HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025.07.07 Council Minutes
MINUTES
City Council Regular Meeting
7:00 PM - Monday, July 7, 2025
Pasco City Hall, Council Chambers & Microsoft Teams Webinar
CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order at 7:00 PM by David Milne, Mayor Pro Tem.
ROLL CALL
Councilmembers present: David Milne, Blanche Barajas, Melissa Blasdel, Charles
Grimm, and Leo Perales
Councilmembers attending remotely: None
Councilmembers absent: Pete Serrano and Peter Harpster
Staff present: Dave Zabell, Interim City Manager; Richa Sigdel, Deputy City
Manager; Angela Pashon, Assistant City Manager; Kevin Crowley, Fire Chief; Eric
Ferguson, City Attorney; Haylie Miller, 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.
CONSENT AGENDA
Approval of Meeting Minutes for June 9th, 16th, 23rd and June 30th
To approve the minutes of the Pasco City Council Regular Workshop held on
June 9, 2025; Regular Meeting held on June 16, 2025; Special Meeting and
Regular Workshop held on June 23, 2025; and Special Meeting and Special
Workshop held on June 30, 2025.
Bills and Communications - Approving Claims in the Total Amount of
$8,419,368.36
To approve claims in the total amount of $8,419,368.36 ($4,495,211.76 in Check
Nos. 272121 - 272544; $1,368,924.65 in Electronic Transfer Nos. 850178 -
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850247, 850261, 850270 - 850427; $25,128.92 in Check Nos. 54957 - 54990;
$2,530,100.53 in Electronic Transfer Nos. 30226676 - 30228013;$2.50 in
Electronic Transfer No. 1023).
Resolution No. 4620 - Acceptance of Work for MLB Required Improvements
at GESA Stadium - Dugout Bench Additions (Phase 1-B)
To approve Resolution No. 4620, accepting work performed by CMR General
Contractor LLC, under contract for Minor League Baseball Required
Improvements at GESA Stadium Dugout Bench Additions (Phase 1-B) Project.
Code Enforcement Board Reappointments of Dwayne Speer and Daniel
Gottschalk
To confirm Mayor Serrano's reappointments of Dwayne Speer and Daniel
Gottschalk to Positions Nos. 1 & 2 respectively, through January 1, 2029, on the
Code Enforcement Board.
HAPO Center Advisory Board Reappointment of Jennifer Kuklinski
To confirm Mayor Serrano's reappointment of Jennifer Kuklinski to the HAPO
Center Advisory Board with a term through July 15, 2028.
Historic Preservation Commission Appointment of Jay Hendler and
Reappointment of Devi Tate
To confirm Mayor Serrano's appointment of Jay Hendler to Position No. 4, from
July 7, 2025 to August 1, 2027, and reappointment of Devi Tate to Position No. 5,
with term expiring on August 1, 2028, on the Historic Preservation Commission.
Housing Authority of the City of Pasco & Franklin County Board of
Commissioners Reappointment of Paul Cook
To reappoint Paul Cook to the Housing Authority Board of Commissioners under
Position No. 4 through January 28, 2030.
Parks & Recreation Advisory Board Reappointments of John Morgan and
Mark Middleton
To confirm Mayor Serrano's reappointments of John Morgan and Mark Middleton
to Position No. 4 and Position No. 6 respectively through February 2, 2028.
Pasco Public Facilities District Board Reappointment of Spencer Jilek
To confirm the reappointment of Spencer Jilek to Position No. 3 on the Pasco
Public Facilities District Board with the term expiring on July 14, 2029.
Planning Commission Appointments of Rob Waites & Austin Crawford and
Reappointment of Dana Crutchfield
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To confirm Mayor Serrano's appointments of Rob Waites to Position No. 5, with
the term expiring February 2, 2031, and Austin Crawford to Position No. 2, with
the term expiring on February 2, 2028, and, reappointment of Dana Crutchfield to
Position No. 6, with the term expiring on February 2, 2031, on the Planning
Commission.
MOTION: Councilmember Perales moved, seconded by Councilmember
Blasdel to approve the Consent Agenda as read.
RESULT: Motion carried unanimously by Roll Call vote. 5-0
AYES: Mayor Pro Tem Milne, Councilmember Barajas,
Councilmember Blasdel, Councilmember Grimm, and
Councilmember Perales
ABSENT: Mayor Serrano and Councilmember Harpster
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Amber Waid, Pasco resident, read an excerpt from a story that related to ongoing
water pressure issues at Sands Mobile Home Park.
Mary Mahoney, Pasco resident, commented on the following topics: City development
and overcrowding, Capital Improvements Plan (CIP) funds, payments to Kerr Law
Group, GMP Consultants, Matt Watkins/Watkins Endeavor LLC, financial
transparency at the Pasco Aquatic Center, a low-barrier homeless shelter, and a low-
cost spay/neuter clinic. She also commented about floodplain violations and eagle
deaths, Local Improvement District (LID) design and costs, harassment and retaliation
on her and her property and legal and ethical concerns over Tri-Cities Animal Control,
Washington State University (WSU) contracts.
Laurie Thompson, Pasco resident, spoke on the illegal aerial fireworks situation in
Pasco every 4th of July.
REPORTS FROM COMMITTEES AND/OR OFFICERS
Verbal Reports from Councilmembers
Ms. Blasdel reported on the Pasco Police Foundation fundraiser, the Grand Old
Fourth parade, the classic car show, and participating in a police ride-along. She
highlighted the strong community turnout, the success of the events, and praised
the Police and Fire Departments for their hard work amid a high volume of calls.
Mr. Perales reported on the parade and festivities, commending City staff for their
professionalism and noting the events' continued improvement.
Mayor Pro Tem Milne reported on the Car Show and thanked the staff member
who wrote his speech. He also commented on the Grand Old 4th of July Parade
and did a Police ride-along, noting numerous disturbances including intoxication,
reckless driving and illegal fireworks.
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HEARINGS AND COUNCIL ACTION ON ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS
RELATING THERETO
ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS NOT RELATING TO HEARINGS
*Q Ordinance No. 4779 - Diaz Rezone from C-1 to MU (Z2025-004)
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 Councilmembers, he
asked if any members of the public were seeking to disqualify a member of
Council from participating in the proceedings. No one cam forward.
Ms. Miller provided a brief report on the proposed Diaz rezone from C-1 to Mixed-
Use zoning and answered questions from Council.
MOTION: Councilmember Perales moved, seconded by Councilmember
Blasdel to adopt Ordinance No. 4779, amending the Zoning Classification of
certain real property located near the corner of West Sylvester Street and
North 20th Avenue in Pasco, Washington, from C-1, Retail Business to MU,
Mixed-Use, and, further, authorize publication by summary only.
RESULT: Motion carried 5-0
AYES: Mayor Pro Tem Milne, Councilmember Barajas,
Councilmember Blasdel, Councilmember Grimm, and
Councilmember Perales
ABSENT: Mayor Serrano and Councilmember Harpster
*Resolution No. 4621 - Setting Time and Date for a Public Hearing for an
Easement Vacation for Big Sky Developers, LLC
Ms. Miller provided a brief report on the proposed resolution setting the time and
date for a public hearing for an easement vacation.
MOTION: Councilmember Perales moved, seconded by Councilmember
Blasdel to approve Resolution No. 4621, setting 7:00 p.m., Monday August 18,
2025, as the time and date for a public hearing to consider the vacation of the
eastern three feet of the easement established by Auditor’s File Number (AFN)
487139, originally granted by the Northern Pacific Railway Company in Pasco,
Washington, and a waiver of the requirements for a title report, appraisal of
value and compensation.
RESULT: Motion carried 5-0
AYES: Mayor Pro Tem Milne, Councilmember Barajas,
Councilmember Blasdel, Councilmember Grimm, and
Councilmember Perales
ABSENT: Mayor Serrano and Councilmember Harpster
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UNFINISHED BUSINESS
City Manager Finalist Interview Process
Mr. Zabell provided a brief overview on the interview process for the City Manager
finalists, noting the following proposed actions:
Tour of the City with the finalists
Executive Meet and Greet with Council
Public Reception Meet and Greet
Panel Interviews
Council Executive Session to Discuss Candidate Qualifications
Council Action/Recommendation
Staff was seeking input from Council to finalize the interview panels, whether they
wanted Option A, two panels (Panel 1 - City Council and Panel 2 - Senior Staff) or
Option B, three panels (Panel 1 - City Council, Panel 2 - Directors and Panel 3 -
Stakeholder Group).
Council discussion ensued, with Councilmembers noting time constraints, which
Community Stakeholders would be included or left out, and whether the
Stakeholder Group would or would not provide added value to the interview
process.
MOTION: Councilmember Perales moved, seconded by Councilmember
Grimm to approve Option A for the City Manager finalist interview process.
RESULT: Motion carried by Roll Call vote 3-2
AYES: Mayor Pro Tem Milne, Councilmember Grimm, and
Councilmember Perales
NAYS: Councilmember Barajas and Councilmember Blasdel
ABSENT: Mayor Serrano and Councilmember Harpster
MISCELLANEOUS DISCUSSION
Mr. Perales asked for Council's consideration of reviewing the City’s right-of-way
vacation policy, which he believes would support infill development and increase the
property tax base. He requested that staff analyze the policy and provide the pros and
cons for future discussion. There was general agreement to revisit the topic when the
full Council is present.
Ms. Barajas asked staff to provide a comparison of fireworks-related data from the
years when the ban was in place versus the years without a ban.
Chief Roske gave a brief presentation on the Police Department’s Fourth of July
weekend operations, highlighting staffing levels, call locations, and types of calls. He
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answered questions from the Council.
Chief Crowley provided a brief presentation on the Fire Department’s Fourth of July
response, focusing on the Regional Incident Action Plan (IAP), coordination with the
Southeast Communications Center (SECOMM), staffing, and call types. He also
answered questions from the Council.
Ms. Barajas requested that both PowerPoint presentations be emailed to Council
members.
Mr. Grimm thanked Police and Fire personnel for their efforts and reassured the
public that both Council and staff take fireworks-related concerns seriously.
Ms. Blasdel shared her experience from a police ride-along, praising the
professionalism and calmness of the officers under pressure. She expressed
appreciation and emphasized the importance of providing mental health support for
first responders and their families.
Mayor Pro Tem Milne echoed Ms. Blasdel’s comments, reflecting on his own ride-
along experience and expressing gratitude to public safety staff.
Mr. Zabell noted that Parks & Recreation staff would provide a full report on the
Fourth of July festivities at the next Council meeting.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:11 PM.
PASSED and APPROVED on _______________________.
APPROVED: ATTEST:
Pete Serrano, Mayor Debra Barham, City Clerk
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July 21, 2025