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Council approves consent agenda that includes Ordinance 15‑26 moratorium; resident questions mayoral authorization
Summary
The council approved the consent agenda, which included multiple easement vacation resolutions, professional-services authorizations, project completions and Ordinance 15‑26, a six‑month moratorium on siting certain LRA facilities. Resident Katie Anderson asked why the mayor would be authorized to execute contracts while absent; staff said authorizations allow mayoral action in response to council direction and staff will meet with residents after the meeting.
The West Richland City Council approved its consent agenda, which bundled routine administrative items and one ordinance that drew public inquiry.
Chair pro tem Smart read the consent agenda into the record; items included payment of the bills, several resolutions setting public hearings for utility easement vacations (VACA files listed in the packet), motions authorizing the mayor to execute professional service contracts for Sewer and Water SCADA systems and VFD replacements at wells 7 and 9, authority for staff to submit Transportation Improvement Board grant applications, acceptances of two completed projects (Keene Road overlay and Bombing Range sports‑complex fencing), a purchase‑and‑sale authorization for 6461 Keene Road, and Ordinance 15‑26 declaring a six‑month moratorium on siting certain LRA facilities serving violent predators and setting a public hearing date.
During the public comment period for the consent agenda, West Richland resident Katie Anderson asked why the council would grant authorization to the mayor to execute contracts when the mayor and mayor pro tem were not present. "Why wouldn't we want the mayor to be here to authorize these actions?" Anderson asked. The chair and staff replied that council action grants authority for the mayor to execute items as authorized by council and that staff are available to meet with members of the public after the meeting to answer questions.
A motion to approve the consent agenda was made and seconded; the council voice‑voted to approve the consent agenda as presented.
Items approved on the consent agenda will proceed according to the motions recorded in the packet; any subsequent contract or purchase that requires a budget amendment would return to council for approval.
