[{"_1":2,"_122":-5,"_123":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,110],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6108579,"mediaKeyId","2767801-95229dee9f83438e85686f9f32f0d6c0","parentId",2767801,"title","Council approves consent agenda including Keene Road engineering contract, annexation and grant applications","audioSeconds",313,"startMs",167000,"endMs",480000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2767801-95229dee9f83438e85686f9f32f0d6c0&start=167&end=480","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2767801-95229dee9f83438e85686f9f32f0d6c0/thumbnail_167000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6108579/West-Richland/Benton-County/Washington/Council-approves-consent-agenda-including-Keene-Road-engineering-contract-annexation-and-grant-applications","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6108579-2098ce374ddce2082c6f2b8c9d992f0a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771169247&Signature=MwaJ0haGi1qQktz0QobSoigHB9Lcc3~5fOyDJBui5K3~8cjaK5ZFp25mZlzwYlmPhSs7H-5xDh5pAl47833Pd3GP6DWq~k5pkpPhecSwM~QpYHc8L~3hYzIgYZm36vGgYO7rOdIxycbi-Cosp-U1yPdtJ14B7M3kryI-fZMEtKCBw1UCNdDkwWPFJb4T2PUESSHqVbO7WMUOEx8BBenHKC45kvADeuTHOj43C1LeIdihOGyuHSyIqqynccCIB7zARqrzy18C3BdqD-q1jEYGwxn9YK6PnCpoR-bnDQoMJSFmQU8Pbx~giEB~QI6FARS1zx~x8jaZq0G9gk6lj4H19g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of West Richland, WA","date","2025-03-24T17:10:35Z","article","The West Richland City Council approved the consent agenda at its March 18 meeting. The consent agenda items included payment of the bills, approval of the March 4, 2025 regular-meeting minutes, a motion authorizing the Benton-Franklin Council of Governments federal STBG-UL and pavement preservation grant applications, a motion authorizing the mayor to execute an engineering services contract with GPI for the Keene Road widening project, and a motion to accept the annexation of CityWell and adjacent properties on Rupert Road.

Council moved and seconded the consent agenda and the motion carried on voice vote. No members present objected during the meeting. The council did not discuss these items individually during the public meeting; they were approved as a single consent package.

The items will be reflected in the official minutes and, where applicable, will proceed through the administrative processes for grant application submission, contract execution and recording of the annexation.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","March 18, 2025 City Council Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","The West Richland City Council approved its consent agenda on March 18, including an engineering contract for the Keene Road widening project, a multi-jurisdictional grant application and an annexation.","taxTitle","West Richland, Benton County, Washington","taxId",71679,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6108584,"West Richland council approves two-year agreement with Chamber of Commerce; president abstains from vote",458,772000,1230000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2767801-95229dee9f83438e85686f9f32f0d6c0&start=772&end=1230","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2767801-95229dee9f83438e85686f9f32f0d6c0/thumbnail_772000.jpg","/articles/6108584/West-Richland/Benton-County/Washington/West-Richland-council-approves-two-year-agreement-with-Chamber-of-Commerce-president-abstains-from-vote","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6108584-41ba9a0a48c09e828ae15152a73b230e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771169247&Signature=JT~SBKY8f2LWWtjVWrZqqqjf6d44avRFQxadD6uJqsqpRFuAjjRzKGF0yX1sccbYvAR3AJG5VLK8pKjUWSodtJ6W60oeiHhHq2kxf-0C~krvIVJCPkJ25XqtArpY2W-~l-OumxmDoNRTuqLd8AWu5Or9bI~IX3FD3N0x8ceDROLiFmXKpyqFLvcwhVlat0Rg7VtJoRcU9720CpCRMlTpZI-9uCO2dsCyuu6nhhB-gRRSBhDeuJvRse1qpAOv4pz66UjscQzwTanIDp4JZrOiIp1Pbx1SbdMD2YzOFCDXca~u0GcqSRgKf4PTNfAU46HluM~ojIhTg9A5jMs-uZ-lWg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The West Richland City Council approved a two-year agreement for services with the West Richland Area Chamber of Commerce covering fiscal years 2025–2026 at its March 18 meeting. City Attorney Fultz advised the council on state conflict-of-interest law and the council adopted the agreement after a presentation from a Chamber representative.

City Attorney Fultz told the council that the Revised Code of Washington provides for an exception that allows a council member to maintain a \"remote interest\" when serving as a non‑salaried officer of a nonprofit corporation. Fultz said the interest must be disclosed, recorded in the minutes, and the council member must not vote or attempt to influence the outcome. To avoid any appearance of influence, Council member David Feddow, the sitting Chamber president, left the room during the discussion and abstained from the vote.

Paul Madsen, introduced at the meeting as a past Chamber president and a local business owner, gave a short presentation on the Chamber’s recent rebrand, membership growth and planned events. Madsen said the Chamber completed a rebrand in 2024, has hired an executive director (Keith Moon) and plans to support community events including the Veterans Day Parade, the “Wednesdays in West” food-truck program, and a large Easter egg hunt. He told the council the Chamber had a positive outlook for 2025 as membership increased.

Council members voted to approve the agreement. The vote was recorded at the meeting as approved with one abstention by Council member David Feddow. Meeting remarks indicated the abstention followed Feddow’s recusal; the council did not record any further conditions on the agreement at the March 18 meeting.

The council’s minutes will reflect the disclosure and the abstention as required by state law, and the agreement is a recurring partnership the city said it has used to advance economic-development and community-event objectives.","The West Richland City Council approved a 2025–2026 service agreement with the West Richland Area Chamber of Commerce. Council member David Feddow, the Chamber's sitting president, recused himself and abstained from the vote after counsel cited RCW rules allowing a remote/non‑salaried nonprofit officer to have a \"remote interest.\"",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6108589,"Resident alleges evidence mishandling and selective enforcement by West Richland police; chief says investigation complete",1021,475000,1496000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2767801-95229dee9f83438e85686f9f32f0d6c0&start=475&end=1496","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2767801-95229dee9f83438e85686f9f32f0d6c0/thumbnail_475000.jpg","/articles/6108589/West-Richland/Benton-County/Washington/Resident-alleges-evidence-mishandling-and-selective-enforcement-by-West-Richland-police-chief-says-investigation-complete","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6108589-c0fbe5c0fce411655c1adda6e54d89e2/orig.mp4?Expires=1771169247&Signature=hTwrFBPte9-OnCt2CuXcihQEjwFmBffhfjFe-WWxhW-1RTbRy51n6cx~S61xmDvHZ0x42j~3utnEECGUzYRZdR375sHQ3X9WlyWDyYahBpZgmWzgZCRIABcmgI99o67DH7Kif5ZxOGaXkhu61GuRHdpM7wBwZnSxRkFk-A8oN2r1dU8QvqCoHbJ2pAjKnzSJoXN2eoVtAjab72v85cgoXeqN8MQbH9K7RMztM4rJfLkouhap3Gci-r7l69LDFDrEgSOo1NzIrRIQkrWfcq2W1WU1aqBGQITWrW4JM-UPHF1HnyjlzKn-Yvd4qPexffCM02wv-Jqzso79pgm5ATuBIA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Carrie Whitney, a West Richland resident who gave her address as 5208 Spirea Drive, told the City Council on March 18 that the West Richland Police Department had failed to collect and preserve key video evidence, applied protection orders inconsistently and allowed reports to be altered after the fact.

Whitney said she filed a formal complaint more than two months ago and described what she called “a deeper issue within leadership, training, and accountability.” She told the council the department’s failures had “denied justice” in recent cases and urged the council to consider independent oversight and stronger training and accountability measures.

The Whitman County Police Chief, identified in the meeting as Chief Crown, told the council he and staff had spoken with Whitney before the meeting and that the department had conducted a full investigation. “Commander Coats has led an investigation. He has completed his investigation. Tomorrow I will review his findings, and Mrs. Whitney will be sent a response letter, regards U.S. postal,” Chief Crown said. He added the department will continue conversations and take corrective steps \"where they need to be made.\"

The complaint and the department review, as described at the meeting, remain internal processes; council members did not direct a separate council-level action or order an external review during the March 18 meeting. Chief Crown described the standard investigatory process to the council: witness interviews, officer interviews and a compiled report. The chief also said the department will follow up with the complainant in writing and continue work to address any issues identified in the investigation.

No ordinance, policy change, or formal council motion resulted directly from the public comment and the chief’s report at the March 18 meeting. The chief said the department’s findings would be reviewed internally and the complainant would receive a response by mail.

Council staff or members did not announce further public-committee or oversight steps during the meeting; the next formal steps described publicly were the chief’s review of Commander Coats’s report and the department’s written reply to Whitney.","At the March 18 West Richland City Council meeting a resident alleged mishandling of evidence, selective enforcement of protection orders and altered reports by the West Richland Police Department; Chief Crown said an internal investigation led by Commander Coats has concluded and a letter will be sent to the complainant.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":103,"_47":104,"_49":105,"_51":106,"_53":107,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":108,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":109,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6108569,"Council updates: Tri‑Cities veterans cemetery narrows to two sites; recycling and federal advocacy discussed",0,1296000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2767801-95229dee9f83438e85686f9f32f0d6c0&start=1296&end=1296","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2767801-95229dee9f83438e85686f9f32f0d6c0/thumbnail_1296000.jpg","/articles/6108569/West-Richland/Benton-County/Washington/Council-updates-TriCities-veterans-cemetery-narrows-to-two-sites-recycling-and-federal-advocacy-discussed","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6108569-36d2f7227d99147c64d0a6503c94b51d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771169247&Signature=KtCbNXD0QKikiyzACbAzFqQm6IvrgZw7UycgV1UGZEboPIrhCSeoInXeKyNDZMbpHVf8X9eJ001Dbv1LeyE4RSnqnJ4eF2fb6hAcakSCEuOtNxiu2mFhkyhyXFewyBaz4ra73-ILo93DuQkc6UpVC7rSuGOf-KGXmsHutrJwkCrQBBlOUjwHtlVj4CtC5257qFkEWwJX9xjAc2acYmbPoXNR5OhDDkhxsH4QwodO6ABevX5z~6kcOIyWZ5LBqFp3xoi3F-KOGAZRf1fbuJ-zDTF4j8afciJE7hsPwJU4H5ysS8H58J8ZXeYq3ECVFvgh3FtOzPpwJwK2yaP1QyM8Kg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Community Development Director Eric Mendenhall and Council member Mays Hayes provided updates at the March 18 meeting on the Tri‑Cities Veterans Cemetery and related outreach work. Mendenhall said he has been in ongoing contact with Washington State Department of Veterans Affairs staff (David Puente) and that the cemetery site selection is competitive with Richland; he said the state will make the final decision. Mendenhall said he is optimistic because West Richland’s proposed site may be easier to acquire and that the city is presenting its best option to state officials.

Council member Mays Hayes said the cemetery effort has been narrowed to two candidate locations. Hayes noted a February report and said another update is expected in April from Olympia. Hayes said a donation form has been created; donations collected before construction will be routed through Medical Lake and designated for the Tri‑Cities Veterans Cemetery. Hayes also listed upcoming outreach and fundraising presences: the Hogs and Dogs event at Columbia Point (June 26), Cool Desert Nights (June 27–28) and the Port of Benton gathering on June 14.

Council member Richard (Blum) Bloom reported on SWAC (Solid Waste Advisory Committee) discussions, highlighting concerns about proper disposal and recycling of lithium batteries. Bloom said lithium batteries are the primary cause of large fires inside haulers’ trucks and that the moderate solid-waste facility is not yet prepared to accept them; he said Batteries Plus is taking lithium batteries and that the committee plans education and coordination for safe handling.

Mayor Pro Tem Fred Brink said he attended the National League of Cities congressional conference in Washington, D.C., where he and city representatives met with state and federal officials to discuss Hanford cleanup funding and potential cutbacks at the Department of Energy and possible impacts from Bonneville Power Administration changes. Brink said city representatives emphasized the risk of federal cutbacks to local operations and that Hanford office leadership has been in contact with congressional offices to minimize impacts.","Council and staff reported progress on the Tri‑Cities Veterans Cemetery site selection, discussed regional recycling challenges for lithium batteries, and recapped federal meetings on Hanford funding and Bonneville Power Administration issues.",{"_33":111,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":112,"_41":113,"_43":114,"_45":115,"_47":116,"_49":117,"_51":118,"_53":119,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":120,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":121,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6108574,"Residents urge council to change spending priorities, question salaries and park capital plan",1458,275000,1733000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2767801-95229dee9f83438e85686f9f32f0d6c0&start=275&end=1733","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2767801-95229dee9f83438e85686f9f32f0d6c0/thumbnail_275000.jpg","/articles/6108574/West-Richland/Benton-County/Washington/Residents-urge-council-to-change-spending-priorities-question-salaries-and-park-capital-plan","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6108574-83161742b56042bf1ee9a79e961d3382/orig.mp4?Expires=1771169247&Signature=Z6330hXWt0uo5gSpZXimsovFK1FLvOZtt4PvMvYjTe3f4Xyn-WGS5MIABnEOico~jchzIidwBDrGgNAIWCMUeniS92wh34cRaFq15t-mYjj2-52E38QkSPfL0N8nl91GV5mAC8ZuH~8RwNfFkzPTUC51wxKjKY~KSky5x-SLZPojg5rFwOhCERyItMk2~H1cROrsSPrwwSHG5fpIcLtAFP2I~mV7qHVn-uAtM~le3TGLVespuNehVQqzAJO6~CMT-2~eg4hYFYPmKg57F0HET8Pwv-g~q0avl7SdOTBEVwB0X-e1hdkZrajSgcySpnKrEc9PObvFSFLSKyxn-I5Nxg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","At the March 18 West Richland City Council meeting several residents criticized the city’s approach to budgeting and capital spending.

An unidentified resident who spoke during the first public-comment period objected to the city’s flyer seeking volunteers for a Citizen Advisory Committee to review funding challenges. The speaker said budgeting is an elected official responsibility and described the committee as appearing to be “a cop out.” The resident also said the city was overspending on staff wages and noted the mayor’s salary change since taking office; she said she would send detailed comparative salary information to council.

Gail Brown, who gave her address as 4405 Chelan Drive, spoke during the second public-comment period and questioned the capital improvement plan priorities. Brown said the CIP includes a $3.4 million park maintenance package before 2030, split into $2.2 million for a facility and $1.2 million for equipment. She also raised line items she said were planned elsewhere in the CIP, including a $1 million generator, a $1 million municipal services parking/storage item and a $175,000 security-yard gate upgrade. Brown said she preferred spending on park improvements that are visible to residents rather than on what she called “Taj Mahal” facilities.

Both speakers said they would provide more data to the council. Council members acknowledged the comments but did not take immediate action at the March 18 meeting. The city staff did not announce changes to the CIP during the meeting; the residents asked that the council reconsider spending priorities and provide clearer justification for capital projects and staffing levels.","Multiple residents told the West Richland City Council that the city should not rely on a citizen advisory committee to address budget shortfalls and criticized staff wage increases and the capital improvement plan’s park maintenance facility costs.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council approves consent agenda including Keene Road engineering contract, annexation and grant applications

West Richland council approves two-year agreement with Chamber of Commerce; president abstains from vote

Resident alleges evidence mishandling and selective enforcement by West Richland police; chief says investigation complete

Council updates: Tri‑Cities veterans cemetery narrows to two sites; recycling and federal advocacy discussed

Residents urge council to change spending priorities, question salaries and park capital plan