Residents urge council to address farmworker fears and pool funding concerns during public comment

At the start of the Feb. 4 Yakima City Council meeting, several residents spoke during the public‑comment period about immigration enforcement fears and concerns about the proposed MLK Aquatic Center’s operating costs.

Gail Smart, who identified herself as a Yakima resident, said she had spoken with undocumented farmworkers in the previous week and was speaking on their behalf. “We no longer feel safe in our community. We're terrified. We're afraid to go to work and cannot afford not to go to work,” Smart said. She said many of the workers she contacted have long histories in the valley, work long hours, pay taxes and have children in local schools. “If I voluntarily leave the U.S. to start the process over, I'm afraid I'll be leaving my family forever and never be able to return,” Smart said, relaying the words of the people she represented.

Patricia Kundermas (spelled in the public record as Patricia Kundermas) spoke about the MLK Aquatic Center, saying she supported the pool but worried about long‑term maintenance costs. She noted that outdoor pools in Yakima typically generate revenue for only about three months per year and said the East Side pool had previously experienced a $400,000 shortfall. “I believe the maintenance cost of this pool is probably more than Yakima can possibly afford,” Kundermas said, and urged the council to ensure that tax revenue intended for pools be used to support all pools in the city, not just the new facility.

Other public‑comment speakers raised downtown safety and nuisance issues. Mark Peterson, who said he is the president of a community group, described a recent assault near his business and called for stronger downtown enforcement to boost safety and support local businesses.

Why it matters Public comments highlighted resident concerns that intersect with council policy: community safety and policing, costs and maintenance for city recreational infrastructure, and the welfare of farmworkers who live and work in Yakima. Councilmembers heard calls for clearer plans on pool maintenance funding and for attention to immigrant community safety concerns.

Speakers (excerpt) - Gail Smart — resident, spoke on behalf of undocumented farmworkers and relayed their fears of enforcement and deportation. - Patricia Kundermas — resident, raised concerns about long‑term maintenance funding for the MLK Aquatic Center and urged protection of funds for all city pools. - Mark Peterson — resident, president of a community group, spoke on downtown safety and enforcement.

Provenance: public‑comment segment of Feb. 4 council meeting (public comment began shortly after roll call and pledge).