HomeMy WebLinkAbout08/30/1971 Business Meeting 146
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August 30, 1971 . •
The City Council met in regular session, Mayor Larson presiding, Councilmen Brown, Lambert,
Larson, McNeice and Robinson and City Manager McMicken present on roll call. Councilmen
Keith and on _roll call, Councilman , :Keith :having..been :excused at the previous
meeting. ' "It was MOVED by Lambert, seconded by Robinson that Councilman Lust be excused
from this meeting: carried, Brown, Lambert, -Larson, McNeice and. Robinson voting aye by voice
vote. •Councilman Lust present after 3 :05 P.M. City Attorney Andrews absent from meeting.
The Invocation was given by Councilman Brown.
The minutes of the regular meeting of August 23, 1971, having been duly certified accurate
by two Councilmen, and no one present wishing to have said minutes read publicly, Mayor
Larson declared said minutes approved as recorded. .
Mr. Gene Allard, being present," spoke to the matter of the renewal of the Y.V.T. Franchise.
He restated his opinion made at the August 23, 1971 meeting, that the City Council should
let the people vote on this decision, or at least hold hearings to give the people an op-
portunity to express themselves on this matter, his major concern being the streets in the
area west of 6th Avenue. 'Mr. Allard questioned the length of -time a Franchise runs and if
it could be for a shorter period than 25 years. Gordon Newland, also being present, indi-
cated that perhaps the City Council should wait until after the City Election on November
2, 1971, so that new-Councilmen elected at that time can -make the decision in this matter.
General discussion by Council members indicated that while the Y.V.T. Franchise does not
necessarily need to be voted upon, the.fact that it was voted on 25 years ago did not make
it an illegal Franchise. It was suggested that perhaps a revocable license could be granted
so that the Franchise would not be granted for such a long period of time. The City Coun-
cil indicated that since the City is not available at this time, no immediate ac-
tion will be taken. No formal action was taken at this meeting.
City Manager McMicken called upon Frank Stein, Public Utilities Director to review a letter
dated August 10, 1971, received from the Department of Social and Health Services, Olympia,
Washington. .Mr. Stein indicated that a 10 -Year Comprehensive Plan for City water utility
should be prepared prior to July 1, 1973, and that this is a plan we can develop through
our City Engineering Staff, Planning Department and Utilities Department. He stated that
there is a possibility of an inter -tie with Nob Hill Water Company to improve reliability
of service to all people in the area. Mr. Stein reported that the new Yakima Water Treat-
ment Plant is in operation and is doing a very fine job, and that the Health Department is
making 55 routine bacteriological tests of the water monthly, and find it is meeting stan-
dards. An annual report will be made every calendar year, the first one being due July 1,
1972, and an attempt will be made to combine the financial report to the State with the o-
perations and maintenance report. Mr. Stein also commented on a program for the prevention
and elimination of cross- connections in the distribution system, which is now required.
After due discussion, September 26, 1971 was set as a tentative date for the, dedication of
the new water treatment plant.
City Manager McMicken referred to his report #130, Proposed Household Transit Tax Revision,
stating that.City Attorney, Fred Andrews has determined -that the present household transit
tax may be revised to include.housing units in multiple.dwellings and still comply "with
State law. Mr. McMicken stated that this approach to the household transit tax is current -
ly used in Spokane where its validity has been tested /'and upheld. He reviewed his report
and recommended that an extension of the present transit .tax. to include multiple. family
dwelling units and mobile homes be made. John C. Huck, who attended two earlier meetings
of July 19, 1971 and August 16, 1971 to protest the transit tax, was present. Mr. Huck,
having started a petition to force a referendum to repeal the tax, stated that he would co -
tinue to petition although the city had found a way to extend the tax to apartment dwellers.
Councilmen Robinson; Lambert, and McNeice contended that if the tax were repealed the - ..City
'could Ultimately be without a bus system. After due discussion, it was. MOVED by Lambert,
seconded by McNeice that the City Manager is hereby directed to have prepared the appropri
ate legislation to extend the present transit tax to include multiple family dwelling units
and mobile homes: carried, Brown, Lambert, Larson, Lust, McNeice and Robinson voting aye
by voice vote. Keith absent.
City Manager McMicken referred to two proposed bond issues, Park Bond Issue and Fire Bond
Issue,astating that he resubmitts them to the Council for their consideration. Mr. McMic-
ken reported that the Park Bond issue had been revised by the Park Bond Review Board and
Park and Recreation Commission to cover legal fees and bond costs and that the issue is
now: " -in the total amount of approximately $1,900,000. He also reviewed the matter of the
Fire Bond Issue of $1,100,000, explaining that it will allow for construction of two new
fire stations, development of a new fire training center and purchase of two fire engines.
City Manager McMicken recommending that authorization be given to have the proper legisla-
tion prepared to place the Fire Bond and Park Bond issues on the No"v"ember 2, 1971 ballot,
it was MOVED by Robinson, seconded by Brown that authorization be given to have the proper
legislation prepared to put said bond issues on the ballot: carried, Brown, Lambert, Larso ,
Lust, McNeice and Robinson voting aye by voice vote. Keith,absen.t..,
City Manager McMicken referred to the matter of a Damage Claim filed by Matson A. Young,
Fire Chief, for damages in the amount of $51.98 covering his broken eyeglasses,.caused
while claimant was getting out of a City vehicle. Mr. McMicken stated that he has been ad
vised that State Industrial Insurance covers other City employees under similar circum-
stances, and that it seems that we should cover our Fire or Police personnel, who are not
under this plan, in a like situation.'.. Mr. Young explained that this damage occured during
the course of his duties as Yakima Fire Chief. After due discussion, it was MOVED by Ro-
binson, seconded by Lust that Resolution No. D -1721 authorizing the payment of said claim
for damages, be passed as read: carried, Brown, Lambert, Larson, Lust, McNeice and Robinson
voting aye on roll call. Keith absent.
RESOLUTION NO. D -1721, A RESOLUTION authorizing payment to Matson A. Young of a claim for
damages.
City Manager McMicken reporting that Offers to Sell right of way property for Mead Avenue
improvements have been received from Deliverance Temple, Inc. and Tom C. and Carole A.
Taber, it.was MOVED by Brown, seconded by Robinson that Resolution No. D -1722 authorizing
the purchase of said right of way property, be passed as read: carried, Brown, Lambert,
Larson, Lust, McNeice and Robinson voting aye on roll call. Keith absent.
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August 30, 1971
RESOLUTION NO. D -1722, A RESOLUTION authorizing the purchase of right of way property for
Mead Avenue improvements.
City Manager McMicken reported that a list of City of Yakima job applications for the Emer-
gency Employment Act of 1971 has been filed with the County. He stated that the fact that
we make the request for funds does not presume anything, that there are going to be a lot
of agencies vying for the funds. Mr. McMicken also.reported that the County has already
filled 31 positions by the Emergency Employment Act, and that the City is requesting consi-
1111 deration for 16 positions in various departments.
There being no further business to come before the Council, it was MOVED by Brown;: seconded
by Robinson that we do now adjourn at‘the hour 5:50 P.M.: carried, Brown, Lambert, Larsor.,
Lust, McNeice and Robinson voting aye by voice vote. Keith absent.
READ AND CERTIFIED ACCURATE BY s 4(2 4 f ^ ' • DATE - . 3
COUN LMAN . •
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COUNCILMAN-
ATTEST:
C I T Y C L E R K MAYOR
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