HomeMy WebLinkAbout10/21/2025 07.A. Approval of minutes from the October 7, 2025 City Council regular meeting and October 14, 2025 study session r:-
`y ^� ljlt
ii!
'I!I/
.s
BUSINESS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
YAKIMA, WASHINGTON
AGENDA STATEMENT
Item No. 7.A.
For Meeting of: October 21, 2025
ITEM TITLE: Approval of minutes from the October 7, 2025 City Council regular
meeting and October 14, 2025 study session
SUBMITTED BY: Rosalinda Ibarra, City Clerk
SUMMARY EXPLANATION:
ITEM BUDGETED:
STRATEGIC PRIORITY 24-25:
RECOMMENDATION:
ATTACHMENTS:
Minutes 10-07-2025_DRAFT
Minutes 10-14-2025_DRAFT
6
:`l�t' Y. ,
•
yr- ,
.
YAKIMA CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
October 7, 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.
1) Roll Call
The meeting was called to order at 5:31 p.m.
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) Pledge of Allegiance
Mayor Byers introduced Girls Scouts Troop 1904 who led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Mayor Beyers mentioned that the regional Girl Scouts organization is looking for women
leaders. Anyone interested is encouraged to contact the Girl Scouts organization.
3) Interpreter Services
Mayor Byers introduced Jorge Villasenor who announced interpreter services are
available in Spanish.
4) Public Comment
Tony Sandoval, City resident, spoke regarding recent actions by the Yakima County
Board of Health regarding local taco vendors.
Ken Johnsen, President of the Yakima Valley Trolleys, provided information about the
report results relating to the inspection of the trolley Selah line.
Crystal Knoblaugh, City resident; Lois Menard, City resident; Paul Edmondson, Vice
President of Yakima Valley Trolleys; Aileen Kane, City resident; Greg Johnsen, New York
resident; spoke in favor of the trolley organization.
Marty Miller, City resident, spoke in favor of expanding the potential uses of affordable
housing funds.
Tony Courcy, City resident, mentioned a letter he received from City Council and
continuing concerns with water rights issue.
October 7, 2025-Yakima City Council Meeting Minutes Page 1 of 5
7
5) Open Discussion for the Good of the Order
5.A Harvest Marching Band Festival proclamation
MOTION: Brown moved and Deccio seconded to approve the Harvest
Marching Band Festival proclamation and request that it be read and
presented. The motion carried by unanimous vote.
Mayor Byers proclaimed October 18, 2025, as "Harvest Marching Band Festival
Day" and Steven Kessler accepted the proclamation.
6) Council Reports
6.A Lodging Tax Advisory Committee (LTAC) Report
Mayor Patricia Byers, Chair of the Lodging Tax Advisory Committee, briefed
Council on the LTAC meeting of September 9, 2025. Assistant City Manager Gary
Ballew reported on the Committee's recommendation to approve the request for a
one-time award of$50,000 to fund the City's portion of the Washington State Main
Street Tax Credit Incentive Program (MSTCIP).
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. Items I and J were
removed from the consent agenda. 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 as
read. The motion carried by a 7-0 roll call vote.
7.A Approval of minutes from the September 16, 2025 City Council regular meeting
7.B Set date of November 12, 2025 for a public hearing regarding the Ad Valorem Tax
(property tax) for collection in 2026
7.0 Set dates of November 12 and 18, 2025, for public hearings on the 2025-2026
Mid Biennial Budget for the City of Yakima
7.D Resolution granting an easement to Yakima County for the construction and
maintenance of the Gap to Gap Ecosystem Restoration project
RESOLUTION NO. R-2025-144, A RESOLUTION granting an easement to
Yakima County for the construction and maintenance of the Gap to Gap
Ecosystem Restoration project.
7.E Resolution authorizing the purchase of a Temporary Construction Easement and
a Permanent Easement from LF Holdings, LLC for the Nelson Dam Removal:
Water Supply, Fish Passage, and Riverine Process Phase 2 Conveyance
Improvements Project IC2010
RESOLUTION NO. R-2025-145, A RESOLUTION authorizing the purchase of a
Temporary Construction Easement and a Permanent Easement from LF Holdings,
LLC for the Nelson Dam Removal: Water Supply, Fish Passage, and Riverine
Process Phase 2 Conveyance Improvements Project IC2010.
October 7, 2025-Yakima City Council Meeting Minutes Page 2 of 5
8
7.F Resolution authorizing a contract with Ascent Foundation and More, LLC for
Project SW2832 Stormwater System Spot Improvements
RESOLUTION NO. R-2025-146, A RESOLUTION authorizing a contract with
Ascent Foundation and More, LLC for Project SW2832 Stormwater System Spot
Improvements.
7.G Resolution adopting the Lodging Tax Advisory Committee (LTAC) recommendation
allocating $50,000.00 from Lodging Tax Fund Reserves for the Washington State
Main Street Tax Credit Incentive Program (MSTCIP)
RESOLUTION NO. R-2025-147, A RESOLUTION authorizing the allocation of
$50,000.00 from the Lodging Tax Fund reserves to fund the City of Yakima's
participation in the Washington State Main Street Tax Credit Incentive Program.
7.H Resolution authorizing the execution of all documents to market and sell real
property forfeited pursuant to the Revised Code of Washington Title 69.50
RESOLUTION NO. R-2025-148, A RESOLUTION authorizing the execution of all
documents to market and sell real property forfeited pursuant to the Revised Code
of Washington (RCVV) Title 69.50.
7.1 This item was removed from the Consent Agenda.
7.J This item was removed from the Consent Agenda.
Items Removed from the Consent Agenda
7.1. Resolution ratifying and confirming the City Manager's execution of the Trolley
Supplemental Agreement Number 6
Community Development Director Bill Preston briefed Council on the status of the
agreement.
The City Clerk read the resolution by title.
MOTION: Glenn moved and Brown seconded to approve the resolution. The
motion carried by a 6-1 roll call vote; with Berg voting no.
RESOLUTION NO. R-2025-149, A RESOLUTION ratifying and confirming the
City Manager's execution of Yakima Valley Trolleys Supplemental Agreement
Number 6.
7.J Resolution authorizing agreement with HLA for Naches River Bridge Repair
Project 2801
Community Development Director Bill Preston briefed Council on the resolution
noting the use of state and federal funds for the design portion of this project.
The City Clerk read the resolution by title.
After Council discussion,
MOTION: Brown moved and Deccio seconded to adopt Item J resolution.
The motion carried by a 5-2 roll call vote; with Glenn and Berg voting no.
RESOLUTION NO. R-2025-150, A RESOLUTION authorizing an agreement with
HLA Engineering & Land Surveying Inc to provide engineering services for the
Naches River Bridge Repair Project 2801.
October 7, 2025—Yakima City Council Meeting Minutes Page 3 of 5
9
8) Public Hearings
None.
9) Department Items
9.A Ordinance amending the City of Yakima Municipal Code, Chapter YMC 9.47,
Subsection 9.47.040(B), relating to notice of a public impound after forty-eight
hours
Yakima Police Chief Shawn Boyle briefed the Council on the proposed ordinance
relating to notice requirements for public impounds of vehicles.
The City Clerk read the ordinance by title only.
After Council discussion,
MOTION: Deccio moved and Brown seconded to pass the ordinance. The
motion carried by a 7-0 roll call vote.
ORDINANCE NO. 2025-030, AN ORDINANCE amending City of Yakima
Municipal Code Chapter 9.47, subsection 9.47.040(B), relating to notice of a
public impound after forty-eight hours.
9.B Fire Prevention and Community Risk Reduction Presentation
Yakima Fire Shift Commander Mike Trujillo and Yakima Fire Captain Jeremiah
Stilley presented information on fire prevention and community risk reduction
efforts. Community risk reduction involves identifying, mitigating, and recovering
from local risks and hazards. The Yakima Fire Department utilizes various
sources available through state, county, and local agencies and organizations to
provide information and resources to different population groups including school
age kids, high risk youth, caretakers, seniors, and general population.
9.0 Discuss Affordable Housing Fund (HB 1406) and YMC 7.92 Affordable Housing
Incentive Program
City Attorney Sara Watkins presented information about the Affordable Housing
Fund (HB 1406) and Yakima Municipal Code 7.92 Affordable Housing Incentive
Program. She also reported that other participating jurisdictions are spending their
affordable housing tax credit funds on rent assistance programs, capital projects,
support operations and maintenance costs of new affordable housing units, and
other related expenses.
HB 1406 allows municipalities to retain a portion of the State sales tax to support
affordable housing solutions. State statute allows funds to be used to acquire,
rehab, or construct affordable housing; to fund the operations and maintenance of
affordable or supportive housing; and to provide rental assistance to tenants.
Pursuant to RCW 82.14.540, in determining the use of funds, the city must
consider the income of the individuals and families to be served, the leveraging of
the resources made available, and the housing needs within the jurisdiction.
Yakima Municipal Code Chapter 7.92 Affordable Housing Incentive Program sets
guidelines for the use of the funds. Under the current ordinance, applicants can
use funds to pay for some or all of the connection fees for water and/or sewer
October 7, 2025-Yakima City Council Meeting Minutes Page 4 of 5
10
utilities if the applicant is creating ten or more new dwelling units and 50% of
those units are affordable. It also provides the option for the city to use the funds
on other statutorily allowed uses.
Future code amendments to the incentive program may include changing the
affordability period to 25 years and/or increasing the area median income (AM I) to
60% or less than the Yakima County median household income. Since 2020, the
total revenue collected is approximately $887,219.93 and none has been spent to
date.
Council mentioned some ideas; however, they did not take any action at this time.
10) City Manager Update
None.
11) Other Business
Assistant Mayor Brown provided a brief update from the recent Homeless Coalition
Executive Board meeting.
12) Adjournment
MOTION: Brown moved and Deccio seconded to adjourn to the next City Council
study session on October 14, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. in the City Hall Council Chambers.
The motion carried by unanimous vote. The meeting adjourned at 7:08 p.m.
CERTIFICATION
READ AND CERTIFIED ACCURATE BY
1.
COUNCIL MEMBER DATE
41111111
\.
1' COUNCIL MEMBER DATE
ATTEST: .`
CITY CLERK MAYOR
October 7, 2025—Yakima City Council Meeting Minutes Page 5 of 5
11
1
i •,III,
i
YAKIMA CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
October 14, 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
The meeting was called to order at 5:00 p.m.
Present: Mayor Patricia Byers, presiding; Assistant Mayor Matt Brown and Councilmembers
Reedy Berg, Janice Deccio, Rick Glenn, Danny Herrera and Leo Roy (present at 5:21 p.m.)
Staff: City Manager Vicki Baker, City Attorney Sara Watkins and Deputy City Clerk
Brandy Bradford
2) Public Comment (allow 15 minutes)
None.
3) Study Session Items
3.A Review of the 2026 Preliminary Mid-Biennial Budget
Director of Finance and Budget Craig Warner presented the 2026 preliminary
mid-biennial budget for the City of Yakima. He noted that the City is faced with
financial challenges that include lower than expected sales tax revenue and a
$8.1 million deficit. City Manager Vicki Baker reported that the City of Union Gap
opted not to renew the fire protection services agreement with Yakima.
Mr. Warner also noted the following unbudgeted needs totaling $2.8 million:
police equipment replacement, fire equipment replacement, snow & ice removal
reserve, bond payment for facility upgrades, police training increase, IT firewall
upgrade, and IT server replacement. He briefly described additional potential
expense reductions to include Police, Fire, and Parks.
Specific to the General Fund, the 2026 Adopted Budget is $76,779,080 and the
proposed 2026 mid-biennial budget is $95,983,348. Anticipated changes to
revenue total approximately $16,204,268, resulting from property taxes, sales
taxes, and utilities taxes. Forecast changes in expenditures total approximately
$11,520,077 due to transfers, salaries and benefits, services and charges, and
previous Council approved budget reductions.
Regarding the City-wide budget (including General Fund), the 2026 Adopted
Budget reflects $286,376,546 and the 2026 Amended Budget is proposed to be
$326,717,428. This includes changes in revenues of$$37,406,595 and changes
in expenses of$40,340,882. Any changes would result in amendments to the
Adopted 2026 Budget.
October 14, 2025 -Yakima City Council Meeting Minutes Page 1 of 2
12
The Council is expected to hold public hearings in November and potential
adoption of the 2026 mid-biennial budget in December.
3.B Update on Indigent Defense Caseload Standards
Senior Assistant City Attorney Cynthia Martinez provided an update on the
Washington State Supreme Court's recently adopted indigent defense caseload
limits and the potential impacts to the city.
In March 2024, the Washington State Bar Association implemented new case
load limits establishing a reduction in the caseload limit for each public defense
attorney. The number of misdemeanor case credits a public defender can
handle will be reduced over a ten-year phased in approach from 400 cases per
year until it reaches 120 case credits.
Beginning on January 1, 2026, 10% of the difference between 400 and 120 must
be reduced. For the City of Yakima, the anticipated indigent defense funding
level for 9.35 attorneys will result in reductions as follows: in 2026 a reduction of
262 cases, and in 2027 a reduction of 523 cases. Alternatively, 22 new defense
attorneys would need to be hired over the course of ten years to maintain the
City's current charging standards.
Council members expressed an interest in having a discussion with the Municipal
Court judges regarding audit and inquiry into ability to pay for defense costs.
4) Adjournment
MOTION: Brown moved and Deccio seconded to adjourn to the next City Council
regular meeting on October 21, 2025, at 5:30 p.m. in the City Hall Council Chambers.
The motion carried by unanimous vote. The meeting adjourned at 6:03 p.m.
CERTIFICATION
READ AND CERTIFIED ACCURATE BY-41111111■.—
COUNCIL MEMBER DATE
COUNCIL MEMBER DATE
ATTEST:
CITY CLERK MAYOR
October 14, 2025 -Yakima City Council Meeting Minutes Page 2 of 2
13