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Home My WebLink About11/22/1988 Adjourned Meeting 024 NOVEMBER 22, 1988 ADJOURNED MEETING - BUDGET REVIEW The City Council met in session on this date at 9:00 A.M. in the Council Chambers of City Hall, Yakima, Washington. Council members present were Mayor Pat Berndt, Clarence Barnett, Henry Beauchamp, Lynn Buchanan, Lynn • Carmichael, and Jerry Foy. Council member Bernard Sims absent and ` excused. City staff members present were City Manager Zais, John Hanson, Director of Finance and Budget, and City Clerk Roberts. DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE AND BUDGET General Accounts General Accounts personnel available to respond to Council's questions were Robert Wheeler, Accounts Manager, and Chuck Greenough, Budget Analyst. Council member Barnett referred to page 22 and stated the figures under salaries and benefits exceeds the $19 million listed on page 90 for payroll and benefits. Mr. Hanson explained the figures on page 22 include costs for uniforms and clothing. Information Systems Rick Pettyjohn, Informations Systems Manager, was present to respond to Council's questions. City Manager Zais commented in the 1989 Forecast, another programmer was requested; however, after further evaluation, an alternative proposal is to upgrade an existing position. Council member Barnett asked how this upgrade would meet the Division's requirements. Mr. Pettyjohn stated it won't meet his needs, but in view of the budget, problems, it was felt this would be a viable alternative. He commented he would still rather have the programmer. City Manager Zais assured the Council if this is approved, staff won't be coming back to request another position. Council member Barnett expressed concern about the increase in the repair and maintenance line item, however, Mr. Pettyjohn stated it is not as large as he thought it would be since he no longer carries maintenance contracts on any of.the micro- computers or terminals. Council member Barnett asked questions about the status of the GEMS (Geographical Data Management System) program, to which Mr. Pettyjohn responded that data entry on parcel numbers began about a month ago on the first quarter section map. Customer Services Bert Tabayoyon, Customer Services Manager, was present to respond to Council questions. Council member Carmichael asked why a senior citizen discount for dog licenses is being requested. Mr. Tabayoyon commented there have been numerous requests for the discount for senior citizens. Council member Barnett spoke in favor of the discount. There was a discussion regarding the age requirement for this discount and it was the general consensus the age would be 62 to receive a senior citizen discount. SunDome City Manager Zais commented the County awarded the contract for this project; the City agreed to give an additional $35,000; however, denied the County's request for an additional $5,000. Transfer Section of General Fund Referring to page 125, Council member Barnett commented he noticed a cap was not set on the 2% in -lieu tax revenues. City Manager Zais stated the cap was established for 1988 and is listed as a policy issue in this year's budget. /1 110VEMBER,_2. _-1c 025 SPECIAL MEETING,;pS- «YBUDGET REVIEW Parking and Business Improvement. Area (PBIA)•.:. Council members discussed the request from several downtown businessmen to use this funding source to purchase Christmas decorations and obtain extra funding for'maintenance purposes. City Manager Zais said there is a legal opinion that these funds can't be used for downtown maintenance. He commented that Council could •allocate funds from this 'account for Christmas decorations. Contingency Fund Council member Barnett reminded staff Council wanted to add a major policy issue in the Police Department's budget to set aside additional funding in the Contingency Fund for jail costs. Council members discussed whether they wanted this brought back as a policy issue or had directed staff to take that action. Mr. Hanson suggested staff add a statement in the wrap - up discussions about this issue. Yakima Coalition For The War On Drugs Council member Barnett stated that on July 20th he asked a question about amendments he felt needed to be made to the joint agreement. He said he thought those questions should be addressed before this budget is passed. r Council member_ Foy asked if staff could inform the School District and the County Commissioners that Council won't adopt the budget unless we hear from them. City Attorney Vanek said he could deliver that message and would call them before the Council meeting this afternoon. Council member Barnett stated it is his understanding the Coalition established a priority to request a 1% utility tax to be set aside .for law and justice and anti -drug programs. He asked if there is sufficient communication between the legislative committee of the Coalition and what is actually going on among the County Commissioners, local and state-wide? Council member Foy stated he understands the County Commissioners have elected to go to the legislature to remove the lid on property tax and they won't support this. Mayor Berndt commented she_ understood the local . Commissioners support the 1%, but they are only one County and don't have the other counties' support. Frank Gla Director, responded to • Council's questions regarding proposed programs for the war on drugs'.' Council member Foy suggested the City start a drug -free work atmosphere, which led to a discussion regarding drug testing of City employees. .City Manager Zais commented a proposed program for drug testing of City employees is being reviewed by the Legal Department. City Manager Zais. commented the Community Development Block Grant budget will have to be reduced due to the adjustment to this budget. Library Council members Foy and Barnett spoke in opposition of reducing the contribution to the Library. Council member Carmichael commented that for years., she had been wanting to increase the contribution to the Library. City Manager Zais commented the allocation of money for this budget comes ' from property tax, which amount is down about $125,0 He said he, spoke to the Library Director .about decreasing the 7% increase. to 3.5 %, and.' while the Director did not like it, he said he would accept it. It was the general consensus of the Council to add this as a policy issue to go back to the 7% increase. Health • No discussion was held on this item. YCOG • Referring to page 530, Service Unit 611, Council requested staff identify this in the final budget as YCOG. • The Council took a five minute recess. • CITY COUNCIL • /2 026 NOVEMBER 22,"1988 SPECIAL METING - BUDGET REVIEW Council member Barnett expressed concern about the increase in dues for associations such as National League of Cities. LEGAL DEPARTMENT John Vanek, City Attorney, spoke about the policy issue found on page 223 in the preliminary budget, in which staff is requesting an addition to the Legal Department of one assistant city attorney ($50,000) and one legal. assistant ($22,000), and $7500 for operating expenses. He said the last staff increase in the Legal Office occurred ten years ago. He spoke about the workload and distributed a list of work performed by the Legal Office. He said the City of Everett has 5.5 attorneys and three clerical staff members; Yakima has four attorneys and one legal assistant; Vancouver has five attorneys and three clericals; and Bellingham has four attorneys and three clericals for civil work only. He stated the increase in the Police force can't be done unless legal assistance is available to them. Pleas Green, Police Chief, spoke about the assistance provided to his department by the Legal Office. He said he supports the need for additional staffing in the legal arena. City Attorney Vanek stated he understands without a new revenue source it would not be possible to fund this request. Bob _ Bounds, Prosecuting Attorney, spoke about the increased workload during the 13 years he has worked for the City and said the Legal Office has "made do ". However, if the number of police is increased, he said they will be working more on misdemeanors, increasing the work of the Legal staff beyond its capacity. City Manager Zais stated this policy request requires new funding sources, for which the City will need legislative authority. He said one source that can be done now is go to a vote of the people for an increase in the utility tax. He said staff recommends pursuing whatever options are available to fund this request. Council member Foy suggested people look at their utility bill of which about 25% is for taxes. There was discussion regarding the funding alternatives. GENERAL ADMINISTRATION City Clerk Tr Discussion occurred regarding the overtime costs for 1988 and the conference table requested under capital outlay. The Council recessed at 12:00 noon and reconvened at 1:15 p.m. Personnel Council members discussed the proposed upgrade of the Employment and Training Specialist position to Deputy Personnel Officer. City Manager Zais discussed the budget "for the Employees Health Benefit Reserve Fund 513 on page 71. He said the adjustments that have been made here carry us only through the budgeted costs for this year and we are hopeful to secure contributions from the bargaining units for the next year. He commented that the Health Benefit Reserve Fund could be exhausted in two years if we don't obtain contributions from the employees. Sheryl Smith, Employment and Training Specialist, outlined her duties in the medical and dental program. Purchasing Jean Reid, Purchasing Agent, was present to respond to Council's questions. She gave the Council a brief update on the telephone project, commenting the City is upgrading its station equipment for telephones to Merlin electronic equipment, by lease. She said the addition of the part - time clerical assistance is needed in the Purchasing Office. City Manager Zais expressed appreciation to Jerry Foy and his firm, commenting the City signed a three year agreement for Corecom, which projected the most savings for the City. /3 NO -VEMB 1 Za, : =1 -.988 02 7 SPECIAL MEETING, BUDGET REVIEW The meeting adjourned at 1:45 p.m. READ AND CERTIFIED ACCURATE BY: k , , Aim) / ' , �' � 2 ° 1 CO � �;... Y MB r • DATE ATTEST: CGUNCIL BE ry DATE s�J � CITY CLERK MAYOR ■ • • • • • /4