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HomeMy WebLinkAbout04/02/1996 Adjourned Meeting 481 APRIL 2, 'ADJOURNED MEETING The City Council met in session on this date at 7:00 a.m., in the Board Room at the Yakima Center, Yakima, Washington. Mayor Lynn Buchanan, presiding, Council Members Henry Beauchamp (present after 7:15 a.m.), Ernie Berger, John Klingele, and John Puccinelli present on roll call. Council Members Clarence Barnett and Bernard Sims absent and excused. Staff members present were City Manager Zais, City Attorney Paolella, Jerry Copeland, Director of Public Works, Dave Hussell, Street and Traffic Operations Manager, Shelley Willson, Supervising Traffic Engineer, Glenn Valenzuela, Director of Community and Economic Development, John Elsden, Associate Planner, Fred French, City Engineer, Chris Waarvick, Wastewater Superintendent, Dueane Calvin, Interim Water & Irrigation Superintendent, Cindy Epperson, Accountant, and City Clerk Roberts. NEIGHBORHOOD COUNCIL TASK FORCE Glenn Valenzuela reminded Council the Neighborhood Council Task Force was created to review amendments to the Urban Area Zoning Ordinance desired by some of the neighborhood groups. There have been requests made to the Council to reconstitute this committee to consider other issues of concerns raised by the citizens. Staff is requesting that no new amendments to the Urban Area Zoning Ordinance be considered until 1997 because of involvement by staff with the Growth Management Act requirements. Discussion ensued on what would be the focus of the Task Force. It was the consensus of the Council to form a Task Force and make an announcement that any person interested in serving should contact the City Clerk's Office. Mr. Valenzuela stated his staff would contact the previous Task Force members to determine if they would be interested in serving on this Task Force. CITY /COUNTY ISSUES Council members discussed the March 26, 1996 letter from the Yakima County Commissioners. The letter was written in response to the Mayor's March 19, 1996 letter requesting the County state their questions in writing, in advance of the joint meeting, regarding the 1976 Wastewater Treatment Agreement and Urban Sewer Service. It was the consensus of the Council to respond to the County's letter in a non - inflammatory manner, stating the facts only. The letter should clarify the role of the Regional Planning Commission and that the Council is the decision - maker. The letter should include information that the City is not responsible for preparing plans for the area within the urban reserve area located in the County; however, if the assistance of the, City is requested, it would be considered. Also, the request for information prior to the meeting is still a valid request so staff can prepare for the meeting. It was the consensus of the Council to address, in a separate letter, the inappropriate comments made by a County staff member during the Regional Planning Commission meeting. City Manager Zais stated that Council Member Barnett is scheduled to meet with Bettie Ingham to discuss an issue regarding differences between the City and County, that came up at a. meeting 482 APRIL 2, 1996 - ADJOURNED MEETING with the City, County and Homebuilders Association. Council Member Klingele agreed to attend that meeting. OPEN DISCUSSION Mayor Buchanan asked Council members for their opinion regarding Item No. 22 on today's agenda regarding parking prohibition on planting strips. The Council determined that the ordinance needs additional work since the City doesn't have ten foot of right -of- way from the curb on all properties within the City. It also has to be clarified that this would not include driveways. It was the general consensus of the Council to remove this item from the agenda. Mayor Buchanan inquired about two houses that were moved to a different location and then torn down. He asked why the City would bear the expense of moving the, houses and then tear them down. Council Member Beauchamp stated that those houses belong to the Housing Foundation. Mayor Buchanan also mentioned a house on South 7th Street which is still up on blocks. Dan Tilley, developer, explained the circumstances surrounding the delay of setting that house on a foundation until a "cloudy" title is cleared. Mayor Buchanan commented that Skip Semon does not want to be reappointed to the Air Terminal Board and has suggested the current Air Terminal Board be dissolved and replaced with a board composed of City and County elected officials. He asked if Council should accept Mr. Semon's resignation and appoint someone to replace him or ask Mr. Semon to continue serving till the end of 1996 and explore his suggestion. It was the consensus of the Council to accept the City Manager's recommendation to discuss this at the City /County joint meeting. GROWTH MANAGEMENT DISCUSSION /UPDATE Chris Waarvick distributed a chart on Utilization of Capacity, dated 4/1/96. He reviewed the chart which indicates there is about 25.5 million gallons capacity per day available at the Plant, of which 17.7 million gallons per day is used. He reported that currently, the equivalent of 32,000 homes is being served, and the Plant has the capacity of serving an additional 12,000 equivalent homes. He briefly spoke about the industrial capacity, which will require facility improvements. He also responded to Council Member Beauchamp's questions regarding the discharge of storm water into the river. The rules governing the discharge of storm water into the river have not been fully written. The water goes directly into the river and Wide Hollow Creek. This entire issue is addressed in the Comprehensive Plan. He reported that monitoring the first hour flush from the rain shows there is no high level contaminants. Mayor Buchanan requested that information about the West Valley's average flow be included in the chart distributed today. City Manager Zais spoke about service to the area beyond the existing urban service boundary. The urban reserve area is targeted for future development and the question is how will it be serviced and how will the expansion costs be paid. Council has taken a position that the citizens of Yakima can no longer pay for the expansions to serve those areas. 2 4.8;3. APRIL 2, 1996 - ;,, ; ADJOURNED MEETING �d There is a plan to establish and.,impose a connection charge. Council Member Klingele' asked what the status is for solids and BOD. Mr. Waarvick stated he believes it is at acceptable levels; however, he will get back to him once staff has completed the capacity chart. The meeting adjourned at 8:35 p.m. READ AND CERTIFIED ACCURATE BY: L/ � s / % ; f ' OUNCIL MBER' DATE f.��a � / q7 C I MEMBER DATE ATTEST: ■ CITY CLERK YNN :UCHANAN, MAYOR- . An audio tape of this meeting is available in the City Clerk's Office • 1 • 3 •