HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021.09.27 Council MinutesCityM
04," -a -
TVs cO
Washington
MINUTES
City Council Workshop Meeting
7:00 PM - Monday, September 27, 2021
City Council Chambers & GoToWebinar
CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order at 7:00 PM by Saul Martinez, Mayor.
ROLL CALL
Councilmembers present: Ruben Alvarado, Blanche Barajas, Craig
Maloney, Saul Martinez, David Milne, Zahra Roach, and Pete Serrano.
Staff present: Dave Zabell, City Manager; Adam Lincoln, Deputy City
Manager; Colleen Chapin, Human Resources Director; Eric Ferguson,
City Attorney; Bob Gear, Fire Chief; Zach Ratkai, Administrative &
Community Services Director; Ken Roske, Police Chief; Richa Sigdel,
Finance Director; Rick White, Community & Economic Development
Director; John Millan, Acting Public Works Director; and Debby Barham,
City Clerk.
The meeting was opened with the Pledge of Allegiance.
VERBAL REPORTS FROM COUNCILMEMBERS
Mr. Maloney commented on the redistricting subcommittee meeting that
he, Councilmember Roach and Mayor Pro Tem Barajas attended earlier
in the evening.
ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION
Pasco Public Facilities District - Updates to Charter & Ballot Issue
Process
Mr. Ferguson provided a brief overview of the proposed changes needed
in the Pasco Public Facilities District Charter.
Lodging Tax Advisory Committee (LTAC) Recommendations for
2022
Ms. Pashon provided a brief report regarding the application process, as
well as the recommendations from LTAC for the 2022 lodging tax funding.
Page 1 of 4
Mr. Maloney asked about LTAC's policy when determining the fund
allocations and fund balance cap. Ms. Pashon stated that a response to
his inquiry will be included in the agenda report when this item comes
back for Council's approval at the next business meeting.
Inclusion, Diversity and Equity Commission Strategic Equity Plan
Recommendation
Ms. Pashon proved a brief history of the Inclusion, Diversity & Equity
Commission ([DEC) and the status of the IDEC's strategic equity plan
recommendation. Ms. Pashon introduced IDEC Vice Chair Chambers -
Smith who presented the outline for a strategic equity plan along with the
IDEC's recommendation to hire a consultant to draft the plan.
Council and staff had a brief question and answer period. Council
concurred that funding to hire a consultant to work with staff in developing
the strategic equity plan was needed. Staff will include the additional
funding in the mid -biennial budget adjustment for Council approval.
Life and Safety Program for Commercial Structures
Mr. White provided a brief overview of the updated focus of a Life & Safety
Program for commercial structures within the downtown Pasco area, as
well as possible funding sources for that program.
Council and staff discussion ensued regarding the parameters needed for
developing the Life & Safety Program.
Staff asked for Council to determine the percentage of the grant program;
should the grant be at 50%, 75%, or 100% of the total project cost. Staff
also noted that restaurant related businesses have a much broader usage
of the ARPA funds than for other types of businesses.
Mr. Maloney provided most of the feedback, asking for a program that
would provide a funding strategy that strategically makes the most impact
for those businesses struggling to stay open, located within the Pasco
downtown area, which require improvements to their buildings in order to
stay in business and increase their capacity to serve additional customers
with the goal of helping the downtown become a vibrant area. The
program should include the scale and costs associated for needed repairs
and updates for increasing physical capacity or stability of the structure.
He suggested that the program could offer a zero -percent loan to ensure
that the building owners participate in the improvements of their
commercial structures and the program should focus on the long-term
impact to the downtown area. The program should support current
businesses and the owners of the buildings. The program should include
the C-2 zoning and/or common wall buildings within downtown Pasco.
Page 2 of 4
Mr. Alvarado recommended that conditions be placed on the building
owners when a grant for improvements of the building is awarded. He
suggested that staff provide three program scenarios, which may include
funding through grants or loans or a combination of both and bring that
back for Council's consideration.
Mayor Martinez preferred that the funding be distributed equally as
possible, as well as providing some conditions within the grant.
Mr. Serrano asked for clarification regarding the age of the buildings and
historical preservation requirements for buildings 50 years or older as it
relates to the suggested life and safety improvements outlined in the
agenda report.
Downtown Master Plan Update
Mr. White introduced Economic Development Manager Gonzalez who
provided an update related to the Downtown Master Plan progress to
date. He stated the tentative outreach schedule and timeline through
2022 to complete the master plan. Lastly, he commented on the C-2
Central Business District zone area within the downtown area referring to
the Pasco Municipal Code (PMC) Section 25.90.050, "Prohibited Uses"
within the C-2 zone.
Council and staff discussion ensued regarding the downtown area both
the greater downtown area to the Downtown Pasco Development
Authority area. Additional discussion regarding the C-2 zoning uses will
continue at the next scheduled meeting.
Resolution - Naming of New Park in Chapel Hill Neighborhood
Mr. Ratkai provided a brief recap of the process for determining a name
for the new park located within the Chapel Hill neighborhood. He provided
photos of the development and amenities of the park noting that an Arbor
Day event for planting trees in the park is scheduled as a neighborhood
event.
Resolution - Acceptance of Work for Gesa Stadium Batting Cages
Mr. Ratkai reported that the improvements to the Gesa Stadium are
completed and staff is ready to close the project.
MISCELLANEOUS COUNCIL DISCUSSION
Mr. Zabell noted that the positive COVID-19 cases appearto have peaked
and this past weeks statistics were showing a slight decline.
Mr. Maloney asked if there was an update regarding the City's first
responders COVID-19 issues within the Pasco Fire Department.
Page 3 of 4
Fire Chief Gear stated that the call volume is double from a year ago. The
Pasco Fire Department is holding its own in responding to the increased
calls.
Police Chief Roske reported on the tragedy that occurred Friday
afternoon, on September 24, 2021, with the death of a Pasco School
District bus driver. He assured everyone that the act was a singular
incident; however, the Pasco Police have increased patrol within the
school zone areas to ensure peace of mind for the public.
Mayor Martinez expressed sympathy to the family, co-workers, friends
and students of the slain bus driver and expressed appreciation to both
the Pasco Police Department and Pasco School District responding to the
needs of those involved in the incident.
Ms. Sigdel provided an update to the Utility Assistance Program, stating
that close to $900,000 of the $1.1 million has been allocated to utility
customers. She also provided a status report of the Business Assistance
Program, noting the first checks for that program have been distributed.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
At 8:52 PM, Mayor Martinez called for an eight (8) -minute recess prior to
going into an executive session.
Council adjourned into Executive Session at 9:00 PM for 10 minutes to
consider the minimum offering price for sale or lease of real estate if
there's a likelihood that disclosure would decrease the price, per RCW
42.30.110(1)(c), with the City Manager, Deputy City Manager and the City
Attorney.
Mayor Martinez called the meeting back to order at 9:11 PM and no action
was taken after the Executive Session ended.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 9:11 PM.
PASSED and APPROVED this— day of f7c b be r , 20,1 k.
APPROVED:
,F
Saul Martinez, Mayor
ATTEST:
Debra Barham, City Clerk
Page 4 of 4