The Pasco City Council, in the Workshop Meeting of Tuesday, January 14, heard from several members of the public, along with City staff, on several items. Some of the highlights were:
- The main subject of discussion for the evening was agenda item 4b regarding the possible sale of City property along Heritage Boulevard to Catholic Charities - Eastern Washington. Catholic Charities’ intended use of the property is for a supportive housing project that would serve chronically homeless individuals using the housing first model. Council heard from Catholic Charities and many members of the public speaking either in support or opposition to this project or the location. Council will be considering this item for a possible decision at the next Regular Meeting on Tuesday, January 21.
- The Council also received a report on the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Section 108 loan program. The program would allow the City to use a portion of future federal block-grant funds to pay for a loan to help fund the planned major improvements to Peanuts Park and Farmers Market in Downtown Pasco.
- Staff gave a presentation on recently-passed State House Bill 1406. HB 1406 encourages cities and counties in Washington to make investments in affordable housing. HB 1406 creates a sales tax revenue sharing program that allows cities and counties to access a portion of already existing (not new) state sales tax revenue to make local investments in affordable and supportive housing.
The full Council agenda can be found at http://bit.ly/PascoCouncil011420. The meeting can be viewed online at http://bit.ly/PascoCouncil011420video and seen on PSC-TV Channel 191 on Charter Spectrum Cable in Pasco and Richland.
View current and previous City Council agendas and sign up for notifications for future Council agendas at www.pasco-wa.gov/CouncilAgendas.
Please note the next City Council meeting is on Tuesday, January 21, due to the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday on Monday.
The City of Pasco strives to continue improving the quality of community life in Pasco.