Yakima City Council Regular Meeting - October 7, 2025

The Yakima City Council met on October 7, 2025, at 5:31 p.m. in City Hall Council Chambers. The meeting included public comments, a proclamation, consent agenda approvals, and several department items. Key actions included passage of a trolley operating agreement (6-1), authorization for bridge design engineering (5-2), and an ordinance updating vehicle impound notice requirements (7-0). Council also received presentations on fire prevention and the Affordable Housing Fund (HB 1406), but took no action on fund disbursement.

Consent Calendar

• Approved minutes from the September 16, 2025 regular meeting.
• Set November 12, 2025 as the date for a public hearing on the 2026 Ad Valorem Tax (property tax).
• Set November 12 and 18, 2025 for public hearings on the 2025–2026 Mid Biennial Budget.
• Adopted Resolution R-2025-144: granting an easement to Yakima County for the Gap to Gap Ecosystem Restoration project.
• Adopted Resolution R-2025-145: authorizing purchase of easements from LF Holdings, LLC for the Nelson Dam Removal Phase 2 Conveyance Improvements project.
• Adopted Resolution R-2025-146: authorizing a contract with Ascent Foundation and More, LLC for Stormwater System Spot Improvements (Project SW2832).
• Adopted Resolution R-2025-147: allocating $50,000 from Lodging Tax Fund reserves for the Washington State Main Street Tax Credit Incentive Program (MSTCIP).
• Adopted Resolution R-2025-148: authorizing the marketing and sale of real property forfeited under RCW Title 69.50.
• Items 7.I (Trolley Supplemental Agreement) and 7.J (Naches River Bridge Repair agreement) were removed from the consent agenda and voted on separately.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Tony Sandoval, city resident, expressed opposition to the Yakima County Board of Health’s characterization of local taco vendors as a “dangerous and violent criminal enterprise,” calling the language harmful to the community.
• Ken Johnsen, President of Yakima Valley Trolleys, reported that a professional railroad inspection found the Selah line track in remarkable condition; volunteers have repaired a fractured rail and will clear vegetation. He emphasized that restoring service to Selah would cost the city nothing because volunteers would perform the work.
• Crystal Knoblaugh, city resident, spoke in support of the trolleys, citing the joy they bring to families and visitors; she noted that about 35% of riders come from outside the area specifically for the trolley experience.
• Lois Menard, West Valley resident and trolley committee member, highlighted the educational value of the trolleys for students and the organization’s reliance on volunteers.
• Paul Edmondson, Vice President of Yakima Valley Trolleys, provided financial context: the trolley’s expenditures ($2,200) are minimal compared to the city bus system ($10.6 million); he stated that once service to Selah resumes, operations could become self-sustaining.
• Aileen Kane, city resident, shared personal experiences and encouraged the council to keep the trolleys operating for community enjoyment and tourism.
• Greg Johnsen (via Zoom), trolley volunteer, reported expected 2025 ridership of over 5,000 (up from 2,400 in 2024 due to a part break) and noted that COVID and the Selah line closure have cost the trolley over $200,000 in lost revenue.
• Marty Miller, city resident, urged the council to broaden the uses of Affordable Housing Fund (HB 1406) money beyond utility connection fees, suggesting a request-for-proposals process to leverage other public and private investments.
• Tony Courcy, city resident, raised ongoing concerns about water rights and storm drainage issues, and expressed dissatisfaction with how his previous correspondence was handled.

Discussion Items

• Council Reports – Lodging Tax Advisory Committee (LTAC): Mayor Byers, as LTAC chair, reported the committee’s recommendation to allocate a one-time $50,000 award from lodging tax reserves to fund the city’s match for the Main Street Tax Credit Incentive Program. Assistant City Manager Gary Ballew explained that the program supports downtown economic development and tourism.
• Consent Agenda Removals:
  • Item 7.I – Trolley Supplemental Agreement No. 6: Community Development Director Bill Preston briefed the council that the prior operating agreement expired in September; this resolution ratified the city manager’s extension through December 31, 2025. Councilmember Glenn expressed conditional support for 2026 if the trolley can self-fund. Councilmember Berg voted no.
  • Item 7.J – HLA Engineering Agreement for Naches River Bridge Repair: Preston explained that this $275,000 design contract (100% state-funded) is necessary for bridge repairs, with construction costs (approx. $375,000) to be covered by a future federal grant. Councilmembers Glenn and Berg opposed, arguing the repair cost could be matched by the trolley volunteers’ estimate of $30,000 and that the city lacks a plan for restoring Sixth Avenue track. Others noted the bridge is a city asset that must be maintained, and rejecting the grant would forfeit the funds entirely. The motion passed 5-2.
• Department Item 9.A – Ordinance on Vehicle Impound Notice (YMC 9.47.040(B)): Police Chief Shawn Boyle presented a minor amendment expanding notice methods from telephone-only to include in-person contact and email, giving vehicle owners more opportunity to move their cars before impound. The council passed the ordinance 7-0 (Ordinance No. 2025-030).
• Department Item 9.B – Fire Prevention and Community Risk Reduction Presentation: Fire Shift Commander Mike Trujillo and Captain Jeremiah Stilley outlined proactive programs for youth (school curriculum aligned with common core, car seat safety), seniors (fall prevention, smoke alarm installation), and the general population (wildfire risk reduction). They noted that Yakima County is in the top 1% nationally for wildfire vulnerability. The Red Cross and DNR are key partners.
• Department Item 9.C – Affordable Housing Fund (HB 1406) and Municipal Code 7.92: City Attorney Sara Watkins explained that the city has collected approximately $887,219.93 since 2020, with none spent to date. The existing incentive program focuses on utility connection fees for multifamily projects creating ≥10 units with 50% affordable at ≤50% AMI. She outlined statutory options: acquisition, rehabilitation, construction, operations/maintenance, and rental assistance. Council discussed possible amendments (e.g., reducing affordability period from 50 to 25 years, raising AMI to 60%), but took no action. Councilmember Glenn expressed interest in long-term solutions such as rehabbing properties through partnerships like Habitat for Humanity.
• Other Business: Assistant Mayor Brown reported on the Homeless Coalition Executive Board meeting, noting progress on a community dashboard showing shelter capacity and a quarterly data report. A draft five-year homeless plan will be presented to city councils soon.

Key Outcomes

• Proclamation (5.A): Unanimously approved proclaiming October 18, 2025 as “Harvest Marching Band Festival Day.”
• Consent Agenda: Approved 7-0 (roll call) with items I and J removed.
• Resolution R-2025-149 (Trolley Supplemental Agreement No. 6): Passed 6-1 (Berg opposed).
• Resolution R-2025-150 (HLA Engineering for Naches River Bridge Repair): Passed 5-2 (Glenn and Berg opposed).
• Ordinance 2025-030 (Vehicle Impound Notice): Passed 7-0 (roll call).
• Affordable Housing Fund Discussion: No motion or action taken; council will consider amendments and potential RFPs at a future date.
• Adjournment: The meeting adjourned at 7:08 p.m. to the next study session on October 14, 2025, at 5:00 p.m.