HomeMy WebLinkAbout02/01/2002 Special Meeting 424
CITY OF YAKIMA, WASHINGTON
SPECIAL MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
FEBRUARY 1, 2002 - 8:30 A.M. - NOON
ALLIED ARTS CENTER - 5000 W. LINCOLN AVENUE
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, Assistant City Manager Rice, and City Clerk
Roberts
2. COUNCIL RETREAT
The first order of business was to rename the meeting as a "Council Recharge" or
"Advance for the Future ".
• Review / amend if needed City Mission and Vision Statements
Council members reviewed the Mission and Vision Statements and amended the
Mission Statement to add "physical" environment, as underlined. The Mission
Statement, as amended, reads:
The Mission of the City of Yakima is to provide superior services and public
facilities for the people, businesses and institutions within the city boundaries, or
where appropriate to provide urban services, in order to enhance the quality of
life and the economic and physical environment, within the community's
willingness and ability to pay.
• Review / amend City Council priorities
Council members reviewed the City Council Priorities and Strategic Issues last
updated February 16, 1999. After consideration, the following changes were
made:
I. HIGHEST PRIORITIES
A. Economic Development - Emphasis on Literacy and Education --
Economic Development includes attracting and retaining businesses in
the area, developing apr industrial pafk sites and providing educational
opportunities. for thc citizcns in thc community.
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B E. Money /Resources -- Manage Existing Resources Effectively /Identify
Revenue Sources -- The cost of fixed, mandated and contractual
expenditures for municipal services has become increasingly difficult to
fund each budget year. Examine alternate ways to contain costs,
maximize existing resources and identify alternative revenues to maintain
future financial stability.
C E. Law Enforcement /Public Safety and Well Being -- This area includes an
emphasis on community and traffic safety and preventing violent criminal
acts, combating gangs and illegal drugs. ete. Emphasis should also focus
on training to improve public responsiveness and cultural sensitivity.
D G. Enhancing Visual and Governance Image of the City -- This priority deals
with improving the City's appearance /aesthetics and enhancing
community respect, pride and confidence in City government. Continue
efforts to improve and maintain the City parks system and to revitalize
neighborhoods.
II. NEXT HIGHEST PRIORITIES
E 11,4. Infrastructure - Maintain and Enhance Public Works /Utility Capital
Facilities -- The City will continue to plan and explore alternatives for
financing and constructing capital improvements to the City's basic public
facilities: sewer; water; irrigation; parks; streets; public safety; and other
public facilities.
F G. Unfunded Mandates -- Inform the Public on the Cost Impact of Unfunded
Federal, State and Local Agencies' Mandates . -- A special effort will be
made to inform the public and taxpayers on of the impact that State,
Federal, and local agencies' mandates have on increasing the cost of City
services.
G 1-kB. Communications -- Enhancing City Communications, Both Internally and
Externally -- An open flow of communications utilizing available
technology with the citizenry City residents is crucial to enable Council
and staff to respond to the public's needs, concerns, and questions. ete.
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Citizens' ideas, complaints and suggestions should be openly solicited
and willingly accepted. bier Communications between and within the
various departments and divisions of the City are also important and will
enable the City to better meet customer needs.
H I4-5. Cooperative Partnerships between City government, other public
agencies, businesses, and citizens' groups need to be fired
encouraged and developed to meet the future challenges facing our
community.
11. 14-k ONGOING RESPONSIBILITIES
A B. Cultural /Ethnic Diversity -- Broaden ethnic /cultural diversity and
representation in City employment, commissions and boards, and City
business activities. The City should utilize all available community
resources and seek diversity and ethnic representation in City
employment and public contracts.
B A Workforce Development/Customer Relations -- The City is committed to
the enhancement of employee productivity, training, teamwork and
service to the public which promote efficient, effective and courteous
delivery of quality municipal services to citizen;,. The City nccds to train
and dcvclop skilled workers to bcttcr serve customcr nccdG.
C. Youth Involvement -- Encourage the Community to become
more involved in seeking opportunities for youth. Ethnic and gender
balanced internships, mentoring programs and employer cooperation with
citizen groups and government arc needed to encourage promote more
youth involvement in the community.
Council members discussed the possibility of writing a newspaper article that
would feature city issues from the perspective of a council member. Council
Member George stated he would be willing to write the articles, but it would have
to be done with the concurrence of all the Council members. It was the general
consensus of the Council to write a newspaper article on a quarterly basis, or
more frequently if desired, with all Council members agreeing on the article's
content.
The Council took a five - minute recess and then resumed the meeting.
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• 1990 -2000 Historical Trends: Ten Year Comparison of City Statistics
Council Members reviewed the chart provided by City Manager Zais that
illustrates how the City has changed over the last ten years. City Manager Zais
pointed out that the growth in the number of employees, approximately 80 %, was
primarily due to the creation of a municipal court, 9 -1 -1 calltakers, and increased
police and wastewater service. Council Member George suggested that this chart
be placed on the City's website, and be updated to include 2001 statistics if
possible.
• Review 2002 Strategic Issues
City Manager Zais emphasized that these issues are not in any prioritized order
and asked Council if there were any issues they would like deleted or added or
wish staff to prioritize. Council added a couple of issues and amended others, as
indicated below:
1. Aggressively pursue economic development Initiatives /partnerships
• Pursue and encourage private use of new HUD tax credit area for
Yakima— "Renewal Community"
• Seek expansion of tourism in Yakima
• Continue to support Central Business District renovation projects
• Support City /County Airport industrial development
• Participate in Port District initiatives
• Participate in Yakima Chamber of Commerce Strategic
PlanningNisioning initiative "For A Better Tomorrow"
• Seek regional economic development assistance from state legislature
• Explore local job opportunities with Department of Energy /Hanford Clean-
up Project
• Continue Telecommunication and Technology Planning project
2. Prepare 2003 City Budget
• Prepare for future fiscal challenges /tax initiatives /state budget reductions
• Update Contingency Budget Reduction Plans to offset potential revenue
losses
• Determine Council spending priorities for future
• Explore opportunities for regional cooperation, consolidation of services
with other public utilities
3. Aggressively Seek Grants/ Funding for City Street Repairs /Capital Projects
• Establish City Capital Improvement Projects (CIP) Standing Committee
• Prepare ballot proposition for Real Estate Excise Tax to fund street
repairs —fall 2002
• Negotiate cost - sharing agreement with Yakima County for street
construction and rehabilitation for newly annexed areas
• Implement Capital Improvement Projects for Congdon development
4. Pursue City Annexations
• Complete negotiations with West Valley Fire District to provide 24 -hour
fire protection to newly annexed areas
• To limits of GMA boundaries
• Extend municipal services to newly annexed areas
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5. Preserve City Water Rights
• Defend City in Acquavella litigation /mediation
• Make a policy decision regarding the future of the irrigation system after
mediation is concluded
• Monitor Endangered Species Act designations /potential "Takings" liability.
• Pursue initiatives to obtain funding for salmon recovery
• Pursue watershed planning
• Continue to protect City irrigation water rights
6. Continue to Defend City of Yakima Interests in the Wastewater Odor Litigation
Case
7. Comply with EPA Clean Water Act/Mandates
• Adopt Wastewater Facility Plan
• Adopt Cost -of- Service Study for mandated wastewater projects
• Prepare financing package to accommodate Council- approved capital
projects
• Implement NPDES permit requirements
• Pursue Stormwater Management Plan with Yakima County.
• Continue in DOE Study Re Eastern Washington Stormwater Plan
• Prepare to comply with federal Stormwater mandate deadline of 3/03
8. Continue 4 -Party Wastewater Agreement Negotiations with Yakima County,
Union Gap, Terrace Heights and City of Yakima
9. Continue to Implement Growth Management Plan
• Process Amendments to Urban Area Zoning Ordinance
• Update Capital Facilities Plan and Transportation Plan
• Complete GMA Five -year Comprehensive Plan update
10. Continue to Implement Police Department Review Panel Recommendations
• Expand community policing /partnerships /crime prevention efforts and
diversity training for Police personnel
• Examine options for review of new citizens complaints as of January 2002
11. Mitigate Increased Rail Service
• Approve a final design solution and pursue funding for Railroad Grade
Separation Project
• Implement "Quiet Zone" for whistle blowing
• Evaluate fire safety /emergency response options at railroad crossings
• Review fire response capabilities
12. Continue Implementation and Review of Anti - Graffiti Abatement Program
13. Review Space Needs at Police Station /Legal Center /Jail Facility and
Municipal Court
14. Pursue State Legislative /Congressional City Priorities
• Complete funding for YVCC Higher Education Center / study traffic
mitigation
• Seek restoration of 1 -695 "Backfill" funding in 2002 legislative session
• Seek mandate relief /funding for Endangered Species Act, Stormwater
requirements and water basin planning
• Obtain new funding for transportation /infrastructure needs
• Seek reimbursement for local airport- related costs to combat terrorism
from federal government
15. Monitor 1710 Manning Standard from National Fire Protection Association
16. Prepare for Renewal of Emergency Medical Services Operating Levy in 2002
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FEBRUARY 1, 2002 — SPECIAL MEETING
17. Complete Major City Capital Projects (Water /Sewer Utilities, Streets and
Parks) for 2002
18. Complete Relocation of Larson Park Ballfield at Kiwanis and Tennis
Courts at Kissel Park — Reassess Future Use of Kiwanis Park
19. Obtain Funding to Complete Implementation of Kissel Park Development
Plan and Environmental Remediation
20. Continue to Support Public Facilities District
• Finish plans /initiate bid for Yakima Center Expansion Project
• Secure financing for Expansion Project
21. Revisit Cemetery Citizen Advisory Committee Recommendations
22. Monitor all Clean Air Regulations
23. Maintain, Promote and Enhance City Website
24. Continue Strengthening City Code Enforcement Efforts
25. Continue Planning to Finance and Extend Sewer Service to City Residents
26. Continue to Strengthen Intergovernmental Partnership with Yakima
County /other entities
27. Review Airport Master Plan /Fire Protection Costs with Yakima County
28. Support "Yakima's Promise" /Programs for Youth
29. Determine Preferred Transit Service for Newly Annexed Areas
30. Continue to Update /Upgrade Computer Equipment and Technology in All City
Departments
31. Continue Renewal of Yakima Interurban Trolley Operations
32. Continue City Hall Renovation
33. Replace City's Banking Line of Credit That Expires June 2002
34. Enact New Council District Legislation Based Upon Census /Annexations
35. Seek Replacement Parking Near Federal Courthouse
• Action items
Listed below are items that require further follow -up by Council or staff:
• Council written and approved newspaper articles
• Put Website address on YPAC banner during Council meetings and on
Council member business cards (if desired)
• Put Ten -Year comparison chart on City Website and include available
2001 information
• Request report from Office of Neighborhood Development on funds
expended for Yakima's Promise program, and staff time spent on program
• Add pit bull ban from newly annexed area to the agenda item relating to
dog licenses •
• Council – Staff Relations
Mayor Place distributed an article from the International Institute of Municipal
Clerks Association entitled "Who is My Boss" that addresses etiquette and
professionalism at Council meetings. Council discussed the rules for conducting a
council meeting with the following results:
• Citizens will be allowed to speak longer than the 3 -5 minute suggested
timeframe. If they are repeating the same information or if they are being
abusive, the mayor may ask citizens to summarize their issue.
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FEBRUARY 1, 2002 — SPECIAL MEETING
• Council members should treat others with respect, even while disagreeing
with their point of view
• Discussion order: staff report and information, motion and second, then
discussion and vote
• Council members were asked to contact staff prior to the council meeting with
questions so they could be answered
• Council and staff need to be cognizant of rules for closed record hearings —
perhaps an outline of the information that was discussed could be provided to
Council before the meeting
3. ADJOURNMENT
BARNETT MOVED AND MATTSON SECONDED TO ADJOURN THE
MEETING AT NOON. The motion carried by unanimous voice vote.
READ AND CERTIFIED ACCURATE BY: U-ua Q' /' -'_ a
CO CIL MEMBER D7\ E
L -
3/* >—
COUNCIL MEMB R DATE
ATTEST:
CITY CLERK / MARY PLACE, MAYOR
Minutes prepared by and Karen Roberts. An audio tape of this meeting is available in the City Clerk's Office
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