HomeMy WebLinkAbout10/16/2001 Business Meeting 31, 5
CITY OF YAKIMA, WASHINGTON
BUSINESS MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
OCTOBER 16, 2001 - 2:00 P.M.
129 NORTH 2 STREET - COUNCIL CHAMBERS
1. ROLL CALL
Present:
Council: Mayor Mary Place, presiding, Council Members Clarence Barnett,
Henry Beauchamp (absent after 2:55 p.m.), Lynn Buchanan, Larry
Mattson, John Puccinelli, and Bernard Sims
Staff: City Manager Zais, City Attorney Paolella and City Clerk Roberts
Absent: Council Member Larry Mattson (excused)
2. INVOCATION /PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
An Invocation was given by Council Member Beauchamp, followed by the Pledge
of Allegiance led by Council Member Buchanan.
3. OPEN DISCUSSION FOR THE GOOD OF THE ORDER /SPECIAL
PRESENTATION
A. PROCLAMATIONS
• LEONARD PITTMAN RECOGNITION DAY
Leonard Pittman, who recently retired from Washington State Department of
Transportation after 33 years, was honored with a proclamation recognizing
his dedication and outstanding service to the community. Mr. Pittman was
present to accept the proclamation.
• TRY TRANSIT WEEK
Council Member Buchanan read a proclamation declaring October 15 -20,
2001 as "Try Transit Week" to encourage new bus riders and give
recognition,to Transit employees. John Haddix, Acting Transit Manager,
was present to accept the proclamation.
• HARVEST BAND FESTIVAL DAY
Mayor Place read a proclamation that declared October 20, 2001 as Harvest
Band Festival Day in Yakima. Forest Fisher, on behalf of both high school
booster clubs and their bands, was present to accept.
• FAMILY AFFAIR WEEK
Mayor Place read a proclamation declaring October 20, 2001 as Family
Affair Day. Dennis Hines and Teresa Bommersbeck were pesent to accept.
Mayor Place introduced two firefighters visiting from Morelia, Mexico, Yakima's
sister city. Rodrigo Camacho and Antonio Solis are enrolled in the cadet
program at Station 6, through YVCC. They are here for a two -year program.
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Council Member Sims thanked the League of Women voters for the Candidates
forum last evening. He noted, however, that within that presentation there was a
misconception of how taxes are collected through property values. It was
misstated that as appraised values of property rises, property taxes increase.
City Manager Zais explained that 72% of all property tax dollars goes to the
state and the school system and that only about 24% comes to the City of
Yakima. He then explained the limitations that are in effect, one being $3.60 per
thousand, and the other limiting the increases to a maximum of 6% annually
based on implicit need which requires a super- majority of the Council.
Rita Anson, Director of Finance and Budget, explained that there are three basic
elements that determine how much property tax you pay. They are 1) the levy
amount, the total amount of dollars collected in that jurisdiction, 2) the total
assessed value of the properties within the city and the county, which is
determined by the County Auditor's office, and 3) the total assessed value
divided by the total amount in the levy to be collected then comes up with the
rate. The rate is applied to the percent of the total assessed value that is yours.
Following that calculation, the two maximum rates that Mr. Zais mentioned are
taken into consideration.
Mayor Placed reminded the Council that the first Port District forum is to be held
at J. M. Perry at 7:00 p.m. Wednesday evening. She also encouraged the public
to attend to learn what the Port District is all about.
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. Item No. 15 was added to the Consent Agenda. 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; Mattson
absent. (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 SEPTEMBER 18, 2001 ADJOURNED
MEETING
The minutes of the September 18, 2001 Adjourned 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
Jerry Henderson, 309 North 35 Avenue, the current president of the Yakima
Trolley Association, announced the successful operation of the trolley from
Yakima to Selah thereby retaining the record for the longest continual operation
of an interurban trolley line in the United States and meeting the right -of -way
requirements to operate the trolley. He also advised that he is working with Bill
Cook to plan an active museum at the powerhouse with some original equipment
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OCTOBER,16, 2001
they have recently found. They hope the facility will bring 10,000 visitors a year
to Yakima.
Lynne Kittelson, 305 North 9 Street, brought a street Tight problem to the
Council's attention. She noted over 12 lights that have burned out and haven't
been replaced.
Elsie Gregorich, 1516 Browne Avenue, expressed appreciation for the speed
limit sign that was posted on Browne Avenue and spoke about the danger of
vehicles speeding on that street when children are present.
CITY MANAGER'S REPORTS
6. PRESENTATION OF 2002 PRELIMINARY BUDGET FORECAST AND SET
DATES OF PUBLIC HEARINGS:
A. NOVEMBER 13, 2001 AT 8:30 A.M. ON AD VALOREM ORDINANCE
B. NOVEMBER 20, 2001 AT 2:00 P.M. ON PROPOSED 2002 BUDGET
City Manager Zais g a briefing on the 2002 Preliminary Budget Forecast. He
noted this is the 25 year he has submitted a balanced budget to the City
Council. He reviewed the Council's mission which drives the City's budget.
He related the following facts about the proposed 2002 budget:
• No new taxes are proposed
• The budget increased by 2 %, less than the current rate of inflation and other
indices
• Budget increase reflects objective to lessen the burden on the taxpayers
while delivering critical services
• Services to the newly annexed area are included in the budget
• Property tax proposed in this budget is held at 1 with the anticipated
passage of 1 -747
Mr. Zais spoke about other factors considered by staff in formulating the budget.
We have had to invest in the City's infrastructure and to meet the unfunded
mandates that keep coming at us relentlessly. In the future, the citizens must
come to weigh the cost of compliance with the mandates against the cost of non-
compliance which would mean quality of life issues, fines, increased fire
insurance rates, lack of funding and resources. Staff has prepared a budget
policy issue that estimates future revenues and future service obligations and
expenditures from all departments to extend the services needed to the newly
annexed West Valley and Congdon areas for infrastructure purposes. He
discussed the Wastewater facility and their cost -of- service study. He advised
there is a $26 million shortage that must be found in the next five years to meet
mandates from Federal and State agencies. No longer are there any grants to
cover these costs, they have to come out of utility rates or out of revenues,
bonds, and loans that we can get from state agencies. The consequences are
very dire if we do not take action on those mandates this year. He described
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other priorities that cannot be met within existing service levels. If 1 -747 does not
pass we will ask the Council to consider either a 4% or a 6% increase. That
increase would be dedicated to restoring public safety positions within the Police
and Fire Departments (5 positions at 4% or 8 positions at 6 %). He then went on
to advise the steps taken to inform citizens on the impact of tax reduction
initiatives. The detailed preliminary budget will be submitted to the City Council
in November. Mr. Zais closed his discussion with information on what is being
done to enhance our number one priority, economic development; the expansion
of YVCC, leadership in forming a public facility district, building the convention
center expansion, and funds for the armory project to name a few.
Council Member Beauchamp absent after 2:55 p.m.
BARNETT MOVED AND SIMS SECONDED TO SET NOVEMBER 13, 2001 AS
THE DATE OF PUBLIC HEARING ON THE AD VALOREM ORDINANCE AND
NOVEMBER 20, 2001 AS THE DATE OF PUBLIC HEARING ON THE
PROPOSED 2002 BUDGET. The motion carried by unanimous roll call vote;
Beauchamp and Mattson absent.
*7. CONSIDERATION OF RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING AMENDMENT TO THE
HEALTH AND WELFARE BENEFIT PLAN BOARD COMPOSITION AND BY-
LAWS REGARDING ELECTED MANAGEMENT REPRESENTATION
RESOLUTION NO. R- 2001 -141, A RESOLUTION authorizing the City Manager
and the City Clerk to execute amendments to the Employees' Welfare Benefit
program to provide for one elected voting management employee representative
and two appointed representatives, one voting and one non - voting, for the City of
Yakima as a municipal corporation and one non - voting AFSCME Transit
representative.
*8. CONSIDERATION OF RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING EXECUTION OF
PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH KEYSTONE INFORMATION
SYSTEMS FOR SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENT SERVICE AS A SOLE SOURCE
PROVIDER
•
RESOLUTION NO. R- 2001 -142. A RESOLUTION authorizing and directing the
City Manager of the City of Yakima to execute a software license and services
agreement with Keystone Information Systems, Inc., in order to license certain
financial management software and acquire associated services as a sole source
purchase without calling for bids.
*9. CONSIDERATION OF RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING EXECUTION OF
AGREEMENT WITH CHARRON CO. FOR BENEFICIAL UTILIZATION OF
WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT BIOSOLIDS
RESOLUTION NO. R- 2001 -143, A RESOLUTION authorizing the renewal of a
contract with Charron Company, Inc. for utilization of Wastewater Treatment
Plant Biosolids.
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*10. CONSIDERATION OF RESOLUTION DECLARING CERTAIN COMPUTER
EQUIPMENT SURPLUS AND AUTHORIZING ITS DISPOSAL TO THE
SUBSTANCE ABUSE COALITION
RESOLUTION NO. R- 2001 -144, A RESOLUTION declaring a vast array of non-
working, outdated computer equipment surplus and authorizing its donation to
the Substance Abuse Coalition for use in the AmeriCorp /ECorp Program
*11. CONSIDERATION OF RESOLUTION GRANTING FIREWORKS DISPLAY
PERMIT FOR DAVIS HIGH SCHOOL FOR OCTOBER 26, 2001
RESOLUTION NO. R- 2001 -145, A RESOLUTION granting a public fireworks
. display permit to Eagle Fireworks and waiver of the $50.00 permit application fee
on behalf of Davis high School ASB.
*12. CONSIDERATION OF RIGHT -OF -WAY USE PERMIT REQUESTED BY
YAKIMA OIL COMPANY FOR A FENCE AT 514 SOUTH 3 AVENUE
The right -of -way use permit to construct a fence along South 4 Avenue at 514
South 3rd Avenue requested by Yakima Oil Company was approved.
*13. SET DATE OF PUBLIC HEARING FOR NOVEMBER 6, 2001 ON THE 2002
ANNUAL ACTION PLAN
November 6, 2001 was set as the date of public hearing on the 2002 Annual
Action Plan and projected budget.
*14. SET DATE OF PUBLIC HEARING FOR NOVEMBER 20, 2001 ON THE
CONGDON ORCHARD DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT
November 20, 2001 was set as the date of public hearing for consideration of the
development agreement with Congdon Orchards.
ORDINANCES
*15. CONSIDERATION OF ORDINANCE GRANTING A NON - EXCLUSIVE
FRANCHISE TO TOUCH AMERICA, INC. TO CONSTRUCT, OPERATE AND
MAINTAIN A TELECOMMUNICATIONS SYSTEM
ORDINANCE NO. 2001 -55, AN ORDINANCE granting a non - exclusive franchise
to Touch America, Inc. ( "TAI ") to construct, operate and maintain a
Telecommunications System, with all necessary facilities, within the City of
Yakima, Washington (the "City "); setting forth provisions, terms and conditions
accompanying the grant of this Franchise; providing for City regulation of
construction, operation, maintenance and use of the Telecommunications
System; prescribing penalties for the violations of its provision; and setting an
effective date.
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*16. CONSIDERATION OF ORDINANCE AMENDING THE URBAN AREA
COMPREHENSIVE PLAN AND FUTURE USE MAP
ORDINANCE NO. 2001-56, AN ORDINANCE concerning land use
comprehensive planning, and amending the Yakima Urban Area Comprehensive
Plan Future Land Use Map.
17. OTHER BUSINESS •
A brief discussion occurred regarding the 2001 assessment for the Clean Air
Authority, but was curtailed because it was not officially removed from the table
for discussion. .
® Information Items
Items of information provided to Council were: Media Advisory from the Yakima Fire
Department re: Celebration of Fire Safety Day at the Yakima Mall; Planning Division
. Assignments Pending Report as of October 16, 2001; and Article from the October 9,
2001 The Seattle Times, "Issaquah businesses got a deal: City undercharged its storm
water fees."
18. ADJOURNMENT
SIMS MOVED AND BUCHANAN SECONDED TO ADJOURN TO NOVEMBER
6, 2001 AT 7:30 A.M. STUDY SESSION IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS RE:
NFPA 1710 FIRE REGULATIONS. The motion carried with a unanimous voice
vote; Beauchamp and Mattson absent. The meeting adjourned at 3:01 p.m.
READ AND CERTIFIED ACCURATE BY �,� `, _ `
o CIL MEMa DATE
O NCIL MEMBER •�tE
ATTEST:
71 - ie-0 17/44 7/
CITY CLERK /f' MARY PLACE, MAYOR
Minutes prepared by Linda Watkins. An audio and video tape of this meeting are available in the City
Clerk's Office
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