The City of Richland (City) is excited to launch the search for our next Chief of Police. With the position now posted, we're eager to welcome a dynamic and visionary public safety leader to join our community.
The City has teamed up with Mosaic Public Partners, a distinguished consulting firm specializing in public sector recruitment and organizational development. Mosaic's wealth of experience and strategic approach will be instrumental in identifying the ideal candidate to lead our police department.
Anticipated Timeline:
• Open Recruitment – Applications accepted beginning Friday, April 12, 2024
• First Review of Applications – May 13, 2024
• Finalists Selected for Interviews – May 20, 2024
• Finalists Announced – Early June 2024 (bios of finalists to be shared with public)
• In-Person Interviews & Public Engagement – Mid-June 2024 (date to be announced)
• Background Investigation – July 2024
• Candidate Announcement – August 2024
Community members are encouraged to actively participate in the selection process by attending a community engagement event (date to be announced). The event will allow citizens to meet the finalists, share insights, and help shape the future of the Richland Police Department. The feedback will be invaluable in ensuring the best candidate is identified to serve Richland.
Under RCW 43.101.095, candidates will undergo a thorough background investigation. This process is essential to ensuring the integrity and suitability of our future Chief of Police.
City Manager Jon Amundson states, “Mosaic Public Partners has a demonstrated ability to recruit top candidates, specifically law enforcement executives. I am confident their energy and industry experience will assist in identifying our next Chief of Police. I encourage members of the public who wish to meet our finalists to attend the community engagement event and provide feedback as we make this important decision.”
Interested candidates can view the application and further details at www.mosaicpublic.com/careers.
For inquiries about the hiring process or recruitment, please contact the City of Richland Human Resources Director at lpaulsen@ci.richland.wa.us or 509-942-7719.
The City of Richland is excited to kick off construction next week on the first phase of the West Village Community Park. The 33-acre park in Badger Mountain South will be adjacent to the new Fire Station 76 currently under construction on Trowbridge Boulevard.
The 4.5-acre Phase 1, expected to be completed by the end of 2024, will include parking, landscaping, grass play areas, space for a playground, and a comfort station. Phase 1 construction marks just the beginning, with the installation of playground equipment slated for Phase 2.
Park plans began taking shape when the City of Richland sought public feedback on a draft long-range plan for the West Village Community Park in 2021 with two in-person public meetings, one Zoom meeting, and an online survey. Feedback from the community was impressive, with 306 responses received.
For up-to-date information on the construction and to view long-range plans for the park, see www.ci.richland.wa.us/projects.
RICHLAND, WA - The City of Richland’s Permitting Office is moving to an all-digital permitting process beginning Monday, June 3, 2024. The self-service portal will allow applicants to apply for Building Permits, Planning Applications, Right-of-Way Permits and Fire Permits online via desktop, mobile, and other devices, making it a convenient way for applicants to complete and track permit activities.
The City’s implementation of a new permit management software system is designed to help the City improve efficiency, provide greater transparency into City processes, and deliver better customer service.
During the transition period, from Tuesday, May 28 through Friday, May 31, 2024, there will be a temporary closure of the Permitting Office as the City integrates the new system. The closure will impact new submittals, permit issuance, and inspections, so please plan all permit and inspection activities accordingly, bearing in mind that no permits or inspections will be processed during this time frame. It is anticipated that public access to the new system will be fully operational on Monday, June 3, 2024.
You can use the portal to:
- Submit Permit Applications & Plans (Building, Right-of-Way & Fire)
- Submit Planning Applications & Plans
- Check Status of Reviews
- Submit Corrections
- Receive Review Comments
- Receive Permit documents
- Receive approved plans
- Pay Fees
- Schedule Inspections
This portal will be used for building-related permits and inspections only. To continue to apply for non-building related permits, such as event and noise permits, please visit www.ci.richland.wa.us/customerservice.
More information can be found by visiting www.ci.richland.wa.us.
RICHLAND, WA – The City of Richland is pleased to announce the selection of Craig Meidl as Interim Chief of Police. Chief Meidl brings over 30 years of distinguished law enforcement experience, including seven years as the City of Spokane's Chief of Police.
Meidl was selected after a comprehensive background investigation, consistent with RCW 43.101.095, and is expected to serve in the interim role for 3-6 months. This will allow the City of Richland ample time to conduct a thorough search for a permanent Police Chief.
Before his role as Chief of Police, Meidl served in a wide range of positions within law enforcement, including Patrol Officer, Tactical Team, Special Investigations Unit, SWAT Team, Traffic Unit, Detective, Patrol Sergeant, School Resource Officer Sergeant, Traffic Sergeant, Patrol Lieutenant (Shift Commander), Crisis Intervention Team Commander, Internal Affairs Lieutenant, Liaison to the Office of Police Ombudsman, Precinct Captain, Major in Charge of Operations Support Bureau, and Assistant Chief of Police.
Chief Meidl is also a proud United States Marine Corps Active Reserves veteran. Additionally, he holds a Master of Arts in Organizational Leadership from Gonzaga University and is a graduate of the FBI National Academy.
“We are confident that Chief Craig Meidl’s extensive experience, proven leadership, and commitment to community policing will serve the City of Richland exceptionally well during this transitional period,” said City Manager Jon Amundson.
Meidl will begin his service on Monday, April 15, 2024.
The City of Richland will provide additional updates on the search for a permanent Police Chief as the process progresses.
In late 2017, the City of Richland and Pine Creek RNG (formerly WRH Associates, LLC) entered into a Gas Purchase and Site License Agreement whereby Pine Creek RNG committed to construct and operate a landfill gas treatment system. This system will convert the methane gas produced at the City’s landfill into renewable natural gas (RNG).
RNG is derived from waste that would otherwise release methane into the environment as it decomposes. These sources include landfills, wastewater treatment plants and food waste. RNG is produced by capturing methane that would otherwise escape into the atmosphere and purifying it to meet Cascade Natural Gas’ specifications for distribution to their customers.
Prior to the RNG facility construction, the City operated a flare to destroy the methane produced by the landfill. This process will no longer be in use.
Denver-based Pine Creek RNG and Avista, a Spokane, Washington-based energy company, partnered on two RNG projects in Richland, Washington, including the one at the Horn Rapids Landfill, owned by the City of Richland, and Lamb Weston’s potato processing plant.
Construction is complete on both projects. Together, they are projected to produce 2.5 million therms of RNG annually. The gas produced and processed will be injected into Cascade Natural Gas Corporation's local distribution system.
The City of Richland will be commemorating the grand opening of the Horn Rapids Landfill RNG facility on Tuesday, April 2, 2024, at 9:00 a.m. This event is not open to the public. Media is invited to attend. The facility is located at the Horn Rapids Landfill, 3102 Twin Bridges Rd in Richland.
The Horn Rapids Landfill RNG project and well field gas collection and control system were financed, designed, constructed, and will be operated by Pine Creek RNG.
Representatives from Pine Creek RNG, Cascade Natural Gas and Lamb Weston will be in attendance.
More information can be found at www.ci.richland.wa.us/landfillRNG.
Ten years ago, Jefferson Park was identified as having several aging trees that needed to be replaced, so a Renew and Replace model was initiated. This model involves the strategic planting of new trees to allow ample time for them to establish themselves before removing the aging ones.
In the coming week, a significant phase of this program will unfold as several mature trees lining George Washington Way and within Jefferson Park are scheduled for removal. Each designated tree has been clearly marked with signage. The removal of these trees is essential to create space and resources for the nearby young trees to thrive and flourish.
Furthermore, as part of our Arbor Day Celebration on April 26, volunteers will join park personnel in a collaborative effort to plant up to 25 additional trees. The majority of these new trees will find their home on the east side of the park, along Hunt Street. This collective endeavor not only rejuvenates the park's greenery but also fosters community involvement and environmental stewardship