HomeMy WebLinkAbout04/21/2026 Business Meeting173
YAKIMA CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
April 21, 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 5:34 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, Acting City Attorney Cynthia Martinez 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) Public Comment
Julian Paschen, City resident, spoke about the bathroom closures at Chesterley Park,
specifically related to potential contractual obligations.
Tony Sandoval, City resident, spoke in support of the Washington Fruit Community Center.
William Chichenoff, City resident, suggested instituting a 72 -hour hold to address domestic
violence offenders and prevent future incidents.
Tony Courcy, City resident, expressed concerns about the crosswalks at 16th Avenue and
Hathaway.
5) Open Discussion for the Good of the Order
5.A Recognition of Yakima Police Officer Dulce Diaz for 20 years of service
Police Chief Shawn Boyle recognized Police Officer Dulce Diaz for 20 years of
service to the City of Yakima. Officer Diaz thanked the Council for their recognition.
5.B Consideration of letter to KIMA-TV
MOTION: Potrykus moved and Berg seconded to have Councilmember Byers
read the letter into the record and have Council sign it. The motion carried by
unanimous consent.
Councilmember Byers read the draft letter aloud. It expressed the City Council's
appreciation to KIMA-TV for their dedicated service to the Yakima community.
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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 G 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 read.
The motion carried by a 7-0 roll call vote.
7.A Approve payment of disbursements for the period March 1 - 31, 2026
7.B 2026 1st Quarter Treasury Report
7.C Resolution amending agreement with Geosyntec Consultants Inc. to support City's
ongoing Aquifer Storage and Recovery (ASR) program and Disinfection Byproduct
(DBP) Monitoring
RESOLUTION NO. R-2026-050, A RESOLUTION authorizing a contract
amendment to the DBP Monitoring Study and Ongoing ASR Program Support (City
Contract No. 2020-075) in the amount of $445,000 for the ASR DBP Monitoring
and Recharge Enhancement Project No. AC2506.
7.D Resolution declaring two refuse trucks rolling stock surplus and authorizing the City
Manager to dispose of said property in a manner most beneficial to the City of
Yakima
RESOLUTION NO. R-2026-051, A RESOLUTION declaring certain rolling stock
surplus and authorizing the City Manager to dispose of said property in a manner
most beneficial to the City of Yakima.
7.E Ordinance amending the 2025-2026 Biennial Budget for the City of Yakima; and
making appropriations from unappropriated fund balances in various funds for
expenditures during 2026, including 2025 encumbrances (Second Reading)
ORDINANCE NO. 2026-018, AN ORDINANCE amending the 2026 Budget for the
City of Yakima; and making appropriations from Unappropriated Fund Balances
within various funds for expenditure during 2026 for various purposes including
2025 encumbrances as described in the attached Schedule I.
7.F Ordinance amending Yakima Municipal Code Chapter 10.15 relating to fireworks
permit fees
ORDINANCE NO. 2026-019, AN ORDINANCE amending the City of Yakima
Municipal Code Chapter 10.15 Fireworks as it relates to permit fees.
7.G Ordinance amending Yakima Municipal Code Chapter 11.62 Historic Preservation
Ordinance for Special Valuation relating to appeal fees
This item was removed from the consent agenda.
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Items Removed from the Consent Agenda
7. G) Ordinance amending Yakima Municipal Code Chapter 11.62 Historic Preservation Ordinance
for Special Valuation relating to appeal fees
Planning Manager Trevor Martin clarified Councilmember Glenn's concern related to the
proposed ordinance. The City Clerk read the ordinance by title only.
MOTION: Berg moved and Byers seconded to approve item 7G and adopt the
ordinance. The motion carried by a 6-1 roll call vote; with Glenn voting no.
ORDINANCE NO. 2026-020, AN ORDINANCE amending the City of Yakima Municipal Code
Chapter 11.62 Historic Preservation Ordinance for Special Valuation as it relates to fees.
8) Public Hearings
None.
9) Department Items
9.A Yakima Police Explorers Presentation
Yakima Police Lieutenant Ira Cavin and Officer Dulce Diaz introduced members of
the Yakima Police Department Explorers program. Yakima Police Explorer Captain
Dayanara Abundiz and Lt. Christian Sevao presented information about the law
enforcement career exploration program for youth. They highlighted their focus on
leadership skills, discipline, professionalism and community service engagements.
They mentioned past participants who pursued law enforcement careers.
9.B Public Safety Update - Police Department
Police Chief Shawn Boyle presented the first quarter update highlighting the Yakima
Police Department's continued commitment to community public safety. Chief Boyle
also provided 2024-2025 crime stats, current staffing levels and impact on overtime,
and shared success stories resulting from the hard work of the dedicated YPD units.
9.C Public Safety Update - Fire Department
Fire Chief Aaron Markham presented the first quarter update highlighting
significant fire and emergency incidents responded to and community risk
reduction events conducted by the Yakima Fire Department.
9.D Resolution authorizing the establishment of a Law Enforcement Memorial Garden
at the Yakima Police Department to honor fallen officer Sergeant Joseph Deccio
and other members of law enforcement who have died in the line of duty
Yakima Arts Commission Staff Liaison Erica McNamara and Police Sgt. Ilifonso
Garcia briefed the Council on the proposed resolution authorizing city -owned
property for the installation of public art in the form of a law enforcement memorial
garden at the Yakima Police Department. The Yakima Arts Commission reviewed
this proposal and recommended approval of the installation.
The City Clerk read the resolution by title only.
MOTION: Glenn moved and Byers seconded to approve the resolution. The
motion carried by a 7-0 roll call vote.
RESOLUTION NO. R-2026-052, A RESOLUTION authorizing the establishment of
a Law Enforcement Memorial Garden at the Yakima Police Department to honor
fallen officer Sergeant Joseph Deccio and other members of law enforcement who
have died in the line of duty.
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9.E Resolution amending the Master Fee Schedule setting Irrigation Rates for 2026-
2031
Water/Irrigation Manager Daniel Tiliano described the proposed resolution setting
the irrigation rates for 2026-2031.
The City Clerk read the resolution by title only.
MOTION: Byers moved and Berg seconded to adopt the resolution. The
motion carried by a 7-0 roll call vote.
RESOLUTION NO. 2026-053, A RESOLUTION amending the Master Fee
Schedule regarding annual rates and charges for irrigation rates for Operation and
Maintenance and Capital Improvement Plan.
9.F Ordinance amending Yakima Municipal Code Title 5 Licenses and Business
Regulations, Title 6 Public Safety and Morals, Title 8 Streets and Sidewalks, and
Title 11 Buildings as it relates to regulatory licenses
Supervising Code Inspector Julia Rosales briefed Council on the proposed
ordinance. Staff identified several regulatory licenses that are not necessary and
recommended that the licensing requirement be removed from the regulations.
The City Clerk read the ordinance by title only.
MOTION: Glenn moved and Potrykus seconded to pass the ordinance. The
motion carried by a 7-0 roll call vote.
ORDINANCE NO. 2026-021, AN ORDINANCE amending the City of Yakima
Municipal Code Title 5 Licenses and Business Regulations, Title 6 Public Safety
and Morals, Title 8 Streets and Sidewalks, and Title 11 Buildings as it relates to
regulatory licenses.
9.G Ordinance amending Yakima Municipal Code Title 8 Streets and Sidewalks and
Title 12 Development Standards
Planning Manager Trevor Martin and Community Development Director Bill Preston
briefed Council on the proposed ordinance related to Engineering permit fees.
The City Clerk read the ordinance by title only.
MOTION: Byers moved and Berg seconded to pass the ordinance. The motion
carried by a 6-1 roll call vote; with Brown voting no.
ORDINANCE NO. 2026-022, AN ORDINANCE amending the City of Yakima
Municipal Code Title 8 Streets and Sidewalks and Title 12 Development Standards.
9.H Ordinance amending Yakima Municipal Code Title 5 Licenses and Business
Regulations relating to business license fees
Supervising Code Inspector Julia Rosales briefed Council on the proposed ordinance
amending the business licensing chapter related to the removal of curb number
painting and other housekeeping measures.
The City Clerk read the ordinance by title only.
MOTION: Glenn moved and Berg seconded to pass the ordinance. The motion
carried by a 7-0 roll call vote.
ORDINANCE NO. 2026-023, AN ORDINANCE amending the City of Yakima
Municipal Code Chapter 5.52 Occupation Taxes -General.
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9.1 Resolution amending the Master Fee Schedule related to permitting and licensing
fees for Planning, Codes, and Engineering
Planning Manager Trevor Martin briefed Council on the proposed resolution
amending the Master Fee Schedule related to building permits and plan review
fees, business and regulatory license fees, zoning, subdivision and land use fees,
engineering permit application fee, and other housekeeping amendments.
The City Clerk read the resolution by title only.
MOTION: Glenn moved and Byers seconded to approve the resolution. The
motion carried by a 7-0 roll call vote.
RESOLUTION NO. R-2026-054, A RESOLUTION amending the City of Yakima
Master Fee Schedule relating to Planning, Codes, and Engineering permitting and
licensing fees.
9.J 2025 4th Quarter Financial Report
Director of Finance & Budget Craig Warner presented the 2025 4th Quarter
Financial Report and provided insight into the monitoring of General Fund revenue
and expenses, indicating that the City has excess funds beyond the reserve
threshold. He mentioned that the information is preliminary, and final calculations
will be known after the annual audit is conducted later in 2026. Mr. Warner noted
that the current policy for the reserve fund allows the City to be at a 12% level;
however, cautioned that a reserve level below 15% can result in a reduced credit
rating for bond purposes and should not be left at the 12% level permanently.
He also indicated that additional one-time funds of approximately $450,000
became available due to the recent passage of utility tax increases dedicated to
Fire Station 92, which releases some of the funds originally set aside for that
purpose. The Council discussed at length intended uses for the newly available
one-time funds. Current needs affecting the community include reopening park
restrooms and pools, and operating Washington Fruit Community Center and
Harman Center.
After amendments and debate, the final version of the motion was considered.
FINAL AMENDED MOTION: Glenn moved and Byers seconded to open the
park restrooms at $141,000. The motion carried by unanimous vote.
10) City Manager Update
10.A Parks bathroom update
This item was discussed as part of agenda item 9.J.
10.B Preview of upcoming topics
City Manager Baker mentioned upcoming topics related to Code of Ethics and
Principles of Conduct and an update on the Mill Site property.
11) Other Business
MOTION: Gonzalez moved and Berg seconded to direct staff to prepare a Mental
Health Awareness month proclamation to be placed on the May 12 agenda. The
motion carried by unanimous vote.
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12) Adjournment
MOTION: Byers moved and Berg seconded to adjourn to the next City Council
regular meeting on May 5, 2026, at 5:30 p.m. in the City Hall Council Chambers. The
motion carried by unanimous vote.
The meeting adjourned at 8:54 p.m.
CERTIFICATION
READ AND CERTIFIED ACCURATE BY
C NCILME DATE
CO CIL BE DATE
ATTEST:
CITY CLERK MAYOR
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