CITY OF WEST RICHLAND
COUNCIL MEETING
Monday, May 15, 2006
1. Call to Order – Mayor Dale Jackson called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
2. Roll Call – Mayor Dale Jackson and Mayor Pro Tem Nancy Aldrich were present. Council Members Matthew Bleich, Gail Brown, Rich Buel, Kenneth Dobbin, Merle Johnson and Julie Jones were also present. Staff members present were City Administrator Mark Panther, Assistant Finance Director Joe Potts, Public Works Director Roscoe Slade, Community Development Director Pete Squires, City Planner Mary Jakob, City Planner Todd Stowell, City Attorney Terry Tanner and City Clerk Julie Richardson. Chief Erdman arrived at 9:05 p.m.
3. Pledge of Allegiance – Councilmember Johnson led the Council, Staff, and audience in the recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance.
4. Approval of Agenda – Mayor Jackson announced the removal of item 9k from the agenda. Upon a motion by Councilmember Brown, seconded by Councilmember Buel, Council unanimously approved the agenda as revised.
5. Announcements, Reports & Comments - Council provided brief reports on recent events and meetings they attended:
Councilmember Jones said the Washington State Transportation Commission will be in the Tri-Cities on May 23 and 24 and she will present information on the Red Mountain Center. Leo Bowman will
Present information on the Red Mountain Interchange.
Councilmember Aldrich said the County Commute Reduction group will meet on May 19 at 10:00 a.m. at the Council of Governments.
Councilmember Aldrich advised of a workshop on May 24 from 4:00 to 7:00 at the Courtyard by Marriott on the Columbia River Management.
Councilmember Dobbin reported a Benton County Fire District #4 (BCFD #4) Commissioner’s meeting on May 18 at 6:00 p.m. at the Harrington Fire Station and a Workshop on May 22 at the Bombing Range Fire Station. The workshop is to discuss needs analysis and future funding for firefighters. The fire commissioners have requested a joint meeting with City Council to discuss issues with Southeast Communications Center (SECOMM) and a plan to work together to address the issues.
Councilmember Dobbin announced the BCFD #4 pancake breakfast being held on Sunday, May 21 from 9:00 to 1:00 at the Harrington Fire Station.
Councilmember Dobbin talked about the Global Nuclear Energy Partnership which seeks to develop worldwide consensus to expand the use of nuclear power while reducing the threat of nuclear proliferation. Their website is www.gnep.energy.gov.
Councilmember Buel congratulated Norene Eggers-Erlandson, a Wiley Elementary School teacher, who will be honored by Tri-Cities Area Educational Cooperative on May 16.
Councilmember Buel reported on the EDB meeting on May 9 which was attended by West Richland Chamber of Commerce members. Hogs and Dogs will be held on June 22 and 650 motorcycles are expected to participate.
Councilmember Buel reported his attendance at the first meeting of the Economic Development Board (EDB) subcommittee which was also attended by Johan Curtiss, Troy Berglund, Pete Squires and Mayor Jackson. He said as a result of the joint meeting between the EDB and Council, the EDB is revising their goals to align with Council’s goals.
Councilmember Johnson reported on the Planning Commission meeting held on May 11 and said the Planning Commission is working on the Comprehensive Plan and have had public hearings. In his observation, there are still communication issues with staff and the Planning Commission.
Councilmember Johnson explained why he is promoting a name change for the City of West Richland. He said the Chamber of Commerce has been talking to businesses and have received positive feedback on the idea of a name change. He clarified that the name change issue is in the information gathering stage at this time.
Mayor Jackson explained SECOMM and said he is a representative on the Board of Directors for SECOMM, specifically the Multi-Agency Committee (MAC). He said that in an emergency and/or true disaster, the MAC is responsible for allocating resources. He reported that he and City Administrator Panther participated in an emergency management drill, which was very successful.
6. Citizen’s Public Comment – Mayor Jackson opened the meeting to Public Comments on items not on the agenda at 7:19 p.m.
Judy Nelson, 1901 Pheasant Lane, expressed concern about an article in the Tri-City Herald about the West Richland animal shelter. She offered her assistance, both strategically and financially and urged citizens to assist the City in finding a solution.
City Administrator Panther will schedule a meeting with Ms. Nelson, Mayor Jackson and Animal Control Officer Tiffani Garner to discuss ways to improve the animal control shelter.
There being no further comments, Mayor Jackson closed the citizen public comments at 7:24 p.m.
7. Presentations – a. Mayor Jackson presented a proclamation of appreciation to Ed’s Disposal for their involvement in Earth Day Clean-up.
b. Troy Berglund, West Richland Chamber of Commerce President of the Board, updated Council on the mapping GIS system. He said the County installed the software and trained staff on its use.
Mr. Berglund explained that the Chamber of Commerce has been thinking about the benefits of a City name change for approximately six years. They talked with City businesses and have found overwhelming support. The Chamber has contacted state agencies for information on the process for businesses if a City name change is implemented and found the process is not very cumbersome and most state forms are automatically changed when a City files a new name. Representatives from the Red Mountain AVA have requested a meeting to discuss the issue.
The Chamber of Commerce feels more communication with citizens is needed before the Chamber presents a resolution to Council. He said the name Red Mountain is an option, but a new name needs to be researched further and input from the public and the Red Mountain AVA is necessary.
Mayor Jackson clarified that, by resolution, the Council is being asked to place a question on the November ballot that will be voted on by the citizens of West Richland. A name change will not occur unless the residents vote its approval. He advised that a public hearing will be scheduled for input from citizens.
Discussion about methods to educate the public and obtaining citizen input ensued and City Attorney Tanner advised that legally, the City can provide information at the City’s expense, but cannot advocate for an issue.
Mayor Jackson opened the meeting to Citizen’s public comment on the subject of a name change at 7:44 p.m.
Ed Shaw, President of the Red Mountain Estate Association, spoke in opposition of a name change from West Richland to Red Mountain. Red Mountain is known worldwide for Red Wine and the Association feels having a City with the same name would cause confusion. He urged Council not to pursue the name of Red Mountain.
Bob Lattin, 5429 W. Lattin, voiced opposition to a name change because he feels this is a controversial issue that would divide the City and the City needs time to heal from past divisive issues. He said he is more opposed to the name of Red Mountain than a name change in general.
Ernie McDowell, 415 Bombing Range Road, expressed his opposition to a City name change stating that he has lived in the City since 1953 and he likes the name West Richland. He said it took five years to get the name changed to West Richland and this was done to promote unity and consolidate the area. He asked Council not to waste time and money on pursuing a name change.
Rad Howard, 785 Grosscup, is opposed to a name change for the City.
Wallace Ruff, 4236 King, said if there is a name change, the name should tie in to West Richland. He feels that a process should be established where citizens have the opportunity to choose the name.
Randy Bostrum, 4566 Ironton, spoke in support of a name change. As part of his career for the past six years, he has been responsible for marketing and selling this region to businesses and it is confusing when attempting to locate businesses in West Richland because it is misconstrued as being Richland. As an example, he referred to an article in the Tri-City Herald reporting on a sculpture park that indicated it was located in West Richland, but it is on Van Giesen Street in Richland.
John Williams, Kiona Vineyard and Winery, is opposed to the name of Red Mountain. He explained how the Red Mountain AVA was established as a premier wine growing area with worldwide recognition and feels it is important to maintain their identity. He feels naming a city Red Mountain would dilute the identity and efforts of those who established Red Mountain AVA and spent a lot of money promoting it. Speaking on a name change in general, he suggested analyzing the cost to the City, businesses and residents.
There being no further comments, Mayor Jackson closed Citizens Public Comments at 8:14 p.m.
8. Consent Agenda – Upon motion by Councilmember Brown, seconded by Councilmember Bleich, Council adopted the Consent Agenda by majority vote with one opposition by Mayor Pro Tem Aldrich.
a. Motion to Approve Payment of Bills
001 / General Fund / 234,611.36 /101 / Streets / 7,090.94
103 / General Cumulative Reserve / 171.00
105 / Criminal Justice / 10,310.50
121 / Library Services / 20,026.58
301 / REET 1 – Capital Improvements / 1,076.23
313 / Capital Improvement – Dev. Services Bldg. / 1,776.76
314 / Capital Improvement – Polo Club Dewatering / 1,519.32
318 / Capital Improvement – Water System Imps / 350.00
357 / Capital Improvement – NWTP Expansion Design / 32,385.66
362 / Capital Improvement – Bombing Range Ph 7 / 164,174.40
365 / Capital Improvement – Keene Rd Ph 2,3 / 240,404.70
366 / Capital Improvement – Paradise/BR Signal / 952.00
401 / Water Sewer Irrigation / 80,703.76
621 / Treasurer’s Trust / 75.00
Total / $795,628.21
b. Motion to Approve Minutes of Council Meeting of May 1, 2006 and Workshop of April 25, 2006
c. Motion Amending City Credit Card Policy
d. Motion to Execute Engineering Services Contract for Keene Road Beautification Project with JUB Engineering
e. Motion to Authorize Execution of Local Agency Agreement with WSDOT
f. ORD – Vacating Portions of Kennedy Road Right-of Way
ORDINANCE 16-06 - AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF WEST RICHLAND VACATING A PORTION OF THE KENNEDY ROAD RIGHT-OF-WAY LOCATED IN THE SE ¼ OF SECTION 17, TOWNSHIP 9 NORTH, RANGE 28 EAST, W.M., WEST RICHLAND, BENTON COUNTY, WASHINGTON.
g. Motion to Authorize Mayor to Executive Utility Easement Deed – South Sewer Lagoon Property
h. Motion to Authorize Mayor to Execute $75,000 Stormwater Grant with Department of Ecology
i. RES – Setting Date of Public Hearing Date – Zoning Change at Red Mountain Center
RESOLUTION 24-06 - A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF WEST RICHLAND, WASHINGTON, SETTING A PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER REZONING 320 ACRES KNOWN AS “RED MOUNTAIN CENTER”, AND ANY ACCOMPANYING SEPA APPEAL(S), LOCATED IN WEST RICHLAND, BENTON COUNTY, WASHINGTON.
j. RES – Setting Date of Public Hearing Date – Pashton Plaza Preliminary Plat
RESOLUTION 25-06 - A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF WEST RICHLAND, WASHINGTON, SETTING A PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER AN 8-LOT PRELIMINARY PLAT KNOWN AS “PASHTON PLAZA” AND THE VACATION OF ACCESS AND UTILITY EASEMENTS ON THE UNDERLYING PROPERTY, LOCATED IN WEST RICHLAND, BENTON COUNTY, WASHINGTON.
9. Ordinances, Resolutions, Motions & Public Hearings – a. Public Hearing – RES – Adopting Six Year (2007-2012) Transportation Improvement Plan – Public Works Director Slade presented a recommendation to approve a resolution adopting the six year Transportation Improvement Plan (TIP) (2007-2012). In his staff report, Public Works Director Slade noted that each year all jurisdictions are required to complete a Six Year TIP, which is a planning document for the City and the State of Washington. This document assists in the programming for Federal and State monies and various grant and funding programs. The TIP is comprised of elements that are part of past programs and includes minor adjustments to a few projects to make them compatible with available grant funding sources.
Mayor Jackson opened the public hearing at 8:20 p.m.
Richard Bloom, disagrees with deferral of #15, Belmont Blvd. Phase 2 (Belmont Blvd. from Kilewea to SR224) and disagrees with the priorities of several projects. He feels Belmont Blvd. should be extended to alleviate congestion on Paradise.
Public Works Director said the priorities are dependent on occurrence of area development.
There being no further public comments, Mayor Jackson closed the public hearing at 8:21 p.m.
b. RES – Adopting Six Year (2007-2012) Transportation Improvement Plan – Public Works Director Slade a recommendation to adopt Resolution 26-06 as delineated in item 9a.
RESOLUTION 26-06 - A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF WEST RICHLAND, WASHINGTON, ADOPTING THE 2007-2012 SIX-YEAR TRANSPORTATION IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM.
Upon motion by Councilmember Brown, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Aldrich, Council unanimously adopted resolution 26-06.
c. ORD – Adopting State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) Optional Process (WAC 19-11-355) – 1st Reading – City Planner Stowell presented a recommendation to approve an ordinance adopting the optional Determination of Non-significance (DNS) process of WAC 197-11-355. In his staff report, Planner Stowell noted that the City’s SEPA ordinance (WRMC 18.04) has not been updated since it was adopted on December 16, 1985. Effective November 10, 1997, an amendment to the SEPA rules was WAC 197-11-355, Optional DNS Process which must be adopted into the SEPA ordinance.