Yakima City Council Regular Meeting - February 3, 2026

The Yakima City Council held a regular meeting on February 3, 2026, beginning at 5:31 p.m. after a closed executive session (4:33–5:18 p.m.) on collective bargaining and potential litigation. The council approved consent items, held public hearings on transportation and annexation, discussed an EMS levy proposal, reviewed community suggestions for Lions Pool, and set future agenda items including a sales tax for the Transportation Benefit District and repealing the $20 car tab fee.

Consent Calendar

• Approval of minutes from January 13 and January 20, 2026 council meetings.
• Resolution setting a February 17, 2026 public hearing on amending the Transportation Benefit District Project List.
• Resolution authorizing 2026-2027 collective bargaining agreements with IAFF Local 469 for PSERS Telecommunicators and PERS bargaining units.
• Resolution authorizing easements for PacifiCorp to support hangar development by McCormick Air at Yakima Air Terminal.
• Resolution authorizing a grant agreement with WSDOT for purchase of four transit admin vehicles (100% grant-funded).
• Resolution ratifying the Yakima Valley Trolley Operating Agreement.
• Resolution accepting a private donation of $1,000,000 for the Capitol Theatre.
• Resolution authorizing Supplement 2 with Graham Baba Architects for Capitol Theatre capital improvements.
• Ordinance granting a non-exclusive telecommunications franchise to NFC Northwest, LLC.

Public Comments & Testimony

• John Whitney (City resident, District 3) spoke in support of keeping Lions Pool open, proposing a seasonal operating model from March to August, creation of an Aquatics Advisory Council, and estimated potential labor savings of up to $250,000 based on a financial review.
• Tony Courcy (City resident) referenced historical articles about a family donation and expressed dissatisfaction with the city's handling of related matters.
• Yuleidy Rodriguez and Josue Mendez (City residents, District 5) introduced students from La Casa Hogar participating in citizenship classes and learning about local government as a way to encourage civic engagement.
• Brian Korst (City resident) commented on Council proclamations.
• Joseph Kopsick (via Zoom) urged the council to review and reform tenancy and rental laws to address squatter situations, citing a personal example of a family in Yakima facing lengthy eviction processes.

Discussion Items

• Proclamation for Seattle Seahawks and Cooper Kupp: Council suspended rules to approve a proclamation celebrating the Seahawks' Super Bowl appearance and Cooper Kupp, a Yakima native. Craig Kupp, Cooper's father, accepted the proclamation.
• Council Nominating Committee Recommendations: Council approved appointments/reappointments: Elizabeth Morrier McGree (Arts Commission), Abdon Godinez (Yakima Housing Authority), Jason Jones and Sara Mitchell (Hotel and Motel Commission), and Trevor Duncan (Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee).
• Public Hearings:
  • Transportation Improvement Program (TIP): Council adopted amendments to the Six-Year TIP (2026-2031) and Transportation Systems Plan 2040 to add S 1st Street Pavement Rehabilitation and Yakima Avenue South Overlay, funded by $10 million in grants with a 10% local match on one project. No public comment.
  • Lochridge Annexation: Council passed an ordinance annexing a single parcel at 1504 S. 80th Avenue (zoned R1, ~5.25 acres), contingent on Yakima County Boundary Review Board approval. No public comment.
• Department of Ecology Grant – Nelson Phase 2B: Council accepted a $3,395,000 grant (no local match) for pipeline conveyance improvements. The project extends a 42-inch pipe 1,200 feet along Powerhouse Road to support Yakima County's Cowiche Creek restoration and floodplain work.
• EMS Levy Presentation: Fire Chief Aaron Markham and Finance Director Craig Warner presented a proposal for a 6-10 year EMS levy of $0.25 per $1,000 assessed value, generating an estimated $3 million annually. Funds would fully staff Fire Station 92 ($1.92M for 2027) and the remainder would support paramedic certification for firefighters, purchase of ALS equipment and aid vehicles, and station maintenance. Discussion raised concerns about sustainability, supplanting general fund resources, and the restriction to EMS-only services. Councilwoman Byers suggested exploring a broader public safety levy; Councilman Glenn expressed preference for a more comprehensive funding approach. Council ultimately directed staff to provide a financial analysis.
• City Manager Update:
  • Reported community fundraising totals: Harman Center ($4,000), Lions Pool ($5,900), Washington Fruit Community Center ($1,200).
  • Proposed moving from one study session/two business meetings to three business meetings per month for consistency and better public comment opportunities. Council agreed to bring an amendment to the meeting schedule resolution at a future meeting.
  • Recognized employee service anniversaries (5 to 32 years) and City Clerk Rosalinda Ibarra for achieving Certified Municipal Clerk designation.
• Lions Pool Community Proposal: Mayor Brown introduced a task force proposal to operate Lions Pool on a seasonal basis (6 months) with adjusted hours, potentially saving ~$200,000 in labor and utility costs. Council voted to add discussion to a future agenda.
• Transportation Benefit District (TBD) Funding: Council passed two motions to place on the February 17 agenda: (1) an ordinance establishing a 0.1% sales tax for the TBD (estimated $2.7M annually, replacing car tab revenue), and (2) an ordinance repealing the $20 car tab fee (currently raising ~$1.6M). Discussion noted that a sales tax would be paid by all shoppers, not just Yakima residents.

Key Outcomes

• Consent Agenda approved 6-0 (Councilmember Roy absent).
• Public Hearing resolutions (TIP amendments and Capital Facilities Element update) adopted 6-0.
• Lochridge Annexation ordinance passed 6-0, with direction to submit to Boundary Review Board.
• Ecology Grant resolution adopted 6-0.
• Motion to direct staff to provide a financial analysis of the EMS levy funds passed 4-2 (Glenn and Gonzalez opposed; Roy absent).
• Motion to add Lions Pool discussion to a future business meeting passed unanimously (6-0).
• Motion to place on February 17 agenda an ordinance for 0.1% TBD sales tax passed unanimously (6-0).
• Motion to place on February 17 agenda an ordinance repealing the $20 car tab fee passed unanimously (6-0).
• Meeting adjourned at 7:22 p.m.; next meeting is a Council study session on February 10, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. (later noted as 5:30 p.m. by clarification).