HomeMy WebLinkAbout05/05/2026 Business Meeting179
YAKIMA CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
May 5, 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 - 5:15 p.m.
Executive Session to discuss pending litigation pursuant to RCW 42.30.110(1)(i)
MOTION: Berg moved and Byers 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
Mayor Brown announced Executive Session is extended for 15 minutes, until 5;45 p.m.
Executive session was held at 5:17 p.m. and adjourned at 5:45 p.m.
1) Roll Cali
The meeting was called to order at 5:46 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
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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
Zachary Galland (City resident) and Andreina Rangel (County resident) urged Council to
discontinue the use of ALPR and Flock cameras and not renew upcoming contracts.
Will Chichenoff, City resident, spoke about the social expectations of law enforcement
and first responders and the toll it takes on their mental health.
Assistant City Manager Gary Ballew encouraged attendance at events to support the
YPD Memorial Garden this Saturday, May 9, 2026, at the Yakima Area Arboretum.
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Margarita Reyna (City resident), Vicki Rodgers (City resident), Luis Moreno (City resident),
Roy Beck -Hernandez (City resident), and Nathan Hedengren (City resident), encouraged
Council to keep the Washington Fruit Community Center open.
Tony Courcy, City resident, spoke about personal property matters and perceived lack of
response regarding complaints.
Thomas McCormick, City resident, provided a news article about the 2026 Central
Washington State Fair events to celebrate America's 250th birthday.
5) Open Discussion for the Good of the Order
5.A National Day of Prayer proclamation
MOTION: Byers moved and Berg seconded to approve the proclamation and
request that it be read and presented. The motion carried by unanimous vote.
Councilmember Byers proclaimed May 7, 2026 as "National Day of Prayer" and
Terry accepted the proclamation.
5.B Recognition of retiring Community Outreach Specialist John Fannin
Communications & Public Affairs Director Randy Beehler recognized John Fannin
for his retirement from the City of Yakima. Mayor Brown presented him with a
retirement certificate and clock. Mr. Fannin thanked the Council.
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 F 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 Approval of minutes from the April 7, 2026, April 14, 2026 and April 21, 2026 City
Council regular meetings
7.B Project Completion and Contract Acceptance with Apollo Inc. for N 1st Street
Phase 3 Project 2580
7.0 Resolution authorizing a Memorandum of Understanding with the United States
Department of Justice for Asset Forfeiture Sharing
RESOLUTION NO. R-2026-055, A RESOLUTION authorizing an Asset Forfeiture
Sharing Memorandum of Understanding with the United States Department of
Justice.
7.D Resolution authorizing an Interlocal Agreement with the City of Selah to increase
funding for the Yakima Ellensburg Commuter
RESOLUTION NO. R-2026-056, A RESOLUTION authorizing an Interlocal
Agreement between the City of Yakima and the City of Selah to increase the City
of Selah's financial contribution for the Yakima Ellensburg Commuter.
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7.E Resolution authorizing an Interlocal Agreement with the City of Ellensburg to
increase funding for the Yakima Ellensburg Commuter
RESOLUTION NO. R-2026-057, A RESOLUTION authorizing an Interlocal
Agreement between the City of Yakima and the City of Ellensburg to increase the
City of Ellensburg's financial contribution for the Yakima Ellensburg Commuter.
7.F Resolution authorizing the award and contract with Granite Construction Company
for the overflow parking lot at the Yakima Air Terminal -McAllister Field
This item was removed from the Consent Agenda
7.G Resolution authorizing an agreement with J-U-B Engineers, Inc. for construction
management services of the overflow parking lot at the Yakima Air Terminal -
McAllister Field
RESOLUTION NO. R-2026-059, A RESOLUTION authorizing the City Manager
to execute an agreement between J-U-B ENGINEERS, INC. and the City of
Yakima for CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT SERVICES OF THE OVERFLOW
PARKING LOT for the Yakima Air Terminal - McAllister Field.
7.H Resolution amending an agreement with the Department of Commerce for
Comprehensive Plan Periodic Update funding
RESOLUTION NO. R-2026-060, A RESOLUTION authorizing an amendment to
the agreement with the Washington State Department of Commerce, to adjust the
budget for funding assistance for the City of Yakima's Comprehensive Plan
Periodic Update.
7.1 Resolution amending a professional services agreement with BERK Consulting
Inc. for the City of Yakima's Periodic Update, Climate Resilience Element, and
Transportation Plan Update, to include additional funding
RESOLUTION NO. R-2026-061, A RESOLUTION authorizing the City Manager
to execute an amendment to the Professional Services Agreement with BERK
Consulting to facilitate and assist in the state mandated update of the City's
Comprehensive Plan Periodic Update, including Climate Resiliency in compliance
with the Growth Management Act.
7.J Ordinance amending Yakima Municipal Code 11.45, Chronic Nuisance Properties
ORDINANCE NO. 2026-024, AN ORDINANCE amending City of Yakima
Municipal Code Section 11.45.010, Chronic Nuisance Properties Definitions, to
reflect changes to the recently amended animal control ordinance.
Items Removed from the Consent Agenda
7.F Resolution authorizing the award and contract with Granite Construction Company
for the overflow parking lot at the Yakima Air Terminal -McAllister Field
Yakima Air Terminal Director Christoper Hopkins briefed Council on the resolution.
Councilmember Byers expressed gratitude to Representative Chris Corry.
The City Clerk read the resolution by title only.
MOTION: Byers moved and Berg seconded to approve the resolution Item F.
The motion carried by a 7-0 roll call vote.
RESOLUTION NO. R-2026-058, A RESOLUTION authorizing the award and
contract between GRANITE CONSTRUCTION COMPANY for the OVERFLOW
PARKING LOT at the Yakima Air Terminal — McAllister Field.
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8) Public Hearings
None.
9) Department Items
9.A Presentation on Affordable Housing Fund (Fund 185)
City Attorney Sara Watkins provided Council information about the sales tax
retention for the Affordable Housing fund (HB 1406). State statute allows the use
of these funds to: acquire, rehab, or construct affordable housing; fund operations
and maintenance costs of affordable or supportive housing; or provide rental
assistance to tenants. Certain income eligibility requirements exist for those
individuals to be served, and the retention of the tax expires 20 years from
imposition. As of October 2025, approximately $887,220 has been collected and
none of it has been spent or allocated.
Yakima Municipal Code Chapter 7.92 established the Affordable Housing Incentive
Program to assist with connection fees for water and/or sewer utilities. Ms. Watkins
mentioned possible amendments to the incentive program which may include
changing the affordability period to 25 years; increasing the area median income
(AMI) to 60% or less than the Yakima County median household income; and
expanding the uses of the funds to other statutorily allowed uses in addition to
water/sewer connection fees.
After discussion, Council requested staff to prepare a proposal to expend the
Affordable Housing funds, to review the minimum number of affordable units
criteria and the length of the affordability period for monitoring.
9.B Resolution awarding and authorizing an agreement with InterVistas Consulting
Inc., for Air Service Development and Consulting Services
Director of Yakima Air Terminal Christopher Hopkins briefed the Council on the
proposed resolution. He also acknowledged Representative Chris Corry for his
support in securing funding for airport projects.
The City Clerk read the resolution by title only.
MOTION: Glenn moved and Byers seconded to adopt the resolution. The
motion carried by a 7-0 roll call vote.
RESOLUTION NO. R-2026-062, A RESOLUTION awarding RFQP 12520QP and
authorizing an agreement with InterVistas Consulting Inc., for Air Service
Development and Consulting Services.
9.0 Resolution adopting the 2026 City of Yakima Master Fee Schedule
Director of Finance and Budget Craig Warner briefed the Council on the proposed
resolution which consolidates all previously approved fees into an updated Master
Fee Schedule to be effective June 1, 2026.
The City Clerk read the resolution by title only.
MOTION: Berg moved and Byers seconded to adopt the resolution. The
motion carried by a 7-0 roll call vote.
RESOLUTION NO. R-2026-063, A RESOLUTION adopting the 2026 City of
Yakima Master Fee Schedule.
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9.D Washington Fruit Community Center and Harman Center Request for Interest
(RFI) update
Parks and Recreation Manager Ken Wilkinson updated Council on the Request
for Interest (RFI) process for the operation and management of the Washington
Fruit Community Center (WFCC) and the Harman Center. Three letters of interest
were received for the WFCC and two letters of interest were received for the
Harman Center. Staff will work with the Purchasing team and interested parties to
create the Request for Proposal (RFP) documents and begin that process.
After further Council discussion,
MOTION: Glenn moved and Byers seconded to direct city staff to keep
Washington Fruit Community Center open through December 31st. The
motion carried by 6-1 roll call vote; with Berg voting no.
9.E City Council Code of Ethics and Principles of Conduct
City Attorney Sara Watkins provided revisions to the Code of Ethics and Principles
of Conduct and Mayor Brown suggested additional amendments for Council's
consideration. Council discussed at length the topic of accepting gifts and gifting
public funds but did not take action on the matter at this time. Staff will review the
existing administrative policy related to receiving gifts and discounts.
10) City Manager Update
10.A Update on Franklin Pool repairs
City Manager Vicki Baker reported on details regarding the Franklin Pool leak
investigation and procurement process, and other necessary work for opening.
10,B Preview of upcoming topics
City Manager Baker mentioned upcoming topics related to the mill site.
11) Other Business
None.
12) Adjournment
MOTION: Byers moved and Berg seconded to adjourn to the next City Council
regular meeting on May 12, 2026, at 5:30 p.m. in the City Hall Council Chambers.
The motion carried by unanimous vote. The meeting adjourned at 7:51 p.m.
CERTIFICATION
READ AND CERTIFIED ACCURATE BY
COUNCIL MEMBER DATE
COUNCIL E BER
DATE
MAYOR
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