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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 APRIL.1, 1986 285 • '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. • 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 •