HomeMy WebLinkAbout11/04/2008 Adjourned Meeting 32 �
YAKIMA CITY COUNCIL
ADJOURNED MEETING — BUDGET REVIEW
NOVEMBER 4, 2008 — 8:30 A.M. — 12:00 NOON
COUNCIL CHAMBERS — CITY HALL
1. Roll CaII
Present:
Council: Assistant Mayor Micah Cawley presiding, Council Members Kathy Coffey,
Rick Ensey, Norm Johnson, Bill Lover and Neil McClure
Staff: City Manager Zais, Finance and Budget Director DeBord, and City Clerk
Moore. Also available were Cindy Epperson, Accounting Manager, and
Tim Jensen, Treasury Services Officer
Absent: Mayor Dave Edler (excused)
City Manager Zais gave opening comments.
2. City Administration - Part 1 - General (See 2009 Preliminary Budget document)
• City Council
Council Member Ensey suggested the travel budget be reduced to last year's amount.
Council agreed with the reduction.
• City Manager - No discussion
• Indigent Defense
This item is under City Administration for contract management. Dave Zabel!, Assistant
City Manager, advised that we have applied for a $200,000 grant to increase coverage.
• Legal
City Manager Zais advised that they hope to fill the vacant city attorney position by
year -end.
Assistant City Attorney Cutter noted the significant decrease in outside counsel costs.
Assistant City Attorney Martinez said they hoped to be able to implement the case
management system by the end of 2009. Assistant City Attorney Harvey described
the policy issue to increase a half -time legal assistant II to full time. If the position is
made full time they could bring more work in- house, a further step in bringing outside
counsel expenses down.
• Risk Management — No discussion
• City Clerk and Records
City Manager Zais advised that the cost of elections will be reflected in this budget.
The EMS election cost in February will be assigned to the EMS budget.
There is a policy issue that is combined with Information Systems to provide archiving
data storage of the official records in the City Clerk's office. Last year was the policy
issue for capturing and storing electronic mail, this is the next step in the phase -in
process. This issue will be discussed in detail during Information Systems budget
presentation. Council Member Lover requested cost information on the presidential
election with a comparison to the last one.
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ADJOURNED MEETING — BUDGET REVIEW
NOVEMBER 4, 2008 — 8: 30 A.M.
• Human Resources
Assistant City Manager Zabell advised there are currently two contracts being
negotiated, Police and the newly organized Lieutenants and Captains. Human
Resource Director Smith gave an overview of the division's functions.
• Employee Insurance Benefits
City Manager Zais answered questions about the discrepancies in employee
payments for insurance; the Management Group carries the largest cost.
• Purchasing
The potential merger with Yakima County's Purchasing Department was discussed.
When it is accomplished, it will be one of the very first combinations in the northwest;
currently there are only four in the country.
• Community Relations
Randy Beehler, Community Relations Manager, gave a brief overview of
departmental functions. They are in the process of some significant equipment
changes. They will soon be able to post all of YPAC programming online. He
explained that the current 15 -year franchise with Charter Communications expires in
2009. Although it will more than likely be extended for another five years, we would
not be receiving grant money during the extension.
2. Public Works Department — Part 1
• Administration — No discussion
• Streets & Traffic
The policy issue for the 40` Avenue Corridor Traffic Improvement Study was
discussed highlighting the need as traffic continues to increase. Council Member
Coffey suggested there be a policy issue for an overarching study from 1 -82 at
Yakima Resource to Union Gap. Street lights were discussed and it was noted that
they are looking into solar powered LED street lights. Chris Waarvick, Public Works
Director, concurred that lighting LIDs may be a possibility as requests out number
funding. Joan Davenport gave an update on the Barge Chestnut traffic calming
project.
• Transit
Transit Manager Ken Mehin noted that ridership is up 14 %. Mr. Waarvick advised
that they are looking into a grant that would expand service hours. It was questioned
why the purchase of one bus was submitted as a policy issue. City Manager Zais
advised that bus purchases typically are not, but due to the high cost, this one was in
order to keep Council aware.
• Refuse
Nancy Fortier, Refuse Manager, addressed their two policy issues. The request to
upgrade a solid waste maintenance worker to a code compliance position was the
result of the declining need for maintenance workers due to automation. For years,
they have only been able to deal with the litter problem on a complaint basis. They
are hoping to take a proactive approach on illegal dumping with this position. The
other policy issue is to change a maintenance position to crew leader. They have
approximately 2,600 new accounts coming in from the 72 Avenue annexation. Also
discussed was the misnomer of the title "crew leader" when they are actually driving.
A title change will require going through the Civil Service process to have the position
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ADJOURNED MEETING - BUDGET REVIEW
NOVEMBER 4, 2008 - 8: 30 A.M.
renamed. It was noted that there will be some equipment replacements that have
been budgeted.
• Equipment Rental
Council Member McClure said that he did research in response to a comment made
on the radio about the City having a parking lot full of new vehicles. On average,
16% of the fleet are 3 -years old or newer. If police vehicles are not considered, the
percentage goes down drastically. The Equipment Rental department does a great
job of keeping the equipment maintained so it lasts. Mr. Waarvick advised that
approximately 50% of the City's vehicles are at, or beyond, their financial
replacement life.
• Environmental Fund
City Manager Zais explained that the fund has been in existence for a number of
years and is from a surcharge on fuel.
4. Adjournment
McCLURE MOVED AND JOHNSON SECONDED TO ADJOURN. The motion
carried by unanimous voice vote; Edler absent. The meeting adjourned at 10:44 a.m.
READ AND CERTIFIED ACCURATE BY '' d�
COUNCIL DATE
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COUNCI ME `: w', DATE
ATTEST:
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CITY CLERK ' , S ST - 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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