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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025.09.15 Council Minutes MINUTES City Council Regular Meeting 7:00 PM - Monday, September 15, 2025 Pasco City Hall, Council Chambers & Microsoft Teams Webinar CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order at 7:30 PM by David Milne, Mayor. ROLL CALL Councilmembers present: David Milne, Charles Grimm, Blanche Barajas, Melissa Blasdel, Joe Cotta, Peter Harpster, and Leo Perales Councilmembers attending remotely: None 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; Sara Matzen, Human Resources Director; Ken Roske, Police Chief; Maria Serra, Public Works Director; and Debby Barham, City Clerk CONSENT AGENDA Approval of Meeting Minutes for September 2nd and September 8th To approve the minutes of the Pasco City Council Regular Meeting held on September 2, 2025, and Special Meetings & Regular Workshop held on September 8, 2025. Bills and Communications - Approving Claims in the Total Amount of $6,714,030.52 and Write-off Totaling $280.00 (delinquent bad debt) To approve claims in the total amount of $6,714,030.52 ($2,279,702.68 in Check Nos. 273572 - 273807; $3,155,637.20 in Electronic Transfer Nos. 850967, 850979 - 850999; $16,252.86 in Check Nos. 55069 - 55083; $1,262,437.78 in Electronic Transfer Nos. 30230775 - 30231451). Page 1 of 6 To approve bad debt write-off for accounts receivable including Utility Billing, Ambulance, Cemetery, General Accounts, and Miscellaneous Accounts in the total amount of $280.00 and, of that amount, authorize $280.00 to be turned over for collection. Ordinance No. 4788 - Amending PMC Section 5.05.170 Exemptions Related to Business Licenses To adopt Ordinance No. 4788, amending the Pasco Municipal Code Section 5.05.170 Exemptions related to Business Licenses and Regulation. Resolution No. 4646 - Change Order No. 4 for Wastewater Treatment Plant Phase 2A Construction Contract with Apollo To approve Resolution No. 4646, authorizing the City Manager to execute Change Order No. 4 with Apollo, Inc. for the Wastewater Treatment Plant Phase 2A Plant Improvements Project. Resolution No. 4647 - Professional Services Agreement Amendment No. 2 with RH2 Engineering, Inc. for Design Services for the Process Water Reuse Facility Irrigation System Farm Upgrades Project To approve Resolution No. 4647, authorizing the City Manager to execute Amendment No. 2 for the professional services agreement with RH2 Engineering, Inc. for the design of the Process Water Reused Facility (PWRF) Improvement Phase 4: Irrigation System Farm Upgrades Project. MOTION: Mayor Pro Tem Grimm moved, seconded by Councilmember Barajas to approve the Consent Agenda as read. RESULT: Motion carried unanimously by Roll Call vote. 7-0 AYES: Mayor Milne, Mayor Pro Tem Grimm, Councilmember Barajas, Councilmember Blasdel, Councilmember Harpster, Councilmember Perales, and Councilmember Cotta PROCLAMATIONS AND ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Proclamation Honoring the Life of Charlie Kirk Mayor Milne read the proclamation honoring the life of Charlie Kirk. Mr. Harpster commented on the importance of having conversations with those that have different views and stances on topics and issues with respect to work towards common ground. Proclamation Declaring National Hispanic Heritage Month Mr. Perales read the proclamation declaring National Hispanic Heritage Month in Page 2 of 6 English. Before Ms. Barajas read the proclamation in Spanish, she stated that the 56% of the City of Pasco residents are Latino/Hispanic heritage. She announced the Mexican Independence Day on September 16th. Ms. Barajas also recognized the recent deaths of Senator Melissa Hortman and her husband; Iryna Zarutska, a Ukrainian refugee; Evergreen High School students victims of school shooting; Annunciation Catholic School victims of school shooting; and Demartravion “Trey” Reed, a 21 year old black student at Delta State University in Mississippi. Mayor Pro Tem Grimm stated that Franklin County was the first county to include a Hispanic majority in the Pacific Northwest. PUBLIC COMMENTS Michelle Andres, Pasco resident, congratulated new Councilmember Cotta. She commented on the recent deaths across the nation. Steve Wilson, Pasco resident, congratulated new Councilmember Cotta. He commented on the City of Pasco's form of government, City Manager/Council, the Franklin County Commissioners political stance and HAPO Center. Eileen Crawford, Pasco resident, congratulated new Councilmember Cotta. She commented on potential car tab fees and tax increases. Tim Eyman, commented on proposed tax increases with car tabs. Ana Ruiz Kennedy, Pasco resident and Franklin County Democratic Party representative, congratulated new Councilmember Cotta. She commented on the City's proclamation policy, the proclamation honoring Mr. Kirk and asked that Council recognize all political leaders that were assassinated. Jennifer Henley, commented on proclamation for Mr. Kirk and expressed concern about the deaths of other individuals not being honored. Andrea Luther, expressed concern about the proclamation of Mr. Kirk because other recent deaths were not honored. Steve Simmons, Pasco resident, commented on the proposed tax increases. Mary Mahoney, Pasco resident, commented on the cost of the Pasco Public Facilities District Aquatic facility, CIP, Homelessness and low cost animal spay and neuter services and LID in her neighborhood and the loss of bald eagles. Laurie Layne, Buckley, Washington resident, commented on proposed tax increases. Page 3 of 6 Malia Mapston, Pasco resident, commented on a proposed gas station with a convenience store and carwash across the street from her home. REPORTS FROM COMMITTEES AND/OR OFFICERS Verbal Reports from Councilmembers Ms. Blasdel reported on the recent Pasco Fiery Foods Festival. She commented on a recovery graduation event and the Collier Estates ribbon cutting event she recently attended. Mr. Harpster attended the TRIDEC's Donuts and Development event. He met with District Manager Kara Kaelber from Franklin Conservation District. Lastly, he commented on the Pasco Fiery Foods Festival and expressed appreciation to staff for hosting the event. Mayor Pro Tem Grimm reported on New Vintage Church ribbon-cutting event and Ben Franklin Transit Annual Meeting. He commented on the Pasco Fiery Foods Festival. Mayor Milne reported on the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board meeting. He also commented on the Pasco Fiery Foods Festival he attended ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS NOT RELATING TO HEARINGS Resolution No. 4649 - Setting a Public Hearing to Consider Fatbeam Franchise Extension Ms. Serra provided a brief report on the request to hold a public hearing for Fatbeam Franchise extension. MOTION: Mayor Pro Tem Grimm moved, seconded by Councilmember Blasdel to approve Resolution No. 4649, setting 7:00 PM, October 6, 2025, as the time and date for a public hearing to consider a Fiber Optic Franchise with Fatbeam LLC. RESULT: Motion carried unanimously. 7-0 AYES: Mayor Milne, Mayor Pro Tem Grimm, Councilmember Barajas, Councilmember Blasdel, Councilmember Cotta, Councilmember Harpster, and Councilmember Perales Resolution No. 4650 - Application for Access Easement (Driveway) for 2001 West Lewis Street (Parcel No. 119 481 026) Ms. Sigdel provided a brief report on the proposed access easement. MOTION: Mayor Pro Tem Grimm moved, seconded by Councilmember Perales to approve Resolution No. 4650, authorizing the Mayor to execute the Access Easement Deed for 2001 Lewis, LLC. Page 4 of 6 Council, Ms. Barajas and Mr. Ferguson continued discussion on the proposed Access Easement Deed. RESULT: Motion carried. 6-1 AYES: Mayor Milne, Mayor Pro Tem Grimm, Councilmember Blasdel, Councilmember Cotta, Councilmember Harpster, and Councilmember Perales NAYS: Councilmember Barajas NEW BUSINESS Lodging Tax Advisory Committee (LTAC) Recommendations for 2026 Ms. Pashon provided a brief report on the proposed 2026 allocations of the Lodging Tax funding. Council and Ms. Pashon continued discussion of the proposed allocations. MOTION: Mayor Pro Tem Grimm moved, seconded by Councilmember Blasdel to approve the Lodging Tax Advisory Committee recommendations for the 2026 funding allocations as presented. RESULT: Motion carried unanimously. 7-0 AYES: Mayor Milne, Mayor Pro Tem Grimm, Councilmember Barajas, Councilmember Blasdel, Councilmember Cotta, Councilmember Harpster, and Councilmember Perales Payment Processors Ms. Garcia explained the options for a payment processor for Utility Billing between Paymentus and Tyler Payments software companies. She also commented on a recommendation for a fair fee structure to include a fee for payments' processing. Council, Ms. Garcia, and Ms. Sigdel continued discussing the options, which included remaining with the current payment processor or changing to a new provider. MISCELLANEOUS DISCUSSION Mr. Stewart welcomed Mr. Cotta to City Council. He explained that the August 25th Council Workshop was a work session and no action was taken. He also clarified that the car tab tax fee can only start at $20 tab fee and not a $50 tab fee. He stated that the public has many opportunities to express there opinions on the car tab fee as the public hearing. Page 5 of 6 New Council member orientation materials, announced the next Pasco Police Department's Business Watch meeting and Neighborhood Watch meeting. Next Fluoridation public feedback session scheduled for Tuesday, September 17th. Mayor Pro Tem Grimm commented on the institution of public comments during the Council Workshops. Ms. Barajas commented on political and religious views; however, the City Council is voted in as non-partisan positions and City Council represents the entire City. She commented on the previous mass and individual shootings and deaths. She read the City's proclamation policy and Council did not follow their own policy. She asked that Mayor Milne provide proclamations for the other individuals that suffered and killed. Mr. Stewart asked Council if they were interested in presenting all future proclamations written in both English and Spanish. EXECUTIVE SESSION Council adjourned into Executive Session at 9:33 PM for 15 minutes returning at 9:48 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, City Attorney, Assistant City Manager, Human Resources Director, and Interim Finance Director. At 9:46 PM Mayor Milne announced that the Executive Session would continue for another 15 minutes or until 10:01 PM. Mayor Milne called the meeting back to order at 10:01 PM. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 10:01 PM. PASSED and APPROVED on _______________________. APPROVED: ATTEST: David Milne, Mayor Debra Barham, City Clerk Page 6 of 6 October 6, 2025