HomeMy WebLinkAbout11/07/2006 Adjourned Meeting •
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ADJOURNED MEETING
NOVEMBER 7, 2006 - 8:30 A.M. - 12:00 NOON
COUNCIL CHAMBERS - CITY HALL
BUDGET REVIEW
1. Roll CaII
Present:
Council: Mayor Dave Edler, presiding, Council Members Ron Bonlender,
Micah Cawley, Norm Johnson, Bill Lover, Neil McClure, and Susan
Whitman
Staff: City Manager Zais, Finance Director Rita DeBord, Financial Services
Manager Cindy Epperson and City Clerk Moore
City Manager Zais gave opening statements and advised that the budget wrap -up is
scheduled for December 5th with adoption on December 12 It was the consensus of
Council to review the budgets first, followed by a review of the policy issues.
2. Public Works Department (All)
Chris Waarvick, Director of Public Works, gave a power point presentation providing a
broad overview of the Public Works Department.
• Public Works Administration
In response to a question regarding the increasing cost of office and operating supplies,
Mr. Waarvick said that, beyond the increased costs of paper, etc., we are doing more
publishing and more public outreach, an indication that the city has grown.
• Streets and Traffic/Traffic Engineering
Shelley Willson, Streets /Traffic Operations Manager, answered the following questions
raised in the course of discussion:
How many miles of unpaved alleys? — 18 to 20
Are alleys prioritized work? - No
What is the City's street maintenance cycle? — 12 years
Is that a budgetary restriction or best practice? - Budgetary
How many streets are we losing due to the limited maintenance? — Up to 25%
Streetlights, signal lights, and the sidewalk 50/50 program were also discussed. The
$20,000 allotted in this budget for streetlights will purchase between five and eight.
There is one request alone that would result in an addition of ten streetlights( including
poles), and twenty lights only. Reacting to the information that 25% of our streets are
failing, Mayor Edler stated that Council must have a discussion on how to turn that tide.
City Manager Zais outlined the ,revenue restrictions under which the City operates. Mrs.
Willson commented that they no longer are able to go throughout the city looking for
areas that need maintenance; currently, priorities are based on input from Council or
Council committees. Council Member McClure asked about privatizing seal coating and
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NOVEMBER 7, 2005
Mrs. Willson assured him that she compares costs annually. The prevailing wage for
labor is higher for contractors than it is internally, plus we receive the added benefit of
• staff being available all year to also do sign maintenance, winter maintenance, and other
needs.
Council Member Cawley stressed the need for attention to what he considered
dangerous crosswalks with no lighting. Mrs. Willson explained that they have submitted
grant applications for sidewalk issues, but the Washington Traffic Safety Commission is
focused more on elementary schools and are not particularly interested in the runway
lighting. She pointed out that there are no funds set aside to pay for that type of an
installation. Most of the budget is for maintenance of the existing infrastructure. It would
take approximately $30,000 to accomplish runway lighting across a four -lane road.
Council Member Cawley said he would be requesting it.
• Transit
Ken Mehin, Transit Manager, advised that in 2006, ridership exceeded one million
passenger boardings, and the Van Pool Program is growing. Transit service was
extended to Union Gap and Selah and those grants continue through June 2007. If the
initiatives pass in Union Gap and Selah, that service will continue.
•, Refuse
•
Nancy Fortier, Refuse Manager, said the automated waste collection system should be
completed in eighteen months. She stated 19,000 tons of refuse and 3,200 tons of yard
waste are expected in 2007.
• Equipment Rental
Richard Wonner, Fleet Manager, noted that their hourly labor rate is now competitive, or
lower, than that of outside maintenance shops in the valley. A recent analysis
determined that our fleet is aging and we are getting further behind in replacements.
The capital budget is a third Tess than in the past. Due to the lack of funds, they are
trying leasing this year with seven trucks on 3 -year leases.
• Environmental
It was noted that there is a one -time contribution to the paving of the Public Works lot
from this fund.
• Parks and Recreation
A question was raised about possible duplication between athletic associations, the
Parks Department, and the Sports Commission. Denise Nichols, Parks and Recreation
Manager, explained the different functions of each.
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NOVEMBER 7, 2005
• Cemetery
Council had no questions.
Following a short break, the meeting reconvened at 10:24 a.m.
POLICY ISSUES
•
• Public Works complex
Pavement improvement - Chris Waarvick gave the history of the parking lot and
described its current condition. He pointed out that the using divisions would contribute
to the repair. Because it is a Public Works project there is engineering that needs to be
done. Detailed discussion covered the size, method, and materials. City Manager Zais
explained the funding for the project. The project could take up to two years. Mr.
Waarvick said they are requesting Council's approval to proceed with the analysis in
order to determine how to stage the project. Council Members Johnson and Lover
expressed concern about the project.
• Streets and Traffic Operations
Neighborhood traffic calming program -This policy item would fund a program to deal
with requests received regarding methods of calming traffic speeding through
neighborhoods. There currently are two petitions from neighborhoods. The $50,000
would be used to buy materials to install calming devices.
Traffic circulation study — There is a need to look at the total downtown traffic picture.
This policy would review existing plans in addition to making recommendations on
whether one -way streets should be changed to two -way. Council Member Lover
suggested this study be done in- house. Mrs. Willson pointed out that many basic tasks
would suffer if staff were to take on the study. Mr. Waarvick raised the question of
professional liability and warned that we have to be careful when we move into traffic
circulation changes. Transition can be confusing to the public and if there are accidents
they may generate lawsuits. A traffic - circulation plan without the review of a licensed
professional engineer would increase risk. Discussion ensued among Council Members.
Council Member McClure proposed having Urban Place or the Downtown Committee
meet with Council to discuss the issues prior to deciding whether or not to fund a study.
City Manager Zais suggested deferring the item.
Purchase of asphalt patch truck — Discussion covered staffing work schedules, and the
need of the truck to help repair potholes.
• Transit
•
Add one dispatcher position — Ken Mehin, Transit Manager, explained the position would
help manage our assets and cover shifts in the office for which they currently have to
bring in a driver and pay overtime. Council Member Lover requested they define how
much overtime would be saved.
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ADJOURNED MEETING — BUDGET
NOVEMBER 7, 2005
• Refuse
Add a half -time Department Assistant — Council Member Bonlender suggested a Code
Compliance Officer could do this function. During discussion, Nancy Fortier, Refuse
Manager, explained the duties of the two positions are not compatible as a Code
Compliance Officer would be working out of the Codes office in City Hall and this
position is clerical in nature requiring them to be in the Refuse office. A half -time
temporary position would be eliminated.
Rate increase to fund Code Compliance Officer — Mrs. Fortier said this policy issue
would result in a 3% rate increase to cover salaries, benefits and vehicle costs. Mr.
Waarvick advised that the request was initiated by the Council Litter Abatement
Committee to provide a fourth code compliance officer to deal with litter. A portion of the
increase is also to supplement graffiti abatement. Council Member Whitman pointed out
that there was a rate increase just last year. Council Member Lover said he would like to
see a task force formed to deal with graffiti and code enforcement.
• Equipment Rental
Vehicle fuel storage capacity expansion — No discussion
• Parks & Recreation
Increase in program fees,— Council Members questioned the need for fee increases and
Denise Nichols, Parks & Recreation Manager, explained the fixed costs as well as labor
involved in supporting increased tasks. She also noted that some fees depend on the
market and are the result of analysis on comparables, such as the golf courses. Council
Member Johnson said he would like to see youth swimming costs reduced.
HVAC improvements to Lions Pool — Mrs. Nichols confirmed that the requirement and •
cost of the improvements have been verified by two entities.
Management of West Valley Community Park — The County has asked the City to take
over this park, now that it is annexed into the city limits.
Maintenance of Central Business District - .The16 -block area downtown has been
maintained by a seasonal full -time employee. It is recommended we contract that
maintenance out to the private sector. The expanded area will involve more manpower,
either private or public, and would cost about $150,000 a year to maintain. The
Downtown Yakima Futures Initiative Oversight Committee is studying the issue. The
Committee for Downtown Yakima has asked to meet with the Futures Committee to look
into this and take the lead role to form a plan of action and funding choices. This policy
issue is advisory and a place - holder for future consideration in the early part of the year.
Reorganization of the Parks & Recreation Division - Mrs. Nichols explained the
reorganization. Due to a vacancy and realignment of job tasks, they have reallocated
funds and propose to add a recreation position at the Harman Center. They have also
received a three -year Americorp grant and are requesting a recreation specialist be
assigned to that progi'am to assist the fifteen Americorps members. Council Member
McClure referenced the increased time requirement at the Harman Center and
suggested there be a Council committee as part of the decision making team.
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• Cemetery
Proposed 3% fee increase — Council Member Whitman pointed out there was a 5%
increase in 2005.
Columbarium /Niche Wall at Tahoma Cemetery — There is a large increase in cremains
versus regular burials and, although we have a mausoleum, it is almost full. Other
cemeteries that have added niche walls, say they are popular and a source of revenue.
Chris Waarvick, Public Works Director, commented that in the future we need to start
talking about a west side transit service station. The city is growing further away from
City Hall and Public Works and it is time look into having a presence in the West Valley
area.
3. Community and Economic Development (Part 1)
• Central Business District (CBD) Capital
Bill Cook spoke about the 321 Capital Improvement Fund for improvements in the
Central Business District.
City Manager Zais alerted the Council in advance of a time sensitive policy issue on indigent
defense. This will be reviewed at the beginning of next week's budget meeting.
4. Adjournment
JOHNSON MOVED AND WHITMAN SECONDED TO ADJOURN TO THE 5:00
• P.M. EXECUTIVE SESSION PRIOR TO THE REGULAR 6:00 CITY COUNCIL
BUSINESS MEETING. The motion carried by unanimous roll call vote.
READ AND CERTIFIED ACCURATE BY
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CITY CLERK / WrO " ID 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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