Teresa Steele

The City Council Workshop meeting included standard opening procedures such as Call to Order and Roll Call. The primary agenda item involved a presentation by the Port of Pasco and ECONorthwest. The meeting concluded with Adjournment.

The meeting agenda included the call to order, pledge of allegiance, and roll call. Key items addressed included appointments to the Finance Committee and Salary Commission. The consent calendar covered the approval of the Minutes of the Regular Council Meeting from January 7, 2026, and various financial reports including Accounts Payables, Check Register, and Payroll Register. Major agenda items for discussion or action involved the City Attorney Professional Services Agreement, an addendum and rescission regarding a Lease Agreement with Simmons Bros Investment LLC, an amendment to the Master Fee Schedule D concerning Community Center Rental Fees, and the replacement of the Washington Collectors contract. Other topics included discussion on Water and Sewer Rates, HAPO Signatory Authorization for the City Council, an Ordinance amending the Official City Depository, a Resolution to Surplus City Vehicles, the 2026 City of Connell Logo Update, and a Washington State Department of Commerce Interagency Agreement. An addition addressed a Task Order for Wastewater Lagoon Repairs.

The meeting included discussions and actions on several key items. An ordinance was adopted to correct the official zoning map. The council discussed the Cities Insurance Association of Washington (CIAW) appraisals of city properties and decided to remain with the existing appraised values. A resolution to amend the salary schedule for 2021 to include a Deputy City Treasurer position was tabled. The City Clerk was acknowledged for earning her Certified Municipal Clerk (CMC) designation.

The council meeting included presentations, correspondence, and a consent calendar approval. Discussions and actions were taken on the 2020 Parks, Recreation, and Open Spaces (PROS) plan, a Critical Areas Ordinance Update Proposal from AHBL, Resolution No. 2019-07 amending the 2020 Salary Schedule, and Ordinance No. 1003-2019 adopting the 2020 Fiscal Year Budget. Additionally, Resolution No. 2019-08 was adopted, declaring the intent to authorize a sale and use tax for affordable and supportive housing. The TIB Agreement for the FY 2021 Seal Coat Project was approved, and a public hearing was set for a petition for de-annexation.

The Connell City Council held a meeting that included a closed record hearing for the Coyote Flats Preliminary Plat, where the council accepted written materials from the Planning Commission and granted approval with specific conditions. An AHBL proposal for a Critical Areas Ordinance update was presented, and a Public Hearing was conducted for the 2020 Fiscal Year Final Budget, detailing fund revenues and expenditures. Discussions were held regarding the Visitor's Center, considering the former Ang Clinic office as an alternative location. Public Works presented on the Energy Cohort, and the council approved a Professional Services Contract with Franklin Co Emergency Management for funding of cameras and a generator connection at the Fire Hall. The 2019 Holiday Schedule was announced, and the meeting was recessed for an executive session to discuss real estate acquisition.