HomeMy WebLinkAbout11/17/1992 Adjourned Meeting 16
CITY OF YAKIMA, WASHINGTON
NOVEMBER 17, 1992
ADJOURNED FETING - BUDGET REVIEW
The City Council met in session on this date at 9:05 A.M. in the Council
Chambers, at Yakima City Hall, Yakima, Washington. Mayor Pat Berndt,
presiding, Council Members Clarence Barnett (absent after 11:15 A. M.),
Henry Beauchamp (present after 9:25 A. M.), Lynn Buchanan, Skip Semon
(present after 9:12 A. M.), and Bernard Sims (absent after 10:45 A. M.)
present. City Manager Zais, Director of Finance & Budget Hanson, and
Department Assistant Barber also present.
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
Planning
Glenn Rice, Assistant City Manager, introduced the staff: Cindy
Epperson, Finance, Staff Accountant; Don Skone, Planning Manager;
Chris Waarvick, Wastewater Treatment Plant Superintendent; Leonard Hall
and Bob Shampine, Code Administration; Judy Arington, Administrative
Assistant, and Joan Davenport, Planner.
Policy Issues
There were no policy issues for Community Development.
Mayor Berndt stated she received a telephone call from one of the
developers regarding the lack of information the City Council receives
regarding multi - family housing. The interest is on the impact of land
use and property value. Council Member Buchanan also received a call.
Staff is gathering information for a report and planning to establishing
a factual record for future cases. (Council Member Semon present after
9:12 A. M.)
Council received a letter dated November 5, 1992 from Bill Huibregtse.
Mr. Huibregtse resigned from the Urban Area Regional Planning
Commission. - -The Commission feels there isn't any role for them. Mayor
Berndt asked what is their role? Mr. Rice explained the Commission
previously heard all of the rezones before they came before the City
Council. Council Member Sims commented the Commission spends hours each III--
month working on recommendations, the Joint Board reviews this, makes
changes and presents those to the elected body. Mayor Berndt suggested
a review of the process used and asked for a work- session with City
staff and the Regional Planning Commission. Staff will schedule a
session in January, 1993. (Council Member Beauchamp present after 9:25
A. M.)
Growth Management
This program was restructured with staff taking on more of the work.
Table I on Page 174 for Expenditures proposes $883,000 for the budget.
(Council Member Barnett absent after 9:35 A. M.) City Manager Zais
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stated staff wanted to revisit the responsibility and individual tasks
and elements. It is a major shift away from consultant services. Mayor
Berndt asked if the County did the aerial maps and photography and if
the bill has been paid? City Manager Zais stated there is no money in
this budget for that, it is not funded in this budget. One of the
biggest things that happened was the drainage program. Page 11 of the
Policy Issues, in the last paragraph explains the drainage element
increase due to State mandated and original contractual requirements.
Hearing Examiner
This budget reflects no change from 1992 due to the Hearing Examiner's
efficient work.
Rebound
This funding comes from grant awards, (DCD) Department of Community
Development and (OSAP) Office for Substance Abuse Prevention. OSAP has
dropped three more years. The State grant was cut in half in 1992 and
last week it was cut in half again.
Mayor Berndt expressed concern regarding the Lee Music Store building.
She asked what more needs to be done to tear that down? Mr. Shampine
explained the dangerous building code would have to be rewritten.
Council Member Sims stated he feels it should be rewritten. Assistant
City Manager Rice pointed out the Rebound Office does not work with
that, the Code Administration does. Mayor Berndt asked staff to review
this code. Staff will bring the information to the Council for review.
Council Member Beauchamp asked for an update on housemoving also. Staff
will bring back an ordinance amendment to the housing ordinance.
Council Members Beauchamp and Buchanan felt standards for home
improvements should be higher for landlords. (Council Member Barnett
present after 9:55 A. M.)
Code Administration
Council Member Barnett expressed concern there are no provisions for the
difference in the fire insurance rating. He feels this Department has
._..___.... _._ - so many things to do there is a question whether they are able to do the
fire investigation adequately? Mr. Shampine stated that the Department
cannot, and staff will be coming back to Council on December 8, 1992
with a report. Staff will come back with a supplement to the Fire
insurance rating issue.
Council Member Beauchamp referred to Page 219 and questioned the revenue
decline in building permits and plumbing permits. Mr. Shampine stated
the estimate is now $496,900 for the 1992 year end projection.
Council Member Sims expressed concern regarding the overall expense and
how your business is rated; we should have a better fire insurance rate
in Yakima.
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Cable TV Communications
Wendy Warren introduced herself as the Manager of the Cable TV Office.
She divulged the Cable budget is reduced from 1991 and 1992 because the
City is not pursuing any equipment upgrade.
Capitol Theatre
Steve Caffery, Manager of the Capitol Theatre, stated this budget
reflects some changes in the internal operations.' Staff is looking at
different areas within the facility to keep current with modern
technology.
Yakima Convention Center
Glenn Rice introduced Kathy Coffey, Manager of the Yakima Convention
Center. (Council member Barnett absent after 10:18 A. M.)
Policy Issues
Council Member Buchanan expressed support for the premiums for the
employees on Page 38.
Council Member Beauchamp asked if the Sundome is getting more events due
to its size? Mrs. Coffey explained the Center did not have the days
available that were requested. Staff stated the Center tracks every
event in the State of Washington and exchanges event calendars so the
City knows what other cities are doing.
Economic Development /Housing
Mr. Rice explained this budget is presented each fall for the following
year. The City Council has already approved this part of the budget.
Council Member Beauchamp asked why Service Unit 332 - Chestnut Manor is
included? Mr. Rice explained the service unit transaction is closed;
the City will not be through with that item until 1993. Staff will meet
with Council Member Beauchamp for further discussion regarding this
service unit.
City Manager Zais referred to Page 225 in the budget, the Economic
Development Fund, which was created this last year. Next year's budget
expenditures include legal fees, appraisals, project matching funds and
professional service fees.
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City Manager Zais disclosed the City received 450 applications for the
position of Director of Community and Economic Development. In
December, seven people will be interviewed for the position. The
interview board will consist of members of the community, real estate,
the Chamber of Commerce, builders, staff, etc. The City plans to hire
someone by the first part of 1993.
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informed Council there was a shortage in dollars and with a reduction in
staff, you have a reduction in services. Other departments are going
to have to help the personnel section. Council Member Semon commented
the City Council may wish to review this another way.
•
Sheryl Smith, Deputy Human Resources Manager stated that due to a number
of large claims there has been an increase in health benefits costs for
AFSCME. The increase in costs has been reflected in AFSCME's rates to
be paid next year. This was worked out with the collaboration of the
Insurance Committee which has been trying to help pull everyone into one
large group. Mr. Rice explained it is cost - sharing and is related to ' •
the workforce program.
Legal
Mayor Berndt questioned the number of meetings (1,745) which were
attended by staff. John Vanek, City Attorney, and Director of the
Legal Department, explained this number, adding a note should be
included saying this includes all of his staff's meetings outside their
Office, not just his meetings.
Mr. Vanek stated next year one prosecuter will take up criminal
requirements on a regular basis.
Mr. Vanek presented a handout, "Monthly Project /Assignment Status
Report ", November 6, 1992. This is an update on litigation, with a
scope and depth of the work that legal has to do. This report does not
include the people who come in the door for information and research.
Those matters are taken care of first.
Council Member Buchanan asked for more clarification regarding Legal's .
computer system. The Legal Department is asking for a $25,000.00
allocation for the prosecutorial side, which would increase the
efficiency.
Mr. Vanek stated last year Council approved a clerical position to
assist with the work in their office. He thanked Council, saying the
position has been a great benefit.
On Page 133, Council Member Beauchamp questioned how the number of
damage claims could be projected correctly? He asked if the City is.not
able to correct the problem? Many of these claims are sewer backups or
minor water problems. The Sewer Division is responding to citizens and
those citizens are installing backflow devices.
Records
Karen Roberts, Manager, expanded on the reasons for her request for
professional services /summer intern to design and implement a filing
system.
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After a brief recess, Mayor Berndt reconvened the Budget Review meeting
at 10:45 A. M. (Council Member Barnett present after 10:45 A. M.)
(Council Member Sims absent after 10:45 A. M.)
ADMINISTRATION
Coundil
Council discussed conference registration fees, dues, and subscriptions
for the City's memberships with Marketa Oliver, Administrative Assistant
to the City Manager.
Council Member Barnett asked if a monthly newsletter is sent out with
the utility bill, do we still need the Annual Report from the City? He
suggested this is a way to reduce costs. Council Member Buchanan feels
there is a need for this Annual Report. City Manager Zais stated the
City has done the Annual Report for two years and it is a good public
relations document. Mayor Berndt explained the newsletter in the
utility billings is more on issues.
City Management
Policy Issues
This City -wide policy issue proposes the City's work program workforce
development and planning. Chris Waarvick, Wastewater Treatment
Superintendent, Chairman of the Workforce Planning Committee, stated
that continued quality improvement is a long -range effort for the City.
The City is interested in recruiting and training more people through
the community. Issues need to be addressed and taken to the bargaining
table. Council Member Barnett stated that basically, what this does, is
a supervisor's responsibility. Council Member Beauchamp stated his
perception is that there is a need to have some quality training. There
is a need for something more specific and good public relation training
within the City's structure. The City needs some inter - personal relation
training so people can better talk to one another and seek answers to
problems. City Manager Zais referred to Page 35 which addresses the
issue on training.
Human Resources
Council member Barnett expressed concern with the budget policy
issue which proposes to delete one position. (Barnett absent after
11.15 A. M.) City Manager Zais stated the City must look at the need of
the organization, overall. Staff responded to questions on the impact
on some of the services provided. Archie Sutton, Human Resources
Manager will be meeting with Glenn Rice to discuss the Human Resources
Division's priorities. The City has used the workforce plan with this
staff. Mr. Rice asked to make it clear, the Workforce Committee is not
being run out of the Human Resources Division. The Fire Department will
also be using workforce training. Council Member Semon stated he would
find it unacceptable if staff cannot do a service for the public due to
a workforce reduction. He asked if the City is serving the public to
the best advantage and at what cost to the community? City Manager Zais
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Purchasing
City Manager Zais stated last year there was a pending assignment to
relocate purchasing. That was delayed and does not affect this budget,
it is coming in a separate report.
Council Member Beauchamp referred to the two Police divisions asking to
purchase file cabinets. One was for $240.00 each and the other was for
$275.00 each. The Police Department stated that Purchasing decides
this. He asked how do we go about this and why is the price so high?
Jean Reid, Purchasing Manager, explained two different vendors are
involved. Mayor Berndt asked what would happen if we purchased this
from Costco? Mrs. Reid stated they will not accept purchase orders.
She is working with them at this time and they have been invited to bid.
The City sets up contracts to fill their needs and get better prices.
Mr. Rice explained some of the divisions have everyone from an
administrative assistant to a clerk making purchases and paying the
bills. Staff is trying to get a handle on this procedure. Some
standards must be set. Council Member Beauchamp suggested this be
examined continually to make sure spending is streamlined.
Mayor Berndt adjourned the budget meeting at 11:52 A. M., to then resume
the City Council meeting back in the ouncil Chambers at 2:00 P. M. for
a City Council Business Meeting.
READ AND CERTIFIED ACCURATE BY 2 "' J 2- -23 -
COUNCIL MEMBER DATE
ATTEST: COUNCIL MEMBER DATE
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DEPARTMENT ASS STANT MAYOR
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