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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 2 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. 3 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 4 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. Street fer immorlioto rlemnlitien and eyeRt inl rnnctFUGtinn of e fiFst time hemeb Hier T *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 5 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. It 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 7 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? I • 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 7