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Home My WebLink About01/20/2026 Business Meeting130 YAKIMA CITY COUNCIL MINUTES January 20, 2026 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 Matt Brown, presiding; Assistant Mayor Reedy Berg and Councilmembers Patricia Byers, Rick Glenn, Felisa Gonzalez, Juliet Potrykus and Leo Roy Staff: City Manager Vicki Baker, City Attorney Sara Watkins and City Clerk Rosalinda Ibarra 2) Pledge of Allegiance Mayor Brown led the Pledge of Allegiance. 3) Interpreter Services Interpreter services were not available. 4) Public Comment The majority of Councilmernbers present agreed to extend Public Comment to allow all those who signed up an opportunity to be heard. Ralph Harvey, City resident, spoke about homelessness in the community. The following community members spoke about Flock Safety cameras: Logan Osborne, Yakima resident; Mario Vela, Yakima Police Patrolman's Association (YPPA); Drew Shaw, YPPA; James Parks, City resident; Jamaica Zoglman, City resident; Morgan Humes, non - City resident. The following community members provided remarks related to the Yakima Valley Trolleys: Lori Frymier, City resident; Aileen Kane, City resident, Anne Knapp, City resident; Katie Smith, City resident; Janice Cowin, City resident; Adam Sutton, City resident; Curt Wilson, YCDA; Paul Schafer, City resident; Gregory Bliss, non -City resident; Michael Hughes, non - City resident; Ron Easley, non -City resident; Charlie Tsai, non -City resident; Ryan Fulcher, non -City resident; John Ruhland, non -City resident; Lacey Sheppard, non -City resident; Stephen Johnsen, non -City resident; Ken Johnsen, President of Yakima Valley Trolleys; Andy Gautrey, non -City resident (via Zoom); Moira Nadal, non -City resident (via Zoom). Tony Courcy, City resident, expressed frustration on several matters. 5) Open Discussion for the Good of the Order None. January 20, 2026 - Yakima City Council Meeting Minutes Page 1 of 4 131 6) Council Reports None. 7) Consent Agenda Mayor Brown 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: Berg moved and Byers seconded to approve the consent agenda. The motion carried by a 7-0 roll call vote. 7.A Approval of minutes from the January 6, 2026 City Council regular meeting 7.B Approve payment of disbursements for the period December 1 - 31, 2025 7.0 2025 4th Quarter Treasury Report 7.D Resolution authorizing the City to accept a $120,000 Municipal Stormwater Capacity Grant from the Department of Ecology RESOLUTION NO. R-2026-010, A RESOLUTION authorizing the City to accept a Municipal Stormwater Capacity grant from the Department of Ecology. 7.E Resolution amending the Master Fee Schedule related to Parks, Recreation and Tahoma Cemetery rates RESOLUTION NO. R-2026-011, A RESOLUTION of the City of Yakima, Washington, amending a Master Fee Schedule. 7.F Resolution authorizing grant applications to the Federal Aviation Administration RESOLUTION NO. R-2026-012, A RESOLUTION authorizing a grant application to the Federal Aviation Administration for the Yakima Air Terminal Building Modernization project for Capital Improvements at the Yakima Air Terminal - McAllister Field. 8) Public Hearings None. 9) Department Items 9.A Update on Capitol Theatre Capital Improvements 2026 Community Development Director Bill Preston introduced Capitol Theatre CEO Charlie Robin who provided a comprehensive update on the Capitol Theatre improvement projects, including 4th Street Theatre, house renovations, and facade remodel. Staff is seeking Council's consideration to allow the Capitol Theatre Committee to fundraise as part of the capital campaign for the purpose of funding the proposed facility improvements, and to extend the agreement with Graham Baba Architects to create the required designs for the projects. The project total is estimated at $16 million. Mr. Robin also provided the Capitol Theatre Committee annual report for the period ending June 30, 2025, highlighting top events and revenue and expenses. January 20, 2026 - Yakima City Council Meeting Minutes Page 2 of 4 132 MOTION: Byers moved and Berg seconded to direct staff to put in motion the paperwork so that the Capitol Theater can begin raising funds. The motion carried by unanimous vote. MOTION: Berg moved and Byers seconded to approve the next phase of the current Capital Improvement Projects (design phase) directing staff to extend the agreement with Graham Baba Architects. The motion carried by unanimous vote. MOTION: Potrykus moved and Roy seconded to direct City staff to review legal and financial pathways with the Capitol Theatre. The motion carried by a 6-1 vote; Byers voting no. 9.B Discuss material changes to the Transportation Benefit District Project List Community Development Director Bill Preston explained that material changes to the cost of some projects identified on the approved Transportation Benefit District (TBD) project list exceeded by more than 20% from the original cost; therefore, the Council is required to hold a public hearing to solicit comments from the public regarding how the cost change should be resolved. Mr. Preston described various potential funding options that may be considered at the public hearing, including vehicle licensing fees, sales tax, and bonding. Additionally, any modifications to the project list require a public hearing. 9.0 Discussion of an operation license agreement with Yakima Valley Trolleys, a non-profit corporation Community Development Director Bill Preston briefed Council on the terms and conditions proposed in the operation license agreement with the Yakima Valley Trolleys. Staff addressed Councilmember Glenn's concern related to a property easement. After Council discussion, Councilmember Byers called for the question. The question was successfully called with a majority vote. MOTION: Byers moved and Potrykus seconded to approve the operating license agreement as presented with Yakima Valley Trolleys. The motion carried by a 6-1 roll call vote; with Glenn voting no. 10) City Manager Update 10.A Preview of upcoming topics City Manager Baker introduced Yakima Air -Terminal Director Christopher Hopkins. City Manager Baker informed Council of upcoming discussion topics related to potential EMS levy options, Community Development fee changes, City infrastructure needs, and an update on capital projects. 11) Other Business Community Development Director Bill Preston provided a brief explanation for Assistant Mayor Berg's inquiry about impact fees on development. MOTION: Glenn moved and Berg seconded to suspend the rules for the purpose of impact fee study. The motion carried by unanimous vote. January 20, 2026 — Yakima City Council Meeting Minutes Page 3 of 4 133 MOTION: Berg moved and Roy seconded to authorize up to $20,000 of one-time funds to hire a consultant to develop a scope of work for an impact fee study. The motion carried by unanimous vote. Mayor Brown stated he would like to allow for open discussion at study sessions. City Attorney Sara Watkins explained special meetings under the Open Public Meetings Act. Councilmember Potrykus voiced concerns about extending public comment time when meetings are anticipated to be longer than three hours. 12) Adjournment MOTION: Glenn moved and Byers seconded to adjourn to the next City Council regular meeting on February 3, 2026 beginning with Executive Session at 4:30 p.m. in the City Hall Council Chambers. The motion carried by unanimous vote. The meeting adjourned at 9:08 p.m. CERTIFICATION READ AND CERTIFIED ACCURATE BY COUNCIL NhEMBER 1 DATE MAYOR January 20, 2026 — Yakima City Council Meeting Minutes Page 4 of 4