Richland will apply for a federal matching fund grant to provide body-worn cameras to police officers. At the March 23 city council meeting Richland Police Chief John Bruce, who supports the use of cameras, said body-worn cameras and dashboard cameras would cost the department $1,303,951.26 for five years. The federal grant described in the information packet is only for body-worn cameras. This discussion, Item 17, will occur near the end of the meeting.
Transportation projects planned for the next five years fill Pages 96-129. Improvements to Hwy 240 and Aaron Road remain at the top of the list. The packet includes a map on Page. 129.
The meeting begins at 6:00 p.m. Go to the agenda for information on how to watch the meeting. The agenda also has instructions on how to comment on public hearing items and during the public comment period.
Pages below correspond to the pages in the packet that are included with the agenda.
Presentations
1.Chancellor Sandra Haynes, Ph.D., will update the Council and the public on Washington State University Tri-Cities.
Public Hearing
2. Proposed Transportation Improvement Program. The city staff proposes completion of dozens of projects for the next five years. Pg. 96-129.
3. Approval of the June 1 meeting minutes.
4. The code that addresses Critical Areas will be amended. According to the summary in the packet, “This update is necessary to improve the review of Critical Aquifer Recharge Areas (CARAs), to improve permitting processes and procedures, to ensure compliance with state laws, and also to aid in reducing City risk.” Pg. 16-79.
5. This amends the city’s process for reviewing building variances, particularly minor variances (Pg. 83.) Pg. 80-88.
6. An additional $1,216,530 in funds will be added to the budget to accommodate spending on the two new fire stations, broadband improvement and several other items. Pg. 89-92.
7. Adding $240,000 to the design-build agreement with DGR Grant Construction for the two fire stations. COVID 19 material shortages, relocation of a water main and new technology for dispatching has added to the costs.
8. The five-year Transportation Improvement Program projects are listed on Pg. 96-129. Map on Pg. 129.
9. Approving the final plat of 46 residential lots for West Vineyard – Phase 2 in Badger Mountain South. Pg. 130-166.
10. Awarding $7835 from the Business License Reserve Fund for soffit replacements on The Parkway. Pg. 167-171.
11. Authorizing $355,561 for a consultant agreement with Parametrix Inc. for closure of the 26 acres of Phase 2 at the Horn Rapids Landfill. We’re now working on filling the expansion area. Pg. 172-182
12. Setting July 6, 2021 as the date that the city council will meet with applicants about a proposed annexation (Badger Mountain Estates). Pg. 193-194.
13. The city will pay Magnum Power, LLC $2,955,520.22 for construction of an electric substation to serve the Horn Rapids Industrial Complex. Pg. 195-203
14. This authorizes $534,303 for replacement of electric conductors and 100 power poles. A map is included. Pg.204-214.
15. Authorizing $10,000 for Tri-Cities Regional Chamber of Commerce on behalf of Stevens Media Group for Live@5.
16. Checks for May. Pg. 218-298
17. This authorizes staff to apply for a federal grant to purchase body-worn cameras and require a 1-to-1 match by the grantee. This is from the project summary: “Funds proposed, both federal and matching, may include expenses reasonably related to BWC program implementation. Besides the purchase or lease of BWCs themselves, allowable expenses include, but are not limited to, personnel to support the program, the cost of developing training on BWC use, and related technology costs such as infrastructure enhancements, redaction costs, and storage cost.” Pg. 299-300
18. This will amend the municipal code to allow dwelling units of less than 500 sq. ft. in the central business district. The council agreed to the change at the last city council meeting by a vote of 5-2. Pg. 301-348
Blah, blah, blah by interim city manager and councilmembers
End of meeting