Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout09/15/1981 Study Session L :79 SEPTEMBER 15, 1981 STUDY SESSION The City Council net in session on this date at 1:00 P.M. in the Council Chambers of City Hall, Yakima, Washington. Council memhers present were Mayor Betty L. Edmondson, Clarence Barnett, Lynn Carmichael and Shirley Doty. Council member Hinman present after 1:17 P.M. Council members Henry Beauchamp and Lynn Buchanan absent. 1. OPEN DISCUSSION FOR THE GOOD OF THE ORDER Mayor Edmondson reminded Council of the COG general membership meeting to be held on the 16th at 6:00 P.M. in Moxee at their Town Hall. She stated that Council member Crest was the II/ alternate to COG and the Health District Bdard and inquired if Council member Barnett would like to be appointed as an alternate to those boards. Following Council member Barnett's consent, it was MOVED by Doty, seconded by Carmichael to appoint Clarence Barnett as an alternate to the Health District and COG. Unanimously carried by voice vote. Beauchamp, Buchanan and Hinman absent. Council member Carmichael referred to the article regarding the invention of portable fire arms simulator by three Yakima Police Officers. She stated that Reed Follansbee, Ron Fortier and Tan Morey did an outstanding job and should be commended. It was the general consensus of the Council that a certificate of commendation and appreciation be prepared for the three police officers. Mayor Edmondson stated she would work with the City Manager on an appropriate certificate. Referring to the memo in the Information Packet regarding Senate Bill 898, Cable Rate Deregulation, Council member - Barnett suggested that a letter similar to the proposed draft be sent to our Senators. He further suggested that the letter not mention "pressure" and "influence". (Council member Hinman present after 1:17 p.m.) Following discussion on Whether the letter should be sent from the Council members or the Mayor, it was MOVED by Barnett, seconded by Carmichael that an appropriate letter be written to our Senators and Congressmen re SB 898, cable rate deregulation, and as a minimum, that a letter be sent by the Mayor. Unanimously carried by voice vote. Beauchamp and Buchanan absent. Council member Carmichael stated that she and Council member Buchanan represent the Council on a committee with a member of the County Commissioners to look into financial aspects of the joint law enforcement facility. She stated the Committee met yesterday and it was decided to go back to our staff and then meet again on October 7, 1981 when additional information will be available. Mayor Edmondson requested that the rest of the Council members be kept informed by a report on these meetings. 2. CONTINUATION OF DISCUSSION ON 1982 BUDGET FORECAST City Manager Zais stated that Council was trying to address the policy alternatives and also sane policy issues from the Departments. Council member Barnett stated that Item No. 8 of the Budget Policy Alternatives, should not be considered because a contingency fund is needed. - It was the general consensus of the Council to consider the Budget Policy Alternatives in numerical order, as presented in the Forecast, as follows: 1. A reduction in- service by virtue of selected personnel layoffs. 2. A reduction in position 'classifications in selected areas, i.e., reduction in grade. 3. A reduced work week. 4. Adhieving an AFSCNE labor settlement below budget estimates. 5. Reduction of crew size. „ n SEPTEMBER 15, 1981 6. Reduction in work force (General Fund) by attrition. 7. Furlough System (Example: close City Hall between Christmas and New Years, or operate with a skeletal force). 8. Eliminate City Contingency Fund and/or dedicate all potential revenue sharing. 9. Reappraise and reevaluate existing general revenue for further adjustments (Example: Sales Tax, Utility Tax). 10. An increase in PBIA Assessments to balance the cost of Park Department maintenance of the core area landscaping (approximately $32,000 per annum). 11. An increase in parking meter fees. 12. An increase in animal license fees and impound fees. Discussion followed on the various alternatives; Council members expressing their concerns on the various alternatives which gave them concern. Council member Doty stated that if II/ there is going to be a reduction in the work hour week, she would like to see the labor groups talk with management on the best way they feel that could be most productive. COuncil member Barnett commented that Item No. 1 is related to some of the other items and should probably be considered along with Items 6 and 7. Council members Carmichael and Barnett spoke in favor of considering Alternative No. 7. Council member Hinman spoke against No. 7, because he did not want the service to the public to be effected. Speaking about Item No. 3, Council member Hinman stated that this is a viable alternative done selectively so as not to disrupt public service. Council member Hinman stated that No. 2 should be done as a good management technique. Mayor Edmondson indicated that It No. 4 is always management's goal. Mayor Edmondson stated that she is opposed to No. 1 unless it is Absolutely necessary. Council member Doty stated that measures like cutting back on programs such as the street sealcoat program, should be considered. Following discussion regarding Item No. 10, it was the general consensus of the Council to get a legal opinion. Council then considered item No. 11, Council member Carmichael questioning if it is worth increasing the parking meter fees, if the meter heads have to be changed. Don Horan, Director of Finance, stated that the lease is the only viable way to go and the City would receive about $15,000 the first couple of years and then $50,000 after that. Mayor Edmondson and Council member Carmichael stated that they don't like Item No. 12 at all. Council member Doty reported that she had a question regarding reduced rates for dog licenses for senior citizens. She also suggested that the increase of impound fees should be considered. Council member Barnett voiced his opposition to raising dog license fees. It was the general consensus of the Council to explore other items other than increase in the license, but look at the impound fees. City Manager Zais briefly outlined the long II/ distance telephone call revenue option that the City now has. City Manager Zais commented that the preliminary budget is based upon the nine month budget report, while this report is based on six months' experience. Don Horan gave a more detailed accounting of the telephone tax revenue the City could receive. Mayor Edmondson stated she did not like the idea of permitting liquor permits for functions at the Senior Citizen Center because that use was not the use intended for the Center. Council member Hinman suggested looking for cost-saving measures in the Planning and Code Administration Divisions. Council member Carmichael stated that she heard good remarks about the Action Day Camp offered by the Parks Department. Speaking about the Parks and Recreation Department, Mayor Edmondson stated that volunteers and sponsors of programs or park areas should be encouraged. It was the general consensus of the Council to continue this discussion for one week. It was MOVED by Hinman, seconded by Carmichael to move into Executive Session for the purpose of discussing property lease negotiations and collective bargaining. Unanimously carried by voice vote. Beauchamp and Buchanan absent. L81 SEPTEMBER 15, 1981 BUSINESS MEETING 4. ROLL CALL At 3:20 P.M., the Council members commenced the regular meeting, Mayor Betty L. Edmondson presiding. Council members Barnett, Carmichael, Doty and Hinman and City Manager Zais and City Attorney Andrews present on roll call. Council member Beauchamp absent. Council member Buchanan present after 4:20 P.M. 5. INVOCATION Invocation was given by City Attorney Fred Andrews. 6. WNSENT N: AGE II/ Mayor Edmondson referred to the its placed on the Consent Agenda questioning whether there were any additions or deletions from either Council members or citizens present. Council member Barnett requested that Its No. 10 & 12 be added to the Consent Agenda. Council member Doty advised that there were some citizens present who wished to speak to Item No. 10. There was a request to add Item No. 11 to the Consent Agenda, however Mayor Edmondson advised that there were citizens present who wished to speak to that item. Council member Carmichael requested that Item No. 7 be removed from the Consent Agenda. It was the general consensus of the Council that the addition of Item No. 12 and the deletion of Item No. 7, as requested, be made. The Deputy City Clerk then read the Consent Agenda items, including resolutions and an ordinance by title. It was MOVED by Carmichael, seconded by Doty that the Consent Agenda, as read, be passed. Unanimously carried by roll call vote. Beauchamp and Buchanan absent. (Subsequent paragraphs preceded by an asterisk (*) indicate items on the Consent Agenda handled under one motion without further discussion.) Mayor Edmondson advised Council that a Petition signed by residents in the vicinity of 304 North 7th Street declaring certain property a nuisance was received in the City Clerk's Office. It was MOVED by Hinman, seconded by Carmichael that staff be directed to investigate it. Unanimously carried by voice vote. Beauchamp and Buchanan absent. 7. MINUTES Council member Carmichael requested that the study session minutes of August 18, 1981 be corrected to shcw that she was present during the meeting. The Council minutes of August 18, and 25, 1981, were approved as corrected, having been duly certified accurate by two Council members and no one present wishing to have said minutes read publicly. 8. AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION None 9. APPEARANCE BY GINI HEINTZMAN, YAKIMA VALLEY TRANSPORTATION ELDERLY AND HANDICAPPED, RE: SIX MONTH TRANSPORTATION REPORT Gini Heintzman distributed a ccpy of a graph to the Council members depicting the miles and boardings. Mrs. Heintzman reported that they had increased their boardings but had reduced their mileage in the last two months due to coordination of services. She advised Council that there had been 10,099 miles with 4,185 hoardings as of July, 1981. 8 9 SEPTEMBER 15, 1981 10. REVIEW OF REQUEST FOR BIDS RE ELDERLY AND HANDICAPPED TRANSPORTATION SERVICES Mayor Edmondson requested clarification on whether or not all bids received will be awarded. Dan Newton, Transit Manager, advised Council that all bids will be awarded, using the lowest ones first, but since the bid was competitive, it was unlikely that they would receive an outlandish bid. Gini Heintzman, Director of Yakima Valley Transportation Exchange, spoke to the issue of requests for bids for evening and Sunday additional services. She stated that there had been much discussion about the private sector's lack of participation in the elderly and handicapped transportation. She felt that the policy and philosophy of Yakima Valley II/ Transportation had always been (1) the best service possible for the elderly and handicapped; (2) that other providers have an opportunity to participate, but not to exclude Yakima Valley Transportation Program. She also stated that Yakima Valley Transportation was not bidding on this request for bids and that they would only bid on the contingency that all other bids are acceptable to the City. George Kapellas, Diamond Cab Company, questioned the change in the bid proposal which reflected a major change in the insurance. Mr. Kapellas explained that at a meeting with the Transit Manager, Transportation Exchange and two other providers, the request for four proposals that they looked at at that time, indicated a combined single limit insurance coverage of $300.000. The new bid that came out calls for a single limit liability of $1,000,000. Mr. Kapellas stated that in order for Diamond Cab Company to participate and obtain the caverge required, it will cost approximately $7,000 for additional insurance for 21/2 months service. Mayor Edmondson questioned whether this was mandated, an error, or if it could be dhanged, or if it is a requirement? City Manager Zais advised that it was not mandated, but State • law does give a breakdown of What the requirements would be. Mr. Zais stated that basically it had been a decision between himself and the City Attorney. Gini Heintzman advised Council that the $300,000 was actually what the State required. It was MOVED by Hinman, seconded by Carmichael that the request for bids be approved, as outlined. Council member Doty replied that she was concerned about the private sector being able to bid and net the insurance coverage requirement. George Kapellas advised Council that the $7,000 was an annual amount, not just for the 21/2 months service as previously stated. The question was called for the vote on the motion. Carried by 4-1 voice vote. Doty voting nay. Beauchamp and Buchanan absent. 11. REVIEW OF SIDEWALK REPAIR AND CONSTRUCTION PROGRAM Denny Covell, Director of Engineering and Utilities, gave some background information on the sidewalk repair and construction II/ program. Discussion continued on the previous times this type of program had been given to Council for their approval. Mr. Covell also advised Council that the City works with the School Safety Committee every year to reevaluate their prioritization list of the $30,000 11 cent gas tax the City uses in conjunction with providing sidewalks or safety walk- ways for school children. Mayor Edmondson asked when the last survey had been done? Mr. Covell responded that there had been two surveys; one was done City-wide which was a windshield survey and another was an indepth survey of an area to the east of the downtown business area where they did a parcel by parcel analysis, identifying 197 parcels for participation into what was then the sidewalk repair ordinance, to work it like a L.I.D. improvement, which took approximately two years. City Manager Zais advised Council that the State law indicates that the City can assess the full cost of repair and replacement against the property owner. The City ordinance that is on the books now provides for a shared program, approximately 50/50, but even that program has SEPTEMBER 15, 1981 83 been objectionable to those it has been proposed to or the funding hasn't been provided to the City to really provide for a program of repair. Council member Doty requested clarification on whether or not it was possible to form a L.I.D. to do sidewalks. City Attorney Andrews responded that • it was possible to form a LID, but they had found it unsuccessful because citizens were opposed to paying for sidewalks that were not in need of repair; Elsie Gregorich, 1516 Browne Avenue, advised Council that the sidewalks in her neighborhood were a disaster and wanted to know who would be responsible if any injury occurred, the property owner or the City. City Attorney Andrews advised her that the property owner and the City could be responsible depending on the circumstances. It was MOVED by Hinman, seconded by Barnett to 11/ accept staff recommendation, Option 7. Council member Doty questioned if they voted for Option 7, did they automatically agree with the amount of $70,000 sidewalk assessment and if so, where does the money come from? Mr. Covell replied that there is a windshield inventory with a dollar figure on it, and it would take approximately a year for two employees to do an indepth inventory similar to the one done east of the CBD. Council member Doty questioned whether or not the City was close to paying off some of the other bond issues? City Manager Zais advised Council that in the financial reports supplied by the Finance Director, there is information on the Bond Issues. (Council member Buchanan present after 4:20 P.M.) The question was called for the vote on the motion. Carried by 5-1 voice'. vote. Carmichael voting nay. Beauchamp absent. _ 6 *12. REPORT ON SPECIAL PROJECTS COMPLETED BY ADMINISTRATIVE INTERN The report of the Administrative Intern dated September 10, 1981, regarding Council Committee Guidelines and Boards and Commissions Manual was accepted and approved. *13. RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING PURCHASE OF TRAFFIC COUNTERS RESOLUTION NO. D-4544, A RESOLUTION authorizing the purchase of equipment without calling for bids. *14. RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING ADAP-07 GRANT APPLICATION FOR AIRPORT RESOLUTION NO. D-4545, A RESOLUTION authorizing an application to the Division of Aeronautics, U•S. Department of Transportation, for financial assistance for airport projects. *15. OUT OF STATE TRAVEL FOR RICHARD HILLIGUS, PARKS & RECREATION DEPARTMENT The out of state travel for Richard Hilligus, Director of Parks & Recreation, to attend the 1981 Congress for Recreation and Parks in Minneapolis, October 24-29, 1981, was approved. OUT OF STATE TRAVEL FOR FRED ANDREWS AND JOHN VANEK, LEGAL DEPT. The out of state travel for Fred Andrews and John Vanek, City Attorneys, to attend the WSMA Convention in Vancouver, B.C., November 5-7, 1981, was approved. *16. INVESTMENT REPORT FOR AUGUST, 1981 The report of the City Finance Officer dated August 31, 1981, regarding the investments of the City of Yakima was accepted and approved. *17. ORDINANCE APPROPRIATING FUNDS FOR THE PARKS DEPARTMENT - FIRST READING AN ORDINANCE amending the 1981 budget for the City of Yakima and appropriating money within 131-Parks and Recreation Fund, for expenditure during the year 1981 was laid on the table for one week or until September 22, 1981. e SEPTEMBER 15, 1981 18. OTHER BUSINESS INFORMATION ITEMS Its of information supplied to Council were: Press Release re: Yakima Reaches Agreement with 3 Airlines. 9/11/81; memo fram Acting Director of Ccmmunity and Economic Development and Cable Canmunications Coordinator re: Senate Bill 898 - Cable Rate Deregulation. 9/10/81; minutes of August 11, 1981 Parks and Recreation Commission meeting; article fran the August, 1981 Washington Law Enforcement Executive Journal re: "Three Yakima Officers Invent Portable Firearms Simulator"; memo from Supervising Traffic Engineer re: 1st St./Yakima & CBD Signal Progression. 9/9/81; memo from Fire Chief re: Bi-lingual Fire Education Grant. 9/8/81; Yakima Wastewater Project Progress Report for July, 1981 prepared by R. W. Beck & Associates. 9/2/81; memo frcm City Attorney re: Damage claims referred to insurance carriers. 9/3/81; The Mayor; Vol. 48, No. 17. 9/1/81; Yakima Air Terminal Monthly Report for July, 1981; and minutes of 8/31/81 Utility Rate Advisory Board meeting. 19. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to cane before the Council, it was MOVED by Hinman, seconded by Buchanan that the meeting be adjourned at the hour ei , 30 P.M. Unanimously carried by voice vote. Beauchamp t READ AND CERTIFIED ACCURATE BY DATE 03 t osUNCIL LsI 1 1 R etS 41110111..:AtAAA DATE /0-20-TO tii MEMBER ATTEST: CITY RK MAYOR