HomeMy WebLinkAbout03/22/2005 Business Meeting 1
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CITY OF YAKIMA, WASHINGTON
BUSINESS MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
MARCH 22, 2005 - 2:00 P.M.
COUNCIL CHAMBERS - CITY HALL
1. RoII Call
Present:
Council: Mayor Paul George, presiding, Council Members Ron Bonlender,
Dave Edler, Neil McClure, Mary Place, Bernard Sims, and Susan
Whitman
Staff: City Manager Zais, City Attorney Paolella and City Clerk Roberts
2. Invocation /Pledge of Allegiance
Council Member McClure gave an invocation, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance
led by Council Member Bonlender.
3. Open Discussion for the Good of The Order /Special Presentations
• Governor's proposed budget
Mayor George announced that the City has been advised that Governor Gregoire put
$4 million in the State budget to begin the restoration of North Front Street as well as
$360,000 to complete Kiwanis Park.
• National League of Cities Conference
Council Members that attended the conference in Washington D.C. commented on
various aspects of the trip. They visited a number of departments, and felt they were
well received. One of the items they were pursuing was $3 million in funding to help
complete two railroad underpasses as well as funding for expansion of the interchange
at 40 Avenue and Highway 12 (with the Department of Transportation). With the
business people who also went on the trip, there was an impressive showing from
Yakima. While there, they spoke forcefully about the importance of our Community
Development Block Grant money. The entire National Association of Cities focused
on saving these monies for our communities. During their visit, the Senate acted to
keep it and potentially increase it. There were many subjects discussed, e.g. highway
funds for TRANS - action, the proposal to tax Internet sales, and the rewrite of the
Telecommunications Act to name a few. It was noted that the business people who
went on the trip paid their own way and Council Member Place went as the President
of the Association of Washington Cities who paid her way. City Manager Zais
summarized that the proof bears out in time that these efforts make a difference. We
have generated millions of dollars from these efforts over the years, and it helps keep
our tax base low.
A. Proclamations
None
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B. Appointments to Boards and Commissions
BONLENDER MOVED AND PLACE SECONDED TO REAPPOINT TROY EMMONS AND
STEVEN FOSTER TO THE HOUSING AUTHORITY BOARD. The motion carried by
unanimous voice vote.
PLACE MOVED AND WHITMAN SECONDED TO APPOINT SALLY MAYO TO THE
BICYCLE PEDESTRIAN COMMITTEE. The motion carried by unanimous voice vote.
PLACE MOVED AND WHITMAN SECONDED TO REAPPOINT MIKE NIXON AND ROD
BRYANT TO THE PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION. The motion carried by
unanimous voice vote.
C. Special Presentations
Del Mathews re: Yakima Market
Mr. Mathews used this time to submit a complaint regarding the Planning and
Codes Department and requested the City Council look into it. His major
complaint was with regard to employee attitudes and receiving deterrents
rather than help. He went into specific issues he experienced with the Yakima
Market. He claimed he was not the only one experiencing problems and
submitted the results of an impromptu survey on a vote of no confidence for
the Planning and Codes department.
Council Member Place said that several things have arisen lately with regard to
those departments, mainly because many of the codes need to be scrubbed,
but we have not had the time. Hopefully, we'll take the time. City Manager
Zais responded to Mr. Matthews by advising that with a complaint of this nature
City Administration will investigate it in depth and report back to Council.
Workforce Development 2005 Job Fair on April 12, 2005
This item was deferred until the April 5 meeting.
D. Status report on prior meeting's citizen service request
Rousch /Campeau follow - up
Joe Caruso, Supervising Code Inspector, summarized what has been happening over
the last two plus years. Mr. Campeau's property is in foreclosure right now and the
renter who has been living there, Mr. Wilson, is taking an option to purchase it. They
are working on an agreement so a survey won't be necessary. Once that is done
Mr. Wilson will obtain a permit and will cut the garage back 3 -5 feet.
4. Consent Agenda
Mayor George 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. 9 was removed from the Consent Agenda. The City
Clerk read the Consent Agenda items, including resolutions and ordinances by
title. SIMS MOVED AND PLACE 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.)
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*A. Approval of the minutes of the January 11 and 25, 2005 Adjourned
meetings and the February 1 and March 1, 2005 Business meetings
The minutes of the January 11 and 25, 2005 Adjourned meetings and the
February 1 and March 1, 2005 Business meetings 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
Mike Murphy, 4411 Snow Mountain Road, stated that City codes need to be strict
in order to prevent situations similar to that involving the Doty housing project and
the Coson code compliance violation from occurring again in the future.
PUBLIC HEARING
6. Public Hearing to consider the sale of property to the Washington State
Department of Transportation for the new SR -24 Bridge project
Jeff Peters, Associate Planner, explained that RCW 39.330.20 requires a
public hearing on the disposal of surplus property with a value of $50,000,
therefore a hearing for public comment is required on this transaction. He then
introduced Don Whitehouse, Regional Administrator for the Department of
Transportation.
Mr. Whitehouse gave an update on the progress and a schedule for the
project. He also distributed informational folios. He said this unique project is
going to handle traffic capacity for next 30 years. He described how they will
actually be doing some work for the City of Yakima by extending a 30" sewer
line and putting in a water line. He discussed costs and schedules and advised
that they will be opening bids on April 13 There will be about $700,000
dedicated for landscaping on the project, with a "Welcome to Yakima" basalt
rockery and landscaping on Nob Hill Boulevard. The project will also contain a
pedestrian -bike path. The traffic flow will be open throughout construction.
Russ Gilbert, Attorney for the project, said the only purpose of today's hearing
is to take public comment. No other Council action is needed at this time.
• Mayor George opened the public hearing
Mike Murphy, 4411 Snow Mountain Road, spoke in favor of the project. He
also took the opportunity to compliment the signage at Chesterley Park.
Council Member Edler asked Mr. Whitehouse if there is anything looming out
there that could sidetrack the project. Mr. Whitehouse said the only other
outstanding issue is one property on Riverside across from Central Pre -Mix.
The property owner has been unwilling to negotiate. They will build around the
property if necessary.
• Mayor George closed the public hearing
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CITY MANAGER'S REPORTS
7. Consideration of Resolution authorizing execution of a professional services
agreement with Huckell/Weinman Associates for environmental review
services concerning the possible siting and construction of a Wal -Mart store
City Manager Zais opened the discussion. He spoke about the environmental
review process to date for the proposed siting of the Wal -Mart and the rezone
submitted for 64 Avenue. The City previously retained the services of a consultant,
Reid Shockey, and those expenses have been reimbursed by Wal -Mart. This item is
another area of review identified in the public meeting process that took place when
the EIS was issued. It is an area of concern, raised in testimony, for an
environmental review that focused on an economic environmental analysis. Staff
searched for someone who specialized in this type of review and analysis. An
agreementhas been prepared to retain Huckell/Weinman Associates for this work.
The cost is just under $22,000 and is reimbursable from Wal -Mart. City Attorney
Paolella said it is an analysis to deal with potential environmental facts resulting from
changing economic circumstances. It is very technical and does not involve a purely
socio- economic approach but rather what environmental effects could flow from the
analysis. State law describes how that is to be done. The timing of the analysis was
discussed. Mr. Zais noted that the EIS covers all sites, 72 Avenue and the two
sites proposed at 64 Avenue. In response to questions, Mr. Paolella explained that
the purpose of this analysis is not to determine what the economic competition
effects will be on other businesses, but rather analyze the environmental impacts,
the community impacts, that will result from competition. It is a fine distinction. The
City Clerk read the resolution by title only; SIMS MOVED AND EDLER SECONDED
TO ADOPT THE RESOLUTION. The motion carried by unanimous roll call vote.
RESOLUTION NO. R- 2005 -49, A RESOLUTION authorizing the City Manager of
the City of Yakima to execute a "Consultants Agreement" with Huckell/Weinman
Associates, Inc., and Northern Economics, Inc., for environmental review services
concerning environmental impacts related to economic competition issues regarding
the possible siting and construction of a retail facility by the WaI - Mart Company in
the Nob HiII /Meadowbrook/Tieton area of the City of Yakima.
Mayor George took this opportunity to recognize two Boy Scouts in the audience; Sterling
Tebbis and Andrew Beecher, who are working to become Eagle Scouts.
*8. Consideration of a Resolution authorizing submission of law enforcement
grant application with the Department of Justice and authorizing
corresponding interlocal agreement with Yakima County
RESOLUTION NO. R- 2005 -50, A RESOLUTION, authorizing an application for a
grant in the total amount of $78,464 from the United States Department of Justice,
Bureau of Justice Administration, Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant
Program, and designating and authorizing the City Manager to act as the official
representative of the City of Yakima and to take such additional steps, including but
not limited to execution of all documents and contracts necessary to complete said
grant transaction.
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9. Consideration of Resolution establishing policies and procedures for the
naming of public parks and Parks and Recreation facilities
Council Member Place had this item removed from consent to suggest that the
resolution be modified to read that a name should be permanent and that name
changes not be allowed. Council Member Bonlender did not agree. Denise Nichols,
Parks and Recreation Manager, related that they had looked at about 50 different
cities for policies and best practices on naming parks. They found an overwhelming
consensus that once a park name is bestowed it not be changed, although a few
cities allowed it to occur under unusual circumstances. She said we do have parks
that have a common name, not an adopted name and in the future, if the Council
wished to name a park, those would be available to be changed. But once a name
is bestowed it becomes permanent. Council Member Edler restated the issue for
clarification; the reason it is written this way is that under the suggested revision the
Pine Street Park would not be able to be changed, if we did want to name it
something else, this loophole would be necessary. Mrs. Nichols pointed out that
they did supply Council with a list of parks and their names. Some are what they call
unnamed parks, small parcels named after the street address. The City Clerk
read the resolution by title only; PLACE MOVED AND SIMS SECONDED TO
MODIFY SECTION 4 OF THE RESOLUTION BY PUTTING A PERIOD (.) AFTER
THE WORD "PERMANENT" AND STRIKING THE WORDS CHANGES SHOULD
BE STRONGLY RESISTED. The motion carried by a 4 -3 roll call vote; McClure,
Bonlender and Edler voting nay. The question was called for a vote on the
amended resolution. The amended resolution carried by unanimous roll call vote.
RESOLUTION NO. R- 2005 -51, A RESOLUTION establishing policies and
procedures relating to the naming of public parks and parks and recreation related
facilities.
*10. Approval of a Right -of -Way Use Permit for Avail Home Nursing for a sign at
4706 West Nob Hill Boulevard
The Right -of -Way Use Permit to install a business sign extending into the right -of-
way at 4706 W. Nob Hill Blvd., as requested by Avail Home Nursing, was approved.
ORDINANCES
*11. Second reading of Ordinance amending the 2005 budget and appropriating
funds for 2004 encumbrances
An Ordinance amending the 2005 budget and appropriating funds for 2004
year -end encumbrances, previously having been read by title only, was
brought before the Council for a second reading.
ORDINANCE NO. 2005 -15, AN ORDINANCE amending the 2005 budget for the
City of Yakima; and making appropriations for 2004 Year -End Encumbrances from
Unappropriated Fund Balances within various Funds for expenditure during 2005.
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*12. First Reading of Ordinance amending the 2005 budget and appropriating
funds for construction of wastewater main improvement related to the
expansion of the Cub Crafters Manufacturing Facility (no action required this
meeting; second reading scheduled 4/5/05)
An Ordinance amending the 2005 budget and appropriating funds for the construction
of wastewater main improvements related to the expansion of the Cub Crafters
manufacturing facility, was read by title only, and laid on the table until April 5, 2005 for
a second reading.
13. Other Business
Council Member Sims reminded the Council of the need to keep abreast of
committee memberships and take action in.a timely manner when committees need
appointments. Mayor George commented that we have received a lot of interest in
the new Historic Preservation Committee that is about to be created.
City Manager Zais distributed the latest update of activities on bills being tracked by
AWC and ourselves in the current Legislative session. A number of bills that would
have been beneficial to us have lapsed and are, essentially, no longer on the table.
There is a bill that would provide a one -time situation of funding to distressed cities
and counties. The City would derive a one -time payment of $100,000 from that bill if
it were to pass. The Streamline Sales Tax (SST) legislation is still moving forward.
Council Member Place said she went to a meeting with western states, four of whom
said they were coming out totally against streamlining sales tax (Oregon, Alaska,
Arizona, and Colorado). Council Member Place was thanked for the leadership she
provided at this last session. As a result of her efforts, the agenda held more
Eastern Washington issues.
Council Member Bonlender advised that he has attended Yakima Downtown
Association meetings and has talked about lifting the moratorium on "Cruising the
Ave" for two weekends each year; the first weekend of summer (June 18/19 and
the first weekend of August (6 & 7 when the Vintiques are in town. The idea would
be event driven to allow times where we could "Cruise the Ave from 7 p.m. to 11
p.m. to bring an energy downtown. At YDA the suggestion passed unanimously
and the Police Chief has agreed as long as he knows in advance so he can staff for
it. The Chamber of Commerce was positive about it but are going to bring it to their
Executive Board. Mr. Bonlender asked to either make a motion to adopt it today or
put it on a future agenda. City Manager Zais said it would be appropriate to bring it
back as an ordinance change. He also suggested that YDA might want to be there
to speak to it. After further discussion it was the consensus of Council to bring it
back as an ordinance change with those two events. Council Member Whitman
suggested taking this issue to the Public Safety Committee.
• Information Items -
Items of information provided to Council were: March 2005 Spotlight on 2015; Yakima
County Planning Division; Agenda for the March 24, 2005 Hearing Examiner meeting; 4
Quarter 2004 Municipal Court/Probation Office Statistics; Planning Division Assignments
Pending as of March 22, 2005; and 2005 Washington Infrastructure Report Card
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14. Executive Session regarding Pending and Prospective Litigation
McCLURE MOVED AND SIMS SECONDED TO GO INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION
FOR APPROXIMATELY ONE HOUR WITH ADJOURNMENT THEREAFTER TO
7 :30 A.M. MARCH 29, 2005 FOR A STUDY SESSION ON A REPORT FROM
PARKS AND RECREATION REGARDING THE MECHANICAL CONDITIONS OF
POOLS AND RECOMMENDATIONS FROM THE BUDGET STRATEGY TEAM
AND PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION. The motion carried by
unanimous voice vote.
15. Adjournment
Following the Executive Session the meeting adjourned at 5:00 p.m.
READ AND CERTIFIED ACCURATE BY
C011 ( EMBER DATE
OUNCIL M MBER DATE
ATTEST:
5 / . 1 ,
CITY CLERK PAUL P. GEORGE, MAYO `
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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