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HomeMy WebLinkAbout12/12/1983 Adjourned Meeting 156 DECEMBER 12, 1983 ADJOURNED MEETING - BUDGET WRAP-UP The City Council net in session on this date at 1:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers of City Hall, Yakima, Washington. Council members present were Mayor Lynn Carmichael, Clarence Barnett, Lynn Buchanan, Henry Beauchamp, Shirley Doty and W. K. "Pete" Moore. Council member Jack Sparling absent. Mayor Carmichael advised that Terry Wakefield, a Wastewater Treatment Plant employee, wished to address the Council regarding the Sew budget tomorrow morning. It was decided that Council would proceed by following the City Manager's memo of December 9, on Final 1984 Preliminary Budget Status/Policy Decisions, beginning with Page 1 of Exhibit TATER7OPERATING A. Microcomputer It was MOVED by Barnett, seconded by DOty to approve the microcomputer purchase, subject to the limitation imposed, which is after the appropriate study has been made. Council member Buchanan voiced his objection stating he did not want to approve something that was in the future and wished to review the study and confirm this is needed before making a decision. council member Moore concurred and stated he would not vote in favor of the motion. The motion failed by 3-3 voice vote. Council members Moore, Buchanan and Beauchamp voting nay. Sparling absent. B. Water Utility Tax Rampdown City Manager Zais advised that this rampdown also applies to Sewer as well, and would result in a reduction in revenue to the General Fund. Council 'manber Buchanan questioned whether the City is required to reduce these taxes now or in the future. City Manager Zais stated the City is not obligated to do so except for the - private sector tax which must be reduced to 6%. Council member Barnett requested consideration be given to a rampdown on a much smaller scale to begin with, such as 0.5% for 1984. It was MOVED by Moore, seconded by Doty to ramixlown the sewer and water utility tax 0.5% per year for five years, making it a total of 10%, and then be subject to review. After brief discussion, the question was called for a vote on the motion. Unanimously carried by voice vote. Sparling absent. DOMESTIC WATER IMPROVEMENT A. Englewood Heights Reservoir B. High Zone Study C. Pacific Street Watermain It was MOVED by Doty, seconded by Barnett to approve the expenditures for Items A, B, and C in the amounts of $175,000, $11,312 and $45,000, respectively. Unanimously carried by voice vote. Sparling absent. D. Gleed Water Council member Moore stated he was opposed to budgeting $250,000 since it gives a false impression that the City is planning to spend this much to rectify the problem, and that this money should remain in the contingendy reserve fund. It was MOVED by Mbore, seconded by Buchanan to strike Item D from the budget. Unanimously carried by voice vote. council member Doty abstaining due to possible conflict of interest. Sparling absent. IRRIGATION A. Diversion Dan Rehab Dennis Covell, Director of Engineering & Utilities, explained if Bonneville Power were to provide funding, it would be approximately $119,000 to apply against the total projected. This amount, along with existing funding, he said, would reduce the shortfall to $200,000. However, without this, the City would face a shortfall of approximately $300,000. Council mernber Moore stated that although he understands BPA has turned the City down, BPA still DECEMBER 12, 1983 157 shows funding of the Fishway and Fish Screen for the diversion dam in its budget, except at a later date, and recouvended the City wait until that future date before proceeding. Mr. Covell stated this is a possibility; however, the dam may not survive until then. City Attorney Andrews explained that BPA is restricted by law from funding a fish enhancement program if there is some other agency, through sane other law, so mandated to fund the program. He further explained that BPA probably had this in its budget subject to legal approval, and since legal interpretation of this restriction was given only a week ago, this will probably be removed fran BPA's budget. Council member Doty reminded Council that this $45,000 FRS for the fish screen is a mandated expenditure. It was MOVED by Barnett, seconded by Doty that the $45,000 of Federal Revenue Share money be approved. Unanimously II/ ' carried by voice vote. Sparling absent. B. Irrigation Rate Increase 5% It was MOVED by Barnett, seconded by Buchanan to defer this item until after appropriate worksheets have been prepared by staff, to then be submitted for Council consideration. Unanimously carried by voice vote. Sparling absent. TOURIST PROMOTION It was MOVED by Barnett, seconded by Buchanan to approve the expenditure of $1,000 for the Centennial Celebration utilizing the depreciation fund of the Yakima Center and that appropriate design for the paperweight be brought back to Council at a later date. Unanimously carried by voice vote. Sparling absent. CAPITOL THEATRE A. Crosswalk between Capitol Theatre and City Parking Lot on South 3rd Street It was MOVED by Doty, seconded by Buchanan to approve the expenditure for a crosswalk between the Capitol Theatre and the City Parking lot on South 3rd Street in the amount of $3,325. Unanimously carried by voice vote. Sparling absent. B. Establish a Capitol Theatre Depreciation Reserve C. Code Deficiencies: (1) Exits, and (2) Seat Risers and Hand Rails D. Maintenance Needs - Air Conditioning Council member Moore stated that a report fran the Capitol Theatre Committee approximately a year ago asked for the establishment of a depreciation reserve fund, and that at that time he had suggested that the interest revenue from the $1 million insurance settlement be used and kept in tact for that purpose; furtheLnure, he would still like to see this occur. He stated he felt the air conditioning maintenance should be funded fran the depreciation reserve. Council member Moore also said he is opposed to spending $150,000 to add additional exits to the Theatre since it is not required by Code and could also destroy it as an historical II/ building. He further stated that the building is safe and meets the Building Code of 1976 when it was reconstructed. Council member Doty questioned where the money would cove from since it is not currently in the depreciation reserve account. Council member More explained that it would be borrowed and paid back into the depreciation reserve account, with interest, always maintaining the $1 million. It was MOVED by Mbore, seconded by Buchanan to establish a Capitol Theatre Depreciation Reserve based on the interest earned from the $1 million insurance fund in existence and that handrails and seat risers be put into the Capitol Theatre, in addition to the naintenance needs such as air conditioning, and that the monies for these items be taken out of the newly created Depreciation Reserve. Unanimously carried by voice vote. Sparling absent. Council member Doty stated that sane people, especially those who have been in the audience of the Capitol Theatre, feel uncomfortable and are desirous of additional exits in the building, and requested that consideration be given to receiving a third opinion about the need of same. Mayor Carmichael concurred in wanting an outside unbiased opinion as to the need for additional exits. It was MOVED by Doty, seconded by Beauchamp to delay a decision on Item C(1) regarding the exits until Council has a 158 DECEMBER 12, 1983 chance to bring in at least one other objective viewpoint. The motion carried by 4-2 voice vote. Barnett and Moore voting nay. Sparling absent. Eli Ashley, Capitol Theatre Manager, requested that other theaters be studied along with the Capitol Theatre when the outside third party does its study. (Council member Beauchamp absent after 3:00 p.m.) WASTEWATER PLANT CAPITAL RESERVE A. River Dike Project It was MOVED by Barnett, seconded by Doty to approve the River Dike Project in the amount of $100,000. Unanimously carried by voice vote. Beauchamp and Sparling absent. SEWER CONSTRUCTION FUND A. Sewer Rehabilitation Project (Infiltration) It was MOVED by Barnett, seconded by Doty to approve the Sewer Rehabilitation Project and Infiltration in the amount of $150,000. Unanimously carried by voice vote. Beauchamp and Sperling absent. SEWER B. Strong Waste Surcharge It was MOVED by Moore, seconded by Barnett to approve the staff recommendation of not increasing the surcharge, thereby eliminating $111,000 from the Revenue column. Unanimously carried by voice vote. Beauchamp and Sparling absent. A. Personnel Reclassification (Operations) John Fisher, Wastewater Treatment Plant Manager, explained that the request by T Wakefield does not apply to this item. It was MOVED by Barnett, seconded by Buchanan to defer this matter until after completion of Contract No. 6. Dennis Covell, Director of Engineering and Utilities, explained that although Contract No. 6 is considered final, there is still some "clean-up" work which will be completed by July 31, 1984. Council member Doty stated she could agree to a delay of no more than six months. The question was called for a vote on the motion. Unanimously carried by voice vote.- Beauchamp and Sparling absent. REFUSE A. Solid Waste in Lieu of Tax - Change from 8% to 6% Savings B. General Fund Revenue Reduction City Manager Zais explained that the ($30,600) under General Fund Revenue Reduction includes the private hauler income the City receives. He also advised that Items A and B will require legislation to con e before Council. It was MOVED by Doty, seconded by Buchanan to decrease the solid waste in lieu of tax from 8% to 6%, which also effects the General Fund revenue. Unanimously carried by voice vote. Beauchamp and Sparling absent. EQUIPMENT RENTAL AND REVOLVING A. 1984 Replacement Reserves (General Government) B. 1984 Fleet Capital Outlay It was the general consensus of the Council to consider this matter under the heading of Federal Revenue Sharing. TRANSIT A. Expanded Marketing Plan Council member Barnett stated that since there is only an anticipated increase of fare box revenue of approximately $20,000, he could not justify the expenditure of $52,000 to raise this amount; therefore, he would recommend limiting the Marketing Plan expenditure to the amount of the farebox revenue increase. Bill Schultz, Transit Manager, explained that the $51,950 is approximately a $30,000 increase over 1983. Council member Buchanan stated he would rather stay at the present marketing level, which is approximately $20,000. Council member Doty stated she could not agree to eliminating the entire requested increase and would recommend a budgeted expenditure of $30,000. It was DECEMBER 12, 1983 159 MOVED by Barnett, seconded by Buchanan that the expanded Marketing Plan be fixed at $25,000. Unanimously Carried by voice vote. Beauchamp and Sparling absent. B. Elderl /Handicapped Service Funding Level/Fees for Service Council member Barnett requested clarification as to how the $93,000 figure was determined and if it represents 31/2% of the transit sales tax. Bill Schultz, Transit Manager, explained that it is not quite double 31/2%. Bob Wheeler, Accounting Manager, stated that 31/2% of the transit sales tax is approximately $56,000. Bill Schultz stated they are requesting a restatement of the original policy, since the .original intent to limit the expense was pegged at 31/2%, but was based on receiving matching UMTA funds. Since the City no longer receives UMTA funds, he said, this II/ figuratively reduces the program in half. It was MOVED by Barnett, seconded by Buchanan to authorize up to 5.8% of the transit sales tax for the City's program for elderly and handicapped services funding level. Unanimously carried by voice vote. Beauchamp and Sparling absent. It was MOVED by Buchanan, seconded by Moore to establish a 25 fee for services for the elderly and handicapped for a one-way ride. Motion carried by 4-1 voice vote. Barnett voting nay. Beauchamp and Sparling absent. C. Transit Dispatch It was the general consensus of the Council to delay a decision on this matter until additional information is available. (Buchanan absent after 3:55 p.m.) D. Transit Fleet - Spare Components and Painting It was MOVED. by Barnett, seconded by Moore to authorize the expenditure of $44,500 from the Transit Capital Fund for spare parts and painting. Unanimously carried by voice vote. Beauchamp, Buchanan and Sparling absent. PARKS AND RECREATION City Manager Zais wished to bring to Council's attention certain items which appear on Exhibits I and II involving. the Parks Division, stating that, as so noted, the 1983 projected actual for Parks will require a year-end appropriation of approximately $70,000. On Exhibit II it was requested that the $30,295 under '84 Beginning Balance be corrected to $23,327; and the last column, '84 Projected Ending Balance figure of $22,949 he changed to $15,981. City Manager Zais stated the Parks revenue balance is not offsetting the total budgeted for the department. A. Contract Out CBD Maintenance It was MOVED by Doty, seconded by Barnett to approve $31,700 to contract out CBD maintenance. Unanimously carried by voice vote. Beauchamp, Buchanan and Sparling absent. II/ B. Supervised Leisure Activities Council member Barnett stated that his interpretation on this item and on Item E - Senior Center Recreation Leader Position, is these items are calling for additional funds that are unbudgeted or the funds have already been expended and there is not much of a balance for Items B and E. Jodi Wroblewski, Recreation Superintendent, stated the Senior Center position is responsible for the tour program, which is doing very well. City Manager Zais explained that the requested funds are caning out of the cash balance and not from the revenue generated by the tours, since this revenue has already been accounted for within the budget. Mayor Carmichael stated she did not want to expand the Senior Center position unless it could definitely be funded by the revenue generated from the tours. It was MOVED by Doty, seconded by Barnett to stay with the budgeted amount of $9,500 for supervised leisure activities and attempt to generate new ideas on improving the program. Unanimously carried by voice vote. Beauchamp, Buchanan and Sparling absent. 160 DECEMBER 12, 1983 C. Reconstruction/Modernization of Lions Pool Council member Barnett stated that on Page 251 of the preliminary budget it lists other funding alternatives for Lions Pool, and requested that staff follow through with contacting the Yakima School District. He further stated that he is opposed to using FRS funds or a General Obligation Bond Issue. He requested that consideration be given to utilizing other City employees from other departments Who could assist in applying for grants. Council member Doty also recommended the possibility of receiving assistance from certain people in the community who have this expertise. Assistant City Manager Wittenberg volunteered his services, since he has previous experience in this area. D. Aquatics Subsidy-Fee Study/Evaluation to be conducted After a brief discussion, it was the general consensus of the Council to temporarily set Item D aside. II/ E. Senior Center Recreation Leader Position - Increase to Full Time Mayor Carmichael stated she is not willing to go more than 3/4 time for this position. It was MOVED by Barnett, seconded by Doty to Maintain the position at 11 time and authorize staff to come back at a later date for additional consideration. Unanimously carried by voice vote. Beauchamp, Buchanan and Sparling absent. There being no further business to cone before the Council, it was MOVED by Doty, seconded by Barnett that this meeting be adjourned at the hour of 4:30 p.m. to then meet on December 13, 1983 at 9:00,a.m. in the Council chambers, City Hall, Yakima, Washington. Unanimously carried by voice vote. Beauchamp, Buchanan and Sparling absent. READ AND CERTIFIED ACCURATE BY Na/a.A.- DATE COUNCIL :ER DATE / P/ COUNCIL MEMBER ATTEST: 4 Oa -1\aii) CITY CLERK 0 MAYOR 1