OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Yakima City Council Regular Meeting - May 20, 2025

City Council — Tuesday, May 20, 2025
BodyYakima, Washington
SessionCity Council
DateTuesday, May 20, 2025
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 57:27

Transcript — Verbatim
2:05

Good evening and welcome.

2:06

I will call the Aquima City Council May 20th, 2025 to order.

2:10

We'll start with roll call, please.

2:12

Bird?

2:13

Here.

2:13

Brown?

2:14

Here.

2:15

Buyers?

2:15

Present.

2:16

DCO?

2:17

Here.

2:17

Glenn?

2:18

Here.

2:18

Irena?

2:19

Here.

2:20

Roy.

2:20

Here.

2:21

Thank you, Council.

2:22

Please stand and join me for the Pledge of Allegiance.

2:38

Indivisible with liberty.

2:44

Next, we'll have Interpreter Services.

2:59

Thank you.

3:08

Everyone will be allowed two and a half minutes.

3:11

When you come to the microphone, please give us your name and the city in which you live.

3:16

Also, um, individuals who wish to provide public comments remotely may submit a public comment request from online at www.yakimawa.gov slash counsel slash public comment.

3:28

No later than two hours prior to the start of the meeting.

3:32

One other thing I like to add is that um where'd it go?

3:44

But I will tell you that because we are in um election season, that nobody may use this time for election purposes from now until the end of the election period.

3:53

So you may not use it to support yourself or another candidate.

3:56

Thank you.

5:00

In all fairness, other small individual small investors, those owning one to ten rental properties, own most 70% of all the single family rentals.

5:06

But both of these groups are increasing their holdings daily.

5:10

Washington now has the sixth highest rents in the nation, putting our median rent and the state at a whopping $1,731 a month.

5:20

Why should this concern us?

5:22

In your reading from last week, the very last included line stated that the difference in median household wealth between those who were purchasing their home and those who rented was a dramatic difference.

5:33

255,000 for homeowners versus 6,000 for renters.

5:40

For at least 50% of all Americans, their home is their primary source of personal wealth, their nest egg.

5:47

If you remove this ability to buy property from an average citizen, you are essentially dooming them to long-term poverty.

5:54

But most investors don't care.

5:56

For them, it's all about their bottom line.

5:58

They simply don't consider the fact that when they use their vast capital reserves to buy a property for rent, someone else doesn't get to buy it to live in and build their personal wealth.

6:09

But does this loss for the average citizen stop with investors?

6:13

Remember, we talked about a third entity in this housing room, and it's a very territorial, mostly invisible, super giant and very mean gorilla, and a gorilla that most likely controls the giant whale and that first giant elephant in the room.

6:29

To understand the gorilla, let's start here.

6:32

In the early 1800s, a German idealist named Hegel introduced Hegelian dialectic.

6:37

It's a way of coming to or forcing a different conclusion from the norm onto or into a group of people.

6:44

Here's how it works.

6:46

You have something, an idea, an invention, a revolution that you want to introduce and sell people, but you know they won't like it, and they will resist it, but you think you know better.

6:56

You create a problem or a crisis so that the thing, the idea you want to introduce will be the answer to the crisis.

7:03

When the time is right, you introduce what you want as the answer to their crisis.

7:08

People accept what you are selling as an answer to avoid their crisis, whether or not it's to their real or long-term benefit.

7:16

And we'll talk more about that next time.

7:18

Thank you.

7:24

Next is Margaret.

7:27

I'm sorry, I can't read the letters.

7:30

Okay, thank you, Margaret.

7:32

Good evening, everybody.

7:33

My name is Dr.

7:34

Margaret France, and um I'm here on behalf of about 10 to 15 percent of the citizens here of Yakima and the people here who live in Yakima.

7:46

In 2024, uh the council made a big show of not supporting June as LGBTQ pride month.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Public Safety████████████████████████24%
Procedural███████████████████████23%
Intergovernmental Cooperation██████████10%
Community Engagement█████████9%
LGBTQ Rights██████6%
Airport Development██████6%
Affordable Housing█████5%
Housing and Home Repair████4%
Homelessness████4%
Summary of Proceedings

Yakima City Council Regular Meeting - May 20, 2025

The Yakima City Council held a regular meeting on May 20, 2025, at 5:30 PM in City Hall Council Chambers. The meeting included public comments, approval of a consent agenda, department items covering airport improvements, a legislative session update, and a new massage business ordinance, followed by directives for two proclamations. The meeting adjourned at 6:26 PM.

Consent Calendar

  • Approved minutes from May 6 and May 13, 2025 meetings.
  • Accepted the April 2025 Investment Transaction Report.
  • Approved payment of disbursements for April 1–30, 2025.
  • Adopted Resolution R-2025-086 setting a June 17, 2025 public hearing on amending the Transportation Benefit District Project List.
  • Adopted Resolution R-2025-087 setting a June 17, 2025 hearing to review the Six-year Transportation Improvement Program and Capital Facilities Element for 2026–2031.
  • Adopted Resolution R-2025-088 authorizing an Interlocal Agreement with the Washington Traffic Safety Commission for a regional crash team and equipment.
  • Adopted Resolution R-2025-089 authorizing settlement of damage claims filed by James Bell (Northwest Liquidators).
  • Adopted Resolution R-2025-090 authorizing a collective bargaining agreement with Transit Field Operations Supervisors (Teamsters Local 760) for 2024–2027.
  • Adopted Resolution R-2025-091 authorizing a collective bargaining agreement with the Yakima Police Management Group (Teamsters Local 760) for 2024–2027.
  • All items were approved by a 7-0 roll call vote.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Shelley White (city resident): Spoke about the effects of real estate multi-family housing investors on rental prices, noting that Washington now has the sixth-highest rents in the nation ($1,731 median) and that homeowners' median wealth ($255,000) far exceeds renters' ($6,000).
  • Dr. Margaret France (city resident): Spoke in support of Pride Month, asking the council to reconsider their 2024 decision to not issue a Pride Month proclamation. She represented the LGBTQ+ community and urged the council to end what she called an act of hostility.
  • Isidro Sid Reynaga (city resident, District 4): Expressed concern about rising crime and homelessness in his residential neighborhood, stating that the city has not done enough to address the problem and that children cannot safely walk on streets.
  • Tony Sandoval (city resident): Questioned why churches were not included in recent budget town halls, suggested additional community outreach, and noted that the previous town hall turnout was poor except in districts 6 and 7.
  • Luis Hernandez and Bertha Mendoza: Introduced students from La Casa Hogar, a nonprofit organization, who are learning about local government and civics.
  • Bill Bosch (county resident): Spoke in support of Pride Month and diversity, equity, and inclusion principles, citing the founding ideals and his own family immigration history.
  • Christina Nyirati (county resident): A retired nursing dean, asked the council to reconsider the 2024 Pride Month proclamation decision, emphasizing the contributions and safety of LGBTQ+ residents. She identified as a religious Catholic and a member of the community.

Discussion Items

  • 9.A Approval of In-Kind Donations for Aviation Day 2025: Assistant City Manager Gary Ballew presented donations from TownSquare Media (radio ads), The Print Guys (posters, banners, magazine prints), and Coca-Cola (soda and water) for the June 7 Aviation Day event. The council accepted the donations unanimously.
  • 9.B 2025 Washington State Legislature Session Review: State lobbyists Luke Esser and Nick Federici reported on the session. The state faced a $16 billion deficit, balanced with $9 billion in new revenues and $7 billion in cuts. Key outcomes for Yakima: $750,000 for airport overflow parking (top priority), $257,000 for MLK Jr. Park Aquatic Center, $100,000 for Capitol Theater, $103,000 for Elks Park Little League field, $5 million for a regional detox center, and the Yakima Valley School remaining open. New law enforcement funding via HB 2015 includes a $100 million state grant program (three years) and a local option 0.1% sales tax. Public defense funding increased by $20 million, including $7.9 million for Blake-related services. $770 million was allocated for affordable housing. Mayor Byers noted the positive outcomes of the school staying open and the detox center funding.
  • 9.C Resolution authorizing FAA grant application for Terminal Modernization Baggage Claim project: Airport Director Rob Hodgman requested support for a $1 million grant from the FAA's Airport Terminal Program. The project includes a new baggage claim carousel, bathroom renovations, and a family lounge. Total funding includes $1.1 million from a previous grant and local county match. The council adopted Resolution R-2025-092 by a 7-0 vote. Hodgman also noted that the solar canopy project lost its state grant funding and is being reevaluated, while the overflow parking lot design will begin immediately.
  • 9.D Ordinance adding Chapter 5.31, Massage and Reflexology Services: Detective Thomas Priestman presented the ordinance to enhance oversight of massage businesses. Key provisions: prohibit operation between 9 PM and 6 AM, require all therapists to be licensed by the Department of Health and at least 18 years old, require posting of licenses, allow police inspection of common areas during business hours, prohibit touching private areas, and allow license revocation for violations. An undercover operation at nine businesses resulted in eight arrests for sexual services. The council passed Ordinance 2025-018 by a 7-0 vote. Councilmembers expressed support, noting the need to legitimize the industry.

Key Outcomes

  • Consent Agenda: Approved 7-0.
  • In-Kind Donations for Aviation Day: Accepted unanimously.
  • FAA Grant Application: Resolution R-2025-092 adopted 7-0.
  • Massage Ordinance: Ordinance 2025-018 passed 7-0.
  • Older American's Month Proclamation: Motion passed unanimously to direct staff to prepare a proclamation for the June 3, 2025 agenda.
  • Idiopathic Hypersomnia Proclamation: Motion passed unanimously to direct staff to prepare a proclamation for the June 3, 2025 agenda.
  • Adjournment: Motion passed unanimously to adjourn to the next regular meeting on June 3, 2025 at 5:30 PM.

Meeting Transcript

Good evening and welcome. I will call the Aquima City Council May 20th, 2025 to order. We'll start with roll call, please. Bird? Here. Brown? Here. Buyers? Present. DCO? Here. Glenn? Here. Irena? Here. Roy. Here. Thank you, Council. Please stand and join me for the Pledge of Allegiance. Indivisible with liberty. Next, we'll have Interpreter Services. Thank you. Everyone will be allowed two and a half minutes. When you come to the microphone, please give us your name and the city in which you live. Also, um, individuals who wish to provide public comments remotely may submit a public comment request from online at www.yakimawa.gov slash counsel slash public comment. No later than two hours prior to the start of the meeting. One other thing I like to add is that um where'd it go? But I will tell you that because we are in um election season, that nobody may use this time for election purposes from now until the end of the election period. So you may not use it to support yourself or another candidate. Thank you. In all fairness, other small individual small investors, those owning one to ten rental properties, own most 70% of all the single family rentals. But both of these groups are increasing their holdings daily. Washington now has the sixth highest rents in the nation, putting our median rent and the state at a whopping $1,731 a month. Why should this concern us? In your reading from last week, the very last included line stated that the difference in median household wealth between those who were purchasing their home and those who rented was a dramatic difference. 255,000 for homeowners versus 6,000 for renters. For at least 50% of all Americans, their home is their primary source of personal wealth, their nest egg. If you remove this ability to buy property from an average citizen, you are essentially dooming them to long-term poverty. But most investors don't care. For them, it's all about their bottom line. They simply don't consider the fact that when they use their vast capital reserves to buy a property for rent, someone else doesn't get to buy it to live in and build their personal wealth. But does this loss for the average citizen stop with investors? Remember, we talked about a third entity in this housing room, and it's a very territorial, mostly invisible, super giant and very mean gorilla, and a gorilla that most likely controls the giant whale and that first giant elephant in the room. To understand the gorilla, let's start here. In the early 1800s, a German idealist named Hegel introduced Hegelian dialectic. It's a way of coming to or forcing a different conclusion from the norm onto or into a group of people. Here's how it works. You have something, an idea, an invention, a revolution that you want to introduce and sell people, but you know they won't like it, and they will resist it, but you think you know better. You create a problem or a crisis so that the thing, the idea you want to introduce will be the answer to the crisis. When the time is right, you introduce what you want as the answer to their crisis.

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