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HomeMy WebLinkAbout08-15-1988 MinutesMINUTES PASCO CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING AUGUST 15, 1988 EXECUTIVE SESSION: An Executive Session was called at 7:30 P.M. to discuss Personnel. It adjourned at 8:00 P.M. with no action taken. CALL TO ORDER: The meeting was called to order at 8:00 P.M. by Ed Hendle Mayor. ROLL CALL: By City Clerk. Councilmen present were: Michael Garrison, Beverly Green, Ed Hendler, Lee Kraft, E.A. Snider and Emerson Morgan. Councilman Joe Jackson was absent from the meeting (excused). Also present were: Gary Crutchfield, City Manager; Greg Rubstello, City Attorney; Dennis Wright, City Engineer; Donald Francis, Police Chief; Larry Dickinson, Fire Chief; Dave McDonald, Director of Community Development; Webster Jackson, Personnel/Purchasing Officer; Betty Klundt, Kennewick City Councilperson; and Charlotte Supplee, Lab Technician. CONSENT AGENDA: Mr. Snider moved to approve Consent Agenda, as amended. Seconded by Mr. Kraft. Motion Carried. Consent items are as follows: a) Approval of Minutes. To approve minutes of regular meeting, held August 1, 1988. b) Bills. To approve general claims in the amount of $263,168.00 ($15,837.94 being in the form of Wire Transfer 111 Nos. 1967 and 1976; and $247,330.06 consisting of Cla Warrant Nos. 58871 through 59030). c) Resolution No. 1845. A Resolution accepting work by Transtate Paving, Inc. under contract for Project No. 88-3-01 (1988 Overlays). d) Public Hearing to Establish Parking Limitations on Road 34. To set Tuesday, September 6, 1988, 8:00 P.M. in the Council Chamabers, as the time and place for a public hearing to establish parking restrictions on Road 34, between Court and Henry Streets. e) Appointment to Housing Authority Board. To concur in the appointment made by the Franklin county Commissioners of Mr. George Dockstader to fill Position No. 1 on the Housing Authority Board (unexpired term of James W. Rogers) to a term which will expire on January 28, 1992. f) Bulk Winery Feasibility Study. (Added to Consent Agenda) To authorize the Mayor to sign an Agreement with the State of Washington, as recommended by the Tr-Cities Diversification Board, under which the State will provide up to $25,000 to the City for the use of a consultant for an economic feasibility study of a bulk winery facility. VISITORS: Kenneth Terry, 324 N. 18th Avenue, presented a petition bearing signatures of approximately thirteen residents of 18th & Shoshone vicinity. Their concern was better traffic control at that intersection. Staff will review this request and report back with their findings. -1- MINUTES REGULAR MEETING PASCO CITY COUNCIL AUGUST 15:1988 - Captain Pat Henrickson, Pasco Fire Department, stated that he and members of Pasco Fire Department were in attendance if the council had any questions regarding letter sent to each councilman. Mayor Hendler asked that they be present at workshop session of the City Council on August 22nd, however, the matter of Fire Marshal could not be discussed as it is in litigation. Mr. Dave Henton, 1936 Agate, stated that he and other golfers had some concerns which they would like clarified. Mayor Hendler asked that they be placed on August 22nd workshop session. REPORTS FROM COMMITTEES AND/OR OFFICERS: Golf Course Advisory - August 2, 1988. Emerson Morgan reported much of their meeting had been discussed a month before. He suggested that signs be placed on the Golf Course, identifying direction of one hole to another. It appeared that first-time golfers on our course were getting lost. Further, it was suggested that donors to Park Bench Fund have their names put on benches or #1 tee. Ben-Franklin District Health - August 4, 1988. Mike Garrison stated they had met with new Health District Officer and discussed area business. The Prosser office is needing a new heating system and the Pasco Office is being temporarily relocated during remodeling to the CAC Office at 5th & Court for approximately 70-days. Ben-Franklin Transit Board - August 11, 1988. Ed Hendler reported that Transfer Station at 22nd & Sylvester had been approved. He publicly corrected news article regarding Transit Authority's revenue and expenses. ORDINANCES/RESOLUTIONS NOT RELATED TO PUBLIC HEARINGS: ORDINANCE NO. 2696: AN ORDINANCE RELATING TO AND CHANGING THE ZONE CLASSIFICATION OF CERTAIN REAL PROPERTY WITHIN THE CITY OF PASCO FROM R-1 TO C-3. Ordinance No. 2696 was read by title only. Mr. Kraft moved to adopt Ordinance No. 2696, rezoning from R-1 to C-3, Lots 4 - 24, Block 46, Frey's Addition. Seconded by Mr. Snider. Motion Carried. ORDINANCE NO. 2697: AN ORDINANCE CONCERNING THE CLOSURE OF CITY PARKS AND AMENDING CHAPTER 9.48 OF THE PASCO MUNICIPAL CODE. Ordinance No. 2697 was read by title only. Mr. Snider moved to adopt Ordinance No. 2697, an Ordinance concerning the closure of City parks and amending Chapter 9.48 of the Pasco Municipal Code. Seconded by Mr. Garrison. Mr. Thomas Corley, Administrator of Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, an institution that has served Pasco for 72 years, was appalled -2- MINUTES REGULAR MEETING PASCO CITY COUNCIL AUnitST 1 -5'; 1988 over deterioration of Volunteer Park. This is the first landmark that visitors see when they are entering our town and it has become a real eyesore due to degrading elements which frequent it. Their employees are afraid to go to their cars at night and the hospital has put in additional exterior lighting, additional parking, chain link fence and all doors, including emergency room, are locked at 8:30 each evening. They have engaged private security to patrol their premises because patrons of Volunteer Park have openly urinated on hospital chapel grounds. Their employees have been solicited to buy sex or drugs and with present Aids epidemic, he was deeply concerned. He commended the council in considering closure of Volunteer Park as a first step in eliminating the blight that is occurring. Mrs. Pat Hein, Director of Drug/Alcohol Treatment Center, stated you could not take families to Volunteer Park anymore due to individuals who frequent it. When their patients walk through the park on their way to therapy, they are constantly accosted to buy drugs, sex, etc. She favored closure of park. Mr. Robert Bunyon, 1815 W. Brown, asked "what happens when they move to another area frequented by children?" Mayor Hendler replied that we are "beefing" up our Police Department in an effort to combat this problem, however, landlords should be more selective in renting their properties so that we do not get undesirables in our neighborhoods. It is a drastic step to close a park but this temporary measure might be necessary to send a clear message that we do not tolerate this type of activity in Pasco. The City of Pasco has closed businesses conducting or condoning illegal activity and if we keep moving them, maybe they will move on to another area. I Councilman Snider suggested the scheduling of a retreat for members of Council, Chief of Police, City Manager and City Attorney to come up with ideas to improve the Police Department operations in residential areas. Mrs. Betty Klundt, Kennewick City Councilperson, commended the Council for their proposed action. She operates a day care center and often times brings youngsters over to see the train engine and court house. With the present individuals in Volunteer Park, she cannot do that anymore. She said it was a "gutsy" move to close the park. Mr. DeLos Manning stated that closing the park won't solve the problem - pass new laws for more rigid control. As a resident of Ruby Street, he spent his evenings with a spotlight chasing out undesirables in his neighborhood. Councilman Garrison encouraged a Neighborhood Watch type of I program where residents get involved and report suspicious type activity. Councilman Morgan said it was hard for him to vote for closure because he could remember the good times when Volunteer Park was a major family gathering place and his football players ran their laps there. Today, he drove by and witnessed approximately 50 druggies and hookers selling their wares. He wanted to see Volunteer Park restored to its former use and if closing the park -3- I I I MINUTES REGULAR MEETING PASCO CITY COUNCIL AUGUST 15, 19881 is a first step, he would vote for it. Councilman Green stated she had witnessed drug dealing in the park, however, she didn't feel that closing it is the answer. They will just move to another park and "are we going to close down Pasco?" Councilman Kraft was reluctant to take this step as he felt there were other measures to be taken. Pasco has had their share of adverse newsprint and this would be news State-wide. To this, Councilman Snider replied that by our "Ho-Hum" attitude, it leaves the impression that drugs, etc. are generally accepted, but we've got to get out the message that it's not O.K. He favored putting heat on our legislators and court system to restore laws more conducive to law and order. Chief Donald Francis highlighted crimes vs. penalties and their limitations as far as the law is concerned. Our Undercover Metro Unit is quite effective but this is becoming a major social problem as well. He reminded audience that a special levy (utility tax) is coming up in September, and if passed, would enable the City of Pasco to keep the 6 new officers recently hired. He favored closure of the park. The City Attorney reiterated that newly enacted laws allowed us to close businesses, rooming houses, private homes, etc. where illegal activity is taking place. You can't allow tolerance. Mr. Al Yenney felt you would be chasing the problem around by closing Volunteer Park. He was opposed to one person having the authority to make such a decision. If the Council did close the park, they should have an opening date. Main motion carried 5 to 1. Mrs. Green voting no. RESOLUTION NO. 1846: A RESOLUTION CONCERNING THE TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF VOLUNTEER PARK. Resolution No. 1846 was read by title only. Mr. Snider moved to approve Resolution No. 1846, a Resolution providing for the temporary closure of Volunteer Park. Seconded by Mr. Morgan. Motion carried. (Mrs. Green voting no). RECESS: 9:25 RECONVENED: 9:40 NEW BUSINESS: Contract for Land Surveying Services. Mrs. Green moved to authorize staff to enter into a contract with Bob Stratton Surveying for surveying services for the City of Pasco. Seconded by Mr. Kraft. Motion carried. Demolition of Roberts Hotel. Mr. Snider moved to award ; contract for the demolition of the Roberts Hotel to the low bidder, Contractors Equipment Maintenance, Inc. of Kennewick, in the amount of $22,747.69, including sales tax and, further, to authorize the Mayor to sign the contract documents. Seconded by Mr. Morgan. Motion carried. -4- MINUTES REGULAR MEETING PASCO CITY COUNCIL AUGUST_ 15, 1988. SUGGESTIONS FROM COUNCIL - GENERAL DISCUSSION: A retreat of the City Council has been tentatively set for Saturday, September 17, 1988. Mrs. June Uribe, 729 W. Nixon, asked if we were going to keep the money in the Tr-Cities. She was assured that all council retreats were held here. ADJOURNMENT: No further business, the meeting adjiern d at 9:45 P.M. Ed èhdler, Mayor ATT" 4111 eTh Wel s, Ci y Clerk PASSED And APPROVED this 7day o , 1988.