HomeMy WebLinkAbout06/02/2009 04A Draft Minutes 04-21-2009 Business MeetingYAKIMA CITY COUNCIL
BUSINESS MEETING
APRIL 21, 2009
COUNCIL CHAMBERS — YAKIMA CITY HALL
6:00 P.M. — PUBLIC MEETING
1. Roll Call
Present:
Council: Mayor Dave Edler, presiding, Assistant Mayor Micah Cawley, Council
Members Kathy Coffey, Rick Ensey, Bill Lover and Sonia Rodriguez
Staff: City Manager Zais, City Attorney Cutter, and City Clerk Moore
2. Invocation /Pledge of Allegiance
Mayor Edler gave an invocation and led the Pledge of Allegiance.
3. Open Discussion for the Good of the Order.,
A. Proclamations
• Cinco de Mayo Week
Mayor Edler read a proclamation declaring May 1 -6, 2009 as Cinco de Mayo week.
Nestor Hernandez, President of the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, accepted the
proclamation.
B. Special presentations / recognitions
• Recognition of Wendy Leinan's retirement from the Engineering Division
Assistant Mayor Cawley read a proclamation honoring Wendy Leinan for 30 years of
service. City Manager Zais presented Wendy with a retirement watch.
C. Status report on prior meeting's citizen service requests - None
D. Appointments to Boards and Commissions
Council Member Cawley mentioned that there are numerous vacancies coming up the
end of June.
4. Consent agenda
Mayor Edler referred to the items placed on the Consent Agenda, questioning whether
there were any additions or deletions from either Council members or citizens present.
Item number 8 was removed from the agenda. Item number 22 was removed from the
Consent Agenda. The City Clerk read the Consent Agenda items, including resolutions
and ordinances by title. CAWLEY MOVED AND COFFEY SECONDED TO ADOPT THE
CONSENT AGENDA AS READ. The motion carried by unanimous roll call vote.
(Subsequent paragraphs preceded by an asterisk ( *) indicate items on the Consent
Agenda handled under one motion without further discussion.)
*A. Consideration of approval of Council Minutes - none
*B. Consideration of approval of Council Committee Meeting Minutes
• Council Economic Development Committee — April. 1, 2009
Intergovernmental Relations Committee — April 6, 2009
® Council Committee meeting minutes were approved.
APRIL 21, 2009
5. Audience Participation is
Bob West, leader of Grass Roots of Yakima Valley, said that the group is committed to
securing our borders and feels that government officials should take a stand. They
invited Council members to join in the peaceful counter - demonstration planned on
May 1St
Connie Little, 2002 Simpson Lane, expressed her disappointment that the Council had
voted to change the current budget process without advising the citizens. She asked
Council to set aside the recent vote in order to give citizens the opportunity to study the
pros and cons of the issue before a decision is made.
Robbie Byrne, 109 Shamrock Drive W., spoke against the EMS /paramedic issue. She
also asked for clarification on the proclamation process, specifically referring to Cinco de
Mayo week. She was informed that a response to her request would be available at the
next business meeting.
Bill Duer, 3206 West Yakima Avenue, commented on the recent Council study session
held on the priorities of government budget model expressing his displeasure at the
action taken to change the current budget process. He encouraged the Council to
improve their interpersonal skills to build a cohesive, not divisive, position on this issue.
Chris Smith, 712 W. Chestnut Avenue, spoke in favor of the EMS /paramedic issue.
Thomas Davis distributed copies of an outline he had prepared suggesting a system for
selecting a new Council member to fill mid -term vacancies. 0
Public Works Director Waarvick introduced the new Streets and Traffic Operations
Manager, Joe Rosenlund.
7:00 PM — PUBLIC HEARINGS
6. Public meeting and consideration of a Resolution approving the final plat of Apple
Blossom Phase 4 subdivision submitted by United Builders of Yakima
Joan Davenport, Planning Manager, detailed the final plat located in the vicinity of South
68th Avenue and Easy Street. She explained that the preliminary plat was approved by
the County before annexation into the City.
Mayor Edler opened the public hearing and with no one coming forward to speak,
closed it.
The City Clerk read the resolution by title only; CAWLEY MOVED AND COFFEY
SECONDED TO APPROVE AND ACCEPT THE FINAL PLAT. The motion carried by
unanimous roll call vote.
RESOLUTION NO. R- 2009 -59, A RESOLUTION approving the final plat of Apple
Blossom Phase 4, a four -lot subdivision located in the vicinity of South 68th Avenue and
Easy Street, and authorizing the Mayor to sign the final plat of Apple Blossom Phase 4,
United Builders of Yakima as applicant herein. 0
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APRIL 21, 2009
7. Public Hearing and consideration of a Resolution ratifying a JAG application for
graffiti abatement, graffiti cameras and other technology updates
Kelly Rosenow, Deputy Police Chief, explained this is an application for stimulus money
from the Byrne Memorial Recovery Act. If successful, it will be used for graffiti
abatement equipment such as cameras and radios. The City of Yakima would be the
lead agency for the county. The City of Yakima's share would be $331,000.
Mayor Edler opened the public hearing and with no one coming forward to speak,
closed it.
The City Clerk read the resolution by title only; CAWLEY MOVED AND LOVER
SECONDED TO ADOPT THE RESOLUTION. The motion carried by unanimous roll call
vote.
RESOLUTION NO. R- 2009 -60, A RESOLUTION ratifying acceptance of federal funding
in the amount of $534,191 from the United States Department of Justice, Bureau of
Justice Assistance, for the 4 -year crime suppression and prevention project titled "Byrne
Memorial Recovery Act Allocation Funding ", and designating and authorizing the City
Manager to act as the official representative of the City of Yakima and to take such
additional steps, including but not limited to execution of all necessary documents and
contracts as may be necessary and prudent to complete transactions associated with
the grant.
0. CITY MANAGER'S REPORTS
C�A
tl (inn adeF t'GR of Firefighter EMS issues _ deferred.
9. Report and recommendations on the Yakima Urban Area Joint Board
Bill Cook, Director of Community and Economic Development, gave background
information on the establishment and original intent of the Joint Board. It was envisioned
to be a liaison between the City Council and County Commissioners acting as a clearing
house. The Joint Board would hear recommendations that came out of the planning
commissions before going to the elected bodies. Lately, the Intergovernmental
Committee has unofficially been doing that. The question is, is this a good time, and is
the Intergovernmental Committee a good way, to get back into the practice of using a
joint board? The issue of common development standards is a good first project'for a
joint board to refer to the Regional Planning Commission. In fact, it is something the
Intergovernmental Committee has been talking about for three years. Maybe the
Planning Commission could take testimony and present to a Joint Board. In the original
agreement in 1977, Union Gap was to also share the same standards but that has not
happened. City Manager Zais clarified that when Union Gap withdrew, the committee
started to evolve more toward independent actions between City and County. Union
Gap was pursuing their own planning efforts. We were becoming more reliant on the
Regional Planning Commission. Although the joint board fell into disuse, it was not
repealed.
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APRIL 21, 2009
Mayor Edler pointed out that the C ount y Commissioners put all busine s s o n th e s helf
until the issue of the joint board was dealt with. The Commissioners are in favor of using
it again. He commented that, if Union Gap would become involved, it would help deal
with the airport safety overlay as well as other issues. The County Commissioners have
said they will approach Union Gap about it.
John Hodkinson, Regional Planning Commission Chair (RPC), commented that the
document suggests there be a liaison between the City Council and County
Commissioners by appointing at least one staff member from each on the RPC,
regardless of what they are working on. He said the joint board serves a function when
there is an issue that affects all three entities, e.g. the airport overlay. The original
reason the document (Four -Party Agreement) was created, was to look at the sewer
capacity of the treatment plant and allocations thereof. Inside the urban area, the County
was to dissolve its planning commission and the Urban Area Planning Commission
would handle both Yakima and urban area planning inside that boundary. The boundary
has increased, which has increased the responsibility of the Urban Area Planning
Commission. They are also the entity that takes public testimony, not the joint board.
Mayor Edler, as a member of the Intergovernmental Committee, recommended working
with the County to make the document workable. Council agreed.
Continuation of Audience Participation:
Bill Duer, 3206 West Yakima Avenue, spoke about the difference between wants and
needs and related them to the City's fire department. The City has a need for 12 more
firefighter /EMTs. They also need to determine what to do about the two trained
paramedics on staff. He recommends the City utilize their skills and training to serve
citizens. This can be done within the existing budget. He said it is a need that there be
strong policy language that the City shall not versus will not transport patients in the
future without presenting it to the public for a vote. To have a firefighter /paramedic on
every fire truck is a "want." Although he agrees that is a good idea, he considers it not
feasible during the current economic times. He suggests a paramedic program be
phased in. He also recommends a joint meeting be held between the fire chief and
representatives from the two ambulance companies to resolve any issues and report
back to the City Council with a recommendation for a final solution. He asked how long
is the time between the fire department and the ambulance arrival on scene, and who
gets dispatched first?
10. Consideration of legislation regarding property at 201 South 8'h Street:
A. Resolution authorizing a letter from the City of Yakima to the Yakima
Historic Preservation Commission removing the property from the local
Register for Historic Places
B. Resolution accepting a proposal from OIC of Washington to demolish the
existing structure and build a new home to be sold to a low to moderate
income, first -time homebuyer
Archie Matthews, Office of Neighborhood Development Supervisor, explained the
reason for the two resolutions. The City purchased the property, using federal
HOME funds, with intent of improving it. It was later decided to demolish the
structure and build a new home. In order to do that, the home must first be removed
from the historic register and a proposal accepted to accomplish the 0
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APRIL 21, 2009
demolition /construction. This all must be accomplished by December 31, 2009 or
the federal money would have to be reimbursed from a non - federal source.
• Mayor Edler opened the public hearing
Mary Burnett, 1019 S. 111h Avenue (representing Jason and Fred Dill from Valley
Rentals), .offered to take possession and move the house.
Maud Scott would not like it being moved from her neighborhood, but also does not
want to see it demolished. She suggested it be marketed locally first as she heard
about a group of local investors that purchase distressed properties and rehabilitate
them for resale. Following a lengthy discussion, COFFEY MOVED AND LOVER
SECONDED TO DELAY THE DECISION ON RESOLUTION B FOR TWO WEEKS.
The motion carried by unanimous voice vote. Bill Cook, Director of Community and
Economic Development, suggested still approaching the Historic Commission to
remove the structure from the register and expressed concern about being able to
determine if any offer was credible within the tight timeframe. The City Clerk read
resolution A by title, EDLER MOVED AND COFFEY SECONDED TO ADOPT
RESOLUTION A. The motion carried by unanimous roll call vote.
RESOLUTION NO. R- 2009 -61, A RESOLUTION Authorizing a letter from the City
of Yakima to the Yakima Historic Preservation Commission removing 201 South 8th
Street from the local Register for Historic Places
• *11. 2009 First Quarter Capital Improvement Projects report
The 2009 First Quarter Capital Improvement Projects report was accepted.
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*13. Consideration of final contract payment for Downtown Futures Initiative
Phase 3
The report from the City Engineer dated March 19, 2009, with respect to the
completion of the work on the Yakima Downtown Futures Initiative — Phase 3,
performed by KRCI, LLC, was approved, the work accepted and payment of the final
estimates as therein set forth was authorized.
*14. Consideration of final contract payment for General 308 Irrigation Phase
3 /Stage 2 improvements
The report from Huibregtse, Louman Associates, Inc. dated March 20, 2009, with
respect to the completion of the work on the General 308 Irrigation System Phase
3 /Stage 2 improvements performed by Jansen, Inc., was approved, the work
accepted and payment of the final estimates as therein set forth was authorized.
• *15. Consideration of Resolution approving a $6,000 grant from federal CDBG
funds requested by the Workforce Development Council to assist with the
costs of renting the Yakima Convention Center for Job Fair 2009
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APRIL 21, 2009
RESOLUTION NO. R-2009-62, A RESOLUTION approving a Grant reques t o f
$6,000.00 from the Workforce Development Council to be made from federal CDBG
funds to assist with the costs of renting the Yakima Convention Center and
associated costs pertaining to the Job Fair 2009.
*16. Consideration of a Resolution authorizing execution of an agreement with the
Yakima Valley Umpires Association for officiating services for the Parks and
Recreation softball program
RESOLUTION NO. R- 2009 -63, A RESOLUTION authorizing and directing the City
Manager to execute an agreement with the Yakima Valley Umpires Association to
obtain softball officiating services for the City of Yakima's organized softball program.
*17. Consideration of a Resolution authorizing execution of an interlocal agreement
with Yakima County for laboratory services conducted by the City's
Wastewater Division
RESOLUTION NO. R- 2009 -64, A RESOLUTION authorizing and directing the City
Manager to execute an Interlocal Agreement between the City of Yakima and
Yakima County for laboratory services conducted by the City of Yakima's
Wastewater Division.
*18. Consideration of a Resolution authorizing an interlocal agreement with Yakima
County for the County to perform right -of -way acquisition services for the City
on capital improvement projects 0
RESOLUTION NO. R- 2009 -65, A RESOLUTION authorizing the City Manager to
execute an Interlocal Agreement with Yakima County to have the County perform
Right -of -Way acquisition services for the City on Capital Improvement Projects.
*20. Consideration of a Resolution authorizing a request from Habitat for Humanity
for reimbursement of $50,000 for design upgrades concerning five (5) homes
under construction in Marvin Gardens
RESOLUTION NO. R- 2009 -66, A RESOLUTION authorizing the City Manager to
execute an agreement with Habitat for Humanity a qualified Community Housing
Development Organization (CHDO) for a grant of $50,000 for the reimbursement of
design upgrades in five (5) homes being constructed in Marvin Gardens.
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APRIL 21, 2009
ORDINANCES
*21. Consideration of an Ordinance implementing the rezone request by Terry
Morton from R -2 to GC for property located at 904 East Central Avenue as
approved by City Council on April 7, 2009
ORDINANCE NO. 2009 -14, AN ORDINANCE relating to land use regulation and
zoning; rezoning one parcel of property located at 904 E. Central Avenue, Yakima,
Washington from Two - Family Residential (R -2) to General Commercial (GC) as
more fully described herein; and approving the recommendation of the Hearing
Examiner regarding the same; Terry Morton being identified as the applicant herein.
*22. Consideration of an Ordinance authorizing amendments to the Yakima
Municipal Code 8.20 regarding right -of -way permits
Bill Cook, Director of Community and Economic Development, explained the
background for this request to update the ordinance regarding right -of -way use
permits. The amendments have been reviewed and forwarded by the Council
Neighborhood Development Committee. Following discussion, the City Clerk read
the ordinance by title, EDLER MOVED AND COFFEY SECONDED TO PASS THE
ORDINANCE. The motion carried by unanimous roll call vote.
ORDINANCE NO. 2009-15, relating to the regulation of Right of Way Use Permits
amending sections 8.20.010; 8.20.020; 8.20.030; 8.20.040; 8.20.050; adding
8.20.052; amending 8.20.060; 8.20.070; 8.20.080; 8.20.090; 8.20.100; 8.20.110;
8.20.130 of Chapter 8.20 of the City of Yakima Municipal Code.
*23. Consideration of an Ordinance adding June 20, 2009 and September 5, 2009 as
an "Open Cruising Event" on Yakima Avenue and amending Section 9.25.020
of the City of Yakima Municipal Code
ORDINANCE NO. 2009 -16, AN ORDINANCE relating to traffic; adding June 20,
2009 and September 5, 2009 as an "Open Cruising Event" on Yakima Avenue; and
amending Section 9.25.020 of the City of Yakima Municipal Code.
*24. Consideration of an Ordinance amending the classification and compensation
plan for certain City employees
ORDINANCE NO. 2009 -17, AN ORDINANCE relating to City personnel; adopting a
classification and compensation plan for City employees to be effective May 24,
2009; amending Subsections 2.20.100A, 2.20.110C, 2.20.110A, 2.20.110C, and
2.20.11 OF all of the City of Yakima Municipal Code
25. Other Business
• Discussion on vacant Council position
Mayor Edler referred to the Council member selection process that took place six
months ago when appointing Sonia Rodriguez to replace Norm Johnson.. In that
process they narrowed the selection to three finalists, one being Maureen Adkison.
• EDLER MOVED AND COFFEY SECONDED TO ACCEPT NEIL McCLURE'S
RESIGNATION AND TO APPOINT MAUREEN ADKISON TO FILL THE
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APRIL 21, 2009
VACANCY. Each Council Member spoke on Mrs. Adkison's qualifications. The
motion carried by unanimous roll call vote. 0
• Priorities of Government comments by Council
Assistant Mayor Cawley referred to apologies he had recently made to the Mayor
and Council Member Rodriguez and assured the audience that, previous to the April
14th meeting, there had been considerable discussion on the subject in the Budget
Committee meeting. Connie Little said she wanted to make sure everyone in the
community was aware of this important change prior to it happening. Council
Member Coffey said they will be distributing to the rest of the Council, the information
that the Budget Committee members had been working with previous to the April 14th
meeting. She also noted that the finance team has begun working on the change.
She commented that the material was not presented in a professional manner at the
meeting and she has apologized for that.
City Manager Zais reviewed material that had been handed out with regard to a
process that has been evolving to help condense our service units into a major
explanation about programs, services and allocations of resources and expenditures.
Mayor Edler reminded Council Member Coffey about her specific statement to the
City Manager at that meeting emphasizing that the direction is to move the City to
the County's Priority of Government model. He also distributed a list of specific
questions he had as a result of that direction.
1. Why is it true that, according to the County Commissioners, this model is most
effective in helping local governments deal with labor? 0
2. There seems to be a reluctance to use reserves to balance the City of Yakima
budget which, in part, has led to this move. Why is that true?
Council Member Lover said that, with regard to the first question, it identifies unfilled
positions that are funded, and the second question is because they want to identify
reserves better.
3. Public safety is the Yakima City Council's highest priority. The County, using
this budgeting model has seen its Sheriff deputy numbers decrease by a net of
five or six deputies despite the addition of a new tax revenue source (.3 %). Will
the same thing happen to the City?
Council Member Coffey responded no, not if the Council didn't want it to because
even though the Chief is directed to work within a certain amount of funding, the
Council will make the final decisions.
Council Member Rodriguez expressed frustration that moving to the County's
priorities of government model is unclear and raises many questions that need to be
answered before staff can accomplish it.
4. Mayor Edler pointed out that the Fire Department budget is 95% labor. They will
have to reduce the number of firefighters because there is nothing else to cut.
5. Economic Development is our second priority; the County has just decided to cut
out their Planning Department. Are we going to do that?
6. The County got out of parks, is that going to happen to us?
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APRIL 21, 2009
Council Member Lover commented that we should take last year's budget, put it into
this format and staff should think about priorities and percentages. He also said that
he doesn't want to lose the narratives in our budgeting that the County's process
doesn't have. He thinks this is more of a formatting change that should be discussed
in a study session. Mayor Edler commented that he is bringing this up in a public
venue because he represents the 2nd District and is concerned about the impacts of
the move. Council Member Coffey said this discussion has already occurred at the
Budget Committee level and the others should either respect their recommendations
or watch the meetings.
After further discussion, Council Member Coffey suggested that the Finance team
take information from the 2009 budget and impose it over the Priorities of
Government for Council's review. She also pointed out that the driving force behind
this is her desire for a clear transparent budgeting process that Council and the
community can easily read and review.
Assistant Mayor Cawley continued to suggest a study session be held. City
Manager Zais pointed out that the County's model has many questions that we need
to learn more about. He emphasized it is important that this be Council's model and
it will take a few years to transition to a new method.
26. Adjournment
CAWLEY MOVED AND ENSEY SECONDED TO ADJOURN TO APRIL 28, 2009
AT 8:00 A.M. IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS FOR A STUDY SESSION ON
AQUATICS. The motion carried by unanimous voice vote. The meeting adjourned
at 8:25 p.m.
READ AND CERTIFIED ACCURATE BY
ATTEST:
CITY CLERK
COUNCIL MEMBER . DATE
COUNCIL MEMBER DATE
DAVID EDLER, MAYOR
Minutes prepared by Linda Watkins. A CD and DVD of this meeting are available in the City Clerk's
Office
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