HomeMy WebLinkAbout07/06/2010 04A Draft Minutes 06-16-2010 Adjourned Meeting - Study Session1.
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YAKIMA CITY COUNCIL
ADJOURNED MEETING — STUDY SESSION
JUNE 16,2010-8:00-9:30 A.M.
COUNCIL CHAMBERS — YAKIMA CITY HALL
Roll Call
Present:
Council: Assistant Mayor Kathy Coffey, (presiding until 8:15), Mayor Cawley
(presiding after 8:15), Council Members Maureen Adkison, Dave Edler,
Rick Ensey and Bill Lover
Staff: City Manager Zais, Assistant City Attorney Harvey available in
audience and City Clerk Kloster; Fire Chief Hines, Deputy Chief
Stewart, Deputy Director Accounting /Budget Cindy Epperson
Absent: Council Member Ettl
Yakima Fire Department Apparatus Replacement Needs Study
Deputy Chief Stewart opened the meeting explaining the current and future needs for
replacement fire apparatus and the plan they have created to meet those needs. The
cost for each apparatus is approximately $500,000. There currently are four units that
are beyond their usable lifespan. City Manager Zais described past efforts for funding
equipment e.g. reserves, EMS funds, and prior to its repeal, we had motor vehicle
excise tax revenue that was 100% dedicated to public safety by state law. We also
used bonds that were voted in to pay for equipment.
Deputy Chief Stewart reviewed the information in the proposed plan relating to
equipment conditions (age, mileage and hours). He explained how they rotate
equipment to help expand its lifetime. He spoke about their maintenance program and
how they only have one mechanic which doesn't allow time to do much of the
preventative maintenance. Twelve years has been set as the useful life span of an
apparatus before it goes into reserve status.
Deputy Director of Accounting and Budget Epperson reviewed possible options for
funding new equipment. She spoke about bonding. The proposal is to do a property
tax levy lid lift to maintain the current rate per thousand into the future to pay for these
six apparatus that fire has identified as needed. At this point, the City's statutory
maximum rate is $3.14 per thousand. Last year's levy was $2.93, so we have almost
20 cents per thousand available. A levy lid lift would require a simple majority vote and
it can be set for up to six years at differing rates and then be deemed to be permanent
or have a sunset. That would be the recommendation because it is an extension of
the current tax. Another option would be increasing tax on city utilities, currently at
14% for water /wastewater. A 1 % increase would raise what we need for debt service.
That can be done by Council, and then we would need to look at how that affects utility
rates. We can do a voted bond, similar to the property tax levy. It is still a property tax
based revenue source. The voted bond is on top of the regular levy. It requires a
super majority (60 %) and a voter turnout of 40% of the prior general election, a higher
threshold for approval.
STUDY SESSION — FIRE APPARATUS
JUNE 16, 2010
City Manager Zais suggested a non -voted general obligation debt while we have the
capacity. However, we do not have the revenue streams to pay for that without going
back into the budget and reducing costs. We are looking at all of the options with
regard to what has been tested, tried and rejected in the past versus proven sensible
options. Our idea is characterized as a capital replacement levy. The bond issued 15
years ago will be retiring in 2014. The concept is to propose -to voters an extension of
that levy through a voted proposition not at the amount they originally voted for (14.7
cents per thousand) but at the current rate of approximately 5.6 %. That would
generate approximately $300,000 per year. We would stage it so it is seamless to the
voters. They wouldn't pay any more than they pay today. Chief Hines emphasized
that this proposal isn't to expand the department but to maintain it at its current level.
EDLER MOVED AND ADKISON TO DIRECT LEGISLATION BE PREPARED ON
THE RECOMMENDED PROPOSAL. The motion carried by a 6 -0 roll call vote,
Ettl absent. Assistant Mayor Coffey requested a public hearing be held at that
time.
Council Member Edler requested an update be given to the Public Safety
Committee for statistical information on the rumor that Yakima is the worst place to
have a heart attack. He also asked for an update to the Public Safety Committee
on the mutual aid agreement and how we are supposedly supplying many more
services than what we are actually being paid.
3. Audience Comments
No one came forward to speak.
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4. Adjournment
COFFEY MOVED AND ENSEY SECONDED TO ADJOURN. The motion
carried by unanimous voice vote; Ettl absent. The meeting adjourned at 9:16
a. m.
READ AND CERTIFIED ACCURATE BY
ATTEST:
COUNCIL MEMBER DATE
COUNCIL MEMBER DATE
CITY CLERK MICAH CAWLEY, 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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