HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025.04.28 Council Meeting Minutes MINUTES
City Council Workshop Meeting
6:00 PM - Monday, April 28, 2025
Pasco City Hall, Council Chambers & Microsoft Teams Webinar
CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order at 6:00 PM by Pete Serrano, Mayor.
ROLL CALL
Councilmembers present: Pete Serrano, Blanche Barajas, Melissa Blasdel,
Charles Grimm, Peter Harpster, and Leo Perales
Councilmembers attending remotely:
Councilmembers absent: David Milne
Staff present: Dave Zabell, Interim City Manager; Richa Sigdel, Deputy City
Manager; Angela Pashon, Assistant City Manager; Griselda Garcia, Interim
Finance Director; Kevin Crowley, Fire Chief; Eric Ferguson, City Attorney; Hailee
Miller, Community & Economic Development Director; Craig Raymond, Deputy
Community & Economic Development Director; Jesse Rice, Parks & Recreation
Director; Ken Roske, Police Chief; Maria Serra, Public Works Director; and Krystle
Shanks, Deputy City Clerk
The meeting was opened with the Pledge of Allegiance.
VERBAL REPORTS FROM COUNCILMEMBERS
Mr. Perales attended ribbon cuttings for Bulldog Bistro and Tri-Cities Afghan Food at
Pasco Specialty Kitchen, highlighting the new parklet, and participated in the Annual
Taco Crawl.
Mr. Harpster attended the TRIDEC Board Meeting and a follow-up discussion on state
mitigation requirements for residential and commercial development.
Mr. Grimm joined the Mayor and Councilwoman Blasdel at the 'A' Street Sporting
Complex Opening Ceremony, praising Mr. Rice and his team and noting strong
community appreciation.
Mayor Serrano echoed the positive feedback, sharing conversations with Pasco High
soccer players about support and recognition. He also attended the Arbor Day
Celebration and Tree Walk opening at Volunteer Park.
Mr. Zabell introduced Hailee Miller as the new Community & Economic Development
Director. Ms. Miller expressed excitement about joining the City.
ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION WITH OPPORTUNITY FOR PUBLIC COMMENT
City Manager Recruitment Update
Ms. Matzen introduced Greg Prothman of GMP Consultants, who gave a
presentation on the City Manager recruitment process. Mr. Prothman requested
feedback from the Council on the draft position profile before it is finalized.
Council and staff provided input and discussed the following items:
• Residency requirements, with some flexibility for local candidates and
relocation fees
• The cable bridge image has been used multiple times; consider using a
photo of the water reservoir instead
• Keeping the front page of the profile unchanged
• Adding qualities such as “action-oriented,” “community connection,” and
“service-oriented”
• Including a goal of a 5–7 year tenure
• Adding "service reductions" as a strategy for maintaining fiscal health
• Referencing the "strategic plan" in relation to economic development
• Adjusting the salary range to start at $230,000, with the maximum remaining
at $295,000
• Increasing the desired experience from 6 to 10 years and stating a master’s
degree is preferred
There were no public comments on this item.
Benton Franklin Council of Governments (BFCOG) Regional Traffic Count
Analysis - Pasco - Presentation
Ms. Serra introduced Mr. Tanner Martin, Regional Planner with the Benton-Franklin
Council of Governments (BFCOG), who presented on the regional traffic count
analysis for the City of Pasco. Mr. Martin explained the history and purpose of the
traffic count program, which began in 2016 and uses pneumatic tube counters to
collect data on vehicle types, speed, and traffic volume. The program helps guide
planning efforts such as congestion management and infrastructure investment.
Councilmembers discussed traffic patterns, particularly on Road 68, and
highlighted the impact of current Broadmoor construction and future projects like
Road 76.
There were no public comments on this item.
Short-Term Rentals Discussion
Ms. Pashon provided an update on short-term rentals, seeking Council direction on
whether to formally permit them in Pasco. Currently, there’s no City permitting
process, though State licenses and lodging taxes apply. A regional impact study by
Visit Tri-Cities is underway, expected in 2–3 years.
Council discussed the current handling of short-term rentals via Code Enforcement,
with no complaints received to date. Council opinions varied: some supported
minimal regulation or a letter of support from the City welcoming short-term rentals,
others favored waiting for the regional study, while some voiced concern over hotel
impacts and tax revenue.
Mayor Serrano recommended light staff research on nuisance concerns rather than
waiting years.
Council directed staff to prepare a memo with recommendations, legal analysis,
and a risk/reward assessment.
Thomas Granbois, Pasco resident, supported short-term rentals but urged caution
due to potential nuisances and community resistance, citing past concerns.
There were no further public comments on this item.
Application for Access Easement (Driveway) for 2005 West Lewis Street
(Parcel No. 119 481 026)
Mr. Raymond explained that West Lewis Street was designated a limited access
road by Ordinance 1304 in 1968, with amendments in 1976. Property owners along
this route don't have automatic access, and Council must consider traffic safety,
circulation, and alternative access options. The options are:(1) Deny, (2) Approve
with conditions, or (3) Approve as submitted.
Mr. Perales supported approval, highlighting the need for better commercial
access. Mayor Serrano raised concerns about the lack of a turnout lane and
whether extending the easement could help. Mr. Zabell clarified that a safety
analysis would follow if approved.
Mr. Harpster agreed with approval and suggested working out the details later. Mr.
Perales emphasized the importance of economic development and recommended
approval with further details addressed.
Mr. Ferguson clarified that the current action is the first step in the process before
any safety analysis.
Council agreed to move forward with granting the access easement, with traffic
safety analysis to follow.
Mr. Knutzen explained that they were unaware of the 1968 ordinance when initially
submitting the request. After staff feedback, they formally requested an easement
and proposed updating the outdated code, submitting plans for Council review and
for the Clerk's records.
There were no additional public comments on this item.
Introduction to Revenue Requirement Analysis - Water and Sewer Utilities
Ms. Serra provided a brief report on the Revenue Requirement Analysis for Water
and Sewer Utilities. The City is reviewing water and sewer rates to make sure they
cover ongoing costs and future upgrades. This includes both monthly rates and
one-time connection fees for new users.
The latest rates from the last rate study went into effect in 2021 with a planned
increase throughout the following six years. However, during last year’s Capital
Improvement Plan (CIP) budgeting process, it was noted that utility needs had
grown and that costs to operate utilities had increased significantly. This makes it
an appropriate time to revisit and re-evaluate the cost of service.
Staff is analyzing what it takes to keep the systems running and growing. Results
and options will come to Council in May, with community outreach to follow, with a
final decision expected in July.
There were no public comments on this item.
2025-2030 Six-Year Transportation Improvement Program Revision
Staff is proposing a few updates to the City’s 2025–2030 Transportation
Improvement Program, originally approved last year. These changes help align with
transportation impact fee requirements and improve project tracking.
Three updates are proposed:
1. Burns Road Extension – Split into two projects (the road and the intersection)
for better clarity and grant funding opportunities.
2. Harris Road Realignment – Adjust the eastern end to improve traffic flow
and safety near Broadmoor Blvd and I-182.
3. Court Street & Road 100 Intersection – Add a signal or roundabout to
improve safety and traffic as growth continues.
The changes don’t affect total project costs. A public hearing is scheduled for May
5, 2025 with potential Council approval after that.
Mayor Serrano asked if splitting the Burns Road project would help with grant
funding. Ms. Serra confirmed that dividing it makes the intersection project more
attractive for grants, as it has verifiable traffic data, while the full corridor is harder
to fund. Mayor Serrano appreciated the approach, especially if it helps secure
funding.
There were no public comments on this item.
Resolution - West Pasco Water Treatment Plant Phases 3 & 4 Professional
Services Agreement Acceptance
Ms. Serra provided a brief report on the West Pasco Water Treatment Plant
(WPWTP) Phases 3 & 4 Professional Services Agreement Acceptance with RH2
Engineering to provide design, permitting, and bid support for the next phases
(three and four) of improvements at the West Pasco Water Treatment Plant.
These improvements aim to expand the facility's capacity to 18 million gallons per
day, up from its current 12 million. The project, funded through a low-interest loan
from the Department of Health, includes treatment upgrades, pumping capacity
increases, and power reliability improvements.
The total cost of the professional services agreement is not to exceed $749,753, in
line with typical design costs for such facilities. The overall project is estimated at
$14 million.
In response to a question from Mr. Harpster, Ms. Serra explained that for
professional services like engineering, the most qualified firm is chosen, rather than
the lowest bidder. For construction, the lowest bidder is selected, but qualifications
may be considered in some cases. Negotiations on the scope and fee follow the
selection of the most qualified firm, and if necessary, a second choice may be
considered.
There were no public comments on this item.
Request for Zoning Code Text Amendment & Draft Ordinance Amending Title
25 Zoning
Mr. Raymond provide a brief report on a request for zoning code text amendment
and a draft ordinance amending Title 25 Zoning of the Pasco Municipal Code (PMC)
to address commercial drive-thru uses, aiming to mitigate potential issues like
noise, traffic, pedestrian safety, and compatibility with surrounding properties. The
ordinance was previously discussed in 2021 but not acted upon.
Council members expressed support for the proposed amendment. Mayor Serrano
emphasized the importance of flexibility, and Mr. Raymond cautioned that too much
flexibility could lead to legal challenges. Mr. Perales suggested allowing drive-thrus
in C-2 zoning, and staff agreed to bring back the ordinance with this change.
Ms. Barajas questioned the impact on the Downtown Master Plan, and Mr.
Raymond clarified the current code's focus on limiting vehicle-centric businesses
downtown. Ms. Barajas suggested keeping the ordinance as originally presented,
but there was consensus to allow drive-thrus in C-2 zones under specific conditions.
Council agreed to move forward with the ordinance, incorporating the change for
C-2 zones, to be presented for approval at the next meeting.
Mr. Wilson, Pasco resident, raised concerns about public safety and transportation
issues, particularly regarding drive-thru impacts.
Mr. Granbois, Pasco resident and downtown property owner, supported allowing
drive-thrus in the area, highlighting vacant properties that could benefit from this
change, such as an old bank
with a drive-thru lane.
There were no further public comments on this item.
Transportation Impact Fee Study - Fehr & Peers
Ms. Sigdel introduced Kendra Breiland and Jessica Bracken, who presented
proposed updates to Pasco’s outdated Transportation Impact Fee (TIF) program,
aiming for adoption by June 2025. Two District Programs were presented: a simpler
Two-District Program and a more tailored Five-District Program, each with different
fee amounts proposed.
Mr. Grimm and Mr. Harpster supported the Five District Program, while Mayor
Serrano preferred the simpler Two District Program due to concerns about
manageability and justifiable calculations. Both models were based on thorough
analysis. Council agreed to revisit the issue later and considered gathering
community feedback.
Mr. Harpster suggested returning the item next week without additional input, while
Mayor Serrano asked about public outreach. Ms. Sigdel clarified no outreach had
been scheduled yet and was not a statutory requirement. Mr. Perales
recommended emailing Councilmembers for feedback, with the item returning if no
significant comments were received.
Ms. Barajas supported public outreach. Mayor Serrano directed staff to send an
email about public outreach, with the item returning if no replies were received.
Mr. White, Pasco resident, opposed the Two District Program due to concerns
about community divisions.
No additional public comments were made on this item.
MISCELLANEOUS COUNCIL DISCUSSION
Mr. Zabell reminded the public about the Cinco de Mayo event this weekend and
suggested using the fifth Monday in June (June 30th) for a focused session on a single
issue. He also mentioned the upcoming End of Session Legislative Report from Gordon
Thomas Honeywell.
Mr. Grimm requested a discussion on sidewalk vendors, potentially as early as next
week, which was supported by Mr. Harpster and Mr. Perales, who noted the increasing
presence of sidewalk vendors.
Mayor Serrano agreed to add the topic to the next meeting, contingent on the item being
fully prepared.
Mr. Harpster welcomed Director Miller and congratulated Ms. Sigdel for her service as
Interim Community & Economic Development Director, commending the department
for maintaining progress during the interim period.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:35 PM.
PASSED and APPROVED on May 5, 2025.
APPROVED: ATTEST:
Pete Serrano, Mayor Krystle Shanks, Deputy City Clerk