HomeMy WebLinkAbout07/01/1986 Business Meeting 336
JULY .1, 1986
BUSINESS MEETING AND STUDY SESSION
1. ROLL CALL
The City Council met in session on this date at 2:OO p.m. in the
Council Chambers of City Hall, Yakima, Washington. Mayor Henry
Beauchamp, presiding, Council members Clarence Barnett, Pat Berndt,
Lynn Buchanan, Lynn Carmichael, and Jerry Foy present on roll
call. Jack Sparling absent and excused. City Manager Zais, City
Attorney Andrews, Deputy City Clerk Toney, and Department
Assistant III Barber, also present.
2. INVOCATION
The Invocation was given by Mayor Henry Beauchamp.
3. OPEN DISCUSSION FOR THE GOOD OF THE ORDER
Council member Buchanan commented on the Association of Washington
Cities Conference which was held last week, stating Council member
Carmichael was elected President of this organization. Council
member Foy added that Council member Lynn Buchanan was elected to
the Board of Directors for ANC.
Mayor Beauchamp stated he was recently in contact with a group of
Vietnam Veterans and was surprised to learn that 24, residents of
the City of Yakima, and 18 residents from Yakima County died in the
Vietnam Conflict. He stated he was shocked to learn of these
statistics and felt they were noteworthy.
Council member Buchanan spoke briefly about this years Air Fair
which was held over the weekend. He stated attendance was the best
ever inspite of adverse weather conditions on Saturday. He
expressed appreciation to all who volunteered their time and
efforts to make this the most successful Air Fair held in Yakima to
date. Appreciation was also expressed to volunteers involved in
the swim meet and legion basketball games which took place this
past weekend.
4. REPORT FROM DEPARTMENTS OF ENGINEERING & UTILITIES AND PUBLIC WORKS
REGARDING.. SCHOOL DISTRICT #7 PROPOSED IMPROVEMENTS TO 6TH AVENUE
(DAVIS HIGH SCHOOL) -
Council member Carmichael distributed an excerpt of the preliminary
draft of the June 17th Council minutes indicating she feels there
is a technicality which must be addressed prior to this item being
discussed on today's agenda. She pointed out that her motion to
bring this issue back for discussion on today's agenda had failed
by a 3 -3 voice vote, thus making it inappropriate for the item to
be placed on today's agenda for discussion and Council action.
Council member Berndt interjected that after having lost a quorum
last week, the remaining Council members informally discussed the
issue and requested staff bring the item back on today's agenda.
In order to resolve this technicality, it was MOVED by Foy,
seconded by Barnett, this Item be acknowledged as an Item of
business today. Unanimously carried by voice vote.. Carmichael
abstaining. Sparling absent. Public Works Director Copeland
addressed Council regarding this issue stating the Council packet
contains the proposal as submitted by the Yakima School District,
the minutes of the Parks and Recreation Commission meeting
recommending one change, and a drawing illustrating this change.
Director of Engineering & Utilities, Dennis Covell distributed a
handout showing the property distribution of the area under
discussion. He explained that this handout denotes the ownership
of property along the segment of 6th Avenue in question. It also
illustrates the the property formerly vacated on Spruce and 6th
Avenue a number of years ago, and lists pertinent ordinance
numbers. He noted the School District owns the west side of the
roadway, and the City owns the east side, with the exception of the
Yakima City Creamery. The line of division is the east edge of the
tracks, thus leaving the tracks on the vacated segment owned by the
JULY ,1, 1986 337
School District. Council member Carmichael asked for an
explanation of how the School District gained possession of the
tracks as they were owned by Union Pacific at the time the
street vacations occurred. City. Attorney Andrews recalled there
was a reservation in the vacation ordinance for the continued
existance of the railroad track along the vacated portion. The
ordinance provides that the tracks continue sexist until such
time as the franchise expires or the tracks are abandoned.
Discussion ensued regarding the bicycle path which was designated
by City Council several years ago. Council member Foy stated this
is addressed on page two in the minutes of the June 16th Parks and
Recreation Commission meeting and also in Phase II of the proposed
plan. Council member Buchanan reiterated the fact that Council has
an obligation to establish a bike path, and commented that it
should meet state requirements for bicycle paths. Council member
Carmichael voiced concern stating she has seen nothing in writing
to indicate the School District is supportive of this plan. Rick
Gagnier, representative of the School District, stated the project
has received full endorsement of the School Board. Mr. Copeland
responded to Council member Carmichael's inquiries regarding the
cost of the project and proposed funding sources stating $60,000 is
the cost estimate for the, School District, and $20,000 is the
estimate by City staff for the change suggested by the Parks and
Recreation Commission. He stated a large portion of the City's
cost is fundable under the 1/2 cent.gas tax, however, some monies
may have to be taken from the contingency fund. Regarding proposed
funding sources, Dennis Covell stated the City budgets $30,000
every year for new sidewalk .:construction and these funds are
available for the project as well as approximately $30,000 in 1/2
cent gas tax monies which is supposed to be set aside for
trailways and bike paths. !Council member Berndt stated there is
another aspect of concern on the part of the Parks and Recreation
Commission which is reflected in the minutes of their June 16th
meeting; and that is the liability factor involved' asithe area
currently •exists. She stated the bike path area is dangerous in
its present condition, and the City and School District should be
concerned about this as well..:.It. was MOVED by Foy, seconded by
Barnett -, to approve the plan as amended by the Parks and Recreation
Commisson. Council member Buchanan stated the plan as presented
does not actually define the bicycle route through the area. He
stated he would like to amend the motion to read that the plan will
include a standard bicycle path to correspond with previous Council
direction. Council member Barnett stated he interpreted the .motion_
as referring to Phase I. Council member Foy stated that is
correct. Council member Carmichael asked, "where is the copy of
• the revised proposal?" She stated, •"I don't know specifically
what the motion is addressing because there is reference to some
changes in the minutes, but all we have is the June 5th proposal."
She added,' "the June 5th proposal talks about each side of the
railroad tracks and several other things that were not definitely
amended by the Parks Commission." Council members Barnett and Foy
stated this is addressed in the June 16th minutes. Following
further discussion regarding information provided to Council on
this issue, the bicycle route previously established by Council,
etc., the question was called for a vote on the motion. Carried by
4 -2 voice vote. Buchanan 'and Carmichael voting nay.. Sparling
absent. Council member Carmichael stated she does not feel Council
is ready to vote on this issue and does not feel this proposal
received adequate process 'before the Parks. and Recreation
Commission.' She stated. the minutes indicate the Parks and
Recreation' Commission had only half a day to review the proposal
prior to making a decision' on the matter. She stated, "I feel this •
has been railroaded throughlthe Parks and Recreation Commission and
the Council, and -the public has not been opportunity to
Comment or give - .input on the project." She also stated, Yakima
Valley Memorial Hospital and St. Elizabeth ,.Medical Center were
required to submit a master plan to the City regarding long range
plans for their facilities, and both agencies have complied with
this request. However, the School District has never provided the
City with such a plan, even though it has been requested. She
encouraged the School District to submit their master plan to the
City as soon as possible.
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338 JULY 1, 1986
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5. REPORT FROM DEPARTMENTS OF ENGINEERING & UTILITIES REGARDING
PROPOSED IRRIGATION TURN -OFF FOR FLOW MONITORING OF INFLOW AND
INFILTRATION IMPACT ON CITY WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT
Chris Waarvick, Wastewater Superintendent, and Dennis Covell,
Director of Engineering and Utilities, were present to respond to
Council's inquiries regarding this report. Council member Barnett
requested clarification as to the number of days the irrigation
water will actually be shut off. Mr. Covell stated it will be 4
to 5 days maximum. Staff indicated notification will be made via
radio, television, newspaper, with written notification to
individual users as to when the system will be out of operation,
when service will resume, and the length of time involved before
have full use of the irrigation system is restored. It was MOVED
by Foy, seconded by Carmichael, to approve the irrigation
interruption as outlined in the staff report. Unanimously carried
by voice vote. Sparling absent.
6. CONSIDERATION OF AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING SALE OF BONDS FOR NOB
HILL BOULEVARD AND OTHER STREET IMPROVEMENTS
John Hanson, Director of Finance and Budget, reported a correction
on page 5, section 3 and page 9, next to the last paragraph, in the
ordinance which should read December 1, 1997 and December 1, 1996.
Mr. Hanson introduced John Rose of Seattle- Northwest Securities
Corporation who briefly reviewed the bond purchase offer, the bond
. ordinance and the bond marketing process. He distributed a
handout, "Final Scale ", to the Council members stating this sheet
compares the interest rates of the City of Yakima's bond with
interest rates of two other bond issues -which were in the market at
the same time. He further expanded by saying no two bond issues
are ever identical, however, each of these three bond issues were
voter approved. Mr. Rose stated it is absolutely clear that the
bond market distinguishes Yakima as a very strong "A" rating.
Following further discussion and the ordinance having been read by
title, it was MOVED by Buchanan, seconded by Foy, to approve
passage of the ordinance as corrected. The question was called for
a vote on the motion. Unanimously carried by voice vote. Sparling
absent. City Manager Zais thanked John Hanson and John Rose for
their efforts in the attempt to increase the City's bond rating.
ORDINANCE NO. 2967, AN ORDINANCE of the City Council of the City of
Yakima, Washington, providing for the issuance and sale of
unlimited tax general obligation bonds of the City in the
principal sum of $5,000,000 for the purpose of providing funds to
pay the cost of acquiring, constructing and installing improvements
to certain City streets; providing the date, form, terms and
maturities of said bonds; iproviding for .the disposition of the
proceeds of sale of such bonds;; providing -for the annual levy of
taxes to pay the principal of - and interest on said bonds; and
providing for the sale thereof.
7. REPORT AND RECOMMENDATION REGARDING INDUSTRIAL USERS AGREEMENT /CITY
PARTICIPATION
Chris Waarvick, Wastewater Superintendent, responded to Council
member's questions concerning this item. Council member Barnett
referred to page 3, the second paragraph, asking if staff
intends to leave this paragraph in the draft as it may limit
negotiations. He indicated this is 1979 data and may not apply
today. He also questioned if the information on page 5, under
capital repayments is still applicable. Mr. Waarvick acknowledged
Council member Barnett's comments as being valid concerns and
indicated staff will review the above mentioned data. It was MOVED
by Foy, seconded by Buchanan, to accept staff's recommendation of
Option 4 so they can begin to negotiate procedures of an agreement
with the users. Unanimously carried by voice vote. Sparling
absent.
8. OTHER BUSINESS
It was MOVED by Berndt, seconded by Foy, to have the City take
another look at the overall bicycle route program, with the
possibility of making it a bonafide part of the C.I.P. Following
further discussion the question was called for a vote on the
motion. Unanimously carried by voice vote. Sparling absent.
JULY 1, 1986 339
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Council member Buchanan stated the Federal Aviation
Administration has spent a tremendous amount of money installing
frangible light fixtures on, the runway at the Yakima Airport. The
purpose of the light fixtures is to minimize any damage which would
occur in the event of an aircraft were to land short .of the runway.
Mr. Buchanan stated airport staff continues to have problems with
parked vehicles and onlookers in the vicinity of . the • incoming and
departure zones at the airport: He reported that airport staff
has been unsuccessful in past attempts to have the arealsigned "no
parking ". He stated' last year City Council proposed the
installation of "no •parking' signs on 16th Avenue and Washington
Avenue, and as a result four "no parking" signs were installed on
. Washington Avenue, thus eliminating parking in. departure zone
of the runway. However, people continue to park their vehicles on
South 16th Avenue in the vicinity of the approach end of the
runway on a daily basis to observe incoming aircraft. Mr.
/: Buchanan stated if an aircraft were to land short of the runway, it
would destroy any vehicle and /or bystanders the area: 'Following
a brief discussion, it was the general consensus of the Council to
refer this matter to the Traffic Engineer's office for review and
recommendation for appropriate action.
City Attorney Andrews reviewed the history of the City's Public
Defender Program. He stated' the original program was for a three
year term, 1984, 1985 and 1986. He reviewed the City's cost of the
program over that time period and indicated City' has :been well
represented by the current public defender.. He :requested
authorization to dispense with calling for proposals from law firms
within the City, and asked that he be authorized to renegotiate the
contract for public defense with the firm currently providing this
service. Following a brief discussion, it was-MOVED' by Foy,
seconded by Buchanan, that the City Attorney be authorized to
renegotiate the contract with the current public defender as
requested. Unanimously carried by voice vote: Sparling absent.
Mr. Walter Philipp, presented the Council members with'a copy of an
article from the Seattle PI, "Nice New Laws on State's Books" for
Council's consideration.
John Hanson, Director of Budget and Finance, and'Bob•IWheeler,
Accounting Manager, presented the 1985 Annual Report :to the
Council. Mr. Hanson commended staff members for a job'weli done in
compiling this report. He stated the City was awarded a
Certificate of Achievement from the State Finance' Officers
Association, and currently attempting to obtain certification from
the Governmental Finance Officers Association. Mr. Wheeler called
attention to the •old photographs of the City of Yakima, stating
these were added,.:.by 'Accountant Marsha Graff, to enhance the
centennial - i s sue of the ann report.
9. ADJOURNMENT • - , • ,
There being no further business to come before the - Council; it was
MOVED by •Barnett, seconded by. Berndt, this meeting be at
the hour- of 3:12 p.m. Unanimously . 'carried - ').131r, - voice
vote. Sparling absent-:
READ AND CERTIFIED ACCURATE BY:j ��� 4 ■
CO �► r' L MEMBE' D E
ATTEST: •v`tivy %If
COUNCI MEMBER ' / DATE
ACTING CITY CLERK MAYOR
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