STUDY SESSION MINUTES
JUNE 19, 2006
1. CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Norm Childress called the study session to order at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers at City Hall.
Present were: Mayor Norm Childress and Councilmembers Helen Darr, Bill Flory, Pam Horner, Robert Morales and Joan Souders. Councilmember Javier Rodriguez was absent.
Staff present were: City Administrator Scott D. Staples, City Attorney Jack Maxwell and City Clerk Anita Palacios.
2. CITY ADMINISTRATOR UPDATE
Downtown Revitalization - On June 30th from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., Robert Ozuna, Michael Verchot and Jim Diers from the University of Washington will be meeting with City and Chamber officials and business owners to assist in an effort to develop an action plan to re-energize the central business district.
City Services Directory - A draft City Services Directory was distributed to Council for review and comment.
Wine Country Road Commercial Development - Paul Neher and two associates have purchased the property west of Les Schwab with plans to commence construction of a 10,000-12,000 square foot office/retail development.
Corn Plant - West Coast Gold Company is in the process of purchasing the corn plant to operate a french fry line with operation to commence September 2006.
Meeting w/Sunnyside, Prosser, Mabton - On June 15th, the City Administrators/Managers from the Cities of Sunnyside, Prosser, Mabton and Grandview met for the purpose of discussing how the four communities could work together. Staff from the four cities would be meeting to review the possibilities of combined recreation programming, civil service testing, and the feasibility of bulk fuel purchases.
City/School Meeting - On June 16th, City Administrator Staples, Parks & Recreation Director Mike Carpenter, Police Chief David Charvet and Assistant Police Chief Mark Ware met with School District officials to discuss ways the City and School District could work together with a particular focus on gang activity. Another issue discussed was reimplementing student resource officers, particularly at the middle school. The next meeting was scheduled for August 4th.
Graffiti Program - Public Works Director Cus Arteaga has advised that the new graffiti abatement program was going quite well. A part-time seasonal employee has been hired and new equipment has been purchased. The department was focusing on aggressive abatement and doing a thorough job in painting the entire surface, matching colors and using the protective sealant.
Post Office Proposal - City Administrator Staples received a phone call last week from the post office union requesting Council input with respect to the proposed changes to the postal service in Yakima and the re-routing of mail, etc. Public comments can be mailed to Dana Blakeslee, Consumer Affairs Manager, P.O. Box 90306, Seattle, WA 98109.
Community Picnic - The Community Picnic for the north side of town will take place on Thursday, June 22nd from 6-8 p.m. at the Nazarene Church.
Elevated Reservoir Project (Velma Water Tower) - City Engineer Jeff Louman has advised that the contractor on the elevated reservoir project has discovered quite a bit of corrosion on the inside of the tank and also on the roof trusses. The corrosion causes insufficient support inside the tank which creates a safety problem. The Engineer recommended that the tank be inspected by a structural engineer to determine the appropriate measures the City would need to take in order for work to proceed. The project would probably require a change order.
Council Retreat - The Council Retreat has been scheduled for June 26th and 27th from 8:00 am to 5:00 p.m. at Countryside Caterings Country House.
3. ADJOURNMENT
The study session was adjourned at 7:25 p.m.
GRANDVIEW CITY COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
JUNE 19, 2006
1. CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Norm Childress called the regular meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers at City Hall.
Present were: Mayor Norm Childress and Councilmembers Helen Darr, Bill Flory, Pam Horner, Robert Morales and Joan Souders. Councilmember Javier Rodriguez was absent.
Staff present were: City Administrator Scott D. Staples, City Attorney Jack Maxwell and City Clerk Anita Palacios.
2. FLAG SALUTE
City Administrator Staples led the flag salute.
3. JUNE NEIGHBORHOOD HOMES OF THE MONTH & BEAUTIFICATION AWARD
Mayor Childress presented the June Homes of the Month Certificates of Appreciation to the following: Gilbert & Marji Trevino, 1905A West Second Street; Tim & Theresa Moore, 221 Jackson; Tony & Rosalinda Cavazos, 214 Velma; Harry & Carolyn Thomas, 1200 South Euclid #82; Nina Randle, 702 Esperanza Way. Lower Valley Pregnancy Center located at 100 East Third Street, received the June Beautification Award.
4. CONSENT AGENDA
On motion by Councilmember Flory, second by Councilmember Horner, Council unanimously approved the Consent Agenda consisting of the following:
A. Minutes of the June 5, 2006 study session
B. Minutes of the June 5, 2006 regular meeting
C. Claim Warrant Nos. 76134-76268 in the amount of $694,902.95
D. Payroll Warrant Nos. 40713-40816 in the amount of $216,840.76 (June 15, 2006 payroll)
E. Resolution No. 2006-17 Authorizing Interlocal Agreement with Yakima County RE: Administration of Housing Funds
5. COUNCILMEMBER MEETING REPORTS
Community Standards & Neighborhood Pride - Councilmember Morales reported that he has met with City Administrator Staples to discuss the issue of community standards and neighborhood pride. He requested that the issue be discussed at the Council Retreat for further ideas.
July 4th Flag Raising Ceremony - The annual July 4th Flag Raising Ceremony will be held on Tuesday, July 4th, 9:00 a.m., at Stokely Square. The guest speaker will be City Administrator Scott Staples
July 3rd Council Meeting Cancellation - On motion by Councilmember Darr, second by Councilmember Horner, Council unanimously canceled the July 3rd regular Council meeting due to a lack of agenda items.
Bio-Solids Removal/WWTP Tour - Councilmember Darr requested that the topic of "Bio-Solids Removal," as identified on the Major Project Inventory, be an item of discussion at a future study session. Council also requested that a tour of the Wastewater Treatment Plant facility be scheduled for a future study session.
Dog Complaint at Dykstra Park - Councilmember Souders commended the Police Department for their quick response to a dog complaint at Dykstra Park.
Carriage Square Block Watch Party - The Carriage Square Block Watch party will take place on June 29th at Councilmember Souders residence.
6. ADJOURNMENT
The regular meeting was adjourned at 7:45 p.m.