HomeMy WebLinkAbout11/15/2005 Adjourned Meeting 1 a 3,4
ADJOURNED MEETING
OF THE YAKIMA CITY COUNCIL -
NOVEMBER 15, 2005 — 8:30 A.M. - NOON
COUNCIL CHAMBERS — CITY HALL
1. Roll Call
Present:
Council: Mayor Paul George, presiding, Council Members Ron Bonlender, Dave
Edler, Neil McClure, Mary Place, Bernard Sims and Susan Whitman
Staff: Dick Zais, City Manager, Finance Director Rita Anson, Financial Services
Manager Cindy Epperson and City Clerk in Training Deborah Moore
2. Community and Economic Development (CED) (Budget pages El — E78; Policy
Issues Pages E87 -E99)
Bill Cook, Community and Economic Development Director, gave an overview of the
services provided by his department.
Bill Cobabe, Office of Neighborhood Development Services Manager, and Doug Maples,
Code Administration and Planning Manager, discussed the budget in terms of quality of
life issues. Michael Morales, Community and Economic Affairs Specialist, and Doug
Maples spoke about economic development. K. Adams, City Engineer, discussed
infrastructure. These discussions focused on the department's efforts to carefully
allocate a scarce budget and other resources and the achievements that have
contributed to growth, development and improvements in each area.
• Urban Area Hearings Examiner (pg. El)
The proposed 2006 budget is less than the 2005 amended budget. It is anticipated
that once the Wal -Mart issue is completed, the Hearing Examiner's reviews will
return to a more regular schedule.
• Environmental Planning (pgs. E2 -5)
This division is still in the process of hiring another planner, which should be
accomplished in early 2006.
• Code Administration (pgs. E6 -13)
The Community Review Board (CRB) that was implemented five years ago
continues to be very successful in achieving code compliance on private property.
The Code Division would like more legislative help in expanding the YMC to give the
CRB power to address other significant code violations.
The Fire Inspection program is also adding to the quality of life in the community. In
2005 (to date), there have been over 4,000 inspections, which have reduced the
number, size and financial loss from fires allowing businesses to recover in a shorter
time period.
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As a result of the vacant building ordinance that was adopted two years ago, 116 of
the 161 vacant buildings have been abated.
Another Animal Control Officer will be hired in 2006.
• City Hall Facility Maintenance (pgs. E14 -17)
Doug Maples advised that the maintenance of elevators in City Hall would be
addressed in 2006. He also gave an update on the status of the joint assembly hall
with Yakima County.
• Economic Development (pgs. E18 -19)
Council has committed funds from this budget to the Committee for Downtown
Yakima as a match, if the Committee is able to bring a pledge together.
• Office of Neighborhood Development Services (pgs. E 20 -33)
Bill Cobabe advised that, at this time, Congress is anticipating a 9% reduction in
Block Grant funding for 2006. His division also planned for a 9% decrease in the
2006 budget to address this potential revenue shortfall. At this time, it is not
necessary to amend the Annual Action Plan. He advised there is no funding for
economic development incentives in 2006.
• Parking and Business Improvement Area (PBIA) (pgs. E34 -35)
Revenue for the PBIA assessment has been on a decline due to vacancies in the
downtown area. This situation may change with the opening of the new hotel. The
sale of the parking lot to the federal government in 2005 provided some revenue to
this fund.
• Central Business District (CBD) (pgs. E36 -37)
The downtown Futures Initiative is funded in this budget. The City has front -ended
these expenditures on the downtown project and is now receiving funds from the
state to balance the expenses.
• Trolley (pg. E38)
In 2006, a $495,000 grant from the state will be used to buy the trolley barn from
Comprehensive Mental Health. This funding will also be used for retrofitting, track
work, security and lighting on the property.
• North Front Street Business Improvement District (E39)
This budget will be used for marketing and beautification on Front Street.
• Yakima Convention Center (pgs. E40 -44)
Kathy Coffey, General Manager of the Convention Center, explained that 2005 had
been a flat year for the Yakima Convention Center, as well as for the entire industry.
Dick Zais voiced his concerns about the declining revenue from room tax. He is
hopeful that the opening of the new hotel will make a difference in the budget. The
PFD sales tax revenues have increased and it is proposed to put some of the funds
into the operation of the convention center to make up for revenue shortfalls and
cash flow needs since they do not operate on an even cash flow every month.
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ADJOURNED MEETING -- NOVEMBER 15, 2005
Kathy Coffey spoke about the Tourist Promotion Association (TPA) funding that is
collected and will be used for advertising in the Seattle market. This is helpful for all
economic development for Yakima.
(The Capitol Theatre budget was postponed until November 29, 2005)
• Engineering (pgs. E56 -60)
The 2006 budget is increased slightly from 2005 for administration.
• Arterial Street Capital (pgs. E61 -63)
This budget includes funding for the River Road project, Washington Avenue Project
(52 to 72 Avenues) and Washington Avenue railroad crossing, which is a pass
through for Burlington Northern's grant from the state.
• Transportation Improvement (pg. E64)
Dick Zais advised that this fund would be closing with the conclusion of the Gateway
project, which will be completed soon.
• Public Works Trust Fund (pgs. E65 -71)
We are eligible to compete for these funds again. This budget includes an entire
record of where the PWTF money is allocated in connection with the real estate
excise tax (REET) 1 money and PWTF dollars that are used for matching funds. In
addition, this funding is used for current City Hall improvements and will be used for
upgrades to the new assembly hall when necessary.
• REET 2 Capital Fund (pgs. E72 -73)
This fund is used for the 40 Avenue Repair Project from Fruitvale Boulevard to
River Road.
• LID Construction Control Fund (pg. E75)
These sewer LIDs will be closing soon.
• Cumulative Reserve for Capital Improvements (pgs. E75 -76)
The Grade Separation Project money is included in this fund. Kay Adams gave a
status report of this project and stated that the Environmental Assessment (EA) has
been sent to the Department of Transportation and the federal highways group for a
second review after the City updated the document. State and federal agencies
must release the EA in order for the City to proceed.
• Commute Trip Reduction Fund (pg. E77)
This fund will include state dollars for the Growth Management Act comprehensive
plan amendment that is due December 2006.
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ADJOURNED MEETING -- NOVEMBER 15, 2005
POLICY ISSUES:
1. Upgrade the current Economic and Community Affairs Specialist position to
Deputy Director of Economic Development and Intergovernmental Affairs
(budgeted -- $14,500) — pgs. 87 -88
Bill Cook spoke to this budgeted policy issue. The City is currently managing an
annual economic development portfolio of $20 million consisting of about $6.9 million
of ongoing Section 108 loans, and $12 million for the renewal community through
2009. We need to make the best use of the remaining years to increase economic
development, especially in the downtown area. The responsibility of managing this
portfolio has risen beyond a line employee level. The department historically has
been unrepresented in an organizational structure with a designated economic
development person. Mr. Cook is asking to create the deputy position. This position
will not immediately supervise other people, but it will be a coordination position. As
we grow, he anticipates it eventually becoming a supervisory position.
City Manager Zais added that we have been growing in intergovernmental relations,
working with our legislative delegations, staff offices and other federal and state
agencies that we do business. This position will centralize this work and Michael
Morales has demonstrated expertise in this area for securing funding for economic
development projects. The funding for this position is blended from the Community
Development Block Grant Program, Water, Wastewater and the Economic
Development fund.
2. Land development fee increase (unbudgeted) — pgs. 89 -91
Bill Cook explained that having the same fees as the County helps recover a portion
of the true cost. Although the impact on the revenue side of the budget is small, it
would put us at the same level as the County and further our efforts toward
regionalization. The policy issue increase is tied to the Seattle Consumer Price
Index (CPI) and, if approved, our fees would be the same as the County's fees.
Bernie Sims questioned why we were tying the fees to the CPI since Council's
direction was to use the same rates as the County. Doug Maples was instructed to
check with the County regarding their 2006 fees and then align the City's fees to that
number and present it to Council during budget wrap up.
3. An increase of 2% in the 2006 service contract with the Humane Society of
Central Washington (budgeted -- $1,100) — pgs. 92 -93
Doug Maples explained the three changes to the contract: (1) to implement a bond
for $25,000 rather than $5,000 per employee; (2) to increase the handling fee to $3;
(3) to charge city residents $10 to bring a dog to the shelter. This is $15 less than
what they charge residents outside city limits.
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ADJOURNED MEETING -- NOVEMBER 15, 2005
4. Implement a $25 annual Fire Inspection Fee for all Commercial
businesses in the City of Yakima (unbudgeted) - pg. 94
Currently, City personnel do these inspections at no charge to the business owner.
Bill Cook advised that this recommendation came from the BST. These fees would
raise revenue by approximately $100,000 per year.
Council Member Sims asked if this fee could become part of the annual business
license. City Manager Zais advised that the question would require legal research.
5. Upgrade the current Department Assistant 111 position to Permit Technician
(budgeted -- $3,000) — pg. 95
Bill Cook advised that this would be addressed as a budget adjustment to correct an
inequity in a position that does the same work as a Permit Technician but isn't
compensated at the same level.
6. Fund Visitor Information Center (budgeted -- $40,000) —pg. 96
This money would be used to fund the brochure.
7. Engineering Division Professional Services Contract (budgeted -- $30,000) --
pg. 99
Bill Cook advised that we need Computer Aided Design (CAD) services for
Engineering. The goal is to do this under contract instead of hiring a full -time person.
4. Adjournment
MCCLURE MOVED AND BONLENDER SECONDED TO ADJOURN TO THE
AFTERNOON COUNCIL MEETING AT 2:00 P.M. The motion carried by unanimous
voice vote. The meeting adjourned at noon.
READ AND CERTIFIED ACCURATE BY ���[_/ _�� _
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COUNCIL MEMBER DA
ATTEST:
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CITY CLERK P'. GEORGE, MAYOR
Minutes prepared by Deborah Moore. An audio and videotape of this meeting are available in
the City Clerk's Office.
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