HomeMy WebLinkAbout05/21/1996 Special Joint Meeting 27
CITY OF YAKIMA, WASHINGTON
.' MAY 21, 1996
SPECIAL MEETING WITH YAKIMA COUNTY AND UNION GAP
The City Council met in special session on this date at 7:30 a.m. at
ESD #105 in the Yakima Room, 33 South 2nd Avenue, Yakima, Washington.
Mayor Lynn Buchanan and Council Members Clarence Barnett, Henry
Beauchamp, Ernie)Berger, John Klingele, John Puccinelli, and Bernard
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Sims in attendance. City Staff members present were City Manager Zais,
Assistant City Manager Rice, Community & Economic Development Director
Valenzuela, Administrative Assistant to the City Manager Oliver, and
Deputy City Clerk Skovald. Yakima County Commissioners Jim Lewis and
Bill Flower were also present along with County staff members Dick
Anderwald and Dema Harris. Present from Union Gap were Council Members
Nathan Kwak, Don Olson, Phil. Salzman, and staff members Paul
Burlingame, Kathleen Holscher, and Sherrie Testerman.
Commissioner Lewis welcomed the group and the meeting began.
Citv/Countv Growth Management Issues
City Manager Zais reported that City and County staff members and
officials recently met to clarify several issues relating to the roles
and responsibilities for planning service provisions within the Yakima
Urban Growth Area. He referenced a memorandum reflecting the City of
Yakima's and Yakima County's acceptance of the Yakima Urban Area
Comprehensive Plan. He commended the process used to develop the Plan;
he feels it was a good one. Some issues were also resolved about the
future status of the plan for Terrace Heights and West Valley. The
City of Yakima feels Yakima County should have the lead agency status
in coordinating neighborhood plans for the unincorporated areas of West
Valley and Terrace Heights with the City of Yakima participating in
planning by invitation only.
Dick Anderwald explained that two planners will be assigned to plan
development for Terrace Heights and West Valley. He referenced the
joint meetings scheduled in June to review the details of the Regional
Planning Commission recommendations and to receive public testimony on
the Draft Yakima Urban Area Comprehensive Plan. After these hearings
take place and the Comprehensive Plans are adopted, the Comprehensive
Plan will be submitted to the State for approval.
Review Of Airport Organizational Structure
Skip Semon, Airport Board member, urged the City and the County to
consider changing the management of the Airport to a joint committee of
I/ Council members and County commissioners rather than the current
Airport Board. Since the Airport is a jointly owned operation, it
might be more appropriate for elected officials to be included in the
decision making process. He suggested one City Council member and one
County Commissioner be included on the Airport Board. This would allow
,closer contact between the City and the County governments as far as
setting policies and procedures to benefit the entire community. He
pointed out that the Finance Department of this agency can carry out
the day -to -day activities to comply with the FAA regulations and work
with airlines and deal with property management.
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JOINT SPECIAL MEETING -- MAY 21, 1996
Mayor Buchanan provided some background information about the current
structure of the Airport Board which was fashioned after those at Walla
Walla and Spokane. When that was implemented, the airport went from
operating in the red to operating in the black, but now it is time to
consider whether to leave it the same or make changes. There was
discussion about the administrative oversight, the handling of day -to-
day operations, maintaining citizen involvement and the level of
participation, and the time commitment. Currently, the board serves at
the pleasure of the City and the County. Skip Semon feels applicants
should be screened for administrative experience instead of aviation
experience, which those who apply usually have plenty of. Applicants
really need experience on FAA regulations, personnel issues, and
property management. Commissioner Lewis suggested a subcommittee be
formed to consider and study these issues. Mayor Buchanan stated that
it is time to reconsider this. He suggested a conference be scheduled
with Walla Walla and Spokane.
Airport Master Plan
There was discussion among the officials about adopting the Airport
Master Plan. They discussed scheduling a study session meeting and a
public meeting for adoption. Helga Braman, Airport Board Member,
explained a legislative bill passed this year makes it mandatory by
July 1, 1996.
Future Agendas
City Manager Zais reported that the Airport Development and the Airport
Industrial Study processes have been completed. However, negotiations
on securing an option on property by the airport is still in progress.
A status report will be presented at the next meeting. A status report
by YCDA might be presented at a joint meeting to discuss those issues.
Commissioner Lewis asked if the YCDA provides a financial spread sheet
to do a performance contract. City Manager Zais explained that YCDA is
required to provide a status report and that can be included at the
June 25th meeting.
During the July meeting which will be the 3rd Tuesday in July,
wastewater issues, joint policy discussion, and storm drainage will be
discussed as the last piece in the process to follow up with the
adoption process. Assistant City Manager Rice added that the beginning
interlocal agreement development process will take place.
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JOINT SPECIAL MEETING -- MAY 21, 1996
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Information Items
City Manager Zais indicated that the update of Joint priorities, done
at•the last meeting, are reflected in the list which was provided in
the packet.
There being no further discussion, the meeting adjourned at 8:15 a.m.
READ AND CERTIFIED ACCURATE BY: w 77
"COUNCIL MEMB ,. 7 DATE
COUNCIL MEMBER / DATE
ATTEST:
CI TY CLERK G'c--" // ice, B_ UCHANAN, MAYOR
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Minutes prepared by Deputy City Clerk Skovald. A video tape of this meeting is available in
the City Clerk's Office.
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