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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2026.04.27 Council Meeting Minutes MINUTES City Council Workshop Meeting 7:00 PM - Monday, April 27, 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, Interim Parks & Recreation Director; Kevin Crowley, Fire Chief; Kevin Hebdon, Finance Director; Drew Pollom, City Attorney; Haylie Matson, Community & Economic Development Director; Sara Matzen, Human Resources Director; William Crane, Interim IT Director; Brent Cook, Interim 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 Perales reported attending a Good Roads & Future Planning meeting focused on membership, transportation advocacy, and infrastructure priorities, as well as meeting with East Pasco business owners regarding development opportunities. He also participated in the Taco Crawl event. Councilmember Campos reported attending a Tri-City Hispanic Chamber of Commerce luncheon to connect with local business owners and a regional chamber event where legislators provided a recap of the legislative session. Councilmember Hernandez reported attending the Citizen Police Academy, where she learned about gang task forces and noted that Pasco was identified as the safest city among neighboring communities. Mayor Grimm reported attending a legislative review meeting and regional housing discussions related to (Less Restrictive Alternative) LRA siting, including meetings with state and local officials to address community impacts. He discussed ongoing concerns with state mandates, highlighted local efforts including a temporary moratorium and public outreach meetings, and emphasized the need for coordinated regional and legislative action. ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION WITH OPPORTUNITY FOR PUBLIC COMMENT Peanuts Park North - Conceptual Design Presentation Ms. Pashon provided a brief report and introduced Brent Kubalek, Parks & Recreation Manager and Jeff Stiltz, Michael Terrell - Landscape Architects, LLC, who presented the Peanuts Park North conceptual design, requesting Council acceptance of the draft concept to allow completion of design, cost estimates, and eligibility for previously awarded state funding. Staff and the project consultant outlined the planning process, including multiple public outreach efforts, coordination with Parks and Police, and development of a preferred concept emphasizing safety, visibility, flexibility, and community use. The design incorporates plaza space, flexible event areas, art features, seating, and shading, with future phases anticipated due to limited initial funding. Council discussion focused on site functionality, including access points, safety, phased construction, and overall project cost. Councilmembers expressed general support for the preferred concept, with additional interest in incorporating restroom access, shade, and design features that enhance usability and community activation of the space. David Cortinas, Latin Business Association (LBA), supported the selected concept and emphasized the need to proceed to avoid loss of grant funding. He also raised concerns regarding prior tree removal, the importance of including food activation, and the need for on-site restroom facilities. Following discussion, Council expressed consensus support for the conceptual design and direction to proceed, including consideration of restroom accommodations and continued refinement through the design process. Park Bathroom Security Enhancement Options Ms. Pashon presented on ongoing issues with vandalism, misuse, and closures at park restroom facilities, particularly at high-incident locations. Several mitigation options were reviewed, including closure checks, contracted security services, increased temporary staffing, camera systems, and alternative locking mechanisms, each with varying costs and effectiveness. Staff recommended a phased approach combining closure checks with a potential pilot program for camera technology. Council discussion emphasized balancing cost with effectiveness, noting the need for reliable restroom access and safety. Members expressed interest in camera solutions—particularly those proven effective in neighboring jurisdictions—while also considering hybrid approaches, including closure checks, lighting improvements, and potential coordination with law enforcement. Concerns were raised regarding privacy, staffing capacity, and evaluating current vandalism costs before full implementation. Thomas Granbois, Big Maple Properties, supported investment in camera systems as an effective deterrent. David Cortinas, Latin Business Association (LBA), emphasized the need for improved restroom conditions and supported enhanced surveillance measures. Council generally supported pursuing a hybrid approach, including closure checks and a pilot camera program, and directed staff to return with additional data on vandalism costs, operational impacts, and refined implementation options. Downtown Light & Activation Plan (Alleyways) Ms. Pashon presented the downtown lighting and activation plan, focusing on alleyway lighting improvements to enhance safety, visibility, and economic activity. The plan includes options such as city-installed string lighting, a grant-style program for property owners to install lighting, or reallocating grant funds to other lighting priorities. Council discussion reflected strong support for installing string lighting to improve downtown aesthetics and safety. Members considered cost differences between contractor installation and phased in-house implementation, as well as potential hybrid approaches that allow willing property owners to proceed more quickly while maintaining overall design consistency. Council provided general direction favoring implementation of string lighting, with consideration of cost-effective, phased approaches and opportunities to collaborate with downtown property owners to accelerate progress. Thomas Granbois, Big Maple Properties, provided input on the proposed lighting options. Pedro Perez, a downtown business and property owner, spoke in support of string lighting and noted his business is located along an alley that would benefit from the improvements. David Cortinas, representing the Latin Business Association (LBA), expressed support for enhanced lighting and referenced the Main Street U.S.A. program as a potential funding source. Commercial Land Capacity Review Ms. Matson presented a workshop on commercial land capacity, outlining existing supply, projected job growth, and increasing requests to convert commercial land to residential uses. The City currently has a limited surplus of commercial land, and staff cautioned that approving conversion requests could result in insufficient capacity to support future economic growth and community needs. Council discussion emphasized the importance of preserving commercial land to support long-term economic development, sales tax generation, and local access to goods and services. Several Councilmembers expressed opposition to broad conversion of commercial land to residential, with support for policies such as no net loss of commercial land, land swaps, and limiting conversions to exceptional cases. Council generally supported maintaining and protecting existing commercial land, with some openness to case-by-case consideration or deferring final policy decisions as part of the comprehensive plan update. Direction was provided for staff to proceed with a preservation-focused approach and return with policy recommendations. Q - Ordinance - Introduction of Quasi Judicial Item - Amending the Zoning Classification of certain real property located north of Wrigley Dr., south of Sandifur Pkwy., west of Road 68 and east Road 76, in Pasco, Franklin County, Washington from C-1 (Retail Business) and R-4 (High Density Residential) to MU (Mixed Use)(Z2026-001) Mayor Grimm announced that the next three items were proposals amending zoning classification and were quasi-judicial actions and asked City Attorney, Mr. Pollom, to explain the procedure for quasi-judicial items. Mr. Pollom read the quasi-judicial procedure including how the Appearance of Fairness Doctrine applies. Next, he asked all Councilmembers a series of questions associated with potential conflicts of interest to disclose such potential conflicts or appearance of conflicts. With no response from Councilmembers, he asked if any members of the public were seeking to disqualify a member of Council from participating in the proceedings. No one came forward. Ms. Matson presented a rezone request for approximately 4.79 acres located north of Wrigley Drive, proposing a change from C1 (Retail Business) and R4 (High- Density Residential) to Mixed Use. Staff noted the site is currently undeveloped, the request is consistent with the Comprehensive Plan designation, and the Hearing Examiner previously recommended approval. Staff recommended approval of the rezone. Council had no questions or discussion. No action was taken, as the item will return at a future meeting for formal consideration. Q - Ordinance - Introduction of Quasi Judicial Item - Amending the Zoning Classification of certain real property located north of E Spokane Dr., south of E Salt Lake St., west of N Oregon Ave., east BNSF Railroad, in Pasco, Franklin County, Washington from C-3 (General Business) to I-1 (Light Industrial)(Z2026-002) Mr. Pollom, City Attorney, noted that prior quasi-judicial procedures applied and invited disclosures; none were made, and no public challenges were received. Ms. Matson, presented a rezone request for four parcels located north of East Spokane Drive, proposing a change from C3 (General Commercial) to I-1 (Light Industrial). Staff noted the Comprehensive Plan designation is industrial, the request is consistent with surrounding uses, and the Hearing Examiner previously reviewed the item. Staff recommended approval of the rezone. Council had no questions or discussion. No action was taken, as the item will return at a future meeting for formal consideration. Q - Ordinance - Introduction of Quasi Judicial Item - Ordinance for Elite Investment Group, LLC Rezone from R-4 and C-1 to MU (Z2026-003) Mr. Pollom, City Attorney, reiterated that prior quasi-judicial procedures applied and invited disclosures; none were made, and no public challenges were received. Ms. Matson, presented a rezone request for two parcels located near Road 90 and Sandifur Parkway, proposing a change from R4 (High-Density Residential) and C1 (Retail Business) to Mixed Use. Staff explained the request is consistent with the Comprehensive Plan designation, supports higher-density residential development, and aligns with surrounding land use patterns. The Hearing Examiner recommended approval, and staff also recommended approval. Council had no questions or discussion. No action was taken, as the item will return at a future meeting for formal consideration. Resolution and Ordinance - Authorizing acceptance of grant funding and execution of a grant agreement with the Washington State Department of Commerce, Office of Crime Victims Advocacy and Amending 2025–2026 Operating Budget Captain Harpster, presented a resolution authorizing acceptance of grant funding from the Washington State Department of Commerce Office of Crime Victims Advocacy to support a Domestic Violence High-Risk Team (DVHRT) investigator position. The position would be assigned from existing staff and focus on enhanced investigation of high-risk domestic violence cases, coordination with regional partners, and improved victim support and case outcomes. The initial grant funding of approximately $44,000 covers April through June, with additional funding anticipated to continue through the remainder of the year. Staff recommended approval. Council sought clarification regarding staffing and funding continuity, confirming no gap in funding and that an existing officer would be reassigned. David Cortinas, Latin Business Association (LBA), expressed support for the program and emphasized the importance of dedicated resources to address high- risk domestic violence cases and coordination with prosecuting attorneys. Council expressed appreciation for staff efforts in securing grant funding and supporting public safety initiatives. Resolution - Interlocal Agreement with Franklin County for Jail Services Interim Police Chief Cook presented an update on ongoing negotiations with Franklin County regarding a new jail services contract, noting the previous agreement expired in 2023 and services have continued without interruption. Key discussion items include rate adjustments, booking fees, medical cost responsibilities, and billing practices. Staff emphasized efforts to include safeguards ensuring accountability and verification of expenses, particularly related to medical costs. Council discussion focused on increased costs, including booking fee changes and potential financial impacts to the City. Questions were raised regarding justification for rate increases, allocation of medical liability, and projected costs. Staff indicated the proposed terms represent the best negotiated outcome to date and clarified that the City would be responsible for routine medical costs, while liability for incidents occurring within the facility would remain with the County. No public comment was received. Council indicated the item is expected to return for formal consideration at a future meeting. Resolution - Amendment to Fire Department Facility Use Agreement Chief Crowley presented an amendment to an interlocal agreement with Franklin County Fire District 3 for use of space at Station 84. The amendment allows the District to utilize an additional bay for a breathing air support unit, supporting joint emergency response operations. The agreement also increases the monthly fee from $216.60 to $250, includes a 3% annual increase, and adds provisions requiring the District to cover any facility damage. Staff recommended approval. Council had no questions or discussion. No public comment was received. Resolution - Termination of ILA between the City of Pasco and Walla Walla County Fire Protection District 5 for Advanced Life Support Services Chief Crowley presented a resolution to terminate the interlocal agreement between the City of Pasco and Walla Walla County Fire Protection District No. 5 for advanced life support (ALS) services. The agreement, in place since 2008, provided paramedic services to the Burbank area in exchange for annual compensation. Staff explained that the District now has sufficient personnel to provide its own ALS services and requested termination of the agreement. The City will continue to coordinate through mutual aid agreements, and termination will allow City resources to remain focused within Pasco. Staff recommended approval. Council had no questions or discussion. No public comment was received. Resolution - Amendment to Interlocal Agreement between City of Pasco and Franklin County Fire District No. 3 Concerning the Exchange of Services and the Transfer of Assets Due to the Annexation of the Road 80 Area to the City Chief Crowley presented an amendment to the interlocal agreement with Franklin County Fire District No. 3 related to the annexation of the Road 80 area. The original agreement required the City to provide advanced life support (ALS) services at no cost in exchange for assets, including a facility and equipment. Staff explained that the District now has sufficient EMS capacity to serve its own area, and both agencies agree the existing terms are no longer necessary. The amendment removes the requirement for automatic ALS service while maintaining mutual aid coordination. Staff recommended approval. Council had no questions or discussion. No public comment was received. MISCELLANEOUS COUNCIL DISCUSSION Mr. Stewart announced upcoming community events, including the Cinco de Mayo celebration with a parade and activities, and reminded Council of upcoming outreach meetings and potential joint meetings with community organizations. Councilmember Campos encouraged community participation in the Taco Crawl event and support for local businesses. Councilmember Perales thanked Parks and Recreation staff for addressing maintenance concerns in his district and raised constituent questions regarding AED requirements in apartment and senior housing. He also relayed concerns from residents along Burns Road regarding loss of landscaping and requested consideration of privacy improvements. Councilmember Figueroa requested consideration of developing a more robust City Council code of conduct. Council discussion noted an existing policy adopted previously, with direction for further review if needed. Mayor Grimm highlighted a grant opportunity for a dedicated police traffic unit and expressed support for pursuing additional funding to enhance public safety. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 10:06 PM. PASSED and APPROVED on May 18, 2026. APPROVED: ATTEST: David Milne, Mayor Pro Tem Krystle Shanks, Deputy City Clerk