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

YAKIMA CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
 March 3, 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

Executive Session
 Executive Session to discuss pending litigation pursuant to RCW 42.30.110(1)(i)
 MOTION: Berg moved and Glenn seconded to adjourn to Executive Session until
 5:30 p.m. to discuss pending litigation pursuant to RCW 42.30.110(1)(i). The motion
 carried by unanimous vote. Mayor Brown announced that Council is not expected to take
 further action following executive session.
 Present for Executive Session: Mayor Matt Brown, Assistant Mayor Reedy Berg, and
 Councilmembers Patricia Byers, Rick Glenn, Felisa Gonzalez, Juliet Potrykus and Leo
 Roy (present at 5:21 p.m.)
 Executive session was held at 5:18 p.m. and adjourned at 5:31 p.m.
1) Roll Call
 The regular meeting was called to order at 5:32 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
 Mayor Brown introduced Jorge Villaseñor who announced interpreter services are
 available in Spanish.
4) Public Comment
 Tony Sandoval, City resident, expressed concerns regarding the proposed EMS levy.
 Nancy Davis, City resident, spoke against the use of City funds to support the Yakima
 Valley Trolleys.
 Peter Rasmussen, non-City resident and IAFF President, spoke in support of placing the
 EMS levy on the ballot.
 A letter from Kevin Hodges supporting Yakima Fire Department funding and further EMS
 education and certification was provided to the Council.


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5) Open Discussion for the Good of the Order
 5.A Introduction of new Water/Irrigation Manager Daniel Tiliano and Solid Waste
 Manager Michael Slack
 Public Works Director Scott Schafer introduced Daniel Tiliano as the new
 Water/Irrigation Manager and Michael Slack as the new Solid Waste Manager.
 5.B Principles of Conduct and Code of Ethics
 Council members reviewed the updated Principles of Conduct and Code of Ethics
 and discussed suggested changes to clarify and modernize the document.
6) Council Reports
 6.A Briefing on YVCOG current issues and National Association of Regional Councils
 Councilmember Byers reported on the Yakima Valley Conference of Governments
 (YVCOG) current staffing transitions and provided updates about the National
 Association of Regional Councils related to transportation and housing funding.
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. Item D was
 removed from the Consent Agenda. 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 as
 amended. The motion carried by a 7-0 roll call vote.
 7.A Approval of minutes from the February 17, 2026 City Council regular meeting
 7.B Set date of April 7, 2026, for a closed record public hearing to consider proposed
 amendments to Yakima Municipal Code Title 15 Urban Area Zoning Ordinance
 7.C Resolution revising the City Council regular meeting schedule for 2026
 RESOLUTION NO. R-2026-031, A RESOLUTION revising the adopted City
 Council 2026 regular business meeting schedule.
 7.D This item was removed from the Consent Agenda.
 7.E Resolution authorizing a contract extension with Connell Oil for the purchase of
 bulk fuels and delivery of gasoline, diesel fuels and related products
 RESOLUTION NO. R-2026-033, A RESOLUTION authorizing a contract
 extension with Connell Oil Inc. for the purchase of bulk fuels and delivery of
 gasoline, diesel fuels and related products.
 Items Removed from the Consent Agenda
 7.D Resolution authorizing award and agreement with Best Choice Inc dba Evergreen
 Services for city-wide landscaping services
 Purchasing Manager Rudy Silva briefed Council on the proposed resolution.
 After Council discussion,
 MOTION: Glenn moved and Berg seconded to approve Item D. The motion
 carried by a 7-0 roll call vote.
 RESOLUTION NO. R-2026-032, A RESOLUTION authorizing award and agreement
 with Best Choice Inc dba Evergreen Services for city-wide landscaping services.


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8) Public Hearings
 None.
9) Department Items
 9.A Cruise the Ave - Discussion
 Yakima Police Chief Shawn Boyle presented information related to staffing and costs
 associated with cruising events. The overall call volume for Saturdays from June to
 September averaged 59 calls and Saturdays with cruising events averaged 75 calls
 in 2025. Council discussed the tentative schedule for 2026, and Councilmember
 Byers mentioned upcoming events to celebrate the 250th birthday of our nation.
 After discussion,
 MOTION: Brown moved and Byers seconded to direct the City Manager to
 prepare a resolution establishing the 2026 Cruise the Ave event dates as
 June 13th, July 11th, July 18th, August 8th, August 15th, and September
 19th, from 7-11pm and bring it back for Council approval at an upcoming
 meeting. The motion carried by unanimous vote.
 9.B Financial Analysis of Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Levy
 Yakima Fire Chief Aaron Markham and Director of Finance and Budget Craig
 Warner presented a financial analysis for a potential EMS levy to support fire and
 EMS operations. An EMS levy of $0.25 per $1,000 of assessed valuation would
 generate an estimated $3 million per year, which would fully fund staffing at Fire
 Station 92 and remaining funds would be used to expand EMS capabilities and/or
 firefighters, building maintenance/repair and equipment replacement. Staff
 provided guidelines specific to a local EMS levy ballot measure. Two funding
 option proposals were described in detail for Council's consideration.
 Fire Deputy Chief Jonathan Hood responded to questions about types of calls,
 specifically basic life support and advanced life support. Staff provided deadlines
 for the potential placement of a levy measure on an upcoming election ballot.
 During extensive discussion, Council expressed their concerns about a levy and
 asked for information about overtime costs, staffing levels, fire district and
 legislation.
10) City Manager Update
 10.A Preview of upcoming topics
 City Manager Baker mentioned upcoming discussion topics related to infrastructure
 needs; expressed appreciation for an $8,000 donation to fund Concerts in the Park
 program; reported on a donation to DAY for downtown flower baskets; updated on
 renovations of the new YWCA shelter; and emphasized that the city balanced the
 2026 budget with reductions.
 Director of Yakima Air-Terminal Christopher Hopkins informed Council about the
 recent FAA inspection conducted at the airport which resulted in a perfect score
 despite staffing challenges over the past year. He also briefed Council on various
 updates including Aviation Day activities; discussions with Perry Technical Institute
 and West Valley Innovation Center for potential future educational opportunities;
 and updates regarding ongoing improvements at the Yakima Air-Terminal.
 Community Development Director Bill Preston provided clarification regarding a
 recent news report of loan/grant status related to the 6th Ave project.


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11) Other Business
 MOTION: Roy moved and Berg seconded that City Council place the Fisher Park
 Golf Course operational options on a future agenda for Council review and
 discussion. The motion carried by unanimous vote. Councilmember Roy stated that
 the intent is so they can look at the options, hear from the community, and make sure
 any next steps reflect Council’s shared priorities for Fisher Park.
 Councilmember Glenn briefed Council on the recent Sports Commission meeting which
 included a presentation about the Yakima School District’s levy to be placed on the ballot
 in April.
12) Adjournment
 MOTION: Byers moved and Berg seconded to adjourn to the next City Council
 study session on March 10, 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 8:03 p.m.

CERTIFICATION
READ AND CERTIFIED ACCURATE BY
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 COUNCIL MEMBER DATE

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ATTEST:

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 CITY CLERK MAYOR




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