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HomeMy WebLinkAbout11/16/1993 Adjourned Meeting 20 CITY OF YAKIMA, WASHINGTON NOVEMBER 16, 1993 ADJOURNED MEETING - BUDGET REVIEW The City Council met in session on this date at 9:00 a.m. in the Council Chambers at Yakima City Hall, Yakima, Washington. Council Members present were Mayor Pat Berndt, presiding, Clarence Barnett, Henry Beauchamp, Bill Brado, Lynn Buchanan, Skip Semon (present after 10:30 a.m.), and Bernard Sims. City staff members present were City Manager Zais, John Hanson, Director of Budget & Finance, Robert Wheeler, Accounting Manager, Cindy Epperson, Accountant, and Deputy City Clerk Skovald. • Mayor Berndt opened the meeting and stated discussion would begin with the Rebound Plus Program on Page 191 of the Budget. Rebound Plus Program Glenn Valenzuela, Director of Community and Economic Development, and Irene Gutierrez, Rebound Manager were introduced. Mr. Valenzuela referred to a correction on Pages 192 and 195. Rebound will only be receiving $65,000 from the Center of Substance Abuse Prevention (CSAP) instead of $75,000. This is a result of increased in -house costs for the Substance Abuse Coalition, and they have cut funding in all their contracts. Ms. Gutierrez explained an application will be submitted to the Department of Community Development for various assistance grants. DCD has received a 28% cut, and it is anticipated that Rebound will receive a grant award of about $100,000. A report will be provided to Council next week. Since the three -year program funded by criminal justice money is up, a new program package will be submitted focusing on youth involvement through community service with an emphasis on rediscovering citizenship and leadership formation, particularly by enhancement of the Alley Cat and Graffiti Cleanup programs. The budget will be reduced by $100,000 with cuts in contractual services which will be replaced by volunteer services of residents and youths. Responding to a question from Council Member Barnett concerning the ending cash balance of this account for the end of 1994, Mr. Hanson explained this budget will have to be adjusted when it is known exactly how much the grant will be. Hearing Examiner - 020 Mayor Berndt referred to Page 235 of the Budget. There were no questions. 21 ADJOURNED MEETING - BUDGE Tr ±REVIEW - NOVEMBER 16, 1993 Environmental Planning K�. 'a'" " I Mayor Berndt referred to Page 235 of the Budget and pages 15 -19 of i the Major Policy Issues. Council Member Barnett provided the amounts for Step A and E for I/ both the DAII and the DAIII positions, in response to Council Member Brado's question. Referring to Page 15 of the Major Policy Issues, the addition to staff of an entry -level Assistant Planner to assist in the coordination of the Commute Trip Reduction Program, Council Member Beauchamp suggested utilizing a contracted position instead of adding the position to the budget for this temporary one -year assignment. Mr. Valenzuela and Mr. Skone provided explanation concerning the viable alternatives, which include either utilizing professional services or contracting the Commute Trip Reduction Program out to Yakima Valley Council of Governments (YVCOG). There was discussion among Council members concerning the workload of the position. Mr. Skone made a presentation, with the use of flip charts, that outlined the following four options: (1) Hiring a temporary one -year Assistant Planner, or (2) Utilizing Professional Services, or (3) Contracting with Yakima Valley Council of Governments (YVCOG) who would also work with Yakima County's program, or (4) Falling out of compliance with the law by doing nothing, which would have some potential costs associated. Council members discussed the cost of salary and benefits for this position, as well as the availability of qualified personnel with expertise in the Yakima area, and the possibility of doing the CTR program in conjunction with Yakima County with a private consultant. Mayor Berndt suggested discussing the issue with YVCOG during their presentation at this afternoon's Business Meeting. Mayor Berndt referred to Pages 18 - 19 of the Major Policy Issues. Council Member Barnett commented about the request for increased City commitment, from $15,000 to $35,000, to the Washington State Agricultural Showcase. Recognizing its advantages, it seems as though their success over the past two years should give them the momentum so that they would not need the requested increase. It appears to be excessive. After discussion concerning the amounts other entities are contributing, Council requested the information be provided before the City's level of commitment be determined. I/ Code Administration Mayor Berndt referred to Page 20 of the Major Policy Issues. Concerning the policy consideration to upgrade the DAII position to a DAIII position, the same questions were asked as those concerning the DAII and DAII position request for the Planning Division. The answers to be provided by staff. 2 22 ADJOURNED MEETING - BUDGET REVIEW NOVEMBER 16,. 1993 Referring to Page 239 of the Budget under Service Unit 149, Council Member Barnett asked whether the 700 pages of Uniform Building Code were new or a "rehash" of the old. Leonard Hall, Supervising Code Inspector, indicated that it is a rehash, but also includes additional reformatted information. Bob Shampine, Code Administration Manager, explained most of the changes are initiated by the building industry. At the request of Council Member Brado, Mr. Shampine provided explanation of how these changes came about. Council Member Buchanan inquired why the projected revenues for 1994 declined for building code inspections for Selah. Mr. Hall explained they estimate projects will be tapering off next year. Mr. Shampine directed attention to a typographical error on Page 239 of the Budget, concerning extensive training instead of expensive training. Council Member Buchanan referred to a needed correction of typographical errors of reformatted instead of reformated and three volumes instead of these volumes. At the request of Council Member Buchanan, Mr. Shampine clarified the meaning of the Account 570 Residual Equity Transfer on Page 240 of the Budget. Mr. Hanson provided additional explanation concerning this issue. Going back to the issue of the declining revenues for building code inspections shown on Page 239 of the Budget, Council Member Sims questioned how revenues could be declining when Selah expanded by annexing property. Mr. Shampine stated that figure could change as more information becomes available on this issue. In answer to a question from Mayor Berndt about the distinction and relationship between what dangerous buildings Code Administration deals with and what buildings Rebound Plus deals with, Mr. Shampine explained that Code Administration deals with commercial buildings that are unable to be rehabilitated and need to be torn down. Rebound deals mainly with those residential buildings that can be rehabilitated and works closely with the Housing Office. Council Member Beauchamp referred to Page 240 of the Budget, and asked about the type of licensing required of transient vendors. Mr. Shampine explained a business license is required if the business operates more than 600 hours a year. The City's transient business license requirements were declared unconstitutional several years ago and were removed. This issue was further discussed and staff was directed to report back. At the request of Council Member Sims, Mr. Shampine provided an update on the Lee's Music building issue. City Hall - 051 Mayor Berndt referred to Page 243 of the Budget. There were no questions or discussion. 3 2 3 ADJOURNED MEETING - BUDGE T,.• REVIEW - NOVEMBER 16, 1993 ' City Manager's Office Mayor Berndt referred to Page 198 of the Budget and directed attention to the Metropolitan Yakima Comprehensive Plan. Mr. Hanson commented that this item will be moved to the Community I/ and Economic Development Department next year. Glenn Valenzuela presented comments concerning Metropolitan Yakima Comprehensive Plan development and suggested a Council subcommittee be selected to study this issue. Mr. Valenzuela explained the need to shift $40,000 from the CTR program into the Growth Management Metro Plan budget for the purposes of finishing the traffic study. There was discussion about where this is reflected in the Budget. Economic Development -- 123 Mayor Berndt referred to Page 245 of the Budget. Mr. Valenzuela provided an update on the Urban Development Action Grant (UDAG). A report will be provided to Council in December showing how UDAG funds will be used in 1994 and 1995. Mr. Zais commented that there is a pending audit in conjunction with the payment of Davis Bacon reporting wages paid by the Haas Corporation in connection with this project, which could affect this budget. Cable Communications Mayor Berndt referred to Page 257 of the Budget and Page 21 of Mayor Policy Issues. To address a concern expressed by Council Member Barnett, Wendy Warren, Cable Communications Manager, provided explanation about reducing expenditures in the Division. Council Member Beauchamp commented on the large amount of people who watch the City Council telecasts. Ms. Warren reported possible future program broadcasting plans at YCTV. I/ Office of Housing and Neighborhood Conservation Mr. Hanson indicated that the budget summary of the Office and Neighborhood Conservation on Page 246 of the Budget reflects what is done as an administrative formality. The Council recessed from 10:45 to 11:00 a. 4 24 ADJOURNED MEETING - BUDGET REVIEW - NOVEMBER 16, 1993 Yakima Convention Center - 170 Mayor Berndt referred to Page 262 of the Budget. Council Member Barnett provided copies of a letter from Jim Elliott expressing concern about the manner in which room tax is distributed between the Yakima Center and the Capitol Theatre. This issue will possibly be considered by Council in the future. Kathy Coffey, Convention Center Manager, reported the Convention Center is having a good year and is ahead in all statistics except future bookings. Capitol Theatre Mayor Berndt referred to Page 269 of the Budget. Steve Caffery, Manager of the Capitol Theatre, explained the major change in the budget. The operating agreement will delete room tax revenue specifically allocated for maintenance and place it into the General Operating Fund for the Capitol Theatre. Mr. Caffery described the community services provided and the three programming formats offered by the Capitol Theatre. He stated the room tax allocation received from the State all goes toward community services programming. City Council Mayor Berndt referred to page 151 of the Budget. There were no questions. City Manager's Office Mayor Berndt referred to Page 154 of the Budget. There were no questions. Lecial Department Mayor Berndt referred to Page 157 through 163 of the Budget. Ray Paolella, City Attorney, introduced Susan Woodard, City Prosecutor, and Linda Spence, Legal Assistant. Mr. Paolella referred to the Department's budget and answered questions from Council members concerning the significant projected increase in traffic and criminal case arraignments in District Court. Concerning the efficiency of the Department, Mr. Paolella referred to contributing factors, the use of outside legal counsel to pick up the extra workload and shifting personnel back and forth between the civil and criminal divisions, to try to accommodate some of the changes. Susan Woodard explained Domestic 5 25 ADJOURNED MEETING - BUDGET,.. - NOVEMBER 16, 1993 Violence cases are very labor intensive as far as lawyer time and are different than a typical traffic case with extra time spent in case preparation. There was discussion about Council Member Semon's comment concerning whether there is any basis to bring a lawsuit against the Federal Government because of the incredible costs they have put on local government because they cannot manage the immigration laws and the borders. Those costs are impacting local government and are a direct result of the Federal Government failing to patrol borders in an adequate manner to keep people, who don't belong here, from coming here. It is not our fault, but we are suffering for it. Mr. Paolella indicated that might be something to pursue in partnership with other jurisdictions because of some real barriers and cost involved. Legal Counsel Service Unit 622 Mayor Berndt referred to Page 161 through 163 of the Budget. There were no questions. Records Mayor Berndt referred to Page 164 of the Budget. City Manager Zais indicated the impacts that the costs of elections have on the City Clerk's budget. Karen Roberts, City Clerk, explained that the County has found a method to keep track of their election expenses and that includes charging applicable expenses to the City. Human Resources Mayor Berndt referred to Page 169 of the Budget. Archie Sutton, Personnel Officer, provided handouts to Council members concerning City Personnel History -- Full Time Equivalents. There was a brief discussion concerning the FTE subject, the Policy issue proposed to reinstate the Department Assistant II position, and an update of the situation concerning the Civil Service Examiner position. Mr. Hanson introduced the Health Benefit Committee members who I/ have been working to consolidate the City's health benefit program. The consolidation agreement will be presented to Council sometime in January 1994. Jerry Sweesey, Bob Van Dyke, Jeri Betschart, and Sheryl Smith provided explanation and answered questions about the consolidated plan. Purchasing Division Sue Ownby, Acting Purchasing Manager, was available to answer questions. There were no questions. 6 26 ADJOURNED MEETING - BUDGET REVIEW ;NOVEMBER 16,, 1993 Mr. Hanson indicated that the CBD Capital Improvem 321 was missed on Page 275. Council Member Barnett provided City Manager Zais with a list of questions for the Public Works Department scheduled for Budget Hearings next week. There being'no further discussion, the meeting was adjourned, at 11:50 p.m. READ AND CERTIFIED ACCURATE BY: 1 7 COUNCIL M BER DATE 4 COUNCIL MEMBER/ DATE ATTEST: 4 0.A.vtdd -- CITY CLERK MAYOR Minutes prepared by Deputy City Clerk Skovald. An audio and video tape of the Council meeting are on file in the City Clerk's office. 7