HomeMy WebLinkAbout11/08/2005 Adjourned Meeting 3 2'3'
ADJOURNED MEETING
OF THE YAKIMA CITY COUNCIL
NOVEMBER 8, 2005 - 8:30 A.M. - 12:30 P.M.
COUNCIL CHAMBERS - CITY HALL
1. Roll Call
Present:
Council: Mayor Paul George, presiding, Council Members Ron Bonlender,
Dave Edler, Mary Place, Bernard Sims, and Susan Whitman
Staff: City Manager Zais, City Attorney Paolella and City Clerk Roberts
Absent: Neil McClure (excused)
2. Public Hearing to consider final assessment roll for LID No. 1056, 7 th , 8th and
9 Avenues Sewer LID (See Ordinance confirming final assessment roll)
Kay Adams, City Engineer, explained that this local improvement district (LID) to
extend the sewer main was first proposed by the citizens themselves. They came
forward with a petition of 60 -70% of the property owners. Others came forward so
we stretched the sewer extension as far as we could. During the LID process,
Council waived the connection fees for those within the city limits. They can now
remove 20 -30 failing septic tanks in the area. There are 79 parcels some of which
include more than one house. The LID is a financing tool for the citizens to use to
get the sewer put in. There were several public meetings held on how to do it and
how to assess the property owners. After reviewing multiple options, they came up
with a formula. Residents don't have to hook up at this point, although their LID
charge is the same whether they hook up or not If they hook up later, they will still
receive the benefit of the waived connection fee because they are part of the
project.
• Mayor George opened the public hearing
Lee Curry, who lives on S. 7 Avenue, referenced an RCW that refers to a portion
of a system improvement must be against the state or county or city. He said that
the City should be paying a portion of this and not just the neighbors. He also
commented that one bid wasn't enough and, as a result, the City is paying too
much. Mr. Adams corrected him and advised that there were four bids received on
the project. He also clarified that the City's portion includes the road repair and the
waiving of the connection fees. He will be given copies of the other bids.
• Mayor George closed the public hearing
The City Clerk read the ordinance by title only; SIMS MOVED AND EDLER
SECONDED TO PASS THE ORDINANCE. The motion carried by unanimous roll
call vote; McClure absent.
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ADJOURNED MEETING — NOVEMBER 8, 2005
ORDINANCE NO. 2005 -66, AN ORDINANCE of the City of Yakima, Washington,
approving and confirming the final assessment roll for South 7th, S tn & 9 Avenue
Sewer Local Improvement District No. 1056, which has been created and
established for the purpose of paying the cost of certain sewer system
improvements; and levying and assessing the amount thereof against the lots,
tracts, parcels of land and other property shown on said roll.
3. Consideration of Resolution authorizing execution of license agreement with
Morrier Hotel, LLC dba Hilton Garden Inn for the use of public right -of -way at
Yakima Avenue and 4th Street for parking garage ramp
City Manager Zais said this issue is the result of an administrative request to
expedite this agreement, determined by Legal as necessary, for construction of the
Hilton Garden's ramp onto Yakima Avenue. The design has been in question for a
number of months and has gone through a technical and legal review as well as
through the Public Safety committee. It was determined that a license agreement
would be necessary and that requires Council authority. For expediting purposes,
we are requesting delegating that authority to the City Manager. Bill Cook, Community and Economic Development Director, displayed a drawing of
the Hilton Garden Hotel. It is 35 -40% complete and they are working toward a
spring opening next year. The loan documents show parking underneath the hotel,
at developer's request. It is proposed to bring the ramp down off of Yakima
Avenue under the plaza and into the parking. The design was discussed in great
detail. The proposal will, be reviewed with Mr. Morrier's architect. Council Member
Place expressed concern that.we had to hire an engineer to look at this as she
feels it is the proponent's job to do this not the City's. She also expressed concern
about the slope of the ramp.
Ken Harper, Legal Counsel for the City, explained the resolution. It authorizes the
City Manager to make sure there is compliance with things like SEPA and City
design standards. Those are still outstanding issues. The City is working with its
own independent engineers and the proponent's engineers. The design
considerations are coming through and if Council proceeds with this resolution,
Mr. Zais will have the information necessary to execute this agreement. This
resolution is not the same thing as execution of the license itself. The resolution, if
passed, would have to be followed by a measured pause by Mr. Zais to make sure
everything is okay to go forward.
The details of the ramp were discussed. The City Clerk read the resolution by title
only; EDLER MOVED AND SIMS SECONDED TO ADOPT THE RESOLUTION.
The motion carried by 5 -1 roll call vote; Place voting nay and McClure absent.
RESOLUTION NO. 2005 -174, A RESOLUTION authorizing and directing the City
Manager to negotiate and execute a license and easement agreement with Morrier
Hotel, LLC, a Washington limited liability company, d /b /a Hilton Garden Inn,
relating to the development of a hotel in the general vicinity of 401 E. Yakima
Avenue, in the City of Yakima, Washington.
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ADJOURNED MEETING — NOVEMBER 8, 2005
BUDGET REVIEW
City Manager Zais stated this is a $164 million budget inclusive of all funds and all
obligations for a full service city of 82,000. The budget follows Council's strategic
priorities. It invests in our local economy and our infrastructure. It has not been
easy to balance the budget but it has been done without reliance on new taxes.
He then referenced the Budget Strategy Team (BST) and how there are some
suggested areas for increases of revenue sources. Mr. Zais reminded the public
that the public hearing is scheduled for a week from today (11/15/05) from 7:00
p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
4. Public Works Department
Public Works Administration
Chris Waarvick, Public Works Director, was available for questions. At this time
Council interjected a number of questions on non - budgeted issues such as the
stormwater phase 2 permit and the Yakima downtown futures initiative and
development that will occur over the next five years. This led to comments about
state and federal regulation requirements on stormwater and a status report on the
Yakima Avenue project.
With regard to the Public Works Administration budget, Mr. Waarvick said the
distribution charge percentages have not changed. He noted that Administration
and Transit have both hired bi- lingual department assistants who have become
invaluable.
Streets
Shelley Willson, Streets/Traffic Operations Manager, was available for questions.
Policy issues
DOC contribution increase ($17,750) budgeted — Mrs. Willson commented on the
increase saying the crew is used mainly for weed clearance. They are focusing on
cleaning up the gateway entrances to the city. They are also used in the fall for the
leaf pickup.
Arterial Maintenance Program — Mrs. Willson distributed a map showing the cycle.
She explained it is a program to be phased in over time as funds become available
through the REET2 property tax, annexation, and the gas tax (if it survives the
election). A detailed discussion of street maintenance methods took place. Also
discussed was the idea of using another DOC crew, funded by a merchants LID, to
maintain their areas.
Traffic Engineering
Mrs. Willson spoke about concerns with regard to the condition of the wooden
poles used for lighting. We used to replace about 25 a year. The last time we did
that was in the mid - eighties. This is a future cost that is lurking out there.
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ADJOURNED MEETING — NOVEMBER 8, 2005
Transit
Ken Mehin, Transit Manager, and Gary Pira, Transit Project Planner, were
available for questions.
Policy issues
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DOC contribution increase ($2,420) budgeted - discussed under Streets.
Bus Replacement Plan — They are in the process of purchasing six buses to
replace old buses. This is a 10 -15 year investment and they believe that ridership
will continue to increase. Council Member Sims said, and the rest of the Council
members agreed, to give direction that at least three of the six new buses be forty
feet. Also discussed were grant efforts and service expansion to Selah and Union
Gap.
Budget
Farebox return is less than 7 %. There hasn't been a rate increase since 1994.
This year they will be exercising their second one -year extension of the Para
Transit contract in December. There may be a reduction in the cash -out line item
as one person may not retire as originally planned.
Refuse
Nancy Fortier, Refuse Manager, was available for questions.
Policy Issue
Refuse Rate Increase — An 8% rate increase is budgeted to cover the funding of a
new code compliance officer and a 5% unbudgeted increase to cover operating
cost increases. The code compliance officer is specifically for litter control in some
areas in Yakima. Council Member Place questioned whether it would be a better
use of the rate increase to fund a third DOC crew to clean up areas rather than a
code compliance officer. Discussion ensued with a point being code compliance
would be a method of changing the habits of people so they don't grow into bigger
code problems. The intent of a code compliance officer is to teach and regulate as
we can. Also discussed was the issue of containers in the public right -of -way, and
other codes that need to be addressed that we haven't been able to get to. The
operating cost increase is to cover increases in landfill tipping fees, fuel, increase
in customers as a result of annexations, and increased technology. Council
Member Place requested that rates for private haulers be available during the
budget wrap up.
Equipment Rental
Richard Wonner, Fleet Manager, described the successes of 2005. They were
able to fill three vacancies, established an afternoon shift, and productivity has
gone up. The equipment replacement program was discussed. Mr. Wonner spoke
of two major challenges for his division: 1) fuel costs and 2) new federal emission
standards. They are meeting with the Department of Ecology with regard to an
emissions control program for grant money to retrofit our old vehicles. These
standards could affect 140 vehicles at a range of $2- $3,000 per vehicle. There is
only $2 million in grant money for the state to distribute.
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ADJOURNED MEETING — NOVEMBER 8, 2005
Mr. Wonner also spoke of maintenance issues for the Public Works facility. The
facility is approaching 30 years of age and the buildings are starting to wear out.
One of the more critical issues is the domestic water supply. An engineering firm
helped assess the problem and discovered it is in the realm of $400,000 - $500,000
to repair. We don't have the funds and will have to be innovative on how to
accomplish this to provide safe water for the employees. Other items discussed
were asphalt and grass on the campus, limited space with the growth by
annexations, and fuel tank capacity.
Parks And Recreation
Denise Nichols, Parks and Recreation Manager, was available for questions.
Policy Issues:
DOC contribution increase ($31,000) budgeted, - discussed under Streets and
Refuse.
Central Business District Landscaping — currently down to one seasonal employee.
Mrs. Nichols expressed concern about the increased load with the revitalization of
the downtown area. Discussion covered the need for this to be discussed by the
Yakima Downtown Association with the possibility of an increase in the PBIA or
corporate sponsorships.
Also discussed at this time was the feasibility of a metropolitan park district. There
is newer legislation that has developed where, although metropolitan park districts
require going to a vote of the public, once it is set you no longer have to continually
go back. The governing board of the district sets the tax rate. It is a junior taxing
authority so there are some limitations. It is more beneficial now to look at a parks
district and they hope to come back to Council with good data in about twelve
months. This is in furtherance of our regional recommendations from the BST.
.5% in lieu of tax on private /public utilities (unbudgeted) — Parks currently receives
3.5% out of the 14% utility tax. This recommendation is to consider upping that by
.5% which would generate about $130,000 a year to be set aside for capital
improvements to the park system. There are great needs, future park acquisition,
and development for which there is currently no revenue stream. City Manager
Zais explained that a 1% adjustment was a policy issue last year. It was deferred
in contemplation of the Budget Strategy Team reviewing all options of City
spending and revenue. It is on the BST list of options to be considered. He noted
another alternative is lifting the .5% currently in place on private utilities.
Also discussed were the costs of maintaining Lions Pool and the reduction in
revenue at Fisher Park.
Budget
Mrs. Nichols reviewed accomplishments and goals.
Cemetery
Points noted were: the reassignment of an employee to work in the cemetery office
has enhanced services, the reserves are very small, the roads in the cemetery are
in need of repair, we should look into pre - selling, and we need a niche wall for
cremations as the mausoleum is pretty full.
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ADJOURNED MEETING — NOVEMBER 8, 2005
5. Municipal Court
Judge Susan Woodard, Linda Morris, Court Services Manager, and Don Belisle,
County Probation, were available for questions.
Policy Issue — Change Municipal Court Judge Salary Structure in Response to a
New State Law (budgeted). There was discussion on the $43 filing fee that is to
support this increase and how much we could expect to actually receive.
Judge Woodard summarized the budget. She highlighted their history, their
current staffing levels, and pending legislation on the authority of court
commissioners. Overtime was discussed and Judge Woodard said they are
making efforts to reduce it, which may mean reducing the hours they are open to
the public.
Probation Center
Judge Woodard spoke regarding the combining of the two probation offices,
County and City. They expect the interlocal agreement to be concluded by
December 31 The remaining issue is where the services will be housed. They
are using the one across from the Police Department, but are currently sharing it
with police. Don Belisle spoke about the combined offices noting that the real
energy behind it was rehabilitation. City Manager Zais gave insight into some
technical details of the combining. He said we weren't sure exactly when this
would take effect so the budget carries the Probation Services Division for three
months into next year, although that may not be necessary.
6. Adjournment
PLACE MOVED AND WHITMAN SECONDED TO ADJOURN TO NOVEMBER
15, 2005 AT 8:3 A.M. FOR BUDGET REVIEW IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS.
The motion carried by unanimous voice vote; McClure absent. The meeting
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adjourned at 12:35 p.m.
READ AND CERTIFIED ACCURATE BY ■■ v _.
'/
CO i ' ° *ER/ DATE`
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C•T CIL MEMBER DATE
ATTEST:
`KAA-g-v ie-6-4-e- d �7
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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