HomeMy WebLinkAbout11/28/1989 Adjourned Meeting 3 a
NOVEMBER 28, 1989
ADJOURNED MEETING - BUDGET REVIEW
1. ROLL CALL
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 Clarence
Barnett and Bernard Sims present. Council member Henry Beauchamp
present after 9:35 A.M. Council member Lynn Buchanan present after 3:50
P.M. Mayor Pat Berndt and Jerry Foy absent and excused. City Manager
Zais, Director of Finance & Budget Hanson, and Department Assistant
Barber also present.
DEPARTMENT OF COMMMUNITY & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Planning
Glenn Rice, Director of Community & Economic Development, Don Skone,
Planning Manager, and Bob Shampine, Code Manager were present to respond
to Council's questions. Referring to page 151 Policy Issue,
Increase Development Application Fees, and the supplemental information
dated November 28, 1989 outlining staff's request to use the
additional revenue to purchase equipment, Council member Sims questioned
staff's priorities for equipment. Mr. Skone explained that with the
Zoning Ordinance applications fee increases, staff expects an additional
$11,000 in revenues and wants to upgrade the Department's computer
to an Apple Mc Intosh at a cost of $6,250.00, with an additional
terminal going into the GEMS System. Mr. Shampine commented staff is
proposing to put a Prime Computer at the front counter by 1991,
explaining that business licenses are all read on the computer, at this
time. Mr. Skone clarified staff's plans to add a GDMS terminal now, a
Mac Intosh within a year, in 1991 a GEMS for the front counter and
within two to three years every planner would have a GDMS terminal at
their desk. Council member Sims asked if this computer could produce
the City's invoice and Mr. Shampine responded it will become the
receipt. Mr. Shampine responded to Council member Sim's questions
regarding burn permits and building citations.
Council member Barnett referred to Page 140, expressing concern
regarding the Hearing Examiner's activities. He asked if it is proper
for the Hearing Examiner to make comments which are political in nature
and are they within the scope of his duties and functions? Mr. Rice
stated the Hearing Examiner will have to answer that question.
Mr. Skone explained there is a Hearing Examiner Committee with two City
Council members (Pat Berndt and Lynn Carmichael) and two County
Commissioners who meet with the Hearing Examiner annually to evaluate
his services. City Manager Zais stated staff will discuss this with
him. City Manager Zais stated Council will have to appoint a new
representative to replace Lynn Carmichael on the Hearing Examiner
Committee. Mr. Skone reported the Hearing Examiner's budget reflects an
increase in the number of cases, however, the budget is for the same
amount of money.
Council member Barnett referred to Page 143 under Environmental
Planning and stated Account 420 Communications shows a decrease while
most of the other accounts have an increase. Mr. Skone explained that
information was given to staff by Purchasing. City Manager Zais asked
to have staff review that and come back to it. Council member Barnett
asked if the overhead projector on Page 144 under Capital Outlay
Requests could be borrowed from other divisions or departments?
Mr. Skone explained the two in the Police Department are used for
training and are not available and commented it is more convenient to
have their own available for evening or daytime meetings. Council
member Barnett stated he would like to see cost reductions whenever
possible. City Manager Zais referred to Page 143, Account 420
Communications. He stated the Planning budget is dawn slightly because
of reapportion of communication expenses to where they originate.
I /BR11.28 /1
NOVEMBER 28, 1989 3;17.
It was the consensus of the City Council members and staff present to
wait until more Council members are present to discuss the Yakima
Comprehensive Metropolitan Plan 2025 on Page 148. (Henry Beauchamp
present.) Council member Barnett asked for a response from staff
regarding the 2.7 million dollars outstanding on G. 0. Bonds, wondering
how far do we want to go on this Bond? He asked for staff's reaction on
this Comprehensive Plan regarding lending to Parks and Recreation and
maintaining what we already have.
Council member Beauchamp questioned the justification for the upgrade of
the Associate Planner position to a Supervising Associate Planner level
on Page 150. Mr. Skone responded that this position would spend more
time for zoning requests, scheduling hearings on time, and getting
notices out.
Council member Barnett referred to the Increase Development Application
Fees on Page 151 which is an unbudgeted.policy issue. He asked if staff
was planning to buy certain types of equipment and Mr. Rice replied,
"That is correct." City Manager Zais clarified for Council the City
centralizes all purchases of their computers from one fund. Council
member Barnett asked where the revenue expected from proposed fee
schedule amendments would go? Mr. Skone responded it would go into the
General Fund, however, this was discussed with the Home Builders and
Realtors who requested it be redirected into Planning's and Code
Administration's operations.
Council member Barnett stated he has a problem with staff's request to
direct Right -of Way Vacation reimbursements to the CBD Fund (Central
Business District) on Page 152. He stated he feels any money should go
into the General Fund unless'a policy is established to divide the city
into sections and money received is designated for that certain section.
Mr. Skone stated this issue is a result of staff's effort to develop the
Downtown Plan, including a Capital Improvement Program, after working
with property owners, the Regional Planning Comittee, and D.A.R.C.
(Downtown Area Redevelopment Cocuuittee). Mr. Rice referred to Council
member Barnett's concern, saying it would not only classify the program,
it would classify the use. Staff is recommending these funds be ,
dedicated to the CBD. Mr. Skone explained'future improvements are on
the Capital Improvement Program for streetlights, -landscaping', trees,
and sidewalk replacements. Council member Beauchamp stated he cannot
agree with that approach if it is derived from that area, we have a
responsibility to keep that area as attractive as we can. City Manager
Zais stated there is one other alternative, to allocate this revenue
into a special Capital Improvement Fund. Council member Barnett stated
he would like to see that as a option. 11r. Hanson stated the CBD Fund
is for the CBD area only.
Code Enforcement
Mr. Shampine referred to page 154, Code Administration Revenues,
explaining that until the end of November, 1989 that total can change
drastically. Council member Beauchamp asked if there are any codes to
regulate site screening and Mr. Shampine responded, "No ". City Manager
Zais stated staff will come back with what can be done with provisions
and requirements for site screening. Mr. Shampine asked Council if •
staff could address this issue in March or April, 1990 when the zoning
ordinance comes to the City Council? It was the consensus of the
Council members present to do so. Council member Beauchamp expressed
concern with the Recycling Center on South 1st Street and stated he
feels something needs to be done within the City. Mr. Shampine stated
you can't eliminate the industrial zone. Mr. Rice inforn Council that
his staff has benefited from Account 430 Transportation /Training on Page
155 and is not frivolous in spending from this account. Council member
Sims asked if the Business Licenses on Page 156 should be labeled
revenue and Mr. Rice responded, "Yes ". Council member Sims asked staff
what kind of cooperation they receive from the other departments in the
City about new businesses and changes in businesses? Mr. Shampine
responded he does not think anyone even thinks about it other than the
Police Department, Customer Services, Streets, and Refuse Divisions.
Mr. wheeler reported that people are now being asked to put their State
Revenue Number on their business licenses. Council member Barnett asked
if the Code Administration is really the Complaint Center for the entire
I /BR11.28/2
•
330 NOVEMBER 28, 1989
City as mentioned in the last sentence on Page 156? City Manager Zais
explained most of the complaints received require follow -up, research,
and a response to the citizen. Council member Barnett stated the
biggest complaint he receives is that people do not return telephone
calls. Mr. Shampine stated his division handles 10 to 15 complaints a
day.
Housing
Council member Barnett referred to the Police Issue, Yakima
Rebound Plus, on Page 160 stating the amount of $100,000 for
Local, Public is in error. City Manager Zais stated the corrected
amount is $490,386. Dixie Kracht, Block Grant Manager, was present to
answer questions for the Council members. Council member Barnett asked
where the Local money is coming from? Mrs. Kracht stated the money
will come from the Federal, State, and Local, Public (the Community),
not the local government whose contribution would be just good will.
Council member Barnett stated his concern about funding this using the
utility tax. City Manager Zais explained that was an option which
was being reviewed as staff was not sure enough money would be generated
to match the program expenses, and based on current information, that
would be deleted from this policy issue. Council member Barnett asked
what the results were regarding the meeting with the local financial
institutions mentioned in the memo of November 9, 1989 directed to
neighborhood cleanup? Mrs. Kracht stated this Policy Issue received a
positive 'input to put together a subcoiinuittee to go to other businesses
and entities for contributions. Mrs. Kracht presented a handout
listing a three year budget proposing anticipated costs associated with
the installation and implementation of the Demonstration
Rebound /Rehabilitation Plus Program to improve neighborhoods. Mr. Rice
stated he and the Assistant City Manager spoke with Federal Agencies who
responded favorably to this concern. Staff asked for $200,000 from the
State and a similar amount from the Federal Government for the first of
the year. He stated this program is concurrent and cooperates with the
Housing and Code enforcement issues. Fred Stouder, Assistant City
Manager, explained how the revenue was assessed. He stated that direct
rehabilitation has been added because of the Federal Government's share
and they have asked what the City is doing, which must be addressed.
Council member Beauchamp asked if the rehabilitation would be a grant or
loan? Mrs. Kracht stated that the elderly receive a grant and the
single family funding is a loan. Council member Barnett referred to
staff's recommendation in the memorandum of November 9, 1989 which gives
their intent to begin the neighborhood cleanup program in January,
1990. Mr. Rice explained this must still come from special revenue
funds and the City plans to raise $490,000; however, staff cannot say
they will not be back with a request for funding from the Council.
Council member Sims asked where the staffing will come from and Mr. Rice
responded that was included within the Housing and Code Administration
Divisions. City Manager Zais stated because it is a special program it
will be dedicated to a special fund.
Council members discussed the Policy Issue, Add .5 DA II to Planning
staff, on Page 162. Council member Sims asked if the Parks should be
included in this? Mr. Shampine explained on Page 416, the Parks
Division has a request for a half -time person. He expanded, saying that
person could do the weedy lots and could be tied in with the Parks
budget.
Council member Barnett stated on Page 213 the budget shows the Yakima
Downtown Futures Plan is scheduled for adoption by December 31, 1989.
He stated a week or two ago the Yakima Urban Area Joint Board was to
take action on this and he asked how can it be before the City Council
by December 31st? Council member Barnett stated he has a problem
funding this program from Municipal Parking Facilites Revenue. He asked
if that money should be kept to repair the parking lots rather than used
for the Downtown Futures Plan? Mr. Hanson explained part of the
maintenance of lots is up to the City, as the major repairs are the
responsibility of the City. City Manager Zais stated it could still be
used for that purpose. He stated another thing staff considered is,
when this Plan is put into effect, the City will have to come up with
other sources to match the contributions from the private sector. He
stated staff must look at the need to get funds for the future. Council
I /BR11.28/3
NOVEMBER 28, 1989 3 3 1
member Barnett stated his concern is that the Plan is before the Joint
Board for review and action now may be premature. He stated the City
needs to keep some money available to repave these lots. He asked if
this should be a policy issue until the Joint Board makes a decision and
City Manager Zais stated it is not planned as a policy issue it is
listed as a budget category.
Mr. Rice explained the CBD (Central Business District) funding and
referred to the comments from Preston - , Thorgrimson in the their
memo of November 6, 1989. Council member Barnett also referred to the
•
memo expressing concern with the next to the last paragraph on Page 6
where Preston, Thorgrimson's makes a recommendation that we will make an
effort to clear that the formulation and consideration of the proposed
zoning ordinances is an open process, and to create a strong public
record that supports the public purpose. He stated the next sentence,
"In addition, the City may want to consider utilizing the Appearance of
Fairness Doctrine as a guide ", raises a question when doing business
with people downtown in developing these issues whether we have
maintained a Fairness Doctrine. Mr. Rice stated all meetings regarding
the Downtown Plan are open to the public. Council member Barnett asked
why do you think Preston, Thorgrimson added the sentence about a
Fairness Doctrine and Mr. Rice responded they probably did not know that
we do. City Manager Zais stated it is unlikely we will be adopting this
CBD Plan before the end of this year. Council member Barnett referred
to the memo on the Metropolitan Plan 2025 Study in which one of the
issues that came up for a change was the regional shopping center across
the boundry which is contrary to what is in the Yakima Urban Downtown
Plan. Mr. Rice stated the Urban Area Plan does not provide what is
written out for a major retail shopping center. He stated in the
Downtown Plan being proposed', City Council will have to answer some
of those questions. He stated he talked with the Selah and Naches City
Councils to be sure they understood we are not intending to annex that
land. Mr. Rice stated the Urban Area Plan, as it is written, is out of
date, however, the Greater Urban Area Plan is proposing this larger
area.
GENERAL ADMINISTRATION
City Council .
Dave Miller, First Vice President, and, a member of the Board of
Directors for the Chamber of Commerce and Al Pruett, Retired, and,
a member of the Board of Directors for the Chamber of Commerce were
present. They extended an invitation to the City to become a member of
the Greater Yakima Chamber of Commerce.. They expanded on the Chamber's
leadership program and the number of inquiries regarding Yakima. Mr.
Pruett explained the basic source of funding for the Chamber is from
membership fees. City Manager Zais commented there are many individual
memberships within the City staff and these members pay individually.
He commented it opens up a broader representation and activities for the
City. and the Council. He also stated the Chamber of Commerce stood by
the City a few years ago on the request for a change in the form of
government and solicited funds for that campaign. He stated the Chamber
of Commerce has extended an invitation to the Mayor as ex- officio. City
Manager Zais stated staff is proposing the City of Yakima reinstitute
membership in the Greater Yakima Chamber of Conu Gary Webster,
Manager of the Chamber of Commerce present to answer. questions for the
Council.
On Page 45, City Manager Zais pointed out the City Council's budget
incorporates changes planned for this coming year for salary
adjustments. He stated there were some extra expenses in 1989 in
operating supplies because of increasing costs. He reported the
membership fee in the newly formed Eastern Washington Cities group
should be $50.00, not $35.00 on Page 47. He stated Account 430,
• Transportation /Training has been updated and should be within the budget
for travel costs. Council member Barnett referred to Page 47,
attendance at the National League of Cities conferences, and
questioned if.Council got $3,000.00 worth of benefits? He stated that
perhaps Council should spend more time and money attending State
organizations. Council member Barnett stated the budget shows $2,200.00
for dues, and he asked if this money could be better spent? Council
I /BR11.28/4
3 3 NOVEMBER 28, 1989
•
member Beauchamp responded the Council has always had general support
for N.L.C. and needs someone to bring back that information. Council
member Beauchamp stated this needs to be discussed during the budget
wrap -up.
City Manager
City Manager Zais referred the the City Manager's Office budget on Page
52. He explained an executive desk was requested because a larger desk
is needed for the Assistant City Manager.
LEGAL DEPARTMENT
John Vanek, City Attorney, and Bob Bounds, City Prosecutor, were present
to answer questions for the Council. In response to Council member Sims
question regarding the .08 budgeted for personnel, City Attorney Vanek
explained it is for temporary clerical assistance. He explained since
1985 there has been an increase in criminal activity and there is a need
for another Legal Assistant. Mr. Bounds explained how more prosecutors
would help this Department. City Attorney Vanek stated Legal's budget
planned for a $21,000 allocation to allow hiring a fulltime prosecutor
at the end of 1990. Legal would like to budget for three civil
attorneys, and three criminal attorneys. He commented Mr. Bounds would
like to retire after next year and have time to help train a person.
City Attorney Vanek referred to Account 430 Transportation /Training on
Page 55. He explained material received from seminars around the State
is valuable and pays high benefits to the City. City Manager Zais
announced Mr. Vanek was invited to serve on a State task force for
indigent defense in which contracts for those services are considered by
cities and counties. City Attorney Vanek expanded, stating this is the
second time he has served on a task force regarding indigent expenses.
He explained that counties take a major hit on costs and there has been
a major increase in costs with defenders. He stated the task force will
recommend some relief for these counties. The task force was left with
standards and no appropriations and are planning to ask for an $20,000
appropriation. He stated there is a receptiveness on the part of the
legislative committee and we may be receiving some State money. Council
member Sims asked if a computer is budgeted for Legal Counsel under
supplies? City Attorney Vanek stated staff has asked how the
recordkeeping keeping in the courts could be computed within the City
Legal Office. He stated staff is working on a proposal to insert copies
of the Revised Codes of Washington into their computer. In response to
Council member Sims question regarding the costs associated with the
proposed additional attorney, City Attorney Vanek presented a handout
showing the estimated total impact for wages, training, transportation,
and furniture, to hire an Assistant City Attorney in 1990.
City Clerk
City Manager Zais stated on Page 61, the Records Division reflects the
costs for the mandated expenses on the election costs and the
publication and distribution of a local voter's pamphlet.
Personnel
Referring to Account 410 Professional Services in the Personnel
Division, City Manager Zais explained it was not the professional
services expenses, it was training and litigation costs with the Police
and Fire Department that increased costs and it will be even more in
1990. He stated funds for health and comp are not included, as that
budget will require an appropriation before the end of the year. He
stated salaries and medical funds for the end of 1989 are estimated
also. He explained that the AFSCME settlement has not been approved and
some expenses have been incurred. Council member Sims asked when the
next vote will be and City Manager Zais responded it could be taken
again before the end of the year. Archie Sutton, Personnel Officer
reported the next negotiation meeting will be December 14, 1989.
It was the consensus of the Council members present to continue the
budget discussion following the Council meeting , if time allows.
I /BR11.28/5
NOVEMBER 28, 1989
READ AND CERTIFIED ACCURATE BY 0 ot is
;1 '/ 0 s ,1--1-0
. . _4.1 41_41
COUNCIL i'IEMBER Ili DATE
COUNCIL ME :D' DATE
ATTEST:
..)Lo.,,_,L 1Z12,01)u . /
A,, '
DEPARTMENT ASSISTANT MA d' V rik TEM
Minutes prepared by Department Assistant Irene Barber.
II