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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 • 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. . READ AND CERTIFIED ACCURATE BY : DATE � ��� /f �� /y COUN L MEMBER 9 C I LL ��' .�.0 DATE /d- /cc_g, COUNCIL MEMBER ATTEST: /` • CITY CLERK MAYORS