HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024.01.08 Council Minutes
MINUTES
City Council Workshop Meeting
7:00 PM - Monday, January 8, 2024
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: Pete Serrano, David Milne, Blanche Barajas, Melissa
Blasdel, Charles Grimm, Peter Harpster, and Leo Perales
Councilmembers absent: None
Staff present: Adam Lincoln, City Manager; Richa Sigdel, Deputy City Manager;
Angela Pashon, Assistant City Manager; Darcy Buckley, Finance Director; Kevin
Crowley, Fire Chief; Eric Ferguson, City Attorney; Jacob Gonzalez, Community &
Economic Development Director; Jesse Rice, Parks & Recreation Director; Ken
Roske, Police Chief; Maria Serra, Interim Public Works Director; and Debby
Barham, City Clerk
The meeting was opened with the Pledge of Allegiance.
VERBAL REPORTS FROM COUNCILMEMBERS
Ms. Blasdel reported on the Pasco Chamber of Commerce lunch meeting that she
attended earlier in the day.
Mr. Harpster commented on the Pasco Police Department's presentation held
during the Pasco Chamber of Commerce's meeting.
ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION
Water Rights Acquisition Fees
Ms. Serra provided a brief presentation related to water rights in general, as they
relate to the City's needs, as well as the Water Rights Acquisition Fees approved
Page 1 of 4
DocuSign Envelope ID: E10365AB-632C-4D6D-914B-E6B929A9AB84
by Council in November 2023.
Mr. Ferguson confirmed that the process staff followed for the amendments to the
Pasco Municipal Code related to the Water Rights Acquisition Fees not only met
the legal and statutory requirements, surpassed the requirements.
Council, Mr. Lincoln and Ms. Serra continued the discussion of the Water Rights
Acquisition Fees, a recap of the process of the rate changes and water
conversation (xeriscaping).
Mayor Serrano opened the floor to accept comments from the public regarding
the water rights topic.
Charles Laird, resident, expressed opposition to the surcharge of water rights.
Also, asked if the same rules apply for commercial/industrial developments.
Ms. Serra explained that the application of commercial/industrial developments
water rights is determined differently due to the nature of the development.
Eric Weinheimer, Sunnyside resident, asked the amount of leased water rights.
He cautioned the City on setting the rate as was done in November 2023 as the
water rights are sold a market value that changes as frequently as daily.
Mr. Grimm stated that he was not an expert on this topic and that he reached out
to City staff and community developers to understand this topic.
Alan Olberding, Richland resident, the value of the water rights should be at
market value with the City having the first right of refusal. Does not like the
surcharge. Likes the idea of forming a committee to further discuss the water
rights fees and surcharge.
Mayor Serrano asked Council if there is an interest in creating a Council
subcommittee for the continued study of water rights and how they apply to the
City of Pasco's needs.
Ms. Blasdel, Mr. Perales, Mr. Grimm and Mayor Serrano supported the formation
of a Council subcommittee to study the water rights issues. He stated that Mr.
Perales and Mr. Grimm indicated that they would participate in the subcommittee.
Presentation of Butterfield WTP Facility Plan Update - Water Quality Focus
Ms. Serra introduced Ali Leeds, Project Manager, from Carollo Engineering, who
provided a presentation on the water quality focus with the Butterfield Water
Treatment Plant (Butterfield WTP) facility plan.
Council asked for clarification in which Ms. Leeds and Ms. Serra responded with
detailed explanation.
Page 2 of 4
DocuSign Envelope ID: E10365AB-632C-4D6D-914B-E6B929A9AB84
Ordinance - Interim Financing Local Improvement District - Sanitary Sewer -
East Urban Growth Area
Ms. Buckley provided a presentation on the proposed interim financing for the
East Urban Growth Area (UGA) Sewer Local Improvement District (LID) No. 152.
Mayor Serrano announced that this LID was initially approved by Council in 2022
and this is the next step in a series of steps to complete the LID.
Resolution - Amendment No. 5 to RH2 Professional Services Agreement for
the Phase 2 PWRF Project
Ms. Serra provided a brief report related to the proposed Amendment No. 5 to the
Phase 2 Process Water Reuse Facility Professional Services Agreement (PSA)
with RH2 Engineering, Inc. for full construction management services.
Resolution - Change Order No. 7 to Citywide Traffic Signal Improvements
Ph 2 Project
Ms. Serra provided a brief report on proposed Change Order No. 7 to the
Citywide Traffic Signal Improvements Phase 2 project.
MISCELLANEOUS COUNCIL DISCUSSION
Ms. Serra reported that the Public Works Streets Division crews are ready to
deploy when the winter weather hits and noted that there is a snow removal plan
for the City streets.
Mr. Rice reported that the Parks Division crews are ready for the winter weather
conditions. He also announced the Winter Warming Centers are ready for those
individuals in need of a warm place to rest.
Mr. Perales commented on fireworks concerns in his Council District.
Police Chief Roske asked that the fireworks concerns be phoned in to the Police
Department.
Mr. Perales asked for an update on the planning efforts for the next Cinco de
Mayo community event.
Mr. Rice stated that the City will have its initial Cinco de Mayo planning meeting
later this week and provided a overview of the planning efforts.
RECESS
Mayor Serrano called a five-minute recess at 8:52 PM.
Page 3 of 4
DocuSign Envelope ID: E10365AB-632C-4D6D-914B-E6B929A9AB84
EXECUTIVE SESSION
Council adjourned into Executive Session at 8:57 PM for five (5) minutes to
discuss the consideration of the minimum offering price for sale or lease of real
estate if there’s a likelihood that disclosure would decrease the price per RCW
42.30.110(1)(c) with the factors influencing the price include location, cost and
use of the property. The City Manager, Deputy City Manager, and City Attorney
also joined the Executive Session.
At 9:02 PM Mayor Serrano announced that the Executive Session would continue
for another five (5) minutes.
Mayor Serrano called the meeting back to order at 9:07 PM.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 9:07 PM.
PASSED and APPROVED this __ day of ________________, 20__.
APPROVED: ATTEST:
Pete Serrano, Mayor Debra Barham, City Clerk
Page 4 of 4
DocuSign Envelope ID: E10365AB-632C-4D6D-914B-E6B929A9AB84
16th January 22