Yakima City Council Special Meeting – July 2, 2024

The Yakima City Council held a special meeting on July 2, 2024, from 12:00 p.m. to approximately 4:05 p.m. to interview three finalists for the City Manager position and select a candidate for contract negotiations. The meeting included public comment (none offered), individual interviews with finalists Vicki Baker, Mike Gonzalez, and Richard Marsh Jr., a 30-minute executive session to evaluate the applicants, and a series of roll call votes to direct staff on which candidate to negotiate with. The council ultimately directed staff to enter into contract negotiations with Candidate #9 (identified through the voting process as Mike Gonzalez, based on the motion carried 5-2). The meeting adjourned at 4:05 p.m.

Public Comments & Testimony

• No members of the public provided comment.

Discussion Items

• Council interviews of City Manager finalists: The council conducted separate interviews with three finalists:
  • Vicki Baker (interviewed 12:00 p.m. – 12:48 p.m.): Baker, a Yakima community member and former Yakima County commissioner, emphasized her local ties, budget management experience, and collaborative approach. She identified key issues as budget, public safety, infrastructure, and economic development. She advocated for one-on-ones with council, open communication with staff, and proactive community engagement.
  • Mike Gonzalez (interviewed 12:56 p.m. – 1:42 p.m.): Gonzalez, current Franklin County administrator and former Pasco economic development manager, stressed his municipal experience, communication skills, and vision for reshaping Yakima's image. His priorities included safety, economic development, cultural community identity, and evaluating city processes. He proposed a Yakima Business Advisory Council and emphasized customer service and efficiency.
  • Richard Marsh Jr. (interviewed 2:18 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.): Marsh, a Michigan-based financial emergency manager with extensive economic development experience, highlighted financial stability, economic development, public-private partnerships for affordable housing, and customer service. He cited his work on large projects like Harbor Shores (a half-billion dollar development) and his training under Michigan's emergency financial management program. He advocated for zero-based budgeting, strategic planning, and technology like "C Click Fix" to improve city operations.
• Executive session: At 3:30 p.m., the council unanimously voted to adjourn to executive session for 30 minutes under RCW 42.30.110(1)(g) to evaluate the qualifications of applicants. The session adjourned at 3:55 p.m., and the open meeting resumed at 4:01 p.m.
• Direction to staff on City Manager selection: Three motions were made:
  1. Councilmember Glenn moved to direct staff to enter contract negotiations with Candidate #3. The motion died for lack of a second.
  2. Councilmember Deccio moved (seconded by Herrera) to negotiate with Candidate #5. This motion failed by a 5-2 roll call vote (Berg, Brown, Byers, Glenn, Roy voting no; Deccio and Herrera voting yes).
  3. Assistant Mayor Brown moved (seconded by Councilmember Berg) to negotiate with Candidate #9. This motion carried by a 5-2 roll call vote (Deccio and Herrera voting no; Berg, Brown, Byers, Glenn, Roy voting yes).

Key Outcomes

• City Manager selection: The council directed staff to enter into contract negotiations with Candidate #9 (Mike Gonzalez) for the position of City Manager.
• Adjournment: The meeting adjourned at 4:05 p.m., with the next regular meeting set for 5:15 p.m. on the same day.

Note: The candidates' identities were not explicitly named in the final motions; however, based on the interview order, Candidate #3 corresponds to Vicki Baker, Candidate #5 to Richard Marsh Jr., and Candidate #9 to Mike Gonzalez. The minutes and transcript confirm that the council selected Gonzalez.