HomeMy WebLinkAbout11/22/2005 Adjourned Business Meeting 3 5'2
ADJOURNED BUSINESS MEETING
OF THE YAKIMA CITY COUNCIL
NOVEMBER 22, 2005 - 8:30 A.M. - 12:30 P.M.
COUNCIL CHAMBERS - CITY HALL
1. Roll Call
Present:
Council: Mayor Paul George, presiding, Council Members Ron Bonlender,
Dave Edler, Mary Place, and Susan Whitman
Staff: City Manager Zais, City Attorney Paolella and City Clerk Roberts
Absent: Bernard Sims, Neil McClure (both excused)
EDLER MOVED AND BONLENDER SECONDED TO DIRECT STAFF TO DO
WHAT WE CAN TO MAKE IT VIRTUALLY IMPOSSIBLE FOR THE COUNTY TO
MOVE THE COURTHOUSE AWAY FROM DOWNTOWN. Council Member Edler
said he believes it could be devastating for the downtown and suggested staff
attempt to create a situation that will be a win for them. Mayor George said that all
who have worked so hard at revitalizing the downtown are disappointed with that
announcement. The motion carried by unanimous voice vote; McClure and Sims
absent.
2. Set date of joint public hearing with the Yakima County Commissioners to
consider a text amendment to the Yakima Urban Area Zoning Ordinance
relating to a new State Fair Park land use category
PLACE MOVED AND EDLER SECONDED TO SET DECEMBER 6, 2005 AS
THE DATE FOR A JOINT HEARING WITH THE YAKIMA COUNTY
COMMISSIONERS TO CONSIDER A TEXT AMENDMENT TO THE URBAN
AREA ZONING ORDINANCE. The motion carried by unanimous voice vote;
McClure and Sims absent.
3. Consideration of Ordinance amending the Yakima Municipal Code to
suspend the annual comprehensive plan amendment process for certain
years when the GMA comprehensive plan updates are required and under
other specified circumstances
Bill Cook, Community and Economic Development Director, explained we have
until late January to make this change. He suggested setting a public hearing on
the subject, as it is in the public's best interest to give more detail and have more
time to deliberate why this is necessary. This is the first time this community is
going through an entire review of our Comprehensive Plan and, as such, would be
confusing for citizens to look at individual Comprehensive Plan amendments at the
same time they are being asked to look at recommendations to change the rules
for the future. PLACE MOVED AND WHITMAN SECONDED TO SET
DECEMBER 6 AS THE DATE FOR A PUBLIC HEARING TO DISCUSS THE
COMPREHENSIVE PLAN AMENDMENT PROCESS. The motion carried by
unanimous voice vote; McClure and Sims absent.
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NOVEMBER 22, 2005 — ADJOURNED MEETING
4. Consideration of Resolution authorizing execution of a Subordination, Non -
• disturbance and Attornment Agreement with HouseValues, Inc., and Chinook
Business Park, LLC covering the premises located at 1700 North 6 Street,
Yakima, Washington
Bill Cook, Community and Economic Development Director, advised that
HouseValues Inc. has entered into a five -year lease agreement with extensions
and have agreed to make substantial tenant improvements in the building located
at 1700 North 6 Street. In that the City of Yakima has a lien on that building, it is
prudent on the part of HouseValues to ask anyone who has a lien on the property
to enter into this agreement. It is a typical real estate agreement that says if we
have to take action on our lien we would not remove HouseValues from the
building. PLACE MOVED AND EDLER SECONDED TO ADOPT THE
RESOLUTION. The motion carried by unanimous voice vote; McClure and Sims
absent.
RESOLUTION NO. R- 2005 -186 A RESOLUTION authorizing the City Manager to
execute a Subordination, Non - disturbance and Attornment Agreement with
HouseValues, Inc., and Chinook Business Park, LLC covering the premises
located at 1700 North 6 Street, Yakima, Washington.
BUDGET REVIEW
5. Police Department (Budget pgs F -1 — F20, Policy Issues pgs PI- 101 -102)
• Police
Police Chief Granato gave an overview of activity in 2005. We continued to see an
increase in property crimes, especially in auto theft and auto prowls. In August we
implemented a special emphasis pilot program and targeted an area of the city in
partnership with.other agencies. The results were encouraging and we have put
money in the budget to continue the process. He spoke about the discouraging
number of crimes and how citizen complaints regarding response time are
increasing due to the lack of police officers. They are hitting the limit of available
officers to adequately respond to crime in the community. They are presenting a
plan as to how they are going to increase the number of officers in the city to get to
the level we need. With the increase from .3% sales tax money, they will be able
to reach a level of a little over 1.5 officers per thousand. The nationally
recommended average is two officers per thousand, with the western average at
1.8 per thousand. To reach those levels they need 22 additional officers at an
estimated personnel cost of a little over $1.8 million. Add in the non - personnel
costs and the total is about $2,245,000. The financial resources have to be
identified to support the need, but our citizens need to understand that our officers
are stretched to the limit and there will be a requirement to do something to pay for
that level of increase. Chief Granato recommended a goal be identified and,
working with Council, a plan developed to reach it. The message he wants to send
to criminals in the community, and those that want to come here, is that they are
not welcome, we will respond, and we have the resources to do it.
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NOVEMBER 22, 2005 — ADJOURNED MEETING
Council Member Place, also a member of the Public Safety Committee, expressed
concern that there are gang members that the prosecutors' office decline to
prosecute. It's a growing problem that we have to get a handle on. The sales tax
increase was passed specifically to improve criminal justice in Yakima County. We
had a budget to cover this, but the County has increased our jail rates and we will
now have to use some of that tax money to pay those costs. Chief Granato said
we might have to look at expanding our jail and housing our own prisoners. There
is also concern about the lack of prosecution for crimes such as auto theft. It is a
serious offense yet offenders see no jail time until at least seven arrests are made.
That sends a message that there is no price to pay for auto theft. We've made it a
policy to handle it as a misdemeanor just so we can handle it in our court in order
to give them some jail time. The prosecutors are facing the same dilemma, a lack
of resources. They have a huge caseload and have to prioritize it.
City Manager Zais clarified that the budget forecast laid out the allocation of the
sales tax dollars. The issue the Chief is bringing up is the significant needs beyond
these resources. This does not cover jail costs nor does it address whether the
County is going to prosecute the people we arrest. He proposed adding a policy
issue to commission an effort by Council, the Public Safety Committee, City staff,
and the Police Department to work on this challenge with the County to identify
what we can do to obtain additional ongoing resources. The Police Department is
not asking that we decimate other departments to come up with this money, but to
plan a program to get a solution to the need. The criminal justice funding we
received is much smaller than what the County got and is considered a
disproportionate allocation.
Chief Granato then spoke about crime and drugs in Yakima compared to other
areas within our region. The problems are not unique to Yakima. He doesn't
agree that we are the drug capital of Washington State. He also spoke of a recent
study by University of Kentucky indicated that in the Northwest we have one officer
to investigate every 33 incidences of identify theft. In the East they have one
officer for every three incidents of that crime. We want to expand our crime
prevention program.
The increase in the County jail costs is a $90,000 impact on the budget. As a
result staff recommends modifying the Police Department allocation of the .3%
sales tax revenue to reduce the money allotted for the crime lab by 50% and
instead implementing it in stages over a two -year period. The evidence technician
position could be eliminated and the monies saved could be rolled into the .3%
money in order to retain the forensic specialist. They hope to recover the evidence
technician in a later budget. They are working to identify alternatives to
incarceration that would reduce the amount of jail costs spent; e.g. using
Toppenish, Wapato, home detention, or booking into the City jail first and then
transferring to the County.
Policy Issues
Increase Overtime Parking Fines (PI -1o1) - Unbudgeted
Council Member Whitman requested a list of other comparable cities (besides
Seattle) showing their parking infraction rates
Accommodate 24.5% Proposed Increase in Yakima County Jail Rates - Budgeted
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NOVEMBER 22, 2005 — ADJOURNED MEETING
Already discussed the increase in jail rates.
City Manager Zais proposed adding a third policy issue for a study to create a plan
of action to find resources to increase police staffing.
Also discussed at this time was a policy issue in the Finance Budget (P1 Pg 79),
Patrol Car Computer Replacement - Budgeted
Rick Pettyjohn, Information Systems Manager, spoke about the problems
experienced with the existing system. As a result of the problems, they have had
to shut down the COBAN computers in the cars. The policy issue is to replace
them and add mobile data back into the cars. Mr. Pettyjohn strongly recommends
approval as the video system, when working, has been extremely valuable. The
funding source is the Law and Justice capital fund in combination with the .3%
money and other sales tax dollars from criminal justice, a portion of which were
allocated to this fund over a number of years.
Captain Greg Copeland, Uniform (Patrol) Division, responded to Council questions
and comments about the drug problem in Yakima. A DEA Task Force was started
in 1987. Our problem is real but it is about the same as every community in the
northwest. Since 1995 our crime rate has been going down or stayed even, but
now it's going back up and we're having trouble keeping up. He encouraged
Council Members to get a police scanner and listen to the frequency they ask
officers to clear from an address to go to more pressing calls. The smaller calls,
the ones that make citizens angry, get shoved to the back burner due to gang
fights, domestic violence, robberies, and homicides. He also reminded Council
Members that they can come ride with a police officer anytime to learn first hand
what they are dealing with.
Captain Jeff Schneider, Criminal Investigation, said he is very familiar with crime
rates in many of the other cities in the state. Some of the areas that are perceived
as very safe have much higher crime rates than Yakima. We have to overcome
the reputation. It is not that our crime rate is higher than other cities, but our officer
numbers are lower. Citizens complain because of response time. He is forced to
tell people they are not going to even look at their case. They don't have the
amount of time that would be needed to take the case to the full extent it should be,
so they're faced with dealing with the crimes against people.
• Pension Fund
Rita Anson, Director of Finance and Budget, told Council that we received notice
yesterday that the state may be raising some of the pension benefits and we are
currently assessing what that would do to the budget. What is disconcerting is that
the City receives these notices late in our budget process after the budget is
already established. She suggested the timing issue be addressed at the state
legislature level.
• Law and Justice Capital
Chief Granato said the most significant item would be the purchase of vehicles this
year. Captain Schneider explained that they try to replace about a third of the
patrol fleet each year. City Manager Zais said that the capital fund covers police,
courts, criminal justice, and computer equipment. Negotiations are still in process
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NOVEMBER 22, 2005 — ADJOURNED MEETING
with YPPA for the 2006 contract. It is in mediation and won't be completed this
year because of scheduling timeframes.
Following a short break, the meeting reconvened at 10:00 a.m.
6. Fire Department (Policy Issues Pg PI -103 - PI -108, Budget pgs G -1 - G -27)
• Fire
Chief Mayo, Deputy Chief Hines, Deputy Chief Scott, and Battalion Chief Willson
were available for questions. Chief Mayo commended the Department saying they
are leaders in the provision of services because they are developing
regionalization. Their mantra is: what is best for our citizens and how can we get
more value for our dollars. They are trying to enhance services through
partnerships. He spoke about grants they have received and are working toward
receiving. He then discussed the ratio of fire fighters per thousand citizens noting
that for similar cities in Washington state it is 1.55 compared to our 1 per thousand.
Although they are not trying to ramp up the 40 people they are down, they do have
an overtime issue. City Manager Zais noted the collective bargaining agreement
discussions are progressing. There may be a need to make some budget
adjustments and that takes away from the reserve that is already at minimum
levels.
Policy Issues — (pg PI -103)
Add three entry level fire fighter positions - Budgeted — paid for with corresponding
reduction in overtime. Deputy Chief Scott ,explained the manpower shortage
causing the overtime situation. Analysis says it would be Tess expensive to have
full time staffing. They are very confident that the addition of three firefighters will
pay for itself with the reduction of overtime.
Increase the EMS Levy to fund Capital Equipment for Fire and EMS — Unbudgeted -
Fire only receives $25,000 of EMS money. It would take 20 years to save up
enough to purchase a fire truck. City Manager Zais said this was a significant
discussion last year and in the BST reviews; what could be looked at as a funding
source to enhance the fire capital budget for the city. These are "big money" items
e.g. the pumpers are $250,000, ladder trucks run $700,000 - $800,000. The option
with the highest level of success is having the EMS levy renewed and increased
over time. The BST recommended there be an additional 10 -cent levy added to
deal with these needs. Council Member Place referenced another community that
put a pamphlet together about their equipment needs inviting people to make
donations. Discussion continued on manpower needs and potential funding
resources.
Fire Auxiliary — Reserves — Battalion Chief Willson explained that, although this
program has been around for quite awhile, it is going through a change. These
reserve volunteers provide essential basic services, bringing the air truck to the fire
scene, supplying breathing air, doing rehab and re- hydration, etc. In 2006 they are
going to branch out into public education, public relations, human services, and
disaster relief services. He suggested Council watch this group because if they do
what they are planning, we may want to invest more money in 2007.
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NOVEMBER 22, 2005 — ADJOURNED MEETING 57
Operations — Acting Deputy Chief Willson said that, although the call volume has
increased, manpower has remained the same, which is stretching resources.
Fire Investigation — Deputy Chief Scott said that after three years of investigating
arsons, this month it would level off. The canine addition has been a poster child
for arson prevention. In 2005 they hope to take a bite out of the arson crime and
look forward to an improved 2006. Chief Mayo explained that we are looking at the
City of Yakima to be this region's fire investigation representative and we would be
reimbursed for going out on those calls.
Fire Training — Deputy Chief Scott described the cadet program and the skill
center contributions. Chief Mayo said they would like to be the National Incident
Management Service (NIMS) training coordinator in the area. There is a need for a
team to be developed for this county.
Chief Mayo introduced and welcomed the new Deputy Chief, Charlie Hines.
Fire Capital — Deputy Chief Scott said this was another crisis that had been
referred to earlier. There is a need to contribute a minimum of $400,000 - $500,000
a year to maintain the apparatus. The fleet is currently considered adequate to
good. In two years we will have the need to replace one of the ladder trucks.
Obviously, contributing $25,000 a year falls short of those needs. We are starting
to experience some mechanical issues. There are significant needs that are
woefully under funded and will become critical. This budget includes the addition
to Station 92, the replacement of a brush vehicle, and some portable radios, plus
an emergency generator for Station 95.
Pension Fund — Rita Anson, Finance and Budget Director, noted that this is
similar to the police pension fund, covering pensions, medical and disability
benefits to LEOFF 1 members. Overall these costs have increased an average of
16% per year, primarily due to medical costs. Because of the increasing costs, the
City made a decision to put an additional $50,000 a year into this fund to insure
there were dollars available to cover the increasing costs.
Council Member Whitman supported the need for new fire fighters. She also was
in support of $25,000 for public safety education saying that anything we can do to
get more money and more fire fighters out there has got to be considered
essential.
7. Public Safety Communications (Budget pg G -17)
Wayne Wantland, Communications Manager, explained their primary
responsibilities; providing 911 dispatching under contract with Yakima County,
dispatching for the City of Yakima and for other agencies under contract; as well as
electronic maintenance for all electronics in the City excluding computer
equipment. They partnered on nearly $1.6 million in grants for communications
equipment. With regard to staffing levels, they started 911 nine and a half years
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ago with eleven employees. Today they operate with eleven employees and yet
the call volume has gone up 33% in that same time period. He explained that
when they entered into the 911 agreement with Yakima County, the commitment
was for the first five years they wouldn't ask for additional funds, would operate
with what we were receiving. They are now four and a half years into the second
contract and it is getting critical as those revenues are not enough to fund 911 and
they are going to have to find other sources of income.
With regard to staffing levels on the dispatch side, when they consolidated nine
and a half years ago, they had twelve employees. They now have thirteen and
have experienced the same volume increase of 33 %. If manpower for police and
fire are increased as discussed, it will affect their workload. They are currently
down two dispatchers, which is causing tremendous overtime. That is not only an
economic problem but also a stress problem.
The electronics technicians are overloaded as well. They support public safety and
their load increases every time police and fire increase. They have added a
temporary position for next year to help with the workload.
Mr. Wantland advised that a consolidation study is being paid from a grant from
Homeland Security. If it comes to fruition, 911 and all dispatching functions as well
as the radio infrastructure (mountain top radios) would be consolidated under one
authority to manage and maintain. The plan is to hold a joint meeting (on
December 5 of 911 operations and the administrative board to accept or reject
the final report. They will then go to the Conference of Governments on the 18 or
19 of January, and then to an open meeting for all elected officials to hear what
the consultant says. The key factor is that a consolidated center is more efficient
service wise. In the long term it is more economic to maintain and eliminates
duplications although it may cost to get there.
. 8. Finance Department
State Examiner (Budget pg D -5)
Financial Services (Policy Issue Pg PI -77, Budget pg D -6),
SunDome (Budget pg D -24)
District Court (Budget pg D -25)
Transfers (Budget pg D -26)
Public Facilities District (Budget pg D -27)
Contingency (Budget pg D -28)
Capitol Theatre Reserve (Budget pg D -30)
LID Guaranty (Budget pg D -31)
Risk Management (Budget pg D -32)
Cemetery Trust Bonded Debt (Budget pg D -35)
Information Systems (Policy Issue Pg PI- 79,82, Budget pg D -11)
Utility Services (Policy Issue Pg PI -85, Budget pg D -20)
Rita Anson, Director of Finance and Budget, said their proposed 2006 budget is for
$4.7 million, and is comprised of three divisions; Finance Services, Information
Systems, and Utility Services. Their two primary missions are finance and
customer service. Finance is regulatory by nature by outside as well as internal
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control responsibilities. In addition to the state auditory (currently financial and
compliance audits and internal controls) they also are audited by pension boards,
medical boards, the IRS, bond arbitrage, etc. It isn't clear how the new legislation
for performance audits will impact us. On the utility side, there are a lot of state
regulations. In addition they are watching what is coming down the pike trying to
analyze impacts and insure the Council and staff are informed. There are major
policy issues proposed that will affect the utilities group. There are risks involved if
we don't do those things, on the regulatory side, as well as the risk of safeguarding
assets and risks of non - compliance that can have financial, or in some cases,
criminal penalties.
The various divisions within the department gave overviews of their functions:
Cindy Epperson, Financial Services Manager spoke of the accounting functions;
Tim Jensen, Treasury Services Officer, described his area of responsibility, and
Rick Pettyjohn, Information Systems Manager, detailed his mission statement and
area of support. Pete Hobbs, Utility Services Manager, said they have added
8,000 new accounts this year and that nearly a third of those turn over every year.
Policy Issues — (pg PI -77 thru PI -86)
Raise Cap on Outside Utility Taxes (unbudgeted)— This is a recommendation from
the Budget Strategy Team when looking for revenue enhancements. We currently
have a 6% utility tax on external utilities. 2% is unlimited, but the other 4% applies
only to the first $4,000 per account per month. The recommendation is to phase
out that maximum limit and phase in raising the cap over a three year period. The
proposal for 2006 is to increase the $4,000 cap to $5,000. Council Member Place
said that if the decision is to go forward with this, the businesses should be notified
and have a chance for input. It is proposed that the funds generated be used for
Parks capital fund and the balance used to reduce the dependency on reserves.
Implement a New Utility and Permitting Management System and Add a 3 4 Time
Utility Service Specialist Position (budgeted)
These requests are the culmination of two years of work with the goal of wanting a
new utility system, but not just automating bad processes. They are moving
forward with the proposal of a new customer utility system. City Manager Zais
advised that this project stretches over a number of years, and is funded at a fairly
limited level next year. Even so, it is not inexpensive and will cost over $1.5
million. This project is investing in the City's major utilities. Every private and
public utility is doing the same thing and has paid for it through the rate base.
Due to time constraints, Risk Management was deferred to the next Budget
Review meeting.
9. Executive Session
PLACE MOVED AND BONLENDER SECONDED TO ADJOURN TO
EXECUTIVE SESSION REGARDING PROPERTY, PENDING AND
PROSPECTIVE LITIGATION FOR APPROXIMATELY 30 MINUTES WITH
ADJOURNMENT THEREAFTER TO NOVEMBER 29, 2005 AT 8:30 A.M. FOR A
BUDGET REVIEW. The motion carried by unanimous voice vote; McClure and
Sims absent.
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