HomeMy WebLinkAbout11/12/1986 Special Meeting 421
NOVEMBER 12, 1986
. SPECIAL MEETING - BUDGET REVIEW
The City Council met in 'session on this date' at 9:00 a.m. in the
Council Chambers of City Hall, Yakima, Washington. Council
members present were Mayor Henry Beauchamp, Clarence Barnett, Pat
• Berndt, Jerry Foy and Bernard Sims. Staff members present were
City Manager Zais, Director of Finance and Budget Hanson,
Accounting Manager Wheeler, Budget Analyst Greenough and
Department Assistant 'II Leon. Council member Lynn Carmichael
present after 9:45 a.m. '
The Invocation was given by Mayor Beauchamp.
An illustration prepared by Mr. Greenough entitled "What "You Pay
and What You Get" was distributed to the Council members.' City
Manager Zais' noted this is a one -page' summary on what the
individual taxpayer is getting and what they are paying with
regard to'City resources. Mr. Greenough proceeded to explain the
amount of monies received by the City from property, utility and
sales taxes: In conclusion, he stated the largest single use of
tax dollars is for public safety and related costs which consumes
40% of the total charge to the typical household.
FIRE
Fire Chief Beeson introduced his staff: Tom Fieldstead, Deputy
Fire Chief; Tony Sloan, Fire Investigator /Public Education Officer
and Gary Vance, Training Officer. Chief Beeson stated in his
opening remarks there is only a 1.4% margin ..-_in.. the ;proposed 1987
budget as' compared to the '1986'budget. He mentioned this is
significant in'the fact that'86o of the Fire Department budget is
comprised of personnel services and the 'department is"absorbing a
6% increase in salary this year. Council member Barnett
interjected that it would be helpful to have a report depicting
the budgeted items for transportation for•all` the service units of.
the City. Discussion followed regarding the Capital Outlay
Request of the Lookout Point Radio Site Development: Council
member Barnett suggested for the final budget, that this item be
tied. in with the Radio Needs' Assessment Study. Further discussion
ensued with regard to the repair of the'roof at Fire Station No. 4
(Airport) 'and the number of runs' made by that station'-to the
surrounding residential areas and for the Airport's use. Council
member 'Foy asked if the County contributes to the support -of
Airport costs. Deputy Chief Fieldstead explained the City still
maintains ownership of the fire stationhouse and the apparatus
(structural fire fighting rig). He noted that although the
aircraft crash fire rescue rigs belong to the Airport, the
manpower for the 'station is funded by the City. He further
explained the County is currently in the process. of purchasing a
new apparatus, for Airport use, which will be housed and manned by
City staff, however, the Airport will be looking ,expanding
the City's structure at the Airport's expense. City Manager Zais
summarized the rationale behind the County contributing additional
funds for fire protection which "reached a point of impasse"
during the negotiations of the agreement between the City and
County. (Carmichael present after 9:45 a.m.)
Council member Foy expressed concern with the purchase of a
Polaroid camera and flash. He stated this capital outlay request
does not belong in the Fire Department budget; it should be "done
from a revenue base which is a 5% on gross charged to cable
television users". _The camera_should be purchased out of Cable
Television's budget, and then assigned to the Fire Department for
their use. Mr._.Sloan reiterated that the Polaroid is best used to
preserVe'' = 'the t evidence at', :the scene of the crime and the
spontaneity of the picture is a valuable feature with this type of
camera."'
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NOVEMBER 12, 1986
Council expressed their concerns over the major policy issue of
the Emergency Medical Services Levy Feasibility and Proposal
Development and the $.25 levy revenue tax which ties into it.
Those items of concern focused on the following: 1) the City
eventually running into the decision of providing ambulance
service;. 2) the matter of the 911 issue resolved prior :to, any
other issues of this type and 3) the increasing number of EMS runs
due to the public's knowledge of the Fire Department providing
these services.
After discussion focusing- on the dispatching services to the
various fire districts around Yakima and the medical services
provided to the citizens of Yakima by ,Fire personnel, Council
member Sims requested to see a follow -up study on the user fees
for service calls. Deputy Chief Fieldstead noted an error in the
figures presented on Page 200 under the Fire Capital Fund
Expenditure Summary. In the 1987 budget column under Line 129- -
Administration, it reads $10,000 and should read $45,000 making
the total $256,300 and not $221,300. In reference to Page 203
under Service Unit 129, Council member Sims suggested the City
look into having a dealer's license as opposed to following
through with the state bidding process. Following the explanation
of the Fire personnel's training class, the meeting recessed for
approximately 15 minutes.
The Council reconvened in the Council Chambers at 11:10 a.m. to
resume the budget review session.
POLICE
Police Chief Green introduced his staff: Captain Tony Wentz
(Patrol Division Commander), Captain Don Blesio (Investigative
Services), Captain Reid Follansbee (Administrative Services
Division), Department Assistant IV Marsha Devine and Records
Supervisor Rosemarie Ulmer. He noted that although the Police
budget is $200,000+ less than last year, this figure does not
reflect wage increases anticipated for 1987 by the Yakima Police
Patrolmans Association (YPPA). He . explained the necessity for the
request of eight new typewriters /word processors and an electronic
cash register being automated with a computer system and how it
would enhance the antiquated methods of performing police
functions. Chief Green answered Council's inquiries related to
the manpower ratio to the number of citizens in Yakima being
served by the Police Department and the level of service provided
with regard to this ratio. In response to Council member Sims'
inquiry on incident cards, Mrs. Ulmer noted that according to
research, the Records Division would save over $10,000 in paper
costs due to automation of many forms, including the incident
cards. Referring back to the number of staff vacancies in the
department, Chief Green explained the hiring process of police
officers. Council member Foy expressed concern with regard to the
WAC Rule which arbitrarily shifts medical costs of inmates from
the state level to a local level. With regard to the
establishment of the Law Enforcement Explorer Post, Council
member Berndt suggested a service club work in conjunction with
police personnel in this program.
After a brief discussion; of the replacement request for 1987 of
seven patrol vehicles and one detective vehicle, the meeting
adjourned at 11:58 a.m.
READ AND CERTIFIED ACCURATE BY '(1 Y / - /3 -8 7
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