HomeMy WebLinkAbout07/22/2025 Special Meeting54
YAKIMA CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
July 22, 2025
City Hall - Council Chambers - 129 N 2nd Street, Yakima, WA
5:45 PM City Council Special Meeting - 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
Ibarra
2) Executive Session
2,A Executive Session to discuss pending or potential litigation pursuant to RCW
42.30.110(1)(i)
Present for Executive Session: Mayor Byers, Assistant Mayor Brown, and
Councilmembers Berg, Deccio, Glenn, Herrera, and Roy
MOTION: Brown moved and Berg seconded to adjourn to Executive Session
until 6:00 p.m. to discuss pending or potential litigation pursuant to RCW
42.30.110(1)(i). The motion carried by unanimous vote.
Mayor Byers announced that Council is not expected to take further action
following executive session.
Executive session was held at 5:47 p.m, and adjourned at 5:58 p.m. The special
meeting was called back to order at 6:00 p.m.
Public Comment (allow 15 minutes)
Kenton Gartrell, City property owner, proposed a "$30 protest permit" resolution relating
to car tab fees,
Jeanna Hernandez, City resident, spoke in support of levy to voters for budget and
guidance provided by both City staff and the budget advisory committee.
Peter Rasmussen, non -City resident and Local 469 Fire President, spoke in opposition
to closing station 92 and encouraged the support for a levy.
Kenner Hopkins, Yakima County resident, advocated for green space and quality of life
and expressed support for a levy.
Tony Courcy, City resident, spoke about a water rights claim in Selah.
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4) Special Meeting Items
4.A
Yakima Training Center proclamation
MOTION: Deccio moved and Brown seconded to approve the proclamation
and request that it be read and presented. The motion carried by unanimous
vote.
Mayor Byers proclaimed that Yakima, Washington shall identify itself as a city
that proudly supports our military and honor the historic significance of the
Yakima Training Center, the United States Army, and the families of active -duty
service members, Command Sergeant Major Anton Ruffin (HQ Commander)
thanked the Council and accepted the proclamation.
4.B Resolution authorizing a Right of Way Use Permit Application RL240482 for
Young Women's Christian Association of Yakima (YWCA) at 910 W Chestnut
Avenue
Acting City Engineer Bill Preston briefed the Council on the proposed resolution
requesting approval to install stairs and ramp in a portion of the right of way.
The City Clerk read the resolution by title only.
After Council discussion,
MOTION: Deccio moved and Herrera seconded to adopt the resolution. The
motion carried by a 7-0 roll call vote,
RESOLUTION NO. R-2025-108, A RESOLUTION authorizing the issuance of a
right-of-way long term use permit to allow stairs and landing on the north side of
the building at 910 W Chestnut Avenue,
4.0 Discussion of city service level reductions at $9 m, $4.5 m, $3 m, $1.8 m
City Manager Vicki Baker briefly recapped the City of Yakima strategic priorities
and the comprehensive public outreach efforts conducted since the beginning of
the year. Ms. Baker reminded the Council about the issues related to the current
budget deficit and the measures that were implemented in 2024 to provide a
balanced 2025-2026 budget, as required by the State.
Director of Finance and Budget Craig Warner discussed city service level
reductions at $1.8 million with a $7.2 million levy; $3 million with a $6 million levy;
$4.5 million with a $4.5 million levy, and a $9 million cut package.
Assistant Mayor Brown presented a list of proposed reductions without significantly
impacting public safety, swimming pools, community centers, streets, and parks.
After considerable Council discussion,
MOTION: Glenn moved and Deccio seconded to direct staff to bring back a
resolution for a $6 million levy and accompanying budget reduction of $3
million to make it balance. The motion carried by 5-2 vote; with Berg and Roy
voting no,
4.D Discuss potential Charter amendments
No discussion or action was taken regarding this matter. A review of the Charter
will be scheduled at a future City Council meeting.
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5) Adjournment
MOTION: Glenn moved and Berg seconded to adjourn to the next City Council
special meeting on Thursday, July 24, 2025, at 5:30 p.m. in the City Hall Council
Chambers. The motion carried by unanimous vote. The meeting adjourned at 7.58 p.m.
CERTIFICATION
READ AND CERTIFIED ACCURATE BY
ATTEST:
CITY CLERK
COUNCIL MEMBER
DATE
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