Yakima City Council Study Session - April 8, 2025

The Yakima City Council held a study session on April 8, 2025, at 5:00 PM in City Hall Council Chambers. The meeting was chaired by Mayor Patricia Byers and included all council members. The session covered an Arbor Day proclamation, a detailed presentation on the city jail, a discussion on utility billing collection processes, and passage of an ordinance amending long-term parking permits.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Anne Knapp (Yakima resident) expressed concerns about property owners' liability for unpaid tenant utility bills, specifically questioning whether the city's lien process complies with state law (RCW 35.21.274). She asked for clarity on collection guidelines and noted discrepancies between the city's website and ordinances.
• Ron Torres (Yakima resident) discussed research on Washington state housing laws and immigration, arguing that population decline is driving the need for immigration rather than overpopulation. He stated that the previous administration chose to import people rapidly.
• Shelley White (lifelong Yakima resident, not acting as Planning Commission member) presented charts on population growth in Washington, stating that 82% of the state's growth is driven by net migration (legal and illegal). She noted that about 13.7% of the state's population are immigrants (1.1 million people) and that non-U.S. citizens can purchase property. She raised concerns about housing supply and demand.

Discussion Items

• Arbor Day Proclamation: Councilmember Janice Deccio read a proclamation declaring the second Saturday in April as Arbor Day in Yakima and recognizing the Yakima Area Arboretum's Arbor Festival as the official celebration. Garrett Brenden, Education Director of the Arboretum, accepted the proclamation and invited the community to the free family event.
• City Jail Status Presentation: Commander Maritza Davis and Chief Boyle provided a comprehensive overview of the Yakima City Jail. The 72-bed facility, opened in 1996, houses only male inmates charged with misdemeanors or gross misdemeanors. Average daily population is about 40. The city has a contract with Yakima County Jail for a block of 40 beds at $136.48 per day per bed, plus medical costs. Commander Davis highlighted staffing shortages: at full staff there are 15 members, but currently only 7 deployable officers (50% staffing). Recruitment challenges include competition with police departments and other agencies, low applicant pools, and lengthy training timelines (7.5 months for entry-level). The city has offered hiring bonuses up to $10,000 but with limited results. Commander Davis’s goals include filling vacancies and achieving jail accreditation through WASPC. Judge Aryn Masters spoke on the benefits to the municipal court system, including the ability to hold inmates accountable, provide court security, and avoid relying solely on the county jail. Council members discussed potential jail expansion, housing female inmates, renting beds to other cities, and the impact of mental health and substance abuse issues on the jail population.
• Utility Billing Collection Stream: Utility Services Manager Anabel Chavez presented the utility billing process. The city has approximately 33,000 accounts, with about 2.7% (860 accounts) eligible for shutoff. Billing occurs every two months. She described the timeline from bill issuance to shutoff (day 41), payment arrangements, and collection agency procedures. The city requires a security deposit of $215.28 for tenants unless they have good payment history. Landlords can opt to receive copies of tenant bills, and automatically receive late notices. Council members discussed challenges including weather-related shutoff restrictions in summer, post-COVID backlogs, staffing shortages affecting shutoff enforcement, and high balances on Nob Hill water accounts. The issue of water loss from unaccounted meters was raised. A motion was made and passed to direct staff to bring a discussion to the Council on the second business meeting in May regarding whether the city should retain the right to collect delinquent tenant accounts from property owners (YMC 7.50.080G).
• Long-term Parking Permits Ordinance: City Attorney Sara Watkins presented an ordinance amending Section 9.50.220 of the Yakima Municipal Code. Changes included adding flexibility for the city manager to issue permits beyond the 60% limit if deemed appropriate, clarifying that permits are purchased on annual, semi-annual, or quarterly basis with a standardized schedule, and adding authority to revoke or suspend permits without refund for violations. The ordinance passed unanimously on a 7-0 roll call vote.

Key Outcomes

• Arbor Day Proclamation was read and accepted; no vote required.
• Jail Status: No formal action taken, but council expressed interest in exploring jail expansion and female housing options.
• Utility Billing: A motion by Councilmember Glenn, seconded by Councilmember Roy, directing the city to bring a discussion to the council on the second business meeting in May regarding whether to reserve the right to collect delinquent tenant accounts from property owners (YMC 7.50.080G) was carried unanimously (7-0). Staff will provide informational memos on the legal analysis and financial implications.
• Parking Permits Ordinance (Ordinance 2025-011) was passed on a 7-0 roll call vote, amending YMC 9.50.220.

The meeting adjourned at 7:33 PM. The next regular meeting is scheduled for April 15, 2025, at 5:30 PM.