The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink About01/15/2002 Business Meeting 418 CITY OF YAKIMA, WASHINGTON BUSINESS MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL JANUARY 15, 2002 - 2:00 P.M. COUNCIL CHAMBERS - CITY HALL 1. ROLL CALL Present: Council: Mayor Mary Place, presiding, Council Members Clarence Barnett, Lynn Buchanan, Paul George, Larry Mattson, John Puccinelli, and Bernard Sims Staff: City Manager Zais, City Attorney Paolella and City Clerk Roberts 2. INVOCATION /PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE An invocation was given by Council Member Puccinelli. Followed by the Pledge of Allegiance led by Council Member George. 3. OPEN DISCUSSION FOR THE GOOD OF THE ORDER A. PROCLAMATIONS • SPECIAL PROCLAMATION IN RECOGNITION OF JEFF SULLIVAN Police Chief Don Blesio gave an oration on Jeff Sullivan, County Prosecuting Attorney, who is leaving his position to accept a post in King County. He spoke about his commitment as the Chief Law Enforcement Officer in the County and his commitment to the community. Mayor Place read a proclamation expressing the City's appreciation for Jeff's 27 years of service. Patsy Sullivan was present to accept the proclamation on behalf of her husband. Mrs. Sullivan thanked Council and assured them that Jeff will be very touched by the proclamation. • MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. WEEK Mayor Place read a proclamation declaring January 21, 2002 as Martin Luther King Jr. Day and the week of January 20 -26, 2002 as Yakima's Martin Luther King Jr. Week. She described the many activities being held in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. including a Peace Walk starting at City Hall on Monday, January 21, 2002. 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. Mayor Place announced that prior to the meeting she requested an addition to the December 18 Business Meeting minutes to include statistics given by Alex Deccio. There were no changes to the Consent Agenda. The City Clerk read the Consent Agenda items, including resolutions and ordinances by title. SIMS MOVED AND BUCHANAN SECONDED TO ADOPT THE CONSENT AGENDA AS READ. The motion carried by unanimous roll call 4Ig JANUARY 15, 2002 vote. (Subsequent paragraphs preceded by an asterisk ( *) indicate items on the Consent Agenda handled under one motion without further di *A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF THE DECEMBER 4 AND 18, 2001 BUSINESS MEETINGS The minutes of the December 4 and 18, 2001 Business meetings were approved (including modification of 12/18/01 minutes as distributed prior to the meeting), having been duly certified accurate by two Council members and no one present wishing to have said minutes read publicly. 5. AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION Elsie Gregorich, 1516 Browne Avenue, spoke against the City locating a wine tasting building (visitor's center) at the proposed location near 1 -82 because it does not draw tourists into the city. She also said she was displeased with the idea of relocating the senior center to the west side of town saying we need to build things up in the City's core. Phil Pleasant, 1202 South Fair Avenue, submitted a proposed resolution to the Council that would support the creation of a HUB zone business incubator in order for Yakima to benefit from the large public works project at Hanford. He was referred to the Economic Development Committee. PUBLIC HEARING 6. PUBLIC HEARING ON AMENDMENT TO THE SIX -YEAR TRANSPORTATION IMPROVEMENT PLAN FOR 2002 -2007 (SEE RESOLUTION ADOPTING AMENDMENT) Kay Wendell Adams, City Engineer, advised that because the funding status of the adopted Six Year Transportation Plan has changed from planned to secured funding there is a requirement to adopt the amended plan. He noted there were also some changes due to the recent annexation where a project will come from the County to the City. • Mayor Place opened the public hearing. Lynne Kittelson, 305 North 9 Street, urged Council to conduct a comprehensive traffic study prior to anything being done with regard to the proposed underpasses in priorities 1, 2, and 3. Mrs. Kittelson requested a list of the people who are serving on the Railroad Committee. • Mayor Place closed the public hearing. The City Clerk read the resolution by title only; BUCHANAN MOVED AND SIMS SECONDED TO ADOPT THE RESOLUTION. The motion carried by unanimous roll call vote. RESOLUTION NO. R- 2002 -05, A RESOLUTION amending the adopted Six -Year Transportation Improvement Program for the period of 2002 through 2007 for the construction of streets and arterial streets in the City of Yakima. 2 420 JANUARY 15, 2002 CITY MANAGER'S REPORTS 7. CONSIDERATION OF RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING EXECUTION OF CONTRACT FOR OPERATION OF TRANSIT ROUTE #3 (CONTINUED FROM DECEMBER 4, 2001) Council Member George thanked Council for the courtesy of delaying this decision allowing him the opportunity to study the issue, ride on the route, talk to the drivers, and read all the paperwork. His conclusion is that Yakima has a good transit system with growing public acceptance. It is financially sound with a $4.8 million budget this year and the current fleet of 21 buses is in the process of being enhanced. He said the recent improvements are due to recommendations from the Citizens Task Force and spoke about Dial -a -Ride program funding. He went on to say he doesn't support the proposition to privatize for several reasons. It creates a partner and deprives Yakima Transit of full control, for example, the City would have to consult or renegotiate contracts to supply service to West Valley or to add bus service on Saturday. He feels we would be on a collision course with our collective bargaining agreement. He raised the issue of impacts any contract uncertainties could have on grants and revenue sources. GEORGE MOVED AND MATTSON SECONDED THAT THE COUNCIL REJECT ALL BIDS ON THE CONTRACT FOR TRANSIT ROUTE #3 AND DIRECT YAKIMA TRANSIT TO OPERATE TRANSIT ROUTE #3 AFTER THE CURRENT DEMONSTRATION CONTRACT EXPIRES ON FEBRUARY 28, 2002. Randy Ammerman, 2400 South 26 Avenue, owner of A &A Motorcoach, clarified several facts. He said the only time the contract would have to be renegotiated would be if the City wanted to reduce the number of hours of service. Any other changes would be a matter of simple negotiation easily accomplished if the hours of service are not reduced. He clarified there is nothing in the contract that said if the City wanted to add Saturday bus service it would have to be provided by A &A Motorcoach. As to the potential of it impacting future funding, he said the entire operation of Yakima Transit falls under the same rules and regulations and if anything is done by Transit or the contractor that doesn't comply, it would jeopardize funding. If the operating guidelines are clearly defined, there should be no risk of the contractor not meeting the guidelines. He questioned why Council Member George requested deferment on this contract at the December 4, 2001 meeting yet did not request deferment of the Dial -A- Ride contract on the same agenda that was for more money. Mr. Ammerman emphasized that A &A Motorcoach has provided excellent service for 24 months proving that a private contractor can operate under City direction. • Community Comments Lynne Kittelson, 305 North 9 Street, thanked Council Member George for his comments and urged support of his motion. Robert Owen, 614 North 3` Street, also agreed with Council Member George's analysis. He also commented on various bus routes and his suspicion that the City wants to give better service to West Valley. He offered suggestions on how to run each of the bus routes to save money and to support a larger area. 3 JANUARY 15, 2002 • Council discussion and vote on the motion Council Member Puccinelli discussed the budget impacts of eliminating the privatization of Route #3. He said if we were to continue it, in five years we would have good information for comparison of operating costs. He is disturbed that Yakima Transit is running in the black with this private route and if we return it to a City route it will be in the red this year. He recommends keeping it with the private contractor. Council Member Barnett said he does not support the motion when considering factors such as the payroll costs of $91 /hr for City operation versus $50 /hr for the private operation. Council Member Mattson said he has difficulty with the fact that this "demonstration" has become a two -year demonstration with no benchmarks or evaluations. He stated that although operations and maintenance costs are important, so is customer service. He suggested a study session to set up criteria for evaluating whether the demonstration has been successful. The question was called for a vote on the motion. The motion carried by a 4 -3 roll call vote; Place, Barnett and Puccinelli voting nay. City Manager Zais commented that staff will prepare a budget amendment relative to service for the new annexed West Valley area. • *8. CONSIDERATION OF RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING EXECUTION OF CONTRACTS WITH THE CITY OF UNION GAP, THE CITY OF SELAH, AND YAKIMA COUNTY FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICTS NOS. 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 9, 12 AND 14 FOR FIRE COMMUNICATIONS SERVICES RESOLUTION NO. R- 2002 -06, A RESOLUTION authorizing and directing the City Manager and the City Clerk of the City of Yakima to execute a Fire Communications Services Contract with the City of Union Gap, the City of Selah, and various Yakima County Fire Protection Districts. *9. CONSIDERATION OF RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING EXECUTION OF INTERGOVERNMENTAL COOPERATIVE PURCHASING AGREEMENT WITH THURSTON COUNTY, WASHINGTON RESOLUTION NO. R- 2002 -07, A RESOLUTION authorizing the execution of an • Intergovernmental Cooperative Purchasing Agreement with Thurston County, Washington. *10. SET DATE OF CLOSED RECORD HEARING FOR FEBRUARY 5, 2002 TO CONSIDER HEARING EXAMINER RECOMMENDATION ON A REZONE OF PROPERTY LOCATED IN THE VICINITY OF 1501 SOUTH 18 STREET REQUESTED BY PAUL KOVERMAN February 5, 2002 was set as the date of closed record public hearing to consider the Hearing Examiner's recommendation regarding a rezone request by Paul Koverman for property located in the vicinity of 1501 South 18` Street, Yakima. 4 422 JANUARY 15, 2002 *11. SET DATE OF PUBLIC HEARING FOR FEBRUARY 5, 2002 ON THE WASTEWATER FACILITIES PLAN AND 2001 WASTEWATER COST OF SERVICE AND RATE STUDY (CONTINGENT UPON STUDY SESSION DISCUSSION) February 5, 2002 was set as the date of public hearing on the Wastewater Facilities Plan and the 2001 Wastewater Cost of Service and Rate Study. ORDINANCE 12. CONSIDERATION OF ORDINANCE COMMENCING CONDEMNATION PROCEEDINGS FOR PROPERTY AT EAST BEECH STREET AND CHALMERS STREET Council Member Buchanan recused himself. The City Clerk read the ordinance by title only, SIMS MOVED AND MATTSON SECONDED TO APPROVE THE ORDINANCE. The motion carried by unanimous roll call vote; Buchanan recused. ORDINANCE NO. 2002-03, AN ORDINANCE authorizing and directing the City's outside legal counsel, Lyon Weigand & Gustafson PS, to institute and prosecute legal proceedings for the condemnation and acquisition of certain real property for the Waste Water Lift Station Upgrade at East Beech Street and Chalmers Street; providing for the condemnation and taking of such real property and declaring the condemnation and taking thereof to be necessary for a public use required by the public interests; directing that compensation for such taking be paid from Fund Number 476, Waste Water Collection System Project Fund of the City of Yakima. *13. CONSIDERATION OF LEGISLATION RELATING TO A CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS / FACILITIES COMMITTEE: A. ORDINANCE AMENDING THE MUNICIPAL CODE CREATING A NEW CHAPTER TO ESTABLISH A CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS / FACILITIES COMMITTEE ORDINANCE NO. 2002 -04, AN ORDINANCE establishing a Capital Improvements /Facilities Committee to serve in an advisory capacity to the City Council concerning planning, development and financing of City capital improvements and facilities; and adding a new chapter, Chapter 1.28, "Capital Improvements /Facilities Committee," and adding new sections, Sections 1.38.010, 1.38.020, 1.38.030, 1.38.040, 1.38.050 and 1.38.060 all of the City of Yakima Municipal Code. B. ORDINANCE REPEALING CHAPTER 1.90 IN THE MUNICIPAL CODE RELATING TO THE UTILITY RATE ADVISORY BOARD ORDINANCE NO. 2002 -04, AN ORDINANCE relating to the Utility Rate Advisory Board; and repealing Chapter 1.90, "Utility Rate Advisory Board," in its entirety, consisting of Sections 1.90.010, 1.90.020, 1.90.030, 1.90.040, 1.90.050, 1.90.060 and 1.90.070, all of the City of Yakima Municipal Code. 5 423 . JANUARY 15, 2002 14. OTHER BUSINESS The Council members discussed the budget impact of the decision to bring Transit Route 3 under City operation. Staff was directed to do an analysis on the budget impact and bring it back to Council at the same time the budget for the annexation comes before Council. • Executive Session City Manager Zais requested a ten - minute Executive Session to discuss two pieces of litigation. BUCHANAN MOVED AND SIMS SECONDED TO ADJOURN TO EXECUTIVE SESSION WITH ADJOURNMENT THEREAFTER TO FEBRUARY 5, 2002 FOR A STUDY SESSION. The motion carried by unanimous voice vote. • Information Items Items of information provided to Council were: Press release from State Department of Ecology re: Public comment sought on wetland mitigation banking. 1/8/02; Planning Division Assignments Pending Report as of January 15, 2002; Monthly Report of the Chief of Police for August 2001; Report on Damage Claims Filed during December 2001; Code Administration Monthly Report for December 2001; Agenda for the January 14, 2002 Parks and Recreation Commission meeting and minutes of its December 10, 2001 meeting; Minutes of the December 4, 2001 Public Facilities District / Center Expansion meeting; Article from January 8, 2002 CNN Web Site, "Supreme Court limits disabilities law in unanimous decision "; Article from November 2001 National Association of County Engineers publication, "Texas Perspective on NPDES Phase II "; and Article from January 5, 2002 Seattle Post- Intelligencer, "Ecology Chief Says Complaints About Delay Have `Merit - . 15. ADJOURNMENT Following the conclusion of the Executive Session, the meeting adjourned at 3:35 p.m. READ AND CERTIFIED ACCURATE BY: , A.f � 21il6 CO IL MEMBER DATE • COUNCIL ME R DATE ATTEST: / 1 9 7 I 6-6t-eiz 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 6