HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025.07.21 Council Minutes
MINUTES
City Council Regular Meeting
7:00 PM - Monday, July 21, 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; 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 Debby Barham, City Clerk
The meeting was opened with the Pledge of Allegiance.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
Council adjourned into Executive Session at 7:03 PM for 10 minutes returning at
7:13 PM to evaluate the qualifications of an applicant for public employment per
RCW 42.30.110(1)(g) with the City Manager and City Attorney.
At 7:12 PM Mayor Serrano announced that the Executive Session would continue
for another 10 minutes or until 7:23 PM.
At 7:20 PM Mayor Serrano announced that the Executive Session would continue
for another 10 minutes or until 7:30 PM.
At 7:30 PM Mayor Serrano announced that the Executive Session would continue
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for another 5 minutes or until 7:35 PM.
Mayor Serrano called the meeting back to order at 7:35 PM.
CONSENT AGENDA
Approval of Meeting Minutes for July 7th July 13th and July 14th
To approve the minutes of the Pasco City Council Regular Meeting held on July 7,
2025, Special Meeting held on July 13, 2025, and Special Meeting & Regular
Workshop held on July 14, 2025.
Bills and Communications - Approving Claims in the Total Amount of
$5,573,220.55 and Write-off Totaling $754,338.31 (delinquent bad debt)
To approve claims in the total amount of $5,573,220.55 ($3,681,719.76 in Check
Nos. 272545 - 272760; $595,605.97 in Electronic Transfer Nos. 850434, 850529 -
850531, 850533 - 850538; $17,527.69 in Check Nos. 54991 - 55009;
$1,278,367.13 in Electronic Transfer Nos. 30228014 - 30228699).
To approve bad debt write-off for accounts receivable including Utility Billing,
Ambulance, Cemetery, General Accounts, and Miscellaneous Accounts in the
total amount of $754,338.31 and, of that amount, authorize $754,338.31 to be
turned over for collection.
Resolution No. 4622 - Loni & Luis Montes Lease Agreement Portion of
Parcel No. 112330255
To approve Resolution No. 4622, authorizing the City Manger to Execute a 3-year
lease agreement between Loni & Luis Montes and the City of Pasco, for open
land located behind 1900 West A Street, Pasco, WA.
Resolution No. 4623 - Awarding Bid No. 23506 for the A Street and 6th
Avenue Pedestrian Crossing Improvements Project to Ellison Earthworks,
LLC
To approve Resolution No. 4623, awarding Bid No. 23506 for A Street and 6th
Avenue Pedestrian Crossing Improvements Project to Ellison Earthworks, LLC. of
Richland, Washington.
Tri-City Regional Hotel/Motel Commission Reappointment of Monica
Hammerberg
To confirm the reappointment of Monica Hammerberg (Hampton Inn & Suites,
Pasco) to the Tri-City Regional Hotel/Motel Commission for a two-year term
commencing on September 1, 2025, and ending August 31, 2027.
MOTION: Mayor Pro Tem Milne moved, seconded by Councilmember Blasdel
to approve the Consent Agenda as read.
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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
Recognition of Hadley Bleazard for Community Service (Mayor Serrano)
Mayor Serrano read and then presented a letter of appreciation to Ms. Bleazard
for her positive impact in Pasco and throughout Washington State. She advocates
for education, literacy, and dyslexia awareness. She fundraised and donated over
1,000 dyslexia reading kits in classrooms, public libraries and various
organizations across the state. Ms. Bleazard also holds a 4.0 GPA and
exemplifies the values that Pasco holds dear.
RECESS
Mayor Serrano called a five-minute recess at 7:40 PM for photo opportunities with
Ms. Bleazard, Council and family members.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Laurie Thompson, Pasco resident, expressed concern regarding the discharge of
illegal fireworks.
Kristopher Dahir, the new Columbia Basin Veterans Center Executive Director,
introduced himself and stated that he would like to meet with each
Councilmember in the near future. He invited the City to an open house from 4:00
PM to 5:00 PM on September 18th to learn more about the Veterans Center.
Brian Ace, Boys & Girls Club of Benton & Franklin Counties Executive Director,
announced that the Pasco Boys & Girls Club Keystone Leadership group was
awarded the Keystone group of the year during the national Keystone
Conference.
Kirby Turley, Pasco resident, commented on noise problem within his
neighborhood and expressed concern about the continued noise pollution in
Pasco.
Amber Waid, Pasco resident, commented on mental health issues and negative
affects that the discharge of fireworks has on those individuals with mental health
issues.
Federico Valle, Pasco resident, expressed concern about the homeless within the
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community and sought help from the City.
Mary Mahoney, Pasco resident, commented on recent development, the Capital
Improvement Projects (CIP) budget, GMP Consultants contract, PPFD Executive
Director and the PPFD Aquatic Facility budget, homeless in Pasco, animal
control, and a past Local Improvement District (LID) project located in her
neighborhood.
REPORTS FROM COMMITTEES AND/OR OFFICERS
General Fund Monthly Report - May 2025
Ms. Sigdel provided a brief report on the May 2025 General Fund.
Mr. Perales made a few comments regarding the budget.
ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS NOT RELATING TO HEARINGS
Resolution No. 4624 - Interlocal Agreement with Franklin County for Solid
Waste Comprehensive Management Plan
Ms. Sigdel provided a brief report on the Franklin County Solid Waste
Comprehensive Management Plan Interlocal Agreement.
Mayor Serrano, who sits on the Franklin County Solid Waste Advisory Board,
provided additional information related to new legislation and possible rate
increases.
MOTION: Mayor Pro Tem Milne moved, seconded by Councilmember Blasdel
to approve Resolution No. 4624, authorizing the Interim City Manager to
execute the Interlocal Agreement with the Franklin County and the City of
Pasco for the Solid Waste Comprehensive Management Plan.
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. 4625 - Boys and Girls Clubs of Benton & Franklin Counties
Lease
Ms. Sigdel provided a brief report related to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Benton &
Franklin Counties and the Pasco site where renovations to the building are
underway. There is a need for the City to sign a Leasehold Deed of Trust and
Restrictive Covenant in order the the Boys & Girls Club to receive grant funding
and is required by the Washington State Department of Commerce.
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Mr. Ferguson provided additional information regarding the Leasehold Deed of
Trust and Restrictive Covenant.
MOTION: Mayor Pro Tem Milne moved, seconded by Councilmember Barajas
to approve Resolution No. 4625, authorizing the Interim City Manager to sign
and execute the Leasehold Deed of Trust and Restrictive Covenant for
Contract No. 24-96647-200.
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
Resolution No. 4626 - Approving the Employment Agreement for the
position of City Manager
Mr. Zabell recapped the work that was done for the search for a new City
Manager and provided a timeline of the events from the start to tonight's
appointment of a new City Manager.
Mr. Ferguson presented the employment agreement for the new City Manager to
Council. He handed City Clerk Barham a copy of the employment agreement to
attach to Resolution No. 4626.
Mayor Serrano commented on the competitive process and stated that Council is
looking forward to the new City Manager joining the City of Pasco.
Mr. Grimm expressed thanks to all of the candidates, as well as staff working
towards the appointment of the new City Manager.
MOTION: Mayor Pro Tem Milne moved, seconded by Councilmember Barajas
to approve Resolution No. 4626, approving the Employment Agreement for
Harold Stewart the position of City Manager.
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
Ms. Blasdel announced that the annual Boat Race weekend will start on Friday,
July 25, 2025.
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Mr. Perales sought Council's support to look into possible updates to the right-of-
way/vacation for roadway development.
Mayor Serrano suggested having staff look into the right-of-way/vacation for
roadway development after Mr. Stewart starts, later in October 2025.
Mr. Perales asked for better enforcement of fireworks control and the noise
pollution issues in Pasco.
Ms. Barajas encouraged the public to continue to express their support or
opposition to fireworks. She asked that Mr. Perales recuse himself related to
fireworks as he sells fireworks.
Mayor Serrano commented on the use of fireworks and was opposed to banning
fireworks.
Mr. Perales stated that he does not sell fireworks; he is a volunteer for the
Franklin County Republican Party's fireworks stand.
Mr. Grimm supported looking into the noise pollution issue after the new City
Manager arrives.
Mayor Pro Tem Milne commented on the use of fireworks and was opposed to
banning fireworks.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
Council adjourned into Executive Session at 8:46 PM for 10 minutes returning at
8:56 PM to discuss with legal counsel about current or potential litigation per
RCW 42.30.110(1)(i) with the City Manager, Deputy City Manager, CED Director,
City Attorney and outside Counsel (Ken Harper).
At 8:54 PM Mayor Serrano announced that the Executive Session would continue
for another six minutes or until 9:00 PM.
Mayor Serrano called the meeting back to order at 9:00 PM.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 9:00 PM.
PASSED and APPROVED on _______________________.
APPROVED: ATTEST:
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August 4, 2025
Pete Serrano, Mayor Debra Barham, City Clerk
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