1 00:00:00,240 --> 00:00:03,600 Well, good evening everyone. Um, it is 6 2 00:00:03,600 --> 00:00:07,759 pm and I will call the September 1, 2026 3 00:00:07,759 --> 00:00:09,679 meeting of the West Richland City 4 00:00:09,679 --> 00:00:12,080 Council to order. And before we get 5 00:00:12,080 --> 00:00:13,759 started, I'm going to ask our city 6 00:00:13,759 --> 00:00:15,599 clerk, Stephanie Hog, to read the new 7 00:00:15,599 --> 00:00:17,920 meeting rules and then call roll for 8 00:00:17,920 --> 00:00:19,199 city council. 9 00:00:19,199 --> 00:00:21,359 >> Right. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Tonight's 10 00:00:21,359 --> 00:00:23,439 meeting is being held in person with a 11 00:00:23,439 --> 00:00:25,439 remote viewing option available via 12 00:00:25,439 --> 00:00:28,000 Zoom. Public comments will generally be 13 00:00:28,000 --> 00:00:30,400 accepted in person. Individuals who 14 00:00:30,400 --> 00:00:32,399 requested an accommodation to provide 15 00:00:32,399 --> 00:00:34,559 public comment remotely by 3 PM today 16 00:00:34,559 --> 00:00:36,399 will be recognized through Zoom during 17 00:00:36,399 --> 00:00:38,640 the appropriate comment period. We did 18 00:00:38,640 --> 00:00:40,239 not have any requests for tonight's 19 00:00:40,239 --> 00:00:42,879 meeting. When the mayor calls for public 20 00:00:42,879 --> 00:00:44,480 comment, please raise your hand if you 21 00:00:44,480 --> 00:00:46,719 would like to speak. One once 22 00:00:46,719 --> 00:00:48,480 recognized, please come to the podium 23 00:00:48,480 --> 00:00:49,840 and state your name and city of 24 00:00:49,840 --> 00:00:52,000 residence for the record. Each speaker 25 00:00:52,000 --> 00:00:53,440 will have three minutes to provide 26 00:00:53,440 --> 00:00:55,680 comments. You will be notified when your 27 00:00:55,680 --> 00:00:57,920 three minutes have ended. Comments 28 00:00:57,920 --> 00:00:59,920 should relate to city business and 29 00:00:59,920 --> 00:01:01,920 comments regarding to a specific item on 30 00:01:01,920 --> 00:01:03,760 tonight's agenda will be taken when that 31 00:01:03,760 --> 00:01:06,640 agenda item is heard. Public comment is 32 00:01:06,640 --> 00:01:08,720 an opportunity to address the mayor and 33 00:01:08,720 --> 00:01:10,799 the council. It is not a question and 34 00:01:10,799 --> 00:01:13,360 answer period. We ask everyone in 35 00:01:13,360 --> 00:01:14,880 attendance to be courteous and follow 36 00:01:14,880 --> 00:01:17,200 the council's rules of decorum. Please 37 00:01:17,200 --> 00:01:19,040 refrain from disruptions including 38 00:01:19,040 --> 00:01:21,360 calling out, clapping, cheering, booing, 39 00:01:21,360 --> 00:01:23,680 making remarks out of turn or otherwise 40 00:01:23,680 --> 00:01:25,920 interrupting the meeting. With that, 41 00:01:25,920 --> 00:01:28,400 I'll call the role for city council. 42 00:01:28,400 --> 00:01:29,200 Fred Brink 43 00:01:29,200 --> 00:01:30,080 >> here. 44 00:01:30,080 --> 00:01:30,880 >> Richard Bloom 45 00:01:30,880 --> 00:01:31,759 >> here. 46 00:01:31,759 --> 00:01:32,960 >> David Cole 47 00:01:32,960 --> 00:01:34,159 >> here. 48 00:01:34,159 --> 00:01:34,880 >> Fetto 49 00:01:34,880 --> 00:01:36,000 >> here. 50 00:01:36,000 --> 00:01:36,799 >> Moran 51 00:01:36,799 --> 00:01:37,759 >> present. 52 00:01:37,759 --> 00:01:38,720 >> And Richie 53 00:01:38,720 --> 00:01:39,520 >> here. 54 00:01:39,520 --> 00:01:40,720 >> John Smart 55 00:01:40,720 --> 00:01:41,680 >> here. 56 00:01:41,680 --> 00:01:42,799 >> Ken Stoker 57 00:01:42,799 --> 00:01:46,230 >> here. 58 00:01:46,240 --> 00:01:47,920 Right. Thank you. And now moving on with 59 00:01:47,920 --> 00:01:50,159 the agenda. Council member Richie, would 60 00:01:50,159 --> 00:01:51,759 you kindly lead us in the pledge of 61 00:01:51,759 --> 00:01:55,190 allegiance? 62 00:01:55,200 --> 00:01:58,079 I pledge algiance to the flag of the 63 00:01:58,079 --> 00:02:00,640 United States of America and to the 64 00:02:00,640 --> 00:02:03,759 republic for which it stands. One nation 65 00:02:03,759 --> 00:02:06,799 under God, indivisible, with liberty and 66 00:02:06,799 --> 00:02:10,080 justice for all. 67 00:02:10,080 --> 00:02:13,520 >> Thank you, Council Member Richie. 68 00:02:13,520 --> 00:02:15,520 I council, you have an agenda before 69 00:02:15,520 --> 00:02:18,720 you. Are there any changes? 70 00:02:18,720 --> 00:02:20,239 Hearing none, do I have a motion to 71 00:02:20,239 --> 00:02:22,959 approve the agenda as presented? 72 00:02:22,959 --> 00:02:25,280 I move to approve the agenda as 73 00:02:25,280 --> 00:02:26,000 presented. 74 00:02:26,000 --> 00:02:27,120 >> Second. 75 00:02:27,120 --> 00:02:28,879 >> I have a motion and a second to approve 76 00:02:28,879 --> 00:02:30,879 the agenda as presented. All in favor, 77 00:02:30,879 --> 00:02:32,640 please say I. I. 78 00:02:32,640 --> 00:02:36,400 >> Any oppose say no. Motion carries. All 79 00:02:36,400 --> 00:02:38,800 right. We have two presentations this 80 00:02:38,800 --> 00:02:42,879 month. Uh the first one is recognizing 81 00:02:42,879 --> 00:02:45,360 uh September 2026 as attendance 82 00:02:45,360 --> 00:02:47,599 awareness month. Regular school 83 00:02:47,599 --> 00:02:49,360 attendance is essential to student 84 00:02:49,360 --> 00:02:51,360 achievement, well-being, and ultimate 85 00:02:51,360 --> 00:02:55,040 graduation. During the 2425 school year, 86 00:02:55,040 --> 00:02:56,720 one of four students in the Richland 87 00:02:56,720 --> 00:02:59,120 School District was chronically absent, 88 00:02:59,120 --> 00:03:01,680 meaning they missed 10% or more of the 89 00:03:01,680 --> 00:03:05,760 school year. Chronic absentism 90 00:03:05,760 --> 00:03:07,519 affects not only the students who are 91 00:03:07,519 --> 00:03:09,680 absent, but also classrooms and learning 92 00:03:09,680 --> 00:03:12,800 as a whole. Whereas chronic ab 93 00:03:12,800 --> 00:03:15,840 absenteeism can be significantly reduced 94 00:03:15,840 --> 00:03:18,879 when schools, families, businesses, 95 00:03:18,879 --> 00:03:20,640 elected leaders and communities work 96 00:03:20,640 --> 00:03:22,640 together to promote regular on-time 97 00:03:22,640 --> 00:03:25,040 attendance and address barriers that 98 00:03:25,040 --> 00:03:27,680 keep children from attending school. Now 99 00:03:27,680 --> 00:03:30,159 therefore, I, Fred Brink, mayor, city of 100 00:03:30,159 --> 00:03:32,879 West Richland, do hereby proclaim that 101 00:03:32,879 --> 00:03:35,200 the city of West Richland stands with 102 00:03:35,200 --> 00:03:39,120 the nation in recognizing September 2026 103 00:03:39,120 --> 00:03:42,080 as attendance awareness month. 104 00:03:42,080 --> 00:03:44,000 Our city council affirms its commitment 105 00:03:44,000 --> 00:03:47,120 to the academic success of all students. 106 00:03:47,120 --> 00:03:48,959 Together, we can continue to build a 107 00:03:48,959 --> 00:03:51,920 community we a and a culture that 108 00:03:51,920 --> 00:03:53,760 ensures our children have an equal 109 00:03:53,760 --> 00:03:56,480 opportunity to learn, grow, and thrive 110 00:03:56,480 --> 00:03:58,959 as they gain knowledge and skills needed 111 00:03:58,959 --> 00:04:01,599 for high school graduation, 112 00:04:01,599 --> 00:04:04,959 future education, and future careers. We 113 00:04:04,959 --> 00:04:06,319 are also privileged to have a 114 00:04:06,319 --> 00:04:10,000 representative here from United Way, ATA 115 00:04:10,000 --> 00:04:13,519 Bon Hail, and uh I kindly ask her to 116 00:04:13,519 --> 00:04:15,280 receive the proclamation. If you would 117 00:04:15,280 --> 00:04:16,720 please come up to the podium, I will 118 00:04:16,720 --> 00:04:44,390 meet you there. 119 00:04:44,400 --> 00:04:46,960 Thank you, Mayor Brink and City Council 120 00:04:46,960 --> 00:04:48,720 for issuing this proclamation. Again, 121 00:04:48,720 --> 00:04:50,720 I'm Osta Bono, the community impact 122 00:04:50,720 --> 00:04:55,199 director for the United Way. Um, sorry. 123 00:04:55,199 --> 00:04:57,040 Um, thank you guys. This is my third 124 00:04:57,040 --> 00:04:58,240 year coming and I know you've been 125 00:04:58,240 --> 00:04:59,600 issuing this proclamation a little bit 126 00:04:59,600 --> 00:05:01,360 longer than that, but we appreciate your 127 00:05:01,360 --> 00:05:03,600 continued support and your leadership in 128 00:05:03,600 --> 00:05:06,639 helping us raise awareness of attendance 129 00:05:06,639 --> 00:05:08,720 um by issuing the proclamation. Our 130 00:05:08,720 --> 00:05:10,880 United Way works to give local kids a 131 00:05:10,880 --> 00:05:13,039 better future and kids who regularly 132 00:05:13,039 --> 00:05:15,360 attend school are in a we're setting 133 00:05:15,360 --> 00:05:17,120 them up for success, right? Getting to 134 00:05:17,120 --> 00:05:19,280 school is the most important thing. It 135 00:05:19,280 --> 00:05:20,960 sets kids up for success not just in 136 00:05:20,960 --> 00:05:23,199 their coursework but also socially and 137 00:05:23,199 --> 00:05:25,840 emotionally. Um, celebrating September 138 00:05:25,840 --> 00:05:28,000 as attendance awareness month helps 139 00:05:28,000 --> 00:05:29,680 remind all of us as parents and 140 00:05:29,680 --> 00:05:31,520 caregivers or grandparents, friends, 141 00:05:31,520 --> 00:05:32,960 neighbors that we can all support our 142 00:05:32,960 --> 00:05:36,240 kids in getting to school. So, united we 143 00:05:36,240 --> 00:05:37,440 can help our kids reach their full 144 00:05:37,440 --> 00:05:39,199 potential. It's our new tagline. So, 145 00:05:39,199 --> 00:05:40,720 thank you again um, city of West 146 00:05:40,720 --> 00:05:42,160 Richland for your time and for 147 00:05:42,160 --> 00:05:43,520 supporting our attendance awareness 148 00:05:43,520 --> 00:05:44,720 efforts. Thank you. 149 00:05:44,720 --> 00:05:47,919 >> Thank you very much. 150 00:05:47,919 --> 00:05:50,800 Our second uh, proclamation is suicide 151 00:05:50,800 --> 00:05:53,280 prevention awareness month. 152 00:05:53,280 --> 00:05:55,199 Suicide is a serious public health 153 00:05:55,199 --> 00:05:56,880 concern that affects individuals, 154 00:05:56,880 --> 00:05:59,840 families, schools, workplaces, and 155 00:05:59,840 --> 00:06:01,360 communities throughout Benton and 156 00:06:01,360 --> 00:06:04,000 Franklin counties. Prevention requires a 157 00:06:04,000 --> 00:06:07,039 communitywide commitment to awareness, 158 00:06:07,039 --> 00:06:10,160 education, early identification, access 159 00:06:10,160 --> 00:06:13,039 to support, and reducing the stigma 160 00:06:13,039 --> 00:06:15,440 associated with mental health and 161 00:06:15,440 --> 00:06:18,560 seeking help. The Benton Franklin 162 00:06:18,560 --> 00:06:20,720 Community Health Improvement Program 163 00:06:20,720 --> 00:06:23,120 identifies mental health as a community 164 00:06:23,120 --> 00:06:26,160 health priority and emphasizes the 165 00:06:26,160 --> 00:06:28,080 importance of coordinated efforts among 166 00:06:28,080 --> 00:06:29,680 healthcare and behavioral health 167 00:06:29,680 --> 00:06:32,720 providers, schools, first responders, 168 00:06:32,720 --> 00:06:35,360 faith communities, employers, community 169 00:06:35,360 --> 00:06:38,400 leaders, and residents. So whereas 170 00:06:38,400 --> 00:06:40,319 education and training for community 171 00:06:40,319 --> 00:06:43,039 leaders, employers, educators, health 172 00:06:43,039 --> 00:06:45,680 care professionals, and other trusted 173 00:06:45,680 --> 00:06:48,400 community members increases awareness of 174 00:06:48,400 --> 00:06:51,840 suicide warning signs, encourages early 175 00:06:51,840 --> 00:06:54,400 intervention, and fosters environments 176 00:06:54,400 --> 00:06:56,960 where mental health is supported and 177 00:06:56,960 --> 00:06:59,199 helpseeking is encouraged. Now 178 00:06:59,199 --> 00:07:01,280 therefore, I, Fred Brink, mayor, city of 179 00:07:01,280 --> 00:07:03,520 West Richland, do hereby proclaim 180 00:07:03,520 --> 00:07:06,800 September 2026 as suicide prevention 181 00:07:06,800 --> 00:07:08,880 month in the city of West Richland. And 182 00:07:08,880 --> 00:07:11,199 I call upon community members to educate 183 00:07:11,199 --> 00:07:14,160 themselves about suicide prevention, 184 00:07:14,160 --> 00:07:16,319 recognize warning signs, connect 185 00:07:16,319 --> 00:07:18,400 individuals to resources, and help 186 00:07:18,400 --> 00:07:20,400 create a community where mental health 187 00:07:20,400 --> 00:07:22,960 is prioritized and seeking help is 188 00:07:22,960 --> 00:07:25,440 supported without stigma. We have a 189 00:07:25,440 --> 00:07:28,000 representative here from the uh the 190 00:07:28,000 --> 00:07:30,000 executive director of the Columbia Base 191 00:07:30,000 --> 00:07:32,240 and Veterans Center, Mr. Christopher 192 00:07:32,240 --> 00:07:34,800 Deer, to receive the proclamation. Would 193 00:07:34,800 --> 00:07:41,350 you please meet me at the podium, sir? 194 00:07:41,360 --> 00:08:00,869 » You send me that picture. 195 00:08:00,879 --> 00:08:03,520 Thank you, mayor and city council and 196 00:08:03,520 --> 00:08:05,919 all everybody else that's here. It's an 197 00:08:05,919 --> 00:08:07,199 honor to be with you and I'm here 198 00:08:07,199 --> 00:08:09,680 representing uh bigger than just the 199 00:08:09,680 --> 00:08:12,080 veteran side of things, but no matter 200 00:08:12,080 --> 00:08:13,759 where you sit and I want to just read 201 00:08:13,759 --> 00:08:15,360 this so you kind of understand the the 202 00:08:15,360 --> 00:08:17,280 list of names that are involved. We have 203 00:08:17,280 --> 00:08:19,440 be behavioral health providers, public 204 00:08:19,440 --> 00:08:21,039 health and prevention partners, school 205 00:08:21,039 --> 00:08:23,120 districts and education staff, healthc 206 00:08:23,120 --> 00:08:24,720 care organizations, community- based 207 00:08:24,720 --> 00:08:26,800 organizations, individuals with lived 208 00:08:26,800 --> 00:08:28,479 experience, prevention and crisis 209 00:08:28,479 --> 00:08:30,879 response partners, and veterans serving 210 00:08:30,879 --> 00:08:32,719 organization. And I say that just 211 00:08:32,719 --> 00:08:34,159 because if you think about all that we 212 00:08:34,159 --> 00:08:36,320 do, this hits every sector that we're 213 00:08:36,320 --> 00:08:38,719 talking about. I did send something to 214 00:08:38,719 --> 00:08:40,880 uh Councilman Fedto that he can share 215 00:08:40,880 --> 00:08:42,640 with everybody. It's a little sheet that 216 00:08:42,640 --> 00:08:44,000 can give you some information. 217 00:08:44,000 --> 00:08:47,519 Hopefully, you'd share that for me. Uh the biggest thing I'd share with you 218 00:08:47,519 --> 00:08:49,760 no matter what uh who we're talking 219 00:08:49,760 --> 00:08:52,080 about isolation is the biggest problem 220 00:08:52,080 --> 00:08:53,519 we have right now and I think you can 221 00:08:53,519 --> 00:08:55,279 see that happening as people stare at 222 00:08:55,279 --> 00:08:56,720 their phones even as they sit next to 223 00:08:56,720 --> 00:08:58,800 you that this it's an issue that's going 224 00:08:58,800 --> 00:09:01,040 on. So there's a lot of people who find 225 00:09:01,040 --> 00:09:03,279 themsel uh right next to you but 226 00:09:03,279 --> 00:09:05,600 isolated. And so my challenge to 227 00:09:05,600 --> 00:09:07,760 everything we're doing here is to really 228 00:09:07,760 --> 00:09:09,920 walk forward opening our eyes giving 229 00:09:09,920 --> 00:09:11,839 them a nudge maybe grabbing their phone 230 00:09:11,839 --> 00:09:13,279 and throw it in the lake. I don't know 231 00:09:13,279 --> 00:09:15,360 whether something of that fashion but I 232 00:09:15,360 --> 00:09:17,200 would just say uh what we're talking 233 00:09:17,200 --> 00:09:19,279 about is crucial and it affects our 234 00:09:19,279 --> 00:09:21,680 children and it affects a few uh all the 235 00:09:21,680 --> 00:09:23,600 way up to our veterans and even it 236 00:09:23,600 --> 00:09:25,279 sounds crazy but some of our largest 237 00:09:25,279 --> 00:09:29,600 population is uh our later stage in age 238 00:09:29,600 --> 00:09:31,680 uh people have strong suicidal 239 00:09:31,680 --> 00:09:33,920 tendencies. So and then there's a couple 240 00:09:33,920 --> 00:09:35,120 things you can get involved with. 241 00:09:35,120 --> 00:09:37,120 There's take stride suicide prevention 242 00:09:37,120 --> 00:09:39,600 on Wednesday September 30th. Now, I'm 243 00:09:39,600 --> 00:09:41,120 not running this, but I can tell you on 244 00:09:41,120 --> 00:09:42,560 that there's information that will be 245 00:09:42,560 --> 00:09:44,160 sent out. It's something you can be a 246 00:09:44,160 --> 00:09:45,519 part of. There's an out of the darkness 247 00:09:45,519 --> 00:09:47,760 suicide prevention walk on Saturday, 248 00:09:47,760 --> 00:09:50,160 October 24th. And then for the veteran 249 00:09:50,160 --> 00:09:52,080 side of things, the month of November, 250 00:09:52,080 --> 00:09:53,440 you've probably seen those signs. I 251 00:09:53,440 --> 00:09:55,920 think I came last year and held them up. 252 00:09:55,920 --> 00:09:57,120 We're going to have them again this 253 00:09:57,120 --> 00:09:58,560 year. If you'd like to be a part of 254 00:09:58,560 --> 00:10:00,160 sponsoring some signs, bringing some 255 00:10:00,160 --> 00:10:01,680 signs, putting them out there, we'll 256 00:10:01,680 --> 00:10:03,600 bring you some and we'd love that. It 257 00:10:03,600 --> 00:10:05,279 has our suicide prevention number on it 258 00:10:05,279 --> 00:10:06,720 and then also how people can get a hold 259 00:10:06,720 --> 00:10:09,279 of us. So, thank you so much. Truly 260 00:10:09,279 --> 00:10:11,760 appreciate it. It means a lot. Thank 261 00:10:11,760 --> 00:10:12,720 you. 262 00:10:12,720 --> 00:10:17,110 >> Thank you, Mr. D. 263 00:10:17,120 --> 00:10:19,360 » All right. Moving on the agenda. Uh this 264 00:10:19,360 --> 00:10:22,079 is now our first public comment period. 265 00:10:22,079 --> 00:10:24,880 For items not on the agenda. So, if you 266 00:10:24,880 --> 00:10:27,760 wish to provide comments, uh please 267 00:10:27,760 --> 00:10:29,200 raise your hand so that you're 268 00:10:29,200 --> 00:10:31,040 recognized. I'll ask you to come to the 269 00:10:31,040 --> 00:10:32,959 podium and you'll have three minutes to 270 00:10:32,959 --> 00:10:35,360 provide your comments. The first public 271 00:10:35,360 --> 00:10:37,519 comment period is limited to a total of 272 00:10:37,519 --> 00:10:39,920 30 minutes to allow council to move 273 00:10:39,920 --> 00:10:42,079 forward with meeting business. If we're 274 00:10:42,079 --> 00:10:43,920 unable to hear from everyone who wishes 275 00:10:43,920 --> 00:10:46,560 to speak before the 30 minute period 276 00:10:46,560 --> 00:10:48,560 concludes, there is of course another 277 00:10:48,560 --> 00:10:50,720 opportunity at the second public comment 278 00:10:50,720 --> 00:10:53,360 period later in tonight's meeting. And 279 00:10:53,360 --> 00:10:54,959 please remember once again, council 280 00:10:54,959 --> 00:10:57,680 cannot respond to questions during the 281 00:10:57,680 --> 00:11:00,000 comment period. And this time frame is 282 00:11:00,000 --> 00:11:02,079 for comments not relating to items on 283 00:11:02,079 --> 00:11:04,640 the agenda as we'll ask for comments 284 00:11:04,640 --> 00:11:07,279 about agenda items as they're discussed. 285 00:11:07,279 --> 00:11:08,800 Is there anyone that wishes to come 286 00:11:08,800 --> 00:11:12,079 forward, please? And I kindly ask you 287 00:11:12,079 --> 00:11:13,920 state your name and city of residence 288 00:11:13,920 --> 00:11:16,480 for the record. 289 00:11:16,480 --> 00:11:18,480 >> Thank you, mayor. I'm Jerry Bogs, city 290 00:11:18,480 --> 00:11:20,560 of West Richland. I just have a short 291 00:11:20,560 --> 00:11:22,959 comment. I understand that there is a 292 00:11:22,959 --> 00:11:25,839 probability the city will do a town hall 293 00:11:25,839 --> 00:11:29,440 on data centers when that becomes a more 294 00:11:29,440 --> 00:11:33,040 uh relevant issue in the sense that we 295 00:11:33,040 --> 00:11:36,079 can believe it will happen. So what I 296 00:11:36,079 --> 00:11:38,880 recommend to you strongly, not strongly, 297 00:11:38,880 --> 00:11:41,040 it doesn't matter. I recommend it to you 298 00:11:41,040 --> 00:11:43,680 is that you involve the public, not just 299 00:11:43,680 --> 00:11:46,959 as an audience, but as a source of 300 00:11:46,959 --> 00:11:50,640 information, positions, and and facts 301 00:11:50,640 --> 00:11:53,200 and things that aren't facts. There's at 302 00:11:53,200 --> 00:11:56,480 least one organization in our our Tri 303 00:11:56,480 --> 00:12:01,200 Cities that deals with data centers as a 304 00:12:01,200 --> 00:12:03,839 whole for each of the cities and they 305 00:12:03,839 --> 00:12:07,200 have a leadership group that seemed to 306 00:12:07,200 --> 00:12:10,079 be well-versed that put on a meeting 307 00:12:10,079 --> 00:12:12,560 through Indivisible at the Richland 308 00:12:12,560 --> 00:12:15,680 Library on Saturday and it was good. I 309 00:12:15,680 --> 00:12:17,680 went there. I enjoyed it. I thought it 310 00:12:17,680 --> 00:12:20,480 was fairly well presented. sometimes 311 00:12:20,480 --> 00:12:22,959 lacking context for the comments and 312 00:12:22,959 --> 00:12:26,000 conclusions that were made. But my point 313 00:12:26,000 --> 00:12:28,959 is, please don't treat the public as 314 00:12:28,959 --> 00:12:31,839 just a passive 315 00:12:31,839 --> 00:12:35,680 uh entity. Use them and get their 316 00:12:35,680 --> 00:12:38,000 opinion through at least the group or 317 00:12:38,000 --> 00:12:39,680 representatives of that group that are 318 00:12:39,680 --> 00:12:46,949 actively involved. Thank you. 319 00:12:46,959 --> 00:12:58,550 Please 320 00:12:58,560 --> 00:13:01,360 text Bender 786 South 38th Avenue here 321 00:13:01,360 --> 00:13:03,120 in West Richland. Um, I wanted to 322 00:13:03,120 --> 00:13:05,120 comment about the data centers also. And 323 00:13:05,120 --> 00:13:06,399 last time we were here, we talked, we 324 00:13:06,399 --> 00:13:07,920 asked questions about that. And then we 325 00:13:07,920 --> 00:13:10,320 see in the newspaper that Tremble Crow 326 00:13:10,320 --> 00:13:12,399 is rolling around here looking at stuff 327 00:13:12,399 --> 00:13:14,160 in here and it's been going on since 328 00:13:14,160 --> 00:13:16,800 before you, right? And we asked about 329 00:13:16,800 --> 00:13:18,000 that and no one gave us a straight 330 00:13:18,000 --> 00:13:19,600 answer that, oh, we know this is 331 00:13:19,600 --> 00:13:21,760 happening. There's nothing going on. And 332 00:13:21,760 --> 00:13:23,200 we kind of know your position on because 333 00:13:23,200 --> 00:13:25,040 you said we needed peerreview stuff to 334 00:13:25,040 --> 00:13:25,839 bring it to you. Well, you're not going 335 00:13:25,839 --> 00:13:27,519 to get peerreview information in 336 00:13:27,519 --> 00:13:28,320 something like this. You're going to get 337 00:13:28,320 --> 00:13:30,240 the accounts of people that that 338 00:13:30,240 --> 00:13:33,040 actually deal with this stuff. And um 339 00:13:33,040 --> 00:13:34,959 70% of the people are against this. It's 340 00:13:34,959 --> 00:13:38,160 just a fact. And why? Because they don't 341 00:13:38,160 --> 00:13:39,279 want they don't want the stuff in their 342 00:13:39,279 --> 00:13:41,920 backyard. And I I I don't blame them. 343 00:13:41,920 --> 00:13:43,519 Just looking at what's we're reading, 344 00:13:43,519 --> 00:13:46,399 what we're seeing. But um it it's not 345 00:13:46,399 --> 00:13:48,000 going to be a conducive thing for us, I 346 00:13:48,000 --> 00:13:49,839 don't think. But what we want more than 347 00:13:49,839 --> 00:13:52,079 anything is our city council to be 348 00:13:52,079 --> 00:13:54,320 square with us because you're not our 349 00:13:54,320 --> 00:13:56,800 government. We are the government. And 350 00:13:56,800 --> 00:13:58,720 you guys work for us. And when you hide 351 00:13:58,720 --> 00:14:00,000 stuff from us or you're not truthful 352 00:14:00,000 --> 00:14:02,720 with us, then that that puts a a stain 353 00:14:02,720 --> 00:14:05,199 on us and a stain on you. And we don't 354 00:14:05,199 --> 00:14:06,320 like to be, you know, we have this rule 355 00:14:06,320 --> 00:14:08,160 in life I've gone all my life with. Fool 356 00:14:08,160 --> 00:14:10,000 me once, shame on me. Fool me twice, 357 00:14:10,000 --> 00:14:12,880 shame on you. And the retaliation that 358 00:14:12,880 --> 00:14:16,000 comes back like recalling people, you 359 00:14:16,000 --> 00:14:16,880 know, those kind of things. That's what 360 00:14:16,880 --> 00:14:18,399 needs to start happening because if our 361 00:14:18,399 --> 00:14:20,560 government doesn't yield to us, then we 362 00:14:20,560 --> 00:14:22,079 don't have a govern anymore. We have a 363 00:14:22,079 --> 00:14:23,920 dictatorship. And that's what we dealt 364 00:14:23,920 --> 00:14:27,360 with a lot with the last mayor. I feel 365 00:14:27,360 --> 00:14:28,800 in all the years I've lived here and I 366 00:14:28,800 --> 00:14:30,240 don't want to go through that again. I 367 00:14:30,240 --> 00:14:31,920 want my vote, my children, my 368 00:14:31,920 --> 00:14:33,680 grandchildren, my everybody that lives 369 00:14:33,680 --> 00:14:35,360 here to have a say in this deal because 370 00:14:35,360 --> 00:14:37,040 that's what our constitution guarantees. 371 00:14:37,040 --> 00:14:39,600 This is our government. Okay, that's all 372 00:14:39,600 --> 00:14:41,279 I wanted to say about that. Thank you 373 00:14:41,279 --> 00:14:46,470 for your time. Thank you. 374 00:14:46,480 --> 00:14:48,000 Is there anyone else present that would 375 00:14:48,000 --> 00:14:51,440 like to make comment? 376 00:14:51,440 --> 00:14:52,959 All right, seeing none, we'll move on 377 00:14:52,959 --> 00:14:55,440 with the agenda. Tonight's consent 378 00:14:55,440 --> 00:14:57,680 agenda includes approving minutes of the 379 00:14:57,680 --> 00:15:01,360 regular meeting August 18, 2026, the 380 00:15:01,360 --> 00:15:04,639 special meeting August 25, 2026. 381 00:15:04,639 --> 00:15:07,120 Resolution 51-28 382 00:15:07,120 --> 00:15:09,120 authorizing the mayor to execute a site 383 00:15:09,120 --> 00:15:10,959 lease agreement 384 00:15:10,959 --> 00:15:15,600 with PI Towers development LLC. Motion 385 00:15:15,600 --> 00:15:17,279 to approve the final plat of Red 386 00:15:17,279 --> 00:15:19,199 Mountain Industrial 387 00:15:19,199 --> 00:15:26,240 uh 3phase 1, file number plat 019-2025. 388 00:15:26,240 --> 00:15:28,480 Motion authorizing public works director 389 00:15:28,480 --> 00:15:31,279 to apply for a public works board flood 390 00:15:31,279 --> 00:15:34,160 resilient grant. At this time, I'll open 391 00:15:34,160 --> 00:15:36,560 comment for items that I've specifically 392 00:15:36,560 --> 00:15:38,720 mentioned on the consent agenda. If 393 00:15:38,720 --> 00:15:40,320 there's anyone that would like to make a 394 00:15:40,320 --> 00:15:42,720 comment on the consent agenda items, 395 00:15:42,720 --> 00:15:44,959 please raise your hand. I will recognize 396 00:15:44,959 --> 00:15:46,880 you and ask you to come to the podium. 397 00:15:46,880 --> 00:15:48,639 Once again, I kindly ask that you limit 398 00:15:48,639 --> 00:15:51,120 your comments to three minutes and state 399 00:15:51,120 --> 00:15:53,120 your name and city of residence for the 400 00:15:53,120 --> 00:15:55,199 record. Is there anyone present who 401 00:15:55,199 --> 00:15:59,990 wishes to comment on the consent agenda? 402 00:16:00,000 --> 00:16:03,680 All right. Seeing no one council, 403 00:16:03,680 --> 00:16:06,959 may I have a motion to for the consent 404 00:16:06,959 --> 00:16:07,440 agenda? 405 00:16:07,440 --> 00:16:09,839 >> I move to approve the consent agenda as 406 00:16:09,839 --> 00:16:10,399 read. 407 00:16:10,399 --> 00:16:11,759 >> Second. 408 00:16:11,759 --> 00:16:13,519 >> Have a motion and a second. All in 409 00:16:13,519 --> 00:16:14,880 favor, please say I. 410 00:16:14,880 --> 00:16:15,680 >> I. 411 00:16:15,680 --> 00:16:18,160 >> Any opposed say no. 412 00:16:18,160 --> 00:16:22,560 Motion carries. Thank you, councel. 413 00:16:22,560 --> 00:16:25,440 So, council will move on to item eight 414 00:16:25,440 --> 00:16:29,279 on the agenda. Item eight is a public 415 00:16:29,279 --> 00:16:32,079 hearing for a moratorum citing less 416 00:16:32,079 --> 00:16:35,839 restrictive alternative or LR facilities 417 00:16:35,839 --> 00:16:39,680 serving sexually violent predators. 418 00:16:39,680 --> 00:16:41,519 City Attorney Jessica Folultz will 419 00:16:41,519 --> 00:16:44,320 present the staff report. 420 00:16:44,320 --> 00:16:46,160 >> Thank you, Mr. Mayor and members of the 421 00:16:46,160 --> 00:16:48,959 council. Um, in 1990, the Washington 422 00:16:48,959 --> 00:16:50,720 legislature enacted the Community 423 00:16:50,720 --> 00:16:52,240 Protection Act, which is currently 424 00:16:52,240 --> 00:16:56,480 codified at chapter 7109 in the RCW. 425 00:16:56,480 --> 00:16:58,560 Uh, this these statutes authorize the 426 00:16:58,560 --> 00:17:00,880 indefinite civil commitment of people 427 00:17:00,880 --> 00:17:02,639 that are determined by courts to be 428 00:17:02,639 --> 00:17:04,959 sexually violent predators, um, also 429 00:17:04,959 --> 00:17:08,720 known as SVPs. Uh these people have com 430 00:17:08,720 --> 00:17:10,640 uh completed, excuse me, their criminal 431 00:17:10,640 --> 00:17:12,720 sentences, but have been found by the 432 00:17:12,720 --> 00:17:14,559 court to be likely to reaffend if 433 00:17:14,559 --> 00:17:16,240 they're not confined in a secure 434 00:17:16,240 --> 00:17:18,959 facility. Uh subsequent case law has 435 00:17:18,959 --> 00:17:23,360 determined that uh there is recurring 436 00:17:23,360 --> 00:17:26,240 uh evaluation of these individuals to 437 00:17:26,240 --> 00:17:27,919 determine whether they qualify for 438 00:17:27,919 --> 00:17:29,760 placement in what's called a less 439 00:17:29,760 --> 00:17:32,559 restrictive alternative setting. Um 440 00:17:32,559 --> 00:17:36,880 there was a very recent um LRA situation 441 00:17:36,880 --> 00:17:38,880 that occurred in Kenowick. Um these are 442 00:17:38,880 --> 00:17:41,760 often group homes that can be located in 443 00:17:41,760 --> 00:17:45,760 residential areas. Um and the law allows 444 00:17:45,760 --> 00:17:48,160 uh some regulations as far as their 445 00:17:48,160 --> 00:17:50,640 sighting. Um but but we are limited and 446 00:17:50,640 --> 00:17:52,160 that was part of what the issue was in 447 00:17:52,160 --> 00:17:56,640 Kenowick. Um so in addition to the LRA 448 00:17:56,640 --> 00:17:58,240 facilities which are kind of what we 449 00:17:58,240 --> 00:18:00,640 consider as a a more of a residential 450 00:18:00,640 --> 00:18:03,280 placement um there are also regulations 451 00:18:03,280 --> 00:18:04,960 on what we call secure community 452 00:18:04,960 --> 00:18:07,440 transition facilities um which are a 453 00:18:07,440 --> 00:18:10,240 more structured placement uh that some 454 00:18:10,240 --> 00:18:14,000 of these individuals reside at. Um those 455 00:18:14,000 --> 00:18:17,280 uh facilities meet the definition of 456 00:18:17,280 --> 00:18:19,520 essential public facilities under RCW 457 00:18:19,520 --> 00:18:21,440 3678200. 458 00:18:21,440 --> 00:18:22,799 uh cities planning under the growth 459 00:18:22,799 --> 00:18:25,039 management act um which includes West 460 00:18:25,039 --> 00:18:29,360 Richland um are uh required to include 461 00:18:29,360 --> 00:18:31,039 provisions for the sighting of those 462 00:18:31,039 --> 00:18:32,320 facilities in their development 463 00:18:32,320 --> 00:18:35,760 regulations. Uh so the city does have uh 464 00:18:35,760 --> 00:18:38,080 some regulations that we passed in the 465 00:18:38,080 --> 00:18:41,360 last several months um to try to uh 466 00:18:41,360 --> 00:18:44,160 address this issue. However, it's come 467 00:18:44,160 --> 00:18:46,400 to light since that time that there is 468 00:18:46,400 --> 00:18:49,039 going to be a somewhat of a regional 469 00:18:49,039 --> 00:18:50,720 conversation about this with the other 470 00:18:50,720 --> 00:18:53,679 cities um which we think is in West 471 00:18:53,679 --> 00:18:56,080 Richland's best interest um to ensure 472 00:18:56,080 --> 00:18:58,720 that you know one city doesn't have 473 00:18:58,720 --> 00:19:00,960 lesser restrictions and then that's um 474 00:19:00,960 --> 00:19:04,000 where these may be cited um or just in 475 00:19:04,000 --> 00:19:06,400 general that we're not inconsistent with 476 00:19:06,400 --> 00:19:10,160 each other. Um, so in order to preserve 477 00:19:10,160 --> 00:19:12,080 the ability to develop those 478 00:19:12,080 --> 00:19:14,160 regulations, uh, council may remember 479 00:19:14,160 --> 00:19:16,720 that a moratorum was passed on July 480 00:19:16,720 --> 00:19:19,520 14th. That was ordinance number 1526, 481 00:19:19,520 --> 00:19:21,280 which established a six-month moratorium 482 00:19:21,280 --> 00:19:23,440 on the sighting of LRA facilities within 483 00:19:23,440 --> 00:19:26,160 the city of West Richland. Um the law 484 00:19:26,160 --> 00:19:28,080 requires the law regarding moratoriums 485 00:19:28,080 --> 00:19:30,000 requires that if we did not adopt 486 00:19:30,000 --> 00:19:32,160 findings of fact at the time of entry, 487 00:19:32,160 --> 00:19:34,160 we have to do that within 60 days to 488 00:19:34,160 --> 00:19:36,559 establish why a a continued moratorium 489 00:19:36,559 --> 00:19:39,360 is necessary. Uh so tonight's public 490 00:19:39,360 --> 00:19:41,440 hearing is to provide an opportunity for 491 00:19:41,440 --> 00:19:43,120 the council to receive comments from 492 00:19:43,120 --> 00:19:45,520 staff um and to consider public 493 00:19:45,520 --> 00:19:48,160 testimony regarding the moratorum. Uh 494 00:19:48,160 --> 00:19:50,799 following the hearing uh staff will be 495 00:19:50,799 --> 00:19:53,840 recommending uh ordinance number 2026 be 496 00:19:53,840 --> 00:19:56,640 adopted which would support retention of 497 00:19:56,640 --> 00:19:58,400 the six-month mortorium through entry of 498 00:19:58,400 --> 00:20:01,440 findings of fact. Um those proposed 499 00:20:01,440 --> 00:20:03,679 findings uh that we'll address after the 500 00:20:03,679 --> 00:20:05,600 public hearing recognize that our 501 00:20:05,600 --> 00:20:07,520 existing regulations may not adequately 502 00:20:07,520 --> 00:20:09,120 address these facilities especially 503 00:20:09,120 --> 00:20:11,120 considering what the regional landscape 504 00:20:11,120 --> 00:20:13,520 will look like. Um all other cities 505 00:20:13,520 --> 00:20:15,120 within our region have a current 506 00:20:15,120 --> 00:20:18,799 moratorium in effect um in some 507 00:20:18,799 --> 00:20:21,120 uh place or another. Some have extended 508 00:20:21,120 --> 00:20:22,720 theirs because they adopted them 509 00:20:22,720 --> 00:20:25,520 earlier. Um some are relatively newer 510 00:20:25,520 --> 00:20:28,720 moratorums such as ours. Um and we 511 00:20:28,720 --> 00:20:31,440 actually um met earlier today with the 512 00:20:31,440 --> 00:20:32,720 other cities and their appointing 513 00:20:32,720 --> 00:20:35,120 directors and mayors to kind of discuss 514 00:20:35,120 --> 00:20:37,200 preliminary stages of conversations 515 00:20:37,200 --> 00:20:40,720 about this. Um so again uh this 516 00:20:40,720 --> 00:20:42,640 moratorum is intended as a temporary and 517 00:20:42,640 --> 00:20:44,720 measured response that will provide us 518 00:20:44,720 --> 00:20:46,640 adequate time to study the applicable 519 00:20:46,640 --> 00:20:49,200 law, evaluate existing regulations that 520 00:20:49,200 --> 00:20:50,880 we have in place, discuss with other 521 00:20:50,880 --> 00:20:54,080 cities um a coordinated effort to 522 00:20:54,080 --> 00:20:56,240 regulate these to the extent that we can 523 00:20:56,240 --> 00:20:58,880 and to develop appropriate regulations. 524 00:20:58,880 --> 00:21:01,360 Um [clears throat] so city staff um 525 00:21:01,360 --> 00:21:02,559 following the public hearing will 526 00:21:02,559 --> 00:21:06,480 recommend adoption of ordinance 2026. 527 00:21:06,480 --> 00:21:08,240 I'd be happy to answer questions. 528 00:21:08,240 --> 00:21:10,960 >> All right. Thank you, counselor. I will 529 00:21:10,960 --> 00:21:14,640 now open the public hearing at 6:21 530 00:21:14,640 --> 00:21:17,200 p.m. Is there anyone that would like to 531 00:21:17,200 --> 00:21:19,760 make comment on this particular item, 532 00:21:19,760 --> 00:21:21,840 which is of course moratorium citing 533 00:21:21,840 --> 00:21:23,679 less restrictive alternative housing 534 00:21:23,679 --> 00:21:37,669 facilities. 535 00:21:37,679 --> 00:21:40,799 It's Bender here again. Uh 786 South 536 00:21:40,799 --> 00:21:42,799 38th Avenue, West Richland. I'm for 537 00:21:42,799 --> 00:21:45,200 that. I'm for us never having those. I 538 00:21:45,200 --> 00:21:46,640 spent some years, me and my son back 539 00:21:46,640 --> 00:21:49,280 here, protecting victims of this. And 540 00:21:49,280 --> 00:21:50,640 they don't quit. These these guys don't 541 00:21:50,640 --> 00:21:52,640 quit coming. They don't quit coming. No 542 00:21:52,640 --> 00:21:54,320 matter what the law says, no matter what 543 00:21:54,320 --> 00:21:55,760 goes on, they still show up in the 544 00:21:55,760 --> 00:21:57,200 middle of the night and we ride out and 545 00:21:57,200 --> 00:21:58,559 we get rid of them. We take care of 546 00:21:58,559 --> 00:21:59,840 them. We put take them to the police. We 547 00:21:59,840 --> 00:22:01,280 do whatever we have to do. They don't 548 00:22:01,280 --> 00:22:03,440 care what the law says. It's no 549 00:22:03,440 --> 00:22:05,280 different than any other criminal. Yet, 550 00:22:05,280 --> 00:22:07,120 they have a thing that that drives them 551 00:22:07,120 --> 00:22:09,679 in insanely. No matter what they do, 552 00:22:09,679 --> 00:22:11,200 they find them. We hide them. They find 553 00:22:11,200 --> 00:22:12,720 them. They go get them. And you have to 554 00:22:12,720 --> 00:22:14,480 get those people away from them. We 555 00:22:14,480 --> 00:22:17,120 protected hundreds of young children 556 00:22:17,120 --> 00:22:19,039 that we took them to court. We did all 557 00:22:19,039 --> 00:22:20,559 kinds of thing and protected them from 558 00:22:20,559 --> 00:22:22,720 these evil people. And the bottom line 559 00:22:22,720 --> 00:22:23,919 is they don't change. Doesn't matter 560 00:22:23,919 --> 00:22:25,919 what's going on with them. I mean, we 561 00:22:25,919 --> 00:22:27,760 had situations where there's 25 of us 562 00:22:27,760 --> 00:22:30,000 bikers sitting there and the people roll 563 00:22:30,000 --> 00:22:32,000 up and in one of the incidents they're 564 00:22:32,000 --> 00:22:33,760 there to pick we're helping these little 565 00:22:33,760 --> 00:22:35,520 girls and there's a courtappointed 566 00:22:35,520 --> 00:22:37,200 psychologist there and he threaten he 567 00:22:37,200 --> 00:22:39,360 threatens to kill her because he can't 568 00:22:39,360 --> 00:22:42,159 get at his daughters and this is a guy 569 00:22:42,159 --> 00:22:44,080 from works at Pendleton as an officer 570 00:22:44,080 --> 00:22:45,520 down there in Pendleton you know at this 571 00:22:45,520 --> 00:22:48,080 prison and so but we had that we saw it 572 00:22:48,080 --> 00:22:50,559 everywhere and they never quit coming 573 00:22:50,559 --> 00:22:51,840 middle of the night we're riding out 574 00:22:51,840 --> 00:22:53,200 someplace you know we're going here 575 00:22:53,200 --> 00:22:54,559 we're going to court things you hear the 576 00:22:54,559 --> 00:22:55,679 things that happened to these kids, 577 00:22:55,679 --> 00:22:57,039 little kids that have been molested and 578 00:22:57,039 --> 00:22:58,720 raped for four to five years from time 579 00:22:58,720 --> 00:23:00,400 they're eight till they're 12 years old 580 00:23:00,400 --> 00:23:02,559 or whole families of kids that this 581 00:23:02,559 --> 00:23:03,520 happened to where they were put in 582 00:23:03,520 --> 00:23:05,679 adopted home or care homes and the 583 00:23:05,679 --> 00:23:08,080 caregiver was doing that to them. And so 584 00:23:08,080 --> 00:23:10,400 it doesn't stop and they don't ever stop 585 00:23:10,400 --> 00:23:11,840 and these people won't change because 586 00:23:11,840 --> 00:23:13,440 they're reprobate. Their minds are 587 00:23:13,440 --> 00:23:15,760 reprobate and they don't care about 588 00:23:15,760 --> 00:23:16,960 those children. All they care about is 589 00:23:16,960 --> 00:23:19,840 that desire they have to hurt to get 590 00:23:19,840 --> 00:23:21,120 what they want and that's all they care 591 00:23:21,120 --> 00:23:22,640 about. And we've seen it over and over 592 00:23:22,640 --> 00:23:24,000 again. And I think we had I think we had 593 00:23:24,000 --> 00:23:27,360 around 153 children that we protected. 594 00:23:27,360 --> 00:23:28,799 And there was another hundred waiting on 595 00:23:28,799 --> 00:23:29,919 the waiting list for us to come and 596 00:23:29,919 --> 00:23:32,720 protect here in the Tri Cities. And you 597 00:23:32,720 --> 00:23:34,559 know, and so we got rid of a a guy like 598 00:23:34,559 --> 00:23:36,400 that because we sat outside of his house 599 00:23:36,400 --> 00:23:38,960 and handed out flyers because he wasn't 600 00:23:38,960 --> 00:23:40,000 going to live that close to a school 601 00:23:40,000 --> 00:23:41,840 where they walk back and forth and we 602 00:23:41,840 --> 00:23:45,120 got rid of him, right? And and so it's 603 00:23:45,120 --> 00:23:47,200 sad that we had to step in and of our 604 00:23:47,200 --> 00:23:49,039 court systems and our and our legal 605 00:23:49,039 --> 00:23:50,240 system and get rid of these guys and 606 00:23:50,240 --> 00:23:51,840 keep them out of our hair. They don't 607 00:23:51,840 --> 00:23:55,520 ever change and we saw that it was 99.9% 608 00:23:55,520 --> 00:23:57,360 of the time they never changed. They 609 00:23:57,360 --> 00:23:59,280 never gave [clears throat] up. So, I 610 00:23:59,280 --> 00:24:00,799 just wanted to say that. So, but I'm all 611 00:24:00,799 --> 00:24:02,000 for the mortoriiums and I think 612 00:24:02,000 --> 00:24:03,200 everybody should be. We don't want them 613 00:24:03,200 --> 00:24:04,400 in our city. We don't want them in our 614 00:24:04,400 --> 00:24:06,720 area. There's plenty of places in in 615 00:24:06,720 --> 00:24:08,080 Washington where they can be by 616 00:24:08,080 --> 00:24:12,799 themselves and not bother anybody. And and I was over visiting with the the 617 00:24:12,799 --> 00:24:14,559 prosecutor attorney over in King County 618 00:24:14,559 --> 00:24:16,240 and she that's what she does specialize 619 00:24:16,240 --> 00:24:18,159 in this. And they don't get any time. 620 00:24:18,159 --> 00:24:19,520 They can do this to a kid and they get a 621 00:24:19,520 --> 00:24:22,000 year, right? They get six months or time 622 00:24:22,000 --> 00:24:23,919 served. They don't go to jail for 15 623 00:24:23,919 --> 00:24:25,679 years to get rehabilitated. It's just a 624 00:24:25,679 --> 00:24:27,279 slap on the hands out. They come again 625 00:24:27,279 --> 00:24:29,360 and they're ready again. And the average 626 00:24:29,360 --> 00:24:32,320 is 300 children they bother before they 627 00:24:32,320 --> 00:24:35,360 ever get caught. And no one understands 628 00:24:35,360 --> 00:24:37,760 that. 300 children. I know I got 629 00:24:37,760 --> 00:24:40,240 children or grandchildren that, you 630 00:24:40,240 --> 00:24:42,320 know, I mean, the reality is you just I 631 00:24:42,320 --> 00:24:44,400 just got to get rid of them. Thank you 632 00:24:44,400 --> 00:24:45,679 for your time. 633 00:24:45,679 --> 00:24:50,070 >> Thank you. 634 00:24:50,080 --> 00:24:51,600 Is there anyone else present that would 635 00:24:51,600 --> 00:24:53,279 like to make comment on this particular 636 00:24:53,279 --> 00:24:55,600 agenda item? 637 00:24:55,600 --> 00:24:58,400 All right. Seeing none, I will close the 638 00:24:58,400 --> 00:25:01,919 public hearing at 6:25 639 00:25:01,919 --> 00:25:03,760 p.m. 640 00:25:03,760 --> 00:25:05,840 And council, I will ask you for a 641 00:25:05,840 --> 00:25:07,679 motion, please. Following the 642 00:25:07,679 --> 00:25:11,679 >> I move to adopt ordinance number 2026 643 00:25:11,679 --> 00:25:13,679 adopting findings of fact in support of 644 00:25:13,679 --> 00:25:15,520 retaining the six-month moratorium 645 00:25:15,520 --> 00:25:18,880 established by ordinance number 1526 646 00:25:18,880 --> 00:25:20,799 on the sighting of less restrictive 647 00:25:20,799 --> 00:25:22,960 alternative facilities serving sexually 648 00:25:22,960 --> 00:25:24,400 violent predators. 649 00:25:24,400 --> 00:25:25,600 >> Second. 650 00:25:25,600 --> 00:25:26,799 >> All right, we have a motion and a 651 00:25:26,799 --> 00:25:29,120 second. Now's time. Any further council 652 00:25:29,120 --> 00:25:34,230 discussion, comments, questions? 653 00:25:34,240 --> 00:25:37,440 Uh, Mayor Promble Bloom, go ahead. 654 00:25:37,440 --> 00:25:40,400 >> Uh, is the county also included in that 655 00:25:40,400 --> 00:25:44,320 discussion with the cities? 656 00:25:44,320 --> 00:25:47,440 >> At this time, uh, this is a cityon 657 00:25:47,440 --> 00:25:49,919 discussion there. I think that's 658 00:25:49,919 --> 00:25:52,640 intentional um, in that I think there 659 00:25:52,640 --> 00:25:55,120 was something brought up about there is 660 00:25:55,120 --> 00:25:56,640 sometimes 661 00:25:56,640 --> 00:25:59,600 a a tension between county and city 662 00:25:59,600 --> 00:26:01,840 regulations on these types of matters. 663 00:26:01,840 --> 00:26:05,279 Um and so I think we have not had our 664 00:26:05,279 --> 00:26:08,240 this meeting today was um a lobbyist 665 00:26:08,240 --> 00:26:10,640 kind of giving an overview about the 666 00:26:10,640 --> 00:26:12,880 general status of this and what options 667 00:26:12,880 --> 00:26:14,880 maybe there were to take to the 668 00:26:14,880 --> 00:26:17,840 legislature. Um when we start to have 669 00:26:17,840 --> 00:26:19,840 regional meetings between the attorneys 670 00:26:19,840 --> 00:26:21,919 for each jurisdiction, I think at that 671 00:26:21,919 --> 00:26:23,679 point we could discuss involving the 672 00:26:23,679 --> 00:26:26,799 county if we think it's um consistent. 673 00:26:26,799 --> 00:26:28,559 But at this time, all the cities have 674 00:26:28,559 --> 00:26:32,320 signed a um an agreement that allows us 675 00:26:32,320 --> 00:26:34,320 to speak together without risk of 676 00:26:34,320 --> 00:26:36,559 attorney client privilege issues. Um and 677 00:26:36,559 --> 00:26:38,159 we have not yet expanded that to the 678 00:26:38,159 --> 00:26:38,799 county. 679 00:26:38,799 --> 00:26:49,190 >> Well, the only reason is donut holes in the city. So, thank you, 680 00:26:49,200 --> 00:26:51,840 » Council Member Smart. Yeah. So, uh, 681 00:26:51,840 --> 00:26:53,039 Jessica, if I could ask a question 682 00:26:53,039 --> 00:26:55,840 besides what you just um said, what what 683 00:26:55,840 --> 00:27:01,039 can you um what is the course of action 684 00:27:01,039 --> 00:27:02,640 that we're that's going to be happening 685 00:27:02,640 --> 00:27:05,279 between now and the time this moratorum 686 00:27:05,279 --> 00:27:06,240 comes pass? 687 00:27:06,240 --> 00:27:10,640 >> Our plan is to um schedule regional 688 00:27:10,640 --> 00:27:13,440 meetings to discuss some of the cities 689 00:27:13,440 --> 00:27:16,000 um have been working on regulations. 690 00:27:16,000 --> 00:27:20,720 Part of the challenge is the law is not 691 00:27:20,720 --> 00:27:23,200 has not really been tested in this area. 692 00:27:23,200 --> 00:27:26,880 Um, and it's not super clear. And so I 693 00:27:26,880 --> 00:27:29,120 think part of the thought was getting a 694 00:27:29,120 --> 00:27:33,360 few minds together um, and making a 695 00:27:33,360 --> 00:27:34,880 decision about the best course of action 696 00:27:34,880 --> 00:27:38,080 moving forward. Um, so our initial plan, 697 00:27:38,080 --> 00:27:41,039 and we didn't discuss this today, but if 698 00:27:41,039 --> 00:27:42,880 Kenowick's kind of taking the lead on 699 00:27:42,880 --> 00:27:44,960 this, um, if they don't reach out in the 700 00:27:44,960 --> 00:27:47,039 next few days, I'll send an email out to 701 00:27:47,039 --> 00:27:48,640 schedule a regional meeting between the 702 00:27:48,640 --> 00:27:50,880 attorneys, kind of touch base about 703 00:27:50,880 --> 00:27:52,080 where people are at with their 704 00:27:52,080 --> 00:27:55,039 regulations, um, discuss any concerns or 705 00:27:55,039 --> 00:27:56,960 changes that we should have, and then 706 00:27:56,960 --> 00:27:59,520 there's kind of a separate effort with 707 00:27:59,520 --> 00:28:02,080 the lobbyist, who I think works formally 708 00:28:02,080 --> 00:28:04,799 for Kenowick and Pasco, um, to try to 709 00:28:04,799 --> 00:28:07,360 get some legis legislative interest in 710 00:28:07,360 --> 00:28:12,470 some changes. So that's our plan. 711 00:28:12,480 --> 00:28:15,440 » And so what what's the um what's the 712 00:28:15,440 --> 00:28:17,760 anticipated reporting to city councils 713 00:28:17,760 --> 00:28:19,679 on these meetings? Um is this going to 714 00:28:19,679 --> 00:28:21,120 be working through a subcommittee or 715 00:28:21,120 --> 00:28:22,799 through our directors? 716 00:28:22,799 --> 00:28:26,240 >> So yes, probably staff updates. Um we 717 00:28:26,240 --> 00:28:27,760 will 718 00:28:27,760 --> 00:28:30,320 our moratorum is up sometime towards the 719 00:28:30,320 --> 00:28:31,520 end of the year. I think all the other 720 00:28:31,520 --> 00:28:33,679 cities are in the same boat. Um, so 721 00:28:33,679 --> 00:28:35,360 we're going to we'll be updating council 722 00:28:35,360 --> 00:28:37,520 as far as if we're ready to bring 723 00:28:37,520 --> 00:28:39,200 something to council if we have to 724 00:28:39,200 --> 00:28:41,440 extend the moratorum, which we can do. 725 00:28:41,440 --> 00:28:43,760 Um, if we if we're not at a point then 726 00:28:43,760 --> 00:28:46,960 where we can uh develop regulations. Um, 727 00:28:46,960 --> 00:28:49,760 I I guess I do want to be clear that and 728 00:28:49,760 --> 00:28:52,080 just set expectations. We are not going 729 00:28:52,080 --> 00:28:56,080 to be able to prohibit these um and 730 00:28:56,080 --> 00:28:57,520 state law would not allow that. So, 731 00:28:57,520 --> 00:28:59,679 we're we're trying to kind of navigate 732 00:28:59,679 --> 00:29:02,399 um what makes sense in compliance with 733 00:29:02,399 --> 00:29:04,399 the law and also uh trying to keep the 734 00:29:04,399 --> 00:29:10,310 community safe. 735 00:29:10,320 --> 00:29:14,960 » Council member, Bryant, go ahead. 736 00:29:14,960 --> 00:29:17,200 >> Thank you. [laughter] 737 00:29:17,200 --> 00:29:20,080 Um I would just like to echo that if 738 00:29:20,080 --> 00:29:22,480 there is any way possible to include the 739 00:29:22,480 --> 00:29:24,799 county because of those donut holes. I 740 00:29:24,799 --> 00:29:26,559 hadn't even thought of that, but that is 741 00:29:26,559 --> 00:29:28,640 a very good point. We don't want to have 742 00:29:28,640 --> 00:29:31,600 something that's near the edge but still 743 00:29:31,600 --> 00:29:34,960 in the city have the possibility of 744 00:29:34,960 --> 00:29:37,840 having more lax requirements and then 745 00:29:37,840 --> 00:29:39,840 ending up having something like that 746 00:29:39,840 --> 00:29:42,240 focused right there. So, if there's any 747 00:29:42,240 --> 00:29:43,760 way to include the county on that, 748 00:29:43,760 --> 00:29:44,399 please. 749 00:29:44,399 --> 00:29:46,159 >> I think that's certainly something we'll 750 00:29:46,159 --> 00:29:50,240 evaluate. Um but I will say you know 751 00:29:50,240 --> 00:29:53,440 that there are uh buffer requirements 752 00:29:53,440 --> 00:29:55,120 that for example they have to be a 753 00:29:55,120 --> 00:29:56,640 certain number of feet from a school or 754 00:29:56,640 --> 00:30:01,279 things of that nature. So um we would we 755 00:30:01,279 --> 00:30:03,840 will consider that um as we look at you 756 00:30:03,840 --> 00:30:06,000 know where are the potential pockets. Um 757 00:30:06,000 --> 00:30:07,520 I just we don't know where the county's 758 00:30:07,520 --> 00:30:10,000 at right now. Um but I appreciate that 759 00:30:10,000 --> 00:30:11,679 and we'll certainly keep that in mind as 760 00:30:11,679 --> 00:30:14,399 we move forward. 761 00:30:14,399 --> 00:30:16,159 Council member Richie. 762 00:30:16,159 --> 00:30:18,960 >> Uh, thank you. Um, Miss Folz, to that 763 00:30:18,960 --> 00:30:22,159 end, I want to echo what Council Member 764 00:30:22,159 --> 00:30:25,120 Moran said and wholeheartedly support 765 00:30:25,120 --> 00:30:27,200 getting the county on board. We've 766 00:30:27,200 --> 00:30:30,000 already been through a few fiascos with 767 00:30:30,000 --> 00:30:31,760 donut holes in the city of West 768 00:30:31,760 --> 00:30:35,039 Richland. And so, to that end, I want to 769 00:30:35,039 --> 00:30:38,000 make sure that that we close this one up 770 00:30:38,000 --> 00:30:43,430 tight. Thank you. 771 00:30:43,440 --> 00:30:44,960 Council member Smart, 772 00:30:44,960 --> 00:30:48,399 >> one one other comment on that note. Um, 773 00:30:48,399 --> 00:30:50,480 you know, I would encourage our citizens 774 00:30:50,480 --> 00:30:52,799 to reach out to our county commissioners 775 00:30:52,799 --> 00:30:54,799 and make this a point of importance to 776 00:30:54,799 --> 00:30:59,120 them because uh without cooperation, you 777 00:30:59,120 --> 00:31:02,399 know, we could see uh these placed in 778 00:31:02,399 --> 00:31:05,279 county lands 779 00:31:05,279 --> 00:31:08,960 um without almost without any 780 00:31:08,960 --> 00:31:10,720 acknowledgement of what's sitting next 781 00:31:10,720 --> 00:31:12,480 door inside the city boundary, whether 782 00:31:12,480 --> 00:31:14,480 it be a neighborhood. and hopefully they 783 00:31:14,480 --> 00:31:17,360 would respect the school boundaries, but 784 00:31:17,360 --> 00:31:19,200 I'm concerned also about the residential 785 00:31:19,200 --> 00:31:22,000 neighborhoods that abut our um county 786 00:31:22,000 --> 00:31:24,960 lines. 787 00:31:24,960 --> 00:31:28,320 >> Thank you, council member. Um I will ask 788 00:31:28,320 --> 00:31:30,720 uh councelor Folultz to give council 789 00:31:30,720 --> 00:31:33,760 regular updates as meetings are held to 790 00:31:33,760 --> 00:31:36,080 keep all of you informed as to the 791 00:31:36,080 --> 00:31:38,080 status of these discussions. I did sit 792 00:31:38,080 --> 00:31:41,760 in on today's discussion uh and and did 793 00:31:41,760 --> 00:31:43,919 share some perspectives from the 794 00:31:43,919 --> 00:31:45,679 Association of Washington City's 795 00:31:45,679 --> 00:31:48,559 viewpoint which this issue is common 796 00:31:48,559 --> 00:31:51,440 throughout the state uh with the 797 00:31:51,440 --> 00:31:53,360 possible sightings of course Kenowick 798 00:31:53,360 --> 00:31:55,279 sighting being the one that's nearest 799 00:31:55,279 --> 00:31:58,320 and dearest to us but I will ask uh 800 00:31:58,320 --> 00:32:00,480 councelor Folultz to make sure that keep 801 00:32:00,480 --> 00:32:02,880 council up to date on this as the 802 00:32:02,880 --> 00:32:05,840 conversations are conducted. 803 00:32:05,840 --> 00:32:07,679 All right. If there's no other 804 00:32:07,679 --> 00:32:10,159 discussion on this topic, council, we 805 00:32:10,159 --> 00:32:14,399 have a motion for ordinance 2026 citing 806 00:32:14,399 --> 00:32:16,880 less restrictive alternative facilities 807 00:32:16,880 --> 00:32:19,200 serving sexually violent predators. All 808 00:32:19,200 --> 00:32:20,799 in favor say I. 809 00:32:20,799 --> 00:32:21,519 >> I. 810 00:32:21,519 --> 00:32:23,519 >> Any opposed say no. 811 00:32:23,519 --> 00:32:26,159 >> All right. Thank you, councel. 812 00:32:26,159 --> 00:32:27,919 >> We don't have any unfinished business 813 00:32:27,919 --> 00:32:29,679 this evening, nor do we have any new 814 00:32:29,679 --> 00:32:32,080 business. So, we next up is the second 815 00:32:32,080 --> 00:32:34,559 opportunity for public comment. Once 816 00:32:34,559 --> 00:32:36,399 again, if you wish to speak, please 817 00:32:36,399 --> 00:32:38,559 raise your hand. I'll recognize you and 818 00:32:38,559 --> 00:32:39,919 you will have three minutes at the 819 00:32:39,919 --> 00:32:42,080 podium. I would ask anyone who wishes to 820 00:32:42,080 --> 00:32:44,240 speak to kindly state their name and 821 00:32:44,240 --> 00:32:46,320 city of residence. 822 00:32:46,320 --> 00:32:47,760 Is there anyone present who would like 823 00:32:47,760 --> 00:32:59,110 to speak? 824 00:32:59,120 --> 00:33:03,679 » Yep. Take your time, Mr. Bender. Um, 825 00:33:03,679 --> 00:33:06,240 text Bender 786 South 38th Avenue, West 826 00:33:06,240 --> 00:33:08,880 Richland. Um, I agree with her because I 827 00:33:08,880 --> 00:33:10,000 know from the county they don't they're 828 00:33:10,000 --> 00:33:11,039 not in the same boat we're in. 829 00:33:11,039 --> 00:33:12,080 Otherwise, we wouldn't have these dumb 830 00:33:12,080 --> 00:33:13,760 donut holes, right? If they were in the 831 00:33:13,760 --> 00:33:15,039 same boat, we would have a boat like we 832 00:33:15,039 --> 00:33:17,440 have behind me on 38th out to the water. 833 00:33:17,440 --> 00:33:18,799 There's a big donut hole behind me 834 00:33:18,799 --> 00:33:20,960 there, you know, and and they they don't 835 00:33:20,960 --> 00:33:22,640 make any sense because that's where the 836 00:33:22,640 --> 00:33:26,640 problems go. during the COVID thing and the the crazies that were coming to 837 00:33:26,640 --> 00:33:27,919 town. We had quite a few people camping 838 00:33:27,919 --> 00:33:30,240 in our in our that area back behind 839 00:33:30,240 --> 00:33:32,960 there on 29 acres and couldn't get the 840 00:33:32,960 --> 00:33:35,519 county to do anything, you know. I mean, 841 00:33:35,519 --> 00:33:36,880 you know, we I even had a run in with 842 00:33:36,880 --> 00:33:38,799 them where they came in up in the yard 843 00:33:38,799 --> 00:33:40,000 and we're trying to steal stuff out of 844 00:33:40,000 --> 00:33:42,480 my out of my off my yard, the Trager, 845 00:33:42,480 --> 00:33:44,159 you know. It's like, wow, great. You 846 00:33:44,159 --> 00:33:46,320 know, and so, but the police did respond 847 00:33:46,320 --> 00:33:48,559 to get that because they were looking 848 00:33:48,559 --> 00:33:50,159 body bags and get them out of the yard. 849 00:33:50,159 --> 00:33:53,519 But the bottom line is um the county is 850 00:33:53,519 --> 00:33:55,360 not on our side on all this stuff, you 851 00:33:55,360 --> 00:33:56,559 know, and you've seen that. You see that 852 00:33:56,559 --> 00:33:57,760 no matter where you go in the state of 853 00:33:57,760 --> 00:33:59,039 Washington, you see it. I saw it on the 854 00:33:59,039 --> 00:34:01,600 west side. You see it here. The county 855 00:34:01,600 --> 00:34:03,600 will will just drag you down. What needs 856 00:34:03,600 --> 00:34:05,440 to stand is the people that stand inside 857 00:34:05,440 --> 00:34:06,399 these cities because they're the 858 00:34:06,399 --> 00:34:09,119 majority that hold the county. And 859 00:34:09,119 --> 00:34:10,399 that's how we take the count make the 860 00:34:10,399 --> 00:34:12,480 county move where we want them to go is 861 00:34:12,480 --> 00:34:13,919 that majority is in each one of these 862 00:34:13,919 --> 00:34:16,000 cities. Pasco and their county down 863 00:34:16,000 --> 00:34:17,760 there and and Kenwick and and Benton 864 00:34:17,760 --> 00:34:19,359 County. That's us that takes care of 865 00:34:19,359 --> 00:34:21,760 that. And we force them to do it do the 866 00:34:21,760 --> 00:34:23,359 job they're supposed to do and that's 867 00:34:23,359 --> 00:34:24,560 protect the citizens. That's the first 868 00:34:24,560 --> 00:34:28,399 number one priority. And these these perverts and these people, they're 869 00:34:28,399 --> 00:34:29,839 not a they're not a priority in our 870 00:34:29,839 --> 00:34:32,000 society and they never should be. The 871 00:34:32,000 --> 00:34:34,320 welfare of your family, my family, our 872 00:34:34,320 --> 00:34:35,839 grandkids, and and the children all 873 00:34:35,839 --> 00:34:38,000 around us, that's what's important. 874 00:34:38,000 --> 00:34:40,000 Nothing else. These people have lost 875 00:34:40,000 --> 00:34:43,040 their opportunity to be cared about when 876 00:34:43,040 --> 00:34:44,079 they committed the crimes they 877 00:34:44,079 --> 00:34:46,560 committed. And so, um, [clears throat] 878 00:34:46,560 --> 00:34:47,839 that's just all I want to say. I just 879 00:34:47,839 --> 00:34:51,119 the getting the the county on board. We 880 00:34:51,119 --> 00:34:53,200 do it ourselves. We make the county get 881 00:34:53,200 --> 00:34:56,960 on board with us. And that's how you you have to sway. You have to use the 882 00:34:56,960 --> 00:34:59,280 majority that we have, you know. Thank 883 00:34:59,280 --> 00:35:01,264 you for your time. 884 00:35:01,264 --> 00:35:04,790 [clears throat] 885 00:35:04,800 --> 00:35:06,320 Is there anyone else present that would 886 00:35:06,320 --> 00:35:10,310 like to make public comment? 887 00:35:10,320 --> 00:35:12,720 All right. Seeing no one, we'll move on 888 00:35:12,720 --> 00:35:15,599 to uh staff and council announcements 889 00:35:15,599 --> 00:35:22,790 reports. I'll start with city staff, 890 00:35:22,800 --> 00:35:24,960 community and economic development 891 00:35:24,960 --> 00:35:27,200 director Mendall. 892 00:35:27,200 --> 00:35:29,119 >> Uh thank you, Mr. Mayor, members of the 893 00:35:29,119 --> 00:35:31,520 council. Uh typ typically we don't make 894 00:35:31,520 --> 00:35:35,040 this kind of announcement, but um the 895 00:35:35,040 --> 00:35:37,839 TIGS has sold their land to Traml Crow. 896 00:35:37,839 --> 00:35:40,160 Um just wanted to let you know that that 897 00:35:40,160 --> 00:35:42,560 has occurred. So just wanted to share 898 00:35:42,560 --> 00:35:44,320 that as the public is definitely 899 00:35:44,320 --> 00:35:46,880 concerned and has some interest but um 900 00:35:46,880 --> 00:35:49,200 wanted to share that information. Now 901 00:35:49,200 --> 00:35:51,359 there will be a public process if we 902 00:35:51,359 --> 00:35:53,440 were to receive an application for a 903 00:35:53,440 --> 00:35:55,520 data center. Again we have not received 904 00:35:55,520 --> 00:35:58,160 one. It would go through a significant 905 00:35:58,160 --> 00:35:59,760 public process similar to what the 906 00:35:59,760 --> 00:36:02,079 Louiswis and Clark ranch went through 907 00:36:02,079 --> 00:36:03,920 and I'd be happy to talk with anyone 908 00:36:03,920 --> 00:36:06,240 after the meeting on that. Um I've got 909 00:36:06,240 --> 00:36:08,320 my cards here and can and be happy to 910 00:36:08,320 --> 00:36:11,359 share that with them. 911 00:36:11,359 --> 00:36:14,240 Thank you, Mr. Menhal. 912 00:36:14,240 --> 00:36:16,960 Any other staff comments? No. All right, 913 00:36:16,960 --> 00:36:20,160 council, your turn. Any council member 914 00:36:20,160 --> 00:36:23,359 care to make comments or reports? 915 00:36:23,359 --> 00:36:26,960 I will start with council member Stoker. 916 00:36:26,960 --> 00:36:28,400 Save you from putting up your card. 917 00:36:28,400 --> 00:36:29,839 >> Yeah. 918 00:36:29,839 --> 00:36:32,320 >> Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Um, so it is 919 00:36:32,320 --> 00:36:34,320 September and like September of every 920 00:36:34,320 --> 00:36:37,680 year, I try to put my stick in that to 921 00:36:37,680 --> 00:36:40,079 me this is Constitution Month. Um 922 00:36:40,079 --> 00:36:42,880 September 17th is the day the 923 00:36:42,880 --> 00:36:46,160 constitution was basically signed. Not 924 00:36:46,160 --> 00:36:47,680 really signed, but okay. It's the 925 00:36:47,680 --> 00:36:50,640 accepted signature date. Um so hopefully 926 00:36:50,640 --> 00:36:53,359 this month I'd like to encourage council 927 00:36:53,359 --> 00:36:57,040 staff and our fellow citizens to read 928 00:36:57,040 --> 00:37:01,200 the constitution. It's not that hard. Um 929 00:37:01,200 --> 00:37:04,480 it's only a few pages. [laughter] 930 00:37:04,480 --> 00:37:07,599 Um and um I think next next time I will 931 00:37:07,599 --> 00:37:09,040 try to bring some of my pocket 932 00:37:09,040 --> 00:37:11,200 constitutions that I have and willing to 933 00:37:11,200 --> 00:37:12,880 hand them out to anybody who would like 934 00:37:12,880 --> 00:37:15,040 to be interested in one. So September 935 00:37:15,040 --> 00:37:21,760 17th is Constitution Day. Um so please take the time to understand a 936 00:37:21,760 --> 00:37:23,599 little better the the bedrock foundation 937 00:37:23,599 --> 00:37:26,800 of this great nation. And thank you 938 00:37:26,800 --> 00:37:30,720 >> you council member Moran. 939 00:37:30,720 --> 00:37:36,960 >> Sorry my pen died. Um, so since our last 940 00:37:36,960 --> 00:37:39,680 business meeting, I attended a Benton 941 00:37:39,680 --> 00:37:41,280 Franklin Council of Governments Board 942 00:37:41,280 --> 00:37:46,800 meeting and a Benton County uh, housing 943 00:37:46,800 --> 00:37:51,359 continuum of care meeting and uh, I will 944 00:37:51,359 --> 00:37:54,640 just say that the way that the COG is 945 00:37:54,640 --> 00:37:58,000 going um, I really like the way that 946 00:37:58,000 --> 00:38:00,720 it's continuing to progress and I know 947 00:38:00,720 --> 00:38:03,440 that there is discuss discussions with 948 00:38:03,440 --> 00:38:07,280 uh the tech board member as uh Mr. Slate 949 00:38:07,280 --> 00:38:09,839 as well as myself coming up soon uh 950 00:38:09,839 --> 00:38:12,480 after Labor Day so that we can talk to 951 00:38:12,480 --> 00:38:15,839 the cog about well just how things are 952 00:38:15,839 --> 00:38:19,200 going for the city. Uh other than that 953 00:38:19,200 --> 00:38:22,560 um I hope everybody has a safe Labor Day 954 00:38:22,560 --> 00:38:24,560 weekend. 955 00:38:24,560 --> 00:38:27,280 >> Thank you, Council Member Moran. Uh, 956 00:38:27,280 --> 00:38:31,349 council member Fedto. 957 00:38:31,359 --> 00:38:34,320 » Thank you, sir. Uh, Legislative Council, 958 00:38:34,320 --> 00:38:36,800 Tricer Regional Chamber and HBA are uh 959 00:38:36,800 --> 00:38:40,880 hosting the elect reception October 1st 960 00:38:40,880 --> 00:38:43,760 at the reach. Um, I don't know if this 961 00:38:43,760 --> 00:38:45,760 went out to everybody. If not, I'll 962 00:38:45,760 --> 00:38:48,000 forward it to Stephanie and have her 963 00:38:48,000 --> 00:38:51,280 pass that along. Um, 964 00:38:51,280 --> 00:38:56,320 and don't forget 920 is Iron Man. Um 965 00:38:56,320 --> 00:38:59,359 that's in 19 days. So Sunday the 20th, 966 00:38:59,359 --> 00:39:01,920 just be prepared um for an 967 00:39:01,920 --> 00:39:04,640 inconvenience. Thank you, 968 00:39:04,640 --> 00:39:08,470 >> Council Member Richie. 969 00:39:08,480 --> 00:39:10,480 » Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Uh so just a 970 00:39:10,480 --> 00:39:12,960 couple of things. Uh yes, Iron Man. And 971 00:39:12,960 --> 00:39:15,520 if you want to know when your roads are 972 00:39:15,520 --> 00:39:17,839 going to be closed, go look at the 973 00:39:17,839 --> 00:39:21,119 city's website and there is a link that 974 00:39:21,119 --> 00:39:23,599 you can follow there that will give you 975 00:39:23,599 --> 00:39:28,880 the approximate times that the racers uh 976 00:39:28,880 --> 00:39:31,680 participants will be passing by your 977 00:39:31,680 --> 00:39:35,119 streets. So I've had concerns expressed 978 00:39:35,119 --> 00:39:37,440 by citizens, I can't get out, I can't 979 00:39:37,440 --> 00:39:40,160 get in, etc., etc. that'll help you to 980 00:39:40,160 --> 00:39:41,760 go ahead and plan your day because it 981 00:39:41,760 --> 00:39:45,040 they do kind of take over our city. Last 982 00:39:45,040 --> 00:39:48,240 thing I'll say is that the roundabout on 983 00:39:48,240 --> 00:39:51,920 the south side of town, I got to be the 984 00:39:51,920 --> 00:39:53,760 first guy to go through the new 985 00:39:53,760 --> 00:39:56,640 roundabout on the south side of town and 986 00:39:56,640 --> 00:39:59,920 it is just as smooth as smooth can be. 987 00:39:59,920 --> 00:40:01,839 So, Mr. Slade, you're you're doing a 988 00:40:01,839 --> 00:40:04,640 great job. I do have some concerns uh 989 00:40:04,640 --> 00:40:06,320 near the little strip mall there in 990 00:40:06,320 --> 00:40:10,079 middle of town uh down by uh MetalFab, 991 00:40:10,079 --> 00:40:12,079 but I see that you're getting that under 992 00:40:12,079 --> 00:40:13,920 control as well. So, keep up the good 993 00:40:13,920 --> 00:40:16,560 work. Thank you very much. 994 00:40:16,560 --> 00:40:20,560 >> Right. Uh Council Member Smart. 995 00:40:20,560 --> 00:40:23,359 >> Uh yeah, I had a couple things here. Um 996 00:40:23,359 --> 00:40:26,560 one just to uh chime in with 997 00:40:26,560 --> 00:40:30,079 Constitution Month. Um, uh, citizens, 998 00:40:30,079 --> 00:40:32,079 uh, your homework for this month is to 999 00:40:32,079 --> 00:40:34,079 read the Constitution 1000 00:40:34,079 --> 00:40:37,359 and decide why socialism and communism 1001 00:40:37,359 --> 00:40:39,760 is antithetical to our US Constitution. 1002 00:40:39,760 --> 00:40:41,040 I'm not going to give you the answer 1003 00:40:41,040 --> 00:40:44,000 tonight, but you should read it and 1004 00:40:44,000 --> 00:40:47,119 determine for yourself why those two. 1005 00:40:47,119 --> 00:40:48,240 And if you don't know what those two 1006 00:40:48,240 --> 00:40:50,240 things are, read about them, too. It's 1007 00:40:50,240 --> 00:40:52,400 all over the internet. So, these are 1008 00:40:52,400 --> 00:40:54,160 important things, important issues, 1009 00:40:54,160 --> 00:40:55,680 unfortunately, these days that we have 1010 00:40:55,680 --> 00:40:58,800 to be concerned about. And um I just 1011 00:40:58,800 --> 00:41:00,880 encourage you and your children to 1012 00:41:00,880 --> 00:41:02,960 learn, you know, why we have the 1013 00:41:02,960 --> 00:41:04,800 freedoms we have and why we won't have 1014 00:41:04,800 --> 00:41:07,040 the freedoms we have if we adopt 1015 00:41:07,040 --> 00:41:10,880 socialism or communism. Uh after that, I 1016 00:41:10,880 --> 00:41:13,599 want a more cheerful note. Um I took a 1017 00:41:13,599 --> 00:41:16,400 bus ride to the fair. It was free. It 1018 00:41:16,400 --> 00:41:19,280 was great. It was on time and it was so 1019 00:41:19,280 --> 00:41:20,800 convenient and I didn't have to pay and 1020 00:41:20,800 --> 00:41:23,040 I didn't have to walk out in the a dark 1021 00:41:23,040 --> 00:41:25,920 gravel parking lot. [clears throat] Um, 1022 00:41:25,920 --> 00:41:28,240 what a great service and my daughters 1023 00:41:28,240 --> 00:41:29,599 and I really appreciate that it was 1024 00:41:29,599 --> 00:41:32,319 again free. So, we plan to do that again 1025 00:41:32,319 --> 00:41:35,839 next year, I'm sure. Data centers. I um 1026 00:41:35,839 --> 00:41:38,720 received an email today from a resident 1027 00:41:38,720 --> 00:41:40,800 reminding me to respond to her about 1028 00:41:40,800 --> 00:41:43,599 concerns about water for data centers. A 1029 00:41:43,599 --> 00:41:46,160 couple things about this one. 1030 00:41:46,160 --> 00:41:48,160 to my knowledge, like we just got the 1031 00:41:48,160 --> 00:41:50,560 information we got. Residents here and 1032 00:41:50,560 --> 00:41:53,599 online realize that that's all we knew 1033 00:41:53,599 --> 00:41:56,160 and now we know that. Um, until it gets 1034 00:41:56,160 --> 00:41:58,319 announced at a at a subcommittee meeting 1035 00:41:58,319 --> 00:42:00,960 or at this council meeting, we don't 1036 00:42:00,960 --> 00:42:02,960 officially know anything more than you 1037 00:42:02,960 --> 00:42:04,640 do, honestly. I mean, there's just no 1038 00:42:04,640 --> 00:42:06,800 secrets here. Um, when something 1039 00:42:06,800 --> 00:42:08,880 happens, it happens and then we hear 1040 00:42:08,880 --> 00:42:10,400 about it and then you know about it and 1041 00:42:10,400 --> 00:42:13,599 so do we. So, there's no hiding. 1042 00:42:13,599 --> 00:42:16,319 Certainly not on my part. No lying. I 1043 00:42:16,319 --> 00:42:17,440 know that's happened in other 1044 00:42:17,440 --> 00:42:20,720 communities. Um I would admonish staff 1045 00:42:20,720 --> 00:42:23,040 that if there's ever anything that 1046 00:42:23,040 --> 00:42:24,480 happens of importance, especially on 1047 00:42:24,480 --> 00:42:26,400 this topic, that we get notified as soon 1048 00:42:26,400 --> 00:42:28,160 as possible like we did tonight. Thank 1049 00:42:28,160 --> 00:42:31,520 you. Um so that we aren't accused of 1050 00:42:31,520 --> 00:42:34,079 hiding something that has progressed or 1051 00:42:34,079 --> 00:42:36,640 happened with regard to data centers in 1052 00:42:36,640 --> 00:42:39,520 this community. So I'm I I won't speak 1053 00:42:39,520 --> 00:42:40,800 for all of us, but I'll speak for 1054 00:42:40,800 --> 00:42:42,640 myself. That's that's my feeling on the 1055 00:42:42,640 --> 00:42:44,240 topic and I hope that we continue to 1056 00:42:44,240 --> 00:42:46,560 have an open conversation about this. I 1057 00:42:46,560 --> 00:42:50,720 also um the the email I got today had 1058 00:42:50,720 --> 00:42:52,400 interesting information about a 1059 00:42:52,400 --> 00:42:55,839 non-replenishing aquifer out in the in 1060 00:42:55,839 --> 00:42:57,760 the 1061 00:42:57,760 --> 00:42:59,839 Louiswis and Clark Ranch area and 1062 00:42:59,839 --> 00:43:02,240 concerns about how if a if a well was 1063 00:43:02,240 --> 00:43:04,480 drilled that it might you know be 1064 00:43:04,480 --> 00:43:06,319 putting I think she said everybody's got 1065 00:43:06,319 --> 00:43:09,839 the same straw in the milkshake. Um I I 1066 00:43:09,839 --> 00:43:12,400 don't know right now what a proposal 1067 00:43:12,400 --> 00:43:14,640 would uh what a data center proposal 1068 00:43:14,640 --> 00:43:16,720 would propose to use for water source. 1069 00:43:16,720 --> 00:43:18,720 They might they might pipe it from the 1070 00:43:18,720 --> 00:43:20,560 Colombia. They might bring their own in 1071 00:43:20,560 --> 00:43:22,160 from the ocean. I have no idea. There's 1072 00:43:22,160 --> 00:43:24,560 no not knowledge of that at this point 1073 00:43:24,560 --> 00:43:27,119 at least as a council member. I don't 1074 00:43:27,119 --> 00:43:29,599 know. Um 1075 00:43:29,599 --> 00:43:32,640 our our city community development 1076 00:43:32,640 --> 00:43:35,359 director, Mr. Menenhal, will probably be 1077 00:43:35,359 --> 00:43:39,680 one of the first to know. So, I'm gonna point to him and say, you 1078 00:43:39,680 --> 00:43:40,880 know, if you want the latest and 1079 00:43:40,880 --> 00:43:43,280 greatest information, write to Eric. 1080 00:43:43,280 --> 00:43:46,000 He's got an open door. Um, he'll answer 1081 00:43:46,000 --> 00:43:47,440 your question and if you learn something 1082 00:43:47,440 --> 00:43:49,119 we don't already know, I'm sure he'll be 1083 00:43:49,119 --> 00:43:52,240 right on that, too. So, um, you know, 1084 00:43:52,240 --> 00:43:54,400 when we get a proposal, we'll we will 1085 00:43:54,400 --> 00:43:56,160 have a better understanding of what's 1086 00:43:56,160 --> 00:43:58,800 being proposed and whether it's a closed 1087 00:43:58,800 --> 00:44:01,119 loop system, what's going to happen to 1088 00:44:01,119 --> 00:44:02,640 the water. It's going to take time. A 1089 00:44:02,640 --> 00:44:05,520 data center is a big facility. I'm sure 1090 00:44:05,520 --> 00:44:07,680 this analysis of what they propose is 1091 00:44:07,680 --> 00:44:09,680 not going to be finished overnight. And 1092 00:44:09,680 --> 00:44:14,319 as our residents have stated tonight, we would welcome I personally will 1093 00:44:14,319 --> 00:44:16,640 welcome the input from our community. We 1094 00:44:16,640 --> 00:44:19,200 have smart people in this community. 1095 00:44:19,200 --> 00:44:22,720 Okay? I mean worldclass knowledgeable 1096 00:44:22,720 --> 00:44:25,520 geologists, hydraologists, 1097 00:44:25,520 --> 00:44:26,880 you know, folks that have dealt with the 1098 00:44:26,880 --> 00:44:29,119 nuclear plants out there. Um, 1099 00:44:29,119 --> 00:44:32,640 groundwater movement, um, environmental 1100 00:44:32,640 --> 00:44:35,200 concerns of all nature, all of these 1101 00:44:35,200 --> 00:44:37,200 areas of expertise are represented right 1102 00:44:37,200 --> 00:44:39,599 here in our even in just West Richland, 1103 00:44:39,599 --> 00:44:41,680 let alone the whole Tri Cities, right? 1104 00:44:41,680 --> 00:44:43,760 So, if you have these concerns when 1105 00:44:43,760 --> 00:44:45,520 these proposals come in and and they 1106 00:44:45,520 --> 00:44:47,280 probably will, we don't know. Maybe they 1107 00:44:47,280 --> 00:44:49,920 will, maybe they won't. 1108 00:44:49,920 --> 00:44:53,760 You know, don't organize based on 1109 00:44:53,760 --> 00:44:56,480 anti-data center rallies just for the 1110 00:44:56,480 --> 00:44:58,160 sake of being against data centers 1111 00:44:58,160 --> 00:44:59,359 because you think, you know, big 1112 00:44:59,359 --> 00:45:00,480 brother's going to be breathing down 1113 00:45:00,480 --> 00:45:01,680 your neck. That that, by the way, 1114 00:45:01,680 --> 00:45:04,480 already happens. These data centers, 1115 00:45:04,480 --> 00:45:05,920 what we're concerned about is how are 1116 00:45:05,920 --> 00:45:07,520 they going to impact our quality of life 1117 00:45:07,520 --> 00:45:10,160 with their industrial presence here in 1118 00:45:10,160 --> 00:45:13,520 our community? Okay? Are they going to poison our water? Are 1119 00:45:13,520 --> 00:45:15,599 they going to create some sort of nasty 1120 00:45:15,599 --> 00:45:17,520 noise that we don't want to live with? 1121 00:45:17,520 --> 00:45:20,160 Um, I can assure you that they will take 1122 00:45:20,160 --> 00:45:22,880 up some acreage. Fortunately, in West 1123 00:45:22,880 --> 00:45:25,040 Richland, we have 22 square miles of 1124 00:45:25,040 --> 00:45:27,680 acres of of 22 square miles of land. 1125 00:45:27,680 --> 00:45:28,800 We're not going to run out of land 1126 00:45:28,800 --> 00:45:31,520 anytime soon, but all the other 1127 00:45:31,520 --> 00:45:33,520 concerns, I mean, that's everybody has a 1128 00:45:33,520 --> 00:45:35,119 good point there. So, the question is, 1129 00:45:35,119 --> 00:45:37,040 what are the exact concerns? What are 1130 00:45:37,040 --> 00:45:38,800 the where are the studies that show us 1131 00:45:38,800 --> 00:45:42,560 what we should be um 1132 00:45:42,560 --> 00:45:46,640 asking our data center proponents about? 1133 00:45:46,640 --> 00:45:48,319 What are the pointed questions that we 1134 00:45:48,319 --> 00:45:49,920 need to ask them and get them to answer 1135 00:45:49,920 --> 00:45:52,400 and mitigate? Um and if they can't 1136 00:45:52,400 --> 00:45:55,119 mitigate them, then to to my 1137 00:45:55,119 --> 00:45:57,280 satisfaction, I will not be supporting 1138 00:45:57,280 --> 00:45:59,599 the the in introduction of a data 1139 00:45:59,599 --> 00:46:02,319 center. If they can mitigate a concern, 1140 00:46:02,319 --> 00:46:04,319 in all fairness, 1141 00:46:04,319 --> 00:46:06,160 I I I guess if it's mitigated, it's 1142 00:46:06,160 --> 00:46:10,319 mitigated. If it's whisper quiet 1143 00:46:10,319 --> 00:46:11,599 and somebody's got to complain about 1144 00:46:11,599 --> 00:46:12,880 noise and they've assured us with 1145 00:46:12,880 --> 00:46:14,720 engineering details that it's not going 1146 00:46:14,720 --> 00:46:17,920 to be noisy, well, I mean, what else can 1147 00:46:17,920 --> 00:46:21,200 we say? It's, you know, the the the the 1148 00:46:21,200 --> 00:46:23,680 automotive shop down the street might be 1149 00:46:23,680 --> 00:46:26,319 noisier than the data center. We have to 1150 00:46:26,319 --> 00:46:28,079 play fair. We can't just hold a grudge 1151 00:46:28,079 --> 00:46:29,520 because they have the name data center 1152 00:46:29,520 --> 00:46:32,480 on them. But uh that said, I mean, I 1153 00:46:32,480 --> 00:46:34,720 just want to point out here that that my 1154 00:46:34,720 --> 00:46:37,280 purpose is to be objective about this. 1155 00:46:37,280 --> 00:46:40,319 look at the information, the studies, 1156 00:46:40,319 --> 00:46:42,240 and the parameters that go along with 1157 00:46:42,240 --> 00:46:44,960 any industrial uh installation, whether 1158 00:46:44,960 --> 00:46:48,000 it's a data center or or anything else, 1159 00:46:48,000 --> 00:46:49,680 and make sure that it doesn't adversely 1160 00:46:49,680 --> 00:46:52,000 impact our residents, 1161 00:46:52,000 --> 00:46:54,079 that it's safe for the environment, it's 1162 00:46:54,079 --> 00:46:55,520 not going to poison our water, not going 1163 00:46:55,520 --> 00:46:57,359 to pollute our air, not going to create 1164 00:46:57,359 --> 00:46:59,440 lots of noise. 1165 00:46:59,440 --> 00:47:03,119 Okay? I mean, it's that simple. I and I I would invite our other council 1166 00:47:03,119 --> 00:47:05,760 members to chime in on this, but I I'm 1167 00:47:05,760 --> 00:47:07,839 not I'm not trying to hide anything from 1168 00:47:07,839 --> 00:47:11,119 any any resident, and I'm welcoming your 1169 00:47:11,119 --> 00:47:14,079 concerns, your your information. If you 1170 00:47:14,079 --> 00:47:15,839 have studies, if you have information on 1171 00:47:15,839 --> 00:47:18,480 other data centers that that are failing 1172 00:47:18,480 --> 00:47:20,880 in one of these areas, uh let us know so 1173 00:47:20,880 --> 00:47:23,040 that we can really quiz these future 1174 00:47:23,040 --> 00:47:25,599 proposals on those topics and make sure 1175 00:47:25,599 --> 00:47:26,960 that any concerns like that are 1176 00:47:26,960 --> 00:47:28,400 mitigated before we even give them a 1177 00:47:28,400 --> 00:47:30,720 foothold. So, appreciate your ear on 1178 00:47:30,720 --> 00:47:34,400 this. Thank you. Bye, 1179 00:47:34,400 --> 00:47:37,200 >> Council Member Cole. 1180 00:47:37,200 --> 00:47:38,960 >> Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Um, I just want to 1181 00:47:38,960 --> 00:47:41,839 say, hey, amen to what Council Member 1182 00:47:41,839 --> 00:47:44,160 Smart said. I could re repeat all of 1183 00:47:44,160 --> 00:47:46,640 that, but 1184 00:47:46,640 --> 00:47:49,839 what he said would probably save us some 1185 00:47:49,839 --> 00:47:52,000 effort. Uh, I want to thank Mr. Bender. 1186 00:47:52,000 --> 00:47:55,040 I agree with your comments and uh as a 1187 00:47:55,040 --> 00:47:57,280 city I would like to encourage us to 1188 00:47:57,280 --> 00:48:04,640 consider the strictest measures that we can uh based on as I understand 1189 00:48:04,640 --> 00:48:06,560 what Jessica explained to us that there 1190 00:48:06,560 --> 00:48:09,680 is some lack of clarity in the law uh 1191 00:48:09,680 --> 00:48:12,079 with respect to cities and these things. 1192 00:48:12,079 --> 00:48:15,760 So, I'd rather lean towards let's let 1193 00:48:15,760 --> 00:48:19,359 them tell us we were too strict than to 1194 00:48:19,359 --> 00:48:22,480 find out that we didn't go far enough. 1195 00:48:22,480 --> 00:48:25,680 Um, and then lastly, um, Council Member 1196 00:48:25,680 --> 00:48:28,640 Smart suggested a homework assignment on 1197 00:48:28,640 --> 00:48:30,480 the Constitution. I'm going to I'm going 1198 00:48:30,480 --> 00:48:32,400 to give them a little bit of help. I 1199 00:48:32,400 --> 00:48:34,480 recommend you start article 4, section 1200 00:48:34,480 --> 00:48:36,160 four. That'll probably lead you right to 1201 00:48:36,160 --> 00:48:39,119 the answer. 1202 00:48:39,119 --> 00:48:42,000 >> Thank you, Council Member Cole. Um, 1203 00:48:42,000 --> 00:48:43,520 Council Member Moran, did you have one 1204 00:48:43,520 --> 00:48:44,880 quick comment? 1205 00:48:44,880 --> 00:48:47,200 >> Yes. Uh, apologies. I got distracted by 1206 00:48:47,200 --> 00:48:50,000 the the information we got and my pen 1207 00:48:50,000 --> 00:48:52,079 running out of ink at the same time. So, 1208 00:48:52,079 --> 00:48:54,079 I lost my uh train of thought that I was 1209 00:48:54,079 --> 00:48:56,800 going to say. Um, uh, briefly just 1210 00:48:56,800 --> 00:49:01,119 wanted to say, um, yeah, that was the 1211 00:49:01,119 --> 00:49:03,760 first time we had heard about the sale 1212 00:49:03,760 --> 00:49:05,920 to Traml Crow. So, we're not keeping 1213 00:49:05,920 --> 00:49:09,920 secrets, trust me. Uh sometimes 1214 00:49:09,920 --> 00:49:14,319 without meaning to we get treated not 1215 00:49:14,319 --> 00:49:17,280 that's unfair. Sometimes I feel as if 1216 00:49:17,280 --> 00:49:20,000 I'm a fungi but I know that I'm not. 1217 00:49:20,000 --> 00:49:22,319 It's just 1218 00:49:22,319 --> 00:49:25,839 the way that the beast is. Um but uh 1219 00:49:25,839 --> 00:49:28,240 that's kept in the dark and fed crap. 1220 00:49:28,240 --> 00:49:29,760 But I know that the staff doesn't do 1221 00:49:29,760 --> 00:49:33,359 that to us. It's just anyway. Um, but I 1222 00:49:33,359 --> 00:49:36,480 will say regarding the free fair, sorry, 1223 00:49:36,480 --> 00:49:38,960 regarding the free fair for uh, Ben 1224 00:49:38,960 --> 00:49:41,680 Franklin Transit, uh, we did speak at 1225 00:49:41,680 --> 00:49:44,720 our last meeting about wanting to do a 1226 00:49:44,720 --> 00:49:47,040 test run when school was in session 1227 00:49:47,040 --> 00:49:49,520 because during the summer could be very 1228 00:49:49,520 --> 00:49:51,119 different than how it is when school is 1229 00:49:51,119 --> 00:49:52,720 in session because the students will be 1230 00:49:52,720 --> 00:49:54,960 using the buses. So, there will be 1231 00:49:54,960 --> 00:49:58,000 another trial run, we've been told, 1232 00:49:58,000 --> 00:50:00,720 sometime during the school year. So, we 1233 00:50:00,720 --> 00:50:02,319 can look forward to that and we'll be 1234 00:50:02,319 --> 00:50:04,640 able to crunch the numbers and see how 1235 00:50:04,640 --> 00:50:07,599 it looks going fair free. I'm rooting 1236 00:50:07,599 --> 00:50:09,760 for fair free to win, but we'll see how 1237 00:50:09,760 --> 00:50:11,760 that goes. Thank you, 1238 00:50:11,760 --> 00:50:14,000 >> Mayor Pro Tim Bloom. 1239 00:50:14,000 --> 00:50:15,760 >> I think I'll follow up on that. I am 1240 00:50:15,760 --> 00:50:18,960 totally opposed to fair free uh from the 1241 00:50:18,960 --> 00:50:22,204 standpoint of uh and I sent something 1242 00:50:22,204 --> 00:50:22,800 [clears throat] 1243 00:50:22,800 --> 00:50:25,359 to the current uh 1244 00:50:25,359 --> 00:50:27,040 um 1245 00:50:27,040 --> 00:50:32,079 chief executive officer. Um my my nephew 1246 00:50:32,079 --> 00:50:34,800 happens to be a bus driver 1247 00:50:34,800 --> 00:50:37,359 and 1248 00:50:37,359 --> 00:50:42,400 um and they had they got sued because 1249 00:50:42,400 --> 00:50:44,480 they let somebody on the bus who stabbed 1250 00:50:44,480 --> 00:50:48,880 somebody without a fair. And so 1251 00:50:48,880 --> 00:50:52,319 reinforcing fairs has become the rule. 1252 00:50:52,319 --> 00:50:55,280 And that and the the key comes down to 1253 00:50:55,280 --> 00:50:58,000 is 1254 00:50:58,000 --> 00:51:01,520 we the fairs that you get charged on the 1255 00:51:01,520 --> 00:51:05,280 bus is minimal. It it doesn't cover 1256 00:51:05,280 --> 00:51:10,240 even 10% of the cost and but it is 1257 00:51:10,240 --> 00:51:12,960 important from a standpoint of 1258 00:51:12,960 --> 00:51:15,440 maintaining safety for those that are 1259 00:51:15,440 --> 00:51:19,599 riding the bus. So before you make a 1260 00:51:19,599 --> 00:51:21,839 position for West Richland, I think we 1261 00:51:21,839 --> 00:51:24,960 as a council should be on the position 1262 00:51:24,960 --> 00:51:27,119 of whether that's the what we want to 1263 00:51:27,119 --> 00:51:29,599 support because it's important for the 1264 00:51:29,599 --> 00:51:32,319 safety of our citizens 1265 00:51:32,319 --> 00:51:36,079 that that there is some control of who's 1266 00:51:36,079 --> 00:51:39,440 getting on the bus and some aspects of 1267 00:51:39,440 --> 00:51:42,720 that. So I just wanted to bring that up. 1268 00:51:42,720 --> 00:51:45,119 Uh heard on the news tonight we got a 1269 00:51:45,119 --> 00:51:47,599 second West Nile confirmed case in the 1270 00:51:47,599 --> 00:51:51,359 Tri Cities. Uh a couple of weeks ago I 1271 00:51:51,359 --> 00:51:54,160 uh mentioned that good news and bad 1272 00:51:54,160 --> 00:51:56,640 news. The good news is there less 1273 00:51:56,640 --> 00:51:58,480 mosquitoes. The bad news most of them 1274 00:51:58,480 --> 00:52:02,079 are poisonous. Uh 1275 00:52:02,079 --> 00:52:05,359 it is and just recently there were some 1276 00:52:05,359 --> 00:52:07,040 eldulide 1277 00:52:07,040 --> 00:52:09,599 uh aerial applications mainly because 1278 00:52:09,599 --> 00:52:12,480 we're still seeing the mosquitoes with 1279 00:52:12,480 --> 00:52:16,480 West Nile in most of the traps. So if 1280 00:52:16,480 --> 00:52:20,000 you're out use mosquito repellent. 1281 00:52:20,000 --> 00:52:22,319 We cannot protect you. There are just 1282 00:52:22,319 --> 00:52:24,800 too many nasty mosquitoes out there 1283 00:52:24,800 --> 00:52:28,640 along the river, the Yakimma River. 1284 00:52:28,640 --> 00:52:30,559 Those nasty mosquitoes don't carry 1285 00:52:30,559 --> 00:52:32,559 Midwest Nile. 1286 00:52:32,559 --> 00:52:35,040 So, so it's kind of strange. They're 1287 00:52:35,040 --> 00:52:37,920 specific brands. So, it's mostly in the 1288 00:52:37,920 --> 00:52:41,440 city and look in your backyard. See if 1289 00:52:41,440 --> 00:52:43,359 you got a pot of water that's breeding 1290 00:52:43,359 --> 00:52:46,640 mosquitoes, things like that. But be 1291 00:52:46,640 --> 00:52:49,760 careful, be wise. 1292 00:52:49,760 --> 00:52:52,800 It may be too late because usually we 1293 00:52:52,800 --> 00:52:54,720 don't find out until a month after 1294 00:52:54,720 --> 00:52:57,359 you've gotten bitten. But I can tell you 1295 00:52:57,359 --> 00:52:59,599 we're trapping and the mosquitoes are 1296 00:52:59,599 --> 00:53:02,160 coming back positive and we're doing 1297 00:53:02,160 --> 00:53:05,040 everything we can to knock them down. 1298 00:53:05,040 --> 00:53:09,520 Um, I guess I I promised Mr. Slate I was 1299 00:53:09,520 --> 00:53:12,000 going to ask a question of the cell 1300 00:53:12,000 --> 00:53:14,640 tower leases for the other cell towers. 1301 00:53:14,640 --> 00:53:17,520 Are they still active? Uh, you know, 1302 00:53:17,520 --> 00:53:20,880 this was the one uh we did tonight, lot 1303 00:53:20,880 --> 00:53:27,910 two, you have two on lot one. 1304 00:53:27,920 --> 00:53:30,160 So, we do have there's three cell towers 1305 00:53:30,160 --> 00:53:32,880 up on top of flattop. 1306 00:53:32,880 --> 00:53:36,400 There's only three. Um, one is expired 1307 00:53:36,400 --> 00:53:39,520 and it was expired last year. Spent 18 1308 00:53:39,520 --> 00:53:41,760 months negotiating 1309 00:53:41,760 --> 00:53:44,960 a renewal and uh couldn't come to terms, 1310 00:53:44,960 --> 00:53:47,440 so it expired. And that's why tonight 1311 00:53:47,440 --> 00:53:50,640 you did a new lease thing uh under the 1312 00:53:50,640 --> 00:53:52,079 same terms they could have had under the 1313 00:53:52,079 --> 00:53:55,119 renewal except uh instead of having 1314 00:53:55,119 --> 00:53:57,040 legal terms from 10 years ago, they got 1315 00:53:57,040 --> 00:54:00,559 it updated to current. So um and they 1316 00:54:00,559 --> 00:54:02,319 paid for all staff time and attorney 1317 00:54:02,319 --> 00:54:05,520 time dealing with us. Uh that is on the 1318 00:54:05,520 --> 00:54:10,640 north side, I'd say the norththeast 1319 00:54:10,640 --> 00:54:13,440 corner. It's the newest cell tower 1320 00:54:13,440 --> 00:54:15,440 that's up there and the revenue from 1321 00:54:15,440 --> 00:54:18,640 that one um goes into the general fund. 1322 00:54:18,640 --> 00:54:20,400 So, what you adopted tonight is a 1323 00:54:20,400 --> 00:54:23,760 10-year uh initial term and they do have 1324 00:54:23,760 --> 00:54:27,599 a 10-year uh renewal. Uh on that same 1325 00:54:27,599 --> 00:54:29,440 side of the street on the north side of 1326 00:54:29,440 --> 00:54:32,160 Historia, there's a Verizon cell tower. 1327 00:54:32,160 --> 00:54:37,680 Um that one was uh initially 1328 00:54:37,680 --> 00:54:40,400 I think it was in December of 2004 had 1329 00:54:40,400 --> 00:54:43,200 initial term of 10 years and it's on 1330 00:54:43,200 --> 00:54:46,319 5-year renewals and they're unlimited 1331 00:54:46,319 --> 00:54:48,400 5-year renewals. So the last one that 1332 00:54:48,400 --> 00:54:51,520 council did was in October of 2024. So 1333 00:54:51,520 --> 00:54:54,800 that one expires in December 31st of 1334 00:54:54,800 --> 00:54:56,559 2029. 1335 00:54:56,559 --> 00:54:58,400 And the last one that's on the south 1336 00:54:58,400 --> 00:55:01,440 side, um, I've been negotiating with 1337 00:55:01,440 --> 00:55:04,160 them since March and theirs expires at 1338 00:55:04,160 --> 00:55:06,400 the end of September. So, we'll see if 1339 00:55:06,400 --> 00:55:10,400 they are able to get a renewal. Um, 1340 00:55:10,400 --> 00:55:13,280 been staff's been pretty straightforward 1341 00:55:13,280 --> 00:55:14,800 with it. This is what the rent is. If 1342 00:55:14,800 --> 00:55:15,839 you don't want to pay it, take your 1343 00:55:15,839 --> 00:55:17,200 tower down and move it somewhere else. 1344 00:55:17,200 --> 00:55:19,359 So, uh, you either pay for a market or 1345 00:55:19,359 --> 00:55:22,240 go somewhere else. Um, so we'll see if I 1346 00:55:22,240 --> 00:55:24,319 get an answer in the next few things, 1347 00:55:24,319 --> 00:55:27,359 but that could be coming uh to the 1348 00:55:27,359 --> 00:55:30,160 September 15th city council meeting for 1349 00:55:30,160 --> 00:55:33,280 uh a renewal on theirs. 1350 00:55:33,280 --> 00:55:37,839 >> Okay. Thank you. Um 1351 00:55:37,839 --> 00:55:40,400 I guess my question on the data center, 1352 00:55:40,400 --> 00:55:42,400 just for clarification of the property 1353 00:55:42,400 --> 00:55:45,440 that we've purchased, it's in the purple 1354 00:55:45,440 --> 00:55:48,960 area out there on the on the map. 1355 00:55:48,960 --> 00:55:50,799 >> Correct. the purple area on in the 1356 00:55:50,799 --> 00:55:53,040 Louiswis and Clark Ranch area. So, um, 1357 00:55:53,040 --> 00:55:55,920 as you head north of Rupert Road, 1358 00:55:55,920 --> 00:55:57,359 northwest of Rupert Road, it's that 1359 00:55:57,359 --> 00:55:58,960 purple area on the map. 1360 00:55:58,960 --> 00:56:01,760 >> And how many acres? 1361 00:56:01,760 --> 00:56:06,390 >> Uh, approximately a thousand acres. 1362 00:56:06,400 --> 00:56:09,040 Um, 1363 00:56:09,040 --> 00:56:16,470 so thank you. I think that's 1364 00:56:16,480 --> 00:56:20,160 never mind. Thank you. All right. Um, 1365 00:56:20,160 --> 00:56:22,480 just a few quick remarks. So, I will get 1366 00:56:22,480 --> 00:56:25,200 us out here before 7 pm. That's good 1367 00:56:25,200 --> 00:56:28,160 news. Um, budgets, uh, council, as 1368 00:56:28,160 --> 00:56:30,559 you're all aware. Uh, this is budget 1369 00:56:30,559 --> 00:56:32,400 season. You're going to have meetings 1370 00:56:32,400 --> 00:56:34,160 probably every week. Some of you will 1371 00:56:34,160 --> 00:56:36,400 enjoy two meetings a week if you're part 1372 00:56:36,400 --> 00:56:38,160 of the finance subcommittee or other 1373 00:56:38,160 --> 00:56:40,960 committee meetings as well. But, uh, I 1374 00:56:40,960 --> 00:56:44,160 had my first discussion of this budget 1375 00:56:44,160 --> 00:56:47,119 with senior staff. It was really just uh 1376 00:56:47,119 --> 00:56:48,960 finance director Gwyn presenting 1377 00:56:48,960 --> 00:56:51,920 everything, a summary of their requests 1378 00:56:51,920 --> 00:56:54,720 individually to the collective uh group 1379 00:56:54,720 --> 00:56:57,200 so that they can review it and get back 1380 00:56:57,200 --> 00:57:00,160 to uh Aaron as soon as possible with 1381 00:57:00,160 --> 00:57:02,400 regard to what their true priorities 1382 00:57:02,400 --> 00:57:05,280 are. Uh so we're working on that. You 1383 00:57:05,280 --> 00:57:07,200 will meet next week to have your first 1384 00:57:07,200 --> 00:57:09,359 discussions. I think finance committee 1385 00:57:09,359 --> 00:57:11,520 is meeting Monday. Is that correct? 1386 00:57:11,520 --> 00:57:15,200 Wednesday. Wednesday of next week. And 1387 00:57:15,200 --> 00:57:18,160 um if you do 1388 00:57:18,160 --> 00:57:20,000 Yeah, there'll be a special council 1389 00:57:20,000 --> 00:57:23,599 meeting Tuesday. Okay. 1390 00:57:23,599 --> 00:57:25,359 For those of you that may have questions 1391 00:57:25,359 --> 00:57:27,680 about data centers, I know it's had a 1392 00:57:27,680 --> 00:57:29,920 big topic of conversation tonight. 1393 00:57:29,920 --> 00:57:33,359 Please contact Mr. Menenhal directly. He 1394 00:57:33,359 --> 00:57:35,200 is going to have the information. He's 1395 00:57:35,200 --> 00:57:36,559 going to know it before I know it 1396 00:57:36,559 --> 00:57:38,799 because he has to come to me to tell me 1397 00:57:38,799 --> 00:57:40,880 what's going on so I can share it with 1398 00:57:40,880 --> 00:57:42,960 everyone else. So, if you do have 1399 00:57:42,960 --> 00:57:45,680 specific questions, uh, direct them, 1400 00:57:45,680 --> 00:57:48,720 please to, uh, Director Mendenhal. You 1401 00:57:48,720 --> 00:57:51,520 may copy me or include me on any email 1402 00:57:51,520 --> 00:57:53,680 messages. I want to hear what you have 1403 00:57:53,680 --> 00:57:55,680 to say, where your areas of concern are 1404 00:57:55,680 --> 00:57:57,760 as well. But please keep that 1405 00:57:57,760 --> 00:58:00,480 communication open and my suggestion is 1406 00:58:00,480 --> 00:58:04,000 go directly to Mr. Mendenhal. Lastly, if 1407 00:58:04,000 --> 00:58:06,480 you saw the uh sandwich board out in the 1408 00:58:06,480 --> 00:58:08,000 lobby, 1409 00:58:08,000 --> 00:58:11,119 um Council Member Smart, Public Works 1410 00:58:11,119 --> 00:58:12,960 Director Slate, and myself are going to 1411 00:58:12,960 --> 00:58:16,559 be at Yolks uh on Saturday the 12th. 1412 00:58:16,559 --> 00:58:19,040 This is the Yolks on Bombing Range Road 1413 00:58:19,040 --> 00:58:26,160 uh from 9:30 to 11. I see Rosco, you're thrilled and enthused with it. Um 1414 00:58:26,160 --> 00:58:28,640 yeah, but it is a chance for you to have 1415 00:58:28,640 --> 00:58:31,119 open, candid conversations with myself, 1416 00:58:31,119 --> 00:58:33,839 with Mr. Slade and with council member 1417 00:58:33,839 --> 00:58:36,799 Smart. Uh we'll be there to just meet 1418 00:58:36,799 --> 00:58:38,799 you, answer any questions you have, give 1419 00:58:38,799 --> 00:58:40,799 you any up-to-date information we might 1420 00:58:40,799 --> 00:58:43,599 have. But please take advantage of that 1421 00:58:43,599 --> 00:58:45,599 and I will continue those and invite 1422 00:58:45,599 --> 00:58:47,760 additional council members to each one. 1423 00:58:47,760 --> 00:58:50,400 I'm doing it slowly just so you know we 1424 00:58:50,400 --> 00:58:53,119 get a feel for how it's working. But uh 1425 00:58:53,119 --> 00:58:54,720 council member Smart graciously 1426 00:58:54,720 --> 00:58:57,599 volunteered to be the first test uh of 1427 00:58:57,599 --> 00:58:59,920 council members. Uh, but I want to get 1428 00:58:59,920 --> 00:59:01,440 everyone out there so that you can 1429 00:59:01,440 --> 00:59:04,480 engage directly and have a conversation. 1430 00:59:04,480 --> 00:59:07,040 This is not a conversation. One-on-one 1431 00:59:07,040 --> 00:59:09,760 is a conversation. Thank you all. It is 1432 00:59:09,760 --> 00:59:11,920 not yet 7 o'clock. I adjourn tonight's 1433 00:59:11,920 --> 00:59:16,839 meeting at 6:59 p.m.