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Home My WebLink About03/03/2026 Business Meeting147 YAKIMA CITY COUNCIL MINUTES March 3, 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 Executive Session Executive Session to discuss pending litigation pursuant to RCW 42.30.110(1)(i) MOTION: Berg moved and Glenn seconded to adjourn to Executive Session until 5:30 p.m. to discuss pending litigation pursuant to RCW 42.30.110(1)(i). The motion carried by unanimous vote. Mayor Brown announced that Council is not expected to take further action following executive session. Present for Executive Session: Mayor Matt Brown, Assistant Mayor Reedy Berg, and Councilmembers Patricia Byers, Rick Glenn, Felisa Gonzalez, Juliet Potrykus and Leo Roy (present at 5:21 p.m.) Executive session was held at 5:18 p.m. and adjourned at 5:31 p.m. 1) Roll Call The regular meeting was called to order at 5:32 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 lbarra 2) Pledge of Allegiance Mayor Brown led the Pledge of Allegiance. 3) Interpreter Services Mayor Brown introduced Jorge Villasenor who announced interpreter services are available in Spanish. 4) Public Comment Tony Sandoval, City resident, expressed concerns regarding the proposed EMS levy. Nancy Davis, City resident, spoke against the use of City funds to support the Yakima Valley Trolleys. Peter Rasmussen, non -City resident and IAFF President, spoke in support of placing the EMS levy on the ballot. A letter from Kevin Hodges supporting Yakima Fire Department funding and further EMS education and certification was provided to the Council. March 3, 2026 — Yakima City Council Meeting Minutes Page 1 of 4 148 5) Open Discussion for the Good of the Order 5.A Introduction of new Water/Irrigation Manager Daniel Tiliano and Solid Waste Manager Michael Slack Public Works Director Scott Schafer introduced Daniel Tiliano as the new Water/Irrigation Manager and Michael Slack as the new Solid Waste Manager. 5.B Principles of Conduct and Code of Ethics Council members reviewed the updated Principles of Conduct and Code of Ethics and discussed suggested changes to clarify and modernize the document. 6) Council Reports 6.A Briefing on YVCOG current issues and National Association of Regional Councils Councilmember Byers reported on the Yakima Valley Conference of Govemments (YVCOG) current staffing transitions and provided updates about the National Association of Regional Councils related to transportation and housing funding. 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. Item D was 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: Berg moved and Byers seconded to approve the consent agenda as amended. The motion carried by a 7-0 roll call vote. 7.A Approval of minutes from the February 17, 2026 City Council regular meeting 7.6 Set date of April 7, 2026, for a closed record public hearing to consider proposed amendments to Yakima Municipal Code Title 15 Urban Area Zoning Ordinance 7.0 Resolution revising the City Council regular meeting schedule for 2026 RESOLUTION NO. R-2026-031, A RESOLUTION revising the adopted City Council 2026 regular business meeting schedule. 7.D This item was removed from the Consent Agenda. 7.E Resolution authorizing a contract extension with Connell Oil for the purchase of bulk fuels and delivery of gasoline, diesel fuels and related products RESOLUTION NO. R-2026-033, A RESOLUTION authorizing a contract extension with Connell Oil Inc. for the purchase of bulk fuels and delivery of gasoline, diesel fuels and related products. Items Removed from the Consent Agenda 7.D Resolution authorizing award and agreement with Best Choice Inc dba Evergreen Services for city-wide landscaping services Purchasing Manager Rudy Silva briefed Council on the proposed resolution. After Council discussion, MOTION: Glenn moved and Berg seconded to approve Item D. The motion carried by a 7-0 roll call vote. RESOLUTION NO. R-2026-032, A RESOLUTION authorizing award and agreement with Best Choice Inc dba Evergreen Services for city-wide landscaping services. March 3, 2026 - Yakima City Council Meeting Minutes Page 2 of 4 149 8) Public Hearings None. 9) Department Items 9.A Cruise the Ave - Discussion Yakima Police Chief Shawn Boyle presented information related to staffing and costs associated with cruising events. The overall call volume for Saturdays from June to September averaged 59 calls and Saturdays with cruising events averaged 75 calls in 2025. Council discussed the tentative schedule for 2026, and Councilmember Byers mentioned upcoming events to celebrate the 250th birthday of our nation. After discussion, MOTION: Brown moved and Byers seconded to direct the City Manager to prepare a resolution establishing the 2026 Cruise the Ave event dates as June 13th, July 11th, July 18th, August 8th, August 15th, and September 19th, from 7-11 pm and bring it back for Council approval at an upcoming meeting. The motion carried by unanimous vote. 9.B Financial Analysis of Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Levy Yakima Fire Chief Aaron Markham and Director of Finance and Budget Craig Warner presented a financial analysis for a potential EMS levy to support fire and EMS operations. An EMS levy of $0.25 per $1,000 of assessed valuation would generate an estimated $3 million per year, which would fully fund staffing at Fire Station 92 and remaining funds would be used to expand EMS capabilities and/or firefighters, building maintenance/repair and equipment replacement. Staff provided guidelines specific to a local EMS levy ballot measure. Two funding option proposals were described in detail for Council's consideration. Fire Deputy Chief Jonathan Hood responded to questions about types of calls, specifically basic life support and advanced life support. Staff provided deadlines for the potential placement of a levy measure on an upcoming election ballot. During extensive discussion, Council expressed their concems about a levy and asked for information about overtime costs, staffing levels, fire district and legislation. 10) City Manager Update 10.A Preview of upcoming topics City Manager Baker mentioned upcoming discussion topics related to infrastructure needs; expressed appreciation for an $8,000 donation to fund Concerts in the Park program; reported on a donation to DAY for downtown flower baskets; updated on renovations of the new YWCA shelter; and emphasized that the city balanced the 2026 budget with reductions. Director of Yakima Air -Terminal Christopher Hopkins informed Council about the recent FAA inspection conducted at the airport which resulted in a perfect score despite staffing challenges over the past year. He also briefed Council on various updates including Aviation Day activities; discussions with Perry Technical Institute and West Valley Innovation Center for potential future educational opportunities; and updates regarding ongoing improvements at the Yakima Air -Terminal. Community Development Director Bill Preston provided clarification regarding a recent news report of loan/grant status related to the 6th Ave project. March 3, 2026 - Yakima City Council Meeting Minutes Page 3 of 4 150 11) Other Business MOTION: Roy moved and Berg seconded that City Council place the Fisher Park Golf Course operational options on a future agenda for Council review and discussion. The motion carried by unanimous vote. Councilmember Roy stated that the intent is so they can look at the options, hear from the community, and make sure any next steps reflect Council's shared priorities for Fisher Park. Councilmember Glenn briefed Council on the recent Sports Commission meeting which included a presentation about the Yakima School District's levy to be placed on the ballot in April. 12) Adjournment MOTION: Byers moved and Berg seconded to adjourn to the next City Council study session on March 10, 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 8:03 p.m. CERTIFICATION READ AND CERTIFIED ACCURATE BY MAYOR March 3, 2026 - Yakima City Council Meeting Minutes Page 4 of 4