HomeMy WebLinkAbout2022.01.24 Council Minutescryo`
Pasco
Washington
MINUTES
City Council Workshop Meeting
7:20 PM - Monday, January 24, 2022
City Council Chambers & GoToWebinar
CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order at 7:25 PM by Craig Maloney, Mayor Pro Tem.
ROLL CALL
Councilmembers present: Blanche Barajas, Craig Maloney, Joseph Campos, Pete
Serrano, David Milne, and Nikki Torres
Councilmembers absent: Zahra Roach
Staff present: Dave Zabell, City Manager; Adam Lincoln, Deputy City Manager;
Colleen Chapin, Human Resources Director; Craig Briggs, Assistant City Attorney;
Jeff Briggs Assistant 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; Steve Worley,
Public Works Director; and Debby Barham, City Clerk.
VERBAL REPORTS FROM COUNCILMEMBERS
Mr. Milne commented on the Agricultural Hall of Fame event that he attended recently,
noting that Ms. Torres also attended the event.
ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION
Tri -City Dust Devils Season Recap
Mr. Ratkai introduced Derrel Ebert, Vice President & General Manager for the Tri -
City Dust Devils Baseball Team who reported on the 2021 baseball season and their
affiliation with the Los Angeles A's Major League Baseball (MLB) team for the next
ten (10) years. Brent Miles, President also commented on the Tri -City Dust Devils,
and they announced that the Washington State AA and AAA High School
Championship games will be held again at GESA Stadium in May 2022.
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Council, Mr. Miles, Mr. Ebert, Mr. Ratkai and Mr. Zabell continued to discuss the
2022 baseball season, the upcoming scheduled improvements to GESA Stadium
and the positive economic impact the season, as well as stadium improvements will
bring to the community.
Future Fire Station Considerations
Mr. Zabell and Fire Chief Gear provided a brief presentation regarding the status and
considerations of the future City Fire Stations due to its anticipated growth.
Mr. Serrano asked about the increased call volume this past year and the causes of
that increase.
Fire Chief Gear responded stating that the coronavirus was one of the major factors
in that increase. Chief Gear also mentioned that the Fire Department's Resource
Navigator program helped reduce the repeat EMS calls this past year. He also noted
that the first large, assisted living facility, currently being built on Burns Road, will
have a major impact on increased calls when it is opened stressing Station 83 if
Station 85 is not up and running by then.
Mr. Zabell stated that staff was currently in the process of updating the Fire Master
Plan based on all the factors affecting the EMS and Fire calls discussed during the
workshop.
Mayor Pro Tem Maloney asked about the City's interaction with the area Fire Districts
and as Pasco expands through annexations how that affects the Franklin County
Fire District capabilities.
Fire Chief Gear stated that Pasco works well with the area Fire Districts to ensure
the best coverage possible with the equipment, facilities, and manpower available.
He reiterated that planning for the future needs now is key.
Fire Station 85 & Maple Street Extension
Mr. Zabell and Fire Chief Gear provided a brief report on the proposed extension of
Maple Street in front of the future Fire Station 85. They sought Council's thoughts
the type of roadway for the new Fire Station 85. Should it be merely a driveway or
should the City build a roadway that would accommodate a future road to extend
Maple Street and provide for the roadway connection from Road 100 to Road 97.
Council and staff discussed an option of road extension as future development
occurs with the properties between Road 100 and Road 97. At the end of the
discussion, the majority of the Council felt that the City should build a roadway to
access Fire Station 85 at this time and as the property to the east of the Fire Station
is developed, then Council would hold public hearings on the options a future road
connection from Road 100 to Road 97.
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SG Land Management LLC/Harris Road Annexation (ANX 2020-001)
Mr. White provided an update on the proposed annexation that will be coming
forward for final action at the February 7, 2022, Council meeting.
Mr. Serrano and Mr. White briefly discussed the length of time to process this
annexation.
Resolution - Interlocal Agreement for Columbia River Bacteria Management
Plan
Mr. Worley explained the purpose of the proposed interlocal agreement in response
to unusual algae blooms that occurred within the Columbia River during the past
summer. This item will come before Council at their next business meeting for final
action.
Resolution - Bid Award for West Pasco Water Treatment Plant Improvements
(Phase 1)
Mr. Worley provided a brief overview of the proposed bid award for Phase 1 of the
West Pasco Water Treatment Plant Improvements. This item will come before
Council at their next business meeting for final action.
Council Voting Districts - Redistricting Discussion
Mr. Zabell and Assistant City Attorney Jeff Briggs provided a brief update on the
process to review the current Council Voting District Boundaries and possibly
realigning the districts' boundaries based on the 2020 U.S. Census data received
through the Washington State Department of Financial Management. The City has
enlisted the services of the law firm of Floyd, Pflueger & Ringer, PS again to analyze
the current census data and provide recommendations for possible districts'
boundaries realignments.
Council and staff discussion ensued regarding the potential Council Voting Districts'
boundaries adjustments. At the end of the discussion Mr. Zabell stated that staff will
come back to Council in late June or early July with additional information regarding
the analysis of the census data. The final redistricting will need to be completed by
November 15, 2022.
Local Finance Options - Income Tax
Mr. Zabell recapped previous Council discussion that Council was in full agreement
regarding opposition to a local income tax; however, Council had differing opinions
on how to convey that message. A few different options on how to convey this stance
included: 1) No further action as the Council discussion on this matter was sufficient
to assure the public; 2) Passage of a resolution affirming that the City Council has
no intention of imposing a local income tax; 3) Passage of an ordinance prohibiting
the imposition of a local income tax by the City of Pasco; and/or 4) Interaction with
the Washington State Legislature on the matter, specifically, a higher level of
engagement on the legislation relating to local taxing authority proposals. Mr. Zabell
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also introduced Briahna Murry, Vice President with Gordon Thomas Honeywell
(GTH), who provided additional information regarding the status of SB 5554 -
"Eliminating the prohibition on local net income taxes if certain revenue neutrality
requirements are met," as well as the proposed letter provided in the agenda packet.
Council discussed the various options and Council supported the letter drafted by
GTH, if it is needed. Council still questioned whether to move forward on formalizing
their stance in a resolution or a resolution instructing staff to prepare an ordinance
amending the Pasco Municipal Code (PMC) and concluded with four
Councilmembers willing to have a resolution stating that Council is opposed to the
Local Income Tax. Mr. Briggs stated that ordinances amending the PMC are
generally related to the operations in the City of Pasco and resolutions, by their
nature, are statements of purpose and intentions of Council. He recommended a
resolution would convey Council stance on this issue. Mr. Serrano stated he still
supports amending the PMC to include a statement that the City of Pasco bans Local
Income Tax for Council consideration, and he would meet with City Attorney's Office
staff to draft an ordinance. Mr. Campos asked that Mr. Serrano be flexible when
discussing this matter with staff and consider the easiest path forward regarding this
issue.
MISCELLANEOUS COUNCIL DISCUSSION
Mayor Pro Tem Maloney commented on placing a pause on Single Resident
Occupancy (SRO) within the City of Pasco.
Mr. Zabell stated that the SRO topic could be brought back to Council for discussion at
a future Workshop.
Mr. Campos asked about the status of Animal Control Authority (ACA), specifically the
comments from Ms. Larkin related to the Benton Franklin Humane Society and the ACA
interlocal Agreement.
Mr. Ratkai and Mr. Zabell responded stating all three cities will need to weigh in related
to amending the ACA interlocal agreement and a concrete plan needs to be vetted out
first. Staff will be meeting with Ms. Larkin in February and more information will follow.
Mr. Campos expressed appreciation to Mr. Ratkai and Mr. Lincoln for responding to
Ms. Larkin's emails timely.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
Mr. Briggs asked staff to provide the factors affecting the price of the real estate item
before going into the Executive Session.
Mr. Zabell stated the factors influencing the price is the proposed use of the property
will be for residential development and proposed use of property of the surrounding
property is also for residential development.
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Council adjourned into Executive Session at 9:31 PM for 14 minutes to discuss the
consideration of 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, ACS Director, and the Assistant City Attorney.
Mayor Pro Tem Maloney called the meeting back to order at 9:45 PM.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 9:45 PM.
PASSED and APPROVED this _ day of Flg� , 20_.
APPROVED: ATTEST:
Blanche Barajas, Mayor Debra Barham, City Clerk
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