Yakima City Council Regular Meeting – May 6, 2025

The Yakima City Council held a regular meeting on May 6, 2025, at City Hall, beginning with an executive session at 5:01 p.m. to discuss pending litigation (ending at 5:28 p.m.) and the public meeting at 5:30 p.m. The council approved a consent agenda, held two public hearings on zoning text amendments, received a progress report from the Citizen Budget Advisory Committee, and reviewed community budget survey results with over 2,000 participants.

Consent Calendar

• Approved unanimously (7‑0): Minutes from April 15 and April 22, 2025; 2025 1st Quarter Financial Report; resolution setting a June 3, 2025 hearing on the Six‑Year Transportation Improvement Program; 1st Quarter 2025 Claim Report; amendments to Planning Commission Bylaws; contract amendment with InfoSend Inc. for bulk printing/mailing; agreement with Ascent Foundation & More for water/wastewater access; sole‑source purchase of digester mixer motors from Whitney Equipment; contract with Culbert Construction for the S. 72nd Avenue & Washington Avenue Roundabout; contract with Graham Baba Architects for Capitol Theatre improvements; agreement with JUB Engineers for airport terminal upgrades; MOU with Seattle Police for forensic cell phone tools; facility use agreement with Kittitas County for Bowers Field; dispatch communications contract with Toppenish.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Patricia Hernandez (Yakima resident) advocated for justice into her son’s death, alleging police inaction and discrimination.
• Tony Sandoval (Yakima resident) played audio of gunshots and sirens, urged council not to cut the police budget, citing ongoing crime in his neighborhood.
• Ron Torres (Yakima resident) spoke against HB 1110, arguing accessory dwelling unit (ADU) laws could have produced affordable housing without eliminating single‑family zoning.
• Shelley White (Yakima resident) expressed concern that developers and institutional investors, not local homeowners, would be the primary beneficiaries of middle‑housing laws.

Discussion Items

Introduction of Director of Finance & Budget

• City Manager Vicki Baker introduced Craig Warner, who began April 16, 2025. Mr. Warner previously served as Yakima County’s financial services and budget director for many years. He briefly addressed the council, noting his familiarity with the community and state law.

Council Nominating Committee Appointments

• Councilmember Herrera reported the committee’s recommendations: Arts Commission – Reesha Cosby, Geri O. Ham, Sylvia Merczel, Jacob Butler; Parks and Recreation Commission – Kenneth Wyatt Garcia (youth position); Yakima Housing Authority – Eliza Mancilla. Motion carried unanimously.

Public Hearings on Zoning Text Amendments

1. Title 15 amendments (Chapters 15.02, 15.04, 15.11): Planning Manager Trevor Martin explained that changes streamline application requirements and update the table of permitted land uses. A public hearing was held; no one spoke on the topic. Passed 7‑0 (Ordinance 2025‑016). Martin also noted a future staff‑recommended amendment to Title 14 (short subdivision notice requirements) would be brought back for a separate public hearing.
2. Title 15 amendments (Chapters 15.06, 15.08, 15.09, 15.10, 15.13, 15.17): These amendments clarify downtown design standards, parking requirements, and add an expedited land‑use review for businesses within existing buildings. Public hearing with no testimony. Passed 7‑0 (Ordinance 2025‑017). Council agreed to schedule a future public hearing for the Title 14 changes, likely in June.

Citizen Budget Advisory Committee Final Budget Report

• Financial Consultant Mike Bailey presented a progress report. The committee, formed by resolution in December 2024, held 12 meetings totaling over 16 hours. They identified complexity in the city’s fund structure and desire to better link programs to strategic goals. Revenue options discussed include property tax lid lifts, a new 1% public‑safety sales tax (estimated $2.7 million per tenth of a cent), parks district, fire authority, EMS levy, transportation benefit district, fee increases (e.g., CPI‑based adjustments), and cost‑recovery for interlocal services. On the cost‑cutting side, two committee members (including Gunnar Berg) produced a sample $9 million reduction package.
• Committee member Jeanna Hernandez said the group needs another month to reach consensus on recommendations.
• Gunnar Berg presented three measures: (1) targeted cuts (e.g., Windows Alive, fireworks, flowers, YCDA funding, sale of Bank of America building); (2) automatic CPI‑based fee increases; (3) renegotiating interlocal service contracts to charge a premium (suggesting 10–15% above cost) to other jurisdictions, potentially raising millions to reduce police/fire overtime.

Budget Survey Results

• City Manager Vicki Baker reported extensive public engagement: town halls at Harman Center, convention center, Davis High School, plus pop‑ups at community events. Over 2,065 people completed the survey; 3,400 responded to at least one question. Key findings:
  • Top priority: Police (40%), followed by street maintenance (26%), parks/recreation (25%), fire (9%).
  • Property tax support for public safety: 40% yes, 33% no, 27% need more information.
  • Budget reduction exercise (selecting $9M in cuts): Most popular cuts – eliminating lobbying/council travel (59%), fireworks (56%), reducing Windows Alive (51%), eliminating flowers downtown (45%). Least popular – eliminating YPD gang unit (16%), narcotics unit (16%), property crimes unit (16%), closing Franklin Pool (16%), closing Harmon Senior Center (18%).
  • 57% supported increasing taxes by ~$20/month to fund police, fire, and court services; 43% opposed.
• Town hall feedback highlighted strong support for Harman Center (with willingness to raise fees), youth recreation programs (as crime prevention), economic development, and transparency. Many residents opposed any cuts to public safety.

Key Outcomes

• Approved all consent agenda items (7‑0).
• Adopted two zoning ordinances (2025‑016 and 2025‑017) with unanimous votes.
• Directed staff to prepare a Juneteenth proclamation for the June 3, 2025 regular meeting (unanimous).
• Directed staff to prepare a National Salvation Army Week proclamation to be presented at the May 13, 2025 study session (consensus).
• Noted that the Citizen Budget Advisory Committee will continue meeting and aims to present a final report in approximately one month.
• Councilmember Brown requested additional data from Yakima County regarding the homeless coalition; results to be shared when received.