Internet in City Parks? Yakima Council Talks Tuesday

Yakima City Council members get busy with a regular meeting this week at Yakima City Hall. The meeting starts at 5:30 pm Tuesday when the city will introduce the new Assistant City Manager, Rosylen Oglesby.

The new Assistant City Manager last served in the city of Portsmouth Virginia

City officials say "Oglesby has served in a variety of roles for the City of Portsmouth, Virginia since 2006.  She began her tenure with the City of Portsmouth as a management analyst (2006-2010).  She became the resource development and management coordinator in 2010 before being promoted to manager of management services in 2013.  That same year, Oglesby was named assistant to the city manager, a position she held for two years.  In 2015, Oglesby was again promoted, this time to the position of assistant city manager.  She served as assistant city manager until last year when she left the City of Portsmouth."

The council will talk about allowing you to hook up to the internet at a park

City council members will talk about applying for County American Rescue Plan Act funds to provide internet in City parks. Yakima City staff say they have concerns about providing free internet in Yakima City Parks. But they tell the Yakima City Council if it decides to go forward "it is the recommendation of staff that we look into providing Wi-Fi only at existing community serving locations such as: The Henry Beauchamp Jr. Community Center, Washington Fruit Community Center and the Harman Center as a more cost-effective route that provides the means to monitor usage and potentially lessen the liability.
They say the city should first try a test at Gilbert, MLK or Miller parks.

City officials say they have only rough cost estimates at this time

Cost is a big factor and city officials say "at this time, we estimate an upfront cost of $50,000 to $60,000. Approximately 1/3 of this is for the required technical equipment and internet service with the rest to cover electrical and other expenses. Additionally, we estimate an ongoing annual equipment replacement fund of $3,500 to $5,000."

City Council members only want comments from Yakima residents

The council will also discuss amending the Council Rules of Procedure relating to limiting public comment to Yakima County residents only at weekly council meetings.
The council will also pass three proclamations;
National Day of Prayer proclamation. The day is set for April 17.
Missing and Unidentified Persons Awareness Month proclamation
Mental Health Month proclamation

You can watch on Zoom or attend in person

The meeting will be held via Zoom and in person at Yakima City Hall, 129 N. 2nd Street.

Live public comment on agenda items via Zoom is available. Click Public Comment | City Council (yakimawa.gov) for instructions and a Public Comment Request Form.

Another option is to call in and listen to the meeting:
Dial 1-253-215-8782 or 1-971-247-1195
When prompted for the meeting ID enter 969 3009 4772 #
When prompted for the participant ID enter #
When prompted for the meeting password enter 693750 #

The May 3rd Yakima City Council regular meeting will air live at 5:30 pm on Y-PAC, Charter Spectrum Channel 194, and be streamed live at https://www.yakimawa.gov/council/live-stream/