HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025.09.22 Council Minutes
MINUTES
City Council Workshop Meeting
7:05 PM - Monday, September 22, 2025
Pasco City Hall, Council Chambers & Microsoft Teams Webinar
CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order at 7:05 PM by David Milne, Mayor.
ROLL CALL
Councilmembers present: Charles Grimm, David Milne, Blanche Barajas, Melissa
Blasdel, Joe Cotta, Peter Harpster, and Leo Perales
Councilmembers attending remotely: Melissa Blasdel and Leo Perales
Councilmembers absent: None
Staff present: Harold Stewart, City Manager; Richa Sigdel, Deputy City Manager;
Griselda Garcia, Interim Finance Director; Eric Ferguson, City Attorney; Haylie
Matson, Community & Economic Development Director; Sara Matzen, Human
Resources Director; Arman Rashid, IT Director; Ken Roske, Police Chief; Maria
Serra, Public Works Director; and Debby Barham, City Clerk
VERBAL REPORTS FROM COUNCILMEMBERS
Mayor Pro Tem Grimm reported on the Benton Franklin Council of Governments
meeting. He also commented on the memorial service for Charlie Kirk that he and
one of his children attended.
Ms. Barajas reported on Mid-Columbia Duck Race and the Ironman event held
the past weekend.
Mr. Harpster reported on Hanford Communities Governing Board and the
TRIDEC meetings. He also commented on the Ironman event in which he
participated in.
Mr. Cotta reported on his recent Councilmember orientation.
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ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION WITH OPPORTUNITY FOR PUBLIC COMMENT
Resolution - Pasco Facilities District Interlocal Agreement Amendment
Regarding Legal Counsel Services
Mr. Rice provided a brief report on the proposed request to amend the legal
services in the Interlocal agreement. Matt Watkins, Pasco Public Facilities District
(PPFD) Executive Director, provided the support of the PPFD Board for the
proposed amendments.
Mr. Ferguson read the amendments to the Interlocal Agreement, which will
ensure that there is no adverse conflicts between the PPFD and the City by using
different legal counsel services.
Ms. Barajas asked for clarification, which Mr. Watkins answered.
Mayor Milne called for public comments three (3) times and no one came forward
to speak.
Pasco Public Facilities District - Aquatics Facility Construction Update and
Management and Operations Request
Mr. Watkins provided a brief presentation on the status of the PPFD Aquatic
Facility construction project.
Mr. Rice provided a report on the proposed management of the Aquatic Facility by
the City of Pasco when it opens. The PPFD Board decided that the City of Pasco
would be the best entity to provide the on-going operation and management
services for that facility. He shared how the shared costs for staff, equipment and
supplies will be beneficial for both organizations. He asked for Council
concurrence. If agreed, then another interlocal agreement between the City of
Pasco and the PPFD will need to be approved at a future meeting.
Council, Mr. Rice, Ms. Sigdel, Mr. Ferguson, and Mr. Watkins continued to
discuss different aspects of the City partnering with the PPFD to run the Aquatic
Facility.
Mayor Milne called for public comments three (3) times and no one came forward
to speak.
Resolution - Office Space Lease at Post Office Building
Mr. Rice provided a brief report on the proposed lease with the Latin Business
Association (LBA) of Tri-Cities at the downtown Post Office building.
Council, Mr. Rice, and Mr. Ferguson discussed the specifics in the proposed
lease.
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Mayor Milne called for public comments three (3) times and no one came forward
to speak.
Resolution - City Retirement Plans
Ms. Matzen provided a brief report on the proposed updates to the City's
retirement plans.
Mayor Milne called for public comments three (3) times and no one came forward
to speak.
Consideration of Deferral of Water Rights Rate Study
Ms. Sigdel provided a brief overview of deferring the water rights rate study
scheduled this year and conduct the next study within the next one to two years.
Council discussed when the next study should be conducted and favored possibly
completing the study in a year from now.
Mayor Milne called for public comments three (3) times and no one came forward
to speak.
Resolution - 2026 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program
Allocation and Annual Work Plan
Ms. Matson provided a brief report on the proposed 2026 allocation and workplan
for the CDBG program.
Council, Ms. Matson, and Block Grant Administrator Webb discussed the funding
and possible reduction of funding from the federal government and how that
would affect the allocations and the work plan.
Mayor Milne called for public comments three (3) times and no one came forward
to speak.
Resolution - 2026 HOME Investment Program Allocation and Work Plan
Ms. Matson provided a brief report on the allocation and work plan for the 2026
HOME Investment Program.
Council, Ms. Matson, and Ms. Webb discussed the eligibility requirements for the
program.
Mayor Milne called for public comments three (3) times and no one came forward
to speak.
Resolution & Ordinance - Section 108 HUD Loan Refinance & Budget
Adjustment
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Ms. Garcia provided a brief report on the Section 108 Housing and Urban
Development Loan refinance and subsequent budget amendment to 2025-2026
Biennial Budget.
Mayor Milne called for public comments three (3) times and no one came forward
to speak.
Resolution and Ordinance - Officer Wellness Program (WSCJTC Grant) and
Amending 2025–2026 Operating Budget
Police Captain Harpster provided a brief report on the Washington State Criminal
Justice Training Commission (WSCJTC) grant and subsequent budget
amendment to 2025-2026 Biennial Budget.
Mayor Milne called for public comments three (3) times and no one came forward
to speak.
Resolution - Awarding Bid No. 23467 for Schlagel Park Stormwater Main
Replacement to Big D's Construction of Tri-Cities
Ms. Serra provided a brief report on the proposed bid award for the stormwater
Main replacement project.
Mayor Milne called for public comments three (3) times and no one came forward
to speak.
Ordinance & Resolution - Amending PMC Sections to Modify Start Dates of
Certain City Boards and Commissions & Updating Recruitment Process for
City Boards and Commissions
Ms. Barham provided a brief report on the proposed updates to the City's Boards
and Commissions recruitment process and term dates modifications.
Council and Ms. Barham briefly discussed the proposed modifications to the
recruitment and term date changes.
Mayor Milne called for public comments three (3) times and no one came forward
to speak.
MISCELLANEOUS COUNCIL DISCUSSION
Mr. Rice briefed Council on the recent Fiery Foods Festival. He also announced
the Felines and Firefighters pet adoption event scheduled for Saturday,
September 27th.
Mr. Harpster commented that Ironman event is not in Pasco.
ADJOURNMENT
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There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:44 PM.
PASSED and APPROVED on _______________________.
APPROVED: ATTEST:
David Milne, Mayor Debra Barham, City Clerk
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October 6, 2025