Pasco council seeks feedback on dissolving troubled downtown group

The Pasco City Council will hold a public hearing on April 15 to gather feedback on whether to dissolve the troubled Downtown Pasco Development Authority, or DPDA.

“This crucial step aligns with procedural guidelines for disbanding public entities, highlighting Pasco’s dedication to active community participation and transparent governance,” the city said in a statement. “The April 15 public hearing will allow for the public’s input in making the final decision regarding the DPDA’s future.”

The public hearing will happen during the city council’s regular meeting that night. The meeting starts at 7 p.m. at Pasco City Hall.

The discussion of DPDA’s future comes after a withering audit by the state Auditor’s Office that found sweeping financial mismanagement and other issues. 

The audit covered 2020-22. It was released in February.

The council also has directed staff to hire a forensic accounting firm to investigate DPDA’s operations in-depth, a move that reflects the “council’s proactive stance in addressing the limitations highlighted by the initial (audit) report, underscoring its commitment to a detailed, secondary analysis to rectify any issues uncovered,” the city statement said.

“The trust our community places in the city is paramount,” Mayor Pete Serrano added in the statement. “Engaging an independent forensic accountant to scrutinize the DPDA’s audit findings signifies our commitment to thoroughly investigate these matters. We invite our citizens to contribute to the public hearing. Your participation is essential as the city council endeavors to reach a comprehensive resolution.”

Port of Benton seeks Clore Center operator

The Port of Benton is seeking a third-party operator for the Walter Clore Wine and Culinary Center in Prosser. The operator would maintain day-to-day business of the facility.

The port originally built the 15,000-square-foot facility in 2014 to showcase the state’s wine industry. It was named for the late father of the Washington wine industry and operated by the private nonprofit.

The Clore Center board notified the port it would shut down in October 2020 and formally closed in December 2020. The port ruled out selling the property and sought a new tenant.

Washington State University Tri-Cities agreed in 2021 to lease the closed center from the Port of Benton for $25,000 a year. It planned to use it for wine and culinary education.

The college will not be renewing its lease after the current agreement expires on Aug. 14, the port said.

Proposals to operate the center were due April 12. 

Kennewick hires new city manager

A longtime public servant has been chosen as Kennewick’s new city manager, replacing Marie Mosley, who retired at the end of 2023.

Erin Erdman, who has more than 22 years of public service experience, was selected in March.

She holds a bachelor’s degree in geography, specializing in urban planning, from Central Washington University.

Erdman has been the city manager in Battle Ground since April 2019. Her resignation there is effective April 19. 

Registration underway for SBA leadership program

The U.S. Small Business Administration is accepting applications for its free Emerging Leaders program. Training begins in June in Spokane. 

The program gets participants from the Tri-Cities every year who drive to Spokane eight times over a 26-week period.

To learn more and apply, go to: sbathrive.com.

Report: WA gender wage gap among widest in nation

The gender wage gap for women in Washington was one of the worst in the nation in recent years, the Washington State Standard reports.

Median pay for women in Washington for 2022 was $18,400 less than what men earned that year. 

The pay difference between women and men in Washington was even wider when accounting for race and ethnicity. For example, Black women typically earned $28,405 less than white, non-Hispanic men. Latina women were paid $35,402 less.

One reason for the pay difference? Occupational segregation.

Grace Yoo, executive director of the Washington State Women’s Commission and Gov. Jay Inslee’s lead cabinet director on women’s policy, said some of Washington’s biggest industries and some of the state’s best-paying jobs, involve career fields where women tend to be underrepresented – such as tech, aerospace and the construction trades.

Creative sector makes up nearly 20% of state economy

The creative sector accounts for nearly 20% of the state economy, contributing nearly $120 billion a year to the gross domestic product, according to a report from the state Department of Commerce. Creative technology, including the information and communications fields, accounts for the most jobs.

Apollo to sponsor Tri-City Water Follies

Apollo of Kennewick has stepped in as title sponsor of the Tri-City Water Follies hydroplane races for the next three years. The event is now called the Apollo Columbia Cup.  

Water Follies has been suffering financial losses since 2020 and was in critical need of a title sponsor to continue the racing tradition, the organization said in a statement.

“On behalf of the board of directors, approximately 1,200 volunteers and our loyal race fans, we are incredibly thankful for Apollo’s investment and collaboration to allow us to continue the hydroplane races which has been a tradition for generations,” said Nathan Craghill, Water Follies president, in the statement.

Apollo is a Native American-owned commercial and industrial construction company with a long history in the Tri-Cities. It was founded by Bruce Ratchford.

STCU sponsors the Over the River Airshow during the Water Follies.

Richland School District plans to discuss future bonds

The Richland School District has scheduled three town hall meetings to discuss future bonds. Topics include a third high school, priorities for upcoming bond packages, budgeting strategies and the effect of bonds on taxes and funding. 

The meetings are at 6:30 p.m. on: 

• Tuesday, April 16 at Leona Libby Middle School, 3259 Belmont Blvd., West Richland. 
• Wednesday, April 17 at Hanford High School, 450 Hanford St., Richland. 
• Thursday, April 18 at Richland High School, 930 Long Ave., Richland. 

The district said public input is crucial to help shape future growth.

AgWest reports first full-year results

AgWest Farm Credit, which has a branch in Pasco, reported net income of $707.8 million for 2023, the first full calendar year since Northwest Farm Credit Services and California-based Farm Credit West completed their merger. 

AgWest characterized the results as “exceeding expectations” and said a total of $387 million was distributed back to AgWest members in patronage dividends.

Weigh in on a new Pasco transit center

Ben Franklin Transit is seeking input on plans for a possible new transit center in downtown Pasco. A preferred concept has been selected for the center, which will serve people in east Pasco and downtown. 

The public comment period is open through May 18.

Go to: bft.org/new-downtown-pasco-transit-center-concept.

Cast your vote to name WSU’s new apple

Washington State University is looking for help naming its new apple, a pink-hued, crisp, sweet, tart variety currently going by WA 64. An online contest is underway. 

“It’s taken more than two decades to bring WA 64 from a single tree to release. We hope it makes a big splash in the market, but we need the right name,” said Jeremy Tamsen, director of innovation and commercialization for WSU’s College of Agricultural, Human, and Natural Resource Sciences, in a statement.  

“We’re looking for a name that’s memorable and punchy. An ideal name might play on our apple’s qualities or draw a connection with Washington state, where WA 64 will be exclusively grown for at least the next 10 years,” he said. 

The contest ends on May 5. It’s open to all U.S. residents age 18 and older. 

One name suggestion is allowed per person. 

WA 64 was first bred in Wenatchee in 1998. It was then tested at research orchards in the state and officially released last summer, the statement said. Trees will be widely available to growers in 2026 and the apple will reach grocery stores in 2029, the statement said. 

To suggest a name or learn more, go to: wsu.edu/wa64contest.

Transit manager stepping down

The general manager of Ben Franklin Transit stepped down April 1 but will stay on in a “limited consulting role” while a new leader is hired, the transit agency announced.

Rachelle Glazier joined BFT in July 2022.

“I am very grateful to have been given this opportunity by our Board of Directors, and it has been my honor to serve our community alongside the dedicated BFT staff. Working for this board has been the best experience of my career. However, a family issue must take priority at this time in my life. It was not an easy decision, but it is the right one,” she said in a statement.

Chief Financial Officer Sarah Funk has been designated as interim general manager while the transit board conducts a search for Glazier’s replacement. The process is expected to take several months.

The position’s salary ranges from $175,000 to $225,000 annually.