HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025.10.14 Council Minutes
MINUTES
City Council Workshop Meeting
7:00 PM - Tuesday, October 14, 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.
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;
Griselda Garcia, Interim Finance Director; Kevin Crowley, Fire Chief; Eric
Ferguson, City Attorney; Sara Matzen, Human Resources Director; Arman
Rashid, IT Director; Ken Roske, Police Chief; Maria Serra, Public Works Director;
and Debby Barham, City Clerk
The meeting was opened with the Pledge of Allegiance.
COLIMA-PASCO ASSOCIATION (COPA) STUDENT DELEGATION
Mayor Milne welcomed the student delegation from Colima, Mexico and asked
COPA member Steve McFadden to introduce the group.
Mr. McFadden stated the 15 person delegation included students and instructors
from the Universidad Pedagogica Nacional Colima, Mexico. The students are
studying early education. He also provided the week long itinerary of the
delegation, which focused on education and touring educational institutions
located in the Tri-Cities.
VERBAL REPORTS FROM COUNCILMEMBERS
Page 1 of 5
Mayor Pro Tem Grimm reported on the Ben Franklin Transit Board meeting, the
Tierra Vida Phase Three Housing development ribbon cutting event and the
grand re-opening of Perez Plants, a local nursery.
Ms. Blasdel reported on the recent COPA Board meeting where she was installed
as a Board Member and the recent COPA Student Delegation events held over
the weekend. She also commented on the Pasco Chamber of Commerce
Candidate Forum.
Mr. Perales reported on the Tierra Vida Phase Three housing development ribbon
cutting event and the Pasco Chamber of Commerce candidate forum.
ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION WITH OPPORTUNITY FOR PUBLIC COMMENT
Columbia Basin Veterans Center Presentation
Ms. Sigdel introduced Kristopher Dahir, Executive Director at Columbia Basin
Veterans Center.
Mr. Dahir expressed thanks to the Parks & Recreation staff for their work on
preparing for the upcoming Veterans Day event in Pasco. Then he explained the
services provided to veterans at the Pasco Center.
Council and Mr. Dahir continued discussing ways to help and connect with
veterans.
Mayor Milne called for public comments.
Amber Waid, Pasco resident, shared her experience working at the VA in Walla
Walla, WA and expressed support for veterans locally.
Introduction of Water & Sewer Bond Ordinance
Ms. Garcia provided a brief report on the proposed revenue refunding for the
Water & Sewer Bond.
Mr. Perales asked how the anticipated savings of $850K was determined.
Ms. Garcia and Mr. Stewart explained that a financial team reviews the market
and based on that determined the estimated cost savings. These savings will be
realized over the life of the bond.
Mayor Milne called for public comments three (3) times and no one came forward
to speak.
Resolution - Project Acceptance Highland Park Southside Landscape
Mr. Rice provided a brief report on the completion of the landscape project at
Page 2 of 5
Highland Park.
Ms. Blasdel, Mayor Milne and Mr. Perales expressed appreciation for the
improvements made to at Highland Park.
Mayor Milne called for public comments three (3) times and no one came forward
to speak.
Resolution - Project Acceptance for the Burden Boulevard Soccer Complex
Field Lighting
Mr. Rice provided a brief report on the completion of the field lighting project at
the Burden Boulevard Soccer complex.
Mayor Milne expressed appreciation for the new field lighting and how it provides
safety for the teams playing on the fields.
Mayor Milne called for public comments three (3) times and no one came forward
to speak.
Resolutions and Ordinance - Road 80 Park Acceptance of Grant;
Amendment of Capital Budget and Purchase Agreement
Mr. Rice provided a brief report on the grant acceptance for park improvements at
the new Road 80 Park. He explained that with the grant acceptance, Council will
also need to approve a budget amendment and a purchase agreement for park
equipment.
Mayor Milne called for public comments three (3) times and no one came forward
to speak.
Resolution - Supplement to Professional Services Agreement with Consor
North America, Inc. for Design Services for the Sylvester Street Overpass
Pedestrian/ Bicycle Access Project
Ms. Serra provided a brief report on the proposed supplement to the Professional
Services Agreement (PSA) for design services for the Sylvester Street overpass
and pedestrian/bicycle access project.
Mayor Pro Tem Grimm recalled an email he received from a student regarding
concerns walking across the overpass. He asked for clarification regarding the
proposed project.
Council and staff continued discussing the design and need for the improvements.
Mayor Milne called for public comments three (3) times and no one came forward
to speak.
Page 3 of 5
MISCELLANEOUS COUNCIL DISCUSSION
Mr. Stewart announced that the City's irrigation water will be shut off on
Wednesday, October 15th until next season.
Mr. Stewart provided additional information related to the proposed interfund loan
for the City's healthcare fund, which included a PowerPoint presentation.
Council and staff held a question and answer period regarding the City's
healthcare fund.
Mr. Stewart indicated that this item will be ready for Council action at the October
20th Council meeting.
Mr. Rice reported that he was notified that the fireworks cost for the next Fourth of
July event will be increasing by 20% and will be seeking Council's direction on
increasing the budget or downsizing the event. He also noted that it will be
America's 250th anniversary or the "United States Semiquincentennial" and many
state and federal organizations are planning on enhancing their Independence
Day celebrations.
Mr. Harpster asked if the City could seek sponsorships for the Fourth of July
celebration and Mr. Rice stated it was possible.
RECESS
Mayor Milne called a 6 minute recess at 8:34 PM.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
Council adjourned into Executive Session at 8:40 PM for 60 minutes returning at
9:40 PM to consider site selection or acquisition of real estate purchase or lease if
likelihood that disclosure would increase price per RCW 42.30.110(1)(b) and
discussion with legal counsel about legal risks of current or proposed action per
RCW 42.30.110(1)(i) with the City Manager, Deputy City Manager, City Attorney,
and Parks & Recreation Director.
At 9:40 PM Mayor Milne announced that the Executive Session would continue
for another 15 minutes or until 9:55 PM.
Mayor Milne called the meeting back to order at 9:55 PM.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 9:55 PM.
Page 4 of 5
PASSED and APPROVED on _______________________.
APPROVED: ATTEST:
David Milne, Mayor Debra Barham, City Clerk
Page 5 of 5
October 20, 2025