Chemistry on Yakima council remains a work in progress

Posted on December 14, 2014

Maureen Adkison

Earlier this year, it wasnt uncommon for Yakima City Council members to argue fiercely, using words that bordered on insults, or for them to abruptly change course on policies just as a consensus appeared in sight.

Infighting still isnt that uncommon; tensions recently boiled up over a moratorium on homeless shelters in certain city neighborhoods, the elimination of an advisory vote on the downtown plaza concept, and a failed effort to reduce the utility tax.

But council members believe, in general, that theyre refocused and more cohesive since addressing their differences head-on at a retreat in July.

Were talking to each other a little more and weve gotten an awful lot of stuff done since July, Councilwoman Maureen Adkison said at a follow-up workshop on Tuesday after the councils last meeting of the year. So I think there is some improvement.

The meeting was led by Bill Chiat, a consultant from California who has been brought in several times over the last few years to lead workshops with the council as well as city department heads. Chiat is president of Alta Mesa consulting group and dean of the California State Association of Counties Institute for Excellence in County Government.

Its not easy to get seven (council members) to operate as one, Chiat told them Tuesday. The difficult part of governance is getting people to govern together and take advantage of a difference of opinions without being difficult to each other.

Since first meeting with Chiat in July, the council has adopted an ordinance colloquially known as the Vegas rule that prevents members from proposing and passing any measures at the same meeting. The ordinance didnt prohibit emergency moratoriums; one was approved in October regarding homeless shelters, which led to flaring tempers.

Some council members said a lack of dialogue between individuals outside of meetings makes it more difficult to understand each others personal perspectives. Without laying down a specific plan of action, some said Tuesday theyd like to focus more on building those personal relationships with each other.

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Chemistry on Yakima council remains a work in progress