Vicki Baker

The City Council meeting included executive sessions to discuss collective bargaining and potential litigation. Key agenda items involved staff recommendations for appointments to various boards and committees, including the Arts Committee and Yakima Housing Authority. The Council considered several resolutions, such as setting a public hearing date regarding material changes to the Transportation Benefit District Project List and approving collective bargaining agreements for 2026-2027 for both the PSERS Telecommunicators and PERS bargaining units represented by IAFF Local 469. Other actions included authorizing signatures for an Underground Right of Way Easement for McCormick Lease #2 at the airport and accepting a grant from the Department of Ecology for pipeline improvements. Public hearings addressed amending the Six-Year Transportation Improvement Program and the Lochridge Annexation. An update was provided on Capitol Theatre Capital Improvements, leading to authorization for fundraising and extending the agreement with Graham Baba Architects. The Council also approved an operating license agreement with the Yakima Valley Trolleys.

The meeting addressed several key areas, including public comment periods and council reports. The Consent Agenda included the approval of disbursements for December 2025 and the 2025 4th Quarter Treasury Report. Resolutions were approved authorizing the City to accept a $120,000 Municipal Stormwater Capacity Grant and another resolution concerning the Master Fee Schedule for Parks, Recreation, and Cemetery rates. The Council also addressed Department Items, passing an ordinance amending Municipal Code Chapter 8.72 regarding Excavations in Public Rights-of-Way, denying a Right of Way Use Permit Application for storage containers at 501 N Front Street, and receiving an update on the November 2025 Financial Report, which projected sales tax revenues below budget. A significant discussion involved Fire Station 92 operations, leading to an amended motion to authorize $150,000 a month for overtime as a temporary measure to avoid closure through August, and a motion to present a plan for a $0.25 per thousand EMS Levy for Council consideration. City Manager updates covered conversations with school districts regarding Lions Pool and an agreement with Yakima Valley Trolleys regarding storage and access.

The regular City Council meeting included a reorganization segment where newly elected and re-elected Councilmembers took the Oath of Office. Following this, Councilmember Brown was elected as Mayor, and Councilmember Berg was elected as Assistant Mayor. Public comment included discussion regarding Fire Station 92, the Yakima Valley Trolleys, and the Yakima County flood control project. The Council approved a proclamation for Martin Luther King Jr. Day as a 'Day of Service' and reappointed John Cooper to the Lodging Tax Advisory Committee. Key actions under the Consent Agenda included setting a public hearing date for the Lochridge Annexation and approving resolutions for city-wide printing services and vehicle maintenance agreements for the Police Department. The Council also approved a resolution authorizing a grant agreement with the State of Washington Department of Ecology for the Aquifer Storage and Recovery (ASR) project. Furthermore, an ordinance amending the Municipal Code regarding Excavations in Public Rights-of-Way was passed. The Council denied a Right of Way Use Permit application for storage containers near the Minado Buffett building. An update on the November 2025 financial report indicated projected shortfalls in sales tax and property tax revenues, although utility tax revenue was projected to exceed budget. Council authorized $150,000 a month temporarily to avoid the closure of Fire Station 92 through August and directed staff to prepare information for a potential $0.25 per thousand EMS Levy. Updates were also provided regarding discussions with school districts concerning the Lions Pool and an agreement with the Yakima Valley Trolleys for storage.

The meeting included public comment where residents voiced concerns regarding federal immigration enforcement (ICE) having access to the city's Flock camera system, urging the council to condemn data sharing and strengthen policy oversight. Another topic concerned public praise for the timely completion of the interchange project at Powerhouse Road, Fruit Veil Boulevard, and 34th. The council reviewed and approved most items on the consent agenda, including approving the third-quarter 2025 claim report and resolutions for various engineering agreements related to water and sewer projects. A separate resolution was adopted to accept a grant of nearly $100,000 for improvements to Elks Park Little League fields, primarily for the outfield fence replacement. The council also held the first reading of an ordinance amending the 2025 budget, which involved numerous adjustments, including adding funds for police pre-employment testing and setting up budget structures for affordable housing and lodging tax funds. Finally, Captain Janice of the Police Department addressed community concerns about the Flock camera data sharing with ICE, confirming a minimal historical access by border patrol but stating uncertainty about the specific source of recent access requests.

The regular City Council meeting included the administration of oaths of office to newly elected Municipal Court Judges Aryn Masters and Troy Clements. The Council adopted recommendations from the Council Nominating Committee regarding appointments and reappointments to various boards and committees. Discussions were held regarding 2026 state and federal legislative priorities, including issues related to air terminal projects, homelessness, and public safety funding. Several resolutions were approved, including accepting a $115,000 donation for an outdoor gym at Chesterley Park, accepting a $50,000 donation for the Harman Center, and authorizing interlocal agreements with Yakima County for flood control and with the City of Selah and City of Moxee for inmate housing services. Municipal Court Judges provided an overview of lawyer appointment procedures and indigency screening. The Fire Department presented its 2025-2030 Master Plan. The Council also adopted ordinances amending the Water and Wastewater tax, Stormwater tax, and Refuse tax, allocating the resulting revenue to the Police Department.