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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03/04/2003 Business Meeting 316 CITY OF YAKIMA, WASHINGTON BUSINESS MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL MARCH 4, 2003 -- 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, Assistant City Attorney Harvey and City Clerk Roberts 2. INVOCATION /PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Council Member Puccinelli gave an invocation followed by the Pledge of Allegiance led by Council Member Barnett. 3. OPEN DISCUSSION FOR THE GOOD OF THE ORDER/SPECIAL PRESENTATION A. PROCLAMATIONS (IF APPLICABLE) • Red Cross Month Mayor Place read a proclamation declaring March 2003 as American Red Cross month. Cec Vogt accepted the proclamation and described the many activities scheduled throughout the month. She introduced Earl Simpson from Blood Services who described the services they provide in the community. B. SPECIAL PRESENTATION TO CASCADE NATURAL GAS EMPLOYEES FOR FIRE ASSISTANCE Dennis Mayo, Fire Chief, and Roy Willson, Acting Police Chief, made a special presentation to Cascade Natural Gas employees. The first recognition went to John Mulvenon, Senior Director of the Central Region, and Virgil Scully, Yakima District Manager, for the company's commitment to safety education and training. Chief Mayo then described the heroic efforts of four CNG employees who went into a burning home to rescue the occupants. Darrell Phillips, David Millin, Gary Shelton and Tim Ramos received official fire helmets, plaques, and life saving pins in honor of their efforts. CNG Vice President of District Operations, Will Odell, and Vice President of Safety & Engineering, Larry Anderson, came over from Seattle to attend this special presentation. They shared a thank you card received from a family member of the victims. C. STATUS REPORT ON PRIOR MEETING'S CITIZEN SERVICE (IF APPLICABLE) None • 317 MARCH 4, 2003 Mayor Place advised that she and Council Members Buchanan and George will be traveling to Washington D.C. Council Member Barnett agreed to be acting mayor during their absence. Council Member Barnett asked Engineering to supply a progress report on the Mead Avenue project at the end of the meeting. He also noted that staff needs to advise the state legislators about the City's position to direct DOE to not exceed Federal requirements in accepting state and municipal storm water regulations (HB 1689 and SB 5645). Because of the large audience who came for agenda Item No.17, on the Gambling Tax,.Mayor Place advised that the only discussion today is what kind of meeting we wish to have, whether it be a study session or a public meeting, as well as when, where, and what time to hold the meeting. Today's item is not a public hearing and, therefore, there will be no public comments received on the tax issue itself. Interested parties in the audience were directed to leave their names and addresses so they can be advised once the public meeting is scheduled. 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. 6 was added and Items Nos. 10, 11 and 15 were removed from 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 vote. (Subsequent paragraphs preceded by an asterisk ( *) indicate items on the Consent Agenda handled under one motion without further discussion.) *A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF JANUARY 21, 2003 SPECIAL AND BUSINESS MEETINGS, FEBRUARY 4, 2003 ADJOURNED AND BUSINESS MEETINGS AND THE FEBRUARY 18, 2003 BUSINESS MEETING The minutes of the January 21, 2003 Special and Business meetings, February 4, 2003 Adjourned and Business meetings, and the February 18, 2003 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 Phil Pleasant, 1202 Fair Avenue, addressed Council about multi - million dollar projects being discussed and asked staff to include jobs through the HUB zone program for these projects. .2 318 MARCH 4, 2003 CITY MANAGER'S REPORTS *6. CONSIDERATION OF REPORT ON STORMWATER NOTICE OF INTENT TO COMPLY WITH FEDERAL REGULATIONS The report concerning the City of Yakima's response to the March 10, 2003 deadline for certain compliance activities required under the Federal Clean Water Acts (CWA) National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Phase II Stormwater Regulations was accepted. *7. - APPROVAL OF FEDERAL LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES The City of Yakima 2003 Federal Priorities List was approved. *8. CONSIDERATION OF RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING DEVELOPMENT OF UNDEVELOPED ACREAGE AT TAHOMA CEMETERY RESOLUTION NO. R- 2003 -35, A RESOLUTION authorizing and directing the City Manager of the City of Yakima to negotiate the sale of 200 gravesites to the Japanese Bochi and to authorize Phase 1 development of approximately 2.5 acres at Tahoma Cemetery. *9. CONSIDERATION OF RESOLUTION APPROVING REMOVAL AND REPLACEMENT OF TREE LOCATED IN CITY RIGHT -OF -WAY AT 1904 NORTH 1 STREET RESOLUTION NO. R- 2003 -36, A RESOLUTION authorizing the removal of one Oak tree located in the City right -of -way at 1904 North 1 Street, Yakima, Washington. 10. CONSIDERATION OF RESOLUTION APPROVING CDBG GRANT REQUEST FROM THE WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL FOR JOB FAIR 2003 EXPENDITURES Bill Cobabe, Office of Neighborhood Development Services Manager, and Kathy Thomas from the Tri- County Work Force Council explained the Job Fair and its past . successes. Council Member Buchanan explained that a subcommittee had met on this subject and had opposing views on whether to continue supporting it. The Council had told the Work Force Council the first year that they would support it on a one -time basis and yet they have continued to come back requesting support. Council Member Puccinelli claimed that Yakima is the only contributor and feels others who benefit should be sharing the cost. Council Member Sims said he advocates full funding this year because of the benefits to the community of employing more citizens. Council Member Mattson agreed that the community would see a greater return than our investment. Council Member George also supported the idea of employing more 3. 319 MARCH 4, 2003 people by a modest expenditure. The City Clerk read the resolution by title only; SIMS MOVED AND GEORGE SECONDED TO APPROVE THE RESOLUTION. The motion carried by a 5 -2 roll call vote, Buchanan and Puccinelli voting nay. Kathy Thomas advised that the Job Fair will be held April 22 and that a Youth Job Fair there will also be held that morning. RESOLUTION NO. R- 2003 -37, A RESOLUTION approving a $4,625 grant request from the Workforce Development Council to be made from federal CDBG funds to assist with the costs of renting the Yakima Convention Center and associated costs pertaining to "Job Fair 2003." 11. CONSIDERATION OF RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING EXECUTION OF CONCESSION LICENSE AGREEMENT WITH THE YAKIMA FARMERS' MARKET There was confusion expressed about the date change in the Yakima Farmers' Market License Agreement. Amy McGuire and Joe Mann, speaking for the Farmers' Market, explained that the schedule is the exact same as last year. To avoid paperwork required to close the street on the Saturday in December for the Holiday Festival, they opted to extend the agreement through November and December. They will not be open during that time except for the Holiday Festival. They advised that there will be no Thursday evening markets this year. Council Member Puccinelli recommended they review this change with the Yakima Downtown Association, revise the dates to appropriately reflect the planned schedule and bring it back to the next Council meeting. PUCCINELLI MOVED AND BUCHANAN SECONDED TO DEFER THIS ITEM TO MARCH 18 The motion carried by unanimous voice vote. *12. CONSIDERATION OF RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING EXECUTION OF A FIRE COMMUNICATIONS SERVICES CONTRACT WITH VARIOUS CITIES AND FIRE DISTRICTS RESOLUTION NO. R- 2003 -38, A RESOLUTION authorizing and directing the City Manager and 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 Protective Districts. *13. CONSIDERATION OF RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING SUBMISSION OF LOAN APPLICATION TO FUND DESIGN OF RIVER ROAD DEVELOPMENT PROJECT RESOLUTION NO. R- 2003 -39, A RESOLUTION to authorize the City Manager to execute applications, certifications and agreements pursuant to an application for a loan from the Washington State Public Works Trust Fund in the amount of $242,000 to design the River Road Development Project. • 4 320 MARCH 4, 2003 ORDINANCES *14. CONSIDERATION OF ORDINANCE ADOPTING COUNCIL REDISTRICTING OF BOUNDARIES ORDINANCE NO. 2003 -11, AN ORDINANCE relating to election of City Council Members; designating and describing City Council Election Districts by the adoption of an election district map; and amending Section 1.04.020 of the City of Yakima Municipal Code. • 15. CONSIDERATION OF ORDINANCE AMENDING THE MUNICIPAL CODE TO: • PROHIBIT PARKING ON THE EAST SIDE OF LANDON AVENUE BETWEEN NOB HILL BLVD. AND ARLINGTON STREET • RESTRICT PARKING ON S. 4 STREET BETWEEN CHESTNUT & WALNUT BETWEEN 2:30 P.M. AND 4:30 P.M. Council Member Barnett questioned whether this change would cause confusion for the neighbors and businesses in this area. Jeff West, Senior Assistant City Attorney, advised those were the people who requested the change. The City Clerk read the ordinance by title only; SIMS MOVED AND BUCHANAN SECONDED TO ADOPT THE ORDINANCE. The motion carried by unanimous roll call vote. ORDINANCE NO. 2003 -12, AN ORDINANCE relating to traffic; creating and defining an area for restricting parking and amending Section 9.50.060, all of the Yakima Municipal Code. *16. FIRST READING OF ORDINANCE AMENDING THE 2003 BUDGET AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS FOR 2002 ENCUMBRANCES (NO ACTION REQUIRED AT THIS MEETING; SECOND READING SCHEDULED 3/18/03) An Ordinance amending the 2003 budget and appropriating funds for 2002 year -end encumbrances, was read by title only, and laid on the table until March 18, 2003 for a second reading. 17. OTHER BUSINESS A. DISCUSSION OF PROCEDURE FOR COUNCIUCOMMITTEE REVIEW OF CASINO GAMBLING TAX ISSUES After dialogue between Council members and members of the audience, it was decided there would be two open public meetings; one held in the afternoon from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. and one in the evening from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Both meetings would be held at the Yakima Convention Center. The date will be determined and announced after Council members have an opportunity to check their schedules. 5 MARCH 4 2003 3 21 Mike Davis of the Caribbean Casino said he would like two parts to each meeting, a statistical review and then allowing citizens to speak their opinions. Mayor Place requested Mr. Davis meet with the City Treasurer's office to compare numbers and sources to make sure we are comparing like numbers. City Manager Zais said he would like to be involved in that financial meeting as well. After further discussion it was decided this taxing issue would include only house - banked card games at this time. MATTSON MOVED AND PUCCINELLI SECONDED TO DIRECT STAFF TO BRING BACK A RESOLUTION AT THE NEXT.GENERAL BUSINESS MEETING ON THE THREE IRRIGATION ALTERNATIVES. Council members expressed an unwillingness to vote on a choice at this time. Further work is being done on the funding methods for the alternatives and until that is available Council Members Sims and George are not willing to vote on a resolution. Council Member Mattson cautioned that we don't want to get into an "analysis paralysis" and we "need to move ahead soon. Council Member George suggested that if there is a different funding option for Alternative #1 he would like to see the funding options for Alternative #2 reviewed as well. Council Member Buchanan said that if we are revising the options another public hearing would be in order. Derek LaFramboise, 606 South 32 Avenue, said the Council should slow down, investigate every possible opportunity and then make a sound decision. He also said that if there are now new alternatives, they should be brought before the public. Council Member Mattson said the fundamental question hasn't changed. It is do we want to convert the 308 to domestic water or do we not. The funding issue comes after that decision. Lynne Kittelson, 305 North 9 Street, took this opportunity to express her opinion on the alternatives. She said she feels that some of the options are playing the 308 district against the other irrigation districts. She is a 308 district resident and thinks they are being discriminated against for where they chose to live. The residents at the public hearings have said that they cannot afford to take a chance on what it's going to cost for treated water. Rita Anson, Director of Finance and Budget, explained the workload of that department and advised that if they had to get the funding information ready for a resolution to be presented at the next business meeting, the other projects schedules would be impacted. MATTSON WITHDREW THE MOTION. It was the consensus of Council to bring a resolution forward to Council within 60 days to make a decision on the irrigation issue. • Meade Avenue Project report Kay Adams, City Engineer, responded to Council Member Barnett's earlier question regarding the Mead Avenue project. They are moving forward on obtaining the rights - of -way by acquiring properties. It currently appears that this project will be completed this summer. 6 322 • MARCH 4, 2003 18. ADJOURNMENT BUCHANAN MOVED AND SIMS SECONDED TO ADJOURN THE MEETING. The motion carried by unanimous roll call vote. The meeting adjourned at 3:40 p.m. READ AND CERTIFIED ACCURATE BY: i VOUNCIL MEMBE ATE Cs NCIL MEMBER . DAT ATTEST: Kaitz„, / 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 1 • 7