HomeMy WebLinkAbout06/09/2026 Business Meeting196
YAKIMA CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
June 9, 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
Rick Glenn, Felisa Gonzalez, Juliet Potrykus, Leo Roy, and Patricia Byers (attending
remotely via Zoom until 6:55 p.m.)
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
William Gaethle, City resident, spoke about an incident he claims violated his civil rights.
The following community members provided comments opposing ALPR cameras: Steve
Flynn (City resident), Andreina Rangel (City resident), Michael Morrison (City resident),
Noemmi Sanchez (City resident), Martha Ramirez (City resident), Seth Cushing (City
resident), Zachary Galland (City resident), Fernando Chiqui (City resident), and Brian
Korst (County resident).
Will Chichenoff, City resident, expressed concern related to racial profiling and federal
agents conducting enforcement actions outside the Yakima County Courthouse.
Ray Lamoureux (East Valley Fire Chief) and Sandy Braden (County resident) spoke in
opposition to the proposed annexation petition.
Susan Maze, City resident, invited the public to a free community event on June 13'h
celebrating the 250th birthday of America at. Franklin Park.
5) Good of the Order
5.A America 250 Light It Up! proclamation
MOTION: Potrykus moved and Berg seconded to approve the America 250:
Light It Up! proclamation and request that it be read and presented. The
motion carried by unanimous vote.
Councilmember Byers provided remarks and Councilmember Potrykus proclaimed
July 4, 2026, as America 250: Light It Up! Victor Gibson accepted the proclamation.
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5.B Juneteenth Freedom Week proclamation
MOTION: Berg moved and Roy seconded to approve the Juneteenth Freedom
Week proclamation and request that it be read and presented. The motion
carried by unanimous vote.
Councilmember Gonzalez proclaimed the week of June 13th through June 19th,
2026 as Juneteenth Freedom Week. Reverend Trimble and Adrianne Garner
thanked the Council and accepted the proclamation.
6) Council Reports
None.
7) Consent Agenda
None
8) Public Hearings
None.
9) Department Items
9.A Update on Petition for East Yakima Business Area Annexation (vicinity of Terrace
Heights Dr., University Parkway, and Highway 24)
Planning Manager Trevor Martin provided an update on the East Yakima Business
Area Annexation petition process stating that the previous Notice of Intent has
expired and a new Notice of Intent to Petition for Annexation was received with an
updated annexation boundary area. Mr. Martin and Assistant City Manager Gary
Ballew described the annexation process and responded to questions. At a future
meeting, Council will have an opportunity to accept the proposed annexation
petition and proceed with the review process or reject the petition.
9.B Presentation on Live Video Cameras compared to Automatic License Plate Reader
(ALPR) Cameras
Yakima Police Chief Shawn Boyle and Union Gap Police Chief Dustin Soptich
presented information about Automated License Plate Readers (ALPR's) and Live
Video Cameras and described the differences in the features and functionality.
Chief Boyle indicated that live video cameras serve as a collaborative investigative
tool and they provide a live view of public safety incidents in progress, but do not
have facial recognition abilities. He also asked Council to provide direction on
whether to accept or reject Yakima County's request to install live video cameras in
the City of Yakima.
After extensive Council discussion,
MOTION: Glenn moved and Berg seconded to collaborate with the Sheriffs
office and allow them to install live stream cameras and go through permitting
process to include the camera system in the City of Yakima for the next two
years. The motion carried by a 5-1 roll call vote; Gonzalez voting no, Byers absent.
10) Council Open Discussion
MOTION: Brown moved and Berg seconded to have staff research the ability for the
City to regulate and allow robotaxis or autonomous vehicles and present to Council
at a future meeting. The motion carried by unanimous vote; Byers absent.
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11) City Manager Update
11.A Preview of upcoming topics
Parks and Recreation Manager Ken Wilkinson provided an update on Franklin Pool
repairs stating that concrete pour is scheduled and the plan is to add water, treat it
and heat it within the next week.
12) Other Business
None.
13) Adjournment
MOTION: Berg moved and Glenn seconded to adjourn to the next City Council
regular meeting on June 16, 2026, at 5:30 p.m. in the City Hall Council Chambers.
The motion carried by unanimous vote; Byers absent.
The meeting adjourned at 7:34 p.m.
CERTIFICATION
READ AND CERTIFIED ACCURATE BY
ATTEST:
DATE
C;NCIL��BER / DATE
CITY CLERK �' MAYOR
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