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Home My WebLink About02/16/1999 Adjourned Meeting 401 CITY OF WASHINGTON FEBRUARY 16, 199 ADJOURNED MEETING The City Council met in session on this date at 9:00 a.m., in Room 205 . at the Washington Fruit Commission Office, Sarg Hubbard Park, 105 South 18 Street, Yakima, Washington. Council Members present were Mayor John Puccinelli, Clarence Barnett, Henry Beauchamp (present after 9:30 a.m.), Lynn Buchanan, John Klingele, Mary Place, and Bernard Sims. Also present were City Manager Zais, Assistant City Manager Rice, and City Clerk Roberts. 1. COUNCIL GOAL SETTING AND PRIORITIES REVIEW .Vision and Mission Statements Council members reviewed the City's Vision and Mission Statements. It was the general consensus of the Council to not make any changes to the City's Mission Statement. The Mission of the City of Yakima is to provide superior services and public facilities for the people, businesses and institutions within the city boundaries, or where appropriate to provide urban services, in order to enhance the quality of life and economic environment, within the community's willingness and ability to pay. The Vision Statement was slightly amended to put the second item "Clean, safe and aesthetically pleasing environment" at the top of the list, to read as follows: Clean, safe and aesthetically pleasing environment • Social, cultural, educational, recreational, and diversified economic center Progressive, equitable and responsive city leadership Dependable and cost effective municipal services provider Challenging and supportive work environment, promoting equal opportunity, with motivated, effective employees recognized for their contributions and expertise. Staff was directed to make these changes on City stationery only when the existing supplies are depleted and need to be reprinted. • 402 FEBRUARY 16, 1999 — ADJOURNED ME ETING City Council - Critical /Strategic Priorities Council members reviewed the critical /strategic priorities beginning with the highest priorities. Mayor Puccinelli requested that Economic Development - Emphasis on Literacy and Education be placed as the number one item under Highest Priorities. The changes in the priorities are indicated below by underline for additions and strike - over for deletions. I. HIGHEST PRIORITIES A. Economic Development - Emphasis on Literacy and Education -- Economic Development includes attracting and retaining businesses in the area, development of an industrial park site and providing educational opportunities for the citizens in the community. -. • • .. - • - - - • - ' - -- •... . - . • . . -- • - • - - . -. .. • .. - •. • - • - - .. .•; AB. Law Enforcement/Public Safety and Well Being — This area includes an emphasis on community and traffic safety and preventing violent criminal acts by youth, combating gangs and illegal drugs, etc. Emphasis should also focus on training to improve public responsiveness and cultural sensitivity. BC. Enhancing Visual and Governance Image of the City -- This priority deals with improving the City's appearance /aesthetics and enhancing community respect, pride and confidence in City government. Continue efforts to maintain the City parks system and to revitalize neighborhoods. CD. Unfunded Mandates — Inform the Public on the Cost Impact of Unfunded Federal, and State, and local agencies Mandates -- An ongoing special effort will be made to inform the public and taxpayers on the impact that State, and Federal, and local agencies mandates have on increasing the cost of City services. 2 403 FEBRUARY 16, 1999 — ADJOURNED MEETING DE. Money /Resources — Manage Existing Resources Effectively /Identify Revenue Sources — The cost of fixed, mandated and contractual expenditures for municipal services has become increasingly difficult to fund each budget year. Examination of Examine alternate ways to contain costs, maximize existing resources and identify alternative • revenues • . - . : • • - - • to maintain future financial stability. II. NEXT HIGHEST PRIORITIES BA. Infrastructure - Maintain and Enhance Public Works /Utility Capital Facilities — The City will continue to plan and explore alternatives for financing and constructing capital improvements to the City's basic public facilities: sewer; water; irrigation; parks; streets; public safety; and other public facilities. AB. Communications - Enhancing City Communications, Both Internally and Externally — An open flow of communications with the citizenry is crucial to enable Council and staff to respond to citizens' needs, concerns, questions, etc. Citizens' ideas, complaints .. and suggestions - should.be openly solicited and willingly accepted. Better communications between and within the various departments and divisions of the City is also important. (Staff was asked to insert some language to state "Better meet customer needs ") City will continue to plan and explore alternatives for financing and constructing capital improvements to the City's basic public facilities: sewer; water; irrigation; parks; streets; public safety; and other public facilities. . enhancement of employee productivity, teamwork and service to the public which promote efficient, effective and courteous delivery of quality municipal services to 3 404 FEBRUARY 16, 1999 — ADJOURNED MEETING DC. Cooperative Partnerships between City government, other public agencies, businesses, and citizens groups needs to be nurtured and developed to meet the future challenges facing our community. III. ONGOING EMPHASIS RESPONSIBILITIES CA. Workforce Development/Customer Relations — This a- ocuses --en The City is committed to the enhancement of employee productivity, teamwork and service to the public which promote efficient, effective and courteous delivery of quality municipal services to citizens. The City needs continues to train and develop skilled workers for future technically oriented positions to better serve customer needs. . Development includes attracting and retaining businesses in the area, development of downtown development district; street lighting; Convention Center expansion; B. Utilizing Cultural /Ethnic Diversity — Broadening ethnic /cultural diversity and representation in City employment and business activities ant. The City should utilize all available community resources and seek diversity and ethnic representation in City employment and public contracts. C. Youth Involvement — Empowering the Community to become more involved in seeking solutions opportunities for youth,is- e-nEei -raged Ethnic and gender balanced linternships, mentoring programs and employer cooperation with citizen groups and government is are needed to encourage more youth involvement in the community. .. • - - . . - - ... - - . . . . . . .. . •-- •- The Council recessed at 10:25 a.m. and reconvened at 10:45 a.m. 4 *Corrected 4/6/99 • 405 FEBRUARY 16, 1999 — ADJOURNED MEETING 1999 Strategic Issues Summary (February 1999) City Manager Zais reviewed the 1999 strategic issues, noting that these items are not listed in any prioritized order. The changes are indicated below by underline for additions and strike -over for deletions. Following is a summary of major Strategic Issues which the City faces in 1999 and beyond. • Continue to Monitor Clean Air Regulations /Mandates • Implement Growth Mgmt. Plan . • • • - - • • - - :. • • -.: - _Continue Annexations in the Urban Area - Interlocal Agreements • Mitigation of Increased Rail Service: - Appeal Federal Court- Ruling. re Surface.Transp. Bd. Clean Air Conformity Issue - Pursue funding for Elevated Train Project at Federal /State levels - Implement "Quiet Zone" Study for Whistle Blowing Impacts - Evaluate Fire Safety /Emergency Response Options at Railroad Crossings: - Fire Rating by Districts and Neighborhoods - Study of Additional Fire Station on West Side /E • Preserve City Water Rights ift Acquavella Litigation: - Acquavella Litigation - Monitor _ Endangered .Species.ActDesignations - Evaluate Impact'of Salmon Recovery Legislation on City^Wate• shed Dlanning - Watershed Planning • Seek Public Works Trust Fund Loan for Next Phase of Street Repairs /Projects • Continue Planning/Testing for Y2K Compliance /Emergency Preparedness • Process Riverview Mall Rezone Application — 16th and River Road • Continue Implementation of Citizen Task Force Recommendations re Transit • • Development of Irrigation System Master Plan for Rehabilitation Projects • Evaluate Municipal Court/Probation Services Operations /Future Needs 5 406 - FEBRUARY 16, 1999 — ADJOURNED MEETING • I nitiate Study of Space Needs at Police Station /Legal Center • Continue Expanding Community Policing/Partnerships /Crime Prevention Efforts • Pursue State Legislative/Congressional City Priorities 1 • Consider Appletree Sewer Extension Proposal for Future Development 1, • Implement Wastewater NPDES Permit Requirements /Evaluate Odor Control Options • Update Budget Contingency Cost Reduction Plan for 1999 • Prepare 2000 City Budget 2. 12:00 NOON - 1:30 P.M. -- LUNCH The Council members recessed for lunch at 12:1.0 p.m. and resumed the meeting at 12:35 p.m. continuing review of the 1999 strategic issues. • Review Status of Neighborhood Planning Process • Completion of Major City Capital Projects (Utilities, Streets and Parks) • Finalize plans for Relocation of Larson Park Ballfields and Tennis Courts • Continue Study /Review of Sports Complex Proposal • Compliance with Clean Water Act Requirements: - Complete Adoption of Stormwater Management Plan with Yakima County - Analyze T.M.D.L. (Total Maximum Daily Load) Mandates • Complete City Web site on Internet/Plan for Ongoing Updating of Information • Consider Citizens Committee Proposals to Strengthen City Code Enforcement • Complete Cross Training of Public Safety Dispatch Personnel • Implement New Business Plan for Fire Training Center Utilization • Continue Planning to Extend Sewer Service to Newly Annexed Areas • Revisit Airport Fire Protection Costs with Yakima County • Pursue Acquisition of Land for Convention Center Parking • Monitor Museum's Future Parking Proposals at Franklin_ Park • 6 407 FEBRUARY 16, 1999 — ADJOURNED MEETING • Continue City Cooperation /Support for El Mercado Project • Strengthen Intergovernmental Partnerships with Yakima County /Other Entities • Continue'to Develop New Economic Development Initiatives /Partnerships • Complete Federal HUD Funding Process to Remodel Great Western Building • Study. of Ambulance Service /Dispatching Issues • Revisit City Policy Re Installing Traffic Calming Devices • Updating Tree Ordinance /Maintenance Procedures • Explore Brownfields Grants for Environmental Clean -Up Projects • Study of Semi - Automatic Refuse Pilot Program for East -Side • Review of Signalization System Analysis The Council added the following issues to the list. • Traffic Safety Issues /Public Education /Enforcement • Review City Emergency Management Plans, Coordinated Response and Responsibilities /Job Descriptions, Shelter locations, etc. • Support Yakima Valley Community College Expansion to Four -Year College and Review Neighborhood Impact, Including Parking and Traffic • Franklin Park — Check Legal Descriptions for Property Ownership, Encroachments, Fencing, Parking. • Convention Center Parking Lot Expansion: - Lemon - 8`h Street Parking -Lot - Cavanaugh's Support,and Cooperation • • U.S. Census — Ensure Proper Counting Procedures are Followed • Review Airport Master Plan • Revisit 911 Master Plan /Contract , • Work with Youth Violence Task Force Committee /Programs for Youth 408 FEBRUARY 16, 1999 — ADJOURNED MEETING During the discussion of these issues, Council members gave direction to staff to: • Request recommendation from Traffic Engineering staff regarding signage to not block intersections or the Fire Station driveway when a train has traffic backed up. • Request briefing from Yakima County Auditor and Assessor regarding property tax exemptions. • Repeal the Resolution regarding the West Side annexation policy. • Clean current storm water collection grates. • Review 911 Protocol procedures regarding questions asked before emergency assistance is provided. • Invite the regional Census Director for a meeting to discuss census count procedure. Invite County and other municipalities to participate in this meeting. City Manager Zais thanked the Council for taking the time to go through this exercise. Staff will utilize this information to prioritize their work. Mayor Puccinelli suggested that Mike Morales could review these issues and look for any grants that may be available to the City. Mr. Zais stated that staff would amend the lists and bring them back to Council to prioritize so staff has a better understanding of where to focus their attention. The meeting adjourned at 1:25 p.m. READ AND CERTIFIED ACCURATE BY: ...dicAir./ j ` /►' / COUN / L MEMBER DATE i COU C EMBER DATE ATTEST: chi I�'� 2 / CITY CLERK JOHN PUCCINELLI, MAYOR 8