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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 . • `' ^ ` ' ' ' -' ' .' . ` . , ' •. ` � . ,` .„ ` ^. : ^ -` . � . ` ` ' . .' • • ` ' .. . ` '