Yakima City Council to Discuss Charter Change

The Yakima City Council on Tuesday voted 3-2 in favor of placing the question of changing the city charter on the council agenda. City council members also asked the legal staff to to a legal analysis of the proposal. The council isn't expected to vote on a resolution but is expected to discuss the topic. Yakima Valley Business Times Publisher Bruce Smith is backing the measure along with Yakima County Commissioner Mike Leita and Yakima Pastor Dave Edler to change the city charter to allow a strong mayor form of government. Smith says he's hoping the council will vote to place the issue on the February 2020 ballot sometime before December.
Council members Kathy Coffey, Holly Cousins and Jason White voted in favor of the measure while Dulce Gutierrez and Kay Funk voted no. Brad Hill and Carmen Mendez were did not attend the meeting Tuesday.
The next council meeting is set for November 5.