HomeMy WebLinkAbout11/29/1994 Special Meeting 20
CITY OF YAKIMA, WASHINGTON •
NOVEMBER 29, 1994
SPECIAL MEETING WITH YAKIMA COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
The City Council met in special session on this date at 7:30 a.m.
in the Board Room at the Yakima Convention Center to discuss
legislative priorities. Council Members present were Mayor Pat
Berndt, presiding, Clarence Barnett, Henry Beauchamp, Ernie Berger,
Bill Brado, Lynn Buchanan, and Bernard Sims. City staff members
present were City Manager Zais, Assistant City Manager Rice,
Administrative Assistant to the City Manager Oliver and Deputy City
Clerk Skovald. Yakima County Commissioners present were Chuck
Klarich, Chairman; Bettie Ingham and Jim Lewis. County staff
members present were Dick Anderwald, Dema Harris and Dan Hesse.
Before discussion began concerning legislative priorities, Council
Member Barnett requested clarification regarding the format to
follow during the continued public hearing on the UAZO Amendments.
The public hearing will be reopened for testimony and the decision
making process part of the hearing will be scheduled for a later
date.
1. LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES
Mayor Berndt referenced the draft Legislative Priorities
outline which identifies and summarizes City and County
concerns. City Manager Zais acknowledged there a few areas
where differing opinions exist between the two entities;
however, there are many common concerns and areas where there
is unanimous support, such as in the area of unfunded
mandates.
Health Care
The City of Yakima and Yakima County would like to be exempted
from the Health Services Act due to their demonstrated ability
to successfully self insure, and, at a cost lower than
average. City Manager Zais called attention to the
possibility that existing self insured plans being pre - empted
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from continuing if the Health Care Act remains. There was
some discussion about what impact there would be if government
plans opt -out of the state program. More information will be
available and questions will be answered - concerning self
insured features after the Health Care Commission meets.
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SPECIAL MEETING - NOVEMBER 29, 1994
Growth Manacement
Dick Anderwald noted that the City of Yakima and Yakima County
I/ unanimously support continued state funding for adoption and
implementation of growth management comprehensive plans and
regulations. The two jurisdictions oppose the withholding of
discretionary tax proceeds to cities, towns or counties that
have not fully complied with GMA. The City and County support
the idea that legislation needs to be developed to strengthen
the presumption of validity during GMA appeals and clarify
that the burden of proof rests with someone challenging GMA
actions.
Since many areas have exceeded public growth projections, the
City and the County support the idea of population range
provisions instead of a static figure from the Office of
Financial Management. Legislation needs to be developed
clarifying that urban growth areas need not be drawn at
existing city limits. Mr. Anderwald further explained since
some counties have experienced extraordinary costs in
defending appeals of urban growth boundaries, the` "City and
County also support the idea of state funding assistance in
defending appeals. It should also include the consideration
of the possibility to require the losing party to pay attorney
fees beyond Superior Court. Language should also be added to
include mandatory state agency participation.
Regulatory Reform
The City and County support modifications to coordinate the
GMA, SEPA, and the Shoreline Management Act. Mr. Anderwald
reported the Governor's Task Force on Regulatory Reform is
seeking direct input in order to reduce the number of pages of
the regulations. The City and the County oppose substantive
regional standards such as wetland buffers, and they oppose
timelines for county and city action on development
applications. The City and the County would like to see an
alternative proposed which would establish a timeline for
application review after it is deemed complete. The City and
County oppose enhanced front -end environmental review
I/ requirements for the local level without providing new
funding.
Commissioner Ingham commented about County Association
meetings where opt -out legislation language was suggested.
Council Member Brado stated that Realtors and Home Builders
have requested opt -out legislation be included in Eastside
legislative priorities. The proposal would include counties
with less than 100,000 population. There was continued
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SPECIAL MEETING - NOVEMBER 29, 1994
discussion about this issue including compliance guidelines
that will remain. Dick Anderwald briefly reported the status
of the Critical Area Ordinance which is currently under
appeal. There was also discussion concerning the one - person
appeal option process.
Commissioner Ingham reported the original Comprehensive Plan
has been used as a basis for recent GMA planning for the
state. A process is evolving as to how to deal with increased
population in the next 20 years. It is important to develop
new service delivery and ways to deal with growth development
in general. Commissioner Klarich commented on the current
appeal process that allows appeals to be filed at the end of
the process without engaging in any discussion during the
process. These costs impact entities. There was continued
discussion about the opt -out provision legislation that is
currently being written.
Violence Reduction Issues
The City and the County support the revision of the 1977
Juvenile Justice Act. The two entities urge the Legislature
to provide sufficient funds to local governments for the
purposes of initiating and expanding services such as teen
centers and safe zones. Also needed are alternatives to
incarcerations such as monitoring juvenile offenders
electronically. The City and County also advocate on -going
discussions regarding the local option for municipal or
district court jurisdiction over juvenile offenses. There was
explanation about weapon -free safe zones. There was
discussion about dealing with minor issues at the local level,
dealing with juvenile offenses and accountability issues. A
suggestion was made to develop a community accountability
board. Council Member Beauchamp recommended a prevention
approach be taken along with emphasis on accountability.
Council Member Buchanan suggested attention be paid to
preventative language in regulations on buying spray paint.
Marketa Oliver urged either the repeal of, or the addition of
an amendment to, the Public Health and Safety Networks
legislation so local governments could have more control over
them. Commissioner Ingham explained the intent of the
legislation is the need to set up the networks; more attention
needs to be given to monitoring and establishing funding for
it. The language should be clarified to say there is going to
be an advisory group. Mayor Berndt called attention to the
fact that the Substance Abuse Coalition has already been doing
what the community networks are being set up to do.
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PE MEETING - NOVEMBER 29, 2
SPECIAL CAL G OVE 199 4
Propertv Tax Law
Commissioner Ingham reported the City and the County support
the use of surplus revenues that will accrue as a result of
Initiative 601 to reduce the State property tax levy within 10
I/ or 12 years. There was continued discussion concerning the
impacts of this proposed change.
Economic Development Issues
City Manager Zais explained how important it is for the City
and the County to jointly support the Convention Center
expansion capital grant request and proposed amendments to the
room tax laws.
Water Resources and Water Quality
Commissioner Ingham explained the City and the County support
legislation that would encourage locally based watershed
planning and interagency management coordination, including
local funding authority. It establishes decision making at
the local level, rather than with the Department of Ecology.
It also would provide local authority to regulate, condition
and restrict all wells, including those wells pumping 5000
gallons or less per day which need not apply for a water right
and would require new public water systems within urban growth
areas to be established consistent with a coordinated water
system plan or to be part of a satellite management system.
This will be the key issue and the current approach is to
allow implementation of consensus recommendations of a
regional watershed planning process, where those
recommendations may conflict with state law or policy.
Public Works Trust Fund
Dan Hesse reported the City and the County will urge the
Legislature to approve an annual list of projects from those
recommended by the Public Works Board within the first five
days of each legislative session or create an approval process
which is complete by the end of January. They also support
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any legislation which expedites the Public Works Trust Fund
loan approval process. The City and the County also oppose
any efforts to divert funds from the Public Works Trust Fund
to any other purpose. Mr. Hesse also emphasized the
importance of the need to add accessibility to funds derived
from solid waste disposal fees.
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SPECIAL MEETING - NOVEMBER 29, 1994
Railroad Area Cleanup
New language is needed in order to address the issue of
releasing the railroad area property for property development.
This is being impeded due to the lack of a Department of
Ecology determination about the hazardous waste /PLP issue.
AIDSNET
The City and the County support the effort to restore the
AIDSNET funding that has been cut because it will impact the
local budget.
Because there are Urban Area issues such as storm drainage,
planning, etc., Commissioner Klarich suggested Union Gap
officials be invited to meetings and to be a participant in
the Airport expansion process. He suggested Union Gap be
invited to appoint a member to the Airport Board. There was
discussion about this participation. Council Member Barnett
suggested some preliminary discussion be held on this matter.
After brief discussion, it was announced that the next joint
meeting would be in January and would include an overview of
accomplishments and consolidated legislative priorities.
The meeting adjourned at 8:45 a.m.
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CITY CLERK - MAYOR
Minutes prepared by Deputy City Clerk Skovald. An audio tape of this Council meeting is
available in the City Clerk's office.
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