HomeMy WebLinkAbout10/19/1999 Business Meeting 119
CITY OF YAKIMA, WASHINGTON
OCTOBER 19, 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, City
Attorney Paolella, 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.
3. OPEN DISCUSSION FOR THE GOOD OF THE ORDER
A. PROCLAMATIONS (IF APPLICABLE)
There were no issues presented or discussed.
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.
Mayor Puccinelli announced that Item No. 11 was withdrawn from
the agenda. It was the general consensus of the Council to add
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 MINUTES OF THE OCTOBER 5, 1999 ADJOURNED AND
BUSINESS MEETINGS
The minutes of the October 5, 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.
•
I/ 6. PUBLIC MEETING TO CONSIDER HEARING EXAMINER'S RECOMMENDATION TO
APPROVE RIGHT -OF -WAY VACATION IN THE VICINITY OF BODEN AVENUE
(SO 17 AND 18 STREETS) REQUESTED BY MC GUIRE LUMBER CO., INC.
This being the time set for the public meeting, Dan Valoff,
Associate Planner,• summarized the request to vacate an
unimproved portion of the dedicated street right -of -way for
Boden Avenue. McGuire Lumber has submitted a petition to vacate
the portion of right -of -way that is located between South 17
and 18 Streets, just north of Mead Avenue. The project was
•
120
OCTOBER 19, 1999
reviewed at a public hearing before the Hearing Examiner in
September, and no opposition to'the requested vacation has been
received. The Hearing Examiner rendered a recommendation to
approve the right -of -way vacation, and staff recommends that
Council uphold that recommendation and direct City Legal staff
to prepare the appropriate legislation. Council Member Place
noted the absence of any curb cut for Boden Avenue at the
vacation location. Mr. Valoff verified that there isn't one.
Terry McGuire, President of McGuire Lumber, spoke in favor of
the right -of -way vacation and urged the Council to uphold the
Hearing Examiner's recommendation. It was MOVED BY SIMS,
SECONDED BY PLACE, TO APPROVE THE RIGHT -OF -WAY VACATION REQUEST
AND DIRECT STAFF TO PREPARE THE APPROPRIATE LEGISLATION. The
motion carried by unanimous roll call vote.
7. AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION
Dr. Doran Riehl, 7909 Englewood Avenue, urged the Council to
support the fluoridation referendum. He held up a facsimile
check in the amount of nearly $180,000, which would be available
as a grant award if the fluoridation measure passes during the
General Election on November 2, 1999. The grant would be used
to defray the cost of equipment and other start -up expenses,
such as fluoride for the first year if voters approve the
measure. Mayor Puccinelli asked the City Attorney to speak
about endorsement of ballot issues by the City Council.
Mr. Paolella explained that there is a provision in state law
allowing an elected body to take a position on a pending ballot
measure. It would be up to the discretion of the City Council;
however, certain procedures would have to be followed, criteria
would have to be met, and a public hearing held to gather
citizen comments about the issue. Members of the Council
commented about the public input gathered earlier this year and
the debate that followed concerning fluoridation of the City's
drinking water and declined to come out in support of the ballot
measure. Council also noted there is no time before the
election to conduct a public hearing.
8. FORMAL SUBMITTAL OF PRELIMINARY 2000 BUDGET FORECAST
City Manager Zais submitted the 1999 -2000 Preliminary Budget
Forecast for Council review. This document provides details of
the City's fiscal condition for each major fund and
recapitulates significant policy issues submitted for approval.
Mr. Zais explained that the budget is balanced and is within
existing resources. The entire budget for the Year 2000 is
projected to be virtually the same as the year 1999, with the
same being true for the General Government Budget. Mr. Zais
directed attention to the approximate $800,000 increase in total
estimated expenditures for mandated and contractual costs. He
reported that those increased costs are offset by $1 million in
reduced spending through implementation of the two- tiered
Contingency Reduction Plan which began last May and continued
2
OCTOBER 19, 1999 1 2 1
into the year 2000. Total expenditures overall equal
$102,223,644, which is 0.4% less than the amended 1999 budget.
Mr. Zais pointed out that this break -even level, projected for
the year 2000 as compared to 1999, is the result of distressed
economic circumstances. Those circumstances include existing
tax limitations, overall reductions in state and federal support
the City receives from liquor taxes, gambling taxes, and state
sales tax. These decreases in revenue are expected in addition
to the potential elimination of the Motor Vehicle Excise Tax
(MVET) allocation if the voters approve I -695 during the General
Election.
Mr. Zais also referred to a new chart, reflecting graphic detail
of the Contingency Reduction Plan that was previously provided
in summary form for review and discussion during the October 5,
1999 Council study session. Each department's budget contains
contingency reductions, all of which will be thoroughly reviewed
during each division's budget review session. Budget Review is
scheduled to begin after the General Election. City Manager
Zais concluded his presentation with comments about significant
challenges facing the community as well as opportunities and
advantages the community could look forward to in the next
century.
A. SET DATE OF PUBLIC HEARING FOR NOVEMBER 2, 1999 FOR AD
VALOREM PROPERTY TAX LEVY FOR COLLECTION IN 2000
Mr. Zais noted that a public hearing on the property tax
adjustment needs to be held on November 2, 1999, to gather
public input on the Ad Valorem Tax and the Bond Levy Taxes
proposed for 2000. The Council would consider the comments
received during the public hearing and then vote on the matter
on November 9, 1999. The decision of the Council would then be
sent to the Auditor and the Assessor for Yakima County, thereby
completing the process within the required timeframe.
It was MOVED BY KLINGELE, SECONDED BY BEAUCHAMP, TO SET THE
PUBLIC HEARING FOR NOVEMBER 2, 1999, ON THE AD VALOREM TAX FOR
THE YEAR 2000. The motion carried by unanimous voice vote.
B. SET DATE OF PUBLIC HEARING FOR NOVEMBER 16, 1999 ON THE
2000 PRELIMINARY BUDGET
City Manager Zais noted that a separate public hearing needs to
be set for November 16, 1999, to gather public comment about the
I/ 2000 Budget.
It was MOVED BY BUCHANAN, SECONDED BY KLINGELE, TO SET THE DATE
OF THE PUBLIC HEARING FOR NOVEMBER 16, 1999, ON THE 2000
PRELIMINARY BUDGET. The motion carried by unanimous voice vote.
3
122
OCTOBER 19, 1999
9. CONSIDERATION OF CEMETERY TASK FORCE FENCING OPTION
RECOMMENDATION
Denise Nichols, Parks and Recreation Manager, provided some
background information about the Tahoma Cemetery Task Force
which was established last June. She introduced Task Force
members Leslie Benoit and Denise Engelhart, along with Larry
Nelson, Cemetery Supervisor. Leslie Benoit and Denise Engelhart
summarized the Task Force's recommendations and noted that the
group considered security issues, appearance, market value,
historical importance, and the future of the Tahoma Cemetery
.when establishing its recommendations. They urged the Council
to accept the fencing option for an aluminum ornamental fence
along 24 Avenue and to authorize funding of up to $40,000 from
the City's General Contingency Fund. The request is being made
to fund the fencing along 24 Avenue because the Cemetery Fund
is currently being subsidized from the General Parks revenue
stream. The Task Force also urged the Council to endorse the
group's additional recommendations to conduct a community -wide
fund raising campaign; to establish, if appropriate, a non-
profit status for the cemetery, and to retain the Task Force to
continue its study on future needs of the cemetery. After a
brief discussion among Council members about the request, it was
MOVED BY BUCHANAN, SECONDED BY KLINGELE, TO ENDORSE CONTINUATION
OF THE TASK FORCE. The motion carried by unanimous voice vote.
It was MOVED BY BUCHANAN, SECONDED BY BARNETT, TO AUTHORIZE UP
TO $40,000 FROM THE GENERAL CONTINGENCY FUND FOR FENCING AT
TAHOMA CEMETERY. The motion carried by unanimous voice vote.
Denise Nichols noted that they would keep the Council apprised
of the community -wide fund raising efforts for other
improvements to Tahoma Cemetery.
10. CONSIDERATION OF RESOLUTION REGARDING HAZARDOUS VEGETATION AND
DEBRIS ABATEMENT PROGRAM
Doug Maples, Code Administration Manager, reported no responses
to the notice(s) have been received and the hazardous vegetation
and debris has not been removed from either the 1911 East Mead
Avenue site, nor the 4 North 40 Avenue site. He indicated
that the 1911 East Mead Avenue site had a fire response on
September 21, 1999. Conditions at the 4 North 40 Avenue site
were reported on September 26, 1999. Mayor Puccinelli asked if
any one wished to speak to the issue. There being no one
wishing to speak, he asked that the appropriate resolution be
read which indicates no response, nor action taken, to abate the
situation. Resolution No. R -99 -138 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 -138, A RESOLUTION authorizing the Code
Administration Manager to clear certain weedy lots.
4
125
OCTOBER 19, 1999
11. CONSIDERATION OF RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING MASTER INTERLOCAL
AGREEMENT WITH YAKIMA COUNTY AND CITIES WITHIN COUNTY FOR
GROWTH MANAGEMENT IMPLEMENTATION
This item was removed from the agenda.
*12. CONSIDERATION OF RESOLUTION APROVING REMOVAL OF TREE LOCATED
WITHIN THE CITY RIGHT -OF -WAY ON THE SOUTHWEST CORNER OF FIRST
AVENUE AND " B" STREET
RESOLUTION NO. R -99 -139, A RESOLUTION authorizing the removal of
one locust tree located in the .City right -of -way on the
southwest corner of First Avenue and B" Street, Yakima,
Washington.
*13. CONSIDERATION OF ORDINANCE AMENDING THE MUNICIPAL CODE TO
PROVIDE FOR FREE PARKING IN THE DOWNTOWN AREA ON WEEKENDS
ORDINANCE NO. 99 -42, AN ORDINANCE relating to traffic; temporary
free parking in core business district on Saturdays, and
enacting as a new section, section 9.50.072 of the City of
Yakima Municipal Code.
14. OTHER BUSINESS
City Manager Zais announced that extra copies of the 1999 -2000
Preliminary Budget Forecast are available should anyone request
a copy.
Information Items:
Items of information provided to Council were: January through
August 1999 Activity Report from the Traffic Engineering Division;
January through August 1999. Activity Report from the Street Division;
January through August 1999 Activity Report from the Traffic
Operations Division; Report from the Legal Department regarding Damage
Claims Filed during the Month of September 1999; City of Yakima
Planning Division Assignments Pending as of October 19, 1999; Agenda
for the October 18, 1999 COG Executive Committee meeting and minutes
of its September 20, 1999 meeting. Agenda for the October 20, 1999
COG General Membership meeting and minutes of its September 15, 1999
meeting; and Article from the September 27, 1999 Nation's Cities
Weekly, " Arizona Cities Win Stormwater Fight."
15. EXECUTIVE SESSION REGARDING COLLECTIVE BARGAINING (AFSCME TRANSIT)
Prospective Litigation was added as an Executive Session item.
It was MOVED BY BUCHANAN, SECONDED BY KLINGELE, TO GO INTO
EXECUTIVE SESSION AT 2:40 P.M:. FOR APPROXIMATELY 20 MINUTES, TO
DISCUSS COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AND PROSPECTIVE LITIGATION, WITH
IMMEDIATE ADJOURNMENT THEREAFTER. The motion carried by
unanimous voice vote.
5
126
OCTOBER 19, 1999
16. ADJOURNMENT
Following the conclusion of the Executive Session, the meeting
adjourned at 3:25 p.m.
READ AND CERTIFIED ACCURATE BY: L % /
,'QUNCIL MEMBER I DATE
fi
COUNCIL :MBER 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
•
•
1
6