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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024.09.23 Council Minutes MINUTES City Council Workshop Meeting 7:00 PM - Monday, September 23, 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: 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, Public Works Director; and Debby Barham, City Clerk The meeting was opened with the Pledge of Allegiance. VERBAL REPORTS FROM COUNCILMEMBERS Ms. Barajas arrived at 7:02 PM. Mayor Pro Tem Milne reported on unveiling of a mural on the Moon Security building. He visited Mattox Dog Training Academy over the weekend. He commented on the traffic calming session held earlier in the day with staff. Lastly, he also commented on a COPA event he recently attended. Mr. Perales reported on the Moon Security wall mural event. He commented on a Chiawana football game he attended and new Pasco restaurant Volos La Rey where he had dinner. Mr. Grimm reported on the Benton Franklin Council of Governments meeting, as well at the traffic calming session he recently attended. Ms. Barajas announced the three high school students whose art was featured at Moon Security at the unveiling of the new mural on the building. He commented on the recent State of the Downtown event she attended. Lastly, she expressed appreciation to staff regarding the traffic calming session. Mayor Serrano reported on the Hanford Area Economic Investment Fund Advisory Committee he attended earlier in the day. ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION WITH OPPORTUNITY FOR PUBLIC COMMENT Presentation - Pasco School District Ms. Sigdel introduced Superintendent Michelle Whitney, from Pasco School District (PSD), who provided the presentation regarding the PSD's various programs. Ms. Whitney also introduced Alternative Highschool Planning Principal Seth Johnson and Assistant Superintendent of Operations and Supports Raul Sital who were in the audience. Council and Ms. Whitney continued discussing the PSD programs, school impact fees, ways to partner with the City, staffing, graduation statistics, etc. Mayor Serrano called for public comments three (3) times and no one came forward to speak. Citywide Injury Minimization and Speed Management Implementation Update Ms. Serra introduced Sean Messner, Project Manager, CivTech Inc. who provided an update on the Citywide traffic safety report, development of a City Speed Limit policy and implementation plan. Mayor Pro Tem Milne suggested mobile speed cameras be placed on specific corridors within the City to deter speeders. He asked Mr. Messner to discuss Road 96 and Balfour speed reductions, as well as the frequency of the speed limit studies. Mr. Messner stated that road cushions were installed on Road 96 and further barriers of candlesticks will be installed to funnel the traffic so vehicles will not try to go around the road cushions. Mr. Perales asked about the policies and procedures for traffic speed limits. Mr. Messner responded that the goal of a traffic speed limit policy is to make sure that everything has a data point, what needs to happen, and one that may be implemented across the City. Ms. Barajas addressed Mr. Perales noting that there was an opportunity to meet with staff to have his questions answered in detail earlier in the day. Mr. Perales responded to Ms. Barajas comments noting a work conflict and that he did his own research. Mayor Serrano called for public comments. Dawn Griffitts, Pasco resident, expressed concern about speeding along Balflour Drive between Road 96 and Road 100. Loly Martinez, Pasco resident, also expressed concern about speeding along Balflour Drive. Resolution - Project Acceptance for Wastewater Treatment Plant Phase 2B Outfall Replacement Project Ms. Serra provided a brief report related to the closeout of the Watewater Treatment Plant Phase 2B Outfall Replacement project. Mr. Grimm expressed appreciation to Ms. Serra for keeping the project under budget. Mayor Serrano called for public comments three (3) times and no one came forward to speak. Ordinance - Amending Sections of the Pasco Municipal Code Title 17 Sign Code, and PMC 25.95.050 Related to Billboards Mr. Gonzalez provided a brief report related to the proposed updates to the Pasco Municipal Code (PMC) related to billboards. Ms. Blasdel asked if staff has done any research related to light pollution in Washington state and if the billboards would be a factor to light pollution. Ms. Barajas commented about the placement and adaptive lighting of billboards. She expressed support for the PMC amendments. Mr. Perales expressed appreciation to staff working with Mr. Layman and expressed support for the PMC amendments. Mayor Serrano stated that there is no need for a public hearing related to billboards updates. Mayor Serrano called for public comments. John Layman, Oregon resident and Metal Outdoor Sign representative, expressed support for the PMC updates related to billboards. Resolution - 2025 Community Development Block Grant Annual Work Plan and Allocations (10 minutes) Mr. Gonzales introduced Craig Raymond, Deputy Community & Economic Development Deputy Director and Kristin Webb, Block Grant Administrator. Together, they presented the Community Development Block Grant Program for 2025. Mayor Serrano asked about the CDBG Program Administration funding and asked for an explanation for the debt repayment Section 108 Loan. Ms. Webb and Ms. Sigdel explained the duties of the CDBG Program Administration and the repayment scheduled for the Section 108 loan. Mayor Serrano called for public comments three (3) times and no one came forward to speak. Resolution - 2025 HOME Annual Work Plan and Allocations Ms. Webb, Block Grant Administrator presented the proposed 2025 HOME Annual Work Plan and proposed allocations. Mayor Serrano called for public comments three (3) times and no one came forward to speak. Property and Sales Tax Basics Presentation Ms. Sigdel provided a presentation related to property and sales tax within the City of Pasco. Mr. Grimm commented on the property tax levy comparison between Pasco, Richland, and Kennewick. Mayor Serrano called for public comments three (3) times and no one came forward to speak. MISCELLANEOUS COUNCIL DISCUSSION Ms. Sigdel announced that next week, September 30th, is a fifth Monday and no Council meeting was scheduled for that evening. Mr. Rice provided a brief recap of the recent Fiery Foods Festival. He announced the upcoming RAVE Foundation Futsal Courts event scheduled for Sunday, September 29th. Ms. Barajas commented on the District 1 Watch meeting with the Pasco Police Department staff she attended recently. She announced the next District 1 and District 2 meetings scheduled later in the week. She invited Council and the public to participate in the Chiawana High School mock interviews scheduled for October 18, 2024. Ms. Grimm expressed appreciation to Ms. Sigdel and Ms. Serra and the time they took to meet with him earlier in the day. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 9:23 PM. PASSED and APPROVED on October 7, 2024. APPROVED: ATTEST: Pete Serrano, Mayor Debra Barham, City Clerk