Yakima City Council Special Meeting for City Manager Candidate Meet & Greet - July 5, 2024

The Yakima City Council held a special meeting on July 5, 2024, at the Yakima Convention Center to host a public meet and greet with three finalists for the City Manager position. The event, noticed as a special meeting due to a possible quorum of Council members, allowed community members to interact with the candidates and provide feedback. The meeting adjourned shortly before 8:00 p.m.

Discussion Items

• City Manager Candidate Meet & Greet: Mayor Patricia Byers introduced the three finalists: Richard Marsh, Jr., Mike Gonzalez, and Vicki Baker. Attendees were invited to interact with them and submit feedback. Each candidate highlighted their background and vision:
  • Richard Marsh, Jr. emphasized his expertise in economic development and financial management.
  • Mike Gonzalez shared his experience in building relationships with developers and rebranding the perception of the City of Pasco.
  • Vicki Baker noted the importance of working together to provide stability and solve problems in the community.

Key Outcomes

• The meeting was adjourned at 7:49 p.m. by a motion from Assistant Mayor Matt Brown, seconded by Councilmember Danny Herrera, which carried unanimously (Councilmember Janice Deccio absent).
• The feedback collected from the public during the meet and greet serves as input for the Council's subsequent decision on the City Manager appointment.