HomeMy WebLinkAbout03/09/2021 Study Session292
MINUTES
YAKIMA CITY COUNCIL
STUDY SESSION
March 9, 2021
City Hall -- Council Chambers
5 p.m. Meeting conducted virtually via Zoom
1. Roll Call
Council: Mayor Patricia Byers, presiding, and Councilme bers Kay Funk, Brad Hill, Soneya
Lund and Eliana Macias
Staff: City Attorney Sara Watkins and City Clerk Sonya Claar Tee
Absent: Assistant Mayor Holly Cousens (excused) and Councilmember Jason White
2. Public comment (allow 15 minutes)
None.
3. Yakima County Care Campus
Mayor Byers introduced Yakima County Commissioner Ron Anderson and Director of
Human Services Esther Magasis. Ms. Magasis provided a PowerPoint on the future plans
for the campus, zoning issues and timelines. Councilmember Funk made several
suggestions for the campus. Council members asked additional questions including what the
City could do to assist. Commissioner Anderson suggested the City partner with them on
traffic, housing, general use of the property and services, interacting with the Police
Department and other services the City may offer.
4. Affordable housing follow up discussion
Community Development Director Joan Davenport reported on affordable housing and
introduced local experts in residential development.
Lowel Krueger, Executive Director of the Yakima Housing Authority and Jake Mayson,
Government Affairs Director of Central Washington Homebuilders Association, spoke about
residential development and the challenges faced.
Mr. Krueger made the following suggestions for Council's consideration:
• Encourage development of all types of housing across all income levels
• Waive utility hookup fees and reduce permit costs
• Amortize utility hookup fees over the first 5-10 years
• Invest in water/sewer infrastructure
• Utilize Community Development Block Grant funds for improvements to sites with no or
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inadequate utilities, sidewalks, road improvements
• Create incentives for infill housing throughout existing neighborhoods
• Make Accessory Dwelling Units a Type 1 review in the SR and R-1 zoning districts
• Include accommodation for new manufactured home parks and placement of
manufactured homes on R-1 single family lots with either a Type 1 or Type 2 review
• Encourage Pacific Power to prioritize its review and approval of utilities
• Advocate for the Housing Trust Fund in the States capital budget
• Advocate for reduction of the 50% test for the LI HTC 4°/0 program
• Advocate maintaining the 12.5% expansion of the LI HTC 9% program
• Advocate funding the National Housing Trust Fund
Mr. Mayson reviewed statistics on construction costs, vacancy rates and inventory availability.
He suggested the City have a greater focus on water/sewer infrastructure, advocate for Tax
Increment Financing legislation; and to be intentional on project population growth.
Ms. Davenport answered questions from Council and referenced comments received and
shared by Chief Visionary Officer of Borton Fruit Byron Borton, who was unable to participate
in the meeting.
5. City -Owned Properties
Joseph Calhoun, Planning Manager, provided an overview of city -owned properties,
discussed the process required for property to be sold or donated, and identified certain
properties that have minimal improvements or lack structures. Mr. Calhoun answered
questions from Council members who would like additional information on challenges selling
certain properties.
6. Resolution authorizing the Mayor to sign documents related to an Office on Violence Against
Women Grant application to seek funds to improve the City of Yakima response to domestic
violence
Assistant City Attorney Cynthia Martinez briefed Council on the ite
The City Clerk read the resolution by title only.
MOTION: Lund moved and Macias seconded to adopt the resolution. The motion
carried by unanimous vote, Cousens and White absent.
RESOLUTION NO. R-2021-033, A RESOLUTION authorizing the Mayor to sign
documents related to an Office on Violence Against Women Grant application to seek funds
to improve the City of Yakima response to domestic violence.
7. Ordinance amending Yakima Municipal Code Section 1.34.050 addressing meetings of the
Community Integration Committee
City Attorney Sara Watkins briefed Council on the ordinance.
The City Clerk read the resolution by title only.
MOTION: Macias moved and Lund seconded to pass the ordinance. The motion
carried by unanimous vote, Cousens and White absent.
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ORDINANCE NO. 2021-005, AN ORDINANCE amending Yakima Municipal Code Section
1.34.050 addressing meetings of the Community Integration Committee
8. Adjournment
MOTION: Lund moved and Macias seconded to adjourn to the next City
Council meeting on March 16, 2021, at 5:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers at City
Hall. The motion carried by unanimous vote, Cousens and White absent. The meeting
adjourned at 7:09 p.m.
CERTIFICATION
READ AND CERTIFIED ACCURATE BY
COUNCIL MEMBER DAT
COUNCIL MEMBER DATE
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