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1975 08 122254 CITY COUNCIL MEETING -Regular Session August 12,1975 Council Room -City Hall •8:00 P-M« Members Present:-Councilma.ro Bob Hill,Bill Moe,Mike Boyle,Gordon Ebbert,-Don Swanson and Otto Skaus.Councilman Norm Johnson was not present Mayor EBbert called the meetfng to order and called for approval ofthe minutes of the previous meeting ofJuly22,1975.Motion by Mae to approve the minutes as written.Second by Boyle.Motion carried. REGULAR BILLS AMOUNT PAID GENERAL '$j!'*?*'™ STREET ,loifiS 'ARTERIAL STREET '?io52FEDERALREVENUESHARINGlll'llWATER/SEWER .J i«'cnSANITATIONlZ.ioo.ou 1972 WATER/SEW2R CONSTRUCTION n?'in?"QQEQUIPMENTRENTAL1,801.89MotiombyHill that the biKis be approved for payment.Second by Swanson.Motion carried. Warrant No's.3480 through 3598 in the amount of $155,224.27 were approved for payment. PUBLIC HEARING -OFF-S-'IREET PARKING ORDINANCE -Second reading. Stan Eech,Associate Plainer,stated the Planning Commission took a long time studying the off-street /fc>y parkirg and loading situation inthe City andtooka considerable amount oftimeto complete the ordinance,and fcdt that the parking ordinance should be put to the City Council separately. Alot ofdiscussion thathehasheardrecentlyon-ahe ordinance is that it would not be beneficial to the downtown area and possibly too restrictive for the enSiire city.He suggested that the Central Business District or Fire Zone No. l.beexemptedfromtheparkingordinance.This would most likely require an amendment tothe ordinance ora redraft and submit it at t&e next meeting,added Chet Waggener,City Manager. Mike Boyle asked Stanif he would give some background as to how he cameto this conclusion. Stan stated that he personally has not had anyone come to him to supportthe downtown area.The reason thePlanningCommissionoriginallyfelttheywantedthedowntownareaintheordinanceisbecausetheywanted to use the vacant land be used used nowrather than be built uponfor businesses.Some of the owners of that land Indicated it would,not be beneficial to themto have the parking restrictions on it. This is how the current ordinance reads that the Fire Zone 1 area does not have to comply with the off-street parking. Mayor Ebbert opened the public hearing and called forquestions or comments from those in the audience. Ken Moos,2102 S.Beaumont,and Realtor.I amrepresenting myself as an individual and the welfare of the community.If this ordinance is passed you might as well put up a sign saying •we don't want any more ' businesses in town'.We havea lot of ordinances,but this is the most critical thing that I could think of. Forexample, for a furnitane store the ordinance requires 2 parking spaces per 1,000 square feet,when anaveragefurniturestoreis10,000 to 20,000 square feet.When coulda man builda furniture store and provide that kindof parking? Or for instance,a Barber Shop,would have to provide seven spaces for the one-chair shop.You are forcing people to abandon the downtown area.If this ordinance goes into effect there are agreat:many pieces of propierty wherethe ownerwould be limited as to who he could sell to, or he would have to buyout the one next cKoor,or be at the mercy of free enterprise. Barry Ziegler, 2208 W.Lefteside Drive. Stan was tal king about Fire Zone i or the Central Business District eliminated from the ordinajce.Why not have it eliminated in the residential area? Dennis Hopkins,507 Aldetr.Most of the merchants operate under the free enterprise system.If there is a'parking problem,they will get it taken care of in the downtown area.The City Council won't need to worry about it. Dean Hagerty,2131 Lakeside Drive,directed his question to Stan. If the Council is to reconsider Fire Zone #1, then I would ask the Council to reconsider the boundaries and have it go back to where it originally was,since it would affect my business in the downtown area. Virgil Hastings,930 S.Juniper Drive.I have a professional office and I would like to expand,and if the ordinance went through,I would not be able to use the present building or the one I purchased to add to it if I hadito put in 20 spaces;;I would not have room.Also added,that I have never had any trouble finding a parking place within a block where I wish to go downtown.I think people have been spoiled. Chuck Edwards,1114 W.Cifiscade /operator Coast to Coast Store.I oppose the ordinance as it is written. I am in Javor of what Stan h*?.Dresented,that Fire Zone #1 should be exempt.Although I see Mr.Hagerty's point becausehe is right on'tite edge.Mr.Moos has definitely presented the reason.I do definitely oppose the park'tg ordinance as it Is now written. Pinky Mi'dllebrook,Realtor,311 W.Broadway.I have a business in the downtown area.We would pass a law that iPtone wants and thatdoes no.one any good.We have a lot of parking space.I have talked against 1 Ji&M "CJty-OouncJJiMinutes:2 August 12,1975 this ordin/ance many times.Too mach government we have already.That is all I have to say. Shirley Kvamme,3107W.LaVcftSiiie.I am very much against this ordinance because it would require most people to put in one-hadfof their property in parking,plus black-topping.What are you going to do aboutl the alleys?They iTBJce never been built for traffic.Nobody wants to walk around the block. I must say that I have never valked more than a block from any building anywhere in town.I don't see that the parking is all that difficult. Lauren M.McVay, 323 DateRoad/Mgr.Silver Wheels Freightlines.I think this parking ordinance is far too complicated for this smtril a town.I believe we need a parking ordinance.We can't go downtown now and preplan everything In tte past.What has been done is done,but for the future we will have to do some thing.Ehave seen the prctilem as far as unloading goes in this town. I am told,'your truck is in my way, I have to park here'.I have to unload here because this is the only access to the man's store.We will need some kiiid of parking ordinance,but this one is too technical. Chuck Edwards,Coast to Cfoast Store. Thereare plans for additional parking in thought, and it will be pre sented On the near future,and this will take care of the downtown area,therefore,the parking ordinance will be of noo value to us.It is in the minds of the businessmen to take care of the downtown parking in the future and thifs ordinance is not necessary'. There were no further conments.Therefore,Mayor Ebbert closed the public portion of the public hearing, and aslied for comments 01 questions from the City Council. Bob HLM stated that Pacific N.W.Bell just spent in the neighborhood of $400,000 in their new construction and we-would have had to provide at least 40 parking spaces if this ordinance were in effect at that time. If that were true,I am s«sae we would not have spent that much money in this town.I don't think we could afford to have bought the lot behind the Post Office or neighboring lot to have done so.I think the ordinance is too restrictive. Bill Moe took exception -to Bob Hill's comment stating since your company is the only telephone company in town,they got to cometo you.If yours was a tavern or some other business where you rely on patron parking what would be your company's viewpoint then? Bob Hill responded stating -you don!t know how we spend money;we're more conservative than most businesses. We certainly would have not spent -someone used the figure of $70,000 for that Post Office lot. Upon request by Mike Boyle,Stan listed the difference or change of requirements for parking in all zones comparing them with the present requirements and that of the proposed parking ordinance. Bob Hill commented that there is talk about making the downtown and fire zone #1 exempt,but let's make this applicable in the outside of the downtown area.I do think there would be areas that would be unduly affected.Ken Moos added,such as a barber shop that has to provide 7 spaces for people to sit in the one or two chair shop. Otto SKaug asked Virgil Hpsting -Your particular new piece of property,is it in Fire Zone #1?He replied it was and that is why I can't add on to my building.I very seldom have more than two people in my place at one time.Otto asked -Where do your employees presentlyspark?He replied that they park in front or aroundthe corner and across the street. Motiomby Hill to close ftfce public hearing.Second by Boyle.Motion carried. The ordinance was read bj title only. Hill mcved to deny the ordinance as written.Second by Swanson.Motion carried.Opposed by Boyle. Boyle ocplained that he :felt that Fire Zone #1 should be exempt from the ordinance,and also felt that we are going to have to look at residential parking,especially one space for a single family home where now there are at times three to four cars for a single family dwelling. Otto Skaug suggested that the ordinance be referred back to the Planning Commission for further study and to encompass maybe further problems expressed here to the total ordinance.I think it Is needed. I think the survey of 1973 indicates the customer and the public are real interested and concerned over the downtown parking,notwithstanding Mr.Mlddlebrook's inference that when the time comes we will take carevAf it.The vacuum has existed for some time;nothing has been done,we are spinning our wheels as far a&rthe merchants are concerned,notwithstanding what Mr.Edwards said that an effort is being made to alleviate that In some jaainer or form. But until .such thing comes along I think we are in a state of flux and we .need that parking,.Bid:not to say that when the real crunch comes we will take the actions necessary, but it may be too late.I d«m\bagree with the ordinance as written,but modified in pertain areas where it could be palatableto all coincemed.The two gentlemen here who*have expressed the strongest opinion areselling this property,let's tfaca.lt.They may have property of their own, butthey are realtors sellingproperty.I thinkit behoove*;e>ery prospective tenant to be assured by the builderthat parking was provided for him. Bob Bill stated that he wouW agiee ^vdth Mike Boyle that the residential parking is out of line in the existing parkin.?ordinance. 225$, City CwincU!Minutes:3 August 12,1975 Bill Moeicontended that as fas as meeting with the Planning Commission as suggested by Mayor Ebbert, I would Just as soon not worry about it at the present time^t least anything within the next month or so . But as far as the Parking Or&finance,yes, I believe there has to be someadjustment made. We planned for the future in a great mawy areas; this could be in the same way.We can't wait until the barn burns down, we have todo sometWJng,but we do have an ordinance in force at the present time. ORDINANCE NO.727 METER INSTALLATION RATE INCREASE -second reading ..-r^— Aletter was read from M.G.McLanahan,Asst.Public Works Director,stating that permit fees establish ed in 1964 are ro longer practical forthe cost of installing the 3/4 inch,I inchand 1?inch meters and service lines.Therefore this ordinance to increase the cost of Installing. The ordinance was read by title only.Motion by Boyle to adoptthe ordinance.Second by Moe.Motion carried. •CONSIDERATION OF BIDS - GARDEN HEIGHTS STORM SEWER Aletter was read from Ron Baker,Asst.City Enginer,stating that on August 6,1975,six bids were re-//C/,^? ceivsd for the construction of an eight inch (8")stormdrain line from Garden Driveto Division Street on Ninth Avenue Extended.The lowbidder is L &S Construction Company of Moses Lake with a bid of$14,009.10.This bid is $806.40 below the Engineer's estimate.He recommended the City Council award the contract to L & S Camstruction Company. Motion by Moe to award the bid to L&SConstruction Company.Second by Hill.Motion carried unanimously. SELECTION OF MAYOR'S SELECT COMMITTEE ON MOSES LAKE'S AMERICAN BICENTENNIAL CELEBRATION ^ A l<stter was read from the Mayor stating that in order to fulfill the requirements to apply for status as anofficialBicentennialCity,the City of Moses Lakemust have a Bicentennial Committee. The following citizens answered our advertisement and have expressed an interest in serving on a Mayor's select Bicentennial Committee:Nancy Wolfe, Martin Anzellini,Loretta Goodrich,Thorn West,Wally Morris, Elaine Lawson (representing VFW Bicentennial Committee), Clyde Owen (representing Moses Lake PortDistrict) and Bob Mason,(representing BBCC).It is requested that the City Council direct these volunteers tobe appointed. With Comncil approval, the Mayor will meetwith this committee and direct them to select their own chairman and Begin coordlnative efcrt of initiating Moses Lake's celebration of our nation'slwo hundredth birthday. Motion by Hill the request be granted and approve the committee. Second by Boyle. Motion carried. FEDERAL REVENUE SHARING -ACTUAL USE REPORT .' A letter was read fromR.R.Gagnler,Finance Director/City Clerk,submitting for the Councils review theActual Use Report for the period pf July 1,ia74 through June 30,1975. With the Council's concurrence a copy of this report will be published in the Columbia Basin Daily Herald on August 15, 1975. The original wilUbe sent to the Office of Revenue Sharing to comply with their reporting requirements. Ric&commented that it does not coincide with our calendar year as of January 1 to Dec.31st,therefore the fignures do not necessarily correlate,they are one-half year out of pace with us.Money expended out of the revenue sharing fundi does not necessarily mean the funds were spent by the city but transferred to the Geraeral fund with exception of that spent in the public safety area,otherwise into the general fund for conrtflngency items for th©possibility of a civic center and $130,000 balancing that we used to balance for 197&We also have notified them several times that Westlake has been annexed,but we are still receiving separate money and reports.He expects it will be cleared up eventually. Motlbn by Skaug to approve the report and grant permission to publish.Second by Moe.Motion carried. REFERENDUM NO.27 GRJSNT OFFER -WATER SYSTEM TELEMETERING,BOOSTER STATION AND PRESSURE FLOW CONTROL.•lUVO'S) A letter was read from Jeray Fay and submitting a copy of the Offer &Acceptance Agreement from the Depart ment of Social and Health Services for construction of a Booster Pump Station and Telemetering System for the- City water system.The amount offered is $102,504,which is 40%of the eligible portions of the project. The total project cost as estimated in our application which was revised for submittal on March 31,1975 is $364,762,of which the Cfty portion is $262,258. Construction of a Booster Station &Telemetering System,as recommended in the Water System Operational Analysis,will provide supervisory control of wells in order to distribute pumping demand and provide pressure flow control to balance wafer pressure and flows,and improve fire flows in the Central Business District. City funds have been allocated-for this project and necessary and consistent with the planned water system development for the City,his recommended the City Council a'ccept the grant offer.It must be signed and returnedto the DSHS before September I,1975,or the grant offer will be withdrawn. Mayor L?&ert inquired if the $262,258 City portion is provided for in the Budget? Jerry Fay stated it is provided for in the l.lmillion bond issme from the Water/Sewer fund. Chet Waggener explained it is one of the ..projects anticipated and no*specifically budgeted,and if the project goes far enough in 1975 we will need itccome back with supplemented appropriation possibly,but anticipated that paymentson this 2257 •fN City Counril Minutes:4 August 12,1975 would be made in 1976 and provide for them in the 1976 budget. Motion.by Boyle toacceptthe recommendation of Mr.Fay andacceptthe grant offer.Second by Moe. Motion carried unanimously. RESERVOIR #5 -SOILS INVESTIGATION Aletter was read from Ron Baker, Asst. City Engineer, stating that with the final site acquisition forReservoir#5 nearlng completion, requested Council permission to negotiate and engage an engineeringgeologyfirmto doon-site soils investigation.The investigation,which will include borings,is necessarytodetermineallowablesoilloadingvaluesforfoundationdesignoftheReservoir.Two firms arepresentlybeingconsidered,that of Dames &Moore,Inc.-,and Converse,Davis,Dixen and Associates. Both firms are from the Seattle area and are highly recommended.Theon-site investigation and finalreportisestimatedto cost $5,000 to $7,000.Since this is a professional contract,selection by competiT tlve Bid is not required. Mike Boyle asked Ron to explain in more detail why this type of firm is necessary. Ron explainedthat the design of a reservoir puts a lot of loading on a foundation,and we anticipate asolidfoundation,and it has to be designed to specific pressure to the type of soil and the soil capacity that can be loaded. Thearea in the College tests about 3 to 4 tons per square foot. We need to knowexactlywhatthatloadingwouldbe so we could minimize the cost ofthe foundation.The geologist firmshave the necessary equipment to boreto about90feet to take samplesof thatsoil andanalyze them.The City does not havethat typeof equipment to analyze'the soils. Inaddition soil geologist will make his report on it.Their findings and expertise is very valuable at this point. Moved hy Hill that permission be granted to pursue this.Second by Boyle.Motion carried unanimously. BICENTENNIAL TREE PLANTING GRANT Aletter was read from Cecil D. Lee, Park&Recrearion Director, stating that Washington State American Revolution Bicentennial"Commission andthe Officeofthe Secretary of State are sponsoring tree-planting,beatification and conservation projectsas a part ofWashington State's Celebration ofthe Bicentennial.Grants will be awarded formaterials and laborbased or.proposals to be received no laterthan August 25, 1975 There are a number of very worthwhile projects that could be accomplished if funds were available. The following are some of more desirable projects and the estimated costs oftree-planting: WEST BROADWAY -$1500 : to continue the street tree program onWest Broadway from the west sideoftheCenexGrangetoBarbara;and Barbara to Schnierla;and from the Hallmark Access to connect present line. LOWER PENINSULA BOAT RAMP -$1,000:Tree plantings on parking lot boundaries to provide a more esthetic viewfor neighbors andto act.as wind breaksand shadefor park users. WESTLAKE WELL SITE -$800:Tree plantings on the West property line to provide a wind break and beatification. BASIK HOME (PROPOSED PARK SITE)-$1800:Fringe planting on City property. STRA1FORD ROAD AND HIGHWAY 17 -$7230:Tree plantings at the City entrance at Stratford Road and flighway 17 to beautify the only entrance to the City that has no beautlfication. the entire State grant.We may get one or two orthen again none of them. Motiorcby Ebbert,second by Moe to authorize the staff to prepare and submit proposals for this project. Motion)carried unanimously. CTTTZEN INPUT Chuck Edwards of Coast to COost presented the City with an official Bicentennial Flag.He stated this , could fly continually under ourregularflag. Otto Stmt suggested we accept this official Bicentennial Flag and thank Mr.Edwards for it and have a letter drriftedito Mr.Edwards to that effect. of a careful reproduction of the-original. -t*r Is—r 22b8 'C'jry Council Minutes:5 August 12,1975 STATUS/INFORMATIONAL -City Civic Center Complex: City Manager Chat Waggener stated that approximately a year ago we had a study submitted to the Council by Harvey Vernier regarding alternatives for a Civic Center design.About 6 weeks ago the Council authorised formation of a Citizens Committee to make recommendations to establish priorities regarding some course of direction to advise the Council regarding this course of direction.?There was a good news article relating to it and also a quarter page advertisement requesting people to respond with a 'csupon addressed to the Mayor indicating their desire to serve on this Committee. At this point we;have had 3 people-volunteer to serve.We are very concerned about that kind of apathy.We think it is a worthwhile project in which to use a citizens committee.However,at this point it can't be done on that basis.I request of the Mayor and City Council,that if they wish a citizens committee,to proceed that .you take it upon yourselves to appoint a chairman of the committee. Perhaps appoint a basic executive committee that would function and that is up to you to determine how many people should be on that executive committee.They then perhaps would be charged with the re sponsibility of,sollciting other people to serve on a citizens committee. My concern is partially a matter of simple economics on it.We have been about this for over a year, actually from the time the study was first submitted.In that interim period construction costs have increased 15% to 20%,and if any portion is to go ahead,it is really quite important that some steps be taken to make decisions,quite soon so that we can move before construction costs escalate still further. That same rate-of increase is continuing at the present time,and I see nothing that would indicate that i!i_goinq to change. Mayor Ebbert.commented,wondering why there was so little if any response to soliciting such a committee.Ysars ago the 'Committee of 80'was certainly a success,and a lot of people responded to that. Chet Waggener stated that was in 1960,and perhaps today there is a little different attitude toward volunteering;think also people are more apathetic toward volunteering their services toward this kind of project,and possibie we are involved at a bad time,being mid-summer.Several people I talked to said they did not see the quarter page ad we had in the paper.Also in the formation of the Committee of 80,it was formed in the manner that I have now suggested,with the Mayor and the City Council appointing a Chairman and an Executive Committee.They then went further to get subcommittee chair men and expanded their committees.All of these were brought back to the Council for their overall approval to see that a committee wasn't loaded with a particular interest group of the community,to see that there was good representation.If it is going to go with a Citizens Committee approach,it will need Council leadershiD.I don't think it will function without it. /0/f- Bob Hill —Shouldn't any action be delayed for about 30 days,say after Labor Day? people,particularly in July and August,is very prevalent. Apathy of the Chet Waggener agreed that it may be that particular period that may have been a major contributor to the lack of response.Would suggest though that it may be well for the Council to be thinking about a chairman or chairperson and executive committee appointed and expect they would not be able to go much further until after Labor Day. Otto Skaug - I suggest that we follow that particular theme of having an executive committee appointed and hive this item on the agenda for the next meeting and having input from all of us here as to who might be chairman ctnd augment that group to seek implementation of that committee. Councilman Otto Skaug:-Policy Leaders Seminar for City Councllmembers -San Francisco Otto Skaug stated,that a few weeks ago I brought up the fact that Councilmembers should feel obligated to attend more Council/City Seminars and in that light wish to bring up the Seminar for City Council- members at Sa a Francisco,August 22 and 23rd,sponsored by the National League of Cities to include Councilmen frctn Alaska,California,Idaho,Montana,Oregon,Washington and Wyoming.I strongly urge the four iracumbent Councilmen to attend,since the good that could be obtained would be invaluable for the continued operation of the City.I think you are entitled to go and receive this information. Realtors send t&eir people to seminars,the School Board does,the Port District does,and feel it is only fitting for the City should be justified in doing likewise. Skaug: I would move that all four incumbent councilmen who find it possible to attend this seminar at San Francisco,expenses be paid by the City.Second by Boyle.Motion carried. Bill Moe stated that he is planning to attend the San Francisco Seminar. Meeting adjoum.=d at 9:45 P.M. ATTEST: MAtOR,Gordon M.Ebbert