HomeMy WebLinkAbout11/21/1985 Adjourned Meeting 196
NOVEMBER 21, 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, Pat Berndt, Lynn Buchanan, Lynn Carmichael and Jerry
Foy. Council members Henry Beauchamp and Jack Sparling present after 2:08
p.m. City Manager Zais, Director of Finance & Budget Hanson, and Deputy City
Clerk Toney also present.
FINANCE
It was MOVED by. Foy, seconded by Carmichael, that the City of Yakima hire a
local certified public accountant to conduct city audits rather than hire
state auditors. Unanimously carried by voice vote.
John Hanson and Accounting Manager Bob Wheeler were present to respond to
Council's inquiries regarding this portion of the budget review. Mayor
Barnett questioned why an additional half time department assistant is
necessary the. finance and accounting department when the City has invested
millions of dollars on equipment to expedite matters in this department. Bob
Wheeler stated the computers require trained personnel to operate these to
maximum capability. Mr. Hanson further explained the position will be
utilized throughout the finance and accounting departments in a "floater"
capacity to fill in during vacations, illnesses, etc. The person filling
this position will also do general accounting and filing, and fill in for the
payroll accountant whenever necessary.
INFORMATION SYSTEMS
Rick Pettyjohn, Information Systems Manager, was present to respond to
questions regarding this portion of the budget. Mayor Barnett questioned the
cost advantage to the City with regard to the accelerated schedule of the
CMSI contract. Mr. Pettyjohn stated the original contract had been for 5
years, however, CMSI came to the conclusion the job could be completed in 4
years. This was brought to Council and agreed upon as such. Referring to
page 74, Council member Beauchamp questioned if the installation of counters
and shelves, and the repair of terminal and other electrical equipment was
over looked in the remodeling process. Mr. Pettyjohn responded this was not
an oversight, however, funds were insufficient to allow for these items,
therefore, they were carried over to 1986. Mr. Pettyjohn and Mr. Hanson
responded to Council's questions regarding in -house education on the Prime
Computer and the microcomputers located in the various divisions. Mr. Hanson
directed attention to page 77 under Account 620 /Building, stating an
adjustment in this figure reduces the amount to approximately $52- 53,000 for
the remodeling project. 1
CUSTOMER SERVICES
Bert Tabayoyon, Customer Services Manager, responded to questions regarding
this portion of the budget. Mayor Barnett referred to page 80 and asked to
what extent the collection agencies were used to collect delinquent accounts
Mr. Tabayoyon stated approximately 15 accounts per year are turned over to
collection agencies. Discussion ensued regarding alternatives for increasing
revenues in the Animal Control Division. City Manager Zais stated he would
like direction from Council regarding this policy issue. It was MOVED by
Foy, seconded by Carmichael, that the policy question be withdrawn from the
budget and referred back to staff for further study. City Manager Zais
stated the motivation for placing this in the budget is due to the change
made earlier this year providing additional funding for the Humane Society.
He stated the question remains of how to pay for the additional funding.
Council member Carmichael reiterated the need for looking at alternatives to
raise or lower the license fees. Mayor Barnett stated he would vote no on
this motion because the policy issue appears in a published document. The
motion was withdrawn with the consent of the second. In conclusion, City
Manager Zais stated this is a difficult issue, however, the license fee
remains the primary source of revenue for the animal control program, and
alternatives attempted in the past have failed. Council member Foy stated
his philosophy is to neuter the animals therefore, reducing the population.
NOVEMBER 21 1985
ADJOURNED MEETING - BUDGET REVIEW 197 .
PARKING
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Mr. Tabayoyon responded to questions regarding this portion of the budget.
Council member Foy initiated discussion on the proposal to increase parking
permit fees from $20 to $22, suggesting it should be increased to $25 per
month. Council member Sparling questioned the number of permits issued_ in
each parking lot. Mr. Tabayoyon stated the City is allowed 50% of the
parking space in any lot, however, the total number of parking permits
issued by the City is not to exceed 20% of the total number of parking spaces
available. The discussion having been concluded, it was MOVED by Foy,
seconded by Buchanan, to amend the major .policy issue from $20 to $25.
Motion carried by 6 -1 voice vote. Barnett voting nay.,
Mayor Barnett questioned if changes to policy issues were going to,be made
now rather than at budget wrap -up. City Manager Zais stated it is
appropriate to make them now, as Council has done so in previous years.
• WATER/SEWER CUSTOMER SERVICE -
Mayor Barnett . referred "to page 87, stating the Department Assistant II listed
under "salaries & wages" is not a major policy issue unless Council desires
to make it one. City Manager Zais stated staff felt Council had ,acted on
this position as a policy issue when the change was made in the'procedure to
handle delinquent accounts. Council member Foy stated he would like to have
the Water Service Representative III hired under a personal services
. contract when the present Water Service Representative, takes maternity
leave. City Attorney Andrews stated the type of work to be performed, by this
' individual .does not lend itself to a personal services contract, therefore,
this would not be possible.
DISTRICT COURT . ...
John Hanson stated the County is proposing to charge $45 to file a criminal
case, and $18 to file an infraction case for 1986. The fee currently being
charged to file a case is $24 per case. The County's 1985 cost break -out
indicates court costs at $62 per case, and state law allows them to charge
for additional costs. He indicated the issue may have to be resolved by
arbitration.
CONTINGENCY FUND
City Manager Zais stated elimination of the volcano fund has resulted in
doubling the amount of this fund.
FEDERAL REVENUE SHARING
Mayor Barnett expressed concern regarding use of these funds to grant the
requests of various departments. Mr. Hanson stated the budget was initially
reduced by 25% from the 1985 figures. He stated the reduction fo FRS funds
by the federal government will be lower than this. City Manager Zais stated
the indication given was 7 1/2% to 12% reduction by Congress. .FRS funds will
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be eleminated-_canpletely in 1987. He_ stated the $325,.000 -loan from the
Capitol Theatre Fund for street improvements will be repaid by the end of
1986. Needs expressed by staff have been prioritized within the funds
available and these are the issue which staff feels should be addressed this
year.
CUMULATIVE RESERVE FUND FOR CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS
City Manager Zais commented the balance in this fund is a result of the City
receiving a final audit check claim from the federal government late last
fall in connection with the closeout of the downtown improvement project.
The check, for over $30,000 was credited against this account. Mayor Barnett
requested a copy of the information to be submitted by the Transit Committee
meeting on proposed changes in bus fares. Assistant City Manager Stouder
indicated minutes of the Transit Committee held today will be available
within the next couple of days. Council member Foy requested a spread sheet,
reflecting the new figures to be used for the fares, be provided to Council
for review. Mr. Stouder stated the information will be provided to Council
as soon as it becomes available.
NOVEMBER 21 1985
198 ADJOURNED MEETING - BUDGET REVIEW
INTERGOVERNMENTAL
Council member Berndt asked if the 2.2% increase from the Health District has
been verified. Discussion ensued regarding the matter and it was determined
the figure of 164.272 contained in the budget narrative is correct.
Mayor Barnett informed the Council that the Councy Commissioners now
consider the Department of Emergency Services a separate organization, a
rental fee is being charged for the office space they (D.E.S.) occupy in the
courthouse. He stated Prosecuting Attorney Sullivan is also charging (by
the hour) for legal advice rendered to the Department of Emergency Services.
He stated these two factors account for the significant increase in the
Department of Emergency Service's budget for 1986. Council member Carmichael
stated the County Commissioners had agreed in the past the Department of
Emergency Services would not be charged rent for office space or fees for
legal advice.
LIBRARY
Council member Carmichael stated she continues to hear complaints from other
cities within Yakima County because the City of Yakima pays a lower rate for
services, and suggested Council consider other funding alternatives. City
Manager Zais stated Council may wish to consider annexation of the City's
library system into the Library District. A special levy and a special
assessment on an annual basis is required to accanplish annexation. This
procedure would remove the library from the City budget entirely. Mr. Zais
stated annexation is one of the major options the City has to essentially
garner additional revenue sources without placing a tax increase on the
City's budget. After further discussion, it was MOVED by Carmichael,
seconded by Berndt, to direct staff to explore, along with the Library Board
and the Board of Directors, the possibility, feasibility and advisibility of
annexation into the Library District, and have the information submitted t�
Council for consideration in 1986. Carried by 6 -1 voice vote. Barnett
voting nay.
CLEAN AIR
There was no discussion on this portion of the budget.
It was MOVED by Buchanan, seconded by Beauchamp to adjourn this meeting at
the hour of 4:50 p.m. Unanimously carried by voice vote.
READ AND CERTIFIED ACCURATE =BY , 8:
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