The City of Yakima developed “Clean City” as a program in which to address the chronic blight plaguing the City of Yakima. The main objectives of the program are as follows:
- Address visual blight (trash, graffiti, dangerous building, abandoned vehicles, etc.)
- Address unscheduled collection of waste and litter from the City’s public areas/thoroughfares; expedited the clean-up of such illegal dumps
- Clean-up homeless camps
- Support YPD officers in unlawful camping enforcement
- Provide coordination with neighborhoods for annual clean-up events
- Create educational components
- Engage with community partners and volunteers
Funding was established by increasing the Utility Tax imposed on Yakima Waste Systems’ commercial refuse collection. The additional General Funds generated are earmarked specifically for the Clean City program. Due to the COVID-19 crisis, we have been cautious in ramping up this program due to the uncertainty of incoming revenue to the General Fund. However, we are in the process of filling additional positions in the second half of 2020.
It takes a coordinated effort for a successful program. The following are the Divisions, Departments and outside partner actively participating in Clean City:
- Streets & Traffic Division
- Code Administration
- Planning
Enclosed for City Council review, are the reported activities and associated costs from January to June of 2020. |