HomeMy WebLinkAbout09/27/2022 Study Session/Executive Session47
MINUTES
YAKIMA CITY COUNCIL
STUDY SESSION
September 27, 2022
City Hall — Council Chambers
4:15 p.m. Executive Session; 5:00 p.m. Study Session conducted in person and virtually via
Zoom
Roll Call
Present: Mayor Janice Deccio, presiding, Assistant Mayor Soneya Lund present at 4:38
p.m., and Councilmembers Matt Brown, Patricia Byers, Holly Cousens, and Danny Herrera
Absent: Councilmember Eliana Macias
2. Executive Session regarding pending litigation pursuant to RCW 42.30.110 (1)(I )
MOTION: Cousens moved and Byers seconded to adjourn to Executive Session
for 45 minutes to discuss pending litigation per RCW 42.30.110 (1)(I). The motion
carried by unanimous vote. Executive Session was held and adjourned at 4:40 p.m.
Public comment (allow 15 minutes)
Mayor Deccio called the Yakima City Council Study Session meeting to order at 5:00
p.m. Present: Mayor Janice Deccio, presiding, Assistant Mayor Soneya Lund and
Councilmembers Matt Brown, Patricia Byers, Holly Cousens, Danny Herrera and Eliana
Macias (attending via Zoom)
Staff: City Manager Robert Harrison, City Attorney Sara Watkins and City Clerk Sonya Claar
Tee and Records Administrator Brandy Bradford
Makayla Huckabee, City resident and relative of missing child Lucian Munguia, read a letter
from the family regarding concerns about the safety of the Munguia family due to a Facebook
page and shared her dismay about Councilmember Byers' participation on the page.
Councilmember Byers responded to the comments, apologized, and explained her
involvement with the social media page.
Amy Bailey, non-resident and Aunt of missing child Lucian Munguia, shared additional
concerns about Councilmember Byers participation on the Facebook page. Councilmember
Byers apologized and stated there was no ill intent.
Mike Kay, Director of Camp Hope, reported that he spoke at a recent Code Administration
conference about Camp Hope and noted Yakima is not alone with the homeless issue. He
Page 1 of 2
48
discouraged Council from considering the responses of three larger West Side Counties as
a guide for Yakima and encouraged a diverse response for the homeless in our community.
Councilmember Cousens stated at the next regular business meeting she will be asking for a
future study session regarding safety in City parks.
MOTON: Lund moved and Cousens seconded to take a 5 minute recess. The motion
carried by unanimous vote and adjourned at 5:19. The meeting reconvened at 5:24.
Downtown parking presentation
Mayor Deccio announced that due to a scheduling conflict with the consultant, this item is
postponed until October 11, 2022.
5. Homeless Network presentation
Lee Murdock, Director of the Homeless Network of Yakima County, presented on why
homelessness exists and what is being done to address it. She reviewed the types of
housing available, necessary income for each, and what is needed to help the current
situation in our community, as well as the contributing factors. Ms. Murdock's
recommendation to address the gaps is to plan, collaborate, shift the focus, help transition
people out of shelters, and promote using data driven decision making. She reported 660
people were successfully placed into homes last year.
6. Homeless Coalition presentation
Esther Magasis, Yakima County Human Services Director, presented on the 2022 HHA RFP
Award process conducted by the Yakima County Department of Human Services and the
2163 local filing fees. She stated the primary purpose of the Yakima County Homeless
Coalition is to develop and review the Yakima County 5-year plan. In addition, she reviewed
the 2163 surcharge for local homeless housing and assistance (2163 local filing fees),
which must be used by the County to accomplish the Homelessness Housing and
Assistance Act.
Adjournment
MOTION: Lund moved and Cousens seconded to adjourn to a City Council study
session on October 4, 2022, at noon in the Council Chambers. The motion carried by
unanimous vote. The meeting adjourned at 6:24 p.m.
CERTIFICATION
READ AND CERTIFIED ACCURATE BY
COUNCIL MEMBER DATE