HomeMy WebLinkAbout04/06/2010 04A Draft Minutes 03-02-2010 Adjourned Meeting - Study SessionYAKIMA CITY COUNCIL
ADJOURNED MEETING — STUDY SESSION
MARCH 2, 2010 — 8:00 — 9:30 A.M.
COUNCIL CHAMBERS.- YAKIMA CITY HALL
1. Roll Call
Present:
Council: Mayor Micah Cawley, presiding, Assistant Mayor Kathy Coffey,
Council Members Maureen Adkison, Dave Edler (after 8:05 a.m.), Rick
Ensey, Dave Ettl and Bill Lover
Staff: City Manager Zais and City Clerk Kloster .
2 Discussion on Council retreat action items by establishing priorities and
giving staff direction
City Manager Zais stated the meeting goal is to establish 5- 10.Council priorities
that direct policy from the action steps.
➢ Adult Business Ordinance
Council Member Edler countered a comment that the adult business ordinance
could be checked off the list stating that it has not been completed. Areas of
discussion included:
• Signage — seems to be increasing
• Enforcing existing laws
• Citizen communication and dissatisfaction with the outcome
• Lack of agreement among Council members on whether it should merit
further action
• Strengthened dress codes
➢ Regular meetings without agendas & Council Rules and Procedures
It was suggested a year ago to allow for meetings without agendas to promote
philosophical discussions. It was to be modeled after County meetings to allow
Council members to speak more openly and conversationally. This topic will
be reviewed by the Rules & Procedures Committee and brought to Council for
a vote.
➢ North 1St Street Improvements — High Priority
• North 1 St Street Group will be asked to present status, goals, and needs.
• Give assistance in obtaining a 5013C IRS status and supply other
administrative support.
➢ Fair Avenue Corridor Improvements — Medium Priority
• There are not enough resources designated for that area.
• Kiwanis and Historic Preservation groups will try to restore the incinerator.
• Nob Hill and Fair Avenue intersection is on the TRANSaction list.
• Council Member Lover will take the lead on Fair Avenue.
2010 COUNCIL RETREAT FOLLOW -UP
March 2, 2010
➢ Study session on Capital facilities /Infrastructure plans — High Priority
• Supply an inventory. in advance to help make decisions rather than making
a presentation. Streets and street funding will be included. Request holding
a study session within 60 days. One.goal would be identifying mandates
versus choices and needs. There may be a need to forward to a committee,
e.g. the Economic Development Committee. It was noted that there is a
large disconnect with the public on where money comes from and how it
has to be spent.
➢ Seek opportunities for regional collaboration with Yakima County, other
cities, and other agencies in order. to maximize available resources. —
Medium Priority.
➢ Explore potential improvements to City communications /outreach efforts
— Medium Priority
• How to get.more input from the community
• PSA's on YPAC
• Create a video presentation on Frequently Asked Questions
• Look'at what other cities are doing
• Contact AWC and find out best practices
• Community Relations summarize current media contacts, e.g. YPAC,
media meetings
• Explore social media, e.g. Facebook, Twitter, etc. as a method to reach the
community
➢ City Manager Transition Process — High Priority
• Have the City Manager update the job description to allow Council to have
a better understanding of criteria to look for when recruiting and selecting
• Hold a study session on determining a search and selection_ process and
review what other.cities have done.
➢ Culture of City government
Blend this item with the priority above.
➢ Assign each Council committee to review their mission /purpose and
make recommendation to full council on continuation.
• Blend the Futures Committee into the Economic Development Committee
(received Council consensus).
• Assign Economic Development Committee to explore the initiation of
community visioning
Previous consensus on other High Priorities:
Reduce gang crime and gang violence
• Address continuing economic challenges facing the City
➢ Schedule 6 -month follow -up Council retreat
K
2010 COUNCIL RETREAT FOLLOW -UP
March 2, 2010
Other Discussion Points:
• "Standing Meetings" - the minutes from the August 2009 Rules and Procedures
Committee meeting showed a 2 -1 vote to forward a suggestion to Council to try
holding informal meetings. We are unsure why it never happened.
The need for action items:
• Upcoming EMS levy
• Trying to move, to the western states police numbers
• Failing streets — need a plan
• Pools
• Finishing the downtown area
Mayor Cawley suggested identifying items they would like to have a philosophical
discussion on and set a "standing" meeting for those discussions. City Manager
Zais noted that some of the items identified under action items are currently in
process in committees. Council members were tasked with submitting subjects
they would like to discuss and then a meeting will be scheduled. Council Member
Edler suggested Council read the book "Death by Meetings.,,
• County's request for a moratorium on annexations
City Manager Zais gave a brief overview of the request and activity to date;
specifically regarding the Washington Heights annexation and the Boundary
Review Board appeal scheduled for March 5, 2010. The request for a
moratorium is'an agenda.item on the business meeting this evening.
3. Audience Comments
No one came forward.
4. Adjournment
EDLER MOVED AND ENSEY SECONDED TO ADJOURN. The motion carried
by unanimous voice vote. The meeting adjourned at 9:30 a.m.
READ AND CERTIFIED ACCURATE BY
ATTEST:
COUNCIL MEMBER DATE
COUNCIL MEMBER . DATE
CITY CLERK MICAH CAWLEY, 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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