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
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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.
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APRIL 2, 1996 - ;,, ; ADJOURNED MEETING
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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:
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CITY CLERK YNN :UCHANAN, MAYOR-
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An audio tape of this meeting is available in the City Clerk's Office
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