HomeMy WebLinkAbout06/26/2007 Adjourned Meeting / Study Session 410
ADJOURNED MEETING /STUDY SESSION
JUNE 26, 2007 — 8:00 A.M.
COUNCIL CHAMBERS — CITY HALL
1. Roll Call
Present:
Council: Mayor Dave Edler, presiding, Council Members Ron Bonlender, Norm
Johnson, Bill Lover, and Susan Whitman
Staff: City Manager Zais and City Clerk Moore
Absent: Council Members Cawley and McClure (excused)
2. Metropolitan Park District Bargaining
City Manager Zais reminded the Council that this research was done due to a
suggestion by the Budget Strategy Team as part of a revenue option. Their point was
that a Metropolitan Park District (MPD) could free up money in the City's budget that
could be used in other areas.
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Denise Nichols, Parks and Recreation Manager, gave a power point presentation that
covered the following:
• 2007 Parks and Recreation budget
• Oversight options
• Junior taxing authority explanation •
• History of Metropolitan Park Districts (MPD)
• Formation of an MPD
• Dissolution of an MPD
• Various scenarios for a•Yakima MPD (individual versus regional)
• Advantages and disadvantages
Council discussion included requirements for continued subsidizing of the utility tax
portion of the parks. Mrs. Nichols, responding to a Council question about the taxing
maximums, said it would be difficult to maintain all the peripheral park services. She
explained how Selah now has a parks and recreation service area that gives them the
ability to expand into the school district area versus just the city - proper limits. But, they
don't have the benefits that a Metropolitan Park District has. Their Parks Services
District was voted in approximately four years ago. Mrs. Nichols pointed out that a
Metropolitan Parks District could be formed to support an aquatics center.
Mayor Edler commented that we are looking at alternatives on how to fund additional
services and he is disappointed that a Metropolitan Parks District doesn't enhance those
services. As a result, he is not excited about moving forward on it. With regard to it
being a possibility of a funding source for an aquatics center, he is concerned about
anything that will require the vote of the citizens. 8
ADJOURNED MEETING - JUNE 26, 2007
Bob Busse, Chair of the Parks Commission said they had discussed an MPD in 2006
and the facts can be deceiving. They do not want to take a step backward, but if it is
determined to be a positive step, we should proceed. They currently are not sure. Tom
Hinman, a Parks Commission member, said the numbers just aren't there; it looks like a
50/50 thing and we would not gain much. However, one advantage would be a
consistent revenue stream. The facts are still coming in so the idea is not totally dead,
but he is not leaning toward it with what is known at this time.
City Manager Zais said we would look at any change in this option critically. The notion
that there is not an immediate gain is important. On the other side of the scale, though,
is the continued erosion of the current parks services because of other pressures on the
City budget. A gain from an MPD may be preserving what is there before it is
eviscerated by other things. Mayor Edler agreed and noted that we have added quality
of life to our list of priorities this year because we do see this erosion of the important
things in our community.
3. Audience comments
Bob Alexander asked questions regarding start up costs and the possibility of shifting the
current infrastructure to the MPD. He asked why not just move the employees into it.
Mrs. Nichols clarified that the MPD is not obligated to take those employees. They
would have to reapply to the Metropolitan Park District. She also explained the timing
for the MPD transition to occur; it would take 18 months from the time it went to the
voters before there was money coming in.
Jim Whiteside said he is not looking for growth or an increased bureaucracy but there is
a large population in our community who do not have the financial background for
pursuing quality of life. We have wonderful facilities that people have to pay to use (Sun
Dome, Capitol Theatre), but parks can be used without having to pay money. The
lawless people are impinging on our quality of life budget and we are trying to minimize
our losses.
Council Member Whitman agrees that we need to continue to pursue this. She would
like staff to come back with an estimate of start -up fees, a timeline., and the impact on
the employees. Also, what are the impacts on the cemetery.
Mayor Edler left the meeting at 9:00 a.m. turning the gavel over to Council Member Johnson.
Council Member Johnson complimented the way the Parks Department has kept the
parks and cemetery up with the limited funds they have.
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412 ADJOURNED MEETING JUNE 26, 2007
4. Adjournment
BONLENDER MOVED AND WHITMAN SECONDED TO ADJOURN. The motion
carried by unanimous voice vote; Cawley, Edler, and McClure absent. The meeting
adjourned at 9:05 a.m.
READ AND CERTIFIED ACCURATE BY(danly —07
CO �� '/ DATE
s S ' L MEMBER DATE
ATTEST:
CITY CLERK DAVID iL R, MAYOR
Minutes prepared by Linda Watkins. A CD and DVD of this meeting are available in the City Clerk's Office
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