Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout07/06/1993 Study Session / Business Meeting 313 CITY OF YAKIMA, WASHINGTON JULY 6, 1993 BUSINESS MEETING /STUDY SESSION 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 (absent after 3:15 p.m.), Henry Beauchamp, Bill Brado, Lynn Buchanan, Skip Semon and Bernard Sims present on roll call. City Manager Zais, City Attorney Vanek, and City Clerk Roberts also present. 2. INVOCATION /PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Mike Goertler, from Boy Scout Troop No. 268. 3. OPEN DISCUSSION FOR THE GOOD OF THE ORDER Wendy Warren, Cable Communications Manager, circulated an award the Mayor had accepted at the AWC Conference for "Looking Ahead - Planning Yakima's Future" video which won the award for excellence for growth management public involvement. Fire Chief Beeson reported that the number of incidents during the 4th of July celebrations showed a 400% increase from last year. There were 4 incidents in 1992 and over 24 this year. This is the last year to have fireworks in the City without a special permit. Council Member Buchanan reported his frustration with the system wherein the radar for the Yakima Air Terminal would be located in Pasco, at a cost much higher than it would be to place the radar tower in Yakima. He urged Council members to schedule meetings with Congressman Inslee and Senator Murray to find out how to get this project back to Yakima. Mayor Berndt asked the City Manager to schedule the appropriate meeting with appropriate representatives. 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 that Item No. 7 be removed from the Consent Agenda. The City Clerk then read the Consent Agenda items, as amended, including resolutions and ordinances by title. It was MOVED BY BUCHANAN, SECONDED BY SIMS, THAT THE CONSENT AGENDA, AS READ, BE ADOPTED. The motion carried by unanimous roll call vote. 319 JULY 6, 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 MAY 11 AND 18, 1993 BUSINESS I/ MEETINGS AND JUNE 15, 1993 ADJOURNED MEETING The minutes of the May 11 and 18, 1993 Business meetings and June 15, 1993 Adjourned meeting, were approved, having been duly certified accurate by two Council members and no one present wishing to have said minutes read publicly. 6. AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION David Hawkins distributed printed information regarding his ministry for kids which will decrease the drug problems. Robert Owen, 405 No. 4th St. #5, voiced his frustration about the last minute cancellation of the park- and -ride location at the Yakima Center for shuttle service to the 4th of July Celebration at the fairgrounds. Council members requested a report on why the location was canceled and why proper notice was not provided to the public. 7. CONSIDERATION OF A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING EXECUTION OF AGREEMENT AMENDING CONTRACT WITH THE YAKIMA AREA ARBORETUM Due to an improper legal description in the agreement, City Attorney Vanek requested this item be deferred one week. It was the general consensus of the Council to defer this item for one week. *8. CONSIDERATION OF RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING EXECUTION OF AMENDMENT NO. 2 OF THE CONTRACT WITH CH2M HILL NORTHWEST FOR A SPRAYFIELD STUDY (STATE MANDATED) RESOLUTION NO. R- 93 -69, A RESOLUTION authorizing the execution of Amendment No. 2 to Agreement for Professional Services Between City of Yakima, Washington and CH2M Hill Northwest, Inc. for Land Application Monitoring Professional Services. *9. CONSIDERATION OF RESOLUTION ADOPTING A COUNTY -WIDE PLANNING I/ POLICY RESOLUTION NO. R- 93 -70, A RESOLUTION approving the Yakima County -Wide Planning Policy in accordance with RCW 36.70A.210(2). 2 320 JULY 6, 1993 *10. 'CONSIDERATION OF RESOLUTION SETTING DATE OF HEARING FOR JULY 27, 1993 ON THE SIX YEAR TRANSPORTATION IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM (1994 -1999) RESOLUTION NO. R- 93 -71, A RESOLUTION fixing the time and place for hearing on a Six Year Transportation Improvement Program for the period of 1994 through 1999. The time of hearing was set for July 27, 1993. *11. APPROVAL OF FINAL CONTRACT PAYMENT FOR FRUITVALE CANAL PHASE II AND LINCOLN AVENUE WATERMAIN (STANDARD MOTION VB - ACCEPT CONTRACT AND APPROVE FINAL PAYMENT) The report from the City Engineer dated June 14, 1993, with respect to the completion of the work on the Fruitvale Canal Phase II and Lincoln Avenue Watermain project, performed by Muffett & Sons, was approved, the work accepted and payment of'the final estimates as therein set forth was authorized. *12. SET DATE OF PUBLIC MEETINGS FOR JULY 20, 1993 FOR: A. SUNCREST III PRELIMINARY LONG PLAT July 20, 1993 was set as the date of public meeting on the Suncrest III Preliminary Long Plat. B. CEDAR HILLS ESTATES FINAL PLAT July 20, 1993 was set as the date of public meeting on the Cedar Hills Estates Final Plat. 13. CONSIDERATION OF ORDINANCE ADJUSTING THE WATER RATES EFFECTIVE AUGUST 9, 1993, JULY 1, 1994 AND AUGUST 9, 1998 Ty Wick, Water and Irrigation Superintendent, was available to respond to questions. Council Member Barnett stated he understood after the previous discussion, that the first rate increase was going to be in effect for a full year before the second rate increase is implemented. Mr. Wick stated he understood the first increase would be effective in July and the second increase would begin the following July; however, due to delays, this is late coming to Council. Mr. Barnett questioned the calculation of the rate to be effective August 9, 1998. Mr. Wick reviewed his calculation of that rate. Council Member Barnett also asked staff to verify the rate for the 3" pipe reduction, which carries through to page 5. Richard Andring, 203 So. 8th Avenue, asked how much money it costs to produce an actual cubic foot of water. Mr. Wick replied that labor and chemical costs would equal about 6 cents per cubic foot. Mr. Andring spoke against the policy for subsidizing the schools and other large industries for domestic water used for irrigation purposes. Larry Mathews, 805 S. 17th Avenue, asked how much of the rate increase is due to enlarging the fund's reserves. Mr. Wick stated he did 3 321 JULY ` 6, 1993 not calculate that information; however, the original amount requested for reserves has been reduced. Mr. Mathews stated his disapproval of subsidizing the School District for its irrigation water. Following further discussion regarding the water rates, and Ordinance No. 93 -32 having been read by I/ title, it was MOVED BY SIMS, SECONDED BY SEMON, THAT THE ORDINANCE BE PASSED. The motion carried by 4 -3 roll call vote; Barnett, Beauchamp and Brado voting nay. ORDINANCE NO. 93 - 32, AN ORDINANCE relating to public services and utilities; adjusting water service charges; amending Sections 7.68.250, 7.68.251, 7.68.252, 7.68.255, and 7.68.282, all of the City of Yakima Municipal Code. 14. RECONSIDERATION OF ORDINANCE AMENDING THE COMPENSATION PLAN FOR MANAGEMENT, SUPERVISORY, AND EXEMPT EMPLOYEES City Manager Zais stated this ordinance results from previous discussion during the 1993 budget consideration. It was MOVED BY SIMS, SECONDED BY BUCHANAN, THAT WE ACCEPT EXHIBIT 3A AS THE ORDINANCE TO PASS. John Hanson, Director of Finance and Budget, responding to an inquiry by Council Member Barnett, stated he would verify the calculation for the Traffic Operations Manager. Mayor Berndt commented that Exhibit 3A provides for a pay increase for the City Manager, which he has said he won't accept in 1993. Ordinance No. 93 -33, having been read by title only, it was MOVED BY SIMS, SECONDED BY BUCHANAN, that the ordinance be passed. Council Member Semon suggested a merit pay plan be implemented. Council Member Brado named the benefits the management group receives compared to other private firms. He commented on the economy in the City and on how many people are unemployed due to closures and cut- backs of several businesses this year. Mayor Berndt pointed cut that the management group has said they would not accept a raise in 1994 unless the other bargaining groups are given increases. Following further discussion on the reasons for giving or not giving the raises, it was MOVED BY SEMON, SECONDED BY SIMS, THAT PRIOR TO CONSIDERATION OF A FURTHER MANAGEMENT COMPENSATION INCREASE, THAT THE NEW MERIT SYSTEM BE IMPLEMENTED. The Motion carried by unanimous voice vote. The question was called for a vote on the original motion. The motion carried by 5 - roll call vote; Barnett and Brado voting nay. Mayor Berndt requested staff consider alternative methods of operating their divisions which would be more cost effective and more efficient. ORDINANCE NO. 93 - 32, AN ORDINANCE relating to City personnel; adopting a classification and compensation plan for City employees to be effective August 8, 1993; amending Subsections 2.20.110 A, 2.20.110 B, 2.20.110 C, 2.20.110 D, 2.20.110 E, 2.20.110 G, 2.20.110 H and 2.20.110 K, all of the City of Yakima Municipal Code. 4 X322 JULY 6, 1993 15. PRESENTATION FROM FIRE DEPARTMENT REGARDING NEW PERFORMANCE EVALUATION SYSTEM Council Member Barnett asked to be excused from the balance of the meeting. (Council Member Barnett absent after 3:15 p.m.) Dave Bachmann, Battalion Chief, presented this item, commenting that this issue goes back to the fire negotiations when there was discussion regarding performance evaluations, which'some felt was not up to modern governmental standards. A'joint committee of management and union members was formed and a consultant was hired to develop a procedure, which was implemented. It will be reviewed in six months. Rick Bowman, Committee Member, praised, not only the document, but the process in developing this procedure. City Manager Zais commented- that there is good information in this document that can be put to use in other areas of the City. It was MOVED BY BUCHANAN, SECONDED BY BEAUCHAMP, TO ACCEPT THE REPORT. The motion carried by unanimous voice vote; Barnett absent. 16. REPORT FROM DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT REGARDING STATUS OF GROWTH MANAGEMENT BOUNDARIES AND POPULATION Don Skone, Planning Manager, reported that in 1993 the Growth Management Act was revised and all communities have to adopt an interim policy. We will be conducting meetings to involve the citizens in the urban growth area concepts. The first meeting is scheduled for July 15th and the second meeting will be held August 24th. In the upcoming months, staff will be working with Yakima County and COG to prepare a population forecast, which will depend upon the growth area that is accepted. He spoke about the neighborhood meetings which are being planned. A series of eight meetings will be conducted in September on two nights. There will be a meeting in each of the four Council districts on these two nights. Staff is preparing a map and meeting schedule for Council to review; however, the nights being considered are September 14 -15 or September 15 -16. After the neighborhood meetings, staff will talk to the public in a broader sense. The next step would be to discuss this with the various interest groups in the community. Mr. Skone next discussed the compliance with SEPA. The state agencies want an EIS done; the County would like to do this with the City to issue a declaration of non- significance. City staff is not convinced that is the only option and we want to check with some of the other cities and see what they are doing. Council Member Sims asked if the neighborhood meetings will be video taped. Mr. Skone stated staff can try, it depends on how many cameras the City has. Council Member Buchanan suggested that the large meetings can be video taped. It was MOVED BY BUCHANAN, SECONDED BY 5 323 JULY 6, 1993 BRADO, TO ACCEPT THE REPORT. The motion carried by unanimous voice vote; Barnett absent. 17. OTHER BUSINESS I/ Mayor Berndt reported that three representatives are needed to serve on the Public Transportation Benefit Area (PTBA) Board. It was MOVED BY BRADO, SECONDED BY BEAUCHAMP TO APPOINT COUNCIL MEMBERS BUCHANAN, SEMON AND SIMS TO THE PTBA BOARD. The motion carried by unanimous voice vote; Barnett absent. 18. EXECUTIVE SESSION REGARDING PROSPECTIVE LITIGATION It was MOVED BY BUCHANAN, SECONDED BY BRADO, TO MOVE • INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION FOR THE PURPOSE OF DISCUSSING PROSPECTIVE LITIGATION FOR APPROXIMATELY TEN MINUTES, WITH IMMEDIATE ADJOURNMENT THEREAFTER TO 7:00 A.M. ON JULY 13TH FOR INFORMAL DISCUSSION AMONG COUNCIL • MEMBERS. The motion carried by unanimous voice vote; Barnett absent. 19. ADJOURNMENT TO JULY 13, 1993 ADJOURNED MEETING AT 7:00 A.M. FOR INFORMAL DISCUSSION AMONG COUNCIL MEMBERS AT THE YAKIMA CENTER ' Following the conclusion of the Executive Session, the meeting adjourned at 4:20 p.m. READ AND CERTIFIED ACCURATE BY: _ ,4 COON' DATE OU /IL M BER / DATE ATTEST: j*L „.4 C-14-1 C- Qa; - )d/7 -- CITY CLERK MAYOR • 6