HomeMy WebLinkAbout02/03/2009 04A Draft Minutes 11-25-2009 Adjourned Meeting - Budget Review•
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YAKIMA CITY COUNCIL
ADJOURNED MEETING — BUDGET REVIEW
NOVEMBER 25, 2008 — 8:30 A.M. — 12:00 NOON
COUNCIL CHAMBERS —CITY HALL
1: Roll Call
Present:
Council: Mayor Dave Edler, presiding, Assistant Mayor Micah Cawley, Council
Members Kathy Coffey, Rick Ensey, Norm Johnson, Bill Lover, and
Neil McClure
Staff: City Manager Zais, Acting City Attorney Cutter, and City Clerk Moore
2. Police Department (see attached memo re Police policy issue)
Police Department
Chief Granato noted that, although the budget is increased by approximately
8.5 %, it is largely covered by $900,000 in grants: There was a significant
savings in personnel costs this last year due to delays in filling positions.
Discussion covered various crime prevention programs and Citizens for Safe
Communities hiring an individual for two years to help monitor those programs.
Discussion also covered gangs and partnering with ATF, the US Marshall's
Office and the State DOC.
• Law and Justice Capital
3. Community and Economic Development
Bill Cook, Director of Community and Economic Development, advised that activities
are slowing down in the building area but, as a result, other areas become more
demanding, e.g. the Block Grant program and code enforcement issues. Deputy
Director Michael Morales described 2008 as a very busy year and listed the
accomplishments of the various divisions., They are finding ways to manage growth
with the same staff. He touched on the news that the City had received the LIFT
award for the sawmill redevelopment project.
Policy issues:
1. Upgrade Planning Specialist position
2. Animal Control — Reducing the cost of animal license fees did not increase the
number of licenses issued as. hoped; and, therefore, revenues were down. This is
something that should be reviewed in the future. City Manager Zais advised there
was a modest increase of about 5% budgeted in license fees and noted that if
Council approves the Humane Society's request for increase, it is not fully covered
and would require dipping into cash reserves.
3. ONDS reorganization
ADJOURNED BUDGET MEETING
NOVEMBER 25, 2008
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• Urban Area Hearings Examiner
• Environmental Planning
• Code Administration
• City Hall Facility Maintenance
• Economic Development
• Office of Neighborhood Development Services
• Parking and Business Improvement Area (PBIA)
• Central Business District (CBD)
• Trolley
• North Front Street Business Improvement District
• Tourist Promotion
John Cooper gave a State -of- the - Industry report. Leisure travel is expected to
decline about 1.3 %, but driving trips to nearby areas will increase and we can
possibly capture more of that. Although room occupancies are flat, the lodging
tax has increased. COFFEY MOVED AND JOHNSON SECONDED FOR A
NEW POLICY ISSUE IN THE FINAL BUDGET ALLOWING FOR A $20,000
INCREASE TO THE SPORTS COMMISSION'S 2009 BUDGET. The motion
carried by a unanimous roll call vote.
There were no questions on any of the policy issues.
• Capitol Theatre
Steve Caffery spoke about ticket sales being impacted by the economy and
experiencing a drop of 30 %. This results in an operating deficit in the six figure
range. Although they have sufficient reserves, it will impact the expansion plans.
The bonds are in question. They are working closely with City staff and being
proactive in approaching all options and solutions to allow beginning the project
in 2009. They have a $3.5 million local campaign. The Wilson building is
scheduled to be demolished in spring 2009 and will be replaced by the pavilion.
Construction will begin in 2010.
Policy issue — increase the management fee.
Engineering
Growth Management
Cemetery Trust Bonded Debt
City Manager Zais and Michael Morales, Deputy Director of Community and
Economic Development discussed potential state and federal stimulus packages.
Lists have been prepared of projects that may meet the criteria and be eligible for
stimulus money. Some of the projects to be considered are grind and overlay,
sewer main construction, the funding shortfall for the grade separation, and the
Downtown Futures Initiative project.
ENSEY MOVED AND CAWLEY SECONDED TO ACCEPT NORM JOHNSON'S
LETTER OF RESIGNATION TO TAKE EFFECT DECEMBER 31, 2008. The
motion carried by unanimous. voice vote.
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ADJOURNED BUDGET MEETING
NOVEMBER 25, 2008
Mayor Edler affirmed that no one has already been selected and he suggested an
interview scenario. He recommended interviewing on three to five of the candidates
with each Council member going through the full list and selecting their top three
choices. The top 3 -5 vote getters would be the candidates to be interviewed. City
Manager Zais advised that the actual vote would have to be done in the new year
after the vacancy takes effect.
4. Adjournment
ENSEY MOVED AND CAWLEY SECONDED TO ADJOURN TO DECEMBER 9,
2008 AT 8:30 A.M. FOR THE BUDGET WRAP UP. The motion carried by
unanimous voice vote.
The meeting adjourned at 10:25 a.m.
READ AND CERTIFIED ACCURATE BY
COUNCIL MEMBER DATE
COUNCIL MEMBER DATE
ATTEST:
CITY CLERK DAVID EDLER, MAYOR
Minutes prepared by Linda Watkins. A CD and DVD of this meeting are available in the City Clerk's Office
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