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Residents urge stronger code enforcement, feral‑cat help and a new aquatic center during Kennewick public comment
Summary
During public comment at the Sept. 16 Kennewick City Council meeting, multiple residents called for more proactive code enforcement on the East Side, funding or support for trap‑neuter‑release of feral cats, and increased priority for a community aquatic center after a large swim meet in Pasco.
Several Kennewick residents used the public‑comment period on Sept. 16 to raise local quality‑of‑life concerns and to press the council for action.
Dan Danko, a 50‑year Kennewick resident, asked about police enforcement of modified exhaust systems and front‑license‑plate compliance. He said he spoke with an officer who explained legal limits but asked the council how often exhaust violations are enforced.
Levi Khan said the city appears to have “kind of forgotten about this side of town,” citing trashy yards, junk cars, loud music that can be felt inside homes, and debris on streets. Khan asked the council to shift more code‑enforcement resources toward the East Side and downtown revitalization.
Tamara Garcia described an ongoing feral‑cat problem. Garcia said area rescues and TNR (trap‑neuter‑release) providers have asked residents to pay about $50 per cat for services; she said she and others are absorbing costs while managing multiple litters and asked the city to consider support for local TNR efforts.
Several speakers urged the council to prioritize a new aquatic center. Ken Hahn and Laura Blomberg said local teams are being forced to practice outside Kennewick; Jesse Grove said a recent meet in Pasco drew “377 athletes from 27 different schools” and argued that Kennewick could host larger meets with a suitable indoor pool, bringing local economic and community benefits.
Warren Hughes, a downtown business owner, said the East Side — including downtown — has higher population density and active small‑business promotion that he believes deserves more city support. Donald Kenning, who has raised concerns in prior meetings about trees along Olson Road, reiterated an offer to volunteer on localized tree‑care work and asked for clearer city contact after he said he received no follow‑up to a prior offer.
City staff later told council that the tree‑health concerns raised are on the city’s radar and an arborist has been reviewing the Olson Road issues. No council action was taken during the meeting on the subjects raised during public comment.
The public‑comment period closed after roughly 30 minutes and the council proceeded to the regular agenda.
