HomeMy WebLinkAbout05/12/2026 Business MeetingYAKIMA CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
May 12, 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
Staff: City Manager Vicki Baker, City Attorney Sara Watkins and City Clerk Rosalinda
I Barra
2) Pledge of Allegiance
Mayor Brown led the Pledge of Allegiance.
3) Interpreter Services
An interpreter was not available for this meeting.
4) Public Comment
The following individuals commented in opposition to ending fluoridation in the City of
Yakima water system: Fotinos Panagakos (City resident), Karen Tritinger-Young (City
resident), Carlos Dorantes (City resident), Russell Maier (City resident), Kevin Hudson
(City resident), Andrew Hieber (City resident), Michael Morrison (City resident), Jennifer
Domagalski (County resident), Mary Ann Walker (County resident), Chris Dorow (non -
City resident), Marilyn Firman (non -City resident)
Daylene Ackerman, County resident, talked about the negative effects of fluoride.
Zachary Galland (City resident), Michael Morrison (City resident), and Noemi Sanchez
(City resident) spoke about neighborhood safety, privacy and surveillance issues related
to automated license plate reader (ALPR) cameras, and urged Council to end the use of
Flock cameras in Yakima.
William Chichenoff (City resident), Meloney Rosen (non -City resident, Habitat for Humanity),
and Shelly Parker (non -City resident, Habitat for Humanity) encouraged Council to expand
the allowable uses of the HB 1406 affordable housing funds to address current needs.
Tony Courcy, City resident, spoke on several matters including the ONDS home repair
program.
May 12, 2026 — Yakima City Council Meeting Minutes
Page 1 of 5
5) Good of the Order
5.A Mental Health Awareness Month proclamation
MOTION: Gonzalez moved and Byers seconded to approve the Mental Health
Awareness Month proclamation and request that it be read and presented.
The motion carried by unanimous vote.
Councilmember Berg proclaimed May 2026 as "Mental Health Awareness Month"
and Angela Bazan accepted the proclamation.
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 7D and 7E
were 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 read.
The motion carried by a 7-0 roll call vote.
7.A Resolution accepting and approving 1st Quarter 2026 Claim Report
RESOLUTION NO. R-2026-064, A RESOLUTION accepting and approving the
1st Quarter 2026 Claim Report for the City of Yakima.
7.B Resolution authorizing Right of Way Use Permit Application RL260011 for Iglesia
de Dios Puerta De Salvacion at 301 S 9th Avenue
RESOLUTION NO. R-2026-065, A RESOLUTION authorizing the issuance of a
right-of-way use permit to allow a new ADA compliant ramp for the Iglesia de
Dios Puerta De Salvacion Church.
7.C Resolution authorizing Right of Way Use Permit Application RL260019 for
Michelsen Packaging Co. at 922 N 1st Ave
RESOLUTION NO. R-2026-066, A RESOLUTION authorizing the issuance of a
right-of-way use permit to allow Michelsen Packaging Co. truck traffic use on
Quince Street between N. 4th Ave. and N. 1st Ave.
7.D Resolution authorizing an Interlocal Agreement with Purchasing Cooperative of
America (PCA) for Cooperative Purchasing Services
This item was removed from the Consent Agenda.
7.E Resolution awarding and authorizing an agreement with InfoSend, Inc., for Utility
Bill Printing and Bulk Mailing Services
This item was removed from the Consent Agenda.
7.F Resolution authorizing the write-off of certain uncollectable accounts receivables
RESOLUTION NO. R-2026-069, A RESOLUTION authorizing the write-off of
certain uncollectable central accounts receivables for the City of Yakima.
7.G Resolution authorizing the write-off of certain uncollectable utility accounts
receivables
RESOLUTION NO. R-2026-070, A RESOLUTION authorizing the write-off of
certain uncollectable accounts receivable by the utility funds of the City of Yakima.
May 12, 2026 — Yakima City Council Meeting Minutes Page 2 of 5
Wit
7.H Resolution authorizing a grant program agreement with the Department of
Ecology for environmental cleanup of Tiger Oil site at 2312 W Nob Hill Blvd
RESOLUTION NO. R-2026-071, A RESOLUTION authorizing the execution of
an agreement with Department of Ecology (Ecology) for the former Tiger Oil site
located at 2312 West Nob Hill Boulevard.
Items removed from the Consent Agenda
7.D Resolution authorizing an Interlocal Agreement with Purchasing Cooperative of
America (PCA) for Cooperative Purchasing Services
Purchasing Manager Rudy Silva briefed Council on the proposed resolution.
The City Clerk read the resolution by title only.
MOTION: Berg moved and Byers seconded to adopt Item D resolution. The
motion carried by a 7-0 roll call vote.
RESOLUTION NO. R-2026-067, A RESOLUTION authorizing the City Manager
to execute an Interlocal Agreement for Cooperative Purchasing Services
between the City of Yakima and Purchasing Cooperative of America (PCA).
7.E Resolution awarding and authorizing an agreement with InfoSend, Inc., for Utility
Bill Printing and Bulk Mailing Services
Utility Customer Services Manager Anabel Chavez briefed Council on the resolution
and responded to questions related to timely billing and paperless options.
The City Clerk read the resolution by title only.
MOTION: Berg moved and Byers seconded to approve the resolution on
Item E. The motion carried by a 7-0 roll call vote.
RESOLUTION NO. R-2026-068, A RESOLUTION awarding and authorizing an
agreement with InfoSend, Inc., for Utility Bill Printing and Bulk Mailing Services
for the Utility Services Division.
8) Public Hearings
8.A Resolution adopting findings of fact and sending moratorium issues to the Yakima
Planning Commission
City Attorney Sara Watkins briefed Council on the proposed resolution related to a
moratorium on halfway houses and secured community transition facilities (SCTF).
The resolution would allow the Yakima Planning Commission to review the zoning,
permitting and other land uses associated and make recommendation for Title 15
revisions. No new applications will be accepted or permits issued for the duration
of the six-month moratorium period.
Mayor Brown opened the public hearing.
The following individuals provided testimony: Anthony (Tony) Courcy; William
Chichenoff commented about clean and sober houses; and Melissa Christianson
and Gerry Heyen spoke in support of the moratorium.
With no one else coming forward to speak, Mayor Brown closed the public hearing.
The City Clerk read the resolution by title only.
May 12, 2026 — Yakima City Council Meeting Minutes
Page 3 of 5
n•
After Council discussion,
MOTION: Byers moved and Berg seconded to adopt the resolution and direct
the Yakima Planning Commission to review the issue and provide
recommendations to the City Council. The motion carried by 7-0 roll call vote.
RESOLUTION NO. R-2026-072, A RESOLUTION adopting findings of fact for the
6 -month moratorium of halfway house and secure community transition facility use
applications in the City of Yakima and directing the Yakima Planning Commission
to review the issue and provide recommendations to the City Council.
9) Department Items
9.A Mill Site Update
Community Development Director Bill Preston and Yakima County Engineer Matt
Pietrusiewicz provided an update on the Bravo Company Blvd project, collectively
known as the East-West Corridor, which crosses through the former Boise Cascade
Mill Site property. The overall project also includes future lane improvements to 1-82
by the Washington State Department of Transportation.
The City of Yakima and Yakima County are currently in a waiting period while the
Department of Ecology completes the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)
process before any road construction activity can proceed. However, Mr. Preston
indicated that water and sewer lines can be installed in the portion identified as City
Phase 1A and 1 B (purple area) without being impacted by ongoing NEPA issues.
He also noted that because the city is designated as a potential liable party it is
responsible for cleanup efforts around the former municipal landfill site.
Mr. Pietrusiewicz provided a timeline of the project funding and actions to date and
emphasized that Yakima County is ready to remove wood waste and clean up the
area where the county road would ultimately cross the 1-82 interstate.
9.B Process to put fluoridation of water on the ballot
City Attorney Sara Watkins briefed Council on the process needed to add a ballot
measure related to fluoridation in the City of Yakima water system. Because the
people voted by initiative to fluoridate its drinking water, the people would similarly
need to decide whether it wants to discontinue fluoridating its water supply. State
law and the Department of Health also have notification requirements to discontinue
fluoridation of at least 90 days prior to any meeting at which a decision will occur.
Staff recommended that the City Council determine if it wants to move forward with
an evaluation of whether to create an initiative on the matter; select which election
date to add the ballot measure to; send out the required notification; and provide
opportunity for public participation on the issue of fluoridation.
After Council discussion,
MOTION: Potrykus moved and Berg seconded to postpone this item indefinitely
[discussion of putting fluoridation on the ballot]. The motion carried by 6-1 roll call vote,
Brown voting no.
10) Council Open Discussion
Mayor Brown reported that the issues related to the delayed removal of the Transportation
Benefit District car tab fees have been resolved and the removal of fees will proceed as
scheduled, to be effective July 1st
May 12, 2026 - Yakima City Council Meeting Minutes Page 4 of 5
Councilmember Potrykus invited outside groups, including non -profits, to share their
ideas with them so Council can review and possibly facilitate requests.
11) City Manager Update
11.A Preview of upcoming topics
City Manager Vicki Baker recognized National Police Week and extended an
invitation to YPD's Memorial Service ceremony on May 15th. She also thanked
Assistant City Manager Gary Ballew for volunteering to raise funds for YPD.
Ms. Baker reported that Yakima will be hosting the 2026 FIRA USA agriculture
robotics conference at State Fair Park in October. Council thanked YCDA and
the SIED Board for their efforts in securing this event which enhances the area's
agricultural industry.
Upcoming topics include a discussion about Opportunity Zones 2.0.
12) Other Business
MOTION: Byers moved and Brown seconded to direct staff to prepare an America
250 Light it Up! proclamation to be placed on the June 9 agenda. The motion
carried by unanimous vote.
13) Adjournment
MOTION: Byers moved and Berg seconded to adjourn to the next City Council
regular meeting on May 19, 2026, at 5:30 p.m. in the City Hall Council Chambers.
The motion carried by unanimous vote.
The meeting adjourned at 7:43 p.m.
CERTIFICATION
READ AND CERTIFIED ACCURATE BY
C U IL DATE
CO NCIL MEMBE DATE
ATTEST,
CITY CLERK MAYOR
May 12, 2026 —Yakima City Council Meeting Minutes
Page 5 of 5