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MINUTES
YAKIMA CITY COUNCIL
STUDY SESSION
October 10, 2023
City Hall — Council Chambers -129 N 2nd Street, Yakima, WA
4:45 p.m. Executive Session; 5 p.m. Study Session I Conducted in person and virtually via
Zoom.
Roll Call
Present: Mayor Janice Deccio, presiding; Assistant Mayor Soneya Lund and
Councilmembers Matt Brown, Patricia Byers, Holly Cousens, Danny Herrera, and Eliana
Macias (attending remotely via Zoom)
Staff: City Manager Bob Harrison (attending remotely via Zoom), Assistant City Manager
Rosylen Oglesby, City Attorney Sara Watkins, and City Clerk Rosalinda Ibarra
2. Executive session to consider the selection of a site or acquisition of real estate by lease or
purchase under R C W 42.30.110(1)(b)
MOTION: Lund moved and Byers seconded to adjourn to Executive Session for 15
minutes to consider the selection of a site or acquisition of real estate by lease or
purchase under RCW 42.30.110(1)(b). The motion carried by unanimous vote.
Present for Executive Session: Mayor Deccio, Assistant Mayor Lund, and Councilmembers
Brown, Byers, Cousens, Herrera, and Macias (attending remotely via phone)
Executive Session was held at 4:46 p.m. and adjourned at 5:01 p.m., at which time the
meeting reconvened.
Councilmember Cousens requested a moment of silence to recognize and reflect on the
recent events in Israel.
3. Public comment (allow 15 minutes)
Eric Silvers, resident, reported that the community rally for the MLK aquatic center was a
success and the foundation received additional pledges. He encouraged the community to
keep the momentum going.
Joey Anderson, District 2 resident, spoke about transparency and accountability in city
government officials. She stated councilmembers need to be less partisan in order to work
together without creating additional conflict.
4. Mid -Biennial Budget - Session 1 of 2
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Assistant City Manager Rosylen Oglesby briefed Council on the proposed mid -biennial
budget modifications for fiscal year 2024. She noted that this budget presentation reflects the
potential utility tax increases and is intended to provide Council an overview of the proposed
revenue and expenditure forecast and its impact on the City's financial reserves in the second
year. The City of Yakima's strategic priorities include public safety, fiscal sustainability,
housing, strengthening partnership, and investment in infrastructure.
5. Proposed revenue sources (including but not limited to Utility Tax Increase, Admission Tax
and Impact Fees)
Assistant City Manager Rosylen Oglesby briefed Council on proposed revenue sources
which included utility tax increases, admission tax, impact fees, and levy lid lift.
I mpact fees are one-time charges assessed for new development projects that directly
address the increased demand for services created by that development and cannot be used
to correct existing deficiencies. The process to establish impact fees will require additional
research and analysis based on what fee(s) are collected.
An admission tax is a tax added to the ticket price that attendees pay to enter an
entertainment facility or a charge to participate in an entertainment activity; however, there are
exemptions from the admission tax. The admission tax rate is 0.05 (5%).
Proposed utility taxes increases include water, wastewater, solid waste, and stormwater. The
amount expected to be generated with the utility tax increases is estimated at $2.7 million.
The levy lid lift requires voter approval to "lift" the total levy amount collected from the current
assessed valuation by more than 1 %.
Ms. Oglesby noted that State law requires cities adopt a balanced budget and in order to
achieve that, revenue sources need to be implemented or additional reductions need to be
identified. After discussion, Council wanted more time to consider the options presented and
talk to constituents regarding their concerns and understanding of the potential impacts.
6. Equity Issues
CityAttomey Sara Watkins presented examples of equity mission statements from other
jurisdictions. Council considered possible next steps with regards to equity issues. After
discussion,
MOTION: Macias moved and Herrera seconded to direct the Community Integration
Committee to develop an equity vision statement using examples and feedback
presented and other research available to them. The motion carried by unanimous vote.
MOTION: Cousens moved Lund seconded to add to a future study session the topic
of creating a land acknowledgment for the City of Yakima. The motion carried by
unanimous vote.
7. Adjournment
MOTION: Lund moved and Cousens seconded to adjourn to the next Council
regular meeting on October 17, 2023, at 5:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers at City
Hall. The motion carried by unanimous vote. The meeting adjourned at 5:54 p.m.
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