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HomeMy WebLinkAbout12/01/1992 Adjourned Meeting • CITY OF YAKIMA, WASHINGTON DECEMBER 1, 1992 ADJOURNED MEETING - BUDGET REVIEW • The.City Council met in session on this date at 9:05 A.M. in the Council Chambers at Yakima City Hall, Yakima, Washington. Mayor Pro -tem Clarence Barnett, presiding. Council Members Bill Brado and Skip Semon • (present after 9:10 A. M.) present. Mayor Pat Berndt, and Council Members Henry Beauchamp, Lynn Buchanan, and Bernard Sims absent. City Manager Zais, Director of Finance & Budget Hanson, and Department Assistant Barber also present. There being no quorum, an informative review of the budget was held. Mayor Berndt and Council Members Beauchamp and Buchanan were attending the National League of Cities in New Orleans. Mr. Hanson introduced Tim Jenson, Accountant, assigned to the Public Works Department. Also, Clara Sanders, Accountant, assigned to the Engineering Department. • PUBLIC WORKS Refuse Director of Public Works, Jerry Copeland introduced Nancy Gaudette, Refuse /Recyling Manager. In answer to the Council members' questions, staff reviewed the proposed rate increase for 1993 which is to cover an increase in the In- Lieu -of- Tax charge. This increase will provide for Parks and Recreation funding for 1993. Staff plans to use personnel more efficiently with the consolidation of routes. (Council Member Skip Semon present after 9:10 A. M.) Mayor Pro -tem Barnett asked how staff plans to propose the pilot study for the recycling programs? Mrs. Gaudette explained the yard service is the program being reviewed at this time. The other program is recycling. Mayor Pro -tem Barnett asked if staff has a cost? Mrs. Gaudette stated, "No ". Mayor Pro -tem Barnett asked if staff feels they will be able to handle the pilot program in 1993? Mrs. Gaudette stated it is possible in the yard waste increase. Mayor Pro -tem Barnett called attention to the Waste Collection and Recycle Program in Piedmont, California where private contractors provide containers for newspaper, cans, and bottles and charge $1.48 a month. This is less than the Advisory Committee recommended in their minutes. He expressed concern that the recycling program seems to be using the most expensive program and not the City's consultant's recommendation, which costs less. He is concerned that the Advisory Committee seems to be ignoring the findings of the City's study and he is afraid they will dictate what the County wants over the study the City will do. 'Mrs. Gaudette stated if they make a determination with the County we will have to abide with that. She referred to a law which implies if the City Council opposes that, they may make an objection at that time. Mayor Pro -tem Barnett BR12.1 /1 • 4 0 DECEMBER 1, 1992 stated he is concerned the Advisory Committee will make a determination to the County Commissioners and will abide on their decision and not the City's. Council Member Semon asked if staff clears the alleys when there is a problem with garbage not being picked up? He asked if that may be charged to the homeowner, somehow? Do we have the ability to clean that up and charge the property owner? Mrs. Gaudette explained the property owner is given a two week period to clean it up, then a City crew cleans it up and the property owner is charged. Mr. Copeland asked if someone is having a problem to have them give Public Works a call. City Manager Zais stated this budget essentially is printed in balanced form. This budget could stand on its own without a rate increase. ENGINEERING AND UTILITIES Engineering Director of Engineering & Utilities Denny Covell introduced the City Engineer, Fred French. Mr. French explained the need for the Engineering Technician I position which is requested in the Policy Issues. Council Member Brado asked if this workload ceases or slows down for everybody, will a need for that individual diminish? Mr. French stated staff has documents that need to be updated. Council Member Brado asked what would happen if we made this person temporary for six months and then look at that? Mr. Covell stated that is an alternative worth exploring. He explained there is the concern of losing documents. When that happens we must resurvey and an average, contract may run up to $10,000. Mr. French stated Engineering has a very good history now. He is concerned if we don't take action now, we will have a period of history less accurate. Council Member Brado asked if things slow down dramatically, would existing staff take care of it? Mr. Covell explained Engineering has a staggering workload and there are many projects. Council Member Brado asked what will happen to the person that would be utilized in that area if that activity closes down? Mr. French stated it is not making work, it is shifting them from private to public sector work. Mayor Pro -tem Barnett stated the reliance is so high from the Water and Sewer funds, perhaps that is where most of the work comes from. This just drives up the costs. Council Member Brado stated he does not know if this is the time to make an addition. Mr. Covell referred to an error on Page 411 in the Budget. Under Authorized Permanent Personnel #4141, Construction Inspector, the 1993 Projected Budget should read 2.33 and not 2.20. Mr. Covell clarified Engineering lost one Construction Inspector due to retirement; staff will shift people to perform the tasks of that position. However, staff still needs to do something with the records. Mr. Hanson stated Page 22 in the Policy Issues explains the elimination of one Inspector position BR12.1/2 DECEMBER 1; 1992 i t 1 due to retirement. Council Member Semon asked staff whether they would rather keep the new position or the position being vacated? City Manager Zais stated the biggest decision is in the funding. Council Member Semon asked which bests serves the community? Mr. French stated the Inspector serves current demands and the new Technician I will serve future and current people. Council Member Semon asked if an Inspector would relate more to being sensitive to community development? Staff agreed. Council Member Barnett stated it is also a unique method of funding, out of the Water and Sewer funding. He believes it is a funding exercise in order to help other areas of the budget. Staff agreed.. Council Members Brado and Semon were interested how this new position will relate to the private entities. Staff commented it means they will do the inspection and it will take longer. It will spread the staff thin when the workload is expanding. Mr. Covell explained the status of reserves is inadequate for a City the size of Yakima. This is due to a combination of things; I -82, LID for South First Street, and many other projects. When a new request comes in and staff cannot find the money, they must decide what may be cancelled. Council Member Brado asked what is the answer? City Manager Zais stated a new State revenue bond or more federal and state grants. Staff sees an increase in demand for the future. City Manager Zais stated the other part of this policy issue would assist transportation in the Growth Management requirements. This part deals with financing plans for new revenue sources. There are other alternatives which may be used in the future. Mayor Pro -tem Barnett asked staff to review the possibility of state money. He feels the public would like to see a new listing indicating what they will be faced with in the future. Staff explained the State Utility law has been amended and staff is reviewing the impact on revenues. City Manager Zais stated Growth Management also included a County -wide gas tax option, excise tax, and real estate tax for considerations in the future., It is a question of priorities. Wastewater Staff present were: Director of Engineering & Utilities, Denny Covell; Wastewater Superintendent, Chris Waarvick; Assistant Wastewater Superintendent, Bruce Bates; and Project Engineer, Doug Mayo. Mayor Pro -tem Barnett suggested the revised policy issues be discussed first. Mr. Waarvick. stated he will be meeting with the Septage haulers on Thursday, December 3, 1992. Staff, along with the haulers, may come to the City Council with a joint report for review. A policy factor is to review the economic incentive of the rates and the financial and environmental obligation of the future. The rates are an economic incentive to the detriment of the future environment. The Department of Health and Social Services recommends no septic tank be placed on acreage of less than five acres. Septage waste haulers were a BR12.1 /3 4 2 DECEMBER 1, 1992 customer class, under the "utility rate basis" and staff will deal with all customers within the class across the board. Council Member Brado asked for a review of the Cost of Service Study. Mayor Pro -tem Barnett asked to review the revisions and policy issues and come back to the 1990 Cost of Service Study. He asked staff to briefly review the revisions as compared with the original policy. Mr. Waarvick stated due to an error in the calculation for septage rate, the recommended rate should read $.161 not $.176 per gallon. Staff may bring back the request for laboratory staffing in 1994, after creating and processing the position. That staffing is needed to continue the inventory of solids. An Analysis of 1991 Washington State Sewer Rates was included in the revisions. City Manager Zais commented this reflects how Yakima compares with other areas in the Northwest. Council Member Brado expressed concern for people in the lower income bracket. The Biosolids Management Plan was briefly discussed. Mayor Pro -tem Barnett stated it seems the Council should have been given the plan to review before approving the loan since the service will not be received until next year. Mr. Waarvick explained if you must wait for the financing, you are held back on the project. City Manager Zais stated that was an absolute requirement staff had to work with. Mr. Barnett stated the Plan is already out -of -date. Staff offered to meet with him to discuss this issue. Mr. Waarvick offered congratulations to the City Council and staff for proceeding with the sealing and grouting activities which appear to have removed three million gallons per day of extraneous water from the facilities user flow. Mayor Pro -tem Barnett referred to Page 442 in the budget regarding Laboratory Tests /Day. He noted the figure is the same as 1992 and stated he read somewhere that the workload is going to ascend. Mr. Waarvick stated they do increase. Mr. Barnett stated if that figure was up this would be more productive in staff's request for the laboratory personnel. Mayor Pro -tem Barnett asked if any decision has been made regarding the utilities services in Account 470 on Page 444 of the budget? Mr. Waarvick stated it is being discussed and staff will come back to Council with information on a resonable payback and mission. Mayor Pro -tem Barnett expressed concern that the In- Lieu -Of -Tax, City Services and Customer Services exceeds $1.5 million. He asked how that compares with other cities? City Manager Zais stated in Eastern Washington utility taxes are higher. In Western Washington where there is a B&O tax, utility taxes are lower, however, close to the average. Mayor Pro -tem Barnett asked if the relocation of the sewer maintenance shop was necessary? Staff deferred responding and explained the street improvements were never in the original contract, however, were needed as a development obligation. BR12.1/4 DECEMBER 1 1992 4 3 City Manager Zais stated in the handouts, there is a letter dated June 11, 1992 to the Chamber of Commerce giving an overview of all of these funds. • Irrigation Staff present were: Director of Engineering & Utilities, Denny Covell and Water /Irrigation Superintendent, Ty Wick. City Manager Zais stated some of the issues on water are how staff will operate next year and how staff will deal with it. Mr. Covell stated Finance has not been able to provide the rates. It will be a flat adjustment. Mr. Hanson explained the delay is due to a position which has not been filled and another person who has been in the hospital, however, staff is attempting to produce that information. Mayor Pro -tem Barnett stated I would not know where we stand on irrigation rates. Mr. Covell stated staff will come back with several recommendations. Council Member Brado asked would you recommend an early cut -off? Mr. Wick stated we would have to review it before it is done again. Council Member Semon asked when is the City going to look at the system? City Manager Zais stated that is tied in with the water rates, which will be introduced in 1993. Council Member Semon stated this would become a community decision, but, we need to educate the community. Mr. Barnett stated what we need is a greater understanding of what policy issues we will act on and and which ones we will not. City Manager Zais stated from Page 53 through 87 in the Policy Issues is all on water rate increase and that is on hold. Referring to Page 88, he stated the Water Comprehensive Plan Update issue can be deferred until January, 1993. The Water Conservation Plan can also be deferred. The Watermain Leak Detection remain. Staffing levels for the Yakima Railroad Contamination Area would remain. Mayor Pro -tem Barnett stated it seems to him the City could draw on Piedmont, California on their plan to conserve water. They have been doing it for years. Mr. Wick stated the State has a guideline on what needs to be in the plan. Staff is looking at this as a source of water for the future. This is a mandate by the State. City Manager stated staff should give the Council that background information when they come back to Council. Mr. Hanson stated all the policy issues will be included, indicating which ones were deferred. City Manager Zais referred to the water services installation crew and equipment issue. Staff believes we will get requests from private companies to do that work, and we would have to amend the Municipal Code to do that, instead of adding permanent staff. This can be contracted out because this is a dedicated project. BR12.1 /5 DECEMBER 1, 1992 City Manager Zais stated this finishes all of the items to review for the budget. He stated the Airport Budget and Fire Rating report will be • presented on December 8, 1992. Mayor Barnett, Pro Tem, adjourned the budget meeting at 11:05 A. M., to then resume the City Council meeting back in;the Council Chambers at 2:00 P. M. for a City Council Business Meetin-.= READ AND CERTIFIED ACCURATE BY , s_ _ OU CIL M D TE 1 ATTEST: COU DATE DEPARTMENT ASSISTANT �AtAYOR DEPART � • BR12.1 /6