HomeMy WebLinkAbout03/08/2005 Adjourned Meeting 8 3
ADJOURNED MEETING
MARCH 8, 2005 - 7:30 A.M. - 9:00 A.M.
YAKIMA CITY HALL - COUNCIL CHAMBERS
1. RoII Call
Present:
Council: Mayor Paul George, presiding, Council Members Ron Bonlender,
Dave Edler, Neil McClure, Mary Place, Bernard Sims (after 7:40 a.m.),
and Susan Whitman
Staff: City Manager Zais, Michael Morales, Economic and Community
Specialist, and Acting City Clerk Watkins
2. 2005 Federal Legislative Issues (7:30 a.m. - 8:00 a.m.)
City Manager Zais explained that the Federal Issues list is prepared each year to
advance the City's agenda in Washington, D.C. for financial support on capital projects
and issues that impact us. The biggest issue this year is the Economic Development
Program that is potentially at risk. The intent of this meeting is to ensure the entire
Council has a chance to review and discuss the list.
Council Member Place commented that Governor Gregoire is visiting Yakima on
Thursday. It is expected that she will declare a drought at that time and a copy of that
declaration can betaken to Washington DC with the delegation. A meeting is expected
with the Bureau of Reclamation to discuss the Black Rock project.
Council Member McClure raised strong concerns about the announcement that the
government is thinking about cutting research money for agriculture through the Hatch
Act. This would be a huge impact for this area and he would like to add the need for
continued funding to the list to be discussed. The Council agreed.
Michael Morales advised that the transportation issue might hit the House floor while
they are there, as well as the President's budget request that has a lot of block grant and
law enforcement funding in it. He also noted changes in the document such as the
Yakima Resource announcement, and adding the Brownsfield redevelopment money.
Council Member Edler asked about the transportation funding request and was advised
that, although the majority of the work will be handled by the state, we were encouraged
by Representative Hastings and Senator Cantwell to submit an application as well. We
have done that. Council Member Edler suggested that the entities involved in TRANS -
action receive these documents so they are aware of the City's commitment.
City Attorney Paolella described the William 0. Douglas trail concept as a different way
of thinking about existing resources such as sidewalks and pathways already in
existence. The plan is to connect them together in a low cost manner. This would be
multiple agencies working together; local, state, federal as well as nonprofit
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organizations, providing recreational opportunities for the public. It would highlight
unique historical aspects of our community and be an economic development tourism
idea to bring people to Yakima.
City Manager Zais spoke of a recent briefing on the gang intervention efforts that
involved federal and local officials. One of the tools being sought was the Weed and
Seed application. It was denied due to funding, however Jim McDivett, U.S. Attorney
from Spokane, said he would support another application. He is committed to try to get
us back into the loop even with the limited funding.
3. Presentation on Proposed Regional Critical Areas Ordinance and Shoreline
Master Program
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Steve Erickson, Yakima County Planning Services Division Manager, introduced Senior
Project Planner, John Marvin, and Public Outreach Planner, Ryan Hopkins, who were
available to give a status report of the update to Yakima County's Critical Area
Ordinance and Shoreline Master Program. Mr. Erickson gave background information.
In the early 1970's, Yakima County adopted a Shoreline Master Program as a follow -up
to a referendum passed by citizens of the state designed to protect the state's
shorelines. Fourteen cities and towns in the valley signed on and, therefore, there is a
regional Master Shoreline Program in place. It was updated once in 1980. In 1990 the
Growth Management Act (GMA) came about and brought with it a number of new
policies. In 1995 Yakima County adopted its current Critical Areas Ordinance and
Shoreline Master Program integrating the GMA requirements. That action was followed
by Yakima County's adoption of its Comprehensive Plan that brought forward some of
the policies in the Shoreline Master Program. That is the platform shared with the City of
Yakima. They are now dealing with the requirement established by the state to evaluate
the critical areas requirements against best available science and address three areas
not previously addressed. They did not previously address the critical aquifer recharge
areas, geologically hazardous areas, and the upland wildlife habitat. Mr. Erickson
referred to the development of a critical areas atlas and the new precision and accuracy
of mapping. He spoke about the state legislature adopting legislation requiring the
update of the critical areas codes by 2002, later revised to a deadline of 2006. They
have initiated public involvement with cities and towns through a countywide Planning
Policy Committee. They invited the City of Yakima's participation in the effort of
determining what a new critical areas code and shoreline code would entail. The County
will write their code and would like the City to look at it and make a choice as to whether
they want to maintain a separate Shoreline Master Program or integrate the documents
as the County has done.
Council Member Place asked for a recommendation from staff as to what documents
should be used to compare against best available science. Doug Maples, Code
Compliance and Planning Manager, said the present staff does not have the expertise to
answer that question and recommended we have a consultant look at the document and
provide Council with appropriate recommendations.
Council Member McClure expressed concerns about the timing that the County is using.
The smallest portion of the document, about 10 %, is the Critical Areas Ordinance due in
2006. The Shoreline Program is not mandated until 2013 and he wants to be sure we
don't get caught up with trying to tie the two together. He pointed out that a number of
issues were requested to be included in the document a year ago and they are still not
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ADJOURNED MEETING - MARCH 8, 2005
there; e.g. net ecological function and clarifying the language used. Council Member
Place also was concerned about timing and the potential of losing eligibility for Public
Trust Fund dollars if we miss the December 1, 2006 schedule due to trying to tie the two
documents together.
Mr. Erickson said the next stage of the project would address the specifics that are
applicable to the City and may be useful for the City to include in their own Critical Areas
code. The Planning Commission has asked the Board to give them the time to
coordinate goals and policies with ordinance language so policies are clear and their
effects are known. At a County -Wide Planning Policy Committee meeting,
Commissioner Leita asked committee members what timeframe do the cities and towns
need in order to fold all this in and make decisions. They set an ambitious date of
September 1, 2005. Ryan Hopkins advised there are seven cities that have shoreline
issues. Currently all of those cities share the same document.
Council Member Edler asked for clarification; once the County goes through their
process, will the City hire someone to look at that document and make
recommendations on how the City would alter it for their own document? Mr. Maples
clarified there is work that needs to be done before bringing a recommendation to the
Council, such as bringing the document before the Regional Planning Commission
(RPC) and holding a public hearing. A SEPA review will also have to be done, and a
review process must be completed before going to the RPC. It may be that the City will
be on a parallel path with the County to meet the time schedule. A consultant is not
budgeted but an estimate will be developed for Council's review. Keith Wolfe, who has
worked with the City before was suggested as a potential consultant on the project.
Council Member Place noted that House Bill 2117 would defer the GMA requirements
and, therefore, the Critical Areas Ordinance for another year, but we do not know if it will
pass. Discussion then covered the role of a consultant and the difference between the
City and the County requirements. Council Member Sims expressed concern about the
SR 24 linkage and annexation and what the impact would be with regard to wetlands
and flood zones. Staff will begin defining the scope and funding for a consultant for
Council's review at a later date.
Mr. Erickson clarified that under state law, cities, towns and counties are required to
protect wetlands, frequently flooded areas, geological hazardous areas, the critical
aquifer recharge areas, sensitive aquifers that could be contaminated, and fish and
wildlife habitats.
City Manager Zais noted this is the first of many review sessions. We will follow it
closely and both the City and County staff pledge to work together on it. Mr. Erickson
summarized that from this session he realizes the need to set up an urban work group
quickly to begin working on the things the cities are concerned with so when the
Planning Commission starts tackling it, they will have help for them.
4. Audience Comments (8:45 a.m. — 9:00 a.m.)
There were none.
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Council Member Sims raised the issue of Boards and Commissions that need
appointments. He addressed the Parks and Recreation Commission's three vacancies.
Two individuals are willing to be reappointed, Mike Nixon and Rod Bryant. But Phil
Hoge is stepping down. He would like to reappoint Mike Nixon and Rod Bryant, and
would like to encourage applicants for the other vacancy.
Mayor George requested an update from Dave Brown, Water and Irrigation Manager,
about how the City is going to deal with the drought. Mr. Brown said we can separate
the two water systems and went into specific details of how they would use the
contracted water and the wells to support the domestic system. The plan with the
irrigation water is to shut off the system September 30 15 days early. If the cfs drops
in August they will supplement it with contract water. They expect to be okay through
August and are hoping the new pipe will allow operation on 13 cfs without having to
supplement. The area where they expect trouble is those serviced by the Fruitvale
Canal systems. The diversion is in terrible shape and we are not permitted to do more
with it than we currently are. They are almost certain that in July and August, and
maybe part of June, they will be doing three -day rotations in the Fruitvale Canal system.
Mr. Brown then gave an update on the irrigation construction project for the 2004 -2005
season. They have replaced more pipe than anticipated and accomplished more than
they thought they could even though they found problems they did not expect. Irrigation
water is expected to be turned on Monday, April 4th
5. Adjournment
BONLENDER MOVED AND SIMS SECONDED TO ADJOURN. The motion carried by
unanimous voice vote. The meeting adjourned at 9:18 a.m.
READ AND CERTIFIED ACCURATE BY � aC�'
C N EMBER DATE
COUNCIL MEMBER DATE
ATTEST:
CITY CLERK PAUL P. GEORGE, MAYOR
Minutes prepared by Linda Watkins. An audio and video tape of this meeting are available in the City Clerk's
Office
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