[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-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",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_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",6289738,"mediaKeyId","2532144-4268622dbf97986e369826f6f350a49e","parentId",2532144,"title","Council adopts transportation resolutions, approves consent agenda and passes two ordinances","audioSeconds",56,"startMs",2733000,"endMs",2789000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2532144-4268622dbf97986e369826f6f350a49e&start=2733&end=2789","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2532144-4268622dbf97986e369826f6f350a49e/thumbnail_2733000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6289738/Yakima-City/Yakima-County/Washington/Council-adopts-transportation-resolutions-approves-consent-agenda-and-passes-two-ordinances","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6289738-aceed7fdb4dd3dc45e680d3c38dfd5af/orig.mp4?Expires=1771007262&Signature=OIOYZ5hWmpxMG1fEiRbL8NX1V40c77eHhLRDeXDjuSzfAVZ5tMgS0F4PQL23PzL4WT42O9uiLex9UXK0Xo2~V1U3nTdSh3BtGMZijzgp5WG4RMeIp~VP1nrl0NJj32PQ-~u-2-6AGlx0RGnge6pLaSpeyaSdAi1lCVJ7og31WHtGjFUbG~lr0lMAwG~cYE-3tDPd7Wv9NdLljo0KRZjVnHGVxdI1upXHV0EHfnaNbnUdefSvAEYpffGqz3SCzzMZThgmcGjw~sJXXFXB84-7DxbXKTDO0x~STelqfsC~NzRf5DUj9T3cpxx7NaL2rwhZEMmhxu5~VEjUBLIlFlLpTg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Yakima City, WA","date","2025-02-18T00:00:00Z","article","The Yakima City Council approved a package of measures on Feb. 2025, including two resolutions that amended the city’s six‑year Transportation Improvement Program and related comprehensive‑plan capital facilities element, adoption of a multi‑item consent agenda, and two separate ordinances that amend municipal code language.

Transportation resolutions adopted: After a public hearing, the council voted to adopt both resolutions to (1) amend the adopted six‑year Transportation Improvement Program for the period 2025–2030 and amend the Transportation Systems Plan to 2040, and (2) amend the Yakima Urban Area Comprehensive Plan capital facilities element to incorporate the amended six‑year TIP for 2025–2030. The motion to adopt both resolutions passed on a roll‑call vote, 7–0.

Consent agenda: The council approved the consent agenda by single motion, 7–0. The consent agenda included routine minutes, scheduling of a March 18 closed‑record hearing related to Planning Commission recommendations (RZ‑524), the January 2025 investment transaction report, payment of disbursements for January, acceptance of the fourth‑quarter 2024 claims report, amendments to airport rates and fees, a sole‑source GIS enterprise license agreement with ESRI, a contracts authorization with Granicus for smart‑gov services, supplemental professional services for a roundabout project, two right‑of‑way permits (31 N. Front St. and 303 E. D St.), a sole‑source badge‑application service agreement with AirBadge LLC, an award for the downtown flower program to Country Garden Nursery LLC, and an ordinance regarding a telecommunications franchise transaction (Wholesale Networks LLC/Ziply Fiber transfer to BCE Holding Corporation). (Items listed in full in the council packet.)

Ordinances passed: The council passed an ordinance amending Municipal Code chapter 7.92 (incentive program for water/wastewater connection charges) on a roll‑call vote, 7–0, to permit flexibility in the use of local sales‑tax retention consistent with state statute. The council also passed an ordinance amending Municipal Code section 1.09.0.01 regarding general office hours to give the city manager flexibility to set hours as operational conditions require; that ordinance passed 7–0.

Other procedural actions: Council voted 7–0 to place on the next meeting agenda a proposed resolution from Deputy Mayor Brown expressing no confidence in the Yakima County Homeless Coalition (the motion simply placed the item on the council’s future business agenda for formal consideration). Council also voted to adjourn to the next regular council meeting on March 4, 2025 at 5:30 p.m.

Votes (roll calls reflected at meeting): Brown — Yes; Byers — Yes; Decio — Yes; Glenn — Yes; Herrera — Yes; Roy — Yes; Berg — Yes. No votes were recorded.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Yakima City Council 02-18-25","oneSentenceSummary","At the February meeting the Yakima City Council adopted two resolutions to amend the six‑year transportation plan, approved a multi‑item consent agenda, and passed ordinances updating a water/wastewater incentive code section and city office‑hours code.","taxTitle","Yakima City, Yakima County, Washington","taxId",12681,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6289743,"Council hears housing‑first, tiny‑home and scattered‑shelter models as options for local homelessness response",1360,6475000,7835000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2532144-4268622dbf97986e369826f6f350a49e&start=6475&end=7835","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2532144-4268622dbf97986e369826f6f350a49e/thumbnail_6475000.jpg","/articles/6289743/Yakima-City/Yakima-County/Washington/Council-hears-housingfirst-tinyhome-and-scatteredshelter-models-as-options-for-local-homelessness-response","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6289743-f178ae4c442e05a70c6d9bf6801fe9b9/orig.mp4?Expires=1771007262&Signature=RDOI~aJ6cYb9Rr6Acp8REuehPj53ZDIzSq9rualSniCGhnPPJkhaezaraXjbWgikxCYChGDEcMJt-t6fgXmVZf8GpMT5kzBr3mqk~jqSPfyWPe2XePvOwJ~hcz-WWtm3FphqkNiae-aUxWERDN15LjL8KRRZ0NnqxP7b0CilftRJDbc1RJD8Ldi2hg1Or5jiatJQjgkq2mTfWLXTW~OB~HBFu5DFk2G6fzor9310ae5K3WaiMB-R1MbMcxiFhzIzZqYIaCeQ1O~joGbbC0RstUn53XMqUVI8QJc2j7ItEMV3VMEEP-b4c6TsVwq8yXXK5PJmXrtuojXTluAJF4~vGA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City Attorney Sarah Watkins briefed the council on several community models used elsewhere to provide shelter and housing to people experiencing homelessness, describing program designs and results from Walla Walla, Milwaukee, Olympia and Spokane.

Walla Walla: Watkins described a Conestoga‑hut shelter model sited on city property. The city invested an initial $150,000 to prepare foundations and placed approximately 37 huts on site; in 2021 the facility recorded roughly 16,500 nights of shelter and served 221 distinct individuals, Watkins said. The huts are weatherproof, lockable and used as an entry point into services; Walla Walla later added communal buildings for intake, restrooms and showers and uses volunteers and paid security to staff the site.

Milwaukee: Watkins described a housing‑first permanent supportive housing project that targeted chronically homeless individuals and people with chronic alcoholism. The example was a 24‑unit one‑bedroom building with round‑the‑clock social services; Watkins said Milwaukee reported a 92% decrease in its unsheltered population between early 2015 and early 2023 after pursuing housing‑first strategies and adding supportive services. She noted the projects used a mix of county funds, low‑income housing tax credits and debt financing.

Olympia: The city operates three tiny‑home villages run largely by nonprofit providers; one village has about 50 units and others are smaller (one described at 29 units). Olympia’s approach pairs tiny homes with wraparound services and complementary programs such as hotel‑voucher “stability stays” for people who need short‑term shelter for medical recovery and a crisis response unit that provides non‑police outreach for mental‑health crises, substance‑use needs and resource navigation.

Spokane: Watkins described a newly launched scattered‑shelter pilot in which the city closed a large congregate shelter and shifted to smaller sites (roughly 20–30 beds each) distributed across neighborhoods, with a central navigation center to match people to the best site; early pilot results showed several people moving from transitional shelter into housing.

Why it matters: Watkins framed the options as alternatives that combine shelter/housing and services. She reiterated HUD terminology to clarify program types: permanent supportive housing is ongoing housing with services, whereas transitional housing is temporary housing with time‑limited services.

Council reaction: Members asked for comparative cost information and local case counts; Watkins said she would research PIT counts and the Olympia and Walla Walla program costs for follow up. No immediate action was taken; the briefing was presented as information to inform future policy choices.","City attorneys reviewed examples from Walla Walla, Milwaukee, Olympia and Spokane that use Conestoga huts, permanent supportive housing, tiny‑home villages and scattered shelter pilots as different strategies to reduce unsheltered homelessness and link people to services.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6289748,"City updates progress on major capital projects; I Street, Nob Hill and roundabouts among active work",952,5484000,6436000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2532144-4268622dbf97986e369826f6f350a49e&start=5484&end=6436","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2532144-4268622dbf97986e369826f6f350a49e/thumbnail_5484000.jpg","/articles/6289748/Yakima-City/Yakima-County/Washington/City-updates-progress-on-major-capital-projects-I-Street-Nob-Hill-and-roundabouts-among-active-work","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6289748-5fce3a1e6fb9ea7075e6a9d33b6767f1/orig.mp4?Expires=1771007262&Signature=jJkV83q4WGFG7fJsONSTfRI4LwZsJqbOF77l-TLjtsragNZ7U6YFZEPa2Z8VG6hqPLwBYMU9N7zvYmF0uDf~TqxXpqJJXhd8uXvuYNksJc8orfebO5~T3RtZOiGBxvXsZRUcUG9VHG9UBiUKJN3SR4GSHSRLFUKyfSEvj5~VZ-1VGEYytQ8bC0y7I5lUGbcHpRiKeVOp05COj3JysTMad4N6ahqSDPxUZEOLqEMOo31nBDQAXcNXoJczphdG33R0w76N3EmYyAOedgcQ7QjYEkR1GtXwllZFyjz8V1yz2Obi4MCffznwUfjTTUbFQnCR~77vQHxLOrsnKdBFlAnbeQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City engineering staff told the City Council the department completed several capital projects in 2024 and has a busy construction year ahead.

Completed work staff highlighted included the Cowiche Canyon Trail (constructed for about $2.7 million), Nob Hill Boulevard mill‑and‑fill from Fourth to Fifteenth avenues, and sidewalk repair on Second Street. Bill Prescott, Community Development Director, said the city also carried out ADA ramp improvements tied to resurfacing work.

Major projects under construction or planned for 2025 include the Nob Hill and Fair Avenue signal project (added back to the city’s six‑year Transportation Improvement Program after right‑of‑way delays), Fortieth Avenue and Fruitvale roundabout improvements, the 70 Second Avenue/West Washington Avenue roundabout, and the Division and Third Avenue signal tied to an industrial development (work is awaiting long‑lead signal components). Prescott said the I Street reconstruction — partly funded by federal grants and developer agreements — is a significant project with roughly $9.4 million of construction funds and is expected to be paved in spring 2025.

Prescott also reviewed design‑phase work including an 82nd Avenue sewer line, Fred Meyer/Fortieth active‑transportation pathway and Sixth Avenue reconstruction. He noted some long‑running projects such as the Bravo Company corridor and the South Main/Intermodal (MSW) site cleanup remain complicated because they involve multiple funding streams and environmental work.

The council asked about costs and funding sources. Prescott said most large projects rely on state and federal grants; for one Nob Hill segment he noted a construction estimate of roughly $10.8 million and that only $200,000 of local funds had been identified so far while the remainder is grant‑funded. Prescott asked for patience from residents as construction activity increases this year.

What’s next: staff will proceed with design, advertise projects for bid where required, and bring individual projects back to the council for contract awards and construction authorization as federal and state procurement windows and long‑lead procurement items (signal equipment) permit.","City engineering reported completed and upcoming capital projects, including the Cowiche Canyon Trail, ongoing work on I Street and a set of transportation projects planned for 2025 that rely mainly on grant funding.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6289753,"City outlines traffic‑calming process, data thresholds and $30,000 fund for measures",1249,3882000,5131000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2532144-4268622dbf97986e369826f6f350a49e&start=3882&end=5131","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2532144-4268622dbf97986e369826f6f350a49e/thumbnail_3882000.jpg","/articles/6289753/Yakima-City/Yakima-County/Washington/City-outlines-trafficcalming-process-data-thresholds-and-30000-fund-for-measures","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6289753-95bb829092d83d3543c6c5d5728ec262/orig.mp4?Expires=1771007262&Signature=h0C08a7TbyPM05v2iJXZnhRWQZNKRJkQed-HFcORBtvg1BN9JVkJ7vFVy-pQVhQnpMTRttY2NpUnnQxr1KQsc1dXiQivjMyZ-hRQI~CTUjtk1eccrGh9nnM839vctUpyxqYguqrlfidg7CvLZKcRNC5bb0L9lJc9V8As7JVAkYEGfjP6oI2hd-NLD2Dya1UDkYCE0HqGctLgtWDw~hlVHig99vJBwe-~vVq4De2FKufYedd8BGg~SGNkri51MniBKRNl~n-oOhfXlc039KA44CgfI09FzCw7bpNzMmmXpFGE4-Lut1JsloJycu6gPix16QpgVp3mTzfISTIZ8RUTww__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Community Development Director Bill Prescott reviewed Yakima’s traffic‑calming program at the council meeting, describing the stepwise process the city uses to evaluate resident petitions and the data thresholds that trigger education, enforcement or engineering responses.

Prescott said the program begins with a resident petition (the department requires signatures from 30% of area residents to trigger a formal study) and includes an evaluation of traffic counts, 85th‑percentile speeds and collision history. The city then pursues education and enforcement where appropriate and, for locations with higher speeds, engineering solutions such as speed humps.

Key program rules and data thresholds Prescott summarized: the city treats local streets only (arterials are excluded), uses the 85th‑percentile speed to evaluate concerns, and applies a stepped approach—0–5 mph over the speed limit generally prompts no change, 5–10 mph prompts education and enforcement, and more than 10 mph over the limit triggers engineering measures. He said the city also checks three‑year collision history and evaluates cut‑through traffic before recommending physical changes.

Prescott told council that in 2023 the department received three traffic‑calming petitions and in 2024 received five; four of the 2024 petitions were closed. He said 12 petitions are currently in the queue in various stages of evaluation.

Finance and equipment: staff maintain a $30,000 REIT fund for traffic‑calming equipment and installations. Prescott said $26,000 was spent in 2023 on radar speed signs and repairs and $21,000 in 2024 on equipment and materials; labor costs for design and installation are charged to existing staff budgets and are not included in those dollar figures.

Council questions focused on enforcement and equity. Deputy Mayor Brown and other council members asked whether enforcement changes long‑term driver behavior; Prescott said enforcement can be effective but is usually short term without complementary engineering changes. Council members also asked whether property owners could pay to install devices; Prescott said installations require city authorization because the improvements are in the public right of way and must meet city standards, but staff will follow up with the city attorney and finance office about how privately funded installations would be handled if a petition meets program criteria.

What’s next: Prescott said the department will complete pending counts when weather allows and bring designs and cost estimates for sites that meet criteria. He said speed‑hump installations are seasonal and will be scheduled when conditions permit.","Community development staff summarized the city’s traffic‑calming program, including petition thresholds, enforcement and engineering steps, and a $30,000 REIT set‑aside for equipment and installations.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6289758,"Downtown Yakima BID leaders press for clearer complaint routes, election of new advisory board",947,655000,1602000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2532144-4268622dbf97986e369826f6f350a49e&start=655&end=1602","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2532144-4268622dbf97986e369826f6f350a49e/thumbnail_655000.jpg","/articles/6289758/Yakima-City/Yakima-County/Washington/Downtown-Yakima-BID-leaders-press-for-clearer-complaint-routes-election-of-new-advisory-board","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6289758-b39307e6f34bf667d95eacbbfdd243d5/orig.mp4?Expires=1771007262&Signature=CirjqKQCCW7DsSvcnFFcqN6bux3mXQl36RQa0v0P2LByZWMbQXCbN8C2rmJiy5Grk6j9ck~5SlA1EG3mArCu6GDtTEZR69AgUwbFfcuPEW51eGSf-T~v19UHv9Pdc9DnTqXDWsfyU3BR2djneqHfCbq0GEijUNeZ~O0wPBWB8BtQMny5d~W9-IvBXVbL9MQm3On8T9fjlpEc0jmiu3AaZcbFcBSdDx5MNkhr19-IwJ93S2R7Qo1RIkacRYeuXvvNHC2gLDsbfxFwMRK3iw7IBDYlgQTBQAOOzxOE5-ycIEqrPb9Lmpt1y-RvZIIJCcQwWn-06aB9StyHm8NeaCsXKQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Ben Hittle, chair of the Downtown Yakima Business Improvement District, told the City Council on Feb. 2025 that the advisory board is updating its membership rolls, preparing to hold an election and asking city staff for clearer complaint-routing so the district can resolve recurring problems for downtown businesses.

The petitions and election paperwork aim to replace advisory-board members whose terms have expired: nominations are due March 7, an election will be completed by March 28, and a reorganized advisory board is scheduled to meet in April, Hittle said. He also described the DYBID funding model: “Businesses within the DYBID pay an annual hundred dollars fee on their business license,” and property assessments are charged on a multiplier; for example, a building with a county assessment of about $950,000 “you would pay roughly just under $900 DYBID fee,” Hittle said.

Why it matters: Council members raised concerns that contract expectations may not match delivered services and that unclear complaint-routing makes it hard to hold contractors accountable. The council sought specifics about what parts of the maintenance contract are not being fulfilled and urged staff and the association to meet and clarify responsibilities.

Hittle said the advisory board believes the vendor known as DAY has been cost-effective overall and that DAY’s new executive director has begun hiring and training staff. “We feel as the DYBID talking to our constituents that he’s doing a positive job,” Hittle said. Kurt Wilson, who responded for the contracted downtown operator, said the contract runs through 2028 and that bids the city gathered would have cost more than continuing the current contract: “those bids all came in at a minimum of $25,000 over what we’re currently paying,” he said. Wilson said DAY publishes contact phone numbers and email addresses for operations staff and that operations manager Jose and others are responding to complaints when they arrive.

Council members pressed for more precise evidence of missing contract items before changing the contract scope. Deputy Mayor Brown said she had sought quotes because she worried the contract scope might be too large for the money available and asked whether some services should be narrowed or shifted. Brown said: “I want to make sure that business owners and you guys are getting what you’re paying for.” Hittle and Wilson offered to meet with council staff to review specific complaints and the contract’s scope; Wilson also proposed a follow-up meeting with council members who had filed complaints.

Other specifics raised in discussion: the advisory board plans quarterly public meetings, is compiling an updated list of assessed property owners, and reports 265 downtown business licenses in the DYBID boundary. Hittle said homelessness-related cleanup remains a frequent source of complaints, distinguishing between nonconfrontational encampments and behavior tied to untreated substance use or serious mental illness that some business owners find alarming. He urged better use of no-trespass agreements and reporting: “If you didn’t report it, it didn’t happen,” Hittle said, urging business owners to file formal complaints so the association and police can act.

Council direction: No formal action was taken on the floor. Council members requested staff and DAY/DYBID leaders meet to compile a list of specific unresolved contract deliverables, to confirm which calls are inside the DYBID boundary versus regular city responsibilities, and to return with recommendations on whether the contract’s scope should be narrowed or restructured.

What’s next: The DYBID election timeline and a plan for better complaint routing were left as near-term priorities; council members said they would refer future individual complaints to DAY’s published contacts and asked staff to consider a single desk or routing point so council offices do not have to redirect callers repeatedly.

","The Downtown Yakima Business Improvement District (DYBID) told the City Council it is modernizing its membership list, preparing an advisory-board election and seeking clearer communication with city staff about contract scope and complaints tied to downtown maintenance and homeless encampments.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council adopts transportation resolutions, approves consent agenda and passes two ordinances

Council hears housing‑first, tiny‑home and scattered‑shelter models as options for local homelessness response

City updates progress on major capital projects; I Street, Nob Hill and roundabouts among active work

City outlines traffic‑calming process, data thresholds and $30,000 fund for measures

Downtown Yakima BID leaders press for clearer complaint routes, election of new advisory board