Votes at a glance: council approves two easement relinquishments, tables Gay Road vacation

At its Feb. 18, 2025 meeting the Richland City Council approved two resolutions to declare surplus and relinquish portions of city easements and tabled a proposed ordinance to vacate a portion of Gay Road.

Resolution 2025-30 (2103 Putnam Street): Staff told council the Putnam Street easement previously contained a water line that has since been relocated to Mount Putnam Street. Staff recommended relinquishing the portion of the easement no longer needed for the water line while reserving the portion required for electrical service. The council moved, seconded and approved the resolution by consent vote; there was no public comment on the item during the hearing.

Resolution 2025-31 (Horn Rapids Rail Loop): Staff reported the easement in the vicinity of the Horn Rapids Rail Loop had been dedicated to the city when the city owned the property but that the property later transferred to the Port of Benton and utility lines were removed. Staff recommended relinquishment, the council moved and seconded, and the resolution passed by consent vote.

Ordinance 2025-06 (vacate a portion of Gay Road right of way): Council member(s) pulled Ordinance 2025-06 from the consent calendar for further work. Council moved to table the ordinance to allow staff and the property owner additional time to clarify the process and to engage the owner; the motion to table passed, with one recorded no vote.

Consent calendar and expenditures: The council approved the remainder of the consent calendar (the item above was pulled to be tabled) and approved expenditures for Jan. 1'Jan. 31, 2025 totaling $45,641,215.97. The consent calendar also included multiple resolutions authorizing property transactions, contract amendments, construction agreements, and bid awards (including two awards to Ellison Earthworks, LLC for street projects).

Votes at a glance (recorded outcomes at the Feb. 18 meeting): - Adopt Resolution 2025-30 (relinquish portion of easement at 2103 Putnam Street): approved (consent). Motion/second not specified in record; no public opposition during hearing. - Adopt Resolution 2025-31 (relinquish portion of easement near Horn Rapids Rail Loop): approved (consent). Motion/second not specified in record; no public opposition during hearing. - Table Ordinance 2025-06 (vacate portion of Gay Road right of way): tabled for further staff and property-owner discussion; one recorded no vote was noted during the roll call.

Next steps: Staff will return with additional information on the Gay Road ordinance when it is ready for council consideration. Several items listed on the consent calendar (purchase and sale agreements, consultant amendment, construction agreements, and bid awards) were approved by consent; staff or the clerk can provide the full roll-call vote record in the official minutes.