Yakima City Council Regular Meeting - January 7, 2025

The Yakima City Council held a regular meeting on January 7, 2025, at 5:30 p.m. in City Hall Council Chambers. All seven council members were present. The meeting approved two proclamations, adopted a slate of appointments to city boards, and approved a consent agenda containing 19 routine items. A public hearing was held for the Justice Assistance Grant program, and the council authorized a $4.9 million grant from the Bureau of Reclamation for water and wastewater infrastructure in underserved areas. The city manager updated the council on budget outreach plans, and three future discussions were added to upcoming agendas.

Consent Calendar

• Minutes: Approved minutes from the December 10, 2024 regular meeting and December 17, 2024 study session.
• Hearing Dates: Set February 4, 2025 for closed record public hearings on the preliminary plats of "Aspen Estates Phase 3" and "Occidental Place," and for an open record hearing on a right-of-way petition for Ted Palmatier.
• Master Fee Schedule: Adopted Resolution R-2025-001 adopting the 2025 Master Fee Schedule.
• Nob Hill Blvd Project: Accepted Change Order No. 1 with Granite Construction Company (Resolution R-2025-002).
• Nelson Dam Project: Authorized purchase of a temporary construction easement from Hollingbery Hop Storage, LLC (Resolution R-2025-003).
• Stormwater Engineering: Authorized a professional services agreement with Gray & Osborne, Inc. for stormwater system improvements in downtown parking lots (Resolution R-2025-004).
• Analytical Lab Testing: Awarded Bid 12427 to AmTest, Inc. and Anatek Labs, Inc. (Resolution R-2025-005).
• Airport De-Icer: Awarded Quote 22408 to Pelican Chemicals and Two Rivers Terminal (Resolution R-2025-006).
• Airport Leases: Approved amendments to the fuel farm lease and fixed base operator lease with Makito Aviation (Resolutions R-2025-007 and R-2025-008).
• CARB Loan: Authorized acceptance of a Community Aviation Revitalization Board loan from WSDOT (Resolution R-2025-009).
• CHIP Grant: Authorized an agreement with Yakima Housing Authority for system development charges and utility infrastructure improvements (Resolution R-2025-010).
• Transit Grants: Authorized grant agreements with WSDOT for fixed route operations (R-2025-011) and transit planning information sharing (R-2025-012).
• Spillman CAD Maintenance: Authorized an interlocal agreement with Yakima County Technology Services (Resolution R-2025-013).
• Emergency Aid: Authorized an interlocal agreement with Yakima County Fire District #4 (Resolution R-2025-014).
• Garbage Can Wrap Program: Authorized the Arts Commission to select artists for the garbage receptacle wrap project (Resolution R-2025-015).

Public Comments & Testimony

• No public comment: No individuals spoke during the 35-minute public comment period, either in person or remotely.
• Justice Assistance Grant Public Hearing: Lieutenant Tory Adams briefed the council on the $63,243 grant (with $12,809 allocated to Yakima County). The mayor opened and closed the hearing with no speakers.

Discussion Items

• Proclamations: Council unanimously approved a Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service Proclamation (motion by Deccio, second by Brown) and a National Mentoring Month Proclamation (motion by Deccio, second by Berg).
• Board Appointments: Councilmember Deccio presented the Council Nominating Committee's recommended appointments: Karelys Davis and Konner Hopkins to the Bicycle & Pedestrian Advisory Committee, Manuel Olivas to the Lodging Tax Advisory Committee, and Alejandra Tapia to the Yakima Housing Authority Board. The slate was adopted unanimously (motion by Brown, second by Berg).
• Council Nominating Committee: Councilmembers Glenn, Herrera, and Berg volunteered to serve as members, with Councilmember Roy as alternate, approved by consensus.
• Henry Beauchamp Community Center Advisory Committee: Councilmember Berg moved to remove Lisa Graham from the committee; the motion carried unanimously (second by Glenn).
• Consent Agenda: Approved by a 7-0 roll call (motion by Brown, second by Deccio).
• Justice Assistance Grant Resolution: Following the public hearing, council adopted Resolution R-2025-016 ratifying the grant application (motion by Deccio, second by Brown; 7-0 roll call).
• Bureau of Reclamation Grant: Water/Irrigation Manager Mike Shane presented the grant of $4,949,298 from the Bureau of Reclamation for the Water/Irrigation and Wastewater Divisions Low-income and Unserved Utility Areas Project. The grant will fund construction of water and wastewater systems for the northeast area of the city, with a match of $260,000 from capital funds. Council adopted Resolution R-2025-017 (motion by Deccio, second by Brown; 7-0 roll call). Councilmembers expressed gratitude and noted a second design phase is underway for the Fruitvale area.
• City Manager Budget Outreach Update: City Manager Vicki Baker outlined plans to conduct community outreach on budget priorities through focus groups (combining multiple council districts), pop-up events, and online methods. Councilmembers agreed to form three groups: Districts 1, 2, and 5 together; Districts 3 and 4 together; and Districts 6 and 7 together. Members were asked to submit budget committee nominations by January 28 for coordination in February and March, with a goal of presenting community feedback in April.
• Other Business – Future Agenda Items:
  • Mayor Byers moved to add a future study session discussion on billing non-residents for emergency fire and police services (motion carried unanimously).
  • Deputy Mayor Brown moved to add a discussion on home occupation permits to the first business meeting in February (amended from the January 28 study session; carried unanimously). Councilmember Herrera requested a brief staff presentation on the current ordinance for background.
  • Councilmember Glenn moved to add a future meeting discussion on utility billing for water and sewer, specifically regarding deposits for non-property owners and property owner liability (motion carried unanimously).

Key Outcomes

• All votes unanimous: All motions and resolutions passed with no opposition. Consent agenda and formal resolutions were approved by 7-0 roll call votes; other items carried by voice vote with all members in favor.
• Proclamations approved: MLK Day of Service and National Mentoring Month.
• Appointments made: Three appointments to city boards/committees accepted.
• Council Nominating Committee members appointed: Glenn, Herrera, Berg (members), Roy (alternate).
• Lisa Graham removed from Henry Beauchamp Community Center Advisory Committee.
• Justice Assistance Grant application ratified (total $63,243, county share $12,809).
• Bureau of Reclamation grant of $4,949,298 authorized for low-income/unserved utility areas.
• Three future agenda items added: (1) Emergency services billing for non-residents, (2) Home occupation permits discussion (first business meeting in February), (3) Utility billing for water and sewer (deposit and liability policy).
• Adjournment: Meeting adjourned at 6:04 p.m. to the next study session on January 14, 2025.