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Home My WebLink About11/04/2024 09.A. Draft 2025 City of Yakima State and Federal Legislative Priorities i4 e+ /A L4141110 !1— i,i BUSINESS OF THE CITY COUNCIL YAKIMA, WASHINGTON AGENDA STATEMENT Item No. 9.A. For Meeting of: November 4, 2024 ITEM TITLE: Draft 2025 City of Yakima State and Federal Legislative Priorities SUBMITTED BY: Randy Beehler, Communications & Public Affairs Director SUMMARY EXPLANATION: Draft 2025 State and Federal Legislative Priorities have been developed based on observation of issues the Council has focused on in 2024, progress made on the City's 2024 state and federal legislative priorities, input from the City's contracted lobbyists in Olympia and Washington, D.C., City senior staff input, and review of legislative priorities established by other municipal advocacy organizations. The Council is being asked to consider adopting 2025 State and Federal Legislative Priorities at its November 4th regular meeting. ITEM BUDGETED: Yes STRATEGIC PRIORITY 24-25: A Thriving Yakima RECOMMENDATION: Adopt the 2025 State and Federal Priorities. ATTACHMENTS: City of Yakima 2025 State Legislative Priorities - Draft.doc City of Yakima 2025 Federal Legislative Priorities - Draft.docx 150 at7 , , • r �`1 �RPpfi hT P.M17 x��bw cex+Cr a City of Yakima 2025 State Legislative Priorities Actively Pursue - Full state funding of county and city public defense - Legislation and state funding designed to reduce the high rate of domestic violence present in Washington State through enforcement, additional housing, and other support for victims - State funding provided directly to cities to manage the effects of homelessness including code enforcement, removal of debris from public rights-of-way, cleaning of sidewalks, etc. - Regulatory and legislative advocacy to preserve community access to health care services, including additional funding for mental health response assistance to local governments and mental health providers - Funding for continued development of public infrastructure at the former mill site property - Funding for the modernization of the Yakima Air Terminal/McAllister Field (YKM) terminal building and the study of YKM as a site for a new regional airport Support - Funding requests for Yakima Basin Integrated Plan projects - Efforts to replace the one percent property tax revenue increase limit to tie it to inflation and population growth factors - Increased state funding in the Affordable Housing Trust Fund, funds for affordable housing, and funds to reduce homelessness including additional funding rounds for CHIP grants - Efforts to increase intergovernmental shared revenue to previous levels - Efforts to expand the ability and flexibility of cities to use Real Estate Excise Tax (REET) funds for additional capital needs, including maintenance and operation, and to support affordable housing - Efforts to reduce the impact of abusive public records requests and litigation Monitor - Legislation providing greater flexibility in the use of public funds for economic development purposes - Efforts to reduce abuse related to Labor and Industries claims - Modification of authorized outlets for publishing official local government notices 151 ..„,,„, o r�Yfi ,k��, 2025 A...... +, A.., .. :,.....—. �� • FEDE ' LAG DA .. . „ #0 ,1�# ..,‘ # • #, o••• .•• ,,, HE HEART OF CENTRAL WASHINGTON i'it1 ` l� iOR AT`0 _ xx __. Transportation Environment Public Safety Housing �_. a 1 m a 1-g rik, -, .,--- . III -- �", - , � , Transpe n 72nd Avenue Roundabout Safety Project The 72nd Avenue and Washington Avenue roundabout project in Yakima is a transformative initiative that prioritizes safety, sustainability, and community well-being. With the project design now complete and $1 million secured from WSDOT, this redesign aims to reduce collisions and improve safety for all road users, including pedestrians and cyclists.The roundabout will enhance traffic flow and promote environmentally friendly transportation options, ultimately reducing pollution and fostering a healthier community. The city is now seeking an additional $2 million to bring this vital project to fruition, reinforcing our commitment to safe, accessible, and sustainable infrastructure for all residents. Airport Yakima Airport West Terminal Modernization Project: $3-5M The West Terminal and Ticket Counter Modernization aims to create a more welcoming, accessible, and secure airport experience. Supporting airline operations by enhancing accessibility will streamline passenger flow, bolster security, and reduce congestion. This will benefit travelers from all backgrounds and contribute to a more efficient and usable airport. Yakima Airport Electric Aviation Enhancement Initiative: $2.5M 152 The Yakima Airport (YKM) is requesting$2.5 million to install two aircraft charging stations, crucial for supporting all-electric and hybrid-electric aircraft as advanced air mobility evolves. With the cc 153 modernization of the passenger terminal already in progress, YKM aims to become a key hub for electric aviation, allowing travelers from small community airports to connect without the hassle of large airports like SEA. These charging stations will enable a sustainable mode of travel, reducing emissions and noise while also providing significant cost savings for consumers. By enhancing local air travel options, this initiative will improve accessibility for remote and disadvantaged communities, ultimately fostering greater economic impact and connectivity across the region. Environment Yakima Water Access and Equity Initiative: $2M In Southeast Yakima, over 70% of residents are Hispanic, and nearly half live in poverty, with many lacking access to reliable drinking water and wastewater services. The Yakima Water Access and Equity Initiative aims to extend these essential services to underserved areas, requesting$2 million in federal funding for its first phase. This initiative seeks to improve public health, enhance fire protection, and alleviate economic strain on low-income residents. By addressing critical infrastructure needs, the project promotes equitable growth and environmental sustainability in the community. Mill Site Feasibility: $2M The City is working with our Dept of Ecology partners, with input from the Yakama Nation, to determine final environmental cleanup efforts at the Mill Site. A Remedial Investigation has been completed and the Conceptual Site Model is underway. The results of the previous work will facilitate a Feasibility Analysis that will provide options for cleanup and future use of the site. Columbia River Stormwater Enhancement Plan: $1.2M The City of Yakima plans to enhance stormwater management in downtown areas to improve water quality in the Columbia River, which is crucial for local fish populations. The project has a total budget of$1.2 million and includes installing catch basins, infiltration trenches, and regrading to improve traffic flow and reduce maintenance needs. By implementing Best Management Practices (BMPs), the initiative aims to retain stormwater on-site and minimize pollutants that currently harm the river.This effort not only protects the river's ecosystem but also supports the health and resources of the Yakima Nation. 154 Public Safety Public Safety Enhancement Initiative: $1.3M The Public Safety Enhancement Initiative focuses on critical upgrades and replacements for fire infrastructure to ensure the safety and efficiency of emergency services.This comprehensive project includes enhancements such as training tower upgrades, alerting system improvements, and essential equipment replacements at various fire stations. By investing in these vital resources, the initiative aims to strengthen the community's overall public safety and emergency response capabilities. Housing Passage of H.R. 7024—the Tax Relief for American Families and Workers Act of 2024. This bill introduces several significant changes to the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC), meant to help finance a guesstimated 200,000 more affordable homes, which includes: •Restoration of the 12.5%Allocation Increase: The bill reinstates a 12.5% increase in the LIHTC allocation, which had expired in 2021.This increase will be in effect from 2023 through 2025. •Reduction of the Private Activity Bond Financing Requirement: The requirement to access the 4% LIHTC is reduced from 50%to 30%for 2024 and 2025. This change aims to make it easier for developers to finance affordable housing projects. Contact For further information, please reach out to us at Address: 129 N 2nd Street Phone: 509-901-1142 Email- randy.beehler@yakimawa.gov Website: www.yakimawa.gov 155