HomeMy WebLinkAbout10/23/2012 Study Session 301
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YAKIMA CITY COUNCIL
STUDY SESSION
October 23, 2012
Council Chambers -- City Hall
10 a.m. City Council Study Session re Strategic Plan, 2013 Budget
Presentation and Legislative Priorities
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1. Roll Call
Council: Mayor Micah Cawley, presiding, Assistant Mayor Maureen Adkison, Council Members
Sara Bristol, Kathy Coffey, Rick Ensey, Dave Ettl (arrived 10:05 a.m.) and Bill Lover
Staff: City Manager Tony O'Rourke and City Clerk Claar Tee
2. 2013 Strategic Plan
City Manager O'Rourke noted this is a draft Strategic Plan and reviewed a PowerPoint
presentation. This is a collaboration by the City Council wherein they came up with the
following strategic priorities: Economic Development, Public Safety, Public Trust, Partnership
Development and Built Environment.
Mr. O'Rourke discussed his plan to move the City from recession to recovery by building on our
existing signature events, continuing revitalization efforts to promote a good impression and
building on our history. Additionally, staff will enhance the downtown through development and a
downtown master plan. Regarding public safety, the Police Department will engage in
partnerships in crime prevention through Crime Stoppers, schools, and others and ensure
appropriate service levels for public safety, explore the most cost - effective jail expansion
opportunities, as well as, addressing gang violence. Some other key items are: reestablish a fire
code inspection program, develop a Citizens Police Academy, enhance downtown safety,
establish a more effective graffiti abatement program, and improve neighborhood safety by
installing more street lights along arterials.
Assistant Mayor Adkison stated we are sometimes our own worst enemy as the City
doesn't do a good job promoting the positive elements. Council Member Lover stated he is
going to look into the Block Watch program and see if more landlords would be involved and
whether a non - traditional block watch should be explored.
Mr. O'Rourke noted from the citizen survey that 97% surveyed give up time for a neighbor, and
we need to tap into that. Council Member Ensey questioned how the City will pay for fire
inspectors. Mr. O'Rourke noted it should be a fee structure.
City Manager O'Rourke discussed public trust and accountability. The City recently
implemented a 48 hour on -line citizen involvement feature and is working on developing more
citizen involvement by utilizing Code Enforcement Rangers, clean up days, block watch, Crime
Stoppers, and Partners in Parks.
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Mr. O'Rourke will optimize City services through the following: managed competition,
consolidation, joint partnerships, operational efficiencies, level of service adjustments, adopting
written financial management policies, developing a balanced five -year financial plan,
constructing capital improvements on time and within budget. Assistant Mayor Adkison advised
the Yakima School District should be engaged to assist with the elderly etc. as High School
Seniors have requirements and senior projects in order to graduate.
City Manager O'Rourke discussed partnership development, where we need cooperative and
reciprocal partnerships with local, state, federal entities to secure funding and transportation for
the Mill site area. The City will work in concert to address specific needs in neighborhoods
and collaborate with the Gang Free Initiative in eradicating gang violence.
City Manager O'Rourke noted the City will work to improve the built environment as it is not
meeting the citizen's expectations. The City is planning to jump start investment in City roads
with a $5 million bond issue in fiscal year 2013 and will be proposing a special election to
consider a car tab fee to generate dedicated funds for road improvements. .
Council thanked the City Manager and appreciated the action plan he is putting in place. Mr.
O'Rourke stated the need to stay focused on the strategic priorities. Departments are going to
prepare business plans, quarterly updates and annually transmit information to citizens.
3. 2013 Budget Presentation
City Manager Tony O'Rourke and Finance Director Cindy Epperson presented the preliminary
2013 budget. Mr. O'Rourke reviewed a PowerPoint presentation with Council and noted the City
must live within its means by preparing for a new normal, in an era of constraints and limits. This
budget does not include any tax increases, preserves core services, and invests in capital
infrastructure.
Mr. O'Rourke stated the city has insufficiently invested in infrastructure. They are focusing on
the core needs of the community. Mr. O'Rourke noted health costs are increasing and he is
asking for wage and benefit concessions of approximately $300,000 for 2013, which is only
the first phase.
The budget will be discussed at an upcoming public hearing and brought back on December 4,
2012 for approval.
4. Consideration of proposed 2013 state legislative and administrative priorities and proposed 2013
Congressional and federal administrative priorities
Council Member Coffey mentioned there was an AWC Legislative meeting yesterday, wherein
they established the final list of legislative priorities for the state. City Manager O'Rourke
suggested these will be the core issues the City will support as well.
Ensey moved and Adkison seconded to adopt the state legislative and
congressional priorities.
Motion: Approve, Moved by Council Member Rick Ensey, Seconded by Assistant Mayor
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Maureen Adkison. Carried 7 -0. Council Members voting Aye: Adkison , Bristol , Cawley ,
Coffey , Ensey , Ettl , Lover .
5. Adjournment
The meeting adjourned at 11:58 a.m. to the next Council Study Session on October 30, 2012.
Motion: Adjourn, Moved by Council Member Rick Ensey, Seconded by Assistant Mayor Maureen
Adkison. Carried 7 -0. Council Members voting Aye: Adkison , Bristol , Cawley , Coffey , Ensey ,
Ettl , Lover .
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