HomeMy WebLinkAbout11/14/2023 Study Session 236
MINUTES
YAKIMA CITY COUNCIL
STUDY SESSION
November 14, 2023
City Hall —Council Chambers -129 N 2nd Street, Yakima, WA
5 p.m. Study Session -conducted in person and virtually via Zoom.
1. Roll Call
Present: Mayor Janice Deccio, presiding; Assistant Mayor Soneya Lund (attending remotely
via Zoom)and Councilmembers Matt Brown, Patricia Byers, Holly Cousens, and Danny
Herrera
Staff: City Manager Robert Harrison, City Attorney Sara Watkins, and City Clerk Rosalinda
I barra
Absent and Excused: Councilmember Eliana Macias
2. Public comment(allow 15 minutes)
None.
3. Introduction of Mark Roberts as the City's new Director of Finance and Budget
City Manager Bob Harrison introduced Mark Roberts as the new Director of Finance and
Budget for the City of Yakima.
4. Resolution authorizing a temporary agreement between the State of Washington Department
of Revenue and the City of Yakima Tourism Promotion Area for the administration and
collection of the tourism promotion lodging charges
City Attorney Sara Watkins briefed the Council on the proposed resolution. The City Clerk
read the resolution by title only.
MOTION: Cousens moved and Byers seconded to adopt the resolution. The motion
carried by a 6-0 vote; Macias absent.
RESOLUTION NO. R-2023-151,A RESOLUTION authorizing the Temporary Agreement
for the State Administration of the City of Yakima and Yakima County Tourism Promotion
Area Fees.
5. Opioid Use Disorder Discussion
City Attorney Sara Watkins introduced the discussion regarding opioid use disorders. The
participants in the discussion included: Erika Ochoa and Melissa Sixberry(Yakima Health
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District), Megan Tweedy(Community Activist), Dr. Gillian Zuckerman (Community Health of
Central Washington), Cassidy Leslie (Triumph Treatment), Dr. Jocelyn Pedrosa(Yakima
Neighborhood Health Services),Alicia Stromme Tobin (SAFE Yakima), Cynthia Martinez
(City of Yakima Prosecuting Attorney), and Dr. Frank Gamer(Chief Medical Officer,
Comprehensive Healthcare).
Erika Ochoa presented information about the history and benefits of the Yakima Health
District's Syringe Services Program (SSP)which is part of their Harm Reduction Program.
The SSP provides sterile injection supplies, safe disposal, critical services, linkage to care,
and referral resource to individuals.
Dr. Jocelyn Pedrosa presented data and information regarding strategies to address the
opioid crisis.
Each participant talked about the successes and challenges in their respective programs and
services offered in the community. Some of the successes noted include decrease in
mortality rates for people with opioid use disorder who receive medication assisted treatment;
increase in funding opportunities to provide awareness and prevention efforts; collaboration
with community providers. Some of the challenges noted include the ability to serve
individuals at their time of need; accessibility and availability of medical detox and in-patient
facilities; navigating the barriers with insurance companies; and lack of housing for
individuals.
6. Adjournment
MOTION: Cousens moved and Byers seconded to adjourn to the next Council
regular meeting on November 21, 2023 at 5:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers at City
Hall. The motion carried by unanimous vote. The meeting adjourned at 6:56 p.m.
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