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HomeMy WebLinkAbout10/17/2000 Business Meeting 479 CITY OF YAKIMA, WASHINGTON BUSINESS MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL OCTOBER 17, 2000 - 2:00 P.M. COUNCIL CHAMBERS - 129 NORTH 2 STREET 1. ROLL CALL • Present: Council: Mayor Mary Place, presiding, Council Members Clarence Barnett, Henry Beauchamp, Lynn Buchanan, Larry Mattson, and Bernard Sims Staff: City Manager Zais, City Attorney Paolella, and City Clerk Roberts Absent: Council Member Puccinelli (excused) 2. INVOCATION /PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Council Member Sims led the Pledge of Allegiance. 3. OPEN DISCUSSION FOR THE GOOD OF . THE ORDER A. PROCLAMATIONS (IF APPLICABLE) • TRY TRANSIT WEEK Council Member Mattson read a proclamation declaring October 16th through 21st as Try Transit Week. Karen Allen, Transit Marketing Coordinator, accepted- the proclamation. John Haddix, Acting Transit Manager, introduced Bill Roberson who is the Transit Operator of the Year for 1999. • MAKE A DIFFERENCE DAY Council Member Beauchamp read a proclamation declaring October 20th as Make a Difference Day. Ester Huey, Executive Director of the Yakima County Substance Abuse Coalition and the Gang Prevention Coalition accepted the proclamation. She said that on October 27th, 2000 the Coalition will celebrate make a difference day by honoring some young people. sHEinvited the Council to attend the celebration. 480 OCTOBER 17, 2000 • BREACHING DAMS Mayor Place read a proclamation urging the Seattle City Council to breach the Diablo and Ross dams to express her concern about the Seattle City Council passing a resolution favoring breaching the Snake River Dams. 4. CONSENT AGENDA Mayor Place referred to the items placed on the Consent Agenda, questioning whether there were any additions or deletions from either Council members or citizens present. There were no changes. The City Clerk read the Consent Agenda items, including resolutions and ordinances by title. SIMS MOVED AND BUCHANAN SECONDED TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA AS READ. The motion carried by unanimous roll call vote; Puccinelli absent. (Subsequent paragraphs preceded by an asterisk ( *) indicate items on the Consent Agenda handled under one motion without further discussion.) • *A. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES OF THE OCTOBER 3, 2000 ADJOURNED AND BUSINESS MEETINGS The minutes of the October 3, 2000 Adjourned and Business meetings were approved, having been duly certified accurate by two Council members and no one present wishing to have said minutes read publicly. 5. AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION • Bev Luby Bartz wants help to file administrative appeal Bev Luby Bartz, 114 North 7th Street, said staff has denied her request for an administrative appeal of some regulations relating to a proposal in her neighborhood. She said staff claimed additional information is needed to process the appeal. She wants Council to instruct staff to help people in these circumstances. She said the neighborhood feels strongly that this is meant to intimidate them and stop them from filing an appeal. Action: Mayor Place suggested setting up a meeting with the representatives from the neighborhood and Council Member Buchanan. • Lynne Kittelson requests complaints about weedy lots and planting strips handled by one Division Lynne Kittelson, 305 North 9th Street, said they are still having problems in her neighborhood with weedy lots. She said that two different departments handle complaints about weeds in people's yards and on planting strips. She urged Council to consolidate the responsibilities of these two programs into one program under Code Administration. She also requested that ordinances about parking on the planting strips and hulk vehicles be enforced. 2 481 OCTOBER 17, 2000 6. SPECIAL PUBLIC MEETING ON INITIATIVES 722 AND 745: A. INITIATIVE 722 — SHALL CERTAIN 1999 TAX AND FEE INCREASES BE NULLIFIED, VEHICLES EXEMPTED FROM PROPERTY TAXES, AND PROPERTY TAX INCREASES (EXCEPT NEW CONSTRUCTION) LIMITED TO 2% ANNUALLY? • Rita Anson gives facts and impacts re: Initiative 722 Rita Anson, Director of Finance and Budget, provided a brief explanation of • Initiative 722 and referenced the City - produced Fact Sheet on this initiative. Facts andimpact of Initiative 722: • Initiative 722 cancels and refunds all fee increases adopted between July 2nd and December 31st last year and limits the increase of property tax levies to 2% • $25,000 from cemetery fees would need to be refunded • $350,000 from wastewater tax increase would have to be refunded • $600,000 from property tax levies would have to be refunded • A large portion of the parks, streets and fire pension budgets are comprised of property taxes • Revenue loss would have to be accommodated by reduction in other services or programs • Currently Yakima taxpayers pay an average of $143 property tax per year, the fourth lowest of comparable cities • $600,000 of property taxes could support 11 fire fighters or 11 police officers or 51 % of the City's payment to the library or it pays to hold 35 prisoners in jail for a year • The owner of a $100,000 home could possibly receive a $17 reduction in property tax • Mayor Place requests citizen comments on Initiative 722 No citizen stepped forward to speak in favor of Initiative 722. Tom Barrington, Washington State Council of County and Municipal Employees, 701 North 1st Street, Suite 102, spoke as a taxpayer and as a union representative. Taxes pay for basic services, many services will be reduced, and employees will lose living wage jobs. Lynne Kittelson, 305 North 9 Street, spoke against Initiative 722, citing impacts to the service provided by police and fire. This will affect insurance rates in the City for business and home owners. This poorly written legislation makes a mockery of our democracy. Dave Cook, Yakima County Assessor, explained that the amount of tax to be collected is divided by the entire amount of taxable assessed value, which 3 482 OCTOBER 17, 2000 determines the levy rate applied against each property. 1 -722 limits the increase of assessed value and shifts the taxes from rapidly appreciating properties to properties that have not appreciated in value. John Lange, 222 South 65 Avenue, spoke about his experience in living and paying taxes in other cities, commenting that people expect to pay for services. (Please see attachment to minutes for expanded comments) B. INITIATIVE 745 — SHALL 90% OF TRANSPORTATION FUNDS, INCLUDING TRANSIT TAXES, BE SPENT FOR ROADS; TRANSPORTATION AGENCY PERFORMANCE AUDITS REQUIRED; AND ROAD CONSTRUCTION AND MAINTENANCE BE SALES TAX - EXEMPT? • Rita Anson and Chris Waarvick give facts and impacts re: Initiative 745 Rita Anson, Director of Finance and Budget, provided a brief explanation of Initiative 745 and referenced the City - produced Fact Sheets on this initiative. Chris Waarvick, Director of Public Works, also provided facts about the impact of 1 -745 on the City's Transit system. Facts and impact of Initiative 745: • Initiative may eliminate $3.6 million of Yakima voter - approved sales tax for Transit • Citizen may see a savings of 30 cents for every $100 spent within the city limits • Uncertain about the impact of the initiative because significant authority is given to State legislature • City would eliminate approximately 50 full -time positions by eliminating transit service • Potential $700,000 impact to City's budget (cash out of employees' benefits) by eliminating transit service • Unclear if City could keep revenue if local tax for Transit is approved again by the voters • May be able to provide limited Dial -A -Ride service • Mayor Place requests citizen comments on Initiative 745 No citizen stepped forward to speak in favor of Initiative 745. Tom Barrington, Washington State Council of County and Municipal Employees, 701 North 1st Street, Suite 102, stated we would lose control over Transit money and the service of maintaining the streets in our city. The basic Transit service would be eliminated. 4 483 OCTOBER 17, 2000 Sally Mayo, 209 North 32n Avenue, encouraged all voters to vote against this initiative. She uses the bus and can't walk long distances. Mary McDaniels, 1903 Steger Road, said several bus riders would have no service if this passes. She feels the transit services should be expanded into surrounding communities. Janice Grimes, 4602 Tieton Drive, is mentally ill and does not drive, but may be forced to if this initiative is passed. She believes that injuries or deaths of children will increase if transit service to school is not available. Aileen Kane, 701 South 14 Avenue, believes this initiative takes away local control and is irresponsible. Judy Jacobson, 128 Gibson, Selah and manager of Best S.E.L.F. program, spoke about the importance of transit services to children in the Best S.E.L.F. program. • • B.J. Flaherty, 1115 South 41s Avenue #B, a 13 -year city resident, utilizes Transit and Dial -A -Ride because of his disability. The Transit service is necessary. Caroline Keen, 1604 South 5 Avenue, Apartment A, opposes this initiative. The bus is the only mode of transportation she and her disabled daughter have available to them. Mary Lemon, 104 South 7 Avenue, rides the bus everywhere and opposes this initiative. William Smedley, 103 North 53 Avenue, said this initiative would take away the transit service he, and many other people, need. Debbie Moore, 2002 South 4 Avenue, Union Gap, stated she needs the buses because she cannot walk very far and her children ride the bus to school. Mr. Rondy Wilson, 404 Queen, stated he is mentally ill and needs buses for his transportation. • John Lange, 222 South 65 Avenue, commented that transit service empowers people and it is important to their self- esteem to be independent. Christie Fulcrum, 3004 Fruitvale Boulevard, stated she would not be able to go out without the buses. Karen Flowers, .1014 South 51 Avenue, Apartment D2, stated her only mode of transportation is the bus system. 5 484 OCTOBER 17, 2000 Mike Gregory, 5506 Pear Butte Drive, Director of Rural Enterprise Zone, is Vice Chair of the special Needs Transportation Coalition in Yakima County. He asked if the "transportation dollars" include stipends for people on Medicaid. This initiative is dangerous because it is not researched and is arbitrary. Ruth Estocase stated she moved from Wapato because there were no buses there. She will vote against these initiatives. Mary Steensrud, 1102 South 41 Avenue, said many people depend on these buses and the community needs more information about this initiative. Julie Busse, 4206 West Walnut, stated the bus system helps cut down pollution and traffic congestion and is needed by everyone, not just those who cannot drive. Lucinda Rodriguez stated she could not make it without the buses. Sheila Brogdon, 6100 Cowiche Canyon Road, stated she took Yakima's transit system into consideration when she looked for senior housing for her Mother. If 1 -745 passes, perhaps the City could partner with People for People to meet some transportation needs. John Ainsworth, 706 North 47` Avenue, said that there needs to be more public awareness about the impact of this initiative. Trixana Koch, 902 South 22 Avenue, reported that one of the statistics that Tim Eyman uses to promote 1 -745 is that 95.4% of people drive and less than 5% use Transit. However, this information was taken from a nation -wide study that included cities without transit services. Lynne Kittelson, 305 North 9th Street, commented that both initiatives damage the quality of life in our region and 1 -745 attacks the disabled, the elderly, and children. Yvette Lewis, President of Local 1122 AFSCME, urged the Council, as individuals, to take a public position to oppose these initiatives. • Council Members comments on Initiative 745 Council Member Beauchamp stated this community would be in a predicament if it lost its transit services. Mayor Place and Council Members Buchanan and Mattson declared they would vote against this initiative. City Attorney Paolella said, generally speaking, that elected and appointed officials are prohibited from using public facilities to promote or oppose an initiative. However, an elected body may take a position to vote on a resolution to support or oppose a ballot proposition, as long as a public hearing has been held. A statement by an elected official at a press conference or in response to an inquiry can also be made. Council Member Sims said the Council heard from the citizens and the 6 4.8 5 OCTOBER 17, 2000 citizens should decide what is right for this community. Council Member Barnett said he temporarily left the meeting because he felt the Council was beyond the parameters of the statute as he read it. Council Member Sims did not think the Council should take a formal position. 7. PUBLIC HEARING ON 2001 HUD ACTION PLAN (CONTINUED TO 7:00 P.M. THIS EVENING) Bill Cobabe, Manager of the Office of Neighborhood Services, discussed the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program. He described the annual process that recipients of CDBG money must go through. Mayor Place . opened the public hearing. There was no one wishing to testify at this hearing. SIMS MOVED AND BUCHANAN SECONDED TO CONTINUE THE HEARING TO 7:00 P.M. TONIGHT. The motion carried by unanimous voice vote, Puccinelli absent. 8. FORMAL SUBMITTAL OF PRELIMINARY 2001 BUDGET FORECAST A. SET DATE OF PUBLIC HEARING FOR NOVEMBER 7, 2000 FOR AD VALOREM PROPERTY TAX LEVY FOR COLLECTION IN 2001 • BUCHANAN MOVED AND SIMS SECONDED TO ACCEPT THE BUDGET FORECAST AND SETA PUBLIC HEARING DATE OF NOVEMBER 7, 2000 FOR THE AD VALOREM PROPERTY TAX LEVY. The motion carried by unanimous voice vote, Puccinelli absent. B. SET DATE OF PUBLIC HEARING FOR NOVEMBER 21, 2000 ON THE 2001 PRELIMINARY BUDGET City Manager Zais presented the Preliminary Budget Forecast and discussed the City's economic condition. The budget is balanced and is approximately 1% more than the 2g00 budget. The increase is driven primarily by fixed, mandated and contractual costs and does not include any general wage increases for employees. The budget, including utilities and the capital projects, is increased only 3% and most of that increase is comprised of capital improvements. The region's economy dictates that spending be kept in line within the revenue limitations; therefore, the property tax proposal for next year is only a 2% increase BUCHANAN MOVED AND SIMS SECONDED TO SETA PUBLIC HEARING DATE OF NOVEMBER 21, 2000 ON THE CITY'S PRELIMINARY BUDGET. The motion carried by unanimous voice vote, Puccinelli absent. *9. PRESENTATION OF STATE AUDIT REPORT FOR PERIOD JANUARY 1 — DECEMBER 31, 1999 (ACCEPT REPORT) The State Audit Report for the period of January 1 — December 31, 1999 was accepted. 7 486 OCTOBER 17, 2000 • *10. CONSIDERATION OF RESOLUTION REGARDING HAZARDOUS VEGETATION AND DEBRIS ABATEMENT PROGRAM Four lots were on the list for abatement of hazardous vegetation and debris: Auncion Rodriguez, NE corner East Q St. & N. 4th St.; Eutiquio- Custodian Alcala, 1512 n. 4th St.; Domingo Espana, 416 E. Q St.; and Yakima County Blue Shield, 700 block N. 39th Ave. There was no one present to speak to the resolution. RESOLUTION NO. R- 2000 -128, A RESOLUTION authorizing the Code • Administration Manager to clear certain weedy Tots. *11. CONSIDERATION OF RESOLUTION APPROVING A GRANT OF HOME FUNDS TO YAKIMA VALLEY PARTNERS, HABITAT FOR HUMANITY AND AUTHORIZING EXECUTION OF GRANT AGREEMENT RESOLUTION NO. R- 2000 -129, A RESOLUTION approving a $50,000 grant . request from 2000. federal HOME funds to Yakima Valley Partners, Habitat for • Humanity for the purchase of four property lots within the City of Yakima, and authorizing and directing the City Manager and the City Clerk to execute all necessary grant documents, including a grant agreement, between the City of Yakima and Yakima Valley Partners, Habitat for Humanity. *12. CONSIDERATION OF RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING EXECUTION OF AGREEMENT WITH PLSA ENGINEERING & SURVEYING FOR DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION OF 6TH AVENUE AND LEWIS AVENUE IRRIGATION PROJECTS RESOLUTION NO. R- 2000 -130, A RESOLUTION authorizing and directing the City Manager and City Clerk of the City of Yakima to execute an agreement with PLSA Engineering & Surveying, an Engineering & Surveying firm. *13. CONSIDERATION OF RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING EXECUTION OF MODIFICATION NO. 1 TO THE 2000 -2001 AGREEMENT WITH YAKIMA NATIONAL LITTLE LEAGUE ASSOCIATION FOR ELKS PARK RESOLUTION NO. R- 2000 -131, A RESOLUTION authorizing and directing the City Manager of the City of Yakima to execute Modification No. 1 to the "2000- 2001 Agreement between the City of Yakima and Yakima National Little League Association" regarding the use, operation and maintenance of Elks Park. 8 487 OCTOBER 17, 2000 *14. CONSIDERATION OF RESOLUTIONS GRANTING PUBLIC FIREWORKS DISPLAY PERMITS. FOR: A. EISENHOWER HIGH SCHOOL FOR OCTOBER 20, 2000 RESOLUTION NO. R- 2000 -132, A RESOLUTION granting a public fireworks display permit to Eagle Fireworks and waiver of the $50.00 permit application fee on behalf of Eisenhower High School ASB. B. DAVIS HIGH SCHOOL FOR OCTOBER 27, 2000 RESOLUTION NO. R- 2000 -133, A RESOLUTION granting a public fireworks display permit to Eagle Fireworks and waiver of the $50.00 permit application fee on behalf of Davis High School ASB. *15. SET DATE OF CLOSED RECORD PUBLIC HEARING FOR NOVEMBER 21, 2000 TO CONSIDER APPEAL BY DAN & CATHY FLOYD OF HEARING EXAMINER'S INTERPRETATION DECISION REGARDING SET BACK FOR FENCE November 21, 2000 was set as the date of a closed record public hearing to consider an appeal filed by Dan & Cathy Floyd of the Hearing Examiner's interpretation decision regarding the Urban Area Zoning Ordinance provisions for set back requirements for fences on corner lots. *16. SET DATE OF PUBLIC HEARING FOR NOVEMBER 7, 2000 TO CONSIDER HEARING EXAMINER'S RECOMMENDATION ON A PETITION TO VACATE A PORTION OF KNOBLE STREET AND • MAVIS AVENUE REQUESTED FOR LIVING CARE CENTER November 7, 2000 was set as the date of public hearing to consider the Hearing Examiner's recommendation of a petition filed by Ankrom Moisan Associated Architects, Inc. on behalf of Living Care Center, Inc., to vacate a portion of Knoble Street and Mavis Avenue. 17. CLOSED RECORD PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER HEARING EXAMINER'S DECISION ON THE REZONE OF PROPERTY AT 3204 AND 3214 FRUITVALE BOULEVARD REQUESTED BY NORMAN'S NURSERY This being the time set for a closed record hearing, Bruce Benson, Associate Planner, said that these properties were inadvertently rezoned from CDBS to light industrial in 1998. This proposed action is to rectify that error. Both uses are currently nonconforming and this action would make them conforming. Mayor Place opened the closed record hearing for public comments. No one was present wishing to speak during the public hearing and the Mayor closed the public hearing. 9 488 OCTOBER 17, 2000 • BUCHANAN MOVED AND SIMS SECONDED TO APPROVE THE HEARING EXAMINER'S RECOMMENDATION AND DIRECT LEGAL STAFF TO PREPARE THE APPROPRIATE LEGISLATION. The motion carried by unanimous roll call vote, Puccinelli absent. 18. CLOSED RECORD PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER HEARING EXAMINER'S DECISION ON THE REZONE OF PROPERTY AT 3911 CASTLEVALE AVENUE REQUESTED BY ABRAMS FAMILY INVESTMENTS This being the time set for the closed record public hearing, Bruce Benson, Associate Planner, said this property was split zoned in the 1998 zoning process. It is one parcel of land that has two different zonings. The property owner is requesting the rezone. The Hearing Examiner and staff recommend approval. Mayor Place opened the closed record public hearing. No one was present wishing to speak during the public hearing and the Mayor closed the public hearing. BUCHANAN MOVED AND SIMS SECONDED TO APPROVE THE HEARING EXAMINER'S RECOMMENDATION AND DIRECT LEGAL STAFF TO PREPARE THE APPROPRIATE LEGISLATION. The motion carried by unanimous roll call vote, Puccinelli absent. 19. OTHER BUSINESS • Council makes appointments to the Community Review Board BUCHANAN MOVED AND BARNETT SECONDED TO APPOINT STEVE EMHOFF AND RON BONLANDER TO THE COMMUNITY REVIEW BOARD. Mayor Place clarified that Mr. Bonlander is a re- appointment. The motion carried by unanimous voice vote, Puccinelli absent. • National Marine Fisheries Service Meetings are scheduled A brief discussion occurred about a missing invitation to attend an October 24 National Marine Fisheries Service workshop. Council Member Barnett reported he has not received an invitation to this workshop. Action: Staff will research the situation and provide the information to Council. • Mayor Places briefs Council on meeting with James Waldo re: salmon recovery - Mayor Place said there was another meeting with Mr. Waldo of the Governor's office and they discussed how to pursue funding for salmon recovery. Mr. Waldo will be accepting new proposals and then will send them out for everyone to 10 . OCTOBER 17, 2000 review. He will then make final choices as to which projects should be funded and send those recommendations to the Governor and ultimately the legislature. • Information Items: I/ Items of information provided to Council were: Agenda for the October 18, 2000 Community Review Board meeting; Report on Damage Claims Filed During the Month of September 2000; Planning Division Assignments Pending Report as of October 17, 2000; and Articles from the October 2000 Yakima Valley Business Journal:; "DARC Leaders Bullish About Downtown Yakima's Future ", "Are There Ways a Business District Can Thrive Without Mega Super Stores ? ", Valley Mall Saga Continues - Environmental Impact Study Imminent "; and "Traffic Woes? Congestion Near Mall Concerns WSDOT ". 20. EXECUTIVE SESSION REGARDING PENDING LITIGATION AND PERSONNEL (allow approximately 30 minutes) BUCHANAN MOVED AND SIMS SECONDED TO MOVE INTO EXECUTIVE •SESSION FOR APPROXIMATELY 30 MINUTES FOR THE PURPOSE OF DISCUSSING PENDING LITIGATION AND PERSONNEL AND THEN ADJOURN TO THE CONTINUATION OF THE PUBLIC HEARING ON THE 2001 HUD ACTION PLAN. The motion carried by unanimous voice vote, Puccinelli absent. 21. ADJOURNMENT TO 7:00 P.M. FOR CONTINUATION OF PUBLIC HEARING ON THE 2001 HUD ACTION PLAN; THEN TO OCTOBER 31, 2000 AT 7:30 A.M. AT THE POLICE STATION /LEGAL CENTER FOR STUDY SESSION REGARDING ANNEXATION REPORT; THEN TO NOVEMBER 7, 2000 AT 7 :30 A.M. AT THE POLICE STATION /LEGAL CENTER FOR STUDY SESSION REGARDING MANDATED WASTEWATER FACILITIES PLAN Following the conclusion of the Executive Session, the meeting adjourned at 5:37 p.m. to reconvene at 7:00 p.m. READ AND CERTIFIED ACCURATE BY: i ,vt-Cr�2;/�t --�- / 4 .© C U MEMBER DATE - " ..ih / -� 11 0 . COUNCIL MEM: ° I ATE ATTEST: 1c 2eiii.42.-"Lt- CITY CLERK MARY PLACE, MAYOR • Minutes prepared by Marketa Oliver and edited by Lin a Watkins and Karen Roberts. An audio and video tape of this meeting are available in the City Clerk's Office 11 490 OCTOBER 17, 2000 ATTACHMENT TO MINUTES OF .00TOBER 17, 2000 Expanded Comments re: Agenda Item No. 6A on Initiative 722: Rita Anson, Director of Finance and Budget, provided a brief explanation of the initiatives. She discussed the fact sheets the City has produced. Initiative 722 cancels and refunds all fee increases adopted between July 2nd and December 31st last year. The City has three applicable taxes or fee increases that would have to be refunded: the cemetery fee increase, a Wastewater tax increase and property tax increase. The amounts which would need to be refunded are: cemetery - $25,0000; Wastewater - $350,000 and property tax - $600,000. Further, future property tax increases would need to be limited to 2 %. The City would need to reduce other areas to accommodate the revenue Toss. The most significant impact staff has identified is the impact of the property tax, including the amount which would need to be refunded this year and the amount which would be canceled for future years. The reduction of $620,000 for property tax; $350,000 for wastewater fee increases and taxes and $25,000 for cemetery in 2001 would also impact future years since the revenue base is reduced. Ms. Anson went over how property tax is currently spent. She also compared Yakima's property tax to other cities around the state. Yakima taxpayers pay approximately $143 per year in property taxes, which is the 4th lowest of all of the comparable cities. She indicated that a large portion of the parks, streets and fire pension budgets are comprised of property taxes. She said that if this initiative passed and you owned a $100,000 home, you could possibly receive a $17 reduction in your property tax. Council Member Sims asked Ms. Anson to explain why the citizens of Yakima would care if their property taxes were reduced; what it would mean in terms of reduction of services. Ms. Anson provided some examples of what $600,000 supports in the City's budget. For example, $600,000 can support 11 fire fighters or 11 police officers or 51 % of the City's payment to the library or it pays to hold 35 prisoners in jail for a year. Council Member Sims said that Council would then need to determine what services to cut. City Manager Zais clarified that these were examples of what this money supported and staff was not recommending cuts of this magnitude if the initiative passed. However, 80% of the budget is public safety, streets, and parks. He said the problem with initiatives is that they may not belegally.valid. Mayor Place asked for anyone who would like to speak in favor of 1 -722. There was no one present who came forward to speak. She opened the hearing for those wishing to speak in opposition. Tom Barrington, Washington State Council of County and Municipal Employees, 701 North 1st Street, Suite 102, spoke as a taxpayer and as a union representative. The initiatives do not do what they purport to do; they do not cut taxes. He does not like paying taxes any more than any other person, but they pay for basic services. We would also lose the opportunity to have local control over Transit money. We will also lose the service of maintaining the streets in front of each of our houses. These initiatives take local control away. On November 7th, a gentleman from the other side of the mountains who has never been elected is going to let the voters in the 1 -5 corridor determine what Yakima needs. If 1 -745 passes, the Transit system will cease to exist. Senior citizens and students will no longer have transportation. If 1 -722 passes, 12 OCTOBER 17, 2000 employees will also lose living wage jobs. In the end, we will all pay the bill. If you go to the parks, they may not be as clean or as safe. The library may not be open as often. The response for police and fire will be longer. You get what you pay for. We have reached a point where we will get what we pay for. This is not the All- America City that it once was. Lynne Kittelson, 305 North 9th Street, commended the City and its employees for doing a marvelous job considering how thin resources are stretched. These initiatives are not in the spirit in which the initiative process was created. The police now have trouble responding because they are short- handed. What will happen if they are further curtailed. The national average is approximately 2.5 police officers per 1,000 population and Yakima is at 1.4 per thousand. Currently, the Fire Department is working with 3- person crews. That affects insurance rates in the City for both business and homeowners. This is poor legislation and is badly written and makes a mockery of our democracy. Council Member Mattson asked Mr. Cook, County Assessor, if assessed valuation is limited, how is the tax burden redistributed. Dave Cook, Yakima County Assessor, said the amount of tax to be collected is divided by the entire amount of taxable assessed value, that determines the levy rate which is then applied against each property to determine what amount that property owner pays. 1 -722 limits the increase of assessed valued. Mr. Cook gave an example of a balloon full of water. If you squeeze it, the water does not go away, it goes to a different part of the balloon. You are not eliminating taxes, simply shifting them from one area to another. 1 -722 will shift taxes from rapidly appreciating properties to properties that have not appreciated in value. Council Member Sims asked if this County would be dramatically impacted by 1 -722. Mr. Cook responded the whole state would be dramatically impacted. The State does not participate in property tax refunds. Council Member Mattson said if you were a person who sells watches to fraternities and sororities and lived in a $400,000 house on a golf • course in Mukilteo, would 1 -722 benefit you? Mr. Cook said definitely. For example, if there were 10.homes in a taxing district and five were valued at $100,000 and five house were going up in value to $120,000 that currently, all of those properties would have taxes attributed to them at their assessed valued. Under 1 -722, the $120,000 homes would only have taxes attributed to them as if they were valued at only at $102,000. The other property owners are going to pick up, the remainder. Council Member Beauchamp said that in his years on the Council, the Council has been very frugal with the public's money and has struggled to provide superior services within the budget. He said the Council should take a stand. The potential losses are too great for the community to get behind something like this. John Lange, 222 South 65th Avenue, has lived in several cities, including Anchorage, Salem, Seattle and Raleigh. In those cities, people know if they are going to have good things, they are going to pay for them. rt 13 •