HomeMy WebLinkAbout02/25/1994 Adjourned Meeting 168
CITY OF YAKIMA, WASHINGTON
FEBRUARY 25, 1994
ADJOURNED MEETING
The City Council met in session on this date at 7:30 a.m. at the
Wastewater Collection Facility, Yakima, Washington. Mayor Pat
Berndt, presiding, Council Members Clarence Barnett (present at
8:00 a.m. and absent after 10:15 a.m.), Henry Beauchamp, Ernie
Berger, Bill Brado, Lynn Buchanan (present after 8:00 a.m. and
absent after 10:45 a.m.), and Bernard Sims. City Manager Zais,
Assistant City Manager Rice, and City Clerk Roberts also present,
as well as Kelsey Gray, WSU, retreat facilitator.
Ms. Gray reviewed the agenda for this retreat. After reviewing
the City's mission and vision statements and critical strategy
issues, she commented she would like to spend some time on working
agreements -- how can the Council best work together most
effectively and how to deal with conflicts and policy differences.
MISSION AND VISION STATEMENTS
Ms. Gray asked how Council uses the mission statement. She
commented that it sets up guidelines and answers the three
questions of who you are, what you do, and how you get it done.
Mayor Berndt commented that she keeps the statement in the back of
her mind when considering new programs. Ms. Gray referenced the
vision statement, stating it talks, not only about what we are,
but what we want to become. It provides a challenge and almost a
set of criteria to set your policies and base your questions. She
stated that sometimes when you see the outcome of a plan, then you
tend to focus on the development of the plan. She stated she is
not saying you should not do planning; however, she is giving a
warning not to make the plan the most important focus; the outcome
is what is important. It was the general consensus that no
changes need to be made in the Vision and Mission statements.
(Council Members Barnett and Buchanan present after 8:00 a.m.)
CRITICAL STRATEGIC PRIORITIES
Ms. Gray asked Council members to review the ten critical issues
listed on the board. Following that exercise, Ms. Gray asked
Council to place colored dots next to the issues to indicate
individual project priorities; red symbolized the highest
priority, green indicated the second highest priority, and black
indicated the third priority. Council members then discussed the
priority order of the items and made changes accordingly (See
attached revised list).
169
FEBRUARY 25, 19 9 4�-, ADJOURNED MEETING
1994 CRITICAL STRATEGIC ISSUES
Ms. Gray distributed several red, yellow and black dots to each
Council member and asked them to use the red dots to identify the
I/ number one strategic issues /priorities; the green dots would
correspond to'the` second highest; and the black would indicate an
on -going emphasis. City Manager Zais commented that this list
emerged from the current work assignments, most of which are
mandated to be done or are being driven by an outside source.
Mr. Zais placed an "M" next to those items which the City has been
mandated to accomplish. Council members, having placed their
colored dots, discussed the results (See attached revised list).
(Council Member Barnett absent after 10:15 a.m.)
Ms. Gray then offered a couple of topics for the next discussion,
but suggested Council look at a working agreement of the Council.
She distributed material and samples concerning working
agreements. She stated a team: 1) has a set of common goals, 2)
has team goals, 3). is willing to meet individual goals, 4) is
interdependent, and 5) allows growth to take risks. If you are a
team you have 1) commitment to the process of the goals and 2)
willingness to be held accountable to the team. (Council Member
Buchanan absent after 10:45 a.m.) Ms. Gray talked about making
decisions, and being held accountable, as a team. She stated
there has to be a process that works, and each Council member
needs to be committed to the process. She made a suggestion to
use 3x5 cards or easel paper during a meeting. If easel paper is
used, you can then focus on the question and write down suggested
solutions or objections. If''3x5,cards are used, the participating
individuals are asked to write 'down their comments and answers to
the question. The reason for the 3x5 card is to permit a person
time to think before they talk, and allow them to listen to others
since they have their answer ready for discussion when it is their
turn to speak. An example is the Mayor would ask Council members
individually what they have on their card and write the answers on
the easel. When all the ideas are written down, you can find
where there is agreement. Council members indicated this process
may be feasible for an informal discussion, but questioned if it
would work for a Council meeting because of the time involved.
Ms. Gray stated that after the question is formulated, you have to
ask about not only the risks for taking action, but the risk for
not taking action. She suggested using easel paper to let the
I/ citizens know their comments are being heard; put the citizens'
comments on paper. She stated that if there is an issue Council
can't respond to, she suggested writing down the comment and thank
the individual for the information and say Council can't make any
promises, but that Council has heard the comment. It was the
general consensus of the Council to use the easel paper approach
during the hearing at next week's meeting. There was a brief
discussion about continuing this process to another meeting;
however, no action was taken.
Office of City Manager
DZ '94 Future -# Summary
Page 2 -- 3/16/94
171
FEBRUARY 25, 1994 ADJOURNED MEETING
1994 -1995
CITY COUNCIL -- CRITICAL /STRATEGIC PRIORITIES
(UPDATED 2/25/94)
HIGHEST PRIORITIES
A. Law Enforcement /Public Safety and Well Being -- This
area includes an emphasis on community safety and preventing
violent criminal acts by youth, combating gangs and illegal
drugs, etc. Emphasis should also focus on training to improve
public responsiveness and cultural sensitivity. Completion of
the new Police Station /Legal Center is a priority project for
the next 2 years.
B . Enhancing Visual and Governance Image of the City --
This priority deals with improving the City's
appearance /aesthetics and enhancing community respect, pride and
confidence in City government. Continue efforts to maintain the
City parks system and to revitalize neighborhoods.
C. Unfunded Mandates -- Inform the Public on the Cost,
Impact of Unfunded Federal and State Mandates -- A n
ongoing effort will be made to inform the public and taxpayers
on the impact that State and Federal mandates have on 'increasing
the cost of City services.
D . Money /Resources -- Manage Existing Resources
Effectively /Identify Revenue Sources -- The cost of fixed,
mandated and contractual expenditures for municipal services has
become increasingly difficult to fund each budget year.
Examination of alternate ways to contain costs, maximize
existing resources and identify alternative revenues should
continue as a priority to maintain future financial stability.
II. NEXT HIGHEST PRIORITIES
A. Communications - Enhancing City Communications, Both
Internally and Externally -- An open flow of communications
with the citizenry is crucial to enable Council and staff to
respond to citizens' needs, concerns, questions, etc. Citizens'
I/ ideas, complaints and suggestions should be openly solicited and
willingly accepted. Better communications between and within
the various departments and divisions of the City is also
important.
B . Infrastructure - Maintain and Enhance Public
Works /Utility Capital Facilities -- The City will continue
to plan and explore alternatives for financing and constructing
capital improvements to the City's basic public facilities:
Office of City Manager
DZ '94 Future -# Summary
Page 4 -- 3/16/94
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FEBRUARY 25, 1994 - ADJOURNED MEETING
sewer; water; irrigation; parks; streets; public safety; and
other public facilities.
C. Workforce Development /Customer Relations -- This area
focuses on the enhancement of employee productivity, teamwork
and service to the public which promote efficient, effective and
courteous delivery of quality municipal services to citizens.
The City needs to train and develop skilled workers for future
technically- oriented positions to better serve customer needs.
III. ONGOING EMPHASIS
A. Economic Development - Emphasis on Literacy and
Education -- Economic Development includes attracting and
retaining businesses in the area, development of an industrial
park site and providing educational opportunities for the
citizens in the community. This area includes other economic
development projects such as a downtown development district;
street lighting; Convention Center expansion; enhancing airport
capacity; improving housing opportunities and creating other
public /private partnerships.
B. Utilizina Cultural /Ethnic Diversity -- Broadening
ethnic /cultural diversity and representation in City employment
and business activities is important. The City should utilize
all available community resources and seek diversity and ethnic
representation in City employment and public contracts.
C. Youth Involvement -- Empowering the Community to become
more involved in seeking solutions for youth is encouraged.
Interns, mentoring programs and employer cooperation with
citizen groups and government is needed to encourage more youth
involvement in the community.
D. Cooperative Partnerships between City government, other
public agencies, businesses, and citizens groups needs to be
nurtured and developed to meet the future challenges facing our
community.
Office of City Manager
DZ '94 Future -# Summary
Page 5 -- 3/16/94
173
FEBRUARY 25, 1994 ADJOURNED MEETING
CITY OF YAKIMA
1994 CRITICAL STRATEGIC ISSUES
March 16, 1994
I. HIGHEST PRIORITIES
• Action on Recommendations of Task Force on Youth Violence
-- Anti - Cruising Ordinance
- - Parental Responsibility /Curfew Ordinance
-- Implementation -- Police enforcement efforts -- follow -up
-- Other community suggestions
• Action on Citizens Committee Recommendations: Future Capital Facilities Bond
- - Parks and Recreation Facilities
-- Fire Department Facilities and Apparatus
-- Street Improvements /Rehabilitation
-- Timing /decision on holding Bond Election
• Submittal of Application for Federal "Enterprise Community" Grant
-- Secure $3 million for investment in Community and Economic
Development initiatives:
Business incubators, rehabilitating buildings /homes; establishing
revolving loans and other capital projects.
- - Develop Parks Ballfield /I -82 Project
• Planning for Future Expansion of Convention Center
- - Initiate architectural design options
-- Identify other funding sources
Office of City Manager
DZ '94 Future -# Summary
Page 6 -- 3/16/94
174
FEBRUARY 25, 1994 - ADJOURNED MEETING
IL NEXT HIGHEST PRIORITIES
• Renegotiation of Jail Cost Agreement with Yakima County
- - 1994 jail costs increased $225,000 (31 %) over 1992 levels
-- Negotiations have been on hold for the last 8 months
• Review of City Annexation Program
- - Pending request from Yakima County for Revenue Sharing from newly
annexed areas
-- Broadway Fire District Service Area /Annexation to Yakima or Union Gap
o Airport Master Plan Process /Remoting Radar Tower
- - Future land acquisition, short plat zoning issues
- - Master Plan must be adopted jointly by City and County
-- Airport Radar - FAA decision to remote to Pasco
-- Under review by Congressman Inslee
-- Council Task Force to pursue issue
• "A" Street Vacation Extension
-- Alternative developer proposal pending; may affect previous Council action
Office of City Manager
DZ '94 Future -# Summary
Page 7 -- 3/16/94
175
FEBRUARY 25, 1994.,,,,- ADJOURNED MEETING
III. ONGOING EMPHASIS
• Preparation of 1995 City Budget
-- Target spending priorities
-- Contain expenses and program costs within resource limitations
-- Maximize existing revenues
-- Secure new funding for Rebound Program
• Completion of Major Capital Projects
-- Police Station /Legal Center
-- Yakima Avenue /I -82 Interchange Project
- - Public Works Facility
- - Railroad Area Water Lines
• Responding to Unfunded Environmental Mandates
-- Continue citizen education on impacts
-- Strengthening legislative lobbying effort
-- Resist unwarranted, unreasonable mandates with high costs
- - Utilize Initiative 601 re new mandates
• Council Review /Action re Metro Planning Studies
-- Comprehensive Stormwater Management Plan
-- Transportation and Transit Plan
- - Parks and Recreation Comprehensive Plan
-- Land Use /Final Urban Boundary Designation
• Addressing Yakima Health District Financial Crisis
- - Potential City liability of $300,000 to meet projected funding shortfall
• Street Division -- Citizens Review Committee
-- Review of current budget /operations
- - Examine options to reduce /contain costs, maximize resources
• Review /Action on Updated Wastewater Cost -of- Service Study
- - Biennial rate study to be presented in March /April
• Phasing of Future Public Safety Consolidated Dispatching
- - Council recently adopted a phased plan maintaining City Police and Fire
dispatching with contracted services to other agencies
-- Unified Consolidation Plan with Yakima County remains a future objective
• Completion of Planning for Public Transit Benefit Area
- - Complete Final Service Plan and Budget
- - Prepare for future vote in fall '94
- - Approve Transition Agreement with Yakima Transit and PTBA
• Continuing Efforts to Upgrade City Fire Rating
- - Review progress in addressing rating deficiencies
Office of City Manager
DZ '94 Future -# Summary
Page 8 -- 3/16/94
4'
176
FEBRUARY 2 5, 1994 - ADJOURNED MEETING
• Rebuild and. Refurbish General Irrigation System
- - Funding to rebuild /refurbish Irrigation System to be identified
-- Other options depend upon outcome of water rights litigation later in 1994
-- Also part of new Water Comprehensive Plan Update Study
• Fire Protection to Yakima County Fairgrounds
- - Council Committee to review options with County Commissioners /staff
• Completion of Labor Contract Negotiations with City Unions
-- AFSCME
- - AFSCME Transit
- - Police Patrolmans Association
- - Fire Battalion Chiefs
• Continue Implementing Information Systems Strategic Plan
- - Complete and implement Automated Maintenance Management System
(AMMS)
-- Converting Public Safety System to new technology
- - Developing Computerized Imaging System
- - Expanding Micro - Computers /Office Automation
• Reconsideration of Deferred 1994 Budget Proposals
- - Personnel requests deferred until all labor contracts are settled for 1994 -95
• Council Review /Adoption of 1994 Zoning Ordinance Amendments
• Implementation of Solid Waste Recycling Program
-- Initiate competitive proposals from private sector /compare with public cost
to operate
- - Finalize costs /rates for new system
• Preparing for State Health Care Reform Program
- - Elimination of City self- funded plan
-- Uncertainty re future options
• Completion of New Utility Comprehensive Plans
- - Consultant planning underway
-- Future Council review of Comprehensive Water /Irrigation Plan and
Comprehensive Sewer Plan /Financial Impacts
Office of City Manager
DZ '94 Future -# Summary
Page 9 -- 3/16/94