[{"_1":2,"_98":-5,"_99":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,86],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6376442,"mediaKeyId","2140183-9980cd3459ec1d8bc81c01c011dd9efa","parentId",2140183,"title","Council approves 2024 final vouchers, rescinds municipal-judge ordinance and authorizes contract for judge pro tempore pay","audioSeconds",741,"startMs",131000,"endMs",872000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2140183-9980cd3459ec1d8bc81c01c011dd9efa&start=131&end=872","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2140183-9980cd3459ec1d8bc81c01c011dd9efa/thumbnail_131000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6376442/Sunnyside-City/Yakima-County/Washington/Council-approves-2024-final-vouchers-rescinds-municipal-judge-ordinance-and-authorizes-contract-for-judge-pro-tempore-pay","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6376442-01b9d06ec0ea89279fce2a400bc1be62/orig.mp4?Expires=1775411637&Signature=bR4DDOyKlr1~qusoGF8XHiPEY31CLGxkKfqZ9WVvW48oCgJiTyUQyQk1kLSkTxtAAAf7gWz-kzzZX37HvQoiXZGHK6RZFTKBN448dq~34-t~rylEc2cdluiQPLiiDWAYpNVadeq22-gRd1RePVfsBVKQk75pn5yePC9XYp0OWSV-PnZknXuDMKANgQCwCHHFUyj~DecsT4W3CvY2HCsN7IaJCL8-6-KV~5XYVdpV-D-55Q1JmP1IE-6LklFsbb9grrPgIV13sZccKBVauBD5uCaNiJeYWw8G66AeGroDEYZbSMI40z0eh~cTHajmmQLhTru398R4KaFtLNX28JWA3g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Sunnyside Washington","date","2025-01-22T17:15:00Z","article","At a study-session business session, the City Council approved a series of procedural administrative actions, including final voucher payments for 2024, a rescission of an ordinance concerning municipal court appointment language, and a resolution to allow the city manager to execute an amended independent-consultant agreement with Judge Troy Lee.

Vouchers and final 2024 expenditures
- Council approved claim vouchers numbered 110-980 through 111-083 and related wire transfers totaling $1,449,390.48 for the period ending Dec. 31, 2024, with some voided check numbers noted by staff. The motion was made by Councilor Ripley and seconded by Councilor Hart; council members voted “aye” and the motion passed.

Rescission of ordinance and judge contract
- The council voted to rescind Ordinance No. 2022-3, which had previously addressed appointment and compensation language for Troy Lee (municipal court judge). City staff said the rescission was procedural so the hiring/firing authority (hiring/firing authority rests with the city manager) and the judge’s role can be formalized by contract rather than an ordinance.
- Motion to rescind was made by Councilor Beeler and seconded by Councilor Hart; the motion passed with an aye vote.
- The council then approved a resolution authorizing the city manager to amend an agreement with Judge Troy Lee identifying him as an independent consultant and setting pro tem pay. Councilors discussed hourly pay references dating to Jan. 1, 2022, and asked for clarification on future adjustments; staff said they would provide an annual adjustment figure on request. The resolution also preserves the monthly compensation framework aligned with the Administrative Office of the Courts’ salary commission. Motion by Councilor Beeler, second by Councilor Ripley; all voted aye and the resolution passed.

Climate Resilience Advisory Team assignment
- The council corrected an earlier oversight in committee assignments and confirmed that Councilor Hart will continue as a representative to the Climate Resilience Advisory Team. The item was raised as an administrative correction and there was no vote recorded as an objection was not raised.

Why it matters: These items formalize payroll/contracting authority and complete year-end financial housekeeping for 2024. Rescinding the ordinance and moving compensation/appointment language into a professional-services contract clarifies separation of powers and ensures the judge is treated as an independent contractor for municipal-court services.

Votes at a glance
- 2024 final vouchers: motion by Councilor Ripley; second by Councilor Hart; outcome: approved; tally: unanimous aye (no roll-call names recorded).
- Rescind Ordinance No. 2022-3 (appointment/compensation for Judge Troy Lee): motion by Councilor Beeler; second by Councilor Hart; outcome: approved; tally: unanimous aye.
- Resolution authorizing city manager to execute amended independent-consultant agreement with Judge Troy Lee (sets pay for judge pro tempore): motion by Councilor Beeler; second by Councilor Ripley; outcome: approved; tally: unanimous aye.

Quote
- City Manager Gonzales (summarizing change): “So just sort of a procedural thing that we'll have to do, doesn't fundamentally change Judge Lee's duties as a judge, but the hiring and firing authority does lie within the city manager's office.”

Ending: Council approved the administrative and contract adjustments and closed the financial items for 2024. Staff committed to supply additional clarifying details on Judge Lee’s hourly adjustment mechanism and to provide substantiating invoices for voucher inquiries on request.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","01/21/2025 - Sunnyside City Council Study Session","oneSentenceSummary","Sunnyside’s council approved final 2024 vouchers, rescinded a 2022 ordinance about municipal court appointments and authorized the city manager to amend an independent-consultant agreement with Judge Troy Lee.","taxTitle","Sunnyside City, Yakima County, Washington","taxId",71678,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":79,"_47":80,"_49":81,"_51":82,"_53":83,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":84,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":85,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6376447,"Sunnyside staff lay out animal-control options, kennel capacity and training needs",0,4942000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2140183-9980cd3459ec1d8bc81c01c011dd9efa&start=4942&end=4942","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2140183-9980cd3459ec1d8bc81c01c011dd9efa/thumbnail_4942000.jpg","/articles/6376447/Sunnyside-City/Yakima-County/Washington/Sunnyside-staff-lay-out-animal-control-options-kennel-capacity-and-training-needs","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6376447-979a5506f6e6181a6111d025cbc6f89d/orig.mp4?Expires=1775411637&Signature=lw57gsW6AS0OJLcKFgUwLlSKTXdDX6ryvgnEwuT1XcO73y3QgW8KPI0W83urbeVCTPsxeaD~SDZK9iU40XMxt9AdNsJRq3i2QEp~JhAJkCYoR58JDTPcQLzCl5kEYPBO6tjAYBwUxfVY65B9fuvuLNdviJpHUKl1SUySOdtUWMXWm7BXVrTWVnfq7Af9U8lAw68W0NOm5FNzEoxLf9g9MDTVRVJqPuDIuJhXSzZt12Jrbo8Qv9n6bQp5htFIhQEV3caUIty3l5~VrqLnhSVEdHHmFan5Hl~9wy1RwbrFryg4MlsU1dqfh1QrQPUMIJEMjy2CyDVr0rmPLeEPaHCSHA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City of Sunnyside officials told the City Council that animal-control services remain in transition after the resignation of the dedicated animal control officer, and staff outlined interim arrangements, capacity constraints and options for a local kennel facility.

Community and Economic Development Director Derek Bratton said code-enforcement staff have been covering animal-control complaints during business hours while police handle nights and weekends. Bratton said staff are prioritizing emergencies—dangerous dogs, injured animals and cruelty reports—and that resource limits mean stray cats are not being impounded under current operations.

Bratton said the city currently has interlocal agreements with Grandview and the Yakima Valley Humane Society for kenneling and transfers. He said the city delivered 56 animals to the Humane Society in 2024 at a cost of $11,960 and that a new Humane Society contract will be presented to council on the 27th. He described a kennel-lease proposal that would secure up to four kennel spaces per month for a flat monthly fee from the humane society.

Why it matters: Animal-control capacity affects public safety, animal welfare and city operational costs. Councilors pressed staff for clarity on licensing revenue, enforcement options for repeat offenders and the potential to use volunteers or community groups to reduce labor costs.

Key points
- The city delivered 56 animals to the Yakima Valley Humane Society in 2024; the invoiced cost to the city that year was $11,960. Bratton said the next Humane Society contract would be presented to council for approval.
- Bratton reported that the Humane Society agreement would secure up to four kennel beds for a flat monthly fee of $1,000; beds do not “stack” month to month.
- Two city kennels (kept near the police vehicle yard) are serviceable but need work and better weather protection; Bratton said converting or adding structures on the city-owned Tucker Sellers parcel (about 2.72 acres) could create a local kennel and dog runs for an estimated $5,000–$15,000 depending on scale.
- Training to certify two code-enforcement staff in animal-control enforcement is a near-term cost (a five‑day program in Burien with total out-of-pocket of roughly $3,000–$5,000 for travel, lodging and fees). Bratton recommended the training to ensure legal compliance and investigative skills.

Enforcement and policy discussion
- Councilors raised stronger penalties and repeat-offender approaches. Councilor Beeler suggested a progressive “three strikes” policy; Deputy Mayor Galvan urged the city to review and increase fines and consider limiting or banning commercial breeding and sales in city limits.
- Council and staff discussed volunteer models (4‑H groups, community service hours) and use of donations (Festival of Trees proceeds identified as a potential dedicated fund) to defray kennel costs. Finance staff confirmed some fundraising proceeds exist (Festival of Trees fundraising) but designated balances need to be located in the city accounting records.

Decisions and next steps
- Staff will present the Humane Society contract to council on the agenda dated the 27th and will return with more precise figures on licensing revenue, citation history and the status of any earmarked fundraising dollars.
- Bratton will continue discussions with neighboring cities about a regional approach and explore feasibility of a small kennel structure on the Tucker Sellers parcel; staff noted such a project could take three to six months depending on complexity.

Quote (attributed)
- Derek Bratton, Community and Economic Development Director: “Due to resource limitations at this time, we have to prioritize basically, our responses to animal control complaints because we we'd have very limited resources.”

Ending: Council members signaled support for a multi-pronged approach—speed up staff training and the new humane-society contract, pursue short-term kennel capacity via partner agreements and explore volunteers and a modest local kennel as a medium-term option—while directing staff to return with more detailed license revenue and citation data for 2024.","City staff updated the council on animal-control coverage since the prior animal control officer resigned, detailed costs and kennel options, and recommended short-term reliance on partner kennels while exploring a regional facility on a city-owned parcel.",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":89,"_43":90,"_45":91,"_47":92,"_49":93,"_51":94,"_53":95,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":96,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":97,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6376452,"Sunnyside council hears options to reopen pool, market community center as budget gaps loom",520,1164000,1684000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2140183-9980cd3459ec1d8bc81c01c011dd9efa&start=1164&end=1684","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2140183-9980cd3459ec1d8bc81c01c011dd9efa/thumbnail_1164000.jpg","/articles/6376452/Sunnyside-City/Yakima-County/Washington/Sunnyside-council-hears-options-to-reopen-pool-market-community-center-as-budget-gaps-loom","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6376452-bb5852b31a93bf0921ff779a9b3790f6/orig.mp4?Expires=1775411637&Signature=fJMR-g0quIXLO51JW7vFnG-pu7oNtenDVDIGl3ATIblnG2dK~IqLtfVTnwlp9lzwbZqvkXIlnDiuYJMYkUbNTtp377~T2q6B7~26xAJ4d5mmOPqGuSmacLHbHzcvIdl4TlJYxeBjq-~6VazwNG1fKf6bBV16R-l6IrvtNfCIqK3jZYKIDuSRGuYLwPMvA1NR3H18A6K6c2xl1OqKwMHjSMsTU5xV0VjOsqJjKCz10Uoaus2-uNLht4ioy~lAWPHr-0yFAYyl1isbDFlwqSqYlDSEuoaHcrPWt52mI8h1ycQ3nPXhPDjMkR3b5MogX8Qlp5hk1DRn~4xJCco3YQZKlg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City of Sunnyside managers and public works staff told the City Council on the study-session agenda that reopening the Sunnyside pool this spring will require immediate decisions on repairs, staffing and likely temporary revenue measures.

At a study-session presentation, Public Works Director Raul Sanchez summarized a season budget and the repairs needed to make the pool usable. He said seasonal payroll and benefits, chemicals, operations and a set of equipment repairs bring the estimated 2025 cost to about $358,881.74, while fee revenue in 2024 was $67,315.56.

The council heard why some repairs must be ordered quickly and why lifeguard training scheduling requires near-term decisions. Sanchez said, “We have to order it in advance so that we make sure that we gave it enough time for everything to show up and make sure everything's there and have it installed and tested.” City Manager Gonzales and councilors discussed short-term and long-term revenue options to close the gap.

Why it matters: reopening the pool consumes staff time and money and competes with other city priorities. Council members expressed urgency—both to recruit lifeguards before other area pools fill positions and to decide whether to alter hours, staffing or funding approaches so the pool can open on time.

Most important facts
- Staff presented a projected season cost of $358,881.74 for operating the pool, including $122,760.48 for seasonal employee wages, $17,069.88 for chemicals and $55,000 for required equipment repairs (filters, chlorine injector pump, vacuum hoses). (Source: Raul Sanchez presentation.)
- Revenue for the pool in 2024 was reported as $67,315.56; earlier seasons showed variation (2023 revenue cited at $57,500; 2022 at $66,468). (Source: Raul Sanchez.)
- Immediate capital repairs (filters and a chlorine injector pump) were estimated around $55,000 and need to be ordered with lead time to be installed and tested by April. Sanchez said, “the equipment needs to be ordered” to meet the April timeline.
- Staff advised scheduling the lifeguard trainer by the end of January so certification can occur before season start. Sanchez said lifeguard certification schedules are set by the trainer and require advance notice.

Funding options discussed
- Utility tax increase: Gonzales and staff estimated that each 1% rise in Sunnyside’s utility tax would yield roughly $100,000–$150,000 in general revenue; a 2.5% increase could cover pool costs if council chose that route. Gonzales noted the distribution of the burden would vary by customer usage and urged caution: \"it's a tough ask\" for residents, he said.
- One-time sale of city property: selling the Tucker Sellers parcel was raised as a possibility to produce a lump sum, but Finance Director Debbie Zabel warned the council that relying on one-time proceeds to fund ongoing operations creates structural budget risk.
- Grants, donations and partnerships: managers said operational grants are scarce; they described ongoing outreach to nonprofits, grant writers and community donors and noted interest from community partners to explore support.
- Revenue-side alternatives: reducing hours or staffing, outsourcing concessions to food vendors, increasing admission or rental fees, or creating a special revenue fund or sunset clause allocating new tax revenues exclusively to pool operations.

Community center: rental approach, marketing and volunteers
- Staff reported that the community center’s reservation system and point-of-contact functions have been moved to Public Works while the city addresses staffing gaps. The current fee schedule was shared as a draft; staff recommended marketing and making the application process easier (paper form now, an online one-stop payment system planned).
- Rental types include hourly gym/kitchen rentals and full-day events; staff suggested the city should avoid undercutting local private event halls and instead be competitive and complementary.
- Councilors and staff discussed outsourcing concessions, using volunteers for cashiering or concession tasks, and more active marketing to Spanish-speaking business owners; Councilor Vasquez recommended holding a Spanish-language business outreach session.

Decisions and next steps
- Council gave general direction to staff to continue planning, to bring back more granular revenue numbers (lessons, rentals, concessions) and to explore options that combine short-term fixes with longer-term solutions. Several councilors emphasized cutting costs and streamlining operations before increasing taxes.
- Staff identified immediate tactical deadlines: notify the lifeguard trainer by end of January and order replacement chemical-feed and filtration equipment to meet an April operational timeline.

Quotes (selected and attributed)
- Raul Sanchez, Public Works Director: “We have to order it in advance so that we make sure that we gave it enough time for everything to show up and make sure everything's there and have it installed and tested.”
- City Manager Gonzales: “The quickest recommendation I can make is this increase of the utility tax because it'll help our kids have the pool this year, and that will allow staff to really look at… other options.”

Ending: councilors asked staff to return with more detailed line-item revenue breakdowns (swim lessons, rentals, concessions), a comparison of fee structures used by nearby halls, and options that would let the council weigh short-term funding against longer-term structural solutions. Staff also said they will continue outreach about a potential Boys & Girls Club partnership and scheduled community meetings to solicit further stakeholder input.","City staff outlined costs and short- and long-term funding options to reopen Sunnyside’s pool and reactivate the community center, urging quicker decisions on staffing, equipment repairs and possible temporary revenue measures such as a utility tax increase.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council approves 2024 final vouchers, rescinds municipal-judge ordinance and authorizes contract for judge pro tempore pay

Sunnyside staff lay out animal-control options, kennel capacity and training needs

Sunnyside council hears options to reopen pool, market community center as budget gaps loom