HomeMy WebLinkAbout03/02/1993 Adjourned Meeting 1 6
CITY OF YAKIMA, WASHINGTON
MARCH 2, 1993 - ADJOURNED MEETING
The City Council met in session on this date at 7:30 a.m. in the
Board Room at the Yakima Center, Yakima, Washington. Council
Members present were Mayor Pat Berndt, Clarence Barnett, Bill
Brado, Lynn Buchanan, Skip Semon and Bernard Sims. Council Member
Henry Beauchamp absent and excused. Staff members present were
City Manager Zais, Assistant City Manager Rice, Police Chief Pleas
Green, Director of Public Works Jerry Copeland, Dave Flaherty,
Parks Manager, Dennis Covell, Director of Engineering and
Utilities, Glenn Valenzuelz, Director of Community and Economic
Development, John Hanson, Director of Finance and Budget, Gene
Martin, Deputy Fire Chief, City Attorney John Vanek, and City
Clerk Roberts.
1. COUNCIL /DEPARTMENT DIRECTORS MINI - RETREAT
A. CAPITAL PROJECTS (See attached report)
B. STRATEGIC ISSUES (See attached report)
• City Manager Zais stated the two documents are what Council adopted
as the City's Mission and Vision statements, as well as its
critical and strategic issues and priorities. Attachment "C" is an
update review of priorities set by department directors, not in any
order of priority.
Referencing the unfunded mandates listed on page five, Council
members considered the option of not complying with any unfunded
state or federal regulation, since the City does not have the
funds. Council Member Brado suggested writing a letter to the
Governor and President and tell them about our concerns. Some of
the mandates include changing all the traffic signs to metric in
1994; engineering contracts will have to use metric measurements;
and LEOFF pension and medical costs. Mr. Hanson stated that if
there is a state law or federal mandate, unless Council chooses a
policy that is different, the department directors would be
breaking the law. Mayor Berndt commented she doesn't believe
Council has the right to ask staff to break the law. She spoke
about the burn ban which was implemented prior to the regulations
being written and now grants are being offered to help cities
implement this program. Mr. Hanson reported that a change in
procedure of the Washington Administrative Code will cost the City
$40,000 per year per utility. City Manager Zais stated Washington
had a pretty good law to require funding of new programs; however,
it has been amended by the Legislature over the years. Council
talked about informing the public of these mandates and how they
impact the citizens and services to the citizens. City Manager
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MARCH 2, 1993 - ADJOURNED MEETING
Zais commented that state and federal mandates are robbing Council
of setting its own priorities.
Council members discussed possible cuts in the Police and Fire
budgets. City Manager. Zais stated there could be a savings in the
Police budget since Yakima County has not charged the appropriate
jail rate based upon the minimum security facility, per the
contract when we agreed to help fund their facility. They charge us
an aggregate rate between the minimum and maximum jail facilities.
Mayor Berndt commented that at the last Mayors' meeting, Union Gap
proposed a municipal jail he built to circumvent the county system.
A lot of the cities were interested in that concept. Mr. Zais
stated that if we don't hear from the County, his suggestion would
be that Council ask for a meeting on that subject to reveiw that
contract. Mayor Berndt agreed; if we don't hear from them by
March 15th, we will ask for a meeting.
Council Member Barnett asked about the status of a letter which
should have come to inform Council about a reduction in the
distribution of the funds from the EMS levy because of increased
administrative costs. Deputy Chief Martin stated they are meeting
with the County Commissioners, and he would bring back additional
information. Mayor Berndt commented that we are not getting the
services from them and asked that Mr. Martin speak to the Fire
Chief about her observation. Mr. Zais stated the Fire Department
is'about 88% labor intensive, and in order to save money, we would
have to look at enhancing the volunteer firefigher program, rather
than hire additional firefighters. Council members also discussed
the use of technology, such as fire alarms, to decrease the fire
rating.
Council members discussed workforce development, suggesting
programs to support and acknowledge employees.
City Manager Zais stated he understands Council wants to work on
educating the public about unfunded mandates, utilizing the utility
billing system and other methods.
City Manager Zais stated that one critical priority listed on page
four is infrastructure deterioration. There are a lot of streets
past their useful life. Mr. Copeland stated he is putting in a
I/ computerized pavement management system which will allow us to take
care of the streets by its condition, not years of service. There
was a brief discussion concerning the viability of the 1 -82 project
and funding alternatives.
Following a brief break, Council discussed the Capital
Projects /Funding Alternatives Report. Projects considered for bond
issues are: Gateway Project - I -82 /Yakima Avenue, Police
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MARCH 2, 1993 - ADJOURNED MEETING
Station /Legal Center, Parks Operations /Maintenance, Parks and
Recreation Facilities, Street Bonds, Fire Facilities Bond,
Convention Center Expansion, Irrigation Water System, and
Wastewater improvements, which were reviewed. (Council Member ;
Barnett absent after 10:20 a.m.) Council Member Buchanan requested
information on the City's share of the Washington Avenue street
project. Referencing the Fire Facility, Council Member Buchanan
requested information on the hours the Electronic Technicians are
working and on what vehicles over a set period of time. Council
members discussed the formation of a citizen committee to review
the proposed bond issues. City Manager Zais stated he sees this as
an on -going committee that would have staff support and Council
participation. He suggested that , members of the Visioning
Committee could be contacted to serve on this committee. The
committee should consist of no more than 12 or 15 City residents.
Mr. Hanson reviewed the information on page 28 relating to debt
structuring alternatives.
The meeting adjourned at 11:35 a.m.
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READ AND CERTIFIED ACCURATE BY: .Ar' _y�� >!"r 1 k
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COUNCIL MEMB R DATE
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CITY CLERK MAYOR
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