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Council updates: Tri‑Cities veterans cemetery narrows to two sites; recycling and federal advocacy discussed
Summary
Council and staff reported progress on the Tri‑Cities Veterans Cemetery site selection, discussed regional recycling challenges for lithium batteries, and recapped federal meetings on Hanford funding and Bonneville Power Administration issues.
Community Development Director Eric Mendenhall and Council member Mays Hayes provided updates at the March 18 meeting on the Tri‑Cities Veterans Cemetery and related outreach work. Mendenhall said he has been in ongoing contact with Washington State Department of Veterans Affairs staff (David Puente) and that the cemetery site selection is competitive with Richland; he said the state will make the final decision. Mendenhall said he is optimistic because West Richland’s proposed site may be easier to acquire and that the city is presenting its best option to state officials.
Council member Mays Hayes said the cemetery effort has been narrowed to two candidate locations. Hayes noted a February report and said another update is expected in April from Olympia. Hayes said a donation form has been created; donations collected before construction will be routed through Medical Lake and designated for the Tri‑Cities Veterans Cemetery. Hayes also listed upcoming outreach and fundraising presences: the Hogs and Dogs event at Columbia Point (June 26), Cool Desert Nights (June 27–28) and the Port of Benton gathering on June 14.
Council member Richard (Blum) Bloom reported on SWAC (Solid Waste Advisory Committee) discussions, highlighting concerns about proper disposal and recycling of lithium batteries. Bloom said lithium batteries are the primary cause of large fires inside haulers’ trucks and that the moderate solid-waste facility is not yet prepared to accept them; he said Batteries Plus is taking lithium batteries and that the committee plans education and coordination for safe handling.
Mayor Pro Tem Fred Brink said he attended the National League of Cities congressional conference in Washington, D.C., where he and city representatives met with state and federal officials to discuss Hanford cleanup funding and potential cutbacks at the Department of Energy and possible impacts from Bonneville Power Administration changes. Brink said city representatives emphasized the risk of federal cutbacks to local operations and that Hanford office leadership has been in contact with congressional offices to minimize impacts.
