Yakima City Council Study Session January 13, 2026: ALPR, Homeless Plan, Fees, and Priorities
Yakima City Council Study Session – January 13, 2026
The Yakima City Council held a study session on January 13, 2026, from 5:01 p.m. to 8:37 p.m. The meeting covered a wide range of topics including a resolution to expand the Lodging Tax Advisory Committee (no action taken), an update on the Yakima County 5-Year Homeless Strategic Plan, a presentation on Automatic License Plate Recognition (ALPR) cameras (no action), approval of proposed Parks, Recreation & Tahoma Cemetery fees, adoption of a resolution on state legislative priorities (6-1 vote), and appointments to boards, commissions, and committees. Extensive public comment was heard on ALPR cameras, trolley support, and other issues.
Public Comments & Testimony
- ALPR Cameras (Flock Safety) Opposition: Multiple residents (Tessie Coscarart, Isaac Wheeler, Kaitlin Hovanes, Lesley Arellano, David Morales, Noemi Sanchez, Giovanni Severino, Kyra Smith, Josh Cook, Luis Soto) expressed concerns about the expansion of ALPR cameras. Speakers cited privacy violations, Fourth Amendment concerns, potential for ICE misuse, cost when the city faces a $9 million deficit, and the risk of data breaches. Some noted that 47.8% of Yakima’s community is Hispanic and many feel unsafe. David Morales of the Immigrant Response Network stated that ICE has accessed Flock data in violation of state law and urged policy review. Luis Soto, an IT/cybersecurity graduate, warned of security vulnerabilities. Several speakers urged redirecting funds to fire stations, pools, and community services.
- Support for ALPR Cameras: Luis Lopez expressed full support for law enforcement and asked the council to support federal agents and use all available technology, including Flock cameras, to ensure safety.
- Trolley Support: Multiple speakers (Alyxandria Voorhees, Neeve and Rory Scheidegger, Shannon Sardell, Peggy Hughes, Greg Johnsen) urged the council to keep the Yakima Valley Trolleys operating. They highlighted the trolley’s historical, educational, and economic value. Greg Johnsen, representing the trolley organization, requested prompt approval of a long-term operating agreement to access grant funding and sustain operations.
- Other: Tony Sandoval expressed concerns about federal ICE agents’ actions in Yakima. Tony Courcy expressed frustration with the council’s lack of response to prior concerns. Sarah Davila spoke against expanding the LTAC membership, citing attendance challenges.
Discussion Items
- Lodging Tax Advisory Committee (LTAC) Resolution (Item 3A): Senior Assistant City Attorney Ryan Bleek presented a resolution to expand LTAC membership from nine to eleven members. Councilmember Glenn noted that a current member is retiring in July, reducing the need for expansion. Council consensus was to not proceed; no motion was made. The matter was tabled without action.
- Homeless Strategic Plan Updates (Item 3B): County Commissioner Kyle Curtis and Human Services Manager Esther Magasis provided an update on the Yakima County 5-Year Homeless Strategic Plan, adopted December 23, 2025. Key data: the 2025 Point-in-Time count engaged 602 people; 2,070 community members are using the homeless response system (including prevention). 73% of those homeless became homeless while in Yakima County. 53% of households experience chronic homelessness (unhoused >1 year with a disability). Top causes: eviction, family crisis, substance use. The plan includes eight objectives across four focus areas, including medical detox, additional permanent supportive housing, a regional shelter system, and Objective 8 (balancing outreach with public space stewardship). The county plans to launch a public dashboard by February 2026 to track progress. Councilmembers asked about regional shelter plans and police resource use. No action was taken.
- Automatic License Plate Recognition (ALPR) Cameras (Item 3C): Police Chief Shawn Boyle and Union Gap Police Chief Dustin Soptich presented the history, effectiveness, and future vision of ALPR cameras. Yakima has 87 fixed Flock cameras since 2022. Auto thefts dropped from 524 (2021) to 254 (2025). Success stories included solving a 2022 child abduction and a homicide. The county has purchased nearly 300 live video cameras for a future real-time crime center (funded by $2 million ARPA money over two years). City cost for additional Flock cameras would be about $228,000 annually, plus potential public records staffing costs (~$216,000 for two positions) and legal assistant costs (~$120,000). The city currently shares data only with Washington state agencies; federal sharing (including U.S. Postal Service) has been halted. No action was taken on ALPR expansion; discussion included privacy, cybersecurity, and community trust. Councilmember Gonzalez noted the need for guardrails; councilmember Potrykus requested a tour of Spokane’s real-time crime center.
- Proposed Parks, Recreation & Tahoma Cemetery Fees (Item 3D): Parks & Recreation Manager Ken Wilkinson presented fee increases averaging 15-20% (last increase in 2024). Key changes: pool entry fees up $1; Harmon Center drop-in from $1.50 to $3 (resident); new family pass ($30 for up to 8); cemetery fees standardized and increased. Some fees were reduced (Harman Center rentals) to increase volume. The council discussed CPI indexing and capital cost recovery. Motion: Councilmember Glenn moved and Councilmember Potrykus seconded to approve the recommendations. The motion carried unanimously (7-0).
- Resolution on 2026 State Legislative Priorities (Item 3E): Communications Director Randy Beehler presented a draft resolution. Mayor Brown distributed an edited version with stronger language (e.g., “strongly urges”). The resolution broadly encourages the Washington State Legislature to act on priorities such as homelessness, ALPR policy, indigent defense, and specific city requests (children’s advocacy center, airport modernization, Shaw Creek rerouting). Motion: Councilmember Berg moved and Councilmember Byers seconded to approve the amended resolution. The motion passed 6-1, with Councilmember Gonzalez voting no. The resolution was adopted as R-2026-009.
- Boards, Commissions, and Committees (Item 3F): Councilmembers reviewed and made assignments for over 30 boards and commissions. Notable assignments: Nominating Committee – Roy, Gonzalez, Berg (Brown alternate); GRIT Steering Committee – Glenn, Roy; Hotel/Motel TPA – Gonzalez (Roy alternate); LTAC – Brown (Potrykus alternate); Clean Air Board – Potrykus (Glenn alternate); Arts Commission – Gonzalez (Byers alternate); Parks & Recreation Commission – Gonzalez (Brown alternate); Planning Commission – Brown and Gonzalez; and many others. The list was approved by consensus.
Key Outcomes
- Parks & Recreation and Cemetery Fees Approved: The fee increases were adopted unanimously (7-0). Staff will incorporate fees into the master fee schedule by February 3, 2026.
- State Legislative Priorities Resolution Adopted: Resolution R-2026-009 passed 6-1 (Gonzalez opposed). The resolution will be delivered to state legislative delegations.
- LTAC Resolution Not Adopted: Council decided not to expand the committee due to an upcoming retirement; no motion was made.
- ALPR Expansion and Homeless Plan: No action taken; presentations were for informational purposes. The council will continue discussion on ALPR at a later date. The county will provide a public dashboard on homelessness by February 2026.
- Board and Committee Assignments: All assignments were finalized by consensus and will be confirmed via email.
Meeting Transcript
Good evening. I called this uh regular meeting of the city council to session or uh study session. Uh roll call, please. Bird? Here. Brown. Here. My ears. Present. Glenn? Here. Gonzalez. Here. Patrick's here. Roy. Here. All right. Next up is uh public comment. Tonight we've allowed uh fifteen minutes for public comment. If you would like to make public comment to counsel, please come and fill out a form in the back and bring it up to the clerk. Tonight we do have quite a bit of public comment forms in here. So counsel, once we hit our time, I will uh ask if we would like to extend it. Uh, or we can keep moving along in the agenda. But uh so first up is uh Tessie Coscart. I mess up your name, I am so sorry. Good evening, council. I come before you today as a concerned citizen speaking up on behalf of my fellow citizens who hold concern over the implementation and increased usage of flock cameras. Traditionally, a flocked is an active congregation. In today's world, flock is the title of a well-known leader in ALPRs named after their true product, humanities flocks, or rather our data. ALPRs are automated license plate readers are AI-powered cameras that capture and analyze images of all passing vehicles. These often-hitting cameras track and store in their database your car's location, the date and time, the make and model of your vehicle, as well as the color and identifying features like bumper stickers, dents, and roof racks. This data is collected, stored, and turned into searchable data points. Flock safety and presenters here today will tell you that 10% of reported crime in the U.S. is being solved using this technology. Both the Journal of Experimental Criminology and the Independent Institute have found in their studies that less than 0.3% of hits or vehicle activity equate to stolen vehicle recovery. Any low-grade hacker now has the ability to track our vehicle and location at any given time. The Fourth Amendment states the following the right to the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects against unreasonable searches and seizures shall not be violated, and no warrants shall issue. But upon probable cause, supported by oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched and the persons or things to be seized. Flock cameras create a legal loophole for law enforcement agencies. This data is stored and collected, whether or not you are convicted or suspected of a crime. These cameras allow tracking of civilians without a warrant, without probable cause, and with no oversight. We as Americans recognize that this is a violation of our Fourth Amendment rights. Thank you. Thank you. All right. Yes. Next is Vanessa Guzman. And please, when you come up, please give your name and the city that you reside in. Going once. Vanessa.
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