Yakima City Council Study Session - March 10, 2026

This study session, held from 5:02 p.m. to 6:49 p.m. at City Hall, focused on two major items: authorizing an RFQ process for an impact fee study and a comprehensive presentation on the city's infrastructure needs. The meeting included public comment and a vote on the impact fee study.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Tony Sandoval, a City resident, praised the Yakima Police Department for their rapid response to a recent incident in his neighborhood, expressing gratitude to the council and staff.

Discussion Items

3.A. Authorizing an RFQ Process for an Impact Fee Study (Funding up to $100,000)

• Planning Manager Trevor Martin presented a scope of work provided at no cost by a consultant, covering impact fees for parks, transportation, and fire. The study would cost approximately $80,000, and staff requested authorization up to $100,000 (including the unused $20,000 previously authorized).
• Council discussion included concerns about affordability: Councilmember Rick Glenn questioned whether impact fees would further price out low-income housing, noting that builders are not constructing affordable homes. Martin responded that the study would analyze fee reductions for multifamily or low-income housing, and that impact fees can be targeted (e.g., commercial vs. residential).
• Councilmember Patricia Byers asked about stakeholder input; Martin confirmed community outreach would be part of the process. Councilmember Juliet Potrykus inquired about the timeline—approximately 8-10 months for the study, plus the RFQ process, totaling under a year.
• City Manager Vicki Baker noted that the funding would come from one-time reserves, not the operating budget. Councilmember Leo Roy expressed support, citing that most cities of similar size have impact fees and that the Tri-Cities have used them for 20 years without slowing growth.
• Motion: Assistant Mayor Reedy Berg moved, seconded by Councilmember Leo Roy, to direct staff to proceed with the RFQ and authorize up to $100,000. The motion passed 6-1, with Councilmember Rick Glenn voting no.

3.B. Presentation on Infrastructure Needs

• Community Development Director Bill Preston presented a detailed overview of the city's roadway infrastructure, including pavement condition index (PCI) ratings, lane miles, and costs. Key statistics:
  • Total need for roadway preservation and reconstruction: $385 million (including mill and fill, rebuild, chip seal, etc.).
  • Unpaved alleys: 20 miles at $500,000 per lane mile = $10 million.
  • Sidewalks: 230 miles of road with no sidewalks; estimated cost to add sidewalks on both sides is $1.565 billion.
  • Bridges: 15 good, 6 fair, 2 poor condition.
• Public Works Director Scott Schafer discussed street and traffic needs: chip seal operations (reduced from 20 to 10 lane miles per year due to budget cuts), street lighting upgrades (LED, intersection wattage increases), vehicle detection cameras ($745,000 to replace), traffic signal controllers ($40,000 for 10 remaining), electrical service upgrades (20 intersections, $8,000 each), and thermoplastic markings ($166,000 for downtown and schools). He also noted that the city's chip seal program is cost-effective ($50,000 per lane mile vs. $250,000 for grind and overlay) and extends road life by 7-10 years.
• Wastewater Manager Mike Price presented on the wastewater treatment plant (new dewatering equipment with $25,000 annual power savings and $75,000 labor/maintenance savings), collection system condition assessment (60 miles of pipe needing rehabilitation at ~$60 million), and stormwater improvements for downtown parking lots (design 60% complete, construction starting summer/fall 2026).
• Water/Irrigation Manager Daniel Tiliano covered water main replacement (cast iron pipes from 1920-1945, 91 breaks in 10 years, 5 so far in 2026), aging hydrants (504 hydrants 50+ years old, $3.53 million to replace), two additional ASR production wells ($12 million total) for redundancy, and the Nelson irrigation project (Phase 2A nearing completion, Phase 2B starting April/May 2026).
• Council discussion noted the challenge of funding these needs, with Bill Preston's total estimates approaching $2 billion. The city relies on grants (e.g., for North First Street) and coordination between departments to maximize efficiency.

Key Outcomes

• Vote on impact fee study: Motion passed 6-1 (Glenn opposed). Staff will proceed with the RFQ process and authorize up to $100,000 from reserves.
• Infrastructure presentation: No formal action taken; the presentation was informational to inform council priorities.
• Adjournment: The meeting adjourned at 6:49 p.m. to the next regular council meeting on March 17, 2026, at 5:30 p.m. (motion by Berg, second by Byers, unanimous).
• Note: Public Works Director Scott Schafer provided an update that repairs to the fence along Naches Avenue were completed at a cost of approximately $85,500.