HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025.11.03 Council Minutes
MINUTES
City Council Regular Meeting
7:00 PM - Monday, November 3, 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, and Leo Perales
Councilmembers attending remotely: Joe Cotta
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; Arman Rashid, IT Director; Ken Roske, Police Chief;
Maria Serra, Public Works Director; Jesse Rice, Parks & Recreation Director; and
Krystle Shanks, Deputy City Clerk
The meeting was opened with the Pledge of Allegiance.
CONSENT AGENDA
Approval of Meeting Minutes for October 20th and October 27th
To approve the minutes of the Pasco City Council Regular Meeting held on
October 20, 2025, and Regular Workshop held on October 27, 2025.
Bills and Communications - Approving Claims in the Total Amount of
$7,261,245.95
To approve claims in the total amount of $7,261,245.95 ($2,931,217.52 in Check
Nos. 274497 - 274750; $3,094,351.71 in Electronic Transfer Nos. 851236 -
851469, 851475 - 851488; $22,479.86 in Check Nos. 55094 - 55096;
$1,213,196.86 in Electronic Transfer Nos. 30232772 - 30233416).
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Resolution No. 4670 – Sole Source Contract for Citywide Wide Area Network
(WAN) Services with Telco Wiring & Repair, Inc.
To approve Resolution No. 4670, waiving the competitive bidding requirements
and approving the purchase of Wide Area Network (WAN) services with Telco
Wiring and Repair Inc.
Resolution No. 4671 - Awarding Bid No. 25679 for Farm Well #4 Installation
To approve Resolution No. 4671 - Awarding bid No. 25679 for Farm Well #4
Installation project to Carpenter Drilling, LLC.
MOTION: Mayor Pro Tem Grimm moved, seconded by Councilmember
Blasdel to approve the Consent Agenda as read.
RESULT: Motion carried unanimously by Roll Call vote. 6-0
AYES: Mayor Milne, Mayor Pro Tem Grimm, Councilmember
Barajas, Councilmember Blasdel, Councilmember Cotta,
and Councilmember Perales
PROCLAMATIONS AND ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
National Animal Shelter Appreciation Week Proclamation
Mayor Milne read the proclamation for "National Animal Shelter Appreciation
Week" scheduled for November 2-8, 2025, and presented it to Ben Zigan, Animal
Shelter Manager, and Tri-Cities Animal Services Staff.
Ms. Barajas expressed appreciation to the Tri-Cities Animal Services staff.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Jamie Buckley, Benton County resident, endorsed Judge Craig Stillwell to remain
in the position of Pasco Municipal Court Judge.
Brian Ace, Benton County resident, thanked staff and Council for supporting the
Boys & Girls Club and discussed their facility on 18th Avenue that is a City-owned
building.
Robert Freeman, business owner, commented on his company's services,
products, and conversations he had with Mr. Perales regarding energy and water
and chemical reduction.
Mary Mahoney, Pasco resident, commented on the Tri-City Animal Control
services, the Capital Improvements Plan (CIP) Budget, the Pasco Public Facilities
District budget, the Pasco floodplain, and tax dollars.
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Amber Waid, Pasco resident, thanked individuals who help animals everyday and
discussed fostering of animals and the Tri-Cities Animal Shelter.
Linda, Pasco resident, had questions related to a handout she was given from a
Pasco Police Officer.
REPORTS FROM COMMITTEES AND/OR OFFICERS
Verbal Reports from Councilmembers
Mr. Perales reported on the recent Pasco Bulldogs football game.
Mayor Milne reported on the recent Spooky Hall event noting that it was well-
attended.
Mr. Cotta reported on a Harvest Party held at Calvary Chapel Tri-Cities.
Third Quarter Financial Report (July 2025 - September 2025)
Ms. Garcia provided a brief summary of the 2025 Third Quarter Financial Report
and answered questions from Council.
ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS NOT RELATING TO HEARINGS
Resolution No. 4672 - Washington State Department of Health Drinking
Water Loan for Butterfield Application Authorization
Ms. Serra provided a brief report on the application for a drinking water loan from
the Washington State Department of Health (WSDOH) for the Butterfield Water
Treatment facility and answered questions from Council.
MOTION: Mayor Pro Tem Grimm moved, seconded by Councilmember
Blasdel to approve Resolution No. 4672, authorizing the submittal of a Drinking
Water State Revolving Fund Construction Loan Application for Butterfield
Water Treatment Plant Improvements Project.
RESULT: Motion carried 6-0
AYES: Mayor Milne, Mayor Pro Tem Grimm, Councilmember
Barajas, Councilmember Blasdel, Councilmember Cotta,
and Councilmember Perales
Resolution No. 4673 - 2026 Legislative Priorities
Ms. Sigdel provided a brief overview of the proposed City of Pasco's 2026
legislative priorities.
Council expressed appreciation and were in agreement with the proposed
priorities.
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MOTION: Mayor Pro Tem Grimm moved, seconded by Councilmember
Blasdel to approve Resolution No. 4673, declaring the City of Pasco 2026
Legislative Priorities.
RESULT: Motion carried 6-0
AYES: Mayor Milne, Mayor Pro Tem Grimm, Councilmember
Barajas, Councilmember Blasdel, Councilmember Cotta,
and Councilmember Perales
Resolution No. 4674 - Boys and Girls Clubs of Benton & Franklin Counties
Lease
Ms. Sigdel explained that the Boys & Girls Clubs of Benton and Franklin Counties
received additional funding to update the city-owned building and it requires
another Leasehold Deed of Trust and Restrictive Covenant.
MOTION: Mayor Pro Tem Grimm moved, seconded by Councilmember
Barajas to approve Resolution No. 4674, authorizing the City Manager to sign
and execute the Leasehold Deed of Trust and Restrictive Covenant for
Contract No. 26-96645-003.
RESULT: Motion carried 6-0
AYES: Mayor Milne, Mayor Pro Tem Grimm, Councilmember
Barajas, Councilmember Blasdel, Councilmember Cotta,
and Councilmember Perales
NEW BUSINESS
Presentation: Street Lighting Standards Update
Ms. Serra provided a brief report related to street lighting standards and answered
Council questions on proposed updates to the City's street lighting standards. She
stated that staff recommends incorporating the streetlight spacing and luminaire
wattage standards identified in the current lighting study into the City’s Design and
Construction Standards.
The study emphasized the importance of safety and lighting adequacy for
pedestrians, with adjustments proposed to make the standards more flexible and
less burdensome for developers. The City is now considering whether to
implement these updated standards for new projects and phases or continue with
older standards for ongoing developments.
The Council discussed the need for predictability and consistency in the
application of lighting standards, especially for developers working on phased
projects. It was suggested that the new standards be applied only to new projects,
not phases of already approved developments. Concerns were expressed about
the costs and complexities of redesigning existing plans, while others emphasized
the importance of improving street lighting for safety, particularly in darker areas.
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The Council recommended further exploration of time frames and clear definitions
of project phases to ensure fairness and transparency for developers.
2026 Fourth of July, Celebrating the 250th Anniversary of America, Options
- Presentation
Mr. Rice provided a list of options to enhance the City's 2026 Fourth of July
events in celebration of America's 250th anniversary of its independence. He
reviewed the City’s existing weeklong celebration, which includes parades, races,
concerts, and fireworks. He suggested possible additions such as a drone show,
special anniversary branding, an extended fireworks display, a headline band,
and community projects like a time capsule, tree planting, or building lighting
displays.
Councilmembers shared their thoughts and ideas:
support for the time capsule and red, white, and blue building lighting
agreement with celebrating the milestone holiday but emphasis on staying
within budget
suggested torch run from City Hall to Gesa Stadium to start the fireworks
show with local athletes
support for exploring the drone show, honoring local veterans, and
revisiting the Cable Bridge lighting project
additional ideas included displaying flags along major streets and
participating in national “Light to Unite” efforts
Further discussion at another meeting will follow once staff provides detailed cost
and feasibility information.
Mr. Rice noted the bridge lighting study group has struggled to find a qualified
consultant but it remains their goal.
The Council agreed the City should celebrate while being mindful of costs.
Mr. Rice stated that staff would gather cost estimates and availability for the
proposed activities and return to Council with options.
MISCELLANEOUS DISCUSSION
During the miscellaneous discussion portion of the meeting, Mayor Milne opened
the floor for a late public comment from Octavio Rodriguez, Pasco developer, who
addressed the Council about a construction permit dispute, stating his application
was submitted before new city code changes were in place; however, was still
charged under the updated code and it greatly increased his impact fees.
The Council advised him to continue working with staff and the City Manager for
resolution and to share details with Council by email.
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Mr. Stewart reported that the fluoride public feedback report is available for review
and will be discussed at the next regular meeting. He announced that the the
vacant City Council seat was posted earlier in the day. The next steps will include
Council reviewing the applications packets on December 1, 2025, and the
interviews are scheduled for December 8, 2025. He asked for Council direction
regarding the cancelation of the last Council meeting and workshop scheduled in
December 2026. Council consensus was to cancel their last meeting and
workshop in December.
Mr. Rice provided the following updates:
The installation of the Memorial Pool Dome is nearly complete.
The Wreaths Across America campaign is 20 percent toward its goal.
The Veterans Day Ceremony will be held at Volunteer Park at 3 p.m.
The state cross-country meet at Sun Willows Golf Course is expected to
bring 10,000 to 15,000 visitors to the area
Council then discussed traffic safety on Court Street, with the focus on addressing
speeding concerns.
Mr. Perales moved to add two additional radar feedback signs on Court Street.
Staff and Council discussion ensued regarding Court Street traffic concerns. Staff
stated that the six-month traffic study will end in January 2026 and recommended
that Council review the study before making adjustments. A majority of Council
agreed to wait for the study to maintain consistency with Council's original
direction on this topic.
The motion to add two additional radar feedback signs on Court Street did not
receive a second and therefore did not pass.
Mayor Pro Tem Grimm encouraged residents to vote in the upcoming election
and shared that his niece would be competing in the state cross-country meet.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:34 PM.
PASSED and APPROVED on _______________________.
APPROVED: ATTEST:
David Milne, Mayor Krystle Shanks, Deputy City Clerk
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Sunday, November 17, 2025
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