11-25-08 Minutes YELM CITY COUNCIL MEETING
MINUTES
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 2008
1. The Mayor called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m.
2. Roll Call: Present; Don Miller, Joe Baker, Bob Isom, Mike McGowan, John
Thompson and Russ Hendrickson. Excused; Pat Fetterly
3. Agenda Approval
8-103 MOTION BY JOE BAKER APPROVING THE AGENDA AS PRESENTED.
CARRIED.
4. Special Presentations -none scheduled
5. Public Comment. None
6. Consent Agenda
a. Minutes- November 12, 2008 Regular Meeting
b. Payables, Checks 14543-14623, Totaling $394,863.13
8-1 U4 MOTION BY BOB ISOM APPROVING THE CONSENT AGENDA AS
PRESENTED.. CARRIED.
7. Public Hearings - Ad Valorem Property Tax 2009
Mayor Harding opened the Public Hearing at 7:32 pm to allow the Public to
comment on the proposed property tax increase of 1 % from 2008 and other
revenue sources. Tanya Robacker reported that a Public Hearing is required for
the upcoming year's budget on revenue sources from property tax, new
construction, estimated utility value and annexed properties. The Public Hearing
was closed at 7:34 pm.
7. a. Ordinance No. 896 Ad Valorem Property Tax
8-105 MOTION BY BOB ISOM ADOPTING ORDINANCE NO 896 APPROVING
PROPERTY TAX COLLECTION IN 2009.
8. New Business.
a. Public Hearing 2009-2010 City of Yelm. Mayor Harding opened the Public
Hearing at 7:34 pm to allow the Public to comment on the 2009-2010 Biennial
Budget. Shelly Badger presented a balanced budget of 49.08 million for all
funds. This 2 year budget is down from previous years in part because of the
economic downturn and the completion of such capital projects as; Stevens St
W, Longmire Park, Killion LID and the Public Safety Building that were budgeted
in the economic upswing years. The approach is conservative based on known,
unknown and anticipated decreases in revenue. Departments have reduced
their operation and maintenance budgets and postponed plans for new staffing
and equipment. The City is able to maintain current contract obligations as well
as maintaining staff and service programs. The focus for 2009-2010 is;
completion of existing funded projects, re-building reserves that were depleted
for this budget and approving plans for future capital projects when revenue
improves.
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Steve Klein, Thurs#on County, reviewed the preliminary budget and agreed that
the 22% reduction in expenditures was the right approach, however he believes
the impact on revenue will be greater than the estimated 15% shown. He sited
the housing slump, the drop in assessed home values, on-going water rights
issues and inability of local military families to obtain financing in the market
today.
Mayor Harding continued the Public Hearing to the December 09, 2008 Council
meeting.
8b. 2009-2010 Budget. The Budget will be updated if needed and presented at the
December 9th, 2008 Council meeting.
8c. Ordinance No. 897, YMC Utility Code Amendment. Janine Schnepf reported
from the staff report on the changes to the administration of the Utility accounts.
Changes include elimination of the consumer deposit and delinquency fee to
water/sewer customers. The fee for reconnection of water service when it has
been turned off for non payment will be increased January 1, 2009 to $50.00.
8-106 MOTION BY BOB ISOM ADOPTING ORDINANCE NO. 897 REPEALING,
REPLACING AND AMENDING SECTIONS OF CHAPTER 13.04 OF THE
YELM MUNICIPAL CODE RELATED TO THE CONSUMER DEPOSIT,
DELINQUENCY FEE AND RECONNECT FEES FOR THE WATER AND
SEWER UTILITY.
8d. Ordinance No. 893, Year End Budget Amendment. Tanya Robacker provided
an overview of the transfers and adjustments needed to balance the 2008
Budget to accommodate the variables that occur throughout the year in revenue
and expenditures between the many funds.
8-107 MOTION BY BOB ISOM ADOPTING ORDINANCE NO. 893 AMENDING THE
2008 BUDGET BY APPROPRIATING FUNDS FOR 2008 CONSTRACT
OBLIGATIONS, TRANSFERS, AND OTHER BUDGET ADJUSTMENTS; AND
AUTHORIZING THE ACCEPTANCE, DEPOSIT AND APPROPRIATION OF
MISCELLANEOUS DONATIONS, CONTRIBUTIONS, AND OR FEES.
9. Old Business- none
10. Council and Mayor
Councilmember Miller attended the Fire District meeting.
Councilmember Baker reported from the Senior Center and Intercity Transit
meetings.
Councilmember McGowan provided a recap of the Thurston County HOME
Consortium meeting including news of specific funding for affordable housing
options in Yelm.
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Councilmember Thompson reported from the Yelm Transportation Committee
regarding updates to the modeling program for traffic assessments. Ongoing
efforts continue to keep the state route alternative represented in the Legislature.
He also attended Yelm Fire District. Shelly Badger added Council will be
updated on the progress of the Regional Fire District Authority in January and
February.
11. Executive Session. Mayor Harding announced that the Council would be going
into executive session at 8:10 pm to discuss strategy related to collective
bargaining negotiations. The members of the audience left the Council
Chambers. The executive session was opened at 8:10 pm. Mayor Harding
closed the Executive session at 8:43 pm.
12 Correspondence included letters from Comcast and Pacific Disposal regarding
new rates, a 2009 Election Dates calendar from Thurston County and Thurston
County Commissioner's announcement of an open house regarding long range
planning for mineral lands of commercial significance including criterion for siting
of asphalt plants, December 2, 2008.
13. Adjourn: 8:44 pm
a
(A~,.~
Ronald Hardirafg, Mayor City of helm
Attest:
J rle Schnepf, City C rk
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