HomeMy WebLinkAbout01/14/2003 Adjourned Meeting 255
CITY OF YAKIMA
ADJOURNED MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
JANUARY 14, 2003 - 7:30 A.M.
129 NORTH 2 STREET - COUNCIL CHAMBERS
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: Dick Zais, City Manager; Ray Paolella, City Attorney; Bill Cook,
Director of Community and Economic Development; Doug Maples,
Code Administration and Planning Manager; Tom Sellsted,
Information Systems Supervising Senior Analyst, and City Clerk
Roberts •
Also: Corky Mattingly, County Auditor, and Diana Soules, Election
Supervisor
2. PRESENTATION OF COUNCIL REDISTRICTING OPTIONS
Doug Maples introduced himself, Bill Cook, Corky Mattingly, and Diana Soules. He
stated that staff has provided three options for Council's review on redistricting the
council district boundaries. The options are based on the 2000 census and the new
annexed areas of Congdon and South 72 Avenue, the City Charter requirements,
and the requirements under RCW 29.70.100. He presented the three options and
reviewed the legend, explaining the meaning of the different colored boundaries.
There are five criteria that should be followed when establishing the district
boundaries:
• Equal and balanced representation (one person, one vote);
• The population of the districts must be within 10 %, between the smallest and
largest populated districts;
• Avoid splitting voter precinct or census block boundaries;
• • Avoid shifting major populations between election districts;
• Maintain geographic /neighborhood integrity
Following a brief discussion, BUCHANAN MOVED AND SIMS SECONDED TO
ADOPT OPTION 1.
Council discussed the various options, described by staff as:
• Option 1: This option shifts District 2 to the west, to South 48 Avenue. District 1
would extend further west to the new, most westerly, city boundary. In addition,
Districts 4 would move west along Tieton Drive to 48 Avenue incorporating two
additional precincts. District 3 would move west along the railroad tracks south of
West Yakima Avenue and north of West Nob Hill Boulevard incorporating one
additional precinct. The percentage of difference between districts is 4.36 %.
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JANUARY 14, 2003 — ADJOURNED MEETING
• Option 2: This option moves the westerly boundary of District 2 to 34 Avenue,
North of West Mead on the south and meanders to the north to Tieton Drive. It
eliminates the area surrounding the airport where no residential population
exists. District 1 extends west to the new, most westerly, city boundary from the
most northerly and southerly city limit boundaries and includes the area around
the Yakima Airport. In addition, District 4 would move west along Tieton Drive to
48th Avenue incorporating two more precincts. District 3 would move west along
the railroad tracks south of West Yakima Avenue and north of West Nob Hill
Boulevard. The percentage of difference between districts is 9.76 %.
• Option 3: This option for District 2 adds 48 Avenue as the westerly boundary,
between West Washington Avenue on the south, north to West Mead Avenue to
South 40 Avenue, north to Tieton Drive. District 1 extends west to the most
westerly city boundary from the most northerly and southerly city limit
boundaries. In addition, District 4 would lose an area between Yakima Avenue
and Tieton Drive west of South 26 Avenue. District 3 would move west along
the railroad tracks south of West Yakima Avenue and north to East "I" Street.
The percentage of difference between districts is 7.24 %.
Corky Mattingly and Diana Soules presented their concerns on the three options;
requesting a change in Options 1 and 2 in boundary by the railroad tracks placed into
District 2, but needing to be in District 3 in order to follow the County Commissioners'
boundaries (there are no residents in that area according to the census information).
She also pointed out a couple of changes that would affect precinct boundaries, but
could be accommodated.
Council reviewed Options 2 and 3, but discarded them due to the large variance in
population between the districts and the confusion to voters that would result by
moving them from one district to another.
Doug Maples reviewed the time line for completion by the Primary Election, asking
Council to consider advancing the date of the public hearing to February 18. Council
agreed to accept that change.
The question was called for a vote on the motion to adopt Option 1, as
modified in the discussion. The motion carried by unanimous voice vote.
Doug Maples stated that in accordance with the motion, staff would prepare the
appropriate agenda item to call for a public hearing on February 18 to receive public
comments on Option 1, as modified.
Council asked the City Attorney to research the issue if a district boundary line is
moved and the council member no longer resides in the district the member currently
represents, when would a council member lose his seat on the council. After
reviewing the RCWs and the City Charter, City Attorney Paolella stated that neither
addresses that particular situation. However, it is clear that the intention is that a
council member representing a district needs to reside in that district at all times.
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JANUARY 14, 2003 — ADJOURNED MEETING
•
• Executive Session
BUCHANAN MOVED AND SIMS SECONDED TO MOVE INTO EXECUTIVE
SESSION FOR APPROXIMATELY 15 MINUTES TO DISCUSS PENDING
LITIGATION, WITH IMMEDIATE ADJOURNMENT THEREAFTER. motion
carried by unanimous voice vote.
The Council moved into Executive Session at approximately 8:27 a.m. At
8:47 a.m., the City Clerk announced that the Executive Session would be
extended for another 15 -20 minutes.
3. ADJOURNMENT TO JANUARY 21, 2003 AT 7:30 A.M. FOR STUDY SESSION
ON THE CITY'S IRRIGATION SYSTEM
Immediately following the Executive Session, the meeting adjourned at 9:13 a.m.
READ AND CERTIFIED ACCURATE BY: rAPI * '3/ As - D
!OUN' MEMBER DAT'
f oUNCIL MEMBER DAT
ATTEST:
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CITY CLERK MARY PLACE, MAYOR
Minutes prepared by Karen Roberts. An audio tape and vid tape of this meeting are available in the City
Clerk's Office
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