HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023.05.15 Council MinutesCity0J
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MINUTES
City Council Regular Meeting
7:00 PM - Monday, May 15, 2023
Pasco City Hall, Council Chambers & GoToWebinar
CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order at 7:00 PM by Blanche Barajas, Mayor.
ROLL CALL
Councilmembers present: Craig Maloney, Irving Brown, Joseph Campos, David
Milne, Zahra Roach, and Pete Serrano
Councilmembers absent: Blanche Barajas
Staff present: Angela Pashon, Assistant City Manager; Darcy Buckley, Finance
Director; Eric Ferguson, City Attorney; Ed Dunbar, Deputy Fire Chief; Jesse Rice,
Information Technology Director & Interim Administrative & Community Services
Director; Ken Roske, Police Chief; Steve Worley, Public Works Director; and Debby
Barham, City Clerk
The meeting was opened with the Pledge of Allegiance.
CONSENT AGENDA
Approval of Meeting Minutes for May 1st and 8th
To approve the minutes of the Pasco City Council Special Traffic Safety Listening
Session & Regular Meeting held on May 1, 2023 and Regular Workshop held on
May 8, 2023.
Bills and Communications Approving Claims in the Total Amount of
$14,810,121.63
To approve claims in the total amount of $14,810,121.63 ($10,699,796.09 in Check
Nos. 255377-255962; $1,754,701.80 in Electronic Transfer Nos. 840091 - 840145,
840162 - 840272, 840279 - 840445, 840454 - 840557, 840561, 840563, 840579 -
840622, 840662 - 840672; $35,846.63 in Check Nos. 54337 - 54354;
$2,319,777.11 in Electronic Transfer Nos. 30189470 - 30190732).
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Resolution No.4348 - Interlocal Agreement for Special Investigations Unit
(SIU) to Investigate Officer Involved Incidents
To approve Resolution No.4348, authorizing the City Manager to execute an
Interlocal Agreement between the participating jurisdictions (Benton, Franklin, and
Walla Walla Counties, political subdivisions of the State of Washington, the
municipalities of Kennewick, Richland, West Richland, Prosser, Connell, Walla
Walla, College Place, the Washington State Patrol, and Washington State
Department of Fish and Wildlife) for involvement in the regional Special
Investigations Unit for officer involved incidents.
MOTION: Councilmember Milne moved, seconded by Councilmember Serrano
to approve the Consent Agenda as read.
RESULT: Motion carried unanimously 6-0
AYES: Mayor Pro Tern Maloney, Councilmember Brown,
Councilmember Campos, Councilmember Milne,
Councilmember Roach, and Councilmember Serrano
PROCLAMATIONS AND ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
National Police Week & Peace Officers' Memorial Day Proclamation
Mayor Pro-Tem Maloney read the proclamation for "National Police Week - May
14th through May 20th and National Peace Officers' Memorial Day - May 15th" and
presented it to Pasco Deputy Police Chief Cook.
Public Works Week Proclamation
Mayor Pro-Tem Maloney read the "Public Works Week - May 21st to 27th"
proclamation and presented it to Daniel Walker, Public Works Water Plant
Operator.
REPORTS FROM COMMITTEES AND/OR OFFICERS
Verbal Reports from Councilmembers
Mr. Campos reported on a Ben Franklin Transit Board meeting he recently
attended.
Mayor Pro Tern Maloney reported on the final presentation from the NYU Capstone
Team for the Anti -Displacement and Affordable Housing Policies. He also
mentioned attending the Middleton Farm's Asparagus Festival over the weekend.
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PUBLIC COMMENTS
Terri Thomas, Pasco resident, expressed concern about motor homes parked along
the street on 24th Avenue near Henry Street. She also stated that there are individuals
using illegal drugs in that same area.
Anita Rodriguez, Pasco resident, expressed the same safety concerns as Ms. Thomas
and described individuals openly using illegal drugs in her neighborhood.
Gloria Acosta, Pasco resident, expressed the same safety concerns as Ms. Thomas
and described vagrants using her complex's laundry room, public urination/deification
and the use of illegal drugs along the sidewalks.
Jean Ryckman, Port of Pasco Commissioner and Pasco resident, commented on
Vinny's Bakery and asked the Council to consider providing Vinny a grant or loan of
some sort to help him open his bakery up again. She also mentioned that there is a Go -
Fund -Me account set up for Vinny's Bakery.
Edison Valerio, Pasco resident, also encouraged Council and the public to financially
help with the reopening of Vinny's Bakery.
Steve Bauman, Franklin County resident, commented on two homelessness camps
being established on private property.
Council commented on recent United State Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
decision(s) related to the use of illegal drugs, as well as homelessness and trespassing
issues. There continues to be a need to find a long-term solution to these issues.
MISCELLANEOUS DISCUSSION
Ms. Buckley announced that Darigold was the new sponsor for the City of Pasco's
Youth Programs.
Mr. Brown expressed appreciation to Ms. Roach for attending tonight's Council Meeting
in -person.
Mayor Pro Tern Maloney expressed concern for the City's small businesses and asked
for staff to determine if the City has any funding, such as the American Rescue Plan
Act (ARPA) funding, to assist small businesses such as Vinny's Bakery. He also
mentioned that there is a go -fund -me set up for Vinny's Bakery and encouraged the
public to help that business in their time of need.
Washington State Legislator Special Session - Pending SB 5536 - Drug
Possession Law (Blake Fix)
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Mr. Ferguson reported that the Substitute 2nd Senate Bill (SB) 5536 was released
at 3:00 PM (today) to address a fix to the Blake Decision. He provided the highlights
of the Senate Bill and asked for direction from Council on how to move forward and
respond to the local stated legislators as they need to hear from the City before the
vote is taken on May 16th at 10:00 AM in Olympia, WA.
Council and Mr. Ferguson discussed the proposed bill. Council expressed
frustration that there is no time to study the bill.
Councilmember Serrano expressed opposition to the the proposed bill, and
recommended that by opposing this fix, it would send a message to the legislators.
He recommended that Pasco pass its own ordinance and forward it on to the
Washington State Legislature.
Council and staff discussion continued regarding the pros and cons on supporting
the senate bill before the Washington State Legislators and how to address the
outstanding issues facing law enforcement of possession of illegal drugs and
paraphernalia within Pasco and surrounding area.
Mr. Ferguson and Deputy Police Chief Cook reiterated that the Tri-Cities area law
enforcement agencies and prosecuting attorneys met recently to develop a regional
solution to address the items not vetted in the SB 5536 bill.
MOTION: Councilmember Roach moved, seconded by Councilmember Brown
to support Engrossed 2nd Substitute Senate Bill 5536 with concerns.
RESULT: Motion carried 5-1
AYES: Mayor Pro Tern Maloney, Councilmember Brown,
Councilmember Campos, Councilmember Milne, and
Councilmember Roach
NAYS: Councilmember Serrano
Washington State Legislator Special Session - Pending SB 5536 - Drug
Possession Law (Blake Fix) Continued
Council's "concerns" associated with the gross substitute SB 5536 Bill included the
need to address the paraphernalia aspect of this law, pre-emption of local control,
and the lack of funding allocated to this bill for prosecution and treatment programs.
Mr. Campos suggested that the Benton Franklin Council of Governments (BFCOG)
may have the capacity to help spearhead the regional approach to the Blake Fix.
Mayor Pro Tern Maloney suggested that BFCOG would be best suited to oversee
the regional transportation issue.
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Council reiterated that they would like to have an update on a proposed ordinance
to address their concerns regarding the additional law(s) needed to address the
Blake Fix at their next meeting scheduled for June 5, 2023.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:27 PM.
PASSED and APPROVED this J_Lday of d? 202-3
APPROVED:
Blanc , Mayor
ATTEST:
Ili -C &L-
Debra Barham, City Clerk
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