HomeMy WebLinkAbout04/01/1986 Study Session 284
April 1, 1986
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 Henry
Beauchamp, presiding, Council members Clarence Barnett, Pat Berndt,
Lynn Buchanan, and Jerry Foy present on roll call. City Manager
Zais, City Attorney Andrews, City Clerk Roberts and
Deputy City Clerk Toney also present. Council members Lynn
Carmichael and Jack Sparling absent and excused.
2. INVOCATION
The Invocation was given by Council member Jerry Foy.
3. OPEN DISCUSSION FOR THE GOOD OF THE ORDER
Council member Barnett suggested staff prepare a report as to
whether the City has adequate insurance coverage for the City
sponsored charter bus tours, and whether or not the City would have
to share in the liability should a catastrophe occur on one of the
charter bus tours.
Council member Barnett expressed concern that it has been four
months since staff presented a report on the fixed transit route or
the elderly and handicapped services. He indicated he has been
informed by staff there is a problem relating to finalizing the
revenue and expenditure data for 1985. He stated he feels Council
should receive a monthly 'report, at least on the statistical data
which does not relate to the information that they apparently are
unable to provide.
Council member Foy requested an update on the status of the City's
liability insurance. He indicated he is unsure of the status of
umbrella coverage and the issue on whether or not the City
should become self insured.
Council member Foy requested clarification on the City ordinance
relating to removal of the railroad tracks and rubber pads by the
railroad company. He referred to the intersections at Yakima
Avenue, Walnut, "B" Street, "A" Street and "I" Street, questioning
whether the ordinance says upon removal of the tracks and rubber
pads, the intersection must be brought to the same as, or better
condition. He stated there are several interested parties who
would like the rubber pads to be relocated to soften the blow on
fruit damage. He asked what protection the City has if the tracks
and rubber pads are removed from the intersections listed above.
City Manager Zais responded to the insurance issue stating two or
three weeks ago staff included in Council's information items a
report from the City's broker (Fred S. James) which indicated the
continued status of inability to place the umbrella coverage, as
well as secure the additional coverage for Transit, and that they
are still pursuing alternatives. He reported staff met with
representatives of Fred S. James last week to further evaluate the
situation, and are now in the process of looking at options to
address the umbrella coverage, the coverage currently in place, and
the gaps which still exist in Transit. He stated it is his
intention to bring back a report and recommendation to Council on
April 15th or 22nd as to the future of the City's insurance
coverage, depending upon what the broker is able to determine about
the reinsurance market within the next 10 days. ;
Mayor Beauchamp shared a letter with Council which he had received
from Cindy Alkofer, a member of the Melody ,L ane Singers. The
letter is a request for contributions to help defray Cindy's
portion of expenses ($100) for a trip to Las' -Vegas and Disneyland
where the Melody Lane Singers have been invited to sing in May of
this year. Mayor Beauchamp asked that if any of the Council
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'members were so inclined to contribute to Cindy:s cause, the funds
be given to him and he in turn will forward them to Cindy.
4. REPORT REGARDING FUTURE PLANNING EFFORTS FOR DOWNTOWN YAKIMA
City Manager' Zais reviewed the memorandum to Council dated
March 28, 1986 and made opening comments regarding this item.
Council member Barnett questioned if there would be any legal
restrictions regarding the use of the unobligated funds from the
392 account since the area has been expanded beyond the 16 block
core area. City Manager Zais stated this would have to be verified
prior to presentation of the plan for approval. Lenore Lambert,
proprietor of the Wine Cellar on North Front Street, stated one of
the issues which needs to be addressed is the traffic flow and the
land use issue. She stated other members of the business community
were in agreement on this particular issue. Discussion continued
regarding the increased scope of the study. Council member Barnett
stated he feels the long range study is premature at this time.
Council member Foy referred to the minutes of the March 19th
'meeting of the -Yakima Downtown Group wherein it states "it was the
general consensus of the group to request the City Council to
.conduct a parking occupancy study and traffic circulation' report
with the possibility of using reserved Economic Development
Administration monies to conduct the survey this summer. It was
also the general consensus of the group to 'meet in section
committees with property owners to decide what each area sees as
current and long range problems and solutions and meet in several
months to discuss their particular 'sections ". Mr. Foy then
referred to previous study (Central Business District Plan which
was done in 1967) containing information similar to that currently
being requested. He suggested instead of hiring another consultant
to furnish :the City the desired information, that staff be
requested to update the former study and provide the information to
the participants involved in the section meetings. Mrs. Lambert
stated the report referred to by Council member Foy has already
been distributed to the members of the Downtown Area Redevelopment
Connnittee (DARC). She indicated the members of the business
community are agreeable to working with City staff, however, she
does not know if the current work load of staff would allow for
this. Lee Semon, Jr. addressed Council regarding this issue and
expressed a desire to see the project continue. He offered his
assistance to City staff in this endeavor. Mayor Beauchamp asked
• Mr. Semon what the primary objective is for the Westside merchants.
Mr. Semon responded by saying the main concern is that the City not
be divided into "Eastside" and "Westside." He also expressed
concern that the public be educated regarding the availability of
parking in the downtown area. Frances Hare, Board of Trustee
Member of the Washington Trust for Historic Preservation, addressed
Council regarding the importance of preserving historic buildings
located in the City of Yakima. She stated the City of Yakima has
only 8 sites listed on the State or National Register for Historic
Preservation. She indicated. Naches Avenue should have been
declared a historic district years ago before so many of the
beautiful old homes were lost. Mrs. Hare was hopeful that historic
sites will be taken into consideration for preservation purposes
during the study process. At the request of City Manager Zais,
Fred Stouder, Assistant City Manager, addressed Council with
respect to the issues which have surfaced during the development of
this recommendation, and the issue of staff capability, and
resources versus the professional services being recommended for
engagement. Mr. Stouder stated if the City had the funds to devote
to the project, his personal recommendation would be to have the
entire downtown planning process completed now, and enter into the
master contract to do all of the phases. This not being
economically' feasible at this time, he suggested completing one or
two of the studies to determine where they may lead. Prior to
making a motion.Council member Barnett explained he would not
include the portion of the recommendation relating to the future
design of framework plan as he feels they are premature, however,
he would include the portions he considers basic information
necessary for the section meetings to begin. It was MOVED by
Barnett, seconded by Berndt, that staff be directed to prepare the
286 APRIL 1, 1986
request for proposal for traffic, parking and circulation
analysis, together with initial land use, and building conditions
inventory. Unanimously carried by voice vote. Carmichael and
Sparling absent.
5. REVIEW OF STAFF REPORT REGARDING YAKIMA'S FUTURE ECONOMIC GROWTH
It was MOVED by Berndt, seconded by Foy, to accept the, report.
Unanimously carried by voice vote. Carmichael and Sparling
absent.
6. OTHER BUSINESS
Council member Berndt stated the Hearing Examiner Application
Review Committee needs to meet this week, and suggested Jerry Foy
be appointed to serve temporarily in the absence of Council member
Lynn Carmichael. She stated the, purpose for the meeting is to
review and discuss the contract for the Hearing Examiner. It was
MOVED by Berndt, seconded by Barnett, that Council member Foy be
appointed to serve as substitute for Council member Carmichael for
the purpose of reviewing the Hearing Examiner Contract.
Unanimously .carried by voice vote. Carmichael and Sparling
absent.
Information Items
Items of information supplied to Council were: Letter from City
Engineer to Property Owners regarding South 48th Avenue and Tieton
Drive Intersection Paving and Signalization -- Project No.'s 998 and
1064. 3/28/86; Letter from Assistant City Manager to Yakima
Chamber of Commerce regarding the 1986 - 1991 City of Yakima
Capital Improvement Program. 3/21/86; Progress Report No. 7,
Domestic Water System Comprehensive Plan And Rattlesnake Creek
Project from 2/11/86 to 3/10/86. 3/5/86; Letter from Department
of Social and Health Services, Water Works Certification Board
announcing a Certificate of Canpetency is being issued to David E.
Brown, Water, Treatment Plant .,Supervisor, as a Water.Distribution
Manager 2. 3/19/86; Letter from Director of Engineering and
Utilities to Department of Social and Health Services certifying
The Yakima Greenway Water Line Extension project is completed.
3/24/86; Monthly Report of Chief of Police. February,1986;
Minutes of the February 26, 1986 Yakima District Board of Health;
Minutes of the March 5, 1986 Yakima Housing Authority
,Special meeting; Minutes of the March 14, 1986 Yakima Housing
Authority continued Special meeting; and Minutes of the March 19,
1986 ,Yakima Center. Advisory Commission meeting.
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7. EXECUTIVE SESSION REGARDING PROSPECTIVE LITIGATION
It was MOVED by Buchanan, seconded by Berndt, to adjourn to
Executive Session for approximately 30 minutes for the purpose of
discussing prospective litigation, and to adjourn immediately
thereafter. Unanimously carried by voice vote. Carmichael and
Sparling absent.
8. ADJOURNMENT
Following the completion of Executive Session, the meeting was
adjourned at the hour of 4:10 p.m.
READ AND CERTIFIED ACCURATE BY
OUNCIL MEMBER DATE
ATTEST: COUNCIL malWr hi E
CITY CLERK I I : 1
MAY R
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