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Home My WebLink About03/04/2025 Business Meeting/Executive Session491 YAKIMA CITY COUNCIL MINUTES March 4, 2025 City Hall - Council Chambers - 129 N 2nd Street, Yakima, WA 5:30 PM City Council Regular Meeting — Conducted in person and virtually via Zoom. Executive Session Executive Session regarding pending litigation pursuant to RCW 42.30.110(1)(i) MOTION: Brown moved and Berg seconded to adjourn to Executive Session until 5:30 p.m. to discuss pending litigation pursuant to RCW 42.30.110(1)(i). The motion carried by unanimous vote. Present for Executive Session: Mayor Byers, Assistant Mayor Brown, and Councilmembers Berg, Deccio, Glenn, Herrera, and Roy Executive session was held at 5:03 p.m. and adjourned at 5:26 p.m. The regular meeting was called to order at 5:32 p.m. 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 Deputy City Clerk Brandy Bradford 2. Pledge of Allegiance Mayor Byers led the Pledge of Allegiance. 3. Interpreter Services Mayor Byers introduced Jorge Villasenor who announced interpreter services are available in Spanish. 4. Public Comment Yakima County Commissioner Kyle Curtis recognized the City's concerns regarding the Yakima County Homeless Coalition and suggested working together to reach tangible solutions. The following people spoke in support of the City's expressed concerns regarding the performance of the Yakima County Homeless Coalition: City resident Scott Stephens, City resident Frieda Stephens, County resident Jenny Reed, County resident Kristina Basford, City resident Kenton Gartrell, non-resident Mike Schreiner (via Zoom). Joe Daniels, City resident, shared several word definitions. Tony Courcy, City resident, spoke about personal property matters. Jeanna Hernandez, City resident, thanked the Council for their patience in dealing with a variety of homelessness issues. March 4, 2025 — Yakima City Council Meeting Minutes Page 1 of 4 492 5. Open Discussion for the Good of the Order A. Council Nominating Committee recommendations regarding appointments to boards, commissions, and committees Councilmember Berg reported on the February 24, 2025 Council Nominating Committee meeting. The Nominating Committee's recommendation for appointments: Henry Beauchamp Jr. Community Center Advisory Board - Emeka Udenze Hotel and Motel Commission for the TPA - Audrey Rudorfer and Erica Keller MOTION: Deccio moved and Brown seconded to adopt the Council Nominating Committee recommendations. The motion carried by unanimous vote. B. Presentation of YVCOG's 2024 annual report, summary of 2024, and 2025 goals YVCOG Executive Director Chris Wickenhagen presented the 2024 annual report and shared the 2025 goals for the organization. Wickenhagen distributed the YVCOG report to Council and provided an overview of the highlights. Council Reports A. Resolution expressing City of Yakima's concerns regarding the performance and accountability of the Yakima County Homeless Coalition Assistant Mayor Brown briefed the Council on the proposed resolution relating to concerns about the performance and accountability in the Yakima County Homeless Coalition. He expressed frustration at seeing so many people living on the street. He thanked Commissioner Curtis for attending the meeting and suggested a combined effort with the County Commissioners to achieve better results. Yakima County Commissioner Kyle Curtis introduced Yakima County Director of Human Services Esther Magasis. Mr. Curtis and Ms. Magasis answered questions and Council discussion ensued involving several matters related to the Homeless Coalition. The City Clerk read the resolution by title only. MOTION: Brown moved and Glenn seconded to adopt the resolution. The motion carried by a 5-2 roll call vote; with Deccio and Herrera voting no. RESOLUTION NO. R-2025-050, A RESOLUTION expressing the City of Yakima's profound concerns regarding the performance and accountability of the Yakima County Homeless Coalition and stating the City's intent to explore alternative strategies if meaningful reform is not implemented. Consent Agenda Mayor Byers referred to the items placed on the Consent Agenda, questioning whether there were any additions or deletions from Council members present. There were no changes. The City Clerk read the Consent Agenda items, including resolutions and ordinances, by title. (Items on the Consent Agenda are handled under one motion without further discussion —see motion directly below.) MOTION: Brown moved and Deccio seconded to approve the consent agenda. The motion carried by a 7-0 roll call vote. A. Approval of minutes from the February 18, 2025 City Council regular meeting B. Project Completion and Contract Acceptance for the Snow Removal Equipment (SRE) Procurement AlP# 3-53-0089-054-2023 March 4, 2025 — Yakima City Council Meeting Minutes Page 2 of 4 493 C. Resolution authorizing the write-off of certain uncollectable central accounts receivables RESOLUTION NO. R-2025-044, A RESOLUTION authorizing the write-off of certain uncollectable central accounts receivables for the City of Yakima. D. Resolution authorizing the write-off of certain uncollectable utility accounts receivables RESOLUTION NO. R-2025-045, A RESOLUTION authorizing the write-off of certain uncollectable accounts receivable by the utility funds of the City of Yakima. E Resolution authorizing the write-off of certain uncollectable parking citations RESOLUTION NO. R-2025-046, A RESOLUTION authorizing the write-off of certain uncollectable parking citations and penalties for the City of Yakima. F Resolution authorizing an agreement with KDA Architecture Inc. for architectural design, space and needs planning services RESOLUTION NO. R-2025-047, A RESOLUTION authorizing an Agreement with KDA Architecture Inc. for Architectural Design, Space and Needs Planning Services. G. Resolution authorizing the sole source purchase of aeration system blower parts and repair services from Howden USA Company for the City of Yakima Wastewater Division RESOLUTION NO. R-2025-048, A RESOLUTION authorizing the sole source purchase of aeration system blower parts and repair services from Howden USA Company for the City of Yakima Wastewater Division. H Resolution authorizing a mutual aid agreement with the Department of the Army for emergency aid response services RESOLUTION NO. R-2025-049, A RESOLUTION authorizing a Mutual Aid Agreement between the Department of the Army and the City of Yakima for emergency aid response services. t. Ordinance amending Yakima Municipal Code Chapter 9.25 relating to establishing cruising event dates and times by resolution annually ORDINANCE NO. 2025-006, AN ORDINANCE amending City of Yakima Municipal Code Chapter 9.25 Cruising Control. Public Hearings None. Department Items A. Proclamation Policy City Attorney Sara Watkins presented a memo outlining the current policy and providing alternative options for amendments to the Proclamation Policy, including: eliminate proclamations; recognize only the national and state recognized heritage months; limit the number of proclamations to be read at a Council meeting; change the criteria to limit proclamations to those of local issues and/or with local sponsors; change the order of the meeting so that proclamations are read last; and, reduce the word limit in the proclamation policy. Councilmember Berg introduced and distributed proposed changes that follows a similar practice for ordinances and resolutions, which would require four councilmember votes before placing a proclamation on the Council's agenda. March 4, 2025 - Yakima City Council Meeting Minutes Page 3 of 4 494 After Council discussion, MOTION: Berg moved and Brown seconded to amend the City of Yakima Proclamation Issuance Policy that was adopted February 7, 2023 via R-2023-023, with the policy changes provided, to take effect immediately upon adoption. The motion carried by unanimous consent. 10. City Manager Update City Manager Baker provided an update on the budget actions she has taken in her first six months as City Manager. She noted that the Budget Advisory Committee is active and is doing well, with Mike Bailey leading the group. She provided information about public outreach for the budget survey which will begin soon. City Manager Baker announced that Gary Ballew has been hired as the Assistant City Manager. Mr. Ballew is scheduled to begin work on March 17, 2025. 11. Other Business MOTION: Councilmember Berg moved and Brown seconded to direct staff for a cost benefit analysis of animal licensing fees contributing to animal control to put on an agenda at a future study session. The motion carried by unanimous consent. In response to a constituent's request regarding raising the number of chickens permitted, MOTION: Mayor Byers moved and Deccio seconded to direct staff to bring a review of the code and recommendations back to City Council at a future meeting. The motion carried by unanimous consent. 12. Adjournment MOTION: Brown moved and Deccio seconded to adjourn to the next City Council study session on March 11, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers at City Hall. The motion carried by unanimous vote. The meeting adjourned at 7:18 p.m. CERTIFICATION READ AND CERTIFIED ACCURATE BY ATTEST: March 4, 2025 — Yakima City Council Meeting Minutes Page 4 of 4