City Council Study Session — Yakima, WA
Date: 2024-10-22

YAKIMA CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
 October 22, 2024
 City Hall - Council Chambers - 129 N 2nd Street, Yakima, WA
 5:00 PM City Council Study Session – conducted in person and remotely via Zoom.

Executive Session – 4:30 p.m.

 Executive Session regarding collective bargaining pursuant to RCW 42.30.140(4)(a)

 MOTION: Brown moved and Deccio seconded to adjourn to Executive Session for 30
 minutes regarding collective bargaining pursuant to RCW 42.30.140(4)(a). The motion
 carried by unanimous vote.

 Present for Executive Session: Mayor Patricia Byers, Assistant Mayor Brown, and
 Councilmembers Reedy Berg, Janice Deccio, Rick Glenn, Danny Herrera, and Leo Roy

 Executive session was held at 4:32 p.m. and adjourned at 5:00 p.m. The meeting was called
 back to order at 5:02 p.m.

1. Roll Call

 Present: Mayor Patricia Byers, presiding; Assistant Mayor Matt Brown and Councilmembers
 Reedy Berg, Janice Deccio, Rick Glenn, Danny Herrera and Leo Roy

 Staff: City Manager Vicki Baker, City Attorney Sara Watkins and City Clerk Rosalinda Ibarra

2. Public Comment (allow 15 minutes)

 None.

3. Study Session Items

 A. Domestic Water Rate and Fee Study

 Director of Public Works Scott Schafer introduced Tage Aaker with the FCS Group who
 presented the City's Domestic Water Utility Rate and Fee Study for 2025-2029. The
 presentation is intended to inform the City Council of the proposed rate and fee
 adjustments that will be included in the proposed 2025-2026 Biennial Budget.

 Mr. Aaker provided an overview of the revenue requirement forecast and stated that
 utility rates should be self-supporting, and rates are set to recover the cost of providing
 the service. In summary, a 6.5% annual increase from 2025-2027 and 4.5% annual
 increase for 2028 and 2029 was identified. He also shared the ending fund balance
 projections and the bimonthly ready-to-serve rate schedule forecast. He noted that the


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 City's connection charges were calculated in 2012 and have not changed since then.
 Generally, connection charges are one-time charges which can be used for capital only
 for citywide facilities and provide revenue for capital and include future and existing
 infrastructure costs. Additionally, he reported a proposed phased-in update to the
 domestic water installation and connection fees, which were found to be significantly
 under the amount to recover actual costs for labor and the cost of the meter plus the
 service line.

 B. Resolution authorizing an Interlocal Agreement with Washington Traffic Safety
 Commission for traffic safety emphasis patrols

 Yakima Police Sergeant Scott Grant briefed the Council on the proposed resolution
 regarding traffic safety emphasis patrols.

 The City Clerk read the resolution by title only.

 MOTION: Brown moved and Deccio seconded to adopt the resolution. The motion
 carried by a 6-1 roll call vote; with Glenn voting no.

 RESOLUTION NO. R-2024-194, A RESOLUTION authorizing the City Manager of the
 City of Yakima to execute an Interlocal Agreement Between the City of Yakima and the
 Washington Traffic Safety Commission for funding to provide traffic safety emphasis
 patrols.

4. Review of Proposed 2025-2026 Biennial Priority Based Budget Session

 A. City Administration Budget Presentation - City Council, City Manager, Economic
 Development, City Clerks, and Information Technology Services

 City Manager Vicki Baker presented an overview of the services and programs provided
 by the City Administration Divisions including City Council, City Manager, Economic
 Development, City Clerk's Office, and Information Technology Services.

 The City Council's programs consist of AWC membership, stipends, travel/training, and
 lobbying efforts. The City Manager programs are made up of city management and
 special project professional services. Economic Development programs include Arts
 Commission, YCDA contract, fireworks celebration, and federal lobbying efforts. The
 City Clerk's office provides programs related to the Public Records Act, Open Public
 Meetings Act, Records Management, elections, and LEOFF 1 Pension boards for Police
 and Fire retirees. The Information Technology Services Division supports
 infrastructure/security programs, GIS, application development, computer operations,
 and application development and ongoing support.

 B. Human Resources Department Budget Presentation

 Director of Human Resources Connie Mendoza presented an overview of the services
 and costs associated with the Human Resources Division budget which includes
 programs related to personnel administration, payroll administration, Civil Service (for
 Police, Fire, and Charter employees), employee health benefit administration, MiCare
 Clinic services, Employee Assistance Program (EAP) and employee wellness
 programs, unemployment compensation and worker's compensation programs.


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 C. Community Relations Budget Presentation

 Communication and Public Affairs Manager Randy Beehler presented an overview of
 the Community Relations Division budget. The primary programs and services
 provided include management and administration of the City's communication
 initiatives, operation of two cable television channels, administration of cable and
 telecommunications franchises, and public affairs initiatives. Mr. Beehler noted that
 revenues from franchise fees and public education government (PEG) fees have
 covered these expenses; however, these revenues have decreased, and revenues may
 no longer adequately fund these activities in the foreseeable future.

 D. Airport Budget Presentation

 Yakima Air Terminal Director Robert Hodgman presented a budget overview of the
 airport operations including general aviation for business and commercial passenger
 service. Mr. Hodgman shared data about the positive economic impact on cities near
 an airport. He noted that the Yakima Air Terminal is primarily funded by grants through
 the Federal Aviation Administration and Washington State Department of
 Transportation Aviation which cover expenses related to the airfield, air terminal, and
 airport administration. Revenue sources consist of land and facility leases, airport
 parking, advertising, landing fees, and grants.

 E. Fleet and Facilities Budget Presentation

 Fleet and Facilities Manager Kerry Jones presented a budget overview of the
 equipment rental and building maintenance services including fuel management,
 storage and distribution. Fleet maintenance acquisition and capital replacement do not
 include Police and Fire vehicles. Fleet recently began purchasing police and fire
 equipment but does not provide maintenance to them. Responsibilities also include
 rehabilitation, maintenance, and custodial services for City Hall, Public Works Complex,
 Henry Beauchamp Jr. Community Center (HBCC), Yakima Public Affairs (YPAC)
 building, MiCare Clinic, and the former Bank of America building.

 F. Wastewater/Stormwater Budget Presentation

 Wastewater Manager Mike Price presented a budget overview of the Wastewater and
 Stormwater divisions. Mr. Price noted that these two divisions are supported by an
 enterprise fund that generates revenues through rates based on the cost of providing
 services. He also highlighted division accomplishments and current and future
 challenges. Staff shared the recommended wastewater rate increases for various
 charges to keep pace with inflating operating and maintenance expenses and comply
 with capital program requirements of maintaining adequate fund balances. Staff also
 proposed a 7% annual increase to the stormwater fee.

 G. Water/Irrigation Division Budget Presentation

 Water/Irrigation Manager Mike Shane presented a budget overview of the services and
 costs provided by the Water and Irrigation Division including water distribution, water
 treatment, and maintenance for irrigation distribution and operations. In addition to


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 recent accomplishments and proposed water and irrigation capital projects, Mr. Shane
 shared recommended water rate increases through 2029 to support annual operating
 and maintenance costs, debt service, and capital program expenditures.

 H. Finance Department Budget Presentation - Finance, Purchasing, and Utilities Divisions

 Director of Finance and Budget Viren Mayani and Financial Services Manager Kimberly
 Dominé presented a budget overview of the Finance Division programs and services
 consisting of producing a balanced budget, the Annual Comprehensive Financial
 Report, accounts payable, grants, debt management, cash and investments, capital
 management, and administrative support.

 Finance Manager Kimberly Dominé presented budgetary information regarding
 programs offered through the Purchasing Division including purchase of goods and
 services, compliance for Certificates of Insurance, P-card program, surplus disposition,
 and purchasing policy and procedures. Ms. Dominé also shared the current year’s
 statistics.

 Utility Services Manager Anabel Chavez presented an overview of services and costs
 associated with the Utility Services Division which are comprised of utility meter
 services, account billing and receivables, downtown parking permits, the Enterprise
 Resource Planning software, administrative functions and customer service.

5. Adjournment

 MOTION: Brown moved and Deccio seconded to adjourn to the next City Council
 study session on October 29, 2024, at 5:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers at City Hall.
 The motion carried by unanimous vote. The meeting adjourned at 9:44 p.m.



CERTIFICATION
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ATTEST:

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