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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03/15/2011 19A City Council Retreat Agenda col �,tY,1 Iq A 7 h '45/ 0„, Yakima City Council i Retreat Agenda Tuesday, March 22 2011 2:OOpm- 7:OOpm Yakima Convention Center - Suite 300 • Recruitment and Selection of Next City Manager Interviews and selection of executive search firm • Timeline Transition issues Co Proposed Regional Fire Authority Study • Council discussion of potentially establishing RFA study group 4 Policy Priorities and Strategies • Budgetary issues for 2011/2012 Public Safety ® - 911: - Sustainable GFI funding w Mill District redevelopment - City's role in redevelopment , w Council leadership /effectiveness - Council committees structure - Review current appointments /make new appointments Capital improvement priorities planning and financing + Assign key issues to Council committees Co Outside Boards /Commissions • Review current appointments /make new appointments O Council Roundtable Open discussion of issues by Council members O Adjournment Yakima City Council 2010: Retreat Action Steps • Schedule City Council Study Session re: Adult Business Ordinance O Assign Council Rules and Procedures Committee to review current Yakima City Council Rules of Procedure and recommend any necessary revisions to the full City Council o North 1st Street Improvements - Determine what steps can be taken immediately - Seek input from area business owners - Continue /accelerate public safety emphasis in the area - Provide technical /organizational support to North 1st Street Association - Pursue potential funding (SEID, state, etc.) for initial streetscape design and eventual implementation - Explore potential physical presence of City government in the area o Explore potential improvements to Fair Avenue corridor o Schedule City Council Study Session (2 -3 hours) to review all existing City capital facilities /infrastructure plans O Seek opportunities for regional collaboration with Yakima County, other cities, and other agencies in order to maximize available resources O Explore potential improvements to City communications /outreach efforts O Develop city manager transition process O Discuss culture of City government - Consider getting input from experts (business leaders, academics, etc.) - Review roles /definitions /models o Assign each Council committee to review committee mission /purpose and make a recommendation to the full City Council re: continuation of committee O Assign Council Economic Development Committee to explore potential for initiation of community visioning process 0 Establish 5 -10 Council priorities that will direct policy, including: - Reduce gang crime and gang violence - Address continuing economic challenges facing the City O Schedule 6 -month follow -up Council retreat m__sW • r Yakima Cit y Council Policy Priorities 2010 * Highest Priority - Address ongoing economic /fiscal challenges affecting the sustainability of City services * Highest Priority - The suppression, intervention, and prevention of: Gang Crime - Gang Violence - Gun Violence * Highest Priority - Provide Council direction regarding potential City form of government change ballot measure and /or develop a city manager recruitment/selection /transition process * High Priority - . Evaluate existing City capital facilities /infrastructure investment plans and identify and develop potential funding mechanisms * High Priority - Pursue opportunities for collaboration, resource sharing, and potential consolidation with other local government entities in our region * High Priority - Work with North 1st Street Association to design public infrastructure improvements for the area and to identify funding sources :.; Medium Prrilotrilly - Explore potential improvements to Fair Avenue corridor * Additional Priori lies - Continue to monitor enforcement of Adult Business Ordinance - Identify appropriate amendments to City Council Rules of Procedure and update accordingly • 4 I ` �i... / / Ed Yakima City Council pi. Retreat 41. r Agenda 1 Tuesday, March 22nd, 2011 2:00 pm- 7:OOpm Yakima Convention Center - Suite 300 O Recruitment and Selection of Next City Manager ' Interviews and selection of executive search firm w Timeline 4 Transition issues O Proposed Regional Fire Authority Study 4 Council discussion of potentially establishing RFA study group O Policy Priorities and Strategies Budgetary issues for 2011/2012 4 Public Safety - 911 - Sustainable GFI funding 4' Mill District redevelopment - City's role in redevelopment Council leadership /effectiveness - Council committees structure - Review current appointments /make new appointments Capital improvement priorities planning and financing 4' Assign key issues to Council committees O Outside Boards /Commissions y Review current appointments /make new appointments O Council Roundtable 4 Open discussion of issues by Council members o Adjournment Yakima City Council '2010 Retreat Action 'Steps o Schedule City Council Study Session re: Adult Business Ordinance o Assign Council Rules and Procedures Committee to review current Yakima City Council Rules of Procedure and recommend any necessary revisions to the full City Council • • o North 1st Street Improvements - Determine what steps can be taken immediately - Seek input from area business owners - Continue /accelerate public safety emphasis in the area - Provide technical /organizational support to North 1st Street Association - Pursue potential funding (SEID, state, etc.) for initial streetscape design and • eventual implementation - Explore potential physical presence of City government in the area o Explore potential improvements to Fair Avenue corridor o Schedule City Council Study Session (2 -3 hours) to review all existing City capital facilities /infrastructure plans a Seek opportunities for regional collaboration with Yakima County, other cities, and other agencies in order to maximize available resources o Explore potential improvements to City communications /outreach efforts o Develop city manager transition process O Discuss culture of City government - Consider getting input from experts (business leaders, academics, etc.) - Review roles /definitions /models o Assign each Council committee to review committee mission /purpose and make a recommendation to the full City Council re: continuation of committee o Assign Council Economic Development Committee to explore potential for initiation of community visioning process O Establish 5 -10 Council priorities that will direct policy, including: - Reduce gang crime and gang violence - Address continuing economic challenges facing the City o Schedule 6 -month follow -up Council retreat , , `}4 r X Yakima City Council Policy Priorities 2010 * Highest Prio i - Address ongoing economic /fiscal challenges affecting the sustainability of City services • Higher P °o " - The suppression, intervention, and prevention of: Gang Crime - Gang Violence - Gun Violence * Hi • hest Prio - Provide Council direction regarding potential City form of government change ballot measure and /or develop a city manager recruitment /selection /transition process * High Priority - Evaluate existing City capital facilities /infrastructure investment plans and identify and develop potential funding mechanisms * High Priority - Pursue opportunities for collaboration, resource sharing, and potential consolidation with other local government entities in our region * High Priority - Work with North 1st Street Association to design public infrastructure improvements for the area and to identify funding sources • Medium Pdori` ,r - Explore potential improvements to Fair Avenue corridor * Additional Prii i "es - Continue to monitor enforcement of Adult Business Ordinance - Identify appropriate amendments to City Council Rules of Procedure and update accordingly 7 � A • Yakima City Council MI/ Retreat sR Agenda • Tuesday, March 22 2011 2:00 pm -7:00 pm Yakima Convention Center - Suite 300 O Recruitment and Selection of Next City Manager Interviews and selection of executive search firm • Timeline 4' Transition issues O Proposed Regional Fire Authority Study Council discussion of potentially establishing RFA study group o Policy Priorities and Strategies Budgetary issues for 2011/2012 - Labor relations - Longevity - Healthcare premiums - Budget reserve levels Public Safety - 911 - Sustainable GFI funding • Mill District redevelopment - City's role in redevelopment ': Council leadership /effectiveness - Council committees structure - Review current appointments /make new appointments Intergovernmental relationships - Yakima County - Airport - West Valley Fire • Capital improvement priorities planning and financing • Assign key issues to Council committees o Outside Boards /Commissions Review current appointments /make new appointments o Council Roundtable Open discussion of issues by Council members o Adjournment . Y Yakima City Council 2010 Retreat Action Steps o Schedule City Council Study Session re: Adult Business Ordinance O Assign Council Rules and Procedures Committee to review current Yakima City Council Rules of Procedure and recommend any necessary revisions to the full City Council o North 1st Street Improvements - Determine what steps can be taken immediately - Seek input from area business owners - Continue /accelerate public safety emphasis in the area - Provide technical /organizational support to North 1st Street Association - Pursue potential funding (SEID, state, etc.) for initial streetscape design and eventual implementation - Explore potential physical presence of City government in the area o Explore potential improvements to Fair Avenue corridor o Schedule City Council Study Session (2 -3 hours) to review all existing City capital facilities /infrastructure plans o Seek opportunities for regional collaboration with Yakima County, other cities, and other agencies in order to maximize available resources o Explore potential improvements to City communications /outreach efforts o Develop city manager transition process o Discuss culture of City government - Consider getting input from experts (business leaders, academics, etc.) - Review roles /definitions /models o Assign each Council committee to review committee mission /purpose and make a recommendation to the full City Council re: continuation of committee o Assign Council Economic Development Committee to explore potential for initiation of community visioning process O Establish 5 -10 Council priorities that will direct policy, including: - Reduce gang crime and gang violence - Address continuing economic challenges facing the City o Schedule 6 -month follow -up Council retreat • „ • -'7 Yakima City Council Policy Priorities 2010 * Highest Priority - Address ongoing economic /fiscal challenges affecting the sustainability of City services * Highest Priority - The suppression, intervention, and prevention of: Gang Crime - Gang Violence - Gun Violence * Highest Priority - Provide Council direction regarding potential City form of government change ballot measure and /or develop a city manager recruitment/selection /transition process * High Priority - Evaluate existing City capital facilities /infrastructure investment plans, and identify and develop potential funding mechanisms * High Priority - Pursue opportunities for collaboration, resource sharing, and potential consolidation with other local government entities in our region * High Priority - Work with North 1st Street Association to design public infrastructure improvements for the area and to identify funding sources * Medium Priority - Explore potential improvements to Fair Avenue corridor * Additional Priorities - Continue to monitor enforcement of Adult Business Ordinance - Identify appropriate amendments to City Council Rules of Procedure and update accordingly • YAKIMA CITY COUNCIL RETREAT JANUARY 23, 2010 YAKIMA CONVENTION CENTER 8:30 A.M — 2:30 P.M. 1. Roll Call Present: Council: Mayor Micah Cawley, presiding, Assistant Mayor Kathy Coffey, Council Members Maureen Adkison, Dave Edler, Rick Ensey, Dave Ettl and Bill Lover (absent after 10:28 a.m.) Staff: City Manager Zais, Assistant City Manager Zabell, Community Relations Manager Beehler, and City Clerk Kloster Facilitator: John Cooper, President and CEO of YVVC John Cooper gave opening statements and defined his role as facilitator. Each Council Member introduced themselves for the benefit of the television audience. 2. Retreat guidelines and desired outcomes Council Member Lover commented that he believes in government by majority not by consensus and felt that if they were going to discuss policy issues he expects there to be debate. Mayor Cawley commented that they were not going to discuss the issue of "lingerie" baristas at this meeting, but were hoping to determine what venue will be used for that discussion, e.g. a study session or a Council meeting. Following discussion it appeared to be the consensus to hold a study session on this issue. ACTION STEP: Schedule a study session on the Adult Business Ordinance. Mr. Cooper described the recommended procedure for the retreat and the goal to establish action steps from the discussions. 3. Roles and responsibilities of the City Council, City administration, and City staff Discussed throughout the retreat. 4. Yakima City Council Rules of Procedure Assistant Mayor Coffey pointed out that, according to the "Standard Motions and Rules of Procedure of Yakima City Council," a motion cannot be withdrawn by the mover without majority approval. That is different than the way the Council has been handling withdrawn motions. Also discussed was "a call for the question" noting it requires a super majority vote to stop debate. It was suggested that Mayor Cawley, Assistant Mayor Coffey, Community Relations Manager Beehler and City Attorney Cutter take time to review and discuss Roberts Rules of Orders and how they apply to Council meetings. It was also noted that the City Council Rules of Procedure was last updated in March 2007. Having the Rules and Procedures Committee review the rules and procedures and make recommendations to the full Council was suggested. They will schedule a work session with Randy Beehler and Jeff Cutter. ACTION STEP: — Review the rules and procedures at the committee level and recommend any necessary revisions to the full council. JANUARY 23,- 2010 -- COUNCIL RETREAT 5. Council member priorities The following priorities were listed when each Council member was solicited for input: (note: the issues of gang violence and budget challenges were set aside as they have already been established as high priorities for the Council) Dave Ettl - To be in touch with Yakima, champion things from the people to the Council. Be a source of communication and facilitation; an ombudsman. Also clean up the garbage on the highways around the city. He asked how we can use the media to get information to the public. Maureen Adkison — More collaboration with other cities, other departments and the County so we are not replicating services or reinventing the wheel. She also sees a need to develop a plan to replace City Manager Zais when he retires in the future. Bill Lover — Fair Avenue and N. 1st Street. We need an interconnector between downtown and the fairgrounds. Those are in addition to the list of fifteen future challenges and opportunities all of which he considers as priorities. Micah Cawley — Aquatics program, a street bond, and privatization. Dave Edler — Sustainable funding, e.g. reformation of government; regionalizing, e.g. possibility of a park district or fire authority; infrastructure, public safety - Rick Ensey — Common codes between City /County, clean up N. 1 Street, and fix the broken culture at City Hall. Kathy Coffey — Coordinate and maximize City -owned public facilities such as the Southeast Community Center and Police Athletic League building. Revitalize N. 1 Street. Renovate historic homes in east Yakima. We need to develop a 3 -5 year plan to look at infrastructure issues. Council Member Ensey elaborated. He believes the organizational culture at City Hall is broken and that both Council and staff are responsible. There is a misunderstanding as to roles and there are respect issues that need to be improved. He clarified that, as electeds, he sees their roles are 1) policy makers setting strategy with staff carrying out the tactics, 2) representing constituents, 3) oversight. Council does not relinquish responsibility when they refer matters to staff, but continues to oversee the issue. Staff's major role is an information resource. He said he doesn't always believe the information he is given; that some is omitted and other information is biased in order to influence policy. He gave examples: • EMS levy — a sunset clause in particular. He felt we could have been more successful if there had been a sunset clause. Staff should have come to Council with a variety of alternatives and let them make the decision. Instead, they said this was the only option. • The question on ambulance response times — he didn't think Council ever got • a straight answer. • Priorities of Government budget model — he had the overall feeling that staff dragged their feet because they didn't want to change the current process. 2 - JANUARY 23, 2010 — COUNCIL - RETREAT • He referred to the recent article in the Herald Republic about the exchange between Bill Lover and Police Chief Granato at the recent Public Safety Committee meeting regarding the crime analyst position. The Chief said he is the one responsible for what happens in his department. Rick did not agree. He believes Council is to oversee staff to ensure tactics used are in line with what they want. He thought the Chief and Deputy Chief have both been out of line in dealing with the Council. Assistant Mayor Coffey commented that she believed it was not the Council's place to publicly question department heads or staff. They should direct their issues to the City Manager. Council Member Ettl expressed concern with having to go through the City Manager first. Council Member Lover explained his view of what happened in the Public Safety Committee meeting. Council Member Ensey stated that because we are going to replace the City Manager soon, the most important thing this Council can do is set the culture in City Hall. He said we need to determine how we want our government to relate to its citizens and then choose a City Manager that can do that. Council Member Lover left at 10:28 a.m. The North First Street priority was discussed in more detail. Assistant Mayor Coffey suggested an architectural study and streetscape be prepared in case anything can be done during the legislative session. She also suggested preparing a request for funding from SIED to do the study; assisting the North First Street Association with organizational issues, and having the Community and Economic Development Department research potential funding sources for the streetscape and economic development. Mayor Cawley and Council Member Edler noted the need to seek input from area business owners. A question was asked about whether there was something the City could do to help sell the old Lariat drive -in restaurant that is such an eyesore. Mayor Cawley and Council Member Adkison spoke about the potential of putting a physical presence of City government into the area. ACTION STEP: • Determine what steps can be taken immediately • • Seek input from area business owners • Continue /accelerate public safety emphasis in the area • Provide technical /organization support to North First Street Association • Pursue potential funding (SIED, state, etc.) for initial streetscape design and eventual implementation • Explore potential physical presence of City government in the area Conversation then turned to street failures and the need for a street bond. It was suggested that we need to identify for the voters the top ten areas needing attention. This may be an item for the Bicycle /Pedestrian Committee or part of the Six -Year Plan. The Council then discussed infrastructure. City Manager Zais spoke of the multiple layers of public infrastructure of which many plans have been adopted but not been reviewed together. 3 JANUARY 23, 2010 -- COUNCIL - RETREAT - - - -- ACTION STEP: Hold a study session to look at the various capital facilities /infrastructure plans, determine what exists, where they are in the updating process and then have Council determine their priorities. The priority of regional collaboration was discussed and the need to eliminate duplication of services. It was suggested that we need to work towards coordinating with the County on quality of life issues for the valley. ACTION STEP: Seek opportunities for regional collaboration with Yakima County, other cities, and other agencies in order to maximize available resources. The next priority discussed was communication between citizens and the City. We should look at some best practices to see what we can do to improve communications and impact accurate media presentation. ACTION STEP: Explore potential improvements to City communications /outreach efforts. The culture at City Hall as a priority and a transition plan for replacing the City Manager was the next discussion topic. The importance of the decision was identified. Council discussed the potential of using a professional search firm, and emphasized the need to determine what the Council expects the "culture" to look like in order to develop a transition process. Council Member Ensey clarified what he meant by "culture" as the general feel of the environment; shared beliefs; buy -ins; acceptance of operational methods for the good of all; and respect for customers. Les Schwab and various hotels were used as examples for good customer service. Council Member Ensey suggested the need for a philosophical conversation on corporate culture and the potential of having a college professor or some successful people in our business community provide free advice. ACTION STEPS: • Discuss culture of City government; consider getting expert input, review roles /definitions, models. • Develop city manager transition process. 6. Policy developments /consideration processes An attempt was made to define a policy issue. Examples given were: legal requirements, e.g. adopting the budget or deciding on a new strategic plan for Police. The overall direction of managing the city is an administrative issue. Assistant Mayor Coffey commented that sometimes committee meeting agendas deal with minutia that Council doesn't need to address. If we identified and prioritized the enormous challenges, we should be able to move the city forward more quickly. Some committee items should be delegated and not allowed to take up Council time. Council Member Edler noted that all seven Council members view items differently and what is minutia to one may be seen as critical to another. Discussion ensued on whether various committees should be continued. Committee meetings may be too focused on reporting rather than recommending action. Also discussed was the need to prioritize and to determine strategic priorities from today's discussions. Assistant Mayor Coffey stated she wanted action steps that are narrowly focused, that have benchmarks and are achievable with results. 4 JANUARY 23,- 2010 -- COUNCIL -RE -TREAT ACTION STEPS: • Assign each Council committee to review committee mission /purpose and make a recommendation to the full City Council regarding continuation of the committee • Establish 5 -10 Council priorities that will direct policy, including: o Reducing gang crime and gang violence o Address continuing economic challenges facing the City of Yakima Also discussed was the amount of staff time involved in committee meetings and the methods used for forwarding information to the Council. There were several suggestions to alert Council to upcoming issues that are being discussed at the committee level, but are not yet ready for full Council consideration. 1) committee chair could advise under the meeting agenda heading "Other Business "; 2) reference in the committee minutes and advise it will be coming to Council soon; 3) staff could submit a form or an email following the committee meeting advising Council members of the information; or 4) include the subject in the Weekly Issues Report prepared by the City Manager's office. 7. Existing City Council committee structure Discussed above. *8. Action steps Identified throughout the discussion. ACTION STEP: Schedule a six -month follow -up Council retreat to review status on the action steps identified. PARKING LOT: (a list of items that came up during the meeting to be discussed later) Council and staff relationships Visioning process Budget related to economic challenges. Council Staff Relationships Assistant Mayor Coffey said if she has a concern or question, it is her responsibility to inform the City Manager or Assistant City Manager and not go directly to the employee or the department head. Mayor Cawley agreed. City Manager Zais referred to the system in place for service requests. Visioning Process - The Next 20 Years. City Manager Zais pointed out that it has been twenty years since there was a comprehensive visioning process for the community. At that time it was a major undertaking that took about eighteen months. He noted that the process was created by business leaders, citizens, and constituencies from across the valley with City participation. Perhaps it is time to encourage the community to develop a new 20 -year vision. Council Members Edler and Adkison suggested the Economic Development Committee consider the idea. 5 JANUARY 23, 2010 — COUNCIL - RETREAT ACTION STEP: • Supply Council with a copy of the last visioning document • Assign Council Economic Development Committee to explore potential for initiation of community visioning process Budget and Economic challenges City Manager Zais reviewed the current budget situation and economic forecast noting that circumstances are very challenging and the future looks daunting in terms of how long it will take our community to recover. He referenced the drop in sales tax revenue and said if December figures continue to drop, it would signal the potential for another shortfall in the budget of $800,000 to $1 million. We would need to take steps to reduce our costs and expenditures for the balance of this year. If the forecast continues to drop, we would have more serious choices to make about the services we provide and the priorities of government model we have created. It is very troubling and overshadows our capacity to meet community needs. *9. Adjournment Council Members applauded Mr. Cooper for his efforts at leading the retreat. COFFEY MOVED AND ETTL SECONDED TO ADJOURN. The motion carried by unanimous voice vote. The meeting adjourned at 2:28 p.m. READ AND CERTIFIED ACCURATE BY COUNCIL MEMBER DATE COUNCIL MEMBER DATE ATTEST: CITY CLERK MICAH CAWLEY, MAYOR Minutes prepared by Linda Watkins. A CD and DVD of this meeting are available in the City Clerk's Office 6 YAKIMA CITY COUNCIL AUGUST 2010 RETREAT AUGUST 23, 2010 — 9:30 A.M HARMAN SENIOR CENTER 1. Roll Call Present: Council: Mayor Micah Cawley, presiding, Assistant Mayor Kathy Coffey, Council Members Maureen Adkison, Dave Edler, Rick Ensey, Dave Ettl and Bill Lover Staff: City Manager Zais, Assistant City Manger Zabell, and Deputy City Clerk Watkins Mayor Cawley called the meeting to order at 9:38 a.m. 2. Review Yakima City Council Policy Priorities Progress Update • Discuss Council and City staff implementation efforts re: Council Policy Priorities City Manager Zais gave opening statements referring to a recap of the January 23, 2010 retreat on strategic priorities supplied to the Council. Included in the packet was a milestone report on steps taken in the last six months with respect to each policy /priority. Council General Discussion Efficiently managing resources and fiscal stability has become the overarching priority and everything else falls under that. (Ensey) There is an assumption that things will get better, but what will the new normal be? Fiscal management has been understandably elevated to the top of the priority list. (Edler) Times like this tell us what our real function is, what our priorities are. We should be questioning our programs and asking if we should continue them. (Lover) We have made progress on our priorities; the gang project is up and going, there has been a tremendous drop in crime. Do we have a crime problem or a policing problem? If we can put the right number of police out there we can stay on top of the crime problem? (Ettl) When things are unsettled you must minimize and focus instead of spreading out. We need to narrow our focus again. (Coffey), COUNCIL RETREAT .. AUGUST 23, 2010 • Provide direction re: continued implementation of Council Policy Priorities • Recommend any necessary modifications to Council Policy Priorities HIGHEST PRIORITY Gang issues and economic /fiscal challenge — Council consensus that these two Highest Priority items should remain as such. City Manager recruitment/transition process — moved up to a Highest Priority item. This item initiated discussion on the potential change in the city's form of government to a strong mayor format. Form of Government —this too, should be a Highest Priority item. A• potential timeline is 1) make a decision on changing the form of government; 2) hold a special election in February or March 2011; 3) elect a strong mayor in the November 2011 election. City Manager Zais advised on the necessary steps for holding a special election. He also clarified that while we could identify a search firm for recruitment, they will not recommend doing a candidate search until a decision on the form of government is made. Questions were asked about public interest in this subject. The public hearing will hopefully show that level of interest. HIGH PRIORITY Hold regular, less - formal meetings — eliminate from the priority list. North 1 Street Association — continue as a high priority. Pursue opportunities for collaboration — combine resources regionally. It was agreed to move this item from Medium to High Priority. MEDIUM PRIORITIES Fair Avenue Corridor— continue as a Medium Priority. Assess best practices related to communications and community outreach. — remove from the priority list. Assign CED Committee to explore community visioning process — remove from the priority list. • 2 - - COUNCIL RETREAT AUGUST 23, 2010 3. Discuss Upcoming Forms of Government Public Hearing It was noted that the information supplied to the Council on the forms of government was available on the City's web page. There will also be copies available at the hearing. Some Council members suggested that it would be best for a ballot measure, if there is going to be one, to be developed by the Council. Prior to doing that, the Legal Department will provide Council with a variety of information for review. It will include a list of 12 -15 questions needing to be answered. It was suggested a study session be held to deliberate and answer those questions to give specific direction as to what the Charter language will look like. General discussion on the subject included the following comments: Form a blue ribbon panel with Council members and citizens to hammer out the details. What is the financial impact? Discussion among Council members alluded to it being a wash when comparing the City Manager and Assistant City Manager salaries to a Mayor and a City Administrator. Questions were asked about taking all the functions of the City Manager and expecting an elected person, with no knowledge or experience, to handle them. 4. Other Business • The Mill Site Council Member Edler asked for a sense from Council on what they feel about a public facility on this site. It was suggested that more information was needed prior to giving an opinion. The financial aspect was discussed. The facility will cost approximately $23 million. The Bears are supplying $5 million and have requested at least $10 million of LIFT funds. The landowners are donating approximately $5 million worth of land. Another option that requires analysis is whether new market tax credits would come into play, or whether. the PFD concept might be reconsidered. Those were two major sources outside of a traditional bond issue. There is also the potential of a floating tax option (admission tax) that could be adopted. Those issues need to be examined to see if any would sustain this type of facility. The operating side also must be considered. The City would issue 3 • COUNCIL- RETREAT ....... _.. - _........ _ ... AUGUST 23, 2010 bonds as the owner of the project and would need a dedicated, guaranteed revenue source to not jeopardize existing revenues. There is a proposal on a lease but that still requires more detail. The Bears envision a multipurpose facility, available year -round for concerts and other activities. As the infrastructure is added, it opens up the door for future investment. The Bears have a brand that is well known and is attracting more attention than an aquatics center did; but it has to be vetted carefully to protect the City from being on the hook for the costs, including a broken lease. A study session on the subject is scheduled for September 8, 2010. • Capital Projects Assistant City Manager Zabell briefed Council on capital projects and referred to material provided on what the effort will be to go through all the different capital facilities plans and putting them into a comprehensive format. He referred to the current condition of our streets; approximately 40% are satisfactory, 40% are moving toward poor, and 20% are poor and failing. He reviewed a chart on pavement management concepts that depicts how the cost to repair increases over time as the streets continue to deteriorate. Discussion continued on the need to identify street repair as a "highest priority" and potential revenue sources such as a $20 vehicle fee, or a street bond. The discussion also covered capital funding versus sustainable funding. Council Member Lover discussed the subject of streets being identified as a stormwater conveyance; therefore they should receive a percentage of stormwater money. It was explained that to obtain enough stormwater money to help maintain streets, the stormwater rates would have to be raised. This would require expanding the stormwater program beyond the original philosophy of only meeting the minimum requirements. Another critical item on the horizon is stormwater but more information is needed on the subject. Other government facilities requiring ongoing funding are the Senior Center, the YPAL Center, and the Southeast Community Center. We have been able to use a certain amount of REET money but that has taken a steep drop. It is just now coming back but is 45% less than it was 2 years ago. There needs to be further conversation on how to obtain money to maintain them. There is always the question of privatization. • Annual Lobbying Trip to Washington D.C. Mayor Cawley questioned whether we might consider going to Washington D.C. in February rather than during the March National League of Cities conference to save the cost of conference fees. He said Community and Economic Development Director Morales had suggested February would be a better time to make the City's case. Council agreed on the lobbying trip being in February and foregoing the National League of Cities Conference in March. They also decided to limit Council attendees to two. City Manager Zais advised that another effective time for a Washington D.C. trip is in July. 4 COUNCIL- RETREAT AUGUST 23, 2010 5. Adjournment EDLER MOVED AND ENSEY SECONDED TO ADJOURN. The motion carried by unanimous voice vote. The meeting adjourned at 12:37 p.m. READ AND CERTIFIED ACCURATE BY COUNCIL MEMBER DATE COUNCIL MEMBER DATE ATTEST: CITY CLERK MICAH CAWLEY, MAYOR Minutes prepared by Linda Watkins. A CD and DVD of this meeting are available in the City Clerk's Office 5