[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-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],{"_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",6269800,"mediaKeyId","3040314-df0655db086c473da666da746a363296","parentId",3040314,"title","Councilmember says Tri-Cities veterans cemetery predesign funding cleared in budgets; outreach to region underway","audioSeconds",282,"startMs",2009000,"endMs",2291000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3040314-df0655db086c473da666da746a363296&start=2009&end=2291","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3040314-df0655db086c473da666da746a363296/thumbnail_2009000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6269800/West-Richland/Benton-County/Washington/Councilmember-says-Tri-Cities-veterans-cemetery-predesign-funding-cleared-in-budgets-outreach-to-region-underway","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6269800-8d91752bb18ca715d25a56a040604256/orig.mp4?Expires=1771136930&Signature=dYOK8R9fj2ExwDRwuYprtUz7njthNkm347Zb40Uml48UmNtEi9i25CE3FT2mudRCFApOvFqr5raILD6xDY4VGbzT7dE9oEN6dy8rUUB7vLPABcq6Q~~x7vJj5XEwiqMtBdF4eH4Yu1Oo87D6igKzXPgNdGGG~cMbuKE2W-ZgvU2-1U3zzH1R3YpGwx9yCMDo1TJJNlzDb~9-HNldHe6OeM3OXYA-i73OsIP0g5K4e-f3SGj4n32u3YFmh7yDRFijpYhVogYpGUxC3VLNKSS16tXdZYXvwUKJWFxDOtD-7u3NQcLiwCd74FQO9A3plQlhVVFGkLyu69yS6IktgkcVyg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of West Richland, WA","date","2025-04-17T17:15:21.167Z","article","Council member May Hayes told the West Richland City Council on April 15 that the Tri-Cities Veterans Cemetery project had advanced in Olympia and that the Legislature’s draft capital budgets include $500,000 for predesign work.

Hayes said the House and Senate versions list the $500,000 predesign appropriation and that the project team is now focused on regional outreach to build support and awareness. “The response has been very, very positive,” she said, describing outreach to neighboring cities and law enforcement agencies from Moses Lake to Yakima.

Why it matters: If capital funding is finalized, the region would move into design and siting phases for a veteran cemetery that proponents say could require roughly 100 acres. Hayes said two candidate locations remain, one in West Richland and one in Richland.

Hayes also described community fundraising and recurring revenue options: she noted that veteran-designated license plates can generate annual revenue to support a cemetery and provided an example from Medical Lake, which raised about $650,000 from license-plate proceeds. She announced upcoming public events where project staff and state representatives plan to have an outreach presence, including a June 14 public event at the Port of Benton and other local festivals.

Ending: Hayes asked council to continue support and to help distribute informational flyers and host booths at community events to build regional awareness while the capital budget process completes.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","April 15, 2025 City Council Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","Council member May Hayes reported progress on the Tri-Cities Veterans Cemetery effort, saying legislative language for $500,000 in predesign work is included in both the Washington House and Senate capital budgets and regional outreach is underway.","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},6269804,"Council holds first reading on franchise to allow Advanced Internet to build fiber in city right-of-way",108,1344000,1452000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3040314-df0655db086c473da666da746a363296&start=1344&end=1452","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3040314-df0655db086c473da666da746a363296/thumbnail_1344000.jpg","/articles/6269804/West-Richland/Benton-County/Washington/Council-holds-first-reading-on-franchise-to-allow-Advanced-Internet-to-build-fiber-in-city-right-of-way","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6269804-6caa09b729c51391388f41f9cc71972e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771136930&Signature=kPZ9CR5f~ewS6xk0cOykeSsDP-2GesQYtVGVXhz78Ipmhu1VYljE-755FV0-UMOVTyUIi69awzn2~vW32mFk4ez--tS0x6iE7cy0mQzlXN7c7-z4YSA0tDsuflGJGlZLBCBKpHuKqYXASEvpa3qZeTm9XvENqLzWUxva-vehkCAgAp7umrqsS3gvXw-z1Np5bLw5HmFcR9Kq5lo-T70YAkpRFtCrMHKhM3RZ0DT6J9B8H0r6HNKC0vgWp9j3jg7O4Jft79azoS04VQwaJU4UqiBCN5HZ8MqEDWqLmke-orPldncMTgykjpJ2~U368kZVvz2FKAT5Bz~aaLHOdSdTjw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The West Richland City Council opened a public hearing and conducted a first reading of Ordinance 7-25 on April 15, a proposed nonexclusive franchise agreement that would allow Advanced Internet Service Provider LLC, doing business as Advanced High Speed Internet, to construct and maintain fiber-optic infrastructure in city rights-of-way.

Public Works Director Roscoe Slade presented the staff report, saying the company applied in January and that the draft ordinance follows the city’s standard franchise template and was reviewed by the city attorney. “The initial term of the franchise agreement is 10 years with automatic 5 year renewals,” Slade said, and he added that the applicant had reviewed the draft and “all their comments have been addressed.”

Why it matters: If adopted, the ordinance would authorize fiber construction and operations in public rights-of-way subject to the franchise terms, permitting Advanced Internet to serve city customers where the company acquires or builds infrastructure in town.

Public comment: The council opened the hearing for in-person comment and recorded no speakers; staff confirmed there were no virtual attendees. Slade also told council the applicant pays administrative processing costs and staff time to process the franchise application (approximately $2,500).

Next steps: Because this was the first reading, council took no action and Slade said the ordinance is scheduled to return for a second reading, public hearing and final adoption on May 6.","Public works staff presented Ordinance 7-25 — a proposed nonexclusive franchise for Advanced Internet Service Provider LLC to install and operate fiber in West Richland right-of-way. The council held a public hearing and took no action pending a second reading.",{"_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},6269809,"West Richland council approves consent agenda including four resolutions, five contracts",153,1190000,1343000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3040314-df0655db086c473da666da746a363296&start=1190&end=1343","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3040314-df0655db086c473da666da746a363296/thumbnail_1190000.jpg","/articles/6269809/West-Richland/Benton-County/Washington/West-Richland-council-approves-consent-agenda-including-four-resolutions-five-contracts","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6269809-16dfd987e7ee9938e0479b5510e4cbd7/orig.mp4?Expires=1771136930&Signature=CR5hqKrFEYL478LGIxTqTSUBPaCZjScj9nZBA99guGsUwmHcudlS-m0P2OTxvvNelxYntoVFdysYNLPGuqREqSpCFez7Zsa8ge6fdR~-kKFgGHfJT795Dch6sX-0VSvtKL8kvn2BqHyyFZZGD8zoKWQB4X2a1U~jQ5hmPaoqp6tdREzuU4n1q4qLwZWpQfIswKmt5hox283RGXZmwZFXCku9k~m4Y~FRJux4G5UQ-kMuJ6wvm7JY1ie~YIaoM9GAb3xbKfIQY0Z54ooUwZymuzbba3O4xmIJ8fKJz82KirfM1askiKVQU1zV9rXtLfSj3wpwJVat5SQsbxD0xbXzrQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The West Richland City Council approved the consent agenda at its April 15 meeting, adopting resolutions to set public hearings and authorizing multiple city contracts.

Mayor Pro Tem Fred Brink called for approval of the consent agenda, and a council member moved and a second followed. “All in favor, please say aye,” the meeting record shows; no members opposed and the motion carried.

Why it matters: The consent package advances land-use public hearings and moves consultants and engineering work into contract phase, clearing administrative steps that allow project design and grant execution to proceed.

Items included in the consent agenda (action taken April 15):
- Resolution 18-25: Set public meeting for VACA-002-2025 (Heath Richter). (Set for public hearing; first action recorded.)
- Resolution 19-25: Set public hearing for VACA-001-2025 (Wassney).
- Resolution 20-25: Set public hearing for VACA-003-2025 (WOSME).
- Motion authorizing mayor to execute an engineering services contract with JUB for the wastewater treatment plant facility plan.
- Motion to approve contract with the Washington State Department of Commerce for a Climate Commitment Grant.
- Motion to approve contract with Transpo for the transportation element of the comprehensive plan update.
- Motion to approve contract with Burke Consulting for the comprehensive plan update.

Council did not discuss these items individually at length during the meeting; the record shows the consent agenda was approved as presented. The items that set public hearings will be brought back on their specified public-notice schedules; engineering and consultant contracts can be executed as allowed by the contract language.","The council unanimously approved the April 15 consent agenda, which set public hearings for three vacation/abandonment items, authorized engineering and consultant contracts, and authorized acceptance of a Department of Commerce climate grant contract.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6269813,"Visit Tri Cities says events, Ironman helped drive $630 million in visitor spending in 2024",1044,143000,1187000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3040314-df0655db086c473da666da746a363296&start=143&end=1187","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3040314-df0655db086c473da666da746a363296/thumbnail_143000.jpg","/articles/6269813/West-Richland/Benton-County/Washington/Visit-Tri-Cities-says-events-Ironman-helped-drive-630-million-in-visitor-spending-in-2024","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6269813-236cc1957ef3f27b64f63c765d18b806/orig.mp4?Expires=1771136930&Signature=nmJ02bJpBMF0tvRyjrtO2CIi-jawQiEh-OIXN14TIoMbUvNCoXfPLV~oaB-QuGeaiAPd49Vwqb9ayfh4s9NnwjvCdTQ8bHNbuuYtfNVHP7BO7Gp2eWKhF402bZ5EO~zDvHCxvMpz3XXUkPLI0JoiayEi80f6xvSE84dYOTbZo1V2byWMj97m1gnkk7s4dsgEluHmV~Q9Tzvdt8GhbKAygEmRY0I~DvgE2Iok1nxcez2B-U1Zg~SB0fLcNu23nxbfJx7H3TjpCN1EJYwabBJHf~AfSnfy5P~bKGCCtEDEZ9mRgUceNSLD7ScUMdS0ZCE2E1aiemXaNO4RH03~B65Syg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Visit Tri Cities CEO Kevin Lewis told the West Richland City Council on April 15 that the destination marketing organization’s work helped generate roughly $630 million in visitor spending in 2024 and produced notable gains in hotel revenues and media coverage.

Lewis said Visit Tri Cities is a 501(c)(6) organization funded mainly by a tourism performance assessment, a one-percent portion of lodging tax contracts from partner cities, and corporate sponsorships. “We have 3 real sources of funding,” Lewis said, describing the mix as about 70% from the assessment, about 20% from city lodging-tax contracts and roughly 10% from sponsorships.

That funding supported marketing, convention and sports development that, Lewis said, produced measurable returns. He said Visit Tri Cities’ report shows about 4.4 million trips to the destination in 2024, roughly 5,900 tourism and hospitality jobs, and about $77 million in taxes arising from visitor spending. Lewis credited signature events such as the Ironman 70.3 triathlon, which he said brought between $7 million and $7.5 million to the area and attracted competitors from 45 states and 20 countries.

Why it matters: The presentation framed tourism promotion as an economic-development tool for the Tri Cities and for West Richland, with visitor dollars supporting local businesses, raising hotel rates on event weekends and producing media exposure that Lewis said returns more than $300 for every $1 spent on certain digital ad campaigns.

Council members did not ask follow-up questions after the presentation. Lewis said he was available for questions and thanked the council for West Richland’s ongoing support.

Details from the presentation: Lewis reported a 161% increase in positive media coverage tied to events, a 342-to-1 return on tracked digital ad investment for certain campaigns, and a 48% jump in average daily hotel rate for the Ironman weekend year-over-year. He also said Visit Tri Cities booked 68 group events in 2024 that brought roughly 32,000 visitors and about $3.36 million in visitor spending, and that short-term rentals accounted for an estimated 17% of Ironman athlete accommodations in the survey cited.

Ending: Lewis closed by thanking West Richland staff and volunteers and inviting council members to contact Visit Tri Cities with questions about marketing, hotel development or event recruitment.","Visit Tri Cities presented its 2024 annual report to the West Richland City Council, saying events such as Ironman 70.3 and convention bookings produced sustained increases in hotel revenue, visits and earned media.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Councilmember says Tri-Cities veterans cemetery predesign funding cleared in budgets; outreach to region underway

Council holds first reading on franchise to allow Advanced Internet to build fiber in city right-of-way

West Richland council approves consent agenda including four resolutions, five contracts

Visit Tri Cities says events, Ironman helped drive $630 million in visitor spending in 2024