Yakima City Council Meeting May 19, 2026

The City of Yakima held a regular City Council meeting on May 19, 2026, where several procurement and budget-related items were discussed. The council approved a resolution authorizing a contract with SEI Industrial Services LLC for a digester mixer installation project at the Wastewater Treatment Facility. They also authorized a third amendment to a commercial lease agreement with the Greater Yakima Chamber of Commerce and approved an interlocal agreement with Yakima County and the Washington State Department of Transportation for the Naches Kawich Confluence Complex project. Additionally, the council approved a reduced fee agreement allowing the Yakima Youth Golf Organization to use Fiser Park Golf Course for youth golf activities. A significant portion of the meeting focused on the nomination of three census tracts within Yakima for designation under Washington State's Opportunity Zones 2.0 program, aimed at encouraging investment in low-income neighborhoods through capital gains tax deferral incentives. The council unanimously passed a resolution supporting this nomination. Updates were also provided on the Franklin Pool repair project, including challenges with contractor bids and lifeguard training, and on upcoming funding applications for airport modernization and affordable housing projects. Public comments raised concerns about the renewal of the Flock surveillance camera contract, highlighting privacy, racial profiling, and budget priorities, but no final decision on that contract was made during the meeting.