Leo for Pasco

Pasco City Councilman Leo Perales

6 days ago

Pasco City Council Meeting Takeaways

Here are some of my takeaways from Monday’s City Council meeting.

At the beginning of the meeting, we moved two items from the consent agenda for further discussion:

• The Emergency Comprehensive Plan Amendment – Pasco School District Capital Facilities Plan
• The Emergency Low Density Residential Land Use Comprehensive Plan Amendment

After discussion, these items will return at a future meeting so staff can include additional properties in the area that may receive the new R-15 zoning designation. Taking the extra time allows us to make sure the map and policy changes are done correctly.

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Aquatic Center Fund & Budget Amendment

Council approved the creation of a new Aquatic Center Fund along with a budget amendment to support aquatics staffing.

There were several questions raised about how the Aquatics Manager position will be funded and how responsibilities will be divided between Memorial Pool and the future Pasco Aquatic Center. Ultimately, Council adopted the ordinance creating the fund so we can properly manage these operations moving forward.

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Public Works Board Loan/Grant – Lewis Street Underpass Demolition

Council approved a resolution related to a $3.5 million Public Works Board loan/grant agreement for the demolition of the Lewis Street Underpass.

At this point, we believe the funding will cover the project, but depending on final costs we may need to pursue additional funding. The goal is to complete the project without adding additional obligations beyond what is already required in the agreement.

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Irrigation System Expansion – RH2 Engineering Amendment

We approved a Third Amendment to the Professional Services Agreement with RH2 Engineering related to the citywide irrigation system expansion project.

This project has been years in the making, and I’m very glad to see the final design work nearing completion. Deliverables for the project are expected to be submitted to the City soon.

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Street Lighting Standards Update

Council discussed updates to the City’s street lighting standards, which will be implemented administratively.

While I support improving lighting for safety, I did raise a concern: changes like this can increase the cost of development, particularly if builders were not anticipating the new requirements. When developers are surprised by new infrastructure requirements, those costs often end up being passed along in the price of housing. Predictability in regulations is important for keeping housing affordable.

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Housing Authority Appointment

Council also appointed a Pasco resident to the Housing Authority Board of the City of Pasco and Franklin County, helping ensure continued community representation in housing policy and programs.

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Traffic Calming Discussion

Public Works Director Maria Serra provided a presentation on traffic calming strategies and the Council’s role in implementing safety improvements.

These improvements may include:

• Traffic signals and signal timing adjustments
• Crosswalk lighting and pedestrian safety improvements
• Speed humps and other traffic calming devices
• Engineering studies to determine appropriate safety measures

The Council will continue working toward making Pasco’s streets safer for drivers, pedestrians, and families.

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Executive Session

We ended the evening with an executive session related to a future final plat appeal that will likely come before the Council in the near future.

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Bottom line:
Monday’s meeting focused on infrastructure, safety, housing, and preparing for future growth in Pasco.

As always, thank you to everyone who stays engaged with what’s happening at City Hall.

— LP ... See MoreSee Less

Pasco City Councilman Leo Perales

6 days ago

🎨 Calling All Local Artists! Pasco’s Art in City Hall Program Returns for 2026–2027

The City of Pasco is once again inviting local artists to showcase their work through the Art in City Hall program! This initiative highlights the creativity and talent found throughout our region by displaying artwork inside Pasco City Hall for the community to enjoy.

Last year’s showcase featured an incredible variety of sculpture, photography, and paintings, and we’re excited to see what artists will bring forward for the 2026–2027 exhibit.

👩‍🎨 Who can apply?
Artists 13 years and older who live in Franklin, Benton, or Walla Walla Counties. Artists of all experience levels are encouraged to apply.

📅 Submission Deadline:
Sunday, March 22, 2026

📧 How to apply:
Email your submission to pashona@pasco-wa.gov and include:
• Photos of the artwork you want considered
• Title, medium, and year of creation for each piece
• A one-page artist statement and brief bio
• Your contact information (name, phone, email, website if applicable)

The Pasco Arts & Culture Commission will review submissions and select up to six artists, with alternates, to display their work inside City Hall.

This is a great opportunity to share your creativity with the community and help showcase the artistic talent that exists throughout the Tri-Cities region.

If you or someone you know is an artist, please share this opportunity!

🎨 Learn more and see examples of previous displays here:
www.pasco-wa.gov

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It’s your city. Expect more. ... See MoreSee Less