After having interviewed four finalists for the Yakima city manager position today, the Yakima City Council voted to enter into negotiations with Robert Harrison. Yesterday, the candidates were interviewed by a panel of seven community members and a panel of seven senior City staff members. The finalist pool included Harrison, who most recently served as
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Yakima City Council Extends Declaration of Emergency Due to COVID-19
During its regular meeting last night, Tuesday, July 7th, the Yakima City Council extended an emergency proclamation due to COVID-19. Council’s action extends the declaration through Tuesday, August 4th. The declaration enables the City to potentially be eligible for state and federal assistance needed to meet costs associated with the COVID-19 emergency and to make
Yakima City Council July 7th Regular Meeting Review
The Yakima City Council held a regular meeting yesterday, Tuesday, July 7th. Action taken by the Council yesterday included: Receiving a COVID-19 update Issuing a proclamation for Grand Columbia Council Scout Me In Day! Approving appointments to City boards and commissions. Approving Mayoral Proclamation extending the civil emergency proclamation and order due to COVID-19. Authorizing
Fourth Finalist Added to Yakima City Manager Interviews
The Yakima City Council has added a fourth finalist to the pool of Yakima city manager candidates that will undergo interviews today and tomorrow. Dave Zabell, who served as assistant city manager in Yakima from 2005 to 2011, was added to the group of finalists after Thomas Hutka withdrew from the process yesterday. The four
Yakima City Manager Finalist Pool Down to Three After One Withdraws
One of the four candidates selected by the Yakima City Council to be in the finalist pool for the Yakima city manager position has withdrawn from the process. Thomas Hutka, the current Broward County, Florida public works director, notified the City today that he no longer wanted to be considered for the Yakima manager job.
Stagnant Water a Concern for Building Closures
Extensive COVID-19 stay-at-home orders and required closures have resulted in many commercial buildings (offices, hotels, medical facilities, etc.) with little or no water use. Stagnant water in these buildings can cause conditions that increase the risk for growth and spread of Legionella (Legionnaire’s disease), lead to low or undetectable levels of the disinfectant chlorine, and create
Yakima City Council July 7th Regular Meeting Preview
The Yakima City Council will hold a regular meeting at 5:30 pm on Tuesday, July 7th, in Council Chambers at Yakima City Hall, 129 North 2nd Street. Agenda items for the July 7th regular meeting include: Receiving a COVID-19 update A tentative resolution approving extension of Mayoral Proclamation declaring an emergency order, if the Mayor
Names of Four Finalists for Yakima City Manager Position Released
The four candidates selected by the Yakima City Council to be included in the finalist pool for the Yakima city manager position will be interviewed next week by a panel of community members, a panel of senior City staff members, and the full Council. The finalist pool includes current City of Paso Robles, California Public
City of Yakima Closures for Independence Day
Many of the City of Yakima’s services will be closed in observance of Independence Day. City departments such as services located at Yakima City Hall and the Y-PAC building will be closed on Friday, July 3rd, in observance of the holiday. Yakima Transit will not provide bus service on Friday, July 3rd. Regular service will
Fireworks are Illegal in the City of Yakima

The Yakima Fire Department (YFD) reminds the community that per Yakima Municipal Code 10.15.015, it is illegal to store, sell, possess or discharge fireworks in the City of Yakima. “We encourage community members to celebrate safely this July 4th, and that includes not discharging fireworks in the City,” said Yakima Fire Chief Aaron Markham. “Each