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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. 1.414 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 2 145 February . _9, .1 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 3 146 February 9, 1993 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. 4 j . p 147 February 9, 1993 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; 5 141 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; 6 14 9 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. 7