11-13-07 Minutes YELM CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 2007 MINUTES
1. Call to Order— Mayor Harding called the Meeting to Order at 7:30 pm.
2. Roll Call — Present: Don Miller, Mike McGowan, Pat Fetterly, John Thompson
and Russ Hendrickson.
3. Agenda Approval
07-93 MOTION BY PAT FETTERLY APPROVING THE AGENDA AS PRESENTED.
CARRIED.
4. Special Presentations—
Anne Wahrmund from the Yelm Prairie Arts Association provided a history
from it's inception in 1994, to the request for new members and funding today.
As advocates for the Arts, their mission is to; build awareness of all the Arts,
enable sponsorships for education and support, work with educators and local
artists, and enrich the cultural character and economic growth of this area.
Washington State Department of Transportation, SR 510 Loop Update.
Grant Beck introduced Bill Elliott as Project Manager. Also present were Team
Leader: Cameron Harper, Design Engineer: Kirk Wilcox and Olympic Region
Regional Administrator: Kevin Dayton. Mr. Elliott provided an update of the 4.2
mile limited access roadway project including; right-of-way acquisition,
explanation of cost/risk assessment models and the plans to move forward on
the project. Handouts were provided showing the status of purchases for the
fully funded right of way acquisition. A second handout provided possible
scenarios for a single stage build from March 2013 to March 2016 and a two
stage build from Mud Run to Cullens Rd and Cullen Rd to SR 507 from March
2010 to May 2016 and each scenario's possible cost risk variables.
5. Public Comment- None
6. Consent Agenda
a. Minutes October 23, 2007 Regular Meeting, October 16, 2007 Budget Work
Session
b. Payables- Checks 32737-32891, Totaling $1,300,178.17
07-94 MOTION BY PAT FETTERLY APPROVING CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS AS
PRESENTED. CARRIED.
7. Public Hearings-AD VALOREM TAX RATE BUDGET 2008.
Mayor Harding opened the Public Hearing at 8:20 pm to public comments
regarding the 2008 Budget Year Revenue Sources, Ad Valorem Tax Rate.
Tanya Robacker reviewed the staff report stating the requirements for
increasing the property tax collection by one percent for the 2008 Budget. She
stated that 1-747, limiting the rate increase to one percent, was rejected by the
Supreme Court, but recommended the one percent limit.
js/h/city council/2007 Page 1 of 4
The Public Hearing was closed at 8:21 pm after no comments were heard from
the Public.
8. a. ORDINANCE NO. 885 AD VALOREM TAX RATE BUDGET 2008.
07-95 MOTION BY PAT FETTERLY ADOPTING ORDINANCE NO. 885
AD VALOREM TAX RATE OF 1% INCREASE FOR BUDGET 2008.
CARRIED.
7.b. Public Hearing- Comprehensive Plan Update
Mayor Harding opened the Public Hearing at 8:22 pm to hear public comment
on the proposed updates to the Comprehensive Plan and called for a staff
report. Tami Merriman reviewed staff reports on the proposed Comprehensive
Plan updates and for clarification of Level of Service (LOS) methodology
because of confusion seen at the meeting of the Thurston County Planning
Commission. The key points include: move utility and transportation
comprehensive plans to the Yelm Comprehensive Plan, clarification of the
transit policies and levels of service, classification of a portion of Yelm Ave as a
Strategy Corridor, not subject to LOS, and classification correction to reflect
SR507 and SR510 as a highway of Regional Significance not Statewide
Significance. Also included is a rezone request and zoning allowance for a
drive-through on Yelm Ave in the Central Business District.
Steve Klein, Yelm, provided copies of his testimony for Council. He states his
displeasure of how the Comprehensive Plan Update has developed in the midst
of transportation issues including: Level of Service standards, changes in road
designation to get around the LOS requirements and lack of confidence in the
way the city staff is handling these failing levels of service with continued
development approval. He felt key issues were omitted from the record and
undue blame was placed on Thurston County Planning Commission for not
understanding Yelm's update. Additionally, Mr. Klein asked that the Council
table this item.
Matthew Schubart, Yelm, reviewed a letter prepared by Keith Moxon, attorney
for JZ Knight, stating concerns about discrepancies in the designation of streets
and their acceptable levels of service. He feels that the estimated 4% yearly
increases are irresponsible and are being manipulated to suit the approval of a
bad plan. Mr. Schubart asked the Council to reconsider its proposed update and
adopt meaningful level of service to protect and serve the citizens.
Ed Wilksie, Olympia, stated his concern for safety stewardship and the unsafe
formula for vehicle conflict seen as a potential liability. Mr. Wilksie proposed that
the City of Yelm curb development to alleviate the traffic congestion within the
City. Any improvements completed thus far do not keep pace with the future
proposed development.
Mayor Harding responded that the City of Yelm projects: Stevens Street, road
connections and improved intersections, have improved traffic in the last few
years and development has allowed improvements to level of service.
js/h/city council/2007 Page 2 of 4
Councilmember Miller and McGowan spoke, sharing their concerns for traffic
congestion, but both have seen improvements in wait times through town.
Although disheartened by tone of hearing, they were confident with the work
being done and that progress is being made.
Mayor Harding closed the Public Hearing at 9:42 pm
8 b. Yelm Comprehensive Plan Update
07-96 MOTION BY PAT FETTERLY ADOPTING ORDINANCE 884 AMENDING THE
YELM COMPREHENSIVE PLAN TO INCLUDE CHANGES TO
INTRODUCTION CHAPTER I, TRANSPORTATION VI, CAPITAL FACILITIES
X, Cl TO C2 REZONE REQUEST, CHAPTER 17.12.020 YMC PROMOTING
INFILL DEVELOPMENT AND DENIAL REQUEST FOR DRIVE-THROUGH
THROUGH THE CENTRAL BUSINES DISTRICT. CARRIED.
8c. Intergovernmental Services Contract with Nisqually River Foundation
Education Project
Shelly Badger reviewed the staff report and provided the proposed agreement
with the Nisqually River Foundation. This agreement would join with other local
governments in support of the watershed education program including the
Green Congress attended by local students.
07-97 MOTION BY PAT FETTERLY AUTHORIZINIG MAYOR HARDING TO SIGN
THE INTERGOVERNMENTAL SERVICES CONTRACT BETWEEN THE CITY
OF YELM AND THE NISQUALLY RIVER FOUNDATION FOR JANUARY 1,
2008-DECEMBER 31, 2008 IN THE AMOUNT OF $2,950. CARRIED
8d. Service Provider Agreement between the City of Yelm and the Yelm Area
Chamber of Commerce for$7,500.
This annual contract would provide support to the Chamber of Commerce in
their efforts to promote the City of Yelm. Shelly Badger stated that the increase
to $7,500 was discussed in the Budget Work Sessions.
07-98 MOTION BY DON MILLER AUTHORIZING MAYOR HARDING TO SIGN THE
SERVICE PROVIDER AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF YELM AND
THE YELM AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE FOR JANUARY 1, 2008 TO
DECEMBER 31, 2008 IN THE AMOUNT OF $7,500. CARRIED.
9. Old Business- none
10. Mayor and City Council Reports
Councilmember Miller attended the Chamber of Commerce Lunch and Fire
Department presentation.
Councilmember McGowan met with the Home Consortium and sub committee
in preparation for an all day retreat.
Councilmember Fetterly participated in Emergency Management Disaster
meeting with Police, Fire and Department Heads.
js/h/city council/2007 Page 3 of 4
11. Executive Sessions- none scheduled
12. Correspondence provided for review included: Thurston Council on Cultural
Diversity and Human Rights Agenda, November 5, 2007, the announcement of
Fran Sherrill's retirement from the Yelm Multipurpose Senior Center and
comment letters from Steve Klein and Keith Moxon, attorney for JZ Knight,
regarding tonight's Public Hearing on the Comprehensive Plan update.
13. Adjourned: 9:50 pm
Ronald 'Hakring, Mayor
Attest:
anine A. Schnepf, City C rk
js/h/city council/2007 Page 4 of 4