HomeMy WebLinkAbout11/29/2011 00 Action Minutes ACTION ON
YAKIMA CITY COUNCIL
ADJOURNED MEETING — PUBLIC HEARINGS
NOVEMBER 29, 2011 — 7:00 P.M.
COUNCIL CHAMBERS — CITY HALL
1. Roll Call
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 Cooper, City Attorney Cutter and City Clerk Kloster
2. Public Hearings to consider 2012 Budget Revenue Options:
A. Up to 6% increase in utility taxes (i.e. Wastewater, Water, Stormwater and
Refuse) per the Priorities of Government (POG) model for General
Government purposes
B. Annual $20 car tab license dedicated to street capital and Tong -term
maintenance
City Manager Cooper summarized the budget as he previously presented it to
the Council. Mayor Cawley opened the public hearing.
The following individuals spoke regarding increasing the utility tax and /or
implementing an annual car tab license fee:
Verlynn Best — supports a tax increase
Rhonda Gabbard — look at other areas to cut instead of police officers
Bill Duerr — supports a tax increase and /or a car tab fee and earmark the
funds for specific purposes
Chris Wright — supports a tax increase on the condition the Council has a
planned purpose for the money and is held accountable on its usage
Rus McKinney — supports tax increase and the car tab fee
Jim Evans — does not support a tax increase
Dana Rutz — supports a reduced tax percentage and lower car tab fee
Charles Noel — does not support tax increase
Dennis Thorn — supports a tax increase and car tab fee
Larry Bennett — favors contracting out services
Ralph Call — supports the car tab fee; favors contracting out services
Lynn Harden — does not support tax increase or car tabs; favors firefighters
performing inspections
Brian McKenna — supports tax increase
Lynn Kittelson — supports tax increase and car tab fee
Doug Lemon — does not support tax increase
Mayor Cawley closed the public hearing. A lengthy discussion ensued among
Council Members.
ACTION: Motion failed to defer the car tab issue until January. VOTE: 5 -2,
Cawley and Ensey voting yes
ACTION: Motion carried to direct staff to take the next steps to implement the
car tab increase to be used specifically for street maintenance. VOTE: 4 -3,
Cawley, Ensey and Lover voting no
ACTION: Motion carried to direct staff to prepare an ordinance for a 6%
increase in utilities. VOTE: 4 -3, Ensey, Ettl and Lover voting no
3. Adjournment — 9:00 p.m.
ACTION: Motion carried to adjourn to the next business meeting on December
6, 2011 at 6:00 p.m. VOTE: Unanimous