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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2022.02.28 Council Minutescity of �r V'dsco Washin toil 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. Page 1 of 4 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. Page 2 of 4 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. Page 3 of 4 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: 1�0' A'� Debra Barham, City Clerk Page 4 of 4