Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2026.08.17 Council MinutesMINUTES City Council Regular Meeting 7:00 PM - Monday, August 17, 2026 Pasco City Hall, Council Chambers & Microsoft Teams Webinar MEETING INSTRUCTIONS FOR REMOTE ACCESS -Individuals, who would like to provide public comment remotely, may continue to do so (City’s thevia website onlinethe out filling by form www.pasco- wa.gov/publiccomment) to obtain access information to comment. Requests to comment in meetings must be received by 4:00 p.m. on the day of this meeting. To listen to the meeting via phone, call 1-332-249-0718 and use access code 192758662# City Council meetings are broadcast live on PSC-TV Channel 191 on streamed at and and Pascoin Charter/Spectrum Cable Richland www.pasco- wa.gov/psctvliveand on the City’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/cityofPasco. Audio equipment available for the hearing impaired; contact the Clerk for assistance. Servicio de intéprete puede estar disponible con aviso. Por favor avisa la Secretaria Municipal antes para dos la disponiblidad. (Spanish language dias garantizar interpreter service may be provided upon request. Please provide two business day's notice to the City Clerk to ensure availability.) CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order at 7:00 PM by Charles Grimm, Mayor. ROLL CALL Councilmembers present:Abel Campos, Joe Cotta, Mark Figueroa,Calixto Hernandez, Leo Perales, David Milne, and Charles Grimm Councilmembers attending remotely: Councilmembers absent: Staff present: Harold Stewart, City Manager; Richa Sigdel, Deputy City Manager; Page 1 of 7 Angela Pashon, Interim Parks & Recreation Director; Kevin Crowley, Fire Chief; Kevin Hebdon, Finance Director; Daniel Kenny, City Attorney; Craig Raymond, Deputy Community & Economic Development Director; Brent Cook, Police Chief; Maria Serra, Public Works Director; and Gabriela Sanchez, City Clerk The meeting was opened with the Pledge of Allegiance. Pledge of Allegiance CONSENT AGENDA Approval of Meeting Minutes for July 27th, August 3rd, and August 10th Bills Amount Total the in of Approving - Communications and Claims $5,745,796.33 Franklin County Mosquito Control District Board of Trustees Appointment of Mark Willer Resolution 4774 – Adopting the City of Pasco Affordable Housing Policies and Procedures Manual for HB 1406 Funds Resolution 4775 - Updated Tri-Cities HOME Consortium Citizen Participation Plan (RC) MOTION: I move to approve the Consent Agenda as read. PROCLAMATIONS AND ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS PUBLIC COMMENTS Mary Mahoney submitted an amendment to her prior comments and public records providedpreviously were stated referencing documents requests, toshe Councilmember Leo Perales, including materials concerning a WSU contract and alleged due process violations. Ms. Mahoney raised concerns regarding Tri-Cities Animal Services/Animal Control and the estimated number of homeless cats in the Tri-Cities. She requested information regarding the City’s plans to address the issue, including the number of cats spayed/neutered, euthanized, and adopted in 2026; any trap-neuter-return (TNR) programs; the number of cats and dogs sent to Washington State University (WSU) for research and any associated payments; and the number of low-cost spay/neuter procedures performed in 2026. Ms. Mahoney also requested a comparison of taxpayer expenditures for the Pasco Aquatic Center and a potential low-cost spay/neuter clinic, including costs associated with phases two and three of the Aquatic Center project. She requested records concerning payments to former Mayor Matt Watkins, Watkins Endeavor LLC, and City Attorney Lee Kerr, as well as additional information regarding related expenses. Ms. Mahoney stated that her Page 2 of 7 requests were being made pursuant to the Washington Public Records Act, RCW 42.56, and were intended to place the City on notice of her requests. Robert Hoffman, discussed the history and debate surrounding riverboat casinos in Mississippi and other states, drawing comparisons to the current discussion regarding casinos in Pasco. He expressed his opposition to large-scale gambling within Pasco and stated his belief that inland gambling would not be beneficial to the community. David Pium addressed the Council for the first time and expressed concerns about marijuana use in public areas throughout Pasco and the potential for additional cannabis retail establishments. He stated that he believes increased availability of marijuana negatively affects families and children and urged the Council not to approve additional cannabis businesses. Mr. Pium also spoke in opposition to the potential sale or redevelopment of City property for a casino. He expressed concerns that a casino could contribute to increased drug activity, prostitution, homelessness, and other negative impacts on the community. He encouraged the City to retain ownership of the property and consider alternative uses, including community venues and events. He emphasized his desire to maintain Pasco as a safe community in which to raise children and asked Councilmembers to oppose additional cannabis businesses and a casino. REPORTS FROM COMMITTEES AND/OR OFFICERS Verbal Reports from Councilmembers Councilmember Cotta reported attending the grand opening of the Columbia Basin Health Association clinic. He highlighted the new facility's capacity to serve community members and its goal of providing a variety of healthcare services to meet local needs. He noted the clinic's proximity to agriculture fields would allow it to better serve agricultural workers and expressed his support for the clinic's success and its contribution to the Pasco medical community. Councilmember Figueroa reported attending the third annual Back-to-School Teacher Appreciation Event hosted by Restore City Church, alongside Councilmember Campos. He noted the opportunity to share words of appreciation with local educators preparing for the upcoming school year. He also highlighted the atmosphere, positive event's the participation vendors local of and emphasizing community support for educators and local businesses. Councilmember Perales reported attending the Association of Washington Cities (AWC) legislative priorities webinar. He noted the value of hearing perspectives from cities across the state and learning about AWC's priorities for the upcoming legislative session. He emphasized the importance of communicating with state legislator's early to advocate for the City's priorities, particularly in anticipation of a challenging budget season. He stated that he would review his notes and share Page 3 of 7 additional information with the Council. Mayor Grimm expressed appreciation for the Columbia Basin Health Association (CBHA) clinic grand opening, noting the facility as a significant benefit to the community and particularly to residents in West Pasco who have healthcare needs. Mayor Grimm also reported participating with Director Serra in a virtual meeting with the Benton-Franklin Council of Governments (BFCOG) to advocate for regional transportation priorities and specific needs in Pasco. Mayor Grimm commended the collaboration and noted that Pasco was well represented during the meeting. HEARINGS AND COUNCIL ACTION ON ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS RELATING THERETO Public Hearing to Consider Lightspeed Networks Inc. Franchise Renewal Deputy Public Works (PW) Director presented the proposed renewal of the telecommunications franchise agreement with Lightseed Networks. She explained that telecommunications franchises are governed by federal, state, and local regulations, which establish requirements for providing telecommunications services and regulate the placement of facilities within public rights-of-way. Lightseed Networks, a fiber telecommunications provider serving customers in Washington and Oregon, has operated in the area since at least 2012. Deputy PW Director reviewed the company’s existing network, including aerial and underground facilities, and noted that Lightseed currently has no plans for expansion. Any future expansion would be subject to the franchise agreement’s permitting requirements and applicable fees. She concluded by inviting Council to conduct the required public hearing. CONDUCT PUBLIC HEARING Mayor Grimm called for public comment three (3) times and no on came forward to speak ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS NOT RELATING TO HEARINGS Ordinance 4852 - Amending PMC 10.70.080 Parking Prohibited Director Serra presented the proposed ordinance regarding parking restrictions on 27th Avenue between Sylvester and Urban Street. She noted that the item had been City's the that and workshop discussed previous theduring Council Engineering Manager had provided an analysis of the area. Staff recommended prohibiting parking on both sides of the block to improve roadway safety, maintain adequate travel space, and facilitate turning movements and ingress/egress for businesses in the area. Page 4 of 7 MOTION: Mayor Pro Tem Milne moved, seconded by Councilmember Perales MOTION: "I move to adopt Ordinance No. 4852, anordinanceofthecityofPasco, Washington,amendingPascoMunicipalCode section 10.70.080 “Schedule III – Parking Prohibited at all Times on Certain Streets,” to establish new parking prohibited area on N 27th Ave south of W Sylvester St, 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 Resolution 4776 - Adoption of Water Use Efficiency Program Goals Deputy PW Director, presented the proposed Water Use Efficiency goals, which were developed as part of the City’s water system planning process and are required under Washington State law. Staff reviewed the information previously presented to Council in March 2026 and noted that Council feedback was incorporated into the updated measures and goals. A public forum was held June 30, 2026, to receive additional community input. The proposed goals include reducing average water demand per equivalent residential unit, a measurement used to compare water use across residential and nonresidential customers, and maintaining distribution system water loss at 10% or less annually. Staff noted that the goals are applicable to all users of the City’s water system. Staff requested Council adoption of the updated goals. Future work will include annual water use efficiency performance reports submitted to the Department of Health, with the goals to be reviewed and updated every 10 years as part of the City’s water system plan updates. MOTION: Mayor Pro Tem Milne moved, seconded by Councilmember Perales MOTION: I move to approve Resolution No. 4776, establishing Water Use Goals. RESULT: Motion carried 7-0 AYES: Mayor Grimm, Mayor Pro Tem Milne, Councilmember Figueroa, Councilmember Perales, Councilmember Cotta, Councilmember Hernandez, and Councilmember Campos Cannabis – Resolution Setting a Public Hearing to Consider an Amendment to PMC 25.10.025 Deputy City Manager presented an item to schedule a public hearing for September 8, 2026 at 7:00 p.m. The hearing will be held in the Council Page 5 of 7 Chambers, with an option for the public to participate online. The requested Council action was to set the public hearing date and time. MOTION: Mayor Pro Tem Milne moved, seconded by Councilmember Figueroa MOTION: I move to approve Resolution No. 4777 setting 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, September 8, 2026, as the time and date for an open record public hearing to consider an amendment to Pasco Municipal Code increasing the cannabis retail license density limit from four (4) to five (5) licenses, and increasing the number of licenses authorized through the State's Social Equity in Cannabis Program from one (1) to two (2). RESULT: Motion carried 6-0 AYES: Mayor Pro Tem Milne, Councilmember Figueroa, Councilmember Perales, Councilmember Cotta, Councilmember Hernandez, and Councilmember Campos ABSTAIN: Mayor Grimm UNFINISHED BUSINESS NEW BUSINESS MISCELLANEOUS DISCUSSION City Manager Report City Manager Stewart provided several updates. He congratulated Richa on her BoardAssociation Management City to the of electionrecent Washington Directors and noted that she will represent the City of Pasco while supporting the advancement of city management statewide. Mr. Stewart also recognized his one- year anniversary with the City of Pasco and expressed his appreciation for the community, staff, and connections made during his first year. He invited Council to attend the upcoming employee appreciation picnic, where four Employees of the Year and the first Project of the Year team will be recognized. He also reminded Council of the upcoming retreat at Columbia Basin College, where staff will provide information and receive Council’s priorities to help guide development of the next two-year budget. EXECUTIVE SESSION a)Discussion with legal counsel about current or potential litigation per RCW 42.30.110(1)(i) b) To review the performance of a public employee per RCW 42.30.110.(1)(g) Page 6 of 7 Council adjourned into Executive Session at 7:39 PM for 30 minutes returning at 8:09 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, Fire Chief, and City Attorney and to review the performance of a public employee per RCW 42.30.110(1)(g) with the City Attorney. At 8:07 PM, Fire Chief exited Executive Session. AT 8:19 PM, City Manager and Deputy City Manager exited Executive Session. At 8:30 PM Mayor Grimm announced that the Executive Session would continue for another 10 minutes or until 8:40 PM. At 8:40 PM Mayor Grimm announced that the Executive Session would continue for another 10 minutes or until 8:50 PM. At 8:50 PM Mayor Grimm announced that the Executive Session would continue for another 10 minutes or until 9:00 PM. At 9:01 PM Mayor Grimm announced that the Executive Session would continue for another 5 minutes or until 9:06 PM. Mayor Grimm called the meeting back to order at 9:06 PM. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 9:06 PM. PASSED and APPROVED on September 8, 2026. ADDITIONAL NOTES Adopted Council Goals (Reference Only) APPROVED: ATTEST: Charles Grimm, Mayor Gabriela Sanchez, City Clerk Page 7 of 7