HomeMy WebLinkAbout2026.01.26 Council Minutes
MINUTES
City Council Workshop Meeting
7:00 PM - Monday, January 26, 2026
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.
ROLL CALL
Councilmembers present: David Milne, Charles Grimm, Joe Cotta, Leo Perales,
Calixto Hernandez, Abel Campos, and Mark Figueroa
Councilmembers attending remotely:
Councilmembers absent: None
Staff present: Harold Stewart, City Manager; Richa Sigdel, Deputy City Manager;
Angela Pashon, Assistant City Manager; Kevin Crowley, Fire Chief; Kevin
Hebdon, Finance Director; Daniel Kenny, 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 Krystle Shanks, Deputy City Clerk
The meeting was opened with the Pledge of Allegiance.
VERBAL REPORTS FROM COUNCILMEMBERS
Councilmember Cotta traveled to Olympia, Washington, for several days in support of
the City of Pasco’s legislative issues and funding efforts.
Councilmember Figueroa attended New Movement Church, where introductions were
made and community collaboration efforts were discussed.
Mayor Grimm traveled to Olympia, Washington, along with Councilmember Cotta and
City staff to support the City of Pasco’s legislative issues and funding efforts.
ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION WITH OPPORTUNITY FOR PUBLIC COMMENT
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Unlicensed Vendors - Presentation from Benton Franklin Health District
Ms. Sigdel introduced Janae Parent, District Administrator for the Benton Franklin
Health District, who discussed issues related to unlicensed and unpermitted
vendors. Ms. Sigdel also introduced other Benton Franklin Health District
representatives in attendance who were advocating for public health.
Erin Hockaday, Surveillance and Investigation Director for the Benton Franklin
Health District, presented on unlicensed food vendors in the region, highlighting
related issues, research, collaboration, and enforcement efforts.
Council questions and discussion followed with Ms. Parent and Ms. Hockaday.
David Cortinas, representing the Latin Business Association (LBA), spoke
regarding issues related to unlicensed food vendors, particularly food trucks.
Amber Wade, a Pasco resident, discussed concerns involving the Police
Department and the Benton Franklin Health District.
Land Use Framework Overview
Ms. Matson presented the land use framework overview which included the
Comprehensive Plan, Master Plans (area-specific details), Zoning (parcel-level
rules), and the Municipal Code (procedures & enforcement), explaining that the
requirements must all align and be remain consistent.
Council and staff questions and discussion ensued.
Mayor Grimm called for public comments three (3) times and no one came
forward to speak.
Introduction to Ordinance - Amending Pasco Municipal Code Related to
State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) Thresholds
Ms. Matson presented an introduction to a proposed ordinance amending the
Pasco Municipal Code related to State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA)
thresholds. The amendment would raise the thresholds so that not all projects
would be required to undergo the SEPA process, saving applicants time without
degrading environmental protections. The City would continue to review projects
for environmental impacts, and the SEPA process was noted to be often
redundant.
Council and staff questions and discussion ensued.
Mayor Grimm called for public comments three (3) times and no one came
forward to speak.
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Resolution - 2026 Collective Bargaining Agreement with the Pasco Police
Officers Association - Non-Uniform Bargaining Unit
Ms. Matzen, along with Chief Roske, discussed the 2026 Collective Bargaining
Agreement with the Pasco Police Officers Association – Non-Uniform Bargaining
Unit, which consists of personnel who support sworn police officers.
Ms. Ashley Lucas, Police Evidence Technician, spoke on this item and described
the duties and responsibilities of the staff within the bargaining unit.
Mayor Grimm called for public comments three (3) times and no one came
forward to speak.
Resolution - 2026 Collective Bargaining Agreement with the International
Union of Operating Engineers Local No. 280
Ms. Matzen discussed the 2026 Collective Bargaining Agreement with the
International Union of Operating Engineers Local No. 280, which covers staff in
Public Works Operational Services, Environmental Services, Parks & Facilities
and Animal Control Services, which are all essential to public safety.
Mayor Grimm called for public comments three (3) times and no one came
forward to speak.
Resolution - Acceptance of Work for MLB Required Improvements at GESA
Stadium - Female Locker Room Improvements (Phase 1-A)
Ms. Serra provided a brief report the the proposed resolution that would accept
the work for MLB required improvements at GESA Stadium - Female Locker
Room Improvements.
Mayor Grimm called for public comments three (3) times and no one came
forward to speak.
MISCELLANEOUS COUNCIL DISCUSSION
Ms. Stewart noted the following upcoming events: Coffee with a Cop at Columbia
Basin College, Development Outreach event including virtual participation to discuss
lighting, a ribbon-cutting for the new Memorial Pool Dome.
Councilmember Perales discussed an article from the Tri-Cities Editorial Board
regarding the Mid-Columbia Library Annexation proposal on the upcoming ballot, and
asked for legal guidance on how Councilmembers can address ballot items.
Mr. Kenny provided legal guidance on supporting or proposing ballot items.
Mayor Grimm noted that Council had discussed the Mid-Columbia Library ballot item
in a public setting at a previous Council meeting.
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Mayor Grimm then requested two Councilmembers to volunteer, along with himself, to
be a part of the Boards & Commission Subcommittee for Boards and Commissions,
as there was currently an open seat one of the Boards. Councilmember Perales and
Councilmember Cotta volunteered to be Boards and Commissions Subcommittee
members.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
Council adjourned into Executive Session at 8:35 PM for 35 minutes returning at
9:10 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, and City
Attorney.
At 9:10 PM Mayor Grimm announced that the Executive Session would continue
for another 10 minutes to return at 9:20 PM.
At 9:20 PM Mayor Grimm announced that the Executive Session would continue
for another 10 minutes to return at 9:30 PM.
Mayor Grimm called the meeting back to order at 9:30 PM.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 9:30 PM.
PASSED and APPROVED on February 17, 2026.
APPROVED: ATTEST:
Charles Grimm, Mayor Krystle Shanks, Deputy City Clerk
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