. There was discussion
among Council members about whether to meet as a full
Council or a Council Sub - Committee with the County
Commissioners.
Larry Mathews opposed the idea of the City of Yakima funding
half the cost of this project and urged Council to discuss
it with the Yakima County Commissioners.
The question was called for a vote on the motion.
The motion carried by unanimous voice vote. Council Member
Barnett recommended a committee be established and meetings
with the Commissioners be scheduled in the very near future.
City Manager Zais requested Council direction on whether to
discuss the irrigation system options which is part of the
study included in the water rate analysis and evaluation.
It was the consensus of Council members to discuss it at a
later date. Mr. Zais further commented that the time frame
for the water rates package is tentatively scheduled for
March. Council Member Buchanan commented that alternatives
are needed; not just how it is supposed to be done.
8. CONSIDERATION OF RECOMMENDATIONS FOR DISTRIBUTION OF
SCHUMACHER BEQUEST
Jerry Copeland, Public Works Director, explained that in
1992, $47,500 was given to the City by the Schumacher Trust
with no recommendation as to how the City should spend the
money. Mr. Copeland explained there are four requests for
use of the funds. City Manager Zais explained the money is
in the treasury of the City and earning interest. Council
Member Sims commented that the City is not ready to make a
decision on a particular use for the money. Council Member
Semon suggested a special, creative approach should be
attached to this money, instead of business as usual.
Council Member Buchanan agreed and suggested that instead of
spending it for current programs, put the money in the
"bank" and use the interest for something special rather
than spend it for current projects. Council Member Barnett
suggested something more lasting, such as a memorial tribute
to the donor. Council Member Beauchamp liked the idea of a
scholarship type concept; something ongoing, not something
that would spend the whole amount.
After further discussion among Council members regarding how
this trust should be used, Phoebe Nelson, representing the
Yakima Housing Foundation, distributed information on a
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current project they are working on in conjunction with the
Office of Housing and Neighborhood Conservation and Project
Rebound Plus. In order to start this project, matching
grant funds, or seed money, is needed. Ms. Nelson requested
an opportunity to meet with the Council to discuss ideas.
Deborah Gauck, representing Ester Huey from the Yakima
County Substance Abuse Coalition, explained her proposal
pertains to the allotment of funds to neighborhood groups.
It would be a matching fund.
Mary Lou McGalliard, Deputy Director, Yakima Regional
Library, explained there is a real need in the community to
meet the requests to provide materials for the new adult
reader in literacy training. Ms. McGalliard explained the
money could also be used to purchase a CD ROM for the
Pacific Rim Program. The money would be spent within the
three branches of the Library.
Mel Hollis, Supervisor of the Refuse Division, explained
that the grant money could be used in the recycling program.
There is a Yard Waste Collection Program planned for Spring
1993, but automated /semi- automated yard waste containers are
needed. Back injuries caused by lifting heavy containers
would be eliminated, thereby saving the City money by
reducing employee time loss and the amount of money paid out
for industrial injuries. There was further discussion
regarding the load limit for lifting. Council Member Brado
requested more information about this subject, not
withstanding this request. Council Member Beauchamp
commented that the workers should not have to face these
types of potential injuries. Nancy Gaudette, Refuse &
Recycling Manager, explained that yard waste is the heaviest
of all the items even though there is a limit, but many
times the bags are larger than 30 gallons. She explained
the use of automated /semi- automated equipment would
eliminate back injuries caused by lifting heavy containers
of yard waste. There was further discussion among Council
members about yard waste disposal. City Manager Zais
indicated that automated /semi- automated equipment should be
researched into. There was a consensus among Council
members to form a Council Subcommittee with interested
citizens to come up with recommendations.
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9. CONSIDERATION OF LEGISLATION RELATING TO TITLE CONFIRMATION
SERVICES:
A. RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING AMENDMENT TO PERSONAL SERVICES
AGREEMENT WITH J. L. HANEY REALTY AND APPRAISAL COMPANY
Ray Paolella, Assistant City Attorney, estimated another 200
hours may be needed to try to complete this phase of the
title confirmation process. There have been a number of
unanticipated factors -- more parcels were discovered,
property transfers and subdivisions occurred, and this task
is very labor intensive. The City receives a monthly
statement showing the number of hours spent.
Resolution No. R -93 -8, having been read by title, it was
MOVED BY BUCHANAN, SECONDED BY SIMS, THAT THE
RESOLUTION BE ADOPTED. The motion carried by unanimous
roll call vote.
RESOLUTION NO. R - 93 - 8, A RESOLUTION authorizing the
City Manager and City Clerk of the City of Yakima to execute
an Amended Personal Services Agreement for title
confirmation services.
B. FIRST READING OF ORDINANCE AMENDING 1993 BUDGET AND
APPROPRIATING FUNDS FOR TITLE CONFIRMATION SERVICES (NO
ACTION REQUIRED THIS MEETING)
An Ordinance amending the 1993 budget and appropriating
funds for title confirmation services having been read by
title only was laid on the table for one week, until
February 16, 1993.
11. OTHER BUSINESS
Dennis Covell, Director of Engineering & Utilities, gave a
status report on the I -82 /Yakima Avenue Interchange project.
He reported that at a recent Ad -Hoc Committee meeting after
reviewing the refinement of alignment, it was decided to
return to the original proposal to follow the flyway ramp,
and then cut across the existing bn - ramp to the freeway and
dive down to the Greenway. This would utilize the existing
flyway ramp, but adds three new structures to the project
and a considerable amount of barrier. CH2M Hill was asked
to estimate the cost for this new design. The original
enhancement would have cost $750,000; this new design for
alignment will cost about $2.6 million. Mayor Berndt
expressed concern about this proposal and its cost;
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February 9, 1993
commenting that other cities are able to fund bike paths.
She recommended taking this back to the Committee to find
the most cost effective method for this project, including
the bike /pedestrian pathway. Mr. Covell stated the City can
compete for statewide STP funds. He asked for Council's
authorization to use existing project funds as match money
for other grants. It was the general consensus of the
Council to grant that authorization.
Council Member Sims commented that Council should note
there are numerous vacancies on the various Boards and
Commissions. Council Member Sims made a recommendation to
fill some of those vacancies. It was MOVED BY SIMS,
SECONDED BY BUCHANAN, TO REAPPOINT LOLA AMOS AND
ROBERT BUSSE, TO THE PARKS AND RECREATION
COMMISSION. The motion carried by unanimous voice vote.
There is still another vacancy on this committee. It was
MOVED BY SIMS, SECONDED BY BUCHANAN, TO REAPPOINT
WILLIAM WRIGHT, TO THE POLICE AND FIRE CIVIL SERVICE
COMMISSION. The motion carried by unanimous voice vote.
It was MOVED BY SIMS, SECONDED BY BARNETT, TO CONFIRM
THE REAPPOINTMENT OF BARBARA HENSON,
DEBORAH KRAUTWURM, SCOTT W. SOUTHWICK, AND
DENNIS WHITCHER TO THE UTILITY RATE ADVISORY BOARD.
The motion carried by unanimous voice vote. Mayor Berndt
encouraged continued effort on filling the vacancies on the
Boards and Commissions.
It was the consensus of Council members to authorize travel
for Council Member Buchanal to go to Washington D.C. for the
March 5, 1993, NLC conference.
City Attorney Vanek gave an update about a issue being
discussed before the House Judiciary Committee. The
proposed legislation would allow for the assessment of
reasonable attorney fees when a plaintiff is successful in a
case against the state, a county, or a city. Apparently
some of the sponsors felt they had been misled, and it
appears that the proponents of this legislation will be
unsuccessful.
Information Items:
Items of information supplied to Council were: Memorandum
from City Clerk regarding Boards and Commissions Terms
Expirations and Vacancies and Membership list. 2/1/93;
Letter to National League of Cities regarding City of Yakima
International, Economic Ventures. 2/1/93; Agenda for
February 10, 1993 Drainage Plan Citizens Advisory Committee;
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February 1, , 1993
Notice of Policy Review from State Department of Ecology.
January 1993; Monthly Permit Center Report for January
1993; Agenda February , 1993 Recreation
I/ Commission meeting for and minutes 8 of its Parks January and 11, 1993
meeting; Yakima County Development Association Monthly
Report for January 1993 and minutes of the December 17, 1992
Board of Directors meeting; Agenda for February 4, 1993 and
January 28, 1993 Yakima Air Terminal Board meetings and
minutes of its December 17, 1992 and January 28, 1993
meetings; and Article from Planning Advisory Service Report
Number 440, "Staying Inside the Lines."
10. EXECUTIVE SESSION REGARDING PENDING LITIGATION
It was MOVED BY SIMS, SECONDED BY BUCHANAN, TO MOVE
INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION FOR THE PURPOSE OF DISCUSSING
PENDING LITIGATION. The motion carried by unanimous
voice vote.
12. ADJOURNMENT at 4:25 p.m.
Following completion of the Executive Session, the meeting
adjourned at 4:25 p.m.
READ AND CERTIFIED ACCURATE BY: �/z✓ / /�y
C UNCIL MEMBER DATE
*4_3
COUNCIL MEM DATE
ATTEST:
ga.), (;)
CITY CLERK MAYOR
MINUTES PREPARED BY DEPUTY CITY CLERK SKOVALD.
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