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HomeMy WebLinkAbout11/09/1999 Adjourned Business Meeting 133 CITY OF YAKIMA, WASHINGTON NOVEMBER 9, 1999 ADJOURNED BUSINESS MEETING 1. ROLL CALL The City Council met in session on this date at 8:30 a.m., in the Council Chambers. of City Hall, Yakima, Washington, Mayor John Puccinelli, presiding. Council Members Clarence Barnett, Henry Beauchamp, Lynn Buchanan, John Klingele, Mary Place, and Bernard Sims present on roll call. City Manager Zais, Rita Anson, Director of Finance & Budget, Cindy Epperson, Financial Services Manager, Edna Pettyjohn, Accountant, City Clerk Roberts (absent after 9:30 a.m.), and Deputy City Clerk Skovald were also present. 2. CONSIDERATION OF LEGISLATION PERTAINING TO AD VALOREM PROPERTY TAX LEVY FOR COLLECTION IN 2000: City Manager Zais briefly outlined the process required by statute that the City must follow to enact the property tax levy. He urged the Council to adjust the property taxes for next year by the 106% tax rate. He directed, attention to the reasons provided for establishing "substantial need" and also noted that I -695 impacts would further reduce the budget with Contingency Plan reductions of $1.45 million more than what was stated in the Preliminary Forecast. A new chart entitled "What You Pay And What You Get" in the budget document looks at the whole realm of taxes, fees, and charges for all public services in Yakima. It costs about $1,200 a year per taxpayer to pay for the services provided by the City; the total property tax rate per taxpayer is slightly lower than it was last year due to factoring in savings from debt refinancing of the 1986 Nob Hill Bond Issue, but that reduction will only be for next year. A. AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING AN INCREASE IN THE CITY'S REGULAR LEVY FROM THE AMOUNT LEVIED THE PREVIOUS YEAR After a short discussion about the public testimony received during the November 2, 1999 Adjourned Business Meeting, Ordinance No. 99 -44 was read by title only. It was MOVED BY KLINGELE, SECONDED BY BUCHANAN, TO PASS ORDINANCE "A ". After a brief discussion on the tax rate procedure, the question was, called for a vote on the motion. The motion carried by 4 -3 simple majority roll call vote; Barnett, Puccinelli, and Sims voting nay. ORDINANCE NO. 99 -44, AN ORDINANCE relating to the annual property tax levy; authorizing an increase in the City's regular levy from the amount levied the previous year. 134 NOVEMBER 9, 1999 B. AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING A LIMIT FACTOR OF 106 PERCENT FOR THE REGULAR LEVY FOR THE 2000 CALENDAR YEAR Ordinance No. 99 -45 was read by title only and it was MOVED BY KLINGELE, SECONDED BY BUCHANAN, TO PASS ORDINANCE "B ". The motion carried by a 5 -2 super majority roll call vote; Barnett and Puccinelli voting nay. ORDINANCE NO. 99 -45, AN ORDINANCE relating to the annual property tax levy; authorizing a limit factor of 106 percent for • the regular levy for the 2000 calendar year. C. AN ORDINANCE FIXING AND LEVYING THE AMOUNT OF AD VALOREM TAXES FOR THE 2000 BUDGET Ordinance No. 99 -46 having been read by title only, it was MOVED BY KLINGELE, SECONDED BY BUCHANAN, TO PASS ORDINANCE "C ". The motion carried by a 5 -2 simple majority roll call vote; Barnett and Puccinelli voting nay. ORDINANCE NO. 99 -46, AN ORDINANCE fixing and levying the amount of ad valorem taxes necessary to balance estimated revenue with estimated expenditure for the 2000 Budget for the City of Yakima. 3. EXECUTIVE SESSION REGARDING PROSPECTIVE LITIGATION (WASTEWATER ODOR CLAIMS) It was MOVED BY KLINGELE, SECONDED BY PLACE, TO MOVE INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION AT 8:50 A.M. TO DISCUSS PROSPECTIVE LITIGATION FOR ABOUT 25 MINUTES. The motion carried by unanimous voice vote. Following the conclusion of the Executive Session, the Council resumed the meeting at 9:30 a.m. Mayor Puccinelli announced that the City Council will conduct a public hearing on November 16, 1999 at 2:00 p.m. to receive public testimony concerning a proposed 5% adjustment in Wastewater rates due to legal expenses from a lawsuit. Council Member Barnett asked if discussion would include the I- 695 Contingency Reduction proposals. City Manager Zais indicated that discussion about both Tier 1 and Tier 2 Contingency Reduction proposals are appropriate. 2 135 NOVEMBER 9, 1999 BUDGET REVIEW 9:00 A.M. - NOON 4. FIRE DEPARTMENT OPERATING BUDGET (Budget Pages 407 -432; Policy Issues Pages 108 -123) FIRE DEPARTMENT CAPITAL (Budget Page 428) EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES (Budget Page 420) Al Gillespie, Fire Chief, introduced Gene Martin, Deputy Chief, and Abel Castilleja, Battalion Chief, Training Division. Council Members asked questions about the following preliminary budget issues: Fire Capital Fund Interfund Operating Rentals and Leases; the transfer of Service Unit 121 part -time hydrant testing to the Water Division; how often are hydrants painted; significant increase in overtime due to collapsing the Shift Differential Account; an alarming increase in juveniles setting fires in the City and County; the amount of fees for outside training and associated administrative costs; tremendous increases expected in Account 490 Miscellaneous Expenses and Repairs and Maintenance Account 480; Station One renovation; proposed increases in Service Unit 126 -EMS; and Equipment Replacement, Reserve for Fire Capital -332. There were questions about Policy Issues including requests to upgrade radio console equipment; purchase Mobile Data Terminals, purchase of Thermal Imaging Cameras; purchase of a Transport - Capable Rescue Vehicle versus augmentation of private ambulance coordination. City Manager Zais commented about I -695 reductions of three positions, two of which are currently vacant with the third position retiring after the first of the year. There was discussion about the Fire Reservists who have met and discussed alternative funding mechanisms including fundraisers. 5. COMMUNITY AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CAPITOL THEATRE (Budget Pages 365 -370) Steve Caffery, Capitol Theatre Manager, introduced Amanda Mott, Operations Manager. He summarized the current status of the Capitol Theatre's budget. There was a brief discussion about the insurance reserve fund and the interest earnings that pay for maintenance items and capital outlay requests.' There was also discussion-about the encumbrance for a lighting board from the 1999 budget and a contingent major equipment replacement proposed for the Capitol Theatre's 2000 budget. 3 136 NOVEMBER 9, 1999 VISITORS & CONVENTION BUREAU /CONVENTION CENTER (Budget Pages ' 357- 361; Policy Issues Pages 100 -104) Bill Cook introduced Kathy Coffey, Convention Center Manager. Ms. Coffey reported that 1999 year end figures show an increase in conventions, attendees, and convention delegates. There has also been a 22% increase in revenue for 1999. She thanked the Council for its support in the expansion a few years ago and is anxious to continue that trend into the future. Mayor Puccinelli congratulated Ms. Coffey on the increased revenue in a competitive market by bringing a lot of visitors to Yakima. There was also discussion about the improperly sealed concrete issue indicated on page 362, discussion about the parking lot construction that includes land acquisition still in process, and the request to hire a new marketing employee at the Convention Center. 6. FINANCE DEPARTMENT /MUNICIPAL COURT MUNICIPAL COURT /PROBATION (Budget Pages 266 -271; Policy Issues Pages 87 -88) Judge Jonathan Martin introduced Colby Way, Probation Services Manager. Judge Martin noted that probation services income stays in the Municipal Court and the Court system is unique and can change its fees and fines at will. Council Member Place asked if the Probation Officer is necessary to deal with pretrial supervision issues. Judge Martin noted the rarity of the situation and explained we don't utilize that program which occasionally needs supervision because of the intensity of the case. We are trying to keep personnel very productive but it is not always easy. There was discussion about what a Probation Officer does, including monitoring the agencies and the treatments which are paid for by the defendant. Home detention revenue does not fall under probation protection. It is being used to defray the costs of the building. The one Municipal Clerk position vacancy has been frozen, and is currently filled with a temporary employee but should soon be filled permanently. There is another vacancy in Tier I position in the MVET Contingency Reduction Plan. Council Member Sims asked how does that impact the operations at Municipal Court. Is it too, late to look at our fact sheet and whether there are other alternatives for the I -695 potential alternative to not fill the Municipal Clerk position. Council Member Buchanan suggested using Home Detention revenues to fund the Clerk's position in the Municipal court. Judge Martin noted that there could be an integrated trial court system developed in the future which would merge the District, Municipal, and Superior Courts and would be state funded. 4 NOVEMBER 9, 1999 �7 INTERGOVERNMENTAL (Budget Pages 541 -544) Service Unit 129 - Emergency Services, Page 543 and Page 77 Tony Wentz, Director of Yakima Valley Office of Emergency Management, requested an additional $4,364, which is a 2000 Unbudgeted request, above the original 1999 budgeted request level of $33,616. He is asking for the additional amount to help rebuild the Emergency Management reserve fund to the $50,000 level. Mr. Wentz explained that his predecessor failed to budget for certain expenses for 1999, and he has cut his budget and frozen certain areas and the only place left is to cut the reserves. Mr: Wentz indicated that the $37,980 request from the City of Yakima would be put into the reserve fund. There was discussion among the Council about the positive changes in the Office of Emergency Management; however, they also discussed that the City of Yakima doesn't have any extra - funds and any interest earned on reserve funds should be earned by the City. Council Member Sims noted an option to consider would be that perhaps the reserve fund could be developed in two years and suggested an emergency allocation provision be added should disaster strike. Outside Agency Request - Clean Air Authority Page 55 Council Member Barnett explained that the opportunity for testimony might be limited in time at the Clean Air Board meeting on November 10th. It was the consensus of the Council that other staff members attend to cover all the necessary points during the public hearing, such as Ray Paolella, John Klingele, or Don Skone. URBAN AREA HEARINGS EXAMINER (Budget Page 319 Policy Issues Pages 90 -98) No questions or discussion took place. • ENVIRONMENTAL PLANNING (Budget Pages 320-322) Don Skone, Planning Manager, described the requested Land Development Fee Structure. The change would increase application fees to recover about 50 percent of the preparation costs for land development proposals (zoning, subdivision, environmental review, shorelines, and comprehensive plan changes.) Currently, annual fee adjustments are based upon the Seattle - Tacoma Consumer Price Index (CPI). City Manager Zais noted that a decision would need to be made for any special action by November 23 and no increase in revenue is included in the budget. Referring to the policy issue on page 97, Council Member Place asked why $25,000 is being requested. Don Skone noted that GMA funds are no longer available, and this request is to utilize a consultant to work through the annual Comprehensive Plan Amendment process that is scheduled to begin in June 2000. On 5 138 NOVEMBER 9, 1999 page 98 the Vacant Lands and Land Use Inventory policy issue for $20,000 is to match a possible grant award for a parcel number data base. City Manager Zais noted that I -695 impacts include a frozen Associate Planner position and elimination of the Supervising Associate Planner position, both of which are currently vacant positions. CODE ADMINISTRATION /CITY HALL (Budget Pages 323 - 329) Doug Maples, Code Administration Manager, explained that the format of the Targeted Area staff report is being refined. Council Members discussed refuse complaints from citizens who forget to set out their garbage. City Manager Zais noted that I -695 impacts the Fire Code Inspector position that is currently frozen. There was also a brief discussion about prefire plan inspections. It was also noted that City Hall Maintenance positions are two down leaving only one position currently filled. CABLE TV (Budget Pages 342 -347) Council Member Sims asked about the services provided by the Cable TV Franchise with Falcon Video Communications. Some of the services being advertised are not available or are not being provided by Falcon. Randy Beehler, Cable Communications Manager, explained the nationwide campaign of the Affiliate Company in this region. There was also a brief discussion about optic fiber cable systems. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT (Budget Pages 330) There was discussion about funding the Grant Writer position where a portion is to be paid by the departments that requires his time. There is the possibility of future water and wastewater grants from the Clean Water Fund. There are also grant possibilities for Washington Avenue projects. Council Member Barnett asked what the cumulative impact would be on sewer and water fees to fund five percent of the Grants Writer position. City Manager Zais indicated that it would be a very minor impact. There was also a brief discussion about funding federal mandates and state regulations on Stormwater programs. It was the consensus of the Council to continue the budget reviews for Financial Services, Information systems, and Customer Services to November 16, 1999 at 8:30 a.m. in the Council Chambers. 6 139 NOVEMBER 9, 1999 7. ADJOURNMENT TO NOVEMBER 16, 1999 AT 8:30 A.M. IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS FOR BUDGET R EVIEW ( TAHOMA CEM ETERY, P SAFETY COMMUNICATIONS POLICE DEPARTMENT, WATER /IRRIGATION DIVISION, WASTEWATER DIVISION AND ADMINISTRATION) I wa M OVE D BY KL SECON BY PLACE, TO A DJ OU RN A T NO ' UNTIL NOVEMBER 16 TO FINISH ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ON PAGE 348 AT THAT TIME. The motion carried by unanimous voice vote. READ AND CERTIFIED ACCURATE BY: \\,, , ; 4/ �^ ( -Ctg Cif IL EMBER DATE / /". tf4{ CO C MEMBER DATE ATTEST: CITY CLERK JOHN PUCCINELLI, MAYOR Minutes prepared by Deputy City Clerk Skovald. An audio and videotape of this meeting are available in the City Clerk's Office. • III • 7