GRANDVIEW CITY COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
NOVEMBER 20, 2006
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, Jan McDonald, Robert Morales and Javier Rodriguez. Councilmember Joan Souders was absent.
Staff present were: City Administrator Scott D. Staples, City Attorney Jack Maxwell, City Clerk Anita Palacios, City Treasurer John Myers, Public Works Director Cus Arteaga and Code Enforcement Officer Cory Taylor.
2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Miranda Robertson, student of the month at Harriet Thompson Elementary School, lead the pledge of allegiance.
3. PRESENTATIONS - None
4. PUBLIC COMMENT - None
5. CONSENT AGENDA
On motion by Councilmember Horner, second by Councilmember Flory, Council unanimously approved the Consent Agenda consisting of the following:
A. Minutes of the November 6, 2006 study session
B. Minutes of the November 6, 2006 regular meeting
C. Minutes of the November 14, 2006 special meeting
D. Claim Warrant Nos. 77294-77408 in the amount of $207,827.90
E. Payroll Warrant Nos. 41821-41921 in the amount of $209,836.24 for November 15, 2006
F. Ordinance No. 1767; repealed GMC Chapter 3.96 and provided for a new Chapter 3.96 Rewards
6. ACTIVE AGENDA
Public Works Director Arteaga advised that at a previous Council meeting, a citizen expressed concern with the site distance at the intersection of Avenue J and West Second Street due to overgrown trees. On October 13, 2006, the property owner located at 1200 West Second Street, Mr. Ron Grow, was contacted, advised of the situation and requested to trim his trees. Mr. Grow trimmed approximately three feet from one side of the tree. In order to comply with GMC 8.24.020(C)(1)(a) and (e), an additional eight feet would need to be trimmed from the tree. Mr. Grow refused to trim the tree any further.
On October 27, 2006, the Code Enforcement Officer issued a code violation pursuant to GMC Section 8.24.020(C)(1)(a) and (e) Nuisances on Public Property and Public Ways to Mr. Grow for a fir tree that was blocking the view of traffic and a sycamore tree that was extending over the roadway. On November 2, 2006, the City received an appeal from Mr. Grow.
Mr. Grow addressed the Council and indicated that he had trimmed approximately five to six feet off the tree and any further trimming would only serve to increase the visibility of his next door neighbors yard. He indicated that the amount of trimming he had done allowed for a complete view of the roadway. He stated that removing another eight feet from the tree would be unreasonable and would not provide any better view of the traffic.
Mayor Childress questioned the location of the Citys right-of-way to determine whether or not the tree limbs were encroaching the Citys right-of-way.
Staff was instructed to locate and stake the Citys right-of-way along Avenue J and West Second Street and report back to Council. The appeal hearing was continued to the December 4th Council meeting.
Received public comments
Mayor Childress opened the public hearing for the purpose of receiving comments on the 2007 Current Expense Fund Revenue Sources.
SEQ CHAPTER \h \r 1City Treasurer Myers advised that the revenue sources for the 2007 Current Expense Fund budget would include consideration of possible increases in property tax revenues together with the proposed ordinance levying taxes in the amount of $1,300,000 for the regular levy and $85,000 for the excess levy--the proposed Operating Revenue for the Current Expense Fund was $4,234,980.
No public comments were received during the hearing or by mail.
The public testimony portion of the hearing was declared closed and no further comments were received.
Received public comments
Mayor Childress opened the public hearing to receive comment on the 2007 preliminary budget.
No public comments were received during the hearing or by mail.
The public testimony portion of the hearing was declared closed and no further comments were received.
Fixed the amount of the regular and excess tax levy necessary to raise the monies to meet estimated expenditures and debt service for voted general obligation bonds of the City of Grandview for the ensuing year 2007 levied upon the real and personal property of the City of Grandview
On motion by Councilmember Horner, second by Councilmember McDonald, Council unanimously approved Ordinance No. 1768 fixing the amount of the regular and excess tax levy necessary to raise the monies to meet estimated expenditures and debt service for voted general obligation bonds of the City of Grandview for the ensuing year 2007 levied upon the real and personal property of the City of Grandview.
Increased the 2007 property tax levy for the City of Grandview above the limit factor up to 101 percent
On motion by Councilmember Darr, second by Councilmember Flory, Council unanimously approved Ordinance No. 1769 increasing the 2007 property tax levy for the City of Grandview above the limit factor up to 101 percent.
7. COUNCILMEMBER MEETING REPORTS
Community Awards Banquet Mayor Childress and Parks & Recreation Director Mike Carpenter were commended for their powerpoint presentation of the Grandview community that was shown at the Community Awards Banquet.
Meeting with State Legislators RE: Criminal Justice System The Lower Valley Mayors will be holding a meeting on November 28th at the Yakima Convention Center for area Mayors, Councils, City Administrators/Managers to meet with State Legislators from the 13th, 14th and 15th Districts, as well as other state and federal officials, County Officials, and Chiefs of Police for all cities in Yakima County, together with the cities of Ellensburg, Prosser and Goldendale. The purpose of the meeting will be to discuss and present recommendations that the Mayors feel are urgently needed in the criminal justice system and ask that these become the top legislative priority for the 2007 Legislative Session.
YVCOG General Membership Meeting The Yakima Valley Conference of Governments General Membership Meeting was scheduled for December 13th at the Sunnyside Community Center.
8. UNFINISHED AND NEW BUSINESS
City Hall Closure City Administrator Staples addressed the Council regarding the closure of City Hall from Noon to 1:00 p.m., starting December 1st to provide for more efficient customer service to the public at the front counter. Council concurred.
9. EXECUTIVE SESSION - Collective Bargaining
Mayor Childress adjourned the meeting to an executive session at 8:15 p.m. for approximately 60 minutes to discuss collective bargaining with the aforementioned Mayor, Council, City Attorney and City Administrator present. The regular meeting resumed at 9:15 p.m.
The regular meeting adjourned at 9:15 p.m.
__________________________ __________________________
Mayor Norm Childress Anita Palacios, City Clerk