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HomeMy WebLinkAbout07/18/2006 Business Meeting 109 BUSINESS MEETING JULY 18, 2006 - 5:00 P.M. COUNCIL CHAMBERS - CITY HALL 1. Roll Call Present: Council: Mayor Pro Tem Neil McClure, presiding, Council Members Ron Bonlender, Norm Johnson, Bill Lover, and Susan Whitman Staff: City Manager Zais, City Attorney Paolella and City Clerk in Training Moore Absent: Dave Edler (excused) Mayor Pro Tem McClure called the meeting to order at 5:00 p.m. 2. Executive Session JOHNSON MOVED AND CAWLEY SECONDED TO MOVE INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION REGARDING COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AND PENDING LITIGATION FOR APPROXIMATELY ONE HOUR. The motion carried by unanimous voice vote; Edler absent. 6:00 P.M. - PUBLIC SESSION 1. Roll Call Present: Council: Mayor Edler, presiding, Council Members Ron Bonlender, Norm Johnson, Bill Lover, Neil McClure, and Susan Whitman Staff: City Manager Zais, City Attorney Paolella and City Clerk in Training Moore 2. Invocation /Pledge of Allegiance Council Member Cawley gave an invocation followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. 3. Open Discussion for the Good of The Order /Special Presentation A. Proclamations None B. Special Presentations: • 211 Status Report from People for People Amy Peters, Project Coordinator for 211, thanked the City Council for their support and gave a status report of the program. They are currently averaging 70 calls per day. • Naches River Comprehensive Flood Hazard Management Plan from Yakima County Dave Brown, Water & Irrigation Manager, introduced County people to speak on this issue. 110 JULY 18, 2006 Terry Keehan, Director of Surface Water, reviewed status on a document he had previously handed out. Diana Woods, with Surface Water also, discussed a document she had previously submitted. Joel Freudenthal then spoke about two areas in particular; the Naches water treatment plant and Ramblers' Park. C. Status report on prior meeting's citizen service request: • Report from Community and Economic Development Department Regarding Low - Income Housing Plans Along Powerhouse Road by Next Step Housing Bill Cook, Director of Community and Economic Development, gave a report. The applicant, Next Step Housing initially asked the City to purchase and give the land as a donation. Following meetings with the Council Neighborhood Committee, the applicant made a recommendation and received approval on a $200,000 grant. It was the committee's understanding that Next Step Housing had already or was about to meet with the neighborhood. The property is properly zoned R -3, and requires no public input process. Other than discussion and commitment from Council on financing, there has been no formal application to the City on the project itself, therefore, we do not have a formal SEPA application. Because the request fits within the zoning, the land use review and approval would normally be an administrative process. The SEPA review would be the only public comment period. The other issue is funding assistance and the contract with Next Step Housing the Council entered into through Resolution No. R- 2006 -56. Discussion continued covering financial items. Marty Miller, Executive Director of the non - profit office of Rural and Farm Worker Housing, addressed issues regarding the Pear Tree project. It will be 26 units focused on clean and sober residents. Some units are reserved for those with development disabilities. It is not a halfway house and will not house sex offenders. House rules and the clean and sober agreement were distributed for review. After discussion on the details of the project and the funding application process, Mayor Edler commented that, in essence, it appeared this was a public hearing rather than the intended status report. By Council agreement, citizen input was allowed. Citizens who spoke were Tom Coleman, Rosie Steel, Steve Gaulke, Donna Hull, and Phyllis Musgrove. The majority were asking questions and requesting to be kept informed on the project. D. Appointments to Council Boards and Commissions: 1. Yakima Housing Authority Board LOVER MOVED AND McCLURE SECONDED TO REAPPOINT MARTIN CHACON TO THE HOUSING AUTHORITY BOARD. The motion carried by unanimous voice vote. 2. Yakima Urban Area Regional Planning Commission McCLURE MOVED AND JOHNSON SECONDED TO APPOINT TED MARQUIS, JR. TO THE YAKIMA URBAN AREA REGIONAL PLANNING COMMISSION. The motion carried by unanimous voice vote. 2 1 '1 1 1 JULY 18, 2006 E. Council Committee Meeting Reports None Angie DeVora, Sales & Marketing Coordinator for Cub Crafters, reported on the recent experience with the CBS Early Morning Show airing from Yakima. Cub Crafters taxied their new Sport Cub airplane through the city to the Millennium Plaza for the event. In appreciation of the well- organized assistance from the Police Department, she presented framed photographs of the event. 4. Consent agenda Mayor Edler 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.14 was removed from the agenda. The Acting City Clerk read the Consent Agenda items, including resolutions and ordinances by title. McCLURE MOVED AND JOHNSON 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.) *A. Approval of the minutes of the June 27, 2006 Business Meeting The minutes of the, 2005 Adjourned and 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 - Bob Mason, 612 N. 2nd Street, spoke about the graffiti problem in Yakima versus other areas he saw during a recent two -week road vacation. Mary McDaniels, 905 Walker Street, spoke in favor of the plan to provide 23 more uniformed officers and how she appreciated the hours the Council has put into the study of the issue. James Evans, 4405 Summitview Avenue, commented that instead of the blight across from him he now sees beautiful trees, but he is more upset that it took public money to do this when the people who own property who are not paupers. Mike Murphy, 4411 Snow Mountain Road, said he was sick and tired of the whole project and that this town has potential but no vision. He threatened filing a lawsuit using a big Seattle attorney. Emma Fishbeck, 72 Avenue and Tieton Drive, gave her concerns about whether the people who would be going into the "complex" were local people. She also commented that she feels the police department should be doing drug testing on their employees. • 3 112 JULY 18, 2006 PUBLIC HEARING 6. Closed record public hearing to consider the Hearing Examiner's recommendation on a rezone request by Diocese of Yakima Housing Services for property located at 5301 Tieton Drive Bruce Benson, Planning Supervisor, explained that this application for rezone started in 2004 with a request to change the Comprehensive Plan for five acres of property bordered by Tieton Drive, 56 Avenue, Chestnut Avenue and a fruit warehouse. That request was approved in 2005 and changed the Comprehensive Plan for this property to be high density residential, thereby allowing the submission of this rezone. Also in 2005, there was a six lot short plat submitted that has recently been recorded. A Public Hearing was held May 11, 2006. On May 24, 2006, the Hearing Examiner issued a recommendation for approval. Staff recommends accepting the Hearing Examiner's determination and to direct Legal to prepare the appropriate legislation • Mayor Edler opened the closed record hearing Nancy Gross, 8905 Tieton Drive, said she thinks the project is very nice, although she had first thought negatively of it. When she looked into it, she discovered it was to build a retirement place for the elderly. She supports the housing. • Mayor Edler closed the closed record hearing JOHNSON MOVED AND BONLENDER SECONDED TO ACCEPT THE HEARING EXAMINER'S RECOMMENDATION AND DIRECT STAFF TO PREPARE THE PROPER LEGISLATION. Motion carried by unanimous roll call vote. CITY MANAGER'S REPORTS 7. Report from Police on Status of Verified Response Program Chief Granato reported that after a two -year trial, the policy has been successful. There has been an 84% decrease in the amount of alarms responded to overall. Statistically, 98% of all alarms nationwide were false. We have not had a significant increase in burglaries with this program, just 6% over the two -year period. Previously, our highest year was a19% increase. He urged the Council to continue the policy. Upon questioning, Chief Granato assured Council that if there is a recurring problem in a location they will respond to the alarm without requiring verification. BONLENDER MOVED AND WHITMAN SECONDED TO CONTINUE THE VERIFIED RESPONSE POLICY. The motion carried by unanimous roll call vote. Following a short break to change the video tape, the meeting reconvened at 8:14 p.m. 4 11,3. JULY 18, 2006 *8. Approval of Yakima Police Department 2005 Report The Yakima Police Department 2005 Report was approved. *9. Approval of 2005 Year -end Medical Insurance Report The 2005 Year -end Medical Insurance Report was approved *10. Consideration of Resolution Accepting and Approving the 2 Quarter 2006 Claims Report RESOLUTION NO. R- 2006 -110, A RESOLUTION accepting and approving the 2nd Quarter 2006 Claim Report for the City of Yakima *11. Consideration of Resolution authorizing execution of agreement with Code • Publishing for code book supplement services RESOLUTION NO. R -2006 -111, A RESOLUTION authorizing the execution of a professional services contract with Code Publishing Company for the provision of legal publishing services to the City, to include Yakima Municipal Code codification services, Internet hosting and the creation of searchable electronic files, as well as supplementing online and printed versions of the Yakima Municipal Code. *12. Consideration of Resolution granting a permit to Eagle Fireworks to conduct public display of fireworks on July 29, 2006 and August 12, 2006 at Yakima County Stadium RESOLUTION NO. R- 2006 -112, A RESOLUTION granting a public fireworks display permit to Eagle Fireworks on behalf of the Yakima County Stadium, Yakima Bears baseball. *13. Consideration of resolution authorizing approval of the issuance of a temporary permit to the Sports Center Restaurant for the use of two parking spaces in the City's downtown parking lot #2 (Millennium Plaza lot), with conditions, for a period not to exceed 90 days RESOLUTION NO. R -2006- 113, A RESOLUTION authorizing the execution of a Temporary Use Agreement with the Sports Center, LLC, permitting the ninety day temporary use of two parking spaces within the City's downtown parking lot No. 2, adjacent to the Millennium Plaza, subject to the terms and conditions set forth in said Agreement. Item removed from the agenda. 5 114 JULY 18, 2006 ORDINANCES 15. Consideration of Ordinance amending the Yakima Municipal Code regarding vehicle impound regulations Chief Granato said we often receive complaints from citizens about abandoned vehicles. By state law we had to send letters out to the last known registered owner of the vehicle and wait for return receipt of certified mail before we could impound it. That process ties up two police officers. They put out a request for information on how other cities handle this problem. Some make it illegal to park on the street after 24 hours; some give 48 hours notice and then the vehicles are towed. Chief Granato emphasized that we need to get to the same level as other cities. By law there is a requirement to attempt to contact the owner, to make sure the car is properly licensed, and properly parked. The police citizen volunteer group could look for the vehicles and give notice on them to move or be towed in a 72 hour period. Cynthia Martinez, Assistant City Attorney clarified that what is being proposed is to repeal the current Chapter 9.48 and add Chapter 9.47 as a new chapter. The Acting City Clerk read the ordinance by title only, WHITMAN MOVED AND CAWLEY SECONDED TO PASS THE ORDINANCE. The motion carried by unanimous roll call vote. ORDINANCE NO. 2006 -32, AN ORDINANCE relating to vehicle impounds; repealing Chapter 9.48; adding Chapter 9.47 as a new chapter that reorganizes Chapter 9.48 for efficiency and ease of use; establishing filing requirements so that hearings are held in Yakima Municipal Court; changing notice of unauthorized vehicle impound requirements; and updating to reflect changes in the law. *16. First reading of an Ordinance amending the 2006 Budget and appropriating funds for the SAFER grant for additional firefighters (Read ordinance only at this meeting; second reading scheduled 8 -1 -06) An ordinance amending the 2006 budget and appropriating funds for the SAFER grant for additional Firefighters, was read by title only, and laid on the table until August 1, 2006 17. Other Business • Safe Community Action Plan City Manager Zais said that the Safe Community Action Plan update was the outcome of the last study session on the subject held July 14, 2006. It represents about a million dollar reduction from where we started. One of the qualifications to it is the matter of constant dollar cost. We know over time there will be increases, especially in unregulated categories such as salaries and benefits for police officers that will be much greater than the rate of inflation. Fuel and jail costs are also not governed by inflationary limits. He assured Council that the revenue projections are conservative and that we believe two - thirds of the revenue source will meet or exceed the rate of inflation. They are cautiously optimistic this plan will meet the objectives. He emphasized that he and the Chief still feel very strongly about the need to build a Deputy Chief level position into the plan. Although it isn't in this 6 1.15 JULY 18, 2006 version, they feel it needs to be included in the future. It is about $120,000 that they originally had in the 4 year. It will be their objective to make it a policy issue in the future. The next step is to hold public community forums to get input. He also spoke about the importance of not competing with a school district bond in an election. • Council weighs in Bonlender commented on the utility tax lid saying there is only 1.5% left that is protected and if it were lifted, it would cover the cost of the Deputy Chief. He doesn't think the people that are paying that tax would object. He said we should be ready to put it on the November election if the school bond isn't on the ballot Lover said he highly supports this proposal. He went on to say that if the Safe Community Plan fails, it won't be for a lack of funding. He had hoped we could identify spending reductions, or a creative package different from the "tax and spend" method. He doesn't agree with the spending package but is going to vote for the proposal with whatever funding package the majority decides. However, because he sees this as a crime reduction package, he has tried to establish accountability performance and expects to see a significant drop in crime in two years. He will hold city management to the same accountability the voters hold the Council. Johnson thinks this is a package we can sell to the public and the next step is to identify places in the community to hold public forums. He would like to see this go to the voters in November. Cawley commented that he wants to be sure there are accountability features in the package. He feels the City is long overdue for reorganization in many areas and he is sure he will find a number of areas where we can reduce spending. Chief Granato said the benchmarks are our expectations. What we're trying to do with the Emphasis Patrols is to ask the neighbors to partner with us. It is a process of education for them and us. It is easy to say we want to reduce crime, but determining how much will have to be tempered with reality. McClure said it is time to bring this package out to the community. Edler said he wasn't comfortable with not having the Deputy Chief position in the package. • Chief Granato explained the need for the position and encouraged the Council to find the funding or at least authorize it now and find the funding later. City Manager Zais spoke about the package again noting that it is an extensive amount of information to take in at one time and we have to bear in mind the community's ability to absorb it and pay for it by finding the resources from our overall structure. We are willing to look at expenditure reductions, but they are not as easy to find as it might seem. We have done the easy part of identifying reductions over the last few years. We did not ask for the Deputy Chief position for the first two years of the plan. He said he knows we are going to have other costs that impact our overall budget, not from this area, but from the rest of the city's 7 116 JULY 18, 2006 areas. The budget process is starting. We have mandates and forces beyond our control that increase expenses. He did reiterate that he and the Chief both feel strongly that a deputy is desired. Chief .Granato has already given up one position in order to get the technical support staff that is also so badly needed. McCLURE MOVED AND WHITMAN SECONDED TO DIRECT STAFF TO PREPARE A PACKAGE TO TAKE OUT TO THE PEOPLE IN A PUBLIC FORUM. It was the consensus of Council to hold public meetings rather than hearings in order to receive public input. Mayor Edler, speaking to the citizens of Yakima, said it is time for us to seriously look at crime and move to make a difference in our community. He believes this plan will do that and requested the citizens of Yakima to participate. He personally believes it is important to upgrade our education system and challenged our citizens. He said we have sat and watched our facilities disintegrate and it is time we take back our city and move into the next generation. The question was called for a vote on the motion. The motion carried by unanimous roll call vote. City Manager Zais was approached by Council Members to look into the meetings scheduled around the Christmas holidays. It was suggested by Council to move the December 19 meeting back a week to December 12 and the meeting on January 2nd be moved to January 9 Staff will look into and make those changes. 18. Adjournment McCLURE MOVED AND CAWLEY SECONDED TO ADJOURN TO JULY25, 2006 AT 7:30 A.M. FOR A STUDY SESSION REGARDING POTENTIAL CHANGES TO LEGISLATION FOR BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS. The motion carried by unanimous voice vote. Council Member Whitman suggested the study sessions begin at 8:30 a.m. rather than 7:30. That idea will be discussed further in the future. READ AND CERTIFIED ACCURATE BY �a COUNCIL M BER DATE 47 liturA:4 /t'14 COUNCIL MEMBER DATE ATTEST: CITY CLEF NEIL McCLURE, MAYOR PRO TEM Minutes prepared by Linda Watkins. An audio and video tape of this meeting are available in the City Clerk's Office 8