HomeMy WebLinkAbout11/03/1988 Special Meeting 0 2 -1
NOVEMBER 3, 1988
SPECIAL MEETING /JOINT LAW FACILITY
The -City- Council and County Commissioners met in session on
this date at 10 :30 a.m. in the Council Chambers of City
Hall, Yakima,- Washington, for the purpose of discussing the
feasibility of pursuing a Joint Law. Facility. Council
members present were Mayor Pat Berndt, presiding, Clarence
Barnett, Lynn Buchanan and Jerry Foy. Council members Henry
Beauchamp, Lynn Carmichael and Bernard Sims absent and
excused. City Manager Zais and Deputy City Clerk Toney also
present. County Commissioners present were Charles Klarich,
Graham Tollefson, Jim Whiteside, and Commissioner Elect
Alex Deccio.
Mayor Berndt welcomed the County Commissioners to the
meeting and asked City Manager Zais to comment on the
history of the Joint Law Facility. Mr. Zais stated the
Joint Law Facility was the subject of a major cooperative
study between the City and County in 1981 -1982 in which
consideration was given to the possibility of consolidating
the Police Department and Sheriff's Department. This
consolidation was to include dispatching, communications,
records, etc. The basic conclusion at that time was that it
was deemed feasible to pursue such a facility, however, the
issue was deferred until both jurisdictions could establish
a better fiscal position, and to the County time to
complete the new County Jail facility. Mr. Zais stated the
City has continued to search for other alternatives,
however, cannot continue to delay a joint facility
consolidation. He stated the Police Department is severely
pressed by manpower and space limitations, as is the County,
and it is time to move forward with this concept. He
II[ commented it is time to consider funding for such a
facility` through additional revenues., Mr.' Zais stated the
City has focused on an alternative proposal which seeks
legislative authority to impose additional taxes to be
dedicated for law enforcement and law and justice purposes.
He stated the County is also seeking additional funding,
possibly through the utility tax. Mr. Zais suggested
jointly pursuing another local option 1/2 cent sales tax to
support the needed improvements of both entities. He said
the City feels it is imperative to move forward on this
issue within the next year as it is in the best long term
interest of both jurisdictions. Council member Foy
commented briefly in favor of moving forward on a Joint
Facility. Council member Barnett asked if the Commissioners
have any short or long range plans for temporary or limited
confinement that might impact this.
Commissioner Klarich stated the first phase of.the jail has
been completed, .however, the current maintenance and
operation budget for the jail, in addition to other law
enforcement needs, has curtailed any activity from current
expense dollars for anything outside of law and justice. He
said if the legislature provides some means of revenue
enhancement, maybe the County can provide some of the
services provided last year. He stated a low security
holding facility will cost Yakima County •taxpayers because
the County will still have to operate the current jail
facility. Commissioner Klarich stated the legislative
package put together by the Association of Counties will be
adopted November 17th and 18th and contains some options for
generating revenue, including the State accepting their
responsibility for public defender services, Superior Court
decisions and local option taxing for local government use.
Mr. Klarich stated the County could use additional space
for the Sheriff's Department, however, that is not a top
priority at this time unless some additional funding source
outside of the existing budget process becomes available
NOVEMBER 3, 1988
SPECIAL MEETING /JOINT LAW FACILITY
because every dollar generated over the past two years has
gone for increased expenditures in the law and justice
field. Commissioner Klarich stated the state and federal
government are not doing their jobs to prevent the drug
traffic from entering the County and State, and until that
happens the County will continue to build additional
structures to house prisoners. This cost will then have to
be passed on, to the taxpayer, thus creating a cycle that
must be stopped. He stated the County currently needs 1.5
million dollars to deal with law and justice requests, and
they (the County Commissioners) were informed this morning
that next year's costs will be approximately 1.1 or 1.2
million dollars, but the increase in revenues will be
minimal.
Commissioner Whiteside stated if the County opted to
increase the utility tax, that revenue would have to be
dedicated for law and justice purposes. City Manager Zais
stated if. the City seeks a local option 1/2 cent sales tax,
it also would be dedicated for law and justice purposes.
Mr. Zais stated he believes a request for funds would have
more impact if presented as a joint.City /County request.
Commissioner Whiteside agreed, adding that the County has a
much higher .rate of expense than the City because most of
the law and justice responsibility falls under the
jurisdiction of the County.
Mayor Berndt asked what utility tax issue the County is
looking at this year and Commissioner Klarich responded that
the legislative package contains no tax issue this year
because the Association of Counties feels that is a dead
issue.
Speaking in favor of exploring the possibility of combining
the City and County law enforcement agencies, Council member
Foy commented he believes the public will support the 1/2
cent sales tax.
Council member Buchanan commented there should be a way to
cut the cost to the taxpayer by working together.
Commissioner Tollefson stated it is not a question of this
being a desirable project; it is a question of affordability
as the County does not have the 5 million dollars to
proceed with the project. He stated he would support the
1/2 cent sales tax if there is a methodology of
distributing the revenues regardless of the jurisdiction.
City Manager Zais stated he believes the legislature will
deal with this issue if it is brought to them in a
coordinated manner, adding there must be new resources to
meet the established needs of law and justice.
Council member Buchanan stated the City has invested a lot
of money on a record system and the County is proposing to
do the same. He said the City is going to expend money for
expansion of the Police Department and sooner or later the
County will have to do the same. He suggested exploring a
way to spend the money jointly rather than as two separate
entities.
Commissioner elect Alex Deccio stated the drug problem has
been established as the number one priority by every
candidate running for office this year and he believes this
is the appropriate time to address such an issue. He said
he received a call from the Ways and Means Committee of the
Senate informing him that 1.5 billion dollars has been
forecast and there will be a 250 million dollar carryover.
from the. 1987 -89 budget. He suggested asking for some of
NOVEMBER 3, 1988 _ma
SPECIAL MEETING /JOINT': LAW FACILITY
these funds while continuing to discuss the issue at the
local level.
Council member Barnett stated he believes formulas can be
worked out, however., he appreciates the County pointing out
their financial - responsibilities regarding the local law and
justice expenses.
Mayor Berndt 'stated this may not be the only option, but
agreed that now is the time to act on this issue.
Commissioner Whiteside said if the City and County decides
to lobby the legislature, one of the key ingredients of this
request must be that the money provided to the local
entities be in the form of a grant because matching local
funds are not available.
Council member Foy stated the County Association will
finalize a tax package on November 17th and 18th and
suggested the City and County, work together on this tax
package.
Commissioner Whiteside reported that the County is reviewing .
the costs to rehabilitate the juvenile facility and these
costs are between 4 -6 million dollars. Commissioner Klarich
added that the State is also considering setting standards
for juvenile facilities.
City Manager Zais commented that the money issues under
discussion this morning are significant, reaching into the
billions of dollars to deal with the issue. He agreed that
federal and state grants can be sought, however, it must be
presented as a City /County package to be successful.
Commissioner Klarich asked when the City plans to move
forward on additional space for the City? Council member
Foy stated budget review begins Tuesday with the Police and
Fire Departments and he will formulate his priorities on the
overall budget at that time. He stated he has made it well
known that he is not receptive to adding anything in any
department until the Police Department needs are met.
Council member Foy said the overtime call -back situations
must be curtailed because this is causing burn -out of police
officers. He stated the additional ,space for the Police
Department is needed within 18 months of the first new hire.
Council member Buchanan pointed out that two out of three
incidents involving the Police Department's Emergency
Response Team (ERT) were to respond to situations occurring
in the County. He stated these are the individuals (members
of the ERT) suffering from burn -out because they are being
called in for extra duty.
Commissioner Whiteside commented the City has 18 square
miles to cover in contrast to the County's 4,600 square
miles, and the County operates with one less officer than
does the City. He expressed appreciation for assistance
provided by the City when necessary.
Council member Foy commented if the City can obtain a copy
of the County's request, the City's request can be drafted
similarly. Commissioner Klarich said he would like to work
with the City Council to develop a workable package for
presentation to the legislature.
Alex Deccio encouraged requesting a portion of the 1.5
billion dollars in the form of a grant rather than asking
the legislature to impose a tax increase. Commissioner
Whiteside agreed with Mr. Deccio on the issue of the grant
money, but felt an alternative position should be developed.
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NOVEMBER 3, 1988
SPECIAL MEETING /JOINT LAW FACILITY
City Manager Zais stated grant money doa- not sustain
operation and maintenance costs and will not pay for a long
term bond issue or pay salaries for new officers or
deputies. Alex Deccio stated local efforts should be a part
of. the overall plan, however, felt the grant money should be
requested.
Council member Foy suggested that Mr. Deccio assist in the
preparation of a document asking the Governor to consider
some of the surplus funds as a direct grant, with no match,
for dedicated „use in law and justice operations. He also
suggested that the City and County consider local options
that may have merit, even if they have been previously .
rejected by the legislature. It was the consensus of the
City Council and County Commissioners that a subcommittee be
formulated to do some strategic planning on this issue.
Commissioner Klarich distributed to Council members a copy
of the AgPlex report and commented briefly on that project.
He assured the Council members that he will not sign any
change order unless it has.been fully explained to him by
the project foreman. Council member Buchanan inquired
about receiving a monthly report on the AgPlex project and
Commissioner Klarich indicated a monthly status report will
be provided to the City Council.
Mayor Berndt thanked the Commissioners for attending the
meeting to discuss this issue. The meeting adjourned at the
hour of, 11:45 a.m.
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