HomeMy WebLinkAbout06/22/2018 Special MeetingYAKIMA CITY COUNCIL
SPECIAL MEETING
June 22, 2018
Council Chambers — City Hall
10:30 a.m. — MINUTES
343
1. Roll Call
Council: Mayor Kathy Coffey, presiding, Assistant Mayor Dulce Gutierrez, Council Members Holly
Cousens, Kay Funk, Brad Hill and Jason White
Staff: City Manager Moore, City Attorney Cutter and City Clerk Claar Tee
Absent: Council Member Carmen Mendez (excused)
2. Consideration of potential definitions of Hotel & Motel for Zoning Ordinance
City Manager Moore briefed Council on the ordinance distributed to Council creating a
moratorium pertaining to zoning applications or permits for extended stay hotels or motels. Council
Member Funk shared her concern about H2A workers who have other housing entitlements
displacing low income persons who are already residents of our community. Council Member White
shared his preference for Pasco's definition of hotel/motel use.
Joseph Calhoun, Planning Manager, described Pasco's definition. Mayor Coffey pointed out a letter
in the packet from John Cooper, CEO of Yakima Valley Tourism. Assistant Mayor Gutierrez stated
this is a complex issue and Council needs more time to deliberate.
Mayor Coffey opened the meeting to audience comments and there were none. Sara Watkins,
Senior Assistant City Attorney, cautioned Council members that the City must abide by the Fair
Housing Act. Council Member White stated a six month moratorium may not seem like a long time
unless you are homeless and he is unable to support something that will make it more difficult for
people to have a place to live. Assistant Mayor Gutierrez stated the moratorium can be lifted anytime
before the six month expiration.
The City Clerk read the ordinance by title only.
MOTION: Gutierrez moved and Hill seconded to approve the ordinance adopting a six-
month moratorium on the establishment of, or conversion from, any use, or part of a use,
to an extended stay hotel or motel or the approval of any new hotel or motel offering
extended stay use. MOTION: Funk moved and White seconded to amend the ordinance
that instead of placing a moratorium on conversion to long term housing that we place a
moratorium on housing H2A workers within the City limits. Assistant Mayor Gutierrez noted
the amendment is a new motion and not an amendment. After Council discussion, the motion to
amend failed by a 5-1 vote, Coffey, Cousens, Gutierrez, Hill and White voting no, Mendez absent.
The motion to pass the ordinance carried by a 5-1 vote, White voting no, Mendez absent.
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ORDINANCE NO. 2018-022, AN ORDINANCE of the City of Yakima, Washington, adopting a six-
month moratorium on the establishment of or conversion from any use, or part of a use, to an
"extended stay" hotel or motel, or the approval of any new hotel or motel offering "extended stay"
use, with attendant moratorium on the filing and acceptance of development applications for, and the
location of, and issuance of permits and approvals for, land uses that consist of or include extended
stay hotel or motels or a portion of a building to become or be converted to such a use; directing
development of comprehensive zoning and business regulations pertaining to extended stay hotels
and/or motels; and providing that the moratorium shall be in effect for six months, through December
21, 2018.
Council Member White reminded Council and the City Manager at the last meeting that his motion on
the plaza was to have it brought back at the next Council meeting. City Manager Moore confirmed his
motion was clear and the item will be brought to the next Council meeting. Council Member Funk
asked what the next steps are regarding H2A housing. Mayor Coffey stated Council may recall they
created an Ad Hoc Committee to include other organizations, which will begin meeting on this issue
in the near future.
3. Adjournment
MOTION: Gutierrez moved and Cousens seconded to adjourn to a City Council Retreat on
July 10, 2018, at 9 a.m. at the City Training Facility - 421 E. Chestnut Avenue, Yakima, WA.
The motion carried by unanimous vote, Mendez absent.
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