City Council Workshop

City Council Workshop Agenda July 14, 2026 at 6:30 PM City Hall Council Chambers - 210 W 6th Ave and Virtual The City of Kennewick broadcasts Council meetings on the City's website at https://www.go2kennewick.com/CouncilMeetingBroadcasts. Written public comment is accepted pursuant to KMC 2.04.047 - more details are available at https://www.go2kennewick.com/550/Meeting-Guidelines. 1. Presentation: Mid-Columbia Libraries 2. Update: Independence Day After Action Report To Assure Disabled Persons The Opportunity To Participate In Or Benefit From City Services, Please Provide Twenty-Four (24) Hour Advance Notice For Additional Arrangements To Reasonably Accommodate Special Needs. Please Be Advised That All Kennewick City Council Meetings Are Audio And Video Taped Page 1 of 50  Council Agenda Item Number: 1. Date: 7/14/2026 Category: Coversheet Item Type: Presentation Info Only Subject: Presentation: Mid-Columbia Libraries Department: City Manager Summary Mid-Columbia Libraries' (MCL) Executive Director and Chief Librarian, Kyle Cox, will provide an informative presentation highlighting several key points including: • The historical relationship between the City of Kennewick and MCL. • Collection usage, meeting room usage, program attendees, and other important performance metrics. • Exploring the tax revenue MCL receives from Kennewick residents compared with the value of services provided. • Addressing a perception that libraries are not used or useful today. Attachments: 1. Presentation Page 2 of 50 Kennewick City Council Kyle Cox, MPA MLIS Executive Director & Chief Librarian Page 3 of 50 We empower people, support learning, and strengthen community through literacy, enrichment, and connection. Page 4 of 50  77 Years of Serving Kennewick 1949 1962 1998 1999 Library Services Keewaydin Library Kennewick votes to Kennewick Library Begin Agreement annex into District Opens Page 5 of 50  Public Libraries in Washington RCW 27.12 Public Libraries Page 6 of 50 Mid-Columbia Libraries’ Library District Served via Annexation 1948 Unincorporated Benton & Franklin Counties 1993 City of Benton City 1995 City of Kennewick 1996 City of Connell 1998 City of Mesa 2016 City of Kahlotus 2026 City of Pasco Served via Contract 1957 City of West Richland 1994 Adams County Library District (Othello) 2000 City of Prosser Page 7 of 50  2025 Property Tax Levies $0.25 $0.45 $0.34 MCL: $0.23 $0.49 $0.28 $0.36 $0.27 Page 8 of 50 Comparable Library Systems Page 9 of 50  Local Funding Per Capita $140 $117.21 $120 $100 $86.03 $85.09 $80.26 $80 $68.53 $59.91 $55.09 $56.65 $52.39 $60 $52.50 $48.39 $40 $34.24 $35.08 $20 $- Local Funding per Capita E WA Average Page 10 of 50 Page 11 of 50  FTE per Capita 0.00090 0.00080 0.00077 0.00070 0.00060 0.00056 0.00050 0.00048 0.00048 0.00048 0.00050 0.00041 0.00046 0.00044 0.00041 0.00041 0.00040 0.00031 0.00030 0.00027 0.00020 0.00010 0.00000 FTE per Capita E WA Average Page 12 of 50 Page 13 of 50  Checkouts per Capita 18 16.13 16 13.96 13.30 14 12 9.47 9.17 8.87 9.13 9.57 10 8.15 7.88 8 5.70 6 4.60 4 3.42 2 0 Checkouts per Capita E WA Average Page 14 of 50 Page 15 of 50  Program Participation per Capita 0.450 0.413 0.400 0.350 0.301 0.301 0.300 0.270 0.259 0.250 0.224 0.194 0.182 0.193 0.179 0.200 0.167 0.128 0.141 0.150 0.100 0.050 0.000 Program Participation per Capita E WA Average Page 16 of 50  Libraries Help Residents Save Money Library Value Calculator - Discover the Value of Your Local Library With our Library Value Calculator, you can see how much money your local library saves you every year. https://midcolumbialibraries.org/library-value-calculator Page 17 of 50 Kennewick Uses Its Libraries Page 18 of 50  Kennewick Enjoys Its Libraries 96% percent of Kennewick respondents reported being very satisfied (68.45%) or satisfied (27.09%) with MCL’s overall experience. Page 19 of 50  Mid-Columbia Libraries Plays an Important Role in: 95% 93% 94% Enhancing reading, Enhancing lifelong Provide books and content viewing, and listening for learning in an accessible and timely pleasure manner Page 20 of 50 Impactful Services Page 21 of 50 Page 22 of 50 Page 23 of 50 Impactful Services Page 24 of 50 Impactful Services Page 25 of 50 Impactful Services Page 26 of 50 West Richland Customers Page 27 of 50 midcolumbialibraries.org Page 28 of 50  Council Agenda Item Number: 2. Date: 7/14/2026 Category: Coversheet Item Type: Presentation Info Only Subject: Update: Independence Day After Action Report Department: Police Summary Fire Chief Michael Heffner and Police Chief Chris Guerrero will present information from public safety activity related to the Independence Day weekend. Attachments: 1. Report - Police 2. Report - Fire 3. Presentation Page 29 of 50  MEMORANDUM KENNEWICK POLICE DEPARTMENT To: Erin Erdman, City Manager From: Chris Guerrero, Chief of Police Date: July 7, 2026 Subject: July 3rd – July 5th Activity As we have done in recent years, we are providing a summary of the Kennewick Police Department’s activity during the 4th of July holiday weekend. As you are aware, Independence Day fell on a Saturday this year and our community has historically experienced increased activity when the holiday falls on a Friday or Saturday. To prepare for the anticipated increase in calls for service, we increased our staffing on July 3rd, 4th, and 5th. On July 3rd and July 4th, we had two supervisors and ten officers working from 6:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. each day. On July 5th we staffed one supervisor and ten officers during the same hours. This year we had one officer available to work on a fireworks enforcement/education overtime detail with Kennewick Fire personnel. This officer was in addition to the staffing numbers detailed above. This team was involved with 48 events. 25 of those were dispatched calls for service (CFS), 19 were proactive contacts, and 4 were CFS to assist patrol units. Verbal warnings and/or education were provided during these contacts and no infractions were issued. The officer stated that the community members were all respectful and responsive to the education about our city’s ordinances. Several people advised they purchased their fireworks outside of Kennewick and when they inquired why the ordinance is in place, it was very beneficial having Captain Bishop present to explain from the Fire Department perspective. The following charts compare this year’s 4th of July activity among the three main municipalities in Tri-Cities. They include: • Total fireworks-related CFS from July 3rd – 5th. • Fireworks-related calls for service compared to each agency’s total CFS (including self- initiated activity). • A three-year comparison of total fireworks-related CFS. Page 30 of 50 In 2025, we had a total of 117 fireworks CFS, so we saw 22 less fireworks calls on the 4th of July this year. We had one less officer working the fireworks enforcement/education detail this year so that could have accounted for the lower number this year. The total CFS and fireworks CFS depicted in this chart represent all 3 days combined. We saw a decrease of 66 total CFS compared to last year. Our fireworks CFS decreased by 13 compared to 2025. 2 Page 31 of 50 This chart highlights the slight decrease from last year. I would again mention that 2025 was on a Friday night and this year was a Saturday night. I would not be surprised to see a decrease in CFS next year. One area that we did not report on in prior years was the other events that occurred during the busiest hours of the 4th of July. All the previous charts were based on the specific 24-hour period of the day. Meaning, July 3rd, 4th, and 5th from 12:00 a.m. to 11:59 p.m. each day. If we look at July 4th from 6:00 p.m. to 3:00 a.m., which is typically the busiest time of night, we had a total of 207 events. 110 of those were fireworks calls and the 97 remaining events are listed below. Many of these calls require more than one officer response and are considered a higher priority than fireworks complaints. • 19 - Field Events (Warrant Services, Field Contacts, Extra Patrols, etc.) • 15 - Traffic (includes Traffic Stops and Traffic Complaints) • 13 - Assists (includes assisting other agencies and KFD) • 7 - Suspicious Circumstances • 6 – Disturbances (3 were domestic disturbances) • 5 - Assaults (4 Assault/DV, 1 Assault) • 4 - Vehicle Accidents • 4 - Information • 3 - Welfare Checks • 3 - Noise Complaints • 2 – Alarms • 2 – Extra Patrols • 2 – Follow Ups • 1 of each - Burglary, Weapons, Lewd Conduct, Missing Person, Pursuit, Fraud, Trespass, Mal/Misc, Theft, Civil, Loitering, Property 3 Page 32 of 50 The “River of Fire” event was a successful event from the public safety perspective. The park reached capacity at about 8:30 p.m. We had two Commanders, one Sergeant, five Police Officers, and one Police Cadet in Columbia Park for the event. We were also assisted by boat patrols with two Benton County Sheriff Deputies on the Benton County boat and one Franklin County Sheriff Deputy with one Pasco Police Officer on the Franklin County boat. The biggest issue continues to be children getting separated from their parents. Overall, another successful year with great collaboration between police, fire, and parks personnel. 4 Page 33 of 50  KENNEWICK FIRE DEPARTMENT HONOR  SELFLESSNESS  COMPETENCE July 9, 2026 Independence Day 2026 Kennewick Fire Department After Action Report Fire Prevention Division In accordance with local and state regulations, the City of Kennewick permitted nine fireworks stands this season, including a new location operated by Costco. The Deputy Fire Marshal inspected and approved three stands on Friday, June 26. The remaining six stands were inspected and approved by a Fire Inspector on Saturday, June 27. Because these six stands were not ready for inspection until Saturday – just one day before sales were permitted to begin – the weekend inspections required hours outside of the inspector's regularly assigned work schedule, resulting in overtime. On Saturday, July 4, the Deputy Fire Marshal and a Fire Inspector staffed a public education booth in Columbia Park from 2:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. They engaged with approximately 630 community members, distributing safety information and promotional items, including cooling towels and water bottles that were well received and provided much-needed relief on one of the warmest days of the year. Because this community outreach fell outside of their standard work hours, it also resulted in overtime. Following the park event, the Deputy Fire Marshal partnered with a Kennewick Police Department (KPD) Officer to jointly respond to fireworks complaints from 8 p.m. until 1 a.m. Together, they handled 48 calls for service. Community members were respectful and receptive to education regarding the city’s fireworks ordinances. Fire Operations In anticipation of increased fireworks-related incidents alongside regular call volume, three additional firefighters were brought in to dedicate staff to the city’s off-road firefighting vehicle from 6:00 p.m. on Friday, July 3, until 1:00 a.m. on Saturday, July 4. This apparatus is normally cross-staffed by on- duty personnel on an as-needed basis. This proactive staffing strategy proved highly effective, as the fire department responded to five separate fireworks-related fires that evening. On July 4, 10 extra firefighters were called to staff various response units from 6pm until 2:30am, including: • Two ambulances • One firefighting-capable UTV in Columbia Park (before, during and after the River of Fire) • One off-road firefighting vehicle • One additional shift supervisor PO Box 6108  Kennewick, WA 99336  (509) 585-4230 www.go2kennewick.com/fire Page 34 of 50 Weather Conditions July 3 Temperature 53°F - 90°F Wind 3 -13 mph (Highest gust speed: 20mph) Relative humidity 19-84% July 4 Temperature 56°F - 93°F Wind 2 -13 mph (Highest gust speed: 17mph) Relative humidity 14-77% July 5 Temperature 52°F - 89°F Wind 5 -14 mph (Highest gust speed: 18mph) Relative humidity 19-67% Incident Data Page 35 of 50 Page 36 of 50 Page 37 of 50 Independence Day After Action Report July 14, 2026 Page 38 of 50 Outline • Public Information Campaign • KPD – Independence Day Weekend Debrief • KPD – 4th of July Specific Debrief • KPD – River of Fire - KPD Debrief • KFD – Fire Prevention • KFD – Fire Operations • KFD – Weather Conditions • KFD – Additional Data Page 39 of 50 Public Education Campaign • Led by our Communications Department • Press release in English/Spanish on June 19th – 24% increase • “Notify Me” Emails/Texts – Sent to 18,644 customers • Digital Reader Boards – CCB & Canal/397 & Columbia Dr. • Fireworks Stand Flyer – Placed on stands in W. Richland • Web page and regional partner FAQ distribution • New Fireworks Webpage – 2,360 page visits • Fireworks Flyer to 8 HOA Leaders Page 40 of 50 KPD Independence Weekend Debrief • Staffing – 6:00pm – 6:00am • July 3rd – 2 Supervisors, 10 Officers • July 4th – 2 Supervisors, 10 Officers – 1 Officer/KFD Captain • July 5th – 1 Supervisor, 10 Officers • July 3rd – 25 Fireworks calls (16 in 2025) • July 4th – 95 Fireworks calls (117 in 2025) • July 5th – 48 Fireworks calls (48 in 2025) • Total of 749 Calls for Service from July 3-5 (815 in 2025) • 168 of these were Fireworks calls (181 in 2025) Page 41 of 50 KPD 4 of July Specific – 6pm-3am th • KPD/KFD Emphasis Team – 48 events (25 dispatched calls, 19 proactive, 4 patrol assists) – All positive contacts – no infractions issued. • 207 Total events – 110 Fireworks, 97 other calls/events • 97 Other calls included • 19 Field Events • 15 Traffic Events • 13 Assists • 7 Suspicious Circumstances • 6 Disturbances (3 Domestic) • 5 Assaults (4 Assault DV, 1 Assault) • 4 Vehicle Accidents • 4 Information • 3 Welfare Checks • 3 Noise Complaints • 2 Alarms • 2 Extra Patrols • 2 Follow Ups • 1 – Burglary, Weapons, Lewd Conduct, Missing Persons, Pursuit, Fraud Trespass, Mal/Misc, Theft, Civil, Loitering, Property Page 42 of 50 River of Fire – KPD Debrief • Staffing – 2 Commanders, 1 Sergeant, 5 Officers, 1 Cadet, 2 BCSO Deputies on Benton County Boat, 1 FCSO Deputy and 1 PPD Officer on Franklin County Boat. Dedrone Trailer and Drone Pilot • Park at capacity at approximately 8:30 pm. • 3 Lost/Found Children • Reported disturbance with weapon – nothing located • Fight on east end of park – dispersed • Park cleared at approximately 11 pm. Page 43 of 50 KFD – Fire Prevention • Inspected & Permitted: 9 fireworks stands • Public Education Booth (Columbia Park, 2–7pm) • Engaged 630 community members • Distributed safety info and promotional items (cooling towels, water bottles) • Joint Fireworks Patrol (DFM & KPD, 8pm–1am) • Responded to 48 calls for service • Community was respectful and receptive to education Page 44 of 50 KFD – Fire Operations • July 3 (6pm – 1am) • Staffed off-road firefighting vehicle • 5 fireworks-related fires • July 4 (6pm – 2:30am) • Two extra ambulance crews • Firefighting-capable UTV at River of Fire • Off-road firefighting vehicle • 2nd Shift Supervisor • 40 fireworks-related fires Page 45 of 50 KFD – WX Conditions July 3 Temperature 53°F - 90°F Wind 3 -13 mph (Highest gust speed: 20mph) Relative humidity 19-84% July 4 Temperature 56°F - 93°F Wind 2 -13 mph (Highest gust speed: 17mph) Relative humidity 14-77% July 5 Temperature 52°F - 89°F Wind 5 -14 mph (Highest gust speed: 18mph) Relative humidity 19-67% Page 46 of 50 Page 47 of 50 Page 48 of 50 Page 49 of 50 Page 50 of 50