HomeMy WebLinkAbout09/28/1993 Business Meeting 43:0
CITY OF YAKIMA, WASHINGTON
SEPTEMBER 28, 1993
BUSINESS MEETING
1. ROLL CALL
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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, Assistant City Attorney Paolella,
and City Clerk Roberts also present.
2. INVOCATION /PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Council Member Buchanan.
3. OPEN DISCUSSION FOR THE GOOD OF THE ORDER
A. PROCLAMATIONS (IF APPLICABLE)
Mayor. Berndt announced that Agenda Items Nos. 6 and 7 have
been deferred for two weeks, until October 12, 1993, at the
request of the applicant.
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 to remove Items Nos. 11 and 12
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 AMENDED, BE ADOPTED. The
motion carried by unanimous roll call vote. (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 4, 1992 ADJOURNED
MEETING, SEPTEMBER 7 1993 ADJOURNED AND BUSINESS MEETINGS
AND SEPTEMBER 14 AND 2 1, 1993 BUSINESS MEETINGS
The minute of the May 4, 1992 Adjourned meeting,
September 7, Adjourned and Business meetings and
September 14 and 21, 1993 Business meetings, were approved,
having been duly certified accurate by two Council members
and no one present wishing to have said minutes read
publicly.
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SEPTEMBER-A 1993 4 31
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6. PUBLIC HEARING ON POWERHOUSE ANNEXATION (See Ordinance annexing
property -- Continued from 9/21/93)
This item was deferred until October 12, 1993.
I/ 7. PUBLIC MEETING TO CONSIDER HEARING EXAMINER'S RECOMMENDATION
ON THE REZONE OF PROPERTY (Continued from 9/21/93) :
A. ORDINANCE REZONING PROPERTY IN VICINITY OF 4400
POWERHOUSE REQUESTED BY DEL MATTHEWS
This item was deferred until October 12, 1993
B. ORDINANCE REZONING PROPERTY AT 4411 W. POWERHOUSE RD.,
REQUESTED BY MYRON ABRAMS AND GEORGE MULL
This item was deferred until October 12, 1993.
8. PUBLIC HEARING ON REZONE OF PROPERTY IN THE VICINITY OF
CHESTERLEY PARK, OFF NO. 34TH AVENUE, REQUESTED BY EDWIN
PARTCH AND RUDY GASPARAC
This being the time set for the public hearing, Dan Valoff,
Associate Planner, explained the purpose of this public
hearing is to consider the Hearing Examiner's recommendation
on an application submitted by Edwin Partch and
Rudy Gasparac for the rezone of property from M -1, Light
Industrial, to R -3, Multi - Family Residential, and a
Class 2 review °of a 22 -unit Planned Residential Development.
The proposal is a 2.21 acre tract of land located at 1010
North 34th Avenue, which is south of River Road and
immediately east of Chesterley Park. On August 26th, the
Hearing Examiner conducted a public hearing on the proposed
request and recommended that the rezone be granted and the
Class 2 use be approved subject to nine conditions stated in
the decision. Mr. Valoff asked Council members to accept
the Hearing Examiner's recommendations and adopt the
ordinance approving the rezone request and the Class 2 use
of the 22 -unit Planned Residential Development. Mr. Valoff
was available to answer any questions.
Mayor Berndt opened the public hearing and asked for anyone
wishing to speak in favor of the Master Application.
Ed Partch, 4009 Fecter Road, Yakima, explained that
Mr. Gasparac has reviewed the recommendations by the Hearing
Examiner and is in full agreement with all of them. There
is a great need for this type of housing, and this property
has amenities, a great location, and is an excellent buffer
between the light industrial zone and Chesterley Park.
Mr. Partch further explained there was, at the Hearing
Examiner's meeting, two letters from the neighbors in
agreement with .the project. Council Member Brado described
the project as a good one.
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SEPTEMBER 28, 1993
Mayor Berndt asked if anyone else wanted to speak in favor
of the project. There being no one, she asked if there was
anyone who wanted to speak in opposition to the project.
There being no one, Mayor Berndt closed the public meeting.
After all Council members declared no exparte contact, and
Ordinance No. 93 -90 having been read by title, it was MOVED
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BY BEAUCHAMP, SECONDED BY SIMS, TO PASS THE
ORDINANCE. The motion carried by unanimous roll call vote.
ORDINANCE NO. 93 - 90, AN ORDINANCE relating to zoning;
rezoning property located at 1010 North 34th Avenue in
Yakima, Washington from Light Industrial (M -1) to Multi -
Family Residential (R -3); amending the zoning map of the
City of Yakima; approving a Class 2 use (Planned Residential
Development in the R -3 zone); and subject to all of the
conditions contained in the Hearing Examiner's
Recommendation.
9. PUBLIC MEETING ON 1994- -1998 COMPREHENSIVE HOUSING
AFFORDABILITY STRATEGY (CHAS) REPORT (SEE RESOLUTION) (PLEASE
BRING MATERIAL PREVIOUSLY PROVIDED)
This being the time set for a public meeting,
Vaughn McBride, Housing Planner, described the three
sections of the report -- Community Profile, Five -Year
Strategy, and Annual Plan. The document is an update of the
initial CHAS as submitted for Fiscal Year 1992 with
appropriate statistical updates and the inclusion of Census
Data that was not available at the time of initial
submission. He explained the only changes in this document
of any significance are the utilization of HUD's redesigned
format and the inclusion of a lead base paint policy.
Council Member Barnett referenced page 53 of the report,
item B. Strategy to Address Negative Effects, the first
sentence of the paragraph and commented that he felt there
was a contradiction with the material on pages 61 - 63 that
should be considered. Mr. McBride commented that the
statement is made primarily to address our priorities. The
number one priority out of five is the provision of
affordable housing units for the residents of Yakima. At
the present time, there is a scarcity of affordable housing
units for those members of our community of which 70% earn
less than the median area income.
Mayor Berndt opened the public hearing and asked for anyone
wishing to comment.
Dan Arnett, with Rental Service of Yakima, submitted
Exhibits Nos. 1 - 9. He explained that he represents
himself and he doesn't own any rentals. He said there are
various discrepancies in the report and changes need to be
made before it is submitted. He asked when the report has
to be submitted to HUD and also what HUD does with the
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SEPTEMBER,4 28, 1993
report once it is sent. to them. ,Dixie Kracht, Block Grant
Manager, explained the CHAS document replaces the Housing
Assistance Plan due to changes in legislation during recent
years. HUD will not put any federal funds into a community
without an accepted, documented need listed in the CHAS
document. Ms. Kracht further explained, in order to apply
for entitlement funds next year, the document must be
submitted to HUD by October 31, 1993. A 60 -day review
period is needed for acceptance, changes, or amendments that
might be requested. Mr. Arnett further asked who uses this
report, what is it used for, and is HUD the only one who
uses this report. Ms. Kracht explained that this
comprehensive document is to be used by any entity that
proposes development of any type of housing, either public
or private, in the community. Anyone, including federal,
state, and local governments, as well as developers, has
access to this document. At this point with the aid of an
overhead projector, Mr. Arnett referred to page 47 of the
report, Summary of the Five -Year Strategy, and asked if this
document becomes a mission statement showing how and what
services will be provided in the area. Mr. Arnett commented
that the list of providers does not include anyone from the
private sector. Ms. Kracht explained that the list is very
comprehensive and is comprised of various entities within
the community and represents not only the private sector but
the overall community. Mr. Arnett further stated that there
are rental property owners who were not aware of this
report. He challenged the accuracy of the CHAS document by
further indicating the statistics in the report are not
consistent with his figures. He requested his statistics be
added to the document. Council Member Semon asked
Mr. Arnett to be more specific. Council Member Beauchamp
expressed concern that Mr. Arnett's comments seem to
indicate that the private sector is providing low - income
housing now and the private sector has not been allowed
adequate opportunity for input into this CHAS document,
which describes the needs for housing for low - income
families. He asked Mr. Arnett if low - income housing is
being taken care of by the private sector. Mr. Arnett
commented that the CHAS document does not confine its
concerns to only low income. The low income area is where
we feel the Housing Authority and those kinds of groups
should be working. Mayor Berndt explained that the City of
Yakima's housing program is not the Housing Authority. The
Housing Authority is completely separate and different from
the City's housing program. Council Member Beauchamp asked
Mr. Arnett to address what is specifically omitted.
Mr. Arnett referred to Page ix, "Area citizens were
encouraged to participate through their attendance, and
comments regarding document contents. No additional
information was provided for or against this document."
Mayor Berndt explained that this public hearing is not the
only one that has been held on the CHAS document, and there
was not any public comment at the other public hearing.
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SEPTEMBER 28, 1993
Mr. Arnett referred to Page 5, "The estimated rental vacancy
rates was unchanged (in this area for) the previous
quarter . . ." Mr. Arnett commented that there has been a
change in available housing in the area and rental vacancy
factors have been tracked through the community for
comparison. Taking the seven days of September 21 through
27 over the last four years, the average number of available
rental housing, as listed in the Yakima Herald, has gone
from an average of 16 inches in the paper up to 47 inches.
Mr. McBride explained that the rental vacancy rates
statements on Pages 4 and 5, are based on data from the
Quarterly Economic Report for the Third Quarter of 1992. He
further explained that the Rental Association, a private
sector organization, submits data toward publication in that
report. Editing through some of the statements, Mr. Arnett
referred to Page 5, first paragraph, sixth line down, "two -
bedroom apartment, unfurnished, rents for $450 a month ",
Page 23, third paragraph, fifth line down, "two- bedroom
apartment rented in 1980 for $220, now it rents for $478,
and in 1992 it rents for $573." Mr. McBride commented this
information was based on the latest rental surveys conducted
by the Yakima Housing Authority. Asking what year was
represented when referring to the statement on Page 5, the
rent of $450 a month for a two - bedroom apartment,
Mr. McBride explained the statement represents the Third
Quarter of 1992 as listed in the Quarterly Economic Report.
Mr. McBride explained the Economic Report includes areawide
statistics; the Yakima Housing Authority only deals with
statistics in its jurisdiction. Mr. Arnett referred to
Exhibit No. 5, the Accra -Cost of Living Index - 1st Quarter
1992, which shows the cost of housing being 4% less in
Yakima as it is nationwide. Mayor Berndt indicated that
median income is less here than it is nationwide. She asked
Mr. Arnett if he is saying that affordable housing is not
needed or that it is plentiful. Mr. Arnett commented that
the people he deals with are concerned with some of the
numbers in the CHAS document being used to either entice or
attract money into an area to provide housing in this area.
Mr. McBride explained that the majority of the data
presented in this document is based upon Census Tract data.
All other data placed in this document has been referenced
accordingly. Council Member Barnett commented that the
purpose of this meeting is to gather public comment, which
will be inserted into the document. Mr. Arnett commented
that there is a difference of opinion of what the average
rents are and referred to his handout about rental rate
history as seen by Rental Service of Yakima. He pointed out
that these are the rental prices for Yakima and requested
these figures be included in the CHAS document. Mr. Arnett
referred to Page 92, Affordable Housing, read the
definition, and asked if the 30 percent figure was totally
derived by HUD. Mr. McBride specified that the definition
used here for affordable housing is the HUD - definition
nationwide. Mr. Arnett referred to Exhibit No. 7, First
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SEPTEMBER: 28, 1993 4 3 5
Time Homebuyers Program, and commented that the formula does
not include utility costs, insurance, or other items.
According to HUD, a person can only afford 30% of their
income including utilities for rent, but if buying a home, a
person can afford 33%, not including utilities. Another
aspect of the report that Mr. Arnett disagrees with include
mixing identifying terms regarding criterion for affordable
housing, problem housing, and overcrowding. He referred to
Page 9, where it states there is a need to supply housing
for people with incomes under $35,000 without mentioning who
is to supply this housing. Ms. Kracht commented that this
• document is not going to dictate who is going to provide the
housing; it is just stating it needs to be done, whether it
be in partnership, singly, with a non - profit, or with an
agency. Mr. Arnett referred to Page 70, Priority #1, Yakima
Housing Authority, Beneficiaries, and commented that the
figure of 290 assisted units was incorrect, and there were
inconsistent figures on Pages 37 and 24 also. Rolland
Lewis, Secretary /Manager, Yakima Housing Authority,
explained the figures his office supplied to the Office of
Housing and Neighborhood Conservation were incorrect and a
memorandum to that effect would be sent. Mr. Arnett asked
if this document addresses how the private sector has helped
supply any of the housing needs. Ms. Kracht explained there
are a lot of reasons things haven't happened in the housing
market. This document doesn't say who is going to do what
and the negativism‘ comes from the fact that the City
definitely needs housing. It is hard to accept the fact
that there is a problem in our community. The private
market, if it could, -would step forward, but there are a lot
of barriers to that. Mr. Arnett further commented about the
private sector having to compete with other groups that
receive low income home loans and benefits. He further
explained that some of the rent increases this document
mentions are due to pass throughs such as when citizens vote
for better schools and better items around the community and
government initiated bonds and programs. Mr. Arnett also
mentioned that the 2010 statement should be included in the
CHAS document. Mr. McBride explained the Vision Statement
was part of the initial submission and it is already on file
with HUD. In order to answer Mr. Arnett's question as to
the next step in this process, Ms. Kracht explained the
comments received during this public hearing will be
included in the document and submitted to HUD. City Manager
Zais explained that Council can entertain the comments
today, close the Public Hearing, adopt the resolution, and
indicate direction that the changes, amendments, or
corrections should be done and submitted in accordance with
the deadline. The other option that is also available to
Council is to continue the Public hearing to a later time,
direct that those same changes and amendments come back and
allow for one last review prior to its submission to HUD at
the deadline at the end of October.
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SEPTEMBER 28, 1993
Lee Arnett, President of the Yakima Valley Rental
Association, stated he was never contacted for any input
into this document. There are several references on Page
viii, paragraphs three and four; Page ix, paragraph one,
states that all providers of housing in the area were
contacted for input on this. Page 47, paragraph two, also
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indicates that same thing. We have several concerns. One
of them is the accuracy of the report. Along with accuracy,
there are errors or lack of consistency in statistics. He
referred to the chart in Section I, page 2. At the bottom
it shows the difference between population increase and
housing increase in the Yakima area. For Yakima County, the
population increase was 2.69, the housing increase 2.77.
For the City of Yakima, the population increase was 7.04 and
the housing increase was 13.30. From these figures, it
seems like housing is being addressed and there are new
units coming in. Mr. Arnett referred to Page 5, paragraph
1, it gives the rental price of a two - bedroom apartment at
$450 a month. It does not indicate whether this includes
utilities, such as water, sewer, trash,. irrigation, or lawn
service. Council Member Beauchamp commented that most of
the new construction is not affordable housing units. The
average low income family, and there are many people in need
of housing, cannot afford the amount of rent on these new
units. Certainly there is some construction going on, and
that's good because maybe we need that overall, but we also
need that other layer. Council Member Beauchamp explained
this document addresses the problem of overcrowding. Mayor
Berndt commented that perhaps government subsidized housing
is not wanted by the Yakima Valley Rental Association and
questioned whether the CHAS document is really their issue
of concern. Mr. Arnett explained their concern includes the
type of government support. He requested Council to turn to
Page 36, paragraph 4, under Housing Problems, and quoted the
following: "City -wide, 48a of all renter households have
housing problems." Mr. Arnett asked what image does that
put in your mind. Then it goes on to say "Housing problems
may include a lack of complete kitchen or bathroom
facilities, or structural deterioration of the dwelling unit
which may or may not be suitable for rehabilitation." He
referred to Page 7, paragraph 1, and stated this paragraph
defines defective housing problems. At this point,
Mr. Arnett described a scenario of what an incomplete
bathroom might include and also described an overcrowded
housing situation that could happen. There is nothing wrong
with the houses in those scenarios, but this report would
have you believe 48% of these houses are falling down. Also
it says, if people are paying more than 30% of their income
including utilities for housing, there is a housing problem.
That is not a problem of the house or the structure. This
is what we feel is misleading. Mr. Arnett referred to Page
15, "These special population groups have housing needs
which 'fair market' housing has failed to adequately
address." He emphasized the words "fair market" and
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SEPTEMBER ..28, 1993 .
described them as a label and ,the image the label creates.
Mr. Arnett referred to structure condition statistics and
described them as inconsistent. He referred to Page 17 that
says 8.5% are unsuitable for rehabilitation. Page 36 says
that less than 3% are unsuitable for repairs and
rehabilitation. Page 48 says 18% of City housing is
structurally substandard. Page 17 says 83% are in good
condition; 8.5% need rehabilitation. Another area
Mr. Arnett expressed concern about is on Page 48. It
indicates there is a strong need for two and three bedroom
houses for larger families. The definition in the back of
the CHAS for a large family is five or more and questioned
whether five people could live in a two bedroom house. The
emphasis should be on four and five bedroom houses instead
of two and three bedroom houses. Mr. Arnett expressed
concern about the effects that this report would have on the
housing market here, now and in the future. The City is
competing with the private sector. At this point, there was
a considerable amount of discussion of a newspaper article
about a possible future Housing Authority project.
Mayor Berndt explained the project is not City administered,
and Council Member Sims explained that the only thing this
Council has to do with the Housing Authority is to appoint
the Board Members. Mr. Arnett further commented that
according to this report, there are 26,044 housing units in
Yakima. This is on Page 15. Our figures indicate that
there is a 3% vacancy factor or more currently, which means
there is 781 vacant units at any time. We have tried to
present ways that the private sector could help. One of
those would be a guarantee of rent payment for publicly
assisted people. Mr. Arnett explained there has been a bill
before the Legislature that would guarantee payment of
landlords for the rent, which would be beneficial to low
income people too. Mr. Arnett expressed concern that this
report will bring about City licensing and inspection
policies such as those in other communities. Mr. Arnett
commented that the CHAS document states 48% of the houses
are in bad shape, and he disagreed with that figure. That
will be the City's justification that more inspections and
more licensing is needed. Mr. Arnett explained that the
cost of school buildings, utility rate increases, other
things of this sort, building maintenance and improvements
are passed along in higher rent costs. He encouraged that
this report be redone and that it not be used as a basis for
housing actions in Yakima. Council Member Beauchamp
commented that Mr. Arnett, along with all citizens, have
every right to come and challenge the accuracy of
statistics, and if they are not correct, they should be
corrected. The CHAS document is aimed at providing housing
to try to fill some gaps which exist in this community. He
described how the private sector is involved in Section 8
Housing. We are using all the resources we have, but we
need more. We need to work together. Mr. Arnett agreed
that the City and the private sector should work together,
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SEPTEMBER 28, 1993
but the private sector was not asked for input or given
information. He explained that he has attended Housing
Coalition meetings and Rebound meetings and wants the
opportunity to input into the process. Council Member
Beauchamp referred to a recent newspaper article that
depicted existing housing problems in the community.
Mr. Arnett explained they strongly disagree with the
maintenance condition statements in the CHAS document. Many
of the problems described in it are housing problems, not
landlord problems. Mayor Berndt reassured Mr. Arnett that
it is no way the intent of this document to do anything to
harm the private sector. Particularly, it is not the intent
of this document to do anything as it relates to increasing
inspection fees .or regulations. Mayor Berndt explained that
if that ever comes up it will be because we get a request
from the community asking us to do that because of
conditions out there. Mr. Arnett explained that he attended
meetings of the Interfaith Housing Foundation, but the
Yakima Valley Rental Association is not a member.
Ms. Kracht commented that her division has made a sincere
effort to involve the public sector. She distributed the
CHAS to everyone at the meeting. She further commented that
there have been monthly meetings concerning housing gaps in
the community of which she and Mr. Arnett have been a strong
part of. Notices were distributed in the . community that the
CHAS was available for review. Council Member Sims asked
why the Yakima Valley Rental Association was not listed in
the CHAS along with the other state and local agencies.
Mayor Berndt explained that the Yakima Housing Foundation is
a consortium of all private and public housing providers;
the Yakima Valley Rental Association is a part of that.
Ms. Kracht explained that the Housing Foundation is listed
and the CHAS includes information received from its
membership.
Omer Gress stated he owned some well maintained rental units
in Yakima. He thought the City was going into the housing
rental business and expressed concern that the government
was coming in and taking over the private sector's business
by siphoning off the good renters and leaving the not -so-
desirable ones. Mayor Berndt explained that the CHAS
document is a statement of housing needs. We do have some
programs that help first -time homebuyers, some
rehabilitation programs, and those kinds of things, but we
are not in the business of buying and renting houses or
apartments of any sort. She further commented that somehow
there has been a major misunderstanding.
Lee Clark, 817 Conestoga Blvd., submitted Exhibit 10. He
explained he had a .basic problem with the CHAS document
because what is written• in it appears to describe the need
for large scale public housing, which would completely kill -
the private sector. The CHAS does not differentiate or
state that this is a document and a method to provide low
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SEPTEMBER 28, 1993 .
income support. It's making :a very strong case by some
inaccuracies in statistics to show that there is not new
housing being developed. There is new housing being
developed. Although it may not all fit the needs for low -
income people or for people with special needs. Those
things need to be looked at, but there are no assurances
whatsoever that these public funds are going to be used for
that purpose. The CHAS document provides no assurances to
private industry such as those given to the other government
agencies and organizations regarding giving consideration
and protection from duplication or direct competition.
Mr. Clark described this document as an "enabler" justifying
the great need for housing, including upscale type housing
for upper or middle class families, and this is not where
public housing should be. Mr. Clark .further commented that
there should be some differentiation made in the report to
clearly identify the objectives. Mr. Clark also stated that
the average two bedroom unit is not renting for $573 in
Yakima. With the swimming pools and tennis courts, you're
into the $573 per unit for two bedroom apartments.
Mr. Clark described the growth in multi- family dwellings
during the last year as inspiring. There hasn't been growth
in the past, because there wasn't a profit to be made. The
difference between profitability and nonprofitability is
only a few percentage points in vacancies.
Jim Carpenter, who works with intercity kids through the
First Presbyterian Church and who lives in Granger,
described conditions as appalling and referred to displaced,
homeless families, particularly large families that need
four or five bedrooms. He described the long waiting lists
for housing and said there is a need for at least 2,000
affordable units in the City and perhaps 5,000 countywide.
A problem that the private sector is not addressing.
Mr. Carpenter also spoke of tenants who are afraid to
complain about conditions due to the fear of eviction.
Mayor Berndt commented that, although the City does not own
or rent housing, there is an Office of Housing and if there
are concerns, they should contact the Community Development
division to solve some of those kinds of problems.
Lynn Kittleson, 305 North 9th Street, is the Chairperson of
the Community Development Advisory Committee, which is made
up of 11 community members. Five members are private
citizens and represent neighborhoods, the Northeast, the
Southeast, the. Downtown, the Northwest, and the Southwest.
There is also representation from the disabled community and
the senior citizen community. It is hard to find members to
fill vacancies, and they do need community people to serve
on the board. She explained the meetings are the 2nd
Thursday of every month in City Council Chambers at
7:00 p.m. She explained the Committee reviewed the CHAS
document at the August meeting and approved it. People who
have concerns should contact the City, find out who their
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section representative is and make contact with them. On
the northeast side of town there is concern about multiple
family housing impacting schools and neighborhoods.
Ms. Kittleson commended Ms. Kracht on taking a limited
number of federal funds and leveraging them into programs
that are now reclaiming many of the blocks in the Northeast
neighborhood by putting families back into their own
homeowner houses, which stabilizes a neighborhood greatly.
She described a situation where a slum landlord, who has at
least twelve kids, innumerable adults, maybe as many as 19,
living in a three- apartment facility. There is no grass,
and it is run down. The basement apartment is boarded up in
the front, and people are living in it. That is the kind of
situation that exists in the northeast section of town, and
every representative on the Community Development Advisory
Committee could say the same thing.
Mayor Berndt requested a list of who is involved in the
Housing Foundation to know who was involved in this process.
Don Hinman, a landlord since 1975, submitted Exhibit No. 11.
He described the CHAS report as an outdated document with an
adversarial tone requiring some extensive rewriting. He
also described some of the changes the housing rental
industry has experienced including adapting to difficult
economic times, increasing its participation in social
issues, and the necessity of having a positive cash flow in
order to be profitable and stay in business. Mr. Hinman
suggested that a focused policy be added to the document
outlining specific steps in a process.
Jim Adamski, Executive Director of the Yakima Housing
Authority, explained this strategy was developed with
statistics taken from a certain point in time. He spoke in
support of the CHAS document and complimented the staff for
doing a good job. Mr. Adamski confirmed the fact that there
are well over 2,000 families on waiting lists for some kind
of housing assistance. He described the fact that both the
public and private sectors work together and stated that
private developers solicit the Housing Authority for
financing to build. The proposed project on 40th Avenue is
an example of private and public sector working together.
He explained how the private sector along with the community
benefit from millions of dollars worth of public housing
programs which stimulate and strengthen the local economy.
He did not want the impression to be taken that the CHAS
document represents the private sector versus the public
sector. Mr. Adamski further commented that many of the
people who spoke here today participate in the Section 8
program. The private sector, developers, construction folks
are coming to Yakima Housing Authority and saying there is a
need, a profit can be made doing this and then asking for
financing.
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Donnie Powell, Vice President:of the Yakima Valley Rental
Association, explained that he read the report and it is
very difficult to read and follow. He referred to several
inaccuracies and inconsistencies in the report, which many
have been reported already, and specifically commented on
four areas. (1) The rental availability today. In order
to show the availability of rental units and to show how
much construction there has been in the last few months, he
showed a video of housing units in the community currently
under construction and soon becoming available. Mr. Powell
estimated the rents on these units to be approximately $500
to $750 a month with at least 300 rental units under
construction currently in the area. He commented that the
people who will rent these will probably come from a lower
renting price range and when they rent these new ones, it
will make the lower price ranged rental unit available.
Mr. Powell's impression is that the CHAS document was
prepared to get funding for housing. (2) The definition of
a single family unit. Mr. Powell referred to Page 16,
Paragraph 4 of the CHAS document, and stated that "68% are
single family units, 7% are duplexes, 25% are multifamily
units." He questioned the wording because it is confusing.
The requirements for the renter and the landlord are
different for a single family unit and a multi- family unit.
A definition is needed for a single family unit and
suggested using the same definition as is contained in
RCW 59.1a.030(7) in the Residential Landlord Tenant Act,
.(3) The definition of overcrowding. Mr. Powell referred
to Page 36 of the CHAS where it indicates that overcrowding
occurs with more than one person per room. He disagreed
with the definition of overcrowding. He shared a personal
experience regarding the large number of people in his
family and how it relates to this situation and described
the positive aspects of the living arrangements of a large
family household. (4) The definition of housing problems.
Mr. Power explained that he disagreed with the definition of
housing problems particularly items 2 and 3 of the
definition on Page 95 of the document. Referring to Page
36, Paragraphs 4 through 6 of the CHAS, Mr. Powell stated
the statistics in this section and said, "48% of all rental
households have housing problems, and with the low income,
95% have housing problems, and all Hispanics, low income
have housing problems." He commented that when there is
overcrowding situations, it has nothing to do with the
structure and the condition of that house. This is a
characteristic of family and individuals. Mr. Powell also
disagreed with the cost burden in excess of 30% of income
criteria as part of the housing problem definition it is a
characteristic of finances, not a problem with the
structure.
Beth Wasson, Executive Director of Client Treatment Services
at Triumph Treatment Center commented that the CHAS report
points out the areas where there are problems and where the
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SEPTEMBER 28, 1993
community's needs are not being met. She described over
crowding situations in the transition housing they offer,
particularly for single parents with large families on a
very limited income ($450 a month or less) and whose only
available option is to rent a less than adequate one- bedroom
apartment because they cannot afford to rent anything else.
Most people wouldn't want to rent to this family. The CHAS
will make it available for agencies or public /private kinds
of alliances to create affordable housing.
Dan Tilley, 313 North 31st, spoke in favor of the CHAS
document. Anybody that has tried to build anything, bring a
business in, develop anything, find housing for their
employees, their friends, children, or anybody will discover
that this community has a severe housing shortage. The
number one reason that industries do not come to Yakima is
there is no affordable housing. Even though there is more
housing now than there was, the private sector is not
meeting the needs and cannot do it on its own. Mr. Tilley
encouraged more development of rental houses because, .
generally, a single person with children cannot afford to
pay for the costs of a new three bedroom home even with an
average income in Yakima. Although that would create more
competition, it would also help keep the cost of housing
down and reduce the number of substandard housing. As far
as overcrowding, Mr. Tilley described a situation where 85
people live in five two - bedroom houses that are dilapidated,
with entire families living in one bedroom. Whatever this
document can do to aid and assist us to improve the critical
housing shortage, he is for it.
Phoebe Nelson, Director of the Yakima County Coalition for
the Homeless and also a member of the Yakima Valley Rental
Association, expressed appreciation for the many landlords
who call when they have vacancies and a homeless family is
placed in permanent housing. She described the
responsiveness of the City to the private landlords. She
indicated that the vacancy statistics in the CHAS seem to
match the information in the Yakima Valley Rental
Association newsletter. The most recent one was in July
which had the report through the Second Quarter of 1993 and
seems consistent with what the CHAS is quoting. It shows
the Second Quarter of 1993, a vacancy rate of 2.05 in all
rentals in Yakima that the Rental Association is involved
in, the vacancy rate of 1.85 for the First Quarter of 1993
and both of those are lower vacancy factors than the First
Quarter of 1992 and the Second Quarter of 1992. It seems
there is a trend toward tighter rentals at least for the
First Half of this year, the time periods that the CHAS
document was prepared for. Referring to the video shown at
this hearing about the development of rental housing,
Ms. Nelson indicated that her staff will be inquiring about
vacancies because they have a couple of hundred families
that need housing, and it is nice to know that some exist.
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SEPTEMBER 28, 1993
Brien Thane, Executive Director of Rural and Farmworker
Housing for all private nonprofits based in Yakima,
explained that his agency develops housing statewide,
primarily for families who are employed in the agricultural
economy. Mr. Thane further commented that the extensive
need for additional, affordable housing in Yakima is pretty
well documented, if nothing else, by the extensive waiting
lists that both public and private landlords are
experiencing. Although the exact statistics and standards
that are included in today's CHAS presentation have been
challenged, it's important to remember that the Federal
Department of Housing and Urban Development requires they
both set the standards and require that the Comprehensive
Affordability Strategy provide information based on their
standards. It's HUD that establishes the level of
affordability for rental housing at 30 percent of income.
It's HUD and the Census Bureau who require that information
be provided on overcrowding defined as more than one person
per household. They also provide standards as to what can
be considered substandard housing. What staff and other
parties who have contributed to this document have done is
what is required of them and tried to provide the
information based on those standards as at least a base. On
the issue of competition between publicly funded entities
and the private landlords, as others have noted, Mr. Thane
explained that it is not a situation of competition, but
more that it addresses different segments of the population
and different needs. For example, the housing that
Mr. Thane's organization develops is 50 to 70 percent large
bedroom units -- three, four, five bedroom units. They are
aimed at a target population that is earning around $6,000
to $10,000 a year. At this income level, these families
cannot afford a $300 to $350 apartment. If they can find
one, and more importantly, they need a three, four or five
bedroom apartment, which is certainly not renting for $300
to $350 a month. His organization is addressing needs that
are not being addressed elsewhere, and that is not because
the private housing industry is failing. The whole endeavor
of developing and operating housing is not a simple one, and
it certainly isn't inexpensive. Both private and public
funded entities are facing a variety of challenges, this
document is simply a basis to help identify the needs and
begin to develop strategies to address various parts of that
need. Mr. Thane encouraged and supported the adoption of
the CHAS so that they can continue with the business of
trying to adequately house the members of this community.
There being no one else present to speak to the issue, Mayor
Berndt closed the public hearing and asked for Council
direction.
Council Member Brado explained that in many instances the
only source of income for landlords is from rental property.
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SEPTEMBER 28, 1993
Landlords object to the CHAS because they believe the
document paves the way for the availability of public funds
with 6 percent interest and no taxes to be used for luxury
apartment projects. Nobody said they didn't want to help
the needy; they don't want to help the greedy. Mayor Berndt
commented that she got the impression that some of the
concerns expressed today are based on fear that the City has
something to do with the aforementioned project. The
project that everyone referenced is a private development
that was looking for tax advantages and tax subsidies to
build subsidized housing. It is not the government doing
it; it isn't the Housing Authority doing it; it is a private
developer, and that is not the purpose of this report.
Council Member Beauchamp commented that a portion of those
units will be middle to upper income units, not just low
income units. The CHAS is a strategy to develop housing in
this community that is affordable for the citizens. There
are some citizens who do not need our assistance, but there
are citizens who do. The purpose of this document is to
develop a strategy where housing can be made affordable.
Council Member Buchanan commented that the problem is the
definition of affordable. We had a developer in here not
too long ago who was talking about $535.for rent, and yes
that was affordable housing for some people. Council Member
Brado commented that the same market a few years ago didn't
have rentals because people couldn't afford to build and
economically rent the units out, and now they finally can.
Mayor Berndt commented that we have to submit a document in
order to get federal funding of any sort. The City is
running, what she considers to be and which is considered to
be around the country, an exemplary housing program. We do
not buy and rent houses, but we do help landlords
rehabilitate, and we do help first time homeowners. Council
Member Barnett commented that this is a public hearing where
people came to express their opinions that are to be
included in the appendix of the document. All we're doing
is holding a public hearing to get public comment. There
are differences of opinion and always will be. Ms. Kracht
explained she felt comfortable with this document. A lot of
the things that were said today were taken out of context.
Numbers were thrown back and forth that didn't compare to
each other. She stated she would be glad to reverify all of
the numbers prior to the submission to HUD to make sure
everything is accurate. Council Member Barnett commented
that the resolution could be passed with the understanding
that these areas that are allegedly different on figures
could be verified according to what is required to report
and because HUD can evaluate any discrepancies if they so
desire from the public testimony that is being given in this
document and included in the appendix. I don't see the
reason to hold up the entire document because there are
differences in testimony and opinions, and that is what the
appendix part of public comment is for. Resolution No. R-
93 -104 having been read by title, it was MOVED BY SEMON,
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SEPTEMBER 28, 1993
SECONDED BY BEAUCHAMP, TO ADOPT THE RESOLUTION. The
motion carried by 6 - 1 roll call vote, Brado voting nay.
RESOLUTION NO. R - 93 - 104, A RESOLUTION adopting the City
of Yakima Comprehensive Housing Affordability Strategy
(CHAS) FY 1994 -1998.
Council recessed from 4:10 to 4:15
10. AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION
Mayor Berndt proclaimed the week of October 3 -9, 1993, as
Fire Prevention Week. She urged citizens to participate in
:Eire prevention activities at home, work, and school.
Martin Medina, President of the Hispanic Barrios Association
of Yakima, Manuel Rodriguez and Tony Sandoval, President of
Washington State Council of La Raza, submitted a request for
information dated September 24, 1993, from Asociacion De
Barrios Hispanos De Yakima regarding the operation of the
Southeast Community Center. Mr. Sandoval read a letter
dated September 27, 1993, from Washington State Council of
La Raza speaking in support of this community based
organization, along with requesting assistance from the City
of Yakima to locate office space for the Association. The
Southeast Center has asked the Association to vacate the
Center by the end of the month.
11. CONSIDERATION OF RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING APPLICATION TO FCC
FOR CABLE RATES CERTIFICATION
Wendy Warren, Cable Communications Manager, referred to the
report outlining which rates the city may regulate, when
cable rates can be regulated, how they may be regulated, and
alternatives to local rate regulations. Council Member
Barnett suggested that further action be deferred until
Northwest Cable has completed their survey and finished
compiling subscriber statistics. Gary Bailey, Manager of
TCI Cable, requested this issue be either rejected or at
least tabled because he would like an opportunity to present
information representing his point of view. Mr. Bailey
disagreed with the FCC's definition of what is called
I/ effective competition. He explained there is effective
competition from Northwest Cable, also a multichannel video
programming distributor, but who is a "wireless" or
microwave -based system that has doubled their subscriber
rate in less than a year and bring a viable alternative to
cable television. Another alternative is direct broadcast
satellite TV that will include approximately 50 channels and
will begin in January 1994. After further discussion among
Council Members, Ms. Warren, and Mr. Bailey concerning
competition in this industry, the basic cable service rate
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SEPTEMBER 28, 1993
regulation process, whether the city will apply for FCC
certification to regulate the cable system, it was MOVED BY
BEAUCHAMP, SECONDED BY BARNETT, TO DEFER ACTION
UNTIL OCTOBER 12, 1993, TO PROVIDE OPPORTUNITY FOR
MORE. DISCUSSION. The motion carried by unanimous voice
vote.
12. CONSIDERATION OF RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING INTERFUND LOAN FOR
CHESTNUT MANOR
Council Member Brado, who requested this item be removed
from the Consent Agenda, commented that his question was
answered during the recess. Resolution No. R -93 -105, having
been read by title, it was MOVED BY BUCHANAN, SECONDED
BY SIMS, TO ADOPT THE RESOLUTION. The motion carried
by unanimous roll call vote.
RESOLUTION NO. R - 93 - 105, A RESOLUTION authorizing an
interfund loan from 123 - Economic Development Fund to the
124 - Community Development Fund, and providing for repayment.
*13. SET DATE OF PUBLIC HEARING FOR OCTOBER 26, 1993 ON THE FINAL
ASSESSMENT ROLL FOR NORTH 21ST AVENUE LID NO. 1050
October 26, 1993 was set as the date of public hearing on
the Final Assessment Roll for North 21st Avenue
LID No. 1050.
14. RECONSIDERATION OF ORDINANCE VACATING A PORTION OF "A"
STREET REQUESTED BY JEM DEVELOPMENT (NEEDS MOTION TO
REMOVE FROM TABLE)
It was MOVED BY BRADO, SECONDED BY BEAUCHAMP, TO
REMOVE THE ITEM FROM THE TABLE. The motion carried by
unanimous voice vote. Don Skone, Planning Manager,
requested this item be referred to staff for a thorough
review and report back to Council. Council Member Barnett
requested that the report include how the site plan might
change. Mayor Berndt requested that the amount of costs be
reconciled due to the extreme difference between what was
originally told and current figures. Council Member Barnett
requested the Traffic Analysis include origin and
destination, if that is possible, to determine whether there
is a public need for the street that the city has been
requested to vacate.
Al Royal, 402 East Yakima Avenue, representing
JEM Development, asked that this issue be referred back to
staff since there are questions and information to be
updated. He explained the original request has not changed
and agreed that the amount of costs need to be reconciled.
In addition, the appraisal needs to be updated. City
Manager Zais suggested any questions Council might have be
submitted during the staff review. Council Member Barnett
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SEPTEMBER 28, 1993
stated that many of those previous questions have been well
analyzed or responded to. He supported the right of
citizens to express their concerns regarding this street
vacation request.
I/ Stan Pratt, representing property owners of the corner of
Naches and B Street, requested the traffic situation be
evaluated with particular attention to origin, destination,
and volume because it may impact other streets in the area.
The circular flow of traffic around the downtown area should
be preserved. If "A" Street is eliminated as a through
street, this traffic flow will be disrupted and access will
be reduced for not only business people and clients, but
also for emergency and other service vehicles. He submitted
a letter to Council expressing his viewpoint. The
question was called for a vote on the motion. The
motion carried by unanimous voice vote.
*15. CONSIDERATION OF ORDINANCE AMENDING THE DUTIES OF THE
HEARING EXAMINER TO INCLUDE SHORELINE MANAGEMENT ACT PERMIT
ORDINANCE NO. 93 - 91, AN ORDINANCE relating to expanded
') duties of the City Hearing Examiner; establishing authority
to review Shoreline Management Act applications; and
amending Section 1.43.080 of the City of Yakima Municipal
Code.
*16. CONSIDERATION OF ORDINANCE AMENDING THE MUNICIPAL CODE TO
WAIVE FIREWORKS DISPLAY PERMIT FEES FOR STUDENT
ORGANIZATIONS
ORDINANCE NO. 93 - 92, AN ORDINANCE relating to permits
for public display of fireworks; providing for the waiver of
the fifty dollar permit fee for student organizations making
application for public display of fireworks; and amending
Section 10.15.040 of the City of Yakima Municipal Code.
*17. SECOND READING OF ORDINANCE AMENDING THE 1993 BUDGET AND
APPROPRIATING FUNDS FOR PARKS SENIOR TOUR PROGRAMS AND
UNANTICIPATED RETIREMENT COSTS
ORDINANCE NO. 93 -93, AN ORDINANCE amending the 1993
budget for the City of Yakima; and making an appropriation
1/ of $79,730 in the Parks & Recreation Fund for expenditure
during 1993 for various Parks and Recreation Programs.
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SEPTEMBER 28, 1993
*18. FIRST READING OF ORDINANCE AMENDING THE 1993 BUDGET AND
APPROPRIATING FUNDS INTO THE SEWER CONSTRUCTION FUND (No
formal action required this meeting)
An Ordinance amending the 1993 budget and appropriating
funds into the Wastewater Facility Project Fund for various
Wastewater Facility construction projects, having been read
by title only, was laid on the table for two. weeks, until
October 12, 1993. I/
19. OTHER BUSINESS
After discussion among Council members and staff regarding
the policy as stated in Resolution No. R -93 -17 with regard
to annexations in the West Valley, it was MOVED BY
BEAUCHAMP, SECONDED BY BRADO, TO REAFFIRM OUR
DECISION ON THE MATTER. The motion carried by unanimous
voice vote.
Referring to Agenda Item No. 14, City Clerk Roberts
explained there was no motion made to direct that item to
staff. It was MOVED BY BEAUCHAMP, SECONDED BY
BUCHANAN, TO DIRECT AGENDA ITEM NO. 14 TO STAFF. The
motion carried by unanimous voice vote.
Information Items:
Items of information supplied to Council were: Memorandum
from City Engineer regarding North First Avenue Status
Report. 9/23/93; News Release from Transit Division
regarding Yakima Transit Shuttlebus Service to the Fair;
Monthly Report of the Chief of Police for August 1993;
Assignments Pending in the Office of Environmental Planning
as of September 28, 1993; Agenda for the September 22, 1993
Yakima District Board of Health meeting and minutes of its
August 26, 1993 meeting; Notice that Department of Ecology
is Relocating; and ADA Update from Association of Washington
Cities; Issue #4, September 14, 1993.
20. EXECUTIVE SESSION REGARDING PROSPECTIVE LITIGATION
It was MOVED BY BARNETT, SECONDED BY SIMS, TO MOVE
INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION FOR THE PURPOSE OF DISCUSSING
PROSPECTIVE LITIGATION AND COLLECTIVE BARGAINING,
WITH IMMEDIATE ADJOURNMENT THEREAFTER. The motion
carried by unanimous voice vote.
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