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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024.03.18 Council Minutes MINUTES City Council Regular Meeting 7:00 PM - Monday, March 18, 2024 Pasco City Hall, Council Chambers & GoToWebinar CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order at 7:00 PM by Pete Serrano, Mayor. ROLL CALL Councilmembers present: Pete Serrano, David Milne, Blanche Barajas, Melissa Blasdel, Charles Grimm, Peter Harpster, and Leo Perales Councilmembers attending remotely: None 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; Dan Heid, City Attorney; Jacob Gonzalez, Community & Economic Development Director; Jesse Rice, Parks & Recreation Director; Ken Roske, Police Chief; Maria Serra, Interim Public Works Director; and Krystle Shanks, Deputy City Clerk The meeting was opened with the Pledge of Allegiance. CONSENT AGENDA Approval of Meeting Minutes for March 4th and March 18th To approve the minutes of the Pasco City Council Regular Meeting and Regular Workshop held on March 4, 2024 and March 11, 2024 respectively. Bills and Communications - Approving Claims in the Total Amount of $9,531,077.34 and Write-off Totaling $ 81,763.00 in Delinquent Bad Debt To approve claims in the total amount of $9,531,077.34 ($7,158,295.90 in Check Nos.262339 - 262712; $1,044,324,04 in Electronic Transfer Nos. 845400 - 845401, 845410 - 845418; $47,866.35 in Check Nos. 54674 - 54685; Page 1 of 11 $1,280,591.05 in Electronic Transfer Nos. 30204672 - 30205337. To approve bad debt write-off for accounts receivable including Utility Billing, Ambulance, Cemetery, General Accounts, and Miscellaneous Accounts in the total amount of $81,763.00 and, of that amount, authorize $81,763.00 to be turned over for collection. Resolution No. 4432 - RH2 Engineering, Inc., for Professional Services Agreement for Water System Plan To approve Resolution No. 4432, authorizing the City Manager to execute a Professional Services Agreement with RH2 Engineering for the Water System Plan. Resolution No. 4433 - Change Order No. 2 Approval for Process Water Reuse Facility Phase 2 Improvements To approve Resolution No. 4433, authorizing the City Manager to execute Change Order No. 2 with Tapani, Inc. for the Process Water Reuse Facility Phase 2 Winter Storage Pond Improvements Project. Resolution No. 4434 - Project Acceptance for East UGA Expansion Sewer Local Improvement District No. 152 Phase 2 Project To approve Resolution No. 4434, accepting work performed by Tapani, Inc. under contract for the East UGA Expansion Sewer LID 152: Phase 2 Project. Resolution No. 4435 - Memorandum of Agreement Adding Police Lieutenant Classification to Pasco Police Commanding Officers Association Collective Bargaining Agreement To approve Resolution No. 4435, acceptance of a Memorandum of Understanding between the City of Pasco and the Pasco Police Commanding Officers Association adding Police Lieutenant classification to the 2023-2024 Collective Bargaining Agreement. MOTION: Mayor Pro Tem Milne moved, seconded by Councilmember Harpster to approve the Consent Agenda as read. Roll Call Vote RESULT: Motion carried unanimously 7-0 AYES: Mayor Serrano, Mayor Pro Tem Milne, Councilmember Barajas, Councilmember Blasdel, Councilmember Grimm, Councilmember Harpster, and Councilmember Perales Page 2 of 11 PUBLIC COMMENTS Katelyn Ashford, spoke about the violence against Palestine and referenced the City of Pasco's Resolution No. 4064 - Against Bias-Based Hate. Karl Boettner, Spokane resident, spoke about the violence in Gaza against Palestine asking for Pasco leaders to influence other leaders and call for an immediate ceasefire. Mayor Serrano recapped the written public comment from Amber Bruce, Pasco resident, who spoke about the violence between Israel-Palestine and asked Council to call for a ceasefire. Mary Mahoney, Pasco resident, commented on the flood plain, the Tri-Cities Animal Shelter and public records requests she had made to the City. David Cortinez, Pasco resident, spoke on the Latin Business Association's inclusion in the Cinco de Mayo Festival working with the City of Pasco on the event. Mayor Serrano suggested moving the Miscellaneous Discussion portion of the meeting up on the agenda to allow the audience members who were there to comment on the Lewis Street Overpass project the opportunity to speak earlier in the evening rather than waiting until the end of the meeting. Then he called the remaining audience members who were there to speak on items other than the Lewis Street Overpass project to come forward. Annalisa Ely, Kennewick resident, spoke on the genocide of Palestinian people and requested Council to pass a resolution for a ceasefire. Jim Foreman, Pasco resident, discussed driveway opening standards passed a few years ago, stating that the driveway openings existing on Sylvester Street should remain in place, and not the reduce the driveway openings. MOTION TO MOVE MISCELLANOUS DISCUSSION INTO PUBLIC COMMENTS Mr. Milne made a motion to place the Miscellaneous Discussion into the Public Comments section of the meeting. Mr. Harpster reminded Council to be mindful and not engage in back and forth dialogue with individuals making public comment.. Mr. Perales asked to maintain another Miscellaneous Discussion at the end of the meeting. MOTION: Mayor Pro Tem Milne moved, seconded by Councilmember Perales to move up Item 12, Miscellaneous Discussion, into the Public Comment section to allow the constituents to talk about the Lewis Street Business matter. Page 3 of 11 RESULT: Motion carried unanimously 7-0 AYES: Mayor Serrano, Mayor Pro Tem Milne, Councilmember Barajas, Councilmember Blasdel, Councilmember Grimm, Councilmember Harpster, and Councilmember Perales MISCELLANEOUS DISCUSSION Ms. Sigdel provided updates related to the Lewis Street Overpass project and street closure affecting downtown businesses in that area. 1. Signage and Construction Ms. Sigdel introduced Ms. Serra who reported on the signage and construction updates. She stated that staff established business meetings every Thursday at 2:00 PM, held in both English and Spanish at various locations. She commented on some of the topics that have been brought up at the meetings, such as, signage, claims, parking and alleys. At each meeting, a map is provided that includes specifics of the work being performed each week. Ms. Serra discussed traffic closures, which are consistent with the weekly maps. 2. Advertising Ms. Sigdel discussed costs and various advertising packages in addition to advertising that the City has already been implementing. Staff is looking into packages that are most impactful. Not all packages have been budgeted but could be absorbed in the City's operations. 3. Grant Funding Ms. Sigdel reported on the response from the U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development (HUD) for various Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds available to assist business owners that have been negatively affected.  Micro-Enterprise Grants - $300,000 (Very small businesses of less than 5 FTEs including the owner, would require two years of tax information either IRS or DOR for 2023 and 2024)  Utility Assistance Grants - $70,000 (Assist in payment of impacted businesses) Ms. Sigdel confirmed the businesses in the area have been affected by the street closures; however, how much in terms of dollar amounts was not something businesses were easily able to calculate. Ms. Sigdel discussed the possible HUD Page 4 of 11 requirements that would be required to receive funds. Finally, Ms. Sigdel provided a timeline should Council wish to move forward with allocating CDBG funds for Micro-Enterprise and Utility Assistance grants. She stated there would be a 30-day notice, Planning Commission meeting(s) and a Council meeting including public hearing. Council and Planning Commission could recommend special meetings to help expedite the timeline. Council and staff discussion ensued regarding the allocation of CDBG funds for the Micro-Enterprise and Utility Assistance grants, including the details and complex issues of the Lewis Street Overpass project. Mayor Serrano invited members of the audience to speak on this item. PUBLIC COMMENTS CONTINUED RELATING TO MISCELLANEOUS DISCUSSION Spanish Interpreter, Mr. Cruz, provided translation for various members making public comment. Pedro Torres, Pasco business owner, spoke in support of the CDBG funding to assist businesses impacted by the Lewis Street Overpass project, expressed that funding options should have been explored earlier, and asked Council to consider the businesses being affected by the street closure. Valorie Torres, Pasco business owner, addressed an email she sent to Council over the weekend and stated that the business owners are hard-working. Her business has had to close their doors due to the loss of business. She expressed support for the CDBG funding. David Cortinas, Pasco business owner, stated that the Latin Business Association took the lead in meeting with impacted business owners and representing them. He recommended a motion to approve CDBG funding to assist the business owners. Jose, Pasco business owner, voiced concern over the possible requirements for two years of tax documents as his business just opened; however, he is experiencing loss in business due to the street closure. Alvaro Enriquez, Pasco business owner, thanked her clients that continue to support her business. She said her sales has slowed. She supported the allocation of CDBG funds. Pasco Herbalife business owner, stated that in all the years he has operated his business, he has never seen such a lack of business. He stated that there were issues with parking and customers had to walk to his business. He's never had to ask for assistance before but spoke in support of the CDBG funding. Page 5 of 11 Eliuth Ramirez, Pasco business owner, discussed some of the issues he has been experiencing from the decrease in traffic walking by and spoke in support of the CDBG funding. Blanca Garcia, Pasco business owner, stated she didn't want this issue to be political. Ms. Garcia stated that she has had to close her business due to safety issues of her clients trying to access her business. She asked for help for the businesses that are struggling. Lastly, she thanked the Police Department for always being there to help. Jesus Romero, Pasco business owner, stated he's owned the paleteria for over 30 years and that over the years, there have been ups and downs in business but nothing like his business is experiencing currently. He discussed parking issues due to the street closure and safety issues. A Downtown Pasco business owner thanked Council for considering assistance to the impacted business owners. She stated that there are business who have experienced loss, are struggling and have signed forms stating they have been impacted. Rebecca Ortiz, Pasco business owner, thanked Council for allowing the business owners a chance to come in and speak. She encouraged Councilmembers to come down to their businesses to take a look and put themselves in their shoes. She shared some of the difficulties her business has experienced due to the street closure and stated that all the business owners are trying their best and don't want the assistance but need it. Albert Rodriguez, Pasco business owner, referenced the map given out by City staff indicating traffic signage and closures. He made suggestions on better signage and voiced a safety concern relating to the signage. Pedro, Pasco business owner, had questions relating CDBG funding eligibility pertaining to business location and how far it would extend. Council discussion ensued based on the public comments received. It was questioned if there was an option for food trucks impacted by the street closure to temporarily locate downtown in Peanuts Park. Mr. Lincoln responded that at this time no business owners have reached out but it was an option that staff would explore if any business owners would like the City to consider the option. MOTION TO ALLOCATE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT (CDBG) FUNDS Melissa Blasdel made a motion, seconded by Leo Perales, to allocate $350,000 of CDBG funds and $70,000 utility assistance funds to assist the downtown businesses impacted by the Lewis Street Overpass project and direct staff to make the necessary actions to expedite the process in accordance with the Page 6 of 11 mandate public notice requirements. Ms. Sigdel asked if Council was voting on $350,000 or on $370,000 of CDBG funds. Staff and Council clarified the amount of CDBG funds available and what staff had anticipated was provided. Ms. Blasdel amended her motion based on the discussion. MOTION: Councilmember Blasdel moved, seconded by Councilmember Perales to amend the original motion to allocate $300,000 of CDBG funds and $70,000 of utility assistance to downtown businesses impacted by the Lewis Street Overpass project and direct staff to make the necessary actions to expedite the process in accordance with the public mandate public notice requirements. Roll Call Vote RESULT: Motion carried by Roll Call vote. 6-1 AYES: Mayor Pro Tem Milne, Councilmember Barajas, Councilmember Blasdel, Councilmember Grimm, Councilmember Harpster, and Councilmember Perales NAYS: Mayor Serrano MOTION: Councilmember Blasdel moved, seconded by Councilmember Perales to allocate $300,000 of CDBG funds and $70,000 of utility assistance to downtown businesses impacted by the Lewis Street Overpass project and direct staff to make the necessary actions to expedite the process in accordance with the public mandate public notice requirements. Roll Call Vote RESULT: Motion carried by Roll Call vote. 6-1 AYES: Mayor Pro Tem Milne, Councilmember Barajas, Councilmember Blasdel, Councilmember Grimm, Councilmember Harpster, and Councilmember Perales NAYS: Mayor Serrano RECESS Mayor Serrano called a five (5) minutes recess at 8:58 PM. REPORTS FROM COMMITTEES AND/OR OFFICERS Verbal Reports from Councilmembers Mr. Grimm commented on the Benton Franklin Council of Governments (BFCOG) meeting he attended recently. Page 7 of 11 Ms. Blasdel reported on the soft opening for Imbibe Pasco downtown. She also acknowledged the Pasco High varsity dance team, who will be performing at the State Competition this upcoming Saturday at the Yakima Sun Dome. Ms. Perales reported on the Visit Tri-Cities newly elected councilmembers orientation he recently attended. District Policing Model Presentation Police Chief Roske provided background information on the Pasco Police Department's Strategic Plan, which identified the need to look into the way police services were delivered, particularly field operations and to plan for the future. He then introduced Cpt. Parramore, Lt. Decker and Lt. Pettijohn, who presented on the District Policing Model. Council and staff discussion ensued with Cpt. Parramore answering Council's questions. ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS NOT RELATING TO HEARINGS *Q Ordinance No. 4709 - Valley View Rezone from R-3 with Concomitant Agreement to R-3 (Z 2023-015) Mayor Serrano announced that the proposed rezone was a quasi-judicial action and asked Mr. Heid to explain the procedure for quasi-judicial items. Mr. Heid read the quasi-judicial procedure including how the Appearance of Fairness Doctrine applies to it. Next, he asked all Councilmembers a series of questions associated with potential conflicts of interest to disclose such potential conflicts or appearance of conflicts. No conflicts of interest were disclosed. Mr. Gonzalez provided an overview of the Valley View Rezone from R-3 with a Concomitant Agreement to R-3. He stated that the Pasco Hearing Examiner recommended approval of the rezone and no appeals have been received. MOTION: Mayor Pro Tem Milne moved, seconded by Councilmember Harpster to adopt Ordinance No. 4709, amending the zoning classification of certain real property located on the south side of Aintree Drive between Aintree Lane and Ladbroke Lane, Pasco, Franklin County, Washington, from R-3 (Medium- Density Residential) with a Concomitant Agreement to R-3 (Medium-Density Residential), and further, authorize publication by summary only. Roll Call Vote RESULT: Motion carried unanimously 7-0 AYES: Mayor Serrano, Mayor Pro Tem Milne, Councilmember Barajas, Councilmember Blasdel, Councilmember Grimm, Councilmember Harpster, and Councilmember Perales Page 8 of 11 Resolution No. 4436 - Third Amended & Restated Interlocal Agreement for Benton County Emergency Services Adding Franklin County Fire Chief Crowley provided an overview of the amended Interlocal Agreement for Benton County Emergency Services adding Franklin County and explained the reason for the need to expedite the process. Council and staff discussion ensued with Chief Crowley answering Council's questions. MOTION: Mayor Pro Tem Milne moved, seconded by Councilmember Blasdel to approve Resolution No. 4436, authorizing the City Manager to execute a Third Amended and Restated Interlocal Agreement for Benton County Emergency Services. RESULT: Motion carried unanimously 7-0 AYES: Mayor Serrano, Mayor Pro Tem Milne, Councilmember Barajas, Councilmember Blasdel, Councilmember Grimm, Councilmember Harpster, and Councilmember Perales Resolution No. 4437 - Settlement Agreement for Lewis Place, LLC Purchase Mr. Gonzalez provided an overview on the settlement agreement for the Lewis Place, LLC. MOTION: Mayor Pro Tem Milne moved, seconded by Councilmember Harpster to approve Resolution No. 4437, approving the Mutual Release and Settlement Agreement with Lewis Place LLC; and further, authorize the City Manager to execute the participation form and allocation agreement. RESULT: Motion carried unanimously 7-0 AYES: Mayor Serrano, Mayor Pro Tem Milne, Councilmember Barajas, Councilmember Blasdel, Councilmember Grimm, Councilmember Harpster, and Councilmember Perales UNFINISHED BUSINESS Q Ordinance No. 4671 - Lewis Place, LLC for Jefferson Landing Rezone R-1- A to R-4 (Z 2022-013) Mayor Serrano announced that the proposed rezone was a quasi-judicial action and asked Mr. Heid to explain the procedure for quasi-judicial items. Page 9 of 11 Mr. Heid read the quasi-judicial procedure including how the Appearance of Fairness Doctrine applies to it. Next, he asked all Councilmembers a series of questions associated with potential conflicts of interest to disclose such potential conflicts or appearance of conflicts. Mr. Harpster disclosed that he is an acquaintance of the applicant but does not do business together and can make an unbiased decision. Mr. Gonzalez provided an overview of the Jefferson Landing Rezone from R-1-A to R-4. This item was originally brought before Council in June 2023; however, it was tabled at the request of legal counsel for further review. He stated the Pasco Hearing Examiner recommended approval of the rezone and no appeals have been received. Mr. Grimm disclosed that he also is an acquaintance of the applicant but has not discussed this item with them and can make an unbiased decision. MOTION: Mayor Pro Tem Milne moved, seconded by Councilmember Harpster to adopt Ordinance No. 4671, amending the zoning classification of certain real property located along Heritage Boulevard between East Lewis Street and East “A” Street, Pasco, Franklin County, Washington, from R-1-A to R-4, and further, authorize publication by summary only. Roll Call Vote RESULT: Motion carried unanimously 7-0 AYES: Mayor Serrano, Mayor Pro Tem Milne, Councilmember Barajas, Councilmember Blasdel, Councilmember Grimm, Councilmember Harpster, and Councilmember Perales MISCELLANEOUS DISCUSSION Mr. Perales discussed a recent court decision relating to State Representative Delegation and Districting, and asked Council about sending a letter to the City's lobbyists or Washington State Districting Commission. Mayor Serrano asked Mr. Perales to send an email to circulate through staff relating the matter to his request. Mr. Harpster mentioned that the Benton Franklin Council of Governments (BFCOG) is hosting a bike plan meeting tomorrow at the Pasco Library located on Hopkins Street. It is focusing on the improvement to bike safety throughout the Tri-Cities. Page 10 of 11 ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 9:45 PM. PASSED and APPROVED this ____ day of ________________, 20__. APPROVED: ATTEST: Pete Serrano, Mayor Krystle Shanks, Deputy City Clerk Page 11 of 11 April for 241st