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BUSINESS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
YAKIMA, WASHINGTON
AGENDA STATEMENT
Item No. 7.A.
For Meeting of: October 6, 2026
ITEM TITLE: Approval of minutes from the September 8, 2026 and September 15,
2026 City Council regular meetings
SUBMITTED BY: Rosalinda Ibarra, City Clerk
SUMMARY EXPLANATION:
ITEM BUDGETED:
STRATEGIC PRIORITY 24-25:
RECOMMENDATION:
ATTACHMENTS:
Minutes_09-08-2026_D RAFT
Minutes 09-15-2026 DRAFT
32
Aria.
YAKIMA CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
September 8, 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 5:30 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 Deputy City Clerk
Brandy Bradford
2) Pledge of Allegiance
Mayor Brown led the Pledge of Allegiance.
3) Interpreter Services
Mayor Brown introduced Marivy Vasquez who announced interpreter services are
available in Spanish.
4) Good of the Order
4.A Recognition of retirement for Bob Romero, Yakima Family YMCA Chief Executive
Officer
The City Council recognized Yakima Family YMCA CEO Bob Romero for his
retirement and thanked him for his contributions to the city and its residents.
5) Public Comment
Sue Fenich, City resident, questioned the decision-making authority related to Mark
Peterson's litigation case.
Troy Cunningham, City resident, spoke about the safety conditions at Camp Hope and
its Director Mike Kay.
Andreina Rangel (County resident), Zachary Galland (City resident), and Joseph Kopsick
(City resident via Zoom) spoke about transparency and surveillance concerns related to
Flock and ALPR cameras and requested that Council terminate the current contract.
Tony Courcy, City resident, mentioned grant money, postal delivery at the Courthouse
and an ongoing water right claim.
Thomas McCormick, City resident, offered a moment of silence to honor Dolly Parton
and suggested that a building be named after Lance Tormey, a long-time radio host.
6) Council Reports
None.
September 8, 2026 -Yakima City Council Meeting Minutes Page 1 of 3
33
7) Consent Agenda
None.
8) Public Hearings
None.
9) Department Items
9.A Comprehensive Plan Presentation Update - Part 1
Planning Manager Trevor Martin presented information about Yakima's 2050
Comprehensive Plan update. He explained the purpose of the plan, described
the extensive public participation process and detailed summaries of major plan
elements. The Comprehensive Plan is required by state law and covers core
elements to establish long-range planning goals and policies to manage capacity
for growth, development, and public services. The updated Comprehensive Plan
must be completed by December 2026.
Mr. Martin highlighted key elements of the plan, including:
• Historic Preservation — guides how local governments direct the historic
preservation programs in their communities;
• Economic Development— an overview of Yakima's economy and employment
patterns to provide policy direction for maintaining, expanding, and attracting
economic activity;
• Capital Facilities —addresses public facilities such as water, sanitary sewer,
stormwater systems, schools, parks and recreational facilities, and police and
fire protection buildings;
• Utilities — reviews utilities provided by non-municipal providers (gas, electricity,
telecommunications) and emphasizes coordination with city growth plans;
• Parks and Recreation — identifies needs related to recreation programs and
activities to enhance the well-being of Yakima's residents, based on the
2022-2027 Yakima Parks and Recreation Comprehensive Master Plan;
• Natural Environment—covers air, water, soil, ecosystems, and the city's
Critical Areas Ordinance with goals focused on protecting water quality,
enhancing air quality, and implementing best practices for development;
• Shorelines —aligns with the State Shoreline Management Act; and,
• Energy—addresses renewable energy opportunities (wind, solar, geothermal),
development challenges, and energy efficient construction.
Council discussed matters related to housing needs, vacant buildings, lack of
downtown economic activity, and employment generating opportunities.
A second presentation will cover the Housing, Land Use, and Transportation
elements on September 15, 2026.
10) Council Open Discussion
None.
September 8, 2026 -Yakima City Council Meeting Minutes Page 2 of 3
34
11) City Manager Update
11.A Preview of upcoming topics
City Manager Baker shared that the Yakima School District's bond levy passage
will allow the construction of two elementary schools, Garfield and Hoover. The city
plans to coordinate the Garfield Elementary construction with the planned 6th Ave
improvements project to reduce traffic disruptions in the neighborhood.
Ms. Baker reported that upcoming topics include the second part of the
Comprehensive Plan Update presentation and Parks and Recreation capital
projects presentation. She also noted that budget discussions will begin in October.
12) Other Business
None
13) Adjournment
MOTION: Berg moved and Byers seconded to adjourn to the next City Council
regular meeting on September 15, 2026, at 5:30 p.m. in the City Hall Council
Chambers. The motion carried by unanimous vote.
The meeting adjourned at 6:40 p.m.
CERTIFICATION
READ AND CERTIFIED ACCURATE BY
11111111Nim
COUNCIL MEMBER DATE
COUNCIL MEMBER DATE
ATTEST:'
CITY CLERK MAYOR
September 8, 2026 -Yakima City Council Meeting Minutes Page 3 of 3
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YAKIMA CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
September 15, 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 5:30 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
Mayor Brown introduced Jorge Villasenor who announced interpreter services are
available in Spanish.
4) Open Discussion for the Good of the Order
None.
5) Public Comment
Zachary Galland (City resident), Natalie Montoya (City resident), and Amanda G. (Selah
resident) spoke against Flock cameras and asked that funds be invested in other programs.
Kyra Smith, City resident, addressed negative comments made about community
members and called for the resignation of several Council members.
Trevor Greene, Yakima School District Superintendent, commented on the investment in
community economic development made through the recently passed Yakima School
bond, which will fund the replacement of Hoover Elementary and Garfield Elementary.
Tony Courcy, City resident, talked about crosswalks and grant funds in the City of Yakima.
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. 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.)
September 15, 2026 -Yakima City Council Meeting Minutes Page 1 of 4
36
MOTION: Berg moved and Beyers seconded to approve the consent agenda. The
motion carried by a 7-0 roll call vote.
7.A Approval of minutes from the September 1, 2026 City Council regular meeting
7.B August 2026 Investment Transaction Report
7.0 Approve payment of disbursements for the period August 1 - 31, 2026
7.D Resolution authorizing a supplemental agreement with HLA Engineering & Land
Surveying Inc for the Bravo Company Boulevard Utilities Project 2770
RESOLUTION NO. R-2026-138, A RESOLUTION authorizing a supplemental
agreement with HLA Engineering and Land Surveying, Inc. to provide professional
construction management, observation and administration services for the Bravo
Company Boulevard Utilities Project 2770.
7.E Resolution authorizing a contract with TTC Construction, Inc. for the Bravo Company
Boulevard Utilities Project 2770
RESOLUTION NO. R-2026-139, A RESOLUTION authorizing a contract with TTC
Construction, Inc. to conduct the construction of the Bravo Company Boulevard
Utilities Project 2770.
7.F Resolution authorizing the acceptance of a SIED grant from Yakima County to
study enhancing air cargo at the Yakima Airport
RESOLUTION NO. R-2026-140, A RESOLUTION authorizing the City Manager to
accept a Supporting Investments in Economic Development (SIED) grant award from
Yakima County for the Cargo and M RO Feasibility Study at Yakima Air Terminal-
McAllister Field (YKM) and authorizing execution of the SIED Contract YC 2026-02.
7.G Resolution authorizing a Memorandum of Understanding with the Bureau of
Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) as it relates to the ATF Violent
Crime Task Force
RESOLUTION NO. R-2026-141, A RESOLUTION authorizing a Memorandum of
Understanding between the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives
("ATF") and the Yakima Police Department as it relates to the ATF Violent Crime
Task Force.
7.H Resolution authorizing a Memorandum of Agreement with the United States
Department of Justice, Drug Enforcement Administration
RESOLUTION NO. R-2026-142, A RESOLUTION authorizing the Chief of Police
to execute the Memorandum of Agreement between the United States Department
of Justice, Drug Enforcement Administration and the Yakima Police Department.
7.1 Resolution authorizing an agreement with Stephens & Sons Construction Inc. for
the construction of the Fire Station 95 Bunkroom Remodeling Project 2895
RESOLUTION NO. R-2026-143, A RESOLUTION authorizing an agreement with
Stephens & Sons Construction Inc. for the construction of the Fire Station 95
Bunkroom Remodeling Project 2895.
7.J Ordinance amending Yakima Municipal Code Chapter 10.05 Fire Code to comply
with R-2023-041 Fire Code Permit Fees
ORDINANCE NO. 2026-030, AN ORDINANCE amending the City of Yakima
Municipal Code Chapter 10.05 Fire Code to correct the method for calculating
permit fees.
September 15, 2026 -Yakima City Council Meeting Minutes Page 2 of 4
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8) Public Hearings
None.
9) Department Items
9.A Parks and Recreation Capital Projects Presentation
Parks and Recreation Manager Ken Wilkinson presented an update on the
following Parks and Recreation capital projects:
• Franklin Park Pool main drain repair
• Elks Park Little League outfield fence and ADA walkway
• Fisher Park Golf Course safety netting
• Chesterley Park outdoor exercise equipment
• Kiwanis Park Gateway Sports Complex storage building
• Larson Park rotary club's improvements projects
• West Valley Community Park pedestrian bridge
MOTION: Byers moved and Berg seconded that staff come back to Council
at an appropriate time and bring back some formulation of ideas and
presentation on parks district. The motion carried by unanimous vote.
9.B Comprehensive Plan Update Presentation - Part 2
Planning Manager Trevor Martin introduced Ferdouse Oneza (BERK Consulting)
and Paul Sharman (Transpo Group) who presented an overview of the Yakima
Comprehensive Plan 2050 update, focusing on Land Use, Housing, and
Transportation elements. The consultant team outlined the plan's required
elements and noted new state mandates and major updates primarily affecting
housing requirements.
Key goals, policies and supporting background information was provided for the
following elements:
• Land Use - identified the need for increased housing diversity, opportunities
for economic growth in downtown and mixed-use centers, and challenges
related to climate impacts and land use compatibility;
• Housing - addressed housing needs across income groups, preservation of
existing housing, and displacement risks due to housing shortages, cost
burdens among households, and increased demand for special needs and
senior housing; and,
• Transportation - introduced multimodal level of service standards for vehicles,
pedestrians, bicycles and transit with a focus on connectivity, active
transportation, and corridor improvements.
Staff also reported on the anticipated transportation budget shortfall and identified
potential strategies for addressing funding gaps including delaying improvement
projects, exploring impact fees, pursuing additional grant awards, tax increment
financing, voter approved bond/tax funding, and local improvement districts.
Next steps include a 60-day review of the Comprehensive Plan and development
regulations by the Washington State Department of Commerce, followed by a
public hearing and final adoption by the City Council later this year.
September 15, 2026 -Yakima City Council Meeting Minutes Page 3 of 4
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10) City Manager Update
10.A Preview of upcoming topics
City Manager Vicki Baker shared that the ribbon cutting ceremony for the new
YWCA emergency shelter expansion center will happen on September 16th. The
Yakima Fire Department staff promotional ceremony will also take place on
September 16th
Director of Finance and Budget Craig Warner reported that the three recent State
audits resulted in no findings, marking this the first time since 2017. He thanked the
Finance Division and City staff for their efforts in making this outcome possible.
Ms. Baker reported that upcoming agenda topics include a discussion on opioid
treatment programs, two public hearings relating to a preliminary plat and Secure
Community Transition Facilities, ordinance options relating to the County's live Flock
cameras, grant funding from Comprehensive Health for police officer wellness, and
budget discussions will begin on October 13th
11) Other Business
MOTION: Byers moved and Berg seconded to prepare a Harvest marching band
festival proclamation to be placed on the October 6th agenda. The motion carried
by unanimous vote.
Council asked staff to research and prepare a reduction to the Lodging Tax Advisory
Committee (LTAC) quorum to five members for attendance and business needs.
12) Adjournment
MOTION: Berg moved and Beyers seconded to adjourn to the next City Council
regular meeting on October 6, 2026, at 5:30 p.m. in the City Hall Council Chambers.
The motion carried by unanimous vote.
The meeting adjourned at 7:25 p.m.
CERTIFICATION
READ AND CERTIFIED ACCURATE BY
COUNCIL MEMBER DATE
COUNCIL MEMBER DATE
ATTEST:
CITY CLERK MAYOR
September 15, 2026 -Yakima City Council Meeting Minutes Page 4 of 4
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