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HomeMy WebLinkAbout12/05/1989 Business Meeting 3 DECEMBER 5, 1989 BUSINESS MEETING /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. Mayor Pat Berndt, presiding, Council members Clarence Barnett, Lynn Buchanan, Jerry Foy and Bernard Sims present on roll call. Council member Henry Beauchamp absent and excused. City Manager Zais, City Attorney Vanek, and City Clerk Roberts also present. 2. INVOCATION. The Invocation was given by Council member Foy. 3. OPEN DISCUSSION FOR THE GOOD OF THE ORDER Mayor Berndt announced that Council is officially accepting applications for filling the vacancy on the Council created by the resignation of Lynn Carmichael. She stated that applications may be picked up at City Hall and the deadline for submitting applications is 5:00 P.M. on December 19th. She said that interviews will be conducted after the first of the year. City Manager Zais interjected that this is to replace a district position and all applicants must reside within District 4. Mayor Berndt outlined what happened during her attendance at the National League of Cities Conference in Atlanta, briefly describing the workshop she attended. Mayor Berndt read a proclamation, which she indicated is being read all across the nation today, declaring the week of December 3 -9, 1989 as Cities Fight Back Against Drugs Week. Council member Buchanan reported that although the minutes of the Yakima Air Terminal Board meeting do not reflect his attendance at that meeting, he was present. 4. AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION Bill Neal, Sunnyside, presented Council with information regarding incineration of garbage. He circulated samples of household garbage which had been pelletized through the incineration, process, leaving activated charcoal. He invited Council to attend a demonstration in Prosser. 5. CONSIDERATION OF RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF THE PREFERRED ALTERNATIVE OF THE DRAFT. SUPPLEMENTAL ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT FOR YAKIMA FIRING CENTER PROPOSED LAND ACQUISITION Council member Barnett reported the Yakima County Commissioners support the proposed resolution which speaks to the preferred alternative for land expansion at the Firing Center, particularly the EIS. He said the environmental review should proceed because this is the means to balance expansion needs and environmental protection. He said his premise is that soldiers must be adequately trained and this resolution supports that. He indicated he intends to attend the meeting in Ellensburg and voice his concerns regarding this expansion so the military will address it more thoroughly. Council member Buchanan stated he has a letter from the Cascadians, a Yakima based organization of 800 members, that states Council is premature in taking this action to support the Firing Center expansion. Council member Sims stated we are trying to define problems and concerns so the EIS will address those AD /1 DECEMBER 5, 1989 concerns; therefore, he supports this resolution. Council member Foy stated he believes there is a process of law which should be followed and believes this resolution is appropriate and timely. Council member Buchanan commented a lot of people have indicated they don't want the economic growth that will come with this expansion, if it is like what is in Tacoma by Fort Lewis. Captain Mele, 504 W. 12th Street, Ellensburg, stated he has the support of the Ellensburg City Council, Kittitas and Grant County Commissioners and civic leaders of Mattawa and Desert Aire, in speaking in opposition to the expansion of the Firing Center. He said it has been said this preferred alternative would take care of all their needs, and they may bring in a joint readiness program. ' He reported that Pierce County records say that over 30% of the crimes take place near Fort Lewis. He stated there is little consideration in the EIS towards the residences and ranches and thinks more mitigation is necessary. Council member Barnett commented that one of the issues he intends to address in Ellensburg on December 14th is the cattlemen's issue about the land. He further commented that we need to proceed with the final EIS in order to gain some support so that this process will continue. Council member Buchanan interjected that if we are so enthusiastic about this, why aren't we asking the Army to extend southerly into Yakima County, rather than telling them to put it in our neighbor's' area. Council member Foy stated the resolution is saying the process must go on; we need the final EIS to answer some of the people's concerns. Mayor Berndt stated that with the understanding we are supporting the process, she would support the resolution. Resolution No. D -5658 having been . read by title, it was MOVED BY BARNETT, SECONDED BY SIMS, THAT THE RESOLUTION BE ADOPTED. The motion carried by 4 -1 roll call vote. Buchanan voting nay; Beauchamp absent. RESOLUTION NO. D -5658, in the matter of adoption of a joint resolution in support of the preferred alternative of the draft supplemental environmental impact statement for Yakima Firing Center proposed land acquisition. 6. CONSIDERATION OF RESOLUTION APPROVING ISSUANCE 'OF 'TAX EXEMPT ADJUSTABLE MODE INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT REVENUE BONDS OF THE YAKIMA COUNTY PUBLIC CORPORATION TO HAAS, INC. FOR TEN MILLION DOLLARS Resolution No. D -5659 having been read by title, it was MOVED BY BUCHANAN, SECONDED BY FOY, THAT THE RESOLUTION BE ADOPTED. The motion carried by unanimous roll call vote. Beauchamp absent. RESOLUTION NO. D -5659, A RESOLUTION of the City Council of the City of Yakima approving the issuance of tax exempt adjustable mode industrial development revenue bonds of'the Yakima County Public Corporation pursuant to RCW 39.84.060. 9. EXECUTIVE SESSION REGARDING PENDING LITIGATION It being the consensus of the Council to consider Item 9 out of order of the Agenda, the Council convened in Executive Session for approximately five minutes for the purpose of discussing pending litigation. STUDY SESSION Following the executive session, at 3:45 P.M., Council re- convened in the Council Chambers for the Study Session portion of the meeting. AD /2 DECEMBER: 5., 1989 3 4- 3 7. BUDGET REVIEW DRUG COALITION BUDGET City Manager Zais reported there was a handout which replaced the one in the budget for the Drug Coalition. Frank Glaspey, Director for the Coalition for the War on Drugs, was available to respond to questions. Mr. Glaspey spoke about the changes occurring to 'fight the drug problems. He said that the City's level of financial commitment has been reduced from $37,000 to $14,860 as a result of ESD 105 joining the Coalition, some cost savings, and administrative costs which will be recaptured from Federal and State funds. Following discussion regarding the appearance of the administrative overhead being larger than it is, staff said they could segregate Service Unit 719 so it is not so misleading.' Mayor Berndt announced that the Drug Coalition office has moved. Mr. Glaspey said the office has moved into the Southeast Community Center. Mayor Berndt stated it is the goal of the Board to work towards reducing the four entities contribution to zero through the • acquisition of State and Federal grants. She said that any funds generated locally through service clubs will go towards program costs only, and not be used for administration. Council members commended Mr. Glaspey for his fine work and City Manager Zais commended Mayor Berndt for her contributions towards this effort, to fight the war on drugs. Charles Kriz, 5708 Bitterroot Lane', once again, appeared to urge the City Council to use military assistance for the war on drugs and make the parents. responsible for their children using . .or selling drugs. Mayor Berndt reminded Mr. Kriz that the money received from the Federal and State governments cannot be used for law enforcement. It has to go for either prevention, education, or high risk treatment. PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT Parks and Recreation Division Jerry Copeland, Director of Public Works, Dave Flaherty, Parks and Recreation Manager, and David Johnson, Administrative Assistant, were present to respond to Council questions. Referring to the policy issue on page 415, Reduce 1990 CBD Contracted Maintenance Service to Only Six ,Months, Council member Foy said that he could support that, however, he wants to make sure the CBD merchants understand this policy issue. Mr. Flaherty indicated he had met with the Downtown Area Redevelopment Committee and each member individually and he can attend one of the Downtown Group meetings. Referencing page 376, Account 200, and the policy issue on page 410, Supply Uniforms for Parks Maintenance Employees, Council member Barnett stated that he thinks this should be a negotiated item. Mr. Flaherty stated he spoke with Paul Sears, Business Agent for AFSCME, about this issue and was told there was no Union problem with this. He said this would make the Parks crew visible and if there is an emergency, the public could contact them. Council members Foy and Sims also expressed concerns about this policy issue. Mike Nixon, Parks and Recreation Commission, stated this issue came before the Commission, and in his opinion he thinks this could act as a deterrent for undesired activities in the parks. Council members discussed the concession stand sales, mowing cycle, and the decreased percentage in self- support of adult athletics and community leisure programs. Council member Sims suggested next year, the percentage of overhead costs that is not included in the chart on page 384, should be indicated. Mayor Berndt suggested staff contact the Parks Director in Phoenix, Arizona about the new programs initiated there using in -kind services from the parks staff. Council member Sims stated he received an inquiry from a AD/3 DECEMBER 5, 1989 citizen asking about the establishment of a 4th of July celebration in the City. Referring to the budget for the golf course, Council member Foy noted that the expenses exceeded the budget by $5,000. He said he would like a policy issue to evaluate the long term viability of Fisher Park. He stated that perhaps Fisher Park could be sold and a trust fund established for an adequate public course for the City. He said that Fisher Park has now become a liability in many ways. Council member Sims suggested that rather than make this a policy issue, perhaps the Parks and Recreation Commission should look at this issue while doing the comprehensive general plan for parks. Council members reviewed the Aquatics budget and the policy issue on page 411 to Adjust the Aquatic City Work Pay Rates to $4.25 Per Hour in 1990. Council discussed the policy issue on page 416, for the Parks Maintenance People to Maintain the Fire Station Grounds. Council member Foy stated that he thinks the firefighters can maintain those properties. It was the general consensus of Council to add the lawn mower in the Fire Department's budget as a policy issue. Staff played a ten minute video on a water slide and responded to Council's questions regarding the need for two additional personnel to operate this slide, and the proposal to seek corporate sponsorship or donations for the capital purchase. Council members expressed concern about the lack of parking if a water slide is installed at Franklin Pool. Ann Byerrum, Allied Arts Council, was present to respond to Council's questions regarding the policy issue on page 418, Contribute $8,000 to Allied Arts Council's Summer : ArtsVan Program for 1990. Mrs. Byerrum distributed additional information on the ArtsVan program. Cemetery • Mr. Copeland commented the $10,000 in requested increases in the Cemetery budget uses all the money received from the in- lieu tax. .- - -- -- "" It was the general consensus of the Council to defer the discussion of the Yakima Comprehensive Land Use Plan 2025 Policy Issue until December 9th. Traffic Engineering Shelley Harlington and Steve Knopp were present to respond to Council's questions. Council members discussed the policy issue on page 368, Promote Existing Traffic Technician II to Traffic Associate. Council member Foy suggested budgeting for this upgrade, but not accomplish this change without first - hiring the new Traffic Engineer because the new manager may have different ideas. Mr. Copeland stated he doesn't have any problem with that suggestion. There was quite a bit of discussion on the policy issue on page 369, to Fund One Additional Traffic Signal Technician to Service the Interlocal Government /Outside Agency Needs. Mr. Copeland said that in looking at the Traffic Engineering operations, staff determined that they were having a difficult time keeping up with City work, and if outside agencies needed work they would have to fund another traffic technician. However, • these agencies said that they would not use one person full time between them and they don't want to do this. He said, with that consideration, staff's recommendation is to scale down the policy issue and withdraw that service. However, there are a couple of minor complications; there are some joint signals the City maintains with the County and we would still want to maintain them. Also, the Airport wants the City to continue striping for the Airport, supplying the paint. The Airport reports that if they contract that service it would cost them $.85 per sq. ft., or $85,000 and by them furnishing the material and us working with them, it costs $10,000. He stated most of the other entities would AD /4 DECEMBER 5,1989 contact the Department of Transportation to perform the work the City had been doing. Mr. Hanson stated the City would lose some income, but that person is needed to do City work. Council member Foy inquired if there is a direct contribution from the County for the striping work, and Mr. Copeland replied, "No ". REVIEW OF YAKIMA COMPREHENSIVE LAND USE PLAN 2025 POLICY ISSUE The discussion on this item was continued to December 9th. 8. OTHER BUSINESS . Information Items: Items of information supplied to Council were: Letter from Michael Donahue resigning position of Traffic Engineering Manager, effective November 30, 1989. 11/17/89; Agenda for December 6, 1989 City of Yakima Hearing Examiner meeting; Monthly report of the Chief of Police for October 1989; September 1989 Minority Business Enterprise Report and Community Development Block Grant September 1989 Report from Office of Housing and Neighborhood Conservation; Monthly Transit Operations Report for October 1989; Notice of rate increase from Nob Hill Water Association. Undated; Minutes of the November 13, 1989 Parks and Recreation Commission meeting; Minutes of the October 25, 1989 Yakima Air Terminal Board meeting; Minutes of the October 16, 1989 Yakima Center Advisory Commission meeting; Minutes of the March 20, 1989 Utility Rate Advisory Board meeting; Minutes of the October 4, 1989 Yakima Housing Authority Board meeting; Agenda for November 29, 1989 Yakima District Board of Health meeting and minutes for its October 25, 1989 meeting; and December 1989 Calendar of . Yakima County EMS Activities and December 1989 Newsletter. 9. EXECUTIVE SESSION REGARDING PENDING LITIGATION The Executive Session was held out of sequence on the agenda, prior to the Study Session portion of the meeting. 10. ADJOURNMENT TO DECEMBER 9, 1989 AT 9:30 A.M. AT YAKIMA CITY HALL FOR BUDGET WRAP -UP It was MOVED BY FOY, SECONDED BY SIMS, TO ADJOURN THE MEETING AT THE HOUR OF 5:00 P.M., TO THEN MEET AGAIN ON DECEMBER 9, 1989 AT 9:00 A.M. IN THE COUNCIL. CHAMBERS, FOR BUDGET REVIEW. The motion carried by unanimous voice vote. Beauchamp absent. READ AND CERTIFIED ACCURATE /f rAty 7 COUP L MEMBER DAM 41 i it hp C'iUNCIL ME 4E s D E II ATTEST: i ail-- .. C-- Ll4i& 'Qa--t CITY CLERK MAYOR AD/ 5 Page inadvertently left blank. •