OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Yakima City Council Regular Meeting - June 18, 2024

City Council — Tuesday, June 18, 2024
BodyYakima, Washington
SessionCity Council
DateTuesday, June 18, 2024
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 2:37:36

Transcript — Verbatim
2:52

Oh, here we go.

2:58

Good evening, and welcome to the Aquam City Council of June eighteenth, twenty twenty-four.

3:02

Called a meeting to order.

3:04

We have roll call, please.

3:05

Berg.

3:06

Here.

3:06

Brown.

3:07

Here.

3:07

Fires.

3:08

DCO.

3:09

Here.

3:10

Glenn.

3:11

Present.

3:11

Herrera.

3:12

Here.

3:13

Roy.

3:14

Here.

3:15

Thank you.

3:16

Please stand and join me for the Pledge of Allegiance.

3:21

I pledge allegiance to the United States of America.

3:26

And to the Republic for which it stands.

3:43

Language commission.

3:44

See again necessita in the UN interpreter to number this one.

3:49

Thank you.

3:51

Next on the agendas public comment.

3:53

There will be thirty-five minutes allotted for public comment this evening.

3:57

If you wish to address the council, you may fill out a form in the back.

4:00

Bring it up to the city uh the city clerk.

4:02

You'll have two and a half minutes.

4:04

When you come to the podium, please identify yourself and the city in which you live.

4:41

As the records indicate, my attendance and participation is exceptional.

4:45

Over the course of the last four years, I've contributed to the housing action plan, which was a multi-year undertaking to create a plan to effectively address our community's unique housing shortage.

5:00

I have made it my goal to make housing more affordable with smaller lot sizes, tax amendments to remove barriers to ADU regulations, and numerous tax amendments prioritizing multifamily housing.

5:06

During my time on the commission, we've also curated draft changes for levels of review for various zones to reduce the workload on a very small and overburdened planning staff.

5:17

Also during my tenure, we started tracking certificates of occupancy in addition to just permits approved and numbers of new bedrooms created so that we are more able to identify our progress towards our 2040 comprehensive plan.

5:31

I was notified by the city clerk last Thursday that the nominating committee would not be reappointing me for a second term as the bylaws allow.

5:38

To say I was shocked and disappointed would be an understatement.

5:42

The planning commission has an enormous and arduous task ahead in the mandated comp plan update.

5:47

Mayor Byers, you speak frequently of your planning commission service, so I know you're all too familiar with how much important work lies ahead for this committee.

5:55

If I'm not being reappointed for a second term on July 1st, this will leave the commission with over half of its members having served less than 30 days in this capacity.

6:04

This in no way sets the planning commission up for success as it relates to the enormous undertaking of the comp plan update.

6:11

I'm at a complete loss as to what could have led the nominating committee to recommend not reappointing me.

6:16

Given the current scrutiny this council's under with regards to welcoming all citizen input, I'm certain that the committee wouldn't be playing politics with such an important commission.

6:25

Therefore, I'm asking to reject the nominating committee's recommendation and reappoint me to fulfill my second term on the planning commission.

6:31

Thank you.

6:32

Thank you, Ms.

6:32

Wallace.

6:36

Next is Joe Mannermann, good evening, council.

6:49

Um my name is Joe Mann, uh lifetime resident of Yacima.

6:54

I would I would like to talk about the vacating of Fourth Street for St.

6:57

Joseph's.

6:58

I'm 100% forward as a businessman and a property owner downtown.

7:02

I think it's a great thing.

7:03

Uh I also think, you know, Fourth Street, it doesn't go through.

7:07

We closed it 50 years ago for Mr.

7:08

Moyer to have his mall there.

7:10

And so uh there isn't a whole lot of traffic down 4th Street.

7:13

And so I think it would be wonderful, and I think it would be uh a great thing not to have those kids running back and forth across down a street that's open to the general public.

7:24

Um I also would like to talk about the uh uh chamber building being sold.

7:29

I think that's a wonderful thing.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Procedural███████████████15%
Engineering And Infrastructure██████████████14%
Legal Services████████████12%
Public Safety███████████11%
Code Administration█████████9%
Budget Equity Analysis██████6%
Economic Development█████5%
Parks and Recreation████4%
Homelessness████4%
Summary of Proceedings

Yakima City Council Regular Meeting - June 18, 2024

The Yakima City Council convened on June 18, 2024, at 5:30 p.m. (public hearings at 6:00 p.m.) in City Hall Council Chambers. The meeting included a public hearing on a street vacation, approval of several resolutions and ordinances, and discussion of a new budget committee and a potential one-day fireworks ban for July 4th. Votes were taken on numerous items, with several passing by a 6–1 margin.

Consent Calendar

  • Approved minutes from June 4 (regular) and June 11 (study session) meetings.
  • Accepted May 2024 Investment Transaction Report.
  • Approved payment of disbursements for May 1–31, 2024.
  • Resolution R-2024-108 rescheduling public hearing on Six-year Transportation Improvement Program and Capital Facilities Element to July 2, 2024.
  • Resolution R-2024-109 rescheduling public hearing on surplus easement property rights to Yakima Housing Authority to July 9, 2024.
  • Resolution R-2024-110 setting July 25, 2024, for an open record hearing to vacate S. 10th Ave.
  • Resolution R-2024-111 authorizing an agreement with Kitt Construction & Development LLC for Convention & Event Center Middle Bathrooms Remodel Project 2800.
  • All consent items (A–G) were approved by a 7-0 roll call vote.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Lisa Wallace, city resident and outgoing Planning Commission member, expressed shock and disappointment at not being reappointed, citing her experience with the Housing Action Plan, ADU regulations, and certificate of occupancy tracking. She urged Council to reject the Nominating Committee's recommendation and reappoint her for a second term.
  • Joe Mann, city resident and downtown business owner, expressed 100% support for the N. 4th Street right-of-way vacation, the sale of the Chamber building for a potential hotel, and praised the Downtown Yakima Business Improvement District (DYBID) maintenance crew.
  • Alicia Stromme Tobin, Director of Safe Yakima Valley (tenant in Chamber building), spoke against the Chamber building sale for a parking lot, stating it would displace multiple nonprofits. She requested a minimum 10-month extension of their lease or access to the vacant Bank of America building, noting a six-month timeline in the current environment is impossible.
  • During the Public Hearing (N. 4th Street Vacation):
    • Leanne LaBissoniere (county resident) spoke in favor, citing child safety and campus security.
    • James Carmody, attorney for St. Joseph Parish, argued for reduced compensation (between $100,000 and $126,000) rather than the full appraised value of $252,000, citing the school's nonprofit nature and community benefit.
    • Bill Hordan (planner for applicant) detailed the project benefits: improved traffic management, increased pedestrian safety, 20 new on-site parking spaces, and a secure perimeter fence.
    • Gregg Pleger, St. Joseph Marquette Principal, spoke about the safety hazard of students crossing 4th Street to the new gym, noting 40% of students are on free/reduced lunch and the school raises $250,000 annually to subsidize tuition.
    • Abigail Winterfield, student, spoke in favor of more space and safety.
    • Cassy Gordon, Yakima resident and grandparent of students, supported the vacation, citing increased homeless activity and security concerns.

Discussion Items

  • Council Nominating Committee Recommendations (June 6 meeting): Appointments and reappointments to boards and commissions were approved except for the Planning Commission. After discussion sparked by Ms. Wallace's public comment, the Council voted 7-0 to approve all other recommendations, then voted 7-0 to table the Planning Commission nomination to the June 25 study session to allow time for further consideration.
  • Ad Hoc Budget Advisory Committee: Deputy Mayor Brown proposed creating a committee of business owners and financial planners to advise on budget priorities after the current priorities budgeting process. Interim City Manager Dave Zabell noted the city is spending more on services than taking in revenue. Council agreed to table the discussion until after the budget process is completed (motion carried 7-0).
  • Consent Items Removed (H, I, J):
    • Item H (Resolution R-2024-112 with Yakima Youth Golf Association/First Tee): Approved 7-0 for reduced-fee youth golf activities at Fisher Park Golf Course ($2 per child per day).
    • Item I (Resolution R-2024-113 with Yakima Rotaract for pollinator garden at West Valley Community Park): Approved 7-0. The garden will be 16'x16' with an educational sign, funded by grants and volunteer labor.
    • Item J (Resolution R-2024-114 authorizing MOU with Merryman House Domestic Violence Center for Lethality Assessment Program 2.0): Approved 6-1 (Glenn voting no). The program uses leftover grant funds for a first-year subscription; ongoing funding is planned for three years to collect data.
  • Public Hearing and Ordinance – N. 4th Street Vacation: The hearing examiner recommended approval with conditions, including payment of appraised value ($252,000). Applicant requested reduced compensation, citing discretion under state law. Executive session (15 minutes) was held to discuss potential litigation. Council voted 6-1 (Brown dissenting) to adopt the hearing examiner's recommendation and pass Ordinance 2024-017, vacating N. 4th St. between E. Lincoln Ave. and Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. Councilman Brown explained his no vote was due to uncertainty on the compensation numbers.
  • Grace City Outreach Lease (Camp Hope): Resolution R-2024-115 approved 7-0 authorizing a two-year lease (renewable for up to six additional two-year terms) for the homeless shelter operation. Council members praised the partnership.
  • Chamber of Commerce Building Purchase: Resolution R-2024-116 approved 6-1 (Glenn voting no) authorizing a Commercial Purchase and Sale Agreement for $600,000 using ARPA funds. The property will be used for additional convention center parking. A Phase I environmental assessment is required; both parties can revoke based on results. Councilman Glenn expressed concern about tearing down the building for a parking lot.
  • Property Maintenance Code Amendments (Ordinance 2024-018): Approved 6-1 (Brown voting no). The amendments remove the term "unlicensed" from inoperable vehicle definitions, add discretion for code officials on severity of complaints, and adjust citation code digits. Council discussed the need for checks on code enforcement discretion; staff noted existing city manager oversight and policies.

Key Outcomes

  • Approved all consent agenda items (A–G) unanimously.
  • Approved Council Nominating Committee recommendations except Planning Commission (tabled to June 25 study session).
  • Tabled discussion on ad hoc budget advisory committee until after the budget process.
  • Adopted Resolution R-2024-112 (Youth Golf), R-2024-113 (Pollinator Garden), and R-2024-114 (Domestic Violence Lethality Program) with a 7-0 vote except R-2024-114 (6-1).
  • Passed Ordinance 2024-017 (N. 4th Street vacation) by 6-1 vote.
  • Adopted Resolution R-2024-115 (Grace City Outreach lease) unanimously.
  • Adopted Resolution R-2024-116 (Chamber of Commerce purchase) by 6-1 vote.
  • Passed Ordinance 2024-018 (Property Maintenance Code amendments) by 6-1 vote.
  • Directed City Manager to evaluate alternate options for DYBID area maintenance and report back (unanimous).
  • Agreed by consensus to add a discussion on lifting the fireworks ban for one day on July 4th to the next business meeting (motion carried 6-1; Glenn voting no).
  • Appointed Deputy Mayor Brown as council representative to Seniors Inc. at Harman Center by consensus.
  • The meeting adjourned at 8:07 p.m. to the June 25, 2024, study session.

Meeting Transcript

Oh, here we go. Good evening, and welcome to the Aquam City Council of June eighteenth, twenty twenty-four. Called a meeting to order. We have roll call, please. Berg. Here. Brown. Here. Fires. DCO. Here. Glenn. Present. Herrera. Here. Roy. Here. Thank you. Please stand and join me for the Pledge of Allegiance. I pledge allegiance to the United States of America. And to the Republic for which it stands. Language commission. See again necessita in the UN interpreter to number this one. Thank you. Next on the agendas public comment. There will be thirty-five minutes allotted for public comment this evening. If you wish to address the council, you may fill out a form in the back. Bring it up to the city uh the city clerk. You'll have two and a half minutes. When you come to the podium, please identify yourself and the city in which you live. As the records indicate, my attendance and participation is exceptional. Over the course of the last four years, I've contributed to the housing action plan, which was a multi-year undertaking to create a plan to effectively address our community's unique housing shortage. I have made it my goal to make housing more affordable with smaller lot sizes, tax amendments to remove barriers to ADU regulations, and numerous tax amendments prioritizing multifamily housing. During my time on the commission, we've also curated draft changes for levels of review for various zones to reduce the workload on a very small and overburdened planning staff. Also during my tenure, we started tracking certificates of occupancy in addition to just permits approved and numbers of new bedrooms created so that we are more able to identify our progress towards our 2040 comprehensive plan. I was notified by the city clerk last Thursday that the nominating committee would not be reappointing me for a second term as the bylaws allow. To say I was shocked and disappointed would be an understatement. The planning commission has an enormous and arduous task ahead in the mandated comp plan update. Mayor Byers, you speak frequently of your planning commission service, so I know you're all too familiar with how much important work lies ahead for this committee. If I'm not being reappointed for a second term on July 1st, this will leave the commission with over half of its members having served less than 30 days in this capacity. This in no way sets the planning commission up for success as it relates to the enormous undertaking of the comp plan update. I'm at a complete loss as to what could have led the nominating committee to recommend not reappointing me. Given the current scrutiny this council's under with regards to welcoming all citizen input, I'm certain that the committee wouldn't be playing politics with such an important commission. Therefore, I'm asking to reject the nominating committee's recommendation and reappoint me to fulfill my second term on the planning commission. Thank you. Thank you, Ms. Wallace. Next is Joe Mannermann, good evening, council. Um my name is Joe Mann, uh lifetime resident of Yacima. I would I would like to talk about the vacating of Fourth Street for St.

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