HomeMy WebLinkAbout05/20/2025 07.A. Approval of minutes from the May 6, 2025 City Council regular meeting and May 13, 2025 City Council study session r:-
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BUSINESS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
YAKIMA, WASHINGTON
AGENDA STATEMENT
Item No. 7.A.
For Meeting of: May 20, 2025
ITEM TITLE: Approval of minutes from the May 6, 2025 City Council regular
meeting and May 13, 2025 City Council study session
SUBMITTED BY: Rosalinda Ibarra, City Clerk
SUMMARY EXPLANATION:
ITEM BUDGETED:
STRATEGIC PRIORITY 24-25:
RECOMMENDATION:
ATTACHMENTS:
Minutes 05-06-2025_DRAFT
Minutes 05-13-2025 DRAFT
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YAKIMA CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
May 6, 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 Deccio 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 a 6-0 unanimous vote; Roy absent. Mayor Byers announced that Council is not
expected to take further action following executive session.
Present for Executive Session: Mayor Byers, Assistant Mayor Brown, and Councilmembers
Berg, Deccio, Glenn, Herrera, and Roy (attending remotely via speakerphone)
Executive session was held at 5:01 p.m. and adjourned at 5:28 p.m. The regular meeting
was called to order at 5:30 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 (attending remotely
via Zoom)
Staff: City Manager Vicki Baker, City Attorney Sara Watkins and City Clerk Rosalinda
I barra
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
Patricia Hernandez, City resident, advocated for justice into the investigation of her son's
death.
Tony Sandoval, City resident, played audio for Council of gun shots and emergency
vehicle sirens in his neighborhood and spoke against any cuts to the police budget.
Ron Torres, City resident, spoke to Council about HB1110 and the State's preemption on
middle housing requirements and need for affordable housing.
May 6, 2025—Yakima City Council Meeting Minutes Page 1 of 6
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Shelley White, City resident, addressed concerns about middle housing law changes and
the revenue which will be made by developers with the changes.
5) Open Discussion for the Good of the Order
5.A Introduction of Director of Finance & Budget Craig Warner
City Manager Vicki Baker introduced Craig Warner as the new Director of Finance
and Budget. She highlighted Mr. Warner's extensive experience and expertise with
local government financial processes and law.
5.B Council Nominating Committee recommendations regarding appointments to
boards, commissions, and committees
Councilmember Herrera reported on the April 29, 2025 Council Nominating
Committee meeting. The Nominating Committee's recommendation for
appointments include:
• Arts Commission - appoint Reesha Cosby (Capitol Theatre representative),
Geri O. Ham (Larson Gallery representative), Sylvia Merczel and Jacob Butler
(Community representatives)
• Parks and Recreation Commission - appoint Kenneth Wyatt Garcia (youth
position)
• Yakima Housing Authority - appoint Eliza Mancilla
MOTION: Deccio moved and Brown seconded to adopt the Council
Nominating Committee recommendations. The motion carried by unanimous
vote.
6) Council Reports
None.
7) 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.
7.A Approval of minutes from the April 15, 2025 City Council regular meeting and April
22, 2025 City Council study session
7.B 2025 1st Quarter Financial Report
7.0 Resolution setting date of June 3, 2025 to amend the adopted Six-Year
Transportation Improvement Program and amend the Capital Facilities Element of
the Yakima Urban Area Comprehensive Plan for the period of 2025-2030 (No
budgetary impact)
RESOLUTION NO. R-2025-074, A RESOLUTION setting the time and place for a
hearing on June 3, 2025 to review and adopt the amended Six-year Transportation
Improvement Program and amend the Capital Facilities Element of the Yakima
Urban Area Comprehensive Plan for the period of 2025-2030.
May 6, 2025—Yakima City Council Meeting Minutes Page 2 of 6
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7.D Resolution accepting and approving 1st Quarter 2025 Claim Report (Risk
Management)
RESOLUTION NO. R-2025-075, A RESOLUTION accepting and approving the 1st
Quarter 2025 Claim Report for the City of Yakima.
7.E Resolution amending the Yakima Planning Commission Bylaws
RESOLUTION NO. R-2025-076, A RESOLUTION approving amendments to
Bylaws of the Yakima Planning Commission.
7.F Resolution authorizing a contract amendment with InfoSend Inc., for Bulk Printing
and Mailing Services for Utility Services (Enterprise Fund)
RESOLUTION NO. R-2025-077, A RESOLUTION authorizing a Contract
Amendment with InfoSend Inc., for Bulk Printing and Mailing Services for Utility
Services.
7.G Resolution authorizing an Agreement with Ascent Foundation & More, LLC for the
Expanding Water and Wastewater Access to Underserved Communities Project
AC2570 & SC2605 (Water and Wastewater Capital, USBOR Grant)
RESOLUTION NO. R-2025-078, A RESOLUTION authorizing an Agreement with
Ascent Foundation & More LLC for the construction of the Expanding Water and
Wastewater Access to Unserved Communities Project AC2570 & SC2605.
7.H Resolution authorizing the Sole Source Purchase of digester mixer motors and
gear boxes from Whitney Equipment Company, Inc. for the City of Yakima
Wastewater Division (Wastewater Facilities Capital)
RESOLUTION NO. R-2025-079, A RESOLUTION authorizing the sole source
purchase of digester mixer motors and gear boxes and from Whitney Equipment
Company, Inc. for the City of Yakima Wastewater Division.
7.1 Resolution authorizing contract with Culbert Construction Inc for the S. 72nd
Avenue & Washington Avenue Roundabout Improvements Project 2517 (Streets
Capital Fund)
RESOLUTION NO. R-2025-080, A RESOLUTION authorizing an agreement with
Culbert Construction Inc for the S 72nd Ave &Washington Roundabout
Improvements Project 2517.
7.J Resolution authorizing contract with Graham Baba Architects for the Capitol
Theatre Capital Improvements 2025 (Public Facilities District Fund)
RESOLUTION NO. R-2025-081, A RESOLUTION authorizing an agreement with
Graham Baba Architects for Capitol Theatre Capital Improvements 2025.
7.K Resolution authorizing an agreement with JUB Engineers, Inc to provide
construction management services for Phase 1A upgrades in the Yakima Air
Terminal building (Airport Fund)
RESOLUTION NO. R-2025-082, A RESOLUTION authorizing the execution of an
agreement with JUB Engineers, Inc. to provide construction administration services
for phase 1A upgrades in the terminal building at Yakima Air Terminal-McAllister
Field.
May 6, 2025-Yakima City Council Meeting Minutes Page 3 of 6
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7.L Resolution authorizing a Memorandum of Understanding with the Seattle Police
Department to receive reimbursement funding for the continued use of forensic cell
phone tools (No Budgetary Impact)
RESOLUTION NO. R-2025-083, A RESOLUTION authorizing a Memorandum of
Understanding with the Seattle Police Department to receive reimbursement
funding for the continued use of forensic cell phone tools.
7.M Resolution authorizing a facility use agreement with Kittitas County for use of
Bowers Field for police vehicle training (No Budgetary Impact)
RESOLUTION NO. R-2025-084, A RESOLUTION authorizing a Facility Use
Agreement between Kittitas County and the City of Yakima for use of real property
commonly known as "Bowers Field" for police vehicle training.
7.N Resolution authorizing a dispatch communications contract between the City of
Yakima and the City of Toppenish allowing SunComm to provide dispatching
services to the Toppenish Police Department (General Fund Revenue)
RESOLUTION NO. R-2025-085, A RESOLUTION authorizing the City Manager to
execute a Dispatch Communications Services Contract between the City of
Yakima and City of Toppenish Police Department.
8) Public Hearings
8.A Public hearing and Ordinance to consider the Yakima Planning Commission's
recommendation regarding text amendments to YMC Title 15 - Yakima Urban Area
Zoning Ordinance, Chapters 15.02, 15.04, and 15.11
Planning Manager Trevor Martin briefed the Council on the proposed text
amendments to Title 15 Yakima Urban Area Zoning Ordinance to streamline
application requirements.
Mayor Byers opened the public hearing. Tony Sandoval provided remarks
unrelated to the public hearing matter. With no one else coming forward or calling
in to speak, Mayor Byers closed the hearing.
The City Clerk read the ordinance by title only.
After Council discussion and deliberation,
MOTION: Deccio moved and Brown seconded to approve the Yakima
Planning Commission's recommendation and pass the ordinance. The
motion carried by a 7-0 roll call vote.
ORDINANCE NO. 2025-016, AN ORDINANCE amending Yakima Municipal Code
Title 15 (Yakima Urban Area Zoning Ordinance) to incorporate text amendments
recommended by the City of Yakima Planning Commission.
Mr. Martin shared additional staff recommended amendments to the notice
requirements in Title 14 Subdivision. It was Council consensus to include these
text amendments for Council to consider in a future public hearing.
8.B Public hearing and Ordinance to consider the Yakima Planning Commission's
recommendation regarding text amendments to YMC Title 15 - Yakima Urban Area
Zoning Ordinance, Chapters 15.06, 15.08, 15.09, 15.10, 15.13, and 15.17
Planning Manager Trevor Martin briefed the Council on the proposed text
amendments to Title 15 Yakima Urban Area Zoning Ordinance regarding changes
May 6, 2025—Yakima City Council Meeting Minutes Page 4 of 6
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to development permit standards, adding an expedited land use review process for
businesses within existing buildings, and adding clarification to downtown business
development requirements.
Mayor Byers opened the public hearing. With no one coming forward or calling in
to speak, Mayor Byers closed the hearing.
The City Clerk read the ordinance by title only.
After Council discussion and deliberation,
MOTION: Brown moved and Deccio seconded to pass the ordinance as
recommended by the Yakima Planning Commission. The motion carried by a
7-0 roll call vote.
ORDINANCE NO. 2025-017, AN ORDINANCE amending Yakima Municipal Code
Title 15 (Yakima Urban Area Zoning Ordinance) to incorporate text amendments
recommended by the City of Yakima Planning Commission and adding a new
section 15.09.026.
9) Department Items
9.A Citizen Budget Advisory Committee final budget report
Financial Consultant Mike Bailey presented a progress report from the Citizen
Budget Advisory Committee. He distributed a memo summarizing the activities of
the committee members and shared some highlights. The Budget Advisory
Committee will continue their efforts and provide a final report to the City Council.
Jeanna Hernandez gave a brief statement about the committee's work and their
hope to provide a collective of recommendations to Council in approximately one
month.
Gunnar Berg provided Council with a list of strategies and a proposed ordinance.
Mr. Berg's three primary measures include: 1) targeted budget cuts with specific
examples; 2) CPI based automatic fee adjustments to offset inflation; and, 3)
renegotiate interlocal service contracts.
Mayor Byers recognized the members of the Citizen Budget Advisory Committee:
Dirk Bernd, Gunnar Berg, Matt Duffy, Angie Girard, Dulce Gutierrez, Jeanna
Hernandez, Luis Lopez
9.B Budget survey results
City Manager Vicki Baker presented results from the budget survey and shared
details about the extensive public engagement efforts conducted at town halls and
with community groups. She noted that over 2,000 participants completed the
survey with the top priority for the City's budget being Police services, followed by
street maintenance, parks and recreation, and Fire services. The budget reduction
exercise showed that 20% of respondents did not support cutting any of the
services listed in the budget survey. Additionally, 57% supported increasing taxes
to help sustain public safety services.
Councilmembers provided feedback and observations from the town hall meetings.
Community concerns included maintaining senior services and youth recreation
programs, long term economic development growth, and preserving funding for
police services.
May 6, 2025—Yakima City Council Meeting Minutes Page 5 of 6
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10) City Manager Update
Ms. Baker thanked Mike Bailey for his assistance and time with the City of Yakima as
Interim Finance Director and financial consultant.
She also noted availability for an additional Councilmember to attend the AWC
Conference on June 24-27.
11) Other Business
Assistant Mayor Brown informed Council that he requested additional data from Yakima
County as follow-up from the joint City/County meeting regarding the homeless coalition.
Councilmember Herrera acknowledged the newly appointed boards and commissions
members in attendance at the meeting.
MOTION: Herrera moved and Brown seconded to direct staff to prepare a
Juneteenth proclamation to be read and presented at the June 3rd regular meeting.
The motion carried by unanimous vote.
It was Council consensus to direct staff to prepare a National Salvation Army Week
proclamation and be placed on the May 13 study session.
12) Adjournment
MOTION: Brown moved and Berg seconded to adjourn to the next City Council
study session on May 13, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers at City Hall.
The motion carried by unanimous vote. The meeting adjourned at 7:35 p.m.
CERTIFICATION
READ AND CERTIFIED ACCURATE BY
COUNCIL MEMBER DATE
1111111111
COUNCIL MEMBER DATE
ATTEST:
CITY CLERK MAYOR
May 6, 2025—Yakima City Council Meeting Minutes Page 6 of 6
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YAKIMA CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
May 13, 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.
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
I barra
2) Public Comment (allow 15 minutes)
It was Council consensus to extend the time allotted for public comment to allow all
speakers to participate.
The following individuals spoke in support of the Yakima Valley Trolleys: Dennis Elliott
(Trolley maintenance department); Casey Kisser, City resident; Ken Johnsen, President
of Yakima Valley Trolleys; Aileen Kane, City resident; Charles Chesney, City resident;
Chad Tiffany, City resident; William Longmire, Selah resident and Selah
Councilmember; and Gregory Johnsen, non-resident.
Luis Lopez, City resident, spoke about the lack of affordable housing and addressed the
removal of homeless individuals in a humane and dignified manner.
Ron Torres and Shelley White, City residents, voiced concerns regarding recent
changes to housing and development laws and the role of shadow-banking in the real
estate industry and its effect on the housing market.
3) Study Session Items
3.A National Salvation Army Week proclamation
Councilmember Glenn proclaimed the week of May 12-18, 2025, as "National
Salvation Army Week" and Lisa Sargent accepted the proclamation.
3.B Discussion about City-owned surplus properties
City Attorney Sara Watkins presented an overview about specific City-owned
properties and highlighted properties that have minimal improvements and/or
developments which may be marketable and be subject to surplus and sale. She
May 13, 2025—Yakima City Council Meeting Minutes Page 1 of 3
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noted that some parcels may have restrictions due to funding source, site work,
and revenue allocation. The process to surplus and sell city property was outlined
and discussed. Ms. Watkins further described State and local regulations that
allow the disposal of properties for affordable housing opportunities and provided
the Council with information about that option.
The Council expressed interest in several properties and asked staff to conduct
additional research into the feasibility for potential surplus and sale proceedings.
3.0 Design Options - 6th Ave Rebuild & Rail Renovation Project 2796 (TBD Fund)
Acting City Engineer Bill Preston introduced Michael Uhlman (HLA Engineering
and Land Surveying, Inc.) and Aaron Luoma (HBB Landscape Architecture) who
presented information about design options for the 6th Avenue Rebuild & Rail
Renovation project. The project area encompasses 6th Avenue between Walnut
Street and River Road and is primarily funded by the Transportation Benefit
District Fund. The Yakima Valley Trolley and the William O. Douglas Trail run
along part of the project corridor and are impacted by the existing infrastructure.
Mr. Uhlman provided detailed depictions of the existing road conditions of each
of the distinct sections that the project is organized into: Industrial, Residential,
and Commercial. He noted safety concerns caused by insufficient separation for
pedestrians due to space constraints and deteriorating infrastructure and
pavement failure.
Mr. Luoma reported on the extensive public engagement efforts conducted to
gather input from residents, community members, business owners and
stakeholders. An initial online survey showed 48% of respondents were Yakima
residents and the remaining were non-Yakima residents, and a majority of the
respondents favored the option that maintained the trolley concept.
Mr. Luoma and Mr. Preston further described lessons learned about the initial
public outreach and emphasized the need for revised outreach efforts. They
noted limited input from Spanish speaking community and low participation from
residents and employees/business owners surrounding the proposed project
area. Mr. Preston provided results from the second round of efforts which
included a more focused outreach and showed a higher ranking for sidewalks
and parking and a lower ranking for the Trolley and William O. Douglas Trail.
Mr. Uhlman shared additional feedback received regarding the three conceptual
possibilities and their respective proposed project costs:
1) Concept with Trolley (approximate total $12.8 million), maintains the
trolley tracks and includes only transportation improvements, does not include
$2.1 million catenary lines cost
2) Concept with Trolley and Couplet (approximate total $13.2 million),
maintains the trolley tracks and includes only transportation improvement, does
not include $2.1 million catenary lines cost
3) Concept with No Trolley (approximate total $7.5 million).
May 13, 2025—Yakima City Council Meeting Minutes Page 2 of 3
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He elaborated on the design elements to be considered such as bike lanes,
buffers, driveways, parking, sidewalks, travel lane widths, the Trolley, and the
William O. Douglas Trail.
The City Council was asked to consider the data provided and the public
feedback as they evaluate which direction to take on this project. A public
hearing will be scheduled for a future meeting.
3.D Transportation Benefit District Presentation (TBD Fund)
Acting City Engineer Bill Preston presented the updated Transportation Benefit
District (TBD) project list and explained the statutory requirements for amending
the list. The current list includes 26 street and sidewalk projects, estimated at
approximately $44 million, adjusted over time to account for increases due to
inflation. The TBD fund generates an estimated $1.6 million in revenue each year
from an imposed $20 car tab fee. To amend the project list or the specified
assessment, the City Council would need to conduct a public hearing.
Senior Assistant City Attorney Bronson Faul provided Council with the legal
requirements necessary to amend the TBD.
The information distributed also included the 2024 Transportation Benefit District
Annual Report.
4) Adjournment
MOTION: Brown moved and Deccio seconded to adjourn to the next City Council
regular meeting on May 20, 2025, at 5:30 p.m. in the City Hall Council Chambers.
The motion carried by unanimous vote. The meeting adjourned at 7:41 p.m.
CERTIFICATION
READ AND CERTIFIED ACCURATE BY
‘111%)
COUNCIL MEMBER DATE
COUNCIL MEMBER DATE
ATTEST:
CITY CLERK MAYOR
May 13, 2025—Yakima City Council Meeting Minutes Page 3 of 3
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