Yakima City Council Study Session - March 11, 2025
Yakima City Council Study Session - March 11, 2025
The Yakima City Council met on March 11, 2025, at 5:00 PM in the City Hall Council Chambers for a study session. Key actions included voting to appeal a court order in a pending lawsuit, tabling a discussion on impact fee implementation, and adopting a revised proclamation policy. The meeting also featured public comment and a brief executive session.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Shelley (private Yakima citizen, not a Planning Commission member) provided a handout and summarized new state laws regarding middle housing that were not voted on by the public. She noted that these laws affect single-family neighborhoods, allow triplexes up to 35 feet, eliminate occupancy limits, promote absentee landlord rentals, reduce parking, and remove neighbor recourse. She stated that the laws must be incorporated into Yakima's next comprehensive plan, which the council recently voted to begin. She also distributed a draft of the Department of Commerce’s instructions on unit lot subdivisions.
- Tony Corsi (Yakima resident) expressed concerns about a property at 1021 North 34th Avenue, alleging that the city allowed development despite a disputed water right claim by Steve Hahn. He referenced a pending trial and stated that he is pursuing legal action against the city and prior councils.
Discussion Items
- Impact Fee Revenue Discussion (Study Session Item 5A): Community Development Director Bill Preston and Planning Director Trevor Martin presented an update on potential impact fees. They explained that impact fees are one-time charges on new development to fund capital facilities (fire, parks, transportation). Staff recommended focusing on transportation and parks, excluding schools, and suggested a phased approach starting with an RFQ (estimated $10,000–$15,000) followed by a full study ($75,000–$100,000). Trevor Martin shared data from comparable cities: single-family impact fees ranged from $4,000–$8,000 per unit, and annual collections varied (e.g., Everett $5M, Olympia $1.7M, Richland $3.5M, Ellensburg $385K, Vancouver $12M). Using Union Gap's flat-rate model, Yakima might have collected $1.5 million in 2024. However, staff noted that revenue would not be seen until at least 2027 due to the ongoing comprehensive plan update (due June 2026). Council members expressed concerns about the upfront investment given budget constraints, the timing, and limited potential for new residential development. Councilman Glenn moved to table the idea, seconded by Councilman DCo, and the motion passed unanimously by voice vote.
- Resolution Amending the Proclamation Policy (Study Session Item 5B): City Attorney Zara Watkins presented proposed changes to the proclamation issuance policy. The new procedure requires proclamations to be proposed only by a city council member via motion, then approved by council, drafted by staff to ensure compliance with guidelines, and brought back for final approval. Staff may consult with outside entities on language. Councilman Byrd moved to adopt the resolution, seconded by Deputy Mayor Brown. The roll call vote was 5–2 in favor (Brown, Buyers, Glenn, Roy, Byrd yes; DCo, Herrera no).
Key Outcomes
- Appeal of Court Order (Council Item 3A): Council voted 5–2 to appeal Judge Elliott’s March 7, 2025 order granting partial summary judgment in Yakima Citizens et al. v. City of Yakima, et al. (Councilman Berg moved, Deputy Mayor Brown seconded; Brown, Buyers, Glenn, Roy, Herrera yes; DCo, Herrera? — corrected: roll call showed Brown yes, Buyers yes, DCo no, Glenn yes, Herrera no, Roy yes, Berg yes; final tally 5-2).
- Impact Fees: Motion to table the discussion passed by voice vote with no opposition.
- Proclamation Policy: Resolution adopting the amended policy passed 5–2.
- Next Meeting: The council adjourned to the next regular meeting on March 18, 2025, at 5:30 PM in the same location.
Meeting Transcript
Okay. Good evening and welcome to the Yakima City Council March eleventh, twenty twenty five. I'll call the meeting in order. We'll start with roll call, please. Here. Brown. Here. Hiers. Present. DCO? Here. Glenn? Here. Herrera? Here. Roy? Council Member Roy indicated he would be on Zoom. Yes, he did. Okay. Second thing on the agenda is executive session. All right. Madam Mayor, I move to adjourn to executive session until five thirty PM to discuss pending litigation pursuant to RCW forty two thirty one ten one I. I call the regular meeting of March eleventh back to order. We'll have a roll call, please. Brown? Here. My ears. DCO. Here. Glenn? Here. Irena? Here. Roy. Here. Thank you. We're down to item three on the agenda, which is a council item. The consideration of Yakima Citizens et al versus City of Yacima. All right. I uh I move that the city appeals Judge Elliott's March seventh, twenty twenty-five order granting partial summary judgment. Second. So we have a motion by Dep uh by I'm sorry, by Councilman Berg in a second by Deputy Mayor Brown. May I see the motion, please. Uh, that the city appeals judge elliott's March seventh, twenty twenty-five order granting partial summary judgment. We'll take a roll call on this, please. Yes. Brown? Yes. Yes. DCO?
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