HomeMy WebLinkAbout12/02/2025 07.A. Approval of minutes from the November 12, 2025 City Council study session and November 18, 2025 City Council regular meeting •
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BUSINESS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
YAKIMA, WASHINGTON
AGENDA STATEMENT
Item No. 7.A.
For Meeting of: December 2, 2025
ITEM TITLE: Approval of minutes from the November 12, 2025 City Council study
session and November 18, 2025 City Council regular meeting
SUBMITTED BY: Rosalinda Ibarra, City Clerk
SUMMARY EXPLANATION:
ITEM BUDGETED:
STRATEGIC PRIORITY 24-25:
RECOMMENDATION:
ATTACHMENTS:
Minutes 11-12-2025_DRAFT
Minutes 11-18-2025_DRAFT
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YAKIMA CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
November 12, 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 5:05 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) Public Comment (allow 15 minutes)
Anne Knapp, City resident, spoke against providing financial support for the Yakima
Valley Trolleys considering current budget challenges.
Charlene Freeman, City resident; Gary Bailey, City resident; Betty Jaeger, County
resident; Lois Cruikshank, Selah resident; spoke in opposition to the potential closure of
the Harman Senior Center.
Tony Sandoval, City resident, addressed Councilmember Glenn's use of"illegal aliens"
made at a prior Council meeting to refer to undocumented immigrants.
Jonathan Hood, City resident, spoke in opposition to the potential closure of Yakima Fire
Department Station 92.
3) Study Session Items
None.
4) Public Hearings
4.A Public hearing and Ordinances pertaining to Ad Valorem Taxes (property tax) to
be levied for collection in fiscal year 2026
Director of Finance and Budget Craig Warner reviewed the proposed ordinances
pertaining to ad valorem taxes which authorizes the County Assessor to levy real
and personal property taxes necessary to fund the City of Yakima's 2026 Mid-
Biennial Budget.
Deanna Gregory, with Pacifica Law Group, reiterated the importance of property
taxes for paying debt service on bonds.
November 12, 2025-Yakima City Council Meeting Minutes Page 1 of 3
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Mayor Byers opened the public hearing.
Kenton Gartrell, County resident and City property owner, spoke in opposition to
the annual property tax levy.
Curt Wilson, City resident and Executive Director of the Downtown Association;
Jeanna Hernandez, City resident; Amanda Nelson, TJ Mullinax, and Mary
Guernsey, County residents; spoke in support of the property tax levy for public
safety and in opposition to closures of the Harman Center and Lions Pool
With no one else coming forward to speak, Mayor Byers closed the public
hearing.
The City Clerk read Ordinance A by title only.
MOTION: Brown moved and Deccio seconded to pass Ordinance A. The
motion carried by a 5-2 roll call vote; with Berg and Roy voting no.
ORDINANCE NO. 2025-031, AN ORDINANCE relating to the annual property
tax levy; declaring the City Council's intent to increase the City's 2026 regular
levy up to 101% along with new construction, annexation, refunds and growth in
state-assessed property values from the amount levied the previous year.
The City Clerk read Ordinance B by title only.
MOTION: Brown moved and Deccio seconded to pass Ordinance B. The
motion carried by a 7-0 roll call vote.
ORDINANCE NO. 2025-032, AN ORDINANCE fixing and levying the amount of
ad valorem taxes necessary to discharge the expected expenses and obligations
for the 2026 Budget for the City of Yakima.
4.B First public hearing on the 2026 Preliminary Mid-Biennial Budget for the City of
Yakima
City Manager Vicki Baker provided a brief overview of budget efforts conducted
over the last year. Director of Finance and Budget Craig Warner briefed Council
on the 2026 Preliminary Mid-Biennial Budget and reported on the forecast for
General Fund and Citywide revenues and expenditures. He highlighted several
changes impacting the budget and noted an anticipated deficit between revenue
and expenditure in 2026. The proposed expense reductions include $3 million in
Police, $1.75 million in Fire, and $1.4 million in Parks and Recreation.
Yakima Fire Chief Aaron Markham, Yakima Police Chief Shawn Boyle, Public
Works Director Scott Schafer and Parks and Recreation Manager Ken Wilkinson
provided Council additional detail regarding potential budget reduction impacts to
their departments and the effect on the community.
After Council discussion,
MOTION: Brown moved and Berg seconded to direct staff to develop a
budget for the Harman Center that is revenue neutral to General Fund. The
motion carried with a 7-0 vote.
MOTION: Brown moved and Deccio seconded to direct the City Manager to
speak to the school districts that use Lions Pool to see if we can do a joint
agreement to recoup costs on Lions Pool. The motion carried with a 7-0 vote.
November 12, 2025—Yakima City Council Meeting Minutes Page 2 of 3
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AMENDED MOTION: Byers moved and Herrera seconded to direct staff to
develop a budget for Washington Fruit Center that is revenue neutral to
General Fund. The motion carried with a 7-0 vote.
Mayor Byers opened the public hearing.
Mike Mullen, City resident; Pamela Mullen, City resident; and Linda Lockwood,
City resident; spoke in opposition to the potential closure of the Harman Center.
With no one else coming forward or calling in to speak, Mayor Byers closed the
public hearing.
MOTION: Brown moved and Deccio seconded to add Franklin Pool to our
legislative priorities of design and repair for 2026. The motion carried with a
6-1 vote; Byers voting no.
MOTION: Brown moved and Berg seconded that the City of Yakima
formally request a Lean performance study from the Washington State
Auditor's Center for Government Innovation, consistent with RCW
43.09.470, to evaluate all departments and operations supported by the
General Fund, and any related enterprise fund processes that impact
overall city efficiency, with the goal of lowering operational costs and
improving service delivery. The motion carried with a 7-0 vote.
5) Adjournment
MOTION: Brown moved and Deccio seconded to adjourn to the next City Council
regular meeting on November 18, 2025, beginning with Executive Session at 5:00
p.m. in the City Hall Council Chambers. The motion carried by unanimous vote.
The meeting adjourned at 7:14 p.m.
CERTIFICATION
READ AND CERTIFIED ACCURATE BY
‘9NI) COUNCIL MEMBER DATE
COUNCIL MEMBER DATE
ATTEST:
CITY CLERK MAYOR
November 12, 2025—Yakima City Council Meeting Minutes Page 3 of 3
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YAKIMA CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
November 18, 2025
City Hall - Council Chambers - 129 N 2nd Street, Yakima WA
5:00 PM Executive Session I 5:30 PM City Council Regular Meeting
Conducted in person and virtually via Zoom
Executive Session
Executive Session regarding collective bargaining pursuant to RCW 42.30.140(4)(a)
Council agreed by consensus to adjourn to Executive Session until 5:30 p.m. to discuss
collective bargaining pursuant to RCW 42.30.140(4)(a).
Present for Executive Session: Mayor Patricia Byers, Assistant Mayor Brown (attending
remotely via speakerphone) and Councilmembers Reedy Berg, Janice Deccio, Rick
Glenn, Danny Herrera, and Leo Roy (attending remotely via speakerphone)
Mayor Byers announced that Executive Session was being extended for 10 minutes until
5:40 p.m.
Executive session was held at 5:05 p.m. and adjourned at 5:38 p.m. The regular meeting
was reconvened at 5:43 p.m.
1) Roll Call
The meeting was called to order at 5:43 p.m.
Present: Mayor Patricia Byers, presiding, and Councilmembers Reedy Berg, Janice
Deccio, Rick Glenn, Danny Herrera and Leo Roy (attending remotely via Zoom), Assistant
Mayor Matt Brown (present remotely via Zoom at 7:13 p.m.)
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 Nate Montgomery who announced interpreter services are
available in Spanish.
4) Public Comment
Anna Gomez, City resident, requested improved bathroom facilities at Chesterley Park.
Brian Brown, City resident, asked Council to review the public disturbance ordinance,
specifically YMC 6.04.180, related to the disturbance noise hours.
November 18, 2025-Yakima City Council Meeting Minutes Page 1 of 6
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Ezequiel Morfin, County resident; and Brian Korst, City resident; spoke against the use of
Flock cameras in the city of Yakima without additional oversight or privacy protections.
Mr. Korst presented a petition to pause Flock cameras.
Tony Sandoval, City resident, spoke in support of the Police collective bargaining
agreement and the Yakima Visitor's tourism promotion services agreement.
Kirstin Stein, City resident, made remarks about inadequate application of law by YPD.
Madison Moen, County resident, spoke regarding proposed cuts to the Yakima Humane
Society contract.
Ryan Anderson, City resident; spoke in support of keeping Lions Pool open.
5) Open Discussion for the Good of the Order
None.
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. Items M, N and 0
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: Deccio moved and Herrera 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 November 3, 2025 City Council regular meeting
7.B Approve payment of disbursements for the period October 1 - 31, 2025
7.0 October 2025 Investment Transaction Report
7.D Resolution authorizing a tourism promotion services agreement with Yakima Valley
Sun Dome/ State Fair Park & Event Center (No General Fund Impact)
RESOLUTION NO. R-2025-168, A RESOLUTION authorizing a Tourism
Promotion Services Agreement with the Yakima Valley Sun Dome/State Fair Park
& Event Center.
7.E Resolution authorizing the execution of a tourism promotion services agreement
with the Yakima Valley Visitor and Convention Bureau (Lodging Tax Fund 184, No
General Fund Impact)
RESOLUTION NO. R-2025-169, A RESOLUTION authorizing a Tourism
Promotion Services Agreement with the Yakima Valley Visitors & Convention
Bureau DBA: Yakima Valley Tourism.
7.F Resolution declaring refuse trucks (3350 and 3321) and streets asphalt paver
(6087) as surplus and authorizing its disposal per Surplus Disposal Policy 3-100
RESOLUTION NO. R-2025-170, A RESOLUTION declaring refuse trucks
(ER3350 and ER3321) and streets asphalt paver (ER6087) as surplus and
authorizing its disposal per surplus disposal policy 3-100.
November 18, 2025—Yakima City Council Meeting Minutes Page 2 of 6
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7.G Resolution authorizing a Right of Way Use Permit Application RL250063 for pillars
and fencing at the front entrance to the Avalon Care Center at 206 S 10th Avenue
RESOLUTION NO. R-2025-171, A RESOLUTION authorizing the issuance of a
right-of-way long term use permit to continue to allow pillars and fencing at the
front entrance of the building at 206 S 10th Avenue.
7.H Resolution authorizing a Right of Way Use Permit Application RL250138 for
existing staircases on the sidewalk on the south side of Lincoln Avenue for access
to the building at 215 N 2nd Avenue
RESOLUTION NO. R-2025-172, A RESOLUTION authorizing the issuance of a
right-of-way long term use permit to continue allowing staircases on the sidewalk on
the south side of Lincoln Avenue for access to the building at 215 N 2nd Avenue.
7.1 Resolution authorizing a contract with Barn Masters, LLC for Kiwanis Park Storage
Building Project 2852 (REET I Fund)
RESOLUTION NO. R-2025-173, A RESOLUTION authorizing a contract with Barn
Masters LLC for the construction of the Kiwanis Park Storage Building Project 2852.
7.J Resolution authorizing an Amendment to the Agreement with the Yakima Pickleball
Club for the Use of Pickleball Courts at Franklin Park (No Budgetary Impact)
RESOLUTION NO. R-2025-174, A RESOLUTION authorizing an Amendment to
the Agreement with the Yakima Pickleball Club ("Club") for use of Franklin Park
pickleball courts.
7.K Resolution authorizing the funding agreements with Housing and Urban
Development (HUD) for the 2025 HOME and CDBG grant contracts
RESOLUTION NO. R-2025-175, A RESOLUTION authorizing the City Manager to
accept the 2025 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and HOME Funds
and execute the funding contracts as mandated by the Department of Housing and
Urban Development (HUD).
7.L Resolution authorizing an interlocal agreement for dispatch services between
SunComm and the City of Union Gap Police Department
RESOLUTION NO. R-2025-176, A RESOLUTION authorizing the City Manager to
execute a Dispatch Communications Services Contract between the City of
Yakima and City of Union Gap Police Department.
7.M This item was removed from the Consent Agenda.
7.N This item was removed from the Consent Agenda.
7.0 This item was removed from the Consent Agenda.
7.P Ordinance amending the 2025 Biennial Budget for the City of Yakima and making
appropriations from Unappropriated Fund Balances within various Funds for
expenditure during 2025 for various purposes (Second Reading)
ORDINANCE NO. 2025-034, AN ORDINANCE amending the 2025-2026 Budget
for the City of Yakima; and making appropriations from Unappropriated Fund
Balances within various funds for expenditure during 2025 for various purposes.
Items Removed from Consent
7.M Resolution authorizing a collective bargaining agreement for 2026-2027 with the
International Association of Firefighters (IAFF) Local 469 bargaining unit
November 18, 2025-Yakima City Council Meeting Minutes Page 3 of 6
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Councilmember Berg addressed items M and N noting high salaries, most in Police
and Fire, and suggested mutual aid with other cities through interlocal agreements
to alleviate the burden on taxpayers. Staff reported such agreements exist.
The City Clerk read each resolution by title only.
After Council discussion,
MOTION: Deccio moved and Glenn seconded to adopt resolution for items M
and N. The motion carried by a 6-1 vote; with Berg voting no.
RESOLUTION NO. R-2025-177, A RESOLUTION authorizing the City Manager to
execute a collective bargaining agreement for 2026-2027 with the International
Association of Firefighters (IAFF) Local 469 bargaining unit.
7.N) Resolution authorizing a collective bargaining agreement with the Yakima Police
Patrolman's Association (YPPA) for January 1, 2024 - December 31, 2026
The City Clerk read the ordinance by title only. The resolution was adopted in the
motion under item 7M.
RESOLUTION NO. R-2025-178, A RESOLUTION authorizing a collective
bargaining agreement with the Yakima Police Patrolman's Association (YPPA) for
January 1, 2024 - December 31, 2026.
7.0) Ordinance granting a non-exclusive franchise agreement to Cascade Natural Gas
Corporation (CNG) to construct, operate and maintain a natural gas transmissions/
distribution system and facilities within the City of Yakima
Community Development Director Bill Preston briefed Council on the proposed
ordinance.
The City Clerk read the ordinance by title only.
MOTION: Deccio moved and Glenn seconded to pass the ordinance as read.
The motion carried by a 7-0 roll call vote.
ORDINANCE NO. 2025-033, AN ORDINANCE granting Cascade Natural Gas
Corporation, a Washington corporation, its successors and assigns, the right, privilege,
authority and franchise to set, erect, lay, construct, extend, support, attach, connect,
maintain, repair, replace, enlarge, operate and use facilities in, upon, over, under,
along, across and through the rights of way of the city of Yakima to provide for the
transmission, distribution and sale of gas and such other services as may be provided
by such facilities, providing for severability and establishing an effective date.
8) Public Hearings
8.A First public meeting to receive comments on the 2024 Consolidated Annual
Performance Evaluation Report (CAPER) regarding HUD funded housing and
supportive services
Community Development Director Bill Preston briefed Council on the draft 2024
Consolidated Annual Performance Evaluation Report (CAPER). The CAPER
summarizes the programs and projects supported through Community Development
Block Grants (CDBG), HOME funds, and other related funding which were spent
January 1, 2024 through September 30, 2025 to provide affordable housing and
supportive services for low-to-moderate income residents and neighborhoods
consistent with the 2020-2024 Consolidated Plan.
November 18, 2025—Yakima City Council Meeting Minutes Page 4 of 6
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Mayor Byers opened the public meeting. With no one coming forward or calling in
to speak, Mayor Byers closed the public meeting.
Community members will have another opportunity on December 9, 2025 to
provide comments on the draft 2024 CAPER Report.
8.B Second public hearing on the 2026 Preliminary Mid-Biennial Budget for the City of
Yakima
City Manager Vicki Baker and Director of Finance and Budget Craig Warner
reviewed the preliminary 2026 Mid-Biennial budget and reiterated the current
financial challenges. The total deficit amounts to an estimated $9 million for the
2026 budget year. The City Council previously approved $3 million in reductions to
public safety, parks and other services. Due to the recent failure of a proposed tax
levy proposition, the City is subsequently faced with an additional $6 million budget
shortfall resulting in potential cuts to police, fire and parks and recreation services.
Police Chief Shawn Boyle, Fire Chief Aaron Markham, Public Works Director Scott
Schafer and Parks and Recreation Manager Ken Wilkinson provided an extensive
review of proposed cuts and impacts to their departments/divisions relating to the
additional $6 million budget deficit.
Mr. Warner reviewed revenue options including an increase in utility taxes (water,
wastewater, refuse, stormwater) and the 1/10th of 1% public safety sales tax. He
further explained the 1% property tax assessment that the city is limited to collect.
Mayor Byers opened the public hearing.
The following community members provided remarks related to the proposed
budget reductions: Carl Scott, Jessica Cavanaugh, Lisa Redtfeldt; Nancy Moore,
Corday Trick, Sophia Barbouletos, Amanda Fleming, Kailan and Lola Dunn, Craig
Rust, Lynette Wilson, Patrick Kloster, Pamela Searcy Mullen, Patrick Lawler, Paul
Schafer, Sherry Madson, Tony Sandoval, Barry Bernfeld, Brittany Merriman, Terry
Campbell, John Whitney, Nikki Sandino, Amanda Nelson, TJ Mullinax (and on
behalf of Dr. Krieger), Tony Courcy, Adelaide Loeser, Alex Alejo, Kate Bowditch,
Michael Trujillo, Dave Zabel!, and Elise Cardenas.
With no one else coming forward or calling in to speak, Mayor Byers closed the
public hearing.
After Council discussion,
MOTION: Deccio moved and Glenn seconded to direct staff to bring back
information on utility tax and public safety sales tax increases at the
December 2 meeting with different options available to Council. The motion
carried by a 5-2 vote; with Berg and Brown voting no.
MOTION: Glenn moved and Brown seconded to direct staff to keep Lions
Pool open until the end of February so that the team can finish their season.
The motion carried by unanimous vote.
9) Department Items
9.A Ordinance amending Yakima Municipal Code Chapter 6.20 Animal Control
Senior Assistant City Attorney Cynthia Martinez recognized the City's Community
Services Officers that perform animal control services. Ms. Martinez described the
November 18, 2025—Yakima City Council Meeting Minutes Page 5 of 6
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revisions to Yakima Municipal Code Chapter 6.20, specifically as it relates to dog
licensing requirements and animal control enforcement.
The City Clerk read the ordinance by title only.
MOTION: Deccio moved and Glenn seconded to pass the ordinance. The
motion carried by a 7-0 roll call vote.
ORDINANCE NO. 2025-035, AN ORDINANCE amending the City of Yakima
Municipal Code Chapter 6.20 Animal Control, adopting the State definition for
Minimum Care, Animal Cruelty in the second degree, and other definitions, adding
a potentially dangerous dog definition and penalties, updating the impound section
and adding stipulations to facts to the violations that could lead to a problem pet
owner declaration and other housekeeping amendments.
9.B Domestic and Irrigation Water Rate Study Presentation
Water/Irrigation Manager Mike Shane introduced Chase Bozett with the FCS Group
who presented information about domestic and irrigation water rate study. In
addition to maintaining the status quo, FCS Group introduced the option of a
proposed "block" rate structure for single family water consumption to help
encourage water conservation among City customers.
Proposed rate adjustments to the City's irrigation water utility for 2026-2031 were
also presented to properly fund capital improvement projects and support the
operations and maintenance of providing this essential service.
Mr. Shane indicated this rate study is to inform the Council of proposed rate
adjustments that will be considered for approval at a future City Council meeting.
10) City Manager Update
None.
11) Other Business
None.
12) Adjournment
MOTION: Deccio moved and Herrera seconded to adjourn to the next City Council
regular meeting on December 2, 2025, at 5:30 p.m. in the City Hall Council Chambers.
The motion carried by unanimous vote. The meeting adjourned at 10:56 p.m.
CERTIFICATION
READ AND CERTIFIED ACCURATE BY
COUNCIL MEMBER DATE
COUNCIL MEMBER DATE
ATTEST:
CITY CLERK MAYOR
November 18, 2025-Yakima City Council Meeting Minutes Page 6 of 6
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