Sunnyside Council Likely To Hold Meeting For “Trash Talk”
December 9, 2008 5 Comments
At last night’s City Council meeting, storm water runoff taxes were increased for industrial zoned property, and payroll increases for employees were passed. An amendment to the 2008 budget was passed as well. Eric Swansen was proud that the City was overbudget by only $29,000. What he did not mention, is that had it not been for the $41,784 of retroactive pay increases, he could have managed to meet the budget for the year.
One item that did not pass, was a proposed increase in the garbage tax. The increase in garbage collection costs by the contracted hauler amounts to about 21%. City Manager Eric Swansen proposed increasing the garbage tax 25% to fund pay raises at City Hall, and increase the general fund. Council Members Theresa Hancock, Carol Stone, and Tom Gehlen voted against increasing the tax. They stated they needed more information from City Staff to justify the increase over what the contractor is charging.
Eric Swansen stated a special meeting would need to be held before the end of the year to address the garbage tax. While I agree that fuel costs, dumping fees, and other expenses have gone up over the last year, I do not agree with a City Council that simply rubber stamps recommendations for tax increases. Council Member Bill Gant said to question any portion of the increase was a violation of trust. Perhaps Mr. Gant should read up on the concept of checks and balances that our founding fathers put into the design of our government.
One irate businessman accused the prior City Manager of being a “dictator” on a billboard. If no one ever questioned City Staff proposals, the Manager would be a defacto dictator. I would like to thank Council Members Gehlen, Hancock, and Stone for asking that a documented need exist, before raising taxes. Holding Staff accountable for their actions is part of the role of the City Council.
An increase in garbage taxes will almost certainly be needed. However, it should be based on the cost of collection, not the cost of a bloated and growing City payroll. Perhaps Council should consider having the contractor do the billing for garbage, so Staff can be cut at City Hall. As was mentioned at the meeting, additional personnell cuts will be needed to pay for the raises employees will receive. Billing for garbage collection can easily be done by a vendor.
In closing, I do need to mention that the City Council has changed the agenda for meetings, so citizen comments can be made at the beginning instead of the end. This way, citizens can give input on issues before action is taken by the Council. This is a welcome change to the previous practice.
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Jason, what you fail to realize is that all that my fellow Councilmembers accomplished is to postpone the inevitable.
We have a contract with Yakima Waste Systems, this contract is being changed by the contractor, although I don’t like the idea of the increase, I do believe it was necessary to facilitate the contract, there are costs above and beyond the contractors fees, including paying people to monitor that contract, this is no different then when we receive a grant from the State or the Federal government, we have to pay people to monitor that contract and insure that the reporting requirements are met.
My fellow Councilmembers had the same amount of time that I had to review the information, and to be honest, going to the Christmas Lighting Ceremony, the Lighted Implement Parade and the Veteran’s Ceremony is NOT in my book an excuse to fail to do your job as a councilmember.
The tax payers now have to put out more money for a Special Meeting to answer one question, that in my book is a waste of tax payer money. Knowing Robert’s rules would have been beneficial to my fellow Councilmembers, they could have easily tabled the item to the next meeting, instead of voting, having it defeated, and ultimately having a “Motion to Reconsider laid upon the table.”
Mark my words, we will meet, it will be approved and just in time so that we are not in breach of contract with Yakima Waste Systems. Having grown up in a large East coast city, I do not think the citizens of Sunnyside would like to see what happens when you don’t pay the garbage man.
As always, I thank you for your comments, Jim. Our disagreement on this issue is not really a very big one. My concern is not so much about the increases in operating costs of the contractor, but in administration at City Hall, and using garbage taxes to beef up the general fund. This skimming across the top of the garbage taxes is questionable to citizens who do not see City employees picking up the garbage.
As an observer of the Council meeting, I agree with you that Robert’s Rules could have been utilized better to avoid a special meeting. However, the staff also could also have provided Council with more detail when putting this on the agenda in the first place.
I believe you are correct in your prediction that an increase will be approved before the end of the year. With this extra scrutiny, it will be sure to be a reasonable one.
My compliments go out to the entire Council for conducting themselves with a professional demeanor. Mayor Garcia rightfully pointed out the benefits of having a Council that is cordial towards each other even when lacking total agreement on issues.
Per councilman Restucci comments or should I say Blagojevich Jr. comments. Mr Restucci has never been concerned about this city nor taxpayers. Mr Restucci who seems to be throwing rocks in a glass house at others. But, he should look into a mirror and solve his incababilities of being a councilman.
For a fact; in the past years. Certain councilmen took Restucci his all his city business right before each council meeting. And he said it was no excuse going to the lighted parade on a busy city weekend. If I were Mr Restucci, I believe I would keep my mouth shut. There is alot to be know about Mr Restucci that many do not know in this city. But, many do! I wonder if Mr Restucci hadn’t put his name in with Blagojevich for Obama’s empty seat. Being he has stabbed others in the back in the past for his own gain!
But, I must say thank you to Council persons Hancock, Stone and Gehlen. At least they care about others in this city. But, Hancock and Stone were two of the sparks that set off this explosion of overspending in this city.
But to be sure, Gant, EPPS, Restucci and Mayor GARCIA are very inept at running a city. Leave these 4 in power. WE will be another needing a bail out like Fannie May, Aig and the auto makers. California, watch out. Sunnyside is making a run for being the most inefficient municipality on the west coast.
And Hancock and Stone who were instrumental in pushing Stockwell out. Have shown they had no plan before contemplating Stockwells ousting. A true democratic strategy ! IGNORANCE at its best !
One thing I would say that Hancock may had in mind is that this overspending may drive the taxpayer to drink. Thus upping her business at the socialist State Liquor store!
I also question how many union members in this city subscribe to Restucci’s net axcess! Could be also be buying influence ? Nothing suprises me in this town.
Well Don, after finishing my Jack and Ginger Ale, I think I will respond to your comment.
Your input is appreciated here also, even if we don’t always agree on every issue.
I think that the lighted implement parade is of great benefit to our City. It certainly brings many people into town, and results in increased traffic in our local retail establishments. This in turn, should benefit our local sales tax collection. I wish all of the City Council supported things of this nature. I am certainly not criticizing the Council Members who were supporting community activities instead of reading agenda items handed to them at the last minute by City staff. This kind of performance by staff should not be rewarded with pay raises. But, that is just my opinion as a taxpayer; about to have rates increased, I might add.
Let’s hope that careful consideration of ALL proposed spending increases receive more serious scrutiny. From what I am seeing, the 2010 budget process will be even more painful when additional debt payments will need to be made by the City of Sunnyside.
To delay fixing the problem till later is not just a problem with local politicians, but of the U.S. Congress as well. The good news with our economy choking under the weight of government, is that cutbacks will finally be made. Budget issues and debate will intensify in the next year. As Mr. Restucci said: “Mark my words”
To Jason Raines – I would like to meet you some day. I DO admire Hancock and Stone and Gehlen on fighting these increases. Now in private business; and I think Hancock will agree that much of your net profit comes from lowering expenses. But it seems that this new City manager has been in an environment in Ohio whereas spending freely may have been habit.
This city council should NEVER let the city manager or department head ever deal with union wages. An outsider should always be brought in for this job. As shown just recently by the city manager; a professional negotiator would have been alot cheaper than what he negotiated to the unions. In all absolute reasoning, the city manager DID NOT negotiate a thing. He just gave out a free handout from the city taxpayers.
But, I am not saying all city employees are overpaid. I know better than that. But, all department heads, including the city manager are welfare recipients per my thoughts. I would like to see these department heads get anything done without the working man.
Mark my word. A fall is coming. These department heads had better put alot of money in savings. Because these new raises will come back to bite them in the butts! People are angry in the town.