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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 1 167 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 2 16.8 • 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. ^ READ AND CERTIFIED ACCURATE BY: .Ar' _y�� >!"r 1 k COUNCIL EM: - , / DA /1 COUNCIL MEMB R DATE ATTEST: 4 thite-v-- 2 ie. Q A )_&4 „ ,k7L CITY CLERK MAYOR li 3