[{"_1":2,"_98":-5,"_99":-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",[32,75,86],{"_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",6654661,"mediaKeyId","5459527-50803637c9889620b0075ac2984b9f93","parentId",5459527,"title","City manager proposes administrative policy for council letters of support; council asks for clarification","audioSeconds",258,"startMs",6164000,"endMs",6422000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5459527-50803637c9889620b0075ac2984b9f93&start=6164&end=6422","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5459527-50803637c9889620b0075ac2984b9f93/thumbnail_6164000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6654661/Richland/Benton-County/Washington/City-manager-proposes-administrative-policy-for-council-letters-of-support-council-asks-for-clarification","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6654661-880e810bd8c5084224bb2adcc968ada4/orig.mp4?Expires=1771119358&Signature=njWEHPqUm1h9OSK846kovodUHQzR9Qa6cUNiRNhDsFD69FdcMho6ersTYZF3slDJIWluYt1WwKFpz2SHAvOcNJNQHyDhDdEmfjhUx7xi30UEpxyDIUI8fp2sSl1rs60Rd4ujbeUkcjtY7oCMQalgD~g~~5hSmlWu0CtpcTyXCHCpkOjgcafmvE3meEetarcqvdaIHnfixHJ1ZNj~~d4LnB6RiKOWrdGzZskto1PbX9I4JwfKTQYEisYeKJEtfm0nGO0nN-VbQbym0M5Xkgb69WvM0tPL6J0yXxWeq0sZOVcrc4JDaXaNqurzbvYQu08ZMp~9wYUqc9WZMDaXUZ0K~g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Richland","date","2025-07-22T00:00:00Z","article","City Manager Jer Amundsen presented a draft administrative approach to how the City of Richland will handle requests for official letters of support during the July 22 workshop.

Amundsen said the intent is to centralize requests through the city manager’s office, classify items as routine or non‑routine, and provide a consistent, timely process. Under the proposal, routine requests (examples: support letters for grant applications from partner agencies, or for appointments consistent with the city's legislative agenda) would be routed to the city manager. The manager would notify council members and provide the text; council members would have a three‑day window to object. If no objection is received, staff would assume concurrence and sign the letter on official city letterhead with the mayor’s signature. Non‑routine or controversial requests (for example, requests that do not align with prior city positions or that touch on matters outside typical city services) would be placed on a council agenda for deliberation.

Amundsen said the policy would also clarify that individual council members, including the mayor, should not send official correspondence purporting to represent the city unless expressly authorized by council. He proposed the policy be adopted administratively under the city’s authority to create administrative policies in the municipal code.

Council members asked clarifying questions about the definition of \"official correspondence,\" the process for filtering high‑volume external requests, and how staff would identify items that should be fast‑tracked to the agenda. Several members said they trust staff discretion but asked that staff continue to provide examples and clear notification when staff signs on to routine letters. Council member Kent asked for clarity that official correspondence would use city letterhead and the mayor's signature. City Manager Amundsen said he would return with a formal administrative policy for council consideration and that staff would continue to use discretion in screening requests.

Amundsen framed the approach as a way to achieve consistency while preserving the council’s prerogative to deliberate on matters that fall outside routine municipal business.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Richland - Special City Council Workshop - Jul 22, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","City Manager Jer Amundsen proposed a standardized administrative policy to manage requests for official letters of support; staff would send routine items to council with a short objection window and place controversial requests on the agenda for deliberation.","taxTitle","Richland , Benton County, Washington","taxId",5097,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":44,"_47":80,"_49":81,"_51":82,"_53":83,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":84,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":85,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6654665,"Richland hearing on parking study: consultant urges code changes, council split on citywide abolition",5616,548000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5459527-50803637c9889620b0075ac2984b9f93&start=548&end=6164","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5459527-50803637c9889620b0075ac2984b9f93/thumbnail_548000.jpg","/articles/6654665/Richland/Benton-County/Washington/Richland-hearing-on-parking-study-consultant-urges-code-changes-council-split-on-citywide-abolition","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6654665-c42f68d1f4c8eaec807c8cc2d4b9a097/orig.mp4?Expires=1771119358&Signature=BRvFAfEh~scyw-zrkHftw~Bg-6LTcrzp064O0anK2~xmOmo6H-wigvGJBJ6ujSvKCblZMqv9P-rnIXb6ZLxY8OdPnaVg7V99yYE5YQnqzX0YIW4cfNgKC1np1kUl-u0ldN6W4i-O99phtnnU0HqyJJ-9cPQr2vtRWs~StkCrlaVYQvNkbNP1x83kmnD8tmXMIesGTj1Ax~AZzoNBnBe49OLXK1PWKuXRDiVfvrpyRXPkTanYQHf1ou-vQPxLvABP-VUFZmukVKpF-nYr0OnhgJYOwHbR1iqAF~6Mb5KDP-IklPi9QW7w3W76dUlcwI-e6I0MsdDWRYIGy7jfVCF3vA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Kimley Horn consultant Robert Farrin presented the results of a parking optimization study to the Richland City Council on July 22, outlining findings from stakeholder outreach, a review of city code and a recent state law change and offering regulatory and parking management options.

The consultant summarized existing parking utilization in Richland’s central business district (CBD): off‑street parking utilization peaked around 50% and averaged about 38%, while on‑street utilization peaked near 26% and averaged about 20%, indicating substantial underused supply in the CBD. He also said recent state legislation (Senate Bill 5184, effective July 27) requires cities to remove certain parking minimums and reduces residential parking requirements for many multifamily units.

Farrin recommended the city move first to implement the statutory changes required by SB 5184 (within 18 months) and then consider abolishing vehicle parking minimums in the CBD. He outlined three regulatory options: (1) adopt required state changes and consolidate the use table, (2) abolish CBD minimums, and (3) in a later phase, consider abolition citywide after broader public engagement. Complementary parking‑management measures recommended included: wayfinding and signage to underused public lots; on‑street space delineation; phased expansion of time limits and enforcement; and, if demand grows, alternative curb uses and pricing.

Code‑level recommendations included consolidating the zoning use table to simplify parking rules, allowing shared parking without a Board of Adjustment review up to a 25% cap, defining a 500‑foot radius for counting off‑site shared parking toward minimums, explicitly allowing valet/tandem to count toward requirements, clarifying that EV charging spaces can count toward minimums, and raising minimum bicycle parking from five to 10 spaces in certain locations. Farrin also proposed, as a future option, an in‑lieu fee for parking that could fund wayfinding or management programs.

Stakeholder outreach — meetings with agencies, businesses, the planning commission and a public session — found most participants did not report persistent difficulty finding parking; the top public requests were improved wayfinding and safer pedestrian and bike infrastructure. Farrin said cities that remove minimums often must then manage on‑street parking more proactively (time limits, enforcement, paid parking) as demand grows.

Council reaction was mixed. Council members Meyer, Kent and others argued for more aggressive action — some supported citywide abolition of parking minimums — saying market forces and consultants’ findings indicate developers will provide appropriate parking and that minimums have hindered downtown redevelopment. Other members, including Council members Van Dyke and Witten, voiced caution about moving citywide immediately, raised concerns about impacts on caregivers and seniors and stressed the need for monitoring and staged implementation.

City Manager Jer Amundsen and staff asked for clearer direction so they could return with a consolidated code change package rather than multiple permutations. Amundsen described a proposed administrative path for staff to draft a single ordinance or ordinance set based on council preference and to present cost and implementation impacts. Several council members requested built‑in evaluation or review points (for example, a 3‑year review) and that staff identify measurable triggers for enforcement, time limits or paid parking.

Quotes taken from the meeting: consultant Robert Farrin said, \"There are certain uses that will no longer have parking minimum requirements.\" Deputy City Manager Joe Schissel summarized earlier parking counts: \"the BFCOG did that study for us.\" Mayor Richardson closed the procedural vote on the earlier item saying, \"All those in favor, say aye.\" (See provenance for transcript lines.)

Staff will consolidate council feedback and return with code language and an implementation plan; council did not adopt an ordinance at this meeting.","Consultant Kimley Horn presented a parking optimization study and recommended code updates to comply with new state law and consider abolishing minimum vehicle parking requirements in the Central Business District; council members expressed mixed views on whether to go citywide, and staff was asked to return with a consolidated proposal.",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":89,"_43":90,"_45":91,"_47":92,"_49":93,"_51":94,"_53":95,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":96,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":97,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6654670,"Richland council appoints pro‑ and con‑committee members for charter‑district ballot pamphlet",391,39000,430000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5459527-50803637c9889620b0075ac2984b9f93&start=39&end=430","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5459527-50803637c9889620b0075ac2984b9f93/thumbnail_39000.jpg","/articles/6654670/Richland/Benton-County/Washington/Richland-council-appoints-pro-and-concommittee-members-for-charterdistrict-ballot-pamphlet","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6654670-e8f216de5d92045855ec0e00d1973865/orig.mp4?Expires=1771119358&Signature=aaeRKSMxRVU594bGiA8yUhxsNMZPCi6CNLSmnoHKcwj0iOF2MaIK13POywqwC4tmfgQ~G6N8Oh0Uomyh9dxQD8SwqRt2V3Wdc3AxEF7XK8u90W3-nq6NS4YDx3J~Tj454gswdKR~3PTPvQugpMXDezqnUZ9Id1LTk6TbEbU2I1V7oNxZWZcaBbopFnejusMGYS-GZJjIXC5D5G-T6kE7QpJ~qLHnAHrZnQmFmLTlmOm25bok6Ww5v2hCcluJhzASoYogAgyJ-RUs2nuUQh31fd0vgp5b3CNQ40GEEGD0Y~f1Y7J50EMpX2GjqGVEe7PEy3~I0mnPZjWn8tmtjFJJ-g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Richland City Council on July 22 appointed six community members — three to a pro committee and three to a con committee — whose names will appear in the voters' pamphlet for a proposed charter amendment to create voting districts.

The appointments fulfill a provision in state election law governing who may be listed on the official voters' pamphlet; the council said the goal was to reach consensus on three names for each side so those names can be published in accordance with RCW 29A.32.2803.

The council moved to accept the first three applicants received for each committee. The pro committee names listed from the applications packet were Reagan Faylor, Karen Heide and Tim Taylor; the con committee names listed were Andrew Rice, Dean Gano and Trudy Prince. Council members voted by voice; Mayor Richardson called for the ayes and no members opposed.

Council members said the listing on the pamphlet would not preclude other community members from consulting with anyone they choose while drafting their pamphlet statements.

The action concluded the special‑meeting portion of the evening and the council then proceeded to the workshop portion of its agenda.

The council did not take any other formal action on the underlying charter petition at this meeting; the appointment was limited to naming the community members to be listed in the voters' pamphlet.","The Richland City Council appointed three pro and three con community members to be listed in the voters' pamphlet for a proposed charter amendment to create voting districts, acting under state rules for pamphlet statements.","actionData","errors"]

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City manager proposes administrative policy for council letters of support; council asks for clarification

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Richland council appoints pro‑ and con‑committee members for charter‑district ballot pamphlet