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HomeMy WebLinkAbout12/03/1991 Adjourned Meeting 80 CITY OF YAKIMA, WASHINGTON DECEMBER 3, 1991 ADJOURNED MEETING — BUDGET REVIEW The City Council met in session on this date at 8:00 A.M. in the Council Chambers, at Yakima City Hall, Yakima, Washington. Mayor Pat Berndt, presiding, Councilmembers Clarence Barnett (absent after 11:30 A. M.), Lynn Buchanan, Skip Semon, and Bernard Sims present. Councilmember Henry Beauchamp absent and excused. City Manager Zais, Director of Finance & Budget Hanson, and Department Assistant Barber also present. ADMINISTRATION OF OATH OF OFFICE BY THE CITY CLERK FOR NEWLY ELECTED COUNCIL MEMBER BRADO Bill Brado having been elected to the office of Councilmember at the November 5, 1991 election, and the oath of office having been administered by the City Clerk, is now duly seated as Councilmember for the City of Yakima. PUBLIC WORKS Streets /Traffic Engineering Jerry Copeland, Director of Public Works introduced Dave Hussell, Manager of the Street and Traffic Division, Joe Jackson, Street Superintendent, Steve Knopp, Traffic Operations Supervisor, and Shelly Willson, Traffic Engineering Supervisor. Mr. Copeland presented a memorandum dated December 2, 1991, as requested by Council, listing the priority of the DA III positions requested in the Public Works 1992 budget. The priorities are 1) Equipment Rental; 2) Refuse Division; 3) Street and Traffic Division; and 4) Transit position. Councilmembers and staff discussed street lights with regard to crime related areas and payment for more lights. Mr. Copeland suggested the City split 50/50 with the occupants to pay for street lights. Mr. Hussell stated that P.P.& L. connects the power and the City installs its own lights. Street lights may also be obtained through a local improvement district (L.I.D.) assessment. Councilmember Barnett stated he feels the newly annexed areas should be entitled to the same services provided to all City residents. Bob Wheeler, Accounting Manager introduced Tim Jenson, Accountant for the City of Yakima. Mr. Wheeler explained that increased taxes for gas and annexations helped to increase the streets revenues. BR12.3 /1 DECEMBER 3, 1991 8 1 On Page 289 Mayor Berndt questioned the authorized personnel of Street Operations. Under the 1992 projected budget column she asked staff if the total 25.10 was correct? Mr. Hussell stated it should be 24.60. Under Traffic Engineering /Operations authorized permanent personnel should be 12, not 11. It should show one Traffic Technician II. Mr. Hussell responded to Council's questions regarding the street sweeping program, sidewalk repairs, dust abatement program, and reduction of the Spring Clean -up and Fall Leaf Pick -up programs. (Councilmembers Buchanan and Sims present after 8:35 A. M.) Mayor Berndt asked staff to concentrate on repair of the sidewalks in the area of the Sun Tower and the First Presbyterian Church'. Councilmember Buchanan asked staff to look into residential street lighting in the area of 10th Street where there are long blocks. Transit Mr. Copeland introduced Bill Schultz, Transit Manager. Mr. Schultz explained staff is only replacing buses, not adding routes. Referring to the purchase of the transit facility property, Councilmember Barnett asked about the timeframe for making a decision in May? Mr. Schultz stated that if a decision is to be made in May an analysis needs to be made before that. Staff's target is to have the information for the City Council in May so they may make a decision. Councilmember Semon stated the Transit Committee recommended = =an increase in fares and there is no mention of it in the budget. Staff apologized to the Transit Committee for not providing a supplement to the budget regarding their recommendation. Councilmember Buchanan asked for a postponement on an increase in fares until we know if we will have buses or a PTBA' (Public Transportation Benefit Area). Councilmember Buchanan stated he would like a comparison on the cash fares versus the honored citizen and youth fares. Councilmember Sims stated Transit is intertwined in the City budget with the communications. He asked if the PTBA will affect the 1992 budget, if it will go into place in 1992 or 1993, and what is the impact on the allocation of Transit expenses? Councilmember Buchanan stated there are many programs that cannot be scaled back as some will have to come out of the General Fund because we have committed to spend this money. City Manager Zais stated staff will submit a report to the Council regarding these programs. Minutes corrected to reflect approved correction, recommended a deferred proposed increase, rather than an increase. BR12.3/2 82 DECEMBER 3, 1991 Refuse Mr. Copeland introduced Nancy Gaudette, Refuse & Recycling Manager. Staff and Council discussed the comparison between the City of Yakima Refuse Division and Yakima Valley Disposal. Councilmember Semon asked if staff has a contingency plan if the Council refuses to grant an increase? Mrs. Gaudette responded, "No, staff would have to look at what services must be cut." Councilmember Semon asked who made the recommendation for a rate increase? Mrs. Gaudette answered the Utility Rate Advisory Board. Some suggestions to staff from the Councilmembers were to look at contributions, the request for more people, and whether this rate increase should be put to the vote by the public. At Council's request, Mrs. Gaudette explained the use of the Refuse fleet, including backup vehicles and replacement. Councilmember Semon asked if staff has any projection on recycling rates and what is going to happen? Mr. Copeland stated that is a 1994 issue, which staff will need to report on the grant process. Staff will also get a report to the Council on recycling rate recommendations. Mayor Berndt stated Council would like some options come policy decision time. Discussion reverted to the PTBA and selling or renting City property to Transit. Mr. Copeland stated eventually some way will have to be found to fund a Transit compound. Mr. Hanson introduced Barbara Henson, CPA, accounting representative member for the Utility Rate Advisory Board. Councilmembers Barnett and Buchanan absent briefly.) Mrs. Henson explained reserves which are needed for cash flow and a balancing cycle. Also, some are needed for the lag because of the billings every two months. Reviewing the Utility Rate Advisory Board's discussion regarding the rate increase, Mrs. Henson explained if the City Council cuts back 20 to 25 percent it is building up to a higher increase next year. City Manager Zais stated staff will come back with a 10, 15, and 20 percent option for review. After a brief recess, Mayor Berndt reconvened the Budget Review meeting at 10:40 A. M. LIBRARY No questions or discussion. INTERGOVERNMENTAL Mr. Wheeler, Finance Manager, reported YCOG's 1991 allocation of $21,000 is greater than the 1991 allocation of $17,000. RR12_3/3 DECEMBER 3, 1991 8 3 BONDED DEBT Dennis Covell, Director of Engineering and Utilities, explained every year projects are evaluated for priority. SUBSTANCE ABUSE COALITION Ester Huey, Director, was present to answer questions for the Councilmembers. Mr. Wheeler introducted Cindy Epperson, Accountant for the City of Yakima. Councilmember Barnett asked what this organization has accomplished. Mrs. Huey stated it is an interlocal agreement between the City of Yakima, Yakima County, School District No. 7, and Educational Service District No. 105. Each assists in combating the drug problem in Yakima County. Mrs. Huey stated she will be submitting some information for the City Council at a later time. She expanded on each service unit and the grants available. (Councilmember Barnett absent after 11:30 A. M.) ENGINEERING AND UTILITIES DEPARTMENT Dennis Covell, Director of Engineering & Utilities introduced Chris Waarvick, Wastewater Treatment Superintendent; Ty Wick, Water /Irrigation Supervisor; Bob Wheeler, Finance Manager; and Clara Sanders, Accountant. Sewer Councilmember Semon asked if staff projected any increases in revenues? Mr. Waarvick stated that with the installation of flow metering stations at three major industries, the accuracy will come in the actual fluxuation. The reason revenues must be increased is that so much money is spent every year replacing meters. (Councilmember Buchanan absent briefly.) Mr. Waarvick cautioned Council that the DOE (Department of Ecology) and EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) is looking closely at sprayfields. He stated one policy issue, groundwater monitoring, will have an impact on what the Wastewater Treatment Plant can do. Mr. Waarvick reported that grouting of sewer lines was started about two years ago and staff has seen a drop in gallons of infiltration. Staff plans next to apply for state assistance so people may apply for cleanup funds. Staff will come back to Council with a report on that. Mr. Covell reported staff expects the Appleview Sewer Project and the West Valley Area requests for sewer service to eliminate the $100,000 1992 proposed revenue budget for capital improvement. (Councilmember Brado absent briefly.) Mr. Waarvick reported a bid is going out for construction of the sewer maintenance area as it must move from the Fairview -Sumac Fire Station area to a more central location. City Manager Zais told Council that staff will be coming back to them with more information regarding the West Valley litigation in their council packets. BR12.3/4 8 it DECEMBER 3, 1991 l Water Stating her concern with the costs, Mayor Berndt asked why staff would assume ownership of private watermains serving City owned water meter services? She asked if this goes on very often in urbanizing areas? Mr. Covell responded that it does. Councilmember Sims stated he thought Council was to get a report on how many private systems there are. Mr. Wick explained there is no method of crediting that when it does come on. Mr. Covell explained the long -term benefit is that the City gets control of the overall water system. Staff mentioned problems with water connections and that there is no required rate for maintenance before these connections are made. Mr. Wick stated they have to be built to today's City's standards. The Councilmembers asked staff to look at an option with the City and occupant paying 50/50 maintnenace and repair of watermains. Irrigation Mayor Berndt commented Council is interested in why professional recruitment services are needed for the Sanitary Engineer candidates if the Engineering Division is taking care of this. Mr. Covell explained the Engineering Division has always had to pay for engineering services if personnel bid for it. There being no further questions from the Councilmembers, Mayor Berndt thanked Mr. Covell and Mr. Wick. Staff will try to deliver the policy issues information to the Councilmembers by Thursday, December 5, 1991 for review before the Budget Wrap -up meeting on Saturday. It was the consensus of the Councilmembers to recess at 12:05 P. M., then reconvene for an executive session regarding prospective litigation. Council will then meet at the County Courthouse for a joint meeting to consider legislative priorities and then resume the City Council meeting back in the Council Chambers at 3:00 P. M. READ AND CERTIFIED ACCURATE BY « _ j/ . � ,, __ _ _ 3 COUNCIL ' BER / DATE 4 40 , .t■ 7- /3-93 V' t Si L C /eh._ it AO mmo • ... _, ) —7_7 ATTEST: CO NC L MEMBER DATE / J- g &Jib Q,(2.--t 44.- DEPARTMENT ASSISTANT MAYOR BR12.3/5