HomeMy WebLinkAbout04/08/2025 Study SessionYAKIMA CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
April 8, 2025
City Hall Council Chambers - 129 N 2nd Street, Yakima WA
5:00 PM City Council Study Session - Conducted in person and virtually via Zoom
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
lbarra
Public Comment (allow 15 minutes)
Anne Knapp, City resident, expressed concern regarding property owners' responsibility
for unpaid tenant bills and the property lien process as it relates to State law.
Ron Torres, City resident, spoke about research relating to single-family housing, primarily
middle housing laws and illegal immigration.
Shelley White, City resident, spoke about and distributed a handout about population
growth and immigration in Washington state related to recent housing laws changes.
3) Study Session Items
3.A Arbor Day proclamation
Councilmember Deccio proclaimed the second Saturday in April as Arbor Day in
the City of Yakima and recognized the Yakima Area Arboretum's Arbor Festival as
the City's official celebration. Garrett Brenden, Yakima Area Arboretum Education
Director, accepted the proclamation.
3.B Presentation regarding the current status of City jail
Yakima Police Department Commander Maritza Davis and Yakima Police Chief
Boyle presented information about the Yakima City Jail, from its inception to its
current state. The Yakima City Jail opened in 1996 and houses male inmates
charged with misdemeanors and gross misdemeanors. Male inmates that require
a higher level of care and female inmates are housed at the Yakima County Jail.
While limited in services offered, one thing the court allows is the ability for inmates
to enroll in electronic home detention, resulting in reduced jail costs. At full staff,
the Corrections team includes 15 staff members who are certified by the Criminal
Justice Training Commission. Commander Davis detailed the main functions
provided by corrections officers, expanding on services impacted by inmates
suffering from mental health illnesses and substance abuse disorders. The most
notable challenge Commander Davis reported is staff shortages and recruitment
efforts. Her top goals are to fill existing vacancies and attain jail accreditation
through the Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs (WASPC).
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Judge Aryn Masters discussed the benefits that the City jail brings to the municipal
court system and how the jail interacts with the Court system.
3.0 Discussion regarding the process of City of Yakima Utility Billing Collection Stream
Utility Services Manager Anabel Chavez presented a detailed overview of the
City's utility billing collection process. She outlined the procedures on how
customers can open a residential or commercial utility account, allowing for
property owners to stay informed of their tenant's accounts. Regarding the utility
billing cycle and delinquent turn offs, Ms. Chavez explained that payment
arrangements are offered to eligible account holders.
MOTION: Glenn moved and Roy seconded to direct the City to bring a
discussion to the Council on the second business meeting in May regarding
whether or not the City can reserve the right to collect delinquent tenant
accounts from the property owner [YMC 7.50.080G]. The motion carried by
unanimous vote.
3.D Ordinance amending the City of Yakima Municipal Code Section 9.50.220: Long-
term parking permits
City Attorney Sara Watkins briefed the Council on the proposed ordinance relating
to parking permits. The City Clerk read the ordinance by title only.
MOTION: Brown moved and Deccio seconded to pass the ordinance. The
motion carried by a 7-0 roll call vote.
ORDINANCE NO. 2025-011, AN ORDINANCE amending the City of Yakima
Municipal Code Section 9.50.220: Long-term parking permits.
4) Adjournment
MOTION: Brown moved and Deccio seconded to adjourn to the next City Council
regular meeting on April 15, 2025, at 5:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers at City
Hall. The motion carried by unanimous vote. The meeting adjourned at 7:33 p.m.
CERTIFICATION
READ AND CERTIFIED ACCURATE BY
ATTEST:
CITY CLERK "`` MAYOR
April 8, 2025 — Yakima City Council Meeting Minutes
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