HomeMy WebLinkAbout05/18/1993 Adjourned Meeting 265
CITY OF YAKIMA
ADJOURNED MEETING
MAY 18, 1993
The City Council met in session on this date at 7:00 A.M. in the
City Manager's Conference Room at the Yakima City Hall, Yakima,
Washington for an informal discussion regarding the Engineering
. and Utilities Department. Council members present were Mayor Pat
Berndt, Henry Beauchamp, Skip Semon and Bernard Sims. Staff
members present were City Manager Zais, Dennis Covell, Director of
Engineering and Utilities, Fred French, City Engineer, Chris
Waarvick, Wastewater Superintendent, Ty Wick, Water and Irrigation
Superintendent, and City Clerk Roberts.
Mr. Covell stated the Engineering and Utilities Department is
comprised of three divisions: Engineering, with a staffing of 14
people; Water /Irrigation, with a staffing of 28 people; and
Wastewater (Sewer), with a staffing of 53 people.
Engineering Division
Fred French stated the Engineering Division provides support for
City divisions for capital improvement projects (CIP) and other
projects. The staff can be classified as four different groups:
1) construction; 2) design work; 3) development group; and 4)
clerical support. He spoke about the four major projects and five
mid -range projects underway.
Council Member Beauchamp inquired about the accuracy of the
railroad crossing equipment on Walnut Street. Mr. French replied
that the equipment is Washington Central Railroad's
responsibility. The North 1st Avenue project was discussed,
particularly, the contractor's request to crush the concrete into
aggregate at the job site and to use that material in their
construction. Mr. French assured the Council that the concrete
material will be tested to make sure it meets all the
specifications. Another project underway is the Tieton Drive
improvement project. Engineering is also assisting with the
Transit Complex and Public Works Center bids. Budget -wise, City
Manager Zais stated the Transit Transfer facility should come in
under the revised budget, including property acquisition, since
all properties were acquired without having to go through
condemnation proceedings. Council Member Beauchamp inquired if
that facility will have a public restroom. Mr. Zais stated it
will not have public restrooms. Mr. Beauchamp disagreed with that
I/ decision. Mr. Covell reviewed the status of the Public Works
Complex, "D" Street signals, 48th /Nob Hill intersection
improvements, and spoke about the competition for STP funds for
several other projects.
Mr. French gave Council an update on the design of the Development
Standards. Input was solicited from the development industry;
however, staff has not had time to complete that project. In the
" MAY 18, 1993 - ADJOURNED MEETING
meantime, staff is invoking the same standards for everyone who
comes to Engineering. Mr. Zais stated that if a developer
disagrees with a condition imposed by Engineering, the developer
can appeal it to him. Mr. Covell suggested that development
standards be discussed at a future study session.
Council Member Beauchamp inquired about the ethnic diversity i
the Engineering Division. Mr. French stated the Division has no
hired too many new people outside the City organization and
therefore, does not reflect a diversifid ethnic representation
Mr. Beauchamp suggested that an effort, aside from the norm, ma
have to be made in order to recruit minorities.
Water Division
Ty Wick stated the Water Divison has three endeavors: Water
Plant, with six staff members; distribution sector responsible for
installation of new meters and main repairs; and irrigation, with
six staff members, who try to maintain the 65 irrigation systems.
He told Council about a project working with the League of Women
Voters, to inform the public about ground water problems. The new
filter system has made a drastic improvement. When asked about
the timing for a decision concerning the irrigation service,
Mr. Wick estimated that sometime in 1994, after the judge rules on
the water rights, the City will have to determine if the
irrigation system should be abandonded or repaired.
Mr. Wick stated the Division is working diligently on providing
service to the "Railroad" area. The property owner will have to
sign an Outside Utility Agreement and pay a water bill, but will
not have to pay any connection charges.
Wastewater (Sewer)
Chris Waarvick stated he is trying to schedule a meeting with Bob
Barwin, State Department of Ecology, at a Council meeting to
discuss environmental issues. He asked Council if there are any
particular issues they would like discussed. Mr. Semon stated he
would like a copy of the legislation that was passed enabling
these agencies to have all the power they exercise. Mr. Waarvick
stated it is in what they consider their rule- making authority.
Mr. Semon observed that as a regulatory agency, they only tell us
what we can't do and not what we can do to solve a problem.
Discussing economic development, Mr Waarvick commented he i
working on long term planning for diversity, training, etc.
stated the Personnel Office is not equipped to do that kind
chore and it may not be appropriate to let them do it all. Ea .
of the divisions have to intimately know the diversity o
cultures. He stated he is trying to establish goals or
performance objectives; however, he is continually running into
apathy. He stated that the Civil Service Commission needs to be
eliminated or modified since it affects our ability to manage our
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MAY 18, 1993 >1 -. ADJOURNED MEETING 2 67
employees; how to hire and promote them, and what is expected of
them. He described some of the City's training required of all
employees, such as defensive driving, first aid, and substance
abuse, all of which is done in- house. We need to keep ourselves
current to serve the public. City Manager Zais stated a report is
being developed that staff will present to Council at a later
time. Mr. Waarvick stated that one thing that would be valuable
when a new employee is hired, would be to give them a training
roster spelling out what the training will be in the next three
years and dealing with shift employees even complicates things
further. Other discussion involved career ladders within the
City, employee creativity, employee morale, inceased complexity of
most City jobs, and the need for microfilming records and maps.
The meeting adjourned at 9:15 a.m.
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