Greater Yakima Chamber of Commerce
10 North 9th Street
Yakima, WA 98901
This meeting will be conducted in person and will also be accessible via Zoom. Registration is required to attend virtually. Please visit the WSTC website for instructions. For those unable to attend the meeting virtually, please contact the Commission office for assistance at 360.705.7070 or email transc@wstc.wa.gov.
Virtual participation requires registration:
October 14: Register
October 15: Register
Meetings are webcast live on TVW
PUBLIC NOTICE
The Commission reserves the right to take action on any item on the agenda, make adjustments to the order of agenda items, and adjust the time of adjournment as needed.
Public Testimony
Those wishing to offer comments virtually can do so during the public comment period after registering online. To sign up for virtual comment, using the Q&A box found on-screen during the meeting, indicate your name and that you would like to provide comments. Written comments can also be submitted via email at: transc@wstc.wa.gov.
The Commission welcomes all viewpoints and requests speakers be courteous, respectful, and comply with time limitations as specified by the Commission Chair. Unacceptable behavior, including vulgar and obscene language, threats, and personal attacks, will result in removal from the meeting.
Safety First
If you plan to engage in this meeting from your car, we encourage you to do so while parked.
Wednesday, October 14, 2026
TOUR
9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Tour of Local Transportation Facilities
LOCAL MEETING
Item 1: 1:00 p.m.
Welcome & Opening Remarks
Presenter: James Restucci, Chair, Washington State Transportation Commission
Item 2: 1:15
Local Welcome
Presenter: Matt Brown, Mayor, City of Yakima
Item 3: 1:30
Overview of the State Transportation System
Presenters: Reema Griffith, Executive Director, Washington State Transportation Commission
Carl See, Deputy Director, Washington State Transportation Commission
Paula Reeves, Senior Policy Analyst, Washington State Transportation Commission
Aaron Halbert, Financial Analyst, Washington State Transportation Commission
An overview of the current state transportation system and funding structure will be provided.
Transportation Update (pdf 1.7mb)
Item 4: 1:50
Regional Transportation: The Big Picture
Presenters: Alan Adolf, Regional Transportation Manager, Yakima Valley Conference of Governments
Marisol Esparza, Target Zero Manager, Yakima Valley Conference of Governments
With a variety of transportation needs from safety to preservation, quality of life to
economic development, an overview of successes and challenges in the region will be provided.
Break: 2:20
Item 5: 2:30
Regional Passenger Rail Expansion
Presenter: Gary Wirt, Vice President, All Aboard Washington
All Aboard Washington and the Big Sky Passenger Rail Authority will share perspectives on regional rail planning, potential future passenger rail routes, economic and community benefits, and the steps needed to make expanded passenger rail a reality.
Restoring Passenger Rail to Central Washington (pdf 1mb)
Item 6: 3:00
City of Yakima: Transportation Challenges
Presenters: Vicki Baker, City Manager, City of Yakima
Scott Schafer, Public Works Director, City of Yakima
Bill Preston, Community Development Director, City of Yakima
Transportation challenges and recent successes will be highlighted as well as the planning efforts and agency partnerships shaping the future of transportation and economic development throughout the city.
City of Yakima Transportation Infrastructure (pdf 2.6mb)
Item 7: 3:45
Transportation Update: Confederated Tribes and Bands of the Yakama Nation
Presenters: Graysen Squeochs, Transportation Safety Coordinator, Yakama Nation
Phillip Rigdon, Superintendent, Department of Natural Resources, Yakama Nation
Janna Lewis-Clark, Program Manager, Pahto Public Passage Tribal Transportation
Recent transportation successes, opportunities, and priorities will be discussed.
Confederated Tribes and Bands of the Yakama Nation (pdf 6.3mb)
Recess: 4:30
Commission Dinner – 6:00
Thursday, October 15, 2026
Item 8: 9:00 a.m.
Welcome & Opening Remarks
Presenter: James Restucci, Chair, Washington State Transportation Commission
Item 9: 9:05
Commission Business
Presenters: Reema Griffith, Executive Director, Washington State Transportation Commission
Carl See, Deputy Director, Washington State Transportation Commission
Paula Reeves, Senior Policy Analyst, Washington State Transportation Commission
- September Meeting Summary
- Joint Oregon-Washington Commission Meeting Summary
- Puget Sound Regional Council Appointments – ACTION
- Adopt Local 2027 Meeting Schedule – ACTION
- Review Route Jurisdiction Moratorium
- WSTC Continuity of Operations Plan
Item 10: 10:00
Public Comment
Public comment is limited to three minutes per speaker.
- To comment in person, please place your name on the sign-up in the meeting room.
- To sign up for virtual public comment, please put your name and interest in the Q&A box found on screen during the meeting.
The Commission welcomes all viewpoints and requests speakers be courteous, respectful, and comply with time limitations as specified by the Commission Chair.
Item 11: 10:15
The Future of Transit Service in Yakima County
Presenter: Jim Hogenson, General Manager, Yakima Transit
An overview will be provided of current and planned transit services in the area.
Item 12: 10:40
Economic Development Leaders Update
Presenters: Kristi Foster, Executive Director, Greater Yakima Chamber of Commerce
Jon DeVaney, President, Washington State Tree Fruit Association
Linda DiLembo, General Manager, Valley Mall Union Gap and Board Member of the Yakima County Development Association
Gary Ballew, Assistant City Manager, City of Yakima
Perspectives guiding economic development in the city and county will be shared, highlighting the role and impact transportation has in supporting new housing growth in the area, business, and growing the economy.
Item 13: 11:20
Yakima Air Terminal Growth and Development
Presenter: Christopher Hopkins, Yakima Air Terminal Director, Yakima Air Terminal/McAllister Field
Yakima Air Terminal is growing, both in passenger numbers and in its plans for modernization. This presentation will provide an overview of passenger growth over the past year and discuss Yakima’s increasing importance as a regional transportation hub.
Item 14: 11:40
Yakima County Transportation and Community Development Needs
Presenters: Matt Pietrusiewicz, County Engineer, Yakima County
Bill Preston, Community Development Director, City of Yakima
Brian White, Regional Administrator, South Central Region, Washington State Department of Transportation
An overview will be provided of the successes and challenges of meeting diverse community needs, serving farm-to-market routes, supporting the expansion of agricultural businesses, and accommodating commuters. The presentation will also include an update on the Cascade Mill Redevelopment Project and the I-82 Interchange Modification
Item 15: 12:15 p.m.
Washington State Department of Transportation – South Central Region Update
Presenter: Brian White, Regional Administrator, South Central Region, Washington State Department of Transportation
An overview will be provided of WSDOT’s South Central Region, including planned and active projects, and maintenance and preservation in the area.
WSDOT South Central Region Update (pdf 5mb)
Item 16: 12:45
Commission Business
- 2026 Annual Report Cover
- Commission Reflections and Reports
Adjourn: 1:00
Next Meeting
November 18-19, 2026
Tacoma, WA
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Information: Individuals requiring reasonable accommodations may request written materials in alternate formats, sign language interpreters, physical accessibility accommodations, or other reasonable accommodations by contacting the Commission Office at (360) 705-7070 or TransC@wstc.wa.gov. Persons who are deaf or hard of hearing may contact the event sponsor through the Washington Relay Service at 7-1-1.
Title VI Notice to Public: It is the Washington State Transportation Commission’s (WSTC) policy to assure that no person shall, on the grounds of race, color, or national origin, as provided by Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be otherwise discriminated against under any of its programs and activities. Any person who believes his/her Title VI protection has been violated, may file a complaint with WSDOT’s Office of Equal Opportunity (OEO). For additional information regarding Title VI complaint procedures and/or information regarding our non-discrimination obligations, please contact OEO’s Title VI Coordinator 360-705-7090.