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HomeMy WebLinkAbout02/10/2026 Study Session140 YAKIMA CITY COUNCIL MINUTES February 10, 2026 City Hall - Council Chambers -129 N 2"d 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 5:03 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 Deputy City Clerk Brandy Bradford 2) Public Comment (allow 15 minutes) Greg Johnsen, non -City resident, spoke in support of the Yakima Valley Trolleys. Tony Courcy, City resident, questioned the City's budget spending. 3) Study Session Items 3.A Chronic nuisance report Yakima Police Chief Shawn Boyle and Senior Assistant City Attorney Brooke Hargreaves provided the annual Chronic Nuisance Property report in accordance with YMC 11.45 Chronic Nuisance ordinance. Two locations were identified as being declared chronic nuisance properties with proper notice provided to the property owners and corrective measures established. It was noted that the ordinance has been effective in reducing criminal activity in both locations. 3.B Review of Community Development Proposed. Fee Changes - Planning, Codes, Engineering Assistant City Manager Gary Ballew provided an overview of how Community Development divisions help drive Economic Development efforts. Community Development staff provided an in-depth review of the current permit processes and fees. Staff also introduced proposed fee adjustments for the Planning Division, Code Administration Division, and Engineering Division, Planning Division — Planning Manager Trevor Martin described the land use application process and noted that the Planning Division processed 193 land use applications over the past two years. The Community Development Department underwent a fee evaluation in 2022 to establish fee projections into 2028. The rate of fee increases was based upon cost of service and market rate analysis. Some current proposed fee increases are a result of state mandates, such as the site plan reviews and unit lot subdivisions. Staff is also recommending revising the fees related to special event permits. February 10, 2026 — Yakima City Council Meeting Minutes Page 1 of 2 141 Code Administration Division — Supervising Code Inspector Julia Rosales and Code Administration Manager Glenn Denman reviewed with Council the fee updates pertaining to permitting. To cover the cost of permit processing, reviewing and inspections for building permits, staff is recommending updating the minimum permit fees and adjusting the building valuation data table rates to reflect a 2.5% local cost of level service increase, effective January 1, 2027. For plumbing permit fees, staff is suggesting reverting to a per fixture structure with a flat rate. Several fee comparisons were described in detail to illustrate the difference in the proposed fee adjustments. Other miscellaneous changes include updating the hourly rates to appropriately capture staff labor and overhead, correcting fireworks fees, mobile home installation duplicated fees, creating a fee for permit expiration extensions, clarifying re -inspection and re -review fees, and eliminating change of ownership for business licenses. Engineering Division — City Engineer Robert Washabaugh described the proposed fee adjustments for excavation permits, short-term and long-term right of way use permits, and private construction of public improvements. He stated a proposed increase to the excavation permit base fee and inspection fee; however, noted that the calculation for restoration fees related to excavation permits is not changing but the fee is required when there is any disturbance of pavement. In addition to increasing fees for right of way use permit applications, an inspection fee is being proposed and a slight increase to the annual renewal fee for long-term permits. Regarding engineering permits for private construction of public improvements, staff suggested changing the current $250 deposit fee (which is deducted from plan review and inspection fees) to a static $500 application fee. Several examples were shown to demonstrate the current and recommended fee adjustments. Assistant City Manager Bellew reported that staff will put forth a resolution for their consideration and a future presentation about business and regulatory licenses. 4) Adjournment MOTION: Berg moved and Byers seconded to adjourn to the next City Council regular meeting on February 17, 2026 at 5:30 p.m. in the City Hall Council Chambers. The motion carried by unanimous vote. The meeting adjourned at 6:49 p.rn. CERTIFICATION READ AND CERTIFIED ACCURATE BY ATTEST: CITY CLERK OUNCIL MEMBER MAYOR DATE February 10, 2026 — Yakima City Council Meeting Minutes Page 2 of 2