HomeMy WebLinkAbout12/01/1987 Study Session 188
DECBVIBER 1, 1987
STUDY SESSION •
•
1. ROLL• CALL
The City Council met in session on this date at 2:00 p.m. in the
Council Chambers of City Hall, Yakima Washington. Mayor Henry
Beauchamp, presiding, Council members Clarence Barnett, Pat Berndt,
Lynn Buchanan, Lynn Carmichael, Jerry Foy and Bernard Sims present
on roll call. City Manager Zais, Director of Finance and Budget
Hanson, City Clerk Roberts and Department Assistant Irene Barber
. also present.
2. INVOCATION
The Invocation was given by Council member Foy.
3. OPEN DISCUSSION FOR THE GOOD OF THE ORDER
Larry Mathews, 805 So. 17th Avenue, submitted 94 petitions,
containing approximately 1850 signatures petitioning a City Charter
amendment to change the form of City government. He stated the
notice to•the Auditor has to be done by resolution 45 days before
the election. He commented there is plenty of time for these
signatures to be validated. He briefly outlined how this form of
government would operate and stated at some future time he would
like to fully explain the Charter change. It was MOVED by Foy,
`;�,,�seconded by , to refer this •document of signatures to the
Legal Department for then to review and determine if it meets the
requirements of the initiative process and validate the signatures.
Council member Berndt requested a report on the cost for this
research. Unanimously carried by voice vote.
•
4. CONTINUATION OF PUBLIC WORKS BUDGET REVIEW
The discussion of the Public Works budget, continued with the
Transit Division's budget on page 279. Referring to Major Policy
Issue C, Purchase of Shared Interest in Transit Operator Training
. Program, Council member Foy stated he would prefer staff look at
the history of vehicle accidents each year. He requested
information on the percentage increase of accidents from last year
to this year. He stated he would rather see the City purchase a
training course on driving safety. Council member ,Carmichael
stated she doesn't have any objection with Council member Foy's
suggestion, however, she commented this course could benefit the
• drivers in dealing with the students on the bus. Mr. Copeland
stated the School District has a program and they have shared with
us the training program pertaining to school children. He
commented this program is very effective and would be an
opportunity to get it at one -third cost and develop our customer
contact ability. Bill Schultz stated his division has an on -going
safety program and has some kind of safety training at each of the
monthly drivers meetings.
Equipment Rental
•
Don Toney, Fleet Manager, was present to answer questions for
Counc i l . Council member Foy stated he would like more information
on the labor costs for the standard fleet in Service Unit 634.
Council member Barnett referred to the replacement request for a
street sweeper on page 303, asking if that wasn't done in the last
year or so. Mr. Toney explained the City surplused three old
machines last year and budgeted for two sweepers and this is a
third one. Council members Barnett, Beauchamp, and Carmichael.
stated perhaps the records should be reviewed, as they believed one
has been purchased more recently. Council member Sims asked if
Service Unit 699, General Revenues, belongs on page 305 and Mr.
Toney responded affirmatively. Council member Sims asked for a
breakdown on that Service Unit.
. 189
Traffic Engineering
Steve Knopp, Operators Supervisor and Shelly Harlington, Traffic
Tech it were present to answer questions for Council regarding the
inclusion of the traffic control requirements for the proposed
. eastside annexation area in the performance indicators. City
Manager Zais indicated staff is researching the potential cost
.,;impact from this annexation.
.Council member Barnett•asked if this is the only part of the Budget
- •which deals with the eastside annexation and Mr. Zais responded,
"It is." Council member Carmichael asked if. the City has
• .fulfilled all obligations: to other annexations, indicating she
would like to see those obligations met first. .Mr. Copeland stated
, staff will meet with the Planning Division on this.
Council member Buchanan requested staff to review the intersection
of South 7th Avenue and Walnut,. stating a traffic light is needed
there. Council member Foy requested staff check their figures on
-- the .amount saved by. not filling the Traffic Engineer's position.
A t was the consensus of the Counc i l members to take a five minute
recess. .
•
Parks and Recreation . - •
• Don Landis, Acting Parks Superintendent, -and Wilma Meyer, Acting
Department Assistant IV, were present to. answer questions for
Council. City.Manager Zais reviewed the handout, "Sumary of City
Parks & Recreation Comparison -- October, 1986 regarding Staffing
History ". Mr. Copeland presented a. handout responding to Council
• member Barnett's questions on - Cen;etery fee increases and staffing
"changes caused -by the proposed Park Reorganization.,
Central Business District (CBD)
. Council member Berndt. stated everyone -is expecting an improvement
in parks maintenance and she supports emphasis on this. Council
member Foy stated he would like to. be assured the underground
sprinkler system is going to be maintained. Mr. Copeland responded
the City has a firm looking at.that. .
.' Park Maintenance
Council member. Carimichaer asked if the Parks Comni,ssion submitted
any input and their approval before.this Budget can to the Council
- and Mr.. Copeland•responded.they have reviewed.it. Council member
. Carmichael stated she would like to see the Parks Carmission review
-and give .approval of the Parks Budget before it cones to Council.
She asked if they .were notified Council was.reviewing this Budget
today, and Mr. Copeland responded !'No ". She stated she would like
to concur with .their policy.
Supervised Leisure Activities
Denise Nichols, Recreation Supervisor and JoAnne Wroblewski,
Recreation Superintendent were present to answer Council's
questions. Council member Berndt.stated the Community Activities
• . on page .335 has . dropped.. from ,what ,was .expected.. ,She states she
.understands ,if a class is not 100% self-supporting, it is dropped,
. . . yet that one is only 86 %. Council member Foy _stated the Community
' Activities is in violation of the policy. Mrs. Nichols commented
the figures used are the direct costs, including overhead. Council
_member Berndt stated she brought this up as there is a need to get
. a handle. on this issue. Council member,Foy stated Mr. Ron King,
- KUfI, .sponsor for softball. tournaments indicates the figures are •
not correct for the special tourrunents contract. He asked if staff
reviewed these figures with'Mr. King, and Ms. Wroblewski responded,
' "No ". Ms. Wroblewski replied they were based on this year's
figures. Mr. Copeland stated staff will contact Mr.. King.
190
Aquatics
Glenna Thon, Aquatic Supervisor, was present to answer questions
for Council regarding the City's pools. Council member Barnett
expressed concern that the "Learn -to- Swim" program has diminished.
A brief discussion on existing permanent staffing at Lions Pool
followed. (Council member Buchanan absent briefly). Mr. Copeland
referred to Council member Barnett's concern regarding the demand
for recreational swirrming in the wintertime. .Ms. Wroblewski and
Mrs. Thon agreed the demand is low. Council member Berndt asked
•
that this issue be addressed again. Counc i l member Barnett asked
if the clorinator is still needed for Washington Pool. Council
member Foy asked why isn't this in the' Parks Bond Issue? Council
member Carmichael stated, that is like the main pump and agitator
motor at Franklin Pool on page 349. Mr. Copeland responded those
can all be part of the bond issue.
Senior Citizen Center
Denise Nichols, Supervisor, vvas present to respond to Council's
questions regarding the Senior Center budget.
Washington Swimming Pool (Page 357)
Council members briefly discussed the repairs done to Washington
Pool.
Administration
JoAnne Wroblewski, Recreation Superintendent, was present to answer
questions for Council. Council member Barnett asked if the total
cost of the "Employees Newsletter" is paid by the Parks and
Recreation Division and Ms. Wroblewski replied, "Yes ". Mr. Zais
explained this was his decision, and only includes the direct cost
of publication, not staffing time. Council member Berndt
complimented staff on their handling of the sunnier brochures
mentioned on page 361 in the Budget.
Major Policy Issues
It was the consensus of the Council to discuss the Policy Issues at
a later time, however Mr. Zais stated if there is someting more to
address perhaps Council prefers to continue. Council members
reviewed Major Policy Issue A, Personnel Reorganization. Council
member Berndt asked if the only parks with dedicated maintenance
staff are Randall and Franklin. Mr. Copeland stated he would
prefer to keep this flexible for the new Park Division Manager.
Mr. Copeland spoke in favor of the .reorganization plan and Council
member Berndt concurred with him. Council member Sims asked if
brackets need to be placed around the dollar amounts under Phase 11
Changes (Proposed) for the Cemetery Supervisor, Park Spec. III, and
Labor Helper on page 366. Mr. Greenough responded, "Yes ".
Council next discussed Major Policy Issue B, Proposed 2% Utility In
Lieu Tax for support Park Maintenance Programs, Aquatic Programs
and as an Enhanced Cash Reserve. Mr. Greenough the 2%
utility in lieu tax proposed for Parks operations and maintenance
is in addition to the 10% tax already in place. Council member
Barnett asked if the sewer utility tax is 11.80 or 12%. Mr.
Greenough explained the 11.8% utility tax is based on the projected
. revenue in the Sewer Budget and not actual billings, however, it is
actually 12%. He further explained 11.8% is the figure Chris
Waarvick used to find out what his impact would be. (Mayor
Beauchamp absent briefly.) Council member Barnett expressed
concern about the lack of justification_ for this., City Manager
Zais stated the staff reorganization cannot be done without a
utility tax increase. Mr. Hanson stated the City will soon provide
supplemental information based on consumption by users.
•
Mayor Beauchamp asked for clarification on deletion of the
"student" rate mentioned on page 372 under Major Policy Issue E,
Aquatics Fee Adjustments - Unbudoeted, and what a r this
covered. Ms. Wroblewski exp aim it covers anyone 19 -2 1 years
old, however no one is using it.
•
• ����
���
•
Capital Improvement ' '
Council member .Barnett asked why the ,sauna under Capital Outlay
Requests on page 375 keeps coming back. Council nember Berndt
stated the Parks Commission recommended it. Council member Barnett
responded he is against it as it is an additional maintenance cost
. for electricity and will not bring in any additional revenue. Mr.
' .Hanson stated staff will add this to the major issues to be
- . discuSsed" '. . ''
, . •
' Cemetery ' '
..`/ '
7
Council menber Barnett referred to the Cemetery Fees Comparison
chart attached tu' the'handout regarding Cemetery fees and Parks
reorganization. He asked if the "L" in the first line should be
changed to "Ku: Council member B8rhett also asked to have the
-;` ` anvnunt changed from $140 to $155 for marb|e front Mausoleum niches,
� 'a� i't is in erro�^� He stated in the Opening and Closing of a
-- ` Grave, Crennains and the City ig getting higher than any
' 'competitors' Mr. Copeland stated- these increases were recommended
by the Soecia|`Porks'Conmittaa to raise all the rates. HcwveVer he
.' 'stated staff had a concern about competing if we raise our rates.
' • - Council member Barhett asked. why the CiTty iS inoreaa/n � r��S pi3
. • ' .ur, "��rai/uiu* 'aa"� 1mL � � �uiLi'�arL u. u �
"�L ...Lo �"uvi�u
.�L
:� ' , :Turd.; He asked'what part of that $15 is going into the Gndm^m�'nt
Fund? Council member-Barnett stated he would [iNe to a''major
' ' policy' issue to put $5 into the Endovwnment F6nd.- KAr.'Hanson stated
staff Will raview that. Mr. Copeland stated Staff \tii|[ address
•
.
that issue on the budoet' /
. / .
Referring to Account 390, on page 378, Council member Barnett
expressed concern about the' decrease in the estimated interest
' income, Mr. Hansnn'assured:Cnunci1 staff 'will check into this.
• -�. � - .
^' Council memzar Canm|chae| -Stated thard is:no way to distinguish
Inhere Tahama Cemetery if begins' and Calvary Cemetery ends. She asked
there is correct that. N\ �ai reported this i
r re s - smna vw�y to oorr�c z , r' s rmpnrz r s s
` ' ''' the final year of revenue sharing which can be used to subsidize
- Cemetery operatibns' He Stated in 1989, funds wi\)'•have to be
allocated from the Gerieral Fund or another source identified.
.
.
. ' There 'being no further buSiness td` discuss it was MOVED by Carmichael,
.. seconded^bv'Buchanan��tu the meatiMg the hour of 4:40 ip,m, to
Tuesday, Dec«mber'8, 1987 at-9:00'a.m. for the Budget Wrap/Uo'Decisiuns.
' Unanimously carried by voice vote. . . '
• . � �
•
.
READ AND CERTIFIED /*CC]FAJ'E �~n~
°�� ~ DATE �x w
• ' ` `
_ � .
� , .� ./
' -~,
. ._ - _ • - - ` '~�u~ �-�'' DATE //as7�'J�
. y'7'
• '/ COUNCIL K8� /�' " � _ � _
-`� � .
/\7TE5T� ' '. � ' .
. . � � ' '`' ` •
� ' ' ��� � ^y/�
�
I /)�^ . ~� ^ � ` � C|T Y`CLER� . ' �'' � ' � /� ' � /�YJR � ���K
•
. _ . � �� ` � ��N
} . &IA,.
MINUTES PREPARED BY '7),
. DEPARTMENT ASSISTANT .
• `' ^ `
' '
' -'
' .' . ` . ,
'
•. ` � . ,` .„ `
^. : ^ -` . �
.
`
`
' . .' •
• ` ' .. . `
'