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HomeMy WebLinkAbout06/05/2001 Business Meeting 223 CITY OF YAKIMA, WASHINGTON BUSINESS MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL JUNE 5, 2001 - 2:00 P.M. 129 NORTH 2 STREET - COUNCIL CHAMBERS ROLL CALL Present: Council: Mayor Mary Place, presiding, Council Members Clarence Barnett, Henry Beauchamp, Lynn Buchanan, Larry Mattson, John Puccinelli, and Bernard Sims Staff: City Manager Zais, City Attorney Paolella and City Clerk Roberts 2. INVOCATION /PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE The Invocation was given by Council Member Puccinelli, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance led by Council Member Mattson. 3. OPEN DISCUSSION FOR THE GOOD OF THE ORDER /SPECIAL PRESENTATION A. PROCLAMATIONS • HIRE A VETERAN MONTH Council Member Barnett read a proclamation honoring veterans and declaring the month of June as Hire a Veteran Month in the City of Yakima. Jesse Villaneuva was present to receive the proclamation and thanked Council for the recognition B. YARD OF THE MONTH RECOGNITION Lynn Quesenbury of Parks and Recreation, showed a short video of the yards- of -the- month: Zone 1 Northwest Lois Smith, 227 North 37 Avenue Zone 2 Northeast Charles Nelson, 808 South 60 Avenue Zone 3 Southwest Ralph and Karen George, 914 South 19 Avenue Zone 4 Southwest Rafael Gomez, 507 North 5 Avenue Special Recognition Woman's Century Club, 304 North 2 Street A certificate and Yard -of -the Month mug /planter were awarded to those recipients present. Council Member Mattson asked the Council Economic Development Committee • to consider putting on the agenda his previously expressed concern about a deadline for the grant given to Joe Morrier. Mayor Place stated it is on the agenda for discussion 224 JUNE 5, 2001 Council Member Barnett put into the record the letter sent by Jack Morris dated June 5, 2001 complaining about lack of code enforcement and zoning violations. (See page #11.) 4. CONSENT AGENDA Mayor Place referred to the items placed on the Consent Agenda, questioning whether there were any additions or deletions from either Council members or citizens present. Items Nos. 8, 9, & 19 were removed from the Consent Agenda. Council Member Sims added to the agenda as Item No. 26A, "Reconsideration of transit pilot study relating to operation of transit fixed route No. 3 ". The City Clerk read the Consent Agenda items, including resolutions and ordinances by title. SIMS MOVED AND BUCHANAN SECONDED TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA AS READ. 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.) *A. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES OF THE MAY 15, 2001 BUSINESS MEETING The minutes of the May 15, 2001 Business meeting were approved, having been duly certified accurate by two Council members and no one present wishing to have said minutes read publicly. 5. AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION J. D. Mares advised the City Council about a double elimination basketball tournament he has organized for this Friday evening, June 8, 2001. It is his goal to use the tournament as an outreach for troubled youths. The tournament will be held at the Union Gospel Mission Youth Community Center at 304 South 4th Street. He would like to continue the tournament on Friday evenings through the summer months and requested advice on obtaining support. He was asked to leave contact information with Chief Blesio so information about whom to contact could be provided to him after the Council meeting Claude McKinley and Bobby Parker, 1410 South 14 Street, continued their request for traffic control on 14 Street from the last Council meeting. They expressed concern about the threat to the neighborhood children posed by speeding vehicles. Mr. Parker requested an additional, and larger, speed limit sign be installed. He also suggested the speed limit be reduced from 25 mph to 20 mph. His request will be passed on to the Streets and Traffic Division. Mayor Place invited them to attend next Council meeting on June 19 when a report on streets will be given with the six -year TIP public hearing. Council Member Mattson commented that the issues of street conditions and the need for increased police protection are coming up more frequently. He pointed out that there may be initiatives on the ballot that will affect services the City can deliver. He suggested that when citizens are at the ballot box they think about how their decisions may affect those services. 2 2 2:5 JUNE 5,2001 PUBLIC HEARING 6. PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER COUNCIL REDISTRICTING • Staff presents options Doug Maples, Planning and Code Enforcement Manager, presented three options for redistricting the four elected Council districts explaining that the Yakima City Council districts must be redivided when the population of any district is 10% more than another or after the release of new census information. • Mayor Place opened the public hearing No one stepped forward to speak to the issue. • Mayor Place closed the public hearing It was noted that when the West Valley annexation takes place, there will again be a requirement for redistricting. BARNETT MOVED AND BUCHANAN SECONDED TO SELECT OPTION 1. The motion carried by unanimous roll call vote. CITY MANAGER'S REPORTS *7. CONSIDERATION OF RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING EXECUTION OF AN INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT CREATING THE EASTERN WASHINGTON WATER ALLIANCE RESOLUTION NO. R- 2001 -85, A RESOLUTION authorizing and directing the Mayor of the City of Yakima to execute an Interlocal Agreement for participation in the Eastern Washington Water Alliance, the purpose of said Alliance being the dissemination of water resource information to entities throughout eastern Washington. 8. CONSIDERATION OF RESOLUTION ADOPTING THE AMENDED 2001 -2006 SIX -YEAR TRANSPORTATION IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM TO INCLUDE THE AHTANUM ROAD WIDENING PROJECT • Bicycle Considerations Council Member Mattson questioned if there was consideration for bicycle lanes in this project. It was explained that the project covers two sections of road around an existing section and it wouldn't be practical to add bicycle lanes. He suggested that future projects consider the need for bicycle facilities. The City Clerk read the resolution; MATTSON MOVED AND SIMS SECONDED TO ADOPT THE RESOLUTION. The motion carried by unanimous roll call vote. RESOLUTION NO. R- 2001 -86, A RESOLUTION amending the adopted Six - Year Transportation Improvement Program for the period of 2001 through 2006 for the construction of streets and arterial streets in the City of Yakima. 3 2 2.6 JUNE 5, 2001 9. CONSIDERATION OF RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING EXECUTION OF FUNDING AGREEMENT WITH HOME DEPOT FOR INTERCHANGE IMPROVEMENTS • Fair share contribution Doug Maples, Planning and Code Enforcement Manager, explained that during the MDNS process in December relating to the Valley Mall Boulevard interchange improvements, a mitigation cost of $94,370 was determined as the fair share contribution for Home Depot, Inc. Mr. Maples provided a preliminary map of the project. He noted that the Department of Transportation will put in a signal light on the east side of the Valley Mall Boulevard freeway interchange and will widen the underpass, adding two lanes. Troy Suing, Regional Planning Engineer for the DOT, explained the philosophy behind developing a fair share for the developer and how it was the result of the traffic analysis done in the SEPA process. There was discussion about the various traffic problems on Valley Mall Boulevard and the expected impact of this project. The City Clerk read the resolution; BUCHANAN MOVED AND SIMS SECONDED TO ADOPT THE RESOLUTION. The motion carried by unanimous roll call vote. RESOLUTION NO. R- 2001 -87, A RESOLUTION authorizing the City Manager to enter into a funding agreement with Home Depot U.S.A., Inc. for Interchange Improvements. *10. CONSIDERATION OF RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING EXECUTION OF INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT WITH YAKIMA COUNTY GOVERNING THE OPERATIONS OF 911 SERVICES RESOLUTION NO. R- 2001 -88, A RESOLUTION authorizing and directing the City Manager and the City Clerk of the City of Yakima to execute an Intergovernmental 911 Agreement with Yakima County. *11. CONSIDERATION OF RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING EXECUTION OF SEWER REIMBURSABLE AGREEMENT WITH SMITH /ABRAMS LLC FOR LAKESIDE DEVELOPMENT RESOLUTION NO. R- 2001 -89, A RESOLUTION authorizing the City Manager and City Clerk of the City of Yakima to execute a Sewer Utility System Reimbursement Agreement and Conveyance between the City of Yakima and Smith / Abrams, LLC. *12. CONSIDERATION OF RESOLUTION RATIFYING EXECUTION OF AMENDMENT TO CONTRACT WITH YAKIMA COUNTY AND AUTHORIZING EXECUTION OF AMENDMENT TO CONTRACT WITH LARRY KRAFT RE SUPPORTING INVESTMENTS IN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT (SIED) LOAN RESOLUTION NO. R- 2001 -90, A RESOLUTION authorizing and ratifying approval of 1) amendment #2 for Contract #YC -CM -00 between the City of 4 7 22/.� JUNE5,2001 Yakima and Yakima County and 2) authorizing and directing the City Manager to execute a similar amendment to the loan agreement between the City of Yakima and Teresa and Larry Kraft. *13. CONSIDERATION OF RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING EXECUTION OF TEMPORARY LICENSE AGREEMENT WITH TOUCH AMERICA TO OCCUPY j CITY RIGHTS -OF -WAY TO CONSTRUCT AND MAINTAIN A TELECOMMUNICATIONS SYSTEM RESOLUTION NO. R- 2001 -91, A RESOLUTION authorizing the Mayor to execute a Temporary License Agreement with Touch America, Inc., a Montana corporation, which authorizes Touch America, Inc. to occupy City of Yakima • rights -of -way under a Temporary License in order to continue to construct and maintain a telecommunications system in the City of Yakima, Washington. *14. CONSIDERATION OF RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING EXECUTION OF AGREEMENT WITH THE YMCA TO OPERATE MILLER POOL RESOLUTION NO. R- 2001 -92, A RESOLUTION authorizing the City Manager of the City of Yakima to execute an agreement between the City of Yakima and the Yakima Family YMCA for the operation and maintenance of the public swimming pool at Miller Park during the summer of 2001. *15. CONSIDERATION OF RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING EXECUTION OF INTERGOVERNMENTAL COOPERATIVE PURCHASING AGREEMENT WITH THE CITY OF ISSAQUAH RESOLUTION NO. R- 2001 -93, A RESOLUTION authorizing the execution of an Intergovernmental Cooperative Purchasing Agreement with the City of Issaquah. *16. CONSIDERATION OF RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING EXECUTION OF PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH THE GREATER YAKIMA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE RE PARTICIPATION IN A COMMUNITY STRATEGIC PLANNING INITIATIVE RESOLUTION NO. R- 2001 -94, A RESOLUTION authorizing the City Manager of the City of Yakima to execute a professional services agreement with the Greater Yakima Chamber of Commerce, Inc. for the purpose of fostering community development and citizen participation in City government. *17. CONSIDERATION OF RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING EXECUTION OF A COOPERATIVE FIRE PROTECTION AGREEMENT WITH OKANOGAN- WENATCHEE NATIONAL FOREST RE WILDLAND FIRE MANAGEMENT SUPPRESSION ACTIVITIES RESOLUTION NO. R- 2001 -95, A RESOLUTION authorizing and directing the City Manager of the City of Yakima to execute a Cooperative Fire Protection Agreement with the Okanogan - Wenatchee National Forest regarding wildland fire management suppression activities. 5 228 JUNE 5, 2001 *18. CONSIDERATION OF RESOLUTION SETTING DATE OF PUBLIC HEARING FOR JUNE 19, 2001 ON THE 2002 -2007 SIX -YEAR TRANSPORTATION IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM RESOLUTION NO. R- 2001 -96, A RESOLUTION fixing the time and place for hearing on the Six -Year Transportation Improvement Program for the period of 2002 through 2007. The resolution sets the date of public hearing as June 19, 2001. 19. APPROVAL OF YEAR -END 2000 AFFIRMATIVE ACTION AND CONTRACT COMPLIANCE REPORT Council Member Beauchamp inquired about how the statistics break down throughout the various divisions with concern that some divisions may carry more minorities than others. City Manager Zais assured Council that affirmative action continues to be a priority in hiring as well as when contracting for outside services. He emphasized that, even with the fiscal constraints, it is still a priority to reach out to attract the very best candidates we can from a diversity of ethnic backgrounds. Archie Sutton, Human Resource Manager, noted that this information will be updated when the final census numbers are released. SIMS MOVED AND BUCHANAN SECONDED TO ACCEPT THE REPORT. The motion carried by unanimous roll call vote. *20. APPROVAL OF APRIL 2001 REVENUE AND EXPENDITURE (BUDGET) REPORT The April 2001 Revenue and Expenditure (Budget) Report was approved. *21. SET DATE OF CLOSED RECORD PUBLIC HEARING FOR JUNE 19, 2001 TO CONSIDER HEARING EXAMINER'S DECISION ON DURALL REZONE LOCATED AT 2907 AND 3001 W. NOB HILL BOULEVARD June 19, 2001 was set as the date of closed record public hearing to consider the Hearing Examiner's decision on a rezone request filed by Michael.Durall, for property located at 2907 and 3001 W. Nob Hill Boulevard. *22. APPROVAL OF FINAL CONTRACT PAYMENTS FOR (ADOPT STANDARD MOTION ve): A. PROJECT NO. 1906, NORTH 4 STREET AND "1" STREET INTERSECTION, PERFORMED BY SUPERIOR PAVING COMPANY The report from the City Engineer, submitted June 28, 2001, with respect to the completion of the work on the North 4 Street and "I" Street Intersection Improvement Project No. 1906, performed by Superior Paving Company, was approved, the work accepted and payment of the final estimates as therein set forth was authorized. 6 2 2 9 JUNE 5, 2001 B. PROJECT NO. 1813 WHISTLE BAN PILOT SAFETY PROJECT, PERFORMED BY SUPERIOR PAVING COMPANY The report from the City Engineer, dated May 10, 2001 with respect to the completion of the work on the Whistle Ban Pilot Safety Project No. 1813, performed by Superior Paving Company, was approved, the work accepted and payment of the final estimates as therein set forth was authorized. C. FIRE STATION NO. 1 ALTERATIONS PERFORMED BY HUYLAR CONSTRUCTION COMPANY The report from the City's consultant, Davis, Opfer, Raab, dated May 7, 2001, with respect to the completion of the work on the Fire Station Number One Remodel Project, performed by Huylar Construction Company, was approved, the work accepted and payment of the final estimates as therein set forth was authorized. ORDINANCES 23. CONSIDERATION OF ORDINANCE RELATING TO POLITICAL AND TEMPORARY SIGNS Council Member Barnett asked if this issue needed to go through the Regional Planning Commission since it is in other portions of the regulation. Larry Peterson, Assistant City Attorney, said it was discovered that the text in the code does not conform to a State Supreme Court decision construing the state and federal constitution. He therefore recommends amending the ordinance to make it constitutional and then refer it to the Regional Planning Commission in Yakima County. Ray Paolella, City Attorney, introduced Sofia Maybee, a summer intern and recent graduate of Seattle University Law School, who did the research on this item and was available for questions. Council Member Puccinelli asked how the City protects the irrigation lines in the planting strips and street islands from being damaged by these signs. Ms. Maybee said the City has the power to restrict all signs but there is a problem when they try to restrict political signs based on the signs content. Council Member Puccinelli suggested Council look into prohibiting all signs in the islands. After discussion, Council directed staff to analyze further the issue of who can put what signs where. The City Clerk read the ordinance; . BUCHANAN MOVED AND SIMS SECONDED TO APPROVE THE MODIFICATIONS TO THE YAKIMA MUNICIPAL CODE RELATING TO POLITICAL AND TEMPORARY SIGNS. The motion carried by unanimous roll call vote. ORDINANCE NO. 2001 -25, AN ORDINANCE relating to political and temporary signs; amending Sections 15.08.040 and 15.08.110 of the City of Yakima Municipal Code. 7 2 3 0 JUNE 5, 2001 24. CONSIDERATION OF ORDINANCE AMENDING THE MUNICIPAL CODE RELATING TO RATES FOR WATER SERVICES (REMOVE FROM TABLE) Dueane Calvin, Water and Irrigation Manager, requested the item previously placed on the table be removed. SIMS MOVED AND MATTSON SECONDED TO REMOVE THE ITEM FROM THE TABLE. The motion carried by unanimous voice vote. Mr. Calvin requested enactment of the ordinance setting the rates shown in Alternative 2. He explained this would increase the water rates for almost all rate payers, although it would not be a uniform across the board rate increase. The increase would range from 8% to 20 %, depending on the demand people put on the system. 93% of the rate increase is required for capital improvements mandated by agencies outside our authority. Approximately 6 1/2 % will go for operation and maintenance. There will be no increase in personnel. There was a discussion about the impact of this rate increase on individual rate payers as well as on businesses. Although the monthly impact for the average household would be approximately $0.80, there would be greater increases for business with much higher usage. The City Clerk read the ordinance; SIMS MOVED AND BUCHANAN SECONDED TO ADOPT THE ORDINANCE The motion carried by a 5 -2 roll call vote, Buchanan and Barnett voting nay. ORDINANCE NO. 2001 -26, AN ORDINANCE relating to public services and utilities; increasing water service charges, bulk rate charges, minimum domestic water service charges, fire service charges; amending 7.56.040; adding as a new section, Section 7.56.055 regarding distribution connection charges; amending 7.68.250, 7.68.251, 7.68.252, 7.68.255, 7.68.282, and 7.68.300 of the City of Yakima Municipal Code. *25. CONSIDERATION OF ORDINANCE AMENDING ORDINANCE NO. 98 -52 ESTABLISHING CONDITIONS RELATING TO CITY -OWNED PROPERTY IN THE VICINITY OF NOB HILL BOULEVARD, 32 AND 34 AVENUES ORDINANCE NO..2001 -27, AN ORDINANCE concerning land use and zoning, and amending the conditions precedent established by Ordinance 98 -52, which provided that three parcels located at 3300 W. Nob Hill Boulevard, 1102 S. 32 Avenue, and 1101 S. 34 Avenue would, subject to certain conditions, be rezoned from Professional Business (B -1) to Local Business (B -2) and which amended the zoning map of the Yakima Urban Area accordingly. 26. OTHER BUSINESS A. TRANSIT ROUTE #3 SIMS MOVED AND MATTSON SECONDED TO RECONSIDER THE TRANSIT ROUTE #3 ISSUE. The motion carried by a 5 -2 roll call vote; Mattson and Buchanan voting nay. The City Clerk read the original motion; PUCCINELLI MOVED AND BARNETT SECONDED TO KEEP ROUTE #3 PRIVATIZED FOR A THREE YEAR PERIOD, EXTEND THE CONTRACT WITH A&A MOTORCOACH FOR 90 DAYS AND DIRECT STAFF TO PREPARE A BID PACKAGE TO INCLUDE ALTERNATIVES FOR 17/18 AND 23/24 PASSENGER BUSES. Council Member Mattson said he would be voting no 8 • 23.1 JUNE'5 2001 again because he feels the City transit drivers are ambassadors and the higher wages brings in a higher quality employee. He said he didn't feel the pilot project was successful. Council Member Puccinelli said it upset him that the transit drivers took the pilot study as a challenge to their jobs. He said not one hour has been cut from a driver, nor has a single route been cut. He said he sat on the • PTBA Board because he was concerned about our transit drivers. He alluded to an article in a Seattle newspaper following the passage of 1 -695 that rated every bus system in the state. Yakima was the only transit system that was sound and didn't need a tax increase and he believed it was because we saw the problems, formed a committee, and worked hard. Tom Barrington, Union Representative for Transit, said the A &A Motorcoach drivers get $10 an hour with no benefits. He said this is not a living wage. He advised that a majority of the A &A drivers are also temporary employees for the City because they want to go to work for the City. He pointed out that three positions were not filled because of the pilot project and that those positions disappeared. He continued by noting that City employees have living wage jobs, the city needs living wage jobs and that taxpayers are demanding better service. There was a discussion on fare box revenues Carolyn Keen, 1604 South 5 Avenue Apartment A, complained about route #3 bus not being ADA friendly and said route #4 operates better and is more convenient. She would like to see route #3 go back to City operation. Nancy Faller, 2207 Barge Street, spoke about the need of a county -wide system. She said she expects certain things from a city one of which is a good bus service owned by the city. She was not happy about hearing that the private contract drivers only make $10 and get no benefits. She said we need a good bus system as we go into energy crisis problems. She urged Council to vote no. John Haddix, Acting Transit Manager, clarified that Mr. Ammerman, who owns A &A Motorcoach, was the lowest bidder and should be seen as neutral; he's doing exactly what the City has asked him to do. With regard to revenues he advised that in 1998 the aggregate revenues were $255,078.78, in 1999 they were $252,055.30 and in 2000 they were $258,446.48. He noted this was a $6,000 increase. He said he didn't know where the statistics were coming from to compare route #3 to the rest of the routes because records are not kept that way. Lynne Kittelson, 305, North 9 Street, discussed transfers as they relate to fare box revenues and asked for clarification on how the riders are counted. The various counting methods were discussed. Chris Lydin, Selah, a transit driver, said she was not here fighting to keep her job but felt if these jobs were given away there would be nothing for her kids to come back for when they get out of school. Ruth Melendez, 312 North 4 Avenue feels the City bus drivers are very careful about dealing with the passengers and keeping the proper records and she thinks highly of them. She said she came from Arizona where there was a lot of contracting out and she wasn't impressed with it. She supports bringing the route back to the City. 9 232 JUNE 5, 2001 Council Member Beauchamp advised he was going to vote for the motion, though not in disapproval of the current City bus drivers as he has always been an advocate of City employees. However, the research committee gave us a better level of awareness and he's curious to see how well a contractor will do. He reaffirmed it is not the Council's intent to sell out the transit system. He would like to ensure that pay and EEO requirements are put into the specifications of the bid package. The question was called for a vote on the motion. The motion carried by a 4 -3 roll call vote; Sims, Buchanan, and Mattson voting nay. • Information Items Items of information provided to Council were: Agendas for the June 5 and 12, 2001 Council Neighborhood Development Committee meetings; Agenda for the June 6, 2001 Community Review Board meeting and minutes of its May 2, 2001 meeting; Agenda for June 7, 2001 Yakima Downtown Association meeting and minutes of its May 10, 2001 meeting; Agenda for the June 4, 2001 Joint Charter and Police & Fire Civil Service Commissions meeting and minutes of its May 7, 2001 meeting; Monthly Report of the Chief of Police for February 2001; Planning Division Assignments Pending Report as of June 5, 2001; Hanford Update; May 2001; and Article from May 31, 2001 The Seattle Times, "Water Hogs May Pay For It." 27. EXECUTIVE SESSION REGARDING COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AND PENDING LITIGATION (ALLOW APPROXIMATELY 45 MINUTES) Council Member Puccinelli asked to have the study session scheduled for June 12, 2001 rescheduled to June 19 The requested change was agreed upon. BUCHANAN MOVED AND MATTSON SECONDED TO ADJOURN TO EXECUTIVE SESSION REGARDING COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AND PENDING LITIGATION FOLLOWED BY ADJOURNMENT TO JUNE 19, 2001 AT 7:30 A.M. IN COUNCIL CHAMBERS FOR STUDY SESSION ON COMMUNITY REVIEW BOARD. The motion carried by unanimous voice vote. • 28. ADJOURNMENT Following executive session, the meeting adjourned at 5:15 p.m. IIP 1 1.1,40 i , READ AND CERTIFIED ACCURATE BY: A � 1 1 �i� C JNCIL : a' ATE 7 ! UNCIL BER DAT ATTEST: I/ Ktit-e-r-- e-e--6-> / /2-e CITY CLERK MARY PLACE, MAYOR Minutes prepared by Linda Watkins. An audio and video tape of this meeting are available in the City Clerk's Office 10