HomeMy WebLinkAbout07/27/2021 Study Session 363
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MINUTES
YAKIMA CITY COUNCIL
STUDY SESSION
July 27, 2021
City Hall —Council Chambers
5 p.m.
1. Roll Call
Present: Mayor Patricia Byers, presiding,Assistant Mayor Holly Cousens (attending via
speakerphone)and Councilmembers Kay Funk, Brad Hill (present at 6:14 p.m.)and Soneya
Lund
Staff: City Manager Robert Harrison and City Clerk Sonya Claar Tee
Absent: Councilmember Eliana Macias (excused)and Councilmember Jason White
2. Public comment(allow 15 minutes)
None.
3. Program Updates on Uncollectible Debt and Write-Offs
James Dean, Utility Customer Service Manager, provided an update and some background
information on uncollectible debt and write-offs, including parking citations and others.
Councilmember Funk expressed interest in receiving quarterly or biannual reports on this
topic.
4. Vacant Building Registry and Standards
Sara Watkins, City Attorney, reported on previous Council discussions regarding a vacant
building registry and maintenance standards for the downtown business areas.Assistant
Mayor Cousens provided background on the issue as a former Council Economic
Development Committee member. Councilmember Funk shared the importance of utilizing
vacant commercial buildings as small residential units. Mayor Byers noted these commercial
buildings are privately owned.
5. Animal Control Program and Licensing
Tony Doan, Supervising Code Inspector, reported on the current status of Animal Control.
Councilmember Funk shared several concerns she has with Animal Control. Councilmember
Lund raised a Point of Order that members should not chastise staff. Mayor Byers ruled the
point was well taken. Councilmember Funk appealed the Mayor's ruling, which died due to
lack of a second. Mayor Byers thanked Mr. Doan for his work.
6. Preliminary Findings on Building Permit Fee Study
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Glenn Denman, Code Administration Manager, presented on preliminary permit fees and
where the Codes Division believes improvements can be made to cover the costs
associated with issuing of permits, as well as increase customer service by streamlining
processes. Tony Doan, Supervising Code Inspector, reviewed fire operational permit fees.
Councilmember Funk criticized past Council and former City Manager actions.Assistant
Mayor Cousens raised a Point of Order that members should not criticize past actions of
Council and staff. Mayor Byers ruled the point is well taken. City Manager Harrison reported it
is staff's intention to do a fee study on permit costs and there were no objections.
7. Adjournment
MOTION: Lund moved and Hill seconded to adjourn to the next Council regular
meeting on August 2, 2021, at 5:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers at City Hall. The
motion carried by unanimous vote, Macias and White absent. The meeting adjourned at 6:18
p.m.
CERTIFICATION
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