City Council Study Session — Yakima, WA
Date: 2025-07-08

YAKIMA CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
 July 8, 2025
 City Hall – Council Chambers – 129 N 2nd Street, Yakima, WA
 5:00 PM City Council Study Session – Conducted in person and virtually via Zoom.

1) Roll Call
 Present: Mayor Patricia Byers, presiding; Assistant Mayor Matt Brown and Councilmembers
 Reedy Berg, Janice Deccio, Rick Glenn (attending remotely via Zoom), Danny Herrera and
 Leo Roy
 Staff: City Manager Vicki Baker, City Attorney Sara Watkins and City Clerk Rosalinda
 Ibarra

2) Public Comment (allow 15 minutes)
 Linda Lockwood, City resident and President of the Yakima Valley Seniors Citizens, Inc.;
 Vicki Rodgers, City resident; Luis A. López, City resident; Tony Sandoval, City resident;
 Zach Stambaugh, City resident; Kenton Gartrell, County resident; and Autumn Torres,
 County resident; expressed concerns about the City's budget and preservation of
 services provided by the city.
 Tony Courcy, City resident, expressed frustration with crosswalk matters at N. 16th Ave.
 and Hathaway.

3) Study Session Items
 3.A Discussion of the Downtown Master Plan and Potential Update
 Assistant City Manager Gary Ballew presented a brief overview of the Downtown
 Master Plan. He described the implementation process that occurred leading to
 its adoption in September 2013. Some of the successful efforts since then
 include the completion of a parking plan to address short-term and long-term
 parking in the area; frontage and retail improvements to Chestnut Avenue; and
 an improved Farmer's Market location. Looking ahead, Mr. Ballew noted that it is
 time for an update and introduced the idea of a strategic plan for the downtown
 area that will outline measurable goals and actions.
 The City Council did not take any formal action; however, most Councilmembers
 expressed support for a downtown strategic plan.

 3.B Resolution authorizing the submission of a ballot proposition for a property tax
 levy lid lift

 Director of Finance and Budget Craig Warner read the proposed resolution title
 authorizing a ballot measure to be added on the November 4, 2025, election
 ballot. He also read the proposed ballot proposition in its entirety.



July 8, 2025 – Yakima City Council Meeting Minutes Page 1 of 2
 A RESOLUTION providing for the submission to the qualified electors of the City
 of Yakima at an election to be held on November 4, 2025, of a proposition
 authorizing the City to lift the levy limit established in RCW 84.55.010 in order to
 provide funds to pay costs of City operations and services, including public
 safety, parks and recreation, streets, and related services, and providing for
 severability and an effective date.
 Assistant Mayor Brown reviewed three separate comparisons of the 2026, 2027,
 and 2028 general fund forecasts. One version did not include any changes,
 another version included $9 million in cuts, and the third version included $6
 million in revenue and $3 million in cuts. Brown noted that by either cutting $9
 million or imposing a property tax levy, the City would face similar budgetary
 challenges in 2027 and 2028. City Manager Baker pointed out that the 1% cap
 on property tax increases does not keep pace with the rate of inflation which
 creates a funding gap year after year.
 Council members discussed at length reduction options and ideas and agreed
 that specific cuts should be identified prior to them considering this resolution.

 3.C Council guidance to staff on final budget direction
 After extensive discussion related to Item 3.B,
 FINAL AMENDED MOTION: Deccio moved and Brown seconded to have
 additional special meetings as are necessary to consider cut packages
 based on $3 million in cuts, $4.5 million in cuts, and $9 million in cuts, and
 include other options (volunteerism and other programs) in developing the
 budget; and also include cut projections for 2027 and 2028 to not be in the
 negative; and bring back a resolution. The motion carried unanimously.
 City Attorney Watkins outlined the process for adding a ballot measure to the
 November general election.

4) Adjournment
 MOTION: Brown moved and Herrera seconded to adjourn to the next City Council
 regular meeting on July 15, 2025, at 5:30 p.m. in the City Hall Council Chambers.
 The motion carried by unanimous vote. The meeting adjourned at 6:42 p.m.

CERTIFICATION
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 COUNCIL MEMBER DATE

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 COUNCIL MEMBER DATE

ATTEST:

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 CITY CLERK MAYOR


July 8, 2025 – Yakima City Council Meeting Minutes Page 2 of 2