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HomeMy WebLinkAbout02/17/2026 08.A.. Distributed at the MeetingDistributed at Meetin 2/72&2tpiter'n## P.O. BOX 1588 • YAKIMA, WASHINGT©N 98907, USA -PHONE 509457.6177 - FAX 509-457.3675 To whom it may concern; I would like to present some comments in regards to the proposed repairs to N. 6th Ave on behalf of myself as a community member and as the Operations Manager of Washington Fruit 86 Produce Co. (which operates our facilities on N 6th Ave). I have attended a separate meeting on the subject and voiced our stance and intended on doing the same in the meeting tonight, 2/ 17/2026 but I am unable to make it. From a business standpoint, we operate one of the larger fruit packing operations on a Global scale and the largest one locally. Our packing and shipping departments employ 800 full-time local workers. We primarily ship apples, cherries, and pears. These commodities are very prone to bruising. The trolly tracks that run down North 6th Ave have been a nuisance for us since we broke ground in 2009 constructing our packing and shipping operations. On average we load over 500 trucks per week with market quality fruit from our shipping location on N. 6th . These trucks are going straight to retail or export. Having those trucks leave our facility and immediate bounce over the trolly tracks has been bruising apples the entire time. In addition to the fruit heading to market that will gather bruising, we also have to bring in fruit from the fields or storage facilities to be packed, which also has to bounce over the trolly tracks. This causes bruising prior to packing which will make the fruit not qualify for fresh market and in the end hurt the growers return. We also are partners with Roche Fruit who operates on 1st Ave and D St. We transfer fruit back and forth between locations multiple times per day. These transfers follow 6th Ave lengthwise and must eventually cross over the rails. There is no way to avoid excessive bouncing from the trolly tracks on that route. From a business standpoint, we are very excited for the chance that the trolly system may be removed from N. 6th. I have had the luxury of watching what 1 would like to call the demise of the "last inter urban electric trolly". I believe that is what the claim community members are making in an effort to save the trolly. I may not have my dates right since I am working from memory, but here is what I recall — Around 8 to 10 years ago, the cable that powered the electric trolly disappeared and were not replaced. In its place to power the trolly a diesel generator would be towed behind the trolley as a power source. We could hear that generator running as it drives by our office. The trolly was no longer electric at that point. To continue down the tracks to it's demise, the bridge over the river was compromised around 3 years ago. Because of that the trolly could no longer be taken to Selah, which means it is no longer an inter urban mode of transportation. And finally about 2 years ago a repair was done on a f4, section of N. 6th Ave and they did not put the trolly tracks back in. Meaning that even if the bridge was repaired, there would be no way to get a trolly to that bridge. In summary, spending millions of dollars to save the last inter urban electric trolly is not possible. We have not had one in nearly a decade. The money would be spent on building an inter urban electric trolly - not saving it. As a member of the community, we have so many areas that would benefit from tax payers money repairing or improving things. This proposed rebuild of the trolly system would not be a benefit to the community, to transportation, or to the businesses that employ many local workers. I strongly recommend that we move past the nostalgia of what used to be an electric trolly, and focus that money on repairing a local park, extending a sidewalk, or fixing main roads that are riddled with patchwork from years of growth. Thank you for your time, Mikey Hanks 509-969-2722 Distributed at Meeting: 24, Item Date: 2-16-2026 Attn: Yakima City Council Re: Public Comment on the 6th Ave Project Members of the Yakima City Council, On behalf of Paint Smith Co., I am writing to formally express our concerns regarding the trolley tracks located on North 6th Avenue and any potential plans for their revitalization. Paint Smith Co. has proudly served this community for over 50 years, and has operated in the N 6th Avenue corridor for over 25 years. During that time, we have witnessed significant changes in traffic patterns, infrastructure demands, and the evolving needs of the businesses that rely on this vital industrial and commercial route. North 6th Avenue serves as a critical transportation corridor for large trucks, delivery vehicles, contractors, and heavy equipment that support the many businesses operating in this district. The existing trolley tracks already pose challenges to traffic safety. They create hazards for passenger vehicles, commercial trucks, and motorcycles, particularly during inclement weather or high -traffic periods. The uneven surface and narrow roadway conditions increase the risk of accidents and vehicle damage. Our primary concern is that revitalizing or reactivating the trolley line would further reduce available roadway space in an already constrained corridor. We cannot afford to lose any additional functional road width. The safe and efficient movement of large truck traffic is essential to the continued success of the industries that operate along N 6th Avenue. Any reduction in roadway capacity could negatively impact deliveries, jobsite logistics, customer access, and overall economic activity in this area. We respectfully urge the Council to carefully consider the safety implications and economic consequences that such a project could impose on long-standing local businesses. Preserving safe, usable roadway space must remain a priority for this corridor. We appreciate your time and consideration of our concerns. Respectfully, Brad Durham Owner Paint Smith Co. P© 8©X 342. YAKIMA. WA, 98907 • P: 5©9.453.5555 • F; 5©9.453.©487 • www,PAINTSMITH.COM •PAINT 5 C 0 2 3 N U Distributed at Meetin D Item# Trolley Tracks NOT ELIGIBLE for TBD Funds • TBD funds cannot be spent on Trolley Tracks because the tracks are NOT Transportation. • Yakima County Superior Court ruled Yakima Trolley is NOT a railroad but instead is a "Tourist Attraction." • Under state law, the Yakima Trolley is NOT "Public Transportation," and the Yakima Trolley is NOT a "Transportation Improvement" • Under City Ordinance, Trolley tracks are NOT "Transportation Infrastructure" and do NOT alleviate congestion. • The true cost to build Trolley Tracks and Electric Wires to Selah appears to be $15 Million to $20 Million Notice Defective • Published notice for TBD Public Hearing on February 17, 2026 failed to specify the activities proposed to be funded by TBD for public comment. "The published ordinance failed to include Exhibit A TBD project list. Cost Increases Over Time Information Below 6th Avenue Project 2017 * 2023 ** 2025 *** 2026 List **** Difference 2026-2017 Percentage Increase Trolley Tracks ****** $5,591,760 $7,935,000 $15,300,000 $15,300,000 $9,708,240 173% Sidewalk & Other Projects 2017 * 2023 ** 2025 *** 2026 List **** Difference 2026-2017 Percentage Increase Brown 7th Ave to 15th Ave (16th Ave in 2017) $336,000 $443,900 $936,000 $936,000 $600,000 179% Chestnut Ave 56th to 70th $448,200 $592,250 $3,452,900 $3,452,900 $3,004,700 670% Fair Ave Pacific Ave to Nob Hill Blvd ***** $370,000 $488,750 $1,531,900 $331,900 ($38,100) -10% 44th Ave. Viola to Randall Park $275,000 $362,250 $791,300 $1,899,400 $1,624,400 591% N 16th Ave Fruitvale to River Road $250,000 $333,500 $564,000 $314,000 125% 7th St G Street to M LK $406,000 $1,869,700 $1,869,700 $1,463,700 360% Trolley Tracks NOT ELIGIBLE for TBD Funds 3rd Ave Nob Hill to Walnut $480,000 $632,500 $1,523,100 $1,523,100 $1,043,100 217% Washington I/S $2,000,000 $2,645,000 $2,897,500 $2,897,500 $897,500 44% Notes: * 2017 column info obtained from Sept. 7, 2011 hearing which provided "Project List (2017) https://www.yakimawa.gov/cou nci I/assets/TBD-Amended-Project-list. pdf ** 2023 list obtained from https://www.vakimawa.gov/council/assets/amend-TBD-public-hearing-notice web.pdf *** 2025 list from June 17, 2025 agenda statement https://legistarweb- production.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/attachment/pdf/3407204/2025 Public_Hearing_Notice_TBD_List.pdf **** 2026 List obtained from Bill Preston, Acting City Engineer, Option 12026 Transportation Benefit District ***** Big cost jump in 2025, big reduction in 2026 ****** 20 year bond, unclear if w or w/out tracks, assuming with tracks httos://www.vakimawa.gov/council/assets/amend-TBD-public-hearing-notice web.pdf RCW 36.73.015 Definitions (6) "Transportation improvement" means a project contained in the transportation plan of the state, a regional transportation planning organization, city, county, or eligible jurisdiction as identified in RCW 36.73.020(2). A project may include investment in new or existing highways of statewide significance, principal arterials of regional significance, high capacity transportation, public transportation, and other transportation projects and programs of regional or statewide significance including transportation demand management. Projects may also include the operation, preservation, and maintenance of these facilities or programs. RCW 36.73.160 Transportation improvement projects —Material change policy —Annual report. (1) The district governing body shall develop a material change policy to address major plan changes that affect project delivery or the ability to finance the plan. The policy must at least address material changes to cost, scope, and schedule, the level of change that will require governing body involvement, and how the governing body will address those changes. At a minimum, in the event that a transportation improvement cost exceeds its original cost by more than twenty percent as identified in a district's original finance plan, the governing body shall hold a public hearing to solicit comment from the public regarding how the cost change should be resolved. (2) A district shall issue an annual report, indicating the status of transportation improvement costs, transportation improvement expenditures, revenues, and construction schedules, to the public and to newspapers of record in the district. RCW 36.73.020 To the extent practicable, the district shall consider the following criteria when selecting transportation improvements: (j) Other criteria, as adopted by the governing body.