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Home My WebLink About11/29/1994 Adjourned Meeting 1 CITY OF YAKIMA, WASHINGTON NOVEMBER 29, 1994 ADJOURNED MEETING 25 The City Council met in session on this date at 9:00 a.m., in the. Council Chambers, Mayor Pat Berndt, presiding, Council Members Clarence Barnett, Henry Beauchamp (present after 10:05 a.m.), Ernie Berger (present after 9:10 a.m.), Bill Brado (present after 9:15 a.m.), Lynn Buchanan, and Bernard Sims present on roll call. Director of Finance and Budget John Hanson and City Clerk Roberts also present. 2. PRESENTATIONS BY OUTSIDE AGENCIES REQUESTING FUNDING IN 1995 Mayor Berndt stated she would reverse the order on the agenda and hear the presentations by outside agencies. Pat Sullivan, 1538 South 69th Avenue, reported she started an organization called TRIPS (Transit Ridership Involved in Proactive Support). She spoke about their goals to get City, and then County - wide, transportation. TRIPS recommends that the trolleys not be sold at this time. They support the proposal to cut back trolley service to two trolleys, run on half -hour service and then only run the Westside Loop during peak hours. The group pledges to bring to Council fiscal recommendations no later than February 1, 1995. Elizabeth Miller, Allied Arts, spoke in support of their request for $8,000 funding for the ArtsVan program. This program has operated successfully for the last nine years, serving over 1,000 youths in the park last year. (Council Member Berger . present after 9:10 a.m.) She distributed information on the number of children served. She stated that because of this funding, they were able`to receive an additional $5,000 from the community. Greta Bryant, Bo Hepler, and Bob Hall spoke in support of the $24,000 funding request for the 4th of July celebration. The funds would be used for a fireworks display. They emphasized the benefits to the City in the reduced use of illegal fireworks and the programs provided during the day of celebration which brings the community together. Gary Webster, General Manager of the Chamber of Commerce, commented the City has a two year contract with the Chamber of Commerce to perform three projects, upon which he elaborated. Juan Aguilar, President of the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, reported on the progress the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce has had in building its membership and the programs and events it sponsors or with which it is involved. He explained the three functions this organization would perform for the City for $5,000. .Susan Russell and Rose Marie. Ulmer, having previously testified in favor of funding the Retired Senior Volunteer Program request for $3,000, indicated they had nothing further to report. Ed Herrell, Ki -Yak, and Scott Marshall, Tradec, spoke in support of funding for the Ag 26 NOVEMBER 29, 1994 - ADJOURNED MEETING Showcase, and distributed information packets on the 1994 event. John Baule, Director, Tony Adeline and Frank Frederick, Trustees, spoke about the needs of the Yakima Valley Museum and the services provided to the community. They encouraged Council to fund the request for $15,000. Audrey Rice, New Vision, stated Council had previously approved funding for this program last September. Shirley Doty spoke in support of funding for the Substance Abuse Coalition. Mr. Hanson reported that a letter has been received from the Yakima Sunfair Association, since a representative was unable to be present today. 1. PUBLIC HEARING ON PRELIMINARY 1995 BUDGET AND PROPOSED TRANSIT SERVICE MODIFICATIONS (CONTINUED FROM NOVEMBER 15, 1994) Mayor Berndt opened the public meeting. Eleanor Ficele, Department of Social and Health Services Community Services Operations, encouraged the Council to support the maintenance of the Transit system and the different routes. She spoke about the employees and clients of DSHS utilizing the bus system. Ann Beebe, senior citizen, Mary Picton, Transit driver, Bob Sullivan, TRIPS, Cecil Aston, Transit driver, Shirley Davis, temporary Transit driver, Aleen Kane, 808 North 5th Avenue, and Pat Sullivan, TRIPS, spoke in support to keep the trolleys. Mr. Aston reminded Council that the trolleys are handicapped accessible, keeping the City in compliance with ADA. He also reminded Council about the expense of the Dial -A -Ride program, whose patronage may increase if the trolleys are eliminated. He further encouraged Council to reallocate the $300,000 in the Transit budget earmarked for building enhancement (heating and air conditioning) to the Transit operating budget. Dan Arnett, Chamber of Commerce representative, distributed and reviewed the Chamber's position statement. There being no other citizen wishing to testify, the Mayor closed the public hearing. A recess was called at 10:45 a.m.; the meeting resumed at 10:55 p.m.; Council Member Berger absent and City Manager Zais present at that time. 3. BUDGET REVIEW FOR ENGINEERING AND UTILITIES DEPARTMENT A. ENGINEERING (BUDGET: PAGES 377 -392 ) Dennis Covell, Director of Engineer and Utilities, and Fred French, City Engineer, were present and available to respond to questions. In discussing the railroad water area project, Council Member Sims requested a report on how many hook ups /2 NOVEMBER 29, 1994 - ADJOURNED MEETING 7 were made in that area and how many residents decided against connecting to the City's line.''' Mr. French responded to Council's questions regarding the amount budgeted in the contingency fund for the Street Bond Issue and the contribution to the Airport being in this budget. I/ B. WASTEWATER (SEWER) (POLICY ISSUE: PAGES 148 -151 AND BUDGET: PAGES 393 -427) Chris Waarvick, Wastewater Superintendent, Bruce Bates, Assistant Superintendent, and Doug Mayo, Supervising Sanitary Engineer, were available to respond to Council's questions regarding the budget information presented. (Council Member Brado absent after 11:15 a.m.) There was discussion regarding the constancy of rates only because there was no transfer of funds into the reserves, the pre- treatment program procedures, and debt service. Council Member Barnett expressed concern that this budget does not seem to relate to the Cost of Service Study. He also wanted to know that since there is a lower debt service, could the sewer rate could be lower. The meeting adjourned at 11:50 a.m., to then meet again at 2:00 p.m. The meeting resumed at 2:05 p.m., Council Members present were Mayor Pat Berndt, Clarence Barnett, Bill Brado, Lynn Buchanan, and Bernard Sims. Also present were . City Manager Zais, Director of Finance and Budget Hanson, Dennis Covell, Director of Engineering and Utilities, Doug Dodd, Water Superintendent, and City Clerk Roberts. C. IRRIGATION (BUDGET: PAGES 443 -449) D. WATER (POLICY ISSUE: PAGES 152 -155 AND BUDGET: PAGES 428 -442) Mr. Covell and Mr. Dodd responded to questions relating to the policy issues and general budgets for Water and Irrigation. Mayor Berndt requested a graffiti removal policy established, particularly on City -owned buildings. She reported that the retaining wall on Nob Hill Blvd. and the Walnut. Street overpass have graffiti that needs to be removed. 1/ /3 28 NOVEMBER 29, 1994 - ADJOURNED MEETING City Manager Zais reported this is Denny Covell's last budget as director. He will be on board through January. Staff is looking at restructuring the department and will be coming back after the first of the year with that proposal. The meeting adjourned at 2:40 p.m. --- READ AND CERTIFIED ACCURATE BY: .� A�yIA_- !j %L �� 2 D 1 UNCIL MEMBER DATE /Z„,1/1 rd./ COUNCIL ME r DATE ATTEST: CU�,n i ,J > � �� _,� ems(, ' CITY CLERK MAYOR An audio and video tape of this meeting are available in the City Clerk's Office 1 / 4