HomeMy WebLinkAbout11/12/2024 Study Session 438
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YAKIMA CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
November 12, 2024
City Hall - Council Chambers - 129 N 2nd Street, Yakima, WA
5:00 PM City Council Study Session — conducted in person and remotely via Zoom.
1. Roll Call
Present: Mayor Patricia Byers, presiding; Assistant Mayor Matt Brown and Councilmembers
Reedy Berg, Janice Deccio, Rick Glenn, Danny Herrera and Leo Roy
Staff: City Manager Vicki Baker, City Attorney Sara Watkins and City Clerk Rosalinda Ibarra
2. Public Comment(allow 15 minutes)
Carina Cuevas and Yanilett Posos, Heritage University nursing students, commented in
support of the Harm Reduction Program.
3. Study Session Items
A. Yakima Health District - Harm Reduction Program presentation
Yakima Health District (YHD) representatives Andre Fresco, Dr. Neil Barg, and Melissa
Sixberry presented information about the Yakima County Harm Reduction Program and
services. The Syringe Services Program (SSP) provides individuals with access to sterile
supplies for safer substance use, overdose prevention tools and treatment resources.
The Yakima Health District's SSP also assists with syringe exchange, education and
training, naloxone/Narcan distribution, vaccine administration, basic wound care, disease
screening and patient referrals for drug treatment, disease management, housing, food,
and mental and behavioral health case management.
Discussion centered around metrics of success and specifics about syringe exchange
and tracking viability. The City Council did not take any action at this time.
B. Yakima Police Department - Drug Trends in Yakima 2024 presentation
Yakima Police Department Detective Erik Horbatko presented extensive information
related to current drug trends in the City of Yakima. He shared details about fentanyl,
methamphetamine, and cocaine usage and their negative impacts in the community.
Detective Horbatko also noted the danger these and other drugs cause to law
enforcement personnel and stressed for stiffer penalties at the judicial level.
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C. Discussion about Main Street Tax Credit, possible projects, and consideration of entering
into an agreement with the Downtown Association of Yakima (DAY)
City Manager Vicki Baker informed the Council about additional funding made available
through the Main Street Tax Credit program. With a pending deadline of November 15th
the city would need to apply for the tax credit and enter into an agreement for potential
projects identified for this funding. Curt Wilson, Executive Director of the Downtown
Association of Yakima (DAY), stated that the funds would be used for lighting to enhance
the downtown area and improve public safety.
After Council discussion,
MOTION: Deccio moved and Brown seconded to accept the contract amendment
that extends the promotional agreement between the City of Yakima and DAY. The
motion carried by 7-0 roll call vote.
The City Clerk read the resolution by title only.
RESOLUTION NO. R-2024-202, A RESOLUTION amending the Yakima Downtown
Development and Promotion Agreement, City Contract No. 2024-163.
4. Adjournment
MOTION: Brown moved and Deccio seconded to adjourn to the next City Council
regular meeting on November 19, 2024 at 5:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers at City Hall.
The motion carried by unanimous vote. The meeting adjourned at 7:06 p.m.
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