HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024.04.22 Council Minutes
MINUTES
City Council Workshop Meeting
7:00 PM - Monday, April 22, 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; Eric Ferguson, City Attorney; Jacob Gonzalez, Community &
Economic Development Director; Jesse Rice, Parks & Recreation Director; Brent
Cook, Deputy 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
Mayor Pro Tem Milne reported on a recent ribbon cutting event for Motus
Chiropractic, the PSD Skilled & Technical Advisory Committee meeting and the
Washington State Truck Driving Championship event he recently attended.
Mr. Grimm commented on the weekend events at and surrounding the HAPO Center.
He also reported on the Franklin County Emergency and Medical Services and
Benton Franklin Council of Governments meetings he recently attended.
Mayor Serrano reported on the Hanford Area Economic Investment Fund Advisory
Committee meeting he attended earlier in the day.
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EXECUTIVE SESSION
Council adjourned into Executive Session at 7:10 PM for 20 minutes returning at
7:30 PM to discuss with legal counsel about current or potential litigation per
RCW 42.30.110(1)(i) and 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 included land use,
price, location and projected use of the property, with the City Manager, Deputy
City Manager, Interim Public Works Director, and City Attorney.
Mayor Serrano called the meeting back to order at 7:30 PM.
ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION WITH OPPORTUNITY FOR PUBLIC COMMENT
Presentation - CourseCo Inc. - Sun Willows Golf Course
Mr. Rice introduced CourseCo Inc. President & CEO Michael Sharp who provided
the annual report for Sun Willows Golf Course.
Council and Mr. Sharp briefly held a question and answer period.
Resolution - Facility Lease Agreement with Boys & Girls Clubs of Benton &
Franklin Counties
Ms. Sigdel introduced the Boys & Girls Clubs of Benton & Franklin Counties CEO
Brian Ace who provided a report on the Pasco Clubhouse located at the old
Emerson School.
Council and Mr. Ace continued to talk about the services provided at the Pasco
Clubhouse.
Ms. Sigdel stated that the lease agreement will come back for Council
consideration at the next Council Meeting. She also stated that staff will provide
an update on the ARPA funding soon.
Targeted Urban Area Tax Exemption Program
Ms. Sigdel introduced Port of Pasco Director of Economic Development and
Marketing Stephen McFadden who provided a brief report on the Targeted Urban
Area Tax (TUA) Exemption Program, passed by the Washington State Legislature
in 2022 under Chapter 84.25 of the Revised Code of Washington (RCW.)
Council and Mr. McFadden continued to discuss the new TUA Tax Exemption
Program and how it could benefit economic growth in Pasco.
Behavioral Health Update in Benton & Franklin Counties
Fire Chief Crowley provided a brief update related to the Behavioral Health of
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Benton & Franklin Counties recent activities, efforts and projects.
Water Rights Subcommittee Update
Ms. Sigdel recapped the 2023 Water Rights rates increase, the issues associated
with the new rates, the formation of the Council's Water Rights Subcommittee and
the Subcommittee's meetings with the public. She ended with the
recommendations that came from those meetings, which included:
To remove the 10 years retroactive element for the surcharge of water
rights sale or transfer made after the published date of the Ordinance No.
4701 of December 3, 2023
To evaluate water rights in-lieu of fees every two years
To explore water conservation programs
Mr. Perales and Mr. Grimm provided additional comments regarding the
subcommittee meetings and recommendations.
Mr. Perales recommended that the water conservation program be implemented
and not just explored. He also recommended that the City deepen the
public/stakeholder engagement before policies are created/amended.
Mr. Serrano concurred that water conservation programs should be enhanced.
Mr. Grimm and Mr. Perales expressed support to amend water rights that was
adopted in December 2023.
MISCELLANEOUS COUNCIL DISCUSSION
Mr. Rice provided a brief preview for the Cinco de Mayo weekend event scheduled for
the first weekend in May 2024.
Ms. Sigdel provided an update April 26, 2024, will be open for traffic. Grant
applications were available last Thursday, Planning Commission meeting and special
Council Meeting scheduled for May 1st.
Mr. Lincoln announced that there is no Council meeting is scheduled for next week as
it is the 5th Monday.
Ms. Blasdel commented on the Pasco Taco Crawl benefiting the Boys & Girls Clubs
of Benton & Franklin Counties, as well as a fundraising event for the Pasco High
Dance Team was currently underway.
Mr. Grimm commented on the recent incident where a vehicle ran into a Pasco
Cannabis retail store.
Mr. Perales asked for a list of Public Works projects that will be completed this year.
Ms. Serra responded that there is an interactive map on the City's website that has all
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of the projects and the status of the work.
Mr. Harpster asked an update on legal services contract. He also commented on
using the Zipper App for drivers to get through the street construction projects.
Ms. Barajas encouraged the public to go to the City of Pasco's website to get the up-
to-date information related to active street construction projects.
Mayor Pro Tem Milne asked for an update on the Court Street and Road 97 project
and Ms. Serra responded.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 9:20 PM.
PASSED and APPROVED on _______________________.
APPROVED: ATTEST:
Pete Serrano, Mayor Debra Barham, City Clerk
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May 6, 2024