HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023.08.28 Council MinutesMINUTES
City Council Workshop Fleeting
7:00 PM - Monday, August 28, 2023
Pasco City Hall, Council Chambers & GoToWebinar
CALL TO ORDER
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The meeting was called to order at 7:00 PM by Blanche Barajas, Mayor.
ROLL CALL
Councilmembers present: Blanche Barajas, Craig Maloney, Irving Brown, Joseph
Campos, Zahra Roach, and Pete Serrano
Councilmembers absent: David Milne
Staff present: Adam Lincoln, City Manager; Richa Sigdel, Deputy City Manager;
Darcy Buckley, Finance Director; Eric Ferguson, City Attorney; Kevin Crowley, Fire
Chief; Eric Ferguson, Jacob Gonzalez, Community & Economic Development
Director; City Attorney; 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.
VERBAL REPORTS FROM COUNCILMEMBERS
Mayor Pro Tem Maloney commented on the recent Pasco School District's (PSD)
Digital Learning Center ribbon cutting and grand opening event.
Ms. Roach commented on the PSD survey regarding the new High School names and
she commented on the rally, held earlier in the evening, supporting Mr. Brown.
Mayor Barajas expressed appreciation for the support from Council when she is not
available to attend ribbon cutting events. She also commented on the rally supporting
Mr. Brown.
Mr. Brown expressed thanks to those who supported him at the rally related to racist
issues targeting him by defiling his campaign signs.
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ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION
Ordinance - Amending Pasco Municipal Code Section 25.180.050 Related to
Corner Lot Fencing (CA2021-009)
Mr. Gonzalez provided a brief review of the proposed amendments to the Pasco
Municipal Code (PMC) related to corner lot fencing.
Ms. Sigdel arrived at 7:12 PM.
Council and staff discussed the variance process, which includeds:
• A request for a report next year that provides statistics on the number of
applications received for variances and then the number of variances that
were approved, pending or denied.
• A suggestion of creating desk instructions for staff to follow when
administering variances was made.
Another suggestion was to include a variance check box on the permit
application.
Staff provided clarification of the fence heights based on neighboring
residence building height and the traffic sight triangle requirement.
Possibility of adding additional "whereas" clauses in the ordinance to explain
Council's intent related to variances.
Staff will prepare and respond to the information that Council provided when the
proposed ordinance related to the corner lot fencing returns for final approval.
Ordinance - Ziply Fiber Franchise Agreement
Mr. Ferguson provided a brief report on the recent updates to the proposed fiber
optics telecommunications franchise agreement with Ziply Fiber.
Mayor Pro Tem Maloney asked for clarification on this franchise agreement based
on the current franchise agreements for telecommunications.
Mr. Ferguson explained the differences with the proposed franchise agreement in
relation to other franchise agreements.
Resolution - Interlocal Agreement with Pasco School District for Joint Use of
Facilities
Mr. Rice provided a brief report related to the proposed interlocal agreement for
joint use of facilities with the Pasco School District (PSD).
American Rescue Plan Act Updates
Ms. Sigdel provided a brief update related to the status of the American Rescue
Plan Act (ARPA) funding.
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Council and staff discussion ensued and included:
• Renovation of MLK Center
• Risk of loosing funding
• What staff needs from Council to finalize incumbering the ARPA funds
• Possibility of building a new MLK Center versus updating the old Center
• Council expressed thanks to staff for applying for the ARPA funds
• Council expressed appreciation that ARPA funding helped 89 small
businesses in a time of need
• Council expressed support for the MLK Center updates
• Council expressed support for the Boys & Girls Club updated; however, their
top priority remains to be renovations for the MLK Center
• Questioned the status of $1 M for mental health issues
• Suggested the possibility of additional staff to serve the community
Resolution - Northwest Baseball Ventures I, LLC (Tri -City Dust Devils) Lease
Renewal at GESA Stadium
Mr. Rice and Mr. Ferguson introduced Brent Miles and Derrell Ebert with Northwest
Baseball Ventures I, LLC, who were in the audience and available to answer
questions if needed.
Mr. Rice provided a brief report related to the new ten-year lease for the GESA
Stadium with Northwest Baseball Ventures I, LLC.
Council, Mr. Miles, Mr. Ebert, Mr. Ferguson and Mr. Rice discussed the terms and
conditions of the new lease and the requirements imposed on by the Major League
Baseball (MLB) for the Dust Devils to remain as a minor's team to the MLB.
At the end of the discussion, it was determined that City staff will work with the
Northwest Baseball Ventures I, LLC staff to clarify the remaining terms of the lease
that were unclear. City staff will gather, analyze and provide the City's financial
related to the proposed lease agreement to Council when the lease agreement is
brought back for approval.
MISCELLANEOUS COUNCIL DISCUSSION
Mr. Rice announced the Fiery Food Festival scheduled for September 9th, as well as
Doggie Paddle, scheduled for August 30th, at the Memorial Pool.
Mr. Serrano expressed appreciation to Mr. Brown and he stands with him and against
racism. Next, he commented on Mr. Milne's recent accident and subsequent surgery.
Ms. Roach sent well wishes for a speedy recovery to Mr. Milne. She also commented
on the recent decision made by Franklin County for the HAPO Center management.
Mayor Pro Tem Maloney and Mr. Campos commented on their involvement in the hiring
process related to the HAPO Center management company as members of the HAPO
Center Advisory Board.
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Mayor Pro Tem Maloney denounced the recent racism issues through damage to Mr.
Brown's campaign signs and expressed support for Mr. Brown.
Mr. Roach asked about the status of short-term rentals within Pasco.
Mayor Barajas commented on positive comments she received recently regarding
AskPasco App. She also provided suggestions to enhance the AskPasco App which
included:
Adding a selection for a Resource Navigator
Adding a link to the proclamation process
Adding a link to the Fire Department and Police Department.
Next, Mayor Barajas announced that the Peruvian government is seeking a friendship
agreement with the City of Pasco. She apologized to Pasco Chief Roske in advance for
missing the next "Coffee with a Cop" event. She commented on the Domestic Violence
Services of Benton and Franklin Counties last fundraising event where the Pasco Fire
and Police Chiefs were on bid to have lunch with a silent auction winner. Lastly, she
commented on racism in the community and how to rise from it and keep pushing
forward in doing the good work and say no to racism.
CLOSED SESSION
Council adjourned into Closed Session at 8:51 PM for 10 minutes to discuss
Collective Bargaining Unit Negotiations per RCW 42.30.140(4)(a) with the City
Manager, Deputy City Manager, City Attorney and Fire Chief.
Fire Chief Crowley left the Closed Session at 8:57 PM.
Mayor Barajas called the meeting back to order at 9:01 PM.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 9:01 PM.
PASSED and APPROVED this
APPROVED:
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ATTEST:
Debra Barham, City Clerk
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