HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025.08.18 Council Minutes
MINUTES
City Council Regular Meeting
7:00 PM - Monday, August 18, 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, Peter Harpster, and Leo Perales
Councilmembers attending remotely: Melissa Blasdel
Councilmembers absent: None
Staff present: Harold Stewart, 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; 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.
APPOINTMENT OF CITY MANAGER
Mr. Ferguson requested that City Council make a motion to appoint Mr. Stewart
as the City Manager prior to administering the Oath of Office.
MOTION: Councilmember Harpster moved, seconded by Councilmember
Perales to appoint Mr. Harold Stewart as the City Manager to the City of
Pasco.
RESULT: Motion carried unanimously. 6-0
AYES: Mayor Milne, Councilmember Barajas, Councilmember
Blasdel, Mayor Pro Tem Grimm, Councilmember
Harpster, and Councilmember Perales
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OATH OF OFFICE - CITY MANAGER - ADMINISTERED BY CITY CLERK
Ms. Barham administered the oath of office to City Manager Stewart.
ELECTION OF MAYOR
Mayor Pro Tem Milne read the instruction on the election of the Mayor and then
called for nominations for Mayor.
Councilmember Grimm nominated Mayor Pro Tem Milne for Mayor.
Following three calls the nominations were closed by Mayor Pro Tem Milne.
Roll Call Vote:
Councilmember Grimm - Milne
Councilmember Harpster - Milne
Councilmember Perales - Milne
Councilmember Barajas - Milne
Councilmember Blasdel - Milne
Councilmember Milne - Milne
Mr. Milne was elected Mayor effective August 18, 2025 through December 31,
2025.
ELECTION OF MAYOR PRO TEM
Mayor Milne called for nominations for Mayor Pro Tem.
Mr. Perales nominated Mr. Grimm, for Mayor Pro Tem.
Following three calls the nominations were closed by Mayor Milne.
Roll Call Vote:
Councilmember Harpster - Grimm
Councilmember Perales - Grimm
Councilmember Barajas - Grimm
Councilmember Blasdel - Grimm
Councilmember Grimm - Grimm
Councilmember Milne - Grimm
Mr. Grimm was elected Mayor Pro Tem effective August 18, 2024, through
December 31, 2025.
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RECESS
Mayor Milne called a five-minute recess to rearrange the Council seats and for an
opportunity to take photos.
CONSENT AGENDA
Approval of Meeting Minutes for August 4th and August 11th
To approve the minutes of the Pasco City Council Regular Meeting held on
August 4, 2025, and a Special Workshop and Regular Workshop held on August
11, 2025.
Bills and Communications - Approving Claims in the Total Amount of
$4,648,953.92
To approve claims in the total amount of $4,648,953.92 ($1,797,717.45 in Check
Nos. 273028 - 273280; $1,482,281.02 in Electronic Transfer Nos. 850703,
850715 - 850716, 850719 - 850720, 850790 - 850795, 850797 - 850798;
$21,136.03 in Check Nos. 55031 - 55054; $1,343,352.87 in Electronic Transfer
Nos. 30229387 - 30230081;$1,930.55 in Electronic Transfer Nos. 1027 - 1028
;$2,536.00 in Electronic Transfer Nos. 359 - 361).
Resolution No. 4637 Change Order No. 11 Process Water Reuse Facility
Phase 2 Construction Contract with Tapani and Resolution No. 4638 RH2
Engineering PSA Amendment 7
To approve Resolution No 4637, authorizing the City Manager to execute Change
Order No. 11 with Tapani, Inc. for the Process Water Reuse Facility Phase 2:
Winter Storage Improvements Project.
-and-
To approve Resolution No. 4638, authorizing the City Manager to execute
Amendment No. 7 for the Professional Services Agreement with RH2
Engineering, Inc. for the Process Water Reuse Facility (PWRF) Pretreatment
Improvement Phase 2: Winter Storage.
MOTION: Mayor Pro Tem Grimm moved, seconded by Councilmember
Perales to approve the Consent Agenda as read.
RESULT: Motion carried unanimously by Roll Call vote. 6-0
AYES: Mayor Milne, Councilmember Barajas, Councilmember
Blasdel, Mayor Pro Tem Grimm, Councilmember
Harpster, and Councilmember Perales
PUBLIC COMMENTS
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Steve Wilson, Pasco resident, expressed appreciation to City Council and
commented on the vacant Council Position.
Mary Mahoney, Pasco resident, commented on loss of bald eagles in her
neighborhood, a Local Improvement District (LID), Capital Improvement Projects
(CIP) Budget, a homeless shelter, a low cost neuter and spay clinic for dogs and
cats and other animal control topics.
Thomas Granbois, Pasco resident and Downtown Pasco business owner,
commented on downtown businesses and area. He encouraged Council to direct
individuals to City staff.
REPORTS FROM COMMITTEES AND/OR OFFICERS
Verbal Reports from Councilmembers
Mr. Harpster reported on his recent meeting with Executive Director Christopher
Dahir of the Pasco Veterans Center and suggested the Mr. Dahir come and
present at a future Council meeting.
Ms. Barajas reported on the grand opening and ribbon cutting event for the
National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) facility.
Mayor Pro Tem Grimm reported on the Ben Franklin Transit Board meeting, as
well as the grand opening of the new Sageview High School.
Mr. Perales reported on the NWNPC grand opening.
Mayor Milne reported on the grand openings of Affinity Senior Living facility and
Sageview High School.
Presentation - Mid-Columbia Library Annexation (10 minute presentation)
Ms. Sigdel introduced Kyle Cox, Mid-Columbia Libraries Executive Director, who
provided a brief history of the Mid-Columbia Libraries (MCL) and the services it
provides in Pasco. Then he discussed the process to annex the MCL into the City
of Pasco, which will be a different way to fund the MCL services within Pasco.
Mr. Harpster expressed appreciation for the services that MCL provides and
commented on the process for annexation of MCL.
Mr. Perales asked how much revenue an annexation generate for the MCL and
how would it affect the residents. Mr. Cox and Ms. Sigdel responded with
answers.
Mayor Milne expressed appreciation to the MCL and the services it provides.
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HEARINGS AND COUNCIL ACTION ON ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS
RELATING THERETO
Mr. Harpster recused himself from the Public Hearing and action related to the
easement vacation and left the Council Chambers at 7:52 PM.
Public Hearing & Ordinance No. 4782 - Big Sky Developers, LLC - Easement
Vacation (VAC2025-001) (5 minute staff presentation)
Ms. Miller provided a brief report on the proposed easement vacation with Big Sky
Developers, LLC.
Mayor Milne declared the Public Hearing open to consider the proposed
easement vacation.
Following three calls for comments, and there being none, Mayor Milne declared
the Public Hearing closed.
MOTION: Mayor Pro Tem Grimm moved, seconded by Councilmember
Perales to adopt Ordinance No. 4782, vacating the eastern three feet of the
easement established by Auditor's File Number 487139, originally granted by
the Northern Pacific Railway Company and, further, authorize publication by
summary only.
RESULT: Motion carried unanimously. 5-0
AYES: Mayor Milne, Councilmember Barajas, Councilmember
Blasdel, Mayor Pro Tem Grimm, and Councilmember
Perales
ABSTAIN: Councilmember Harpster
Mr. Harpster returned to Council Chambers at 7:56 PM.
ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS NOT RELATING TO HEARINGS
Resolution No. 4639 - Providing Notice of Termination Between Mid-
Columbia Libraries and City of Pasco
Mr. Zabell provided a brief history of the Interlocal Agreement (ILA) with the Mid-
Columbia Libraries (MCL) and an overview of the benefits to the City of Pasco
once the MCL annexes into the City of Pasco.
MOTION: Mayor Pro Tem Grimm moved, seconded by Councilmember
Barajas to approve Resolution No. 4639, authorizing the City Manager to serve
a notice of termination of the Interlocal Cooperation Agreement between the
City of Pasco and Mid-Columbia Libraries.
RESULT: Motion carried unanimously. 6-0
AYES: Mayor Milne, Councilmember Barajas, Councilmember
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Blasdel, Mayor Pro Tem Grimm, Councilmember
Harpster, and Councilmember Perales
Ordinance No. 4783 - Webster Court Rezone from R-S-20 to R-1
Ms. Miller provided a brief report on the proposed rezone.
Mayor Milne announced that the rezone was a quasi-judicial action and asked Mr.
Ferguson to explain the procedure for quasi-judicial items.
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.
Mayor Milne asked Mr. Ferguson on the process of determining an validity of the
rezone and the Comprehensive Plan.
MOTION: Mayor Pro Tem Grimm moved, seconded by Councilmember
Perales to adopt Ordinance No. 4783, amending the Zoning Classification of
certain real property located near the corner of W Argent Road and Road 84,
and, further, authorize publication by summary only.
RESULT: Motion carried unanimously. 5-1
AYES: Councilmember Barajas, Councilmember Blasdel, Mayor
Pro Tem Grimm, Councilmember Harpster, and
Councilmember Perales
NAYS: Mayor Milne
Ordinance No. 4784 - Carryover Funds for Capital Projects from 2023-2024
Biennium
Ms. Garcia reiterated the report provided to Council at their August 11, 2025,
Workshop and recommended Council approve the Ordinance for 2023.2024
Biennium Capital Projects funds to carryover into the 2025-2026 Budget.
MOTION: Mayor Pro Tem Grimm moved, seconded by Councilmember
Barajas to adopt Ordinance No. 4784, amending the 2025-2026 Biennial
Budget (Ordinance No. 4750) of the City of Pasco, Washington, by providing
supplement thereto; to provide for additional appropriation from the carryover
of the prior year budget to complete capital projects and, further, authorize
publication by summary only.
RESULT: Motion carried unanimously. 6-0
AYES: Mayor Milne, Councilmember Barajas, Councilmember
Blasdel, Mayor Pro Tem Grimm, Councilmember
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Harpster, and Councilmember Perales
Resolution No. 4640 - Enacting the City Council Speed Limit Setting Policy
Mr. Zabell provided a brief report on the proposed Speed Limit Setting Policy.
Mr. Perales recommended the frequency of review be changed to every 2 to 4
years. He asked about the 12-month rescission option. He asked about speed
reduction items.
Mr. Grimm commented on the Revised Code of Washington laws related to speed
limits within the City.
Mr. Harpster commented on the proposed Speed Limit Setting Policy.
Ms. Barajas concurred with Mr. Harpster's comments and recommended that
Council follow policy and the subject experts.
MOTION: Mayor Pro Tem Grimm moved, seconded by Councilmember
Perales to approve Resolution No. 4640, adopting and approving the City
Council Speed Limit Setting Policy.
RESULT: Motion carried unanimously. 6-0
AYES: Mayor Milne, Councilmember Barajas, Councilmember
Blasdel, Mayor Pro Tem Grimm, Councilmember
Harpster, and Councilmember Perales
Resolution No. 4641 - Adopting a Commitment Goal to Reduce Fatal and
Serious Injuries on City Roads by 50% by 2040
Ms. Serra provided a brief update to the proposed goal to reduce fatal and
serious injuries (FSI) on the City of Pasco's roads by 50% by 2040 or by 2035.
MOTION: Mayor Pro Tem Grimm moved, seconded by Councilmember
Perales
MOTION B: I move to approve Resolution No. 4641, adopting a commitment
goal to reduce fatal and serious injuries on City roads by 50% by 2035.
RESULT: Motion carried unanimously. 6-0
AYES: Mayor Milne, Councilmember Barajas, Councilmember
Blasdel, Mayor Pro Tem Grimm, Councilmember
Harpster, and Councilmember Perales
NEW BUSINESS
Council Appointment Process for Council Position No. 4, Voting District No.
4
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Ms. Pashon explained the process for appointing a Councilmember for the vacant
position in Council District No. 4. She asked for Council confirmation on starting
the process for seeking applicants for the position.
MISCELLANEOUS DISCUSSION
Mr. Stewart stated that it was a great first day with the City and he has been
impressed with the City and larger community.
Ms. Barajas announced the Orion High School ribbon cutting scheduled for
August 19th and encouraged the public to purchase Duck Race tickets.
Mr. Harpster welcomed City Manager Stewart.
Mayor Milne and Ms. Barajas expressed appreciation to Mr. Zabell for coming
back to the City as Interim City Manager.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:52 PM.
PASSED and APPROVED on _______________________.
APPROVED: ATTEST:
David Milne, Mayor Debra Barham, City Clerk
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September 2, 2025