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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025.03.24 Council Meeting Minutes MINUTES City Council Workshop Meeting 7:00 PM - Monday, March 24, 2025 Pasco City Hall, Council Chambers & Microsoft Teams Webinar 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: Councilmembers absent: None Staff present: Dave Zabell, Interim City Manager; Richa Sigdel, Deputy City Manager; Angela Pashon, Assistant City Manager; Darcy Buckley, Finance Director; Kevin Crowley, Fire Chief; Eric Ferguson, City Attorney; Jesse Rice, Parks & Recreation Director; Ken Roske, Police Chief; Maria Serra, Public Works Director; Scott Mihalik, Assistant City Attorney, and Debby Barham, City Clerk The meeting was opened with the Pledge of Allegiance. VERBAL REPORTS FROM COUNCILMEMBERS Ms. Blasdel reported on the Pasco Public Facilities District Board and a Pasco Police Business Watch meetings she recently attended. Mayor Pro Tem Milne reported on the Nextdoor Wellness and Northwest Stem Cell dual grand opening event. Mr. Harpster reported on a Homebuilders Association he attends, as well as a Tri - City Development Council (TRIDEC) Board and Hanford Communities Governing Board meetings he recently attended. Mr. Grimm reported on the Benton Franklin Council of Governments (BFCOG) Board meeting he recently attended. Mayor Serrano reported on the City's Processed Water Reuse Facility (PWRF) grand opening held the past Saturday. He also commented on a meeting he had with former Washington State Senator and current Department of Commerce Director Joe Nguyễn regarding investments in the Tri-Cities. ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION WITH OPPORTUNITY FOR PUBLIC COMMENT Introduction to 2026-2031 Transportation Improvement Program Ms. Serra provided a brief presentation on the process and schedule for developing and finalizing the 2026-2031 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP). Council expressed appreciation for providing an introduction of the 2026-2031 TIP early on. Council asked for clarification on developing the TIP list and Ms. Serra provided additional details. Mayor Serrano called for public comments. Steve Bauman, Franklin County resident, commented on an unofficial survey he conducted related to the use or non -use of a bike path along Argent Road and sidewalks along Oregon Avenue. Introduction to Utility Capital Improvement Plan Update Ms. Serra provided a brief presentation on the schedule and process for developing the 2026-2031 Capital Improvement Program (CIP). She noted that the TIP is incorporated within the CIP. Mr. Harpster expressed appreciation for the presentation and timeline. Mayor Serrano called for public comments three (3) times and no one came forward to speak. 2023 - 2024 Financial Review Ms. Buckley provided the City's Biennial 2023-2024 Financial Summary and Review. Council asked about the reduction of the General Fund reserves and Ms. Buckley and Ms. Sigdel explained the purpose of the reserve fund amounts. Mr. Zabell suggested that Council may consider attending one of three small group meetings where Council may to dig into the budget with staff. Mayor Serrano called for public comments three (3) times and no one came forward to speak. Resolution - Professional Services Agreement with Consor North America, Inc. for Design Services for the Sylvester Street Overpass Pedestrian/ Bicycle Access Project (5 minute staff presentation) Ms. Serra provided a brief overview of the Sylvester Street Overpass Pedestrian and Bicycle access project and recommended Council approve Consor North America to design the project. Council and Ms. Serra briefly discussed the project. Mayor Serrano called for public comments three (3) times and no one came forward to speak. Resolution - Project Acceptance for the Well Capacity Upgrades Project Ms. Serra provided a brief review of the Well Capacity Upgrades project and recommended Council approve the acceptance of completion for this project. Mayor Serrano called for public comments three (3) times and no one came forward to speak. Resolution - Rivershore Sewer Interceptor Upsizing Phase 1 Design Loan Acceptance Ms. Serra provided a brief report on the proposed 20 -year loan from the Washington State Department of Ecology (ECY) for Phase I Design for the Rivershore Sewer Interceptor Upsizing Project. Mayor Serrano called for public comments three (3) times and no one came forward to speak. MISCELLANEOUS COUNCIL DISCUSSION Mr. Zabell announced that staff and animals moved into the new Animal Shelter facility, the Pasco Police Department Business meetings scheduled for March 25th and 27th. Lastly, he reported that Animal Control staff completed the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Center Animal Control Officer certifications recently. Mr. Grimm suggested that a portion of the upcoming Council Retreat be conducted on Monday, March 31st. He also commented on a ten -year fluoride study and asked if the fluoride be removed from the City's potable water system. Council and Mr. Zabell discussed when the fluoridation topic come back for discussion and it was determined to have staff bring back near the end of the year. Mr. Harpster supported meeting on March 31st. He stated that of the City's budget and the Broadmoor Development Area were top on his topics of discussion at the retreat. Mayor Pro Tem Milne supported meeting on March 31st. He stated that the topic of HAPO Center future should be discussion at the retreat. Ms. Blasdel supported meeting on March 31st and wants to discuss the Levy Lid Lift information and focusing public safety at the retreat. Mr. Perales supported meeting on March 31st and requested that a list of topics to be presented at the retreat and all Council confirm which are the top topics for the discussion. Mayor Serrano asked if staff would be ready to present some items on March 31st and Mr. Zabell stated that the budget topic would not be ready; however, an Executive Session to discuss real estate items would be ready and he would check with staff to determine if any of the other topics mentioned earlier, may be presented on Monday, March 31st. Mayor Serrano preferred that the Council met once for the retreat, either on March 31st or in mid-April. Ms. Barajas opposed meeting on March 31st. MOTION: Councilmember Harpster moved, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Milne to hold a City Council Workshop (special meeting) on March 31, 2025. RESULT: Motion carried by Roll Call vote. 4-3 AYES: Mayor Pro Tem Milne, Councilmember Grimm, Councilmember Harpster, and Councilmember Perales NAYS: Mayor Serrano, Councilmember Barajas, and Councilmember Blasdel RECESS Mayor Serrano called a five-minute recess at 8:33 PM. EXECUTIVE SESSION Council adjourned into Executive Session at 8:38 PM for 25 minutes returning at 9:03 PM to discuss with legal counsel regarding agency enforcement actions and about current or potential litigation per RCW 42.30.110(1)(i) with the City Manager, Deputy City Manager, Public Works Director, City Attorney and Assistant City Attorney. At 9:03 PM Mayor Serrano announced that the Executive Session would continue for another 10 minutes or until 9:13 PM. Mayor Serrano called the meeting back to order at 9:13 PM. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 9:13 PM. PASSED and APPROVED on April 7, 2025. APPROVED: ATTEST: Pete Serrano, Mayor Debra Barham, City Clerk