HomeMy WebLinkAbout09/01/2026 07.A. Approval of minutes from the August 18, 2026 City Council regular meeting and August 25, 2026 City Council special meeting •
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BUSINESS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
YAKIMA, WASHINGTON
AGENDA STATEMENT
Item No. 7.A.
For Meeting of: September 1, 2026
ITEM TITLE: Approval of minutes from the August 18, 2026 City Council regular
meeting and August 25, 2026 City Council special meeting
SUBMITTED BY: Rosalinda Ibarra, City Clerk
SUMMARY EXPLANATION:
ITEM BUDGETED:
STRATEGIC PRIORITY 24-25:
RECOMMENDATION:
ATTACHMENTS:
Minutes_08-18-2026_D RAFT
Minutes 08-25-2026 DRAFT
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YAKIMA CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
August 18, 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.
1) Roll Call
The meeting was called to order at 5:34 p.m.
Present: Mayor Matt Brown, presiding; and Councilmembers Patricia Byers, Rick Glenn,
Felisa Gonzalez, Juliet Potrykus (attending remotely via Zoom) and Leo Roy
Staff: City Manager Vicki Baker, City Attorney Sara Watkins and City Clerk Rosalinda
I barra
Absent and Excused: Assistant Mayor Reedy Berg
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) Open Discussion for the Good of the Order
4.A Recognition of Nichole Sandino for 25 years of service
Yakima Police Chief Shawn Boyle recognized Nichole Sandino for 25 years of
service to the City of Yakima. Ms. Sandino appreciated Council's recognition.
4.B Introduction of Jenn Harrison, President and CEO of Yakima Valley Tourism
City Manager Vicki Baker and Yakima Valley Tourism Executive Board member
Deirdre Fojuwaye introduced Jennifer Harrison as the new President and CEO of
Yakima Valley Tourism. Ms. Harrison thanked the Council and provided insight
into her goals and vision for the future of tourism in the Yakima Valley.
4.0 Discussion regarding state legislative priorities
City Manager Vicki Baker thanked State Senator Curtis King and Representative
Chris Corry for participating.
The following priorities affecting Yakima were discussed among the elected officials
as consideration during the 2027 session of the Washington State Legislature: Airport
Modernization project; transportation projects to connect 1-82 to the airport and West
Valley; the East-West Corridor partnership project; and issues related to 911 services
funding and indigent defense constraints. Additionally, Councilmembers addressed
affordable housing, homelessness issues, local tax revenue and regulation control,
healthcare access, educational choice tax relief, public pool operating costs, youth
grant accountability and grant funding opportunities.
August 18, 2026 -Yakima City Council Meeting Minutes Page 1 of 5
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5) Public Comment
Eric Rodriguez, City resident, commented about substance abuse fatalities and personal
beliefs.
Zachary Galland (City resident), Kyra Smith (County resident) Taylor Willis (City resident),
Andreina Rangel (County resident), Joseph Kopsick (City resident), Amanda G, (County
resident) spoke against Flock safety cameras and advocated for their removal.
Tony Courcy, City resident, talked about crosswalks and a personal property appraisal.
6) Council Reports
Councilmember Byers reported that the Yakima County Health District Board recently
appointed Ryan Ibach as its new Executive Director.
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: Byers moved and Glenn seconded to approve the consent agenda as
read. The motion carried by a 6-0 roll call vote; Berg absent.
7.A Approval of minutes from the August 3, 2026 City Council regular meeting
7.B Approve payment of disbursements for the period July 1 - 31, 2026
7.0 July 2026 Investment Transaction Report
7.D Resolution accepting and approving 2nd Quarter 2026 Claim Report
RESOLUTION NO. R-2026-124, A RESOLUTION accepting and approving the
2nd Quarter 2026 Claim Report for the City of Yakima.
7.E Resolution authorizing acceptance of a Heritage Theater Grant Award for the
Capitol Theatre Facade Improvements Project CT2875
RESOLUTION NO. R-2026-125, A RESOLUTION authorizing acceptance and
execution of a grant with the Washington Trust for Historical Preservation for the
Capitol Theatre Facade Project CT2875.
7.F Resolution authorizing grant award modification for Office on Violence Against
Women Fiscal Year 2021 Firearms Technical Assistance Project Pilot Sites
Initiative.
RESOLUTION NO. R-2026-126, A RESOLUTION approving Grant Award
Modification GAM-626382 to the Office on Violence Against Women (OVVV)
Fiscal Year 2021 Firearms Technical Assistance Project Pilot Sites Initiative
(FTAP) grant award.
7.G Resolution approving an Memorandum of Understanding with Seattle Police
Department to support Yakima Police Department's Internet Crimes Against
Children (ICAC) investigations
RESOLUTION NO. R-2026-127, A RESOLUTION authorizing a Memorandum of
Understanding with Seattle Police Department to support City of Yakima's Task
Force work on Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC).
August 18, 2026 -Yakima City Council Meeting Minutes Page 2 of 5
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7.H Resolution authorizing a contract with Central Washington Fair Association for
police services
RESOLUTION NO. R-2026-128, A RESOLUTION authorizing an agreement with
Central Washington Fair Association (CWFA) to staff police officers at the
fairgrounds during the Central Washington Fair September 25th through October
4th, 2026.
7.1 Resolution authorizing a Professional Services Agreement with Fuller Designs
Inc. for professional engineering services of the Fair Avenue Multimodal
Improvements, City Project No. 2903
RESOLUTION NO. R-2026-129, A RESOLUTION authorizing a Professional
Services Agreement with Fuller Designs Inc. to prepare civil engineering plans
and specifications for the Fair Avenue Multimodal Improvements, E. Nob Hill
Blvd. to Pacific Avenue, City Project No. 2903.
7.J Resolution adopting Yakima Transit's Development Plan for 2026-2031 and
Annual Report for 2025
RESOLUTION NO. R-2026-130, A RESOLUTION adopting Yakima Transit's
Development plan for 2026-2031 and annual report for 2025.
7.K Resolution authorizing a contract with Thomson Reuters for legal research
database usage
RESOLUTION NO. R-2026-131, A RESOLUTION authorizing a contract with
Thomson Reuters for legal research database usage.
7.L Resolution authorizing a Grant Agreement with Washington State Department of
Transportation to fund the purchase of four Paratransit Vehicles
RESOLUTION NO. R-2026-132, A RESOLUTION authorizing a Vehicle Grant
Agreement with the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT)
for$434,080 to assist Yakima Transit in purchasing four new Paratransit
vehicles.
7.M Resolution authorizing an agreement with Microsoft for volume licensing and
enterprise enrollment
RESOLUTION NO. R-2026-133, A RESOLUTION authorizing an agreement with
Microsoft for volume licensing and enterprise enrollment.
7.N Ordinance amending the 2026 Budget for the City of Yakima; and making
appropriations from unappropriated fund balances in various funds for
expenditures during 2026 (Second Reading)
ORDINANCE NO. 2026-029, 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
as described in the attached Schedule !.
8) Public Hearings
8.A Closed record public hearing and Resolution to consider the preliminary plat
subdivision "Plat of the Vine"
August 18, 2026 -Yakima City Council Meeting Minutes Page 3 of 5
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Associate Planner Connor Kennedy introduced this item and briefed Council on
the Hearing Examiner's recommendation.
Mayor Brown stated this is a closed record hearing, and testimony will be limited
to the record regarding the preliminary plat. Mayor Brown administered the
Appearance of Fairness Doctrine.
Each Councilmember answered negatively or affirmatively to the following
questions:
1. Do you have any interest in the property or the application, or do you own
property within 300 feet of the property subject to the application?All
Councilmembers responded they did not.
2. Do you stand to gain or lose any financial benefit as a result of the
outcome of this proposal? The response from Council members was no.
3. Can you hear and consider the application in a fair and objective manner,
without bias?All Council members stated they could.
4. Have you had any ex parte communications with the Applicants, or
anyone else, regarding this application?All Council members responded
no.
Mayor Brown asked if anyone wished to challenge any Council member's
participation in this application on appearance of fairness grounds? No one
spoke to the issue.
Mayor Brown opened the public hearing.
Gary Green, Jeff Peters (PLSA), and Meloney Rosen (Habitat for Humanity)
expressed support for the project and encouraged Council to adopt the project.
With no one else coming forward or calling in to speak, Mayor Brown closed the
public hearing.
The City Clerk read the resolution by title only.
MOTION: Glenn moved and Roy seconded to adopt the resolution. The
motion carried by 6-0 roll call vote; Berg absent. The resolution affirms the
Hearing Examiner's recommendation for approval of the preliminary plat.
RESOLUTION NO. R-2026-134, A RESOLUTION approving the Preliminary
Long Plat of The Vine, a 5-lot subdivision, located at 1501 Conrad Ave.
9) Department Items
9.A Public Meeting to consider the Notice of Intent to commence the Columbia Ridge
Homes Annexation in the vicinity of N 96th Ave., Summitview Ave., and N 98th Ave.
Planning Manager Trevor Martin reviewed the information related to the proposed
annexation consisting of approximately 9.74 acres located in the vicinity of N. 96th
Avenue, Summitview Avenue, and N. 98th Avenue. Mr. Martin described the
annexation process.
After Council discussion,
MOTION: Byers moved and Roy seconded to direct staff to collect 60% of
the signatures, the petition must be signed by the owners of not less than
sixty percent in value according to the assessed valuation for general
taxation of the property for which annexation is petitioned. The motion
carried by a unanimous vote; Berg absent.
August 18, 2026 -Yakima City Council Meeting Minutes Page 4 of 5
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9.B Proposal to expend the Affordable Housing (1406) funds
Assistant City Manager Gary Ballew briefed Council on the proposal for the use
of the 1406 Affordable Housing Tax Credit funds. The 1406 Fund allows for the
construction of affordable housing or supportive housing facilities for people with
behavioral health disorders; operations and maintenance costs of affordable or
supportive housing; and rental assistance to tenants.
Several agencies have expressed interest in partnering with the city; therefore,
staff recommended a Request for Proposal (RFP) process which would allow for a
competitive process, weighting scoring criteria, and can require a covenant on the
property intended for use. The Council agreed for staff to initiate an RFP process.
10) City Manager Update
10.A Preview of upcoming topics
City Manager Baker shared her experience at the Washington City/County
Management Association Conference. Ms. Baker reported on upcoming topics
related to a discussion about utility billing practices.
11) Other Business
None.
12) Adjournment
MOTION: Byers moved and Glenn seconded to adjourn to the next City Council
special meeting on August 25, 2026, at 5:30 p.m. in the City Hall Council
Chambers. The motion carried by unanimous vote; Berg absent.
The meeting adjourned at 7:29 p.m.
CERTIFICATION
READ AND CERTIFIED ACCURATE BY
COUNCIL MEMBER DATE
l‘is) COUNCIL MEMBER DATE
ATTEST:
CITY CLERK MAYOR
August 18, 2026 -Yakima City Council Meeting Minutes Page 5 of 5
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YAKIMA CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
August 25, 2026
City Hall - Council Chambers - 129 N 2nd Street, Yakima WA
5:30 PM City Council Special 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
Mayor Brown led the Pledge of Allegiance.
2) Public Comment (allow 15 minutes)
Tony Courcy, City resident, spoke about stormwater utilities and mentioned a meeting
with a university relating to payment of utilities.
Avery Greg, City resident and President of Yakima Valley Landlords Association,
provided suggestions for improvements to the utility billing process.
3) Special Meeting Items
3.A Discussion About Utility Billing Practices
Director of Finance & Budget Craig Warner and Utility Customer Services Manager
Anabel Chavez presented detailed information about the City's current utility billing
collection practice and outlined potential areas for improvement. The city manages
approximately 33,000 utility accounts for five utilities which are billed on a bi-monthly
schedule. Staff noted that tenant accounts currently are the responsibility of the
owner and responded to questions from Councilmembers related to the topic.
Staff described issues related to their billing software and shared some potential
improvement considerations such as transitioning to a monthly billing cycle, offering
discounts for electronic bills and auto-pay, updating the deposit policy, and replacing
the existing utility billing software system. Mr. Warner highlighted challenges related
to the meter replacement project, "ghost" meters, deposit shortfalls, uncollectable
accounts, and the elimination of the penny. Further review and discussion is
necessary before any measures are fully implemented.
Additionally, Mr. Warner reported that the city will need to assume responsibility of
billing for the stormwater assessment beginning in 2027, as Yakima County's new
billing system will not continue to support this billing method. Staff will present
Council with options soon to determine the best path forward.
August 25, 2026 -Yakima City Council Meeting Minutes Page 1 of 2
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Next steps include conducting a survey to seek feedback from the community
and stakeholders about billing frequency, billing delivery options, and payment
options.
4) Adjournment
MOTION: Byers moved and Berg seconded to adjourn to the next City Council
regular meeting on September 1, 2026, at 5:30 p.m. in the City Hall Council
Chambers. The motion carried by unanimous vote.
The meeting adjourned at 7:02 p.m.
CERTIFICATION
READ AND CERTIFIED ACCURATE BY
COUNCIL MEMBER DATE
COUNCIL MEMBER DATE
ATTEST:
CITY CLERK MAYOR
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August 25, 2026 -Yakima City Council Meeting Minutes Page 2 of 2
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