Votes at a glance: West Richland council approves consent items, a preliminary plat and a budget amendment; accepts state grant for large backup generator

At its September meeting the West Richland City Council approved a set of routine and substantive items. Major actions included: adoption of the consent agenda (several franchise ordinances and interlocal agreements); preliminary plat approval for the Champion subdivision proposed by Tri County Partners / Habitat for Humanity; a biennial budget amendment; and acceptance of a state commerce grant for a 600 kW backup generator at the municipal services campus.

Key votes and outcomes

- Consent agenda (multiple ordinances, resolutions and motions): Approved by voice vote. Items listed in the meeting packet included: ordinances granting franchise agreements (Kennewick Irrigation District and an internet service provider), Resolution 33‑25 (authorize mayor to execute purchase & sale with 7HA Family LLC regarding a potential Veterans Cemetery site), Resolution 34‑25 (interlocal agreement with Benton County for solid waste management, calendar years 2025–2027), settlement/release participation and related motions (various pharmaceutical settlements), and grant/engineering agreements related to UIC stormwater guidance development. Outcome: approved; motion to approve consent agenda carried.

- PLAT‑001‑2025, “Champion” preliminary plat (Tri County Partners / Habitat for Humanity): Motion to approve passed. Planning staff reported the property is 2.55 acres proposed for 18 lots, zoned RM‑6 and within the city’s medium‑density comprehensive plan designation; the city issued a SEPA mitigated determination of nonsignificance. Outcome: approved (motion carried).

- Ordinance amending the 2025–26 biennial budget (Ordinance 22‑25): Council recognized sale revenue for a short plat and appropriated funds for property acquisition related to a potential VA cemetery (99.9 acres purchase contingency) and recognized state stormwater grant and a water SDC project contribution; total net increase to appropriations was reflected in the ordinance. Outcome: adopted (motion carried).

- Motion to authorize the mayor to execute a Commerce grant agreement for the Municipal Services Facility backup power generator (state appropriation): Motion to accept the grant and move forward with design and procurement for a large generator (scope consistent with city legislative priorities and the adopted CIP) passed; Council member Richard Bloom recorded a dissenting vote. Outcome: approved; vote recorded (1 no).

What else the record shows

- The council amended the agenda early in the meeting and carried the amended consent agenda by voice vote. - The preliminary plat discussion included staff responses regarding Columbia Irrigation District water rights (the parcel lies inside the irrigation district boundary but has no irrigation water right) and a condition to address possible shrub‑steppe habitat per WRMC 18.25 and state guidance; Basin Disposal (solid waste franchise) raised collection logistics for internal private drives.

Votes and actions (structured)

1) Action: Approve consent agenda (multiple ordinances/resolutions/motions) - kind: other - identifiers: {agenda_item_id: "consent"} - motion: "Approve the consent agenda as amended and read." - mover/second: not specified in the record - vote_record: [{member:"Council","vote":"yes"}] (voice vote recorded as unanimous) - tally: {yes:7,no:0,abstain:0} - outcome: "approved" - notes: "Consent agenda included Ordinance(s) granting franchise agreements, Res. 33‑25, Res. 34‑25, several settlement/release forms, and grant/engineering motions for UIC stormwater guidance."

2) Action: Approve PLAT‑001‑2025 (Champion preliminary plat) - kind: other - identifiers: {agenda_item_id:"PLAT-001-2025", project_slug:"champion"} - motion: "Approve preliminary plat PLAT‑001‑2025 Champion based upon findings of fact, conclusions of law, and conditions of approval." - mover/second: not specified - vote_record: [{member:"Council","vote":"yes"}] - tally: {yes:7,no:0,abstain:0} - outcome: "approved" - notes: "Project: 2.55 acres, 18 lots, RM‑6; SEPA MDNS issued 07/17/2025; conditions address shrub‑steppe and trash collection logistics."

3) Action: Adopt Ordinance 22‑25 (amend 2025–26 biennial budget) - kind: budget_adoption - identifiers: {ordinance_number:"22-25"} - motion: "Pass ordinance amending the city of West Richland 2025–26 biennial budget." - mover/second: recorded as moved and seconded (names not specified) - vote_record: [{member:"Council","vote":"yes"}] - tally: {yes:7,no:0,abstain:0} - outcome: "approved" - notes: "Recognized revenue from Belmont Lot sale; appropriated funds for potential VA cemetery purchase (99.9 acres); recognized Ecology stormwater grant and water SDC funds for Well 13 work."

4) Action: Authorize mayor to execute Commerce grant agreement — Municipal Services Facility backup generator - kind: contract_award - identifiers: {agenda_item_id:"8d", grant_name:"Commerce grant - municipal services facility backup generator"} - motion: "Authorize mayor to execute commerce grant agreement for municipal services facility backup power generator project." - mover/second: motion moved and seconded (names not specified) - vote_record: [{member:"Richard Bloom","vote":"no"},{member:"other council members","vote":"yes"}] - tally: {yes:6,no:1,abstain:0} - outcome: "approved" - notes: "Grant matches legislative priority for a generator sized for the existing facility plus planned campus additions (600 kW); Council member Bloom recorded a 'nay' citing concerns about size, fuel and ongoing maintenance costs."

Provenance: selected excerpts from the meeting record supporting each action are attached below.