HomeMy WebLinkAbout11/01/1988 Study Session 001
NOVEMBER 1, 1988 -'
STUDY SESSION
1. ROLL CALL '
The City Council met in session on this date at 2:00 P.M. in the Council
Chambers of City Hall, Yakima, Washington. Council members present were
Mayor Pat Berndt, Clarence Barnett, Henry Beauchamp, Lynn Buchanan, Lynn
Carmichael, Jerry Foy, and Bernard Sims. City Manager Zais, City Attorney
Vanek, City Clerk Roberts and Deputy City Clerk Toney also present.
• 2. INVOCATION .
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Council member Carmichael.
3. OPEN DISCUSSION FOR THE GOOD OF THE ORDER
Council member Barnett gave a report on his visit to four citizens
thought by Larry Mathews to be harboring Pit Bull dogs inside the city
limits. Mr. Barnett stated he did not see any dogs that he would
classify as Pit Bull dogs. Animal Control Officer Wright conducted an
investigation and was allowed to photograph the dogs in question. The
photographs and a written report on the matter - was distributed to Council
members. Mr. Barnett said he "also reviewed the documentation in the
files indicating the action•.. aken..by? >the Animal Control Officers
regarding- known Pit Bulls inside the City after the passage 'of the
ordinance banning them and learned that twenty Pit Bulls were put to
sleep, four were removed from the City limits and two were registered and
insured in compliance with the ordinance. However, he added that
Animal Controll Officer Wright impounded two Pit Bulls Friday, October
28th. Council member Barnett stated he believes the Animal Control
Office has taken'the appropriate measures in dealing with these issues as
III they are brought to the City's attention on a complaint basis. He
- commented he believes that the ordinance is being enforced. Council -
member Sims reported that made contact with Pacific Power and Light and
Cascade Natural Gas and asked them to forward any complaints regarding
Pit Bulls to the City Council. Mr. Sims added that both agencies were -
very complimentary of the City's response to this particular issue.
Council member Foy said the records indicate that City staff has handled
the matter very well, adding that accusations such as those made by Mr.
Mathews are without merit and hopefully the citizens wil recognize this.
Council member Carmichael stated she has a conflict on Thursday,
November 3rd and will be unable to attend the Downtown Area Redevelopment
Committee meeting and asked if another Council member might be able to
attend. Mayor Berndt indicated she would check her calendar to see if
she is available. .
City Manager Zais reported that the Office of Housing and Neighborhood
Conservation recently received a Certificate of National Recognition
. from the U. S. Department of Housing and Urban Development for their
Private /Public Urban Homesteading Program. Housing Manager Dixie Kracht
cemented she believes the award is a result of the cooperation received
from the'City'Council and the community in relationship to•this program.
Director of Engineering and Utilities, Dennis Covell, stated
notification has been received by the Engineering Division that the •
III City of Yakima has again received the 1987 Best Paving Award for the
Tieton Drive Project. Mr. Covell said the award will be shared with
the City Council once it has been recieved.
Council member Foy informed Mayor Berndt that he and Council member
Barnett will be unable to attend the meeting with the City of Union Gap
scheduled on Wednesday, November 2, 1988. City Manager Zais askedlif
there will be a quorum for this meeting and at least four Council members
indicated they would be available for the meeting.
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NOVEMBER 1, 1988
4. AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION
Leslie Rollins, 207 South 4th Street, addressed the City Council about
juveniles being used to sell drugs on the streets. She stated it has
been reported to the Police Department that drug trafficking is occurring
at a specific address, but no action has been taken. Ms. Rollins was
asked to meet with Chief Green to discuss the matter. She thanked the
City Council for doing such a good job in the community on the drug
problem.
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Jerry Klingele, 2106 West Yakima Avenue, representing merchants of
Scarborough Fair Shopping Center,. asked that the City Council amend
Section 6.04.110 of the Municipal Code regarding the discharging of a
firearm within the City limits. He stated the merchants of Scarborough
Fair Shopping Center intend to re- establish the Wassail Ceremony which
calls for discharging a .shotgun through the wassail tree to scare away_
the evil spirits. This Wassail Ceremony is to be held on Saturday,
November 12, 1988 at 3:00 P.M. City Attorney Vanek stated he will
attempt to find a solution prior to November 12th.
5. REPORT FROM STAFF REGARDING ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON COMPREHENSIVE
UTILITY PLANS
Assistant, City Attorney Stouder stated the purpose of today's report is
to review the status of the Comprehensive Utility Plans, respond to
Council's inquiries, and set a date for a public hearing on the Plans for�T
November 22, •1988. He stated those aspects of the Plans remaining
unresolved will be removed from the adoption process. It was the-,
consensus of the Council to discuss the various aspects of the Plans
individually. Council member Buchanan suggested rather than discussing
the irrigation aspect of the Plan today, that a Council Committee be
formed to review and discuss this issue and report back to the City
Council.
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A. LETTER DATED OCTOBER 4, 1988 FROM PRESTON, THORGRIMSON
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Council member Barnett referred to page 6, the last paragraph of the
above named document, which states "after the current moratorium
ends, the City should be able to reserve future water rights ". He then
referred to the staff memorandum of April 8, 1988, regarding the
conversion of water rights to the Water Treatment Plant which states,
"the DOE will not consider transfer of diversion points until after the
adjudication of the Acquavella Case." Mr. Barnett stated in view of
this statement, he thinks a decision on this particular issue would be
premature. Secondly, he stated on June 12, 1987, he asked "what is the
legal basis for providing irrigation water to the districts without water
rights ?" He explained that Table 34 of the Water Plan reflected several
districts without water rights and staff was going to add some districts
that had been inadvertently omitted. Mr. Barnett stated the staff
memorandum of December 1987 indicated a response to this question would
be provided by legal counsel and he does not recall ever having received
a response, however, it may be irrelevant now because DOE requested a
table showing .all of the City water rights and the claims for irrigation=
and the municipal supply. Mr. Barnett asked if there is • an
inconsistency in the reports? Mr. Stouder stated there are no districts.,
without water rights and this issue has been clarified in the final_
printing of the document.
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Mayor Berndt expressed concern with the number of times the word
"probably" is mentioned in this document from Preston, Thorgrimson.
Council member Beauchamp stated.he,would like to have more information on
the cost of converting from irrigation water to domestic water.
Council member Barnett stated it is his understanding that there will be
a significant impact on the water treatment process under new treatment
standards that are being developed. He said staff and Council needs to
be able to equate those.additional costs as compared to the cost of other
alternatives for irrigation water.
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NOVEMBER 1 ,4988
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• B. MEMORANDUM DATED SEPTEMBER 20, 1988 BY PRESTON, THORGRIMSON
REGARDING SEWER CCRC
Addressing his inquiries to Assistant City Manager Stouder, Council
member Foy stated, "The memorandums relating to the Capital Cost Recovery
Charge in the sewer system, which relates back to the final memo in which
staff suggests a decision on implementation stating; if I read this
correctly, where it talks about probably prohibited in doing some new:,
CCRC for customers already connected; and if that response is true, then
it ties to the fact that in the DOE letter of 7/12/88 which talks about
the lack of trunk line funding for the next five years, it would seem to
be a,primary concern that if the existing plan fails in this area, that
if new lines are not constructed in five years, we can't charge the
existing customers. If that is the case, and we don't have a plan for new
construction, then I read the conclusion on page 7 which says it may
. impose a new CCRC in previously unserved areas to help finance trunk
lines in those areas, those meaning specifically there. In part of the
plan it talked about a city wide implementation, but the way I read this,
does this means the funds are restricted to the areas they are collected ..
in and can't be used in the other areas? If that is true, then I have
difficulty with staff's suggestion that we delay the 96% surcharge for
120 days; but then they are asking us to create an action that is
important to provide implementation effective January 1, 1989. Those two _
things tie back to what I am talking about and if we are restricted in
the CCRC to the area you collect it in, our whole plan, not only does it.
need a public hearing, but it's going to probably need some changing '
because I see that driving the 1992 10% to possibly be a lot higher. .Am
I interpreting this correctly ?"
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Mr. Stouder responded that the first, comment regarding the DOE's
concern about the engineering plan is merely a bargaining position and is
more of a verbal issue with DOE. He said some engineering is being done
now and more will be done over the next five years. City Manager Zais:
interjected that the CCRC is not a great source of revenue, nor is it a
substitute for the rate increase or the grants received by the City. He. .
explained that because the CCRC is paid over such a long period of time
the City receives a relatively minor amount of capital cost revenue each
year. Chris Waarvick stated the Comp Plan recommends that the current
CCRC rate be increased as allowed by the ordinance. He said the •
ordinance prohibits charging residents inside the City a CCRC even if a
new connection is made. He added there will not be an increase to.
anyone who has already paid the connection charges or .CCRC. He said
staff would like to see the CCRC adjusted to the actual construction cost
experienced at the Treatment Plant and applied to new connections.
Also, for new connections, there is a suggested CCRC, or an impact
charge, to develop reserves for the 7 -8 million dollars in trunk lines.
that the DOE, the County, West Valley residents and other residents want
to see constructed. He stated City of Yakima residents do not
contribute to that. The Financing Plan presently does not anticipate or
include revenue increases from any CCRC issue; they have been left out .
until .those issues can be dealt with, either separately or together.'
Council member Barnett asked that the revision of the Plan be very .
explicit and clear in the part of the Plan that addresses this because
it can be interpreted in several ways. Mr. Waarvick stated basically the
new CCRC is a funding mechanism for all the trunk lines that we have
planned to serve that urban area.
Council member Foy asked how staff would interpret the acceptance of this "
report by Council today? Mr. Stouder said if Council accepts the report
staff will conduct a public hearing on November 22nd and a proposed
adoption date in December to formally adopt the remaining aspects of the
rate schedule and finance plan and defer for 120 days the surcharge"
option related to the Comprehensive Sewer Plan and the irrigation aspect,
of the Comprehensive Water Plan. City Manager Zais stated it is
important that a public hearing be held on the Comprehensive Water and
Sewer Plans, except for the two aspects of the plans that need further
work,.and adopt a resolution.to be submitted with the grant applications.
He stated the Plans can be amended as needed after further consideration
by Council, however, it is imperative that a resolution adopting the
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plans accompany the grant applications to submit to DOE.
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NOVEMBER 1, 1988
C. LETTER TO PAUL BURLINGAME (AND OTHERS) DATED SEPTEMBER, 27, 1988 ON
RATTLESNAKE CREEK STUDY COSTS
Council member Barnett asked if there has been any response to the letter
sent to various parties about their participation in the costs relating
the the water storage project? Mr. Stouder responded he has not received
any written responses from other cities saying they will participate in
the costs of the study, but they have indicated they would like that
option to be kept open. Mr. Stouder stated he believes there will not be
a strong interest in the financial part of the plan, however, he will ask
for a response on this issue.
City Manager Zais reiterated that Council recommendation today should be
to accept the report, call for a public hearing to be held on November-I
22, 1988, on those parts of the Comprehensive Water and Sewer Plans
recommended for action before the end of the year, and acknowledge the
deletion of the irrigation component and surcharge from that adoption
process, and then appoint a Council Committee to further study the
options for the irrigation system.
Council member Barnett asked how much revenue will the City lose by
• delaying the adoption of the surcharge for 120 days. Chris Waarvick
responded $50,000 - $75,000 depending on the length of the delay., -
Following further discussion, it was MOVED by Buchanan, seconded by Foy,
to accept the report and call for a public hearing to be held November
22, 1988 on the Comprehensive Water and Sewer Plans, except for the
irrigation and surcharge portions of the reports. Unanimously carried by
voice vote.
D. IRRIGATION SYSTEM STATUS
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Council member Buchanan stated there is currently a major problem with
District #308, the oldest irrigation system in the City. He said the
City needs to establish a policy regarding irrigation systems in general
and Council should start working on this now rather than delaying this
further. It was the consensus of the Council that Council member'
Buchanan will chair the committee and the remaining committee members
will be decided later.
E. MEMORANDUM ON OUTSIDE UTILITY SURCHARGE
No further discussion occurred on this aspect of the Comprehensive Sewer
Plan.
6. OTHER BUSINESS
Council member Carmichael initiated a brief discussion on extending'
transit service hours to 10:30 P.M. through the Holiday Season. She
said the Yakima Mall is open until 9:00 P.M. and on Sunday, therefore, '-
Council may wish to consider this on a long term basis. Mr. Copeland
stated staff would be interested in extending the transit hours if it
would be cost effective. It was MOVED by Carmichael, seconded by Foy, to
direct staff to present information on the cost effectiveness of -
extending daily transit service to 10:00 P.M. and add service on Sunday
from November 21st to December 31, 1988. Unanimously carried by voice
vote.
Assistant City Manager Stouder asked what issues Council members would
like to place on the agenda for the meeting with Congressman Sid
Morrison. Council member Foy stated he would like the Mayor to write a
letter thanking Congressman Morrison and Assistant City Manager Fred
Stouder for their assistance in obtaining the grant for the John I. Haas
project. Mr. Foy stated he would also like to see a certificate of merit -
presented to Congressman Morrison and Mr. Stouder for their efforts on
behalf of this project. Following a 'brief discussion it was decided'
that the topics to be discussed with Congressman Morrison would be a
status of the SunDome, the DEA Task Force, and the Yakima River Basin
Enhancement Project.
Information items:
Items of information supplied to Council were: Memo from Director of
Public Works regarding Christmas Bus, 10/11/88; Memo from Director of
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NOVEMBER 1, 1988
Public Works regarding Council..Questions .on the Softball Tournament
Report, 10/27/88; Transit Operations Report for September 1988; Letter
from KIT /KATS Radio commending Sergeant Doug Bronson, Police Department,
for outstanding job as communication liaison between news media and.
Police command center during recent hostage situation, 10/24/88; Article. •
from 10/25/88 newspaper, "Water Rules May Cost Homeowners "; Article from
10/27/88 The New York Times, "Mayors See Increase in Children's
Problems "; Memo from Cable TV Coordinator regarding Municipal Programming
Update (10/21/88) and minutes of the August 9 and September 13, 1988
Community Programming Advisory Committee meetings; Agenda for October 26,
1988 Yakima District Board of Health meeting and minutes of its September
28, 1988 meeting and Agenda for October 26, 1988 Yakima Housing Authority
Board meeting and minutes of its September 28, 1988 meeting.
7. EXECUTIVE SESSION REGARDING ACQUISITION OF PROPERTY
It was MOVED by Buchanan, seconded by Carmichael, to move into executive
session for'approximately fifteen minutes regarding the acquisition of
property followed by immediate adjournment to the November 2, 1988 at
11:30 A.M. for a meeting with the City of Union Gap. Unanimously carried
by voice vote.
8. ADJOURNMENT TO NOVEMBER 2, 1988 AT 11:30 A.M., HOLIDAY INN FOR MEETING
WITH CITY OF UNION GAP
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Following the completion of the Executive Session, the meeting was„
adjourned at the hour of 3:4 P.M. /
READ AND CERTIFIED ACCURATE BY • A - ) a I A
r
IL Or DATE
ATTEST: C CI / ' : R . DATEI
III (J
/ M 'hP„�✓ .�J
CITY CLERK, CMC MAYOR
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(Minutes prepared by Deputy City Clerk, Barbara J. Toney, CMC.)
NOVEMBER 2, 1988
Meeting was cancelled.
See pages 012 -1 through 012 -4 containing the minutes of the November
3, 1988 Special Meeting /Joint Law Facility discussion.
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