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HomeMy WebLinkAbout06-23-1980 MinutesMINUTES PASCO CITY COUNCIL Special Meeting June 23, 1980 CALL TO ORDER: Meeting called to order at 8:10 p.m. by the Honorable Chet Bailie, Mayor. ROLL CALL: By Deputy City Clerk. Councilmen present were: S.K. Adams J.C. "Chet" Bailie, Beverly Green, Charles Grigg, Ira Schmidt, E.A. Snider, and Bill Wilkins. Also present were Lee Kraft, City Manager; Dennis De Felice, City Attorney; Tom Criscola, Finance Director; James Ajax, City Engineer; Richard Erickson, Director of Parks/ Recreation; Webster Jackson, Administrative Assistant. NEW BUSINESS: PUBLIC HEALTH DISTRICT: Lee Kraft, City Manager, began the discussion regarding this matter by introducing Dr. Cahn of the Benton -Franklin Health District and Dr. John Beare from the Health Services Division of the state Department of Social and Health Services. Dr. Cahn addressed the Council and stated that the Benton -Franklin Health District is not unique in having to face these problems due to the lack of federal and state funding, inflation and other factors beyond the district's control. He stated that health districts all over the state are having these very same problem. Dr. Cahn stated that a large part of the budget is made up of labor costs which at this time is being negotiated with a labor union. This year is the first time which labor has been represent by a union so the financial requirements of the district pertaining to labor is undetermined at this time. Dr. Cahn felt that the city and the health district can work together to reach a reasonable and affective amount of financial assistance, but in order to do this the factors of inflation, the factor of the financial burden being shifted to the municipal entities, and the factor of the city having to arrange the district in a higher position in its budget will all have to be dealt with. Dr. Cahn made the statement that at no time will he compromise the quality of the department. Bill Wilkins presented to the Council a letter and attachment from the City Clerk of Richland, Leslie A. Smith, pertaining to the City of Richland's intention to withdraw from the health district: "Bill Wilkins, Board Member Benton -Franklin Health District Pasco City Hall P.O. Box 293 Pasco, WA 99301 Dear Mr. Wilkins: The enclosed Resolution #67-80 which gives notice to the Benton - Franklin Health District of the City of Richland's intention to withdraw from that District at the end of calendar year 1980, and reserving the right to cancel the notice of intention to withdraw at any time prior to the effective date of withdrawal, was passed by the Richland City Council on June 16, 1980. Pursuant to Section 4 being forwarded to the the Board of Directors Sincerely, Leslie A. Smith, City Clerk" of that Resolution, a certified copy is Public Health Officer and each member of of the Benton -Franklin Health District. Mayor Bailie asked of Dr. Cahn whether or not the City Council of the City of Richland is reconsidering this action.. Dr. Cahn did state that the Richland City Council was meeting in special session and that this matter was an item on the agenda.. MINUTES PASCO CITY COUNCIL Special Meeting NEW BUSINESS: (continued) June 23, 1980 Charles Grigg asked for the figures for the last three years which the city has been assessed for the district's services. Lee Kraft stated that in 1980 the assessment was approximately $74,000; in 1979 the assessment was approximately $35,000; and in 1978 the assessment was approximately $27,000. Mr. Grigg stated that he understood what the problems were but he felt that a jump from $27,000 to $35,000 to $74,000 is unreasonable and stated that he felt that the district was placing a large demand on the city for funds which the city does not have. Mr. Grigg stated that the city has had to cut back in its services and will cut back in the future should services need to be cut in order to live within the budget and feels that if the district cannot operate within a reasonable budget that it too should think about cutting back. Dr. Cahn stated that if the district is to cut back in its services that he will need direction from the city as to where the cuts need to be made. Councilman Snider stated that he felt that Dr. Cahn should not depend on direction from the city as to where certain cuts were to be made as he felt that Dr. Cahn was going to have to figure out where the cuts were to be made as he was more aware of the district. Councilman Grigg stated that he would be in favor of taking action similar to the City of Richland in that the City of Pasco withdraw from the health district and try to provide a temporary service until the city can come up with some solution. Dr. John Beare of the Health Services Division of the Department of Social and Health Services reinforced the statements made by Dr. Cahn. Dr. Beare stated that one cause for the problems is that there is not a guaranted base for public health in the state. The law only indicates that the county commissioners have to levy and appropriate an adegate amount for the funding of health districts. Dr. Beare states that at the same time the law on the books which created or allows health districts has done nothing to change that legislation requiring the state board of health to develop rules, regulations, and guidelines for the services that a health district must provide. The guidelines which are presently used are in need of being updated. Dr. Beare stated that state funding for health district services is almost zero and yet the way public health is organized in this state the health districts are the direct service arm for public health activities in the State of Washington. Each district is governed by its own local board of health and share in the same statutory requirements as the State Board of Health and are responsible for all matters of life and safety for the citizens in their particular jurisdictions. The state is presently working on a project of defining the core set of services by legislation,for all departments to comply with and also working to provide some general fund money flowing out for the provisions of the services. Councilman Snider stated that he is sympathetic with the health. district's financial demands but the city only has a certain amount of money which it can budget to the district. Councilman Snider indicated that he felt the city and the district could work together to solve the problem at hand as being able to solve the problem will benefit both the city and the district. RESOLUTION NO. 1359: A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF PASCO GIVING NOTICE TO THE BENTON- FRANKLIN HEALTH DISTRICT OF THE CITY'S INTENTION TO WITHDRAW FROM THAT DISTRICT AT THE END OF CALENDAR YEAR 1980, AND RESERVING THE RIGHT TO CANCEL THE NOTICE OF INTENTION TO WITHDRAW AT ANY TIME PRIOR TO THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF WITHDRAWAL. MINUTES PASCO CITY COUNCIL Special Meeting NEW BUSINESS: (continued) June 23, 1980 Resolution No. 1359 was read by title only. Mr. Snider moved that Resolution No. 1359 be adopted. Seconded by Mrs. Green. Motion carried by roll call vote of six (6) yes: Adams, Bailie, Green, Grigg, Schmidt, and Snider; to one (1) no: Wilkins. RECESS: 9:15 RECONVENED: 9:25 The Deputy City Clerk read into the record a letter received from Sister Anthony Marie, Administrator of Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital pertaining to the health district: "Mr. Leland F. Kraft City Manager City of Pasco P.O. Box 293 Pasco, WA 99301 Dear Mr. Kraft: It was good speaking with you by telephone last week. You indicated since your letter to us of May 14, 1980, that you had completed research relative to hospitals providing public health services, and have discovered that it would be very difficult, if not impossible for a hospital to become involved with this type of service. Since my conversation with you we have been in contact with Dr. Cahn, the District Health Administrator. He has identified the services the District performs for the City of Pasco and states there is virtually nothing a hospital laboratory can provide for a health department. I would have to qualify his remark by stating that if we hired additional personnel, supplies, equipment, etc., it would be possible. However, under these circumstances, our contractual agreement would look no different than the one you now currently have with the health department. If any any time we can be of further assistance, please do not hesitate to contact us. Let up hope it will be a more positive nature in the future. Sincerely, Sister Anthony Marie Administrator" HUD BLOCK GRANT - SENIOR CITIZENS CENTER: Councilman Snider moved to authorize staff, contingent on approval from HUD, to add up to $60,000 for the Senior Citizens Center of unallocated additional revenue which comes from the sale of Urban Renewal property. Seconded by Mr. Wilkins. Motion carried by roll call vote of seven (7). EAST PASCO L.I.D. NO. 109 BID RESULTS: Councilman Grigg moved to award the construction contract for L.I.D. 109 to the low responsive bidder, Mid -Columbia Construction, all in response to their proposal as submitted in the amount $1,790,439.78, which includes appropriate tax. Seconded by Mr. Snider. Motion carried by roll call vote of seven (7). FINAL PLAT.: NELSON REPLAT OF BLOCKS 25 AND 26, HIGHLAND PARK HOMES ADDITION: Councilman Snider moved to accept the final plat document for the Nelson Replat of Blocks 25 and 26, Highland Park Homes Addition and, further, authorize the Mayor to sign the plat document. Seconded by Mr. Schmidt. Motion carried by roll call vote of seven (7). MINUTES PASCO CITY COUNCIL Special Meeting NEW BUSINESS: (continued) June 23, 1980 FINAL PLAT: HIGHLAND PARK HOMES REPLAT - REPLAT OF HIGHLAND PARK HOMES, BLOCKS 17 THROUGH 24: Councilman Grigg moved to accept the final plat document for the Highland Park Homes Replat, Block 17 through 24 and, further, authorize the Mayor to sign the plat document. Seconded by Mr. Snider. Motion carried by roll call vote of seven (7). MISCELLANEOUS - INCLUDING SUGGESTIONS FROM THE COUNCIL: Mr. Grigg moved the authorities a budget not to year. Seconded of seven (7). ADJOURNMENT: to authorize Councilman Wilkins from the Benton -Franklin County exceed ninety thousand dollars by Mr. Snider. Motion carried Meeting adjourned at 9:30 p.m. to negotiate with Health District for the coming by roll call vote A Chet Bailie, Mayor ATTES Pegg w , Deputy City Clerk PASSED AND APPROVED this day of 1980.