HomeMy WebLinkAbout11/10/2016 Study Session �
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YAKIMA CITY COUNCIL
STUDY SESSION
November 10, 2016
City Hall --Council Chambers
9 a.m. -- MINUTES
1. Roll Call
Council: Mayor Kathy Coffey, presiding,Assistant Mayor Carmen Mendez, Council Members
Maureen Adkison,Avina Gutierrez, Dulce Gutierrez and Bill Lover
Staff: City Manager Moore, Finance & Budget Director Epperson and City Clerk Claar Tee
Absent: Council Member Holly Cousens (excused)
2. Council Budget Review by Department
Mayor Coffey noted the Council received a letter from the Greater Yakima Chamber of
Commerce expressing concern about additional taxes and its opposition to any increase in
taxes.
City Manager Moore noted he will be asking for Council direction on the preliminary budget on
November 15 to bring changes forward for a final public hearing on December 6.
FIRE
Chief Stewart reviewed the Fire Department's mission, st8ffin0, strategic initiatives and
budget. Chief Stewart noted a correction on the Fire Strategic Initiative slide should show a
$25.000 reduction in temporary employee fees. Deputy Chief Soptich reviewed the Fire
capital budget.
Public Safety Communication
SunComm Manager Brad Coughenour reviewed the Division's budget, reductions
and strategic initiative.
POLICE
Chief Rizzi reviewed the Police Department's budget reductions, funding and strategic
initiative.After Council discussion,
MOTION: Lover moved and Mendez seconded not to accept these budget
alternatives and move these positions. The motion failed by a 4-2 vote with Coffey,A.
Gutierrez, D. Gutierrez and Mendez voting no, Cousens absent.
MOTION: Lover moved and O. Gutierrez seconded to at/eastrennmmg the reduction
15
in the training budget(for YPD). The motion carried by unanimous vote, Cousens absent.
Finance and Budget Director Epperson noted the next item on the agenda is asking Council
for direction related to revenue options. The first item is to establish a brokered natural gas
utility tax. City Manager Moore asked for Council direction on whether to move this forward to
a draft ordinance. Mayor Coffey asked if there were any objections to moving this item
forward, and hearing none, stated the establishment of a brokered natural gas utility
tax item will be moved forward.
Ms. Epperson stated the next item on the agenda is to eliminate the $4,000 lid on electric,
natural gas and telephone tax. Mayor Coffey stated she would not support that; however, she
could support some type of phase in. Council Member D. Gutierrez suggested increasing the
cap $4,000 over a span of four years, or$1,000 per year for the next four years. Mayor
Coffey asked if there were any objections to moving this item forward, and hearing
none, stated increasing the lid on electric, natural gas and telephone tax by $4,000
over the next four years will be moved forward.
After discussion on establishing some level of a Transportation Benefit District
(TBD), it was Council consensus to bring this back in January 2017. City Manager
Moore noted staff will create a public hearing notice for this item to come back in January of
2017. Council Member D. Gutierrez confirmed from the discussion the amount of a TBD
would be $12 to $15 dollars.
Mayor Coffey observed, having gone through numerous City budget meetings, this current
process does not seem to be working and would prefer to review the items in a more
cohesive manner.
MOTION: D. Gutierrez moved and A. Gutierrez seconded to end today's meeting on
reduction considerations. The motion carried by a 5-1 vote, Lover voting no, Cousens
absent.
3. Adjournment
MOTION: D. Gutierrez moved and A. Gutierrez seconded to adjourn to next City
Council Business meeting on November 15, 2016, at 6 p.m. in the Council
Chambers. The motion carried by unanimous vote, Cousens absent.
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