Yakima City Council Regular Meeting – September 3, 2024

The Yakima City Council met on September 3, 2024, at 5:30 p.m. in City Hall Council Chambers. The meeting included the introduction of a new Finance Director, a proclamation for Harvest Month, a consent agenda with 13 items, and several department items involving grants, a downtown promotion agreement, and a budget amendment. Council also approved charter changes for the Gang Reduction Intervention Task Force (GRIT) and directed staff to schedule future discussions on dangerous intersections, needle exchange programs, and the Aquatic Center at MLK Jr. Park.

Consent Calendar

• Approved minutes from the August 20, 2024 regular meeting and August 27, 2024 study session.
• Project completion and contract acceptance for the Cowiche Canyon Trail Project (Belsaas & Smith Construction).
• Set October 1, 2024 as the date for an open record public hearing on a right-of-way vacation petition for Columbia Ridge Homes LLC.
• Resolution declaring certain rolling stock surplus and authorizing disposal (R-2024-159).
• Resolutions authorizing Interlocal Agreements with Yakima County for stormwater lab services (R-2024-160), bacterial sampling QAPP (R-2024-161), and construction inspection for Nelson Phase 2 (R-2024-162).
• Resolution authorizing an agreement with Evergreen StormH2O for Randall Pond water quality treatment project design (R-2024-163).
• Resolution authorizing a $72,750 grant agreement with WA Dept. of Commerce for construction of an aquatic center at MLK Jr. Park (R-2024-164).
• Resolution consenting to a conditional settlement agreement in the Ricky Garcia lawsuit via CIAW/Munich Reinsurance (R-2024-165).
• Resolution authorizing a lease amendment with McAllister Museum of Aviation for tax-exempt status and rental credit (R-2024-166).
• Resolution authorizing an amendment to the CHIP grant agreement with WA Dept. of Commerce for $299,771 (R-2024-168).
• Item 7L (resolution authorizing a contract with Yakima Housing Authority for expenditure of unused CHIP funds) was removed for discussion and later approved separately (R-2024-167). The consent agenda, as amended, was approved by a 7-0 roll call vote.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Consuelo Rodriguez and Roberto Solis (representing La Casa Hogar) introduced citizenship students attending to learn about local government.
• Mr. Tim (city resident) spoke regarding concerns about the Justice Housing project. He stated that the project leaves the city in an extremely liable position, accused it of misuse of public funds, and urged the city to provide sidewalks for children. He called for a written response and follow-up from city staff.

Discussion Items

• Introduction of Finance Director Viren Mayani: City Manager Vicki Baker welcomed Mr. Mayani, who will oversee Financial Services, Purchasing, and Utility Services. Mr. Mayani comes from Atlanta, where he managed a $200 million budget. He emphasized his commitment to priority-based budgeting, improving vendor and contract management, and using technology to free up staff. Council members expressed support and welcomed his experience.
• Recognition of Fruit Row National Historic District and Yakima Harvest Month Proclamation: Planning Manager Trevor Martin presented the history of Fruit Row. Mayor Byers proclaimed September as "Harvest Month" and recognized the listing of Fruit Row in the National Register of Historic Places. Bud Hollingbery (representing the Hollingbery family) accepted the proclamation and noted the district’s historic significance.
• Gang Reduction Intervention Task Force (GRIT) Charter Amendment: City Attorney Sara Watkins explained that the GRIT program, created in 2018 as a pilot, is now being transferred from city oversight to the community-based steering committee. Changes include adding diverse stakeholders, quarterly meetings, shifting facilitation to the committee, and giving the committee oversight of The Village. The city will retain two council seats on the steering committee. Councilmember Herrera thanked former council members and community organizers. The motion to amend the charter passed 7-0.
• Resolution for Nelson Phase 2 Pipeline Grant: Water and Irrigation Manager Mike Shane presented a $7,600,000 grant from the WA Dept. of Ecology for the Nelson Phase 2 pipeline conveyance improvements. Construction of the first phase is expected to run from mid-October 2024 to April 2025, with additional funding anticipated for completion by April 2026. The resolution passed 7-0.
• Downtown Development & Promotion Agreement with Downtown Association of Yakima (DAY): City Attorney Watkins explained that the city receives state Main Street Tax credits for economic development and promotion. The 2024 agreement allocates these funds to DAY for downtown promotion, beautification, and events. Councilmember Brown asked about the use of funds for beautification; Watkins noted that future contracts could be more specific and that a year-end report from DAY could be requested. The resolution passed 7-0.
• First Reading: 2024 Budget Amendment Ordinance: Financial Services Manager Kimberly Dominé presented the third-quarter budget amendment, broken into three parts: budget-neutral grant adjustments, new expenditures from reserves, and salary transfers from the general fund to ARPA funds (fund 180). Councilmember Brown requested clarification on reserve levels (estimated general fund ending balance of $4.7 million). No vote was taken; this was a first reading.

Key Outcomes

• GRIT Charter Amendment: Approved 7-0, transferring oversight to the community task force.
• Nelson Phase 2 Pipeline Grant: Approved 7-0, accepting $7,600,000 from the WA Dept. of Ecology.
• Downtown Development & Promotion Agreement: Approved 7-0, authorizing the use of 2024 Main Street Tax funds.
• Consent Agenda with Amendment: Approved 7-0, including Resolution R-2024-167 for the Yakima Housing Authority CHIP contract ($135,311.92).
• Future Study Session on Dangerous Intersections: Motion passed unanimously to add a discussion on the ten most dangerous intersections in Yakima and steps to reduce collisions.
• Future Business Agenda Discussion on Needle Exchange Programs: Motion passed unanimously to direct staff to schedule a discussion on reducing or eliminating needle exchange programs within city limits by the end of September.
• Update on Aquatic Center at MLK Jr. Park: Motion passed unanimously to direct staff to provide an update on construction and fundraising at a future business meeting.
• Town Hall: Assistant Mayor Brown announced a town hall meeting with Councilmember Berg on Friday, September 6, 2024, at the Harman Center.
• Adjournment: The meeting adjourned at 6:18 p.m. to the next regular meeting on September 17, 2024, at 5:30 p.m.