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HomeMy WebLinkAbout09/01/1987 Study Session 120 • SEPTEMBER - • 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 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 B -4 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 • 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. B -4 • 122 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 • 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. • • 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 /l .b c� t COUNCIL MEMBE AT ATTEST: ,f wry � `, AIWA �2 ' ' ; �"r /(4L)C- f - ASSI / - � 1. r • � :,�' ` DATE CITY CLERK Ark OrAtEgMTTZIM. J7 1- lo -•8? —YOR GATE MINUTES PREPARED BY: , 11 � ,. u u/ Deputy ( City Clerk B -4