The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink About11/14/1985 Adjourned Meeting 189 NOVEMBER 14, 1985 ADJOURNED MEETING - BUDGET REVIEW The City Council met in session on this date at 2:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers of City Hall, Yakima, Washington. Council members present were Mayor Clarence Barnett, Henry Beauchamp, Pat Berndt, Lynn Buchanan, Jerry Foy, and Jack Sparling. Council member Lynn Carmichael absent. Staff members present were City Manager Zais, Director of Finance & Budget Hanson, Accounting Manager Wheeler, Budget Analyst Greenough, Utility Accountant Sanders and Department Assistant Barber. City Manager Zais presented the Council members with three items for reference to be used in making changes for the final budget wrap -up: 1) 1986 Budget Policy Issues /Decisions, .2) Code Enforcement Weed Abatement Program, and 3) Code Administration Major Policy Issues. WATER Director of Engineering and Utilities Denny Covell introduced Ty Wick, - Water /Irrigation Division Superintendent and Chris Waarvick, Wastewater. Superintendent, who responded to Council's questions regarding their respective Divisions. Council member Beauchamp asked why a 5 -yard dump truck is needed to replace a 3 -yard dump truck and the Council members were in consensus a truck from another division should be used, when available. Mr. Wick responded that numerous trips must be made by the smaller truck and trucks from other divisions are not always available when needed. Council members were consensus to review this item during budget wrap -up and add this as a budget policy issue. Mr. Hanson presented the Council members with material requested by Mayor Barnett (Water Rate Study Reserve Analysis 1985 -1987) showing the effects of a 6% • :increase in water rates in 1986 and another 6% increase in 1987. City Manager Zais explained the budget does not have the water rate increase included in the projections, however, this is included in'the policy issues outline. Mr. Hanson explained the water operating fund and presented the proposal. He further reviewed the water rate structure and referred to the memo dated November 12, 1985 from Ty Wick which proposes the City follow the financial criteria proposed by the Utility Rate Advisory Board (U.R.A.B.) to manage water funds: 1) Maintain the Operating Fund cash balance at $750,000; 2) Maintain the Domestic Water Improvement Fund (Capital Fund) balance at a minimum of $500,000; and 3) Maintain a minimum debt coverage factor of two (2.0) times on water related debt. Discussion followed on water reserves and the capital fund. Mr. Hanson presented Council members with the proposal for a 12% water rate increase. Following discussion, Mayor Barnett stated he would like to spread the rate increase over a. two year period, to ease the financial burden of the elderly and poor._,.but still follow the basic recommendations of the Utility Rate Advisory Board. Mr. Hanson presented Council members with revised, information on possible expenditure increases in the water fund in 1987. •Council member Foy commented the revenues may need to be revised for 1987 also. Council member Foy then asked Mr. Hanson to get the revenue for 1986, only, as the revenue and expenditure picture can change. City Manager Zais introduced Brad Card, Chairman of the U.R.A.B., who stressed the City should prepare water users for a rate increase. (Council member Lynn Buchanan absent after 3:00 p.m.) IRRIGATION Mayor Barnett questioned the need to purchase a 3 -yard dump truck for this Division if there already is a truck, in the Water Department and Mr. Wick explained it is needed at different times to clean reservoirs and replace irrigation lines. Council member Foy requested staff to provide a schedule of the spring ditch cleanout and the schedule of trucks used. Discussion followed on the combined use of these trucks by the different divisions. SEWER Mr. Waarvick reported the actual authorized personnel total should read 10 for Service Unit 211, Wastewater Collection. Mayor Barnett asked for a correction change throughout the Budget to reflect "Total Resources" and not "Total Revenues ". Council member Foy commented that under Need /Demand on Page 335, the 1985 Estimated column should read "936" and not "780" under "Check 6 pump stations." Mr. Waarvick responded to Council member NOVEMBER 14, 1985 190 ADJOURNED MEETING - BUDGET REVIEW Foy's questions regarding training. City Manager Zais explained certification can only be obtained through the State by attending workshops. Mayor Barnett asked why last year, Council was told 340 laboratory tests were performed per day and this year's budget gives the amount as 230. Mr. Waarvick stated staff would verify the number given on page 342. Mayor Barnett asked for clarification of the "Wholesale Rate and Debt Service Determination ". Mr. Greenough explained this is a combination of service units and Mr. Waarvick stated staff will clarify it in the final budget. (Council member Berndt absent briefly.) Mayor Barnett asked if buying new garbage bins is justified, when the City is planning to eliminate the bins. Mr. Waarvick responded the regular bins used by the City are not the correct size for pretreatment screenings. Council member Foy asked Mr. Waarvick to find out what it would take to make these bins. Mr. Waarvick clarified 1986 revenue and expenditures for Service Unit 234, Industrial Waste and Service Unit 232, Wastewater Treatment. (Council member Beauchamp absent briefly.) Mr. Waarvick stated staff will cane back with estimates to implement the full strong waste surcharge. Council member Berndt questioned the "Personnel Impact" on the strong waste surcharge on page 351. Mr. Waarvick explained he handles most responses and will bring back information on the "Personnel Impact Mr. Covell introduced Dennis Bertek, City Engineer who was available to respond to Council's questions pertaining to the two phases of design of the Wastewater Treatment Plant. (Council member Sparling absent briefly.) Mr. Waarvick reported this is the first in -depth evaluation of the Plant and staff will try to have some answers by next Spring. Council member Foy stated he would like a status report for possible directions on the Philadelphia Gear Corp. mixers situation. Council member Foy asked staff to find out if the gears in the mixer equipment is causing problems. Mr. Waarvick then stated staff is concerned with the long-term maintenance liability. Discussion continued on equipment maintenance and Mr. Bertek explained units have been rebuilt and alternate systems have been considered. City Manager Zais stated he wished to inform the Council members the fund used for the West Valley Interceptor Project came out of the fund from which future investments are made. ENGINEERING Council member Berndt asked for clarification of Account 120 Overtime. on page 321 and Mr. Covell explained the overtime allocation. Council member Foy asked if the request for a "Blueprint Machine" is justified and Mr. Bertek explained more than 3,000 copies per year are made and occasionally a print is needed. Council member Foy asked for an estimate, showing the cost of 3,000 copies produced by the City Engineer division versus 3,000 copies produced by a private firm. Council member Berndt expressed concern regarding the office equipment requested. • Mr. Wheeler presented Council members with updated•information on the Fire Capital Fund and the sale of City property to GMAA Water Slide, Inc. and referred to the information on page 190 Capital Improvements, Sale of • Assets for the Fire Department. It was MOVED by Foy, seconded by Berndt, that this meeting be adjourned at the hour of 4:25 p.m., to then meet on._Tuesday, November 19, 1985 at 9:00 a.m. in the Council Chambers of City Hall, Yakima, Washington. Unanimously carried by voice vote. Buchanan and Carmichael absent. READ AND CERTIFIED ACCURATE BY: _.t DATE \ l COI C,j a I /' ' / � DATE l 13 ''-'4g0 L.. J �1.... L. ♦ _ � AA1.I l CO VT MEMBE' ATTEST: CITY CLERK MAY •