HomeMy WebLinkAbout02/09/2021 Study Session279
YAKIMA CITY COUNCIL
STUDY SESSION
February 9, 2021
City Hall — Council Chambers
5 PM — Meeting conducted via Zoom, live streamed at
https://www.yakimawa.gov/council/live-stream/ and telecast live on Y-PAC, Spectrum Cable
Channel 194 or you may call in to listen by dialing 1-253-215-8782 or 1-971-247-1195. When
prompted for the meeting ID enter 999 7449 7621#. When prompted for the participant ID
enter #. When prompted for the meeting password enter 60078#. Oral comments shall be
arranged in advance of the meeting at www.yakimawa.gov and must be received by 3 PM
the day of the meeting. The request for oral comments must include your full name, city of
residence, email address, phone number you will be calling from and the agenda topic you
will address. Please note, the information you provide may be subject to disclosure
pursuant to Washington State's Public Record Act, chapter 42.56 RCW. Due to potential
connectivity issues, we strongly encourage public comments be emailed to
ccounciI2@yakimawa.gov -- MINUTES
1. Roll Call
Council: Mayor Patricia Byers, presiding, and Councilmembers Kay Funk, Soneya Lund and
Eliana Macias (all attending via Zoom)
Staff: City Manager Robert Harrison, City Attorney Sara Watkins and Acting City Clerk Jodi
Stephens
Absent: Assistant Mayor Holly Cousens (excused), Councilmember Brad Hill and
Councilmember Jason White
Public comment (allow 15 minutes)
None.
3. Public safety radio
City Manager Harrison briefed Council on the item. Police Captain Boyle and Fire Chief
Markham discussed the deficiencies with our current public radio system. John Carney, IT
Services Manager, shared a PowerPoint regarding the public safety radio system.
Mayor Byers and Councilmember Funk voiced concerns for safety. Councilmember Funk
stated she would like a commitment from the Yakima Training Center to review this system.
Steve Groom, Director of Finance and Budget, discussed financing for a replacement
schedule. After Council discussion;
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MOTION: Lund moved and Funk seconded to direct staff to bring back a budget
amendment for the 3% Criminal Justice Capital Fund adding $350,000 to the 2021
budget. The motion carried by unanimous vote, Cousens, Hill, and White absent.
Discussion item regarding the nexus between gang graffiti and violent crime
Police Chief Murray and Corrections Manager Davis presented information regarding the
nexus between gang graffiti and violent crime. They discussed the City's efforts in abatement
and answered questions about how to increase community involvement.
Manager Davis briefed Council on how the jail became involved in painting out graffiti and
reviewed the process from entering a YakBack request for abatement. The Police
Department will restart the Volunteers in Police Services (VI PS) program and encouraged
community members to volunteer. Ms. Davis shared there was a donation for abatement
material from Lowes and invited Council members to join an abatement ride -along.
Adjournment
MOTION: Macias moved and Lund seconded to adjourn to the next City Council
regular meeting on February 16, 2021, at 5:30 p.m. at City Hall. The motion carried by
unanimous vote, Cousens, Hill and White absent. The meeting adjourned at 6:46 p.m.
CERTIFICATION
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