HomeMy WebLinkAbout08/08/2017 Special Meeting158
YANlK8ACITY COUNCIL
SPECIAL MEETING
August 8'3017
CdvHaU—Counci|Chanmbnns
1:30 p.m. Partnership Committee — MINUTES
1. Roll Call
Partnership Committee Chair Lover called the meeting to order and stated Committee Members
present are himself, Counci Members Adkison and Cousens. Others: Mayor Coffey and Councii
Member D. Gutierrez regarding item #1. Absent: Assistant Mayor Mendez (excused) and Council
MemberA. Gutierrez (excused)
Staff: Sonya Claar Tee, City Clerk
2. Partnership Committee Meeting
1. Federal legistative and administrative priorities specifically related to the federal Deferred
Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA).
Chair Lover announced this meeting has been noticed as a Special City Council meeting as Mayor
Coffey and Counc Member D. Gutierrez are in attendance to present a draft Ietter to President
Trump supporting DACA. Mayor Coffey reported earlier this year that the City Council agreed to
actively pursue comprehensive immigration reform as part of its Federal Legislative and
Administrative Priorities. Specifically, to pursue passage of the BRIDGE Act, which would formalize
key components of DACA.
Mayor Coffey noted that because the DACA program was created by executive order, it could be
rescinded or weakened if President Trump chose to take such action. The draftIetter in the agenda
packet encourages President Trump to avoid taking any action to rescind or weaken DACA. Mayor
Coffey noted the BRIDGE Act, which 4th District U.S. Representative Dan Newhouse is a co-
sponsor of, would make several key components of DACA into law. However, unless the BRIDGE
Act is passed by Congress, young immigrants who are eligible for DACA status or who have been
granted DACA status are at risk. Mayor Coffey and Council Member D. Gutierrez asked the
Committee to consider recommending to the full Council that the letter be sent to President Trump
expressing the City Council's support of DACA. MOTION: Cousens moved and Adkison
seconded to move this issue to the full Council. The motion carried by a 3-0 vote of the
Partnership Committee.
2. A request for a letter to be sent to various members of the U.S. Congress under Mayor
Coffeys signature regarding H.R. 2997.
Rob Peterson, Airport Director, reported H.R. 2997 contemplates the privatization of the U. S. air
traffic control oyStenn, which concerns the City regarding the potential negative effects privatization
could have on operations at the Yakima Air Terminal -McAllister Field, as well as others across the
nation. He is requesting a letter (draft included in the agenda packet) expressing the City's concerns
be sent to various members of U.S. Congress under the Mayor's signature. MOTION: Adkison
Page 1 of 2
159
moved and Cousens seconded to take this issue to the next Council meeting. The motion
carried by a 3-0 vote of the Partnership Committee.
3. A request from the City's Historic Preservation Commission for a letter to be sent to the
Yakima County Board of Commissioners under Commission Chair Molly Storr's signature
regarding funding generated from document recording fees.
Randy Beehler, Communications and Public Affairs Director, stated a draft letter under Historic
Preservation Commission Chair Molly Storr's signature is included in the agenda packet. This letter
would be sent from the City's Historic Preservation Commission to the County Commissioners
requesting one dollar of the five dollar surcharge for recording fees be utilized for historic
preservation. MOTION: Adkison moved and Cousens seconded to move this to the full
Council with a correction on the third paragraph. The motion carried by a 3-0 vote of the
Partnership Committee.
3. Adjournment
MOTION: Cousens moved and Adkison seconded to adjourn to a City Council Study
Session on August 14, 2017 at 10 a.m. in the Council Chambers. The motion carried by a 3-0
vote of the Partnership Committee. The meeting adjourned at 1:46 p.m.
CERTIFICATION
READ AND CERTIFIED ACCURATE BY
ATTEST:
7-
CO.UNC-111 MEMBER
2
)UNCI
MEMBER
c*- Z4-- /7
DATE
DATE
Page 2of2