HomeMy WebLinkAbout06/16/2020 Business Meeting/Executive Session188
YAKIMA CITY COUNCIL
June 16, 2020
City Hall -- Council Chambers
4:30 p.m. Executive Session; 5:30 p.m. Regular Meeting; 6:00 p.m. Public Hearings --- This
meeting will be conducted via speakerphone and is live streamed at www.yakimawa.gov and
telecast live on Y -PAC, Spectrum Cable Channel 194. There will be no opportunity for oral
communications at this meeting; however if you wish to provide written comment to the City
Council, please email ccouncil2@yakimawa.gov. Written comments received by 3 pm on the
day of the meeting will be provided to the City Council prior to the meeting -- MINUTES
EXECUTIVE SESSION
Executive Session to evaluate the qualifications of an applicant for public employment
Council: Mayor Patricia Byers, presiding, Assistant Mayor Holly Cousens, Councilmembers,
Kay Funk, Brad Hill, Soneya Lund, Eliana Macias and Jason White (all members attending via
speakerphone)
MOTION: Cousens moved and White seconded to adjourn to an Executive Session
for up to one hour to evaluate the qualifications of an applicant for public employment.
The motion carried by unanimous vote. Executive Session was held and adjourned at 5:24
p.m.
1. Roll Call
Council: Mayor Patricia Byers, presiding, Assistant Mayor Holly Cousens, Councilmembers,
Kay Funk, Brad Hill, Soneya Lund, Eliana Macias and Jason White (present until 6:25 p.m.) -
- all members attending via speakerphone with the exception of Funk
Staff: Interim City Manager Alex Meyerhoff, Acting City Attorney Sara Watkins and City Clerk
Sonya Clear Tee
2. Open Discussion for the Good of the Order
A. Coronavirus (COVID-19) update
Interim City Manager Meyerhoff provided an update on COVID-19's effect on City services
and finances, as well as information related to eligibility for CARES Act Coronavirus Relief
Funding. Council members recognized Communication & Public Affairs Manager Randy
Beehler and Mrs. Beehler for their efforts on distributing over 75,000 masks to the public.
3. Council Reports
A. Discussion about Association of Washington Cities delegates
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Interim City Manager Meyerhoff reported the Association of Washington Cities (AWC) is
requesting names of up to three voting delegates for the AWC business meeting.
MOTION: Hill moved and Cousens seconded to appoint Byers, Cousens and Lund as
the AWC voting delegates. The motion carried by unanimous vote.
4. Consent Agenda
Mayor Byers referred to the items placed on the Consent Agenda, questioning whether there
were any additions or deletions from Council members present. Item 4H was removed from the
consent agenda. The City Clerk read the Consent Agenda items, including resolutions and
ordinances, by title. (Items on the Consent Agenda are handled under one motion without
further discussion—see motion directly below.)
MOTION: Cousens moved and Lund seconded to approve the consent agenda. The
motion carried by unanimous vote.
A. Approval of minutes from the June 2, 2020 City Council regular meeting
B. Approve payment of disbursements for the period May 1 – 31, 2020
C. May 2020 Investment Transactions Report
D. Resolution authorizing an agreement with RH2 Engineering, Inc. to provide
engineering and consulting services associated with the 2022 Wastewater
Treatment Plant Facility Plan update
RESOLUTION NO. R-2020-066, A RESOLUTION authorizing an agreement with RH2
Engineering, Inc. to provide engineering and consulting services associated with the 2022
Wastewater Treatment Plant Facility Plan update.
E. Resolution authorizing a Fire Protection Services Interlocal Agreement with the City
of Union Gap
RESOLUTION NO. R-2020-067, A RESOLUTION authorizing a Fire Services Interlocal
Agreement between the City of Union Gap and the City of Yakima.
F.
Resolution approving a Real Estate Purchase and Sale Agreement for the City's
acquisition of required Right -Of -Way and easements over the Boise Cascade Mill
Site property to enable road development and construction
RESOLUTION NO. R-2020-068, A RESOLUTION authorizing execution of a Real Estate
Purchase and Sale Agreement for the City's acquisition of required Right -Of -Way and
easements over the Boise Cascade Mill Site property to enable road construction.
G. Resolution deferring and continuing the mentorship and internship program to 2021
RESOLUTION NO. R-2020-069, A RESOLUTION deferring and continuing the mentorship
and internship program to 2021.
H. This item was removed from the consent agenda
Ordinance relating to chronic nuisance properties YMC Chapter 11.45
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ORDINANCE NO. 2020-014, AN ORDINANCE relating to chronic nuisance properties YMC
Chapter 11.45.
Items Removed from the Consent Agenda
A. Ordinance amending the 2020 Budget for the City of Yakima; and making
appropriations from Unappropriated Fund Balances within various Funds for
expenditure during 2020 for various purposes (Second Reading)
Councilmember Funk requested additional information related to the grants referenced in this
ordinance. Acting City Attorney Sara Watkins summarized the grants and will follow up with
additional information.
The City Clerk read the ordinance by title only.
MOTION: Funk moved and Cousens seconded to pass the ordinance. The motion
carried by unanimous vote.
ORDINANCE NO. 2020-015, AN ORDINANCE amending the 2020 Budget for the City of
Yakima; and making appropriations from Unappropriated Fund Balances within various funds
for expenditure during 2020 for various purposes described in the attached Schedule.
PUBLIC HEARINGS Anyone wishing to comment on a public hearing should call (509)
575-6001 once the hearing is opened
5. Public Hearing to receive comments on the Draft 2020 - 2024 Consolidated Plan and 2020
Annual Action Plan for CDBG and HOME Funds, First Hearing
City Clerk Claar Tee reminded community members of the phone number to call should they
wish to speak on the public hearing. Archie Matthews, Neighborhood Development Services
Manager, briefed Council on the public hearing.
Mayor Byers opened the public hearing and, with no one calling in to speak, closed the
hearing, noting there will be a second public hearing on July 7, 2020.
6. Public Hearing to consider: A) Resolution adopting the Six -Year Transportation Improvement
Program for the period of 2021 through 2026, and to amend the Transportation Systems Plan
2040; and B) Resolution amending the Yakima Urban Area Comprehensive Plan Capital
Facilities Element
Mayor Byers reminded community members of the phone number to call should they wish to
speak on the public hearing.
Senior Engineer Bob Desgrosellier briefed Council on the hearing and suggested adding two
projects to the list.
Mayor Byers opened the public hearing and, with no one calling in to speak, closed the
hearing.
The City Clerk read the resolutions by title only.
MOTION: Cousens moved and White seconded to adopt the resolution with
amendments adding the project for N. 1st from J St. to N. St. and the alley paving to
be extended south to Summitview. The motion carried by unanimous vote.
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RESOLUTION NO. R-2020-070, A RESOLUTION adopting the Six -Year Transportation
Improvement Program (TIP) for the period of 2021 through 2026 for transportation
improvements to arterial streets in the City of Yakima and amending the Transportation
Systems Plan 2040.
MOTION: Cousens moved and White moved to adopt the resolution. The motion carried
by unanimous vote.
RESOLUTION NO. R-2020-071, A RESOLUTION to amend the Yakima Urban Area
Comprehensive Plan Capital Facilities Element to incorporate the Six-year Transportation
Improvement Program (TIP) for the period of 2021 through 2026.
DEPARTMENT ITEMS
Ordinance amending Yakima Municipal Code Section 9.25.020 to allow cruising on Yakima
Avenue all Saturdays in June, July, August and September
MOTION: White moved to pass the ordinance. The motion died for lack of a second.
During Council discussions, several Council members raised a Point of Order. Mayor Byers
acknowledged the Point of Order and instructed Councilmember White not to interrupt other
members. The majority of Council members expressed concerns with COVID-19 and shared
their belief that it is not the correct time for this change.
8. Discussion of a Truth and Reconciliation process for policing
Police Chief Murray reported that since he has been Chief, the Police Department has had
zero community initiated complaints regarding inappropriate force, discrimination and/or
harassment. In 2019, the department responded to 54,052 calls for service. Of those nearly
55,000 calls for service, 474 included use of force (336 of those involved use of a "control
technique" — in simple terms, a mild twist of a suspect's wrist to apply handcuffs, as an
example). Therefore, last year, Yakima police officers didn't use force on 99.12% of the calls
they responded to. Chief Murray continued to report on additional data points.
Councilmember Hill mentioned a Community/Citizen Review Board. Chief Murray noted
the Department is part of a county -wide Special Investigative Unit (SIU) and is in the process
of appointing two community members to that Board. Captain Seely will provide additional
information related to the SIU. After Council discussion,
MOTION: Funk moved and Macias seconded to direct staff to prepare reports on YPD
procedures and quantifiable YPD outcomes --the first report will be presented at the
July 7th Council meeting. After discussion, Mayor Byers raised a Point of Order that
Councilmember Funk's comments were not germane to the motion. Councilmember Funk
appealed the Mayors ruling, which was upheld by a 5-1 vote, Funk voting no. The motion
failed by a 4-2 vote with Byers, Cousens, Hill and Lund voting no, White absent.
MOTION: Funk moved and Hill seconded to direct staff to prepare reports on YPD
procedures and quantifiable YPD outcomes. The motion carried by unanimous vote, White
absent.
MOTION: Funk moved and Hill seconded to direct staff to gather input on community
concerns because of COVID restrictions, this will focus on YPAC production of video
testimonials. The motion carried by unanimous vote, White absent.
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Other Business
MOTION: Hill moved and Lund seconded to have an Executive Session to evaluate
the qualifications of an applicant for public employment on June 22, 2020 at 4:30 p.m.
followed by a 5:30 Special Meeting to discuss the process to hire a City Manager. The
motion carried by unanimous vote, White absent.
Councilmember Hill mentioned he has received calls from the Greater Yakima Chamber of
Commerce and other businesses about Council members not leading by example during this
pandemic. He requested Council and the public follow the Governor's order so that our City
can move on to the next phase in the Governor's orders.
Councilmember Funk pointed out information on the CARES Act under item 11B of the
agenda. Interim City Manager Meyerhoff reported he is working with Finance and Budget
Director Steve Groom on this issue. Mr. Groom assured Council that staff will pursue
measures to help our community as much as we legally can.
10. Adjournment
MOTION: Cousens moved and Hill seconded to adjourn to a special Council meeting
on June 22, 2020, at 4:30 p.m. at City Hall. The motion carried by unanimous vote. The
meeting adjourned at 7:42 p.m.
CERTIFICATION
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