Yakima City Council Meeting – February 17, 2026

The Yakima City Council held a regular meeting on February 17, 2026, at 5:32 p.m. in City Hall Council Chambers. Major actions included approving a consent agenda, conducting a public hearing on material changes to the Transportation Benefit District (TBD) project list, and adopting ordinances to replace the $20 car tab fee with a 0.1% sales tax for transportation. The council also voted to prohibit TBD funds from being used for trolley track work and set future discussions on a charter amendment and camping ordinance enforcement.

Consent Calendar

• Approved minutes from February 3 and February 10, 2026 meetings.
• Approved payment of disbursements for January 1–31, 2026.
• Accepted the January 2026 Investment Transaction Report.
• Accepted project completions: Fire Station 94 re-roofing (Project 2851), 2024 Northside Alley Paving (Project 2759), 2025 Wastewater Collection System Rehabilitation (Project SC2819), and Maclaren Vicinity Wastewater Improvements (Project SC2783).
• Adopted Resolution R-2026-024 accepting the 4th Quarter 2025 Claim Report.
• Adopted Resolution R-2026-025 approving an annual legal advertising agreement with the Yakima Herald-Republic.
• Adopted Resolution R-2026-027 authorizing an interlocal agreement with Yakima County Technology Services for network equipment maintenance.
• Adopted Resolution R-2026-028 authorizing an Equitable Sharing Agreement with the U.S. Department of Justice.
• Adopted Ordinance 2026-004 amending Yakima Municipal Code Section 1.06.010 on Council meetings.
• Item J (Resolution R-2026-026 for a law enforcement liaison agreement with the Washington Traffic Safety Commission) was removed from the consent agenda but later approved by a 7-0 vote after brief presentation.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Joan Walsh (city resident) expressed nostalgia for Yakima's past attractions and urged support for the Yakima Valley Trolleys.
• Michelle Hotchko (city resident, swim instructor) spoke in favor of keeping Lions Pool open, citing its critical role for swimming lessons and community use.
• Lulu Dufault (non-city resident) spoke in support of the trolleys.
• Joseph Kopsick (via Zoom, city resident) raised tax policy questions, advocating for land value taxation and opposing property taxes.
• During the public hearing (Item 8A), 13 individuals provided testimony:
  • Josh Zeigler, Aileen Kane, Barry Bernfeld, Pattie Graffe (Selah Downtown Association), Nancy Davis, Greg Johnsen, Joan Walsh, Dave Cox (Northern Pacific Railway Museum), Maria Ramos, Stephen Rechtlen, David Foster, Badger Wentworth, and Brian Korst.
  • Positions: Several speakers (Zeigler, Kane, Graffe, Johnsen, Walsh, Cox, Ramos, Foster, Wentworth) strongly supported keeping trolley tracks as part of the 6th Avenue project, citing tourism, history, and family activities. Nancy Davis opposed using taxpayer funds for what she called a "luxury item," questioning the economic return. Barry Bernfeld asked whether TBD funds could be used for Lions Pool or parks.

Discussion Items

• Transportation Benefit District (TBD) Public Hearing and Material Changes: Community Development Director Bill Preston presented four funding options combining either a $20 car tab fee or a 0.1% sales tax with either including or excluding trolley track work from the TBD project list. The current $20 car tab option would complete projects by 2047; removing tracks reduced that to 2043. The 0.1% sales tax ($2.7M/year) would finish by 2039 with tracks included, or 2036 without tracks. Discussion included legal questions about using TBD funds for trolley tracks; the City Attorney noted a confidential memo was provided.
• Motion to Prohibit TBD Funds for Trolley Infrastructure: Councilmember Potrykus moved that no TBD funds be used for trolley rail repair, replacement, etc., on the 6th Avenue project. Councilmember Glenn seconded. Debate focused on whether keeping tracks in the design would cost additional TBD design funds (about $300,000) and whether the trolley organization could fundraise the ~$7M needed for tracks. The motion carried 5–2 (Byers and Gonzalez opposed).
• Ordinance Establishing 0.1% Sales Tax for TBD: Council discussed the merits of spreading the cost among all city visitors versus the $20 car tab fee. Supporters noted the tax is more equitable and sunsets after 10 years. The ordinance passed 7–0.
• Ordinance Repealing the $20 Car Tab Fee: After passing the sales tax, the council repealed the existing car tab fee, effective July 1, 2026. Passed 7–0.
• Final Approval of Material Change: The council voted 6–1 (Gonzalez opposed) to adopt the option removing trolley tracks from the TBD list and funding the list with the 0.1% sales tax. Ordinance 2026-005 updated the TBD project costs and list.
• Discussion on Washington Fruit Community Center and Harman Senior Center: Parks & Recreation Manager Ken Wilkinson presented draft Letters of Interest for organizations to operate these centers. Washington Fruit is funded until June 30, Harman until December 31, 2026. No council action required; the RFI process will proceed to a formal RFP.

City Manager Update

• Lions Pool: Scheduled to close February 28, 2026; the city will keep water in the pool to reduce damage. State Representative Chris Corry submitted a budget proviso for one year of operation, but the outcome will be known by March 12. No sales tax funds are available for parks or pool; the city is in talks with the YMCA to offer swim passes and consider other options.
• Meeting Format Change: Starting in April, the council will shift to three business meetings per cycle. The March study session will proceed as usual. An "open discussion" section will be included.
• Upcoming Topics: March 3: engineering and licensing fees; March 10: capital improvement projects and infrastructure needs (water, wastewater, stormwater).

Key Outcomes

• Vote on Trolley Tracks: Motion that no TBD funds be used for trolley rail infrastructure carried 5–2. (Potrykus, Roy, Berg, Brown, Glenn yes; Byers, Gonzalez no.)
• 0.1% Sales Tax Ordinance (2026-006): Approved 7–0.
• Repeal of Car Tab Fee (2026-007): Approved 7–0.
• Final Material Change Ordinance (2026-005): Adopted 6–1 (Gonzalez no), selecting the sales tax option without trolley tracks on the TBD list.
• Charter Amendment Discussion: Councilmember Byers moved to place on the April meeting agenda a discussion on a charter amendment to permanently prohibit the council from imposing a car tab fee. Motion passed unanimously. The amendment will be prepared by the City Attorney.
• Charter Review Motion: Councilmember Byers moved to bring charter review discussions to future meetings over the next 2–3 months. Passed unanimously.
• Unlawful Camping Ordinance Enforcement: Councilmember Berg moved to add a discussion in March or April regarding enforcement of YMC Chapter 6.91 (camping) on all public property. Passed unanimously.
• Meeting Adjourned: At 7:46 p.m., the council adjourned to the next regular meeting on March 3, 2026, at 5:30 p.m.