City Council Regular Meeting — Yakima, WA
Date: 2026-01-20

YAKIMA CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
 January 20, 2026
 City Hall - Council Chambers - 129 N 2nd Street, Yakima WA
 5:30 PM City Council Regular Meeting - Conducted in person and virtually via Zoom

1) Roll Call
 The meeting was called to order at 5:31 p.m.
 Present: Mayor Matt Brown, presiding; Assistant Mayor Reedy Berg and Councilmembers
 Patricia Byers, Rick Glenn, Felisa Gonzalez, Juliet Potrykus and Leo Roy
 Staff: City Manager Vicki Baker, City Attorney Sara Watkins and City Clerk Rosalinda
 Ibarra
2) Pledge of Allegiance
 Mayor Brown led the Pledge of Allegiance.
3) Interpreter Services
 Interpreter services were not available.
4) Public Comment
 The majority of Councilmembers present agreed to extend Public Comment to allow all
 those who signed up an opportunity to be heard.
 Ralph Harvey, City resident, spoke about homelessness in the community.
 The following community members spoke about Flock Safety cameras: Logan Osborne,
 Yakima resident; Mario Vela, Yakima Police Patrolman's Association (YPPA); Drew Shaw,
 YPPA; James Parks, City resident; Jamaica Zoglman, City resident; Morgan Humes, non-
 City resident.
 The following community members provided remarks related to the Yakima Valley Trolleys:
 Lori Frymier, City resident; Aileen Kane, City resident; Anne Knapp, City resident; Katie
 Smith, City resident; Janice Cowin, City resident; Adam Sutton, City resident; Curt Wilson,
 YCDA; Paul Schafer, City resident; Gregory Bliss, non-City resident; Michael Hughes, non-
 City resident; Ron Easley, non-City resident; Charlie Tsai, non-City resident; Ryan Fulcher,
 non-City resident; John Ruhland, non-City resident; Lacey Sheppard, non-City resident;
 Stephen Johnsen, non-City resident; Ken Johnsen, President of Yakima Valley Trolleys;
 Andy Gautrey, non-City resident (via Zoom); Moira Nadal, non-City resident (via Zoom).
 Tony Courcy, City resident, expressed frustration on several matters.
5) Open Discussion for the Good of the Order
 None.


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6) Council Reports
 None.
7) Consent Agenda
 Mayor Brown referred to the items placed on the Consent Agenda, questioning whether
 there were any additions or deletions from Council members present. There were no
 changes. The City Clerk read the Consent Agenda items, including resolutions and
 ordinances, by title. (Items on the Consent Agenda are handled under one motion
 without further discussion-see motion directly below.)
 MOTION: Berg moved and Byers seconded to approve the consent agenda. The
 motion carried by a 7-0 roll call vote.
 7.A Approval of minutes from the January 6, 2026 City Council regular meeting
 7.B Approve payment of disbursements for the period December 1 - 31, 2025
 7.C 2025 4th Quarter Treasury Report
 7.D Resolution authorizing the City to accept a $120,000 Municipal Stormwater
 Capacity Grant from the Department of Ecology
 RESOLUTION NO. R-2026-010, A RESOLUTION authorizing the City to accept
 a Municipal Stormwater Capacity grant from the Department of Ecology.
 7.E Resolution amending the Master Fee Schedule related to Parks, Recreation and
 Tahoma Cemetery rates
 RESOLUTION NO. R-2026-011, A RESOLUTION of the City of Yakima,
 Washington, amending a Master Fee Schedule.
 7.F Resolution authorizing grant applications to the Federal Aviation Administration
 RESOLUTION NO. R-2026-012, A RESOLUTION authorizing a grant application
 to the Federal Aviation Administration for the Yakima Air Terminal Building
 Modernization project for Capital Improvements at the Yakima Air Terminal-
 McAllister Field.
8) Public Hearings
 None.
9) Department Items
 9.A Update on Capitol Theatre Capital Improvements 2026
 Community Development Director Bill Preston introduced Capitol Theatre CEO
 Charlie Robin who provided a comprehensive update on the Capitol Theatre
 improvement projects, including 4th Street Theatre, house renovations, and facade
 remodel. Staff is seeking Council's consideration to allow the Capitol Theatre
 Committee to fundraise as part of the capital campaign for the purpose of funding the
 proposed facility improvements, and to extend the agreement with Graham Baba
 Architects to create the required designs for the projects. The project total is
 estimated at $16 million.
 Mr. Robin also provided the Capitol Theatre Committee annual report for the
 period ending June 30, 2025, highlighting top events and revenue and expenses.


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 MOTION: Byers moved and Berg seconded to direct staff to put in motion
 the paperwork so that the Capitol Theater can begin raising funds. The
 motion carried by unanimous vote.
 MOTION: Berg moved and Byers seconded to approve the next phase of
 the current Capital Improvement Projects (design phase) directing staff to
 extend the agreement with Graham Baba Architects. The motion carried by
 unanimous vote.
 MOTION: Potrykus moved and Roy seconded to direct City staff to review
 legal and financial pathways with the Capitol Theatre. The motion carried by
 a 6-1 vote; Byers voting no.
 9.B Discuss material changes to the Transportation Benefit District Project List
 Community Development Director Bill Preston explained that material changes to
 the cost of some projects identified on the approved Transportation Benefit
 District (TBD) project list exceeded by more than 20% from the original cost;
 therefore, the Council is required to hold a public hearing to solicit comments
 from the public regarding how the cost change should be resolved.
 Mr. Preston described various potential funding options that may be considered
 at the public hearing, including vehicle licensing fees, sales tax, and bonding.
 Additionally, any modifications to the project list require a public hearing.
 9.C Discussion of an operation license agreement with Yakima Valley Trolleys, a
 non-profit corporation
 Community Development Director Bill Preston briefed Council on the terms and
 conditions proposed in the operation license agreement with the Yakima Valley
 Trolleys. Staff addressed Councilmember Glenn’s concern related to a property
 easement.
 After Council discussion, Councilmember Byers called for the question. The
 question was successfully called with a majority vote.
 MOTION: Byers moved and Potrykus seconded to approve the operating
 license agreement as presented with Yakima Valley Trolleys. The motion
 carried by a 6-1 roll call vote; with Glenn voting no.
10) City Manager Update
 10.A Preview of upcoming topics
 City Manager Baker introduced Yakima Air-Terminal Director Christopher Hopkins.
 City Manager Baker informed Council of upcoming discussion topics related to
 potential EMS levy options, Community Development fee changes, City
 infrastructure needs, and an update on capital projects.
11) Other Business
 Community Development Director Bill Preston provided a brief explanation for Assistant
 Mayor Berg’s inquiry about impact fees on development.
 MOTION: Glenn moved and Berg seconded to suspend the rules for the purpose
 of impact fee study. The motion carried by unanimous vote.




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 MOTION: Berg moved and Roy seconded to authorize up to $20,000 of one-time
 funds to hire a consultant to develop a scope of work for an impact fee study. The
 motion carried by unanimous vote.
 Mayor Brown stated he would like to allow for open discussion at study sessions. City
 Attorney Sara Watkins explained special meetings under the Open Public Meetings Act.
 Councilmember Potrykus voiced concerns about extending public comment time when
 meetings are anticipated to be longer than three hours.
12) Adjournment
 MOTION: Glenn moved and Byers seconded to adjourn to the next City Council
 regular meeting on February 3, 2026 beginning with Executive Session at 4:30
 p.m. in the City Hall Council Chambers. The motion carried by unanimous vote.

 The meeting adjourned at 9:08 p.m.

CERTIFICATION
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ATTEST:

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 CITY CLERK MAYOR




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