HomeMy WebLinkAbout12/03/1985 Adjourned Meeting aoi.
DECEMBER 3, 1985
ADJOURNED MEETING - BUDGET REVIEW
The City Council met in session on this date at 9:30 a.m. in the Council
Chambers of City Hall, Yakima, Washington. Council members present were
Mayor Clarence Barnett, Henry Beauchamp, Pat Berndt, Lynn Buchanan, Lynn
Carmichael, and Jerry Foy. Council member Jack Sparling absent and
excused.Staff members present were Fred Stouder, Acting Public Works
Director, Director of Finance & Budget Hanson, Accounting Manager Wheeler,
and Department Assistant Barber.
Mr. Stouder introduced Jerry Copeland, the newly hired Director of Public
Works for the City of Yakima, who will begin his duties on January 2,
1986.
PUBLIC WORKS
City staff present to respond to questions were Superintendent of Streets
and Refuse Del Kary, Transit Manager Bill Schultz, Traffic Engineer Hank
Hein, Fleet Manager Don Toney, and Department Assistant Nancy Betker.
Mayor Barnett asked to have Account 630, regarding the sidewalk issue,
discussed as a major policy in the budget wrap -up. Council member Berndt
pointed out she believed the left hand column should read "1985" on page
195, under Public Works Administration Charges. She asked if the
Department Assistant I position, on page 193, is vacant and Mrs. Betker
confirmed it has not been filled. Council member Berndt then stated on page
193, II Authorized Personnel, the 1985 Actual column should read .00 for
the Department Assistant I position.
STREET DIVISION
Council member Buchanan requested further information on funds for Service
Unit 522, Pedestrian And Bikeway. He expressed consern about the bike path
program revenues. Mr. Stouder explained that money is going into the
Engineering Division for the 50/50 Participation Sidewalk Program, however,
staff will bring back further information to the Council. Council member
Buchanan asked how much the completed bike path on the Whitney School
grounds cost the City. Mr. Stouder stated staff will present the .bikeway
revenues at the Budget Review meeting Thursday, December 5, 1985. Council
member Foy reported, at the last Chamber Board meeting, the Chamber of
Commerce decided to meet with the City Council to discuss the Washington
Research report. Mr. Stouder stated that report has been corrected and it
will be submitted for Council's review very shortly. Mayor Barnett asked to
have the third sweeper operation discussed as a major policy issue in the
budget wrap -up. Council member Carmichael asked staff if they have any
better information on the concrete streets repairs. Mr. Kary responded the
engineers are working on a report to compile the cost effectiveness of
repairing these streets to give to the Council for consideration in 1986.
Council member Beauchamp asked about the overlay and Mr. Kary explained it
will be based on available funds. Council member Carmichael stated a number
of business owners on First and Second Avenues have contacted some of the
Council members. She feels perhaps staff should look at a cost- sharing with
the businesses to repair these streets and integration costs due to the
commercial endeavors going on in that area, however, believes the City has
the sole responsibility in the residential areas. Council member Beauchamp
stated he feels it is in the best interests of the City to respond to
those businesses. Council member Foy asked for a priority list on the plan
for this improvement to help the Council make a determination. Mayor
Barnett stated he believes the landfill increase in Account 470, is 19% and
not 92%, as stated on page 204. Mr. Kary commented the majority of the
landfill costs is from Spring cleanup and stated staff is proposing going
City -wide with Spring cleanup. Council member Carmichael asked for •a
breakdown on the City's Spring cleanup costs and Mr. Stouder responded
staff will bring that information back to Council. Referring to the Alley
Cleanup Program, Mayor Barnett asked about the City's liability if a
potential fire haxard exists. He stated he is concerned about beginning
other programs, when there is an ordinance which gives the responsibility
to the City. Council member Berndt asked to have this item discussed as a
policy issue for the Budget wrap -up. Council member Foy asked how many
alley miles are in the City and Mr. Kary responded staff will obtain this
information for Council. Council members briefly discussed the snow and
ice control program. Council member Foy stated he will meet with staff,
at a later time, for further clarification on the intergovernmental
DECEMBER 3, 1985 205
ADJOURNED MEETING ?4: BUDGET REVIEW
revenues due to State Energy Grants and fuel tax receipts, in Account 330
on page 208. (Council members Berndt and Carmichael absent briefly.)
Council member Foy asked to extend yard service one more month each year
and Council member Berndt asked staff to consider making it mandatory to
bag the leaves. The Council members were in consensus to discuss this as a
policy issue for the budget wrap -up. Mayor Barnett referred to page 212,
.VI Major Policy Issues, Item No. A -1, Street Maintenance Traveled Way
Organizational Change. He asked where Exhibit A appeared in the budget.
Mr. Kary responded Exhibit A was not in the budget, however,, he will
present it to Council before the December 14, 1985 meeting. It was the
consensus of the Council members to break for a brief recess at 11:15 a.m.
The City Council meeting reconvened at 11:25 a.m. Council member Buchanan
stated he feels the Pedestrian and Bikeway Paths under Service Unit 522 on
page 214 has nothing to do with pedestrians. Mr. Hanson stated he will
check the State Bars Manual and Council member Foy stated perhaps it should
be put in a sub -unit.
TRANSIT
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Mayor Barnett asked to have the 1985 Projected column total under
Authorized Personnel changed from 30.45 to 33.70 on page 215 in the budget.
(Council member Beauchamp absent briefly.) Council member Carmichael
questioned the policy of the Transit employees sick leave and the
scheduling of backup drivers. She asked that these employees give the City
several days notice, when possible, which would benefit the City and staff.
Mr. Stouder responded that staff will check into this. Council member
Carmichael stated she wishes to know if there are better ways to use the
manpower more efficiently and asked staff to come back with an outline.
Mr. Stouder stated staff will bring back a comprehensive report in January,
1986. Mayor Barnett., Council members _Berndt and_ Buchanan expressed
concern regarding the effect young people are having on_ adult and senior
citizen ridership. Mr. Schultz stated he does not . have,._a - •direct answer, at
this time and Mayor .Barnett asked if. the City needs to re- evaluate the_ ...
marketing program. -Discussion followed on the Capital Outlay Requests on
page 219.
It was the consensus of the City Council to. break for a lunch recess at
12:00 p.m. and reconvene this meeting at,1:30 p.m.
Following the luncheon recess,' the City .Council reconvened at 1:30 p.m. in
the Council Chambers. Council members present were Mayor Clarence Barnett,
Henry Beauchamp, Pat Berndt, Lynn Buchanan, Lynn Carmichael, and Jerry Foy.
Council member Jack Sparling absent and excused. Staff members present
were John Hanson, Director of Finance & Budget, Robert Wheeler, Accounting
Manager, Fred Stouder, Acting Public Works Director, and City Clerk,
Roberts.
TRANSIT
Discussion of the Transit budget' resumed, continuing with policy issues.
Council 'member Foy requested an expanded sheet reflecting the fare box
return. Council members discussed the crosstown route policy issue, with
Mayor Barnett questioning the need for this route, as opposed to the public
testimony requesting expanded evening hours and Sunday service. Bill
Schults described the bus driver's scheduling, which includes split shifts
to reduce "pad" down time, when the driver is not on a route. In response
to the Mayor's-question regarding the marketing costs, Mr. Schultz advised
the $19,000 for marketing the crosstown route would be in addition to the
$200,000. Discussing Policy Option C, Transit Fare Analysis, Council
member Foy indicated the youth fare is too low. Mayor Barnett expressed
concern that if the recommended fare structure is adopted, it would be one
of the highest in the State. He stated he would like to see the transit
sales tax reduced if the fare is increased. Council member Foy stated if
the $.50/.50/.25 fare structure goes into effect, he would like to see
calculations on the impact on the budget if the transit sales tax is levied
at 0.30 `0.2%, and 0.1% and how much revenue would be generated at these
percentages. Council member Foy said the question is "to what degree of •
fare box percentage return does Council want to set ?" Following discussion
regarding the fare box return ratio and the transit sales tas, it was the
general consensus of the Council to have staff bring back additional
information regarding proposed fare box increase and mil decrease.
REFUSE •
Referring to the refuse rate adjustment handout , Del Kary, Superintendent
of Streets and Refuse, stated there are three separate alternatives, each
206 DECEMBER 3, 1985
- ADJOURNED MEETING - BUDGET REVIEW
generating the required revenue. Staff recommendation is to implement
Alternative III beginning January 1, 1986. Mr. Hanson reported these
alternatives have been presented to the Utility Rate Advisory Board. Mayor
Barnett stated assuming the Time and Motion Study came up with
representative data which we can rely upon, why did we not base our 13%
increase on the rates of the Time and Motion Study, rather than try to
maintain some compatibility with the existing rate structure. Mr. Kart'
stated this could be done; staff is trying to maintain approximately
$50,000 as a 1986 beginning cash balance. Discussion ensued on the three
alternates and the amount of the basic one -can service, which is supporting
the other services. Mayor Barnett pointed out an error in footnote 7,
Alternative I; the $136,186 should be $151,508. Following discussion
regarding the backup mechanical refuse truck and an additional part -time
permanent employee, it was the general consensus to request staff provide
copies to Council, of the information the Mayor provided to the City
Manager, and financial data on Alternative IV (Mayor's supposition).
EQUIPMENT RENTAL
Don Toney, Fleet Manager, responded to the Council's questions regarding
small tools replacement, special tools purchases, and the list of fleet
replacements for 1986. Council members expressed concern with estimated
costs for replacing sedans and small trucks. Council discussed the
purchase of the 3 -yard dump truck, questioning if the divisions could share
the use of this equipment. Mr. Toney explained the Divisions have different
needs and specialized equipment is installed on the dump trucks to meet
those needs. Council member Foy requested a copy of the State specs the
City would use to purchase the Sedan 1008, the small pickup and new Mini
Van. Council member Buchanan requested staff review the specs used by the
Health District since the cost of their small trucks is considerably less
than what is listed in this budget.
TRAFFIC ENGINEERING
Hank Hein, Supervising Traffic Engineer, was available to respond to
Council's questions. Mayor Barnett expressed concern regarding the addition
of new programs when staff is indicating a reduction in existing services
due to other priorities s taking precedence. He further commented if staff
can't enforce the clear view ordinance requirements, the ordinance should
be repealed. Mr. Hein stated clear view problems are responded to on a
complaint basis only and other safety programs, such as tree trimming must
be addressed as it presents a City liability. He described the Pedestrian
Safety Improvements Program, staff is recommending be presented to Council
in 1986 for approval. Discussion ensued regarding the Pavement Management
System (Policy Issue D). Mr. Stouder stated he would provide Council with
a copy of the past reports regarding Pavement Management System. Council
members questioned the time spent repairing and maintaining signals for
other entities, wondering if the time would be better utilized enforcing •
the existing programs. Council members also questioned the cost to provide
that service (labor and equipment), believing the fee is set too low.
It was the general consensus of the Council to begin the Thursday budget
review meeting at 10:00 a.m. to noon, recess for lunch, and reconvene at
1:30 p.m.
It was MOVED by Buchanan, seconded by Carmichael, this meeting be adjourned
at the hour of 4:30 p.m., to then meet again on Thursday, December 3, 1985
at 10:00 a.m. Unanimously carried by voice vote. Sparling absent.
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