HomeMy WebLinkAbout10/13/2020 Study Session234
YAKIMA CITY COUNCIL
STUDY SESSION
October 13, 2020
City Hall — Council Chambers
9 a.m. CARES Act & Budget Session — Conducted via speakerphone, live streamed at
www.yakimawa.gov and telecast live on Y-PAC, Spectrum Cable Channel 194 or you may
call in and listen by dialing 1-253-215-8782 or 1-888-788-0099. When prompted for the
webinar ID enter 960 6969 0737#. When prompted for the participant ID enter #. When
prompted for the meeting password enter 521673#. There will be no opportunity for oral
communications; however, if you wish to provide written comment to the City Council,
please email ccouncil2@yakimawa.gov. Written comments received by 3 pm on 10/12/20 for
this meeting will be provided to the City Council prior to the meeting. MINUTES
Roll Call
Council: Mayor Patricia Byers, presiding, Assistant Mayor Holly Cousens, Councilmembers
Kay Funk, Brad Hill, Soneya Lund and Eliana Macias (Council members attending via zoom
audio/video)
Staff: City Manager Robert Harrison, Finance & Budget Director Steve Groom and City
Clerk Sonya Claar Tee
Absent: Councilmember Jason White
Resolution amending the agreement with Yakima County Development Association (YCDA)
regarding CARES Act grant funds to change the definition of non-profit corporation to
include any non-profit corporation with federal tax exempt status
Senior Assistant City Attorney Watkins briefed Council on the amendment.
MOTION: Cousens moved and Lund seconded to amend the agreement between
the City of Yakima and YCDA with regards to the CARES ACT grants to include all
federal tax exempt non -profits to apply for funding. The motion carried by unanimous
vote, White absent.
MOTION: Funk moved to ask staff to prepare language to accommodate those two
changes to provide for discretion with using remaining funds and get those late
business license applications. The motion died for lack of a second.
MOTION: Lund moved and Funk seconded to roll the $600,000 into the non -profits
and any extra money, YCDA be granted discretion as far as funding late business
license applications. The motion carried by unanimous vote, White absent. Ms. Watkins
clarified what late business license meant.
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The City Clerk read the resolution by title only.
MOTION: Lund moved and Cousens seconded to adopt the resolution as
amended. The motion carried by unanimous vote, White absent.
RESOLUTION NO. R-2020-117, A RESOLUTION amending the Agreement with Yakima
County Development Association (YCDA) regarding CARES Act grant funds to include all
federal tax exempt non-profit corporations.
3. Council Review of Proposed 2021 Budget - 3 of 4
City Manager Harrison provided opening comments on today's budget review. Steve Groom,
Director of Finance and Budget, recapped the previous budget session and provided a
PowerPoint presentation on today's study session.
Public Works Director Schafer reviewed the Real Estate Excise Tax (REET) 1 and
2 budgets.
Parks and Recreation Manager Wilkinson reviewed the Parks and Recreation budget,
including community partnerships that help support the parks. Director of Finance and
Budget Groom reviewed the Charter language requiring $750,000 of the City's budget be
allocated to Parks and Recreation annually.
Dave Brown, Water and Irrigation Manager, reviewed the Water and Irrigation budget,
including capital projects.
Public Works Director Schafer reviewed the arterial streets budget. Councilmember Funk
asked about Safe Routes to Schools. Mr. Schafer will provide follow-up information on the
status of Safe Routes to Schools.
Steve Groom, Director of Finance and Budget, described how the Lodging Tax Advisory
Committee (LTAC) process is defined by RCW, including how the Committee made
recommendations, which have been included in the preliminary budget. He reported how
LTAC revenues dropped drastically due to COVI D-19. Mr. Groom stated the Council can
accept the LTAC proposal or communicate changes to the Committee.
Councilmember Lund shared her concern that the Capitol Theatre budget was reduced by
67% and feels the cuts should be more equitable. Council members also agreed the
reductions should be across the board and perhaps the policy related to LTAC should be
revised. After further discussion,
MOTION: Lund moved and Hill seconded to send this proposal back to LTAC for
review today. The motion carried by unanimous vote, White absent.
City Manager Harrison provided a quick recap on follow-up items for Thursday's budget
session. Councilmember Macias stated she would like to see salaries separated by
department. Mr. Harrison noted this information will be brought back at Thursday's meeting.
Council members complimented staff on the quality of presentations.
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Adjournment
MOTION: Cousens moved and Hill seconded to adjourn to a City Council study
session on October 15, 2020, at 9 a.m. at City Hall. The motion carried by unanimous
vote, White absent. The meeting adjourned at 11:24 a.m.
CERTIFICATION
READ AND CERTIFIED ACCURATE BY
ATTEST:
NCIL MEMBER DATE
UNCIL MEMBER DATE
CITY CLERK MAYdR