Richland City Council Special Meeting 8-5-2026

Richland City Council special meeting, August 5, 2026. The council unanimously approved the consent calendar, including Resolution 2026-105 authorizing a consultant agreement with JUB Engineers Inc. for Phase 2 systemic stop-controlled intersection safety improvements, Resolution 2026-108 approving Change Order No. 1 to Axon Enterprises Inc.’s Contract No. 347-21 for auto-transcribed minutes, and resolutions ratifying grant applications, including one to HUD’s FY2026 PRO Housing program. The council also considered a rezone request for approximately 10.26 acres at 2155 Keen Road; staff recommended approval, but the transcript does not capture a final decision on the rezone.

The council unanimously advanced Ordinance 2026-18, a first-reading 2026 budget amendment, with appropriations including $120,000 for a Workday-integrated learning management system, $171,000 for a wastewater management plan update, approximately $920,000 for a water intertie serving the Reata Ridge subdivision, and just over $31,000 to accelerate replacement of water cross-connection software. Other items included approximately $24,000 for equipment repairs expected to be reimbursed by a design consultant, $338,000 in WSDOT grant funds carried forward and an additional $112,000 in WSDOT funds, and approximately $52,000 for a vehicle lift. Public commenters raised concerns about potential AI data centers’ water and other resource demands and requested expert review and environmental study; no data-center procurement or approval action was recorded. Council discussed, but the transcript does not show a vote on, a proposal to extend public comment from two minutes to three.