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Home My WebLink About08/01/1990 Adjourned Meeting 74 AUGUST 1, 1990 CITY OF YAKIMA, WASHINGTON ADJOURNED MEETING The City Council met in session on this date at 3:00 P.M. in the City Hall Police Department Training Room with the Greater Yakima Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors to tour the City Police Department and discuss Law and Justice issues. Mayor Pat Berndt presiding, Council members Skip Semon and Bernard, Sims present. Council member Henry Beauchamp present after 3:45 P.M. Council members Clarence Barnett, Lynn Buchanan and George Pechtel absent and excused. Chamber of Commerce Board of Director members Gary Bailey, Keith Daniels, Jerry Foy, Gary Garrett, Curtis King, Dave Miller, Tim Powell, Dick Smith, Bud Snyder and Gary Webster were in attendance. City Manager Zais, City Attorney Vanek, Assistant City Attorney Bounds, Police Chief Green and Deputy City Clerk Lovell also present. City Manager Zais stated that the idea of this meeting was to discuss the City's proposal for a Criminal Justice Anti -Crime tax that has been placed on the September 18th ballot. He acknowledged the Chamber's instrumental role over the past two years to increase the public's awareness of Law and Justice needs. City Manager Zais explained that many financing options have been explored, but with limited choices, the proposal was structured to obtain maximum gain for both construction and operation. A bond issue was not deemed feasible because it would fund only construction and not provide for maintenance and operation. City staff believed that a combined package was needed from the State which allowed for local option authority as well as State funding. Other funding options either did not raise enough money or were not acceptable to the community. The Business and Occupation Tax option was felt to be an unlikely recommendation unless it was an absolute dire emergency and no other option was available. After reviewing several options, the utility tax lid lift was selected by staff as the best proposal to address Law and Justice needs. This option was advanced, but not selected, in November, 1988 when the long distance telephone tax was imposed to fund additional staffing for the Police Department. The $500 cap on gas and electric power was also raised to $3,000 at that time. Revenue from those sources allowed the hiring of additional police staff, but forced the relocation of the Legal Department from City" Hall to meet space needs. City Hall is now filled beyond capacity. In addition to a minimum security jail, the bond issue package provides space for the Police Department, the Legal Department, additional court rooms, a consolidated communications center and a dispatch unit. City Manager Zais stated that the City is supportive of the Chamber's endorsement of the 911 measure on the upcoming November ballot, as the 911 program fits very well with the Law and Justice -1- AUGUST 1, 1990 7 5 proposal. Mr., Zais also indicated that the County is very • interested in joint cooperation `''for a public safety facility. • However, only $2.4 million was allocated in the last legislative session for Yakima. County jail space. There is a strong possibility the County may, also receive about $500,000 from the . I/ Federal Marshal's Office which could be added to the package of capital expenditure options. Mr. Zais reported that the last time . the Council• met with the County Commissioners as a group, there was general agreement that a joint facility is still the most desired option, but that the resources to put it together are not available at this. time. The City decided to move ahead with their ._, own .proposal, but to continue working for state and federal • funding assistance. City Manager Zais reported that a citizen's committee was formed after the Council approved the ballot measure. The committee is hopeful that if the issue is passed, it will provide momentum to 'rebuild the • City/County relationship toward building a joint facility.••• The City feels that combined resources 7 allow a modified joint facility including. jail space, a consolidated • . dispatch center and a consolidated communications center. The • facility would . be built to.last at least 40 years with room for expansion and .combined staffing. City Manager Zais stated that. site options for the proposed facility have included City Hall, the old Crest Linen building, the Safeway building and other locations out of the downtown area. If the. election is successful, Mr. •Zais proposes to bring the City and.•County back :together to .Look at available resources to • determine the best location for a combined facility. City. Manager -Zais understands that the Chamber is in a fact gathering mode•at this time, and is considering surveying its membership with the idea of potentially issuing an opinion about the ballot measure. . The City. Counci.l•felt_that meeting, with the Chamber members to tour City _Hall. and provide information 'would help them with this process. Keith Daniels asked if funds for replacement of the irrigation system in.the -City would also have • •to come from. the utility ..tax.,. Mayor Berndt. stated that this is another set of utilities, and water and sewer utility taxes are in • a separate part of the general fund. City Manager Zais stated that the irrigation .system. is, a real concern, .and would require $12 -15 million • to repair —and replace., the current system. Abandonment of the ,system in.: favor of . domestic water use is I/ ' another option under staff review.. - • Dick Smith asked about the risk that three separate jail facilities might be the outcome•if the City and County do not come together on this proposal. City Manager Zais stated this might be a risk, however, the force of events within the community compels the City and County to.work together. Council member Sims stated that meetings between the Council and Commissioners have been positive for a consolidated effort. • - -2- 76 AUGUST 1, 1990 Jerry Foy expressed concern that the relationship between the . City and•County is not good, and needs to be addressed. Mayor Berndt stated that the Commissioners have asked for their support. They have indicated they are willing to endorse the concept,ibut they have an,established policy that does not allow them to endorse individual municipal ballot issues. Council member Henry Beauchamp present at 3:45 P.M. Mayor Berndt announced that a quorum was present. Dick Smith asked if any type of regional plan has addressed a City /County facility, and was told by Police Chief Green that the joint facility has been an issue since 1968. City Manager Zais stated that the citizen's. committee, chaired by Bob Hall and Greta Bryan, is working toward .cooperation between agencies to merge resources and maximize. the funds available for 'the benefit of the public. Council member Semon wants to keep the focus on the reality of the problem in Yakima, and' feels that the needs of the community need to be addressed to put some'credibility back in the legal system. • At 4:05 P.M. Police Chief Green led a tour of the Police Department facilities. Chief Green said that the facility is staffed beyond capacity, and future•annexation plans will further tax the system. (Council member Sims absent after 4:30 P.M.) City Manager Zais stated that the jail space on the third and fourth floors has been condemned by Federal. court order. He also ' said that estimates to refurbish City Hall are between '$2.5 -$3.2 million, which leaves the future of the building a real concern. A briefing packet and fact sheet on the ballot issue were distributed to the Chamber of Commerce members. 'City Manager Zais stated that a copy of. the fact sheet will be mailed to all City utility users and the citizen's committee will be sending out additional information in mid- August. Mayor Berndt thanked all of the Chamber members for attending the meeting and expressed her hope that the information distributed. would help them in making their decision on the ballot issue. Mayor Berndt also offered to meet with any board members who were unable to attend the meeting, and Chief Green "offered to take them on a tour of the facility. Chamber of Commerce Director Gary Webster will extend this .. invitation 'on behalf of the Council. City Manager . Zais restated the City's commitment to a joint City /County. . 'e'f'fort and stated that the City would appreciate any assistance the Chamber of Commerce might be able to offer in this regard. The meeting was adjourned at the hour of 5:15 P.M. • -3-