Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout11/08/1994 Adjourned Meeting 480 CITY OF YAKIMA, WASHINGTON NOVEMBER 8, 1994 ADJOURNED MEETING - 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. Council members present were Mayor Pat Berndt presiding, Clarence Barnett, Ernie Berger, Bill Brado (present after 9:10 A. M.), Lynn Buchanan, and Bernard Sims. Council Member Henry Beauchamp absent and excused. City Manager Zais, Director of Finance & Budget Hanson, Accounting and Treasury Manager Wheeler, and Department Assistant Moen were also present. POLICE DEPARTMENT Mayor Berndt opened the meeting and asked Police Chief Pleas Green to introduce his staff; Captain Donald Blesio (Police Detectives), Lieutenant Doug Bronson (Community Service), Lieutenant Pete Adkins (Police Patrol), and Administrative Assistant Marsha Devine. John Hanson introduced Tim Jensen, Accountant for the Police Department. Chief Green announced with a match from the Federal Government Crime Bill they will receive three additional officers. City Manager Zais explained the City's money is coming from the General Fund cash reserve and salary savings. (Council member Brado present at 9:10 A. M.) In response to a request for clarification, Chief Green explained they can obtain a remote - operated video surveillance System for $37,500 from the Law and Justice Capital Fund. This system will assist with apprehension in crime- related areas. . Chief Green requested one Lieutenant position be re- funded as it is needed for administrative support. Mayor Berndt asked if the Department is still down by one Captain? Chief Green explained they are looking at one individual coming back for that position. The proposed funding source for this position is the General Fund. Council Member Barnett asked why was the original request for personnel in the revised budget different from the one in the I/ forecast budget? Mr. Wheeler explained staff is adjusting some of the figures. • Mayor Berndt complimented staff on their work in performance statistics. Chief Green explained with the new facilities, costs to prevent crimes will be reduced. 481 NOVEMBER 8, 1994 said „, Chief Green stated there are now ten to twelve reserve officers. Some volunteer officers are looking at this as a profession and are now going to school. Council Member Berger asked how many have come out of the reserve program I/ and into the ranks? Chief Green stated one out of six. They go through 160 hours at the academy and receive a commission. Council Member Berger stated there is some investment in these individuals and asked for a breakdown on reservists that have become officers. Chief Green answered it is a great resource for the City, however, hiring has slowed down the last couple of years. Some departments are allowing a five percent credit toward service. He may find a number hired on a county -wide basis. Since a good deal of money is spent on training these individuals Council Member Berger stated, we need to look at how to keep them here. Chief Green felt the expense is minimal on the training; it is a matter of having the vacancies to hire them. Mayor Berndt suggested allowing them the five percent service credit. Council Member Barnett asked for clarification on page 247 regarding the State - mandated equipment rental costs. Chief Green addressed this item that resulted from equipment rented through the State Patrol and line costs. The State has enhanced the system. There will be some savings on computer costs on microwave systems from the State Patrol. City Manager Zais informed Council that jail cost estimates for 1995 is holding the same level anticipated for 1994. Mayor Berndt asked if Union Gap ever has any room in their facility? Chief Green stated Union Gap pulled out of the County Court system and they are talking about a more cost - effective plan. Council Member Brado asked if the extra money for the new Law and Justice system has been found. Council Member Brado asked if cellular phones would be purchased rather than radio phones. Chief Green reported this will complete the installation of phones in all of the cars. It is a minimal cost and will save money. City Manager Zais reported he and staff met with the architect to review the Police station /Legal facility and requested a meeting with Council to discuss this issue. It was the consensus of the Council members to meet at 8:30 A.M. on Tuesday, November 15, 1994. FIRE DEPARTMENT The Fire Department staff present were Fire Chief Al Chronister; Acting Deputy Fire Chief Richard Bowman; and Electronics Technician Wayne Wantland. Council Member Sims expressed concern that outside revenues are not discussed, however the expenses of the Police 2 482 NOVEMBER 8, 1994 Department are discussed. City Manager Zais stated staff is looking at all of the rate structures in the General Funding. Council Member Sims feels this may be a policy issue. City Manager Zais explained every year staff reviews each revenue line item in the General Fund. When a change is necessary a policy issue is created. Council Member Barnett suggested staff expand on the information on Pages 112, 113, and 114 for the General Fund Resources for the 1995 Budget. Mr. Wheeler introduced Edna Pettyjohn, Accountant for the Fire Department. Council Member Barnett asked will there be a savings, even though a new Electronic Technician position is created? Chief Chronister stated that is correct. Mr. Wantland stated the Department hired outside professional services and projects are taking too long to complete. There will be a savings in the Police Department budget since the need for contracted work will be decreased. Chief Chronister stated the Fire Investigator is needed to prevent arson. Approximately five fire districts are interested in joining the City of Yakima in financing investigations. Chief Chronister pointed out with a Digital Communicator Fire Alarm System the Fire Department can provide a better service with faster responses. It takes a lot of the maintenance costs and operation from the City and decreases the City's liability. Council Member Buchanan stated he has a problem with the City competing with tax paying businesses. Chief Chronister explained the loss of $7,000 in revenues occurs with an increase in the transmitters and the fee goes up. Mr. Wantland explained we are now looking at a more sophisticated system. He presented a handout, "Alarm System Migration, 1995 Policy Issue, Supplemental Information" that gives a general idea what the Fire Department plans to do. Mr. Hanson commented one issue that is not a policy issue is whether the fireworks is a Parks or Fire issue? Mayor Berndt stated a request was made to cover part of the costs of the 4th of July Fireworks display. Chief Chronister stated the Fire Department got $35,000 overtime back for the revenue that was spent for the firefighters used in forest fire fighting. Council member Barnett stated any issue in the Fire Department leading to overtime needs to be resolved. Council Member Buchanan asked what is Account 4R0 for, in the Auxiliary Division, on Page 258? Acting Deputy Chief Bowman explained that is 4RF and it is funds for reimbursement for the reserve firefighters. (Mayor Berndt handed the gavel to Council Member Barnett.) Mr. Wheeler explained 4RF covers 3 483 NOVEMBER 8, 1994 the callout fee for reserve, firefighters and staff will clarify that in the budget. Council Member Sims asked why emergency and life care on Page 256 isn't a separate account? Mr. Hanson stated it is because the same people do both. Council Member Sims commented there is a quality of life issue and he thinks Council should know what the City is spending on this. He feels the City should be getting some recognition. Council Member Sims stated we are not identifying what the Department is involved with and we are doing services for the community that we have never isolated for the public's support for funding. (Mayor Berndt present.) He suggested identifying what we are spending. Mayor Berndt stated there is concern with the 911 system; it needs to be addressed. Chief Chronister advised staff is trying to get EMD (Emergency Medical Dispatch) full access, however, they must come up with some funding sources. There must be a big educational process. Staff will submit some recommendations at a later date. Mayor Berndt asked if the City was consulted regarding the EMS funds. Acting Deputy Fire Chief Bowman presented a handout, "1994 Levy Distribution, Yakima Fire Department." Mayor Berndt asked for a review of the handout. Acting Deputy Fire Chief Bowman stated administrative expenses come off first, distribution is on a sliding scale, and he does not know how the County calculated this distribution. Mayor Berndt expressed concern regarding the YFD share, 23.52 %, of Yakima County's EMS cost in the 1994 Levy Distribution. Chief Chronister stated the Yakima Fire Department does get direct benefits from those percentages in that we train all the reserve people. Mr. Hanson reported the Pension Boards are looking at long term care insurance for the LEOFF I individuals. If a proposal is put out for bid this issue will come back, however, it is not a budget policy issue yet. Council Member Sims asked what the Fire Department will be doing to make a draft on the fire rating in Yakima. Chief Chronister explained facilities and people have an impact on the fire rating. The Fire Department is expecting to be at a rating of 4 this time next year. Council Member Sims informed staff he and others would be willing to work with I/ them on this issue. INTERGOVERNMENTAL Council Member Barnett expressed concern regarding the Yakima Health District's costs. Mr. Hanson explained the current funding formula for the City's share. Council Member Barnett will furnish staff with a data information sheet from the Health District. 4 484 NOVEMBER 8, 1994 Council Member Barnett expressed interest in the amount for the Agriculture Showcase. City Manager Zais stated we are assuming they will be requesting the same amount. Mayor Berndt asked to have any printing costs shifted to this budget. Mayor Berndt stated she feels the Chamber should be under I/ Community Development. She also suggested outside local agencies be placed in the budget of the appropriate division. City Manager Zais stated staff will take care of that. Council Member Barnett presented a handout regarding Account 410, Professional Services on Page 452. He stated the amounts are becoming significant and could total up to $106,860. Council members asked to know how much this division is really costing the City; why it is when these allocations are requested, the next year it is permanent; should they be listed separately; and should they be modified. City Manager Zais stated when staff presents the policy issues, these will be listed in separate categories. Mayor Berndt stated Council needs jusitification why we are allocating this money. Council Member Sims asked for a correction on Page 451, Account 510, Other Governmental Agencies. The 1994 population estimate is listed as $59,740. Dan Arnett, Chamber of Commerce representative, asked what the Council expects for a presentation. Council asked staff to send a letter or invite these units to appear at the budget wrapup to give a brief presentation. This was referred to the City Clerk, City Manager and Finance Director. FINANCE DEPARTMENT The Finance staff present were John Hanson, Director of Finance and Budget, Robert Wheeler, Accounting Manager, Rick Pettyjohn, Information Systems Manager, and Bert Tabayoyon, Customer Services Manager. Mr. Pettyjohn explained the need for the Programmer Analyst Position and commented on the fact there are so few of this type of programmer available in the job market. Meanwhile the work keeps increasing. Mr. Pettyjohn reviewed the City's computer system stating it may be two or three more years to get completely off the Prime system. Mayor Berndt asked why there was a dramatic change in the I/ license of dogs? Mr. Tabayoyon commented that is in error. Mayor Berndt asked how does Yakima County manage with the private impoundment system? Mr. Tabayoyon stated he understands it is not as convenient. He commented the last increase in the dog license fee was about two years ago. Mayor Berndt stated the workload has increased also and asked 5 485 NOVEMBER 8, 1994 if the fees cover Animal,..Control'st costs? Mr. Hanson stated fees cover about one - third. Mayor Berndt stated she would like to have a policy issue on handicapped parking. Mr. Hanson explained at one time there was one supervisor and three parking checkers, however there were no lots. Council Member Sims asked how many handicapped 1/ spaces are monitored? Staff will get this information. (Council Member Brado absent after 11:30 A. M.) Mayor Berndt suggested a parking lot for City employees who pool driving to work. Mr. Hanson explained the Risk Management Reserve on Page 174 covers self - insured expenditures as well as what the City purchases for coverage on property. (Council Member Barnett absent after 11:38 A. M.) Mr. Hanson stated this is the first year the City adjusted the contributions to the departments; this year it is up a little bit. City Manager Zais stated the expenses may rise above the budget because of claims settled and our charge against this budget. Three - fourths of the Legal Department has been budgeted in this funding for outside legal counsel. City Manager Zais invited the Council members to read the City Attorney's policy issue to contain and reduce legal costs. Council Member Buchanan asked staff to review the second line in the "Definition" on Page 176 and correct it. Council Member Sims asked staff to review and correct Account Number 111, Crime Prevention on Page 180. Mayor Berndt adjourned the budget meeting at 11:45 A. M., to then resume the meeting at 8:30 A. M. Tuesday, November 15, 1994 for a City Council review of the Legal facility. READ AND CERTIFIED ACCURATE BY I A i t COUNCIL MEMBER DATE /� 0,44 fi " C IL MEMB R D ATE ATTEST: j• CITY CLERK MAYOR I°r �� ,77 Minutes prepared by Department Assistant Moen. An audio and video tape of this meeting are available in the City Clerk's Office. 6