Public commenters invite Richland to CHIP launch; resident urges lodging‑tax walking tours

Kelly Harnish, representing the Benton‑Franklin Health District, told the council she has lived in Richland 19 years and invited council and residents to an April 29 launch of the Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP) at the Richland Public Library. "The CHIP focuses on 5 key priority areas, access to health care, safe drinking water, housing, food insecurity, and mental health," Harnish said, and encouraged RSVPs at bfhd.wa.gov/chip.

Later in public comment, Randy Slovic, a Richland resident, asked the council to consider using lodging‑tax funds to develop walking tours tied to the city’s existing urban trail and volunteer tour leaders. He suggested that additional walking‑tour content could give visitors, including people arriving on tour boats, more to see in Richland.

The mayor thanked both speakers for their remarks and the council moved on to business.