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HomeMy WebLinkAbout10/25/1994 Business Meeting 454 CITY OF YAKIMA, WASHINGTON OCTOBER 25, 1994 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, Mayor Pat Berndt, presiding, Council Members Clarence Barnett, Henry Beauchamp, Ernie Berger, Bill Brado, Lynn Buchanan, 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 Pledge of Allegiance was led by Council Member Barnett. 3. OPEN DISCUSSION FOR THE GOOD OF THE ORDER Mayor Berndt announced she will attend the Mayor's Institute of Design, taking a portion of the I -82 design with her to be examined by the other participants. She hopes to obtain suggestions for this project. 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 of the Council to add Items Nos. 12, 13 and 15 to 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 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 SEPTEMBER 27, 1994 BUSINESS MEETING The minutes of the September 27, 1994 Business meeting, was approved, having been duly certified accurate by two Council members and no one present wishing to have said minutes read publicly. 455 OCTOBER}: :25, 1994 5A. SPECIAL PRESENTATION BY CITIZENS FOR YAKIMA'S FUTURE Dave Dion, Chairman, introduced committee members of Citizens for Yakima's Future. He commented that citizen participation has been at the core of these three bond issues, thus I/ eliminating all but the very essential items. He reported the progress they have made in their campaign to pass all three bond issues, for streets, fire and parks, on the November 8 ballot. They have participated in meetings with various groups, have held a press conference and sent out press releases, have been on community television, and have participated in other events to drum up support, both financially and otherwise. Mayor Berndt expressed appreciation for the hard work done by this committee. 6. SPECIAL PRESENTATION BY WEST VALLEY SCHOOL DISTRICT REGARDING MITIGATION FEES Using charts reflecting projected enrollment trends and the number of classrooms available, Peter Ansignh, Superintendent of the West Valley School District, set forth reasons why the implementation of impact /mitigation fees are being considered. He cited increased enrollment stemming from rapid growth and development in the West Valley School District and declining revenues derived from timber harvest on state lands impacting school funding as reasons to look at this option. Although they will have to continue to run bond issues to accommodate growth and will try to improve the situation for state funding for school construction, Mr. Ansignh explained the school district feels they need to also pursue some kind of contribution from the development community in order to maintain the quality of education that is currently provided at an affordable rate for their taxpayers. Discussion followed concerning how subsidized housing impacts the school system compared to the effect by the development community. In addition to the subject of affordable housing, there was also discussion concerning whether or not impact fees would deter future growth in the West Valley area, which would be in direct contrast with the intent of Growth Management Act requirements. I/ Mayor Berndt reported that a grant has been received for the SEPA /GMA Integration Plan, which will establish a citizens forum to contemplate these types of issues. There appeared to be a consensus among Council members to let that group study the topic of impact fees. 2 4 5 6 OCTOBER 25, 1994 7. OPEN FORUM REGARDING REFERENDUM 43: A. PRESENTATION BY ESTER HUEY Ester Huey, Executive Director of Yakima County Substance Abuse Coalition, presented facts and background information about Referendum 43 that is on the November 8, 1994 ballot. I/ If approved by 50 percent of the voters, the referendum, which is part of Senate House Bill 2319 passed during the last legislature, would extend taxes on sales of cigarettes, liquor, and pop syrup to fund violence reduction and drug enforcement programs in the state of Washington. Ms. Huey specifically listed and explained in detail how the outcome of this election will directly impact programs such as community networks in Yakima County and public health services, the revised sentencing guidelines for firearm related crimes; the violence reduction programs in schools, and enhanced criminal penalties. Its passage would also continue to support alcohol and drug abuse prevention, intervention, and treatment programs currently funded by the Omnibus Alcohol and Controlled Substance Act. If it fails, the crime and drug /alcohol fighting programs and the enhanced new criminal penalties will lose its funding, including matching federal money. Ms. Huey also explained what the current tax is and what the proposed tax would be. She specifically listed the many drug and alcohol treatment services and community programs that this referendum would affect and emphasized the need for these services in the entire area. Referring to spending priorities and how allocations are determined, Ms. Huey explained the state has developed a formula allocation for these funds that is based on the number of incidents of particular problems in the population. There was discussion about how this referendum affects juvenile penalties. Council Member Barnett brought an error in the Budget Forecast to the attention of staff which relates to state funding reductions. B. PRESENTATION BY OTHERS Mayor Berndt asked if there was anyone else who wished to speak at this open forum, either for or against Referendum 43 or any other issue. There was no one wishing to speak. 8. PUBLIC MEETING TO CONSIDER THE HEARING EXAMINER'S 1/ RECOMMENDATION ON REZONE OF PROPERTY LOCATED AT 906 NORTH 20TH AVENUE, REQUESTED BY LENA COUCH (PLEASE BRING MATERIAL PREVIOUSLY DISTRIBUTED) This being the time set for the public meeting, Dan Valoff, Associate Planner, briefly summarized the rezone request, the 3 OCTOBER 25, 1994 tOW staff report, and was available ,to answer - questions. The staff recommendation is to adopt the Hearing Examiner's recommendation and direct staff to prepare the appropriate legislation. There was discussion and comments concerning compatibility and the lack of opposition from adjacent I/ property owners. Mayor Berndt opened the public meeting and asked if anyone would like to speak either for or against the request. Carol Chauvin, on behalf of Lena Couch, explained the purpose of the rezone request is to create consistent zoning with adjacent property so the property can be sold to defray Ms. Couch's medical care expenses. Mayor Berndt asked if anyone else wished to speak to this issue. There being no one, the public meeting was closed. After all Council members declared no exparte contact, it was MOVED BY SIMS, SECONDED BY BEAUCHAMP, TO ADOPT THE HEARING EXAMINER'S RECOMMENDATION AND DIRECT STAFF TO PREPARE THE APPROPRIATE LEGISLATION. The motion carried by 6 -1 voice vote; Brado voting nay. 9. PUBLIC MEETING TO ADOPT COMPREHENSIVE HOUSING AFFORDABILITY STRATEGY (CHAS) ANNUAL PERFORMANCE REPORT FOR 1993/1994 This being the time set for a public meeting, Dixie Kracht, Block Grant Manager, presented the report. She pointed out some changes in this report compared to last year's report. There are more things happening and more awareness in the community in the housing areas. She indicated vacancy rate information contained in a letter from Dan Arnett, Yakima Rental Service, will be included in the report. There were questions and comments among Council members and staff concerning vacancy rate information and affordability levels. There were also questions and comments about the statistics in the report, the agencies reporting the information, and how the method of recording housing services requests might affect the statistics. Staff was directed to change a portion of the narrative reference from 60,000 people to 60,000 contacts, due to the cumulative factor of the analysis. I/ Mayor Berndt opened the public meeting and asked if anyone wished to comment. Dan Arnett, Rental Service of Yakima, requested sources of information be indicated in the report. He commented about the affects that new construction has had on the average rental market. The segment of the population that needs housing assistance is the very low income. Mr. Arnett urged that more be done to help them find a place to live. Mr. Arnett also discussed the current housing trend in rental 4 458 OCTOBER 25, 199 costs in the market, the cost of land development, and new construction affecting the rental market. There was also discussion about the vacancy rate. Lee Arnett, Yakima Valley Rental Association, questioned some of the statistics used in the report and Mayor Berndt directed staff to clarify those areas of concern. Mr. Arnett also commented about increased costs of construction and how it affects affordable housing. Bruce Bulamar, Housing Foundation, spoke about meeting the housing needs of very low income people and very briefly described a little bit about semi - private sector programs also designated to help them. He also commented about vacancy rates and the deteriorating effect that severely substandard units have on the rental market. There was discussion about the estimated number of substandard units which need to be removed from the market, the importance of the trickle down theory in housing, and the need to address the serious overcrowding problem that exists. Mayor Berndt asked if anyone else wished to speak to this issue. There being no one, she closed the public meeting. It was MOVED BY BUCHANAN, SECONDED BY SIMS, TO APPROVE THIS FOR SUBMISSION TO HUD WITH CHANGES AS SUGGESTED. The motion carried by unanimous voice vote. 10. PUBLIC HEARING ON THE FINAL ASSESSMENT ROLL FOR LAUREL STREET WATER LID NO. 1051 (SEE ORDINANCE) Council Member Beauchamp excused himself from discussion on this item due to a possible conflict of interest. This being the time set for the public hearing, Al Rose, Office Engineer, and Mary Lovell, Engineering Tech I, were available to answer questions concerning this issue. Mr. Rose summarized the details of this LID and estimated the final assessment amount. Mayor Berndt opened the public hearing and asked for anyone wishing to comment on the Final Assessment Roll. There being no one, she closed the public hearing. 1/ Ordinance No. 94 -64 having been read by title, it was MOVED BY BUCHANAN, SECONDED BY SIMS, TO PASS THE ORDINANCE. The motion carried by a 6 -0 roll call vote; Beauchamp temporarily absent and not voting. 5 459 OCTOBERa_25, 1994 TIW ORDINANCE NO. 94 -64, AN ORDINANCE of the City of Yakima, Washington, approving and confirming the final assessment roll for Local Improvement District No. 1051, which has been created and established for the purpose of paying the cost of certain water improvements in the City of Yakima; and levying and assessing the amount thereof against the lots, tracts, parcels of land and other property shown on said roll. 11. AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION Bev Luby Bartz, 114 North 7th Street, requested that a local resident be considered to serve on the Yakima Center's Expansion Steering Committee. The request was referred to Kathy Coffey, Executive Director. Richard Andring referred to his previous suggestions regarding Transit stops by Davis High School and staff's response to those suggestions. He stated that staff must have misinterpreted his suggestions because staff did not correctly respond to his suggestions. He also requested a bus stop at Walnut and 9th Avenue. Staff .was directed to review Mr. Andring's suggestions. Laura Miller questioned the Police Department's handling of an accident involving her daughter, which, to her, seemed to discriminate against her daughter. City Manager Zais reported that an investigation was already underway and Council will be provided with a report on the incident. *12. REPORT AND RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING QUIT CLAIM DEED TRANSFER OF PROPERTY AT MARTIN LUTHER KING PARK TO YAKIMA SCHOOL DISTRICT #7 RESOLUTION NO. R - 94 - 135, A RESOLUTION authorizing and directing the Mayor of the City of Yakima to sign a Quit Claim Deed and deliver the Deed to the Yakima School District. I/ *13. PRESENTATION OF 1995 PRELIMINARY BUDGET FORECAST (CONTINUED FROM OCTOBER 11, 1994 — PLEASE BRING MATERIAL PREVIOUSLY DISTRIBUTED) The 1995 Preliminary Budget Forecast was accepted. The meeting recessed from 4:00 p.m. until 4:10 p.m. 6 460 OCTOBER 25, 1994 14. RECONSIDERATION OF COST OF SERVICE STUDY /PRE- TREATMENT FEE PROPOSAL (CONTINUED FROM OCTOBER 11, 1994 - PLEASE BRING MATERIAL PREVIOUSLY DISTRIBUTED) Council Member Barnett submitted a proposal which would change the method of allocation of the Public Utility Tax. Staff was given an opportunity to analyze the proposal and to determine what impact to services this would mean. It was MOVED BY BRADO, SECONDED BY BERGER TO TABLE THIS 1/ UNTIL THE 15TH OF NOVEMBER. The motion carried by 6 -0 voice vote; Buchanan temporarily absent. *15. CONSIDERATION OF RESOLUTION DECLARING WEEK OF OCTOBER 24 -30, 1994 AS NATIONAL UNFUNDED MANDATES WEEK RESOLUTION NO. R -94 -136, A RESOLUTION declaring October 24 -30, 1994 as Unfunded Mandates Week in the City of Yakima. *16. CONSIDERATION OF RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING APPLICATION FOR PUBLIC WORKS TRUST FUNDS FOR ECONOMIC ACTIVITY RESOLUTION NO. R -94 -137, A RESOLUTION authorizing and directing the City manager to apply for a loan from the Washington State Community Public Works Trust Fund to finance improvements to public infrastructure in the vicinity of Elks Park. *17. CONSIDERATION OF AMENDMENT TO POLICY REGARDING CLAIMS SETTLEMENT POLICY The amendment to the City's Claims Settlement Policy was accepted. *18. CONSIDERATION OF RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING EXECUTION OF AGREEMENTS FOR PROFESSIONAL APPRAISAL SERVICES FOR CBD PROPERTY AND PARKS PROPERTY RESOLUTION NO. R -94 -138, A RESOLUTION authorizing and directing the City Manager of the City of Yakima to obtain professional real estate appraisal services relating to potential purchase and sale transactions for property in the Central Business District and at a City park. *19. CONSIDERATION OF RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING EXECUTION OF CONTRACT 1/ WITH ZAREMBA CLAIMS, INC. FOR GENERAL PROPERTY CASUALTY CLAIMS ADJUDICATION SERVICES RESOLUTION NO. R -94 -139, A RESOLUTION authorizing and directing the City Manager and City Clerk of the City of Yakima to execute a contractual agreement with Zaremba Claims Services, Inc. for claims adjusting services for damage claims filed against the City of Yakima. 7 461 OCTOSERL._25, 1994 VW *20. CONSIDERATION OF LEGISLATION' REGARDING YAKIMA CENTER EXPANSION: A. REPORT AND RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING PROFESSIONAL SERVICES I/ AGREEMENT WITH TRAHO FOR DESIGN WORK RESOLUTION NO. R -94 -140, A RESOLUTION authorizing the execution of a Professional Services Agreement with TRAHO, Inc. regarding the Yakima Center Expansion Project. B. FIRST READING OF ORDINANCE AMENDING THE 1994 BUDGET AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS FOR DESIGN ALTERNATIVES FOR THE EXPANSION OF THE YAKIMA CENTER (NO FORMAL ACTION REQUIRED THIS MEETING) An Ordinance amending the 1994 budget and appropriating funds for design alternatives for the expansion of the Yakima Center, having been read by title only, was laid on the table for one week, until November 1, 1994. *21. APPROVAL OF REPORTS FROM DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE AND BUDGET: A. THIRD QUARTER 1994 ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE REPORT The Third Quarter 1994 Accounts Receivable Status Report was accepted. B. THIRD QUARTER 1994 BUDGET REPORT The Third Quarter 1994 Revenue and Expenditure Report (Budget) Report was accepted. *22. CONSIDERATION OF ORDINANCE APPROVING THE HEARING EXAMINER'S RECOMMENDATION ON THE MASTER APPLICATION FOR THE FAULCONER REZONE ORDINANCE NO. 94 -65, AN ORDINANCE rezoning property located at and near 502 N. 18th Avenue in Yakima, Washington from Two Family Residential (R -2) to Local Business (B -2) and amending the zoning map of the Yakima Urban Area accordingly; and providing Class 2 approval, subject to certain conditions, for an automobile service facility. *23. SECOND READING OF ORDINANCE AMENDING THE 1994 BUDGET AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS FOR THE CBD LIGHTING IMPROVEMENTS PROJECT An Ordinance amending the 1994 budget and appropriating funds for the CBD Lighting Improvements project, having been read 8 462 OCTOBER 25, 1994 by title only at the October 11, 1994 Council meeting, was brought before the Council for a second reading. ORDINANCE NO. 94 - 66, AN ORDINANCE amending the 1994 budget for the City of Yakima; and making an appropriation of $69, 947 in the Central Business District Capital Improvement Fund for expenditure during 1994 for a street lighting project. 24. OTHER BUSINESS 1/ City Manager Zais reported the City received the Distinguished Budget Award for the 1994 budget from the GFOA. John Hanson, Director of Finance and Budget, provided Council Members with a tentative schedule for the budget study sessions. After brief discussion, it was determined that the budget hearing scheduled for November 15, 1994 would be continued to November 29, 1994 at 9:00 a.m. Council Member Sims requested a policy issue be developed regarding the discontinuance of the obsolete fire alarm systems. Information Items: Items of information provided to Council were: Memorandum from City Senior Project Planner regarding Yakima Urban Area Comprehensive Plan: Monthly Status Report for September 1994. 10/21/94; Third Quarter 1994 Y -PAC Production Report; Letter from Engineer Associate Desgrosellier regarding Railroad Water Area - Watermain Extension Project, Zone 2 East (Invitation to Bid). 10/19/94; SunTran October 1994 newsletter; Report of the Chief of Police for September 1994; Minutes of the October 6, 1994 Bicycle /Pedestrian Advisory Committee meeting; Article from October 17, 1994 Seattle Post - Intelligencer, "Up Against the Wal- Mart "; Assignments Pending in Office of Environmental Planning as of October 25, 1994; AWC workshop on GMA Regulations: Ideas That Can Work for You; About Growth Quarterly Publication; Fall 1994; Watershed Events Newsletter; October 1994; Notice of Document Review on The Tentative Agreement on the Environmental Restoration Refocusing at Hanford; Hanford Update Newsletter; Sept. /Oct. 1994; and Letter from Governor Mike Lowry transmitting copy of Executive Order relating to Council on Families, Youth and Justice and draft reports. .10/17/94 1/ 9 463 OCTOBER 1994 25. EXECUTIVE SESSION REGARDING: A. COLLECTIVE BARGAINING (YPPA) B. PROSPECTIVE LITIGATION 1/ It was MOVED. BY BUCHANAN, SECONDED BY SIMS, TO MOVE INTO-EXECUTIVE SESSION FOR PROSPECTIVE LITIGATION AND COLLECTIVE BARGAINING, FOLLOWED BY IMMEDIATE ADJOURNMENT TO TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 1994, AT 10:30 A.M. IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS, CITY HALL, FOR A JOINT PUBLIC' HEARING WITH THE YAKIMA COUNTY COMMISSIONERS ON PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO THE URBAN AREA ZONING ORDINANCE (CONTINUED FROM 10/11/94) . The motion carried by unanimous voice vote. 26. ADJOURNMENT TO NOVEMBER 1, 1994 AT 10:30 A.M. IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS, CITY HALL, FOR A JOINT PUBLIC HEARING WITH THE YAKIMA COUNTY COMMISSIONERS ON PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO THE URBAN AREA ZONING ORDINANCE (CONTINUED FROM 10/11/94) Following the conclusion of the Executive Session, the meeting adjourned at 5:15 p.m. READ AND CERTIFIED ACCURATE BY: ►• ' AA •.0 .I ■ �J�.� ✓� d- Co C I k L TI:ER , DATE . o- 6 COUNC MEMBER DATE ATTEST: / CITY CLERK MAYOR d /ma Minutes prepared by Deputy City Clerk Skovald. An audio and video tape of this meeting are available in the City Clerk's Office 10