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Home My WebLink About12/06/1994 Adjourned Meeting 2 CITY OF YAKIMA, WASHINGTON ADJOURNED MEETING DECEMBER 6, 1994 The City Council met on this date at 12:00 Noon in the Yakima I/ Rotary class room on the fifth floor of St. Elizabeth's Centennial Tower, Providence Yakima Medical Center, Yakima, Washington for the Yakima Valley Public Service Organization Annual Legislative Priority Presentation. Council Members present were Mayor Pat Berndt and Bernard Sims. Council' Members Clarence Barnett, Henry Beauchamp, Ernie Berger, Bill Brado and Lynn Buchanan were absent and excused. Staff members present were City Manager Zais, Assistant City Manager Rice, Marketa Oliver, Administrative Assistant to the City Manager and Deputy City Clerk Skovald. This meeting was an opportunity for public service organizations to identify mutual priorities to take to Olympia for the upcoming legislative session. Mayor Berndt welcomed the group and thanked Providence Yakima Medical Center for its hospitality. County Commissioner Ingham directed attention to four areas expected to receive significant attention in the Legislature this year. She explained how the State property tax levy would be reduced or eliminated by using surplus revenues that will accrue under I -601 without changing the current allocation. She stated that she thought there is some interest on the Legislative agenda to look at property tax reform. Another issue shared by the community is the issue of water. Yakima County supports the idea of Regional Watershed Planning. This approach would determine the amount of water available and how water is used so a practical application policy can be formulated. Yakima County will be looking at regulatory reform, particularly their Growth Management process, to eliminate duplication and to speed up some of the prodesses that have to do with development so people don't have to go from one agency to another to try to get something done. Another issue Yakima County supports is to repeal or amend the Community Public Health and Safety Networks" legislation . to identify them as advisory bodies instead of decision making bodies. They don't disagree with the intent of the legislation, which is to get back to community based discussion, but with the way the statute was written. It should include more planning and be advisory in nature instead of decision making bodies. Bruce Bullamore, Yakima Housing Foundation, identified their priority to provide decent, affordable housing for low income groups and to provide quality neighborhoods, particularly farmworker housing. He explained that they are attempting to 41 Adjourned Meeting -- December 6, 1994 quantify the extent of the problem and then determine how it would impact land use. Then an innovative: funding method is needed so government programs can provide seed money for private sector agencies to build the housing. He suggested that existing funding programs be reworked to accommodate this need. A method needs to I/ be established to build low cost housing cheaply without reducing standards to the point where we cut off private funding sources. Don Hughes, Acting Director of Yakima Valley Community College, identified the need to continued the workforce Training Program and also opposed recent operational budget cuts. He reported there are no more enrollment caps. Bob Hall, President of the Yakima County Development Association, spoke in favor of creating and expanding the job base along with business and job retention in Yakima. He urged the idea of manufacturing tax relief, a Public Disclosure Act amendment which would enable the exchange of information to enhance business negotiations; and the reinstatement of the State Marketing Support to place jobs and to encourage business. •A state study with a 10 year timeframe is needed on the total business climate in all the 50 states relating to existing business, riew businesses and branch business. Dan Arnett and Gary Webster, Greater Yakima Chamber: of Commerce, identified priorities that the business community supports including Health Care, Regulatory Reform and Water rights issues. Lon Wyrick, Yakima Valley Conference of Governments,' identified their priorities to monitor WAC developments for SB 1928 regarding regional transportation planning programs and to monitor revisions to the Growth Management Act. Tim Sullivan, Program Manager, Yakima County Gang Prevention /Intervention Coalition and Yakima Valley Substance Abuse Coalition, identified their priorities to expand current youth violence prevention programs within Yakima and to develop new programs in Wapato and Mabton; to increase substance abuse prevention efforts within Yakima County by continuing community coalition building; to develop a county -wide case management model for providing a variety of services for youth to prevent substance abuse and youth violence. Ed Harrell, KI -YAK, identified their priority to seek state I/ funding for the Agricultural Showcase. Kathy Coffey, Visitors and Convention Bureau, identified their priority to request a $6. million capital grant for expansion of the convention center; to support the amendment to the Room Tax Laws delaying or eliminating the sunset date on the double dip; and to support the retention of the 3% local option tax in addition to the double dip. Gail Weaver, Interim Administrator, Yakima Health District, identified their priority to support and urge funding for the 2 4.2 Adjourned Meeting -- December 6, 1994 Public Health Improvement Plan. It needs the resources to fulfill its role in improving the health of people in Washington, controlling costs and assuring everyone access to needed services. Barbara Hood, Acting Administrator, Providence Medical Center, identified their priorities including improvement of the health care reform law. To continue the goal of universal coverage /delay elements of the law relating to the employer mandate until ERISA is amended rather than repeal the employer mandate. To reform the delivery system and retain the conscience clause provisions. Another priority is the prevention of head injuries by mandating helmets for all bicyclists and upholding the current motorcycle helmet law. Another priority is the continued support of legislative efforts to curb youth violence. ,1 -Mayor Berndt highlighted juvenile justice reform and will urge the Legislature to approve the annual list of Public Works Trust Fund projects by the end of January. The City of Yakima opposes any diversion of funds from it and supports expedition of the loan approval process. After further discussion about the effectiveness of the collaborative effort and the benefits of a united agenda, the meeting adjourned at 1:55 p.m. READ AND CERTIFIED ACCURATE BY : e7 .+ 7 ` 5 COUNCIL MEMBER" DATE / / _/ ,1, ,.... 7- 2-.S-Q' COUNCIL •ME' DATE ATTEST: / P-8-4-LA.,t1.) ,...., 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. 1 3