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HomeMy WebLinkAbout11/04/2003 Business Meeting 2 ``1 CITY OF YAKIMA, WASHINGTON BUSINESS MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL NOVEMBER 4, 2003 - 2:00 P.M. COUNCIL CHAMBERS - CITY HALL 1. Roll Call Present: Council: Mayor Mary Place, presiding, Council Members Clarence Barnett, Paul George, John Puccinelli, and Bernard Sims Staff: City Manager Zais, City Attorney Paolella and City Clerk Roberts 2. Invocation /Pledge of Allegiance Council Member Barnett led the Pledge of Allegiance. 3. Open Discussion for the Good of The Order /Special Presentation A. Proclamations • Yakima Valley Zonta Club's 50 Anniversary Mayor Place proclaimed November 5, 2003 as Yakima Valley Zonta Club's 50 Anniversary. Mary Lou Schneider accepted the proclamation on behalf of Zonta. B. Appoint Review Council Committee for the Local Review Board for Historic Preservation Mayor Place noted that two of the Council committee members for this review board are no longer on Council and as a result, two volunteers are needed. Council Members Sims and George volunteered. The Board will review the applications received to date and make recommendations to the full Council. C. Status report on prior meeting's citizen service request Joe Caruso, Supervising Code Inspector, gave an overview of activities that have taken place on the Doty project at 45 and Summitview Avenue. He also advised that they are now sending weekly status mailings out to the neighbors. Work is progressing more quickly than in the past. 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. There were no changes. The City Clerk read the Consent Agenda items, including resolutions and ordinances by title. SIMS MOVED AND GEORGE 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.) ,2.2 • NOVEMBER 4, 2003 *A. Approval of the minutes of the October 21, 2003 Business Meeting The minutes of the October 21, 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 Sandy Massong - Lloyd, 5501 West Arlington Avenue, suggested an ordinance be passed addressing the problems associated with large retail chains trying to set up stores in the City of Yakima. She also referred to legislation that is being considered by the State of Washington on no new growth for Wal -Mart within the state. Mayor Place requested she supply a copy of that information to the City. Robert Lovendusky, 508 North 63 Avenue, voiced objection to the Council taking any action on a tax increase prior to the new Council members being seated. Martin Chacon, 205 West Chestnut, asked how properties are selected for historic preservation. Mayor Place explained that we are only creating a board. She advised that the owner of the property would have to apply to be selected for historic preservation. . PUBLIC HEARING 6. Public hearing on consideration of legislation pertaining to ad valorem property tax levy for collection in 2004: A. An ordinance authorizing a 1% increase in the City's annual regular levy from the amount levied the previous year B. An ordinance fixing and levying the amount of ad valorem taxes for the 2004 budget Cindy Epperson, Financial Services Manager, gave a brief overview of the property tax levy. The 2004 operating levy is $13.2 million which is about $300,000 more than the 2003 levy. The 1% increase equates to about $129,000 and will go towards payment of LEOFF 1 Fire and Police Pension medical costs that, by law, we pay at 100 %. • Mayor Place opened the public hearing No one came forward to speak. • Mayor Place closed the public hearing In response to Mr. Lovendusky's earlier comment about delaying action on tax increases, City Manager Zais explained that this action must be turned in to the County before November 15 Therefore, it has to be done before the new council is seated. This is a statutory requirement and the statutory deadlines are set by state law. 2 .2 3 NOVEMBER 4, 2003 CITY MANAGER'S REPORTS 7. Consideration of recommendations on the 2004 Community Service Contract Awards Bill Cobabe, Office of Neighborhood Development Services Manager, explained why the timing has changed for these considerations and the process used to reach these recommendations. Submissions were reviewed by a citizen's committee and their recommendations were then reviewed by the City Council subcommittee. The subcommittee made one revision and the recommendations are now being presented to the City Council. Betty Gaudette, 701 North 6 Street, questioned why the process was changed and why the citizen's recommendations were modified. She also was displeased with the minimal amount of time they had to review the submissions requesting that next time they be given the information sooner. Luz Gutierrez, 1424 South 31 Avenue, questioned why, when the citizen's committee rated their New Americans Center as number two, it was removed by the Council subcommittee. She was advised that she would have an opportunity to discuss this at a future meeting. Council Member Puccinelli also explained that the program was removed because the subcommittee thought it was a duplication of existing programs that are in place today. Dr. Bernal Baca, 408 South l4t Avenue, spoke on behalf of this proposal. It was his opinion that it was not a duplication as this project would be a collection of data that would assist the other programs mentioned. Council reminded them that there would be a public hearing on CDBG funds December 2nd at which time they will have the opportunity to speak about their program. Lynne Kittelson, 305 North 9 street, said she has a problem with the process. She also requested the information Mr. Cobabe referred to that states that you have to have specific programs in the Action Plan from specific agencies. James A. Stewart, 1415 Jefferson, expressed disapproval of Council's spending decisions and taxes. Phil Pleasant, 1202 Fair Avenue, was displeased about the Council subcommittee making a change to the citizen committee's recommendation. SIMS MOVED AND GEORGE SECONDED TO MOVE THE RECOMMENDATIONS FORWARD TO BE INCLUDED IN THE ACTION PLAN. The motion carried by unanimous voice vote. 8. Consideration of Council Economic Committee recommendation regarding: A. Professional consulting services to develop multi -year action plans for • the Central Business District Area James Stickel, Yakima Downtown Association chairman and also on the interim Board of Directors of the Yakima Downtown Partnership, explained what has taken place to date with community strategy session groups. A vision of the downtown was developed as a gathering place for entertainment, culturally and ethnically integrated, to make it clean and safe, and to provide 3 24 NOVEMBER 4, 2003 increased residential housing. They have created a summary draft from the facilitated meetings. They are now asking for help to finish the work; to develop the plan of how to get to where we want to be with the downtown. This request is asking for help to pay for a professional to do that. Luz Gutierrez, 1424 South 31 Avenue, commented that the partnership had already received CDBG dollars in the past. She said the requested funding was not recommended by the citizen's committee and hoped their meetings were not in vain. Discussion continued clarifying where the different funds were from and how over the years the City has participated in a number of programs, small and large, that generated money from other sources, non - federal in nature. Further discussion surrounded the issue of whether or not programs were being funded more than once. Lynne Kittelson expressed concern that some agencies seem to be continuously funded and others have just given up. She also asked for copies of all the programs that were funded in this cycle. Betty Gaudette spoke again saying it was her opinion that this is a terribly flawed process. She suggestED time be scheduled to review the process for CDBG funds. Kathy Coffey, Executive Director of the Convention Center, apologized to Mrs. Gaudette and the committee and took responsibility for this request being out of the cycle. Hector Franco, 850 North 28 Avenue, explained that the citizens have been working with the City on the CDBG funds for the last month and a half and it is his perception that this project came up immediately after the citizen group met and rejected the idea. He said it was rejected because it was felt the groups underneath were not coordinated, did not have a plan, and they have other sources of money and, most importantly, did not connect with the community. Mr. Stickel countered that they have been working on this project since October 2002. James Stewart spoke again commenting on problems he has had with one of his neighbor's property on the northeast side of town, indicating it should be condemned. SIMS MOVED AND PUCCINELLI SECONDED TO APPROVE THE RECOMMENDATION TO FUND $35,000 TO CONTRACT WITH A CONSULTANT. The motion carried by unanimous roll call vote. B. Improvements to parking lot located on North Front Street adjacent to the Barrel House George Pechtel, 510 North 29 Place, introduced Craig Rath, who gave a brief history of activities on the subject parking lot. Mr. Rath, 314 North 73 Avenue, is the owner of Rath Construction and is a partner in the Barrel House Restaurant. There is a plan for a partnership between the City, the County, and the North Front Street District Association whereby the County will forego it's lease on the parking lot in lieu of an 4 25 NOVEMBER 4, 2003 undetermined number of parking spaces, andihe Front Street Association would have the opportunity to redevelop that parking lot and enhance the Front Street District for entertainment opportunities. They have plans and engineering ready to go for the parking lot and the funding they are asking for would enhance the parking lot with phase 1, lighting and landscaping. They would then go after funding next year to finish off what they hope would be an entertainment venue for the Front Street District. Mayor Place advised that we checked on the six -year Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) and don't believe it requires amendment. COUNCIL MEMBER SIMS MOVED AND PUCCINELLI SECONDED TO APPROVE $30,000 FOR CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS TO THE CITY OWNED PARKING LOT LOCATED ON NORTH FRONT STREET ADJACENT TO THE BARREL HOUSE. The motion carried by unanimous roll call vote. *9. Consideration of Resolution approving renewal of agreement with the Tri- County Water Resource Agency for office space at the Public Works Facility RESOLUTION NO. R- 2003 -137, A RESOLUTION authorizing and directing the City Manager of the City of Yakima to execute an amendment to extend the Office Use Agreement between the City and the Tri- county Water Resource Agency for an additional year. *10. Consideration of Resolution authorizing execution of amendment to the Reid Shockey contract RESOLUTION NO. R- 2003 -138, A RESOLUTION authorizing the City Manager of the City of Yakima to execute an amendment to City Contract No. 2003 -43 with Shockey Brent, Inc. for environmental review services related to the transfer of a portion of Larson Park to Yakima Valley Community College. *11. Approval of Right -of -Way Use Permit for a sign for Today's Yesteryears at 509 W. Yakima Avenue, requested by Deborah Thompson The Right -of -Way Use Permit requested by Dwinell's Visual Systems on behalf of Deborah Thompson, to install a new sign cabinet at 509 West Yakima Avenue for Today's Yesteryears was approved. *12. Set date of closed record public meeting for November 18, 2003 to consider the Hearing Examiner's recommendation for a variance for access to property located at 201 South 88`h Avenue, requested by Gaylord Newby November 18, 2003 was set as the date for a closed record public meeting to consider the Hearing Examiner's recommendation on a variance requested by Gaylord Newby for property located at 201 South 88 Avenue. 5 26 NOVEMBER 4, 2003 *13. Set date of public hearing for December 2, 2003 to consider the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and HOME Proposals December 2, 2003 was set as the date of public hearing to receive comments on the 2004 Community Development Block Grant and HOME Draft Annual Action Plan. ORDINANCES 14. Consideration of Ordinance authorizing the issuance of an Irrigation Revenue Bond City Manager Zais explained that this is the ordinance to move forward with the plans for rehabilitation and reconstruction of the City's general irrigation system. He advised that the actual sale of the bonds will not occur until early 2004. Rita Anson, Budget and Finance Director, and Tim Jensen, Treasury Services Officer, were available for questions. The opt -out option was discussed and Dave Brown, Acting Water Manager, explained that there was a list of 15 criteria that allowed people to opt out. There have been about 30 applications to opt out and about half have been approved. Phil Pleasant, 1202 Fair Avenue, had questions regarding the process and if he would get benefit of this rebuild project because they are in a Hub zone. City Manager Zais explained current status of the project and the CDBG funds available for residents to apply for individual neighborhood connections. Lynne Kittelson, 305 North Ninth Street, asked for information on what portions have already been repaired, how much of the system did the repair involve and what the repair costs were. Mr. Brown gave a general overview of repairs that have been done. The City Clerk read the ordinance by title only, SIMS MOVED AND PUCCINELLI SECONDED TO PASS THE ORDINANCE. The motion carried by a 3 - 2 roll call vote; George and Place voting nay. ORDINANCE NO. 2003 -68, AN ORDINANCE of the City of Yakima, Washington, authorizing the issuance and sale of irrigation system revenue bonds of the City in the principal amount of not to exceed $10,000,000 in one or more series and fixing the terms and covenants of the bonds. Following a brief break to change the video tape, the meeting reconvened at 4:08 p.m. *15. Consideration of Ordinance adopting the 2003 Comprehensive Plan Amendments ORDINANCE NO. 2003 -69, AN ORDINANCE concerning land use regulation and comprehensive planning; amending the Future Land Use Map the Yakima Urban Area Comprehensive Plan; changing the classification of the parcel located at 4001 Englewood Avenue on the Future Land Use Map from Medium Density Residential to 6 2 7 NOVEMBER 4, 2003 Neighborhood Commercial; changing the classification of the parcel located at 406 North 23 Avenue on the Future Land Use Map from Medium Density Residential to Neighborhood Commercial; and changing the classification of the parcel located at 1702 South 24 Avenue on the Future Land Use Map from Light Industrial to Arterial Commercial. CLOSED RECORD PUBLIC HEARING 16. Closed Record Public Hearing to consider the Hearing Examiner's recommendation on the rezone of property located at the NE corner of Douglas Drive and North 42 Avenue, requested by Dr. Michael Taylor Bruce Benson, Supervising Senior Planner, described this item as a closed record hearing to rezone 2.44 acres of property located at the corner of North 42 Avenue and Douglas Drive from R -1, Single - Family Residential, to B -1, Professional Business. There were no objections at the hearing and one letter of support was received. There will be medical office buildings put in this location. Staff recommended approval of the rezone. • Mayor Place opened the public hearing. No one came forward to speak to the issue. • Mayor Place closed the public hearing. SIMS MOVED AND BARNETT SECONDED TO APPROVETHE HEARING EXAMINER'S RECOMMENDATION WITH THE CONDITIONS STATED. The motion carried by unanimous voice vote. 17. Other Business • Information Items of information provided to Council were: Flyer on free workshops titled "City After Hours" focusing on various topics relating to property issues; 10/28/03 Letter from The Salvation Army re: Kettle Kick Off Friday, November 21; 10/28/03 Letter sent to Neighbors of N. 45 & Summitview Avenue re: Jude Doty project status; Agenda for the November 5, 2003 Community Review Board meeting; Planning Assignments Pending as of the Week of November 4, 2003; Labor Market and Economic Analysis 18. Executive Session regarding Pending Litigation and Collective Bargaining SIMS MOVED AND PUCCINELLI SECONDED TO MOVE INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION ON PENDING LITIGATION AND COLLECTIVE BARGAINING FOR APPROXIMATELY 45 MINUTES WITH ADJOURNMENT THEREAFTER TO NOVEMBER 10, 2003 FOR SPECIAL EXECUTIVE SESSION ON THE CITY MANAGER'S EVALUATION AND ANNUAL REPORT, THEN TO NOVEMBER 12, 2003 ADJOURNED BUSINESS MEETING ON'AD VALOREM PROPERTY TAX LEGISLATION AT 8:30 A.M. AND BUDGET REVIEW AT 9:00 A.M. The motion carried by unanimous voice vote. 7