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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020.06.01 Council MinutesREMOTE REGULAR MINUTES MEETING PASCO CITY COUNCIL JUNE 1, 2020 REMOTE MEETING INSTRUCTIONS: Governor Inslee's Proclamation No. 20-28.4, made in response to the COVID- 19 emergency, continued to prohibit members of the public from attending City meetings in-person but required agencies to provide options for the public to participate in remotely. To best comply, the City asked all members of the public that would like to comment regarding items on the agenda to fill out a form via the City's website (www.yasco-wa.gov/publiccom men t). As of 4:00 p.m. on Monday, June 1, 2020, zero (0) requests to speak were received. CALL TO ORDER: The meeting was called to order at 7:00 PM by Saul Martinez, Mayor. ROLL CALL: Councilmembers present: Ruben Alvarado (virtual), Blanche Barajas (virtual), Craig Maloney (virtual), Saul Martinez (in-person), David Milne (virtual), Zahra Roach (virtual), and Pete Serrano (virtual). Staff present: Dave Zabell, City Manager(in-person); Colleen Chapin, Human Resources Director (virtual); Eric Ferguson, City Attorney (virtual); Bob Gear, Fire Chief (virtual); Zach Ratkai, Administrative & Community Services Director (in-person); Ken Roske, Police Chief (virtual); Richa Sigdel, Finance Director (virtual); Rick White, Community & Economic Development Director (virtual); Steve Worley, Public Works Director (virtual); and Debby Barham, City Clerk (in-person). The meeting was opened with the Pledge of Allegiance. CONSENT AGENDA: Approval of Meeting Minutes To approve the minutes of the Pasco City Council Remote Meeting held on May 18, 2020 and Remote Special Meeting & Workshop held on May 26, 2020. Bills and Communications To approve claims in the total amount of $2,207,925.52 ($1,131,633.29 in Check Nos. 235768-235986; $279,905.77 in Electronic Transfer Nos. 828368- 828406, 828429-828520, 828538-828608, 828612, 828618-828628, 828647- 828654, 828660, 828663-828665; $14,511.24 in Check Nos. 53327-53338; $779,307.05 in Electronic Transfer Nos. 30148075-30148572; $2,568.17 in Electronic Transfer Nos. 678). Confirmation of Historic Preservation Commission Reappointment To confirm the Mayor's reappointment of Devi Tate to Position No. 5 on the Historic Preservation Commission with a term expiring on August 1, 2022. Resolution Accepting Local CARES Grant To approve Resolution No. 3962, accepting the City of Pasco's allocation from the Department of Commerce's Coronavirus Relief Funds for Local Government. Page 1 of 4 REMOTE REGULAR MINUTES MEETING PASCO CITY COUNCIL JUNE 1, 2020 (RC) MOTION: Mayor Pro Tem Barajas moved to approve the Consent Agenda as read. Ms. Roach seconded. Motion carried by unanimous Roll Call vote. REPORTS FROM COMMITTEES AND/OR OFFICERS: Verbal Reports from Councilmembers Ms. Roach commented on the recent Visit Tri Cities Board meeting held virtually. Ms. Roach also stated that both the Benton and Franklin County Commissions are preparing to apply for Phase 2 of the Safe Start Washington initiative instituted by Washington State Governor Inslee. Mr. Maloney commented on the recent protests related to racial injustices and read emails from local groups regarding this issue. Mayor Martinez commented on a recent meeting with neighboring community mayors regarding a new public service announcement related to COVID-19. Mayor Martinez also commented on the possibility of requiring all businesses that open require masks for all. Mayor Martinez noted that Agenda Item IOB. will be removed from the agenda as a protest was received related to the bid opening for improvements to Fire Station Nos. 81 and 82 and Fire Training Rehab projects. HEARINGS AND COUNCIL ACTION ON ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS RELATING THERETO: Street Vacation: Vacating Portions of Streets and Alleys in Washington Addition (MF# VAC2019-007) Mr. White provided a brief report related to this proposed Street Vacation for portions of streets and alleys in Washington Addition. Mayor Martinez continued the public hearing from the March 16, 2020 Council meeting. There were no public comments. After three calls, Mayor Martinez closed the public hearing. MOTION: Mayor Pro Tem Barajas moved to adopt Ordinance No.4491, vacating all roads and alleys lying north of the centerline of E. Helena Street and east of the centerline of Missoula Street within the plat of Washington Addition and further, authorize publication by summary only. Mr. Maloney seconded. Motion carried unanimously. ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS NOT RELATING TO HEARINGS: *Resolutions - Ratify Emergency Orders Related to COVID-19 Mr. Zabell explained that three (3) Emergency Orders, recently signed by the Mayor, were needed to be extended due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. MOTION: Mayor Pro Tem Barajas moved to approve Resolution No. 3963, ratifying Emergency Order No. 2020-002.1, relating to extending temporary moratorium on utility services shut -offs and late fees for City of Pasco customers.Mr. Alvarado seconded. Motion carried unanimously. Page 2 of 4 REMOTE REGULAR MINUTES MEETING PASCO CITY COUNCIL JUNE 1, 2020 MOTION: Mayor Pro Tem Barajas moved to approve Resolution No.3964, ratifying Emergency Order No. 2020-004.1, relating to extending temporary expansion of administrative paid leave for City of Pasco staff. Mr. Serrano seconded. Motion carried unanimously. MOTION: Mayor Pro Tem Barajas moved to approve Resolution No. 3965, ratifying Emergency Order No. 2020-005.2, relating to extending temporary change in leave policies. Mr Milne seconded. Motion carried unanimously. NEW BUSINESS: *Confirmation of Civil Service Commission/Personnel Board Appointments Mr. Zabell briefed Council regarding the recent appointment and reappointment to the Civil Service Commission and requested that Council confirm the appointments. MOTION: Mayor Pro Tem Barajas moved to confirm the City Manager's reappointment of Janis Hastings to Position No. 1 (term to expire 2/17/26) and appoint Josee Saldua to Position No. 2 (term to expire 2/17/22) to the Civil Service Commission/Personnel Board. Ms. Roach seconded. Motion carried unanimously. This item was removed from the agenda due to the receipt of a bid protest. MISCELLANEOUS DISCUSSION: Ms. Barajas provided a statement about the recent national and local protests due to the death of George Floyd Jr., the opportunity to speak up and speak out for the under -served, the Pasco Police Department, which is a nationally accredited police force and encouraged peaceful protests. Mr. Alvarado commented on this difficult time in the nation and asked Council to define their role in facilitating the building of relationships within Pasco and suggested that Council provide a statement and to create an open dialog regarding these national issues. Mayor Martinez requested that Mr. Zabell work with the community groups to create a resolution or proclamation that addresses these issues. Mr. Zabell stated that the City's Inclusion, Diversity and Equity Commission has not met due to the COVID-19 interruption; however a facilitator is line up to meet with the IDE Commission. Mr. Zabell suggested that three (3) Councilmembers may join the IDE Commission while working on the City's Resolution. Councilmembers Alvarado, Barajas and Maloney volunteered and Serrano offered to be an alternate representative. Mayor Martinez expressed appreciation to the Pasco community for the peaceful protests that were held over the weekend and he commended the efforts of the City and specifically the Pasco Police Department for the strides made to become educated and nationally accredited. Mr. Zabell also expressed appreciation to the Pasco community for holding a peaceful protest, as well as to the Police Chief Roske and Fire Chief Gear for the advance planning their departments conducted and for the appropriate Page 3 of 4 REMOTE REGULAR MINUTES MEETING PASCO CITY COUNCIL JUNE 1, 2020 presence during the protests made a positive difference in the outcome of the rallies. Mr. Zabell, Ms. Sigdel and Mr. White briefly discussed the status of CARES Act funding. Mr. Zabell stated that staff will come back to Council with more details on the impact of the City's financial status related to the COVID-19 crisis at the June 8, 2020 workshop. Council and staff discussion ensued regarding the distribution of the CARES Act funding and Council recommended that to get as much of the funding out into the community taking into account the needs of keeping the City viable; small businesses, vulnerable population, individuals are the priorities; move the funding out quickly, be creative to get the funding out to small businesses and also help them in other ways to reopen those businesses. Mr. Maloney read the Council's oath of office and stated that he follows the oath when taking action as a Councilmember. Mayor Martinez thanked the firefighters for keeping the community safe. He added to continue to follow the law and keep everyone safe by wearing face masks to help contain the spread of the COVID-19 virus. ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:15 PM. APPROVED: Saul Martinez, Mayor ATTEST: j)0&", - &112,V171— Debra Barham, City Clerk Page 4 of 4