HomeMy WebLinkAbout09/01/1987 Study Session 120
• SEPTEMBER -
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STUDY SESSION
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1. ROLL CALL
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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 Henry Beauchamp, - presiding, Clarence Barnett, Pat Berndt, Lynn
Buchanan', Lynn Carmichael, Jerry Foy and Bernard'Sims present on roll call.
City Manager Zais, City Attorney Vanek, City Clerk Roberts and Deputy City
Clerk Toney also present.
2. - INVOCATION
The Invocation was given by, Council member Sims.
3. OPEN ;DISCUSSION FOR -THE GOOD OF THE • ORDER
. Mayor. Beauchamp read a proclamation declaring the month of September as
"Yakima Greenway Month" and then presented the proclamation to Greta
Bryant, President of the Greenway Foundation: Mrs; Bryantrdistributed
Yakima Greenway brochure and lapel to the Council members, and others
seated at the horseshoe and encouraged everyone to support the Greenway
Foundation. It was MOVED by Carmichael, seconded by Berndt, to commend the
efforts of those involved in the Greenway Foundation 'and__ urged them to
continue their efforts towards the betterment of the Yakima Greenway
Improvement Project, and that we endorse'the proclamation that was just
• read to us.. Unanimously carried by voice vote.
4. REPORT FROM AND RECREATION COMMISSION'AND STAFF REGARDING CAPITAL
IMPROVEMENT NEEDS AND RECOMMENDED FINANCING PLAN
Director of Public Works Jerry•Copeland expressed appreciation to the
Parks and Recreation Special Committee for their involvement in the study
of the issues presented in today's report. Be indicated Andy Brassington,
Chairman of the Special Committee and Committee •member Don Norman will
address Council on the recommendations the Committee has made. Mr.
Copeland stated there are five issues which the Parks and Recreation
Commission recommended for a $2,250,000 bond issue for the November
election ballot. Those five issues include 1) the $700,000 renovation of
Washington and Franklin Swimming Pools, 2) the $300,000 expansion of the
. Senior Center, 3) the $300,000 automatic •irrigation systems, 4) the
$225,000 various park improvements and 5) the $200,000 engineering and
contingency costs. The $525,000 for development of soccer fields was not
included in the Special Committee's recommendations. It is their belief
that. the_•community is of this effort, and funds are not
available for such capital outlay at this time. Andy Brassington, 8 South
28th Avenue, Chairman of the Special Committee, reviewed the proposed
recommendations and responded to Council's comments and inquiries regarding
the reason for the recommendations, the membership and their attendance at
the meetings held by the Special Committee, the telephone survey, etc. Mr.
Brassington Special Committee believes the responsible action,
for the City at this time, should be to improve its parks and facilities
currently being utilized for sports and athletic programs. Jay Akers, 1019
South 26th Avenue, representing the Yakima Soccer Association, presented
figures on the number of_ and_ adults currently involved in
. soccer programs within the City- of Yakima. He stated they currently turn
away players because there are not enough soccer fields to accommodate
everyone. Mr. Akers stated the fields currently being used are of poor
quality and are in need of improvement as far as size and condition are
concerned. In response to Council member Sims inquiry, "Do you feel you
could play a leadership role that would pass a bond issue ? ", Mr. Akers
stated he would be glad to help. Tim Graden, 2705 West .Lincoln Avenue,
President of the Adult Soccer Association, and Cal Riemcke, 2901 Summitview
Avenue, spoke of the need for additional soccer fields, stating players are
currently being turned away due to the lack of playing fields. Don Norman,
2102 Tieton Drive, Parks & Recreation Special Committee member, suggested
Council consider allocating additional funding to the Public Works
• Department for adequate operation of the City's parks and swimming pools.
He stated the results of their survey showed 78% of the citizens contacted
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SEPTEMBER 1, 1987 121
are supportive,_. of the . operation of the swimming pools. Joyce.Ware, 807
. , South 7th Street, commended the Committee for .their efforts on the study
and recommendations resulting from their efforts. Regarding utilization of
the parks and swimming pools, Mrs. Ware commented she does not allow her
• daughter, to play at Martin Luther King, Jr. . Park because'it is unsafe..
She spoke of the drug and alcohol problem! that. exists. at the park, stating
the police department needs to take some action regarding this matter. She
. also questioned the use of non -union staff to provide maintenance for City
parks. Mr. Copeland commented some of the recommendations made by the
Special Committee may not be practical, but the Special Committee members
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wanted them to.be made a part of'the record. Following. further discussion,
it was MOVED by Barnett,. seconded by Foy,,to.refer these_six matters which
are listed in Item No. 4 for the 2.25 million dollars to legal counsel for
:development of two. ordinances calling for special parks improvement bond
issue, one to include the soccer field development, and one to exclude the
. soccer field development. Mr. Barnett commented he is anticipating
additional information supporting the development of the soccer fields,
thus the reason forjthe wording of the motion. The question, was called for
a vote on'the motion. Unanimously carried,Fby.voice,vote..
'6. OTHER BUSINESS
It was the consensus of the Council toy, address an issue under "Other
Business" prior to discussion of Item No. 5. Council member Foy stated he
would like Council to give consideration. to the, tavern owner's issue. It
was MOVED by Foy, seconded by Barnett, that"Council release.:the attorney
from the ,tavern - owner issue-, have the Mayor'appoint. three.Council members,
who are interested in meeting with three owners of the Tavern Owners
• Organization, for the, purpose of discussion relating_ to. the State Statutes
on Gambling. Under discussion,,Council, member Foy stated it, is his intent
to create dialogue with representatives of the.,Trade Stimulant Operators in
an attempt to reach a unified position _on_proposed changes in the State
Statutes- to present to the State Legislature. ,The question was called for
. a vote on the motion. The voice vote, was unclear, therefore, Mayor
Beauchamp asked for a roll call vote on 'the motion. Failed by 4 -3 roll
call vote. Berndt, Buchanan,, Carmichael and_ 'Sims voting nay. Mayor
Beauchamp commented he feels Council should initiate dialogue with the
tavern owners as Council has been criticized for their unwillingness to
discuss this issue. He stated Council will still, have to make the final
decision on whatever comes out of such a' meeting, Council members Berndt
and Carmichael stated they feel this type, of discussion should take place
. in an open, meeting than in a private session. Council member
Carmichael_atated she believes this is a matter,for the.State Legislature,
adding in 1974-when gambling was approved, in,Washington state, it was on
the condition, that, these taxes be paid. She stated this is not. an issue
that is unique to the .City. of Yakima, the entire, state is affected.
Council member. Barnett commented he does not.,see any difference in this
motion and in the way the Agplex,issue was handled. City Manager Zais
. stated he has. discussed. this issue with City AttorneyVanek and Council
member Foy and concluded that the suggested option would not preclude
listening to a proposal and gaining a better understanding of the tavern
owner's agenda. He stated some ground rules could be established which
would reserve the right of the full Council to act on this issue.'Mr.
Zais stated perhaps an invitation should be extended to the tavern owners
for them to put.together., in.a formal manner, their specific concerns and
proposals that they would like to have advanced and considered by Council,
along with the reasons for why their.. profitability is down, or why it
Can't be increased, why.they are impacted . as much_ .as they, are, and what
specifically they would like to see the City Council do, and allow that to
be considered through a staff review andrecommendation back to the City
Council as a whole for consideration as to the pros and cons. Council
member Carmichael stated she would endorse the City Manager's, suggestion
and would be happy to make a motion to,, that affect. Following further
'discussion,• it was MOVED by Carmichael,' seconded by Sims, to accept the
City Manager's recommendation of a proposed course of action with an
=- invitation to Trade Stimulant Operators, within the realm of their
desire and capability, to lay out,the issues they wish to discuss with us
and wish _to, pursue,'and that the Council will review that and consider
further on initial staff-work. Unanimously, carried by voice
vote i ` Y . -. _ ..
1
v.
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SEPTEMBER 1, 1987
Mayor Beauchamp explained that he had another commitment he must leave for
at this time and asked Assistant Mayor Barnett to assume the gavel. (Mayor
Beauchamp absent after 4:15 p.m.)
5. REPORT FROM PUBLIC WORKS REGARDING PROPOSED ADMINISTRATIVE REORGANIZATION
OF PARKS AND RECREATION DIVISION
Public Works Director Jerry Copeland stated this, report can be summed up in
three issues: 1) coordination, 2) field supervision and 3) inadequate
maintenance staffing, He then yielded to questions and 'comments from
Council. Assistant Mayor Barnett inquired if Mr. Copeland is
anticipating Council to make a decision regarding Phase I today, and Mr.
Copeland responded, "that is correct." Council member Foy stated he
prefers to see the entire 1988 budget package prior to making a decision on
the reorganization, as presented today. Council member Berndt referred to
page four and questioned why the Administrative Assistant would start at
the top of the salary range. Mr. Copeland stated he is budgeting for the
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possibility of the current Recreation Supervisor bumping down to that
position, and under current Civil Service rules, that person would start at
the top of the salary range. Council member Berndt expressed concern that
some of the names are being changed and at a later date staff will be
requesting, job reclassifications. Mr. Copeland stated this will not
happen, and explained it does not matter which individual is in this
position, the position has to operate in the manner in which he has set up.
He stated the logic behind this reorganization is to get the coordination
back under one manager. Council member Berndt referred to page 5, Item 4,
and expressed concern regarding the salary for the full time laborer. City
Attorney Vanek pointed out this position is subject to the bargaining
process with the Union as it is not a management position. City Manager
Zais pointed out that Phase II will have to be approved in the budget
process for 1988, but Phase I must be dealt with now because the vacancy
in Parks management is critical and staff believes it is time_to move ahead
with Phase I regardless of whether funding is available for Phase II. He
indicated it is desirable to begin recruitment for the Administrative
Assistant position now. It was MOVED by Sims_, seconded by Berndt, to
accept Phase I of the Administrative Reorganization. Carried by 4 -2 voice
vote. Barnett and Foy voting nay. Beauchamp absent.
Information Items:
Items of information supplied to Council were: News Release announcing
that the Trade Stimulant are dropping any further legal action to
bring about'a reduction in the City's gambling tax, 9/1/87;. Agenda for the
City of Yakima Hearing Examiner Meeting to be held September 2, 1987,
9/1/87; Minutes_ of the August 11, 1987 Yakima Bicentennial Committee
Meeting 9/1/87; Agenda for the August 26, 1987 Yakima District Board of
Health Meeting, 9/1/87; Minutes of the July 22, 1987 Yakima District Board
of Health Regular Meeting, 9/1/87; Agenda for the August 26, 1987 Yakima
Housing Authority Regular Meeting, 9/1/87 and Minutes of the July 22, 1987
Yakima Housing Authority Regular Meeting, 9/1/87.
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• 7. EXECUTIVE SESSION REGARDING PENDING AND PROSPECTIVE LITIGATION
(PLEASE ALLOW 45 MINUTES)
It was MOVED by Sims, seconded by Carmichael, to move into Executive
Session for approximately 45 minutes for the purpose. of discussing
prospective and pending litigation, and to adjourn immediately thereafter.
Unanimously carried by voice vote. Beauchamp absent.
8. ADJOURNMENT
Following the completion of the Executive Session, the meeting was
adjourned at the hour of 5:07
READ AND CERTIFIED ACCURATE BY: Odif
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CITY CLERK Ark
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MINUTES PREPARED BY: , 11 � ,. u u/
Deputy ( City Clerk
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