HomeMy WebLinkAbout07/05/2016 Special Meeting 432
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YAKIMA CITY COUNCIL
SPECIAL MEETING
July 5,2016
City Hall -- Council Chambers
10 a.m. -- MINUTES
1. Roll Call
Council: MayorAvina Gutierrez, presiding, Assistant Mayor Holly Cousens, Council Members
Maureen Adkison, Kathy Coffey, Dulce Gutierrez, Bill Lover and Carmen Mendez
Staff: Acting City Manager /Attorney Kunkler and City Clerk Claar Tee
2. Review locations for a temporary homeless encampment
Mayor Gutierrez led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Mayor Gutierrez stated she called this special meeting to attempt a resolution regarding the
homeless encampment along Chestnut and 6th Street and to offer some relief to the neighbors.
Acting City Manager /Attorney Kunkler recapped the homeless encampment locations, to include a
new location, at the parking lot on the corner of 3rd Street and Walnut, across from Richard A. Zais Jr.
Center for Law and Justice (YPD). He confirmed that once an encampment is established, then
Codes can enforce no camping on the City's right -of -way.
Chief Rizzi presented a memo on why he believes the parking lot across from YPD would not be a
good choice. He suggested having more than one location in order not to have so many people
concentrated in one encampment.
MOTION: Cousens moved and A. Gutierrez seconded to move the homeless encampment to the
City -owned parking lot at 3rd Street and Walnut. The motion failed by a 4 -3 vote with Adkison, Coffey,
Lover and Mendez voting no.
Don Hinman, Chair of Yakima Neighborhood Health Services (YNHS), suggested Council slow down
the process as housing vouchers should be available the first of August. Council Member Coffey
asked YNHS if they were willing to provide its vacant lot, which is next to where the homeless are
camping, for an encampment. Anita Monoian, Chief Executive Officer of YNHS, stated they do not
want to upset the neighbors any further; however, if this is where the City would like to have the
encampment, they would assist. Don Hinman, Chair of YNHS suggested the City install fencing on the
lot if it is to be utilized for this purpose. Annette Rodriguez, Homeless Services Director, YNHS,
shared her belief that an increase in locations will mean an increase in the number of homeless
staying at the locations.
Sarah Watkins, Senior Assistant City Attorney, noted if the Council decides to utilize the vacant lot
owned by YNHS, the City would need to adopt a resolution to suspend zoning and allow temporary
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camping at that location.
Audience participation: Maud Scott, City resident, asked that the commentary about her
neighborhood be more respectful. Miz Dee, City resident, spoke in support of YNHS.
After further Council discussion,
MOTION: Coffey moved and D. Gutierrez seconded to request YNHS allow the City to set up
an encampment on their vacant lot and the City would put up a fence surrounding the lot,
and directed staff to bring a resolution to the meeting this evening that dictates the
encampment will only be until housing vouchers come through. The motion carried by
unanimous vote.
3. Adjournment
MOTION: D. Gutierrez moved and Cousens seconded to adjourn to the next Council
Business Meeting tonight, July 5, 2016, at 6 p.m. at the Convention Center, 10 N. 8th Street,
Yakima. The motion carried by unanimous vote. The meeting adjourned at 11:14 a.m.
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