OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Yakima City Council Regular Meeting – September 17, 2024

City Council — Tuesday, September 17, 2024
BodyYakima, Washington
SessionCity Council
DateTuesday, September 17, 2024
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 3:07:03

Transcript — Verbatim
0:08

Good evening and good evening and welcome to the Yakima City Council of September 17th, 2024.

0:14

I called the meeting to order.

0:15

You might have to gamble.

0:17

May I we have roll call, please?

0:19

Berg.

0:20

Here.

0:20

Brown.

0:21

Here.

0:22

Byers.

0:23

Present.

0:23

DCO.

0:24

Glenn.

0:25

Here.

0:26

Herrera.

0:26

Here.

0:27

Roy.

0:28

Here.

0:29

Thank you.

0:30

Please stand and join me for the Pledge of Allegiance.

0:35

I pledge allegiance to the United States of America.

0:40

And to the Republic for which one nation.

0:44

Under God.

0:52

Next we have interpreter services announced.

0:55

Thank you.

0:57

Good afternoon.

1:00

See alguien necessita de la un interprete, then on the radio disponibles para sal.

1:04

We have those radios available.

1:06

Thank you.

1:08

Next on the agenda is public comment.

1:11

This evening we'll have public comment for up to 35 minutes.

1:13

Each person who wishes to speak will have two and a half minutes.

1:16

So when you come to the microphone for public comment, please identify yourself and your address here in the city or where you live.

1:23

I am going to say this that those of you who are here to speak about the potential annexation.

1:33

So we're going to hold those slips until after our presentation and then and then ask you to speak.

1:40

So first tonight.

1:44

I got you.

1:45

Thank you.

1:47

Maybe.

2:02

Anyhow, I'm back.

2:04

I'll keep coming back until somebody's willing to listen to plain simple common sense.

2:10

In the best interest of the city and the citizens thereof.

2:16

Okay.

2:17

So work still continues on the site near Lewis and Folsom.

2:23

Department of Ecology is working on getting their report finalized about the toxicity of the soil.

2:30

But it's just a little bit toxified.

2:36

So until that was done, someone in the shit city should have stopped up, stepped forward, and says this project is shut down until we find out how bad this is.

2:47

So whatever.

2:50

All kinds of grocery carts going up and down the street now.

2:53

All kinds of people walking up and down the street just waiting for it to get finished.

2:58

And you should all look at this report.

3:01

It's a request for type one review, the facts and findings.

3:07

Anyhow, that was exempt.

3:10

Type one review.

3:12

No citizens within any area was given a chance for any kind of comment.

3:27

No, I gotta go through this process.

3:30

And it's gonna cost 1,420 and two cents at that time.

3:34

It may have gone up and have to notify everybody within 300 feet.

3:39

Just because certain projects are being done in the interest of a special interest.

3:45

We just pass it by.

4:31

Thank you very much.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Land Use Planning███████████████████19%
Public Engagement█████████████13%
Procedural██████████10%
Fire Safety██████████10%
Personnel Matters███████7%
Public Safety███████7%
Public Transportation████4%
Fleet Management████4%
Court Administration████4%
Summary of Proceedings

Yakima City Council Regular Meeting – September 17, 2024

The Yakima City Council held a regular meeting on September 17, 2024, at 5:30 PM in City Hall Council Chambers. The meeting included public comment, recognitions, a lodging tax advisory committee report, two public hearings (a right-of-way vacation and a second public meeting on the University District annexation), several department resolutions, and multiple motions for future agenda items. The meeting adjourned at 8:38 PM.

Consent Calendar

  • Approved unanimously (7-0): Minutes from September 3, 2024; August 2024 Investment Transaction Report; payment of disbursements for August 2024; setting October 15, 2024 for an open record hearing on YWCA right-of-way vacation; Resolution R-2024-171 (Yakima Air Terminal Modernization CERB contract); Ordinance 2024-025 (2024 budget amendment, second reading).
  • Item 7E (Resolution for Bid 12421 – Solenis LLC polymer flocculant) removed and will be brought back at a future meeting.
  • Item 7H (Ordinance updating Classification and Compensation Plan – Section 2.20.100) removed and then passed separately as Ordinance 2024-026 by a 7-0 roll call vote after explanation from HR Director Connie Mendoza.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Public Comment (before 6 PM):
    • Timm (city resident) expressed concerns about the approval process for a housing project near Lewis Ave & Folsom Ave, citing soil toxicity and lack of citizen comment.
    • Jennifer Schlenske (Executive Director, Justice Housing Yakima) advocated for funding permanent supportive housing, citing statistics: permanent supportive housing reduces homelessness by 88% and improves housing stability by 41%; 75-91% of formerly homeless individuals remain housed; it reduces crisis service use by 50-75%.
    • Tony Sandoval (city resident, District 3) requested better enforcement against speeding and distracted driving on Nob Hill Blvd near 10th Avenue, suggesting weekly enforcement patrols.
  • Public Hearing Testimony (Annexation, after presentations):
    • Theresa Otto (Terrace Heights resident, property owner in maps 1-4 but not 5) urged Council to choose Option 5 to exclude her property.
    • Terry Wittmeier (Sun Country Estates resident, property owner) opposed annexation based on negative experiences in other cities; submitted a list of signatures from property owners.
    • Linda Sliger (representing Terrace Heights Community Association) voiced collective opposition, stating residents are satisfied with current fire, sewer, and school services and prefer city spend money on Yakima’s own roads and homeless issues.
    • Mark Young (Terrace Heights resident, not in proposed area) opposed annexation, arguing that industrial tax revenue currently supports East Valley schools and would shift to Yakima schools; also noted a potential $40/month utility increase could burden fixed-income residents.
    • Ray Lamoureux (Terrace Heights Fire District) noted that 70% of fire service is EMS, and under annexation, AMR ambulance would be the primary responder for lower-acuity calls (EMR reds) with a 10-minute response time versus current 3-4 minutes from the fire district.
    • Paula Heaverlo (Terrace Heights property owner in proposed area) asked about floodplain issues and whether the city could influence FEMA map changes.
    • Vickie Gutheridge (Terrace Heights property owner) presented 378 signatures against annexation; requested that only Option 5 be considered and a 10-year moratorium on further annexation.
    • Sandy Braden (Sun Country Estates resident) reported that property owner Byron Borton had withdrawn support via email; staff clarified no formal withdrawal had been received.

Discussion Items

  • Constitution Week Proclamation – Deputy Mayor Brown proclaimed September 17-23, 2024 as Narcissa Whitman Chapter, NSDAR Constitution Week.
  • Retirement Recognitions – Yakima Police Lieutenant Chad Stephens (35 years) and Municipal Court Services Manager Jodi Stephens (26 years) were recognized.
  • Lodging Tax Advisory Committee (LTAC) Report – Mayor Byers presented the Committee’s recommendations based on a 2025 revenue forecast of $1,745,000. Allocations: $490,000 debt service, $280,000 Convention Center Capital, $625,500 Convention Center Operations, $50,000 Visitor Center Operations, $90,000 Sports Commission Operations, $150,000 Capitol Theatre Operations, $60,000 Sundome. Motion to approve carried unanimously.
  • Public Hearing A – Right-of-Way Vacation (O. Jean Owens Revocable Living Trust) – Senior Planner Eric Crowell presented the Hearing Examiner’s recommendation to vacate a portion of an alley and N. Front Street between Bartlett Pl. and N. 1st St. to improve site security. The applicant’s representative spoke in favor. Council approved Ordinance 2024-027 by a 7-0 vote.
  • Public Hearing B – University District Annexation (Second Public Meeting) – Planning Manager Trevor Martin presented an overview of the process, utility and tax impacts, and introduced a new Option 5 map (approx. 588 acres). Fire Chief Aaron Markham compared response times and staffing: Yakima Fire can put 16 personnel on a residential structure fire within 10 minutes; East Valley Fire (combination career/volunteer) can put 6 personnel on scene in 10 minutes. Interim Police Chief Shawn Boyle noted that annexing Option 5 would add about 599 calls per year (1% increase), and YPD’s minimum staffing (6-8 officers per shift) provides faster response than the Sheriff’s Office (3 deputies in upper valley). Public Works Director Scott Schafer outlined transit plans (fixed route extension and Dial-A-Ride within 3/4 mile) and street maintenance services (snow/ice control, sweeping, etc.). After public testimony and council debate, multiple motions were made.
  • Department Item A – Fleet Management Services – Fleet Manager Kerry Jones explained the lease program with Enterprise Fleet Management to replace 30-40 year old vehicles, costing ~$150,000 for 12 vehicles in the first year. Resolution R-2024-172 adopted 7-0.
  • Department Item B – DUI Enforcement Interagency Agreement – Lt. Ira Cavin reported that the Washington Traffic Safety Commission will fund a second full-time DUI officer (state proviso funds, $156,000), replacing the city’s match. Resolution R-2024-173 adopted 7-0.
  • Department Item C – Central Washington Fair Police Services – Interim Chief Boyle presented a $20,000 contract for overtime police presence during the fair. Resolution R-2024-174 adopted 7-0.
  • Department Item D – Proposed Changes to CrRLJ 3.1 (Indigent Defense Standards) – Senior Assistant City Attorney Cynthia Martinez detailed the Washington State Bar Association’s recommendation to reduce public defender caseloads from 400 cases/year to 120 case credits/year by 2027. This would require hiring 24 additional attorneys in Yakima, which are not available. Council authorized submitting comments to the Washington Supreme Court opposing the rule. Motion carried unanimously.
  • City Manager Update – Vicki Baker reported that the priority-based budget process is underway; a preliminary budget overview will be presented on October 1, 2024. Council agreed to hold longer single meetings rather than additional meetings for budget discussions.
  • Other Business – Four motions passed unanimously:
    1. Direct Codes and YPD to report on service calls and code compliance at hotels and supportive housing facilities.
    2. Consider reducing study sessions to one per month for longer duration after budget completion (cost savings).
    3. Add a November agenda item to discuss a community service program involving nonprofit providers and municipal courts.
    4. Add a November agenda item to discuss an Adopt-a-Block Program.

Key Outcomes

  • Consent Agenda approved (with items 7E and 7H removed) by 7-0 roll call.
  • Ordinance 2024-026 (Pay Ordinance) passed 7-0.
  • LTAC Recommendations approved unanimously.
  • Ordinance 2024-027 (Right-of-Way Vacation) passed 7-0.
  • Annexation Motions:
    • Motion to proceed with Option 5 (direct staff to create petition and collect signatures) failed 6-1 (Herrera, Roy, Berg, Brown, Byers, Deccio voting no; Glenn voting yes).
    • Motion to proceed with Option 4 (map number 4) passed 5-2 (Deccio and Herrera voting no).
    • Motion to require assumption of existing city indebtedness by annexed area passed 5-2 (Deccio and Herrera voting no).
    • Motion to require simultaneous adoption of comprehensive plan passed 5-2 (Deccio and Herrera voting no).
  • Resolution R-2024-172 (Enterprise Fleet Management) adopted 7-0.
  • Resolution R-2024-173 (DUI Enforcement Agreement) adopted 7-0.
  • Resolution R-2024-174 (Fair Police Services) adopted 7-0.
  • Authorization to submit comments on CrRLJ 3.1 passed unanimously.
  • All four Other Business motions passed unanimously.

Meeting Transcript

Good evening and good evening and welcome to the Yakima City Council of September 17th, 2024. I called the meeting to order. You might have to gamble. May I we have roll call, please? Berg. Here. Brown. Here. Byers. Present. DCO. Glenn. Here. 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 one nation. Under God. Next we have interpreter services announced. Thank you. Good afternoon. See alguien necessita de la un interprete, then on the radio disponibles para sal. We have those radios available. Thank you. Next on the agenda is public comment. This evening we'll have public comment for up to 35 minutes. Each person who wishes to speak will have two and a half minutes. So when you come to the microphone for public comment, please identify yourself and your address here in the city or where you live. I am going to say this that those of you who are here to speak about the potential annexation. So we're going to hold those slips until after our presentation and then and then ask you to speak. So first tonight. I got you. Thank you. Maybe. Anyhow, I'm back. I'll keep coming back until somebody's willing to listen to plain simple common sense. In the best interest of the city and the citizens thereof. Okay. So work still continues on the site near Lewis and Folsom. Department of Ecology is working on getting their report finalized about the toxicity of the soil. But it's just a little bit toxified. So until that was done, someone in the shit city should have stopped up, stepped forward, and says this project is shut down until we find out how bad this is. So whatever. All kinds of grocery carts going up and down the street now. All kinds of people walking up and down the street just waiting for it to get finished. And you should all look at this report.

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