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HomeMy WebLinkAbout11/10/1992 Adjourned Meeting 'S CITY OF YAKIMA, WASHINGTON NOVEMBER 10, 1992 ADJOURNED MEETING— BUDGET REVIEW The City Council met in session on this date at 9:06 A.M. in the Council Chambers, at Yakima City Hall, Yakima, Washington. Mayor Pat Berndt, presiding (absent after 11:45 A. M.), Council Members Clarence Barnett (absent after 11:15 A. M.), Henry Beauchamp (present after 9:20 A. M.), Bill Brado, Lynn Buchanan, Skip Semon (present after 9:14 A. M.), and Bernard Sims present. City Manager Zais, Director of Finance & Budget Hanson, and Department Assistant Barber also present. POLICE Law and Justice Sales Tax Police Chief Pleas Green ' introduced his staff: Department Administrative Assistant Marsha Devine; Captain Follansbee, Patrol Division; Captain Vereb, Administrative Support Services; Captain Blesio, Investigative Division; and Lieutenant Adkins, Patrol Division. Mr. Hanson introduced Tim Jenson, Accountant, assigned to the Police Department. Council Member Barnett asked for a discussion regarding the 0.1% Law and Justice Sales Tax. Chief Green stated the vote on this tax measure was successful. The 1993 budget indicates the reduction of one Lieutenant position and one Sergeant position to balance the budget. With the sales tax measure passage the Police Department is now requesting to fund the Sergeant position and two Police DA II positions for support personnel to free police officers from routine clerical and administrative duties. This would increase the Department's efficiency and effectiveness. It is hoped that through the use of automation in hardware and software, in the future, officers may call in and have a clerical person key the information directly into the computer. That way the work will not be done two or three times. (Semon present after 9:14 A. M.) Council Member Barnett reminded staff that material was sent out to the public for support and passage of this measure so it would put more police officers on the street. Chief Green stated with automation and paperflow, the Department is suggesting that half of that money go toward operation and maintenance. There is an uncertainty of state funding. Mayor Berndt stated the City should have that information in the next month or so. There is also an uncertainty of the jail costs, however, staff will come back in December with that information. Council Member Barnett stated the problem is that if we lead people to believe there will be five more officers on the street and then we don't do it, our credibility will be questioned. BR11.10 /1 NOVEMBER 10, 1992 Chief Green stated he is asking for two support personnel at this time and delay hiring three additional support personnel anticipated in the tax measure. (Beauchamp present after 9:20 A. M.) Policy Issues No discussion or questions regarding policy issues. Patrol Council Member Brado asked if Chief Green is asking for additional vehicles? Chief Green stated the Department has adequate vehicles. Council Member Barnett stated on Page 360, Equipment Rental, Table I, the Police Department is asking for two patrol sedans in their vehicle replacement. Staff will check into that and correct it. Council Member Beauchamp asked what kind of feedback is received on 911? Chief Green explained it has been cumbersome, however, with training and working with the 911 staff it will be worked out. Council Members Beauchamp, Barnett and Buchanan commented on receiving complaints from citizens regarding 911 and trying to reach the Police Department. A combined communications center using 911 may replace the existing Dispatch Center. This would be a central receiving /dispatching center for police, fire, medical services, and emergencies. The City plans to have a joint operation within two years. Administration Council Member Sims asked why the total Police Department budget is not summarized on the first page of their budget as it is all law enforcement? Mr. Hanson stated part of the Police Department functions are in separate capital funding, however, it can be done. Council Member Barnett added we must look at the Public Works budget regarding the police equipment, the project is too complex. Staff will review this. Investigative Captain Blesio explained the State education program for drug prevention and crime. Staff explained how the State Task Force and National Guard works with the City. Patrol Expenditures are anticipated in this service unit due to projected retirements. Administrative Support Services City Manager Zais stated contracting out for the Police Department vehicles has been a significant savings. Council Member Barnett asked why not do that for other departments? City Manager Zais explained the City may not reduce staff in an area unless other work is available. BR11.10 /2 NOVEMBER 10, 1992 7 Administration Chief Green explained a daily cost increase due to the addition of County jail beds and the number of City inmates. Staff will bring back a 'report and a projection of costs of other jails. Staff would like to receive input from the City Council members. ,Capital Outlay Staff responded to questions regarding the number of mobile video units, car shields, and insurance. Council Member Beauchamp pointed out that on Page 267, Administrative Services, (8) 4- Drawer File Cabinets are listed at $240 each. On Page 266, Detective Division, (2) requests the same items at $275 each. Staff explained this information was received from Purchasing and they will review it. City Manager Zais stated the Capital Improvements Account 600 shows an expenditure for a facility for the City Police and Legal Departments. Staff has chosen to come back to the Council when the designs and proposals of the architect are available. The plan is to begin construction near the end of 1993. After a brief recess, Mayor Berndt reconvened the Budget Review meeting at 10:15 A. M. FIRE. Fire Chief Beeson introduced the Fire Department staff present: Deputy Fire Chief Gene Martin; Battalion Chief David Bachmann; Battalion Chief Mike Meyer. Policy Issues Council Member Brado stated the Reserve Force program was implemented without first talking to.the City Council or the City Council Committee. He feels there is no excuse for that, and doesn't like the way this policy issue was sent to the Council. Chief Beeson apologized, saying this is the past practice. Mayor Berndt explained to Council Member Brado that it is an unbudgeted item. This is also part of the overall Fire Department Plan and was part of the direction the City Council has given. Council Member Brado should have been brought up to date on that. Council Member Beauchamp stated he feels there was a lot of debate to weigh through the issues where revenues could be used. Staff is willing to meet and discuss it. The proposed Auxiliary Reserve Force was reviewed. Council Member Barnett asked if the Fire Department is using students in professional positions to become a fourth member on a fire apparatus. He asked if the Department is talking of using a second ladder truck on the fire line, using reserves? He asked if the Department is putting the second ladder truck into use? Chief Beeson stated the Department is waiting for a response from the Survey Rating Bureau. In contract negotiations, BR11.10 /3 QQ NOVEMBER 10, 1992 _ V only three personnel may be used on all apparatus. He stated we would have to tentatively review how we can use that truck. Council Member Barnett asked if there is a manner in which the second ladder truck would be more readily available? Chief Beeson stated, that to get a rig in service we could use a reserve, however, this program is not designed to staff trucks. Council Member Barnett stated he is not seeking an answer, this was just an idea. Staff explained there will be limitations, however, we will provide the training for these people. Council Member Buchanan stated he feels these reserves are just as professional as anyone else. Battalion Chief Bachmann explained there are two distinct reserves, the reserves for Station 2 and the training for the college students. There are high schools which have programs also. The Department is talking about the 'future and having people eligible to test for full -time employment, while looking at the cost. Council Member Brado stated it looks like an excellent program. The Department has introduced this program to the firefighters to address their concerns. The Department is looking at receiving federal funding to help with this program. Deputy Chief Martin stated this also falls under State education for students. City Manager Zais stated if there is no funding, the Department will carry this item over and return with it next year. Chief Beeson explained it would be next Fall before it could be implemented. On Page 273, Council Member Barnett questioned the reduction of a Battalion Chief (Shift). Chief Beeson explained the Department now has five Battalion Chiefs and must determine how to reduce one position. He stated as a member of the National Electronic Mail System, the Department is getting schedules for review of organization and will change the working schedule. Council Member Barnett asked if it wouldn't be better if the Council knew what the Department is going to do before the Council approves this? City Manager Zais stated basically, the City charges the Chief with the changes he must make. Mayor Berndt commented one complaint received is that the Fire Department is too top- heavy. Council Member Barnett asked whether the Fire Investigator position was eliminated in just part of the Fire organization? Chief Beeson stated the Department has a number of Fire Inspectors, they are considering only one position. Council Member Brado asked if the Department discontinued the Bureau of Fire Prevention in 1979? Chief Beeson responded, "Yes." Council Member Brado asked how are we going to follow up on fire investigation and how do we lower our fire rating if we continue this? Chief Beeson explained the Department has personnel to cover this. Also, a State agency provides assistance whenever the Department asks for it. City Manager Zais stated staff is reviewing the Fire Investigator position with Bob Shampine in Code Administration. If these duties are removed from Codes it may help increase the fire rating. Staff will be coming back to Council in December regarding fire rating, part of which may be involved in this part of the budget. Staff is waiting for a response from the rating service. After a brief recess, Mayor Berndt reconvened the Budget Review meeting at 11:10 A. M. BR11.10 /4 NOVEMBER 10, 1992 9 FINANCE Director of Finance and Budget, John Hanson introduced staff Managers Rick Pettyjohn, Information Systems and Bert Tabayoyon, Customer Services. Policy Issues Discussion covered the booklet maker for printing the Parks Brochure, the size and distribution of the Brochure. Mr. Pettyjohn stated new equipment is required due to the varied sizes and distribution of the Brochure. Council Member Barnett stated he cannot support justification for this machine. Mr..Pettyjohn suggested the Council review it with the Parks' budget. Council Member Barnett pointed out staff recommends approval of this Policy issue if funding is provided in the Parks' Division for the Brochure. Mayor Berndt asked Mr. Pettyjohn to come back when the Parks' budget is reviewed. Information Systems Council Member Barnett asked why there was an increase in revenues in 1993 over 1992? Staff asked to review that; it may be the grant revenue. Staff will come back with that information. Council Member Beauchamp expressed concern the City canceled the order for two Prime 5540 computers. Mr. Pettyjohn explained the City's computer programs are being converted to an "open system ", UNIX technology. This system is recommended because Prime is going out of the computer hardware business. (Council Member Barnett absent.) Staff explained the replacement, maintenance and use of the City's computers. Council Member Brado is still receiving nine to ten utility bills at his address each month and asked for assistance. Council Member Sims agreed that is a program situation. Council Member Sims asked if the UNIX is a low -range unit? Mr. Pettyjohn stated it has great accountability. Three software areas, Payroll, Budget Preparation, and Cost Accounting, require major rewrite and conversion efforts and are very dependent on this program. Mr. Hanson stated this budget does not include any strategic plans as it did last year. The Department plans to use the existing units as long as possible. Mr. Pettyjohn stated our conversion policy is first, for the dispatcher for public safety. The dispatcher is becoming busier and 911 may be used with that machine. • Customer Services Mayor Berndt asked what the average cost of collection is for parking. Staff will bring that information back to Council. On Page 198, Council Member Brado asked for clarification regarding Animal Control's pay for increase for calls after regular working hours. Mr. Tabayoyon stated standby pay was not budgeted for 1992. It has only been required and paid from June through December, 1992 and the full year for 1993. He explained how it works and that these people get • BR11.10 /5 1 0 NOVEMBER 10,1992 $1.00 per hour when on standby pay, when shifts overlap and one person is on standby time. Mayor Berndt asked staff to come back with information regarding how much is collected at this time for a parking violation. (Mayor Berndt absent after 11:45 A. M. and the gavel was passed to Assistant Mayor Buchanan.) Information Systems Council Member Sims asked if UNIX is going to accept the language from the Prime computers. Mr. Pettyjohn stated Prime has come out with a product to convert the information. This would be a gradual conversion. . IT WAS MOVED BY SEMON, SECONDED BY SIMS, TO ADJOURN THE BUDGET MEETING AND THEN RESUME THE CITY COUNCIL MEETING BACK IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS AT 1:30 P. M. FOR AN EXECUTIVE SESSION REGARDING PENDING AND PROSPECTIVE LITIGATION. The motion carried by unanimous voice vote; Mayor Berndt and Council Member Barnett absent. 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