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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. • 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. 32 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. 2 NOVEMBER 28, 2000 33 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. • 3 4x NOVEMBER 28, 2000 ADJOURNED MEETING — BUDGET REVIEW • 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. 4 NOVEMBER 28, 2000 • 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 I I / Oar ... v.,4/ - (7 -6 1 A 9V I L F �` DATE ATTEST: ,.2/294-vt-i- az, .7°4 2;/ 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 • 5