HomeMy WebLinkAbout01/30/2019 Special Meeting474
YAKIMA CITY COUNCIL
SPECIAL MEETING
January 30, 2019
Yakima Convention Center Room F
10 a.m. to noon -- H2A Worker Housing Forum -- MINUTES
1. Roll Call
Council: Mayor Kathy Coffey, presiding, Assistant Mayor Dulce Gutierrez, Council Members Brad
Hill, Carmen Mendez, and Jason White
Staff: City Manager Moore and Acting City Clerk Stephens
Absent: Council Member Kay Funk (excused), and Holly Cousens (excused)
2. H2A Temporary Worker Housing Forum
Larry Mattson, Executive Director of Yakima Valley Conference of Governments (YVCOG), stated
the purpose of this meeting is to explore a regional approach to locating H2A worker housing and
determine if this is a concern of other cities in the valley. Additionally, the meeting is also to discuss
the potential impacts and mitigation of expanded H2A housing. Mr. Mattson reviewed the format of
the forum, ground rules, and held an opening conversations exercise.
Mr. Mattson introduced Mike Gempler, Executive Director of Washington Growers League, Marty
Miller, Executive Director of Office of Rural and Farmworker Housing, and Michele Besso, with the
Northwest Justice Project. Each of them shared experiences from their organizations of how they are
involved with H2A housing, best practices, the various types of housing, and where H2A housing is
throughout the state.
Some general concerns mentioned were: farmers buying up hotels and other rental properties for
their own farmworkers, which may exacerbate the current shortage of affordable housing, the
unintended zoning issues with municipalities, and the need for health and safety.
Discussions took place about the overall affordable housing shortage and the need for policies to be
in place to encourage building more affordable housing and H2A housing that can adapt to the
changing demographics.
Mr. Mattson and the City Council thanked everyone for attending and encouraged anyone with
comments or suggestion to contact either the City or YVCOG.
3. Adjournment
MOTION: Coffey moved and Mendez seconded to adjourn to a City Council Business
Meeting on February 5, 2019, at 6 p.m. at City Hall. The motion carried by unanimous vote,
Cousens and Funk absent. The meeting adjourned at 11:51 a.m.
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