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Home My WebLink About03/08/1994 Adjourned Meeting 181 CITY OF YAKIMA, WASHINGTON MARCH 8, 1994 ADJOURNED MEETING I/ The City Council met in session on this date at 7:00 a.m., in the City Manager's Conference Room at City Hall, Yakima, Washington. Mayor Pat Berndt, presiding, Council Members Clarence Barnett, Henry Beauchamp, Ernie Berger, Bill Brado (present after 7:35 a.m.), Lynn Buchanan, and Bernard Sims present on roll call. City Manager Zais, Assistant City Manager Rice, Denny Covell, Director of Engineering and Utilities, John Hanson, Director of Finance and Budget, City Attorney Paolella, Marketa Oliver, Administrative Assistant to the City Manager, and City Clerk Roberts also present. 1. INFORMAL DISCUSSION AMONG COUNCIL MEMBERS A. CABLE TV SERVICES City Manager Zais stated the purpose of this discussion was to share with Council the proposed ordinance which would bring tax equity for companies in competition with TCI Cable. John Hanson reported the proposed ordinance will tie the tax to the redemption of the bonds for the police station /legal center. When all costs for the construction of the facility are repaid, Council may review the maintenance of that tax. Council also wanted staff to notify any potential competitors of this tax, which has been done. The third issue addressed the broad scope in which the ordinance was written. The new ordinance limits the language in defining those it affects -- only those who are in direct competition with TCI Cable. This would allow TCI Cable to notify the City to investigate anyone they think may be directly in competition with them. Currently, there are two competitors; one is Northwest Cable and the other is an apartment complex. The apartment complex provides cable television to its tenants, charging for that service in their rent. We have to ask them what amount they are charging. Council discussion ensued as to who is liable for paying the tax -- the apartment complex or the provider of the microwave signal (Cable Plus), or both. Staff was directed to pursue this issue to determine who pays the tax. 1/ (Council Member Brado present after 7:35 a.m.) Update on Legislative Issues, City Newsletter and Ordinance Fact Sheet Marketa Oliver distributed an updated status report on Legislative Issues. She reported the preannexation bill died in the House; however, it has been amended to Senate Bill 6025 and staff is closely monitoring it. 182 MARCH 8, 1994 - ADJOURNED MEETING She asked Council if they had any comments regarding the City newsletter and ordinance fact sheet prior to their distribution. She reported the ordinance fact sheet will be distributed to all the high schools and middle schools in Yakima County. The idea was brought up to put it on television and radio. Council did not request any changes. City Manager Zais commented that all the state curfew legislative items have died. B. IRRIGATION ASSESSMENT RATES AND ESTABLISHING A CAPITAL RESERVE FUND Council members discussed the issue that was brought up at last Tuesday's Council meeting concerning a 5% assessment to fund irrigation capital improvement projects. Council Member Barnett referenced a legal opinion from 1988 which indicated Council did not have the authority to collect such an assessment. City Manager Zais stated staff asked Preston, Thorgrimson for an updated opinion. Council Member Barnett pointed out it was Forrest Walls' opinion that Council still does not have that authority. Council Member Buchanan stated there are some seriously deteriorating lines throughout the City which is impacting the Wastewater Treatment Plant and cannot be ignored. There was further discussion concerning the aging lines and infiltration problems, possible consolidation of the irrigation systems, water rights, funding through a City -wide bond issue or local improvement districts, and the charge for backflow device inspections for citizens with underground sprinkler systems using treated water. Mayor Berndt suggested scheduling a meeting with property owners in Irrigation District No. 308 to try to get approval to tack on a 10% surcharge to improve the system. She then summarized Council's directions. Council is interested in looking at refurbishment of the system, particularly Irrigation District No. 308, a little bit at a time and requested staff bring back options for review. Council Member Beauchamp suggested staff seek any grants that might be available, including community development block grants. Council Member Barnett requested a recap of all the bond issues being considered, not only by the City, but by the school district as well. Mayor Berndt requested information on the number of backflow inspections being performed. C. TRANSIT COST ALLOCATION PLAN I/ John Hanson commented that the City does not have a cost allocation plan filed and approved by the Federal government. It would allow the City to charge indirect costs to grants. He stated staff contacted the City of Vancouver about their cost allocation plan. They reported the benefits are a "wash ", but they use it for in- service 2 183 MARCH 8, 1994 - ADJOURNED MEETING charges (same as City,; Service:,, Charges). Council Member Beauchamp interjected that the current City system is acceptable to the State Auditor, then we have the UMTA people coming to review us to see the way we allocate costs for indirect charges to the Transit system. The issue was 1/ brought up in a management (Triennial) review of the Transit operation. Mr. Hanson commented that the indirect charges to Transit are small enough that they can be excluded. There are two or three types of cost allocation plans. In order to do a cost allocation plan we could contract with the consulting firm which developed Vancouver's plan. If we do that, it would cost about $15,000 to $20,000 and take about three months. They have all the templates and interview process they go through. They can sell us the template and we can have a staff member do it, but it would take two months each year to update it. They also guarantee their plan will be accepted by the Federal government. Without the template, it would take City staff about 6 -8 months and it may not be accepted by the Federal government. Also, he does not have a staff member available to devote to the development of this project or to the annual update. Mayor Berndt stated that the School District and ESD both have a cost allocation plan. Mr. Hanson stated that unless the City receives large grants and we need the cost allocation plan, a cost allocation plan should be developed just for that grant. He stated that the A87 Plan (Federal Grant Cost Allocation Plan) is very rigid. Council Member Sims asked about the liability of not completing that plan. City Manager Zais stated the City receives grants for Wastewater Treatment..'Plant capital improvements, street improvements, community development block grants, and Rebound Plus to name a few. It was the general consensus of Council to not take any action at this time. Mayor Berndt commented she has talked with a few people about social service grants but was advised it has to be a collaborative effort with more than one entity. The meeting was adjourned at 8:45 a.m. _ READ AND CERTIFIED ACCURATE BY: ' ZP�l�G� COUNC MEMBER 7 DATE G - 6 - 6 - y COUNCIL MEMBER DATE i<aitt. Q at - ATTEST: CITY CLERK - MAYOR An audio tape of this meeting is available in the City Clerk's Office 3