HomeMy WebLinkAbout06/20/2006 Adjourned Meeting / Study Session 80
ADJOURNED MEETING / STUDY SESSION
JUNE 20, 2006 - 7:30 A.M. - 9:00 A.M.
COUNCIL CHAMBERS - YAKIMA CITY HALL
1. Roll CaII
Mayor Edler called the meeting to order at 7:39 a.m.
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Present:
Council: Mayor Dave Edler, presiding, Council Members Ron Bonlender,
Micah Cawley, Norm Johnson, Neil McClure and Susan Whitman
Staff: City Manager Zais, and City Clerk in Training Moore
Absent: Bill Lover (excused)
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2. Study Session regarding the Yakima Safe Community Action Plan
Mayor Edler suggested the judges have the opportunity to, be questioned first to allow
them to go back to work. Council Member Bonlender asked what the impact would be
on the court of reducing the package proportionally. Judge Woodard suggested that a
proportional package would be the best approach for the court in order to better phase in
the resulting increase in workload. Part of the discussion was the problem of filling
vacancies. Judge Woodard noted that there currently are three vacant positions.
Cynthia Martinez, Assistant City Attorney, said they have asked for a 30% increase to
meet the 30% increase of officers. If that were scaled down, their numbers would scale
back proportionally.
When asked about the various options proposed that would cut support staff, Captain
Rod Light advised they are currently operating with a substandard level of personnel in
the support staff, yet they are getting the job done by giving 150 %. Although they will
continue to work toward newer innovations, the support staff could not accommodate at
the same level they are currently doing with an increase in officers and no corresponding
increase in staffing.
The discussion continued on the various methods, impacts, and ideas of scaling back
the proposal. Council Member Bonlender mentioned adding a Code Enforcement
Officer, which he believes is a necessity with increased emphasis patrols.
Mayor Edler directed attention to the packet received over the weekend. It was
suggested that Council agree on a package prior to presenting it to the public.
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ADJOURNED MEETING — JUNE 20, 2006
SAFE COMMUNITY ACTION PLAN
Program Discussion included the following points:
• What the additional officers would be doing, making sure we are not just throwing
money at the problem.
• Reviewing the existing budget in detail looking for money to fund.
• The need to be careful with budget cuts and impacts on services.
• Council all agreed there is a need for 23 new uniformed police officers but are
unsure of feasibility.
• It is critical to take this to the voters.
Funding Discussion included the following points:
• The need for rebuilding the reserves was emphasized.
• The GREAT Grant was discussed and agreed it is not to be considered as part of the
funding for this proposal.
• It was clarified that if the number of officers is reduced from 23, the fines and
forfeitures amount would be Tess as well.
• Council Member Bonlender spoke in support of his proposal of a 1.5% utility tax
increase, eliminating the lid, and adding 50% of the library tax gain and new fines
and forfeitures.
• Council Member McClure supports a 2% utility tax increase, lifting of the lid, and half
of the library tax gain with the other half going into the reserves.
• Mayor Edler supported Council Member McClure's comments.
• Council Member Johnson spoke against eliminating the utility tax lid.
• Council Member Lover, while absent, had Council Member Cawley read his
comments supporting funding by spending reductions, non - federal funds, library
taxes, the GREAT grant, fines and forfeitures, and new revenue projections.
Mayor Edler referred to a proposal from the City Manager that referenced some general
government services cuts. He asked the City Manager to supply information on what
services and departments would be affected by the proposed cuts.
Council Member McClure suggested reviewing other impending revenue requests; such
as Fire and Parks. Those must be taken into consideration as well when reviewing the
budget for revenue resources.
Council Member Johnson asked for an impact statement of what it would cost various
institutions if the cap on the utility tax was lifted.
The subject was continued to another study session at 8:30 a.m. on July 11, 2006.
3. Audience comments (8:45 a.m. — 9:00 a.m.)
None
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ADJOURNED MEETING - JUNE 20, 2006
SAFE COMMUNITY ACTION PLAN
4. Adjournment
McCLURE MOVED AND JOHNSON SECONDED TO ADJOURN TO JUNE 27, 2006
AT 5:00 P.M. FORA REGULAR BUSINESS MEETING. The motion carried by
unanimous voice vote.
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CIT CLER / �irAVID EDLER, MAYOR
Minutes prepared by Linda Watkins. An audio and video tape of this meeting are available in the City
Clerk's Office
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