Yakima County commissioners approve consent agenda including landfill emissions grants and labor agreements

The Board of Yakima County Commissioners voted to approve the consent agenda at its March 4, 2025 regular weekly meeting, clearing a package of resolutions, contracts and labor agreements including two Department of Ecology grant agreements to address landfill emissions.

The consent agenda was moved for approval by Commissioner Lindy, Yakima County commissioner, and seconded by Commissioner Curtis, Yakima County commissioner. "I move that we approve the consent agenda as read into the record," Commissioner Lindy said. After a brief call for discussion, Commissioner Curtis said, "All in favor, please say aye." The vote was recorded as aye by the two commissioners present; Commissioner McKinney was excused.

Why it matters: the consent package includes grant authorizations to install enclosed flares, blower skids and increased monitoring at county landfills, several labor agreements covering county employee groups, a contract acceptance closing out a floodplain-restoration project, and an opioid-settlement contract for prevention services with a local foundation. Those items authorize county staff to carry out projects and sign contracts that affect county operations and service delivery.

Key items approved on the consent agenda included (as read into the record): minutes from prior meetings (Jan. 28, 2025; Feb. 18, 2025; Feb. 24, 2025 work session); Resolution 49 20 25 rescinding an appointment to the Yakima Regional Clean Air Agency Board and calling for applications; Corporate Counsel Resolution 40Seven-twenty25 denying claim number Three-twenty25 filed by Robert Stroud; Human Resources resolution(s) authorizing additions/deletions to budgeted positions across several funds; multiple labor agreements with Teamsters Local Union covering Yakima County Sheriff's Office noncommissioned administrative staff, county clerk supervisory employees, and Information Technology Services employees (terms read as through 2026); an opioid-settlement funds contract with the Yakima Valley Community Foundation for prevention services under the "Innovative Responses to the Opioid Epidemic, a Community Forum"; Public Services Resolution 40Threetwenty 20 5 accepting contract number 1775 as complete for Project FC 3664 Ramblers Reach Phase VI Floodplain Restoration; Public Services Resolutions authorizing the Public Services Solid Waste Manager to electronically sign grant agreements with the State of Washington Department of Ecology to assist with installation of an enclosed flare, blower skid, final connection and increased monitoring to reduce landfill emissions at Terrace Heights Landfill and at Shane Landfill; Technology Services Resolution 40Eight-twenty 20 5 accepting as complete the audiovisual upgrade to four Superior Court courtrooms.

The consent agenda items had been reviewed in a prior work session as noted during the meeting. The consent vote was taken collectively rather than on each item individually; the motion recorded the board's approval of the entire package. The clerk of the board read the full list of consent items into the record prior to the motion.

The board also recorded routine administrative notes during the meeting, including that meetings and materials are posted on the county website and that recordings and minutes are available online.

Votes at a glance: - Motion to approve the consent agenda (moved by Commissioner Lindy; seconded by Commissioner Curtis): outcome — approved; yes: Commissioner Lindy, Commissioner Curtis; absent: Commissioner McKinney. (The motion approved all items read into the record.)

Less-critical items included routine minutes approvals and administrative resolutions. Specific dollar amounts for the Ecology grants and the opioid-settlement contract were not specified during the reading of the consent agenda; the clerk read the authorizations and staff were authorized to electronically sign the grant agreements as described.