Kennewick — The Kennewick City Council on Jan. 7 proclaimed January 2025 as National Mentoring Month and recognized local mentoring groups, while council members also discussed directing business-and-occupation tax commitments to support downtown Main Street efforts and asked for stronger ties between the council and city boards and commissions.

Mayor Gretel Crawford read the proclamation naming January 2025 National Mentoring Month in the City of Kennewick and invited Joe Thornton — introduced in the meeting as “Big Bro Joe” — to the podium. Thornton, associated with the Big Bro Joe Foundation and local mentoring efforts, thanked the city and said, “Our youth need us and just having the city behind us just show exactly the strength of unity and community.”

The proclamation text cited Mentor Washington and local programs including the Big Bro Joe Foundation and Communities in Schools of Benton Franklin Counties as organizations that train mentors and support mentees. The city also noted the month as an occasion to encourage residents, businesses and civic organizations to support mentoring programs.

Councilmembers also made routine recognitions: the council noted the upcoming retirement celebration for Police Officer Marco Montalbanco, who has served 22 years; the officer was not present at the meeting and the police chief said the council’s plaque presentation would occur at a separate celebration next week.

Under council reports, Councilmember McShane updated the council on Downtown Kennewick efforts and fundraising. McShane said the council had recently pushed to increase B&O (business-and-occupation) tax commitments that may be directed to the historic Downtown Kennewick Association and encouraged early action to secure state matching or related allocations. McShane also referenced recent meetings with state legislators in Olympia to advance priorities during the legislative session.

Mayor Gretel Crawford and others discussed boards and commissions appointments made at the start of the year and urged more regular interaction between the council and appointed commissions. Crawford said the intent is for commissions to be better informed about council policy goals and for stronger two-way communication: “I’d like to have a little bit more interaction, I think, between the council and the commission so that the commission is a little bit more aware of what our policies and what our goals are,” she said.

Public comment included a three-minute appearance by Tina Gregory of Kennewick. Gregory raised several concerns and requests, including a statement that she does not agree with her house being charged a commercial meter after adding an accessory dwelling unit (ADU): "I don't agree with my house paying for a commercial meter," she said. Gregory also raised other items, some of which were personal opinions and requests rather than formal proposals.

Procedural business: the council approved a motion to excuse Councilmembers Trumbo and Anderson (passed 5–0), approved the meeting agenda (passed 5–0) and approved the consent agenda (passed 5–0). The council had no ordinances, public hearings, new business or old business on the Jan. 7 agenda. Mayor Crawford closed the meeting at 6:50 p.m.

Votes at a glance

• Motion to excuse the absence of Councilmember Trumbo and Councilmember Anderson — moved by Councilmember Millbauer, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Chiarelli; outcome: approved unanimously, 5–0.

• Motion to approve the meeting agenda as presented — moved by Mayor Pro Tem Chiarelli, seconded by Councilmember Millbauer; outcome: approved unanimously, 5–0.

• Motion to approve the consent agenda as presented — moved by Mayor Pro Tem Chiarelli, seconded by Councilmember Beauchamp; outcome: approved unanimously, 5–0.

Meeting context: the Jan. 7 meeting lasted from 6:30 p.m. to 6:50 p.m.; no ordinances or public hearings were scheduled.