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Record of Proceedings

Yakima City Council Regular Meeting – September 1, 2026

City Council — Tuesday, September 1, 2026
BodyYakima, Washington
SessionCity Council
DateTuesday, September 1, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 1:30:40

Original source
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4:57

I will call this uh council meeting to order.

5:01

Uh clerk, roll call, please.

5:04

Berg.

5:04

Here.

5:05

Brown?

5:06

Here.

5:06

Five years.

5:08

Present.

5:09

Glenn?

5:10

Here.

5:10

Gonzalez.

5:11

Present.

5:12

Patrickis.

5:13

Roy.

5:15

Here.

5:16

All right.

5:17

Stand with me for the play.

5:27

And to republic for which you stand.

5:38

All right.

5:39

Interpreter services.

5:44

Providing interpreting services.

5:46

See alguien necessita layout in interprete, then go the Sistema Radio disponible.

5:51

Awesome.

5:52

Thank you.

5:54

Next is item 4A, which is an open discussion.

5:58

And we have a recognition of the Yakima United FC on their third consecutive Evergreen Premier League of Washington Championship.

6:07

And if you guys would come up right up here, I just want to say, I mean, in council, this is we have uh we had these we had these folks here last year, and it was their second year in a row.

6:19

And now they're here again.

6:20

I mean, in Yakima, we seem to be having sports teams just keep winning state championships over and over again.

6:26

So uh one, can we give them a round of applause?

6:29

Woo.

6:34

All right, go for it.

6:35

I'm not the soccer player.

6:36

I know.

6:38

So uh I feel important that the community needed to recognize um these high accomplishments.

6:44

I mean again who wins the championship three in a row.

6:48

So Mr.

6:49

Vega, he's been at it for years.

6:52

Twenty more than twenty-five years that I know.

6:55

He's the president of Unit the Yakima United, and before that uh he uh was coaching the Reds, Yakima Reds.

7:03

And and then the the sons, the two sons also um are coaches.

7:07

Matter of fact, they sent Josh couldn't come here because he's coaching the YBC ladies.

7:13

Well, uh first of all, thank you for the opportunity to uh to be here.

7:18

Uh we are a semi-pro uh soccer team, and we've been but we've been participating in the last 12 years.

7:24

Well uh the last three years has been successful, and that's why a reason we were in black, red, and uh gray.

7:32

So this is for the league.

7:33

We won the league, we won the cup, and he's one of the players that he's been with us for the last 15 years.

7:40

But one of the things that I love and I like the most is seeing the kids finish high school and then they go to college.

7:50

And when they come back, they play in our program.

7:54

They go back and they say, Wow, what did you do in the summer?

7:58

Well, I play for Yacoma United.

8:00

And they improved.

8:01

Now we have players playing in D1, uh D2 all over the state, and that's the reason we do it.

8:08

Uh we have a success and we have the opportunity to play among everybody in the state.

8:14

And fortunately, we've been winning the last three years, and that's so proud, and thank you for letting us be here.

8:21

And we're here to commit to do things for the for the city and for the young players that they want to be elite and want to move on and play in a higher level.

8:31

Thank you for the opportunity.

8:33

Thank you.

8:33

Thank you.

8:34

Come on up.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Substance Use Disorder██████████████████████████26%
Public Health█████████████13%
Procedural███████████11%
Technology and Innovation███████████11%
Public Safety████████8%
Public Engagement██████6%
Lead Abatement██████6%
Pending Litigation█████5%
Homelessness████4%
Summary of Proceedings

Yakima City Council Regular Meeting – September 1, 2026

The Yakima City Council met on September 1, 2026, from 5:30 p.m. to 6:56 p.m. in City Hall Council Chambers. The agenda included recognition of a local soccer team, public comments on surveillance and legal matters, a consent agenda, and two department items: an update on a proposed medical detox facility and a resolution authorizing HUD grant applications. The council approved all consent items and the grant resolution unanimously.

Consent Calendar

  • Approved minutes from August 18 and August 25, 2026, meetings.
  • Set October 6, 2026, for a closed record public hearing on the preliminary plat of "Plat of the Orchards."
  • Set October 6, 2026, for a public hearing on Secure Community Transition Facilities.
  • Awarded bid 12606 to Ferguson Waterworks for fire hydrant purchase and delivery (Resolution R-2026-135).
  • Authorized a Professional Services Agreement with Parametrix, Inc. for engineering services on the Goodwin Tracts Sanitary Sewer Lift Station Improvements (Resolution R-2026-136). All items passed 7-0.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Zachary Galland (City resident, District 1) opposed Flock cameras, citing recent misuse incidents in other jurisdictions and questioning internal audits, retention policies, and oversight. He argued that Flock's recommended 7-day retention conflicts with the city's longer window and urged cancellation of the contract.
  • Sue Fenich (City resident) criticized the City Manager and City Attorney for filing an appeal in the Mark Peterson case without council approval, asserting a violation of the city charter.
  • Tony Sandoval (City resident) expressed support for Chief Boyle and for Flock cameras, stating that surveillance is a long-standing practice and that those not doing wrong have nothing to fear. He also mentioned recent immigration detentions at the city jail.
  • Joseph Kopsick (City resident) argued Flock cameras do not work and carry high false-positive rates, citing national statistics (1 billion scans/month, potential 30 million false accusations daily). He linked police abuse and lack of trust in the justice system.
  • Troy Cunningham (City resident) spoke against Camp Hope’s leadership and safety conditions, alleging retaliation after advocating for improvements.
  • Brian Korst (City resident) raised concerns about ICE activity at city facilities but noted Chief Boyle had addressed his questions.
  • Mark Peterson (City resident) stated he won his litigation against the city, but the City Manager filed a declaration to appeal despite a prior council press release saying no appeal would occur. He accused council of failing to control staff.
  • Andreina Rangel (County resident) questioned the ongoing presence of 16–23 Flock Raven gunshot detectors from a 2022 contract, lack of transparency about Lifed cameras near parks, and dismissive responses from police at a recent town hall.
  • Amanda G. (County resident) urged citizens to recognize that Flock cameras surveil everyone, not just criminals, and criticized council members for lacking integrity and ignoring resident concerns.
  • Tony Courcy (City resident) referenced a city code section on classification and compensation, alleging lost documents and unanswered questions.

Discussion Items

9A: Yakima County Medical Detox Facility Update

County Commissioner Kyle Curtis introduced new Human Services Director Matthew McKay (effective Sept. 2, 2026). Dr. Jaime Simmons and Jolene Seda (CEO) of Triumph Treatment Services presented on the proposed 12-bed medical detox facility. Key points:

  • The closest existing facility is 100 miles away; 60–65% of overdose victims are housed, not homeless.
  • Triumph's SPRINT program, launched in August 2026, partners with EMS to administer buprenorphine after Narcan and deploy peer support specialists. It has treated three individuals so far; all remain engaged in treatment.
  • The facility would be voluntary, low-barrier, and provide 24/7 nursing and medical support, with an average stay of 4–5 days.
  • Estimated cost: $8.3 million to renovate the former jail quadrant to meet Department of Health standards. Currently, $6 million in local mental health sales tax has been awarded to Triumph for services, $309,000 from a state capital budget for design, and a $4 million federal request is pending.
  • Commissioner Curtis asked the council to consider any available city funds to close the gap, noting that local contributions strengthen applications for state and federal dollars. Councilmembers asked about funding certainty, out-of-county preference, length of stay, and capacity to fill beds. Staff noted preference can be given but federal funds may prevent exclusion of non-residents. Council expressed support but raised concerns about cost and timeline.

9B: HUD Grant Applications for Lead Hazard Reduction and Older Adults Home Modification

Assistant City Manager Gary Ballew and ONDS Program Supervisor Jesse Mooney explained two grants:

  • Lead Hazard Reduction Grant Program: $4 million over 4 years to address lead-based paint in pre-1977 homes (approximately 20,000 units in Yakima). Yakima ranks among the highest-risk counties in the nation. The grant would expand the existing emergency repair program to include siding and window replacement.
  • Older Adults Home Modification Grant Program: $2 million over 3 years to support home modifications (e.g., ramps) for seniors, with a 10% match from CDBG funds. The council adopted Resolution R-2026-137 authorizing the City Manager to apply (7-0). If awarded, staff will return for further authorization.

Key Outcomes

  • Approved all consent agenda items by a 7-0 vote.
  • Adopted Resolution R-2026-137 authorizing HUD grant applications by a 7-0 vote.
  • No action taken on the medical detox facility update, but council supported the concept and indicated willingness to consider future funding requests.
  • Councilmember Glenn raised the federal issue of undocumented long-term residents lacking a path to citizenship; council acknowledged it is beyond city purview.
  • Mayor Brown noted an overdose awareness proclamation request was missed due to scheduling; suggested future proactive submissions.

Meeting Transcript

I will call this uh council meeting to order. Uh clerk, roll call, please. Berg. Here. Brown? Here. Five years. Present. Glenn? Here. Gonzalez. Present. Patrickis. Roy. Here. All right. Stand with me for the play. And to republic for which you stand. All right. Interpreter services. Providing interpreting services. See alguien necessita layout in interprete, then go the Sistema Radio disponible. Awesome. Thank you. Next is item 4A, which is an open discussion. And we have a recognition of the Yakima United FC on their third consecutive Evergreen Premier League of Washington Championship. And if you guys would come up right up here, I just want to say, I mean, in council, this is we have uh we had these we had these folks here last year, and it was their second year in a row. And now they're here again. I mean, in Yakima, we seem to be having sports teams just keep winning state championships over and over again. So uh one, can we give them a round of applause? Woo. All right, go for it. I'm not the soccer player. I know. So uh I feel important that the community needed to recognize um these high accomplishments. I mean again who wins the championship three in a row. So Mr. Vega, he's been at it for years. Twenty more than twenty-five years that I know. He's the president of Unit the Yakima United, and before that uh he uh was coaching the Reds, Yakima Reds. And and then the the sons, the two sons also um are coaches. Matter of fact, they sent Josh couldn't come here because he's coaching the YBC ladies. Well, uh first of all, thank you for the opportunity to uh to be here. Uh we are a semi-pro uh soccer team, and we've been but we've been participating in the last 12 years. Well uh the last three years has been successful, and that's why a reason we were in black, red, and uh gray. So this is for the league. We won the league, we won the cup, and he's one of the players that he's been with us for the last 15 years. But one of the things that I love and I like the most is seeing the kids finish high school and then they go to college. And when they come back, they play in our program. They go back and they say, Wow, what did you do in the summer?

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