HomeMy WebLinkAbout11/16/1993 Business Meeting 27
SfJ;
CITY OF YAKIMA, WASHINGTON
NOVEMBER 16, 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 Paolella, and City Clerk Roberts also
present.
2. INVOCATION /PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
The Invocation was given by Council Member Beauchamp.
3. OPEN DISCUSSION FOR THE GOOD OF THE ORDER
A. PROCLAMATIONS (IF APPLICABLE)
Council Member Barnett suggested that the property owners
affected by the 1-82 Frontage Road Study should receive a
copy of the entire report. Denny Covell, Director of
Engineering and Utilities, stated his reasons for only
sending the executive summary of the report, plus the maps.
Council Member Barnett complimented Chris Waarvick,
Wastewater Superintendent, on his outstanding letter to the
Department of Ecology (DOE) relating concerns of the City
about the requirements DOE is placing upon cities.
Mayor Berndt reported that she and City Manager Zais will
attend the AWC legislative meeting this Thursday, and on
Friday she will attend a reception by the APEC Committee.
She was particularly excited about attending the reception
because she will be the only Eastern Washington mayor to
attend, which reflects well on Yakima.
Mayor Berndt presented a Community Anti -Drug Coalition of
American •Outstanding Law Enforcement Idea award for the
Rebound Plus Alley Cats program. She invited Council to
I/ attend the recognition award ceremony for the youth this
Thursday-evening at 6:00 p.m. at the Capitol Theatre.
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.
The City Clerk then read the Consent Agenda items, including
resolutions and ordinances by title. It was the general
28
NOVEMBER 16, 1993
consensus of the Council that Item No. 10 be removed from
the Consent Agenda. It was MOVED BY SIMS, SECONDED BY
BUCHANAN, THAT THE CONSENT AGENDA, AS READ, 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 OCTOBER 5, 1993 BUSINESS
1/
MEETING
The minutes of the October 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.
6. PUBLIC MEETING ON FINAL STATEMENT REGARDING COMMUNITY
DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT ENTITLEMENT RIGHT FOR HOUSING (SEE
RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING SUBMISSION OF APPLICATION TO HUD FOR FUNDING 1994 CDBG
PROGRAM)
This being the time set for the public meeting, Dixie
Kracht, Block Grant Manager, stated that before Council
today is the final statement which is the 1994 application
for entitlement funds for the HUD Block Grant Program. She
responded to Council members' questions and concerns
relating to program monitoring and requirements for low
income rental units. It was suggested that a short report,
with information given on each housing program, be prepared.
Mayor Berndt opened the meeting for comments from the
public. Hector Franco, Del Norte Community Development
Corporation, suggested a new program to assist private
industry, particularly minority businesses, to build low -
income housing might be more economically feasible than the
current programs now being funded. Luz Gutierrez, Women and
Minority Enterprise, agreed with Mr. Franco's comments and
stated Council should consider earmarking money for economic
development, not just housing. Dan Tilley, 313 North 31st
Avenue, suggested another alternative relating to downtown
urban renewal, which would create jobs. Phil Pleasant, 701
South 7th Avenue, commented that this program should be
encouraging the development of black businesses. Daniel
Enriquez, President of the-Hispanic Chamber of Commerce in
Yakima, stated this community needs affordable housing. He
offered to assist staff in bringing in more minority
contractors. David Hawkins, 114 North 9th Street, commented
that in any city, landlords will require a deposit and first
and last months' rent. Inflation is here and it won't go
away. There being no other citizen wishing to speak, the
public meeting was closed. Council Member Beauchamp agreed
with the need to include flexibility in the program for
economic development and urban renewal. Ms. Kracht stated
the City is following a three -year plan, of which this is
the final year. The Plan was based on community input and
2
2 9
NOVEMBER16 1993
n iy
Council discussion.. Community indicated that housing
was critical. Following further discussion, and Resolution
No. R -93 -115 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 - 115, A RESOLUTION authorizing and
directing the City Manager of the City of Yakima to file an
application with the United States Department of Housing and
Urban Development for funding of the 1994 Community
Development Block Grant Program.
7. AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION
Joe Schons, 4806 west Chestnut, requested Council members
complete the questionnaire he sent regarding individual
Council Members' relationship with the Yakima Greenway.
Mayor Berndt stated she agreed to excuse herself from this
deliberation under the appearance of fairness doctrine
because she is an ex- officio member of the Greenway. She
further commented that the Council is frequently asked to put
aside their personal feelings when voting. Mayor Berndt
interpreted Council comments to mean they will keep an open
mind and give the appeal a fair hearing. Discussion ensued
concerning Mr. Schons' request for an alternate hearing body.
He was advised Council was the only body that can hear SEPA
appeals. •
David Hawkins, 114 North 9th Street, #2, addressed the
Council regarding the crime situation in Yakima and his
solution through teaching personal relationships with Jesus
Christ.
8. REPORT AND LEGISLATION ON POLICE STATION /LEGAL CENTER AND
RECOMMENDATION FOR CONTRACT AWARD ( CONTINUED FROM 11/9/93)
It was MOVED BY SEMON, SECONDED BY BUCHANAN, TO REMOVE
FROM THE TABLE, THE PREVIOUS FINANCING PACKAGE SO WE
CAN DISCUSS ALL THE ITEMS. The motion carried by
unanimous voice vote. Council Member Semon suggested
rejecting all the bids and then purchasing property in the
downtown area on which to build this facility, specifically,
the "Wickstrom block." He suggested financing the purchase
of that property by having a 5% tax on Cable TV, shift .5% of
the 2% in- lieu -of -tax for Parks and raise the utility tax lid
I/ from $3,000 to $4,000 and reject the increase of business
license fees. He stated he would like to have the $30,000
now being spent on rent for the Legal Office be part of the
financing package when the rented space is no longer
required. He suggested architectural services be obtained to
design a facility, working with staff and a committee of the
Council to prepared the bid documents and get them out as
soon as possible. Following debate on Council Member Semon's
suggestion, and Resolution No. R -93 -116 having been read by
3
3 0
NOVEMBER 16, 1993
title, it was MOVED BY SEMON, SECONDED BY SIMS, TO
ADOPT THE RESOLUTION. Verna Beggs disagreed with the tax
on cable television and the siting of the facility downtown.
She preferred the site at,Kiwanis Park. The question was
called for a vote on the motion. The motion carried by
unanimous roll call vote.
•
RESOLUTION NO. R -93 -116, A RESOLUTION rejecting all
I/
bids for the construction of the Yakima Police Station /Legal
Center.
It was MOVED BY SEMON, SECONDED BY SIMS, TO DIRECT
STAFF TO ACQUIRE THE "WICKSTROM BLOCK ", BORDERED BY
WALNUT, SOUTH THIRD STREET, SPRUCE, AND SOUTH 2ND
STREET AND INCLUDE ADDITIONAL PROPERTY IN THE
IMMEDIATE AREA FOR PARKING AND HAVE STAFF BRING BACK
LEGISLATION TO ALLOW COUNCIL TO ENACT A TAX OF 5% ON
CABLE TV. The motion carried by 5 -2 voice vote; Barnett
and Brado voting nay.
Ordinance No. 93 -104 having been read by title, it was
MOVED BY SEMON, SECONDED BY BUCHANAN, TO PASS THE
ORDINANCE. The motion carried by 5 -2 roll call vote;
Barnett and Brado voting nay.
ORDINANCE NO. 93 - 104, AN ORDINANCE relating to licenses
and business regulations; relating to occupation taxes on
water supply businesses; relating to water, sewer, and
garbage revenue tax; increasing tax rates applicable to sewer
service receipts and public and private water and refuse
business receipts; amending Subsection 4.16.180C and Sections
5.50.060 and 7.64.020, all'of the City of Yakima Municipal
Code.
Ordinance No. 93 -105 having been read by title, it was
MOVED BY SEMON, SECONDED BY SIMS, TO PASS THE
ORDINANCE. Allen Schmid, Pacific Power and Light, spoke
against the motion, stating their concern is the way Council
is proposing to pay for the debt service of the bonds. They
feel all citizens should be paying for the debt service. He
stated that Pacific Power and Light feels the ordinance
raising the utility lid from $3,000 to $4,000 places an undue
burden on the affected businesses. This may also affect
economic development since businesses wanting to locate in
Yakima look at taxes and utility costs. He suggested Council •
consider raising the 0.5% transfer of the in- lieu -of tax for "-
Parks to 1% to help fund this project. Council Member Semon
responded to Mr. Schmid's comments by stating he spoke with
most of the 20 -25 businesses that would be affected and most
of them indicated this was . something they could live with.
He further commented that most of the surrounding communities
don't have a lid on their utilities. It was MOVED BY
BEAUCHAMP, SECONDED BY BRADO, TO TABLE THIS FOR ONE
WEEK TO ENSURE THE PROPOSED METHOD OF RAISING THIS
4
31
NOVEMBERf=t16 , 1993
ADDITIONAL .FUNDING °F,OR THE,TAX LID IS THE BEST OPTION
WE HAVE TO: FUND THIS. The motion failed by 4 -3 voice
vote; Berndt, Buchanan, Semon and Sims voting nay. The
question was called for a vote on the original
motion. The Motion carried by 4 -3 roll call vote; Barnett,
I/
Beauchamp and Brado voting nay.
ORDINANCE NO. 93 - 105, AN ORDINANCE relating to licenses
and business regulations; amending Section 5.50.050 of the
city of Yakima Municipal Code.
It was MOVED BY SEMON, SECONDED BY SIMS, TO
APPROPRIATE THE CURRENT $30,000 OF LEGAL OFFICE RENT
TO THIS PROJECT WHEN THE MONEY BECOMES AVAILABLE. The
motion carried by 5 - 2 voice vote; Barnett and Brado voting
nay. It was MOVED BY SEMON, SECONDED BY SIMS, TO
DIRECT STAFF TO RETAIN ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES FOR
DESIGN AND GO TO BID ON THE POLICE /LEGAL CENTER AS
SOON, AS POSSIBLE AND IN THIS EFFORT, COUNCIL SHOULD
APPOINT AN OVER -SIGHT COMMITTEE TO WORK WITH STAFF
AND THE ARCHITECTS. Charlie Eglin, 'Tri -Ply Construction,
commented this is probably a great solution; however, his
concern is that if an architect is hired now and goes back to
the traditional bid process, that the bids could come in well
over the $4.8 million original projected cost. One
alternative, for Council consideration, is for Council to
choose a site and let Mr. Mercy build it. Mayor Berndt
clarified Mr. Eglin's comments, stating that Mr. Eglin is
pleased Council has gone to the site specific plan, but he
would like to see Council continue the design build process
rather than the design /bid process. Following discussion
regarding the failed design /build process, Council Member
Brado volunteered to serve on the over -sight committee. Dan
Tilley spoke in support of this new process since Council
would keep control of the project. The question was
called for a vote on the motion. The motion carried by
unanimous voice vote. It was MOVED BY SEMON, SECONDED BY
SIMS, THAT STAFF BE DIRECTED TO 'PREPARE LEGISLATION
ON THE BOND ORDINANCES AND BRING THEM TO COUNCIL
BEFORE THE YEAR'S END. The motion carried by 6 -1 voice
vote; B rado voting nay.
9. PRESENTATION OF CONFERENCE OF GOVERNMENTS 1994 BUDGET
I/ Following a ten minute recess, the Council reconvened at
4:15 p.m. Lon Wyrick, Conference of Governments (COG),
presented the proposed 1994 budget for COG which has been
reviewed by the Executive Board and the General Membership.
It is about $860,000, which is up a bit from last year. It
reflects programs such as the Growth Management Act. The
assessment for Yakima increased by 1.3%, due to increased
population. Council Member Buchanan expressed concern about
the assessment in relationship with representation. Although
Yakima pays a much higher assessment, Yakima has equal voting
5
32
NOVEMBER 16, 1993
power with the smaller cities who have a much lower
assessment. This hurts Yakima, particularly in determining
ISTEA funding. Mr. Wyrick outlined the method used to review
ISTEA applications and suggested the method may be changed
since it was developed locally; however, no request to look
into that has been received. He stated he would provide
Council with detailed information on the RTPO Committee. The
process would need to be reviewed by the representatives on
the Technical Advisory Committee and the Executive Board.
Following a brief discussion regarding the Trip Reduction
Planning process, Mr. Wyrick stated he would prepare a
contract for Council consideration to develop a plan for
Yakima. He also responded to Council Member Beauchamp's
questions regarding COG's staffing relating to affirmative
action. Phil Pleasant, 701 South 7th Avenue, stated that if
COG does not have a black.person on staff, then his local
government should not contract with them. It was MOVED BY
SIMS, SECONDED BY BRADO, TO APPROVE THE COG BUDGET
REQUEST. The motion carried by unanimous voice vote.
10. CONSIDERATION OF RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING EXECUTION OF
PROFESSIONAL SERVICES CONTRACT FOR COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT
FINANCING
Following a discussion regarding the schedule of the public
hearings and the scope of work involved in this contract, and
Resolution No. R -93 -117 having been read by title, it was
MOVED BY SIMS, SECONDED BY BUCHANAN, TO ADOPT THE
RESOLUTION. The motion carried by 6 -1 roll call vote;
Brado voting nay.
RESOLUTION NO. R - 93 - 117, A RESOLUTION authorizing the
execution of an agreement for professional economic and
financial consulting services regarding community
redevelopment financing.
*11. CONSIDERATION OF RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING EXECUTION OF
OPERATING AGREEMENT WITH THE CAPITOL THEATRE
RESOLUTION NO. R - 93 - 118, A RESOLUTION authorizing the
City Manager and City Clerk of the City of Yakima to execute
a revised operating Agreement with Capitol Theatre Committee,
Inc. for the operation of the Capitol Theatre.
*12. CONSIDERATION OF RESOLUTION ADOPTING A GROWTH MANAGEMENT
(GMA) REGIONAL STRATEGY
RESOLUTION NO. R - 93 - 119, A RESOLUTION approving the
1994 Regional Strategy for implementing the Growth Management
Act in Yakima County.
*13. APPROVAL OF THE OCTOBER 1993 BUDGET REPORT
The October 1993 Budget Report was approved.
6
33
NOVEMBER16, 1993
*14. SECOND READING OF ORDINANCE AMENDING THE 1993 BUDGET AND
APPROPRIATING FUNDS FOR PURCHASE OF MATERIALS FOR NEW WATER
SERVICE
An Ordinance amending the 1993 budget and appropriating funds
I/ for the purchase of materials for new water services, having
been read by title only at the previous meeting, was brought
before the Council for a second reading.
ORDINANCE NO. 93 - 106, AN ORDINANCE amending the 1993
budget for the City of Yakima; and making an appropriation of
$115,000 in the Water Operating Fund for expenditure during
1993 for the purchase of new water service material.
15. OTHER BUSINESS
Council Member Buchanan gave an updated report on the
campaign to keep radar at the Yakima Airport. He stated
someone commented to him that while tower staff has been cut,
the staff at the Airport office has increased by 300%.
Council Member Sims,requested staff to review a request he
received for a flashing light at 12th Avenue and Chestnut by
St. Paul's school.
Referring to a petition in the Council packet requesting a
left turn signal at 1st and "B" 'Streets, Council Member
Buchanan requested information on the cost to install that
signal and questioned,if it" -would be possible to simply
prohibit left turns at that intersection.
Information Items:
Items of information supplied to Council were: Monthly
Project Report for the Yakima Railroad Area for October
1993; Traffic Engineering Citizen Request and Activity
Report for October 1993; Memorandum from City Pretreatment
Specialist regarding New Federal Pretreatment Category.
10/21/93; Agenda for the October 11, 1993 Parks and
Recreation Commission meeting and agenda for its November
15, 1993 meeting; Agenda for the. November 15, 1993 COG
Executive Committee meeting and minutes of its October 18,
I/ 1993 meeting; Minutes of the October 5, 1993 Substance
Abuse Coalition Board of Directors meeting;. and Yakima
Gateway Newsletter, Issue No. 5, October 1993.
7
34
NOVEMBER 16, 1993
16. ADJOURNMENT TO. NOVEMBER 23, 1993 ADJOURNED MEETING AT
7:30 A.M. AT THE YAKIMA CENTER FOR MEETING WITH COUNTY
COMMISSIONERS REGARDING AIRPORT SHORT PLAT'; THEN TO
NOVEMBER 23, 1993 AT 9:00 A.M., COUNCIL CHAMBERS, FOR BUDGET
STUDY SESSION (PARKS & RECREATION, TRANSIT, REFUSE, STREETS AND PUBLIC WORKS)
Mayor Berndt reported the County asked to postpone the
scheduled meeting with them on November 23rd.
II
There being no further business to come before the Council,
i t' _ways a-MOV °Eb BY BARNETT, SECONDED BY BEAUCHAMP, TO
ADJOURN THE MEE=TING AT 4:55 P . M. , TO THEN MEET AGAIN
*AT OA 4 ON NOVEMBER 23, 19 9 3 FOR BUDGET STUDY
'SESS.ION:. The motion car ried. y unanimous voice vote.
READ AND CERTIFIED ACCURATE BY: C� d t . . tr - - 3 - 7 _9
COUNCIL MEMBER DATE
--1-04 3 — g — Qf
COUNCIL MEMBE DATE
ATTEST:
/4CLA--(2- „j /2 Q 4i..,...ete
CITY CLERK MAYOR
An audio and video tape of this meeting are available in the City Clerk's Office
•
8