HomeMy WebLinkAbout11/01/2010 Public Meeting - Study Session 351
YAKIMA CITY COUNCIL
PUBLIC MEETING — STUDY SESSION
NOVEMBER 1, 2010 — 9:15 — 10:45 A.M.
COUNCIL CHAMBERS — YAKIMA CITY HALL
1. Roll CaII
Present:
Council: Mayor Micah Cawley, presiding, Assistant Mayor Kathy Coffey,
Council Members Maureen Adkison, Dave Edler, Rick Ensey, Dave
Ettl and Bill Lover
Staff: City Manager Zais, City Attorney Cutter and City Clerk Kloster
2. Mayor - Council / Council- Manager forms of government
• Consideration of a proposal to initiate a ballot proposition to adopt a
Mayor - Council government format
Council Member Edler gave an overview of the Mayor - Council form of government
structure proposed by the Council subcommittee (Edler, Ensey and Lover). Council
members had a copy of a memo with bullet points identifying the attributes envisioned
for a strong mayor (copy attached).
Council Member Lover said he had been in touch with people through the senior
center and most of them said they would like the opportunity to vote on whether or not
to change the City's form of government. He stated his belief that the current Council -
Manager form of government is highly bureaucratic and the other form is more
constitutional.
Council Member Ensey supports the Mayor - Council format and emphasized a strong
mayor will be necessary to handle tough future union negotiations.
Assistant Mayor Coffey outlined problems she found in the proposal, e.g. residency
requirements; the number of districts; Council's Zack of authority to be involved with
removal of department head positions; no Council staff; as well as the lack of details
with regard to budget preparation. Basically, she felt the details presented were too
loose. She said she feels strongly that we need to get through the transition of the City
Manager's retirement and replacement first. That position could be contracted and
each time the contract expires, Council would review performance and decide whether
to renew. She claimed that if the community wants a strong mayor, they will voice that
to the Council. At the moment, she perceives this pressure to be coming from a select
political elite. Mrs. Coffey then spoke of the cost of a special election, requiring staff
time when we are trying to deal with gangs, crime violence and preparing a budget.
For those reasons, she had staff put together cost information relating to the Mayor -
Council form of government. Research clearly showed that cities in this state that
have a Mayor - Council format cost significantly more.
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STUDY SESSION — FORMS OF GOVERNMENT
Council Member Adkison commented that she had spoken with a number of people
over the last few weeks and most responses were pretty mediocre. Their biggest
concern was what it would cost them.
3. Audience Comments
Nick Hughes, expressed concern about the cost of a special election. He said he
would vote against changing the form of government.
Scott Wilson referred to his brother, an attorney, who has a great deal of
experience with the mayor - council format. His advice was to continue with the
current Council- Manager format and offered the opportunity to discuss his
experiences with Council.
Glenn Rice said the issue has not been thought through well and claimed it was
being led by a few who don't have the citizens' interests at heart. He also said the
timing was poor.
Jerry Foy first complained about the lack of increased police and fire that was
promised when they were annexed. He referred to Yakima's New Vision as well as
our own Economic Development Department, in response to comments made
earlier that a strong mayor could promote economic development. He suggested a
strong mayor format with the current Council would not work.
Clarence Barnett advised that his daughter lives in a city with the strong mayor
format and she claims it has been disastrous for years. He then asked how would
the City attorney handle a conflict between the strong mayor and the Council? He
suggested that if there were to be an election on this issue, other charter
amendments should be considered and placed on the ballot as well, such as a
provision to censor or sanction the mayor.
Mary Place commented that what was presented for discussion is only an outline
with many unanswered questions. She questioned why this is being rushed and
pointed out there has been no public outcry for change. She referred to Assistant
Mayor Coffey's information regarding the higher cost for the proposed format and
also noted it is more political. She said that if Council decides to put it to the voters
and if there is truly an organized push to do it, the private sector should pay for the
election.
Joe Walkenhauer, representing SOAR, said their organization is split on the issue
of which form of government but most agreed citizens should have the opportunity
to vote. They are concerned about the cost and suggested it be piggybacked onto
another election.
Ron King also felt it should be on the ballot for the people to decide.
Lynn Harden spoke in support of the Mayor - Council format.
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NOVEMBER 1, 2010
STUDY SESSION — FORMS OF GOVERNMENT
Lynn Buchanan said the seven people elected to lead the City should be doing so.
If the Council does not like the City Manager, they should fire him. With a strong
mayor they must wait four years until he is up for re- election.
Paul George spoke against advancing the proposal to an election. He said it is a
complex issue that is clearly dividing Council yet outside of Council there is no
discernable support for change. He suggested it become the theme for the 2011
Council election when four terms expire. He stated that placing it on the ballot in
February doesn't allow enough time for citizen involvement. He questioned why
Council members wanted to give their power away.
Tim Jensen commented that the outline presented was too vague. He also stated
it should be a citizen - generated issue. He referred to the havoc in Seattle and
Spokane who have a Mayor - Council format. He also felt it should be part of the
general election when Council runs for office in 2011.
Ben Shoval urged Council to put the issue on the ballot.
Don Schussler said he is very much opposed to the Mayor - Council form. He
encouraged it be put on the ballot with the regular election in 2011 allowing it to be
campaigned for as well as allowing for public discussion.
Council Deliberation:
Council Member Edler advised that the reason he is promoting this is the city
manager is retiring; therefore, it is timely to debate changing the form of
government.
ENSEY MOVED AND EDLER SECONDED TO PLACE ON THE FEBRUARY
BALLOT ALLOWING THE PEOPLE TO VOTE FOR A CITIZEN ELECTED
MAYOR FORM OF GOVERNMENT.
Council Member Edler believes the current system limits not just the ability of
leadership to rise to the top but limits those that can and do get involved. He
stated he is strongly in support of changing our form of government. Council
Member Adkison expressed concern about not moving forward when we know our
City Manager will be gone after July 6, 2011. Council Member Ettl pointed out we
have a collapsing time frame with the City Manager leaving as well as an economic
crisis. He recommended putting it on the ballot to get the question resolved.
Mayor Cawley said he could not support the February time frame when there is a
primary election coming up in August.
The motion carried by a 4 -3, roll call vote; Adkison, Cawley, Coffey voting no.
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STUDY SESSION - FORMS OF GOVERNMENT
4. Adjournment
ENSEY MOVED AND EDLER SECONDED TO ADJOURN TO NOVEMBER 2,
2010 AT 9:00 AM IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS FOR COUNCIL BUDGET •
REVIEW. The motion carried by unanimous voice vote. The meeting adjourned at
10:40 a.m.
READ AND CERTIFIED ACCURATE BY /a
COUNCIL MEMBER DATE
g NCI 11' MBER DATE
ATTEST:
/ ALL )
CITY CLERK MICAH CAWLEY, AYOR
Minutes prepared by Linda Watkins. A CD and DVD of this meeting are available in the City Clerk's Office
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