[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-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],{"_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",6617395,"mediaKeyId","2842333-09dc62496b8bd8f66fbdf37004ca12b7","parentId",2842333,"title","Residents raise safety, litter and court‑condition concerns; city says tennis-court repairs will be bid","audioSeconds",828,"startMs",2318000,"endMs",3146000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2842333-09dc62496b8bd8f66fbdf37004ca12b7&start=2318&end=3146","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2842333-09dc62496b8bd8f66fbdf37004ca12b7/thumbnail_2318000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6617395/Richland/Benton-County/Washington/Residents-raise-safety-litter-and-courtcondition-concerns-city-says-tennis-court-repairs-will-be-bid","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6617395-770fc51258431dae0854fbba95c0cc06/orig.mp4?Expires=1771183987&Signature=j9YmOUJq4oO~DjjQU3Zv9BZESu8h0N09-9PFsRDI~Z-Y0YwdAtCqGlR-as2uIfvoJEq74XU30h5jEHXMoGOxyV17nAxYZFby3ljtigSi6DoywQ50RnYyNS9Svtq08uxtyThRwSCrdo9n69zDwrNsHqg4lLFB7gqsW3A8Lt6xVENAdf83AbhDT49ipuUYilOakM1SSNVNMZzGoK8FXgtRdWtgZphUatW1YllUOXNQndcqe5As1wEIkUQitH54RjEDs3wf5gvSXONWE-v5qDAp8pLObu6BmncCmptjYs1-KKn1Z~fa0oKzpN7r-TJGF3KZ23rvUGcgCGQeXBe0Oy4MPQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Richland","date","2025-04-01T00:00:00Z","article","During the public-comment portion of the April 1 meeting two residents raised safety and maintenance concerns for city public spaces and paths.

Ken Peterson (1311 Haines Avenue) told the council he had photographed a neighbor’s yard and described a recurring problem with people camping along the dike path and a motorcyclist operating on the footpath at high speeds. He said he had called authorities multiple times and described trash, human waste and needles along the path. Peterson asked for more no‑parking signage at a curved stretch of Haines Avenue and suggested installing cameras on streetlights to capture speeders and individuals who leave litter or create safety risks.

Manuel Bernard, a resident of The Commons in North Richland, told council the tennis courts at Leslie Groves have numerous cracks and are unsafe for play; he asked the city to address the court surface condition for public safety.

In the reports section City Manager Emmonson responded that the tennis-court repair project “has been permitted through the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers” and that the city is preparing to put the repair work out to bid. Emmonson also said staff would contact Mr. Peterson to update him on Haines Avenue and the dike path concerns. Council members commented that motorized vehicles capable of higher speeds are not allowed on the path and that enforcement and signage are limited by current code and patrol resources.

No formal motions, ordinances or contracts were made during public comment; council and staff assigned follow-up tasks and staff committed to pursue repairs and communications with the residents.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Richland - City Council - Apr 01, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Two residents urged the council to address motorcycle use and litter along the Haines Avenue dike path and reported cracking at Leslie Groves tennis courts; city staff said tennis-court repairs are permitted and will be put out to bid and staff will follow up with the resident about Haines Avenue issues.","taxTitle","Richland , Benton County, Washington","taxId",5097,"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},6617399,"Richland City Council approves consent calendar, budget amendment and several resolutions",458,2634000,3092000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2842333-09dc62496b8bd8f66fbdf37004ca12b7&start=2634&end=3092","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2842333-09dc62496b8bd8f66fbdf37004ca12b7/thumbnail_2634000.jpg","/articles/6617399/Richland/Benton-County/Washington/Richland-City-Council-approves-consent-calendar-budget-amendment-and-several-resolutions","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6617399-ebdc849a78b7759e1d95f1de3109a28f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771183987&Signature=J-wy1rlHhVHDo-WljdgIDDGFhqXoe9KGWGKr-F2BR6giSNJGc07NJtx~RBqJ359R3WuD1465zTNYKf3d4Bi~AjUeOn4P0xZAdz9OrBTLyDDRudLbm6cn6AOMIdm7QpvytYfB47UYf3oGg8OnAtM5ZgkXYBuN0Vy5auCJAu5jBD39gYEnH0c37ku4HgDDqxxL3W5jDujewoJRNuKIvRopEogw-OeuLcUo-SbE3Hv58JG8P6jtsuaQibsLwDrDjvUbj8-jGdWHeWmYTl2CzfVVZogedyLicAkcSAwZgj9DbE5x4is2BD5h~mpY6IJZCaID-V7LKXM1p8XdLTu1Xckitw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Richland City Council approved the consent calendar and adopted Ordinance No. 2025-08, amending the city’s 2025 budget, during its April 1 regular meeting. All recorded votes were unanimous among members present; Council members Luxon and Witten were not present for the roll calls.

Council approved routine items on the consent calendar by a single motion. The clerk read numerous consent items into the record including approval of meeting minutes (March 14 annual retreat; March 18 regular meeting; March 25 workshop), a second-reading ordinance amending Chapter 3.06 of the Richland Municipal Code related to sale or lease of city real property (identified in the packet as Ordinance number 2025-07), and several resolutions and appointments. Among the resolutions read into the record were: a consultant agreement with Jacobs Engineering Group for SR-240 Aaron Interchange improvements; ratified grant applications to the Benton-Franklin Council of Governments; authorization of $549,500 from the TPA reserve (Visit Tri Cities request); award of a bid for the Richland Library outdoor children’s area; a purchase and sale agreement for property at 2622 Henderson Loop; consultant agreement amendments for environmental site assessment work; continuation of Microsoft licensing through InSight Public Sector; and an agreement with Motorola Solutions for radio equipment replacement on behalf of Benton County Emergency Services. The clerk also announced appointments to several boards and commissions.

Later in the meeting the council considered Ordinance number 2025-08, a budget amendment totaling about $4.9 million across funds, largely driven by new grant revenue and appropriations for street capital construction projects; the council voted to adopt the ordinance by roll call. City staff said approximately $4.1 million of the amendment is tied to the Streets Capital Construction Fund and new grants; about $600,000 of the amendment will draw on fund balance with the remainder from newly received revenues.

Recorded roll call votes following the consent motion and the budget ordinance adoption show the same five members voting in favor: Mayor Richardson; Mayor Pro Tem Kent; Council member Jones; Council member Meyer; and Council member Van Dyke. The two absent members were not recorded in the roll calls. No motions failed and no items were tabled.

Votes at a glance (as read into the record):

- Motion: Approve consent calendar including minutes, appointments, Ordinance number 2025-07 (second reading) and listed resolutions. Outcome: Approved (unanimous among members present). Vote: Mayor Richardson — Aye; Mayor Pro Tem Kent — Aye; Council member Jones — Yes; Council member Meyer — Aye; Council member Van Dyke — Aye. Absent: Council members Luxon and Witten.

- Motion: Adopt Ordinance number 2025-08, amending the 2025 budget in various city funds (total ~ $4.9 million). Outcome: Approved by roll call. Vote: Mayor Richardson — Aye; Mayor Pro Tem Kent — Aye; Council member Jones — Yes; Council member Meyer — Aye; Council member Van Dyke — Aye. Absent: Luxon, Witten.

- Listed resolutions approved on the consent calendar (as read):
• Resolution number 2020Five-forty — consultant agreement with Jacobs Engineering Group for SR-240 Aaron Interchange Improvements. Outcome: Approved on consent calendar.
• Resolution number 2020Five-forty5 — ratifying grant applications to the Benton Franklin Council of Governments 2025 Call for Projects. Outcome: Approved on consent calendar.
• Resolution number 2020Five-forty6 — authorizing $549,500 from the tourism promotion area reserve account for supplemental tourism-related projects in 2025. Outcome: Approved on consent calendar.
• Resolution number 2025Dash47 — award of bid to Vincent Brothers LLP for Richland Library outdoor children’s area. Outcome: Approved on consent calendar.
• Resolution number 2020Five-forty9 — authorizing a purchase and sale agreement with HTD Holding, LLC for property at 2622 Henderson Loop. Outcome: Approved on consent calendar.
• Resolution number 2020Five-fifty — authorizing an amendment to consultant agreement with Moll Foster and Eilonghi for environmental site assessment. Outcome: Approved on consent calendar.
• Resolution number 2020Five-fifty1 — second amendment to 3-year agreement with InSight Public Sector for Microsoft volume licensing (year 3). Outcome: Approved on consent calendar.
• Resolution number 2020Five-fifty2 — agreement with Motorola Solutions for Prosser Butte site radio equipment replacement on behalf of Benton County Emergency Services. Outcome: Approved on consent calendar.

Council members transferred no consent items for separate discussion. City staff will proceed with the appropriations and contract actions authorized by the adopted motions and ordinance; staff noted several grant-funded streets projects will move into design and bid phases following the budget amendment.","At its April 1 meeting the council approved the consent calendar (minutes, appointments and multiple resolutions) and adopted an ordinance amending the 2025 budget. Votes were unanimous among present members; two council members were absent.",{"_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},6617404,"Visit Tri Cities reports strong 2024 results and asks city to approve $549,500 from tourism reserve",1900,90000,1990000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2842333-09dc62496b8bd8f66fbdf37004ca12b7&start=90&end=1990","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2842333-09dc62496b8bd8f66fbdf37004ca12b7/thumbnail_90000.jpg","/articles/6617404/Richland/Benton-County/Washington/Visit-Tri-Cities-reports-strong-2024-results-and-asks-city-to-approve-549500-from-tourism-reserve","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6617404-323c689a3aa059c653d60f2c822444bd/orig.mp4?Expires=1771183987&Signature=dXFy8Suujq0Cl3XKj5sdP-f6uCaA7y9ze8x~S3I9PK7i0wM8zGF5fwfMoXE~IFF8NISyVYzZEX8Y1~sg2SGM-6XdqM0fN9q4jNYZVOXlBz0FpBz~RwbBr96wBwMaWJiUJ6uj1pFjnuMte6M7UW866BKZiKeuOb5AxWgj7slPaA~RlEblXrISeI9EGqu2Kqox31ftKi8X84KSPsNB1h5GCXgZUIhCAchTw3PoiACeaa-cA5O0dNrFL72br8gF731hJtSnO0kecxRAgDcDKEFdf938sfgLGC3VRcIqh9LJkubuTQYitKa315OScNm2plfxieGG7d976I9JOEVaQRJXog__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Visit Tri Cities representative Kevin Lewis presented the organization’s 2024 annual report to the Richland City Council and asked the council to approve a $549,500 draw from the Tourism Promotion Area (TPA) reserve to fund research, marketing and event-support projects.

Lewis said Visit Tri Cities is a 501(c)(6) destination-marketing organization funded primarily by a per-room tourism performance assessment and lodging taxes. He told council the group’s 2024 budget totaled roughly $3.5 million, of which “about 67%” came from the tourism performance areas, “22%” from lodging taxes and “about 10%” from sponsors. He said Visit Tri Cities spent roughly 70% of the budget on marketing, convention and sports sales work and maintained a reserve the organization now seeks to use for specific projects.

The request to use TPA reserves covers a package of items Lewis summarized: multi-year research and reporting services, a short-term rental research platform, AI tools and subscriptions, an airport kiosk redesign, additional familiarization (FAM) tours for journalists, funds for signature sporting events and quick-response event incentives, bidding support to host sports-event organizers’ conferences, a bid effort for the Washington State tourism conference, and project support staff to handle increased workload. Lewis said the TPA commissioners — hotel general managers who govern the assessment funds — had unanimously approved the request.

Lewis highlighted performance metrics from 2024: about $630 million in visitor spending region‑wide, roughly 4.4 million trips, about $77 million in tax receipts, and an estimated $7.4 million increase in hotel revenues for the year. He singled out two large events, the Ironman competition and the Iron World Horseshoe Pitching Championships, and said those signature events produced outsized results including a reported $10 million in economic impact tied to the horseshoe events and strong weekend hotel-rate increases tied to Ironman.

Council members asked about near‑term tourism trends and short‑term rentals. Council member Jones noted recent reporting that travel into the U.S. has softened and asked how Visit Tri Cities expects 2025 to perform. Lewis said Canadian visitation and some government travel have dropped in recent months and that Visit Tri Cities budgeted conservatively; he said the organization pursues multiple markets — signature events, youth sports, routine group business and leisure marketing — to diversify risk.

Council member Meyer asked whether short‑term rentals were being accounted for in local lodging tax collections and suggested the city might need its own review. Kevin Lewis said Visit Tri Cities plans to purchase a short‑term rental research platform and would share data with city leaders. City staff later said they are partnering with Visit Tri Cities on short‑term rental data and will vet compliance and revenue remittance further.

The council approved, as part of the consent calendar, a resolution described in the meeting packet as authorizing $549,500 from the TPA reserve account for supplemental tourism-related projects in 2025. That item was included in the consent calendar vote that passed unanimously.

Lewis also described marketing outcomes from 2024 — increased events booked, large gains in media coverage tied to signature events, and a reported digital advertising return metric he described as “about 342 to 1.” He credited community partners, public safety and parks staff for event logistics and said Visit Tri Cities will return to council with its 2025 work plan for formal approval.

The presentation prompted several council commendations and no formal amendment to the request during the meeting; the TPA-reserve resolution appeared on the consent calendar and was approved along with other routine items.","Visit Tri Cities presented its 2024 annual report to the Richland City Council, highlighted major event impacts including Ironman and requested $549,500 from the Tourism Promotion Area reserve for research, marketing and event support; council members asked about short-term rentals and near-term visitation trends.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Residents raise safety, litter and court‑condition concerns; city says tennis-court repairs will be bid

Richland City Council approves consent calendar, budget amendment and several resolutions

Visit Tri Cities reports strong 2024 results and asks city to approve $549,500 from tourism reserve