q SUNNYSIDE - REVERSE PHONE DIRECTORY
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- Commission complete with 7 members
- City Council approves new planners
- SUNNYSIDE--(Monday, 2-7-00)---The City Council this evening confirmed mayoral appointments of five new members to the Sunnyside Planning Commission.
- Confirmed as members were Paul Garcia, De Ann Hochhalter, Larry Slavens, Rob Stutesman, and Sharon Tyler. They join members Gerald Parish and Terri Williard, the last two remaining from the former Commission.
- The new members replace planners who resigned, were terminated, or quit, including Al Tebaldi, Mary Lee Robinson, Larry Bennett, Nick Hernandez, and Stan Snow.
- The new appointments took place with little public fanfare at this evening's council meeting.
- The council also approved 4-1 a $69,547 bid to refurbish and replace the chassis of a 1993 ambulance. The work will be done by Western States Fire Apparatus. The vehicle will be out of service for about 90 days, according to Acting Fire Chief Jim Stanton.
- Councilman Chad Werkhoven voted against the bid, saying the city would be better off replacing the engine and drive train now for an estimated $25,000, and buying a new vehicle in five years. He criticized the city's spending nearly $70,000 now on a vehicle with about seven years life left after refurbishment.
- Stanton said the city will use its "old van" over the 90 days, so the city will still have three emergency medical service vehicles on the road.
- In other business, the council:
- Formalized an agreement with the Yakima County Development Association for this year. The city earlier agreed to a five-year, $30,000 agreement with the group, but the deal is formalized annually. City Mgr. Dave Fonfara said this year's $6,000 is in the budget. Dave McFadden, Association Director, noted that Canam, Yakima Chief, Valley Processing, and DRR fruit processing are four businesses which have benefited from Sunnyside and the Association working together. Councilman Mike Farmer said the agreement "returns more to the city than we'll pay into it."
- Approved liquor licenses for STM Market, Blue Moon Tavern, Dark Horse Tavern, Wade's Pizza, and Rite-Aid Pharmacy.
- Congratulated winners of this month's four beautification awards. Bengi Aguilar gave plaques honoring Pioneer Elementary School and Mountain State's Construction, plus homeowners Ron and Penny Duran, and the Frank Cook family. Mrs. Aguilar said the Beautification Committee sorely needs volunteers to help identify community projects, businesses and homeowners deserving of the awards.
- Acknowledged that Acting Police Chief Ed Radder named Sgt. Phil Schenck as interim captain for Sunnyside PD. Jim Rivard will take the position of patrol sergeant. Radder said the PD now has a complete staff of chief, captain, and four sergeants, as budgeted.
- At the council's next meeting, members are set to discuss the public defender's contract, the city's wastewater treatment system, a memo of understanding with Guy Roberts, a city hiring freeze, and expiration of two Civil service Commission positions.
- First meeting of the "new" Planning Commission will take place Wednesday. New Planning Commission members will be sworn in. They will discuss parking requirements and rezoning of George DeRuyter properties.
- Since their Feb. 21 meeting falls on a holiday, the council will decide a reschedule date or cancellation.
- The council went into executive session to discuss land acquisition, a real estate sale, litigation, and public employee matters.