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HomeMy WebLinkAbout07/20/1999 Business Meeting 40 CITY. OF YAKIMA, WASHINGTON JULY 20, 1999 BUSINESS MEETING 1. ROLL CALL The City Council met in session on this date at 2:00 p.m., in the Council Chambers of City Hall, Yakima, Washington, Mayor John Puccinelli, presiding. Council Members Clarence Barnett, Henry Beauchamp, Lynn Buchanan, John Klingele, Mary Place, and Bernard Sims present on roll call. City Manager Zais, Assistant City Attorney Peterson, and City Clerk Roberts were also present. 2. INVOCATION /PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE An Invocation was given by Mayor,Puccinelli, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance led by Council Member Klingele. 3. OPEN DISCUSSION FOR THE GOOD OF THE ORDER A. PROCLAMATIONS (IF APPLICABLE) • Kindervision Child Safety Day Mayor Puccinelli proclaimed July 24, 1999 as Kindervision Child Safety Day and encouraged all citizens to join in this activity. • Washington Ladies Riding Club Association Welcomes Western Express The Western Express was welcomed to the city as host of the 20 Washington Ladies Riding Club Association State Meet on July 23 - 25, 1999. Council Member Buchanan announced that Council Member Place and City Clerk Roberts were celebrating birthdays this week. Council Member Barnett requested staff to investigate why he was sent a letter (dated July 16) from the Clean Air Authority advising that suggestions or comments could be given regarding revisions to the Draft regulations during their workshop sessions after he had already appeared at their July 13 workshop giving his comments. 4. CONSENT AGENDA Mayor Puccinelli referred to the items placed on the Consent Agenda, questioning whether there were any additions or deletions from either Council members or citizens present. It was the general consensus of the Council to continue Item No. 8 41 JULY 20, 1999 to August 3, 1999 and add it along with Item No. 13 to the Consent Agenda. The City Clerk then read the Consent Agenda items, including resolutions and ordinances by title. It was MOVED BY SIMS, SECONDED BY BUCHANAN, THAT THE CONSENT AGENDA, AS AMENDED, BE ADOPTED. The motion carried by unanimous roll call vote. (Subsequent paragraphs preceded by an asterisk ( *) indicate items on the Consent Agenda handled under one motion without further discussion.) *5. APPROVAL OF THE JULY 6, 1999 ADJOURNED AND BUSINESS MEETINGS The minutes of the July 6, 1999 Adjourned and Business meetings were approved, having .been duly certified accurate by two Council members and no one present wishing to have said minutes read publicly. 6. YARD OF THE MONTH RECOGNITION Lynne Quesenberry, Parks and Recreation Administrative Assistant, announced the Yard -of- the -Month recipients: Zone 1 Northwest Jack & Rose Ames, 1111 North 34 Avenue. Zone 3 Southwest Roy & Mary Tjarnberg, 809 So. 56 Avenue. Following a video showing the yards of the month, a certificate was presented to the winners who were present. 7. PUBLIC HEARING ON 108 LOAN APPLICATION REQUESTED BY JEM DEVELOPMENT (CONTINUED FROM 7/6/99 - PLEASE BRING MATERIAL PREVIOUSLY DISTRIBUTED) This being the time set for the continued public hearing, Bill Cook, Director of Community and Economic Development, explained that the purpose of this hearing is to gather public comment about the proposed Section 108 Loan Application for the Yakima Mall Expansion Project and to discuss the historic significance of the Great Western Building and to gather public comment on its proposed demolition. Mr. Cook reported that public funding for the Yakima Mall Expansion Project will be from the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and will be provided in two forms: a $1 million grant and a $4 million loan. The grant is from HUD's Economic Development Initiative (EDI) and the loan is from HUD's Section 108 loan guarantee program. . The Council is not being asked to approve the loan application at this time, that consideration will be scheduled in August prior to the August 18 deadline to submit the application. The final decision on approval of the loan or conditions concerning the proposed demolition will be up to HUD. Joe Morrier, 402 East Yakima Avenue, provided information about the condition of the Great Western Building, i.e., leakage, cracking of the mortar, the age of the building, its foundation, 2 42 JULY 20, 1999 and hard to find replacement materials. The small floor plan also has created problems after years of neglected maintenance. The cost overruns are too much. He appreciated the citizens' opinions to save the old building and he invited suggestions to pay for renovation, but reminded everyone that the Downtown Mall needs to stay competitive for future retailing in Yakima. The Masons will be preserving the Masonic Lodge artifacts. Mayor Puccinelli then read several letters into the record from Gayla representing the Greystone Restaurant, Mr. Zayler, and from Richard Andring, opposing the demolition of the Great Western Building. Richard Andring, 203 South 3 Avenue, then read a list of opponents of the project from the Yakima High School Class of 1949, who urged Mr. Morrier not t� demolish the Great Western Building. Mayor Puccinelli also read a letter from Thomas M. Conaley who opposed demolition and suggested it be used as the Yakima City Hall. Mr. Morrier noted for informational purposes only that the cost to tear down the Great Western Building is expected to be about $300,000. Jeanne Crawford, a free -lance journalist, showed some pictures of old buildings in Yakima that have been torn down since she wrote her book on the history of Yakima in 1968. Virginia Brumback, 909 Peck's Canyon Road, an intern architect trained in preservation planning and design at the University of Washington, spoke about community identity and the role that the Great Western Building plays in Yakima's identity. A strong community identity is important for new businesses and to attract visitors. Existing infrastructure revisions have been a challenge for many other cities, but renovating inspires community investment, stabilizes the community, and allows it to prosper. Community identity creates a sense of place. The Great Western Building is a visual anchor of the historical roots and connection to Yakima. Council Member Sims pointed out that the Yakima Mall is now the gathering place downtown. The Masonic Temple hasn't seen any activity in a long time. Aileen Kane, 701 South 14 Avenue, agreed with the two previous speakers. There is a lot of building restyling going on in Europe. The Great Western Building is a European design and should be restored. Ralph Call, 2608 West Chestnut, opposes the loan application and feels that the Great Western Building should be restored and doing so would make Yakima so special. The few historical buildings left in Yakima should be retained. Lynne Kittelson, 309 North 2 Street, read a letter and submitted it for the record from the Northeast Yakima Neighborhood Association opposing the demolition of the Great 3 • 43 JULY 20, 1999 Western Building. She noted that highly skilled, living wages full time employment is needed in Yakima rather than more minimum wage part -time jobs. She urged the Council to reject the request. Mike Kennard, owner of the Howard House, described his appreciation for the historic buildings in Yakima. Yvonne Wellborn, Women's Century Club, described some old great houses, such as the Gilbert House and the George Donald's house. She asked that the Council establish a historical committee to determine what buildings are valuable and which ones should be kept. Shirley Doty, 617 Friedline Road, emphasized that there are two separate issues: (1) Whether it is worthwhile to save the Great Western Building, and (2) Whether to submit the grant application for new jobs in Yakima. She asked if new jobs will be created or if existing jobs will be recycled. She urged the Council to make sure they are new jobs. Regarding the Great Western Building, Ms. Doty asked what the cost would be to put in office space and some retail shops compared to the $300,000 it will cost to demolish the Great Western Building, and whether retail space and specialty shops would cost $11 million or less. Council member Buchanan agreed that new jobs are needed in Yakima and feels the point Ms. Doty made is a very good point to consider. Elaine Willman, 16 South Toppenish Avenue, spoke against the demolition of the Great Western Building. She questioned the appropriateness of using HUD funds for this project at all. She suggested that the Great Western Building become Yakima's City Hall. Bill Franklin, 7 North 22 Avenue, opposed the loan application for the Yakima Mall Expansion Project and asked Mr. Morrier if he had done any maintenance to the building since he bought it. Bev Luby Bartz, 114 North 7th Street, urged the Council to create a historical preservation committee. Richard Andring also spoke against demolition and the loan application. George Pechtel, who has experience with historic preservation of buildings and having generally inspected the building, spoke in favor of the loan application and the demolition of the Great Western Building. He explained that the life span of any old building would be limited if proper maintenance has not been done. Mortar joints need to be retooled and the plumbing and heating system needs to be replaced, in addition to other 4 44 JULY 20, 1999 renovation. He feels that if a new building is to be built, it needs to be a nice looking building. There being no one else wishing to comment, Mayor Puccinelli closed the public hearing. There was discussion about how the issue would be decided. Bill Cook reported that comments from this pubic hearing would be forwarded to HUD and the State Historical Preservation Office. Council Member Beauchamp suggested that other options and possibilities for the property be explored until a final decision can be made in August. It was MOVED BY BEAUCHAMP, SECONDED BY PLACE, THAT WE TAKE THIS TIME TO FURTHER EXPLORE AND TO SEE IF THERE ARE ANY OTHER OPTIONS AND THEN CONSIDER IT AT THE AUGUST 17 BUSINESS MEETING. Mr. Morrier said he would be glad to discuss any idea, but requested that loan repayment be kept in mind because the bottom line is to repay the loan, and he has to be competitive with downtown Yakima. The question was called for a vote on the motion. The motion carried by 6 -1 voice vote; Klingele voting nay. It was the general consensus of the Council to meet on Friday in groups of three or less to get all questions on the table so there is time left after that to plan and to tour the building. *8. PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER APPEAL FILED BY LORI FRYMIER OF THE HEARING EXAMINER DECISION REGARDING A NOTICE OF NON - COMPLIANCE CONCERNING 3310 W. NOB HILL BOULEVARD, RAINFORD'S LUBE & OIL (CONTINUED FROM 7/6/99 - PLEASE BRING MATERIAL PREVIOUSLY DISTRIBUTED) This item was continued to August 3, placed on the Consent Agenda, and approved earlier in the meeting. 9. PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER RELEASE OF DEEDED PUBLIC UTILITY EASEMENT REQUESTED BY THE YAKIMA HOUSING AUTHORITY FOR THE MARIPOSA PARK HOUSING DEVELOPMENT This being the time set for the public hearing, Bruce Benson, Associate Planner, summarized the request to release the easement for two contiguous water and irrigation assessments that are no longer needed because the water lines have been moved. Mayor Puccinelli opened the public hearing and invited testimony from the public. There being no one wishing to comment, Mayor Puccinelli closed the public hearing. Resolution No. R -99 -94 having been read by title only, it was MOVED BY KLINGELE, SECONDED BY SIMS, TO ADOPT THE RESOLUTION. The motion carried by,unanimous voice vote. RESOLUTION NO. R- 99 -94, A RESOLUTION authorizing the City Manager and the City Clerk of Yakima to execute a Quit Claim Deed releasing an unused irrigation waterline easement. 5 45 JULY 20, 1999 10. PUBLIC HEARING ON BUREAU OF JUSTICE ADMINISTRATION GRANT APPLICATION This being the time set for the public hearing, Don Blesio, Chief of Police, requested that the Council approve the resolution to ratify the U. S. Department of Justice Local Law Enforcement Block Grant program application for $157,407 of which the majority portion is committed to the City to purchase crime investigation and crime prevention equipment. .A minority portion of the grant will go to the County as part of an interlocal agreement. Mayor Puccinelli opened the public hearing and invited testimony from the public. There being no one wishing to comment, the public hearing was closed. Resolution No. R -99 -95 having been read by title only, it was MOVED BY BUCHANAN, SECONDED BY SIMS, TO ADOPT THE RESOLUTION. The motion carried by unanimous roll call vote. RESOLUTION NO. R- 99 -95, A RESOLUTION ratifying application for a grant in the total amount of $157,407 from the U.S. Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Administration, for funding the Local Law Enforcement Block Grant Program, and further designating and authorizing the City Manager to act as the official representative of the city and to take such additional steps as may be necessary and prudent to complete transactions associated with the grant. 11. AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION Michael Kennard, 602 North 1 Street, Beauty Works, apologized for the way he was dressed and vocalized his concerns about the public safety response for a building being burnt after he ordered trespassers to leave his property. He described the circumstances surrounding the situation, which he feels involves the possibility of arson and retaliation after asking that the trespassers leave his property. Don Blesio, Police Chief, responded to Mr. Kennard's remarks about the complaint noting there will be a thorough follow -up on this issue. Al Gillespie, Fire Chief, reported the incident investigation is underway and a report will be prepared after that has taken place. Joe Faulk, 1212 South 46 Avenue, spoke about the new Fairbook Addition bus route. He expressed concern about the new bus service in his neighborhood on South 46 Avenue with 135 buses coming through their neighborhood per week. He provided copies of the neighborhood route. Members of his neighborhood are also opposed to the route through their neighborhood. He submitted a petition objecting to the bus route through the Fairbook Addition. He urged the Council to direct staff to consider the • 6 46 JULY 20, 1999 route and place the issue on the agenda in the future. He expressed concerns about safety since there are no streetlights or sidewalks and he feels the appropriate action would be to move the bus route back onto the arterial streets. Bill Schultz, Transit Manager, explained that he has spoken with the residents, and this route came about from the elimination of Route 10. The route was developed to facilitate transferring • passengers and the timing of the route in order to provide service at Whitney School. The Workforce Committee will discontinue this route by Monday, June 26 and develop other alternatives. There was discussion about developing alternatives with the Citizen's Task Force Committee instead of utilizing the Workforce Committee. 12. PRESENTATION FROM ENGINEERING REGARDING DESIGN OPTIONS FOR SIGNALIZATION OF SOUTH 6 STREET AND EAST NOB HILL BOULEVARD INTERSECTION (CONTINUED FROM 7/6/99 - PLEASE BRING MATERIAL PREVIOUSLY PROVIDED) Al Rose, Project Engineer, introduced Mike Rohrich with Gray and Osborne, Inc., who was available for any questions. It was MOVED BY BEAUCHAMP, SECONDED BY BARNETT, TO ACCEPT THE STAFF RECOMMENDATION AND TO ACCEPT ALTERNATIVE NO. 2. The motion carried by a 6 -1 voice vote; Place voting nay. *13. CONSIDERATION OF REQUEST FROM YAKIMA BEARS FOR FUNDS FOR BASKETBALL COURT IN THE SUNDOME This request for $8,000 to be allocated towards the funding of a second basketball court located in the Sundome was approved on the Consent Agenda. 14. CONSIDERATION OF REQUEST TO REMOVE TWO TREES ON EAST LINCOLN AVENUE Bill Cook presented a video showing the location of the trees to be removed. He explained that alternatives have been identified to save two trees, but there are also two trees that must be removed to repair the existing sidewalk on 9th Street. Council Member Klingele suggested replacing the fire hydrant at the same time as the trees are removed. It was MOVED BY KLINGELE, SECONDED BY BUCHANAN, TO APPROVE THE REQUEST. The motion carried by unanimous voice vote; Beauchamp temporarily absent. *15. CONSIDERATION OF ORDINANCE AMENDING THE CLASSIFICATION AND COMPENSATION PLAN FOR CERTAIN CITY EMPLOYEES (WATERWORKS DRAFTING /SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE) ORDINANCE NO. 99 -30, AN ORDINANCE relating to City personnel; adopting a classification and compensation plan for City employees to be effective August 22, 1999; amending Subsections 7 47 JULY 20, 1999 2.20.100 A, 2.20.100 C, 2.20.110..A, and 2.20.110 C, all of the City of Yakima Municipal Code. 16. OTHER BUSINESS Additional comments were made in reference to the retention of historic buildings in San Francisco and other requirements to check out the Great Western Building. Information Items: Items of information provided to Council were: Agenda for the July 22, 1999 Hearing Examiner meeting; Report on Damage Claims Filed during the Month of June 1999; and City of Yakima. Planning Division Assignments Pending as of July 20, 1999 17. ADJOURNMENT TO AUGUST 3, 1999, 7:30 A.M., AT THE POLICE STATION /LEGAL CENTER REGARDING DRAFT TREE ORDINANCE, THEN TO AUGUST 17, 1999 AT 7:30 A.M., AT THE POLICE STATION /LEGAL CENTER REGARDING PROPERTY TAX AND PRESENTATION OF STUDY REGARDING ALTERNATIVE FIRE STATION LOCATION IN WEST YAKIMA It was MOVED BY KLINGELE, SECONDED BY PLACE TO ADJOURN AT 4:45 P.M. TO AUGUST 3, 1999. The motion carried by a 6 -1 voice vote; Buchanan voting nay. 9/x/97 READ AND CERTIFIED ACCURATE BY: 40 op- COUNCIL 'EMBT DATE V 4 q2-1 lq? COUNC L EMBER / DATE ATTEST: CITY CLERK JOHN PUCCINELLI, MAYOR Minutes prepared by Deputy City Clerk Skovald. An audio and videotape of this meeting are available in the City Clerk's Office 8