HomeMy WebLinkAbout11/17/1977 Special Meeting 637
SPECIAL STUDY SESSION_ --
NOVEMBER 17, 1977
The City Council met in session on this date at 2:00 P.M., in the Council
Chambers, City Hall, Yakima, Washington. Council members present were-Mayor
Betty L. Edmondson, Jean Allard, Ralph Holbrook, W.K. "Pete" Moore, Nadine
Walker and Gordon Wonder. Councilman Simmons absent.
Mayor Edmondson announced that Council members were invited to attend a tour
of the Boise Cascade Service Center, November 22, 1977, at 2:00 P.M. Those
attending should meet on North 7th Street.
City Manager Eastman stated that Council should decide if they want to consider
another method of management for the Convention Center. Councilman Allard
asked if the City Manager had heard from any other source who would like to
manage the Center. City Manager said yes, but he could not divulge the source
as yet, at their request. Mayor Edmondson and Council members Walker and
Holbrook spoke in favor of the Visitors and Convention Bureau managing the
center. Councilman Moore asked if the V & C had studied the proposed draft
and did they agree with it. Paul George, Chairman of the V & C Board, said
that there were some modifications he would like made. He also stated they
did not want to become a part of the bureaucracy at City Hall. Mr. George
also stated that there were some items in the contract that they could not
accept, such as the Center employees being put on the City Hall payroll. He
stated that he would like to' run the Center with an advisory committee; preferably
without an elected official serving on it. Mr. George stated that they have
to run the Center as a convention oriented building. After being asked if
anyone had been turned away from using the Center, Mr. George stated a few had
been because they could not pay the rental fees. It was MOVED by Moore,
seconded by Walker that Council follow the City Manager's recommendations and
request the City Manager to meet with the Board at the V & C to negotiate this
proposed contract and establish the criteria for an advisory committee and
report back to the Council. Councilman Wonder stated that he felt Council
should give the City Manager some direction in the negotiation of this contract,
however, it was the general consensus of the rest of the Council to give the
City Manager a free hand in negotiating the contract and report back. Don
Schussler, Chairman of the Advisory Committee, stated that there is quite a
bit of difference in the philosophy of the two contracts. Under the existing
contract, the City is buying a result, and under the proposed contract, the
responsibility of management would shift to the City. In the past year, the
Center has been run by the V & C as a private entity at no cost to the citizens.
He stated that when you talk about the Center running at a profit or loss, you
must remember that 2% Room Tax Money is generated. Councilman Moore stated
that there are certain things that need to be changed in order to satisfy the
State Auditor. The question was called on the motion made earlier. The
motion carried, Allard, Edmondson, Holbrook, Moore, Walker and Wonder voting
aye by voice vote. Simmons absent. Ray Pittman, General Manager of the V &
C, inquired if the sign for the Yakima Valley Visitors and Convention Bureau
can be approved at this meeting. Fred Andrews, City Attorney, stated that
only the items listed on the agenda may be discussed at a special meeting. It
was then MOVED by Allard, seconded by Wonder that the subject of the V & C
sign be put on the agenda for Monday, November 21, 1977 Council meeting, for
approval: carried, Allard, Edmondson, Holbrook, Moore, Walker and Wonder
voting aye by voice vote. Simmons absent.
Art Zerbach, Director of Finance and Budget, reviewed the preliminary 1978
Budget Revenues for the General Fund, Parks and Recreation Fund and the Street
Fund. He stated that the projected revenues were based on the loss of money
that would have been generated by the 20 Tax Variable and the Sales Tax on
Food. Mr. Zerbach stated that after careful study with Walt Chappel, City
Treasurer, it appears that the General Revenues for the City for 1977 will
come in at about 1 or 2 percent over the estimated amount. Mayor Edmondson
asked if that were due to money being saved from not replacing personnel who
have left or from everyone being very careful. Mr. Zerbach stated that it was
both. There has been a tightening of expenditure control. Mr. Zerbach stated
that revenues for Parks and Recreation Services reflect an increased use. He
stated that there will be 25 increase fee for adults at Fischer Golf Course.
Mr. Zerbach stated that the property tax allocation for the Street Fund changes
very little, same with the licenses and permits. He stated that the Inter-
Governmental Revenue is reduced by the anti-recession State Fund Payment made
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NOVEMBER 17, 1977
in 1977. Councilman Holbrook asked if they were considering any increases in
fees. City Manager Eastman said there would be an increase in the adult fees
at Fischer Golf Course 'and they would be giving the Parks Commission a recommendation
to review the others. Mr. Eastman stated that the Cemetery is out of balance
and require either a rate adjustment or decrease of service, or both. He also
stated that the Refuse Department is about $55,000 out of balance, which will
require a consideration of a rate adjustment of about 12 to 18 percent or a
reduction of services. He stated that the private collectors have filed a
rate adjustment for between 20 and 22 percent. Mr. Eastman stated that there
is a $7,000 difference the Airport in revenue and expenditures. He stated
that Airport Advisory Commission will be requesting that they be subsidized
approximately $6,900 until the renewal of the leases. There is also a difference
of $40,000 in the Tran Division, which the UMPTA Grant Funds would eliminate.
Councilman Wonder suggested that Council should investigate raising the bus
fares. Mr. Eastman stated that the Grant Application has been submitted and
also a copy of our last audit and budget, at their request. Mr. Eastman
stated that he hoped to have the whole 250 page preliminary budget ready for
Council by the Monday meeting.
Mayor Edmondson announced that there will be an early Study Session to discuss
the Budget on Monday, November 21, 1977, at 3:00 P.M. at the Yakima Valley
Regional Library.
There being no futher business to come before the Council, it was MOVED by
Moore, seconded by Wonder that this meeting be adjourned at the hour of 4:00
P.M.: carried, Allard, Edmondson, Holbrook, core, Walker and Wonder voting
aye by voice vote. Simmons absent.
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