OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Yakima City Council Regular Meeting – October 21, 2025

City Council — Tuesday, October 21, 2025
BodyYakima, Washington
SessionCity Council
DateTuesday, October 21, 2025
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 1:35:36

Transcript — Verbatim
0:57

Good evening and welcome.

0:59

I will call the uh Yakima City Council of Business meeting of October 24th, 2025 to order.

1:06

We'll start with roll call.

1:07

Bird?

1:08

Here.

1:08

Brown.

1:09

Here.

1:10

Buyers.

1:10

President.

1:11

DCO.

1:12

Here.

1:12

Glenn.

1:13

Here.

1:14

Herrera?

1:14

Here.

1:15

Roy.

1:16

Here.

1:17

Thank you.

1:17

Please stand and join us for the police allegiance.

1:22

Again.

1:39

We will have interpreter services.

1:40

Thank you.

1:50

Gracias.

1:51

Process.

1:53

Item four is public comment.

1:55

There will be 35 minutes allotted for public comment this evening with each person receiving two and a half minutes.

2:00

If you wish to make a public comment, please make sure you fill out a form in the lobby and give it to our city clerk.

2:06

When you come to the podium, introduce yourself and tell us the city where you live.

2:11

Please remember that state law prohibits electioneering in city facilities.

2:15

During public comment, speakers cannot campaign for or against candidates or support or opposed to any ballot measures in the upcoming election.

2:24

Okay.

2:26

The first person I have is Ann Knapp.

2:39

Good afternoon.

2:40

Thank you for letting me make comments.

2:42

My name is Ann Knapp.

2:43

I live in the city of Yacima.

2:45

I support the trolley.

2:46

I put a handout in front of everybody.

2:48

It has my speaking points, 14 points, which I may not get through, a list of potential relevant documents, which I have a large stack.

2:56

I'm sure there are more deck documents elsewhere.

2:59

But um I support the trolley.

3:34

So this is a very critical issue, and it resulted in uh utilities and transportation commission order to the city and to Yakima Valley trolleys.

4:00

The City Council, your decision makers need to have good and accurate information to make money decisions, and I just don't have energy and time to give you all the information.

4:13

And I hate coming and talking to you.

4:16

But my 14 points.

5:00

People and a dog were trying to get across the bridges.

5:02

And I was concerned they would not make it safely, but I didn't think the trolley was running, and I don't know Burlington Northern schedule.

5:09

The UTC order on pedestrian diverter is legally binding on the city, BNSF and the Yakima Valley trolleys.

5:16

The city's contract structural engineer designed pedestrian bridge access that exceeds all.

5:21

I am so sorry about your two happen as well.

5:24

Thank you so much.

5:25

Thank you for presenting us a written material.

5:34

Next is Paul Edmondson.

5:43

Thank you, Madam Mayor.

5:45

Please, the council.

5:48

Madam Manager and Bronson.

5:50

One time.

5:52

I just wanted to say a few words on the CEPA issue, which was uh brought up in September.

5:59

I don't know if all of you have had a chance to look over the authorities I brought over yesterday and gave to the clerk.

6:07

But in 54 years of practicing law in Yakima, it's rare to find a case where the all the law and all the facts are on one side.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Public Transportation████████████████████████████████32%
Procedural████████████████16%
Veteran Services███████████████15%
Environmental Protection██████████10%
Engineering And Infrastructure█████████9%
Water And Wastewater Management███████7%
Pending Litigation████4%
Education██2%
Public Safety██2%
Summary of Proceedings

Yakima City Council Regular Meeting – October 21, 2025

The Yakima City Council held its regular meeting on October 21, 2025, at 5:30 p.m. in Council Chambers. The meeting covered a range of topics including appointments to boards, approval of routine consent agenda items, a presentation on the city's drought response, and an extensive discussion on the future of the Yakima Valley Trolleys, including SEPA review and a new operating agreement. The council also approved a memorandum of understanding for a veterans notification program and an interlocal agreement for traffic safety patrols.

Consent Calendar

  • Approved minutes from the October 7, 2025 regular meeting and October 14, 2025 study session.
  • Accepted the 2025 3rd Quarter Treasury Report.
  • Approved payment of disbursements for September 1–30, 2025.
  • Authorized contracts, grants, loan agreements, and lease amendments for various projects (Items D–I, K–L) as listed in the agenda. All passed unanimously.
  • Item J (Resolution R-2025-157, accepting YVCOG TAP award for the Naches River Bridge Repair/Trolley Bridge Project) was removed from the consent agenda and considered separately.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Anne Knapp (city resident) expressed support for the trolley, provided a handout with 14 points, and raised concerns about the need for accurate information.
  • Paul Edmondson (city resident, attorney) argued that SEPA review is not required for the trolley operating agreement because it falls under categorical exemptions for routine maintenance and leasing of real property with the same use.
  • Ken Johnsen (President, Yakima Valley Trolleys) stated that the trolley is one of the least expensive city assets and asked for one-on-one meetings with council members to discuss funding and operations.
  • Shanna Buckles (city resident) voiced support for the trolleys as a family-friendly, historical educational attraction.
  • James Carmody (city resident) opposed the trolley agreement without SEPA review, stating that exemptions do not apply because the agreement involves bridge reconstruction and major repairs, not just minor maintenance.
  • Mike Shinn (legal counsel for Yakima Valley Trolleys) argued that four categorical exemptions apply, including repair/maintenance, business licenses, lease renewals, and that SEPA is not meaningful for the operating agreement.
  • Tony Sandoval (city resident) raised concerns about overtime costs incurred by the city and requested transparency on control measures.
  • Tony Courcy (city resident) highlighted accessibility issues and storm drain problems at 16th Ave & Fruitvale Blvd.

Council Reports

  • Council Nominating Committee (Councilmember Berg reporting): Recommended Dr. Roy Gondo for appointment to the Yakima Planning Commission. The committee also noted upcoming vacancies on boards and commissions. The council unanimously approved the recommendation.

Discussion Items

  • Item 7J – Naches River Bridge Repair (Trolley Bridge) Project Resolution: Councilmember Herrera removed the item from the consent agenda over concerns about receiving new information. After discussion on SEPA requirements, multimodal access, and prior expenditures, a motion to approve the resolution passed 4-3 (Councilmembers Herrera, Deccio, Roy, and Byers voting yes; Councilmembers Berg, Brown, and Glenn voting no). The resolution authorizes acceptance of the federal Transportation Alternatives Program award from YVCOG.
  • Item 9A – Yakima Valor Notification Program MOU: Yakima Police Captain Chad Janis, Yakima County Superior Court Judge Jeff Swan, and VA Justice Outreach Specialist Diane Goodnight (via Zoom) presented the program to partner with the VA and Superior Court for veterans in the criminal justice system. The program aims to divert eligible veterans to a therapeutic court. Councilmember Glenn questioned the program's approach to justice, but after discussion, the council unanimously approved the MOU (Resolution R-2025-160).
  • Item 9B – Traffic Safety Emphasis Patrols Interlocal Agreement: Captain Janis explained that the agreement provides reimbursable overtime for high-visibility patrols targeting speeding, DUI, distracted driving, and seatbelt enforcement. The council unanimously approved the interlocal agreement (Resolution R-2025-161).
  • Item 9C – City's Response to 2025 Yakima Basin Drought: Water & Irrigation Manager Mike Shane reported that the city is facing drought conditions for the third consecutive year, with reservoir storage at 7% capacity. The Department of Ecology ordered a curtailment of surface water diversions on October 3, effective October 6. The city's irrigation system shut down one week early, but the city's dual water supply from surface water (Naches River) and groundwater wells (14 MGD capacity) allowed continued domestic supply. The city is developing its Aquifer Storage and Recovery (ASR) program with two current wells and plans for two additional wells. A $350,000 grant from the state will fund monitoring equipment. Councilmembers praised the city's long-term planning and water supply reliability.
  • Item 9D – 2024 Trolley Report Presentation: Planning Manager Trevor Martin explained SEPA requirements and the responsible official's determination that SEPA is needed for the non-project operation and maintenance agreement. Community Development Director Bill Preston presented the 2024 annual report: the trolley reported 2,548 riders, income of $16,157, expenses of $25,324, for a net deficit of $9,166 (covered by trolley funds). The trolley organization agreed to revise the city's contribution in the proposed 2026-2030 operating license agreement to cover only essential building utilities (water, sewer, power, gas), estimated at $4,000–$5,000 per year, with the trolley covering all other costs including insurance. The council discussed the possibility of limiting the trolley's operating footprint, SEPA costs, and the need for a study session on broader trolley issues. A motion to direct staff to prepare the new operating agreement for the December 9 meeting passed 5-2 (Councilmembers Deccio, Roy, Herrera, Brown, and Byers voting yes; Councilmembers Berg and Glenn voting no).

Key Outcomes

  • Appointment: Dr. Roy Gondo appointed to the Yakima Planning Commission (unanimous).
  • Consent Agenda (Items except J): Approved 7-0.
  • Item 7J – Trolley Bridge Resolution: Approved 4-3 (Resolution R-2025-157).
  • Item 9A – Valor Notification Program MOU: Approved 7-0 (Resolution R-2025-160).
  • Item 9B – Traffic Safety Patrols Interlocal: Approved 7-0 (Resolution R-2025-161).
  • Item 9D – Trolley Operating Agreement: Council directed staff to return on December 9, 2025 with a new operating agreement reflecting the revised cost-sharing (city covers utilities only; trolley covers insurance and other costs). Motion passed 5-2.
  • Next Meeting: The next regular council meeting is scheduled for Monday, November 3, 2025 at 5:30 p.m.

Meeting Transcript

Good evening and welcome. I will call the uh Yakima City Council of Business meeting of October 24th, 2025 to order. We'll start with roll call. Bird? Here. Brown. Here. Buyers. President. DCO. Here. Glenn. Here. Herrera? Here. Roy. Here. Thank you. Please stand and join us for the police allegiance. Again. We will have interpreter services. Thank you. Gracias. Process. Item four is public comment. There will be 35 minutes allotted for public comment this evening with each person receiving two and a half minutes. If you wish to make a public comment, please make sure you fill out a form in the lobby and give it to our city clerk. When you come to the podium, introduce yourself and tell us the city where you live. Please remember that state law prohibits electioneering in city facilities. During public comment, speakers cannot campaign for or against candidates or support or opposed to any ballot measures in the upcoming election. Okay. The first person I have is Ann Knapp. Good afternoon. Thank you for letting me make comments. My name is Ann Knapp. I live in the city of Yacima. I support the trolley. I put a handout in front of everybody. It has my speaking points, 14 points, which I may not get through, a list of potential relevant documents, which I have a large stack. I'm sure there are more deck documents elsewhere. But um I support the trolley. So this is a very critical issue, and it resulted in uh utilities and transportation commission order to the city and to Yakima Valley trolleys. The City Council, your decision makers need to have good and accurate information to make money decisions, and I just don't have energy and time to give you all the information. And I hate coming and talking to you. But my 14 points. People and a dog were trying to get across the bridges. And I was concerned they would not make it safely, but I didn't think the trolley was running, and I don't know Burlington Northern schedule. The UTC order on pedestrian diverter is legally binding on the city, BNSF and the Yakima Valley trolleys. The city's contract structural engineer designed pedestrian bridge access that exceeds all. I am so sorry about your two happen as well.

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