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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2026.02.17 Council Minutes MINUTES City Council Regular Meeting 7:00 PM - Tuesday, February 17, 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: Charles Grimm, David Milne, Mark Figueroa, Leo Perales, Joe Cotta, Calixto Hernandez, and Abel Campos 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; Brent Cook, Deputy Police Chief; Maria Serra, Public Works Director; and Krystle Shanks, Deputy City Clerk The meeting was opened with the Pledge of Allegiance. CONSENT AGENDA Approval of Meeting Minutes for January 26th and February 2nd To approve the minutes of the Pasco City Council Regular Workshop held on January 26, 2026, and Regular Meeting held on February 2, 2026. Bills and Communications - Approving Claims in the Total Amount of $8,997,674.66 To approve claims in the total amount of $8,997,674.66 ($6,152,317.82 in Check Nos.276279 - 276550 ; $1,549,935.59 in Electronic Transfer Nos. 852056 - 852133, 852135 - 852196, 852218 - 852308, 852318 - 852319, 852321 - 852322, 852324 - 852342; $20,661.98 in Check Nos.55140 - 55146; $1,274,759.27 in Electronic Transfer Nos. 30237400 - 30238067). Letter Regarding Possible Re-Conveyance of Rivershore Property from USACE The City Council authorize the Mayor to sign the joint letter of support for proposed federal legislation directing the transfer of Columbia River shoreline lands in the Tri- Cities from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to local governments and Tribes. Resolution No. 4706 - Sole Source Purchase of Three (3) Valley Pivots for the Process Water Reuse Facility Irrigation System Farm Upgrades Project To approve Resolution No. 4706, waiving the competitive bidding requirements and approving the purchase of three (3) Valley pivots and ancillary equipment from LAD Irrigation of Pasco. Resolution No. 4707 - Professional Services Agreement with Columbia Meter Reading, Inc. for City Meter Reading Services To approve Resolution No. 4707, authorizing the City manager to execute a personal services agreement with Columbia Meter Reading Services. MOTION: Mayor Pro Tem Milne moved, seconded by Councilmember Perales to approve the Consent Agenda as read by Roll Call vote. RESULT: Motion carried 7-0 AYES: Mayor Grimm, Mayor Pro Tem Milne, Councilmember Figueroa, Councilmember Perales, Councilmember Cotta, Councilmember Hernandez, and Councilmember Campos AMENDMENT TO THE AGENDA MOTION: Councilmember Perales moved, seconded by Councilmember Figueroa to amend the agenda to add consideration of a moratorium on the acceptance of applications related to essential public facilities, including secure community transition facilities to the start of the agenda of Section 9. RESULT: Motion carried 7-0 AYES: Mayor Grimm, Mayor Pro Tem Milne, Councilmember Figueroa, Councilmember Perales, Councilmember Cotta, Councilmember Hernandez, and Councilmember Campos PUBLIC COMMENTS Mary Mahoney, Pasco resident, discussed the Tri-Cities Animal Control, Pasco Public Facilities District Aquatic Center, floodplain development and ongoing property issues. Sam Snodgrass, Pasco resident, commended the Pasco Fire Department and the Pasco Police Departments and raised concerns about utility billing customer service, including a water shutoff experience and difficulty reaching staff. Craig Maloney, Pasco resident and business owner, thanked staff for considering prior feedback and incorporating changes, expressed appreciation for their responsiveness, and encouraged council approval of the proposed code amendments relating to sandwich board signs in downtown. Saul Martinez, Pasco business owner, echoed Mr. Maloney's comments and asked council to ease sandwich board signage restrictions to help downtown small businesses, and emphasized such changes could affect business survival. Thomas Granbois, Pasco resident and business owner, praised the City’s Memorial Pool Dome and parks programs, expressed support for the aquatic center, and commended efforts to support downtown small businesses at the Pasco Specialty Kitchen and economic development. REPORTS FROM COMMITTEES AND/OR OFFICERS Verbal Reports from Councilmembers Councilman Perales attended the Good Roads & Transportation Meeting, Good Roads meeting on transportation priorities and funding, toured Hermiston wastewater plant, attended the Tri-City Animal Control Authority meeting, met with Pasco School District about lead in drinking water, and toured the Pasco Little League fields to assess needs. Mr. Cotta attended a Regional Chaplaincy meeting with training and community support activities.. Mr. Grimm stated he will be cooking for the first responder chaplains in the Tri- Cities this upcoming Saturday, and said he attended the Benton-Franklin Transit Board meeting. Mr. Campos met with Visit Tri-Cities to discuss tourism collaboration and opportunities for Pasco. Mr. Figueroa met with the Benton Franklin Council of Governments representative for regional government overview and has been assisting with high school girls wrestling, noting upcoming state tournament. HEARINGS AND COUNCIL ACTION ON ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS RELATING THERETO Public Hearing & Ordinance No. 4814 - Tierra Vida Phase 1 Westerly 20 Feet (VAC2025-003) Ms. Matson provided a brief overview on the proposed ordinance and public hearing that would vacate a 20-foot right-of-way in Tierra Vida, Phase 1 to correct a technical omission from a 2023 vacation involving a historic street grid no longer needed; the landlocked parcel has no public use and criteria for vacation were met. CONDUCT PUBLIC HEARING Mayor Grimm called for public comments three (3) times and no one came forward to speak. MOTION: Mayor Pro Tem Milne moved, seconded by Councilmember Perales to adopt Ordinance No. 4814, vacating the westerly 20 feet of Tiera Vida Phase One, as recorded under Auditor's File No. 1691585, providing for severability and establishing an effective date, and, further, authorize publication by summary only. RESULT: Motion carried 7-0 AYES: Mayor Grimm, Mayor Pro Tem Milne, Councilmember Figueroa, Councilmember Perales, Councilmember Cotta, Councilmember Hernandez, and Councilmember Campos ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS NOT RELATING TO HEARINGS Ordinance No. 4817 - Moratorium on Essential Public Facilities (Secure Community Transition Facilities) Mr. Stewart discussed the proposed ordinance and requested council consider a six-month moratorium on applications for certain state-mandated facility types so the city can develop local regulations, public processes, and legally defensible standards for siting them. Councilmembers expressed support, noting it would allow time for community input and proactive planning. MOTION: Mayor Pro Tem Milne moved, seconded by Councilmember Perales to adopt Ordinance No. 4718, imposing a six-month moratorium on applications related to essential public facilities, including secure community transition facilities, and establishing an immediate effective date, authorized publication by summary only, and directing staff to develop and return to City Council with recommendation, land use regulations addressing the sitting of these facilities within 6 months of adoption of the moratorium. RESULT: Motion carried 7-0 AYES: Mayor Grimm, Mayor Pro Tem Milne, Councilmember Figueroa, Councilmember Perales, Councilmember Cotta, Councilmember Hernandez, and Councilmember Campos Ordinance No. 4815 - Code Amendment Allowing Sandwich Board Signs within the Downtown Pasco Overlay District (CA2025-002) Ms. Matson introduced Ivan Barragan, Planner III, presented the proposed ordinance to allow sandwich board signs in the downtown overlay district, outlining planning commission review, recent council feedback, and revisions adding flexibility such as sign allowances based on frontage, corner-lot placement, and permitted off-site placement with written permission. Councilmembers expressed support and appreciation for staff’s responsiveness before considering a motion. MOTION: Mayor Pro Tem Milne moved, seconded by Councilmember Perales to adopt Ordinance No. 4815, amending Title 17, Sign Code of the Pasco Municipal Code to establish regulations allowing sandwich board signs within the downtown Pasco overlay district, and further, authorize publication by summary only RESULT: Motion carried 7-0 AYES: Mayor Grimm, Mayor Pro Tem Milne, Councilmember Figueroa, Councilmember Perales, Councilmember Cotta, Councilmember Hernandez, and Councilmember Campos Ordinance No. 4816 - Creation of Transportation Benefit District Ms. Sigdel provided a brief overview of the proposed ordinance creating a Transportation Benefit District to fund street maintenance and transportation improvements, noting many cities use the tool due to declining road revenues and aging infrastructure. Council asked questions from staff and discussed that the action would only establish the district, and expressed mixed views, with some Councilmembers in support of moving forward and one Councilmember opposing due to concerns about potential sales tax increases. MOTION: Mayor Pro Tem Milne moved, seconded by Councilmember Figueroa to adopt Ordinance No. 4816, amending Pasco municipal code to enact a new chapter 3.270 Pasco Transportation Benefit District, establishing a transportation benefit district, specifying the boundaries for the transportation benefit district, pavement maintenance & reconstruction, street and traffic maintenance and operations, and other transportation related capital projects; providing for severability and establishing an effective date, and, further, authorize publication by summary only. RESULT: Motion carried by Roll Call vote, 6-1 AYES: Mayor Grimm, Mayor Pro Tem Milne, Councilmember Figueroa, Councilmember Cotta, Councilmember Hernandez, and Councilmember Campos NAYS: Councilmember Perales MISCELLANEOUS DISCUSSION Staff noted a clerical error made in the original motion for Ordinance 4817 approved earlier in the meeting, noting that Council would need to make an amended motion. Ordinance No. 4817 - Moratorium on Essential Public Facilities (Secure Community Transition Facilities) MOTION: Mayor Pro Tem Milne moved, seconded by Councilmember Perales to amend the original motion, and adopt Ordinance No. 4817, imposing a six- month moratorium on applications related to essential public facilities, including secure community transition facilities, and establishing an immediate effective date, authorized publication by summary only, and directing staff to develop and return to City Council with recommendation, land use regulations addressing the sitting of these facilities within 6 months of adoption of the moratorium. RESULT: Motion carried 7-0 AYES: Mayor Grimm, Mayor Pro Tem Milne, Councilmember Figueroa, Councilmember Perales, Councilmember Cotta, Councilmember Hernandez, and Councilmember Campos Mr. Stewart highlighted upcoming events, including a departmental tour and the Martin Luther King Center reopening, and announced fluoride had been removed from the city water system. Councilmember Perales commended city staff for assisting a business with a permit in time for a Valentine’s Day sale. Mayor Grimm made remarks recognizing Presidents Day and encouraged Councilmembers to uphold public service values. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 7:54 PM. PASSED and APPROVED on March 2, 2026. APPROVED: ATTEST: Charles Grimm, Mayor Krystle Shanks, Deputy City Clerk