HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025.06.02 Council Minutes
MINUTES
City Council Regular Meeting
7:00 PM - Monday, June 2, 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; Kevin Crowley, Fire Chief; Eric Ferguson, City Attorney; Haylie Miller,
Community & Economic Development Director; Jesse Rice, Parks & Recreation
Director; Matthew Decker, Police Lieutenant; Maria Serra, Public Works Director;
and Debby Barham, City Clerk
The meeting was opened with the Pledge of Allegiance.
CONSENT AGENDA
Approval of Meeting Minutes for May 19th and May 27th
To approve the minutes of the Pasco City Council Regular Meeting held on May
19, 2025, and Special Meeting & Regular Workshop held on May 27, 2025.
Bills and Communications - Approving Claims in the Total Amount of
$4,387,389.29
To approve claims in the total amount of $4,387,389.29 ($3,027,172.54 in Check
Nos. 271586 - 271858; $87,268.62 in Electronic Transfer Nos.849894 - 850045,
850064 - 850148; $16,731.26 in Check Nos. 54935 - 54944; $1,256,216.87 in
Electronic Transfer Nos. 30225414 - 30226050)
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Resolution No. 7605 - 2025-2029 Tri-Cities HOME Consortium Assessment
of Fair Housing
To approve Resolution No. 4605, approving the 2025-2029 Tri-Cities HOME
Consortium Assessment of Fair Housing
MOTION: Mayor Pro Tem Milne moved, seconded by Councilmember Blasdel
to approve the Consent Agenda as read.
RESULT: Motion carried unanimously by Roll Call vote. 7-0
AYES: Mayor Serrano, Mayor Pro Tem Milne, Councilmember
Barajas, Councilmember Blasdel, Councilmember
Grimm, Councilmember Harpster, and Councilmember
Perales
PROCLAMATIONS AND ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Marcel Brown, Pasco resident, expressed concern regarding a cell phone tower
that will be placed on his property and he does not want it. He requested a
(property) tax reduction for the cell tower placement.
Mrs. Brown, Marcel Brown's mother, also expressed concern about the affects of
placing a cell phone tower on her son's property.
Mary Mahoney, Pasco resident, commented on the following topics: animal
control, bald eagles, flood plains, harassment, and the Pasco Public Facilities
Executive Director.
Amber Waid, Pasco resident, commented that a long-time resident of the Sands
Mobile Park was moving soon and asked that anyone with free time assist with
this person's move.
Frankie Harley, expressed objection to the placement of the cell phone tower on
Mr. Brown's property.
REPORTS FROM COMMITTEES AND/OR OFFICERS
Verbal Reports from Councilmembers
Mr. Perales reported that he recently met with the Housing Authority of the City of
Pasco and Franklin County staff. He also met with Pro Made Homes staff
regarding blowing dust issues.
Ms. Blasdel reported on the recent Visit Tri-Cities Board meeting, the Pasco
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Police Department's District 2 Community meeting, and Pasco Farmers Market
Mayor Pro Tem Milne reported on a recent elementary school tour of City Hall and
the Police Station he hosted. He also commented on the Tri-City Recruit
Academy (firefighters) graduation on Friday,
Ms. Barajas also reported on the recent firefighter recruits graduation and that two
of the recruits will be joining the Pasco Fire Department.
Mr. Harpster reported on a recent Tri-Cities Regional Chamber of Commerce
lunch meeting and the Pasco Farmers Market
Mr. Grimm reported on a recent fundraising event for the Benton & Franklin Boys
& Girls Club, hosted by Ben Franklin Transit.
Mayor Serrano reported on the 2025 John Goldsbury award, from the Pasco-
Kennewick Rotary Club, was given to his friend Joshua Sullivan, a City of
Kennewick Police TAC Officer. He also reported on the recent National Parks
Advisory Committee meeting and provided B-Reactor Park updates. Lastly, he
attended the Dust Devils game where Amazon donated $40K to the Benton and
Franklin Boys & Girls Club.
HEARINGS AND COUNCIL ACTION ON ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS
RELATING THERETO
Public Meeting & Resolution No. 4606 - Accepting a Notice of Intent to
Commence Annex SG Land Management LLC and Horrigan Farms LLC 10%
Annexation Petition (5 minutes)
Ms. Miller provided a brief report on the petition to annex into the City of Pasco
and the next steps in the process. She stated that two options for action were
before Council and staff recommended the motion that included annexing in a
portion of the right-of-way of Burns Road.
Mayor Serrano opened the public meeting and called for the initiator to come and
speak on behalf of the petition to annex into the City of Pasco.
No one came forward to speak.
MOTION: Mayor Pro Tem Milne moved, seconded by Councilmember Blasdel
to approve Resolution No. 4606, accepting a notice of intent to commence
annexation proceedings for the SG Land Management LLC and Horrigan
Farms LLC Annexation providing a determination on the boundary to be
annexed, which includes a portion of the right-of-way of Burns Road, and
whether simultaneous zoning and assumption of bonded indebtedness will be
required.
RESULT: Motion carried unanimously. 7-0
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AYES: Mayor Serrano, Mayor Pro Tem Milne, Councilmember
Barajas, Councilmember Blasdel, Councilmember
Grimm, Councilmember Harpster, and Councilmember
Perales
ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS NOT RELATING TO HEARINGS
Ordinance No. 4768 - Sawyer R-S-1 to R-1 Zone Change (Z2025-002)
Ms. Miller provided a brief report on the proposed Sawyer rezone request.
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
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 Blasdel
to adopt Ordinance No. 4768, amending the zoning classification of certain real
property located on the east side of Road 40, near the intersection of Road 40
and W. Pearl Street, Pasco, Washington and, further, authorize publication by
summary only.
RESULT: Motion carried unanimously. 7-0
AYES: Mayor Serrano, Mayor Pro Tem Milne, Councilmember
Barajas, Councilmember Blasdel, Councilmember
Grimm, Councilmember Harpster, and Councilmember
Perales
Ordinance No. 4769 - Stutesman R-S-12 to R-1 Zone Change (Z2025-003)
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
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.
Ms. Miller provided a brief report on the proposed Stutesman rezone request.
MOTION: Mayor Pro Tem Milne moved, seconded by Councilmember Blasdel
to adopt Ordinance No. 4769, amending the zoning classification of certain real
property located in the corner of W. Sylvester Street and Road 34 and, further,
authorize publication by summary only.
RESULT: Motion carried unanimously. 4-3
AYES: Mayor Serrano, Councilmember Barajas, Councilmember
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Blasdel, and Councilmember Harpster
NAYS: Mayor Pro Tem Milne, Councilmember Grimm, and
Councilmember Perales
Ordinance No. 4770, Amending Sections of the Pasco Municipal Code
Regarding Work Exempt from Permit
Ms. Miller provided a brief overview of the proposed amendments to sections of
the PMC to exempt permits for certain work done on an owner's property.
Mr. Grimm and Mayor Serrano expressed appreciation to staff for working on this
issue.
MOTION: Mayor Pro Tem Milne moved, seconded by Councilmember Grimm
to adopt Ordinance No. 4770, amending Pasco Municipal Code sections
16.05.050, 12.040.100, 12.04.120, 19.10.070 AND 25.180.050 regarding work
exempt from permit and, further, authorize publication by summary only.
RESULT: Motion carried unanimously. 7-0
AYES: Mayor Serrano, Mayor Pro Tem Milne, Councilmember
Barajas, Councilmember Blasdel, Councilmember
Grimm, Councilmember Harpster, and Councilmember
Perales
Resolution No. 4607 - Interagency Agreement with Washington Traffic
Safety Commission to Conduct Dedicated DUI Enforcement Patrols and
Ordinance No. 4771 - Amending the 2025-2026 Operating Budget Allocating
Funding for Increased Overtime to Conduct Dedicated DUI Enforcement
Patrols
Police Lt. Decker provided a overview of the proposed grant from Washington
Traffic Safety Commission.
Council, Lt. Decker and Ms. Sigdel briefly discussed the grant requirements.
MOTION: Mayor Pro Tem Milne moved, seconded by Councilmember Blasdel
to approve Resolution No. 4607, authorizing the Interim City Manager to
execute the Interagency Agreement with the Washington Traffic Safety
Commission and the Pasco Police Department for grant funding to support DUI
overtime.
RESULT: Motion carried unanimously. 7-0
AYES: Mayor Serrano, Mayor Pro Tem Milne, Councilmember
Barajas, Councilmember Blasdel, Councilmember
Grimm, Councilmember Harpster, and Councilmember
Perales
MOTION: Mayor Pro Tem Milne moved, seconded by Councilmember Barajas
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to adopt Ordinance No. 4771, amending the 2025-2026 Biennial Operating
Budget (Ordinance No. 4749) by providing supplement thereto; to provide
additional appropriation in the City's General Fund, allocating funding for
increased overtime for the Police Department to conduct dedicated DUI
enforcement patrols and, further, authorize publication by summary only.
RESULT: Motion carried unanimously. 7-0
AYES: Mayor Serrano, Mayor Pro Tem Milne, Councilmember
Barajas, Councilmember Blasdel, Councilmember
Grimm, Councilmember Harpster, and Councilmember
Perales
NEW BUSINESS
Designating Voting Delegates & Alternate Delegate(s) for the Association of
Washington Cities (AWC) Annual Meeting Scheduled for June 26, 2025
Mr. Zabell stated that the AWC Annual Meeting will be held in Kennewick, WA
during its annual conference and there is a requirement for cities to designate its
voting delegates prior to the meeting.
MOTION: Mayor Pro Tem Milne moved, seconded by Councilmember Barajas
to approve Mr. Perales, Ms. Barajas, and Ms. Blasdel as the City of Pasco's
voting delegates at the June 26, 2025, Association of Washington Cities (AWC)
Annual Meeting, held at the Three Rivers Convention Center, Kennewick, WA.
RESULT: Motion carried unanimously. 7-0
AYES: Mayor Serrano, Mayor Pro Tem Milne, Councilmember
Barajas, Councilmember Blasdel, Councilmember
Grimm, Councilmember Harpster, and Councilmember
Perales
MOTION: Mayor Pro Tem Milne moved, seconded by Councilmember Blasdel
to appoint Mr. Zabell, Ms. Sigdel, or Ms. Miller as the designated substitute
delegates in the case that an approved delegate is unable to attend the AWC
Annual Meeting.
RESULT: Motion carried unanimously. 7-0
AYES: Mayor Serrano, Mayor Pro Tem Milne, Councilmember
Barajas, Councilmember Blasdel, Councilmember
Grimm, Councilmember Harpster, and Councilmember
Perales
MISCELLANEOUS DISCUSSION
Mr. Zabell announced that Basic Law Enforcement Academy (BLEA) graduation
is scheduled on June 17th at 10:00 AM at the HAPO Center.
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Mr. Perales commented on the reappointment to the Housing Authority. He also
requested additional information on the Verizon cell tower placement.
Mr. Zabell explained that the City has limited authority on the placement of cell
towers. He commented on the US Cellular Franchise agreement. He stated that
US Cellular is operating within the franchise agreement and federal regulations.
He plans on speaking with Mr. Brown and US Cellular staff.
Mr. Perales also asked Council to consider removing fluoride from the potable
water in the City's water system.
Council, Mr. Zabell and Mr. Ferguson discussed next steps related to the fluoride
in the City's water system.
Mr. Zabell provided a brief history on this topic and recommended that Council
hear from both sides of the fluoride issue before making any decisions.
Mr. Harpster stated that the Department of Health needs to be notified at least 90
days before voting on this issue.
At the end of the discussion, Council and staff concurred that staff will bring this
item forward by the first of July 2025.
Mr. Grimm and Ms. Barajas commented on Mr. Brown's concerns regarding a cell
tower on his property within a right-of-way easement.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:05 PM.
PASSED and APPROVED on _______________________.
APPROVED: ATTEST:
Pete Serrano, Mayor Debra Barham, City Clerk
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June 16, 2025