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HomeMy WebLinkAbout11/18/2003 Business Meeting I 41 CITY OF YAKIMA, WASHINGTON BUSINESS MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL NOVEMBER 18, 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 Puccinelli gave an invocation, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance led by Council Member George. 3. Open Discussion for the Good of The Order /Special Presentation A. Proclamations • Next Step Housing Week Mayor Place read a proclamation declaring November 17 -21, 2003 as Next Step Housing Week. John Mifsud accepted the proclamation. B. Status report on prior meeting's citizen service request None at this time. 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 PUCCINELLI 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.) 5. Audience Participation Lynne Kittelson, 305 North 9 Street, took this opportunity to invite members of the Council to a program sponsored by the League of Women Voters and Yakima Valley Library, entitled the State of our Community. Barbara Greco who works with the community visioning program, For a Better Tomorrow, thanked the Council for support they have received in years past through the budget. She supplied a packet of updates on their accomplishments including projects they have been involved in, and that are currently in process. Maud Scott, of Southeast Yakima, asked if the cameras located at the arterial signals could be used to obtain information on vehicles that do not abide by the law when emergency vehicles are trying to maneuver through the intersections. She was r 42 NOVEMBER 18, 2003 advised that the cameras are not set up to do that. They are currently only used to change the lights for emergency vehicles. Jim Evans, 4405 Summitview Avenue, shared his concerns relating to Kissel Park drainage and the steepness of the parking lot at the new senior center. He then expressed his opinion about the high wages for city employees stating we have to take better care of our dollars. PUBLIC HEARING 6. Public hearing on proposed 2004 budget • Outside Agency Requests (Budget Pages 11-3) Rita Anson, Director of Budget and Finance, advised that there is only one new request for funding that has not been funded in the past. • Mayor Place opened the public hearing The agencies that had representatives present to speak were: ➢ Office of Emergency Management — Jim Hall, Director of Yakima Valley Office of Emergency Management, explained they were formed by agreement among 14 cities, towns, and the County back in 1984. Mayor Place clarified that this is a per capita assessment and the Office of Emergency Management is a state requirement. Mr. Hall reported that the per capita assessment has not changed for the last three years. He then distributed a list of current projects. ➢ Regional Clean Air Authority — Les Ornelas, Executive Director and Air Pollution Control Officer for Yakima County, explained the per capita assessment for this agency. He also said that, because of efficiencies, they reduced the per capita from 39 cents to 34 cents previously, and for 2004, it is $0.1588 for a total of $12,564. ➢ New Vision — Dave McFadden, President Yakima County Development Association, supplied statistics supporting their success. Based on an impact study conducted this summer, he said that the City is receiving $6 to $7 return for every $1 invested in this program. ➢ Allied Arts — Elizabeth Harris Miller, Director, advised that there were 4,300 people served this year. She described how they leverage the funds they receive from the City and asked for continued support. ➢ Sunfair Association — Bev Luby Bartz, 114 North 7 Street, emphasized the importance of keeping the parade in Yakima Council of Governments — Don Skone, Executive Director, described the organization. He said their primary function is transportation planning and that they are a clearing house for both federal and state transportation dollars. Through their efforts, several million dollars a year flow into the Yakima urban area and other communities. He said that, although their 2 r r' NOVEMBER 18, 2003 budget is down about' % this year (about $2,500), the City's assessment is up about $2,500. This is due to an increased amount of federal planning dollars that they receive that have to be matched locally and that match is spread among the communities on a per capita basis. It had been pointed out earlier by Council Member George, that the City's assessment is what enables us to receive approximately $750,000 of Surface Transportation funds. Black Rock Reservoir — Chuck Klarich introduced Sid Morrison who is the Chairman of the Board on this project. Mr. Morrison, described the project emphasizing its size, and the multitude of benefits. He said they have been successful getting money at the congressional and state level that goes to the Bureau of Reclamation. There are 30,000 members in the alliance. Charlie DeLaChapelle gave a status report of the project. They have received federal authorization to conduct the study and federal and state money ($6.5 million) for the Bureau of Reclamation to conduct the feasibility study. The Bureau says the study will take five years, but they hope to minimize that timeframe. Rockey Marshall, Board member, described the benefits that would come to Yakima in the means of economic development. They are asking for $5,000 a month for the next twelve months. Chamber of Commerce - Gary Webster, President and CEO, spoke about the Leadership Yakima program and described last year's community project, "Community Pride Month ". He shared that a recent survey of graduates of the program showed they were involved in some form of leadership in excess of 300 community organizations. Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) — Deborah Wilson, Director, described the program noting that they had 587 active members this year who contributed 119,973 hours throughout Yakima county. Bill Lover, 2507 West Yakima, described himself as retired military, and a retired Quality Assurance Manager from Boeing. He spoke about his experience with finance audits and how to use them as a performance improvement tool. He approached the City's 2004 budget in that manner. He had a number of specific questions regarding organizational structure. He also had reviewed Parks and Recreation's recent reorganization and raised detailed questions about it. Council Member Sims complimented Mr. Lover on the effort he had put into his review and said he would like to meet with him at a later time to discuss his insights. Mike Murphy, 4411 Snow Mountain Road, criticized employee wages. • Mayor Place closed the public hearing CITY MANAGER'S REPORTS 7. Consideration of appointments to the Local Review Board for Historic Preservation Bev Luby Bartz, 114 North 7 Street, requested this decision be deferred until the next meeting to take a better look at those who have applied. Vaughn 3 4 4 NOVEMBER 18, 2003 McBride, Community Development Specialist, emphasized that we are up against a state mandate to review all historic preservation applications no later than December 31 of this year. Therefore, there is not enough time to delay for two more weeks. Maud Scott, Southeast Yakima, spoke about the scope of the committee. Following discussion on what the committee needs to do by the end of the year, discussion then centered on Mrs. Scott's suggestions for the functions of the committee in the future. She spoke about the need for historic preservation for residential as well as commercial properties. SIMS MOVED AND GEORGE SECONDED TO APPOINT THE SEVEN PEOPLE RECOMMENDED BY THE SUBCOMMITTEE (Pam Aylmer, Michael Casey, E. Thomas Culpepper, Stephanie Gilmore, Randall Leofsky, David Lynx, and Nancy Rayner). Lynne Kittelson, said she understood that in order to get the tax credit, you have to have the work done by a contractor. The people who are restoring historic residential properties in her area are doing the work themselves and from that standpoint won't qualify to apply to this program. Mrs. Scott demanded an answer to the question of when and how this will be amended. Council Member Sims directed staff to review the public request and to invite Mrs. Scott to detail the specifics of her request and have it reviewed by the group. Mr. McBride said that will have to happen after the first of the year. Mrs. Luby Bartz asked Council to vote the motion down and to take a second look at the people who have applied for this position. The question was called for a vote on the motion. The motion carried by unanimous voice vote. *8. Consideration of Resolution authorizing execution of Intergovernmental Agreement with the U.S. Department of Interior, Bureau of Reclamation, for Fish Screens and Passage Facilities in the Fruitvale Canal RESOLUTION NO. R- 2003 -139, A RESOLUTION authorizing and directing the City Manager to execute an intergovernmental agreement with the United States Department of Interior, Bureau of Reclamation, for the operation and maintenance of fish screens and fish passage facilities in the Fruitvale Canal, Yakima County, Washington. • *9. Consideration of Resolution authorizing execution of a contract with TALX Corporation for unemployment insurance claims management RESOLUTION NO. R- 2003 -140, A RESOLUTION authorizing and directing the City Manager to execute a professional services agreement with TALX Corporation for the provision of unemployment claim management services. *10. Consideration of Resolution authorizing the submission of a grant application to the Interagency Committee for Outdoor Recreation for repairs to the Eisenhower tennis courts RESOLUTION NO. R- 2003 -141, A RESOLUTION authorizing an application for funding assistance for a Youth Athletic Facilities Program (YAF) project to the Interagency Committee for Outdoor Recreation (IAC) as provided in Chapter 79A.25. RCW. 4 4.5 NOVEMBER 2003 *11. Consideration of Joint Resolution with Yakima County to approve Yakima Air Terminal 2003 Budget Amendment No. 1 and 2004 budget RESOLUTION NO. R- 2003 -142, A JOINT RESOLUTION WITH THE BOARD OF YAKIMA COUNTY COMMISSIONERS in the matter of approving Yakima Air Terminal - McAllister Field 2003 Budget Amendment No. , 1 and 2004 Budget. *12. Consideration of Resolution authorizing execution of professional services agreement with Traho Architects regarding City Hall space and renovation analysis RESOLUTION NO. R- 2003 -143, A RESOLUTION authorizing and directing the City Manager of the City of Yakima to execute an architectural services agreement with Traho Architects, P.S., to provide architectural services regarding asbestos abatement and renovation options for Yakima City Hall. *13. Consideration of resolution extending authorization for the City Manager to resolve and settle any claims against the City in an amount of $100,000 or less RESOLUTION NO. R- 2003 -144, A RESOLUTION authorizing the City Manager of the City of Yakima to resolve and settle any claims against the City in an amount of $100,000 or less, and to execute all documents necessary to the resolution or settlement of such claims. *14. Consideration of report from Office of Neighborhood Development Services on the Fruitvale Water and Sewer Project The report on the status of the project to extend water and sewer into the Fruitvale area, known as the Fruitvale Water and Sewer Project, was accepted. CLOSED RECORD PUBLIC HEARING 15. Closed/Record Public Meeting to consider the Hearing Examiner's recommendation for a variance for access to property located at 201 South 88 Avenue, requested by Gaylord Newby Mary Lovell, Associate Planner, explained that this is a closed record public meeting for a variance to allow access to four parcels of property via a private road. The public hearing was held September 25, 2003 and the Hearing Examiner rendered his decision October 9 to approve the variance. Staff recommends upholding the Hearing Examiner's recommendation. Council Members had no ex parte disclosures to declare. In response to the question of whether the road meets City standards, Mrs. Lovell advised that it is a private road that was built in the County and approved by the County. It has asphalt, a sidewalk, gutters and curbs. It will require a sidewalk on the other side. It will remain a private road, and they will pay for all road improvements. The Association has endorsed this plan. • Mayor Place opened the public meeting. 5 4,6 NOVEMBER 18, 2003 Bill Hordan, 410 North 2 Street, elaborated on the question of meeting City standards saying that the road surface is 30 feet wide with a foot and half of curb and gutter on each side. He also said that the Hearing Examiner's recommended conditions are acceptable. • Mayor Place closed the public meeting. SIMS MOVED AND PUCCINELLI SECONDED TO APPROVE THE HEARING EXAMINER'S RECOMMENDATION AND CONDITIONS. The motion carried by unanimous roll call vote. 16. Other Business • Information Items Items of information provided to Council were: 11/12/03 Yakima Fire Department News Release re: acid spill at 16 Avenue and Park Lane; Agenda for the November 19, 2003 Yakima Housing Authority Board Meeting; Article from the November 6, 2003 ' Seattle Post- lntelligencer, "Possible secret donations 'tip of the iceberg' in Strippergate "; Planning Assignments Pending as of the Week of November 4, 2003; Article from November 10, 2003 Nation's Cities Weekly re: "Senate Debates Internet Tax Bill" 17. Executive Session regarding Pending and Prospective Litigation SIMS MOVED AND PUCCINELLI SECONDED TO MOVE INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION FOR APPROXIMATELY 45 MINUTES WITH ADJOURNMENT THEREAFTER TO NOVEMBER 25 AT 8:30 A.M. FOR AN ADJOURNED MEETING AND BUDGET REVIEW AND THEN TO DECEMBER 2, 2003 AT 8:30 A.M. FOR A BUDGET REVIEW. The motion carried by unanimous voice vote. 18. Adjournment The meeting adjourned at 4:55 p.m. READ AND CERTIFIED ACCURATE BY rz.� `?�� COUNCIL MEMBER ATE COUNCIL MEM ,/ _4,,,,, D / ATE ATTEST: ae . I/ �� %�C/ 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