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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024.04.15 Council Minutes MINUTES City Council Regular Meeting 7:00 PM - Monday, April 15, 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, Melissa Blasdel, Charles Grimm, Peter Harpster, and Leo Perales Councilmembers attending remotely: N/A Councilmembers absent: Blanche Barajas 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. CONSENT AGENDA Approval of Meeting Minutes for March 22nd-23rd, April 1st and April 8th To approve the minutes of the Pasco City Council Biennial Retreat held on March 22nd-23rd, Regular Meeting held on April 1st and Regular Workshop held on April 8, 2024. Bills and Communications - Approving Claims in the Total Amount of $5,382,743.70 and Write-off Totaling $30,774.00 To approve claims in the total amount of $5,382,743.70 ($3,954,416.28 in Check Nos. 263003 - 263166; $66.92 in Electronic Transfer No. 845798; $7,308.73 in Page 1 of 7 Check Nos. 54691 - 54696; $1,418,063.80 in Electronic Transfer Nos. 30206631 - 30206671; $1,990.35 in Electronic Transfer No. 972, $897.62 in Electronic Transfer Nos. 277 - 282). To approve write-off for accounts receivable including Utility Billing, Ambulance, Cemetery, General Accounts, and Miscellaneous Accounts in the total amount of $30,774.00 and, to authorize that it be turned over for collection. Resolution No. 4441 - Change Order No. 3 Approval for PWRF Phase 2 Improvements To approve Resolution No. 4441, authorizing the City Manager to execute Change Order No. 3 with Tapani, Inc. for the Process Water Reuse Facility (PWRF) Phase 2 Winter Storage Improvements Project. Resolution No. 4442 - Change Order No. 5 for I-182/Broadmoor Blvd Interchange Project To approve Resolution No. 4442, authorizing the City Manager to execute Change Order No. 5 with Nelson Construction Corp. for the I-182 & Broadmoor Blvd. Interchange Project. ROLL CALL MOTION: Mayor Pro Tem Milne moved, seconded by Councilmember Harpster to approve the Consent Agenda as read. RESULT: Motion carried unanimously 6-0 AYES: Mayor Serrano, Mayor Pro Tem Milne, Councilmember Blasdel, Councilmember Grimm, Councilmember Harpster, and Councilmember Perales ABSENT: Councilmember Barajas PUBLIC COMMENTS Katelyn Ashford, Kennewick resident, requested that Council to approve a resolution calling for ceasefire and peace in the current Middle East conflict. Amber Bruce, Kennewick resident, expressed concern of the gynecide occurring in Gaza and requested Council support to condemn these acts of gynecide. Karl Boettner, Spokane resident, expressed concern of the current conflict in the Middle East and supports a resolution condemning gynecide in Gaza. Abdul Nassar, Yakima resident, requested that Council to approve a resolution calling for ceasefire and peace in the current Middle East conflict. Annalisa Ely, Kennewick resident, spoke about segregation and apartheid and Page 2 of 7 related it to the current situation in Gaza. Mary Mahoney, Pasco resident, spoke about the flood plain located in part of her property and in the neighborhood, expressed concern about the bald eagle habitat and animal control dating back to 2019. David Cortinas, Pasco resident, commented on a recent downtown Pasco business owners meeting where Deputy City Manager Sigdel provided the business owners affected negatively to the closure of Lewis Street the process and requirements to apply for the CDBG grant if it passes by Council. He expressed concern that the business owners will not qualify. He asked that the City cover the losses of the affected business owners. Mayor Serrano stated that he has heard those individuals who were asking for a resolution related to the Middle East conflict; however, he would not be supporting such a resolution. REPORTS FROM COMMITTEES AND/OR OFFICERS Verbal Reports from Councilmembers Mayor Pro Tem Milne reported on a recent Washington State Arbor Day event held at Kurtzman Park. He also stated that the National Arbor Day event was scheduled for Friday, April 26th at Highland Park. Mr. Harpster commented on the recent Police Simulator Training that he and Ms. Barajas participated in. He also reported on the Ben Franklin Transit Board meeting he recently attended. Ms. Blasdel reported on a recent ribbon cutting event for the grand opening of Panda Express located on Court Street. Mayor Serrano also commented on the Panda Express grand opening. 2024 Washington State Legislative Session Update Mr. Lincoln introduced Briahna Murray, Vice President and Holly Sanabria, State Lobbyist from Gordon Thomas Honeywell Governmental Affairs who provided the 2024 Legislative Session recap. Ms. Murray also noted that development of the 2025 Legislative priorates will start shortly. Council and Ms. Murray briefly discussed the Road 76 overpass transportation project and the timing of setting the legislative priorities. Mayor Serrano expressed appreciation for the work that Ms. Murray and Ms. Sanabria provides to the City of Pasco. Ms. Murray added that it is a team effort and includes both Council and City staff. Page 3 of 7 RECESS Mayor Serrano called a five-minute recess at 8:00 AM. EXECUTIVE SESSION Council adjourned into Executive Session at 8:05 PM for 30 minutes returning at 8:30 PM to discuss Discussion with legal counsel about current or potential litigation per RCW 42.30.110(1)(i) with the City Manager, Deputy City Manager, and City Attorney. Mayor Serrano called the meeting back to order at 8:30 PM. HEARINGS AND COUNCIL ACTION ON ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS RELATING THERETO Public Hearing & Ordinance No. 4711 - Dissolution of the Downtown Pasco Development Authority Ms. Sigdel provided a brief report on the proposed dissolution of the Downtown Pasco Development Authority (DPDA). Mayor Serrano declared the Public Hearing open to consider the proposed dissolution of the DPDA. Carl Holder, downtown Pasco business owner, requested that Council hold off on the dissolution of the DPDA at this time and asked that Council support the DPDA Board members in the lawsuit recently submitted. David Cortinas, Pasco resident, commented on the pending DPDA lawsuit and provided a history of the DPDA, as well as expressed concern about the financial practices of the DPDA for the past several years. He submitted some DPDA documents he obtained to the City Clerk for distribution to Council. Following three calls for comments, and there being none, Mayor Serrano declared the Public Hearing closed. MOTION: Mayor Pro Tem Milne moved, seconded by Councilmember Harpster to adopt Ordinance No. 4711, formally dissolving the Downtown Pasco Development Authority, and, further, authorize publication by summary only. RESULT: Motion carried unanimously 6-0 AYES: Mayor Serrano, Mayor Pro Tem Milne, Councilmember Blasdel, Councilmember Grimm, Councilmember Harpster, and Councilmember Perales ABSENT: Councilmember Barajas Page 4 of 7 ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS NOT RELATING TO HEARINGS Resolution No. 4443 - Surplus of City Property Along Argent Road (Parcel No. 113300252) Ms. Sigdel provided a brief recap of the proposed surplus of City owned property located along Argent Road. MOTION: Mayor Pro Tem Milne moved, seconded by Councilmember Harpster to approve Resolution No. 4443, declaring City-owned real property surplus, setting the minimum price and the method of sale for Parcel No. 113300252, and further, authorize the City Manager to sell the property through realtor listing for a minimum price determined through market analysis. RESULT: Motion carried unanimously 6-0 AYES: Mayor Serrano, Mayor Pro Tem Milne, Councilmember Blasdel, Councilmember Grimm, Councilmember Harpster, and Councilmember Perales ABSENT: Councilmember Barajas Ordinance No. 4712 - Amending PMC Subsection 2.05.020(2) Related to Public Comments During Regular Workshop Meetings Mr. Lincoln provided a brief report on the proposed amendment to the Pasco Municipal Code (PMC) that Council requested to include a public comment opportunity during discussion items at Council Workshops. MOTION: Mayor Pro Tem Milne moved, seconded by Councilmember Grimm to adopt Ordinance No. 4712, amending Pasco Municipal Code Subsection 2.05.020(2) related to public comments during Regular Workshop Meetings, and, further, authorize publication by summary only. RESULT: Motion carried. 4-2 AYES: Mayor Pro Tem Milne, Councilmember Grimm, Councilmember Harpster, and Councilmember Perales NAYS: Mayor Serrano and Councilmember Blasdel ABSENT: Councilmember Barajas Ordinance No. 4713 - Ochoa Rezone from RS-20 to R-1 (Z 2024-001) Mr. Gonzales provided a brief report on the proposed rezone. Mayor Serrano announced that the proposed rezone was a quasi-judicial action and asked Mr. Ferguson to explain the procedure for quasi-judicial items. Mr. Ferguson read the quasi-judicial procedure including how the Appearance of Fairness Doctrine applies to it. Next, he asked all Councilmembers a series of Page 5 of 7 questions associated with potential conflicts of interest to disclose such potential conflicts or appearance of conflicts. With no response from the Councilmembers, he asked if any members of the public were seeking to disqualify a member of Council from participating in the proceedings. No one came forward. MOTION: Mayor Pro Tem Milne moved, seconded by Councilmember Harpster to adopt Ordinance No. 4713, amending the zoning classification of certain real property located on the Northwest corner of Castle Holly Court and Road 56, Pasco, Franklin County, Washington, from RS-20 (Residential Suburban) to R- 1 (Low-Density Residential), and further, authorize publication by summary only. RESULT: Motion carried. 5-1 AYES: Mayor Serrano, Mayor Pro Tem Milne, Councilmember Blasdel, Councilmember Grimm, and Councilmember Harpster NAYS: Councilmember Perales ABSENT: Councilmember Barajas Resolution No. 4444 - Public Works Board $1M Loan Agreement - Butterfield WTP Improvements Pre-Construction Ms. Serra introduced Senior Engineer Puna Clarke who provided a brief report on the proposed loan agreement. MOTION: Mayor Pro Tem Milne moved, seconded by Councilmember Harpster to approve Resolution No. 4444, authorizing the City Manager to execute a $1M Loan/Grant ($850K loan and $150K grant) with the Public Works Board for the Butterfield Water Treatment Plant Improvements Project. RESULT: Motion carried unanimously 6-0 AYES: Mayor Serrano, Mayor Pro Tem Milne, Councilmember Blasdel, Councilmember Grimm, Councilmember Harpster, and Councilmember Perales ABSENT: Councilmember Barajas MISCELLANEOUS DISCUSSION Ms. Serra shared that the City of Pasco was recently awarded an American Public Works Association's Project of the Year award for the Waste Water Treatment Plan Project Phase I. Mr. Gonzales announced that the City of Pasco will be hosting an upcoming Benton Franklin Housing Consortium scheduled for April 19th. He also announced that staff will be bringing a Sign Code update related to billboards to Council tentatively scheduled for the end of May 2024.. Mr. Rice reported on the recent Washington State Arbor Day event at Kurtzman Park Page 6 of 7 and invited Council to the National Arbor Day event scheduled for April 26th at Highland Park. Ms. Sigdel updated Council on the Lewis Street Overpass project, the businesses impacted by the closure of Lewis Street and a status on the pending federal grants and requirements to obtain grant funding. She learned that additional business owners have come forward and have asked to expand the approved map to include 3rd Avenue and additional businesses to the east of Oregon Avenue. Council discussed the options and Council concurred that the map they discussed at the last workshop should remain the same. Mr. Perales asked for an update on the B4 Development complaints related to cul-de- sacs and grading on someone's property. Mr. Lincoln stated that staff meets with B4 Development regularly and since there are no policy issues, staff had not intended on bringing it back to Council. He suggested that if there was something specific that Mr. Perales was looking for, he may reach out to Mr. Bauman directly Mr. Perales asked about the Columbia Building Appeals Commission. Mr. Ferguson stated that the Columbia Buildings Appeals Commission is headed up by the Benton Franklin Council of Governments and the City is not a lead in re- establishing it. Mr. Grimm commented on his stance related to the DPDA issues. Ms. Blasdel asked for clarification on the qualifications for the CDBG grant. Mr. Serrano stated that he and Mayor Pro Tem Milne sit on the LEOFF Pension Board and he learned that the pensioners have not been receiving Medicare Part B reimbursements and requested staff to create a resolution to allow for it. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 9:22 PM. PASSED and APPROVED on _______________________. APPROVED: ATTEST: Pete Serrano, Mayor Debra Barham, City Clerk Page 7 of 7 May 6, 2024