The Yakima City Council held a regular meeting on July 15, 2025, at 5:30 PM in City Hall Council Chambers. The meeting included public comment, a proclamation, a consent agenda, two department items (adoption of the Commute Trip Reduction Plan and discussion on the Community Crosswalk Policy), a city manager update, and several other business items. The meeting adjourned at 6:45 PM.
All consent items were approved by a 7-0 roll call vote.
Seven members of the public addressed the council (35 minutes allotted, 2.5 minutes per speaker):
Planning Manager Trevor Martin presented the ordinance adopting the 2025 Commute Trip Reduction Plan, a state-mandated program to reduce single-occupancy vehicle commutes by employers with 100+ employees. The plan aims to reduce congestion, air pollution, and fuel consumption. The ordinance (No. 2025-023) amends YMC Chapter 5.90. Councilmember Brown moved to adopt, seconded by Councilmember Deccio. The motion passed 7-0.
Community Development Director Bill Preston reviewed the current policy (adopted May 2021), which allows nonprofit organizations to apply for artwork in crosswalks via a right-of-way permit (renewal $100/year). Only one location exists (Sergeant Pendleton Way and Natchez). The policy is tied to the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD). Preston noted that the 2024 MUTCD has been issued by the federal government but not yet adopted by Washington State (WSDOT). The new MUTCD restricts colors (e.g., green for bikes, red for transit) and requires high contrast, potentially making vibrant colors non-compliant. Preston recommended waiting for WSDOT adoption to avoid changing the policy twice. Council discussed liability, safety, and the low utilization of the policy.
Councilmember Berg moved to repeal the community crosswalk policy entirely, citing liability concerns. The motion was seconded by Councilmember Roy. After debate, the motion passed 5-2, with Councilmembers Deccio and Herrera voting no. The repeal removes the policy; the existing rainbow crosswalk may be subject to termination under the right-of-way permit code.
Good evening and welcome. I will call to order the Akron City Council meeting of July 15, 2025. And we have roll call, please. Bird. Here. Brown. Here. By yours. Present. DCO. Here. Glenn? Here. Irena? Here. Roy. Here. All right. Thank you very much. Please stand and join us to the Pledge of Allegiance. I want to believe the United States of America. We'll start with interpreter services. Good evening. See alguien necessita lay on interpreter. Somebody needs to interpret them here. Thank you. Rossius. Next is public comment. We will have 35 minutes allotted for public comment this evening. Anyone who wishes to make public comment, please pick up a form in the lobby, fill it out and turn it into the city clerk. When you come up to the podium, please state your name and the city in which you live. Also a reminder that state law prohibits electioneering at city facilities during public comment. Speakers cannot campaign for or against candidates or support or oppose any ballot measure in the upcoming election. Next on the agenda is discussion for the good of the order. Do we have any? Public comment. No, we have public comment. Oh, that's right. We're doing that. I just said that. Okay, first we have Kerry Ward. Wait a second. And we're just gonna bypass it tonight. Right to the podium, sir. Thank you. Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen. My issue, you see speed bumps on that paperwork. Now I've I live on 36th Avenue, 411 South 36th Avenue. I've been there for about 23 years now. And I'm seeing a bunch of young families coming in around me.