Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout07/14/2026 Business Meeting211 YAKIMA CITY COUNCIL MINUTES July 14, 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 - 5:00 p.m. Executive Session regarding pending litigation pursuant to RCW 42.30. 11©(1)(i) Executive Session was not held. 1) Roll Call The meeting was called to order at 5:32 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 Ibarra 2) Pledge of Allegiance Mayor Brown led the Pledge of Allegiance. 3) Interpreter Services Mayor Brown introduced Nate Montgomery who announced interpreter services are available in Spanish. The Council agreed to move Item 5 Good of the Order before Item 4 Public Comment. 4) Public Comment The following individuals spoke in opposition of Flock cameras and urged Council to end the contracts: Noemi Sanchez (City resident), Michael Morrison (City resident), Andreina Rangel (County resident), Kyra Smith (County resident), and Michael Nelson (County resident). Mike Kay, Director of Camp Hope,, provided an update on the anticipated impact resulting from the recent funding reduction to Camp Hope. Eleanor Valenzuela (City resident), Sarah Valenzuela (County resident), and Pete Bender (non -City resident) expressed support for maintaining funding for homelessness services and programs. Gary Green (City resident) and Fatima Rodriguez Robledo (City resident) commented on the importance of the timely processing of Habitat for Humanity's affordable housing project. Anne Knapp (City resident) spoke against the city's submission of the Heritage Capital grant application for trolley purposes. Cindy Reed, Vice -President of Yakima Valley Trolley; and David Foster (County resident) encouraged support of the Heritage Capital Projects grant application. July 14, 2026 — Yakima City Council Meeting Minutes Page 1 of 4 212 Amy Laws (City resident) requested Council's support regarding good faith negotiations between the insurance companies and MultiCare hospital system. Ray Lamoureux, County resident, spoke in opposition to the proposed Terrace Heights annexation. Tony Sandoval, City resident, spoke in support of the annexation. Tony Courcy mentioned the Fred Redmon bridge and questioned previous meeting minutes. 5) Good of the Order 5.A Recognition of Cameron Guerin A.C. Davis High School graduate for her accomplishments Councilmember Byers recognized Cameron Guerin, an A.C. Davis High School graduate, for her athletic accomplishments in the sport of female wrestling and her historic achievement of five national collegiate wrestling championships. The Council thanked Ms. Guerin for her service to the community. 6) Council Reports Councilmember Byers provided a recap on the success of the City's FIFA World Cup Fan Zone events and acknowledged local supporters and participants. 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. There were no changes. 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 Set date of August 18, 2026 for a closed record public hearing to consider a preliminary long plat "Plat of the Vine" 7.B Resolution ratifying an agreement with The Referent Group for placement of Thomas Huntington as the interim fire chief RESOLUTION NO. R-2026-109, A RESOLUTION authorizing and ratifying execution of a Professional Services Agreement with The Referent Group for Interim Fire Chief services for the City of Yakima. 8) Public Hearings None. 9) Department Items 9.A Public Meeting to consider the Notice of Intent to commence the Terrace Heights Commercial District Annexation in the vicinity of Terrace Heights Dr. and University Parkway Planning Manager Trevor Martin reviewed the information related to the proposed annexation consisting of approximately 350 acres located in the vicinity of Terrace Heights Drive and University Parkway. Mr. Martin described annexation process. After Council discussion, July 14, 2026 — Yakima City Council Meeting Minutes Page 2 of 4 213 MOTION: Potrykus moved and Byers seconded to direct staff to draft the official annexation petition and collect signatures from property owners to begin the annexation review procedures. The motion carried by a unanimous vote. 9.B Discussion of Yakima County's Intent to Award 2026 Homeless Housing Assistance Grants - Commissioner Kyle Curtis County Commissioner Kyle Curtis presented information related to concems brought forth by Council about the potential impacts to homelessness in the City of Yakima due to the reduction in funding to Grace City Outreach, which operates Camp Hope. Commissioner Curtis focused on goals included in the County's 2025-2029 Five -Year Homeless Housing Strategic Plan, primarily in seeking long term permanent solutions for unhoused individuals. Mike Kay, Director of Camp Hope, addressed additional funding concems and clarified that services at Camp Hope are not ending completely but will be greatly reduced beginning July 15th, if it fails to obtain the necessary funding to operate. No action was taken by the Council. 9.0 Public Safety Quarterly Update - Police Department Police Chief Shawn Boyle presented the second quarter update for the period April - June 2026. Chief Boyle noted staff vacancies and overtime hours, comparison of traffic related incidents. And he highlighted success stories and accomplishments involving the Pro -Act unit, DEA task force, special assault unit, gang unit, major crimes unit and patrol division. 9.D Public Safety Quarterly Update - Fire Department Interim Fire Chief Tom Huntington presented the second quarter update highlighting number of call types, mutual aid incidents responded to, training efforts and recent significant personnel changes in the Fire Department. He also provided an update on the 4th of July related calls for service. 9.E Resolution authorizing approval of the Heritage Capital Projects grant application for the Yakima Valley Trolley Community Development Director Bill Preston briefed Council on the proposed resolution seeking approval to submit a grant application requesting funding to support the trolley's preservation and rehabilitation efforts. Mr. Preston stated that his involvement in preparing this grant application has been very minimal. He also indicated that no City or TBD funds have been used or committed as match, and that this effort aligns with the requirements established in the Trolley operation and maintenance agreement. Council discussed at length concerns about the potential impacts resulting from the approval or denial of this request. It was noted that they previously agreed to allow the Yakima Valley Trolley organization a period of eighteen months to fundraise for the trolley tracks as part of the 6th Avenue project. MOTION: Glenn moved and Potrykus seconded to postpone this decision until they [Yakima Valley Trolleys] come up with at least $100,000 in donations. The motion failed by 5-2 roll call vote; with Berg, Brown, Byers, Gonzales and Roy voting no. July 14, 2026 — Yakima City Council Meeting Minutes Page 3 of 4 214 MOTION: Berg moved and Roy seconded to adopt the resolution. The motion carried by a 5-2 roll call vote; with Glenn and Potrykus voting no. RESOLUTION NO. R-2026-110, A RESOLUTION authorizing approval of the Heritage Capital Projects grant application for the Yakima Valley Trolley Heritage Project, confirming the City of Yakima's support for the project, and committing to the required matching funds. 10) Council Open Discussion Considering the situation concerning negotiations between MultiCare and insurance carriers, it was Council consensus to have a discussion with MultiCare officials and healthcare workers about their vision as it relates to the community's healthcare needs. 11) City Manager Update 11.A Preview of upcoming topics Assistant City Manager Ballew invited Councilmembers to participate in a Yakima Agenda podcast; extended an offer from Comprehensive Health for an opportunity to learn about their Opioid Treatment Program (OTP); and reported that the Department of Ecology published a de minimis consent decree for the County's East-West Corridor project related to the cleanup of the Millsite property. 12) Other Business Mayor Brown requested an update on the possibility of keeping Franklin Pool open four extra days during the summer. Councilmember Potrykus asked about Council's request of using unspent pool funds to assist Camp Hope. 13) Adjournment MOTION: Glenn moved and seconded to adjourn to the next City Council regular meeting on July 21, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. for Executive Session 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 COU EMBER DATE July 14, 2026 — Yakima City Council Meeting Minutes Page 4 of 4