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You ready, Stephanie?
>> Okay.

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Uh, good evening everyone and uh,
welcome to the August 18th, 2026 meeting

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of the West Richland Count City Council.
I will call the meeting to order at 6

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PM. And before we get started, I'm going
to ask our city clerk, Miss Stephanie

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Hog, to read the hybrid meeting ground
rules and then call roll for city

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council.
>> Thank you, mayor. Tonight's meeting will

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be held in person with a virtual meeting
component. If you are participating

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virtually, please make sure the name
shown at the bottom of your video view

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is the name you would like the mayor to
use. You can change this by

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right-clicking on your video view and
selecting rename. Audience members

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present in the council chambers will be
called upon first during public comment

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periods. Those participating remotely
should virtually raise your hand if you

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wish to speak. To virtually raise your
hand, click on participants and then

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click on raise hand. If you are
participating by phone only, press

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asterk 9 to raise your hand. Please
limit comments to three minutes. And

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just a note that this is the last
meeting um that we will be accepting

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virtual comments. Um and more
information on the new process will be

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published on the city's website and
shared on social media uh which will go

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into effect for our meeting on September
1st.

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All right, roll call. Fred Brink
>> here.

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» Richard Bloom
>> here. David Cole

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» here.
>> David Fedto

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» here.
>> Kate Moran

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» present.
>> Dan Richie

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» here.
>> John Smart

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» here.
>> Ben Stoker

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» here.
>> All right. Thank you, city clerk. And

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now I will ask council member Cole to
lead us in the pledge of allegiance.

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Please

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» flag of the United States of America and
to the republic for which it stands. One

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nation under God, indivisible, with
liberty and justice for all.

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» Thank you, Council Member Cole. Uh,
council, you have an agenda before you.

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Are there any changes to the agenda?
Hearing none, may I have a motion to

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approve the agenda as presented?
>> I move to approve the agenda as

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presented.
>> Second.

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» Have a motion and a second to approve
the agenda as presented. All in favor,

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please say I. I.
>> I.

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» Any oppose, say no. Motion carries.
Thank you, councel. And uh

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presentations. We have one presentation
this morning. I'm going to ask our

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finance director, Miss Aaron Gwyn, to
present the financial report for the

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first quarter of 2026.
Miss Gwyn.

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» All right. Thank you, Mayor Brink. Good
evening, council citizens. Uh this

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evening I'm presenting the 2026 first
quarter financial report. The flow will

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be similar to the reports I've given in
the past starting with an overview of

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the economic update followed by specific
financial information regarding the

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general fund followed by the other
funds.

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Uh for the first overview of the economy
slide uh we'll start with the

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unemployment which was increased to 5.2%
2% in Benton County. Uh, another

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economic indicator is the
um consumer price index um

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which nationally had a 12-month
percentage increase of 3.3% when

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comparing March of 25 to March of 26.
This is slightly up from 2.7 in

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December. Uh Seattle metro is a little
bit higher even at 3.9%

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uh which was up from 3.1.
Uh the trend is hovering around 3% range

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which is a more normal inflation rate
compared to recent years.

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Uh locally we look at city's building
activity. Single family permits issued

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in the first quarter were up 63% for the
same time period last year with 31 new

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single family homes and multifamily were
also up with 12. In terms of revenue

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generated, the city received more than
two and a half times the amount of

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building permit revenue that it did
first uh quarter last year.

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Uh this is another view of the new
single family home permits. Uh the bar

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graph shows the years in comparison and
the green line showing the addition uh

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of assessed valuation
for first quarter. Uh the city's single

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family home permits are higher than the
past three years. Uh this graph also

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demonstrates the volatility of the
building industry.

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Uh the next several slides look at
specific details regarding the general

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fund. This slide shows where the money
comes from in terms of budget. Uh you

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can see for general fund revenue is
generated from taxes at 68%.

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Uh the primary sources are sales tax,
property tax, and utility tax.

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Here's a view of the general fund
revenue collected. Uh the city collected

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16% more revenue in 2016 compared to
2025.

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Uh sales tax and building permit revenue
were both saw significant increases at

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13.7%
and 269%.

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Uh these increases help offset the
decrease in charges for services.

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So when reviewing trends, it's important
to look at how we're doing compared to

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what was budgeted. Uh, in addition to
the year-to-year changes, this slide

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compares the budget to what was
collected through first quarter of 26.

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The general fund collected approximately
64.3%

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of budgeted revenues. We're aiming for
about 62.5%

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at this point in the budget.
Um, so we're on track to meet our

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projections.
These next two slides will take a look

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at sales tax revenue. As shown in the
previous slide, uh sales tax increase

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13.7% compared to the prior year.
Here's another view uh with the

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different business sectors. Construction
sector increased 27% and represents um

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just under a third uh 31% of sales tax
collected. Uh retail is another large

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sector increased by 4% and it represents
uh 35%

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of sales tax from the city.
Another major revenue source in the

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general fund is utility taxes. Overall
utility tax revenue decreased 3%

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compared to first quarter of 2025.
Um a second look at the utility tax. So

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water, sewer, storm, and garbage taxes
also increases. While your electric and

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gas, telephone, and cable were all
decreases, which we've seen in the past

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with the electrical, it tends to,
especially the coming out of the winter

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tends to depend on how cold it is.
Another major general fund revenue

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source is property tax which increased
1% compared to the same time period but

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the majority of these taxes are
collected in the second and fourth

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quarters.
So where does your money go? Most

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expenses in the general fund are for
public safety at 46% of our budget. Um

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this is pretty close to the 50% mark but
slightly under. And a lot of that has to

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do with the big transfer out at 8% which
we're still transferring money out for

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the well two and well three project.

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Um another look by department on where
your money goes. Uh total general fund

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expenditures
were at 56% for the banual budget as a

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general guide. Again we're looking for
something below the 62 and a half%. So

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again, uh on track.
Um the city has special revenue funds

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for street streets, park impact,
criminal justice, and library.

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This graph displays the major revenue
source for each fund.

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Uh every special revenue source saw an
increase on first quarter. Uh you'll see

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the park impact saw the most significant
increase. Um, this is primarily due to

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issuing the building permit to the
Copper View Apartments and it was their

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park impact fee that they paid for that.
Uh, this is a picture of the special

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revenue fund expenditures. The two
significant differences in the first

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quarter are in the criminal justice fund
105 and the library fund both saw

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increases in expenditures.
The criminal justice fund is mostly due

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to the increase in the transfer out to
cover police personnel uh costs

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associated with PST funds.
And the library increase is primarily

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due to the contract costs associated
with Mid Columbia.

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So next we'll look at our capital
project funds. This slide outlines the

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funds and their purposes. So, fund 301.
Um,

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this fund holds the state route 224
project as well as real estate excise

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tax for REIT one. Uh fund 302 is REIT 2
funds primarily for pavement

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preservation and fund 355 is the
transportation improvement program where

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most of that is transportation impact
fees

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for revenues for project funds. We have
seen activity pick up in fund 301. Uh

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this is primarily due to the state route
224 project and the revenue coming in

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from the state to reimburse the project
costs.

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The other two funds uh remain fairly
flat in the first quarter.

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The primary source
of funds 301 and 302 come from real

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estate excise tax. There was a 33%
increase through first quarter 26

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compared to 25.
Uh the bottom portion of the graph in

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the slightly darker blue uh reflects
what the rece received through first

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quarter and the lighter blue on top or
teal uh for the rest of the 2026 bar

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reflects what we have budgeted for the
year.

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[clears throat] Revenues for fund 355
are traffic impact fees. Uh the city

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received more than budgeted uh amount
for the year in the first quarter. Uh

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the primary source of these funds
uh were collected again from the

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copperview apartments.

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Uh this graph shows expenditures for
capital project funds uh through first

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quarter. Spending again has picked up in
fund 301 which is the state route 224

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red mountain project. And these last few
slides take a closer look at our utility

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funds for water collections uh increased
2%.

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Uh we had approximately 6,52 water
utility counts build at the end of

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March.
Uh sewer collections increased 6%

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uh primarily due uh to new residents
this past year and some rate increases.

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Uh here's an image of our irrigation.
Irrigation decreased 4%. Um this is a

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really small utility and pretty volatile
and the timing of payments uh on this

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one. I think we'll see see it pick up in
quarter two.

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Uh this graph displays storm water
collections up 8% compared to first

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quarter of 25.
uh again due to increase in rates and

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increase in number of residences.
And the last utility revenue is solid

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waste up 5% also primarily due to rate
increases. And this final slide is a

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view of the utility fund expenditures.
Most funds were fairly flat with the

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exception of the water sewer fund which
had some larger projects including well

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two and three.

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Thank you, Miss Gwyn. Uh, council, do
you have any questions for our finance

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director?

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Council member Smart.
>> Yeah, I was just wondering, you said,

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um, Aaron, uh, 6,52 water connections.
Um, what was it prior to this year

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roughly?
>> Um, I think December was around five. We

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were at the 5900 mark, maybe 5960 or so.
>> Oh. Uh, when we build these apartment

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complex, is that a is that a water
connection for each unit or is it for

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each or for the whole? That's a great
question for

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» No, I don't think we count for the water
connections. No. Uh, not per unit. We

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don't count those ones.
>> Okay. Thank you. And then we count them

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on [clears throat] the water uh not when
the building permit is issued but it

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would be when the water meter is
dropped.

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» Right. Okay. Appreciate that. Thanks.
>> Mayor Prom Bloom.

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» Um actually this isn't for Eric. Um you
you Erin, you you said that there was a

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traffic impact fees mainly from the
apartment. Um Rosco, what are we going

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to spend those on? What what
improvements? There have been a lot of

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concerns about the apartments and what
their impact's going to be on uh

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Belmont.
>> It it goes into the 355 fund, so I can't

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tell you exactly what it is, but you can
look at the the projects that are funded

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in there.
>> Okay.

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» Uh my guess um
I I don't remember, but there's a number

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of projects that are 355, and I'd say
it's spread out through multiple

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projects.

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Any other questions?

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» All right, Council Member Moran.
>> Thank you. I have to get that out

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faster. Um, I'm just wondering as a
general, I know that um, we ask in the

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past or I've asked in the past if we
could get copies of these to our email,

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but especially with me noticing for mine
that I'm running out of space more and

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more. Is there any way just to put this
on the website so that we all so that we

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wouldn't have to have it in each of our
emails so that it's that file times

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00:15:14,160 --> 00:15:22,000
seven or eight? Um would we be able to
just put that and save some space on our

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servers?
>> Miss Sydney.

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00:15:28,639 --> 00:15:34,079
All right.
>> Thank you. That would be fantastic if we

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could do that.

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No other questions. All right. Thank
you, Director Gwyn. Um, we'll now move

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00:15:39,839 --> 00:15:45,920
on to the consent agenda. Tonight's
consent agenda includes payment of the

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00:15:44,399 --> 00:15:51,759
bills, approving minutes from the
regular meeting of August 4th, 2026.

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00:15:49,680 --> 00:15:56,240
Motion to authorize West Richland Chief
of Police to apply for the cops

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00:15:53,839 --> 00:16:00,880
community policing development micro
grant. Motion to authorize West Richland

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00:15:59,199 --> 00:16:07,600
Chief of Police to submit the Criminal
Justice Training Commission ESHB 2015

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00:16:04,800 --> 00:16:13,120
Public Safety uh program grant
application

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00:16:09,120 --> 00:16:18,240
and then ordinance uh to amend the 2025
2026 bianial budget. At this time, I'll

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00:16:16,240 --> 00:16:22,160
hear any public comment on these
particular items only. Please, if

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00:16:20,720 --> 00:16:27,199
there's anyone that would like to speak
to an item on the consent agenda, please

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00:16:24,639 --> 00:16:30,800
come to the podium and kindly state your
name and city of residence for the

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00:16:29,120 --> 00:16:36,240
record. And please limit your comments
to 3 minutes.

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00:16:34,160 --> 00:16:40,560
Seeing no one here in the chamber, I
will turn to our online participants. If

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00:16:38,959 --> 00:16:45,600
there's anyone attending online that
would make like to make a comment

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00:16:42,160 --> 00:16:49,279
pertaining to the consent agenda items,
please raise your virtual hand or you

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00:16:47,519 --> 00:16:53,120
may press star 9 if you're calling by
telephone. The city clerk will recognize

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00:16:51,120 --> 00:16:56,759
you and you'll have three minutes to
provide your comments.

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00:16:58,399 --> 00:17:04,799
I see no one online. So, seeing no
comment, council, may I have a motion

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00:17:03,279 --> 00:17:09,120
for the consent agenda?
>> I move to approve the consent agenda as

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presented. Second.
>> Have a motion and a second to approve

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00:17:10,799 --> 00:17:17,039
the consent agenda. All in favor, please
say I. I.

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00:17:14,319 --> 00:17:21,360
» Any oppose, say no. Motion carries.
Thank you, councel. All right. Here we

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00:17:19,280 --> 00:17:26,480
have the first period for public
comment. And this is for items not on

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00:17:24,160 --> 00:17:29,840
tonight's agenda. If you wish to make
comments, please come to the podium.

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00:17:28,160 --> 00:17:36,679
Kindly state your name and city of
residence. And I please ask that you

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restrict your comments to three minutes.

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00:17:41,200 --> 00:17:48,720
Good evening. I'm Chelsea Blair. I'm a
resident of Richland, Washington. Um,

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00:17:46,240 --> 00:17:52,960
but I am here to say thank you to all of
you, to Mayor Brink and to city council,

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to the staff of West Richland. I am the
board president of the Mid Columbia

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Children's Museum. Um, I just want to
take a minute to say thank you for your

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enthusiasm for the project of bringing a
steam centered hands-on children's

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museum to the community and specifically
to West Richland. Uh, we're incredibly

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excited about this partnership for the
enthusiasm that you showed about the uh

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growing the future of West Richland and
the entire Tri Cities community. Uh, the

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decision to pursue this public private
partnership reflects that shared belief

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in investing in our children and
investing in the future of our

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community. Uh we're so very grateful
that the your amazing city staff and all

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of you um are supportive of that mission
and the mission that it it grows the

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community in an economic way. It grows
that workforce development. It grows our

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families, the quality of life in our
community. We're excited to be your

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neighbor. We're excited to welcome the
rest of the community and the Mid

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Columbia and visitors into West Richland
to be part of the Mid Columbia

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Children's Museum and to see all the
amazing things that West Richland has to

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offer. Um, and we're just excited to be
here. It's been a three-year journey for

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us to bring this mission to fruition and
having an address and a location and a

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partner in this project through West
Richland really is just a testament to

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the excitement of the community. Um, so
thank you. It will take all of us and

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this is the first big step to show that
this really is a community project. Um,

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and we are so excited to be your
neighbors. Thank you.

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» Thank you, Miss Blair.
>> Is there anyone else who'd like to make

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comment present here in chambers?
Please.

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» Hello. I would also like to second that.
I'm really excited. Oh, I'm Anna from

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Westland. Thank you. And I would I'm
very excited about the idea of a

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children's museum nearby. So that is
awesome. And I'm here today because I

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wanted to hear your thoughts um
eventually on what your thoughts are on

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considering a moratorum. I listened in
on the last meeting and I heard your

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00:19:52,240 --> 00:19:57,840
responses to data centers and I'm
grateful for your openness and about the

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issue. I hear you that you do care about
what gets put in West Richland and I

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know that you want to put don't want to
put anything here that negatively

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affects our environment or our health. I
heard Council Member Richie state that

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Washington has stringent regulations.
And while that sounds promising, it

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doesn't ensure that the regulations will
protect our unique area. We need time to

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research and put policies in place that
uniquely apply to our area. I also heard

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the comment that if an application gets
put in, we will have a lot of

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opportunities to have our voices heard
in regards to data centers. While we are

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grateful that for that opportunity, we
do not want to wait for an application

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to have our voices heard on this. We
want to put policies in before an

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application. We want the developers to
work within our guidelines rather than

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trying to convince us that their
existing guidelines are sufficient.

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We need a moratorum. I heard similar
comments from council member Smart. I

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heard you say that there is a
possibility that more modern data

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centers are bringing their own power and
then some. Quoted. So there is a

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possibility that having a data center
locally may actually enhance our power

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supply. I don't know. Now, we won't know
unless we see a proposal. I want to

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focus on the idea that we are waiting
for a proposal to learn more about

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what's being put in. We need to get
ahead of this. We need to put policies

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in place that give us a peace of mind so
we know that we are protected from the

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start. A moratorium is a step that is
necessary in every town with a data

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center. I believe this move will show us
citizens that our concerns are a

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priority to you. It will show us that we
are more important than the timets of

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large corporations and that you're
representing the constituents of this

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city. Personally, I don't think there is
enough information to know for a fact

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that we won't be negatively impacted by
a hyperskll data center here. However,

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regardless if we are allowing one here
or not, we need a moratorum to give us

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time to research more. Thank you.
>> Thank you.

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» Is there anyone else present here
tonight that would care to make comment?

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Good evening. Um, my name is Josh
[clears throat] Lozano. For the record,

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I live here in West Richland. I also
work in West Richland up the road at

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Bettona, um, the electric cooperative
that provides power to, uh, the city of

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West Richland. Um, I'm here to today to
also address the topic of of data

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centers in our service territory, West
Richland in particular. Uh, and really

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the first thing that I want to say is
that I appreciate the council and their

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00:22:27,200 --> 00:22:36,240
your willingness to listen to uh to the
community on this topic. Um, I certainly

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appreciate the transparency. Uh, and I
also want to say that I I believe that

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there are many concerns within our
community and and so those those

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00:22:42,240 --> 00:22:49,760
concerns should be listened to and and
they are deserving of careful and

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00:22:46,960 --> 00:22:55,280
transparent review. Um, you know, I'm no
expert on the topic of all things uh

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data centers, but you know, I do have a
bit of knowledge on the energy side of

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things. Uh, I do have the privilege, as
I said, of working for Bentona as the

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00:23:02,080 --> 00:23:10,159
director of energy policy. And so I I
want to say that Benton REA is certainly

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00:23:07,760 --> 00:23:15,360
working to ensure that there are
safeguards in place for members to

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00:23:12,559 --> 00:23:20,080
protect existing members. Um, you know,
in fact, we have a general policy in

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00:23:17,679 --> 00:23:24,240
place that essentially states that, uh,
data centers will bear all the cost

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00:23:21,919 --> 00:23:28,720
associated with their their growth and
development here in our communities. Uh,

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00:23:26,559 --> 00:23:33,679
and those costs include many things.
They include the power supply. Uh, but

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00:23:31,360 --> 00:23:38,320
in addition to the power supply, that
would include willing that power uh,

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into our communities. And that's going
to also cover transmission and

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00:23:40,080 --> 00:23:46,799
distribution services, any system
upgrades that are needed, uh, including

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engineering, operations, maintenance,
uh, and other project related expenses

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and financial risk. Uh, existing members
will not be responsible for subsidizing

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data centers or any large load for that
matter. uh you know we believe that our

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00:24:01,039 --> 00:24:07,200
our members uh should be protected and
and we want to ensure that that takes

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place and we're we're working towards
that effort through policy. Uh and so

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existing members will not be left
responsible in the event that the

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infrastructure or power commitments are
not fully um you know uh come to

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fruition. Uh and so I do want to talk
about rates as well. Um, you know,

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there's a a recent study that I want to
quote and I have that study here. It's

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00:24:31,200 --> 00:24:38,720
an E3 study. I can leave that with the
clerk or I can email that as well. Uh,

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00:24:36,000 --> 00:24:43,679
but essentially properly structured data
center loads can actually generate

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00:24:40,559 --> 00:24:48,799
revenue uh that meet and exceed the
utility's cost of service. And so this

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00:24:46,880 --> 00:24:53,679
study points out, it looks at a handful
of local data centers. it points out

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00:24:50,720 --> 00:24:58,320
that um they can generate surplus value
beyond the cost of service. Uh so this

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00:24:56,159 --> 00:25:04,720
surplus can be used to offset shared
system cost and create downward

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pressures. So I believe that's by
I will

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00:25:06,240 --> 00:25:12,000
» if I could um just to be fair to
everyone I just have to ask you to stop

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00:25:10,320 --> 00:25:14,159
but there's a second comment period if
you wish to finish.

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00:25:12,960 --> 00:25:17,400
» Absolutely. Thank you.
>> Thank you.

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00:25:18,000 --> 00:25:24,320
There anyone else present that'd like to
make comment?

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00:25:21,760 --> 00:25:27,520
I'll move to our virtual attendees. Uh
if there's anyone attending virtually

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00:25:25,919 --> 00:25:31,760
who would like to make comment, please
raise your virtual hand. You may also

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00:25:29,200 --> 00:25:37,080
press star 9. City clerk will then
unmute you and you will have three

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00:25:33,039 --> 00:25:37,080
minutes to provide your comments.

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00:25:39,120 --> 00:25:46,159
I see no one virtually wishes to make
comment. Do you, Stephanie?

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00:25:44,000 --> 00:25:50,000
» I do not see anyone. No. All right, then
we'll close this public comment period.

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00:25:48,320 --> 00:25:54,159
As I mentioned, we do have a second one
later on in the meeting. So, we'll move

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00:25:52,240 --> 00:25:58,720
on to ordinance, resolutions, motions,
and public hearings. The first item is

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00:25:56,000 --> 00:26:02,799
ordinance 18-26,
admissions tax.

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00:26:00,960 --> 00:26:06,880
City clerk Stephanie Hog will present
the staff report.

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00:26:04,799 --> 00:26:10,720
» Thank you, Mayor and Council. As
discussed during the council retreat

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00:26:08,640 --> 00:26:14,799
back in April, council has been looking
at opportunities to diversify general

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00:26:12,799 --> 00:26:19,039
fund revenues and identify revenue
sources that can help support city

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services while minimizing the impact on
residents. At that retreat, council

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00:26:21,440 --> 00:26:27,200
discussed the possibility of reinstating
an admissions tax and directed staff to

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00:26:25,760 --> 00:26:30,720
bring regulations forward for
consideration. [clears throat] West

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00:26:29,120 --> 00:26:35,279
Richland actually has some history with
an admissions tax. Shortly after

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00:26:32,720 --> 00:26:40,880
incorporation, the town at that time
council adopted an admissions tax in

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00:26:37,520 --> 00:26:46,080
1955. That tax remained in place until
1959 when it was repealed and the city

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00:26:44,000 --> 00:26:51,840
has not imposed an admissions tax since
that time. Washington law authorizes

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00:26:49,120 --> 00:26:56,080
cities to levy an an admissions tax and
the ordinance ordinance before you

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00:26:53,520 --> 00:27:00,799
tonight would create a new chapter 3.88
88 of the West Richland Municipal Code

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00:26:58,159 --> 00:27:05,440
and establish a 5% admissions tax on
qualifying admission charges to places

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00:27:03,440 --> 00:27:13,120
of amusement and entertainment within
the city. For perspective, a 5% tax

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00:27:09,440 --> 00:27:20,159
would be would add 25 to a $5 admission,
$1 to a $20 admission, and $2.50 to a

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00:27:17,200 --> 00:27:23,440
$50 admission. The ordinance also
includes a number of exemptions

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00:27:21,840 --> 00:27:27,279
including qualifying activities
sponsored by schools, government

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00:27:25,120 --> 00:27:32,000
agencies, and bonafide charitable and
nonprofit organizations. It establishes

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00:27:30,159 --> 00:27:36,240
the process for collection and
remittance of the tax along with

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00:27:34,240 --> 00:27:40,400
business licensing, recordkeeping,
enforcement, penalties, and an

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00:27:38,240 --> 00:27:44,880
administrative appeal process. The
finance director would be responsible

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00:27:42,159 --> 00:27:48,080
for administering the program. Revenue
collected through the admissions tax

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00:27:46,400 --> 00:27:52,559
would be deposited into the city's
general fund and could be used to

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00:27:49,840 --> 00:27:56,640
support general municipal services. At
this time, staff has not estimated a

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00:27:54,640 --> 00:27:59,919
specific annual revenue amount because
that would depend on the number and size

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00:27:58,159 --> 00:28:05,840
of qualifying events held within the
city. Staff recommends approval of

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00:28:02,399 --> 00:28:10,000
ordinance 1826 creating chapter 3.88 of
the West Richland Municipal Code to

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00:28:07,919 --> 00:28:15,279
provide for the levy and collection of
an admissions tax. And one note, the um

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00:28:13,679 --> 00:28:20,320
copy of the ordinance that was included
in packets, I noticed that in section

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00:28:17,200 --> 00:28:25,200
two, it's it indicates uh that it will
go into effect 5 days after publication,

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00:28:23,039 --> 00:28:29,640
but in fact, the intent is that it is
effective January 1st, 2027.

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00:28:29,679 --> 00:28:35,919
Thank you.
>> Thank you, Miss Hog.

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00:28:33,120 --> 00:28:39,520
Um, we will now hear in-person comments
on this particular topic and then

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00:28:37,760 --> 00:28:43,520
virtual comments. If anyone present
tonight would like to step to the podium

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00:28:41,600 --> 00:28:48,880
and make a comment, please do so and
kindly limit your comments to 3 minutes.

360
00:28:47,120 --> 00:28:52,640
Seeing no one, I'll turn to our virtual
attendees. If there's anyone attending

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00:28:50,640 --> 00:28:58,159
virtually who would like to comment on
this particular ordinance, please raise

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00:28:54,320 --> 00:29:02,240
your virtual hand or press star 9 and
kindly limit your comments to three

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00:28:59,919 --> 00:29:05,760
minutes.
I see no one virtually. Do you see

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00:29:04,080 --> 00:29:08,480
anyone, Stephanie?
>> I do not.

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00:29:06,640 --> 00:29:12,960
» All right, council, it's your turn. May
I have a motion, please?

366
00:29:10,080 --> 00:29:17,520
» I move to approve ordinance 18-26
creating chapter 3.88

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00:29:15,520 --> 00:29:21,279
of the West Richland Municipal Code to
provide for the levy and collection of

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00:29:19,279 --> 00:29:27,799
an admission tax.
>> Second. Have a motion and a second.

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00:29:23,200 --> 00:29:27,799
Council, any discussion on this topic?

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00:29:27,840 --> 00:29:35,279
Seeing none, call for the vote. All in
favor of passing ordinance 1826,

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00:29:33,840 --> 00:29:38,480
please say I.
>> I.

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00:29:36,000 --> 00:29:43,440
» Any oppose, say no. All right. Motion
carries. Thank you, councel. We'll move

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00:29:41,039 --> 00:29:48,960
on to our next item, adopting the
economic development element of the

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00:29:45,520 --> 00:29:54,440
comprehensive plan. Planer Colin Cortez
will provide the staff report. Mr.

375
00:29:51,440 --> 00:29:54,440
Cortez.

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00:29:58,650 --> 00:30:03,679
[sighs and gasps] Good evening,
honorable mayor and members of council.

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00:30:01,919 --> 00:30:09,440
Uh for those in the audience, my name is
Colin Cortez and I present to you on

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00:30:06,720 --> 00:30:13,919
agenda item 8. Uh starting with the
economic development element. Uh as you

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00:30:12,399 --> 00:30:18,640
probably remember, the comprehensive
plan periodic update project is ongoing.

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00:30:16,960 --> 00:30:23,679
Specifically, it's an update of the
comprehensive plan that dates from 2017.

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00:30:21,760 --> 00:30:28,320
And tonight, we will be discussing in
total four different elements of the

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00:30:25,440 --> 00:30:33,279
plan. uh element being a term used to
the various chapters uh various topics

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00:30:30,720 --> 00:30:39,120
within the plan.
Uh the purpose specifically for each

384
00:30:36,000 --> 00:30:44,799
element is to review new and revised
goals and policies and secondly to

385
00:30:41,840 --> 00:30:48,399
obtain a council majority agreement uh
through passage of the draft resolutions

386
00:30:46,720 --> 00:30:53,360
that are included with the elements in
your agenda packet. Uh for context,

387
00:30:51,360 --> 00:30:57,279
later this year there will be a public
hearing with a draft ordinance for

388
00:30:55,600 --> 00:31:02,720
adopting the whole of the updated
comprehensive plan uh that's scheduled

389
00:31:00,000 --> 00:31:08,240
for December 15th in order to meet the
state deadline of end of the year to

390
00:31:05,039 --> 00:31:12,880
have a new comprehensive plan and to be
in keeping with the terms of the grant

391
00:31:09,840 --> 00:31:16,799
from the state funding the project.
about the economic development element

392
00:31:14,399 --> 00:31:22,880
in particular. Uh the element contains
almost verbatim the same goals, policies

393
00:31:20,000 --> 00:31:27,919
and texts as something called the econom
economic development plan which city

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00:31:25,360 --> 00:31:32,559
council had last revised back in October
2013.

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00:31:29,760 --> 00:31:37,120
Uh so for this reason uh given that
there was a clear policy direction from

396
00:31:34,640 --> 00:31:41,279
the council and pastimes staff simply
revised the goals and policies in the

397
00:31:38,880 --> 00:31:46,000
economic development element to add
references to this development plan.

398
00:31:43,360 --> 00:31:50,480
Those references didn't exist previously
and also updated the demographic

399
00:31:48,480 --> 00:31:54,320
employment and financial statistics in
the element.

400
00:31:52,480 --> 00:31:59,120
Uh leading up to this point, the
planning commission met July 23rd and

401
00:31:56,960 --> 00:32:04,080
recommended the city council adopt the
economic development goals and policies

402
00:32:00,960 --> 00:32:07,840
that you find in your packet. The
council community development

403
00:32:05,279 --> 00:32:11,840
subcommittee met July 21st and
recommended due pass for the goals and

404
00:32:09,919 --> 00:32:17,200
policies
and as specified in the staff report.

405
00:32:15,200 --> 00:32:22,960
And then lastly, both the subcommittee
and the commission recommend that this

406
00:32:19,840 --> 00:32:29,440
evening the council adopt um or I should
say accept more precisely the economic

407
00:32:25,840 --> 00:32:34,240
development goals and policies.
>> Thank you, Mr. Cortez. I'll now hear

408
00:32:31,919 --> 00:32:37,600
public comment on this particular topic.
If there's anyone here present that

409
00:32:35,600 --> 00:32:43,679
would like to make comment on this item,
please come to the podium, state your

410
00:32:39,120 --> 00:32:46,880
name and and residence for the record.
Seeing no one, I will turn to our

411
00:32:45,279 --> 00:32:50,320
virtual attendees. If there's anyone
attending virtually who would like to

412
00:32:48,320 --> 00:32:55,200
make comment, please raise your virtual
hand or press press star9 on the

413
00:32:52,880 --> 00:33:00,720
telephone. City clerk will unmute you
and I kindly ask that you limit your

414
00:32:57,519 --> 00:33:04,159
comments to three minutes.
I see no one online. Do you see anyone,

415
00:33:02,880 --> 00:33:08,240
Stephanie?
>> I do not.

416
00:33:05,360 --> 00:33:11,240
» All right. Council, may I have a motion,
please?

417
00:33:11,600 --> 00:33:19,440
I move to pass resolution number 47-26
accepting the economic development

418
00:33:16,559 --> 00:33:24,320
element goals and policies for the 2026
update of the comprehensive plan.

419
00:33:22,159 --> 00:33:29,519
» Second. All right. Have a motion in a
second. Any uh comments, questions from

420
00:33:27,120 --> 00:33:34,399
council.
Seeing none, council, we have a motion.

421
00:33:32,240 --> 00:33:38,799
Oh, we do. I'm sorry, Miss Moran. Go
ahead.

422
00:33:35,760 --> 00:33:44,480
» Thank you. Um, just going back to the
fact that uh this is based off of the

423
00:33:42,640 --> 00:33:51,360
economic development plan that was last
revised in October 2013.

424
00:33:47,360 --> 00:33:55,760
Um, we've we've gone over this before,
right, in a couple of workshops

425
00:33:53,679 --> 00:33:58,640
previously. A lot
>> we have and and that is a stale

426
00:33:57,440 --> 00:34:03,440
document. I think that's what you're
getting at is a 2013 document, right? It

427
00:34:00,960 --> 00:34:06,799
is very stale. Uh, we didn't have
funding. the state didn't provide

428
00:34:05,039 --> 00:34:11,520
funding for us to go out and update that
document. So, until we have the proper

429
00:34:09,119 --> 00:34:16,240
funding to go do so, um it's just
continued to be stale and will be so

430
00:34:13,679 --> 00:34:21,760
until we've got funds to go and update
that economic development plan. Um

431
00:34:20,159 --> 00:34:26,720
hopefully someday in the near future we
can do that. But meantime,

432
00:34:24,879 --> 00:34:32,960
we just updated, as Colin mentioned, the
statistical data, made sure that the

433
00:34:28,960 --> 00:34:36,079
document was correct and accurate and up
to date

434
00:34:34,079 --> 00:34:38,720
» and it meets all of the current state
requirements for what we need to have in

435
00:34:37,839 --> 00:34:42,560
our comp plan.
>> Yes, ma'am.

436
00:34:39,440 --> 00:34:48,639
» Okay, that's all I need to hear.
>> Council member Smart.

437
00:34:44,960 --> 00:34:55,280
Yeah. So, thank you. Um so Eric on this
plan or uh there are a lot of words that

438
00:34:52,320 --> 00:35:04,880
say encourage. So, it's asking the city
to encourage business climate um

439
00:35:00,640 --> 00:35:10,160
encourage uh business growth um achieve
vibrant commercial are I just want to

440
00:35:07,520 --> 00:35:15,839
make sure that it's clear that this is
not a um this is not a statement of

441
00:35:13,280 --> 00:35:23,280
action but a statement of goals and and
sort of spirit of our operation and that

442
00:35:18,480 --> 00:35:27,760
if there's um specific action that would
be taken on one of these goals that it

443
00:35:26,079 --> 00:35:32,880
would be that it was going to cost us
money, frankly, that it would be brought

444
00:35:29,839 --> 00:35:38,000
to council as a proposal and that we
would get to see that before it just

445
00:35:34,480 --> 00:35:40,240
gets done behind the scenes. That that's
correct.

446
00:35:38,560 --> 00:35:45,800
» That is the common practice, sir.
>> Awesome. Thank you. I just wanted to get

447
00:35:41,599 --> 00:35:45,800
that on record. Appreciate it.

448
00:35:46,079 --> 00:35:52,400
» Yes. Yes. I can be a stickler.
So,

449
00:35:50,480 --> 00:35:57,040
» thank you, Council Member Smart. Uh,
seeing no other comments, council, all

450
00:35:54,480 --> 00:36:01,200
in favor, please say I. I.
>> Any oppose say no. All right. Motion

451
00:35:59,359 --> 00:36:06,320
carries. Thank you again, councel. Next
item on the worklist for tonight is

452
00:36:04,400 --> 00:36:11,119
adopting the parks and recreation
element of the comprehensive plan. Once

453
00:36:08,880 --> 00:36:15,000
again, I'll ask planner Colin Cortez to
present the staff report

454
00:36:15,760 --> 00:36:24,079
about the second element. A little bit
of background. So the city adopted the

455
00:36:21,119 --> 00:36:30,000
parks and recreation master plan 2023
2028 uh back in May of 2023.

456
00:36:27,920 --> 00:36:35,200
So because this is a fresher document
that clearly outlined policies regarding

457
00:36:32,240 --> 00:36:40,079
parks um staff updated the much older
parks element accordingly uh pretty much

458
00:36:37,599 --> 00:36:44,720
to reflect the information about parks
in the parks plan to be in the parks

459
00:36:42,400 --> 00:36:51,359
element. Uh the planning commission
admit May 14th and recommended that city

460
00:36:48,160 --> 00:36:56,800
council adopt the revised element
that was in your packet and specifically

461
00:36:54,400 --> 00:37:00,280
to adopt the goals and policies found in
the parks element.

462
00:37:02,480 --> 00:37:09,440
Thank you very much Mr. Cortez. Um we'll
now hear public comment on this

463
00:37:07,440 --> 00:37:13,440
particular item. Once again, if there's
anyone present uh who would like to make

464
00:37:11,599 --> 00:37:17,760
public comment on this item, please come
to the podium, state your name and

465
00:37:15,280 --> 00:37:21,599
address for name and resident, city of
residents. For the record, please limit

466
00:37:19,680 --> 00:37:25,839
your comments to three minutes.
>> Josh Lozano again, uh resident of the

467
00:37:24,160 --> 00:37:30,560
city of West Richland. And I just want
to say that I reviewed the plan and you

468
00:37:28,480 --> 00:37:35,119
know, I grew up in a small community and
I think we had one park, the city of

469
00:37:32,960 --> 00:37:38,800
Granger, uh well two parks. we had the
dinosaur park and then we had another

470
00:37:36,880 --> 00:37:43,599
park where we held the cherry festival
which they no longer do unfortunately.

471
00:37:41,119 --> 00:37:48,960
Um and so moving to the Tri Cities and
moving to West Richland in particular,

472
00:37:46,000 --> 00:37:53,359
uh I just found it really just welcoming
to see so many parks and the various

473
00:37:51,200 --> 00:37:58,320
neighborhoods and have a three-year-old
son and we spend time we used to live up

474
00:37:55,760 --> 00:38:03,280
on Collins Ridge. We used to spend a lot
of time at Flattop Park. Uh we now live

475
00:38:01,280 --> 00:38:07,680
uh right off of South Highland and so we
we visit both of the parks on South

476
00:38:05,200 --> 00:38:13,040
Highland uh go to the bombing range
complex. Um and it's just it's really um

477
00:38:11,520 --> 00:38:17,760
really good to see that the city is
investing time and effort and funds into

478
00:38:15,839 --> 00:38:22,079
uh amenities like parks that families
can enjoy. So I just encourage you to

479
00:38:19,920 --> 00:38:27,760
continue to look at uh investing in
those parks and in green spaces and uh

480
00:38:25,280 --> 00:38:33,359
places for families to continue to enjoy
our our local community. So, thank you.

481
00:38:31,200 --> 00:38:37,200
» Thank you, Mr. Lozano. Is there anyone
else present that who would like to make

482
00:38:34,640 --> 00:38:40,960
comment on this item?
>> All right. Seeing none, I will turn to

483
00:38:39,040 --> 00:38:44,880
our virtual attendees. If there's anyone
attending virtually who would like to

484
00:38:42,400 --> 00:38:49,359
make comment on this particular item,
please raise your virtual hand or press

485
00:38:46,720 --> 00:38:53,480
star 9 on the telephone and kindly limit
your comments to three minutes.

486
00:38:53,520 --> 00:38:59,040
I see no one online. Do you see anyone,
Stephanie?

487
00:38:57,599 --> 00:39:04,440
» I do not.
All right, council. May I have a motion?

488
00:39:06,880 --> 00:39:14,880
» I move to pass resolution number 48-26
accepting the park parks element goals

489
00:39:12,400 --> 00:39:17,280
and policies for the 2026 update of the
comprehensive plan.

490
00:39:16,480 --> 00:39:22,640
» Second.
>> All right, have a motion to second. Any

491
00:39:18,800 --> 00:39:27,520
council comments, questions?
>> Council member Richie.

492
00:39:25,359 --> 00:39:32,560
» Thank you, Mayor. Uh, I'd like to echo
the comments that Mr. Lozano made. Uh,

493
00:39:30,560 --> 00:39:38,160
this is one of the things that makes
West Richland a great place to live.

494
00:39:35,440 --> 00:39:42,480
And, um, I've lived here for going on 40
years, and this is one of the reasons.

495
00:39:40,320 --> 00:39:47,440
And when you walk down to the park with
your grandson in tow, your five-year-old

496
00:39:45,839 --> 00:39:51,680
grandson in tow, and he can't wait to
get there and then take a bus ride, hey,

497
00:39:50,320 --> 00:39:56,960
it it it just doesn't get any better
than that. So bottom line being that uh

498
00:39:54,320 --> 00:40:02,240
this is it's imperative that this is one
of the things that we take care of in

499
00:40:00,240 --> 00:40:07,200
ensuring the quality of life in in the
city of West Richland. Thank you.

500
00:40:05,359 --> 00:40:12,960
» Thank you, Council Member Richie.
Council Member Moran.

501
00:40:10,079 --> 00:40:17,680
» You um I would also like to echo this
and I have been recently going to a lot

502
00:40:14,960 --> 00:40:22,480
of parks because I just started playing
uh an app game that involves a lot of

503
00:40:20,480 --> 00:40:26,000
walking around. It's It's not the one
you're probably thinking of. It's the

504
00:40:24,160 --> 00:40:30,000
one that that one's based off of. But
needless to say, I have become very

505
00:40:28,160 --> 00:40:35,359
appreciative of all of the trees that we
have in all of our parks because I am

506
00:40:32,480 --> 00:40:40,800
very pasty white and the sun hurts me if
I walk around too long without trees.

507
00:40:37,359 --> 00:40:45,040
So, thank you,
>> Council Member Smart.

508
00:40:43,119 --> 00:40:48,160
Yeah, I certainly appreciate parks. I
think that was one of the things that

509
00:40:46,000 --> 00:40:53,440
drove me to be on the city council back
in 2015 actually was to protect our

510
00:40:50,400 --> 00:40:58,400
parks. Um I'm now in a position to
protect our budget as well. And so

511
00:40:56,319 --> 00:41:04,000
again, similar to the question I had
last time or just to bring it out front

512
00:41:00,400 --> 00:41:13,280
on page 171 on the last paragraph of our
packet um this is the uh red corrected

513
00:41:09,760 --> 00:41:17,200
version of the text. Um,
last paragraph indicates that West

514
00:41:14,800 --> 00:41:23,760
Richland should consider expanding ser
city services and addressing emergency

515
00:41:20,800 --> 00:41:29,839
emerging community needs for a
formalized recreation program as future

516
00:41:26,800 --> 00:41:34,319
resources allow. Creating a standalone
parks and recreation department will

517
00:41:31,760 --> 00:41:40,240
require dedicated ongoing funding for
staffing and program costs.

518
00:41:36,960 --> 00:41:45,680
Uh that's all very true and uh but I I
don't suspect this will happen anytime

519
00:41:42,640 --> 00:41:53,839
soon. I I understand why it's in there,
but um you know I will I will vote in

520
00:41:48,800 --> 00:42:01,119
favor of this um uh uh resolution. Um
but I have been a stickler on having

521
00:41:58,079 --> 00:42:06,160
the local government
fund recreation programs. I have no

522
00:42:03,280 --> 00:42:13,359
problem with recreation facilities. And
I also question at this time whether or

523
00:42:09,280 --> 00:42:18,000
not um a separate department is
necessary versus I I'm not sure that

524
00:42:16,000 --> 00:42:24,560
taking care of the parks for a town of
18,000 people or even 20 um rises to the

525
00:42:22,000 --> 00:42:28,880
to the level of a department head. So,
I'm just a little leerary about that and

526
00:42:26,240 --> 00:42:32,079
I just want to make that clear. Um, I'm
not saying no and I'm not saying yes.

527
00:42:30,640 --> 00:42:37,920
And I know this isn't doing either
either. But, um, it's something I wanted

528
00:42:34,240 --> 00:42:42,960
to point out because, um, I think as
citizens in a small town, unless we do

529
00:42:40,720 --> 00:42:47,760
run into a pot of gold somewhere, um,
there are so many other things that need

530
00:42:44,480 --> 00:42:53,040
to be funded besides having a city fund
a baseball coach or a softball coach

531
00:42:50,079 --> 00:42:57,839
when when that should can easily be done
privately and with the support of local

532
00:42:55,280 --> 00:43:02,160
businesses. So, that's just a comment.
Um, hope I'm not throwing wet rags on

533
00:43:00,240 --> 00:43:08,319
the parade here, but I will vote in
favor of this resolution. Thank you.

534
00:43:05,200 --> 00:43:14,560
» Thank you, Council Member Smart. Uh, as
staff is preparing the 2728 budget, I

535
00:43:11,760 --> 00:43:20,400
can assure you there will be no coaches
in the city budget.

536
00:43:16,480 --> 00:43:25,920
» Excellent. All right. So, um, no other
comments. Um, council, we have a motion

537
00:43:23,040 --> 00:43:28,000
and a second for resolution 4826. All in
favor, please say I. I.

538
00:43:27,440 --> 00:43:32,720
» I.
>> Any oppose, say no. All right. Motion

539
00:43:30,720 --> 00:43:37,599
carries.
Next thing to tackle is adopting the

540
00:43:35,359 --> 00:43:43,599
capital facilities element of the
comprehensive plan. Once again, um, I'm

541
00:43:41,040 --> 00:43:48,160
going to ask planner Colin Cortez to
present the staff report.

542
00:43:46,000 --> 00:43:51,760
» Thank you. And I can say even though we
live in a city, it takes a village. And

543
00:43:50,160 --> 00:43:54,960
by that I mean for this element in
particular, it's not just the city of

544
00:43:53,359 --> 00:43:58,960
West Richland, but a whole number of
other governments and service providers

545
00:43:56,720 --> 00:44:03,280
and agencies were involved in updating
this because as you can imagine, the

546
00:44:01,520 --> 00:44:08,480
very boring sounding phrase capital
facilities involves a lot of stuff that

547
00:44:05,200 --> 00:44:14,319
we take for granted. Um that makes
public life civilized and possible. Um

548
00:44:12,000 --> 00:44:17,839
more specifically uh public schools for
instance coordination with public

549
00:44:15,920 --> 00:44:22,240
libraries, fire stations, police
stations, emergency medical services and

550
00:44:19,920 --> 00:44:25,920
other city buildings. And with
consultant help and particularly the

551
00:44:23,760 --> 00:44:31,359
help of the public works director, we
comb through the various types of

552
00:44:28,480 --> 00:44:36,240
services described in the element uh the
information and demographic information

553
00:44:33,839 --> 00:44:40,000
as well and thoroughly updated that uh
to present to you this evening as part

554
00:44:37,680 --> 00:44:44,880
of your packet. Uh, and I'd add also
that the planning commission had held a

555
00:44:41,839 --> 00:44:49,760
meeting July 23rd and recommended the
city council adopt the element goals and

556
00:44:47,359 --> 00:44:54,720
policies in your packet.
>> All right. Thank you very much, Mr.

557
00:44:52,160 --> 00:44:59,280
Cortez. Is there anyone present here in
chambers who would like to comment on

558
00:44:56,560 --> 00:45:03,760
this particular item? If so, please come
to the podium.

559
00:45:01,920 --> 00:45:08,000
Seeing no one, I'll turn to our virtual
attendees. Is there any anyone attending

560
00:45:06,160 --> 00:45:13,119
virtually who would like to comment on
this particular item? If so, please

561
00:45:10,400 --> 00:45:19,359
raise your virtual hand or press star 9
on your telephone so the city clerk may

562
00:45:15,760 --> 00:45:23,599
recognize and unmute you.
I see no one online. Do you see anyone,

563
00:45:22,000 --> 00:45:28,160
Stephanie?
>> I do not.

564
00:45:24,720 --> 00:45:34,000
» All right, seeing no one. Uh, council,
may I have a motion on this particular

565
00:45:30,160 --> 00:45:39,520
topic? I move to pass resolution 4926
adopting the capital facilities element

566
00:45:36,079 --> 00:45:46,560
goals and policies for the 2026 update
to the comp of the comprehensive plan.

567
00:45:44,400 --> 00:45:51,359
» Is there a second second?
>> Oh, several seconds.

568
00:45:49,040 --> 00:46:00,200
» Point of information. Uh just to be
clear, is it acceptable to say

569
00:45:55,200 --> 00:46:00,200
approve rather than accept for this

570
00:46:02,400 --> 00:46:09,680
uh that I cannot answer specifically.
City clip.

571
00:46:06,560 --> 00:46:14,560
» Um so the motion is intended to approve
the resolution which the action of the

572
00:46:12,400 --> 00:46:20,720
resolution is to accept that portion of
the plan.

573
00:46:17,599 --> 00:46:27,359
» Right. It's just that what was said was
move to pass a resolution approving the

574
00:46:24,400 --> 00:46:30,640
capital facilities element.
I'm sorry. adopting the capital

575
00:46:28,960 --> 00:46:33,599
facilities element. So, it's okay to say
adopting for that. Okay. Thanks. Just

576
00:46:33,040 --> 00:46:36,560
want to make sure.
>> I didn't notice.

577
00:46:35,359 --> 00:46:40,560
» Yeah. All right.
>> Thank you, Council Member Moran. So, I

578
00:46:38,720 --> 00:46:44,440
have a motion in a second. Council, any
discussion on this topic?

579
00:46:44,480 --> 00:46:54,079
» All right,
Council Member Smart. I'm I'm forced to

580
00:46:50,640 --> 00:47:00,960
uh stick with my critique here. Um on
page uh 191

581
00:46:57,280 --> 00:47:06,079
um we it it has a goal policy goal five
policy M which is provide adequate space

582
00:47:04,000 --> 00:47:12,319
for community interaction fellowship and
recreation. Uh consider the feasibility

583
00:47:09,040 --> 00:47:18,880
of providing a community center. Um and
and then uh that's that's just the only

584
00:47:14,480 --> 00:47:24,720
point that I that I have there. Um, I
I'm I'm hopeful and I'm assured that

585
00:47:22,079 --> 00:47:27,680
that we won't actually put money into
considering the feasibility of a

586
00:47:26,319 --> 00:47:32,079
community center until that's brought
before council as a topic of

587
00:47:29,680 --> 00:47:36,000
consideration. Is that correct?
>> That is correct. And this is not a new

588
00:47:33,680 --> 00:47:40,400
goal or policy. It's a redundancy from
the last one, just rolling it over. So,

589
00:47:37,760 --> 00:47:43,680
yes, as as stated previously, John, that
is the standard procedure. If there is

590
00:47:42,400 --> 00:47:47,599
something that's in here that would
require funding that council's directed

591
00:47:46,079 --> 00:47:51,200
to move forward with, it would come
forward to council for approval to fund

592
00:47:50,240 --> 00:47:56,880
that project.
>> And that happens before we invest staff

593
00:47:54,079 --> 00:48:01,119
time and considering or any significant
staff time in considering such a thing.

594
00:47:58,800 --> 00:48:03,040
» Absolutely. Wasting staff time is not on
our agenda.

595
00:48:02,319 --> 00:48:07,040
» Very good.
>> We don't have enough of that.

596
00:48:04,400 --> 00:48:12,000
» Thank you, sir. Appreciate that comment.
That's all I had. All right. I see no

597
00:48:10,240 --> 00:48:17,520
other comments. Council, we have a
resolution. We have a motion to pass

598
00:48:14,720 --> 00:48:18,960
resolution 4926. All in favor, please
say I.

599
00:48:18,400 --> 00:48:22,880
» I.
>> Any oppose say no.

600
00:48:21,040 --> 00:48:29,599
» All right. Motion carries. All right.
Last bit of business is sitting before

601
00:48:24,960 --> 00:48:35,440
us now, and that is to adopt the climate
element of the comprehensive plan. I

602
00:48:32,480 --> 00:48:40,800
will once again ask Mr. Cortez to
present the staff report.

603
00:48:39,200 --> 00:48:46,000
I'll take a little longer to describe
this one because it's new and

604
00:48:43,200 --> 00:48:50,559
interesting to say the least. So, the
climate element is newly required by

605
00:48:48,079 --> 00:48:54,559
state government. Uh, specifically, the
Washington State Department of Commerce

606
00:48:52,400 --> 00:48:58,319
indicates that climate elements
throughout the state must address a

607
00:48:56,240 --> 00:49:03,040
minimum of six topics that are codified
in statute.

608
00:49:00,079 --> 00:49:09,359
Um leading up to this a major objective
was to adapt policies uh created by a

609
00:49:07,280 --> 00:49:13,520
regional consortium. So namely
throughout the tri cities a number of

610
00:49:11,119 --> 00:49:17,359
governments got together in concert to
come up with a whole bunch of potential

611
00:49:15,440 --> 00:49:23,119
policies that would conform with state
law. And that led to a spreadsheet from

612
00:49:20,880 --> 00:49:27,680
which uh city of West Richland staff
chose and winnowed down to a certain

613
00:49:25,040 --> 00:49:35,359
number of policies that went through a
number of local reviews to get to this

614
00:49:30,960 --> 00:49:40,319
point. Um a little bit more about that.
The Climate Commitment Act of 2021 is

615
00:49:37,920 --> 00:49:45,599
passed by the legislature and it was
Benton County, cities of Kenowick,

616
00:49:42,720 --> 00:49:49,280
Pasco, Richland, and this city uh with
the assistant of the Benton Franklin

617
00:49:47,280 --> 00:49:54,160
Council of Governments that came up with
the spreadsheet of potential policies.

618
00:49:51,440 --> 00:49:58,000
Um that regional consortium handled
technical analyses about whether it

619
00:49:55,920 --> 00:50:02,720
would meet statute, handled a degree of
public engagement, and came up with a

620
00:50:00,400 --> 00:50:05,599
very handy spreadsheet. That spreadsheet
found its way to the community

621
00:50:04,160 --> 00:50:10,559
development subcommittee meeting through
city staff which gave its opinion on

622
00:50:08,000 --> 00:50:15,520
which goals were more amendable um for
consideration.

623
00:50:12,480 --> 00:50:19,839
Um that happened on May 26 and councelor
Spar in particular was instrumental in

624
00:50:17,200 --> 00:50:24,640
recommending uh specific uh goals and
policies uh which were indicated in the

625
00:50:22,000 --> 00:50:29,200
staff report. The planning commission
then met June 11th and made its own

626
00:50:27,359 --> 00:50:33,040
recommendation for specific goals and
policies for that spreadsheet. Following

627
00:50:31,599 --> 00:50:38,880
that, the community development
subcommittee met again on July 12th or

628
00:50:35,839 --> 00:50:43,599
excuse me, 21st and uh after considering
with the commission and recommended uh

629
00:50:41,119 --> 00:50:47,359
came up with a new recommended set of
policies that reconcile the

630
00:50:45,839 --> 00:50:50,960
recommendations
and recommended due pass for the goals

631
00:50:49,359 --> 00:50:58,000
and policies that are in your packet
tonight. Uh overall the policies relate

632
00:50:54,079 --> 00:51:02,720
to risks such as extreme heat, flooding,
greenhouse gas emissions, uh reduction

633
00:51:00,640 --> 00:51:07,839
thereof, water conservation, and
wildfire. And most importantly, they do

634
00:51:05,040 --> 00:51:12,400
comply with these six uh six statutory
requirements. Uh and I'll stress that as

635
00:51:10,480 --> 00:51:16,960
the staff report indicates, policy
number four is the only one that meets

636
00:51:14,800 --> 00:51:20,400
uh one of the statutory requirements
specific to greenhouse gas emissions

637
00:51:18,640 --> 00:51:25,680
reduction. So it does have to be
adopted. Um, other than that, that's

638
00:51:23,520 --> 00:51:31,280
climate in a nutshell.
>> Right. Thank you, Mr. Cortez. I'll now

639
00:51:29,440 --> 00:51:35,760
open this topic up for public
discussion. Is there anyone here that

640
00:51:32,800 --> 00:51:39,680
would like to make comment?
Seeing no one present in the room, I'll

641
00:51:37,520 --> 00:51:43,520
turn to our virtual attendees. There's
anyone attending virtually who'd like to

642
00:51:41,359 --> 00:51:49,200
make comment, please raise your virtual
hand or press star 9. Kindly state your

643
00:51:47,280 --> 00:51:52,200
name and city of residence for the
record.

644
00:51:52,480 --> 00:51:58,640
I see no one online. Do you see anyone,
Stephanie?

645
00:51:56,480 --> 00:52:03,200
» I do not see anyone. No.
>> All right. So, with no public comment,

646
00:52:01,359 --> 00:52:08,960
council, may I have a motion?
>> I move to pass resolution number 50-26

647
00:52:06,880 --> 00:52:13,119
accepting the climate element goals and
policies for the 2026 update of the

648
00:52:11,680 --> 00:52:17,760
comprehensive plan.
>> Second. All right. Council questions,

649
00:52:15,920 --> 00:52:21,680
comments that have not yet been
addressed in the staff report.

650
00:52:23,359 --> 00:52:30,480
Council member Richie.
>> Thank you, Mayor. Uh, so now my

651
00:52:28,480 --> 00:52:37,200
understanding, what I heard a moment ago
is that the state sent us a list. We

652
00:52:33,839 --> 00:52:41,839
took and amended that list, consolidated
that list. Was it then sent back to the

653
00:52:40,079 --> 00:52:46,880
state for review? My question, my
question wants to make sure that we hit

654
00:52:43,839 --> 00:52:50,400
all the high points that they require.
So you'll notice in the in the element

655
00:52:49,040 --> 00:52:55,599
there towards the end where you have all
the goals um in one of the columns it

656
00:52:52,720 --> 00:53:00,400
lists each of the six requirements that
we're supposed to hit. And so as Colin

657
00:52:58,319 --> 00:53:05,040
mentioned the very last one hits all of
all three within a certain section

658
00:53:02,559 --> 00:53:08,800
that's required and then the other three
are a mixture of the other three

659
00:53:06,960 --> 00:53:12,720
requirements that we're supposed to have
updated. So yes, we do we haven't sent

660
00:53:11,040 --> 00:53:16,720
it to the state yet. That doesn't happen
until towards the end. So, we'll be

661
00:53:14,640 --> 00:53:21,200
sending that into them for their
blessing and and yes, you meet all of

662
00:53:18,640 --> 00:53:26,240
the criteria. So, should they disagree
with any of this, we'll be bringing back

663
00:53:23,280 --> 00:53:30,960
some modifications um at that point in
time. But we believe uh from our review

664
00:53:28,800 --> 00:53:34,240
that we meet all of those requirements.
I have had multiple conversations with

665
00:53:32,960 --> 00:53:38,800
Department of Commerce just to make sure
I understood that very principle because

666
00:53:36,880 --> 00:53:42,079
um the direction given to staff was is
that we didn't want to go overboard

667
00:53:40,319 --> 00:53:48,920
here, that we wanted to keep this very
focused. So we we kept it very focused.

668
00:53:45,280 --> 00:53:48,920
» Excellent. Thank you,

669
00:53:49,359 --> 00:53:53,079
» Council Member Moran.

670
00:53:53,440 --> 00:54:01,119
» Can't even get my name out. Uh I would
just like to give a big thank you to

671
00:53:59,200 --> 00:54:04,800
staff because with this being a new one,
I'm sure this one required the most

672
00:54:02,559 --> 00:54:08,880
amount of work. So thank you for that.
And I am especially very happy to see

673
00:54:07,359 --> 00:54:14,240
the part that talks about the tree
canopy because again this skin is not

674
00:54:12,160 --> 00:54:18,720
doing well in the sun and I would really
like to be a little bit more active

675
00:54:15,839 --> 00:54:22,079
outdoors when it's not freezing outside.
So thank you for this to all of the

676
00:54:20,640 --> 00:54:25,800
staff
>> here. Prom Bloom.

677
00:54:25,839 --> 00:54:34,240
» Well, I'd like to see the mulching
practices in the policy. Uh, as I've

678
00:54:31,520 --> 00:54:40,640
said, we need to have aation of the
soils here. And

679
00:54:37,760 --> 00:54:46,240
unfortunately, Richland's compost is not
the best in the world, but I did get a

680
00:54:44,079 --> 00:54:53,520
truck two truckloads delivered to my
property before I put in my grass. But

681
00:54:49,119 --> 00:54:59,359
it did help. And uh I I still think we
need to focus that on the new

682
00:54:55,520 --> 00:55:03,839
development that they you know let's not
plant grass on sand because it's kind of

683
00:55:01,920 --> 00:55:10,400
tough.
Um but um it there is a a reference to a

684
00:55:07,680 --> 00:55:15,040
tree planting program.
Do we have a tree planting program

685
00:55:12,559 --> 00:55:21,839
ongoing?
No. Okay. Thank you.

686
00:55:19,680 --> 00:55:24,559
Right.
Second question. Go ahead, Council

687
00:55:23,920 --> 00:55:28,000
Member Murray.
>> Actually, uh, just more of a statement.

688
00:55:26,400 --> 00:55:32,319
You know, one of those ways to not have
to worry about abading your soil is if

689
00:55:29,680 --> 00:55:36,400
you have a non-monoculture
and have a lot of the native plants out

690
00:55:34,480 --> 00:55:40,400
instead, which actually is less
expensive and doesn't require you to mow

691
00:55:38,319 --> 00:55:43,599
it all the time. And it can stay green
with just a little bit of water. I'm

692
00:55:42,240 --> 00:55:49,119
just saying, you don't have to amend
your soil if you want the native plants

693
00:55:45,680 --> 00:55:52,400
and they're pretty.
>> Thank you. With no other comments, I

694
00:55:50,640 --> 00:55:57,520
will ask council for a vote on
resolution number 50-26.

695
00:55:55,280 --> 00:56:00,480
All in favor say I, please.
>> I.

696
00:55:58,160 --> 00:56:04,799
» Any oppose say no. All right. Motion
carries. That gets us through uh that

697
00:56:03,280 --> 00:56:09,200
part of the agenda. We have no
unfinished or new business. So, we will

698
00:56:06,880 --> 00:56:13,520
turn to our second public comment
period. If there's anyone present here

699
00:56:11,599 --> 00:56:18,400
that would like to step up to the podium
and make comment, uh please do so at

700
00:56:16,160 --> 00:56:21,640
this time. kindly limit your comments to
three minutes.

701
00:56:22,240 --> 00:56:28,880
Think you're the only one, Josh.
>> Monop monopolize the tech.

702
00:56:26,000 --> 00:56:34,640
» If you would just restate your name as
>> Josh Lozano, city of West Richland. Um,

703
00:56:32,400 --> 00:56:40,960
speaking on behalf of Benton REA, my
employer. Uh, I just want to wrap up the

704
00:56:37,359 --> 00:56:46,640
remarks on the potential for uh, rate
benefits. Um the E3 study I that I cited

705
00:56:44,319 --> 00:56:52,319
further found that large load
investments can also support uh much

706
00:56:49,359 --> 00:56:56,960
needed grid expansion and modernization
uh improve system capacity and

707
00:56:54,400 --> 00:57:02,319
reliability uh local infrastructure
investments as well and the development

708
00:56:59,760 --> 00:57:07,920
of new power supply resources including
advanced nuclear geothermal and long

709
00:57:05,119 --> 00:57:12,799
duration energy storage. Um you know
this topic data centers it it presents

710
00:57:10,400 --> 00:57:19,119
legitimate questions that deserve
careful and transparent review uh from

711
00:57:16,079 --> 00:57:25,119
an electric utility perspective. Bettona
does have policies in place to manage

712
00:57:21,280 --> 00:57:31,760
the financial uh risks and operational
risks and with the right safeguards in

713
00:57:27,920 --> 00:57:36,960
place as we have a well structured
project um can certainly protect our

714
00:57:34,559 --> 00:57:42,720
existing membership. uh while also
contributing to grid investments and

715
00:57:38,960 --> 00:57:48,319
long-term uh rate stability. Uh Benton's
approach is is simple. Protect existing

716
00:57:45,200 --> 00:57:51,760
members, preserve reliability, and
require large loads to pay for

717
00:57:50,160 --> 00:57:55,200
themselves. Thank you for your time.
Appreciate it.

718
00:57:53,119 --> 00:57:59,280
» Thank you, Mr. Lozano. Is there anyone
else present that would like to make any

719
00:57:56,799 --> 00:58:02,880
additional comment?
All right. Seeing no one, I will turn to

720
00:58:00,799 --> 00:58:06,640
our virtual attendees. If there's anyone
attending virtually who would like to

721
00:58:04,319 --> 00:58:11,680
make public comment, please raise your
virtual hand or press star 9. Our city

722
00:58:09,359 --> 00:58:15,359
clerk will unmute you. Kindly ask that
you state your name and city of

723
00:58:13,440 --> 00:58:19,799
residence for the record. And please
limit your comments to three minutes.

724
00:58:19,839 --> 00:58:25,839
I see no one attending online who wishes
to make comment. Do you, Stephanie?

725
00:58:24,799 --> 00:58:30,240
» I do not.
>> All right. We'll now turn to staff and

726
00:58:28,000 --> 00:58:35,359
council reports. I'm going to look over
to my right. Staff members, anyone care

727
00:58:33,040 --> 00:58:40,319
to make comment? I will start with
public works director Slade.

728
00:58:38,319 --> 00:58:45,760
» Thank you, Mayor Brink. Uh just two
quick items. Uh tomorrow I'll join

729
00:58:42,480 --> 00:58:50,640
council member uh Smart. We've got a uh
legislative transportation tour. So this

730
00:58:48,319 --> 00:58:56,720
is with Good Roads. We'll be meeting in
Pasco and uh taking our legislators uh

731
00:58:54,240 --> 00:59:01,440
local. And we also have Representative
Fi who's the house chair of the

732
00:58:58,640 --> 00:59:07,280
transportation uh commission will be
there um touring. Um Westerson doesn't

733
00:59:05,599 --> 00:59:12,319
have a project. That's a good problem to
have because uh SR224 Red Mountains

734
00:59:10,079 --> 00:59:16,640
fully funded and so is our uh Keen Road
widening project. So those came off so

735
00:59:14,480 --> 00:59:21,119
we'll still participate in it but uh we
don't have a project on the list. So

736
00:59:18,559 --> 00:59:26,559
that's tomorrow evening and then uh
followed by a dinner meeting. Um, the

737
00:59:23,920 --> 00:59:30,400
other one is, uh, I'll make it public.
Uh, the email went out to council so

738
00:59:28,640 --> 00:59:34,720
they know that the Keen Road Van Geese
roundabout will be open not this Friday,

739
00:59:32,400 --> 00:59:38,960
but next Friday, uh, August 28th. So,
the contractor continues to make great

740
00:59:36,559 --> 00:59:42,160
progress. We delayed it a few days. I
kind of jumped the gun getting that date

741
00:59:40,400 --> 00:59:45,280
out there, but there's some extra
concrete that needs to be poured that we

742
00:59:43,680 --> 00:59:47,680
don't want to have to close down the
roundabout at a later date. So, we're

743
00:59:46,559 --> 00:59:51,440
going to give them a couple extra days,
open it up on Friday. Uh, we're still

744
00:59:49,599 --> 00:59:54,640
ahead before school opens. So, but
there's a lot of people that'll be glad

745
00:59:52,720 --> 00:59:58,799
that they can not have to do that detour
down Paradise and be able to go through

746
00:59:56,160 --> 01:00:01,920
it, but projects moving forward still on
schedule and and under budget. So, thank

747
01:00:01,119 --> 01:00:07,680
you.
>> All right. Thank you, Mr. Slade. Uh,

748
01:00:04,480 --> 01:00:11,040
community development director Mendall.
>> Sorry for the late name. I didn't want

749
01:00:09,200 --> 01:00:14,720
to feel left out with everyone else
speaking tonight. But, um, no, I do have

750
01:00:12,960 --> 01:00:18,319
a couple things. One, uh, thank you,
council, for your support as we go

751
01:00:16,880 --> 01:00:22,160
through these comprehensive plan update
elements. I know they're um a lot to

752
01:00:20,480 --> 01:00:25,680
chew on, but at least you're getting
them in elephant bite- sizes and not

753
01:00:24,319 --> 01:00:30,319
having to eat and choke the whole
elephant down in one meeting. So, um if

754
01:00:28,640 --> 01:00:32,960
you do have questions, again, feel free
to reach out as we're going through the

755
01:00:31,680 --> 01:00:36,880
process. Happy to have those
conversations. Uh you know, I appreciate

756
01:00:35,200 --> 01:00:42,000
John. He's been very involved in a lot
of this with his his input on climate

757
01:00:39,680 --> 01:00:46,559
change particularly and and we
appreciate his insights there. Um and

758
01:00:44,720 --> 01:00:49,599
help so that we don't get hung up,
right? I mean, that's that's a big point

759
01:00:47,920 --> 01:00:53,839
is we don't want to get hung up here in
the meeting. So, your questions, your

760
01:00:51,680 --> 01:00:58,319
your involvement early on is important
and we appreciate uh and I appreciate

761
01:00:56,079 --> 01:01:03,040
you being involved there. Also want to
thank uh the Mid Columbia Children's

762
01:00:59,920 --> 01:01:06,559
Museum being here tonight too. Um you
know, they made their press release last

763
01:01:04,480 --> 01:01:10,960
week. It was very exciting. We are very
excited that they are here um as the

764
01:01:08,640 --> 01:01:15,680
economic development uh department as
well um as the community development.

765
01:01:13,040 --> 01:01:22,240
It's very important to have these kind
of cornerstone pieces in our community.

766
01:01:19,599 --> 01:01:25,680
Uh they will drive economic development.
Having them be here, similar to the

767
01:01:23,760 --> 01:01:29,520
racetrack being here does drive some
economic development. They're going to

768
01:01:27,520 --> 01:01:34,880
be driving economic development for us
as well by bringing children to our

769
01:01:33,200 --> 01:01:37,520
community, which then maybe we get a
Chuck-E-Cheese. Who knows, right? I'm

770
01:01:36,319 --> 01:01:42,319
not saying that they've talked to me
because they haven't. But maybe we will

771
01:01:39,839 --> 01:01:47,680
and maybe we will get other those types
of businesses that come in because of

772
01:01:45,200 --> 01:01:51,440
that museum being here. And my my
estimation is and I'm sure Chelsea can

773
01:01:49,920 --> 01:01:56,640
testify to this, but I believe that
we're going to be pulling from within

774
01:01:53,599 --> 01:02:02,079
200 miles um kids to come to this
facility and enjoy and participate in

775
01:01:59,359 --> 01:02:05,920
West Richland. And so that's that's a a
big deal for us and we're excited to

776
01:02:03,599 --> 01:02:10,880
have that. Plus, we beat Richland so you
know in the in the proposal. So that

777
01:02:07,839 --> 01:02:15,040
always makes us feel good. Um and then
lastly, uh with regards to the data

778
01:02:12,960 --> 01:02:19,200
centers, I just encourage anyone that
has questions about what the data

779
01:02:16,559 --> 01:02:23,680
centers, you know, about them, how it
might impact the city. Um happy to talk

780
01:02:22,000 --> 01:02:27,760
with them, happy to sit down and have a
face to face and go over any questions.

781
01:02:25,280 --> 01:02:32,000
I know council all of you u and I have
had conversations about it at some point

782
01:02:30,160 --> 01:02:36,559
uh when answering your questions. I
invite the community to do that as well.

783
01:02:34,079 --> 01:02:40,079
Uh because for instance for noise, we
already have a noise ordinance that

784
01:02:38,400 --> 01:02:43,920
would make sure that they aren't going
to be impacting the neighbors. There's a

785
01:02:42,160 --> 01:02:47,599
200 foot setback additionally that
council approved that would require them

786
01:02:45,839 --> 01:02:51,760
to set back 200 feet from the property
line to help with that noise mitigation.

787
01:02:49,839 --> 01:02:55,200
So there's there's things out there that
that are being said. there's information

788
01:02:53,760 --> 01:02:59,200
that's being shared that I just would
love to have a conversation with people

789
01:02:56,880 --> 01:03:03,200
about and have that face to face to go
over those questions that they have to

790
01:03:01,119 --> 01:03:06,720
maybe help them understand that while
there are and and and that as Josh

791
01:03:05,599 --> 01:03:11,839
mentioned there are a lot of
justification for concerns uh but I

792
01:03:09,119 --> 01:03:16,559
believe that our code is very robust the
state code is very robust but if there's

793
01:03:14,559 --> 01:03:20,799
any policies that they believe we should
be looking at that we should have that

794
01:03:18,720 --> 01:03:25,039
conversation and I'd love to hear what
those policies are that they're

795
01:03:22,799 --> 01:03:28,440
considering we need to look at. So, I'll
leave it at that.

796
01:03:28,480 --> 01:03:37,119
» Finance Director Gwen.
>> Yeah, I just want to let you know uh the

797
01:03:33,760 --> 01:03:43,359
state auditors have started their audit
um for I guess it's really three audits.

798
01:03:39,920 --> 01:03:48,559
So, financial uh accountability as well
as a single audit for all the federal

799
01:03:45,520 --> 01:03:54,079
funds we've spent. So you guys will
probably council will see an email from

800
01:03:51,440 --> 01:03:59,760
one of our auditors uh inviting you to
an entrance conference. I don't know

801
01:03:56,319 --> 01:04:03,920
some time in the near future.
>> Police Chief Fry.

802
01:04:01,760 --> 01:04:09,520
» Thank you, Mayor and Council. Um
tomorrow I will be speaking at the

803
01:04:06,559 --> 01:04:12,319
Chamber of Commerce on um some crime
statistics and different things that are

804
01:04:10,960 --> 01:04:17,039
going on in the community and some of
our events that we are planning for. And

805
01:04:14,880 --> 01:04:23,760
I'd also like to give a shout out to um
Detective Magna who just cleared a

806
01:04:20,799 --> 01:04:28,000
federal case that was um quite large
drug case and he did a great job

807
01:04:26,079 --> 01:04:34,079
preparing for that and working with um
federal prosecutors on that to um help

808
01:04:31,760 --> 01:04:39,039
keep drugs out of our community and it's
been a long ongoing one. But it's always

809
01:04:36,240 --> 01:04:42,480
important to have a um finalization on
those and and he did a great job doing

810
01:04:40,799 --> 01:04:46,920
that.
>> Right. and I'll turn to councel.

811
01:04:49,920 --> 01:04:56,640
» All right. Um, council member Stoker, I
will start with you.

812
01:04:53,839 --> 01:05:00,880
» Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Um, couple things.
I

813
01:04:58,319 --> 01:05:04,880
sorry to see that, uh, Mr. Cortez left.
So, if you could pass on to him that I

814
01:05:02,640 --> 01:05:08,720
certainly appreciated. uh the extra
effort he goes through this evening

815
01:05:06,319 --> 01:05:15,280
presenting to us four elements of the
agenda pretty pretty uh ostentatious

816
01:05:12,720 --> 01:05:23,760
pretty pretty large task to take on. So
definitely pass that on to him. Um

817
01:05:19,520 --> 01:05:28,160
uh I also wanted to mention too that um
as was mentioned earlier tonight's

818
01:05:26,079 --> 01:05:33,760
meeting is our last remote citizen
comment. So, um,

819
01:05:31,119 --> 01:05:38,480
I'd hoped we'd get some comments coming
in from the remote people, but I guess

820
01:05:37,280 --> 01:05:44,720
if you have nothing to say, you have
nothing to say.

821
01:05:40,880 --> 01:05:49,920
Also, to Mr. Smart, um, I've coached a
lot of kids sports. I did grid kids,

822
01:05:47,839 --> 01:05:56,000
little league, Tri City girls fast pitch
softball, Richland Reck Park or Parks

823
01:05:53,280 --> 01:06:01,440
and Wreck, uh, basketball. never got
paid. So, I don't think you'll have to

824
01:05:58,559 --> 01:06:04,440
worry about a a coaches uh requiring
funds.

825
01:06:04,960 --> 01:06:14,160
So my last piece I want to bring up is
um so recently we had quite a discussion

826
01:06:11,200 --> 01:06:19,920
on fireworks and um one of the things
that got me curious is uh when we saw

827
01:06:17,440 --> 01:06:25,920
the flyer that listed
uh our sister cities including ourselves

828
01:06:23,440 --> 01:06:29,839
uh different dates for when sales are
allowed

829
01:06:27,440 --> 01:06:34,000
and um
Richland, Pasco and Kenowick allow

830
01:06:32,000 --> 01:06:39,599
fireworks sales
um the period before New Year's Eve and

831
01:06:37,599 --> 01:06:43,760
we don't
um I went and looked up their code.

832
01:06:42,000 --> 01:06:47,760
Richland and Kenowick are word for word
the same. Kenowick just swapped out the

833
01:06:45,920 --> 01:06:51,599
word city of Richland for city of
Kenowick. Well, it basically says the

834
01:06:49,920 --> 01:06:55,920
sale and discharging of fireworks within
the city of Kenowick or Richland shall

835
01:06:54,079 --> 01:07:02,799
be in accordance with Washington state
fireworks law chapter 70.77 RCW and

836
01:06:59,680 --> 01:07:06,960
chapter 212-17
whack unless otherwise provided in this

837
01:07:04,720 --> 01:07:10,960
section which there is nothing about
sales throughout the rest of their

838
01:07:08,640 --> 01:07:16,760
section. Pasco from what I can see
basically copied and pasted what is in

839
01:07:13,760 --> 01:07:16,760
RCW70.77.395.

840
01:07:17,920 --> 01:07:25,839
And um
so the one thing that the RCW states

841
01:07:22,400 --> 01:07:30,720
that ours does not allow for is that um
from 12:00 noon to 11:00 p.m. on each

842
01:07:28,720 --> 01:07:38,000
day from the 27th of December through
the 31st of December of each year

843
01:07:34,319 --> 01:07:42,559
fireworks are sales are allowed. Our
code says fireworks may not be sold or

844
01:07:40,559 --> 01:07:47,760
may be sold in incorporated areas of the
city of West Richland during the period

845
01:07:44,160 --> 01:07:54,559
commencing at 12 noon on the 28th day of
June of each year and ending at 12 noon

846
01:07:50,799 --> 01:07:59,440
on the sixth day of July each year.
Now, we may be out of compliance here

847
01:07:56,720 --> 01:08:04,480
because the state RCW actually says ends
on the fifth day of July, not the sixth.

848
01:08:02,319 --> 01:08:11,920
So, we may have to rewrite this whole
sentence. But um with this, I would like

849
01:08:08,640 --> 01:08:16,799
to make a motion that either in the
September 1st meeting or the September

850
01:08:13,920 --> 01:08:23,759
15th meeting, this be put on the agenda.
And we will either copy and paste what's

851
01:08:19,759 --> 01:08:28,640
in the RCW or add the portion that says
and from 12:00 noon to 11:00 p.m. on

852
01:08:25,839 --> 01:08:34,560
each day from September or from the 27th
of December through the 31st of December

853
01:08:31,359 --> 01:08:39,120
of each year.
Yeah.

854
01:08:36,560 --> 01:08:43,520
I would second that. All right. Clarify.
Council member Stoker, you would like

855
01:08:40,799 --> 01:08:48,960
staff to develop change to the fireworks
ordinance allowing sales uh in

856
01:08:46,159 --> 01:08:54,239
accordance with RCW for the New Year's
Eve period December 27th through January

857
01:08:53,040 --> 01:08:59,120
» December 31st.
>> December 31st. Okay. Correct.

858
01:08:56,560 --> 01:09:05,199
» All right. I do have a second on that.
So like all other procedure, I'll open

859
01:09:02,159 --> 01:09:08,480
this up for discussion uh among council
members. Are there any council members

860
01:09:06,719 --> 01:09:13,040
who wish to speak on this particular
topic?

861
01:09:10,560 --> 01:09:16,880
So council member Fedto,
>> if we're going to talk about this again,

862
01:09:15,359 --> 01:09:19,839
let's make the switch from finance
director to community development

863
01:09:18,000 --> 01:09:24,560
director for permitting as well like we
talked about, but never passed at the

864
01:09:22,239 --> 01:09:28,920
last ordinance.
>> I would accept that.

865
01:09:29,440 --> 01:09:36,960
Are there other comments on this
particular motion and second?

866
01:09:34,319 --> 01:09:41,920
Uh, Council Member Moran.
>> Yes. Um,

867
01:09:38,880 --> 01:09:48,960
I don't recall since I've been on
council in 2020 ever hearing anybody ask

868
01:09:45,279 --> 01:09:56,640
for this. So, I'm just not sure why this
is being brought up. Um, it

869
01:09:53,920 --> 01:10:02,880
just seems like we're adding more
problems than

870
01:09:59,360 --> 01:10:08,000
what we already have to me. So, it just
without people asking, I haven't seen

871
01:10:05,520 --> 01:10:13,920
any emails asking for it. I'm just
concerned that this is something that's

872
01:10:10,239 --> 01:10:17,760
just a we want to have fireworks more
often, more and more often. And while I

873
01:10:15,600 --> 01:10:22,560
will say I would rather have fireworks
in December than in July, I would rather

874
01:10:20,239 --> 01:10:28,480
not have it in both times because it is
very expensive to do so

875
01:10:26,239 --> 01:10:33,679
when you have things that you have to
prepare for your animals and everything

876
01:10:31,440 --> 01:10:40,760
else. It's just going to cost me more
money and I don't like it. So that's

877
01:10:36,800 --> 01:10:40,760
what I got to say about that.

878
01:10:42,800 --> 01:10:51,920
» Yeah. So I I actually like this idea
whether it's been asked by the community

879
01:10:48,159 --> 01:10:56,560
or not. And the reason is because um
first of all, if I've said before that

880
01:10:54,960 --> 01:11:02,080
I've had friends that move from states
where there is no regulation on

881
01:10:59,600 --> 01:11:05,760
fireworks restrictions on particular
days, right? You know, they can shoot

882
01:11:03,360 --> 01:11:11,280
fireworks off 365 days a year, birthday
parties, corporate events, whatever.

883
01:11:08,480 --> 01:11:19,600
Um, and and what I've learned from
discussing that that that uh that

884
01:11:15,520 --> 01:11:24,480
terrain of of psychology is that when
the 4th of July comes around, it's not a

885
01:11:22,800 --> 01:11:29,199
huge deal. I mean, they celebrate the
4th of July for sure, but it's not

886
01:11:26,719 --> 01:11:34,880
everybody expending a year's worth of
fireworks energy in one night. Um, and

887
01:11:32,719 --> 01:11:41,520
so for so that's reason number one that
I I like the idea of of allow making it

888
01:11:38,400 --> 01:11:46,080
easier for people to um get some of this
out of their system in January when it's

889
01:11:43,440 --> 01:11:50,400
like foggy and wet and damp and it's
good luck trying to start a fire around

890
01:11:47,760 --> 01:11:55,280
here in the in the grasslands. Um, but
the other the other reason is that

891
01:11:52,400 --> 01:11:59,360
people store fireworks, okay? Like they
buy all these fireworks in the

892
01:11:56,960 --> 01:12:02,719
summertime before the 4th of July and
then they stash the rest of them. Where

893
01:12:00,960 --> 01:12:06,719
do they put them? I mean, very few
places. I bet they don't put them in

894
01:12:04,159 --> 01:12:11,040
fireproof safes. Um, they're going to
stash them on some shelf in their garage

895
01:12:09,280 --> 01:12:15,760
where kids can get to them throughout
the year. Uh, heat can get to them. They

896
01:12:14,239 --> 01:12:22,960
can become degraded. Maybe they get
forgotten for a couple of years. Um, and

897
01:12:19,600 --> 01:12:26,640
that that probably um I don't know.
Fortunately, we haven't had any issues

898
01:12:24,800 --> 01:12:30,640
with that. I don't know of any structure
fires that have started from stored

899
01:12:28,080 --> 01:12:34,239
fireworks, but but this but if it has, I
mean, this would help maybe eliminate

900
01:12:32,320 --> 01:12:38,080
some of that. So, and the other thing is
it just seems to do no harm. I mean, it

901
01:12:36,719 --> 01:12:42,320
might give a chance for some of the
nonprofits to make an extra buck in the

902
01:12:40,480 --> 01:12:48,960
middle of the year or the beginning of
the year. Um I I it would be interesting

903
01:12:46,239 --> 01:12:55,360
to see if it actually in increases the
number of people that launch fireworks

904
01:12:51,120 --> 01:13:02,239
on um the first of the year. Uh but but
I guess they already do and um I I I

905
01:13:00,800 --> 01:13:08,239
think it's probably the safest time of
year to do it. So anyway, I would

906
01:13:04,719 --> 01:13:12,080
support this motion. Thank you.
>> Um Council Member Cole wish to speak on

907
01:13:11,280 --> 01:13:14,960
this topic?
>> Yep.

908
01:13:13,199 --> 01:13:20,560
» I I really [clears throat] didn't. had
my here, but I I would just

909
01:13:18,159 --> 01:13:25,040
» spare a whole lot of repeating what's
already been said is I think this is a

910
01:13:22,560 --> 01:13:29,440
good idea and I support it.
>> Council member Richie

911
01:13:26,480 --> 01:13:33,760
» and for myself, I've said it before, say
it again. Consistency. We're

912
01:13:31,040 --> 01:13:38,320
inconsistent. The cities have painted
this this problem. We've created this

913
01:13:36,239 --> 01:13:42,880
problem because we're all inconsistent.
Nobody does it the same way. And so what

914
01:13:40,800 --> 01:13:47,920
you do is you drive the problem from one
place to the other. Right. And so I

915
01:13:45,199 --> 01:13:52,080
would argue to be consistent with our
sister cities. And this may not be where

916
01:13:49,760 --> 01:13:56,719
we stop. Maybe there's other ways that
we can be consistent with fireworks and

917
01:13:54,560 --> 01:14:02,960
and help to alleviate some of that
problem.

918
01:13:58,880 --> 01:14:07,920
» Thank you. Um yes, second round. Council
member Stoker, you you're up first.

919
01:14:05,440 --> 01:14:12,480
» Well, I just wanted to say that um first
I think Ruditerate what I think Mr.

920
01:14:09,920 --> 01:14:17,440
Smart already said was that fireworks
are already being discharged on New

921
01:14:15,199 --> 01:14:23,120
Year's Eve. So, I don't know how this is
necessarily going to change that um as

922
01:14:20,560 --> 01:14:29,760
far as how it affects other people. Um
but secondly uh I have been approached

923
01:14:27,199 --> 01:14:36,480
um by one entity that sells the
fireworks and um you know they don't

924
01:14:33,199 --> 01:14:40,320
like the fact that the other cities do
allow it and so those they tend to I

925
01:14:38,960 --> 01:14:44,080
don't know if competition is the right
word because they're over there and

926
01:14:42,080 --> 01:14:49,120
we're over here but you know they're
wondering why we don't allow [snorts]

927
01:14:46,400 --> 01:14:54,960
firework sales at this time that the
other cities do. Personally,

928
01:14:51,840 --> 01:15:00,920
um I mean no knock to our sister cities,
but I like to be a little more free than

929
01:14:57,280 --> 01:15:00,920
they are possible.

930
01:15:02,080 --> 01:15:08,320
» Thank you. Um I will say it is
interesting that the one organization

931
01:15:06,880 --> 01:15:15,760
that has spoken with you is the one that
would profit off of it, but um for me

932
01:15:12,640 --> 01:15:21,679
when it comes to this, yes, we do allow
it. But if we're going to allow the

933
01:15:19,440 --> 01:15:27,199
selling of fireworks
a day, couple days before we actually

934
01:15:24,880 --> 01:15:31,520
allow them to be discharged, I can
automatically see people saying, "Oh,

935
01:15:29,760 --> 01:15:35,920
well, they're being sold." Well, so we
should be able to light them off at this

936
01:15:33,280 --> 01:15:46,080
time, not remembering or realizing or
caring that it's only on the one day. So

937
01:15:42,239 --> 01:15:51,040
I Yeah. And while I will say that yes, I
agree that storing them during the win

938
01:15:49,120 --> 01:15:56,560
during the summer, I believe there was
somebody whose

939
01:15:53,440 --> 01:16:00,719
I think it was their garage burnt down
in West Richland. It was off right off a

940
01:15:58,560 --> 01:16:05,040
bombing range if I remember correctly
because of stored fireworks. So, I will

941
01:16:02,960 --> 01:16:10,480
say yeah, that is a problem. But I would
think that if we're going to sell

942
01:16:06,640 --> 01:16:15,280
fireworks before the
uh before the New Year's, I would much

943
01:16:12,960 --> 01:16:20,640
rather prefer us have the sale of
fireworks, especially because so few

944
01:16:17,040 --> 01:16:25,040
people do have it just be that day of
just because I can automatically see

945
01:16:22,719 --> 01:16:28,040
people lighting them off early. Thank
you.

946
01:16:28,480 --> 01:16:35,679
I don't see any other cards up for
discussion on the topic. So, I'll just

947
01:16:32,719 --> 01:16:41,840
reiterate the motion just to make sure
uh I have it clear. Um but a motion has

948
01:16:40,000 --> 01:16:47,040
a motion has been presented and second
is for staff to develop uh a change to

949
01:16:45,120 --> 01:16:53,520
the fireworks ordinance to allow for
sales in accordance with the RCW for the

950
01:16:49,840 --> 01:17:00,159
period of December 27 December 31st. and
alternate

951
01:16:56,320 --> 01:17:05,199
» with a change also for uh going yeah
permitting with the uh

952
01:17:02,320 --> 01:17:08,080
» finance to community development. Well,
did that have a second?

953
01:17:06,960 --> 01:17:13,159
» I'll second that
>> right

954
01:17:10,159 --> 01:17:13,159
» now.

955
01:17:14,239 --> 01:17:22,080
Yes, let's let's do it formally. Let's
vote on unless there's a comment on this

956
01:17:19,520 --> 01:17:27,120
amendment. All right. Go ahead, Mayor
Pro. The other question comes down to is

957
01:17:24,960 --> 01:17:32,800
the question of whether we allow to the
sixth or the fifth consistent with state

958
01:17:30,719 --> 01:17:34,960
rags.
>> We can't be broader than state record.

959
01:17:34,719 --> 01:17:39,280
» Correct.
>> We are broader. That's

960
01:17:37,199 --> 01:17:43,760
» we are now and not and so we're out of
complaint. Yes. It's I copied it right

961
01:17:41,199 --> 01:17:46,760
out of our municipal code. It says the
sixth.

962
01:17:51,280 --> 01:17:58,000
» Yeah.
I will I will direct staff to look at

963
01:17:55,600 --> 01:18:02,480
that and confirm that and if in fact we
are out of compliance as you stated

964
01:18:00,400 --> 01:18:07,120
we'll make the appropriate amendments as
well for council to consider.

965
01:18:05,280 --> 01:18:11,480
All right.
So uh we have

966
01:18:11,600 --> 01:18:14,560
» amendment.
>> Yes.

967
01:18:12,880 --> 01:18:19,360
» We're going to vote on the amendment to
change the permitting from finance

968
01:18:16,640 --> 01:18:25,760
director to community development. So
that is the first vote. A yes vote is to

969
01:18:22,640 --> 01:18:28,640
make that change. A no vote is against
that change. All right. All in favor say

970
01:18:28,400 --> 01:18:32,480
I.
>> Oh, I'm sorry. Just to clarify, it's not

971
01:18:30,560 --> 01:18:35,840
to to take action to do the change, but
to bring back for to bring back for

972
01:18:34,960 --> 01:18:40,320
action.
>> Correct.

973
01:18:38,800 --> 01:18:44,640
» All in favor say I.
>> I.

974
01:18:41,199 --> 01:18:50,000
» Any opposed? Okay. And then finally on
the main motion to bring it to staff to

975
01:18:47,920 --> 01:18:56,480
prepare appropriate ordinance changes
with regard to firework sales during the

976
01:18:52,800 --> 01:19:01,760
authorized New Year's Eve period.
All right. A yes vote is in support of

977
01:18:59,280 --> 01:19:03,840
that. A no vote is against that. All in
favor say I. I.

978
01:19:03,440 --> 01:19:08,960
» I.
>> Any opposed?

979
01:19:05,199 --> 01:19:14,080
» No. I so I will ask staff to make the
appropriate uh draft the appropriate

980
01:19:11,440 --> 01:19:19,760
ordinances for staff's approval for
council's review and approval.

981
01:19:16,960 --> 01:19:22,640
» That that includes looking at the dates
for the July.

982
01:19:20,719 --> 01:19:26,800
» Yes. If there is an error, we will
correct that administratively too.

983
01:19:24,640 --> 01:19:30,000
» Very good.
>> Right. Any other comments, Council

984
01:19:28,640 --> 01:19:34,239
Member Stoker?
>> That is all. Thank you. Oh, well, there

985
01:19:32,400 --> 01:19:37,040
will be some more of these forthcoming.
I have some others in mind that I'd like

986
01:19:36,080 --> 01:19:39,280
us to address.
>> You know what? I welcome that

987
01:19:38,560 --> 01:19:43,760
opportunity.
>> So, since we've opened this can of

988
01:19:40,719 --> 01:19:47,520
worms, we're going to move that way.
>> All right. Um, any other general

989
01:19:45,679 --> 01:19:52,800
comments
from council? Council member Morant.

990
01:19:50,159 --> 01:19:58,239
» Thank you. Um, I will just caution if we
remember our staff is rather overwhelmed

991
01:19:55,360 --> 01:20:04,000
with things that we've tasked them to do
that I'm pretty sure our parking lot is

992
01:20:01,840 --> 01:20:09,040
fairly large right now of all of the
things that staff has been tasked to do.

993
01:20:05,920 --> 01:20:14,880
So, my concern is if we bring about
these that we might be using up staff

994
01:20:12,159 --> 01:20:21,199
time that could be used for bigger
necessary things in order to comply with

995
01:20:17,440 --> 01:20:28,640
state laws. Um, so I would just caution
against that. Uh, but for my comments, I

996
01:20:24,960 --> 01:20:33,679
will say uh I'm I would like to I'm I'm
very appreciative that you're here, Mr.

997
01:20:30,480 --> 01:20:38,080
Lozano. Um, and something that I've been
thinking about for a while that I'm

998
01:20:35,360 --> 01:20:42,719
hoping maybe can happen uh after
speaking with someone who has been on

999
01:20:40,640 --> 01:20:48,480
the Native Plant Society. I believe he
was the founder of it and also uh is

1000
01:20:46,080 --> 01:20:52,640
very familiar with the conservation
districts that there is a hope that

1001
01:20:50,560 --> 01:20:57,120
perhaps Benton REA the conservation
districts and the native plant society

1002
01:20:54,480 --> 01:21:03,280
could work together especially with the
amount of water usage that's going on to

1003
01:21:00,719 --> 01:21:08,000
work towards helping to find a solution
for our members so that they wouldn't

1004
01:21:05,040 --> 01:21:13,920
have to spend as much money on watering
their yards. I know that when I was in

1005
01:21:10,880 --> 01:21:20,000
the Navy and stationed in San Diego that
SDG& had a program specifically for

1006
01:21:18,159 --> 01:21:25,440
assisting folks in going from a
monoculture of just having grass that

1007
01:21:22,880 --> 01:21:32,640
required a lot of water to allowing for
more native plants that didn't require a

1008
01:21:29,280 --> 01:21:35,760
lot of watering. Um, I'm I'm not certain
if incentives are something that could

1009
01:21:34,239 --> 01:21:41,520
be in play, but that would just be
something interesting and maybe even

1010
01:21:37,280 --> 01:21:45,199
just a um a
I can't remember the name of the word,

1011
01:21:43,199 --> 01:21:49,120
but where you have a garden that shows
off how it looks near Bentonier,

1012
01:21:47,600 --> 01:21:54,080
especially if you want to beautify the
site. Um, so that's something that I

1013
01:21:52,320 --> 01:21:58,320
would love to talk more to you about.
Second, um I would again like to thank

1014
01:21:56,239 --> 01:22:03,520
the police department and animal control
for putting out the microchip reader. I

1015
01:22:01,280 --> 01:22:08,400
think that is fantastic. I personally
had an experience over the weekend where

1016
01:22:06,239 --> 01:22:13,120
a friend of mine thought for sure that
this cat they found was abandoned in the

1017
01:22:11,280 --> 01:22:17,040
apartment complex they were at because
it was scratching at this door that had

1018
01:22:15,040 --> 01:22:22,159
been abandoned. The apartment behind it
had been abandoned. So I was like, well,

1019
01:22:19,199 --> 01:22:27,600
you know, I can take it to verify the
chip reader and foster it. if not. And I

1020
01:22:24,480 --> 01:22:30,320
had it chip read and we found the owner.
It was just in another part of the

1021
01:22:28,960 --> 01:22:34,080
apartment complex. So, also a big
reminder, if you find an animal, make

1022
01:22:32,320 --> 01:22:42,159
sure you check the microchip before you
just decide you're going to adopt it or

1023
01:22:37,679 --> 01:22:47,120
believe that it was abandoned or put out
on purpose. Uh, but thank you again to

1024
01:22:45,040 --> 01:22:51,600
the policeart the police department for
that. Um, I would also like to applaud

1025
01:22:50,080 --> 01:22:54,960
the police department for looking at the
grants. I think it's really important

1026
01:22:52,880 --> 01:22:59,840
that we look at these grants that are
out there um because they can be

1027
01:22:57,679 --> 01:23:06,560
beneficial to us, especially since they
don't have to be repaid. Those are big

1028
01:23:02,960 --> 01:23:12,080
for us. Um let's see. I did not bring my
special eyes, so I'm trying to read my

1029
01:23:08,320 --> 01:23:17,520
handwriting here. Three, four. Oh. Um
talking about when I was using that when

1030
01:23:14,960 --> 01:23:22,560
I'm using this app for this game, I
would just really like to say that the

1031
01:23:18,960 --> 01:23:29,120
parks are looking really good. Um, I am
appreciating how green they are. Uh, the

1032
01:23:26,159 --> 01:23:33,440
trees have been fantastic. I have been
basically running from shade to shade

1033
01:23:31,440 --> 01:23:38,800
under each tree so that I can play this
game. And it's nice that I don't have to

1034
01:23:35,040 --> 01:23:45,440
run far. So, that is very appreciated.
Uh, let's see. So, when it comes to

1035
01:23:42,320 --> 01:23:50,239
meetings that I've been to, uh, I was
just last week at the Ben Franklin

1036
01:23:47,440 --> 01:23:55,840
Transit Board. uh big discussion item
that we had was July's fair free. Uh we

1037
01:23:53,440 --> 01:24:02,639
have asked the staff to go back and from
that uh figure out okay how much would

1038
01:23:59,840 --> 01:24:08,239
it actually cost if it would be a
positive or a negative thing to the

1039
01:24:05,520 --> 01:24:12,960
transit to continue with fair free
because it does cost a lot of money in

1040
01:24:09,920 --> 01:24:17,600
order to try and collect money. Um but
it did seem like it was a big hit.

1041
01:24:14,800 --> 01:24:22,880
writership was up significantly. Uh, and
I think we might even try it sometime in

1042
01:24:20,560 --> 01:24:27,840
the fall when schools are in session so
that we can have those numbers as well

1043
01:24:24,639 --> 01:24:33,040
to make a good decision for that. Uh,
let's see. Next Friday, I'm going to go

1044
01:24:30,080 --> 01:24:37,920
to the BF Ben Franklin Council of
Governments meeting. Uh, it is hybrid as

1045
01:24:35,920 --> 01:24:43,440
always. It is going to be on Friday next
week starting at 10. And then finally, I

1046
01:24:40,719 --> 01:24:48,400
will say that uh in advance, I'd like to
let you know that the Tuesday after

1047
01:24:45,679 --> 01:24:53,120
Labor Day, I will not be in attendance.
I will be on uh I will probably be in

1048
01:24:51,120 --> 01:24:57,199
Seattle airport if I'm not on a flight.
So, I will not be here. So, let's please

1049
01:24:55,440 --> 01:25:00,840
not make any big decisions while I'm
gone. Thank you.

1050
01:25:01,040 --> 01:25:08,800
» Thank you, Council Member Moran. Uh
Council Member Richie.

1051
01:25:06,400 --> 01:25:14,000
» Thank you, Mayor. Um,
on the subject of fireworks, I want to

1052
01:25:11,440 --> 01:25:19,120
uh uh let everybody know that there are
summaries that were uh put together by

1053
01:25:16,800 --> 01:25:24,880
the West Richland Police Department as
well as our Benton County Fire District

1054
01:25:21,840 --> 01:25:28,560
uh uh chief. And so those are available.
If you want to know what the exact

1055
01:25:26,159 --> 01:25:33,760
statistics were with regards to fires
across the 4th of July, they're

1056
01:25:31,360 --> 01:25:37,679
available and I'd be happy to help you
get hooked up with those. Uh, one of the

1057
01:25:35,840 --> 01:25:44,239
things I want to be sure and point out
is that the chief in his report talks

1058
01:25:41,199 --> 01:25:49,520
about how when there were complaints
that the officers went out and educated

1059
01:25:46,560 --> 01:25:53,679
the citizens and then after that that
complaint went away. That was not a

1060
01:25:51,679 --> 01:25:59,199
problem anymore. Too often I think
that's what the problem is is it's not

1061
01:25:55,600 --> 01:26:03,440
malicious but rather just uninformed
individuals.

1062
01:26:00,719 --> 01:26:09,440
um data centers. I'm not convinced yet
that a moratorium is needed. Uh we don't

1063
01:26:06,000 --> 01:26:14,639
have a project. Um when we get a project
and we can we can look at what it is

1064
01:26:11,520 --> 01:26:19,120
we're we're talking about. Right now
you're just speculating. And so and and

1065
01:26:17,520 --> 01:26:23,760
one of the things that I keep seeing is
that they keep we keep talking about

1066
01:26:20,960 --> 01:26:27,600
what's going on down at Boardman and in
Oregon. And I'll tell you right now,

1067
01:26:25,920 --> 01:26:31,360
that's not applicable to the state of
Washington. what happened down there.

1068
01:26:29,679 --> 01:26:34,880
That may be a concern that you might
want to ask the question, but the state

1069
01:26:32,880 --> 01:26:41,600
of Washington is going to look into that
with our our our EPA uh uh our SEIPA

1070
01:26:39,520 --> 01:26:46,000
checklist and our environmental impact
statement checklist. And and I encourage

1071
01:26:43,760 --> 01:26:50,800
you to to go and look and review those.
I also encourage you to go visit a data

1072
01:26:49,120 --> 01:26:54,400
center. And that's what I'm going to do.
I'm going to go visit a data center. I

1073
01:26:52,639 --> 01:26:58,320
want to find out more about it. I want
to see what they've got going. I want to

1074
01:26:56,000 --> 01:27:02,320
hear what the local community has to say
about it because they're the ones that

1075
01:27:00,080 --> 01:27:07,199
are living the dream right now and and
can come back and and give us real time

1076
01:27:04,560 --> 01:27:12,080
data uh with regards to to what's really
going on. So uh I'm encouraging

1077
01:27:09,679 --> 01:27:18,239
everybody to prep your questions and get
ready for it. And and last and I'll shut

1078
01:27:14,320 --> 01:27:24,480
up is uh kudos uh uh uh to our economic
director Menhal uh that children's

1079
01:27:21,360 --> 01:27:30,159
museum in West Richland. I am excited.
I've got a five-year-old that's like 10

1080
01:27:27,280 --> 01:27:35,239
minutes away from that and and and I
just When's it open? Do you know when

1081
01:27:31,920 --> 01:27:35,239
it's going to open?

1082
01:27:35,440 --> 01:27:44,159
» Okay. So, let me know and and we'll be
there when the doors open. Thank you.

1083
01:27:41,199 --> 01:27:51,840
» Uh Council Member Cole.
>> Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Um couple of

1084
01:27:46,639 --> 01:27:57,040
things live. Um let me find my notes.
Um, week before last, I attended a

1085
01:27:54,480 --> 01:28:03,280
two-day training session put on by the
Association of Washington Cities uh that

1086
01:28:00,239 --> 01:28:09,120
helped was geared towards council
members um in the budgeting process. So

1087
01:28:07,040 --> 01:28:14,800
my hope is that even though it's only
two days and I don't know everything

1088
01:28:12,159 --> 01:28:19,280
there is to know about budgeting, I know
a little bit more and maybe I can be

1089
01:28:17,120 --> 01:28:24,320
kind of earn my keep with Aaron and and
and the rest of the finance committee

1090
01:28:22,320 --> 01:28:30,400
members. Uh second thing I just I want
to say I regret that I wasn't here last

1091
01:28:27,120 --> 01:28:35,520
meeting um
because I was in training. Um and I

1092
01:28:33,520 --> 01:28:40,639
don't I'm not playing old ground. I just
want to say that um I I hope that

1093
01:28:38,480 --> 01:28:49,040
there's a better solution. I know that
uh council took a vote on um turning off

1094
01:28:44,400 --> 01:28:57,679
the citizens opp uh ability to uh to
speak uh in from the remote capabilities

1095
01:28:53,199 --> 01:29:01,120
and uh I'm committed to finding some
other hopefully we can come up with a

1096
01:28:59,679 --> 01:29:08,560
better solution than just shutting it
off. Um, I want to also say thank you.

1097
01:29:05,840 --> 01:29:12,639
We are super stoked that you're here.
There's a four-year-old and a 5-year-old

1098
01:29:10,400 --> 01:29:17,920
who've taken the word no from my
vocabulary, we'll be we'll be taking

1099
01:29:14,880 --> 01:29:24,880
them, too. Uh, and I want to thank u Mr.
Lozano. Um I I think that um the

1100
01:29:22,000 --> 01:29:30,560
information that we can get like that as
it pertains to power needs for data

1101
01:29:27,199 --> 01:29:34,639
centers and how that impacts us um
because

1102
01:29:32,400 --> 01:29:39,760
when I mean we need to listen to what
what people are telling us but we also

1103
01:29:37,360 --> 01:29:44,400
need to you know if we're saying hey we
want to enact some policies you know

1104
01:29:42,400 --> 01:29:48,719
that with with respect to regulating
data centers we could use some

1105
01:29:46,960 --> 01:29:54,239
suggestions on what that looks like at
least I could. Um, thank you.

1106
01:29:52,320 --> 01:29:58,560
» All right. Thank you, Council Member B.
Council Member Pedto.

1107
01:29:56,239 --> 01:30:02,719
» Thank you, sir. Um, yeah, last week
Chelsea came presented to my Rotary Club

1108
01:30:00,880 --> 01:30:07,679
and I believe we were the first to hear
the message after the announcement.

1109
01:30:04,560 --> 01:30:12,320
Alino. Um, so if you want more
information, she will also be talking

1110
01:30:09,600 --> 01:30:19,600
tomorrow at the Westeron Chamber lunchon
um to a group of excited Chamber Lunchon

1111
01:30:16,000 --> 01:30:25,280
attendees uh about the upcoming museum
uh as well as uh Kevin Lewis Visit Tri

1112
01:30:22,080 --> 01:30:32,880
Cities. Iron Man is September 20th uh
well 18 19 181 1920 they'll be in town.

1113
01:30:29,199 --> 01:30:39,679
Um, so if you live anywhere near uh
Bombi Ramp Paradise, um, be prepared to

1114
01:30:37,280 --> 01:30:45,040
have a little traffic delay on Sunday,
but please be respectful of the of the

1115
01:30:41,520 --> 01:30:49,840
riders. Um, this is a huge economic boom
for the Tri City region as a whole last

1116
01:30:47,199 --> 01:30:53,199
year with 7.5 million of estimated
spending brought to the region. Uh, but

1117
01:30:51,840 --> 01:30:56,880
that again is going to be September
18th, 19th, but the actual race is on

1118
01:30:55,280 --> 01:31:02,400
the 20th, but we'll see riders on the
road, so just be careful.

1119
01:30:58,960 --> 01:31:06,560
Uh it's all thank you
blue.

1120
01:31:05,040 --> 01:31:11,080
» All right. Okay.
>> You're welcome.

1121
01:31:08,080 --> 01:31:11,080
» Which

1122
01:31:11,840 --> 01:31:19,520
Okay. Yeah. Thank you, Mr. Mayor and
Mayor Prom. Appreciate that. Uh uh just

1123
01:31:17,600 --> 01:31:23,120
pair it with the same thanks Chelsea for
bringing the Mid Columbia Children's

1124
01:31:20,800 --> 01:31:28,800
Museum here. That's totally awesome. and
I was uh thrilled since the first time

1125
01:31:26,320 --> 01:31:32,719
it uh was presented to us as an option.
So that's great. I also want to thanks

1126
01:31:31,120 --> 01:31:37,760
Josh for sticking around because I want
to thank you for the tour yesterday of

1127
01:31:35,199 --> 01:31:42,719
the new Bentonier dig down the road
here. That was that's a very impressive

1128
01:31:40,480 --> 01:31:46,639
building and um just really appreciate
the investment in our community and I

1129
01:31:44,480 --> 01:31:52,560
think it's going to serve us all well.
Um, other than that, uh, I don't think I

1130
01:31:49,360 --> 01:31:58,239
have anything else. Um, but just to say
that West Richland is a great place to

1131
01:31:54,400 --> 01:32:03,840
live. I mean, I constantly I've been on
travel for a couple weeks, different

1132
01:31:59,679 --> 01:32:08,159
places, and um I and even places that
have trees and I wouldn't trade this for

1133
01:32:06,159 --> 01:32:13,679
anything. This is a great place. We have
Well, we have well manicured park trees.

1134
01:32:11,120 --> 01:32:17,840
Yes. But other than that, um, as far as
data centers go, I'll just mention I I

1135
01:32:15,440 --> 01:32:22,880
believe we're being very vigilant and I
do appreciate all of the comments. I

1136
01:32:20,000 --> 01:32:28,880
encourage specifics. I I would like to
parrot the the thing that I think Mr.

1137
01:32:26,000 --> 01:32:35,840
Richie said and and others is that, you
know, we we are uh I I personally am

1138
01:32:32,080 --> 01:32:42,400
very anxious to have a a very um
specific list of questions and concerns.

1139
01:32:39,600 --> 01:32:46,159
Um, and then, uh, if there's data to
back up a concern, if there's

1140
01:32:44,400 --> 01:32:50,159
information or a study or something like
this, I heard one just the other day

1141
01:32:47,600 --> 01:32:54,239
about low frequency vibrations, and it's
like, okay, I haven't heard of that one

1142
01:32:51,600 --> 01:32:58,080
before. Um, where where's the
information about that? That's what I

1143
01:32:55,760 --> 01:33:04,000
want to see is I want to see the
detailed information so that we can um,

1144
01:33:01,120 --> 01:33:10,080
if a proposal comes to bear, we can
challenge the proposer on those specific

1145
01:33:06,639 --> 01:33:15,520
issues. Um, so I'm all about keeping
West Richland a great place to live and

1146
01:33:13,120 --> 01:33:20,719
uh and hopefully if any project like
that or any other large um project comes

1147
01:33:18,639 --> 01:33:25,280
to bear that it would be an enhancement
to our to our community and not a

1148
01:33:22,639 --> 01:33:29,760
detriment for sure. So that's the end of
my comments. Thank you.

1149
01:33:28,560 --> 01:33:35,280
» Mayor Pro Timble.
>> Well, I'll start off with the uh news I

1150
01:33:32,080 --> 01:33:40,080
shared with you and Mr. Smart. Uh the
department of energy has basically

1151
01:33:37,280 --> 01:33:47,840
decided to blow up the Hanford advisory
board. Um and as such I don't know if I

1152
01:33:44,960 --> 01:33:52,560
will be on the board or Mr. Smart will
be on the board. If we are on the board

1153
01:33:50,320 --> 01:34:02,159
we will no longer be representing West
Richland. Uh we would be just citizens

1154
01:33:57,280 --> 01:34:06,080
commenting on what's going on. Um, I
personally do not believe this is

1155
01:34:04,159 --> 01:34:13,040
beneficial to the Department of Energy,
but that's just what they're doing. Um,

1156
01:34:10,880 --> 01:34:20,159
not necessarily the Hanford Advisory
Board was that beneficial,

1157
01:34:15,600 --> 01:34:26,960
but it had a function. Um uh in addition
to that uh as far as uh data center goes

1158
01:34:23,360 --> 01:34:32,639
um my son is living the dream because
he's dealing with 10 data center

1159
01:34:29,040 --> 01:34:40,480
proposals in Cheyenne and has 10 active
data centers. So um he shares with me

1160
01:34:37,040 --> 01:34:49,040
the nightmares and the and the
some of the insights. Uh uh so from that

1161
01:34:46,080 --> 01:34:55,440
standpoint
I do not see other than the one comment

1162
01:34:52,080 --> 01:35:01,120
I recently received and shared with uh
Mr. Medall

1163
01:34:57,520 --> 01:35:09,360
uh relative to groundwater impacts out
on the on the ranch. Um I I really don't

1164
01:35:06,400 --> 01:35:14,320
see and from what he's telling me
there's some economic quirks that I

1165
01:35:11,840 --> 01:35:19,840
might talk a little bit with Benton REA
and the mayor uh relative to electrical

1166
01:35:18,239 --> 01:35:26,320
issues
uh on-site offsite that type of stuff.

1167
01:35:22,639 --> 01:35:33,840
But um there's not that much of an
impact. It's a big freaking building.

1168
01:35:29,360 --> 01:35:40,480
That's about it. So um if the water
issue gets you know groundwater

1169
01:35:36,719 --> 01:35:45,040
discharge if that's coming up
should be

1170
01:35:42,800 --> 01:35:52,000
uh I mean groundwater withdrawal would
be the bigger issue uh for any data

1171
01:35:48,719 --> 01:35:56,080
center that would go out there. So
that's about it. Thank you.

1172
01:35:54,000 --> 01:36:00,800
» All right. Thank you Mayor Prom Bloom.
Just a couple short things uh for me. I

1173
01:35:58,880 --> 01:36:05,199
want to thank once again Josh uh
Loausano for the tour in addition to

1174
01:36:03,600 --> 01:36:09,520
Council Member Smart, Council Member
Richie was there. Several staff members

1175
01:36:07,520 --> 01:36:14,480
were there, but appreciate the time that
you uh the CEO and other members of

1176
01:36:12,080 --> 01:36:20,320
staff put in. It was very informative.
Um, of course, uh the uh Children's

1177
01:36:17,600 --> 01:36:26,960
Museum, enough has well, no, not enough
has been said about that yet. Um, I'm

1178
01:36:23,040 --> 01:36:32,159
I'm so uh proud to know that West
Richland beat out several other

1179
01:36:29,120 --> 01:36:37,280
jurisdictions and uh and I appreciate
the board's wise decision uh in choosing

1180
01:36:35,199 --> 01:36:41,840
our site. But I also appreciate
council's support on this endeavor, the

1181
01:36:39,920 --> 01:36:47,040
chamber's support on this endeavor.
Truly was a team effort and I know our

1182
01:36:44,639 --> 01:36:51,920
city's committed to making this work and
work for generations. So, thank you very

1183
01:36:49,520 --> 01:36:56,960
much. Um,
we have uh open u open house or what

1184
01:36:55,600 --> 01:37:03,440
what we're calling grounds for
conversation uh with myself with uh

1185
01:37:00,719 --> 01:37:09,920
director or excuse me with director
Slade and with council member SMT at

1186
01:37:06,400 --> 01:37:15,360
Yolks on Saturday September 12th. All
three of us will be there in the morning

1187
01:37:11,600 --> 01:37:20,960
from 9:30 to about 11. Uh it's just an
open conversation. any citizens that

1188
01:37:17,280 --> 01:37:25,840
want to come by uh and uh talk with us,
uh you're welcome to do so. And uh I

1189
01:37:24,159 --> 01:37:31,199
invite you all to come out there. We'll
be in the uh the cafeteria dining area

1190
01:37:28,800 --> 01:37:35,920
of Yolks, which is to the right as you
enter the Yolks on Bombing Range Road,

1191
01:37:33,520 --> 01:37:40,560
not the Yolks in Richland, the Oaks here
in West Richland. And lastly, I will

1192
01:37:38,719 --> 01:37:46,880
just remind council we have a special
meeting planned for next Tuesday at

1193
01:37:43,040 --> 01:37:52,639
5:30. So uh please be sure to attend. It
is important. It will be primarily an

1194
01:37:49,520 --> 01:37:57,440
executive session. So that is all I
have. I appreciate everyone spending

1195
01:37:54,800 --> 01:38:03,480
time with us this evening. It is 7:38
and I will adjoin adjourn the meeting.

1196
01:38:00,239 --> 01:38:03,480
Thank you.