HomeMy WebLinkAbout09/27/2016 Council Retreat 480
a
•
,
YAKIMA CITY COUNCIL
CITY COUNCIL RETREAT
September 27, 2016
City of Yakima University, 421 E. Chestnut Ave, Yakima, WA
9 a.m. - 4 p.m. -- MINUTES
1. Roll Call
Council: Mayor Kathy Coffey, presiding, Assistant Mayor Carmen Mendez, Council Members Holly
Cousens, Avina Gutierrez, Dulce Gutierrez and Bill Lover
Staff: City Manager Moore, City Attorney Cutter and City Clerk Claar Tee
Absent: Council Member Maureen Adkison (excused)
2. 9:00 a.m. to 9:15 a.m. Review Agenda
City Manager Moore reviewed the agenda with Council members. There were no changes.
3. 9:15 a.m. to 10:15 a.m. Budget Update
City Manager Moore reviewed a letter from the YMCA regarding the planned deficit and expected
charges for admission to the new aquatic center. Council Member D. Gutierrez expressed interest in
continuing a conversation with the YMCA regarding the admission fees.
Chief Engineer Sheffield and Public Works Director Schafer discussed road improvements and
transit service to the SOZO sports center and the YMCA aquatic center. Fire Chief Stewart reviewed
fire inspection fees and Community Development Director Davenport talked about planning
fees. Scott Schafer, Public Works Director, reviewed utility rates and impacts.
Finance & Budget Director Epperson discussed possible revenue options. Council members would
like to see a fee comparison study related to codes, planning and utility rate fees with neighboring
jurisdictions. It was Council consensus to implement fire inspection fees and to bring back
more information on private utility taxes, brokered natural gas utility tax and a
Transportation Benefit District, as well as more information on recycling and bundling
options. City Manager Moore discussed the ending fund balance and the possibility of layoffs.
Council members voiced concerns over layoffs and would like to see other reduction possibilities.
4. 10:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Plaza Update
Economic Development Manager Hawkins provided an update on the Plaza issues and discussed
combining the various downtown committees, groups and associations into one central committee.
Council members discussed parking fee issues.
5. 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon Gang Free Initiative
City Manager Moore briefed Council on the current contracts related to the Yakima Police Athletic
Page 1 of 3
481
League (YPAL), People for People and the Gang Free Initiative. Council discussed the program
and functions of YPAL and whether the space is being under - utilized. It was Council consensi
for City Manager Moore to request input from each individual Council member regardin
their vision for YPAL and to notify People for People its contract will not be renewed.
6. 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. Council Committees
Public Works Director Schafer noted the Transit Advisory Committee will fall under the
Council Neighborhood and Community Building Committee (NCBC) and the Transit Advisory
Committee will take official minutes and provide the agendas to the NCBC. Council members
reviewed the Committee structure. It was Council consensus to make the following changE
A. Gutierrez replaces Cousens on the Front Street Association; D. Gutierrez will be the
liaison on the Transaction Committee; D. Gutierrez will be the Transit Advisory Commit
liaison; Mendez will replace Coffey as Chair of the Public Safety Committee; D. Gutierre
will be the Community Integration Exploratory Committee liaison; A. Gutierrez will be the
Ethics & Equal Rights Exploratory Committee liaison; and "emergency management" v
be eliminated from the list. Council Member Lover requested the Intergovernmental Committe
be renamed to Inter - County Committee and to have it televised on YPAC.
Council Member Lover has heard a city employee is asking fire districts for an increase in call -tal
fees related to ambulances. City Manager Moore will look into this.
City Clerk Claar Tee reviewed the Council Nominating Committee's appointment process. It
was Council consensus that when a Council appointed committee vacancy occurs, the
entire Council will be notified and the position advertised regardless of whether there a
applications on file.
Community Development Director Davenport and Senior Assistant City Attorney Watkins review(
the September 19, 2016, memo regarding vision statements for the exploratory committees.
Council Member D. Gutierrez asked if there were any objections to examples: A, B, C, E
and F, as well as every child being able to walk to a park, trail or public recreation area,
desired goals and outcomes to put on the table for the exploratory committees to vet.
There were no objections. Ms. Watkins asked Council members with any additional ideas to e
them to Ms. Davenport and they will be added to a list for the next NCBC meeting. Council Meml
A. Gutierrez suggested one idea would be to make these exploratory committees permanent. It
consensus that Council members email Ms. Davenport their desired outcomes and goals for
the exploratory committees.
7. 1:30 p.m. to 2:15 p.m. Homeless Issues
Joan Davenport, Community Development Director, reported the City recently received Yakima
Valley Conference of Government's draft 5 -year plan. Staff has concerns about the draft and ha:
prepared a letter in response. It was Council consensus to have the Mayor and City Maria!
sign and send the letter on behalf of the entire Council. Codes Manager Caruso provided
update on the homeless encampment.
8. 2:30 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Cultural Competency Training
This item was postponed.
9. 3:00 p.m. to 3:45 p.m. Council Meetings
This item was postponed.
10. 3:45 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Wrap up -- Debrief
Page:
482
Council members stated they felt this was a very productive meeting.
11. Adjournment
MOTION: Coffey moved to adjourn to a City Council Executive Session on October 4,
2016, at 5 p.m. followed by a City Council Business meeting at 6 p.m. in the Council
Chambers. The motion carried by unanimous vote, Adkison absent. The meeting adjourned at 4:07
p.m.
CERTIFICATION
READ AND CERTIFIED ACCURATE BY /1) � l
/i
OUNCIL MEMB ( DA E
1 L 377
Or COUNCIL MEMBER ATE
ATTEST:
'
/ () L ��'' I( �� (A 1b11 rt, g!'
\J CITY CLERK / , 4 , �} �� R
f1/
1
Page 3 of 3