[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-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",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_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",6199686,"mediaKeyId","3824443-023eff829e127fdb7ff590b258cc3ee3","parentId",3824443,"title","Council weighs one-time beer-garden waiver for park event, asks for non-consent review and police/fire details","audioSeconds",391,"startMs",6968000,"endMs",7359000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3824443-023eff829e127fdb7ff590b258cc3ee3&start=6968&end=7359","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3824443-023eff829e127fdb7ff590b258cc3ee3/thumbnail_6968000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6199686/Pasco-City/Franklin-County/Washington/Council-weighs-one-time-beer-garden-waiver-for-park-event-asks-for-non-consent-review-and-policefire-details","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6199686-c374fd77642348e0ba19c0f3b9bcfeef/orig.mp4?Expires=1774923653&Signature=dFdIj6a6mBoJpPy95rcUBZxvaEe8hPg8MvykKIIiA9j5P49ORf5RoK9Nxu69L6KDOGND74zZXySbYexLv5Lleo-INWpED3RiPM5NQ7YHKIj9BQDt9WrFwTP-uFaR5bw2FT-379MtgffjWHcnK-4yz1oy4eFWH5JHlrwkwdAZg--ZnQRtmgvR10ElOtKQQ~RQCy80CGVtBuB4VB17NqN8hBvbu0rXc~jU05c9l5X3qu1vMfmrZR8duXjGYirTo9qDdUIHluCsGyWAqTbTy6GQckakXXR7OdR7NIK14J4qQfVpo~NmuHtg~opL7PvDAzYSy0uHrobfFmBN2TzQT7nlgw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Pasco City, WA","date","2025-06-11T16:56:08Z","article","The Pasco City Council on June 9 considered a request for a one-time waiver to allow a beer garden at a city-park event and signaled it will take extra time before making a final decision.

City staffer Miss Pichon and Miss Pashon (administrative services/parks staff) briefed council on a request under Pasco Municipal Code 9.40.02(e), which by default prohibits possession and consumption of alcohol in city parks unless the applicant secures a rental permit and the event is private-by-invitation only. Prior council resolutions had made limited exceptions at Peanuts Park, the Farmers Market and the softball complex. The current applicant is seeking a waiver to allow a controlled, temporary beer-garden area during a planned event at a city park.

Staff said the event organizer had submitted the special-event application, obtained required state liquor-control permits and proposed standard controls: fenced area, wristbands, security and additional staffing. Police and fire staff reported they reviewed event plans and that the applicant had agreed to the security and operational requirements the city typically imposes for alcohol-permitted events.

Several council members said they were uneasy with the late schedule: the waiver request arrived only about two weeks before the event, limiting the council's and community's chance to evaluate impacts. Councilmember Harpster and others asked that the waiver not be handled on the consent calendar and requested a separate vote next week. Councilmember Blaisdell raised safety questions about having a beer garden at a park while the pool remained open for the public, asking how the city would prevent swimming by intoxicated patrons; staff replied that pool rules already bar being under the influence and that event permits and on-site security would be required.

Legal counsel said the application included the required insurance and hold-harmless language, but noted the city should confirm insurance and contractual details and said staff will prepare any additional conditions to reduce potential liability. Council asked staff to provide a fuller briefing on security, police staffing, fire-service expectations and how the beer-garden perimeter and wristband procedures would be enforced.

No resolution was adopted at the workshop. Council directed staff to bring the waiver to the next regular meeting as a non-consent item with additional detail on police/fire staffing and permit conditions so the council can vote after full review.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Pasco City Council Workshop June 9, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Pasco City Council on June 9 considered a request for a one-time waiver to allow a beer garden at a city park event and signaled it will take extra time before making a final decision.","taxTitle","Pasco City, Franklin County, Washington","taxId",5110,"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},6199691,"Pasco seeks ways to ease sprinkler and occupancy rules for downtown events while stressing safety",1428,4344000,5772000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3824443-023eff829e127fdb7ff590b258cc3ee3&start=4344&end=5772","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3824443-023eff829e127fdb7ff590b258cc3ee3/thumbnail_4344000.jpg","/articles/6199691/Pasco-City/Franklin-County/Washington/Pasco-seeks-ways-to-ease-sprinkler-and-occupancy-rules-for-downtown-events-while-stressing-safety","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6199691-326609fc1a507da76a7359bcb3ae3141/orig.mp4?Expires=1774923653&Signature=U5UEHxG~fq6jEpjmu37ceUwbT1abIltKGspauGuo1m-UDTaL8DFagd0KkzaBZmY0o2OdtMOXSuKCKfD6T7RN6kJZiOKf8jEjdV-XK2g25V-filTIMTUTwc9v4T6PXvrNqlnTT6E1M8rMORzzEF7UvpaS66E7z2m80l4SsN4N8twerk3cWLKaNJYqpHPFoI49tsyHGCndTx4NMayk7DkVHgi71R0sLnGVXQEa03nEdrqnDlTXBB4vV5cFIUrJogGgF0H2bLoGzRUyPJ2dihEmSHVOeBL-wS~h120tYKaR8pxMuDNYAK0rslq776Rnrr-j6U3vZnH1bKQlqFJIQaMqow__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Pasco officials and a building-code consultant on June 9 discussed options to allow more events and activity downtown while meeting state building and fire-safety requirements that, in many older buildings, force costly sprinkler retrofits.

The session followed complaints from local property and business owners that code-triggered sprinkler requirements and occupancy thresholds prevent reuse of basements and other underutilized spaces. The city retained Willie Hill, a certified building official working with BHC Consultants, to review rules and suggest options to help business owners open legally while preserving safety.

Hill told the council that two national code changes after the 2003 Station nightclub fire in Rhode Island lowered sprinkler trigger thresholds for assembly uses: the occupant-load trigger changed from 300 to 100 people in 2006, and a newer nightclub definition captures venues with viewing or dancing areas larger than 350 square feet. Many downtown buildings were constructed before those thresholds and so lack sprinklers that would now be required for larger events.

Hill and staff outlined options that jurisdictions commonly use to allow events without immediately requiring full sprinkler retrofits: limiting posted occupant loads, issuing special-event permits with mitigation conditions (monitored fire alarms, temporary fire watches, additional security or certified personnel), reconfiguring floor areas or inserting fire separations to reduce 'fire area' size, and pursuing alternate means and methods under code section 104 with documented engineering justification.

Council members and business owners stressed the practical burden of retrofits on small owners. Councilmember Blaisdell noted that many local businesses said they were told they \"can't\" host events unless they install sprinklers; business owner commenters and the consultant urged clearer guidance and more staff outreach. Staff said they will prepare an interpretation memo to clarify how the city will interpret the 350-square-foot viewing/dancing threshold and when special-event mitigations will be allowed.

Deputy City Manager Richa (staff) said the city is working to give staff more discretion while creating frameworks so code officials have consistent guidance and comfort approving mitigations. City legal counsel noted that any program that alters formal enforcement must be carefully structured to avoid unintended liability; staff said they will evaluate alternatives and identify examples from other jurisdictions such as Tacoma that have used monitored alarms, restricted occupancy and fire-rated separations as alternate compliance measures.

Hill recommended outreach and education for property owners and operators so they know limits on exits, occupant load posting, and when to seek permits or engineering review. He said local fire marshals retain enforcement authority and can order closures when occupant loads exceed posted limits or conditions of a permit are violated.

No ordinance was adopted at the workshop. Staff said next steps include drafting an interpretation memo, surveying peer cities' code approaches, preparing templates for special-event permits and communicating options to downtown building owners to reduce ambiguity and encourage compliant reuse of older spaces.","Pasco officials and a building-code consultant on June 9 discussed options to allow more events and activity downtown while meeting state building and fire-safety requirements that, in many older buildings, force costly sprinkler retrofits.",{"_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},6199681,"Pasco staff asks council's informal go-ahead to fund larger utility mains now and seek formal budget amendment later",786,5767000,6553000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3824443-023eff829e127fdb7ff590b258cc3ee3&start=5767&end=6553","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3824443-023eff829e127fdb7ff590b258cc3ee3/thumbnail_5767000.jpg","/articles/6199681/Pasco-City/Franklin-County/Washington/Pasco-staff-asks-councils-informal-go-ahead-to-fund-larger-utility-mains-now-and-seek-formal-budget-amendment-later","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6199681-813933df250f0fd6f1b6e9dedf7a30f8/orig.mp4?Expires=1774923653&Signature=aRvHzvJPFOkjRmUrjUMw6xd~FS1E9YgJgH4J-E8rXcszqKLmw1b60yJ5hxb6fgRn5YekbHkU13FkPgy72FTWlFbfAzToQb~nKOIkdcNpWqPB4zjoyftJ8GPYny8~E~9KZIX4Dp8ed3zlgpj5MtRKiIhGQGkv-JMl2iX7D4Y7WLW7KuNBKMAGEdnLqHVGCPH6qNmD-ElPTSIrzHVoC3BODzLkBgtb~zrkCgo1jZ65WiT63e8jGWq5desUjdXeqlY~ExYxVp-ouKd5Dqdr5W~eU-P6oVasdXL6WUA02OxIfluPdO7BY3TqZ-Ug02IFJ~9yNLX7RT29bX0Xk8S13hcGMg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City staff on June 9 told the Pasco City Council that the utility 'upsize' program ' under which developers install larger water, sewer or irrigation mains to accommodate future growth ' will likely require increased allocations in the current biennial budget and asked the council for preliminary support so staff can reimburse projects carried out now.

Director Sarah (Public Works) explained that past biennial allocations for the program ranged from about $200,000 to $400,000; staff now recommend raising the water upsize allocation to $1.3 million and irrigation to $550,000 to cover commitments and likely near-term projects. Staff said these expenditures are typically funded from capital-expansion fees, but when fees are insufficient the cost can be borne temporarily by rates or reserves and later reconciled.

Because the city operates on a biennial budget, staff said they must confirm the legal mechanism for making reimbursements before September 1 without a formal mid-biennial ordinance. Staff proposed options such as an emergency appropriation or an interfund transfer; legal counsel and the auditor's procedures will determine an approach. Councilmembers asked staff to complete the legal review and return with a formal proposal; some members said they supported acting quickly because waiting could force developers to install undersized mains and later require costly reconstruction.

Councilmember Peralta voiced concern about setting a precedent without legal review; several councilmembers said they supported the policy goal of paying for upsized capacity now to avoid higher rework costs later, but asked staff to document the legal basis and controls (eligibility criteria, reimbursement timelines and reporting) before funds are disbursed.

In related items staff presented two sets of developer reimbursement agreements: reimbursement frameworks for water, sewer and irrigation improvements the city constructed in Broadmoor and for utility work at the A Street Sports Complex. Those agreements, if adopted, allocate future developer reimbursements from properties that benefit from those public improvements. Staff said these reimbursement agreements were structured under state law that allows developer reimbursement districts and that the agreements will be brought to the council for formal approval at the next regular meeting.

No appropriation was approved at the workshop. Staff committed to return with legal analysis of the emergency or interim-funding options, an ordinance if needed and template reimbursement agreements for council approval.","City staff on June 9 told the Pasco City Council that the utility upsize program will likely require increased allocations this biennium and asked the council for preliminary support so staff can reimburse developers who install larger mains now.",{"_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},6199677,"Council reviews $100,000 contract amendment for Lewis Street Overpass construction management; staff flags remaining warranty and punch-list work",559,5383000,5942000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3824443-023eff829e127fdb7ff590b258cc3ee3&start=5383&end=5942","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3824443-023eff829e127fdb7ff590b258cc3ee3/thumbnail_5383000.jpg","/articles/6199677/Pasco-City/Franklin-County/Washington/Council-reviews-100000-contract-amendment-for-Lewis-Street-Overpass-construction-management-staff-flags-remaining-warranty-and-punch-list-work","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6199677-566357469db3c07626c228135e0ab019/orig.mp4?Expires=1774923653&Signature=ZDKe~SK3QVlSvCRoU1lhdpmu0ql~9t~lAVLskD5eHMMGMe6yHR~bKuD871mCB33fKawf7x7xAOZuJw3A3KNTDmhMbCihMpuAESmnqNB2KFJAFu9DBjLZyahP5c4kI18pNAF8lhb8MqKCCBNtEKSjgxjBguA~r7EHbo-DEW~d7S4yr1TfLckpAs8fVmJJ9xwOxGTjdjiUE2fIkW0V8roq87zHxRpdhE8WtGMVeOYzoks-UHyaxyt6Cpx3HE8mh1bfH4mmSsGgvo3XAt8Y7vN1kdiFQCHyPIjm7P5AjDNfRxXJ1U-9kNryP74mwSXqbWlzy9Ljx8Ys3PjkcMNTZgSYyw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Pasco staff and the project construction manager told the council on June 9 that the Lewis Street overpass project is essentially complete for vehicle traffic but requires further warranty and punch-list work that will extend the construction contract and prompt a proposed amendment for additional construction-management services.

Michael Ullman, the city's project manager for the Lewis Street Overpass, said the bridge opened to traffic in April 2024 but the construction contract remains active while the contractor addresses cosmetic and functional corrective items. Ullman said recent work will include repair of cracking in some wall panels that Hill engineers have attributed to minor settlement, corrective action on expansion joints at each bridge end, final punch-list tasks and a plant-establishment period during which landscaping must be replaced as needed.

WSP, the project's construction manager, has requested a supplement (amendment) of about $100,000 for inspection and closeout services. Ullman noted the original WSP contract was about $1.85 million and that the amendment would raise overall CM fees to roughly $3.07 million, driven primarily by schedule extension and added scope; he said WSP's specialty scheduling and testing work helped mitigate larger delay costs during construction.

Ullman said the city has contract remedies available: liquidated damages and retained contract amounts that can be used to offset some CM costs. He and staff indicated some retainage remains and that parts of the contractor payment could be held until corrective work is complete. Councilmembers asked whether the project would require another council request; Ullman said the city expects this to be the final amendment and that the contractor has agreed to supply replacement materials and perform corrective work under the existing contract.

No contract amendment was executed at the workshop. Staff said they will return with final figures and will pursue offsets from the contractor to mitigate the requested CM amendment where appropriate; Ullman said corrective work will be staged to avoid full bridge closures, using single-lane traffic controls while repairs proceed.","Public-works staff and the project's construction-manager described remaining corrective work and plant establishment on the Lewis Street overpass, presented a proposed $100,000 amendment to the WSP construction-management contract and said the city will seek liquidated-damage offsets from the contractor where possible.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6199696,"Pasco council and planning commission begin 2026–2046 comprehensive plan update amid state mandates",3589,659000,4248000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3824443-023eff829e127fdb7ff590b258cc3ee3&start=659&end=4248","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3824443-023eff829e127fdb7ff590b258cc3ee3/thumbnail_659000.jpg","/articles/6199696/Pasco-City/Franklin-County/Washington/Pasco-council-and-planning-commission-begin-20262046-comprehensive-plan-update-amid-state-mandates","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6199696-43c7ed8eee8bf5e068362f7a04cca872/orig.mp4?Expires=1774923653&Signature=Zvpfvf0XMKUs-sU09~eXZyx03iKh3hXdtKNRFqhiXwcsvqo-GAh-1QWloSZ3uGai8RO9a2agK5NAyWDsF-9NNxtkKQRANHal9GFa8k8LHjkZYHNh0qTkq0piI1jhlmjw815SnGQMQYlTIAJlbmMrreHuVDim9g1TJ3xjWD5AwrycY3ErADhh2K~CxIVvPhAHEb9KZZht1qJXPzI3K0RpwR0JaPAg9pADrIqyooW6MoE7GiyBra5qiulm5yfcTUE-WJheZxdN2gyfYcjJjHld~DkjpoEMC5qoMdqaK0dhIWIjlkY4u8~0CAzfJq9BTRK1JGQJ1tMGNP4Smb3cNiLM6w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Pasco City officials on June 9 launched a two-year update to the city's comprehensive plan that will guide growth from 2026 through 2046, placing new state mandates and local public-engagement choices at the center of the work.

Director Erin Miller, the city's planning director, told the City Council and the Planning Commission that the update will incorporate recent state laws requiring cities to plan for housing by income bands (down to 0% AMI and up above 120% AMI), a new five-year progress review, and climate-change requirements that require greenhouse-gas tracking and other resilience measures. Miller said Framework, a planning consultant team including Jeff Arango and Hope Frye, is under contract to help complete the work with state grant funding.

The update matters because state law now requires cities to show capacity not just for overall housing totals but for specific income bands and housing types, Miller said. Pasco's new population allocation from Franklin County calls for a total of about 121,290 people by 2046 and nearly 19,000 housing units; Miller said the city must demonstrate available land capacity, zoning and development regulations that could accommodate that growth even if the market does not immediately build it.

Council members pressed staff on what authority the city has to push back against state targets. Councilmember Harpster said he was concerned that the state's projections and mandates \"undercut our local representation\" and asked whether the city could refuse the numbers and risk a lawsuit. Miller and consultant Arango said the practical options are limited: refusing to adopt a plan risks losing state and federal grant eligibility and would likely invite enforcement by the Washington State Department of Commerce. Miller recommended channels of advocacy to state lawmakers for policy changes but said the city must comply with state review and certification processes.

Councilmember Burrell asked how the city will track housing and population performance. Miller said permit reporting will be used to count units and estimate population via average household-size assumptions, and that the Department of Commerce and the regional council (BFCOG) will review the plan for compliance.

Miller described outreach plans that will include surveys, hybrid public meetings, stakeholder workshops and targeted outreach to Spanish- and Russian-speaking residents and other groups. Planning Commission Chair Jerry Cochran told the council the commission includes members with diverse views and emphasized the recurring balance the body weighs among property rights, developer interests, city priorities and livability.

The consultant team described the next steps: a land-capacity analysis to map vacant and underutilized parcels, an inventory of zoning that can produce units across the required AMI bands, a draft plan through early 2026 and final adoption and submission for Commerce certification. Miller said the final submittal is due by the end of 2026 and that the city had obtained grants to help fund consultant work.

Council members discussed whether to hold a joint council/Planning Commission meeting to establish priorities early in the process. Several members favored a joint kickoff later in the summer or fall to avoid rework; the planning commission chair said he needed more time to review the materials before joining a joint session.

Miller and the consultants encouraged residents to participate during the outreach windows; she noted that local code changes made earlier had already eased accessory dwelling-unit rules and that the city is evaluating traffic-impact fees, SEPA exemptions and parking reforms required under recent state legislation.

The council took no formal action at the workshop; staff will return with further drafts, schedules and outreach plans for the Planning Commission and Council to review during the update process.","City planning director Erin Miller and consultants from Framework kicked off Pasco's comprehensive plan update, outlining new state requirements for housing by income bands, climate resilience, five-year progress checks and changes to parking rules; council members pressed staff on state authority, timing and public engagement.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council weighs one-time beer-garden waiver for park event, asks for non-consent review and police/fire details

Pasco seeks ways to ease sprinkler and occupancy rules for downtown events while stressing safety

Pasco staff asks council's informal go-ahead to fund larger utility mains now and seek formal budget amendment later

Council reviews $100,000 contract amendment for Lewis Street Overpass construction management; staff flags remaining warranty and punch-list work

Pasco council and planning commission begin 2026–2046 comprehensive plan update amid state mandates