HomeMy WebLinkAbout02/21/2006 Business Meeting 4 5 a.
BUSINESS MEETING
OF THE YAKIMA CITY COUNCIL
FEBRUARY 21, 2006 - 2:00 P.M.
COUNCIL CHAMBERS - CITY HALL
1. Roll Call
Present:
Council: Mayor Dave Edler, presiding, Council Members Ron Bonlender,
Micah Cawley, Norm Johnson, Bill Lover, Neil McClure, and Susan
Whitman
Staff: City Manager Zais, City Attorney Paolella and City Clerk Roberts
2. Invocation /Pledge of Allegiance
Mayor Edler gave an invocation and led the Pledge of Allegiance.
3. Open Discussion for the Good of The Order /Special Presentation
A. Proclamations
• Recognition of Archie Sutton
Mayor Edler read a proclamation in appreciation and commendation of
Archie Sutton upon his retirement from his position as Human Resource
Manager effective March 3, 2006.
B. Special Presentations
• Dr. Ken Johnson — trolley system and transportation grant award
Dr. Johnson gave a power point presentation on the history of the trolley
system and its current operation. Bill Cook, Director of Community and
Economic Development, announced that we have received notice from the
Department of Transportation that the city's enhancement grant application
for $495,000 has been approved. The grant is to further improve the trolley
system, to enhance the tracks themselves, and to provide funding to
purchase the buildings that we have been leasing. In addition, the William O.
Douglas Trail Foundation has been successful in securing dollars to
purchase right -of -way and work on the bridge. Dr. Johnson invited Council
Members for a tour of the property and a ride on the trolley.
C. Status report on prior meeting's citizen service request
• Report from Traffic Engineering regarding two citizen requests for traffic control
devices at intersections at 66` and Englewood and 84 Avenue and Viewcrest
Way and administrative procedures for stop sign installations
Joan Davenport, Traffic Engineering Supervisor, responded to two requests
related to stop signs.
➢ 66 Avenue and Englewood — request for a 4 -way stop
It is posted at 35 mph, but vehicles travel much faster. Based on collision
history, the intersection does not meet the recommended warrants for a
stop sign. Balance that with the speed and amount of traffic on 66
Avenue and the concern would be that it might make it more unsafe than
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it is now. They have requested the property owners at the corner to take
extra precaution with clear views. She commented that safety money
would be better spent at the intersection of 66 and Summitview where
there is a real problem with injury collisions.
➢ 84 Avenue and Viewcrest Way
This area was part of the Englewood annexation in July of 2005. The
County paved and realigned the road for a better sidewalk. Mr. Brown,
• the property owner who lives at the intersection, has asked for guardrails
or a 4 -way stop. Mrs. Davenport said they have had an expert from the
Regional Office of the Highway Department look into a guardrail
installation. His recommendation was that, if the City decides to install
one, it should be put further away from the Brown's house, coming down
the hill. When the County improved the road they put in a barrier curb so
there already is something there to help. In summary, installation of a
guardrail or 4 -way stop is not recommended. She said they would watch
it. There is no collision history and it's a low volume road at this time. •
They're investigating installing a streetlight, which might help. The
problem is not the intersection but further up the hill where cars go to
party. Mayor Edler encouraged staff to contact the landowner and alert
our police force about the activities that are happening on this property.
D. Appointments to Council Boards and Commissions
None
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. Items Nos. 6, 7 and 13 were added and Item No. 10 was
removed from the Consent Agenda. The City Clerk read the Consent Agenda
items, including resolutions and ordinances by title. McCLURE MOVED AND
WHITMAN 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
Emma Fischbeck, 719 S. 73 Ave., is a new resident of Yakima and hopes to
be active. She had a question about a Council quorum. When there are only
four members in attendance, does it take all four votes to pass something?
City Attorney Paolella explained that it takes a simple majority vote of those
present; in the case of her example, a vote of 3 -1 would be required.
Mike Hunnel, 913 South 4 Avenue, spoke about handicap parking issues. He
asked who the City's ADA coordinator was. Mr. Hunnel was advised that a
study session was to be held March 28, 2006 regarding ADA parking issues.
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Tom McCormick requested information on who to approach about not being
allowed into the Navy because he was in special education. He would like an
apology. Mayor Edler said he would personally find that information and
advise Mr. McCormick by letter.
CITY MANAGER'S REPORTS
*6. Consideration of Resolution authorizing execution of professional services
contract with Shockey Brent Inc. for update to the Growth Management Act
Comprehensive Plan
RESOLUTION NO. R- 2006 -18, A RESOLUTION authorizing the City Manager of
the City of Yakima to execute a Consultant Agreement for Professional Services
with Shockey Brent, Inc. to provide professional assistance to the City of Yakima
Planning Division during preparation of the 2006 Yakima Urban Area
Comprehensive Plan update, required by the Growth Management Act, that must
be submitted to the State no later than December, 2006
*7. Consideration of Resolution authorizing execution of professional services
contract with Morelia Sister City Organization
RESOLUTION NO. R- 2006 -19, A RESOLUTION authorizing the City Manager of
the City of Yakima to execute an agreement between the City of Yakima and the
Yakima Morelia Sister City Association to provide financial support up to One -
Thousand Dollars for delegation cultural and economic exchange activities
between the City of Morelia, Michoacan, Mexico and the City of Yakima
*8. Consideration of Resolution authorizing execution of professional services
contract with Huibregtse Louman and Associates for Level 2 Domestic Water
System Improvement Project design
RESOLUTION NO. R- 2006 -20, A RESOLUTION authorizing the City Manager to
execute an engineering and consulting services agreement with Huibregtse,
Louman Associates, Inc. for engineering and consulting services associated with
the Level 2 — Domestic Water System Improvement Project.
*9. Consideration of Resolution authorizing execution of agreement with Yakima
County for 911 support services
RESOLUTION NO. R- 2006 -21, A RESOLUTION authorizing the City Manager to
execute the 911 Support Services Agreement with Yakima County for the
provision of 911 services
10. Consideration of Resolution authorizing execution of Memorandum of
Understanding with Central Washington Comprehensive Mental Health for
professional services for City inmates
It was clarified that the term mental health does not cover chemical, drug and
alcohol dependency. Council Member Lover suggested adding the words
"offender's home of record" in Item D regarding re- entry. Because that is the
actual practice, Comprehensive Mental Health was amenable to that change. The
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City Clerk read the resolution by title only; LOVER MOVED AND JOHNSON
SECONDED TO CHANGE THE WORDING OF SECTION 2.D. TO READ
"OFFENDER'S HOME OF RECORD" AND TO ADOPT THE RESOLUTION. The
motion carried by unanimous voice vote.
RESOLUTION NO. R 2006 -22, A RESOLUTION authorizing and directing the City
Manager to execute a memorandum of understanding between the City of Yakima and
Central Washington Comprehensive Mental Health regarding mental health screening
and other services for inmates in the City jail.
*11. Consideration of Resolution approving the George Donald House/Woman's
Century Club designation as a historic property and placement on the
Yakima Register of Historic Places
RESOLUTION NO. R- 2006 -23, A RESOLUTION relating to historic preservation;
adding the George Donald House/Woman's Century Club, a property designated
by the Yakima Historic Preservation Commission under Chapter 11.621 of the City
of Yakima Municipal Code, to the Yakima Register of Historic Places; and
imposing controls upon construction, renovation and /or repair thereof
*12. Set Date of Public Hearing for March 7, 2006 on State Fair Park annexation
March 7, 2006 was set as the date of public hearing on the State Fair Park
annexation.
ORDINANCES
*13. Consideration of Amendments to the Yakima Municipal Code Section 9.50
related to traffic; deleting 2 -hour parking restrictions on North 4th Avenue
between Yakima Avenue and "A" Street and amending YMC 9.50.070
ORDINANCE NO. 2006 -04, AN ORDINANCE relating to traffic and parking, and
amending section 9.50.070 of the Yakima Municipal Code.
14. Other business
Council Member McClure commented on a letter received from the County
addressed to Senator Murray requesting funding from the Federal Transportation
Fund to help with the William O. Douglas Trail. They are requesting $600,000 for
right -of -way acquisition to complete a two -mile Zink between Powerhouse Road
and the trailhead of the Cowiche Canyon. They've asked for our support.
Following discussion, it was the consensus of Council to give the City's support.
City Manager Zais gave an update on the Congdon/Wal -Mart issue. He said we
have received appeals from two parties, Wal -Mart and a new citizens group. Both
appeals will be heard at the same time. Wal -Mart has expressed reservations
over a number of the mitigation requirements from the Hearing Examiner. The
new citizens group raised a number of legal questions as to whether it was proper
for the Hearing Examiner to hear the issue as there is still an appeal with Superior
Court, and there are other issues they feel weren't covered in mitigation. This will
now be heard by the City Council. It has become apparent that the citizens of the
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community don't understand that state law governs how these proceedings are
conducted. Closed hearing means Council may only consider what is in the record
that the Hearing Examiner heard and considered. That record will be what the City
Council will be directed, by state law, to use as the basis for any determinations.
We have worked to be sure we give adequate notice and to ensure we have
produced a complete copy of the record for people to review. Although the
timeframe is not set yet, it is proposed for April 19 6 to 9 or 9:30 p.m.
Ray Paolella, City Attorney, clarified that this is an appeal of the Hearing
Examiner's decision and Council's role is to decide whether the decision was
correct, incorrect, or needs modification. It is a quasi - judicial hearing. In this
context Council will not be legislators, but will be judges. State law heavily governs
the entire process. Communications with Council should wait until the hearing,
with all information presented there and not before. State law says there should
not be any other communications outside the public hearing context. There is a
very involved set of criteria that will govern Council's decision.
Council members expressed their concerns about citizen's comments that show
they do not understand.the Council's role. They requested a way to educate the
public on what the Council really can and cannot do. They also requested holding
the hearing on two evenings. April 17 and 19 will be considered for the hearings
with a regular City Council Business Meeting scheduled for the evening of the 18 .
15. Adjournment
McCLURE MOVED AND BONLENDER SECONDED TO ADJOURN TO
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2006 AT 7 :30 A.M. IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS
AT CITY HALL FOR A STUDY SESSION ON THE PARKS COMPREHENSIVE
PLAN, THEN TO A SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING AT 9 :00 A.M. IN THE
COUNCIL CHAMBERS FOR CONSIDERATION OF A REPORT AND
LEGISLATION REGARDING THE YAKIMA VALLEY REGIONAL LIBRARY. The
motion carried by unanimous voice vote.
The meeting adjourned at 3:33 p.m.
READ AND CERTIFIED ACCURATE BY , � .'_ 1 /' O6,
OUNCIL MEMBER DATE
/22iU/ -� 44,1 .t )) �7-
COUNCIL ME ' E DATE
ATTEST:
1/4
CITY CLERK � DAVID EDLER, 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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