[{"_1":2,"_122":-5,"_123":-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",[32,75,87,98,110],{"_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",6196967,"mediaKeyId","3854466-36c33db8e21c6882487f42f8f6717e90","parentId",3854466,"title","Speakers urge Yakima council to restore Pride Month recognition after 2024 rejection","audioSeconds",847,"startMs",340000,"endMs",1187000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3854466-36c33db8e21c6882487f42f8f6717e90&start=340&end=1187","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3854466-36c33db8e21c6882487f42f8f6717e90/thumbnail_340000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6196967/Yakima-City/Yakima-County/Washington/Speakers-urge-Yakima-council-to-restore-Pride-Month-recognition-after-2024-rejection","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6196967-8515488f38325ecdc81b98ea961a9160/orig.mp4?Expires=1771208002&Signature=b0Iyy1a7yYqsK6CMYMNoKgmdgicCS7buK-NGAyMc2E9-0nfOGeYtxCbtIgZLp9h-2WepXgpv97xgIPpNiL4p37FC3R2W7FUqcurHMXmyPbtVHG8Fp0shyPci9xkissTJEwooEWSsGl~X5Nl0zpJroucreznbcqOUWCzC2wsR6JDVoir~SY8zIzmV-hKBcW4z6xZSlSj0LNvji6akIaeDWI3iMSJGOlI-3-dC4XPAlj-S0U6iG4RSA743sd1MBDesrPuTKRI~r0xluU9vWCI0ztV~bxR-~OTD4bqEsP~X1vv6vHKFsxKom~KlHe0wc7duuaDvvLU4H6bMIHkNCo3Lzw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Yakima City, WA","date","2025-05-20T00:00:00Z","article","Multiple speakers used Tuesday’s public-comment period to criticize the Yakima City Council’s 2024 decision not to adopt a Pride Month proclamation and to ask the council to restore recognition and protections for LGBTQ+ residents.

“Why deny your support for us? Honestly, what did we do?” asked Dr. Margaret France, who said she spoke on behalf of 10 to 15 percent of Yakima’s citizens and criticized the council’s 2024 rejection of a Pride Month proclamation. “We are part of this community. We are in your schools. We are in your churches. We are in your restaurants. We are paying your taxes.”

Christina Neriti, a retired nursing dean and longtime Valley resident, told the council she and her partner have raised a daughter in Yakima and asked the council to “reconsider your decision of 05/21/2024 to reject the Pride Month Proclamation.” Neriti framed Pride as visibility and safety: “Pride is not about division… It is about visibility, acceptance and our safety. It is about affirming that we are a part of this community and deserve to live here without fear.”

Bill Bosch also spoke in support of recognition and urged respect for diversity, equity and inclusion as fundamental principles. Speakers did not ask the council to take a specific legislative action at this meeting; their remarks were part of the public-comment period.

Council did not take formal action to reverse or adopt a Pride proclamation at Tuesday’s meeting. The mayor reminded speakers that the public-comment period must not be used for campaign purposes during the election season. The council’s prior vote on the Pride proclamation, referenced by speakers, occurred at the May 21, 2024 meeting and was described by commenters as the background for their appeals.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Yakima City Council 05-20-25","oneSentenceSummary","Dozens of public commenters urged the council to recognize and celebrate Pride Month, criticizing the council’s 2024 decision to reject a Pride proclamation and calling for inclusion and safety protections for LGBTQ+ residents.","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},6196972,"Residents urge stronger city action on homelessness and crime during Yakima public comment",2796,493000,3289000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3854466-36c33db8e21c6882487f42f8f6717e90&start=493&end=3289","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3854466-36c33db8e21c6882487f42f8f6717e90/thumbnail_493000.jpg","/articles/6196972/Yakima-City/Yakima-County/Washington/Residents-urge-stronger-city-action-on-homelessness-and-crime-during-Yakima-public-comment","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6196972-e841678a89f82ebe3f6caa281e886208/orig.mp4?Expires=1771208002&Signature=MpUJ~4vcxwC3k-NAhxhrmIX11og23QZ9ZoSAgQoUrD-GVoA2d9nihA06dru3Wzokl~Qt9MpDh9WPFkZEn0X8Fqv1nCY-pmCI6Y4z-nEovTymyISRuwIvbeXwP5JhUZGouUEsoWca2dicCuCSdJi~q~YukGpGSSYBbvJDiKb7eNqyOnNJccLasrhtukJH-Qr1j3UkG3GTahmq5iRTOILjjyUF7v8DcRlIjxiwn2rCqVUm2sM5QqKM~ChqcZa4JVRdnEWBZubObhWSKkb~yHf5CDA7ZUDvqUJtQKBktxXFiLHoqOofcQQZDck42uSRjObwCMli-AGSpjqkicsvxUTQWA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Several residents used the public-comment period Tuesday to urge the Yakima City Council to take more aggressive action to address homelessness and neighborhood crime.

“Now kids can't even do that without being afraid of crime,” said Isidro Sid Reynaga, a District 4 resident who described increasing crime and a rising homeless population in his neighborhood. “If it's not done, it's gonna get worse.”

Tony Sandoval urged the council to go back into neighborhoods and consult community institutions such as churches for ideas to bring economic activity into the city. “We should go back out there and find out what our community thinks we could do to get some income into this community,” Sandoval said.

Several council members responded later in the meeting, noting ongoing efforts to coordinate with the county and the value of a local city manager and police chief. One councilmember said recent activity had reduced visible homelessness on some commercial corridors but acknowledged encampments and related problems persist and are an ongoing challenge.

The public remarks came during the council’s public-comment period; no new ordinance or motion addressing homelessness was proposed at the meeting. Council members discussed existing collaboration with the county and the police department, and said the city continues work to move people into care and reduce street encampments, but they also described limits and variability in results.

Speakers included residents who said they had personally experienced the neighborhood changes over the past decade and one speaker who noted prior business closure on North First Street because of safety concerns. Council did not take formal action on specific homelessness enforcement changes at Tuesday's meeting.","Multiple residents told the council they are alarmed by rising crime and visible homelessness in residential neighborhoods and parks and urged stronger city involvement; councilmembers noted ongoing coordination with county and local leadership.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":91,"_47":92,"_49":93,"_51":94,"_53":95,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":96,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":97,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6196977,"Yakima seeks FAA grant for baggage claim; state money will fund overflow parking",0,2385000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3854466-36c33db8e21c6882487f42f8f6717e90&start=2385&end=2385","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3854466-36c33db8e21c6882487f42f8f6717e90/thumbnail_2385000.jpg","/articles/6196977/Yakima-City/Yakima-County/Washington/Yakima-seeks-FAA-grant-for-baggage-claim-state-money-will-fund-overflow-parking","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6196977-718e53a19dcb913db7e4ad9c0cb83f34/orig.mp4?Expires=1771208002&Signature=lIKsJI6bPrT6rcpGuW4ChpDPxDc27qnRHsdoDk699TU3IiidqLp3R8cYBAp6PuEn2UIg3S0vzwyoUU2CzHKmBojUoKQq-~djox4SQ3G1oZpwi-0ev8HPC6g3PJrpc4Klsc930U5XaFlPKeSUcpWGKNdWxQm3274HwWF1Xw9Qfl8Q-ljOuDjv1gLBqJ8iF-e-qsBlqwijRsEi2aRxZ12GiWVePUYLc2XA6Ha12ldbV290~VBdeMOM-GDmc1XMY075EQE7mVulm71CaDznt30ppH6KXIymMVkWNhOSrQT21uZoVMyfN~~6twonyzBRCUDRBMDkSOuq3DKYnPHBPpZX0w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Yakima City Council on Tuesday authorized staff to apply for a $1 million Federal Aviation Administration grant to fund a baggage-claim modernization at the Yakima Air Terminal–McAllister Field and heard that the state provided $750,000 for a separate overflow parking project.

Airport Director Rob Hodgman asked the council to approve a grant application to the FAA’s Airport Terminal Program for $1 million for the baggage-claim project. Hodgman said the project will be built from a mix of federal grants and local seed funds and that some savings from a roof and HVAC project had been applied to the baggage-claim work.

“We have $1,100,000 from that first grant that's available and being applied to the baggage claim project,” Hodgman said. He added that the baggage-carousel equipment has a long lead time and that, if the FAA grant is awarded, construction of the baggage-claim room, family lounge and restrooms could begin in late July or early August.

Earlier in the meeting, lobbyist Luke Gessler said the legislature funded $750,000 for a new overflow parking lot at the airport, calling it the city’s top aviation priority. Hodgman said preliminary design work is under way and that county seed funds provided a $100,000 match for the overflow parking project; construction funds become available July 1.

Hodgman also reported that the airport did not receive a state grant for a solar canopy project, which changes the financing dynamics. “We did not get the grant,” he said, and city staff are evaluating options to move the canopy project forward.

Council members approved the staff motion to submit the FAA grant application; the motion passed on a roll-call vote recorded 7-0. Hodgman said he expects to return in about a month with additional grant applications and that some elements of the terminal modernization will be phased to match available funding.","City staff sought council authorization to apply for a $1 million FAA terminal modernization grant for a baggage-claim project, while lobbyists said the state budget funded $750,000 for airport overflow parking; a solar canopy grant application was not awarded and staff are reworking financing.",{"_33":99,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":100,"_41":101,"_43":102,"_45":103,"_47":104,"_49":105,"_51":106,"_53":107,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":108,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":109,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6196981,"Yakima lobbyists outline 2025 Olympia session wins: airport parking, pool funds, housing and criminal-justice grants",154,1712000,1866000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3854466-36c33db8e21c6882487f42f8f6717e90&start=1712&end=1866","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3854466-36c33db8e21c6882487f42f8f6717e90/thumbnail_1712000.jpg","/articles/6196981/Yakima-City/Yakima-County/Washington/Yakima-lobbyists-outline-2025-Olympia-session-wins-airport-parking-pool-funds-housing-and-criminal-justice-grants","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6196981-f8f06aa4f64f9366cb9867e94251627a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771208002&Signature=XbzDuOItEdmScenpFVCUma~A86ntxGC5DjL9KHKTgZLbJc96Xexl2a3IOtmeBCu-b9UkwMOizRhJLqbirFw0IBrn0kHXinlDEPVLKOWOO5Z9VLXkvjjC1MHO-0tZPGYh3BnpTTNlPDUiX1IzKhxfOEQ~JDPNmxA4Uhq9odpamFXbIerjabz8nDHstboy2rB60LbVo0muFVFYU5PdRKfZ~r02fKrl8QEKs~-m48ppxMxdYoJaxk5Mq5Q70i5cK4CBFZk~WlsFAoL~-5oKtY9K1Bqt6ONozVc-YrOHz92MJrDQw9v18UW4mxO3uBYoKqv4x82vWlOzA16hHIeMazaeHg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Yakima’s lobbyists told the City Council Tuesday that the 105-day 2025 Washington legislative session produced several budget and policy items the city sought, including funding for airport parking and local capital projects and new state criminal-justice grant programs.

Nick Federici and Luke Gessler, the city’s Olympia lobbying team, reported the legislature balanced the state budget with new revenues and program cuts and left a larger-than-usual reserve. For Yakima, notable capital-budget wins included $750,000 for a new overflow parking lot at the Yakima Air Terminal — described as the city’s top aviation priority — $257,000 for the Martin Luther King Jr. Park Aquatic Center and $100,000 for capital improvements at the Capital Theatre.

“We had several capital budget requests related to the Yakima Air Terminal,” Gessler said. “Particularly credit goes to Representative Corey — our entire local delegation was supportive of that effort.”

On criminal-justice funding, lobbyists said the governor and legislature approved a $100 million, time-limited grant program for law enforcement and a separate local-option 0.1 percent criminal-justice sales tax that cities or counties may adopt. The local option can be imposed by a city council vote for the first three years (through June 30, 2028); after that, voter approval will be required. The operating budget also added state funding for local public defense tied to Blake resentencing work.

“There was a lot of discussion about more funding for law enforcement officers and criminal justice in general,” Gessler said, noting the program’s two parts: a state grant program limited to three years and a local-option sales tax with broad permitted uses for criminal-justice-related activities.

Lobbyists also highlighted large statewide investments in housing and homelessness: a $770 million capital appropriation for construction or acquisition, with some projects in Yakima. The operating and capital budgets included items to backfill recording-fee revenue losses and maintain right-of-way assistance funding for jurisdictions that have previously received it.

On behavioral health and local services, lobbyists said the legislature funded about $5 million for a behavioral-health facility (Trove) and about $5 million for a Yakima detox center. They also reported that Yakima Valley School will remain open after intense debate in Olympia.

Council members asked for clarification on rent-control and landlord concerns during the session. One councilmember expressed frustration that recent state changes made it harder for landlords to house higher-risk tenants, calling the new rules a constraint on local housing supply discussions.

The lobbyists concluded by inviting council members to submit legislative priorities for the AWC (Association of Washington Cities) legislative committee meeting in June.","City lobbyists reported the state budget included $750,000 for Yakima Air Terminal overflow parking, $257,000 for Martin Luther King Jr. Park Aquatic Center, and part of a $770 million statewide housing and homelessness package; the session also created a three-year law-enforcement grant program and local-option criminal-justice sales tax.",{"_33":111,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":112,"_41":113,"_43":114,"_45":115,"_47":116,"_49":117,"_51":118,"_53":119,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":120,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":121,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6196986,"Yakima council adopts ordinance regulating massage and reflexology businesses",201,2737000,2938000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3854466-36c33db8e21c6882487f42f8f6717e90&start=2737&end=2938","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3854466-36c33db8e21c6882487f42f8f6717e90/thumbnail_2737000.jpg","/articles/6196986/Yakima-City/Yakima-County/Washington/Yakima-council-adopts-ordinance-regulating-massage-and-reflexology-businesses","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6196986-8b2b5c435ec5589cddc4cbc1eeb32928/orig.mp4?Expires=1771208002&Signature=X-8SRq81OQueh-2Ic2DlgGcS1kXm~DUMxHSLdHvQxN4bfAfgKSrgsDb4gOjSp8gU2wy56O9shEFy-f-BlQHvo5rYOAHBckkSHJOksnYvy1Ei0BAKbrfJQEGPX6JkGg7YbjcxTQDcjHFKPz6VPneE34zsUyNTJNkX1Hiy0WusAW7PAItGlLbM9k1xpUku4wAk0D0ndZYA~ZJbjUO5z6p-A8nXQtdEzEtwwCFu041VSWChsy-zfBi2glCaG7Cld11kNZ0cS2I7rBi2kXtV~GQ4WJK7tDo-HAN9r3yWP5nJoNiN~-o55bPgekYxdsuG7dty0S~ng0eu0tEHdKzrQTOOOA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Yakima City Council on Tuesday voted 7-0 to adopt an ordinance adding chapter 5.31 to Title 5 that establishes new licensing, inspection and conduct rules for massage and reflexology businesses.

The ordinance, introduced by Detective Priestman of the Yakima Police Department, gives the city clearer authority to inspect common areas of massage businesses during business hours, requires posted licenses and government photo identification for therapists, prohibits operation between 9 p.m. and 6 a.m., and makes unlicensed practice a misdemeanor. The measure also authorizes denial or revocation of a business license for criminal history involving human trafficking, prostitution or unlicensed practice of massage therapy.

“Adopting this ordinance will assist law enforcement by providing more opportunity for oversight,” Detective Priestman said, describing a recent undercover operation. “Over the course of the last several months the Yakima Police Department Special Assault Unit identified multiple massage businesses in the city that we believe were providing special services for money. Last month, an undercover operation was conducted at nine of those identified businesses, which resulted in eight arrests.”

The ordinance requires that each massage therapist be at least 18 years old and licensed by the state Department of Health; businesses must display the massage business license and copies of each therapist’s license at or near the entrance for public inspection. The measure also makes it unlawful for a person to practice massage therapy or reflexology without a state license and prohibits touching clients’ intimate areas as defined in the ordinance.

Assistant City Attorney Brooke Hargrave and Detective Priestman were available to answer council questions during Tuesday’s meeting. Several council members voiced support: Councilmember Decio said the ordinance helps “legitimize” the industry and shields legitimate practitioners from the harm caused by illicit operators.

The ordinance passed on a roll-call vote recorded as yes from all seven council members present. The council’s action is local ordinance law and will take effect per the city’s ordinance-adoption rules.

Council members and staff characterized the change as a tool to help investigations and reduce the resources required for undercover enforcement by tightening licensing requirements and providing inspection authority.

The council did not direct any additional study or amend the ordinance at the meeting; enforcement and next steps were left to the Yakima Police Department and city licensing staff.","The Yakima City Council passed a new ordinance adding chapter 5.31 to Title 5 to tighten licenses, hours and inspection authority for massage and reflexology businesses after police described undercover operations at multiple establishments.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Speakers urge Yakima council to restore Pride Month recognition after 2024 rejection

Residents urge stronger city action on homelessness and crime during Yakima public comment

Yakima seeks FAA grant for baggage claim; state money will fund overflow parking

Yakima lobbyists outline 2025 Olympia session wins: airport parking, pool funds, housing and criminal-justice grants

Yakima council adopts ordinance regulating massage and reflexology businesses