HomeMy WebLinkAbout11/12/2019 Study Session 1 1 1
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YAKIMA CITY COUNCIL
STUDY SESSION
November 12, 2019
City Hall --Council Chambers
5:30 p.m. MINUTES
1. Roll Call
Council: Mayor Kathy Coffey, presiding,Assistant Mayor Dulce Gutierrez, Council Members
Holly Cousens, Kay Funk, Brad Hill (present at 5:44 p.m.)and Jason White
Staff: Interim City Manager Alex Meyerhoff, City Attorney Jeff Cutter and City Clerk Sonya
Claar Tee
Absent: Councilmember Carmen Mendez
Mayor Coffey reminded Council members of the Principles of Conduct. Councilmember
Cousens reported at the last meeting there were some comments made by another member
that she felt were inappropriate.
Mayor Coffey stated before discussing homeless issues she would like to inform Council
that the City received a request from the Yakima Police Athletic League (YPAL)for a letter of
support for a grant application. Senior Assistant City Attorney Sara Watkins noted the GRIT
Committee is also applying for this grant. City Clerk Claar Tee stated the Council cannot take
action on items not listed on the agenda. MOTION: Funk moved and Cousens
seconded to suspend the rules. The motion carried by unanimous vote, Mendez and Hill
absent. MOTION: Cousens moved and Funk seconded to approve the letter of
support for YPAL. The motion carried by unanimous vote, Mendez and Hill absent.
2. Homeless Issues - Future Options
Senior Assistant City Attorney Sara Watkins presented a PowerPoint on homeless issues
and future options.Assistant Public Works Director Dave Brown reported on the Clean City
Program. Mayor Coffey asked that staff communicate the process and timeline for the Clean
City Program process to Council. Ms. Watkins discussed the temporary encampments
allowed on religious organization property and that the City could enact a permit process for
such encampments. Councilmember White stated he would like this to include a review
of motorhome parking, sleeping in vehicles and safe vehicle parking lots.
MOTION: Gutierrez moved and Cousens seconded to send this (enacting a permit
process for temporary homeless encampments on property owned by religious
organizations) to the Planning Commission. The motion carried by unanimous vote,
Mendez absent.
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3. Vacant Building Ordinance / International Property Maintenance Code
Community Development Director Joan Davenport reported on abandoned and dangerous
vacant buildings.Acting Code Manager Glenn Denman briefed Council on the International
Property Maintenance Code and recommended the City adopt this code. After Council
discussion, MOTION: Hill moved and Funk seconded to direct staff to bring back a
draft ordinance with relevant parts of the International Property Maintenance Code.
The motion carried by unanimous vote, Mendez absent.
4. Council review of Ch. 11.45 - Chronic Nuisance Properties
Senior Assistant City Attorney Bronson Faul briefed Council on the chronic nuisance property
ordinance and recommended updating the ordinance and adding an appeal process.After
Council discussion, it was Council consensus to have staff expand the definition of
chronic nuisance properties and bring back to Council for review.
5. Public comment (allow 15 minutes)
Aileen Kane, City resident, thanked Council for their good work this evening. She suggested
Council review the City of Philadelphia's urban homestead project from the 70's and
cautioned against including domestic violence issues in a chronic nuisance property
ordinance.
Tony Courcy, City resident, spoke on several topics. Joey Anderson, City
resident, suggested there should be rules and regulations for landlords to receive a business
license.
Mike Kay, City resident and Camp Hope Director, suggested the City drop the word crisis
as homeless issues have been going on for several years and that there are many dedicated
providers in the City that are assisting. He commended City staff for working hard to assist
the homeless.
6. Adjournment
MOTION: Gutierrez moved and Cousens seconded to adjourn to the next City
Council regular meeting on November 19, 2019, at 5:30 p.m. at City Hall. The motion
carried by unanimous vote. The meeting adjourned at 7:23 p.m.
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