City Council Regular Meeting — Yakima, WA
Date: 2026-02-03

YAKIMA CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
 February 3, 2026
 5:30 PM City Council Regular Meeting - Conducted in person and virtually via Zoom.
 City Hall - Council Chambers - 129 N 2nd Street, Yakima WA

Executive Session
 Executive Session regarding collective bargaining pursuant to RCW 42.30.140(4)(a) and
 to discuss potential litigation pursuant to RCW 42.30.110(1)(i)
 MOTION: Potrykus moved and Glenn seconded to adjourn to Executive Session
 until 5:30 p.m. to discuss collective bargaining pursuant to RCW 42.30.140(4)(a)
 and to discuss potential litigation pursuant to RCW 42.30.110(1)(i). The motion
 carried by unanimous vote. Mayor Brown announced that Council is expected to take
 further action following Executive Session.
 Present for Executive Session: Mayor Matt Brown, Assistant Mayor Reedy Berg (present at
 4:41 p.m.), and Councilmembers Patricia Byers (present via speakerphone), Rick Glenn,
 Felisa Gonzalez, and Juliet Potrykus
 Absent and Excused: Councilmember Leo Roy
 Executive session was held at 4:33 p.m. and adjourned at 5:18 p.m.
1) Roll Call
 The regular meeting was called to order at 5:31 p.m.
 Present: Mayor Matt Brown, presiding; Assistant Mayor Reedy Berg and Councilmembers
 Patricia Byers (attending remotely via Zoom), Rick Glenn, Felisa Gonzalez, and Juliet
 Potrykus
 Staff: City Manager Vicki Baker, City Attorney Sara Watkins and City Clerk Rosalinda
 Ibarra
 Absent and Excused: Councilmember Leo Roy
2) Pledge of Allegiance
 Mayor Brown led the Pledge of Allegiance.
3) Interpreter Services
 Mayor Brown introduced Jorge Villaseñor who announced interpreter services are
 available in Spanish.
4) Public Comment
 John Whitney, City resident, spoke in support of Lions Pool and offered suggestions to
 keep the pool operational.
 Tony Courcy, City resident, spoke about historical articles related to donated property.


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 Yuleidy Rodriguez and Josue Mendez, City residents, introduced students of La Casa
 Hogar who are participating in classes to become American citizens.
 Brian Korst, City resident, commented about Council proclamations.
 Joseph Kopsick, via Zoom, spoke about tenancy and rental laws.
5) Open Discussion for the Good of the Order
 MOTION: Brown moved and Byers seconded to suspend the Council rules [to
 consider a proclamation]. The motion carried by unanimous vote; Roy absent.
 MOTION: Byers moved and Glenn seconded to approve a proclamation to celebrate
 the Seattle Seahawks and Cooper Kupp and request that it be read and presented.
 The motion carried by unanimous vote; Roy absent.
 Assistant Mayor Berg read a proclamation to celebrate the Seattle Seahawks and Cooper
 Kupp in the Super Bowl this weekend. Craig Kupp, Cooper Kupp’s father, thanked
 Council and accepted the proclamation.
6) Council Reports
 6.A Council Nominating Committee recommendation regarding appointment to boards,
 commissions, committees
 Councilmember Berg reported on the January 26, 2026 Council Nominating
 Committee meeting. The Nominating Committee's recommendation for
 appointments and reappointments include:
 • Arts Commission - appoint Elizabeth Morrier McGree
 • Yakima Housing Authority - reappoint Abdon Godinez
 • Hotel and Motel Commission - appoint Jason Jones and Sara Mitchell
 • Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee - appoint Trevor Duncan

 MOTION: Berg moved and Potrykus seconded to approve the Council
 Nominating Committee recommendations. The motion carried by unanimous
 vote; Roy absent.
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: Glenn moved and Berg seconded to approve the consent agenda. The
 motion carried by a 6-0 roll call vote; Roy absent.
 7.A Approval of minutes from the January 13, 2026 City Council study session and
 January 20, 2026 City Council regular meeting
 7.B Resolution setting date for public hearing on February 17, 2026 for public comment
 on amending the Transportation Benefit District Project List for Material Changes
 RESOLUTION NO. R-2026-013, A RESOLUTION setting the time and place for
 public hearing on February 17, 2026 at 6:00 PM for public comment on material
 changes to the Transportation Benefit District (TBD) Project List.


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 7.C Resolution authorizing a collective bargaining agreement for 2026-2027 with the
 International Association of Firefighters (IAFF) Local 469 representing the
 PSERS Telecommunicators bargaining unit
 RESOLUTION NO. R-2026-014, A RESOLUTION authorizing a collective
 bargaining agreement for 2026-2027 with the International Association of
 Firefighters (IAFF) Local 469 representing the PSERS Telecommunicators
 bargaining unit.
 7.D Resolution authorizing a collective bargaining agreement for 2026-2027 with the
 International Association of Firefighters (IAFF) Local 469 representing the PERS
 bargaining unit
 RESOLUTION NO. R-2026-015, A RESOLUTION authorizing a collective
 bargaining agreement for 2026-2027 with the International Association of
 Firefighters (IAFF) Local 469 representing the PERS bargaining unit.
 7.E Resolution authorizing signatures on Underground Right of Way Easement for
 McCormick Lease #2
 RESOLUTION NO. R-2026-016, A RESOLUTION authorizing two easements for
 PacifiCorp to support the development of hangars by McCormick Air at the
 Yakima Air Terminal.
 7.F Resolution authorizing a grant agreement with Washington State Department of
 Transportation to fund the purchase of four Transit admin vehicles
 RESOLUTION NO. R-2026-017, A RESOLUTION authorizing a Grant
 Agreement with Washington State Department of Transportation to fund the
 purchase of four admin vehicles.
 7.G Resolution ratifying and confirming the City Manager's execution of the Yakima
 Valley Trolley Operating Agreement
 RESOLUTION NO. R-2026-018, A RESOLUTION ratifying and confirming the
 City Manager's execution of Yakima Valley Trolleys Operation License
 Agreement.
 7.H Resolution authorizing acceptance of a private donation of $1,000,000 for the
 Capitol Theatre
 RESOLUTION NO. 2026-019, A RESOLUTION authorizing the City of Yakima to
 accept a private donation in the sum of One Million Dollars ($100,000,000) for
 Capitol Theatre.
 7.I Resolution authorizing Supplement 2 with Graham Baba Architects for the
 Capitol Theatre Capital Improvements
 RESOLUTION NO. R-2026-020, A RESOLUTION authorizing Supplemental
 Agreement 2 with Graham Baba Architects for Capitol Theatre Capital
 Improvements.
 7.J Ordinance granting a non-exclusive franchise to NFC Northwest, LLC to operate
 a telecommunications system within the City of Yakima
 ORDINANCE NO. 2026-002, AN ORDINANCE granting a non-exclusive
 franchise to NFC Northwest, LLC to construct, operate, and maintain a
 telecommunication system within the City of Yakima, Washington and setting
 forth the conditions accompanying the grant of the franchise.


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8) Public Hearings
 8.A Public Hearing to consider: A) Resolution adopting the amended Six-Year
 Transportation Improvement Program for the period of 2026-2031, and to amend
 the Transportation Systems Plan 2040; and B) Resolution amending the Yakima
 Urban Area Comprehensive Plan Capital Facilities Element
 City Engineer Robert Washabaugh presented the City of Yakima's proposal to
 amend the adopted Six-Year Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) and the
 Transportation Systems Plan 2040 to include two additional projects: S 1st Street
 Pavement Rehabilitation and Yakima Avenue South Overlay.
 Mayor Brown opened the public hearing and with no one coming forward or
 calling in to speak, Mayor Brown closed the public hearing.
 The City Clerk read both resolutions by title only.
 MOTION: Byers moved and Berg seconded to adopt both resolutions. The
 motion carried by a 6-0 roll call vote; Roy absent.
 RESOLUTION NO. R-2026-021, A RESOLUTION amending the adopted Six-
 Year Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) for the period of 2026 through
 2031 and amending the Transportation Systems Plan 2040.
 RESOLUTION NO. R-2026-022, A RESOLUTION amending the Yakima Urban
 Area Comprehensive Plan Capital Facilities Element to incorporate the amended
 Six-year Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) for the period of 2026
 through 2031.
 8.B Public hearing and Ordinance on the Lochridge Annexation in the vicinity of
 Loren Place and S. 80th Avenue
 Planning Manager Trevor Martin briefed the Council on the proposed ordinance
 to annex a single parcel of property located at 1504 S. 80th Avenue.
 Mayor Brown opened the public hearing and, with no one coming forward or
 calling in to speak, closed the hearing.
 The City Clerk read the ordinance by title only.
 MOTION: Berg moved and Byers seconded to pass the ordinance and direct
 staff to submit application to the Boundary Review Board. The motion carried
 by a 6-0 roll call vote; Roy absent.
 ORDINANCE NO. 2026-003, AN ORDINANCE annexing the Lochridge Annexation
 area to the City of Yakima, contingent on Yakima County Boundary Review Board
 approval.
9) Department Items
 9.A Resolution accepting Department of Ecology grant in the amount of $3,395,000
 for the Nelson Phase 2B Pipeline Conveyance Improvements Project IC2010
 Director of Public Works Scott Schafer briefed the Council on the proposed
 resolution and noted that the grant did not have a local match requirement.
 The City Clerk read the resolution by title only.



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 MOTION: Berg moved and Glenn seconded to adopt the resolution. The
 motion carried by a 6-0 roll call vote; Roy absent.
 RESOLUTION NO. R-2026-023, A RESOLUTION authorizing an Agreement with
 the State of Washington Department of Ecology (Ecology) for a grant of $3,395,000
 for the Nelson Phase 2B Pipeline Conveyance Improvements Project IC2010.
 9.B EMS Levy Presentation
 Yakima Fire Chief Aaron Markham started by recognizing the recent promotion of
 long-term City employee Jonathan Hood as Deputy Chief.
 Fire Chief Markham and Director of Finance & Budget Craig Warner presented
 information about a potential EMS levy as a funding option for the Yakima Fire
 Department. The plan includes an EMS levy of $0.25 per $1,000 of assessed value
 that would generate an estimated $3 million annually and can be used to maintain
 Fire Station 92 operational and expand EMS services, such as filling vacant
 positions with paramedic-certified firefighters, purchasing equipment, supplies and
 aid vehicles, and facility repairs and maintenance.
 Discussion ensued related to the timeline and limitations of EMS levies. Additionally,
 some Councilmembers shared concern that the proposed levy revenue is restricted to
 EMS services only and cannot be allocated to other services like police or parks.
 After further Council discussion,
 MOTION: Berg moved and Brown seconded to direct staff to provide a
 financial analysis of the EMS levy funds at a future meeting. The motion
 carried by 4-2 vote; with Glenn and Gonzalez voting no and Roy absent.
10) City Manager Update
 10.A Preview of upcoming topics
 City Manager Baker provided an update on community fundraising efforts and
 mentioned upcoming discussion topics related to Community Development fee
 changes and the Transportation Benefit District.
 In response to Council’s request to allow for more flexibility in discussing topics
 during meetings, Ms. Baker introduced the idea of forgoing City Council study
 sessions and moving to three regular business meetings per month.
 Ms. Baker acknowledged and expressed appreciation to City employees for their
 years of service. She also recognized City Clerk Rosalinda Ibarra for her recent
 International Institute of Municipal Clerks (IIMC) Certification achievement.
11) Other Business
 Mayor Brown presented community recommendations for aquatic operations, including
 Lions Pool.
 MOTION: Brown moved and Berg seconded to add to a future business meeting a
 discussion about Lions Pool proposals. The motion carried by unanimous vote; Roy
 absent.
 MOTION: Brown moved and Berg seconded to place on the February 17 agenda
 an ordinance establishing a 0.1% sales tax for the Transportation Benefit District.
 The motion carried by unanimous vote; Roy absent.



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 MOTION: Brown moved and Glenn seconded to place on the February 17 agenda
 an ordinance repealing the $20 car tab fee. The motion carried by unanimous vote;
 Roy absent.
12) Adjournment
 MOTION: Byers moved and Berg seconded to adjourn to the next City Council
 study session on February 10, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. in the City Hall Council Chambers.
 The motion carried by unanimous vote; Roy absent.
 The meeting adjourned at 7:22 p.m.

CERTIFICATION
READ AND CERTIFIED ACCURATE BY
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 ______________________________________
 COUNCIL MEMBER DATE

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 COUNCIL MEMBER DATE

ATTEST:

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 CITY CLERK MAYOR




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