HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020.06.22 Council MinutesREMOTE
WORKSHOP MINUTES
MEETING PASCO CITY COUNCIL JUNE 22, 2020
REMOTE WORKSHOP INSTRUCTIONS:
The Pasco City Council Workshop was broadcast live on PSC -TV Channel 191
on Charter/Spectrum Cable in Pasco and Richland and streamed at www.pasco-
wa.gov/psctvlive and on the City's Facebook page at
www.facebook.com/cityotPasco. Call-in information to GoToWebinar for
"listen -only" mode was also made available.
CALL TO ORDER:
The meeting was called to order at 6:08 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); Eric Ferguson, City
Attorney (virtual); Bob Gear, Fire Chief (virtual); Ken Roske, Police Chief (in-
person); Richa Sigdel, Finance Director (in-person); Rick White, Community &
Economic Development Director (virtual); Steve Worley, Public Works
Director (virtual); Brent Cook, Police Deputy Chief (in-person) Bill Parramore,
Police Captain (in-person); Brent Kubalek,Recreation Services Manager (in-
person); Maria Seera, Capital Projects Manager (in-person); and Debby
Barham, City Clerk (in-person).
VERBAL REPORTS FROM COUNCILMEMBERS:
Mr. Alvarado commented on meetings he recently attended including: Ben
Franklin Transit Board, Benton, Franklin & Walla Walla Counties Good Roads
& Transportation Association and Benton -Franklin Council of Governments.
Ms. Roach announced that she participated in a Public Service Announcement
(PSA) with Visit Tri -Cities, which encourages wearing masks and social
distancing in efforts that Benton and Franklin Counties can move forward with
Safe Start Washington and reduce the spread of COVID-19.
Mr. Martinez commented about two weekly COVID-19 meetings he attends
and stated that the Tri -Cities hospitals are filling up with COVID-19 patients
and there are only a couple of ventilators available to serve patients. He pleaded
the community to follow Benton Franklin Health District orders related to
social distancing and wearing masks to slow down the spread of COVID-19.
Mr. Maloney commented on increase of COVID-19 positive cases within the
community and noted it is spreading and encouraged all residents within
Benton and Franklin Counties to follow the social distancing rules to end the
spread of COVID-19.
ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION:
Community Policing, Accomplishments & Use of Force Liability, Law,
Policy
Mr. Zabell introduced the discussion on community policing and then turned it
over to Police Chief Roske and Police Captain Parramore to present the City of
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Pasco's policing, accomplishments and use of force liability, law and policy.
Council and staff discussion occurred throughout the presentation.
Council expressed appreciation for the thorough presentation and for the Pasco
Police Officers for the extensive training, the transparency of the department
and use of appropriate force as opposed to what has been recently shown on a
national level.
Recess:
Mayor Martinez declared a ten (10) minute recess at 8:40 PM.
The Workshop reconvened at 8:50 PM.
U.S. Bureau of Reclamation Quitclaim Deed - PWRF Property Purchase
Mr. Worley provided a brief history and current status of the proposed property
purchase from the U.S. Bureau for Reclamation.
A brief question and answer period commenced.
Mayor Martinez confirmed that this item will come back for Council
consideration at the next meeting.
Professional Services Agreement with RH2 Engineering, Inc. for the West
Pasco Water Treatment Plant (WPWTP) Improvements
Mr. Worley introduced Capital Improvement Projects Manager Serra. Ms. Serra
provided a brief report regarding the start of the proposed improvements of the
West Pasco Water Treatment Plant by contracting with RI -12 Engineering for
professional services.
Council and staff discussion ensued regarding the planned improvements for
the City's water treatment plants.
Mayor Martinez confirmed that this item will come back to Council for
consideration at the next meeting.
Amendment to BCES Interlocal Agreement
Fire Chief Gear explained the purpose of the proposed amendment to the
Benton County Emergency Services (BCES) interlocal agreement. .
Council and staff briefly discussed aspects of the proposed amendment to the
BCES interlocal agreement.
Mayor Martinez confirmed that this item will come back to Council for
consideration at the next Council meeting.
MISCELLANEOUS COUNCIL DISCUSSION:
Fourth of July Activities in Pasco
Mr. Zabell introduced Recreation Services Manager Kubalek. Mr. Kubalek
provided an overview of the activities scheduled for the 4th of July, which
adhere to the mandated social distancing due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The alternative activities included:
• Virtual Grand Old 4th Parade
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• Virtual Challenge - complete 20 miles between Jane 19 and July 3 (run,
walk, paddle, swim, bike, etc.)
• Pasco Goes Camp -In - scheduled for Friday, July 3
• Pasco Trail Clean-up - Volunteer and clean-up will back plane between
June 26 through June 30
• Family Freedom Bike Ride - July 4 and asked to decorate bike in the
spirit of freedom
Council expressed appreciation for the alternative options available celebrating
the 4th of July.
Follow up Council Discussion on Resolution No. 3968
Mr. Zabell noted that the recent approval of Resolution No. 3968 - Peaceful
Assembly, has committed the Council to specific action. Mr. Zabell stated that
the IDE Commission and its recently retained facilitator, along with the newly
formed Arts and Culture Commission are available to help form an action plan
for the City and community.
Mr. Maloney recommended that the IDE be enhanced with additional members
and possibly Council liaisons.
Mr. Serrano recommended that Council provide specific direction to the
existing IDE Commission to come up with an action plan.
Mr. Alvarado recommended that the IDE Commission
Mr. Zabell suggested that due to the on-going COVID-19 pandemic preventing
in-person interviews that Council form a subcommittee of three (3)
Councilmembers to interview the IDE applicants remotely and bring the
recommendations back for Council approval.
Council agreed to the subcommittee that included Mayor Martinez, Mayor Pro
Tem Barajas and Councilmember Roach and also, that the application process
for the IDE be reopened for a few weeks and then the subcommittee will
interview a broad selection of candidates.
Mr. Zabell provided an update on COVID-19 statistics and plan to lower the
spread of the virus.
ADJOURNMENT:
There being no further business, the workshop was adjourned at 9:38 PM.
APPROVED:
Saul Martinez, Mayor
ATTEST:
Debra Barham, City Clerk
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