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
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forecast budget? Mr. Wheeler explained staff is adjusting
some of the figures.
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Mayor Berndt complimented staff on their work in performance
statistics. Chief Green explained with the new facilities,
costs to prevent crimes will be reduced.
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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
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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
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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.
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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 /�
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" 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.
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