HomeMy WebLinkAbout11/28/2000 Adjourned Meeting 3 z ,
CITY OF YAKIMA, WASHINGTON
NOVEMBER 28, 2000
ADJOURNED MEETING - BUDGET REVIEW
Present: Mayor Mary Place, presiding, Council Members Clarence Barnett, Henry
Beauchamp, Lynn Buchanan, Larry Mattson, John. Puccinelli (after 8:50
a.m.) and Bernard Sims present on roll call.
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Staff: City Manager Zais (after 9:10 a.m.), Rita Anson, Director of Finance and
Budget, Cindy Epperson, Accounting Manager; Tim Jensen, Accountant;
and Acting City Clerk Watkins.
COMMUNITY AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Capitol Theatre
(Budget Pages G -47; Policy Issue Pages 93 -94)
Steve Caffery, Executive Director, and Amanda Mott, Director of Operations, were
available to answer questions. In the Policy Issues they have requested a $5,000
increase of the management fee. Mr. Caffery commented that they have not had an
increase in the last four years. He said the current amount can no longer maintain the
theatre in an effective manner. He identified the areas of need noting the carpet needs to
be replaced (estimated cost.of $100,000), the rigging needs to be replaced at an
estimated cost of $500,000, they are out of code, the restrooms are inadequate, as well
as other major items. He informed Council that they received a $75,000 grant last year to
go toward the sound system. The total cost for a sound system is $225,000. They are
beginning a planning process to see what can be done to develop partnerships in the
community to maintain the facilities at a level the community deserves. There was
discussion about looking for foundations, trusts and grants to help with these needs. He
asked for the City's help in resolving some of the maintenance issues. Council Member
Sims instigated a discussion about the million dollar insurance settlement and using any
excess as leverage for grants for the theatre.
CITY MANAGEMENT
Wastewater
(Budget Page D -36)
Doug Mayo, Wastewater Manager, and Scott Stockton, Assistant Wastewater Manager,
were available for questions. Council Member Barnett asked about duplication of effort
with relation to the grease issue and was advised there has been research done and it will
be pursued further this year. Council Member Puccinelli asked about Wastewater's debt
service and was referred to page F -42 of the Finance Department's budget. Chris
Waarvick, Public Works Director, assisted in a discussion regarding the Stormwater Policy
Advisory Committee and the Ten Cities Group. There was discussion regarding the
Eastern Washington Storm Water manual and how, until it is issued, decisions regarding
stormwater utility are premature. It was the consensus of Council that, although it is
premature to look into a utility in advance of the stormwater manual, it is important to get
word to the public that this is coming.
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NOVEMBER 28, 2000
ADJOURNED MEETING — BUDGET REVIEW
Council Member Barnett said there was an indication that there wouldn't be money for
rehabilitation and other projects and questioned if that meant certain types of •
maintenance will have to be deferred. Mr. Mayo responded that they are impacting their
reserves and until the Cost -of- Service Study is complete and a decision on future
direction is made they have cut back on capital projects and expenditures. He
commented that they are also dealing with litigation expenses.
PUBLIC WORKS
Public Works Administration
(Budget Page J -1; Policy Issues Page 105)
Chris Waarvick, Director of Public Works, and John Haddix, Senior Project Planner and
Acting Transit Manager, were available for questions. The question arose as to why the
communications system was in the Public Works' budget. Mr. Haddix responded that
Transit will be funding a large amount of the cost because of their heavy use of the air
waves. Council Member Beauchamp questioned the rationale behind this type of
system rather than using cell phones. Mr. Waarvick explained that the communication
system allows everyone to hear what is being said and is an open communication
network between all divisions. He noted there are cell phones integrated into the work
force as well. Council Member Sims spoke about the Nextel System which utilizes
equipment like cell phones for use similar to two -way radios. It was suggested that staff
look into this Nextel System and come back to Council with information justifying the
selection of radio versus other available options.
Streets
(Budget Page J -13; Policy Issue Page 108)
Council Member Mattson suggested the needed inventory of sidewalk locations and
conditions could be considered as a volunteer project for the Pedestrian Bicycle
Committee and suggested adding it to their agenda.
Traffic Engineering
(Budget Page J -28; Policy Issues Pages 106 -107)
Council Member Barnett asked for clarification as to why they were budgeting $75,000 to
$90,000 for a revised transportation plan. Shelley Willson, Traffic and Operations
Manager, responded that they have not received a quote for this project yet but wanted
enough funds to cover it. The last time they did this plan they had to keep coming back
for more funds. She pointed out that they have most of the data now through their data
collection efforts and, as a result, expect their costs to be less than what was spent in
1993. Mr. Waarvick explained that the expensive part of this plan is the extrapolation of
the data.
Mrs. Willson advised we have been notified that we have received the Corridor
Congestion funds from the State. The Clean Air Authority is still working on their
maintenance plan. We are hoping to receive the remaining portion from them in March.
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NOVEMBER 28, 2000
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ADJOURNED MEETING — BUDGET REVIEW
City Manager Zais clarified that this money is not yet referenced or recorded in the
revenue or expenditure /appropriation account. Once we have certainty of these funds it
will come back to Council for an appropriation.
Mrs. Willson reviewed the contingency plan noting that Tier 1 is a reduction of $136,000
and Tier 2 reduces an additional $58,000.
Transit
(Budget Page J -38)
• City Manager Zais began by advising the intent is to fill the position of Transit Manager
and that process will begin after the first of the year. Mr. Haddix noted there was a
correction needed on page J -38 changing the sentence that reads. "There are nine bus
routes that operate Monday through Saturday..." to read "...Monday through Friday..."
There was discussion regarding the policy issue asking for an increase for the County's
Aging and Long Term Care. It was explained that although these funds are targeted to
residents outside the City, the contract is also written to allow some participation by City
residents but is limited to the nutrition programs. This is allowed because the overall
analysis of how the City gets their total dollars when they apply for federal funds include
the population of the urban area. Over the years this has been a recognition of the power
of the population that live outside the City limits and how that influences the amount of
money that can be applied for. Without that population contingent the dollar flow through
the City would be adjusted. Mr. Haddix will supply a written clarification of this issue prior
to budget wrap -up.
City Manager Zais explained that this budget is for what has been identified as the
current plans for this year but this may be amended by the outcome of future meetings
and hearings on this subject. Mr. Waarvick advised that one action that may be required
is to extend the A & A Motorcoach contract for a period of time to allow staff time to
prepare a status report for Council.
Refuse
(Budget Page J -51; Policy Issues Pages 109 -115)
Nancy Fortier, Refuse /Recycle Manager, explained the 3% rate increase for residential
can service, stating that salary and wages have increased due to the reclassification of
positions. She noted they also budgeted for a potential landfill increase of $10,000 as
well as their portion of the City Services and Customer Service charge that increased
over 7 %. The discussion compared the City's rates and those of a'private hauler. Mr.
Waarvick suggested this discussion be considered in the future study session on the
semi - automatic refuse truck noting that to stay competitive we need to give Refuse the
tools to become more efficient.
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ADJOURNED MEETING — BUDGET REVIEW
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Equipment Rental
(Budget Page J -59)
Richard Wonner, Fleet &Facilities Manager, addressed questions on the ergonomic
issue regarding the small buses. He told Council about a meeting he recently had with
representatives from Ford Motor Company with regard to ergonomic issues and the
potential of replacing the six position electrical seats with mechanical seats. The City had
previously been told they couldn't change the seat without voiding the warranties. He's
been working with the vendor to get permission to do this and has received a mechanical
seat to try. Mr. Waarvick advised that there is legislation pending that eventually will
dictate that a certain percentage of the fleet be made up of vehicles that have alternative
fuel capabilities. Next month there will, be a demonstration vehicle available, a Toyota
Priez which is a hybrid gasoline /electric car, that is being considered as a replacement
vehicle for Public Works Administration to be used around the City. The claim is it gets
50+ miles per gallon and runs primarily off of batteries. The engine only works when the
batteries are low and it recharges the battery. Council Member Beauchamp
recommended really checking into the type of patrol cars the City purchases to ensure
comfort and avoiding ergonomic problems in the future.
Parks and Recreation
(Budget Page J -72)
Chris Waarvick explained the current status of the Kissel Park project. The school district
immediately ceased operation of their FFA activities when notified of the presence of lead
arsenic in the soil. Arrangements have been made for professional assistance to look at
Kissel Park. Mr. Waarvick said the class 3 review is ready to process, however, legal
counsel has advised us to work with the consultant to develop a plan that incorporates
the current budget into the remediation activities. This would allow us to apply for
Washington State Model Toxic Act monies and then potentially finish the park completely.
The original $800,000 budget did not finish the park. This works on the assumption that
finishing the park is the best remediation strategy by capping what is there. The
Department of Ecology is looking for a model remediation site at these lower levels in
Eastern Washington and Mr. Waarvick believes Kissel Park fits that bill. There is a
meeting scheduled later today to discuss this issue with the DOE.
Denise Nichols, Parks and Recreation Manager, indicated that the budget covers the
operation of the five pools but it is their intent to look for a community partnership to offset
the cost of operation of one of the pools, similar to last year. Council Member Sims noted
that the charts in this section of the budget need to be revised. They all refer to under 18
and 19 and over, which technically leaves out 18 year olds.
Cemetery
(Budget Page J -103; Policy Issues Pages 116)
Denise Nichols described the additional fence improvements and 24 Avenue entrance
sign in the policy Issues. She said the money comes from the Contingency Fund. The
Contingency Fund was discussed.
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NOVEMBER 28, 2000
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3 5'
ADJOURNED MEETING - BUDGET REVIEW
ADJOURNMENT
SIMS MOVED AND BEAUCHAMP SECONDED TO ADJOURN TO DECEMBER 1,
2000 AT 10:30 A.M: FOR EXECUTIVE SESSION IN SEATTLE REGARDING
PENDING LITIGATION, THEN TO DECEMBER 5, 2000 AT 8:30 A.M. FOR BUDGET
WRAP UP, THEN TO NOON AT PROVIDENCE MEDICAL CENTER FOR PUBLIC
SERVICE LEGISLATIVE LUNCHEON. The motion carried by unanimous voice vote.
The meeting adjourned at noon.
READ AND CERTIFIED ACCURATE BY: , 1 // 7 a
"C•UNCILME R DATE
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CITY CLERK MARY PLACE, MAYOR
Minutes prepared by Linda Watkins, edited by Karen Roberts. An audio and video tape of this meeting are
available in the City Clerk's Office
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