HomeMy WebLinkAbout11/22/1994 Adjourned Meeting 14
CITY OF YAKIMA, WASHINGTON
NOVEMBER 22, 1994
ADJOURNED MEETING - BUDGET REVIEW
The City Council met in session on this date at 9:22 A. M. in
the Council Chambers at Yakima City Hall, Yakima, Washington.
Council members present were Mayor Pat Berndt presiding,
Clarence Barnett, Henry Beauchamp, Ernie Berger, Bill Brado,
and Lynn Buchanan. Council Member Bernard Sims absent and
excused. City Manager Zais, Director of Finance & Budget
Hanson, Accountant Jensen, and Department Assistant Moen were
also present.
PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT
Mayor Berndt opened the meeting to review the Public Works
Department's budget. Public Works Director Jerry Copeland
and his staff; Transit Planner and Administrative Assistant
to the Director John Haddix, Equipment Rental Manager Don
Toney, Streets and Traffic Engineering /Operations Manager
Dave Hussell, Transit Manager, Bill Schultz, Refuse Manager
Nancy Gaudette, Parks Recreation Supervisor Denise Nichols
and Park Operations Supervisor John Marsh were present to
respond to the Council's questions.
Administration Division Policy
Mr. Copeland asked the City Council to upgrade the position
of Administrative Assistant to a mid -level managerial
position which is now vacant. He explained the
responsibilities of this position. Council Member Barnett
expressed concern regarding any position upgrade. He feels
the administration overhead impacts the rates and expenses to
the other divisions. The cost impact to the salary was
discussed; staff will clarify that information. Further
discussion occurred regarding the possible impact on this
position if County -wide transit is implemented, and the
possibility of upgrading the Transit Planner position.
Street Division Policy
Mr. Hussell stated the Street Review Committee is in the
process of preparing a comprehensive report on street
operations. Mayor Berndt stated the Street Committee plans
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to meet next Thursday to finalize their recommendation and
options. It is to be presented to the City Council and some
of it might be incorporated into this year's budget.
Refuse Division Policy
Mrs. Gaudette stated staff is recommending a refuse rate
increase of five percent. This increase has been approved by
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NOVEMBER 22, 1994
the Utility Rate Advisory Board and will generate
approximately $65,000 annually. .`Council Member Barnett
stated theoretically, the five percent increase has some
justification. However, it appears the bin accounts should
have a separate increase, rather than the across - the -board
five percent increase. Mrs. Gaudette explained annexations
I/ resulting in an additional amount of residential customers,
is part of the reason for the increase for residential
customers. The number of Multi - family customers stay pretty
much the same. The proposal is to increase rates on bin
service, residential can service and extra charges.
Discussion followed regarding a previous adjustment to
correct the rates charged for bin service accounts.
Mr. Copeland stated staff brought the bin services back in
line with what it was costing to provide the service.
Council Member Brado stated the can service is mandatory and
the bin service is optional so the City must be more
competitive in that area. Council Member Barnett expressed
concern that the can customers would be subsidizing the bins
and Mayor Berndt agreed. Staff will do an actual breakdown
of the costs. Council Member Buchanan asked if Yakima Waste
Systems charges a lower rate for their second can.
Mrs. Gaudette stated that is correct, the Washington State
Utility and Transportation Commission only allows YWS to
charge for costs of providing services. Mayor Berndt asked
if that is changing. It is in direct conflict with
everything the State Waste Reduction Act is doing.
Mrs. Gaudette stated that is true; there is conflict and
there are some legislative actions being discussed at this
time to get Washington Utilities to change that.
Mayor Berndt stated she would like staff to review that so
the information would be available for the future. She
believes it would encourage people to reduce refuse and also
take into account people on fixed incomes. Council Member
Buchanan expressed concern regarding the additional can
charge as compared with Yakima Waste's charges. Council
Member Barnett stated total expenses for 1995 are less if you
have no rate increase than if you have a rate increase. Why
are you projecting expenses more with the rate increase, than
without an increase? Mrs. Gaudette stated that when revenues
increase there is an increase in in- lieu -of -taxes and State
taxes. Council Member Barnett asked staff to include a
footnote to clarify this. City Manager Zais stated this is
the first time the City has gone three consecutive years
I/ without a rate increase, in the last dozen years. The
Council members asked staff to prepare an in -depth review of
the five percent rate increase, a different rate increase for
the bins as compared with the cans and compare costs for the
residential bin system on a monthly basis with the Yakima
Waste Systems.
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NOVEMBER 22, 1994
Parks and Recreation Division Policy
Ms. Nichols stated staff proposes adding a Youth Sports
Coordinator position. She reported there has been a
community request for enhancing youth programs. Council
Member Beauchamp asked if there would be a reduction in park
maintenance. Mr. Copeland stated another person would take
over those duties. Ms. Nichols explained the temporary Park
Caretaker position would be eliminated and this person would
become the permanent Recreation Leader. It is to be funded
in a support unit.
Staff informed Council the City has some equipment that is
rented out through the Senior Citizens Center and some
estimates are listed in the Fee Schedule for these services.
Supplemental Budget Requests
Mayor Berndt presented a handout, "Going Soft on Crime ", a
law enforcement article in the November 14, 1994 Time
magazine. The article by Jill Smolowe states, "While
California's tough three - strike law falters, prevention
programs are keeping kids in line." The article gives
evidence of a decline in crime and juvenile- arrest rates.
Discussion continued regarding the Parks and Recreation
Division supplemental budget requests, Pages 121 through 142.
Mayor Berndt stated these requests will be reviewed next week
and she asked the Council members to defer comments until
then.
Council Member Barnett expressed concern regarding the annual
4th of July celebration. He would like to know if any other
city or the county contributes funds for this request.
Mr. Hanson stated this is an unbudgeted request.
Mayor Berndt stated this concludes the review of the Policy
Issues for the Public Works Department. The meeting
continued with a review of the Public Works Budget.
Public Works Administration
Mayor Berndt asked staff to analyze the number of employees
who need to attend meetings, as a general policy measure.
Council Member Barnett asked what savings will be derived
from the new maintenance management system, "AIMMS."
Mr. Copeland stated this is a City -wide computer system that
the Council approved. All work orders will be computerized
and will reduce paperwork by 95 percent. Mr. Hanson
explained the system and its purpose.
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NOVEMBER 22, 1994
Streets and Traffic Engineering /Operations Division
Council Member Barnett asked if figures showing the charges
for 1994 are greater than those projected for year end. City
Manager Zais explained it is the timing, this Budget needs to
I/ be updated, since its printing. (Council Member Berger
absent after 10:24 A. M.)
Council Member Buchanan asked for clarification regarding how
the street lights are changed. He stated there are lights in
the area of "B" Street and First Avenue that should be
checked.
Transit Division
Mayor Berndt expressed concern with the way additional
personnel were budgeted on Page 309. Council Member Barnett
asked if the City has the $262,500 in the bank for a match of
FTA funds for buses. Mr. Schultz explained Federal Transit
Administration (FTA) capital grant funding has been made
available to the City for the purpose of applying for that
program.
Equipment Rental and Revolving Division
Mayor Berndt asked staff to clarify the meaning of ERR and
RET on Page 334. Mr. Hanson explained ERR (Equipment Rental
and Revolving) is replacement funding and RET (Residual
Equity Transfer) means a new piece of equipment that has no
equipment funding. Staff will.make that change in the
Budget.
Council Member Barnett asked staff to correct the typing
error on Page 331; the Table reads 1994 and 1995 rather than
1993 and 1994.
Discussion followed regarding equipment. Mr. Copeland stated
some of the answers are in the Streets budget and staff will
bring back some recommendations. Council Member Brado stated
the Street Committee found reserves for replacements for the
Street Division was low.
Parks and Recreation Division
I/ Mr. Copeland stated Recreation Supervisor Denise Nichols and
Parks Operations Supervisor John Marsh have been helping him
fill in for the vacant Parks and Recreation Manager's
position. Also present were Park Commissioners Bo Hepler and
Mike Nixon, Gene Rostvold, Athletic Director for the Yakima
School District, and Ester Huey, Director of the Yakima
Substance Abuse Coalition.
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NOVEMBER 22, 1994
Council Member Barnett stated with the decline of self -
support he has a concern with subsidizing the ongoing
maintenance in the Central Business District (CBD) area.
Mr. Hanson explained funds from the downtown parking lots
take care of that. Council Member Barnett asked if Parks has
the funds to meet the increasing demands of the downtown
area. Mr. Copeland stated Parks has taken over the
maintenance in the downtown area, including the parking lots.
Council Member Barnett asked if the City is increasing the
park area to the point it cannot be properly maintained.
Staff feels there will be a satisfactory level of maintenance
with the existing staff.
Council Member Buchanan asked if anything can be done
regarding the trees on "B" Street that have roots growing
under the street. Mayor Berndt stated one item that emerged
from the Street Committee is that the City needs a "Tree
Policy." Mr. Marsh agreed, saying the City needs a tree
ordinance regarding the type, size, species, with signs,
costs, irrigation, watering, what to do when the public calls
in and the action they must go through. Council Member
Buchanan asked if staff still has the ordinances they
received from other cities. He stated one thing to consider
is replacing a tree with another tree.
Ms. Nichols stated the Athletic Service Unit took over the
operation of the Kiwanis Park concession stand and there were
some high startup costs, however, the Park broke even. Next
year, staff expects a definite profit.
Mike Nixon stated the recreation programs and activities have
been one accomplishment; however, the City needs to reinfuse
the community with some of those programs. The programs
address long -term problems and he has received good comments
on the youth programs.
Council Member Beauchamp stated he would like some attention
given to ethnic diversity in the leadership with youth in the
community and have attention directed to that in the future.
(Council Member Barnett absent after 11:05 A. M.)
Gene Rostvold, Athletic Director for the Yakima School
District, was present to say the Council's support of the
youth programs is very critical.
Captain Don Blesio from the Yakima Police Department
confirmed what Mr. Rostvold stated. He supports the youth
I/
programs which give young people a structured existence. He
stated Yakima has had some reduction in vandalism and assault
cases.
Ester Huey stated their program has only been able to
continue because of the City's support. They have a $73,000
grant from the State of Washington. They have been concerned
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NOVEMBER 22, 1994 1 9
if that was not used it would fall by the wayside. They are
open seven days a week and'one nigrit'a week and have seen a
reduction in the crime rate. They operate on about a
$300,000 budget a year and $90,000 has come from the City for
this year. They also ask for community support to operate
I/ that program. The City of Yakima's program is one of the
best models in the State of Washington. Yakima's program
replications are being used in other governments.
Mayor Berndt stated the $73,000 would be the amount coming
from Referendum No. 43.
Ms. Nichols stated that Parks is also looking at partnering
with different agencies if they can for those programs.
Council Member Brado stated he made telephone calls to other
cemeteries in this area regarding their operations. Even
though they are non - profit organizations they are financially
solvent. They are able to maintain themselves and have
substantial reserves. One of the City's problems is that its
cemetery is an older cemetery and all of the standing
monuments have increased maintenance. The City neglected
getting into the full cemetery business. In the future,
perhaps the City, even though we are providing a service for
the community, should consider a cemetery district. A
cemetery district would be more generally funded than having
just the City of Yakima support it.
It was MOVED BY BUCHANAN, SECONDED BY BEAUCHAMP, TO ADJOURN
THE BUDGET REVIEW MEETING AT 11:15 A. M., TO THEN RESUME THE
MEETING AT 9:00 A. M. TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 1994 FOR A PUBLIC
BUDGET HEARING AND BUDGET REVIEW. The motion carried by
unanimous voice vote; Barnett, Berger, and Sims absent.....
READ AND CERTIFIED ACCURATE BY:
COUNC,- MEMBE' DATE
CO'ACIL MEMBER D/ E
ATTEST:
c t , c t N�& C1(9/ CITY CLERK MAYOR
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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