HomeMy WebLinkAbout05/27/1976 Business Meeting 225
MAY 27, 1976
The City Council and Staff met in session on this date at 9:00 A.M.
in the El Cid (Room #243), Yakima, Washington.
Councilmen present at the meeting were Jean R. Allard, Mwcr Betty L.
'Edmondson, Ralph Holbrook, W. K. "Pete" Moore, Dr. Bill Simmons,
Nadine Walker and Gordon Wonder. Staff in attendance included
City Manager McMicken, Director of Management and Budget Chuck
IRains, Administrative Assistant Dick Zais, Director of Community
!Development Fred Stouder, Human Relations Officer Susan Boughton-
Morin, and Computer Programmer Phil Johnson.
Forecast '77
The Council reviewed Forecast '76 and focused on the budget calendar
for 1977. Council members and the Manager held a general review
of the concept of zero base budgeting - a system calling for
;complete examination and justification of all programs and expendi-
tures. Various impacts on the 1977 budget were considered, including'
upcoming labor negotiations for 1977 with the Police Patrolman's
Association and AFSCME, (Firefighters are under a two-year contract
Iterminating in 1977). In reflecting on the Forecast considerations
for 1977, the Council expressed concern about establishing some
!guidelines in connection with the 1977 budget. Suggestions included
allowing no increase in City services, and providing the City
Council with a summary of estimated revenues in September to
gain some understanding on the 1977 financial picture.
;Later in the afternoon, Council was also informed of the status
of the CETA funding for the balance of 1976. Director of Management
and Budget Chuck Rains indicated that the City has been informed
by Yakima County Manpower that priority with respect to CETA
positions has been allocated to public safety employees, which
!should receive an extension in funding to January 30, 1977. Beyond
this period of time it is uncertain as to the likelihood of additional
CETA funding; however, there is new legislation pending Congress
Nhich may address this problem. The City Manager noted that
the chance of layoff is real given the uncertainty of CETA funding,
and the Council will be given further clarification on the con-
tinuance of CETA funding or other funding as soon as the information
*s 4v4ilable. Additionally, the Council was advised of the
possibility of the continuance of Federal Revenue Sharing, The
Council was informed that $200,000 is presently uncommitted for
the 1976 entitlement to the City. Congress is indicating that
the likelihood of the extention of FRS is promising; however,
there are several restrictions contemplated.
'Downtown Project
;General discussion was held on the timetable for completion of
the parking lots and street improvements, and financing available
from the Economic Development Authority. Director of Community
I/ Development Fred Stouder indicated that there will be some delay
'in completion of street improvements because the Economic Development
"Authority has not completed its environmental impact statement,
land funds will not be available until August. This will impact
the construction of street improvements to 2nd, 4th and Chestnut
'Streets. A status report was also made on the Washington Mutual
!Bank, Larson Garage, Mall Garage properties. Council concluded
this discussion by expressing some interest in investigating
'leasing these properties back to the original owners and having
a better understanding of the legal aspects of the downtown Local
"Improvement District.
;computer Programmer Phil Johnson gave a status report for the
Iclowntown Parking Control System which allows a two-hour parking
'both on and off streets. A second report on the program is to
be scheduled for review by the Council at a forthcoming study
'session. Finally, the Local Improvement District and the Parking
and Business Improvement Area assessments for the downtown project
226
MAY 27, 1976
'were addressed, and the Council advised of the 1977 LID hearing pro-
Icess and the City's assessment obligations for the City Hall Library,
and Capitol Theatre. The City Manager indicated that he had
"sent a letter to County Commissioner Les Conrad proposing that the
City and County share the LID assessment for the Library and that
he expected some word on this in the near future. The hearing on
the PBIA assessments is to be scheduled June, 1976, and a report
will be filed with the Council at that time.
:Social Concerns
," -
;Human Relations Officer Susan-Boughtoa-Morin 'gave a brief overview
of the Human Relations Commission programs over the past year. In
lconsidering this, the Council addressed the prospects of continuing
!ethnic awareness training in the future. After some discussion the
"council directed that(a) the ethnic awareness training program is
to be less threatening and to include the entire City - all employees
and City Council, (b) the Human Relations Commission is to review,
!evaluate and approve all training of this nature in the future, (c)
the City Management is to determine if such training is to be compulsory
H si the future, (d) after the Human Relations Commission receives
this information, a future meeting is to be scheduled to review current
;
"efforts and thinking on Commission Programs, and finally (e) the
;revised Police "notification policy" to next of kin is to be instituted.
The Council felt that in the future a meeting should be held between
the City Council and each City Conimission to review and evaluate
Ion-going programs.
The Human Relations Officer gave a brief overview of the Affirmative
!Action Goals and Timetables and indicated they would be finalized
and reviewed on a departmental basis and be returned to the City
!Human Relations Commission for review and finally, to the City Council
for adoption.
Legislative Concerns
The Council addressed several legislative issues, and referred them
to the Manager for a report. By way of summarization they include
the following:
1. An analysis of alternate traffic control designs at
Naches Avenue and Yakima Avenue intersection next to
the YMCA.
2. Investigation of more angle street parking downtown on
the periphery of the Central Business District which
would include a cost impact of such a change to three
blocks surrounding the central business district in-
cluding Naches Avenue.
3. A review of the expansion plans for the new Senior Citi-
zens Center.
4. An investigation of circumstances surrounding the issuance
of a citation to a Portland resident while parked at
the airport.
5. General discussion ensued about Council Goals and ()ID-
" jectives for the coming year. Several Council members
raised the issue of a ward or district system for
Council seats to assure better representation on the
Council from all areas of the Community. After some
analysis it was MOVED by Pete Moore, seconded by Jean
Allard that a Council districting plan be presented before
the electorate in November 1976 and directed that the
Manager prepare and present a districting ordinance to
the Council, establishing four council member district
positions and three at large positions. (Mayor would
continue to be elected by Council members.) The system
would be initiated at the primary level with the at-large
227
MAY 27, 1976
positions in 1977 and four district seats in 1979.
Motion carrried with Allard, Edmondson, Simmons,
Moore, voting aye by voice vote; Walker, Holbrook,
and Wonder voting nay by voice vote.
6. The Council discussed the problems in respect to
public relations and presentation of materials at
the agenda meeting. After discussion, it was MOVED
by Ralph Holbrook, seconded by Nadine Walker that
the City Manager inquire about publishing the agenda
in the newspaper. Motion passed unanimously. Second,
a motion by Ralph Holbr6ok, s by Pete Moore
directed the Manager to investigate rearrangement
of the Council Chambers to give'the public better
accommodations - such as establishing "a press corner",
installing overhead lighting, other v_isal,'aids; relocating
audio hook-ups elsewhere in the Chamber and rearranging: -
furniture - aisles. Motion passed unanimously.
7. Council requested that a report on the "Ombudsman" con-
cept be prepared for their review.
8. Council expressed interest in the utilization/liabilities
in connection with the Larson Garage. The City Manager
was asked to analyze the structure, addressing its
future use prospects, vacating tenants and costs for
upgrading. Additionally, the City Manager was requested
to investigate inclusion of Larson Garage Businesses
in the PBIA. In this context, the Council also requested
a report regarding the Mercy-Miller parking lots to
understand the nature of the rental agreements and
the amount of rental involved.
Organization and Management
City Manager gave an overview of the health of the City's organi-
zation focusing on the positive and negative aspects of public
'management functions. Items discussed included citizen participa-
tion, intergovernmental relations, labor relations, priority
idetermination, budget, communications systems, program design
and evaluation, relations with governing body, determination
of operating procedures, personnel administration, and organization
!structure. The City Manager concluded his remarks by indicating
that in the aggregrate overall health of the organization was
sound, although individual areas such as operating procedures
and citizen participation may need additional work.
Additionally, the Council discussed the Management Performance
Evaluation Plan. Upon review, the Council suggested the performance
evaluation plan include an Affirmative Action element.
In concluding the all day study session, the City Council asked
!the City Manager to (a) investigate legislation appropriate
H o charging applicants for street vacations, (b) determine
i the usefulness/need for a diesel truck being purchased for
the Southeast Recycling Center, (c) examine cost of housing
!inspection contract for service program with Yakima County
to determine if present funding is adequate, together with
;determining if the present charge for inspections ($1O) is
appropriate and whether it should be increased to a full cost
:obligation, and finally (d) examine recent Board of Adjustment
rezone rulings to determine the legality of their actions.
!A recapitulation of the Council assignments to management from
Ithe all day study session is provided in a separate paper.
97Q,
MAY 27, 1976
There being no further business to come before the Council, it was
MOVED by Holbrook, seconded by Sinuuons that we do now adjourn at the
hour of 5:30 P.M.: carried, Allard, Edmondson, Holbrook, Moore,
Simmons, Walker and Wonder voting aye by voice vote.
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