HomeMy WebLinkAbout04/14/2026 Business MeetingYAKIMA CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
April 14, 2026
City Hall — Council Chambers —129 N 2'd 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 (attending
remotely via Zoom)
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
Mayor Brown introduced Jorge Villasenor who announced interpreter services are
available in Spanish.
4) Good of the Order
4.A Recognition of Davis High School girls' basketball team
Mayor Brown recognized the Davis High School girls' basketball team for winning the
4A State Basketball Championship title and presented a certificate and a signed
basketball to the team. Principal Heather Hastie and Coach Akil White thanked the
Council for their recognition.
5) Public Comment
Mark Peterson, City property owner, spoke about recent litigation against the City.
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. Item B 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. The
motion carried by a 7-0 roll call vote.
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7.A Resolution authorizing an agreement with Vertex Contracting LLC for Wide Hollow
Creek Pedestrian Bridge Improvement Project 2587
RESOLUTION NO. R-2026-046, A RESOLUTION authorizing an agreement with
Vertex Contracting LLC for the Wide Hollow Creek Pedestrian Bridge Improvement
Project 2587.
7.B Resolution setting the dates and time for open cruising events on Yakima Avenue
for the summer of 2026
This item was removed from the Consent Agenda
Items Removed from the Consent Agenda
7.B) Resolution setting the dates and time for open cruising events on Yakima Avenue for the
summer of 2026
Councilmember Byers stated her intent to discuss this further during budget discussions.
MOTION: Byers moved and Berg seconded to approve Item 7.B. The motion carried
by a 7-0 roll call vote.
RESOLUTION NO. R-2026-047, A RESOLUTION setting the dates and time for open
cruising events on Yakima Avenue for the summer of 2026.
8) Public Hearings
8.A Closed record public hearing and Resolution to consider an appeal of a Certificate
of Appropriateness for property at 2810 Barge Street
Associate Planner Connor Kennedy briefed the Council on the Historic Preservation
Commission's (HPC) decision regarding a Certificate of Appropriateness for property
at 2810 Barge Street. The City Planning Division submitted an appeal due to an error
resulting from an incomplete application. To correct this action, the Council is asked
to grant the appeal and remand the application back to the HPC for additional review
and issuance of a revised determination. He explained that the review is limited to the
design of the structure to ensure it meets the historic character of the neighborhood; it
is not for the land use itself because ADU's are permitted uses in residential zones.
Mayor Brown stated this is a closed record hearing and testimony will be limited to the
record regarding the appeal of a Certificate of Appropriateness for property at 2810
Barge Street. Mayor Brown administered the Appearance of Fairness Doctrine.
Each Councilmember answered negatively or affirmatively to the following questions:
1. Do you have any interest in the property or the application, or do you own
property within 300 feet of the property subject to the application? All members
responded they did not.
2. Do you stand to gain or lose any financial benefit as a result of the outcome of
this proposal? The response from Council members was no.
3. Can you hear and consider the application in a fair and objective manner,
without bias? All Council members stated they could.
4. Have you had any ex-parte communications with the Applicants, or anyone
else, regarding this application? Councilmembers Potrykus and Glenn
answered in the affirmative. It was Council consensus to allow Councilmember
Potrykus to participate and allow Councilmember Glenn to recuse himself from
voting.
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Mayor Brown asked if anyone wished to challenge any Council member's participation
in this application on appearance of fairness grounds? No one from the audience or
on Zoom spoke to the issue.
Mayor Brown opened the public hearing. The following community members came
forward to provide testimony: Scott King, project contractor, spoke in support of the
project. Todd Fisher and Jim Dobbie spoke in opposition to the project.
With no one else coming forward or calling in to speak, Mayor Brown closed the
public hearing.
The City Clerk read the resolution by title only.
After Council deliberation,
MOTION: Byers moved and Potrykus seconded to approve the appeal [adopt
the resolution]. The motion carried by a 6-0 roll call vote; Glenn recused from vote.
RESOLUTION NO. R-2026-048, A RESOLUTION of the City Council of the City of
Yakima, Washington, granting the City's appeal and remanding the Historic
Preservation Commission's Type II decision approving a certificate of
appropriateness (HPR#006-25) for a detached accessory dwelling unit at 2810
Barge Street for further proceedings.
8.B Closed record public hearing and Resolution to consider the Hearing Examiner's
recommendation regarding the master planned development and subdivision for
the Plat of Johnston Estates
Planning Manager Trevor Martin and Senior Planner Jason Radtke briefed the
Council on the Hearing Examiner's recommendation regarding the master planned
development and subdivision for the Plat of Johnston Estates, located at 5405
Summitview Avenue. The proposal would subdivide approximately 4.85 acres into
29 lots and 3 tracts. Twenty-eight lots will be residential common -wall units and
one lot is planned for a commercial/retail establishment.
Mayor Brown stated this is a closed record hearing and testimony will be limited to
the record regarding the master planned development and subdivision for the Plat
of Johnston Estates. Mayor Brown administered the Appearance of Fairness
Doctrine.
Each Councilmember answered negatively or affirmatively to the following questions:
1. Do you have any interest in the property or the application, or do you own
property within 300 feet of the property subject to the application?
All Councilmembers responded they did not.
2. Do you stand to gain or lose any financial benefit as a result of the outcome of
this proposal? The response from Council members was no.
3. Can you hear and consider the application in a fair and objective manner,
without bias? All Council members stated they could.
4. Have you had any ex-parte communications with the Applicants, or anyone
else, regarding this application? All Council members responded no.
Mayor Brown asked if anyone wished to challenge any Council member's participation
in this application on appearance of fairness grounds? No one from the audience or
on Zoom spoke to the issue.
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Mayor Brown opened the public hearing. The following community members came
forward to provide testimony: Bill Hordan, City resident, spoke on behalf of the
developer and in support of the proposal.
With no one else coming forward or calling in to speak, Mayor Brown closed the
public hearing.
The City Clerk read the resolution by title only.
After Council deliberation,
MOTION: Berg moved and Glenn seconded pass the resolution. The motion
carried by a 7-0 roll call vote.
RESOLUTION NO. R-2026-049, A RESOLUTION approving the Master Planned
Development of Plat of Johnston Estates and authorizing and directing the City
Manager to execute a Development Agreement with Eglin & Eglin LLC (herein after
"Developer") to provide for the terms and conditions of development of a
preliminary long plat and planned development to be located at 5405 Summitview
Ave., in the City of Yakima.
9) Department Items
9.A First Tee Expression of Interest to Lease and Operate Fisher Park Golf Course
Assistant City Manager Gary Ballew presented information on current operations of
Fisher Park Golf Course noting 2025 revenues of $246,000 and expenses of
$253,000. He described First Tee of Central Washington's expressed interest in
Fisher Park and guideposts developed to assess the feasibility of another
organization leasing and operating Fisher Park Golf Course. Mr. Ballew further
described what a potential Request for Proposal process may include. Parks and
Recreation Manager Ken Wilkinson and Megan Nobbs, Executive Director of First
Tee Central Washington, noted the services that each agency can provide.
After Council discussion,
MOTION: Glenn moved and Roy seconded to go forward with the proposal to
request funding proposals for allowing a private entity to operate Fisher Park.
The motion carried by 5-2 vote; with Brown and Byers voting no.
9.B Licensing Discussion - Non -Profits and Regulatory Licenses
Assistant City Manager Gary Ballow provided responses related to follow-up
questions from Council regarding business and regulatory licensing in the City of
Yakima. The information included the number of non-profit organizations,
regulatory licensing revenue, Department of Revenue system costs, and impact on
businesses with 30 or more employees.
Mr. Ballew stated there are 247 non -profits endorsed in the city and noted that after
further review religious organizations cannot be exempt. There is a total of 328
regulatory licenses with an approximate revenue of $16,497; approximately 154
regulatory licenses are recommended for elimination resulting in $6,094 revenue
loss. Regarding businesses with over 30 employees, staff recommended that
Council consider a cap on employee count at 120 employees.
It was Council consensus to maintain the current regulatory license fees while a full
review analysis is conducted, keep the exemption for nonprofits, and cap the
number of employees at 120.
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9.C Ordinance adding Section 6.08.210, Endangerment with a Controlled Substance,
to the Yakima Municipal Code
City Attorney Sara Watkins briefed the Council on the proposed ordinance, making
it a gross misdemeanor crime to endanger a child by knowingly or recklessly
exposing a child to a controlled substance. The ordinance excepts from violation
any controlled substance provided pursuant to a valid medical prescription.
The City Clerk read the ordinance by title only.
MOTION: Potrykus moved and Byers seconded to pass the ordinance. The
motion carried by a 7-0 roll call vote.
ORDINANCE NO. 2026-013, AN ORDINANCE adding Section 6.08.210,
Endangerment with a Controlled Substance, to the Yakima Municipal Code.
9.D Proposed 3% Utility Tax
Acting Director of Finance and Budget Gary Ballew provided a presentation for each
ordinance related to increasing the utility tax rate, identified as Item 9E, Item 9F,
Item 9G, and Item 9H on the agenda. The impacted utilities include water business
tax, water and wastewater tax, refuse tax, and stormwater tax which would generate
approximately $600,000 per every 1% of tax imposed, sufficient to fund Fire Station
92. The current utility tax rates are set at 21 % for water, 21% for wastewater, 21%
for refuse (5% is allocated to Clean Cities), 21% for stormwater (5% is allocated to
pools), and 20% for private water. The proposed ordinances would increase the
current tax rate to 24% for each utility described. Council discussed the equitability
of imposing either a utility tax or a property tax.
MOTION: Glenn moved and Potrykus seconded to pass all four ordinances.
The motion failed by a 4-3 roll call vote due to the lack of a minimum affirmative
vote of five members as required by the Yakima City Charter; Berg, Byers, and
Gonzalez voting no.
After amendments and debate, the final version of the motion was considered.
FINAL AMENDED MOTION: Potrykus moved and Byers seconded to adopt the
3% utility taxes with a contingency that if a County -wide EMS levy of 50 cents
per $1,000 were to pass, that the City would sunset the utility tax upon receipt
of those funds. The motion carried with a 6-1 roll call vote; with Gonzalez voting
no. The motion applies to the ordinances included in Item 9E, Item 9F, Item 9G, and
Item 9H of the agenda.
9.E Ordinance amending the Yakima Municipal Code Section 5.50.060 Water Business
tax, adding a 4% utility tax
The City Clerk read the ordinance by title only.
ORDINANCE NO. 2026-014, AN ORDINANCE amending the City of Yakima
Municipal Code Section 5.50.060: Water businesses.
9.F Ordinance amending the Yakima Municipal Code Section 7.64.020 Water and
Wastewater tax adding a 3% utility tax
The City Clerk read the ordinance by title only.
ORDINANCE NO. 2026-015, AN ORDINANCE amending the City of Yakima
Municipal Code Section 7.64.020 Water and Wastewater tax.
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9.G Ordinance amending the Yakima Municipal Code Section 7.64.030 Refuse tax,
adding a 3% utility tax
The City Clerk read the ordinance by title only.
ORDINANCE NO. 2026-016, AN ORDINANCE amending the City of Yakima
Municipal Code Section 7.64.030 Refuse Tax.
9.H Ordinance amending the Yakima Municipal Code Section 7.64.040 Stormwater tax,
adding 3% utility tax
The City Clerk read the ordinance by title only.
ORDINANCE NO. 2026-017, AN ORDINANCE amending the City of Yakima
Municipal Code Section 7.64.040 Stormwater tax.
9.1 City Council Code of Ethics and Principles of Conduct
MOTION: Byers moved and Glenn seconded to table this discussion to
sometime in May. The motion carried by unanimous vote.
10) Council Open Discussion
MOTION: Glenn moved and Brown seconded to have a future discussion about
utility billing practices. The motion carried by unanimous vote.
MOTION: Byers moved and Berg seconded to add the National Day of Prayer
proclamation to be read and approved at the May 5 meeting. The motion carried by
unanimous vote.
MOTION: Byers moved and Brown seconded to read and approve the submitted
letter regarding KIMA-TV appreciation to be read at the April 21 meeting. The motion
carried by unanimous vote.
Mayor Brown provided feedback from the development community and business owners
about economic development efforts.
Councilmember Gonzalez acknowledged the City Clerk's work during Council meetings.
11) City Manager Update
11.A Preview of upcoming topics
City Manager Vicki Baker expressed appreciation to staff involved in the reopening
of Lions Pool as requested by Council. She provided an update on the status of
Franklin Pool's leak detection and repair. Ms. Baker clarified details about the
City's budget projections, reserve funds and one-time monies, emphasizing the
City's transparency and honesty in the use of taxpayer dollars.
Upcoming topics include: the YPD Police Explorers program, Public Safety
updates, master fee schedule, and amendments to the Municipal Code.
12) Other Business
Mayor Brown requested an update on solutions related to bathrooms in City parks.
MOTION: Berg moved and Brown seconded to direct the City Manager to
immediately initiate procurement of Franklin Pool leak repair services using the
small works roster process under RCW 39.04.152 and RCW 35.22.620(7) with
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Franklin Pool to be open and operational by June 15th and to report back to Council
within 7-21 days with a contractor, scope, cost estimate, and a project timeline The
motion carried with a 5-2 roll call vote; Byers and Glenn voting no.
13) Adjournment
MOTION: Glenn moved and Byers seconded to adjourn to the next City Council
regular meeting on April 21, 2026, at 5:30 p.m. in the City Hall Council Chambers.
The motion carried by unanimous vote.
The meeting adjourned at 9:21 p.m.
CERTIFICATION
READ AND CERTIFIED ACCURATE BY
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MAYOR
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