HomeMy WebLinkAbout11/28/2023 Study Session 243
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MINUTES
YAKIMA CITY COUNCIL
STUDY SESSION
November 28, 2023
City Hall —Council Chambers -129 N 2nd Street, Yakima, WA
5:00 p.m. Study Session -meeting conducted in person and virtually via Zoom.
1. Roll Call
Present: Mayor Janice Deccio, presiding;Assistant Mayor Soneya Lund and
Councilmembers Matt Brown, Patricia Byers, Holly Cousens, Danny Hen-era and Eliana
Macias
Staff: City Manager Robert Harrison, City Attorney Sara Watkins and City Clerk Rosalinda
I Barra
2. Public comment(allow 15 minutes)
Jeanna Hemandez, resident, spoke against proposed utility tax increase.
Genovieve Ramirez, General Manager of Cowiche Canyon Kitchen, commented on
downtown parking and enforcement issues.
3. Presentation on Rates and Fees
Director of Finance and Budget Mark Roberts introduced the presentation on rates and fees
and noted the City's ability to charge reasonable fees to recover costs to provide services.
Director of Yakima Air Terminal Robert Hodgman briefed Council regarding the evaluation of
airport rates and charges and explained the proposed gradual increase to their fees.
Planning Manager Joseph Calhoun briefed Council on the updated land use fees as
proposed by the FCS Group Fee Study recommendations.
Code Administration Manager Glenn Denman briefed Council on the International Code
Council's Building Valuation Data Table (BVDT)and noted a slight reduction to the plumbing,
mechanical, building and construction-related permit fees.
Parks and Recreation Manager Ken Wilkinson presented information on the 2024 proposed
fee schedule for recreation facilities, programs, and services, including Tahoma Cemetery,
Fisher Park Golf Course, aquatics, Harman Center, and Washington Fruit Community
Center.
Yakima Police Chief Matthew Murray and Corrections and Police Services Commander
Maritza Davis provided information about a proposal to retain the Crime Free Rental Housing
Program.
4. Final Discussion on 2024 Mid-Biennial Budget
MOTION: Byers moved and Cousens seconded to recess for 5 minutes. The motion
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carried by unanimous vote. The meeting recessed for a break at 6:05 p.m. and reconvened
at 6:12 p.m.
Director of Finance and Budget Mark Roberts introduced the final discussion on the
proposed 2024 Mid-Biennial budget for the City of Yakima. Roberts highlighted the
breakdown of the 2024 estimated property tax calculation, reported on projected revenues
and expenditures, provided an update on the ARPA funds, and the proposed utility tax
increase.
5. Proposed Ordinance(s)to Increase "in lieu" Utility Tax-Amending YMC Chapter 7.64 Water,
Wastewater, Stormwater and Refuse Revenue Tax
City Manager Robert Harrison briefed Council on the proposed ordinances to increase "in-
lieu" utility taxes. The City Clerk read the ordinances by title only.
AN ORDINANCE amending the City of Yakima Municipal Code Section 7.64.020 Water and
wastewater tax.
AN ORDINANCE amending the City of Yakima Municipal Code Section 7.64.030 Refuse
tax.
AN ORDINANCE amending the City of Yakima Municipal Code Section 7.64.040
Stormwater tax.
MOTION: Herrera moved and Macias seconded to pass all three ordinances. The
motion failed by a 4-3 roll call vote due to the lack of a minimum affirmative vote of five
members as required by the Yakima City Charter; Brown, Byers and Cousens voting no.
6. Discussion regarding consistency in board, committee and commission processes and
procedures
City Attorney Sara Watkins provided information regarding consistency in board, committee
and commission processes and procedures.After discussion, no changes were suggested.
7. Adjournment
MOTION: Lund moved and Cousens seconded to adjourn to the next Council
regular meeting on December 5, 2023 at 5:30 p.m. in the City Hall Council
Chambers. The motion carried by unanimous vote. The meeting adjourned at 6:37 p.m.
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