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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2026.05.11 Council Workshop MinutesMINUTES City Council Workshop Meeting 7:00 PM - Monday, May 11, 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; Kevin Crowley, Fire Chief; Kevin Hebdon, Finance Director; Drew Pollom, City Attorney; Haylie Matson, Community & Economic Development Director; Sara Matzen, Human Resources 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 Hernandez reported attending the Bretz RV Marine grand opening, participating in the Mayor’s prayer breakfast, and attending the Pasco Farmers Market opening day. Councilmember Perales reported attending the LRA Outreach meeting, discussing community concerns related to Ziply, and attending the opening day of the Pasco Farmers Market. Councilmember Figueroa reported attending the prayer breakfast, the Fur Babies in the Fuzz pet adoption event, and touring the Tri-Cities Animal Shelter. He also discussed engaging with residents downtown regarding redevelopment opportunities and vacant buildings. Page 1 of 6 Mayor Grimm reported attending the Pasco Chamber legislative wrap-up event featuring state legislators. Discussion topics included concerns regarding taxes, affordability, business impacts, energy costs, and impacts of state legislative actions on businesses and citizens. ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION WITH OPPORTUNITY FOR PUBLIC COMMENT Benton Franklin Health District Food Safety & Nitrates Ms. Sigdel introduced Erin Hockaday, Surveillance & Investigation Director, and Amanda Moe, Communications & Public Affairs Director with the Benton Franklin Health District, who presented updates regarding unpermitted food vendors, enforcement coordination efforts, and the new bilingual “Look Before You Bite” public education campaign. Staff also provided information regarding elevated nitrate levels in private wells throughout Benton and Franklin counties, including the Pasco “donut hole” area, and announced free nitrate testing and grant-funded reverse osmosis treatment units for eligible residents. Council discussed public outreach, nitrate education efforts, enforcement consistency, and improvements to public access to permitted vendor information. food unsafe regarding commented Salisbury, Kennewick Tucker resident, handling practices observed at unpermitted food vendor locations and discussed interactions with vendors and law enforcement while documenting conditions. Jessica commented regarding resident, regional Benton Woodard, County coordination efforts, permitting fairness for licensed food vendors, and the use of social media and neighborhood groups to increase public awareness regarding vendor permitting and nitrate outreach efforts. Fire Sprinkler Requirements for A-2 Occupancies - Building Code Guidance and Enforcement Clarification Chief Crowley presented information regarding fire sprinkler requirements for A2 occupancies, including restaurants, taverns, bars, casinos, banquet halls, and nightclubs. fire and building code reviewed presentation The applicable requirements, occupancy definitions, sprinkler trigger thresholds, and alternative compliance pathways, including fire watches, occupancy limitations, fire barriers, and consultation with fire protection engineers. Staff also discussed the City’s grant program to assist businesses with fire protection engineering costs. Council buildings, downtown older for retrofit on focused discussion costs balancing life safety with business viability, and exploring additional flexibility while maintaining code compliance. Dave Cortinez Latin Business Association (LBA), commented regarding the City’s interpretation and enforcement of sprinkler requirements, stating concerns that Page 2 of 6 retrofit costs have negatively impacted downtown businesses and contributed to business closures and relocations to neighboring jurisdictions. Thomas Granbois, Big Maple Properties, commented regarding the financial responsibilities of property owners related to sprinkler retrofits and encouraged landlords protection fire work and with building in invest to improvements engineers to achieve compliance solutions. Utility Billing Delinquent Events Mr. Hebdon introduced Ms. Jimenez, Utility Billing Manager, who presented an overview of the City’s utility billing delinquency and shutoff process for unpaid utility accounts. Staff reviewed billing timelines, notification procedures, late fees, automated phone notifications, payment arrangements, and service disconnection procedures outlined in the Pasco Municipal Code. Staff explained utility service disconnections occur approximately 48 days after the initial bill date for accounts with delinquent balances of $50 or more. Council discussion included the status of utility shutoff activity following the City’s utility billing system conversion. Staff reported shutoff levels have returned to typical ranges, averaging approximately 400 to 500 accounts per month out of nearly 24,000 active utility accounts. Code Enforcement Activity Summary – Complaint Trends and Policy Direction Ms. Matson and Inspection Services Manager, Troy Hendren presented an overview of current code enforcement staffing levels, complaint trends, case volumes, and enforcement priorities. Staff reported the department currently operates with two full-time code enforcement officers after two vacant positions were remain at consistent volumes frozen Annual 2024. in complaint approximately 4,000 to 5,000 cases per year, with primary priorities focused on fire and life safety issues, unlicensed vendors, unpermitted construction, and seasonal fire prevention efforts. Staff reviewed the department’s top complaint categories, including weeds, habitability, unlicensed rental unpermitted RVs, garbage, construction, businesses, and mobile vendors. Discussion also included complaint backlogs, staffing limitations, use of temporary support staff, neighborhood education efforts, Airbnb and short-term rental concerns, and balancing life safety enforcement with overall neighborhood quality-of-life concerns. Council discussed prioritization strategies, public expectations, potential additional staffing needs, and increased community education regarding code compliance. declining regarding commented Properties, Big Granbois, Thomas Maple neighborhood conditions, increased RV occupancy concerns, and the impacts of reduced the to City encouraged continue staffing. enforcement code He evaluating staffing levels and emphasized the importance of proactive code Page 3 of 6 enforcement and oversight of short-term rental properties. Unified Development Code (UDC) Update Ms. Matson presented an update regarding the City’s Unified Development Code and Comprehensive Plan update efforts being completed in coordination with Framework Consulting. Staff explained the City is working to address overdue state-mandated code updates, zoning inconsistencies, comprehensive plan amendments, and permitting inefficiencies. Goals of the project include improving code clarity, streamlining permitting processes, implementing middle housing and accessory dwelling unit requirements, addressing transitional and supportive housing and between inconsistencies zoning and mandates, reducing comprehensive plan maps. Staff also reviewed proposed zoning consolidations intended to simplify development improve classifications, residential commercial and zoning standards, and create more user-friendly administrative processes. Additional discussion included downtown zoning, neighborhood commercial opportunities, residential transition districts, and future public outreach efforts with stakeholders including the Home Builders Association and Tri-City Association of Realtors. Councilmembers expressed support for the proposed zoning consolidation, code clarification efforts, and streamlined permitting processes. Public Hearing & Ordinance - Special Event Code and Downtown Update Ms. Matson presented a workshop update regarding proposed amendments to the City’s special event code intended to streamline permitting processes, clarify permit thresholds, simplify event classifications, improve review timelines, and establish a risk-factor scoring matrix for event security planning. Staff also provided updates regarding ongoing downtown initiatives, including alley lighting, the mobile vending pilot program, public art projects, Clark Street improvements, Lewis Street underpass planning, and façade improvements. Council discussed permit timelines, insurance requirements, permit fees, appeals procedures, alcohol waiver authority, and implementation of the proposed code changes. Council generally supported the proposed direction and requested staff provide a future update following implementation of the revised code. Ordinance - Amending PMC Section 10.35.030 Speed Limits in Certain Zones Ms. Serra presented an ordinance amending PMC Section 10.35.030 to establish 35 mile-per-hour speed limits for the new Sandifur Parkway and Road 108 corridor extensions within the Broadmoor area. Staff explained the proposed speed limits are consistent with roadway design standards and traffic modeling for the new corridors. The roadways are expected to open to traffic by the end of May. Page 4 of 6 Council expressed general agreement with the proposed ordinance amendment. Resolution and Ordinance - Awarding Bid No. 22342 for Irrigation System Expansion Project to Rotschy, Inc of Vancouver, WA and Adjusting Capital Budget Ms. Serra presented an ordinance awarding Bid No. 22342 to Rotschy Incorporated of Vancouver, Washington, for construction of a new irrigation pump station and related infrastructure improvements within the Broadmoor area. Staff explained the project is intended to increase irrigation system capacity, address existing supply deficiencies, improve system pressure during peak irrigation demand periods, and support continued growth within the planned irrigation service area. The project includes coordination with the South Columbia Basin Irrigation District to utilize additional irrigation water supply. Staff reported the low bid totaled approximately $7.17 million and noted a budget amendment would be required to fully fund the project, including associated land acquisition and infrastructure improvements. Discussion also included long-term planning assumptions for the irrigation system, developer requests to opt out of the City irrigation system, and the financial impacts such requests could have on repayment of planned infrastructure investments. Councilmembers expressed interest in further reviewing the issue prior to formal action at a future meeting. Ordinance – Budget Amendment for Aquatics Center Operational Expenses Ms. Sigdel presented a budget amendment request of approximately $1.3 million for the Pasco Aquatics Center operational expenses associated with the interlocal agreement between the City and the Pasco Public Facilities District. Staff explained the amendment reflects updated operational cost estimates beyond the initial $2.5 million authorization approved earlier in the year. Staff emphasized the budget amendment is revenue neutral to the City, as all operational expenses are reimbursed by the Pasco Public Facilities District. MISCELLANEOUS COUNCIL DISCUSSION Mr. Stewart provided a correction to the earlier report regarding the Fur Babies in the Fuzz adoption event, noting that 21 animals were adopted, including 11 cats and 10 dogs. He thanked participating agencies, vendors, and staff involved in organizing the event. Mr. Stewart also informed Council that he and Mayor Grimm would be attending a business recruitment event in Las Vegas prior to the next regular Council meeting to meet with potential retailers and businesses regarding future development opportunities in the Broadmoor area. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 9:44 PM. Page 5 of 6 PASSED and APPROVED on June 1, 2026. APPROVED: ATTEST: Charles Grimm, Mayor Krystle Shanks, Deputy City Clerk Page 6 of 6