HomeMy WebLinkAbout2022.02.28 Council Minutescity of
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MINUTES
City Council Workshop Meeting
7:00 PM - Monday, February 28, 2022
City Council Chambers & GoToWebinar
CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order at 7:00 PM by Blanche Barajas, Mayor.
ROLL CALL
Councilmembers present: Blanche Barajas, Craig Maloney, Joseph Campos, Pete
Serrano, David Milne, Zahra Roach, and Nikki Torres
Councilmembers absent: None
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.
The meeting was opened with the Pledge of Allegiance.
VERBAL REPORTS FROM COUNCILMEMBERS
Mr. Campos commented on the ride -a -long with a Pasco Police Department Officer
recently.
Mr. Milne commented on the Colima -Pasco Friendship & Collaboration Association
(COPA) meeting he recently attended.
Mayor Barajas commented on the meeting she participated in with Washington State
Governor Inslee last week to address homelessness in the community.
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ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION
American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Funds Business Support Program with
Pasco Chamber of Commerce Update
Ms. Sigdel introduced Colin Hastings, Executive Director with the Pasco Chamber
of Commerce who provided a report on the Business Support Program, which was
funded with the ARPA funds. Rolando Rodriguez with Sol Case Management also
provided some insights related to the Business Support Program.
Council, Mr. Hastings, and Mr. Rodriguez further discussed the program, how it
was administered and the feedback from the businesses that applied for funding
under the program and either received or did not receive funding.
Ms. Sigdel stated that approximately $1 Million from the Business Support Program
will be returned to the City's ARPA Fund and will be available for reallocation.
Single Room Occupancy (SRO) Housing
Council and staff continued the discussion of SRO housing, which began during
the February 14th Council Workshop. The discussion included concerns of SROs
and also options available to Council for consideration as listed below:
1. Take no further action and let the market dictate the rate and timing of
conversions, recognizing that the City is going through a Housing Capacity
Plan, with will offer additional insights for consideration; or
2. Establish a moratorium on the conversions process and reassess after
completion of the Housing Capacity Plan (estimated to be completed in the
summer of 2022), recognizing that establishing a moratorium requires a set
standard of process and is limited in duration; or
3. Repeal the applicable ordinance establishing the SRO process in the Pasco
Municipal Code.
At the conclusion of the discussion, Council instructed staff to prepare a temporary
moratorium on processing any new SRO applications within the City.
Staff confirmed that they will bring back a resolution at the March 7th meeting for
Council's consideration to start the process establishing a temporary moratorium
on SROs, noting that the current three SRO issued conditional use permits will
continue through the permitting process.
Fire Services Financial Strategy Discussion
Mr. Zabell briefly commented on the City's fire services current and future needs
and then introduced Fire Chief Gear and Finance Director Sigdel who provided a
report on the Pasco Fire Department financial strategy that addressed the need for
three (3) additional Fire and Emergency Services facilities within Pasco.
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Parks Off -Season Work & Activities
Mr. Ratkai stated that this was an opportunity to update Council on how the
Facilities Division, part of Administrative & Community Development Department,
was utilizing the additional fulltime staff during the winter months and the benefits
the City is reaping from the 2021 restructuring of the division's workforce. He
introduced Dan Dotta, Facilities Manager, who provided a presentation on the
Facilities Division winter projects including teaming up with other departments,
which resulted in greater efficiencies across the City.
Council expressed appreciation to staff for the update on how the Facilities Division
is making positive impacts within the City.
Resolution - Bid Award for the Water Main Replacement - Maple Drive AC
Main (Road 100 to Road 103)
Mr. Worley introduced Capital Improvement Program Manager Maria Serra who
highlighted the Water Main Replacement - Maple Drive AC Main - Project and
stated that the bid award for this project will be brought forward to Council for
approval at the March 7, 2022, meeting.
Resolution - Termination of Mid -Columbia Regional Cable Commission &
Interlocal Agreement
Mr. Zabell briefed Council on the proposed termination of the Mid -Columbia
Regional Cable Commission and the interlocal agreement establishing the
Commission between the Cities of Kennewick, Richland and Pasco. He stated that
approval of the termination will come back for Council consideration at the March
7th meeting.
MISCELLANEOUS COUNCIL DISCUSSION
Mr. Zabell announced the following:
• The third Community Forum is scheduled on Thursday, March 3rd, at 6:30 PM,
located at the HAPO Center.
• The Peanuts Park Grand Opening is scheduled for Friday, March 11th at 1:00
PM.
• Washington State Governor Inslee has announced that face mask mandate will
end on March 12, 2022, as part of a collaborative effort with the states of
California and Oregon.
Mayor Barajas commented on the recent conflict in Ukraine that was initiated by Russia
and expressed support for Ukraine.
Ms. Roach also commented on the conflict and her cousin's story who is currently a
refugee in Poland.
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ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:56 PM.
PASSED and APPROVED this _ day of Mcv&k , 20_.
APPROVED:
Blanche Barajas, Mayor
ATTEST:
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Debra Barham, City Clerk
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