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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 k i 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 • 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: CI 1 O ) \ \4,17 -W\1\ ( • A ''t.E\1). l'1'EST: COUNCIL MEMBER DA ; CITY CLERK " r MAiOR