Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout12/05/1985 Adjourned Meeting 207 DECEMBER 5, 1985 ADJOURNED MEETING - BUDGET REVIEW The City Council met in session on this date at 10:00 a.m. in the Council Chambers of City Hall, Yakima, Washington. Council members present were Mayor Clarence Barnett, Henry Beauchamp, Pat Berndt, Lynn Carmichael, Jerry Foy and Jack Sparling. Council member Lynn Buchanan present after 10:35 a.m. Staff members present were City Manager Zais, Director of Finance and Budget Hanson and Department Assistant II Leon. Fred Stouder, Acting Director of Public Works, introduced Joe Jackson, Street Division Supervisor, who provided Council with a status report on the snow control in the City. Council complimented staff for their efforts in keeping city streets free from hazardous conditions. Mayor Barnett noted for the record he has received a letter from Daniel Speer, President of the Yakima Slow Pitch Association, which will be discussed with the Parks and Recreation Division budget. He also stated the handout distributed by Del Kary at the last budget review session has a column of incorrect figures. PERSONNEL Fred Stouder, Assistant City Manager, and Bob Weaver, Personnel Officer, were available to respond to Council's questions regarding the major policy issue of adding one full time position to the existing staff, Employment Training Specialist. Council member Foy expressed concern with this request because the current staff should be cross - trained for the various duties performed within the office. Staff expanded upon the various duties to. be performed by the new staff person and . how that individual will work in conjunction with current personnel.. (Council member Buchanan present after 10:35 a.m.) Discussion followed with Council expressing their concerns with the City's affirmative action hiring record, unemployment compensation standards and the amount of time spent by management staff on union negotiations and disputes. PURCHASING Fred Stouder, Assistant City Manager, and Jean Reid, Purchasing Agent, were available to respond to Council's questions. Mrs. Reid responded to Council's inquiries regarding the capital outlay requests. A brief discussion ensued with Council reviewing the ' costs of publishing legal ads and the City surplus property auction. CITY COUNCIL 1/ Mayor .Barnett questioned figures which were presented to him regarding Account 430 - Transportation /Training in a recent computer printout. Mr. Hanson responded that reimbursement costs contributed to the differential in figures. Council member Foy requested a computer printout outlining each department's training expenditures. (Council member Berndt absent after 11:05 a.m.) CITY MANAGER'S OFFICE . Mayor Barnett's only concern with this budget is the overlapping of meetings which are scheduled to be attended by the City Manager and Assistant City Manager. City Manager Zais stated attendance at the workshops listed in the budget is usually alternated between. the Assistant City Manager and himself. Assistant City Manager Stouder commented the Legislative Conferences are usually the only meetings they attend together. 208 DECEMBER 5, 1985 ADJOURNED MEETING - BUDGET REVIEW LEGAL Fred Andrews, City Attorney, was present to respond to Council's inquiries. He explained the Legal Department's budget consists of the follwing three service units: Prosecution, Indigent Defense and Legal Counsel. He also noted no major policy issues or personnel increases are proposed and costs are increased due to the inflation rates. A brief discussion followed regarding district court costs. RECORDS Karen Roberts, City Clerk, was available to respond to Council's questions. Mrs. Roberts explained the increase in overtime budgeted for 1986. She also displayed one microfilm cassette comparing it against the 2 1/2 notebooks of ordinances and resolutions contained on that one cassette. Mayor Barnett and Council member Foy expressed concern with the publication of the Annual Report. City Manager Zais noted from a public relations standpoint, the Annual Report is a nice gesture. A brief discussion followed regarding the possibility of a biennium budget, publication of the Council agenda in the Yakima Herald - Republic newspaper and the type of machine to be used for microfilming. The meeting was then recessed at 11:40 a.m. to reconvene at 1:30 p.m. At 1:30 p.m. the Council reconvened the meeting. Council members present were Mayor Clarence Barnett, Pat Berndt, Henry Beauchamp, Lynn Buchanan, Jerry Foy and Jack Sparling. PARKS AND RECREATION Fred Stouder, Acting Public Works Director, Jodi Wroblewski, Recreation Superintendent, Gordon Elliott, Maintenance Superintendent and Marty Eckes, Recreation Supervisor, were available to respond to Council's questions. Mrs. Wroblewski described the duties and titles of five staff members in the Parks and Recreation Division. Mr. Eckes explained the recreation program at Washinton Junior High and the reduction of hourswhich has occurred due to lack of attendance. Discussion ensued involving Diamond Parking revenues and maintenance in the CBD- (Central Business District) area. Mr. Elliott responded to inquiries regarding maintenance in the City parks, development of Chesterley Park, construction of a facility for use as a soccer complex and the capital outlay request for a stump chipper. Council and staff discussed the issue of whether a new facility would actually benefit the community or if the current parks should be beautified accordingly. Under the Supervised Leisure Activities Service Unit, Mr. Eckes explained the IMPACT /PRODUCTIVITY chart as requested by Council _ member Foy. Discussion followed with Council expressing their concerns with the elimination of summer playground programs, the Randall Park Art Center classes and the removal of the tracks near Lions Park. With regard to the Golf Course Service Unit, Council member Foy proposed alternative rates for golf course fees. It was the general consensus of the Council to have the following items discussed as major policy issues: 1) Youths to pay same rate as senior citizens as opposed to the proposed changes of youths paying adult fees; '2) Raising the senior citizen age to 65 for inclusion in all programs and 3) Elimination of program and Recreation Leader position at the Randall Park Art Center. Glenna Thon, Head Aquatics Instructor, responded to inquiries regarding the Aquatics Service Unit. She explained the delay of the opening of Lions Pool and the impact it would have on the budget. Much discussion followed regarding use of the pool by the Yakima School District and the proposed 1986 aquatic fee schedule. DECEMBER by 19 55 ADJOURNED MEETING - BUDGET REVIEW 209 , SENIOR CENTER Denise Nichols, Supervisor, was available to respond to Council's questions. Mrs. Nichols explained the anticipated revenues and expenditures for the various programs at the center. In conclusion, ' Council member Foy complimented the Senior Center for a job well done with their programs. A brief discussion followed with Council expressing concern regarding the spas and saunas request under the Service Unit - Capital Improvements. CEMETERY Mr. Hanson and City Manager Zais expanded upon the trust fund in the cemetery budget and the interest it cannot generate because of state regulation. Mr. Elliott responded to the inquiries of fee comparisons with other Yakima cemeteries. City Manager Zais pointed - out that in 1987, the cemetery will be the only operating budget being subsidized by revenue sharing. City Manager Zais mentioned although the Urban Area Plan Hearing was scheduled for December 19th, it has been rescheduled for January 16th. There being no further business to come before the Council, it was MOVED by Buchanan, seconded by Beauchamp this meeting be adjourned at the hour of 4:25 p.m. to then meet on December 14, 1985 at 9:30 a.m. Unanimously carried by voice vote. Carmichael absent. READ AND CERTIFIED ACCURATE BY , /e , DATE 9lC,c -G ? COUNCIL MEMBER ? 444-met DATE COUNCIL MEMBER ATTEST: PVd/te-yt--"._244e5 72 e , ______ CITY CLERK -- MA OR