Yakima City Council Study Session March 10, 2026

The City of Yakima held a City Council Study Session on March 10, 2026, focusing primarily on infrastructure and impact fee studies. The council authorized up to $100,000 to initiate a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) process to hire a consultant for an impact fee study covering parks, transportation, and fire utilities. This study aims to assess the application of impact fees, including potential exemptions for low-income housing, and will involve community and stakeholder engagement. Additionally, detailed presentations were given on the city's extensive infrastructure needs, including roads, sidewalks, alleys, bridges, water, wastewater, and stormwater systems. The estimated cost to address these needs runs into billions of dollars, with discussions on preservation, improvements, and funding challenges. The council also discussed ongoing and planned capital improvement projects, such as water main replacements and wastewater treatment upgrades, some of which are supported by grants and rebates. No specific contract awards or vendor selections were made during this session, but the meeting set the stage for future procurement activities related to the impact fee study and infrastructure projects.