HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-28-1975 Minutes1
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MINUTES
PASCO CITY COUNCIL
SPECIAL PUBLIC HEARING
CALL TO ORDER:
JANUARY 28, 1975
Mayor Linton called the Council to order at 7:34 P.M. -and declared that this was
the second public hearing on the Housing & Community Development Program for the
City of Pasco. Requested a roll call.
ROLL CALL:
By Clerk's representative. Present were: Don Linton, M.R. Denney, Billie Sargent,
Al Schor, Jan Tidrick and Bill Wilkins. Sterl Adams was absent. (Mr. Denney
objected to roll call as it was not a regular council meeting; however, Mayor Linton
explained that for the record, he wanted to show those councilmen present at the
public hearing. Mr-. Denney agreed).
PUBLIC HEARING (Second Hearing):
Mayor Linton declared the public hearing open on the Housing & Community Development
Program and at this time would like to ask for any public input on the subject of
the HUD funds that are available to the City of Pasco, The statement was read at
the last public hearing (January 21, 1975) on the purposes; however, there were
people in attendance at this meeting who were not at the meeting of the 21st, and
the Mayor requested the City Manager to read the statement and purposes. (see
minutes of January 21, 1975 for text).
Frank Thomsen, Manager of Pasco Chamber•of Commerce, read into the record a little
history of the City of Pasco up to 1915 from the Franklin Flyer. One, "Keep your
Eye on Pasco", a slogan - Mr. Muncey, Pasco Weekly Headlight predicting progress
for the community. In 1889, the same year as the slogan was proposed, the Pasco
'c.`: citizens met to indicate their willingness to allocate $40,000 towards the erection
of a State Capitol. Building and to put aside 300 acres of land adjoining the town.
Way back then, Pasco citizens were willing to stand up and allocate $40,000 for a
State Capitol. Now, we are not asking the Council to bid for the State Capitol,
but that you consider downtown Pasco in your deliberations for priorities.
Carol Ezell, National Organization of Women (N.O.W.), wishes to request the use
of this.money specifically used as it is directed,to the under -privileged and poor.
Ms. Ezell requested some kind of guarantee that the funds would be used to help
the underprivileged because she could not see that improving downtown Pasco would!
help the poor.
Kathy Utz, Director of Social Planning, asked that the following statement be read
into the record.
"The H.C.D.A. brings together over a dozen grant programs aimed at providing
eligible cities with a variety of programs to assist them in developing viable
v•;) urban communities by providing decent housing and a suitable living environment,
and expanding economic opportinuties principally for persons of low moderate
income. Programs providing direct benefits for low income groups take two
essential forms of particular importance to those too young or too old to
participate in the expansion of job opportunity through job development programs.
In light of the goal, objectives of the Act and in keeping with the trend, the
Benton -Franklin Community Action Committee would like to suggest the following
programs which represent a: 1) creation of a -low interest loan fund for housing
rehabilitation, 2) acquisition of a site for construction of senior citizen
facility or residential complex. Such a facility would include a sliding scale,
medical clinic committed to come to Pasco, particularly if a committment to provide
a facility is made, 3) the acquisition of a site to be sold at nominal cost to
an individual or community user, willing to work with the community to develop
training programs to support needy people, 4) fund to be set aside for program
development in the NHF to assure a good mixture of programs to meet:nedds,r5)
that any program undertaken by the City will result in committed jobs for low
and moderate incomes."
Mrs. Utz further stated that it would be up -to the Council to put price tags on.these
items, but at this time, she was merely presenting some options to the City.
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MINUTES
PASCO CITY COUNCIL
SPECIAL PUBLIC HEARING
JANUARY 28, 1975
Mr. Max Andrus, Social Planning Commission, stated that as a result of 250
questionaires returned from survey, the following results were noted.
1. Improve community business area (104)
2. Support lower income housing programs (103)
3. Improve & construct arterial streets (102)
4. Promote economic development (95).
Mr. Andrus went on to say that streets in Pasco are ridiculous, but like Kathy,
he was merely giving alternatives. He compared physical vs. social development
and came up with the following percentage: 47.5 physical; 40.7 social. Mr.
Andrus didn't believe that you could separate physical from social.
Mayor Linton responded by stating that the City had improved Arterial Streets
recently, and he concurred with improvement of streets, but not on Arterials.
Ms. Katherine Smith, Benton -Franklin Community Action, asked if the City Council
was going to improve the downtown area, what kind of Affirmative Action plan were
they going to give to the people? Mayor Linton replied that her question was
premature at this time and would be more appropriate after a decision had been
made.
Mr.;Jim Ajax, City Engineer, stated that.in addition to public hearing, specific
projects as input to what the long term community objectives should be, what the
long term/short term objectives are - all are not necessary at this time. This can
be taken care of later - any information the public might have, what the City
should have, housing assistance programs, and in addition, the Community Development
staff is available for discussion and information.
Mr. Charles Grigg called attention to $750,000 to be spent over 3 -year period and
stated the City Council had the responsibility of spending it for all people of
the community, not just one area, not one particular group of citizens, but everyone.
He felt we could get carried away in just one project because it was not too much
money when you started purchasing land, etc.
Mrs. Katie Barton asked, "when we put pit all down, how much is going to go for
feasibility studies and administration costs - I believe we should stay within
the guide lines that are set down to spend it - we can have a lot of suggestions
but the priorities should be the guide lines that it's what it should be spent for."
Mr. Bob Sullivan stated he had lived in Pasco since 1937 and had seen it slip into
a sad state of affairs. He particularly criticized lack of parking when you come
into town.
Mrs. Jessie Blanton stated, "I'm enthusiastic seeing the CBD being helped. If you
don't have a core area 'or central area, how can you have a fringe? I think there
are valuable things to be considered - principally, saving Pasco as a shopping center
from which the other fringe areas may progress and grow."
Mr.,Marvin Trillie explained that no matter how much money you pumped into the
C.B.D. project, he didn't think it would help. Further, Sacramento was a Model
City under Johnson and there was a lot of difference between business community
and public service community and people are trying to throw both of them together
and you have to differentiate.
Mr. Wilkins responded, "young man, two people can build side by side. One will succeed,
the other will fail. If you have the will you can make it work, if you don't want it
to, it won't. I think Pasco can do it."
Mr. Howard Young expressed concern for our people, low income, moderate income,
elderly - many elderly people would like to shop close, don't want to go any
further than they have to. Also, rejuvenation brings additional business plus
more people and it would be beneficial to all.
Mr. Jay Hendler stated that the City was going to build a $15 to $20 million dollar
bridge, take care of the downtown area and the people will have a reason to use it.
Mrs. Elaine LaFon, Goodwill Industries, would like to plea for her particular group,
but realized the Council had to decide which was best and which would benefit more
people as a whole.
Mr. Russell Ridenour reminised over early day Pasco to present time and criticized
streets, lighting system, sewer systems, etc. and ended his comments by stating
Pasco was going to have to get away from the railroad before i.t can be improved.
MINUTES
PASCO CITY COUNCIL
SPECIAL PUBLIC HEARING
Public Hearing - Continued:
JANUARY 28, 1975
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Mr. Robert Lawrence, Smart Realtors, Hallmafk Apartments, reminded the Council that
they were a "circular team." We need each other, Police needs citizens, citizens
need the Police, CAC needs the people, people need them - everything that's going
on indidicates that we are all Americans and willing to work patiently, listen to
good comments and ctdticisms plus work together. He commended the Council for
their efforts.
Mr. Denney replied that he would like to get together with Mr. Lawrence - his was
the first compliment in many months..
Mayor Linton thanked delegation for attending and the special public hearing
was declared adjo.urned.at 8:25 P.M.
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DONALD D. LINTON, MAYOR
ATTEST:
Leo E. Olney, Director -ofFinan and
ex -officio City Clerk
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