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HomeMy WebLinkAbout05/15/1980 Adjourned Meeting 03S ADJOURNED MEETING -- COMMUNITY FORUM MAY 15, 1980 The City Council met in session on this date at 7:00 p.m. in the Board Room at St. Elizabeth Hospital, Yakima, Washington. Council members present were Henry Beauchamp, Lynn Carmichael and Shirley Doty. Councilman Lynn Buchanan present between 8:25 p.m. and 8:45 p.m. Also present were City Manager Zais and the meeting facilitator John Klingele. Mr. Klingele brought up for discussion the issue of the transit system and the proposed alternative for its funding. Velma Shaw, a citizen, stated that the people she had talked with feel that the people using this system should pay a realistic fare. Council member Carmichael stated that currently the fare box is only paying about 22% of the operating expenses. Tom Klingele, a citizen, suggested the use of a bus pass, which would speed up service. Tony Sloan, a citizen, inquired if the City has to be in the transit business. His asked if the City considered contracting it out or giving a franchise. Council member Carmichael stated that the City purchased the transit from a private firm that could not make it. Mrs. Shaw suggested that the fare box fee should generate 50% of the operating expenses. City Manager Zais stated that the bus fare would have to be About $1.00 or $1.25 per ride to support 50% of the transit, assuming there is not a drop in ridership. Councilman Beauchamp stated that for our community to grow, our revenues have to grow also with new business. He asked if the community does not have a transit system, would a large firm invest in the City? Tan Klingele suggested that the household tax should be on each residence in the City, not each house. City Manager Zais reported that the household tax is set up pursuant to State law. City Manager Zais stated that there is another option. The sales tax taxes people, but there is a gross business tax on profits which is an option and it is a tax on the businesses. Tony Sloan inquired how much revenue .3% sales tax would be for a year. Stating that he did not bring that information with him, City Manager Zais recollected that it was about $500,000 million for. 1% and $1.5 million for .3%. Tom Klingele questioned that the new engines should only be good for two years. City Manager Zais stated that new transmissions are also being installed, but other parts are hard to get. Velma Shaw expressed concern about the Police and Fire Departments' budgets and stated she would like to know what their budgets were for 1979 and 1980 and the percentage that was cut. She stated that there were quite a few people wondering if the Parks & Recreation budget suffered as great a percentage of cuts and personnel. City Manager Zais reported that there were cuts in the 1977, 1978, 1979 and 1980 budgets and reviewed some of the reductions in the Police and Fire Departments and change of responsibilities in the Fire Department. He stated that most of the Parks programs are self-supporting. The Parks Department budget decreased about 4 percent this year. He stated that almost 50% of the general budget is in the public safety budget. City Manager Zais inquired if the citizens were willing to have the taxes raised in order to keep present government services. Tan Klingele stated he thought the citizens would be willing to pay extra taxes for Police and Fire services. Tony Sloan echoed that opinion stating that the citizens wouldn't mind paying extra if it goes for Police and Fire services and not for giving management high raises. Council member Doty stated that management salary increases have not been as high as other employee groups; i.e., 4-5% for management vs 7-10 percent for other employee groups. Judy Bedard, a citizen, inquired if any fire inspections are being made since the transfer of that responsibility to the Canmunity Development Department. City Manager Zais stated that these are being done on a limited, basis until additional staff is hired. Ms. Bedard reported that some restaurants have their exits blocked. Velma Shaw reported on the volume of jay walkers by the County Courthouse and suggested that either the law be enforced or crosswalks should be painted there. Judy Bedard inquired how much income is received from the rental of the houses at Oak Flats and Where that revenue is going. City Manager Zais stated that the expenses for fixing the houses up are caning out of the Water Department, and that fund will also receive the revenue. The houses are being rented at fair market value. Tom Klingele inquired if FRS money could be used for a new pipeline for sending water to the Gleed Area. City Manager Zais reported that two years ago it would have cost about $500,000 and would only serve 27 customers. If the pipeline fails, the City is still responsible to ADJOURNED MEETING COMMUNITY FORUM 0 37 MAY 15, 1980 provide water. He stated that to provide wells would cost $200,000 to $300,000 and the City is„, not sure it would be acceptable to the residents. Tony Sloan thanked the City for these community meetings and thanked Council for not trading the Oak Flats property and for not taking action on the ordinance regarding Police and Fire Civil Service Commission Rules and Regulations. (Councilman Buchanan present at 8:25 p.m.). Tony Sloan reported that there is a dust Problem in the 600 block on So. 18th Avenue to 24th Avenue. He also stated that his neighborhood was the last on the list for the new sidewalk program that was started a few years ago. He stated that the 600 block of 16th Avenue is quite hazardous. Mr. Sloan also reported on a recent incident involving a letter he received from the Refuse Division requesting that he obtain another trash can and fix up a rack or container for his trash cans. He stated that he has done this, however, it won't last long with the treatment that his cans get from the Refuse crew. Mr. Sloan also gave a list of vacant houses or garages that are open for trouble. They are located in the 300 block of No. 3rd Avenue; 1200 block of Garfield; 500 and 600 block So. 6th Street. He stated that since the City has an ordinance regarding abandoned buildings having to be sealed or locked, he dOeS not know if the City be liable for damages if someone gets hurt. He also stated that various citizens have been asking him about youth employment for the summer and asked if the City is going to have any programs this year. Judy Bedard inquired if Council will have neighborhood meetings next fall or spring and Council members indicated that that is a possibility. Tam Klingele stated that more people aren't attending these meetings because the citizen's have lost faith in the City Council. (Councilman Buchanan absent after 8:45 p.m.) Velma Shaw inquired if staff was checking on areas where the vegetation over-growth is hazardous. City Manager Zais stated that it is done on a complaint basis. Tan Klingele cited several areas that should be Checked, as follows: going south on 10th Avenue and Tieton, going east on llth Avenue and Spruce and at "D" and 4th Streets. He stated that he thought the City might be held liable for accidents since there is an ordinance against it that the City should enforce. The meeting was adjourned at the hour of 9:00 p.m. READ AND CERTIFIED ACCURATE BY „ 42,-t DATE e/1-9-ke \ 101.1NCI �ALL ATE 0 ATTEST: gi ik I • ZS CITY ,, if MAYOR •