Instructions on how to comment on public hearings and during the public comment period as well as the various ways to watch the meeting are on the agenda. Page numbers below correspond to the pages in the packet information included with the agenda.
1.Apparently, at least four city councilmembers believe that the Juneteeth Celebration on June 19th deserves a Proclamation because it tops the agenda. At the May 25 council workshop only Councilmember Sandra Kent said that she supported the proclamation. Pg. 4-5.
Public hearing: You have three minutes to comment on a hearing item.
2. The city is considering eliminating the 500 sq. ft. minimum for apartments in the central business district. A developer wants to convert the Days Inn Hotel on Jadwin into apartments. The Park Place Apartments on George Washington Way, about a block from the Days Inn on Jadwin, has studio apartments smaller than 500 sq. ft. The builder of Park Place received a variance. Pg. 92-139
3. This approves additional $1,076,530 in appropriations for two new fire stations, traffic signal improvements, fiber infrastructure and to prepare surplus property for sale. Pg. 17-20.
Public Comments: You have 2 minutes to talk about anything.
Consent Calendar – These will receive no discussion and one vote.
4. Approval of the May 18, 2021, City Council regular meeting minutes and the May 25, 2021 City Council Workshop meeting minutes. The three-hour council workshop on May 25 is summed up in two and a half pages. If you want the real story, go to Richland City View and watch it. Pg. 8-16
5. The council will vote on the additional appropriations that were the subject of the public hearing in item 3. Pg. 17-20.
6. The council will authorize an amended and restated Tri-Cities HOME consortium agreement to add Tenant-based rental assistance (TBRA). HOME is a U.S. Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Program. Pg. 21-33
7. This approves the sale of a 3-acre lot at the entrance of the Horn Rapids development at Kingsgate to AK’s Investments, LLC for $436,621. The developer will build a gas station, convenience store, coffee stand and car wash on the property. The developer has 18 months to get the development described underway or the property reverts to the city. Pg. 34-50.
8. Five property owners wish to have their property’s zoning changed. This item establishes a schedule for considering those changes. The final vote by the council on these changes would be in September. Pg. 51-55, the schedule is on Pg. 55.
9. The City of Richland had been the operating agency for the Hanford Communities but the city has turned it over to Tri-City Development Council (TRIDEC). The purpose of Hanford Communities is to review, evaluate and monitor conditions at the Hanford Nuclear Reservation, and the policies, programs and operations of the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and others in regard to Hanford. Benton and Franklin and the cities of Richland, Kennewick, Pasco and West Richland (the “Participating Jurisdictions”). This authorizes Richland to be the pass-through agency for the $100,000 provided to it by the Washington Department of Ecology. Pg. 55-68
10. Area law enforcement agencies cooperate on sharing records. The summary in the agenda packet includes this information: “The records management system relied upon for many years, I/Leads, is being sunsetted in favor of a Tyler Technologies product, which will launch in the near future. At this time, the counties of Benton and Franklin and the cities of Connell, Kennewick, Pasco, Richland, West Richland, and Prosser, through their respective law enforcement departments, desire to jointly utilize this upgraded and expanded law enforcement records management system which will be operated by the City of Kennewick’s Information Technology Division.” Richland pays a base fee of $10,000 with the rest of the cost based on useage. Pg. 69-85
11. ESF Development LLC of Walla Walla doing business as ESF Solutions was the low bidder for the construction of the Thayer/Van Giesen Roundabout. ESF will be awarded the contract for $639,311.82. Pg. 86-91
Items of Business – This item will receive discussion and a vote.
12. Reducing the allowed dwelling size in the central business district. See Item 2 above.
City manager and councilmembers now blah, blah, blah.
The council will adjourn into secret executive session to discuss potential litigation with the city attorney.