Decision Pending on Sixth Avenue Trolley Track Repairs in Yakima

The Yakima City Council on Tuesday made a decision that allows Yakima Valley Trolleys to keep rolling on city streets but the council didn't decide on fixing Sixth Avenue.

 NO IMPACT TO THE GENERAL FUND AT LEAST NOT YET

The council on Tuesday voted in favor of a new operating agreement which allows the trolleys to keep operating without an impact to the general fund. The city is covering the annual utility cost of maintaining the trolley buildings that the city owns. Mayor Matt Brown says it's about $6,000 a year. The previous operating agreement was $30,000 annually. A much bigger issue is a fix for the trolley tracks along Sixth Avenue to allow the trolleys to travel to Selah.

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A BIG DECISION NEXT MONTH

Council members are expected to make a decision at a February 17 council meeting after a public hearing on the issue. The council has options. It can could approve the project on Sixth Avenue to fix the tracks. The council could also vote to "keep the tracks but require outside funding without using city resources to replace them." The council could vote to remove the tracks and go forward with roadway repairs or council members could decide to table the entire project and direct funding to other priorities around the city.

LOTS OF SUPPORT IN YAKIMA

Many people who support the trolleys have been urging council members to find a solution so the trolleys can continue to operate. Many showing up in force at the council meetings to voice support. While some council member support the trolleys others are concerned about the cost of fixing trolley tracks along Sixth avenue that could total more than $15 million. What action do you want the city to take next month?