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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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
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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.
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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.
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