Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025.11.10 Council Minutes MINUTES City Council Workshop Meeting 7:00 PM - Monday, November 10, 2025 Pasco City Hall, Council Chambers & Microsoft Teams Webinar CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order at 7:00 PM by Charles Grimm, Mayor Pro Tem. ROLL CALL Councilmembers present: Charles Grimm, Blanche Barajas, Melissa Blasdel, Joe Cotta, and Leo Perales Councilmembers attending remotely: Blanche Barajas Councilmembers absent: David Milne Staff present: Harold Stewart, City Manager; Richa Sigdel, Deputy City Manager; Griselda Garcia, Interim Finance Director; Kevin Crowley, Fire Chief; Eric Ferguson, City Attorney; Jesse Rice, Parks & Recreation Director; Maria Serra, Public Works Director; and Debby Barham, City Clerk The meeting was opened with the Pledge of Allegiance. VERBAL REPORTS FROM COUNCILMEMBERS No reports given. ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION WITH OPPORTUNITY FOR PUBLIC COMMENT Ambulance Utility Rate Study Ms. Garcia introduced Fire Chief Crowley and Shivani Lai, Project Manager and Chase Bozett, Assistant Project Manager from FCS, a Bowman Company. Chief Crowley and Ms. Lai presented the Ambulance Utility Rate Study to Council along with assistance from Mr. Bozett. Page 1 of 4 Council and staff continued discussing the rate study and percentage for the cost recovery they will consider. Mayor Pro Tem Grimm called for public comments. Amber Waid, Pasco resident, stated that she is being charged ambulance fee from her landlord and how can she confirm that the fee is going to the City. Mayor Pro Tem Grimm asked Ms. Waid to work with staff on her inquiry. Adjustment of Utility Tax Rate For City Owned Utilities Ms. Sigdel provided a report on the adjustment of the utility tax rate for City- owned utilities. Council and staff continued discussing the critical services that the City provides and balancing those needs and the costs for providing those services. Mayor Pro Tem Grimm called for public comments. John Clayton, Pasco resident, asked for clarification on the utilities that will be increased and Mayor Pro Tem Grimm state that only the Water (domestic & irrigation) and Sewer Utilities will be adjusted. Adjustment to Utility Rate and Connection Fee - Water and Sewer Ms. Serra provided a review related to the recommended adjustment to the utility rates and connection fee for City water and sewer. She recapped the water and the sewer rate increase scenarios that were presented to Council at the October 6, 2025, Council meeting. Mayor Pro Tem Grimm called for public comments. Jon Padvorac, Land Development Consultant, distributed a handout to City Council and then discussed the handout. Council and staff continued discussing the proposed connection fees adjustments with Mr. Stewart noting that upgrading the meters to radio monitoring was not calculated within the current rate adjustments. Resolution - Awarding Bid No. 23465 for Process Water Reuse Facility Phase 4 Irrigation Systems - Farm Upgrades Project to Rotschy, Inc. of Pasco, Washington Ms. Serra provided a brief report on the proposed Process Water Reuse Facility (PWRF) pending bid award for the Irrigation Systems Phase 4 project. Page 2 of 4 Mayor Pro Tem Grimm called for public comments three (3) times and no one came forward to speak. Resolution - Sole Source Purchase of Three Valley Pivots for Design Services for the Process Water Reuse Facility Irrigation System Farm Upgrades Project Ms. Serra provided a brief report on the proposed purchase of pivots for the Process Water Reuse Facility (PWRF) Irrigation System Farm Upgrades project. Mayor Pro Tem Grimm called for public comments three (3) times and no one came forward to speak. Resolution - US Army Corps of Engineers Easement Sewer Main Upsizing Professional Services Agreement Acceptance Ms. Serra provided a brief report on the proposed agreement for the US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Easement Sewer Main Upsizing project. Mayor Pro Tem Grimm called for public comments three (3) times and no one came forward to speak. Resolution - Professional Services Agreement with Transpo Group USA Incorporated for the Sandifur Parkway and Road 76 Intersection and Pedestrian Safety Enhancements Project Ms. Serra provided a brief report on the proposed agreement for the Sandifur Parkway and Road 76 Intersection and Pedestrian Safety project. Mayor Pro Tem Grimm called for public comments three (3) times and no one came forward to speak. Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) 2026-2031 Ms. Garcia provided a brief update on part one of two parts for the proposed 2026-2031 Capital Improvement Plan, which included Transportation, Parks & Recreation and Buildings & Facilities projects. Mayor Pro Tem Grimm called for public comments three (3) times and no one came forward to speak. Letter of Support – City of West Richland’s Consideration of Aerial Fireworks Ban Mr. Stewart sought direction from Council if they would consider supporting the City of West Richland's consideration of banning aerial fireworks by sending a letter of support to West Richland. Page 3 of 4 Council and staff discussed loss due to launching fireworks and other reasons for prohibiting aerial fireworks due to those with PTSD and who own pets that are negatively impacted along with the trash issue the following day. Mayor Pro Tem Grimm called for public comments. Amber Waid, Pasco resident, expressed support for sending a letter of support to West Richland along with supporting the other cities located in the area. MISCELLANEOUS COUNCIL DISCUSSION Mr. Stewart reported that the winter dome cover the Memorial Pool was being installed. He announced the City closure in honor of Veteran's Day and announced the Veteran's Day event scheduled in Volunteer Park. Mr. Perales expressed support for renaming streets and parks honoring key leaders. Ms. Blasdel expressed appreciation for the installation of the pool dome. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 9:06 PM. PASSED and APPROVED on _______________________. APPROVED: ATTEST: David Milne, Mayor Debra Barham, City Clerk Page 4 of 4 Sunday, November17, 2025