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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03/05/1985 Study Session f . MARCH 5, 1985 19 STUDY SESSION 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 Clarence Barnett, Henry Beauchamp, Pat Berndt, Lynn Buchanan, Lynn Carmichael, Jerry Foy and Jack Sparling. 1. OPEN DISCUSSION FOR THE GOOD OF THE ORDER Mayor Barnett informed Council he had received a letter of resignation from Bud Kaylor, recently appointed member of the DARC Canmittee. Council member Carmichael stated the DARC meeting scheduled for Thursday of this week has been cancelled. She also stated she has been called to testify before the Senate Ways and Means Committee March 6th at 3:30 p.m. regarding redistribution of the County Liquor Tax. She urged the other Council members to call the legislative hot line regarding this issue, stating their opposition to this propsal. 2. REPORT FROM COMMUNITY & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ON THE STATUS OF THE BIOMASS ENERGY PROJECT Dr. Terrance Brown of Yakima Valley Community College and Phil Edwards of Lahotan Incorporated, summarized the report provided to the Council. He spoke about the purpose of the project pointing out that the sense of urgency involved with • this project has changed due to the fact that the oil crises has past. It was MOVED by Carmichael, seconded by Beauchamp, • to accept the report. Unanimously carried by voice vote. 3. REPORT FROM COUNCIL TRANSIT COMMITTEE AND THE CONFERENCE OF GOVERNMENTS REGARDING ELDERLY AND HANDICAPPED PROGRAM - ALTERNATIVES STUDY • Bill Schultz, Transit Manager, introduced Ann Sylvester of Basmac iyan- Darnell , Inc., the company providing the final report and recommendations for alternative methods of transporting the elderly and handicapped. After a partial review of the report, it was MOVED by Carmichael, seconded by Buchanan, to move this item down on the Agenda to become Item No. 7a under Current Study Session Items. Unanimously carried by voice vote. BUSINESS MEETING - 4. ROLL CALL - At - 3:00 p.m., the Council members commenced the regular meeting, Mayor Barnett presiding, Council members Beauchamp, Berndt, Buchanan, Carmichael, Foy and Sparling present on roll call. City Manager Zais, City Attorney Andrews, City Clerk Roberts and Deputy City Clerk Toney were also present. 5. INVOCATION The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Lynn Buchanan. Mayor Barnett read and presented a proclamation to Rosemary • Rief, 403 South 16th Avenue, proclaiming the week of March 10th -16th as the "Week of Parenting and the Young Child ". Citizens were invited to attend the 9th Annual Parent Festival to be held March 16th in the Yakima Mall. The children accompanying Mrs. Rief distributed "Hug Me" buttons to the Council members before departing. 20 MARCH 5, 1985 6. CONSENT AGENDA Mayor Barnett referred to the Its placed on the Consent Agenda, questioning whether there were any additions or deletions from either Council members or citizens present. Council member Buchanan requested that It No. 12 be added to the Consent Agenda. It was the general consensus of the Council that the addition of It No. 12, as requested, be made. The City Clerk then read the Consent Agenda items, including resolutions and ordinances by title. It was MOVED by seconded by Buchanan, that the Consent Agenda, as read, be passed. Unanimously carried by roll call vote. (Subsequent paragraphs preceded by an asterisk ( *) indicate items on the Consent Agenda handled under one motion without further discussion.) 7. CURRENT STUDY SESSION ITEMS a. Item No. 3 Mrs. Sylvester continued with the report on alternative transportation of the elderly and handicapped. Mayor Barnett questioned if a public hearing would have to be held regarding the change in fares if Council chooses to implement Alternative #2. Bill Schultz indicated it would be necessary to hold a public hearing if Council elects to implement Alternative #2. It was MOVED by Carmichael, seconded by Foy, to accept the report and proceed with Alternative #2. Council member Beauchamp stated he is against eliminating services on • Sunday, and also against instituting a fare for the elderly and handicapped. Mr. Schultz indicated he does not anticipate doing either of the above, however, he wants Council to be advised of the options available with regard to the situation, and reiterated he is merely requesting guidance at this time. It was MOVED by Beauchamp, seconded by Buchanan, to eliminate the alternative on elimination of Sunday service and remove the fare rate alternative in the recommendation. Council member Buchanan stated he could support the amendment, however, something is going to have to be done sanetime in the future regarding increasing the fares. Council member Carmichael reminded Council that they had decided it would be too costly to retrofit the City transit buses to accommodate the wheelchairs for the handicapped. She also pointed out that the service offered to the elderly and handicapped is based on the fixed route system. She reminded Council that fixed routes do not operate on Sunday. The question was called for a vote on the amendment. Failed by 4 -3 roll call .vote. Berndt, Carmichael, Foy and Sparling voting nay. The question was called for a vote on the motion which was to approve the report and direct staff to proceed with Alternative #2. Carried by 5 -2 roll call vote. Beaudhilip and Sparling voting nay. Council member Sparling stated he voted against the motion because Council is condoning spending $140,000 for the next three years with no cost- savings of the recommendation that came up on the report which could be implemented and still provide the service that was originally intended. Council member Buchanan requested clarification from staff as to the direction they intend to take. Mr. Schultz stated his interpretation of the vote is to hold the line at the current budget level, and at a point in time when it appears expenses will exceed budget, then, in the order they are presented, certain cost - saving measures will be implemented. He stated some of these would require Council action. It was MOVED by Buchanan, seconded by Carmichael, that staff be directed to proceed with this program now, rather than waiting until it becomes a crises. Carried by 6 -1 voice vote. Beauchamp voting nay. • *8. APPROVAL OF COUNCIL MINUTES The Council minutes of January 27 and February 5, 1985 were approved, having been duly certified accurate by two Council members and no one present wishing to have said minutes read pubicly. • MARCH 5, 1985 21 9. AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION Joyce Ware, 807 South 7th Street, informed Council of a housing development which is taking place in her neighborhood. She stated a petition was drawn up and circulated for signatures to be presented at today's Council meeting. She then introduced Alvina Vargas, a 9th grade student from Washington Junior High School, who read the petition and presented it to the Council. David Griffin, 927 South 9th Street, spoke in opposition to the housing development currently under construction. Betty Gaudette, 701 No. 6th Street, questioned the open space requirements for these developments. Council. directed their inquiries and the petition to staff for investigation. . _ Cecil Collins, Director of the Southeast Community Center, presented three brief requests for Council consideration: 1) He stated the Southeast Community Center has been rebuilt through the assistance of Block Grant and other funds, and invited the Council to tour the Center to observe these improvements; 2) it was requested that a tax exempt status of the Southeast Center be granted for the bingo games held at the Center; and 3) Mr. Collins requested an opportunity to be placed on the agenda to provide the Council with an annual report regarding the Center's activities. Magnolia Rentz, 1001 South 6th Street, requested assistance • from animal control, stating there are several dogs that roam - the neighborhoods in the southeast part of town. Every summer she has problems with the dogs getting into. her vegetable and flower gardens. Mayor Barnett indicated the information would be given to the Animal Control Division for follow -up. 10. HEARING ON RIGHT -OF -WAY VACATION ON SOUTH 29TH AVENUE, BETWEEN WALNUT AND CHESTNUT, REQUESTED BY YAKIMA VALLEY MEMORIAL HOSPITAL Mayor Barnett requested procedural guidance regarding whether the three staff recommendations would have to be given consideration prior to consideration of the ordinance. City Attorney Andrews stated the staff recommendations with the three conditions have been handled during the course of the rezone. He indicated recommendation number 2 and 3 were made a part of the conditions in approving the rezone. 'Mr. Andrews stated a supplemental ordinance (provided to Council just prior to the meeting today) addresses recommendation number 1, retention of easements by the City of Yakima for existing utility lines. He stated the adoption of this ordinance will satisfy the remaining recommendation (number 1) of the staff report. The Mayor then opened the public hearing regarding the right -of -way vacation. Rick Linneweh, Administrator of Yakima Valley Memorial Hospital, stated he is requesting an exception to the right of -way policy. involving the payment of III $1,723.75 for the vacation of a portion of South 29th Avenue for several reasons: 1) the hospital is providing more than minimum requirements for the parking lot; 2) the hospital is a community institution; 3) past history shows the hospital has dedicated property on Walnut to the City; and 4) the hospital will be constructing a cul-de -sac extending beyond the curbing • which constitutes additional dedication of property to the City. There being no other citizens present desiring to speak for or against the rightof -way vacation, the hearing was declared closed. Glenn Rice, Director of Community and Economic Development, referred to Resolution No. D -3532 adopted in 1976, which states the City's policy in conformance with the WAC section and reviewed the formula used in computing the amount of compensation to be made to the City. Mr. Rice stated this policy has been in effect since 1976 and on February 19, 1985 Council adopted Resolution No. D -5088 which restates the same policy. However, Resolution No. D -5088 states if the property exceeds a $4,000 total value, the property must be appraised. Mr. Rice pointed out that staff is merely following policy previously established by Council. Following the reading of the ordinance, it was MOVED 22 MARCH 5, 1985 by Carmichael, seconded by Buchanan, that the ordinance be passed. It was MOVED by Beauchamp, seconded by Sparling to amend the ordinance and delete Section 3 in the ordinance which would require payment of $1,723.75.to the City of Yakima by Yakima Valley Memorial Hospital. Failed by 4 -3 roll call vote. Barnett, Buchanan, Carmichael, and Foy voting nay. The question was called for a vote on the motion. Unanimously carried by roll call vote. ORDINANCE NO. 2854, AN ORDINANCE providing for the partial vacation of a portion of South 29th Avenue in the City of Yakima. 11. HEARING ON 1984 JOBS BILL.AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT GRANTEE PERFORMANCE REPORT Dixie Kracht, Housing Supervisor, stated the report reflects the 1984 Block Grant activities and the cost thereof. She indicated the report reflects the history of each program from its origin in 1975 to present. Mayor Barnett opened the public hearing on the 1984 Jobs Bill and Community Development Block Grant Grantee Performance Report. There being no one present desiring to speak for or against the report, the hearing was declared closed. It was MOVED by Foy, seconded by Carmichael, to authorize the City Manager to sign and submit the report to the office of Housing and Urban Development. Unanimously carried by voice vote. Mr. Rice indicated that in the near future the Housing Office will be presenting a recap of the activities over the past 10 year for Council's review. *12. PRESENTATION OF YEAR -END 1984 BUDGET REPORT The report from the Director of Finance and Budget dated March 1, 1985, regarding the 1984 Year -End Revenue & Expenditure Report for the City of Yakima, was accepted and approved. *13. PRESENTATION OF 1984 ANNUAL REPORT ON HEALTH INSURANCE PROGRAM The report from the Personnel Officer dated March 5, 1985 regarding the Year -End Report on the City's Self- Insured Health Care Plan, was accepted and approved. *14. CONSIDERATION OF RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING EXECUTION OF AN EXTENSION OF AGREEMENT FOR TROLLEY SERVICE RESOLUTION NO. D -5092, A RESOLUTION extending the termination date of a Trolley Operations Agreement. *15. CONSIDERATION OF CHANGE IN SERVICE INSTALLATION CHARGES FOR SMALL WATER METERS The report from the Director of Engineering and Utilities dated January 16, 1985, directing staff to prepare appropriate legislation to change the service installation charges for small water meters, was accepted and approved. *16. CONFIRMATION OF APPOINTMENT TO UTILITY RATE ADVISORY BOARD The appointment of Guy Shinn to the Utility Rate Advisory Board to fill the vacancy of Kenneth Martin, as the banking representative, to July 28, 1987, was confirmed. *17. CONSIDERATION OF AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE 1985 BUDGET AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS FOR THE PACIFIC INSTITUTE SPECIAL TRAINING COURSE (First Reading) An Ordinance appropriating funds for the Pacific Institute Special Training Course having been read by title only at this meeting, was laid on the table for one week or until March 12, 1985. 23 MARCH 5, 1985 *18. CONSIDERATION OF AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE 1985 BUDGET AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS FOR SEWER CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS (First • Reading) An ordinance appropriating funds for Sewer Capital Improvement Projects having been read by title only at this meeting, was laid on the table for one week or until March 12, 1985. 19. OTHER BUSINESS None Infonnation Items Items of information supplied to Council were: Petition No. 1022 filed by Margaret Weaver and others requesting moratorium on the issuance of liquor licenses. 2/27/85; letter from Administrator of St. Elizabeth Medical Center and Certificate of Appreciation to the staff of the Community Television Division. 2/20/85; memo from Code Administration Manager re Country Store Produce. 2/27/85; monthly report of Chief of Police for January 1985; and minutes of February 5, 1985 Planning Commission meeting. 20. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to crane before Council, it was MOVED by Beauchamp, seconded by Berndt, that this meeting be adjourned at the hour of '4:36 p.m. Unanimously carried by voice vote. READ AND CERTIFIED ACCURATE BY NAAw;lkat1 __ UNCIL MEMER CLt Ak,ota DATE -�� ,�5 P COUNCIL MEMBER ATTEST: 7 2 ke-t CITY CLERK MAYOR •