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HomeMy WebLinkAbout06-15-1987 MinutesMINUTES PASCO CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING JUNE 15, 1987 EXECUTIVE SESSION Executive meeting convened at 7 30 P.M. for the purpose of discussing potential land sale. Adjourned at 7 45 P.M, with no action taken. CALL TO ORDER Meeting called to order at 8 00 P M by Joe W Jackson, Mayor. ROLL CALL By City Clerk Councilmen present were Susan Boothe, Beverly Green, Ed Hendler, Lee Kraft, E.A. Snider, Joe Jackson and Emerson Morgan. Also present were Gary Crutchfield, City Manager; Greg Rubstello, City Attorney, Dennis Wright, City Engineer, Richard Erickson, Director of Parks/Recreation, Larry Dickinson, Fire Chief, David McDonald, Director of Community Development and Webster Jackson, Purchasing/Personnel Officer. CONSENT AGENDA Mr. Kraft moved to approve Consent Agenda. Seconded by Mr. Hendler Motion carried. Consent items are as follows I III VISITORS a) Approval of Minutes. To approve minutes of regular meeting, held June 1, 1987. b) Bills To approve General Claims in the amount of $221,188.66, claim warrant nos. 54637 through 54765. c) Six-Year Street Improvement Program 1988-1993 To set July 6, 1987, at 8 00 P M., as the date and time to conduct a public hearing on the proposed Six-Year Street Improvement Program, covering calendar years 1988 through 1993. d) Fire Department and Public Works Storage Facility. To authorize staff to prepare plans and solicit bids for construction of a storage facility to be located at the Public Works Maintenance yard e) Appointments to Senior Citizens Advisory Committee. To concur in the Mayor's appointments of Ray W. Hart and A.L. Robuck to three-year terms on the Senior Citizens Advisory Committee, which terms will expire on June 16, 1990 (replacing Mary Zoe DeHart and Mary Simonton). f) Demolition of Dangerous Structures (126 and 126 1/2 W. Lewis Street To authorize staff to call for bids for the demolition of the dangerous structure located at 126 and 126 1/2 W. Lewis Street. g) Demolition of Dangerous Structure - 312 W. Shoshone To authorize staff to call for bids for the demolition of the residential structure located at 312 W. Shoshone. h) Prospectus for Safety Funds for Traffic Signal Installation at 4th Avenue and "A" Street To Authorize the Mayor to sign the preliminary prospectus for Federal Aid to fund a traffic signal system for the intersection of 4th Avenue and "A" Street. 1 ) , Sale of Surplus Real Property To authorize staff to re-advertise for sale, Lots 28 - 30, Block 2, Terrace Heights Addition, with the minimum price set at $1,800. Civic Improvement Award - Dr Michael Deitz, Columbia River Eye Center. Mayor Jackson presented Civic Improvement Award to Dr. Michael Deitz in recognition of his new eye clinic on West Court Street. It is a welcome addition to Pasco both professionally and aesthetically Dr. Deitz thanked the City Council and Staff for the award and stated he had a lot of faith in our area and that it was a great place to live ) MINUTES PASCO CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING JUNE 15, 1987 VISITORS - Continued Mrs. June Uribe thanked the City Council for their assistance in getting stop sign in Sylvester Park Area. She was hopeful that additional signs would be installed soon. REPORTS FROM OFFICERS AND/OR COMMITTEES Parks & Recreation Advisory Meeting. Councilman Morgan reported that meeting of June 4, 1987 had been cancelled due to lack of a quorum. Senior Citizens Advisory Committee Councilman Morgan stated that approximately ten people were in attendance Two members, Mary Zoe DeHart and Mary Simonton's terms had expired and they did not wish to be reappointed They were acknowledged as dedicated workers and will be badly missed. He stated that a suggestion had been made to ask the Tri City Herald to re-instate weekly column of Senior Citizen activities (reporter noted). Further, they briefly discussed Area Agency contracts Executive Meeting - Good Roads Association. Councilman Ed Hendler reported they prioritized needs of Benton, Franklin and Walla Walla Counties and that Highway 395 was a top priority; however, he was not at liberty to reveal results at this time Benton-Franklin Transit Board Meeting. Mr. Hendler reported that he had been appointed to Route Committee. They were going to evaluate all non-productive routes in an effort to making Transit System more cost effective. Plans for a Pasco Transfer Station are still being considered. On a 4-3 vote, they agreed to dispose of excess furniture to other Governmental entities. Mr. Joe Balthazor, speaking for Senior Citizens Advisory Committee, stated they only needed monthly column in Tri City Herald rather than weekly. PUBLIC HEARINGS MAYOR JACKSON DECLARED THE PUBLIC HEARING OPEN FOR THE PURPOSE OF CONSIDERING APPEAL OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION FOR LONGFELLOW ELEMENTARY SCHOOL AMENDED SPECIAL PERMIT It was reported that the hearing had been duly publicized and all affected property owners notified There was one (1) written communication, opposing proposed plan from Helen and Donald Storey. Mr. Dave McDonald, Director of Community Development, reported that "in August, 1986, the Planning Commission granted the Pasco School District a special permit, with conditions, to build a new Longfellow Elementary School upon the existing site adjacent 10th Avenue. On May 21st, the Planning Commission recommended City Council grant the School District an amended special permit, with conditions, increasing the size of the school site, and specifically, to add parking lot facilities and enlarge the grassed playfield area The applicant appealed one of the recommended conditions of special permit approval. An adjacent homeowner filed separate appeal, alleging the applicant's plan places a number of unnecessary hardships upon their property. From the standpoint of "overview", should City Council grant the amended special permit, it would replace the special permit granted in August, 1986. If City Council should deny the request, the existing special permit will remain in effect. The proposed amended special permit would create an irregular shaped north boundary line. It is this irregular boundary which caused a homeowner to appeal as it would create a short residential peninsula (for two homes adjacent 10th Avenue). The appellant's property is at the tip of the peninsula. It should be noted that such concern was not voiced or otherwise raised at the public hearing before Planning Commission. The School District has appealed the Planning Commission's recommendation requiring a stop light (at 10th Avenue and Shoshone) at the time of construction to be paid without expense to the City. The School District accepts the other recommended twelve conditions." MINUTES PASCO CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING JUNE 15, 1987 PUBLIC HEARING - Continued Mr. Tom Brandon, Director of Facilities for Pasco School District, introduced their architect, Bruce Schwan of SCM and proceeded to explain that they had started making plans in 1983 to replace rather than expand present facilities due to costs. To accomplish total plan, various rights-of-way should be vacated as follows 1. Shoshone Street, between 8th Avenue and 10th Avenue. 2. A portion of N. 9th Avenue must be vacated and a culdesac constructed for emergency vehicle turn-around. 3. A portion of the North/south alleys between Blocks 21 and 22 must be vacated and either re-routed or otherwise provided "through" access for garbage trucks, service vehicles and citizens. 4. The North/South alley rights-of-way within Blocks 13 and 14 must be formally vacated Mr Brandon conceded that they closed purchase on four of the properties and were talking to fifth and sixth property owners He felt that by relocating the school to the west end and providing parking and playground area to the east and north, that it would provide a safer environment for the children Mr. Brandon further concurred that the most debatable issue was traffic circulation plan As proposed, the predominant ingress would be from 10th Avenue. Egress would be divided between 10th Avenue and through the culdesac created by 9th Avenue. Peak hours for arrivals and departures would be 8 00 - 9 00 A M. and 2 00 - 3 00 P.M The School District contends that such division of exit traffic increases student safety and creates less traffic congestion at 10th Avenue. Mr. Hendler asked why the School District didn't buy the entire block with future expansion in mind. Mr. Brandon replied that it was a matter of economics. Mr. Morgan stated that while he was an avid supporter of schools and education, he was opposed to "peninsula" they were creating for two property owners. As a long time resident of North 10th Avenue, he definitely felt that a traffic light at 10th & Shoshone was needed to slow traffic down and protect the children Mr. Snider expressed concern over proposed culdesac. He felt that culdesacs were not conducive to through streets and vacation of streets and alleys did not represent sound planning. He, too, favored purchasing the entire block for better traffic flow Mr. Brandon stated that there had been no objections at Planning Commission Hearing, and in general, the only difference of opinion between the City and School District was the installation of traffic light and whose responsibility it should be Mr. Donald Storey, representing his mother's property at 403 N 10th Avenue, verbally expressed his opposition due to placing it on a stranded peninsula, surrounding their property with asphalt (trees on south side of property would be removed), increased traffic, reduces lot size, destroys the home's privacy, shuts off saleability and stops being a home. Mr. Brandon replied that the trees would remain intact and the school district would maintain parking strip. Mrs. Carla Maulden, member of Pasco School Board, stated they had spent a lot of time studying sites and this was the best cost-saving idea they could come up with. While it would be nice, they couldn't afford to purchase the entire block. She suggested that both the School District Board and City Council members schedule a joint meeting and try to reach a compromise on proposed plan. Mrs Green reminded council members that school money is our tax dollars also and we should not be telling them to purchase property when they can't afford it. Mr. Snider moved to continue public hearing until July 6, 1987 to give school officials and staff sufficient time to come back with an amended plan. Seconded by Mr. Morgan Motion carried Mrs Green voted no. RECESS 9 35 P.M. RECONVENED 9 40 P.M. , City Clerk PASSED and APPROVED this day 0 MINUTES PASCO CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING JUNE 15, 1987 NEW BUSINESS Grid Kids Proposal to Use Highland Park. Gary Crutchfield, City Manager, stated that "Mr. Beasley has met several times with Dick Erickson (Parks & Recreation) in pursuit of the idea to develop the unused portion of Highland Park for the Pasco Grid Kids Football Program Their proposal, essentially, involves the donation of substantial improvements if the City will provide certain improvements III and assume maintenance responsibilities. If Council desires to pursue development of the balance of Highland Park along the lines of the Grid Kids' proposal, it is recommended that the matter be referred to the Parks/Recreation Department for an analysis of costs (construction and M&O) and identification of financing plan " Mr. Snider asked if it was feasible to use Kurtzman Park? Mr Erickson replied that it was not big enough. Mr Aaron Beasley, President of Grid Kids, passed out brochures outlining their program and projected costs He said his group would supply labor and materials if the City of Pasco would be receptive to installing a sprinkler system (Approx. $20 to $40 thousand) and maintain it in order to give them a permanent home. He stated that distance to McLoughlin Jr High restricted minority children from participating Councilmen Snider, Hendler and Kraft urged that group seek volunteers to assist in labor and materials much the same as Pony Colt League at Walters Field Paul and Cindy Davis stated, "give us a field where our kids can play." City Councilmen directed staff to prepare a lease for the undeveloped portion of Highland Park for Council's perusal. PDDA Bulletin Board in Peanuts Park. The PDDA received a $13,000 grant from the Private Industry Council earlier this year The grant was awarded in part to finance the development of promotional materials for downtown Pasco. The PDDA has elected to print a downtown brochure and erect a 'Community bulletin board. The PDDA is requesting the City allow the Association to install the bulletin board, at no expense to the City, in Peanuts Park or the breezeway north of Peanuts Park Mr. Chuck Coleman stated it would be a regulated board to post activities, school and sport events and a general family atMosphere. It is proposed to be 16' on both sides Mr Snider moved to authorize the City Manager to enter into agreement with PDDA, authorizing PDDA to install a community bulletin board on the south side of Lewis attached to, or adjacent to, the wall just east of the fountain being 16' long, one sided Seconded by Mr. Kraft. Notion carried. ADJOURNMENT In lieu of rushing out to implement the proposal, staff worked with the Pasco School District to arrange for the Grid Kids' Program to use the field at the new McLoughlin Jr High School. That facility is of excellent quality and is already under an established maintenance program (by the School District). In short, the Grid Kids' football program can be fully accommodated without spending an additional public dollar No further business, meeting adjourned at 10 3 .M. (73 Jde W. on Mayor , 1987.