HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020.03.09 Council MinutesWORKSHOP MINUTES
MEETING PASCO CITY COUNCIL MARCH 9, 2020
CALL TO ORDER:
The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by Saul Martinez, Mayor.
ROLL CALL:
Councilmembers present: Ruben Alvarado, Blanch Barajas (arrived at 6:15
PM), Craig Maloney, Saul Martinez, David Milne, Zahra Roach (arrived at 6:03
PM), and Pete Serrano.
Staff present: Dave Zabell, City Manager; Eric Ferguson, City Attorney
(arrived at 6:55 PM); Bob Gear, Fire Chief (arrived at 6:11 PM); Ken Roske,
Police Chief (arrived at 6:46 PM); Richa Sigdel, Finance Director; Rick White,
Community & Economic Development Director; Steve Worley, Public Works
Director (arrived at 6:24 PM); and Debby Barham, City Clerk.
The meeting was opened with the Pledge of Allegiance.
VERBAL REPORTS FROM COUNCILMEMBERS:
Mr. Milne commented on the recent Parks & Recreation Advisory Committee
and Pasco Chamber of Commerce meetings he attended. Mr. Milne also
expressed thanks to Chief Roske and Officer Shelton for arranging the police
patrol ride -a -long on Friday, March 6, 2020.
ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION:
Arts & Culture Commission Interviews
Council conducted brief interviews for the positions on the newly formed Arts
& Culture Commission with Saul Martinez, Ana Armijo, Ryan Bennett, Emma
Barnes, Rebecca Merkley-Omeje, Nisha McSwane-Franco, Calumet Kubalek
and Eleanor Neff.
Meeting Recess
Mayor Martinez called a five minute meeting recess at 7:24 PM. The meeting
resumed at 7:30 PM.
Presentation - Doing Business with the City
Ms. Sigdel stated that in the past five (5) years, Council has authorized multiple
efforts to improve the access and ease for private business to do business with
the City, which included the following:
1. Council increased limits in their delegation of authority to the City
Manager, which has served to expedite approval of smaller contracts for
services and capital projects; and
2. Council authorized a Contracts Specialist position within the Public
Works Department in 2015 to improve the contracting process for
Public Work projects (engineering/architectural services, capital
projects, etc.); and
3. Similarly, in 2018, Council approved the addition of a Procurement
Specialist position to create a robust procurement program to meet the
commodity and equipment needs of the City.
These changes have resulted in tremendous progress within the City, providing
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MEETING PASCO CITY COUNCIL MARCH 9, 2020
assistance and training to City employees, streamlining processes, creating new
policies, and implementing tools to increase efficiencies. New goals for this
program will be focused on the ease of access to the City for our business
partners. This will be accomplished in many ways, for example, creating
training programs, streamlining processes to ease access, increased
transparency regarding how City processes work, and creating a better
communication process.
Ms. Sigdel informed the Council and the public on current avenues for
businesses to do business with the City, as well as a plan for the future.
Council expressed appreciation for the presentation and engaged in discussion
with staff regarding potential training for local and regional businesses for the
various small public works, consultant and vendor rosters.
PMC Amendments - Based on Code Publishing Recommendations
Mr. Ferguson reiterated that the proposed changes within the Pasco Municipal
Code (PMC) are substantive changes recommended by Code Publishing and
confirmed by the City Attorney's after thorough research and review. Mr.
Ferguson confirmed that there had been seven (7) infractions issued over the
past three (3) years. Mr. Ferguson also explained changes to the PMC
infractions within the Parks and the changes are are based on combining the
penalties imposed by Washington State law and Class infractions within the
PMC.
Mr. Serrano asked that the term "Beast of Burden" be defined within the PMC.
Mr. Serrano questioned PMC Section 9.100.240: Overnight Camping, which
Mr. Ferguson responded.
Mr. Maloney and Chief Roske discussed the Police Officer and Park Ranger
patrols and how that may deter individuals from camping within the parks.
Mr. Ferguson ended the discussion addressing the question of the total fees for
infractions within this chapter of the PMC, noting that the courts may access
additional fees on top of the City's fees.
Donation Policy for Acceptance of Community Donations
Ms. Sigdel described the need for creating a policy for accepting donations.
Council and staff discussion ensued regarding the proposed ordinance and
Council asked that a report of donations received be included within one of the
existing financial reports, such as the monthly General Fund report.
MISCELLANEOUS COUNCIL DISCUSSION:
Mr. Zabell introduced Kim Seaman, a new staff member in the Human
Resources Department. Mr. Zabell also announced three upcoming
informational meetings related to the City's Transportation Master Plan.
Mr. Zabell, Chief Gear and Mr. Funfar provided an update regarding the
COVID-19 (Coronavirus) to Council with two (2) local goals mind.
Specifically, how the City can help prevent the spread of the virus through
communicating and modeling best practices and also plan for scenarios to help
mitigate the impact of the City's operations, as well as within the community if
the virus affects a number of staff and/or the residents. The City is coordinating
other agencies and there is a Continuity of Operations Plan that was started
within the past year.
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Council and staff discussion ensued regarding the roles and responsibilities of
Council and staff in a situation such as the City is facing and the development
of new policies to address this issue.
Mr. Zabell stated that the Washington State legislature session ended on March
5, 2020 and two versions of the Lewis Street Overpass project funding are still
on the table, which is favorable news for the City of Pasco.
Mr. Maloney announced that the Pasco Chamber of Commerce will be hosting
a round table meeting on Thursday and he encouraged individuals to attend.
Mr. Maloney also stated that the candidates for the Arts & Culture Commission
were outstanding.
EXECUTIVE SESSION:
Council adjourned to Executive Session at 8:24 PM for approximately 10
minutes to consider the acquisition of real estate, per RCW 42.30.110 (1)(c),
attended by the City Manager and City Attorney. Mayor Martinez called the
meeting back to order at 8:33 PM.
ADJOURNMENT:
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:33 PM.
APPROVED:
Saul Martinez, Mayor
ATTEST:
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Debra Barham, City Clerk
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