HomeMy WebLinkAbout11/16/1999 Adjourned Meeting 140
CITY OF YAKIMA, WASHINGTON
NOVEMBER 16, 1999
ADJOURNED MEETING - BUDGET REVIEW
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, John Klingele, Mary Place, and Bernard Sims present on roll
call. Council Member Lynn Buchanan was absent and excused. City
Manager Zais, Rita Anson, Director of Finance & Budget, Cindy Epperson,
Financial Services Manager, Edna Pettyjohn, Accountant, and Deputy City
Clerk Skovald were also present.
INTERGOVERNMENTAL INCLUDING LIBRARY AND CLEAN AIR AUTHORITY
(Budget Pages 541 -544)
Since there were a lot of people at this meeting to speak about the
library, Mayor Puccinelli invited Library Director Anne Haley to begin
her presentation out of sequence on the agenda.
Anne Haley, Yakima Valley Regional Library Director, summarized various
budget' recommendations previously presented to the Council within the
last couple of months. Services being provided for the residents of
Yakima are at three facilities. Those include the Downtown Library at
North 3 Street, the Summitview Library at 56 Avenue and Summitview
Avenue, and the Southeast Library in the Southeast Community Center.
The Library's total budget is $1,411,000, which is the levy equivalent
of about .50 cents per $1,000 of assessed valuation. The Rural Library
Districts or the Regional Libraries levy in the unincorporated area is
at. .50 cents per $1,000 of assessed valuation. The City has a levy
equivalent of about .40 cents per $1,000 of assessed valuation. If the
Tier 1 ($69,000) or Tier 2 ($115,000) service reductions are
implemented as outlined during the study session on October 5, 1999,
then the levy equivalency rate will drop to either .37 cents or .35
cents per $1,000 of assessed valuation. That would be more difficult
for the City of Yakima to make up in the future. Ms. Haley urged the
Council to grant the 0.3% increase above the 1999 amended budget, even
though that is not at the same levy equivalency level as what the
unincorporated area is paying. Ms. Haley also urged the Council to
consider that the City of Yakima eventually work towards paying the
same levy rate for library services that is being levied in the
unincorporated areas. This would create equivalency between what the
City of Yakima is supporting for library services and what the
unincorporated area is paying for library services.
Next, Ms. Haley introduced members of the Yakima Valley Regional
Library Board, including Darlene Lust, President, Ernest Falk, and
Victor Lara, who were also available to answer any questions. At the
request of Mayor Puccinelli, Ms. Haley then summarized some of the new
procedures that the Regional Library Board adopted recently to deter
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children from accessing offensive sexual images on the Internet. She
also noted that new technology and better solutions would continuously
be sought to address the problem. Following Ms. Haley's presentation,
there was a tremendous amount of discussion and quite a few questions
from the Council.
Mayor Puccinelli then invited the audience to comment, and the
following citizens expressed their opinions both for or against various
library issues: Sandra Swanson, 1180 Slave Road; Kathy O'Meara- Wyman,
5210 Glacier Way; John and Penny Milczewski, 4901 Englewood Avenue;
Joyce Dennison, 1008 Crest Acres Place; Richard Ostrander, 210 South
57 Avenue; Dave Ozanne, 3203 Powerhouse Road; , Candie Turner,
1415 South 32 Avenue; Ester Huey, 707 South 68 Avenue; Paul
Fitzgerald, 1526 Rosevelt; Pam Vanantwerpen, 511 McCracken, Zillah;
Eric Bennett, 906 South 42 Avenue; Shirley Doty; John Schactler, 206
South 16 Avenue; Deb Treusdell, 3701 Gun Club Road; and Lynne
Kittelson, 305 North 9 Street. '
The City Council recessed from 9:55 to 10:15 a.m.
COMMUNITY AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT (CONTINUED FROM 11/9/99)
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT (Budget Pages 330)
Bill Cook, Director of Community and Economic Development, noted that a
special planning assistance grant has been awarded to study
telecommunication infrastructure needs in the downtown area. The study
will begin right after the first of the year.
Don Skone, Planning Manager, explained there has been a 'change in
Commute Trip Reduction funding. Previously, CTR funds were sent
directly to the City and YVCOG was contracted to provide CTR - related
service; but now the procedure is one of direct reimbursement by the
state. The City will not receive that CTR revenue; however, the fund
balance should be expanded by promotion of the transit system and other
CTR issues such as professional services.
There was also a brief discussion about payments the City receives from
the Larson Garage contract sale that will end next year.
Don Skone noted that the proposed Landuse Fee increase proposal should
be pulled and brought back next year with a CPI increase, and it would
have to go to the vote of the people.
I/ ENGINEERING /CAPITAL PROJECTS (Budget Pages 371 -387)
Bill Cook noted that the Engineering Division has had a very successful
year and then listed the projects that 'have pending funding, a co-
application status, or privately funded infrastructure improvements.
The remaining work on the Gateway Phase IC project is the wetland
mitigation project that will also provide landscaping .funding.
Mr. Cook pointed out that I -695 does not generally impact Engineering
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NOVEMBER 16, 1999 - ADJOURNED MEETING
projects because most are federally funded and some of the projects
have freight mobility funding limitations or are PWTF and CDBG pending
projects. There was also discussion about the 40 Avenue and Lincoln
Avenue Right -of -Way Connectors project and how debt service payment is
anticipated. Council Member Barnett asked if the water and irrigation
people are paying for some of these canal projects and are we getting
away from an enterprise fund process. City Manager Zais noted that the
Public Works Trust Fund allows the city to use repayment sources for
loans on a number of projects that cross over department lines and
dedicated revenue sources that the debt is being repaid. Council
Member Barnett referred to enhancement funds on Englewood and Lincoln
Canal in the year 2000, and asked where is the match money coming from.
Staff explained that a portion of an IAC grant, Block Grant funds, or
gas tax revenue would be used as a match. Council Member Barnett
wanted to make sure that no irrigation or water money is funding those
covered canal projects.
The City Hall Renovation project will move forward with HVAC system
improvements and security improvements. City Manager Zais noted that
the project is funded from 1 /,% Real Estate Transfer Tax funding.
Mr. Zais noted that this is the third year of the Grind and Overlay
Improvement Program which is funded from % cent gas tax dollars, state
property tax, and savings from competitive bid projects. This will
allow about $600,000 for projects. Council Member Place referred to
the top three projects and suggested that the Englewood Avenue project
be postponed; the Lincoln Avenue project be extended to 56 Avenue,
instead of just to Bitterroot Way; and that the Mead Avenue, 11 to 16
Avenue, project be included. Chris Waarvick noted that traffic counts
and other information on street and transportation projects will be
available during the January Study Session on the Six Year TIP.
TAHOMA CEMETERY (Budget Pages 536 -539; Policy Issues 130 -133)
City Manager Zais noted that a decision is needed by next Tuesday at
the latest for any fee increases. Council Member Sims pointed out that
the Parks Revenue Fund, which is funded by property tax and utility
taxes, and is part of the General Fund, is funding the Tahoma Cemetery
by adding an adjustment of $105,000 that would take effect before the
end of the year to be effective for next year. He noted that the real
question is the number of Cemetery staff and the recommendation to
allocate 60% of a DA III's duties to be added to this facility is
questionable because all performance indicators say there is not going
to any additional services than what has already been done in the past.
He asked what justifies that.
Chris Waarvick explained that the figures were just changed on paper.
The present DA III position has historically been doing all those
duties for many years. To help understand how their work functions
happen, the DA III position was evaluated as to what they did in the
"DA Pool" . The duties of that particular position has been dedicated
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and assigned to work 60 percent for Cemetery and 40 percent for Refuse.
What was done with that position, since it was in the " DA Pool," is to
move it out of the " DA Pool" from a funding aspect. The percentage of
work being removed from the Public Works Administration budget was
moved into a dedicated specific funding mechanism, but the change does
not increase costs nor does it add any more FTEs. There was continued
discussion about how the Tahoma Cemetery rates compare with private
cemeteries and the number of lots available. Denise Nichols explained
that it is anticipated that it will be about 10 years before lots run
out. There is currently an Equipment Operator, a laborer, and part-
time temporary workers in the summer assigned to the Tahoma Cemetery.
Council Member Sims noted that he has a problem with reallocation since
it seems lots will all be sold. He questioned why should full -time
equipment operators be reassigned and funding be reallocated to the
Tahoma Cemetery when additional General Fund reductions are being
proposed.
City Manager Zais suggested that a proposed policy issue increasing
cemetery rates be brought for Council consideration at next Tuesday's
meeting.
PUBLIC SAFETY COMMUNICATIONS (Budget Pages 423 -427; Policy Issues 106 -107)
Police Chief Don Blesio, Deputy Fire Chief Gene Martin, and Public
Safety Communications Manager Wayne Wantland provided a Y2K status
report and responded to questions about repair and maintenance of the
CAD software. There were also questions and discussion concerning the
911 program and police and fire dispatch rate of pay provisions. It
was noted that cellular tower space is being requested to upgrade
primary dispatch equipment, several sites are available that could
generate revenue, and there are other parties interested in the City's
dispatch services. Council also asked questions about the ambulance
locating device request.
POLICE DEPARTMENT (Budget Pages 389 -406; Policy Issues 105)
Police Chief Don Blesio introduced several staff members and responded
to Council's questions concerning shift differential costs, LEOFF 1
costs, the County Narcotics asset seizures and forfeitures fund, the
request to create three Lead Police Support Officer positions, and
proposed MVET reductions. Council Members Sims and Beauchamp noted
that they would like to see the Summer Park patrol program retained.
I/ City Manager Zais noted that the state might allow an early retirement
provision for employees within two years of retirement.
Council Member Barnett reported that a letter was received from Melody
Westmoreland, Director of American Medical Response, and this issue
should be incorporated into the Budget Wrap -Up document concerning the
Fire Department's capital request for a Transport Capable Vehicle and
the Police. Department's request for a LifePak 12 Heart Monitor. It was
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the consensus of the Council to schedule continuation of Budget Review
on November 30, 1999, at 8:30 a.m.
It was the consensus of the Council that the following divisions'
budget review be continued to November 23, 1999.
FINANCE DEPARTMENT
FINANCIAL SERVICES
INFORMATION SYSTEMS
CUSTOMER SERVICES
ADMINISTRATION
WATER /IRRIGATION
WASTEWATER
COUNCIL
CITY MANAGER
LEGAL
CITY CLERK
HUMAN RESOURCES
PURCHASING
The meeting adjourned at 12:00 noon.
READ AND CERTIFIED ACCURATE BY tUNCI g V APItAi 1 � 9 ` q
. M MBE DATE
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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