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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 Mayor Puccinelli announced that Item No. 11 was withdrawn from the agenda.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