Yakima City Council Regular Meeting - November 3, 2025
Yakima City Council Regular Meeting - November 3, 2025
The Yakima City Council held its regular meeting on November 3, 2025, at 5:30 p.m. in City Hall Council Chambers. The meeting included public comments, approval of the consent agenda with one item removed, a first reading of budget amendments, and updates from the City Manager on Flock camera data access and unlicensed food vendors. The meeting adjourned at 6:14 p.m.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Rasmus Hansen, a City resident, expressed opposition to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) accessing data from the Yakima Police Department's Flock camera system, urging the Council to enforce existing policies prohibiting immigration enforcement use. He also congratulated the Engineering Division on recently completed roundabout projects at Powerhouse Rd, Fruitvale Blvd, and 34th Avenue.
- Brian Korst, a City resident, also opposed ICE access to Flock data, stating it violates public trust and contradicts City policy, and urged the Council to prohibit sharing local license plate information with immigration authorities and strengthen oversight.
- Tony Courcy, a City resident, spoke about trust and ongoing concerns with the City's response to crosswalk issues, referencing previous interactions and case numbers.
Consent Calendar
- Items 7A, 7B, 7D, 7E, 7F, and 7G were approved unanimously (7-0) under the consent agenda. Item 7C was removed for separate discussion.
- 7A: Approval of minutes from October 21, 2025.
- 7B: Resolution R-2025-162 accepting the 3rd Quarter 2025 Claim Report.
- 7D: Resolution R-2025-164 authorizing Supplemental Agreement No. 4 with HLA Engineering for water/irrigation and wastewater projects.
- 7E: Resolution R-2025-165 authorizing a right-of-way use permit for a driveway at 801 N 5th Avenue.
- 7F: Resolution R-2025-166 authorizing Supplemental Agreement 1 with RH2 Engineering for sewer main extension at the landfill mill site.
- 7G: Resolution R-2025-167 authorizing a Downtown Development and Promotion Agreement with the Downtown Association of Yakima.
- Item 7C (Resolution R-2025-163) was removed from consent and discussed separately. Parks and Recreation Manager Ken Wilkinson described the grant agreement with the Washington State Department of Commerce for $99,910 to upgrade the outfield fence at Elks Memorial Park, with potential additional improvements to irrigation and ballfield reconfiguration. The Council approved it unanimously (7-0).
Discussion Items
- Ordinance Amending 2025 Biennial Budget (First Reading): Finance Director Craig Warner presented the fourth-quarter budget amendments, including approximately $138,679 in new revenue from grants and donations (e.g., $120,000 in police overtime grants, $11,000 in parks donations, $7,600 in street insurance reimbursement), adjustments to fund balances (e.g., $150,000 for police pre-employment testing, $50,000 for finance department AP optimizer), and new fund setups for affordable housing, lodging tax, ARPA, and economic development. The total budget change was $9,358,575.10. No action was taken due to first reading.
- City Manager Update – Flock Camera Data Access: City Manager Vicki Baker introduced Yakima Police Captain Chad Janis to respond to public comments regarding ICE access to Flock camera data. Captain Janis stated that the department found one instance of possible access by Border Patrol, but could not determine how it occurred as no direct request was received. He noted that data is shared with other law enforcement agencies for criminal investigations under reciprocal agreements, and the department is committed to following the Keep Washington Workers Act and its own policies. Councilmember Glenn expressed concern about drug trafficking associated with illegal immigration and supported enforcing federal law, while Councilmember Deccio asked about state statutes restricting local assistance with immigration enforcement. Councilmember Herrera asked how to reassure the public, and Captain Janis emphasized ongoing compliance review and that the purpose of access is criminal, not civil.
- City Manager Update – Unlicensed Food Vendors: City Manager Baker reported on a letter from the Fair Play Coalition (representing 200 licensed restaurateurs) requesting action against unlicensed food vendors. She clarified jurisdictional splits: public health risks fall under Yakima Health District, worker exploitation under state agencies, and only business licensing under city purview. Baker noted that the Health District does not permit vendors without proper sanitation. Staff are evaluating ordinances, and a Title V update is in progress. Councilmember Glenn asked about panhandling licensing; City Attorney Watkins noted First Amendment protections and existing aggressive panhandling ordinances. Councilmember Brown emphasized education over regulation, supported by Councilmembers Herrera and Deccio. Councilmember Deccio asked about property owner liability and a possible business liaison for outreach. Councilmember Berg asked about visible business licensing for mobile vendors. Councilmember Roy questioned whether the city could create its own health district, but acknowledged budget constraints and potential duplication.
Key Outcomes
- Consensus: The Council approved the consent agenda (minus 7C) and the separate Elks Memorial Park resolution, both 7-0.
- The budget ordinance received a first reading; no vote was taken.
- The Council generally supported educational outreach to unlicensed food vendors before additional regulation.
- No formal action was taken regarding Flock camera data access, but the Council heard clarification from YPD and expressed varied opinions.
Meeting Transcript
Perfect. Good evening and welcome. I will call the uh Yakim City Council regular business meeting to order for November third, twenty twenty-five. Roll call, please. Byrne. Here. Brown? Here. Present. DCO. Here. Glenn? Here. Here. Roy. Here. Thank you. Please stand and join us on Pledge of Allegiance. We'll have interpreter services. Next on the agenda is public comment. We'll have 35 minutes allotted for public comment this evening. Anybody who wishes to make public comment to the council should pick up a form in the lobby, fill it up and give it to the clerk. When you come to the podium, please give us your name and identify us the city in which you live. Also, I want to remind you the state law prohibits electionering at city facilities during public comment and speakers cannot campaign for or against candidates, or support or oppose any ballot measures in the upcoming election. Okay. The first person we have tonight is Ray Muson. Thank you. My name is uh Rasmus Hansen. Yes, I am so it's a hard one. Even my mother had trouble. Um I live at 616, South Twenty Fifth Avenue. I'm in District Three. Yes, you are. I am concerned about the federal government's immigration enforcement has direct access to the Yakima City flock camera system. The Yakima Police Department's official website on flock cameras reads this, and I quote, prohibited uses, immigration enforcement, traffic enforcement, harassment or intimidation, usage based solely on protected classes like sex, religion, or race, or personal use. I urge the city council and the city attorney to follow the policy of its own police department and condemn the sharing of data with the federal immigration enforcement task forces. I ask that we stop this immediately. We have a high school named after this man. And finally, freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. Ronald Reagan. Next topic. On the recently completed interchange at Powerhouse Road, Fruitvale Boulevard, and 34th in District 5. I wish to congratulate the city of Yacoma for an excellent engineering and time the completion of this Roadworks project. Compared to its previous configuration, I find it easy to navigate and less stressful when I drive it. Thank you, Mr. Hanson. You're welcome. I want to say bravo for the way you presented that. Yes. Next is Brian Korst.
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