[{"_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",6496139,"mediaKeyId","5776767-d187e9c0629a7eda625341a6d51af0f8","parentId",5776767,"title","Residents raise speeding, animal-control, feral-cat and trail-safety concerns during public comment","audioSeconds",304,"startMs",2656000,"endMs",2960000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5776767-d187e9c0629a7eda625341a6d51af0f8&start=2656&end=2960","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5776767-d187e9c0629a7eda625341a6d51af0f8/thumbnail_2656000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6496139/Richland/Benton-County/Washington/Residents-raise-speeding-animal-control-feral-cat-and-trail-safety-concerns-during-public-comment","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6496139-00b6a5459a5348d0e97e418ffe2d5f9d/orig.mp4?Expires=1770448179&Signature=k5Vn5qeD~8u8k2UW53udOFDh0szFjxuHjvOoNhEztfPlf3T1zU8ZvDpNUmesZ3rsnlwAcTbxG50Cnmq6Zy0xIr2ur3nPJ53rerzb8ONFk0QzPy9q2PEs7nr~3jSZBomiDTs9Y5JV4P3Kq4aBe1l1py1RKP7jeqUcFZQdRA68zadh1DUg4gb8fXyOFrrJjbmLVaDA64~Bv7bQUAEs23G9230JUZ0ohNKxswnAFMUsL6ic6zr0L3r6rNXi-tT0tzogyp1ll~fSxxoI9CBdJ~L7j1E1Anp6Vv3YKZK8TbNgJwXmZ~0YMTNERqYtxcPnYCXvJ8IwU64lWOFCIlHfkPPlkw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Richland","date","2025-09-16T00:00:00Z","article","Several residents used the Sept. 16 public-comment period at the Richland City Council meeting to raise neighborhood safety and public-space concerns ranging from speeding and trail safety to animal-control response and feral cats.

Tanglewood speeding petition: Dr. Erickson, a Tanglewood resident, told council that Riverstone Drive and Tanglewood Drive provide the only access to the Tanglewood community and that those streets have minimal traffic-calming treatments (Riverstone with one stop sign, Tanglewood with none). He said neighborhood residents gathered a petition with 40 signatures and asked for follow-up from the city's transportation and development manager to evaluate traffic calming options.

Animal-control response and dog attacks: Colleen Spadoni related recent attacks or aggressive incidents involving pit bulls near Harris and Spangler and said she had called dispatch and that animal-control did not answer when dispatch attempted to contact that service; she said no officer or animal-control responder arrived and she raised alarm about response protocols. Several council members later said they have heard multiple animal-control complaints and suggested a review of service-level expectations and agreements with contracted animal-control providers.

Feral cats and public nuisance: Martin Brown told council that a neighbor was caring for dozens of cats near Columbia Center Mall and said he is concerned about a growing population and municipal costs associated with capture and spay/neuter returns. He referenced municipal code but did not identify a specific enforcement step he sought at the meeting.

Trail and path concerns: Ken Peterson raised multiple concerns about the Riverfront Trail between Howard Amon Park and Leslie Groves Park, saying tree roots were causing humps in new asphalt in multiple places and that invasive Russian-olive trees are overtaking waterfront sight lines. He also raised safety concerns about scooters and e-bikes travelling at speed without helmets and urged enforcement and better safety messaging.

Parks access and neighborhood safety: Dr. Erickson and other commenters noted that constrained access points to parks (Drollinger Park, W.E. Johnson Park) increase safety exposure for pedestrians and that vehicle speed and lack of stop-control endangers park users.

City response and next steps: after public comment, council members acknowledged the issues, thanked speakers and requested follow-up. Council member Weier specifically asked for a broader review of animal-control service levels and off-hours response protocols. Staff indicated petitions and contact forms are routed to the transportation and development manager for evaluation; Dr. Erickson said residents planned to stay to discuss next steps with staff.

No formal council action occurred during the meeting on the matters raised; comments were accepted for follow up by staff where appropriate.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Richland - City Council","oneSentenceSummary","During public comment residents reported speeding in Tanglewood, multiple pit-bull incidents and unresponsiveness from animal control, feral-cat overpopulation, and tree-root damage and safety issues on the Riverfront Trail.","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},6496142,"Council approves consent calendar including ordinances, resolutions and appointments (7-0)",234,3404000,3638000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5776767-d187e9c0629a7eda625341a6d51af0f8&start=3404&end=3638","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5776767-d187e9c0629a7eda625341a6d51af0f8/thumbnail_3404000.jpg","/articles/6496142/Richland/Benton-County/Washington/Council-approves-consent-calendar-including-ordinances-resolutions-and-appointments-7-0","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6496142-776830205942012c7b20d9dc55a2c4a4/orig.mp4?Expires=1770448179&Signature=FhyiUbcum2faBOF8-y3ODcEC7ssqo000P0eoIZD7RIYJarnYIixliWkHPCNKB~GGXcbPfFfnzOYDndsQzBcMj9l5OKfTRohsxqjkDEsd1ts8bOM0mqp8hki0NEPqe9xVVYOC5jk57NTrsFKQM7H4i-PP2CBrze-eiIvoHsZsn7hvZy1hrQZgBVC4giXQfOokc25qLnXVBbg8EvlwELf1G3-jWyYyMGe-bgPyY1K8xmLDDoLJIUSzR5f9NIxZfkgr2pnQ8Qm3Y7Xt4PQ2JYsUr7x6BhtWrCcLX0W7z3vQsK-7VTjdGpjNWAyGMywzjNZUlE9L4yd2zDzGLXiiosXf-Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Richland City Council approved the consent calendar at its Sept. 16 meeting by roll call vote, 7-0. Clerk Rogers read the consent items aloud; council approved minutes, ordinances for second reading and passage, multiple resolutions authorizing contracts and grants, several board and committee appointments and expenditures.

Items listed on the consent calendar (as read into the record) included approval of the Aug. 19 regular meeting minutes and Aug. 26 workshop minutes; first-reading ordinance 2025-24 amending chapter 2.04 of the Richland Municipal Code related to city manager delegation of authority; second-reading and passage of ordinance 2025-21 amending chapter 13.06 related to medical and ambulance service utility fees; and ordinance 2025-22 establishing and dedicating right-of-way for a segment of Gage Boulevard.

Resolutions adopted by consent included:
- Resolution 2025-113 ratifying the Tri-Cities Home Consortium interlocal agreement for program years 2026\t6 2028.
- Resolution 2025-114 authorizing change order No. 6 with Apollo Inc. for the wastewater treatment plant waste gas burner and boiler replacement project.
- Resolution 2025-115 authorizing a grant agreement with the U.S. Department of Transportation for Safe Streets and Roads for All funding.
- Resolution 2025-116 authorizing change order No. 3 with Ellison Earthworks LLC for the Stevens Drive reconstruction project.
- Resolution 2025-117 authorizing amendment No. 1 to the consultant agreement with Great West Engineering Inc. for Horn Rapids Landfill Phase 2 Expansion.
- Resolution 2025-118 authorizing a consultant agreement with Morrison-Maierle, Inc. for Water Facilities Energy Resiliency Improvements.
- Resolution 2025-119 authorizing purchase agreement with Virginia Transformer Corporation for two transformers for the Sandhill Crane Substation.
- Resolution 2025-120 authorizing repurchase of property owned by Madison Holdings LLC at 2621 Robertson Drive.

Appointments and administrative actions on the calendar included appointments to the Americans with Disabilities Act Citizens Review Committee, Richland Public Library Board of Trustees and the Lodging Tax Advisory Committee, and appointments to the Utility Advisory Committee. The consent expenditures reported for Aug. 1\t6 31 totaled $34,002,643 and $71 (as read).

The motion to approve the consent calendar was made, seconded and adopted by roll call: Mayor Richardson, Mayor Pro Tem Kent and council members voted Aye; the clerk recorded the outcome as 7-0.

","Council approved the consent calendar by roll call (7-0), enacting minutes, ordinances for second reading and passage, multiple resolutions for project contracts and grants, board appointments and expenditures totaling $34,002,643 (and $71) for August.",{"_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},6496148,"Richland Chamber credits Cool Desert Nights with tourism bump; estimates $1M—6 $1.8M economic impact",562,508000,1070000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5776767-d187e9c0629a7eda625341a6d51af0f8&start=508&end=1070","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5776767-d187e9c0629a7eda625341a6d51af0f8/thumbnail_508000.jpg","/articles/6496148/Richland/Benton-County/Washington/Richland-Chamber-credits-Cool-Desert-Nights-with-tourism-bump-estimates-1M6-18M-economic-impact","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6496148-e6c1ab9b477cdf78a66271b3c7a0349a/orig.mp4?Expires=1770448179&Signature=CNzrGB6G9K6gZr~A7maME5jsaacFjD000yNkPNu7OBmdcsh5s7CW7dSetdrydu54vG7Hoj2iTyIG-3QYU7vkZdiFjcnB~QG76U3t-z6fbA6Qpi-4oT1~BeWB7eNR7-t3sePE~ffJfgY-h9EIItvPTEkBBxcZSDliUBCNun2cvxlo-1KIuyouaSD8yM8JHIDYo28S9f5UVQw1X5o1ODQYlhWtIH6J-PPHslOubYowI0Nm7OLtHTdOGcjlAhw8NMPSVskfwRRR0epapJweK00npqn5nutUwBS1ulP4VgLnrKDHe-8UTm4iD5xignpUWAQAG5De6Ns45xSCFUyaJMqOfg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Julie Piper, Richland's recreation manager, and Chandra Christensen, president of the Richland Chamber of Commerce, presented a 2025 recap of Cool Desert Nights to the council on Sept. 16, saying the two-day car event remains a multigenerational draw and contributes to local lodging, retail and restaurant spending.

Chandra Christensen said the Chamber took over the event two years earlier to ensure continuity and reported estimated attendance of 10,000 to 12,000 people across two days and about 600 registered cars. Christensen said direct spending tracked during the event (lodging, restaurants, vendors) was roughly $1 million and that a broader, all-inclusive estimated economic impact was about $1.8 million.

Chamber plans and city partnership: presenters thanked the city for street closures, traffic control and parks coordination, and said the event helps generate business-and-occupation (B&O) tax revenue. Christensen said the Chamber is working on future changes including added interactive features for attendees (a possible car crawl, expanded food options such as a barbecue competition) and a new Richland Chamber \"business boost\" grant funded from event and membership revenue to help local businesses with emergencies and small capital needs.

Council members praised the Chamber. Council member Meyer said the Chamber \"saved\" the tradition and that the event is a significant community asset for tourism and family activities.

There was no council action; the item was informational and presenters invited questions and community feedback.","Richland Chamber leaders and parks staff reviewed the Cool Desert Nights car show: estimated 10,000\t12,000 attendees across two days, 600 registrants, and direct spending estimates roughly $1 million with a broader economic impact estimate of about $1.8 million.",{"_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},6496153,"Ironman Tri-Cities returns Sunday; city details closures, aid stations and volunteer needs",387,1278000,1665000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5776767-d187e9c0629a7eda625341a6d51af0f8&start=1278&end=1665","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5776767-d187e9c0629a7eda625341a6d51af0f8/thumbnail_1278000.jpg","/articles/6496153/Richland/Benton-County/Washington/Ironman-Tri-Cities-returns-Sunday-city-details-closures-aid-stations-and-volunteer-needs","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6496153-818c49d0b8cd5ecf84b60157f326c691/orig.mp4?Expires=1770448179&Signature=M4-so~jgp1Yn75DTBYi1aMspnF-d0OtadkKzlr2g6DbAMJzso8xVbsl42IfufIv0CNKvs8uZt9XZPwiu7SLbWg1OBMkl1DJG7-pgHLfzWoqfeyMyNpYZ3OX8KZnOCsInbnENte0gIZjbLUobXSn3IIubYd~FiYe-VQjlJ0MiYtNvpm6ggo1gBDmrNMBlQqyaC9Mm37J6mc4WddhP4VVYkI8gr3toNoU0zEDhcCjBFUg8jjoCNVI0duJ9kc1DVG1YgIURnbZmxB5UZnICpGZjkOSNijGNo8SS8fOmPjEVNHJx9r5PiXgKlciLjPGGwnbp6dvGU~GUJEJD9nT8wifQiA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Julie Piper, Richland's recreation manager, and Ironman staff presented details of the Ironman Tri-Cities event to the council on Sept. 16, describing the swim start, single transition layout, traffic impacts and volunteer needs for the race scheduled the coming Sunday.

Piper said the swim starts at Howard Amon Park and finishes at Columbia Point Marina Park, where a single transition area is located. Ironman staff described the swim as 1.2 miles from Howard Amon Park to Columbia Point Marina and a 56-mile bike course that uses George Washington Way, State Route 240 and Queensgate, with a run course that follows the Riverfront Trail to a turnaround near WSU Tri-Cities and the Port of Benton property.

Planned impacts and logistics: North Amon Boat Launch and Columbia Point Marina Park will be closed on race day; Cedar Street boat launch and River Road access will also be closed for parts of the morning. Piper described rolling lane closures with checkpoints and cutoff times that reopen intersections as athlete groups clear them. Fire, EMS and water assets will stage at northern launch points to support the swim extraction and aid stations. Piper told council the event uses a single transition site, which Ironman and staff find operationally favorable.

Scale and staffing: Piper and Ironman staff said the field was roughly 2,200 athletes last year and that the event attracted many volunteers and spectators; staff estimated up to several thousand spectators and said volunteers will be briefed before the race. Volunteer coordinator Jen Zabel and race director Brian Mace were introduced at the meeting.

Traffic and communications: The city and Ironman emphasized an updated interactive route map on the Visit Tri-Cities website, about 265 variable message signs deployed along the route, mailers, utility billing inserts and a traffic-impact hotline to answer residents' questions. Piper said Visit Tri-Cities and other partners helped coordinate across cities, the port and regional agencies to address routing and timing.

Operational lessons for 2025: Piper reviewed coordination challenges from year one (communications, parking \"bubble\" in Central Richland that trapped some volunteers and attendees) and said planners revised the bike course and improved stakeholder outreach. Ironman will provide a shuttle for Columbia Point businesses and staff until 11 p.m. on race day, Piper said.

Council comments were broadly appreciative. Council member Van Dyke thanked staff for visiting Boise to review other races' transition setups; Council member Witten noted Tri-Cities ranked highly in athlete popularity last year. Piper encouraged residents to volunteer and used video highlights from last year to show the event scale.

There was no council action on the presentation; the item was informational and staff asked residents to consult the interactive maps and the event hotline for day-of questions.

","City staff and Ironman organizers briefed council on swim, bike and run course logistics, expected impacts on access and parking, volunteer needs and communications for the event scheduled the coming Sunday.",{"_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},6496158,"Council directs staff to draft ordinance replacing $20 car-tab fee with 0.1% sales tax for transportation district",2743,3997000,6740000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5776767-d187e9c0629a7eda625341a6d51af0f8&start=3997&end=6740","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5776767-d187e9c0629a7eda625341a6d51af0f8/thumbnail_3997000.jpg","/articles/6496158/Richland/Benton-County/Washington/Council-directs-staff-to-draft-ordinance-replacing-20-car-tab-fee-with-01-sales-tax-for-transportation-district","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6496158-3c0d8fc3573e35226eace34cb943748d/orig.mp4?Expires=1770448179&Signature=eEk2aVVnaQJVpFvBtdoDQQnIkY7Nv9t6l3ZFQ8XmBm11ZXLAHCDvttZpihsWWE4d4MZ-gUhWhV8WcHZQDF1Hs5WkI9aiFpobLKHad~BHkRt7opebOecPnEDF29VhCUeoDjp07~QA9Wf~na4ZVm0wycfk-AHNIESXQvHVFvK5oXkBB3-qqVpbyPmaVidN1Wa-vCLcV7DBf0xxmY3kuVZZFsNg2zbaC5dPtN3pFpXEVhk8ZuqNzewIN7Zqe1EoYrpFCYDHaSj8MrDmBPFdniOxjWJ4zlIfulLszdCaMEruWiQdsKeWxBmZfTeDOLYI3euuA9fiiMSltbU~Mn4OE2wp5g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City Manager John Amundsen told the Richland City Council on Sept. 16 that he recommends replacing the city's $20 annual vehicle registration fee with a 0.1% local sales tax dedicated to the Transportation Benefit District to better fund pavement preservation.

Amundsen said the city maintains about 650 center lane miles and targets a pavement condition index (PCI) of about 70\t6 to 75. He told council that reaching and sustaining that PCI requires roughly $4 million annually and that the current $20 car-tab fee produces about $1 million a year, leaving the city to fill the gap with general fund transfers, real estate excise tax (REET) and periodic reserve drawdowns.

The city manager said a 0.1% sales tax (\"one-tenth of one percent,\" about 1\u0000cent on $10) would generate an estimated $2.25 million annually based on historical sales-tax performance and would capture spending by visitors and commuters as well as residents. \"This broadens the payer base to commuters and visitors, provides higher dedicated revenue, aligns better with growth, and still keeps some of the general fund and REET support in the mix at reduced levels,\" Amundsen said.

Why it matters: council members said they favor shifting the funding burden away from a flat per-vehicle fee that does not scale with inflation or nonresident use of Richland streets. Council member Luxon called the change \"a net decrease to our citizens in the tax burden.\" Council member Meyer said a sales-tax approach avoids repeated fights to raise a flat fee later and better shares costs with those who use city roads.

Details and trade-offs presented to council included a five-year comparison that, according to staff, would have generated about $11.7 million on a 0.1% sales tax versus about $6.2 million from the car-tab fee over the same period. The analysis cited an average year-over-year sales-tax growth of about 6.4% since 2019 versus 1.2% growth for the vehicle fee. Amundsen also noted new large retail generators such as Costco (estimated conservatively to add roughly $800,000 in sales tax) and CarMax under construction, saying the estimate does not yet include their future contributions.

Equity and exemptions: staff noted that several common purchases are exempt from sales tax (groceries, prescription drugs, utilities, gasoline and real estate). Amundsen's household-level examples suggested most households would pay less under a sales-tax approach than they do now via the flat $20-per-vehicle charge; his analysis used HUD area median income figures for Richland ($105,600 for a family of four in 2025) and estimated taxable-spending patterns across income tiers.

Legal and procedural notes: Amundsen cited RCW 82.14.0455 (the state law authorizing transportation benefit districts to adopt a sales tax) as the enabling statute and noted the city council serves as the governing board of the Transportation Benefit District. He said a council ordinance and Department of Revenue notice are required to implement the tax; to hit a January 1 start date the city would have had to notify the Department of Revenue by Oct. 17, so staff recommended an April 1, 2026 implementation if council directs staff to proceed.

Council direction: after questions and discussion about transparency, impacts on low-income households, the city's existing financial commitments and timing, council asked staff to prepare an ordinance, implementation timeline and public communications materials demonstrating how the revenue would be spent to sustain the PCI target. Amundsen said the ordinance could be returned to council by the end of the year and would take effect April 1, 2026 if adopted on that schedule. Mayor Richardson and multiple council members supported sending the proposal back to staff for drafting.

What the council did not do: there was no formal vote to adopt the tax during the Sept. 16 meeting; the council's action was direction to staff to draft and return an ordinance and timeline for consideration.

Looking ahead: staff will return with the ordinance and an implementation schedule; if the sales tax is adopted it would initially run up to 10 years and be subject to future council review and potential extension.

","City Manager John Amundsen recommended replacing the $20 vehicle registration fee with a 0.1% local sales tax dedicated to the Transportation Benefit District to increase steady funding for pavement preservation; council asked staff to return with an ordinance and implementation timeline.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Residents raise speeding, animal-control, feral-cat and trail-safety concerns during public comment

Council approves consent calendar including ordinances, resolutions and appointments (7-0)

Richland Chamber credits Cool Desert Nights with tourism bump; estimates $1M—6 $1.8M economic impact

Ironman Tri-Cities returns Sunday; city details closures, aid stations and volunteer needs

Council directs staff to draft ordinance replacing $20 car-tab fee with 0.1% sales tax for transportation district