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HomeMy WebLinkAbout10/21/2025 Public CommentREQUEST FOR APPEARANCE BEFORE CITY COUNCIL SOLICITUD PARA COMPARECER ANTE EL CONCEJO MUNICIPAL REQUIRED (OBLIGATORIO) NAME (Nombre): AGENDA ITEM NUMBER(S) OR CITY TOPIC YOU WISH TO SPEAK TO (Numero(s) del tema de la agenda o asunto de la ciudad que desea hablar sabre): CITY OF YAKIMA RESIDENT (Residente de le Ciudad de Yakim ) YAKIMA COUNTY RESIDENT (Residente del condado de Yakima): ❑ OTHER RESIDENT (Otro Residente): ❑ ABOVE INFORMATION MUST BE FILLED OUT IN ORDER TO SPEAK DURING PUBLIC COMMENT LA /NFORMACI©N ANTERIOR DEBE COMPLETARSE PARA HABLAR DURANTE EL COMENTARIO PUBLICO OPTIONAL (OPCIONAL) HOW WOULD YOU PREFER THE CITY CONTACT YOU IF NEEDED (;Como prefiere que la ciudad se ponga en contact() con usted si es necesario?): - PHONE (NGmero de telefono) ( - ADDRESS (Domicilio) - E-MAIL ADDRESS (Direcci©n de correo electranico) Please complete this form prior to the start of Public Comment and submit it to the City Clerk (who sits on the left end of the Council table). Por favor complete este formulario antes del inicio de los Comentarios PUblicos y entreguelo a la Secretaria Municipal (que se sienta en el extremo izquierdo de la mesa del Concejo) When addressing the City Council, state your name and whether you live inside or outside City of Yakima limits. Al dirigirse al Concejal, diga su nombre e indique si vive dentro o fuera de los limites de la Ciudad de Yakima. Additional guidelines for addressing the City Council are on the reverse side of this form. ©irectrices adicionales para dirigirse al Concejal se encuentran al revers() de este formulario. Please note that the Council meeting is being televised on Y-PAC, cable channel 194. Tenga en cuenta que la reunion del Concejo Municipal esta siendo televisada par Y-PAC, canal de cable 194. 4 Dis rib ted at Meeting: tem# I support the trolley. I also support PUBLIC SAFETY which is a different issue than overall trolley funding. Please remove Item J (Naches River Bridge) from the consent agenda and table action until Staff addresses an overriding and overdue safety issue. We need the City of Yakima's damaged and missing fences fixed immediately to prevent people from going on the dangerous BNSF bridge. We also need to build the long -planned walkway on the nearby Naches River Bridge to allow safe pedestrian crossing and prevent further serious injuries and deaths. A study session is imperative on this because there are so many significant issues. The City Council, decision makers, need to have good and accurate info to make decisions. I have 14 points and put copies at your seats. I'm referencing multiple documents. 1. The Resolution and Project Description CONFLICT with a PUBLIC SAFETY ORDER of the Utilities & Transportation Commission (UTC) by EXCLUDING City Residents from SAFE PEDESTRIAN and ADA bridge access. 2. In the UTC Order, BNSF approved pedestrian use of City bridge -- UTC gave City funds to mitigate public safety hazards by installing safety fencing to stop pedestrians from accessing dangerous BNSF bridge and DIVERT them to a safe path on City bridge. 3. But Public Safety is now at risk because City and trolley association have failed to maintain safety fencing, creating potential City liability. 4. UTC Order on pedestrian diverter is legally binding on the City, BNSF, and Yakima Valley Trolleys. 5. The City's contract structural engineer designed pedestrian bridge access that exceeds all applicable state and federal safety standards. 6. The Resolution CONFLICTS with MULTIMODAL legislation and grant commitments made to federal & state agencies to provide safe pedestrian access. 7. CITY TAXPAYERS will pay $10 MILLION to $20 MILLION to re -engineer and re -build the 4- mile Selah tracks and demolished electric wiring. 8. The Resolution should clarify if funds come from TAP or STBG. 9. The Resolution says local match is NOT required but YVCOG award letter says local match IS REQUIRED but covered by Transportation Toll Credits. 10. Toll Credits may not be local match because under state law, a SEASONAL TOURIST TROLLEY is NOT a "Railroad" and is NOT "Public Transportation. Yakima Court ruled the seasonal trolley is a NOT a "RAILROAD" but instead is a "TOURIST ATTRACTION." It is not on the National Register of Historic Places. 11. The trolley does not operate for 90% of the days in a calendar year. 900 minutes a year! 12. The Resolution says STREETS CAPITAL FUND, but project is NOT in City Street right of way and may instead need to be paid from General Fund. 13. SEPA, Nepa, AND Section 106 need to be done too. Anne Knapp 1 October 21, 2025 14. Leadership Yakima of Greater Yakima Chamber of Commerce raised funds to support the safe trail over the bridge to the greenspace. The Yakima Health District gave a grant for signage to wayfind over the bridge. Short Extracts from selected Reference Documents —see highlighted text. 1. Potential list of permits 2. 2KS Consulting July 11, 2022 Memo 3. WA Utilities and Transportation Commission Communications Received by City and Yakima Valley Trolleys, Kenneth G. Johnson including Yakima Herald -Republic Home Front story July 13, 2007 "Man hit by train after saving companion" 4. Resolution No. 2R-2008-98 June 10, 2008 (for William 0. Douglas Trail) 5. Seattle Times article February 20, 2007 6. WA State Dept. of Transportation Local Agency Agreement July 10, 2006 (Description of Work "... construction of a shared use (trolleys & pedestrians) pathway over the Naches River bridge" 7. City of Yakima City Council Agenda Statement December 17, 1985 (Yakima Valey Transportation Company Donation to City) 8. City of Yakima Dept. of Community & Economic Development December 12, 1985 letter (Yakima Interurban Lines Association expectations: 5-year master plan, operation and capital budget with revenue sources, insurance plan, general public liability etc.) 9. Superior Court Memorandum Opinion "a trolley or trolley car is not a railroad in either their popular or technical sense and ..." 10. 2KS May 8, 2013 memo ""multi=modal bridge ... design satisfies the stated applicable safety standards and codes, including AASHTO and WSDOT...walkway designs specifies a zonal use concept that maintains spatial and temporal separation between user..." 11. Grant Programs re William O. Douglas Trail Project 12. Governor's Office for Regulatory Innovation & Assistance list of SOME potential permits, missing are city and county permits. Note SEPA, NEPA, and Section 106 are needed. A project with different pieces some of which are exempt and other are not, must do SEPA on the entire project. A project on the National Register of Historic Places must do SEPA, NEPA, and Section 106. Federal funds automatically triggers NEPA. Anne Knapp 2 October 21, 2025 REQUEST FOR APPEARANCE BEFORE CITY COUNCIL SOLICITUD PARA COMPARECER ANTE EL CONCEJO MUNICIPAL REQUIRED (OBLIG ORIO, NAME (Nombre): AGENDA ITEM NUMBER(S) OR CITY TOPIC YOU WISH TO SPEAK TO (Numero(s del terra de la agenda o asunto de la ciudad que desea hablar sabre): CITY OF YAKIMA RESIDENT (Residente de la Ciudad de Yakima):, YAKIMA COUNTY RESIDENT (Residente del condado de Yakima): ❑ OTHER RESIDENT (Otro Residente): ❑ ABOVE INFORMATION MUST BE FILLED OUT IN ORDER TO SPEAK DURING PUBLIC COMMENT LA INFORMATION ANTERIOR DEBE COMPLETARSE PARA HABLAR DURANTE EL COMENTARIO PUBLIC© OPTIONAL (OPCIQNAL) HOW WOULD YOU PREFER THE CITY CONTACT YOU IF NEEDED (4.Cbmo prefiere que la ciudad se ponga en contact() con usted si es necesario?): - PHONE (Nomero de telefono) ( 1'1 ` 7 6 3 3/,3' id el -.CIL - ADDRESS (Domicil/0) - E-MAIL ADDRESS (©ireccian de correo electr©nico) Please complete this form prior to the start of Public Comment and submit it to the City Clerk (who sits on the left end of the Council table). Por favor complete este formulario antes del inicio de los Comentarios Publicos y entreguelo a la Secretaria Municipal (que se sienta en el extremo izquierdo de la mesa del Concejo) When addressing the City Council, state your name and whether you live inside or outside City of Yakima limits. AI dirigirse al Concejal, diga su nombre e indique si vive dentro o fuera de los limites de la Ciudad de Yakima, Additional guidelines for addressing the City Council are on the reverse side of this form. Directrices adicionales para dirigirse al Concejal se encuentran al reverso de este formulario. Please note that the Council meeting is being televised on Y-PAC, cable channel 194. Tenga en cuenta que la reunion del Concejo Municipal esta siendo televisada por Y-PAC, canal de cable 194. REQUEST FOR APPEARANCE BEFORE CITY COUNCIL SOLICITU© PARA COMPARECER ANTE EL CONCEJO MUNICIPAL REQUIRED (OBLIGATORIO) NAME (Nombre): J AGENDA ITEM NUMBER(S) OR CITY TOPIC YOU WISH TO SPEAK TO (Numero(s) del tema de la rz,o1;-L agenda o asunto de la ciudad que desea hablar sobre): CITY OF YAKIMA RESIDENT (Residente de la Ciudad de Yakima): El YAKIMA COUNTY RESIDENT (Residente del condado de Yakima): OTHER RESIDENT (Otro Residente): ABOVE INFORMATION MUST BE FILLED OUT IN ORDER TO SPEAK DURING PUBLIC COMMENT LA INFORMACION ANTERIOR DEBE C©MPLETARSE PARA HABLAR DURANTE EL. COMENTARIO PUBLIC° OPTIONAL (OPCIONAL) HOW WOULD YOU PREFER THE CITY CONTACT YOU IF NEEDED (Como prefiere que la ciudad se ponga en contact() con usted si es necesario?): - PHONE (Numero de telefono) ( ) - ADDRESS (Domicil/a) - E-MAIL ADDRESS (Direction de correo electronico) Please complete this form prior to the start of Public Comment and submit it to the City Clerk (who sits on the left end of the Council table). Por favor complete este formulario antes del inicio de los Comentarios Publicos y entreguelo a la Secretaria Municipal (que se sienta en el extreme izquierdo de la mesa del Concejo) When addressing the City Council, state your name and whether you live inside or outside City of Yakima limits. Al dirigirse al Concejal, diga su nombre e indique si vive dentro o fuera de los Writes de la Ciudad de Yakima. Additional guidelines for addressing the City Council are on the reverse side of this form. Directrices adicionales para dirigirse al Concejal se encuentran al revers© de este formulario, Please note that the Council meeting is being televised on Y-PAC, cable channel 194. Tenga en cuenta que la reunion del Concejo Municipal esta siendo televisada por Y-PAC, canal de cable 194. REQUEST FOR APPEARANCE BEFORE CiTY COUNCIL SOLiCITU© PARA COMPARECER ANTE EL C©NCEJO MUNICIPAL REQUIRED (OBLIGATORIO) NAME (Nombre): / .. AGENDA ITEM NUMBER(S) OR CITY TOPIC YOU WISH TO SP AK TO (Name agenda o asunto de la ciudad que desea hablarsabre): c5 .' r' CITY OF YAKIMA RESIDENT (Residente de la Ciudad de Yakima): El YAKIMA COUNTY RESIDENT (Residente del condado de Yakima): ❑ a del terra de la OTHER RESIDENT (Otro Residente): ❑ ABOVE INFORMATION MUST BE FILLED OUT IN ORDER TO SPEAK DURING PUBLIC COMMENT LA INFORMAC!©N ANTERIOR DEBE COMPLETARSE PARA HABLAR DURANTE EL COMENTARIO PUSLiCO OPTIONAL (OPCIONAL) HOW WOULD YOU PREFER THE CITY CONTACT YOU IF NEEDED (Como prefiere que la ciudad se ponga en contact con usted si es necesario?): - PHONE (Namero de telefono) ( ) - ADDRESS (©omicilio) - E-MAIL ADDRESS (©ireccion de cameo electronico) Please complete this form prior to the start of Public Comment and submit it to the City Clerk (who sits on the left end of the Council table). Por favor complete este formulario antes del inicio de los Comentarios Pablicos y entreguelo a la Secretaria Municipal (que se sienta en el extremo izquierdo de la mesa del Concejo) When addressing the City Council, state your name and whether you live inside or outside City of Yakima limits. Al dirigirse al Concejal, diga su nombre e indique si vive dentro © fuera de los limites de la Ciudad de Yakima. Additional guidelines for addressing the City Council are on the reverse side of this form. Directrices adicionales pare dirigirse al Concejal se encuentran al reverso de este formularia. Please note that the Council meeting is being televised on Y-PAC, cable channel 194. Tenga en cuenta que la reunion del Concejo Municipal esta siendo televisada por Y-PAC, canal de cable 194. REQUEST FOR APPEARANCE BEFORE CITY COUNCIL SOLICITUD PARA COMPARECER ANTE EL CONCEJ© MUNICIPAL REQUIRED (OBLIGATOR IO) NAME (Nombre): AGENDA ITEM NUMBER(S) OR CITY TOPIC YOU WISH TO SPEAK TO (Numero(s) del tema de la ` agenda o asunto de la chided que desea hablar sabre): Li 1,11 f. et--rer r f Via`.`-.. -t)1 ! -t CITY OF YAKIMA RESIDENT (Residente de la Ciudad de Yakima) YAKIMA COUNTY RESIDENT (Residente del condado de Yakima): Ei OTHER RESIDENT (Otro Residente): LI ABOVE INFORMATION MUST BE FILLED OUT IN ORDER TO SPEAK DURING PUBLIC COMMENT LA 1NFORMAC!©N ANTERIOR DEBE COMPLETARSE PARA HABLAR ©URANTE EL COMENTARIO PUBLIC© OPTIONAL (OPCIONAL) HOW WOULD YOU PREFER THE CITY CONTACT YOU IF NEEDED (d,Como prefiere que la ciudad se ponga en contacto con usted si es necesario?): - PHONE (Numero de telefono) (' %( `i - ADDRESS (Domicilio) - E-MAIL ADDRESS (©irecci©n de correo electronico) Please complete this form prior to the start of Public Comment and submit it to the City Clerk (who sits on the left end of the Council table). Por favor complete este formulario antes del inicio de los Comentarios Publicos y entreguelo a la Secretaria Municipal (que se sienta en el extremo izquierdo de la mesa del Concejo) When addressing the City Council, state your name and whether you live inside or outside City of Yakima limits. Al dirigirse al Concejal, diga su nombre e indique si vive dentro o fuera de los limites de la Ciudad de Yakima. Additional guidelines for addressing the City Council are on the reverse side of this form. Dire ices adicionales para dirigirse al Concejal se encuentran al revers() de este formulario. Please note that the Council meeting is being televised on Y-PAC, cable channel 194. Tenga en cuenta que la reunion del Concejo Municipal esta siendo televisada por Y-PAC, canal de cable 194. REQUEST FOR APPEARANCE BEFORE CITY COUNCIL SOLICITUD PARA COMPARECER ANTE EL CONCEJO MUNICIPAL REQUIRED (OBLIGATORIO) NAME (Nombre): - AGENDA ITEM NUMBER(S) OR CITY TOPIC YOU WISH TO SPEAK TO (Ncimero(s) del tema de 1a agenda o asunto de la chided que desea hablar sabre): CITY OF YAKIMA RESIDENT (Residente de la Ciudad de Yakima): YAKIMA COUNTY RESIDENT (Residente del condado de Yakima): OTHER RESIDENT (Otro Residente): ABOVE INFORMATION MUST BE FILLED OUT 1N ORDER TO SPEAK DURING PUBLIC COMMENT LA INFORMACION ANTERIOR DEBE COMPLETARSE PARA HABLAR DURANTE EL COMENTARIO PiUBLICO OPTIONAL (OPCIONAL) HOW WOULD YOU PREFER THE CITY CONTACT YOU IF NEEDED (Como prefiere que la ciudad se ponga en contact() con usted si es necesario?): - PHONE (Numero de telefono) ( ) - ADDRESS (Domicil/0) E-MAIL ADDRESS (Direccion de correo electronico) Please complete this form prior to the start of Public Comment and submit it to the City Clerk (who sits on the left end of the Council table). Por favor complete este formulario antes del inicio de los Comentarios Peiblicos y entreguelo a la Secretaria Municipal (que se sienta en el extremo izquierdo de la mesa del Concejo) When addressing the City Council, state your name and whether you live inside or outside City of Yakima limits. Al dirigirse al Concejal, diga su nombre e indique si vive dentro o fuera de los limites de la Ciudad de Yakima. Additional guidelines for addressing the City Council are on the reverse side of this form, Directrices adicionales para dirigirse al Concejal se encuentran al reverso de este formulario, Please note that the Council meeting is being televised on Y-PAC, cable channel 194. Tenga en cuenta que la reunion del Concejo Municipal esta siendo televisada por Y-PAC, canal de cable 194. REQUEST FOR APPEARANCE BEFORE CITY COUNCIL SOLICITUD PARA COMPARECER ANTE EL CONCEJO MUNICIPAL REQUIRED (OBLIGATORIO) NAME (Nombre): j74/ - 12 AGENDA ITEM NUMBER(S) OR CITY TOPIC YOU WISH TO SPEAK TO (NUrnero(s) del tema de la agenda o asunto de la ciudad que desea hablar sobre): CITY OF YAKIMA RESIDENT (Residente de la Ciudad de Yakima): YAKIMA COUNTY RESIDENT (Residente del condado de Yakima): OTHER RESIDENT (Otro Residente): ABOVE INFORMATION MUST BE FILLED OUT IN ORDER TO SPEAK DURING PUBLIC COMMENT LA INFORMACION ANTERIOR DEBE COMPLETARSE PARA HABLAR DURANTE EL COMENTARIO PUBLICO OPTIONAL (OPTIONAL) HOW WOULD YOU PREFER THE CITY CONTACT YOU IF NEEDED (Como prefiere que la ciudad se ponga en contacto con usted si es necesario?): - PHONE (Nc'rmero de telefono) - ADDRESS (©omicilio) 6 - E-MAIL ADDRESS (©irecci©n de correo electronico) Please complete this form prior to the start of Public Comment and submit it to the City Clerk (who sits on the left end of the Council table). For favor complete este formulario antes del inicio de los Comentarios Publicos y entreguelo a la Secretaria Municipal (que se sienta en el extremo izquierdo de la mesa del Concejo) When addressing the City Council, state your name and whether you live inside or outside City of Yakima limits. Al dirigirse al Concejal, diga su nombre e indique si vive dentro o fuera de los limites de la Ciudad de Yakima. Additional guidelines for addressing the City Council are on the reverse side of this form. Directrices adicionales para dirigirse al Concejal se encuentran al revers() de este formulario. Please note that the Council meeting is being televised on Y-PAC, cable channel 194. Tenga en cuenta que la reunion del Concejo Municipal este siendo televisada por Y-PAC, canal de cable 194. Distribu1ed at Meeting: em# HALVERSON October 21, 2025 NORTHWEST LAW GROUP Via Email Only (vickLbaker@yakirnawagov; bill.prestonyakirrawagov; sara.watkins(@,yakimawagov; trevor.martim@yakimawa.qov; bronson.faul(W.vakirnawaqov) Vicki Baker, City Manager City of Yakima 129 N. 2nd Street Yakima, WA 98901 Bill Preston, Community Development Director Trevor Martin, Planning Manager City of Yakima City Hall, Second Floor 129 N. 2nd Street Yakima, WA 98901 Sara Watkins, City Attorney Bronson Faul, City Attorney City of Yakima, Legal Department 200 S. 3rd Street, 2nd Floor Yakima, WA 98901 Raymond G. Alexander+ J. Jay Carroll Paul C. Dempsey" Robert N. Faber F, Joe Falk, jr,t+ Mark E. Fickes Carter L, Field+ Lawrence E, Martin' Terry C. Schmalz.* Linda A, Sellers Michael F. Shinn Stephen R. Wnfree, *A/so OR Bar Member "Afso Stale Bar of C4 Member +Of Counsel ++Rebred Dear City Manager Baker, Community Development Director Preston, Planning Manager Martin, and City Attorneys Watkins and Faul: I am writing on behalf of Yakima Valley Trolleys ("YVT") in response to a letter from a group calling itself Yakima Taxpayers for Fiscal Responsibility or "YTFR" dated September 15, 2025 concerning the new Operation License Agreement between the City of Yakima and YVT. On behalf of YVT, we want, in particular, to respond to the assertion that before authorizing renewal of the Operation License Agreement SEPA Review is required due to operations through the "High -Risk" Selah Gap Hazardous Area. On the one hand, YTFR argues the Selah Gap Hazardous Area requires SEPA, but in their conclusion YTFR alters course by arguing that SEPA must be conducted for other trolley -conducted projects such as 6th Avenue, BNSF Diamond near River Road or other degraded/missing segments of the Selah line. In its concluding remarks no mention is made of the Selah Gap Hazardous Area, and for good reason. There is no work contemplated for the Selah Gap Hazardous Area. The halversonNVV.corn HALVERSON 1 NORTHWEST LAW GROUP P.C. Yakima Office: 405 E. Lincoln Avenue I PO Box :22550 I Yakima, WA 98907 I p) 509.248.6030 I 0 509-453.6880 Sunnyside Office: 910 Franklin Avenue 1 PO Box 210 1 Sunnyside, WA 98944 1 P) 509.837.5302 I 0 509.837=2465 October 21, 2025 Page 2 September 1, 2025 Selah Line Inspection prepared for YVT by Kenneth R. Kirschling, P.E. of Railstar Engineering, LLC, confirmed that the Selah Line was "in remarkably good condition", generally in conformance with FRA track safety standards for Class 1 operations except for one broken rail and the encroachment of live vegetation and a few minor rock slides. The conclusion was that the line could be restored to service for trolley operation by clearing the vegetation and minor rock slide, repairing a broken rail and conducting a careful walk through inspection. (See Kirschling Report attached as Exhibit "A"). Otherwise, what is it about the proposed Operation License Agreement that triggers SEPA? For a SEPA analysis, we should look to the Agreement itself and analyze what actions it contemplates. The Agreement licenses YVT to use, operate, maintain and promote the City of Yakima's electric railway system and museum, over a course depicted in its Exhibit "A". All general maintenance work requiring the use of City funds, including the Trolley fund, over $1,000 or work with an estimated cost exceeding $5,000, must be coordinated with the City of Yakima's Community Development Director. The City Fund-162 Trolley for administration costs associated with maintenance and operation is $10,000 available to YVT if appropriated by the City Council in its sole discretion. To the extent YVT seeks other City contributions, YVT must obtain the approval of the City of Yakima before incurring expenses or costs with the Community Development Director if Tess than $2,500, with the City Manager for expenses/costs between $2,500 and $10,000 and with the Yakima City Council for anything over $10,000. If and when "significant" work is required, SEPA Review has already been accounted for. For repairs needed to the Yakima Valley Trolley bridge over the Naches River, $375,000 in federal STPG grant funds have been awarded to the City of Yakima through the YVCOG Transportation Alternative Program and for which construction is now estimated to begin in 2026 which requires no match from the City of Yakima. The Agreement for the engineering and surveying work with HLA Engineering and Land Surveying, Inc., and the City of Yakima specifically calls for preparation of a SEPA Checklist and assembling comments received by the City during SEPA public comment. That is a project that has specific groundwork to be done. However, merely entering into an Operation License Agreement with significant limitations on expenditures does not. In fact, it is categorically exempt from SEPA Review. YMC 6.88.080 indicates that the City's responsible official shall determine whether a proposal is categorically exempt using the process set forth in WAC 197-11-305. Multiple categorical exemptions appear in WAC 197- 11-800 insofar as a license agreement such as the one under consideration is concerned. WAC 197-11-800 provides as follows: (3) Repair, remodeling and maintenance activities. The following activities shall be categorically exempt: the repair, remodeling, maintenance or minor alteration of existing private or public structures, facilities or equipment, including utilities, recreation, and transportation facilities involving no material expansions or changes in use beyond that previously existing. * October 21, 2025 Page 3 (13) Business and other requlatory licenses. The following business and other regulatory licenses are exempt: * (c) all licenses to operate or engage in amusement devices and rides and entertainment activities. * * * (i) the renewal or reissuance of a license regulating any present activity or structure so long as no material changes are involved. WAC 197-11-800(3), (13)(c)(i). The Operation License Agreement covers only the repair and maintenance of an existing recreation and transportation facility and does not provide for any material expansion or change beyond the facilities currently existing. It is merely a license to operate a trolley line within a strictly confined budget over a defined course and it provides for the renewal and reissuance of a license regulating present activity and structures without contemplating any material changes. It is, therefore, categorically exempt from SEPA Review. The Washington State Supreme Court in a 1997 case supported adherence to the policies supporting categorical exemptions. Justice Sanders writing for the Court put it succinctly: We hold that actions which are categorically exempt from review under the State Environmental Policy Act of 1971 are in fact exempt. * * Because of the great public importance for a reliable system of categorical exemptions, and the need for the orderly and cost effective administration of SEPA, we granted direct review and reverse, holding actions classified as categorically exempt are immune from SEPA review. Dioxin Ctr. v. Pollution Board, 131 Wn.2d 345, 347-48, 932 P.2d 158 (1997). The Court went on to explain that "the Legislature intended that applicants, not just agencies, be able to rely on the system of categorical exemptions. ...the entire purpose of the system of categorical exemptions is to avoid the high transaction costs and delays that would result from case by case review of categorically exempt types of actions that do not have a probable significant adverse environmental impact." Id. at 359, 365. Just what is to be gained by ignoring these categorical exemptions (and our Supreme Court's admonition) and making SEPA Review required for YVT's Operating License Agreement, particularly when actual construction projects, such as the Naches River bridge crossing, will undergo its own SEPA Review. What does a SEPA Checklist look like for an Operating License Agreement that has, in one form or another, been in effect for multiple decades? Is October 21, 2025 Page 4 the thought process that now every license granted by the City of Yakima regardless of the availability of categorical exemptions will be subject to SEPA review? For those nonprofit organizations hoping to provide tourist opportunities and encourage visitors to Yakima, YVT sincerely hopes that SEPA Review will only be required when there is an actual need for meaningful environmental input. Very truly yours, Halverson I Northwest Law Group P.C. MiaeI F. Shinn FS/jif nclosure cc: YVT Board Exhibit "A' 2025 SELAH LINE INSPECTION Yakima Valley Transit Selah Line Prepared for the: Yakima Valley Trolleys September 1th, 2025 By Kenneth R. Kirschling, P.E. a i lsta rengineering.c©m 2025 SELAH LINE INSPECTION YAKIMA VALLEY TRANSIT SELAH LINE SUMMARY A cursory inspection of the Selah Line was conducted by Ken Kirschling, PE on August 21', 2025, and evaluated for return to service. Considering the line has not been in operation since 2020, it is in remarkably good condition. There is no serious erosion or loss of ballast section as would be expected on track out of service for this length of time. The track is generally in conformance with FRA track safety standards for Class 1 operation (15 MPH) except for one broken rail, the encroachment of light vegetation and a few minor rockslides. The line could be restored to service for trolley operation by clearing the vegetation and slides, repairing the broken rail, and conducting a careful walking inspection. A few additional minor conditions are likely to be identified, but nothing is expected that could not be corrected with hand tools. TRACK At one time, the Selah Line was owned by the Union Pacific Railroad and handled significant agricultural freight traffic. The track was maintained for freight equipment which was heavier than streetcars. Ownership has since been conveyed to the City of Yakima. The line was isolated from the national rail network and used solely for streetcar (trolley) operation. Track subject to freight and heavy passenger traffic is governed by the Federal Railway Administration (FRA) which enforces 49 CFR Part 213 — Track Safety Standards. But streetcars and trolleys are lighter and more flexible than heavy rail equipment, and they fall under jurisdiction of the Federal Transit Administration (FTA), which does not have a universal track safety standard. Instead, each of the regional transit agencies have developed their own. FRA track standards are highly conservative for light rail, but transit agencies sometimes reference FRA standards in part where appropriate. For the purpose of restoring the Selah line to trolley service, 49 CFR 213 is more than adequate. Part 213 provides standards for different classes of track based upon speed of operation. The maximum operating speed for passenger operation on Class 1 track is 15 MPH. There is a class called "excepted track" which has looser standards, but it is not applicable for track with passenger trains. Conformance with Class 1 requirements could be likely be achieved at minimal cost. There are no turnouts or sharp curves. The rail is light weight (approximately R©-ib) and most is supported on tie plates, although there are a few stretches where the rail rests directly on the tie. Despite the light weight, the rail is in acceptable condition, adequate for streetcar use. No seriously deteriorated head or curve worn rail was identified. One broken rail was found. Railstar Engineering Page 1 of 4 Yakima Valley Transit Tie condition ispoor. Although operation could commence as -is amodest tie replacement program would ensure reliable operation into the future. Even 50-100 ties per year would be effective. The roadbed isingood condition. Vegetation bminor, consisting of patches of tumbleweed and minor b,ushgrowth.8n|yone|ocat|onrequlredachainsawtmc|earthetrathandthatwasfr#mhrush alongside rather than trees growing upthrough the ties. No significantdrainage orerosion problems are evident. There isadequate shoulder toretain ballast, including the along the river where the track is cut into the hillside, close to the BNSF railway main line. There are ohandful oflocations where minor rocks|idmyare active. Although the line has been out of service for years, the track was made passable by removing small rock, all under 10 pounds,byhand |na short amount of time. Only one boulder was large enough to require a bar for removal. CONCLUSION While cursory innature, the inspection did not reveal any serious issues. Compared tofreight service, the track structure necessary tosupport trolley operation ismodest. Npcostly fata|flavxprevendnQ return to service was encountered. The line was inspected bvhvrm}[while selected stretches were inspected onfoot. The inspection extends along North R*Avenue from West Madison Avenue inYakima tothe Neches River Bridge, and from the Neches River Bridge to the end of track at 608 South 11 Street in Salah. The Neches River Bridge was not apart ofthis inspection. This inspection was not for the purpose ofidentifying every repair or maintenance item that may be encountered in the effort of restoring service. This inspection does not cover the Neches River Bridge, which has been investigated elsewhere. Finally, this inspection ^ doesnotaddresstheissueofvmestobUshingthediamwndnear�VmstK�adisonAvenueinG1Street. .Railstar Engineering Page 2 of 4 Yakima Valley Transit PHOTOGRAPHS Railstar Engineering Page 3 of 4 Yakima Valley Transit Railstar Engineering Page 4 of 4 Yakima Valley Transit REQUEST FOR APPEARANCE BEFORE CITY COUNCIL S©LICITUD PARA COMPARECER ANTE EL CONCEJO MUNICIPAL REQUIRED (OBL/GATORIO) 9 NAME (Nombre): •,rt'' 1 u t 7' AGENDA ITEM NUMBER(S) OR CITY TOPIC YOU WISH TO SPEAK TO (Numero(s) del tema de la agenda o asunto de la ciudad que desea hablar sobre): CITY OF YAKIMA RESIDENT (Residente de la Ciudad de Yakima): YAKIMA COUNTY RESIDENT (Residente del condado de Yakima): OTHER RESIDENT (Otro Residente): Cl ABOVE INFORMATION MUST BE FILLED OUT IN ORDER TO SPEAK DURING PUBLIC COMMENT LA INFORMACI N ANTERIOR DEBE COMPLETARSE PARA HABLAR ©URANTE EL COMENTARIO PUBLICO OPTIONAL (OPCIONAL) HOW WOULD YOU PREFER THE CITY CONTACT YOU IF NEEDED (Como prefiere que la ciudad se ponga en contact() con usted si es necesario?): l 5 66 - PHONE (Numero de telefono) ( ) - ADDRESS (Domicilio) - E-MAIL ADDRESS (Direccion de correo eiectri nico) Please complete this form prior to the start of Public Comment and submit it to the City Clerk (who sits on the left end of the Council table). 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