HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023.06.12 Council Minutes � C�ity��
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MINUTES
City Council Workshop Meeting
7:00 PM - Monday, June 12, 2023
Pasco City Hall, Council Chambers & GoToWebinar
CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order at 7:00 PM by Craig Maloney, Mayor Pro Tem.
ROLL CALL
Councilmembers present: Craig Maloney, Irving Brown, Joseph Campos, David
Milne, Zahra Roach, and Pete Serrano
Councilmembers absent: Blanche Barajas
Staff present: Adam Lincoln, City Manager; Darcy Buckley, Finance Director; Eric
Ferguson, City Attorney; Ed Dunbar, Interim Fire Chief; Jesse Rice, Information
Technology Director & Interim Administrative & Community Services Director; Ken
Roske, Police Chief; Jacob Gonzalez, Community & Economic Development
Interim Director; and Debby Barham, City Clerk
The meeting was opened with the Pledge of Allegiance.
VERBAL REPORTS FROM COUNCILMEMBERS
Mr. Campos congratulated the 2023 High School Graduates. He also reported on the
Ben Franklin Transit (BFT) Board meeting he recently attended.
Mr. Milne also congratulated the recent High School Graduates. He reported on the
COPA meeting he recently attended.
ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION
Discussion of Strategic Planning for Homelessness, Drug Use, Crime and the
Effects on the Community
Mr. Ferguson provided a brief update to the strategic planning efforts with the
Franklin County prosecutors for the enactment of Second Engrossed Second
Substitute Senate Bill 5536, concerning controlled substances, counterfeit
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substances, and legal drug possession and treatment. Specifically, how the region
can deal with related issues of homelessness, drug use, crime and keep the
communities safe.
Council and staff discussion ensued on how to develop this plan and what were
priorities with Council.
Mr. Milne suggested that loud music be played during the day and then light up the
same area(s) downtown at night.
Mr. Serrano suggested that staff and the prosecutors prepare a chart that shows
what is not allowable, in terms of law enforcement (related to crime, drug use and
crime), and what are the options that could be allowable and would be allowable.
Mr. Ferguson stated the take away from meeting with the prosecutors was that they
are seeking a comprehensive strategy that includes the priorities from Council,
identify the solutions that the City currently has and the areas that currently lack
solutions.
Mr. Brown stated that his priority is safety and expressed the need community
resources and wrap around resources to help reduce homelessness, drug use and
crime.
Ms. Roach suggested that the issues (homelessness, drug use and crime) are
separate and should be discussed individually for the most part. She is Interested
in deferral programs. She requested a report from the prosecutors regarding
homelessness and crime issues.
Mr. Ferguson stated that while there may be three separate issues, it is when these
issues intersect with each other the prosecutors and staff need a plan on how to
address these situations.
Mr. Milne commented on the downtown business owners and desires to keep the
downtown area free of public drug use, homelessness and crime.
Mayor Pro Tem Maloney stated that the downtown has problems with public
urination and drug use, referencing Peanuts Park. His priority is affordable housing
and the City's Housing Action Plan. He stated that it is important to find ways to
help individuals out of their current situations with developing immediate, short-term
and long-term solutions; and a strategic plan is key.
Mr. Ferguson concurred with Council's comments and creating a chart, with the
prosecutors, to bring back to Council will be the next step to in this discussion.
Mayor Pro Tem Maloney asked Council if they felt the need to redirect staff to meet
Council's Goals such as the Affordable Housing and Safety (Resource Navigator
and Mental Health sales tax) within Pasco.
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Mr. Lincoln stated that while the current goals may not fully address the issues
public drug use, homelessness and crime staff could prepare a clear, immediate
priority would benefit the current Council, future Councils, the public and staff.
Mr. Ferguson reminded Council that they also need to determine if and how the
City will implement SB 5536 within the next month.
Deputy Fire Chief Dunbar stated that staff will bring back a report from the Mental
Health Services within the community in the near future.
Mr. Gonzalez stated that the City's Housing Action Plan will be presented to the
Planning Commission with public hearings scheduled in July and August 2023.
Once the Planning Commission makes a recommendation, it will be presented to
Council.
Resolution - Lease Agreement for the Readiness Center with Washington
State Military Department
Police Chief Roske provided a brief report related to the proposed lease agreement
for a new Readiness Center with the Washington State Military Department. This
item will come back to Council at their June 20th meeting for final action.
MISCELLANEOUS COUNCIL DISCUSSION
Mr. Lincoln reported on the recent Pasco Chamber Meeting where the Economic
Development Strategic Planning efforts were discussed. He announced that this year's
Juneteenth event is scheduled for Saturday June 17th.
At the request of Mr. Lincoln, Ms. Barham provided a brief report related to the City's
Boards and Commissions, which included the updates made to the webpages and the
status of the current vacancies.
Mr. Lincoln announced the Association of Washington Cities (AWC)Annual Conference
is scheduled the week of June 20th in Spokane, WA. Lastly, he asked Council if they
would be interested in cancelling their July 3rd Meeting and if so, then a formal action
would be brought back at their next meeting.
Mr. Brown commented on recent misquotes in an article in the Tri-City Herald
(newspaper) and explained the meaning of this talking points during the last Council
meeting and expressed appreciation of staff.
Mr. Milne announced that his daughter, who is on leave from the military and wife
attended the workshop and were in the audience.
Mr. Campos echoed Mr. Brown's praise to City staff.
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Mayor Pro Tem Maloney expressed appreciation for the City communications staff for
various City announcements. He asked about the recent Tri-Cities Animal Control
Authority (TCACA) meeting and if the audience was engaged in the meeting.
Mr. Rice responded that the recent TCACA meeting was well attended and there were
a few public comments. However, he stated that staff is providing additional information
during the meetings, which in turn, the audience has fewer questions and comments to
share.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
Council adjourned into Executive Session at 8:00 PM for 20 minutes to discuss with
legal counsel about current or potential litigation per RCW 42.30.110(1)(i) with the
City Manager, City Attorney, Interim Community& Economic Development Director
and Troy Hendren.
At 8:20 PM Mayor Pro Tem Maloney announced that the Executive Session would
continue for another 10 minutes.
Mayor Pro Tem Maloney called the meeting back to order at 8:30 PM.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:30 PM.
PASSED and APPROVED thi�a�day of �;l�ti��, , 20Z�.
APPROVED: ATTEST:
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Craig Maloney, Mayor Pro Tem Debra Barham, City Clerk
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